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The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: Siedler on April 20, 2007, 05:34:10 PM

Title: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Siedler on April 20, 2007, 05:34:10 PM
I decided to resurrect this thread from the old board. Since many orchestras and opera houses have announced their next season, what concerts are you planning to attend in season 07/08?


Let's see:
Lahti Symphony Orchestra just announced their new season, so I hope to attend these concerts:

Thu 13.9.2007 / Okko Kamu, conductor Ida Falk Winland, soprano
Schumann: Julius Caesar Overture / Mozart: Arias / Mussorgsky (orch. Gortchakov): Pictures at an Exhibition
Thu 11.10.2007 / Osmo Vänskä, conductor / Martin Fröst, clarinet
Walton: Henry V Suite / Aho: Clarinet Concerto (Finnish première) / Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet Suite
Thu 18.10.2007 / Juraj Valčuha, conductor / Peter Jablonski, piano
Suk: Serenade / Lutoslawski: Paganini Variations / Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini / Dvořák: Symphony No. 6
Thu 1.11.2007 / Hannu Lintu, conductor / Boris Berezovsky, piano / Vladimir Stopitchev, viola / Laulupuu Choir
Berlioz: King Lear Overture / Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Rogaliov: Et resurrexit / Stravinsky: Firebird
Thu 8.11.2007 / David Porcelijn, conductor / Miriam Fried, violin / Kalevi Kiviniemi, organ
Beethoven: Violin Concerto / Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 'Organ Symphony'
Thu 22.11.2007 / Giordano Bellincampi, conductor / Antti Siirala, piano
Weber: Der Freischütz Overture / Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 / Schumann: Symphony No. 4
Thu 13.12.2007 / Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 / Brahms: Symphony No. 2

Thu 31.1.2008 / Carlos Kalmar, conductor / Lilli Paasikivi, mezzo-soprano / Jussi Myllys, baritone / Ain Anger, bass / Dominante Choir
Berlioz: Romeo and Juliet
Thu 7.2.2008 at 19 / Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor / Ronald Brautigam, piano
Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Winter's Tale / Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Schumann: Konzert-Allegro mit Introduktion / Hindemith: Sinfonische Metamorphosen
Thu 21.2.2008 at 19 / Atso Almila, conductor / Jyrki Lasonpalo, violin
Almila: Symphony No. 3 (world première performance) / Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto / Grieg: Symphonic Dances
Thu 3.4.2008 / Andris Nelsons, conductor / Baiba Skride, violin
R. Strauss: Macbeth / Britten: Violin Concerto / Shostakovich: Hamlet, suite from film score

And then opera (Finnish National Opera):
Soile Isokoski – Lieder recital (Strauss / Kuula / Grieg)
Bizet - Carmen
Puccini - La Bohème
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 21, 2007, 02:49:43 AM
Quote from: Siedler on April 20, 2007, 05:34:10 PM
Since many orchestras and opera houses have announced their next season, what concerts are you planning to attend in season 07/08?

I'm not looking so far ahead yet. I've got to get through next week first:

24.04 at the BASF Feierabendhaus in Ludwigshafen:

Sallinen Shadows
Sibelius Violin Concerto
Svendsen Symphony 2

27.04 in Mainz:

Sallinen Kammermusik
Prokofiev Violin Concerto 2
Atterberg Symphony 3

Both concerts feature Lisa Batiashvili violin, Ari Rasilainen conducting the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on April 21, 2007, 03:25:40 AM
Nothing booked yet for 07-08 - but still have a couple of piano recitals upcoming in June:

6th June Wigmore Hall (London):  Sokolov plays Schubert & Scriabin
- very much looking forward to this.

12 June Barbican (ditto):  Pollini plays Chopin & Liszt.
- will try to take the opportunity to nag him (again) about the non-appearance of the rest of his Beethoven cycle.

Actually I just realised, I do have tickets for Sokolov again in London in May 2008 (no idea what he'll be playing.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 21, 2007, 07:38:32 AM
May 15

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Robert Chen, violin

Beethoven -   Coriolan Overture
Lutoslawski -   Chain 2
Bruckner -   Symphony No. 7

;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 21, 2007, 11:49:19 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on April 21, 2007, 07:38:32 AM
May 15

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Robert Chen, violin

Beethoven -   Coriolan Overture
Lutoslawski -   Chain 2
Bruckner -   Symphony No. 7

;D

If I were in Chicago next month, I'd be grinning too.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bobby quine on April 22, 2007, 06:03:40 AM
Friday April 27: Anderszewski playing Bartok's 3rd Piano Concerto. With the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and  Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting. Berwald Hall, Stockholm.

Monday April 30:  Sergey Khachatryan playing Bach's Chaconne from Violin Partita no 2, Franck's Violin Sonata and Shostakovich's Sonata for Violin and Piano. Carnegie Hall.

Thursday May 3: Renée Fleming, The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Esa-Pekka Salonen: songs by Strauss and Korngold. Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite. Lincoln Center.

Friday & Saturday May 5 and 6: Look and Listen festival.

Thursday May 31: Mahler's Symphony no 5 with Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Stockholm Concert Hall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Thom on April 28, 2007, 09:24:19 AM
I realise the thread is about concerts yet to come but I want to report about the concert I attended yesterday evening in the Concertgebouw. Maxim Vengerov was to play with the UBS Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra. Indeed he did play a Mozart Violin Concerto to begin with, then he conducted the Kammersinfonie op. 110a by Shostakovich, very moving because he dedicated this in his introduction to Rostropovich, whom he called his beloved mentor. After the break however he started with a short announcement: due to some pain in his sholder he was not able to complete the programme. He did conduct the sinfonia concertante and symphony 29 by Mozart but I didn't come to see Vengerov conducting. Anyway, it still was a nice concert, great music, and - what the heck - I did see the great man perform a concerto by Mozart!

X
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Guido on April 28, 2007, 09:52:05 AM
Manchester international cello festival 5th May

Programme

BBC Philharmonic, conductor Gianandrea Noseda

Bridge Oration  -- Colin Carr

Britten Cello Symphon  -- Natalia Gutman

- Interval -

Elgar Cello Concerto  --  Ralph Kirshbaum

Walton Cello Concerto  --  Yo-Yo Ma

I can hardly wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on April 28, 2007, 11:26:26 AM
I have tickets for the Philadelphia Orchestra doing the Mahler 2nd at Carnegie Hall in early May.  I am really, really, really looking forward to this one!  If there's a cancellation or change of program I am going to be bitterly disappointed.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 30, 2007, 09:30:58 AM
Quote from: Bunny on April 28, 2007, 11:26:26 AM
I have tickets for the Philadelphia Orchestra doing the Mahler 2nd at Carnegie Hall in early May.  I am really, really, really looking forward to this one!  If there's a cancellation or change of program I am going to be bitterly disappointed.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

I'm going to this, too, and very much looking forward to it.  A live performance of this is almost always an event.  The last time I heard it was with Gergiev and the Kirov (also at Carnegie) about two years ago, and they did a beautiful job with it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 30, 2007, 10:33:06 AM
This Friday, at the Rosengarten in Mannheim, Hilary Hahn is giving a recital. Just got confirmation our tickets are in the mail. She's playing Mozart and Beethoven, I think...not that it matters. She could play scales all night and I'd still be there ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on April 30, 2007, 10:18:29 PM
This Thursday:

Wagner's Greatest
Claus Peter Flor, conductor
Houston Symphony

"Tannhäuser"
Overture
Arrival of the Guests at Wartburg

"Lohengrin"
Prelude to Act III
Wedding March
Lohengrin's Narrative

Overture to The Flying Dutchman

"Der fliegende Holländer"
Norwegian Sailors' Chorus
Erik's Cavatina

"Die Walküre"
The Ride of the Valkyries
Siegmund's Love Song

"Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg "
Prelude
Walther's Prize Song
Wach auf! es nahet gen den Tag

Looking forward to this, I've never seen him conduct.

And next Monday:

Houston Chamber Orchestra

Mozart - Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 488
Michael Lowe, conductor and piano

Portraits - Joel McNeely
Written for his wife, LA Chamber Orch. concertmaster Margaret Batjer
Composer as conductor and his wife as soloist

This is neat as he's a fine film composer/conductor and this is his first big concert piece, and his wife is fantastic, actually she recorded with Hilary Hahn on her Bach Violin Concertos CD.

QuoteThursday May 3: Renée Fleming, The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Esa-Pekka Salonen: songs by Strauss and Korngold. Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Suite. Lincoln Center.

Ooh, I envy you that one! ;D 

Next season some nice concerts here are Dutoit/Argerich with the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra doing Berlioz and Prokofiev, and later Houston is doing Carmina Burana and Mahler's 2nd, but I have no idea if I'll be here then as school may be finished for me. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mozart on May 02, 2007, 11:02:21 AM
When I go back to San Diego I'm going to Berliloz Requiem and then a whole Beethoven concert with the prometheus ov, the violin concerto, and the eroica. A nice end to the SD symphony season!

I might also go to the marriage of figaro but I hate being in a room full of equally pompous asses who have the means to dress better than me so I cant go to the opera alone....Then again its my first and favorite opera....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 02, 2007, 11:56:01 AM
Bruckner's 8th Symphony in the Roman Catholic cathedral in Toledo, performed by the Toledo Symphony.

Playing a Bruckner symphony there once a year has become a new tradition for the orchestra.

And that's in Buckeye Land, dudes, not that other town in Old Europe!   ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 02, 2007, 03:24:26 PM
Quote from: Cato on May 02, 2007, 11:56:01 AM
Bruckner's 8th Symphony in the Roman Catholic cathedral in Toledo, performed by the Toledo Symphony.

Playing a Bruckner symphony there once a year has become a new tradition for the orchestra.

And that's in Buckeye Land, dudes, not that other town in Old Europe!   ;D

Amazing. Toledo has an annual Bruckner festival!...albeit a very small one  ;D  I would never have guessed...or maybe I would have: come to think of it, I believe Toledo Bass has mentioned it before.

By the way, congratulations on your return home. I take it you are a native Buckeye?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 02, 2007, 04:25:26 PM
Quote from: bhodges on April 30, 2007, 09:30:58 AM
I'm going to this, too, and very much looking forward to it.  A live performance of this is almost always an event.  The last time I heard it was with Gergiev and the Kirov (also at Carnegie) about two years ago, and they did a beautiful job with it.

--Bruce

Let's keep our fingers crossed!  I'm praying for great soloists, great playing and serendipitous synchronicity.  And world peace, of course. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 02, 2007, 06:38:21 PM
Next season, I'll attend 3 Bruckner performances. :D

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 2 (Blomstedt) and 5 (Nagano).
The Greater Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra in the 9th (Yannick Nézet-Séguin). NZ replaces Gergiev in Rotterdam in 2007-08, but will remain the OMGM's MD :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on May 02, 2007, 08:50:00 PM
Next Season (Lyric)

La Traviata (Flemming)
La Boheme
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: canninator on May 03, 2007, 03:54:29 AM
I was really excited to see the Zehetmair String Quartet plus a.n.other do the Bruckner and Schubert String Quintets but the cellist has had a road accident so its going to be rescheduled. CSBO is coming to do Sibelius 5 soon. This is all at the Sage in Gateshead, a lovely venue but suffers from only having a Sinfonia and quite conservative musical programmers (although that is changing a bit now).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 03, 2007, 07:09:42 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 02, 2007, 03:24:26 PM
Amazing. Toledo has an annual Bruckner festival!...albeit a very small one  ;D  I would never have guessed...or maybe I would have: come to think of it, I believe Toledo Bass has mentioned it before.

By the way, congratulations on your return home. I take it you are a native Buckeye?

Sarge

Yes, born in Dayton, the true home of aviation, not that interloper area called Upper South Carolina!   ;D

And I am assuming ToledoBass will be sawing away furiously for the Bruckner 8th this month!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 03, 2007, 09:46:28 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on May 02, 2007, 06:38:21 PM
Next season, I'll attend 3 Bruckner performances. :D

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 2 (Blomstedt) and 5 (Nagano).
The Greater Montreal Metropolitan Orchestra in the 9th (Yannick Nézet-Séguin). NZ replaces Gergiev in Rotterdam in 2007-08, but will remain the OMGM's MD :D

Lucky man. My area of Germany has abandoned Bruckner.  >:(

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 03, 2007, 12:57:57 PM
In two weeks;

NZSO
Jaap Van Zweden
Freddy Kempf ~ Piano

Beethoven ~ Fidelio Overture
               ~ Piano Concerto #4
               ~ Symphony #5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on May 03, 2007, 01:42:56 PM
Just been going through the programme for this year's BBC Proms. (I actually have a small dollop of cash this year so thought I might splurge a bit.)

Not much that appealed to me in the first month - but around the middle of August it suddenly steps up a notch, and in rapid succession we get:

   Haitink / Concertgebouw in Bruckner (#8)
   Barenboim / VPO in Bruckner (#4) / Schubert / Ligeti / Bartok
   Abbado / Lucerne Festival Orch in Mahler (#3)
   Gergiev / LSO in Prokofiev
   Jansons / BRSO in Sibelius / Honegger / Beethoven
   Vanska / Lahti SO in Sibelius
   Tilson Thomas / SFSO in Shostakovich (#5) / Mahler (#7)
   Chailly / Gewandhaus in Brahms (#4)
   Levine / Boston SO in Carter / Bartok / Brahms
   Aimard playing Ligeti

And these are just the ones that immediately struck the eye.  Plenty more good stuff too.  Looks like that cash won't be around long...

Anyone else up for any of this?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 03, 2007, 02:04:45 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on May 03, 2007, 01:42:56 PM
Just been going through the programme for this year's BBC Proms. (I actually have a small dollop of cash this year so thought I might splurge a bit.)

Not much that appealed to me in the first month - but around the middle of August it suddenly steps up a notch, and in rapid succession we get:

   Haitink / Concertgebouw in Bruckner (#8)
   Barenboim / VPO in Bruckner (#4) / Schubert / Ligeti / Bartok
   Abbado / Lucerne Festival Orch in Mahler (#3)
   Gergiev / LSO in Prokofiev
   Jansons / BRSO in Sibelius / Honegger / Beethoven
   Vanska / Lahti SO in Sibelius
   Tilson Thomas / SFSO in Shostakovich (#5) / Mahler (#7)
   Chailly / Gewandhaus in Brahms (#4)
   Levine / Boston SO in Carter / Bartok / Brahms
   Aimard playing Ligeti

And these are just the ones that immediately struck the eye.  Plenty more good stuff too.  Looks like that cash won't be around long...

Anyone else up for any of this?

Dude, those sound amazing! I would kill to go to the Haitink and Barenboim concerts. Alas, I don't think I will have the time off to go to London anytime soon.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on May 03, 2007, 02:14:16 PM
Shame.  I'm going to be getting a posse together for those (and 1 or 2 others, e.g. Abbado).

They will all be broadcast on BBC Radio3 though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on May 04, 2007, 09:03:05 AM
Kolarac Concert Hall, Belgrade - Saturday 12 May 2007

Leonidas Kavakos / Peter Nagy

Beethoven  Sonata No.6 in A major, Op.30/1
Busoni  Sonata No.2 in E minor, Op.36a
Ysaÿe  Sonata No.3 in D minor Ballade
Bartók  Sonata No.1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 07, 2007, 06:45:23 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 30, 2007, 10:33:06 AM
This Friday, at the Rosengarten in Mannheim, Hilary Hahn is giving a recital. Just got confirmation our tickets are in the mail. She's playing Mozart and Beethoven, I think...not that it matters. She could play scales all night and I'd still be there ;D

Sarge

Hey, Sarge, how was Hilary? My father just heard her in Düsseldorf and had this to say:

Quote
We heard Hilary Hahn in a huge recital in Duesseldorf last night. Fabulous! She is still a bit reticent about leaving control aside, but it is getting there and, most important, she has achieved a distinct personal profile without forcing anything. Her handwork is absolutely diamond sharp and here I mean seamless bowing above everything else. The program consisted of sonatas by Janacek, Mozart, Tartini (Devil's Trills), Ysaye (No. 2 for solo violin) and Beethoven (the "Kreutzer"). She finished this at about 10:30! And then there were three encores. I still consider her the most promissing violin artist of this century, although she will have a few major contestants, like Batiashvili (who won't be so present on the stage because she wants to lead a "normal" life with husband and kids) and perhaps Fischer and Jansen. All of them should play recitals more often. I realize that the managements are reluctant to organize these (less money and less public interest, which means only the most prominent ones will be asked), but it is of utmost importance for their artistic growth AND for public education.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 07, 2007, 11:42:22 AM
O, I agree with your father. She performed the same program in Mannheim and for me it couldn't have been better chosen (well, maybe I'd have preferred the E minor Mozart sonata...no, come to think of it, the sunnier A major worked better wedged between Janáček and Tartini). The encores were by Paganini, Prokofiev (the March from Love For Three Oranges) and Enesco.

The sheer beauty of her tone was astonishing but I occasionally wished she'd dig a little deeper: the major disappointment was Janáček: it could have been spikier, grittier. I understand what your father means about control: she does seem almost the control-freak on some of her recordings. I think she can underplay the emotion but it was less evident here. Live it's not such a big deal anyway; you just sit back and enjoy the smooth, once-in-a-lifetime ride.

The Tartini provoked the greatest audience response: lots of yelling, whistling, and foot stomping. It was a great performance. Mrs. Rock claimed it was far superior to Mutter's Devil's Trill; less romantic, closer to a baroque ideal. The highlight for me was the Ysaÿe A minor sonata--even if she underplayed the Dies Irae quotes. Again, it was the beauty that seduced me. I wish she'd record the complete Op.27.

Her partner, Valentina Lisitsa, deserves a mention. She almost stole the show a few times (and looked the part: a gorgeous long mane of blonde hair and quite dramatic gestures while she played: no deferential, second-fiddle accompanist!).

We were in the balcony. We bought the least expensive seats because the online ticket agency claimed the Rosengarten was nearly sold-out, with all the good seats taken. That wasn't the case! We paid 54 Euro a ticket but we moved into a 100 Euro box when it became obvious it wasn't anywhere near sold out. In fact, except for the front row, the entire balcony was empty as were two thirds of the box seats! So your father is right about the relative lack of interest in recitals. Probably only Mutter could sell out the place (or Brendel: I tried to get tickets to his recital in Ludwigshafen later this month but couldn't).

Here's the cover of the program:

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/goodmusic/HahnProg.jpg)

Speaking of Batiashvili: again your father is correct. We saw her a few weeks ago (Sibelius, conducted by Rasilainen) and her technique left an indelible impression. In fact, the performance as a whole changed the way I actually hear the concerto now. When she came out for her fourth bow, she had a little girl in tow (maybe three years old). I've never seen a classical artist bring their kid on stage before! Obviously family means much to her.

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/goodmusic/IMG_0172s.jpg)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 07, 2007, 01:20:35 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 07, 2007, 11:42:22 AM
We were in the balcony. We bought the least expensive seats because the online ticket agency claimed the Rosengarten was nearly sold-out, with all the good seats taken. That wasn't the case! We paid 54 Euro a ticket but we moved into a 100 Euro box when it became obvious it wasn't anywhere near sold out. In fact, except for the front row, the entire balcony was empty as were two thirds of the box seats! So your father is right about the relative lack of interest in recitals. Probably only Mutter could sell out the place (or Brendel: I tried to get tickets to his recital in Ludwigshafen later this month but couldn't).

Well, it's a somewhat different story for piano. Any of Argerich, Barenboim, Kissin, Lang would sell out even a big hall like Carnegie in an instant for a solo recital. It's always a bit more difficult for solo violin repertoire that is often unfamiliar territory for most of the audience. How big is the Rosengarten?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Michel on May 08, 2007, 03:23:10 AM
Fidelio at Covent Garden later this year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 08, 2007, 04:04:25 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 07, 2007, 01:20:35 PM
Well, it's a somewhat different story for piano. Any of Argerich, Barenboim, Kissin, Lang would sell out even a big hall like Carnegie in an instant for a solo recital. It's always a bit more difficult for solo violin repertoire that is often unfamiliar territory for most of the audience. How big is the Rosengarten?

The Mozartsaal holds 2300. The Musensaal, where the Staatsphilharmonie now performs, holds considerably less.

I just noticed one upcoming event is apparently sold out: Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazon. ticket prices range from Euro 128 to 485  :o ...opera fans are insane ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on May 08, 2007, 05:32:35 AM
Quote from: Michel on May 08, 2007, 03:23:10 AM
Fidelio at Covent Garden later this year.

Isn't that next month?

I might go to the Janacek, but that's about all.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Michel on May 08, 2007, 06:47:38 AM
I suppose I said later this year because it seems like it, given I have yet to book the ticket!

I would like to have seen Tosca, but that was sold out, not unsuprisingly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on May 08, 2007, 07:36:38 AM
I don't know how popular Fidelio is going to be ...

I'm holding off on booking the Janacek on the assumption it may not be that popular and they start offering discounts.  For Bluebeard's Castle they ended up the week beforehand sending out pleading emails offering front-stalls seats for the price of the benches up in nose-bleed territory - so eventually I caved in and said Oh All Right ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Michel on May 08, 2007, 07:46:55 AM
Wow!

Did I tell you I saw Opera North's Duke Bluebeard production once? I was literally on the front row of the skeletal production where at one point, John Tomlinson's saliva landed on my face - satisfying!

And better yet, because there was a "Busted" concert outside, which in rehersal they could apparently hear inside Leed's Town Hall, they offered everyone a free ticket (which I understand the council then paid for, due to their piss poor planning -- although during the performance I heard not a peep).

So, in sum, I got within swinging distance of Tomlinson for nothing!

I suppose there are Janacek nuts out there, and very enthusiastic they are. But it may pay to hold fire. Fidelio certainly hasn't sold out, nowhere near yet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 08, 2007, 12:15:32 PM
Tonight:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, Conductor
Simona Šaturová, Soprano
Yvonne Naef, Mezzo-Soprano
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Director

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 08, 2007, 01:24:03 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 08, 2007, 12:15:32 PM
Tonight:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, Conductor
Simona Šaturová, Soprano
Yvonne Naef, Mezzo-Soprano
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Director

--Bruce


Ooh!  :o Have fun! Eschenbach is doing Bruckner 7 at Ravinia this summer. Will be nice to have him back in Chicago for a few concerts.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 08, 2007, 01:27:50 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 08, 2007, 01:24:03 PM
Ooh!  :o Have fun! Eschenbach is doing Bruckner 7 at Ravinia this summer. Will be nice to have him back in Chicago for a few concerts.

Thanks!  I have generally admired Eschenbach's work, despite the seemingly huge number of naysayers.  And the Philadelphia Orchestra should be commended for its professionalism in producing some excellent work with him, despite all the behind-the-scenes reports that they don't really get along. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on May 08, 2007, 01:52:04 PM
Quote from: Michel on May 08, 2007, 07:46:55 AM
But it may pay to hold fire. Fidelio certainly hasn't sold out, nowhere near yet.

Yeah, I just checked, there does seem to be plenty of availability.  But I baulk at paying 50 quid for a seat which would probably cost me about a quarter of that in Vienna.  If they get to the stage of offering discounts, though, I'd be up for it.

Quote from: Michel on May 08, 2007, 07:46:55 AM
So, in sum, I got within swinging distance of Tomlinson for nothing!

Why were you think of swinging for John Tomlinson?  And more to the point, what were you thinking of swinging at him?  I once very nearly swung for Owain Arwel Hughes after hearing him deliver the most clotted, greasy and repellent Nielsen #4 it's ever been my misfortune to hear.  He was only a short leap from my usual seat - but the lady wife felled me with a punch before I could take two steps.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Michel on May 08, 2007, 01:55:35 PM
I would never want to swing at him, of course. Perhaps I should have said patting distance. And even if John gave a terrible performance, not sure this is possible, I would be a little concerned as he is a big chap.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 08, 2007, 06:20:15 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 08, 2007, 12:15:32 PM
Tonight:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, Conductor
Simona Šaturová, Soprano
Yvonne Naef, Mezzo-Soprano
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Director

--Bruce


Just came home from this.  Excellent, excellent, excellent, although I did miss the organ in the finale.  I don't know if they have an electronic organ, but I sure do miss the old pipe organ they used to have.  If the organ was playing, it didn't have the heft of a regular one.  If there is an organ in Carnegie Hall I wish someone would let me know where they are keeping it.  You used to be able to see the pipes in the back of the stage years ago, but now they are nowhere in evidence.  I know at one time there was an electronic organ there that was similar to the one in the Riverside Church.

Just to let everyone know, there was another standing ovation in Carnegie, and they deserved it.  Eschenbach conducted without a score, which is the first time in a long time that I've seen a conductor do that for Mahler!  More often for Mozart or Beethoven or any of the shorter symphonies.  Tonight, unfortunately, I wanted to throw some mentos at some unknown individual (couldn't find the ricola at the bottom of my handbag), but my hubby prevented me from launching the missiles.  Tragically, towards the end of the 1st movement, there was someone with a cellphone ringing a few rows behind us.  Hopefully Bruce wasn't in the same part of the auditorium and it didn't bother him the way it did everyone in my section.  It really was a mood breaker and afterwards there was coughing, throat clearing and the noise of people shifting in their seats. >:(

Luckily it was close to the end of the 1st movement, and everyone was able to settle down for the rest of the symphony.  Btw, there was no intermission -- just a few minutes pause between the 1st and 2nd movements.  The 3rd, 4th, and 5th movements flowed into each other seamlessly. The Urlicht was sung beautifully and the climax was as thrilling as I could wish.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on May 09, 2007, 01:18:08 AM
Interesting.  I heard Eschenbach conduct Bruckner #8, and thought it one of the very worst I'd heard.  But his recent CD of Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony is probably the best I've heard.  So maybe he's just variable.  Certainly the Philadelphians have been in rare form in recent years, if the downloads from their site are anything to go by.

Glad you enjoyed the concert.  A fine Resurrection is indeed an experience to savour.  (My first was Tennstedt - still remember it.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 09, 2007, 06:36:59 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 08, 2007, 06:20:15 PM
Just came home from this.  Excellent, excellent, excellent, although I did miss the organ in the finale.  I don't know if they have an electronic organ, but I sure do miss the old pipe organ they used to have.  If the organ was playing, it didn't have the heft of a regular one.  If there is an organ in Carnegie Hall I wish someone would let me know where they are keeping it.  You used to be able to see the pipes in the back of the stage years ago, but now they are nowhere in evidence.  I know at one time there was an electronic organ there that was similar to the one in the Riverside Church.

Just to let everyone know, there was another standing ovation in Carnegie, and they deserved it.  Eschenbach conducted without a score, which is the first time in a long time that I've seen a conductor do that for Mahler!  More often for Mozart or Beethoven or any of the shorter symphonies.  Tonight, unfortunately, I wanted to throw some mentos at some unknown individual (couldn't find the ricola at the bottom of my handbag), but my hubby prevented me from launching the missiles.  Tragically, towards the end of the 1st movement, there was someone with a cellphone ringing a few rows behind us.  Hopefully Bruce wasn't in the same part of the auditorium and it didn't bother him the way it did everyone in my section.  It really was a mood breaker and afterwards there was coughing, throat clearing and the noise of people shifting in their seats. >:(

Luckily it was close to the end of the 1st movement, and everyone was able to settle down for the rest of the symphony.  Btw, there was no intermission -- just a few minutes pause between the 1st and 2nd movements.  The 3rd, 4th, and 5th movements flowed into each other seamlessly. The Urlicht was sung beautifully and the climax was as thrilling as I could wish.

Lovely write-up, Bunny!  I totally agree, first with missing the organ a bit.  Carnegie must be one of the few of the world's great halls that is missing an organ, and in pieces like this one, it's a bit of a shame.  You could hear the organ a bit, but it didn't have nearly the power that it should have had.  But never mind!  Everything else was utterly shattering. 

A favorite moment: in the final movement, the first huge percussion crescendo, with the snare drum louder...louder...and then even much louder than some in the hall probably expected.  Eschenbach drew out this sequence to a rather insane length, but it was so thrilling I didn't care.  The first entrance of the chorus -- one of my favorite moments in music, period -- was about as magical as it gets, and the two singers were excellent, especially the mezzo.

Considering the very public problems between Eschenbach and the orchestra, this must have been a little bit of sweet validation for him.  Certainly he and everyone onstage deserved the ovation.

I did hear that cellphone, far away from my seat in the center balcony, but thankfully was able to forget about it soon after.  What was marginally more bothersome for awhile upstairs was the sound of a truck backing up on 57th Street, outside, coming through an open door on the side.  (Carnegie was built long before principles of total sound isolation found their way into concert hall design.)  Anyway, a thoughtful patron stood up and v-e-r-y q-u-i-e-t-l-y closed it.  I wish I could have thanked him for his little good deed for the day. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 09, 2007, 07:26:19 AM
Tomorrow night, Aimard in (yet another) fascinating evening:

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano
Tamara Stefanovich, Piano
Daniel Ciampolini, Percussion
Joseph Gramley, Percussion

PETER EÖTVÖS Kosmos for 2 Pianos
GYÖRGY KURTÁG Selections from Játékok
STEVE REICH Clapping Music
LIGETI "Fém" from Études pour piano, No. 8 (adapted for piano and percussion)
NANCARROW Studies for Player Piano Nos. 2 & 9 (arr. for two pianos)
AIMARD (arr.) "Poème de chambre", after Ligeti's Poème symphonique for 100 Metronomes
LIGETI "Fanfares" from Études pour piano, No. 4 (adapted for piano and percussion)
BARTÓK Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 09, 2007, 07:28:35 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 02, 2007, 11:56:01 AM
Bruckner's 8th Symphony in the Roman Catholic cathedral in Toledo, performed by the Toledo Symphony.

Playing a Bruckner symphony there once a year has become a new tradition for the orchestra.

And that's in Buckeye Land, dudes, not that other town in Old Europe!   ;D

Just bought the ticket, paid for by my sons: early Father's Day present!  Nice, well-behaved 20-somethings!   0:)     0:)

GMG member Toledobass might be able to tell us how rehearsals are going!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 09, 2007, 07:34:02 AM
Thanks for the kind words, Bruce!

I wonder if this one is going to be recorded?  It certainly sounds ready for the can, and would be a worthy follow-up for their great Mahler 6th.  Whatever one has to say about Eschenbach, it cannot be denied that the man is one of the great Mahler conductors around today.  The Mahler 4th I heard earlier in the season with the same forces did not have the same sheen or polish that this one had.  If I could pick out the biffs and rough patches in that, then it really needed more rehearsal.  It also suffered from a soloist who didn't have enough volume although from what I could hear, her voice was silvery and with good range for the song.

Quote from: bhodges on May 09, 2007, 06:36:59 AM
Lovely write-up, Bunny!  I totally agree, first with missing the organ a bit.  Carnegie must be one of the few of the world's great halls that is missing an organ, and in pieces like this one, it's a bit of a shame.  You could hear the organ a bit, but it didn't have nearly the power that it should have had.  But never mind!  Everything else was utterly shattering. 

A favorite moment: in the final movement, the first huge percussion crescendo, with the snare drum louder...louder...and then even much louder than some in the hall probably expected.  Eschenbach drew out this sequence to a rather insane length, but it was so thrilling I didn't care. The first entrance of the chorus -- one of my favorite moments in music, period -- was about as magical as it gets, and the two singers were excellent, especially the mezzo.

Considering the very public problems between Eschenbach and the orchestra, this must have been a little bit of sweet validation for him.  Certainly he and everyone onstage deserved the ovation.

I did hear that cellphone, far away from my seat in the center balcony, but thankfully was able to forget about it soon after.  What was marginally more bothersome for awhile upstairs was the sound of a truck backing up on 57th Street, outside, coming through an open door on the side.  (Carnegie was built long before principles of total sound isolation found their way into concert hall design.)  Anyway, a thoughtful patron stood up and v-e-r-y q-u-i-e-t-l-y closed it.  I wish I could have thanked him for his little good deed for the day. 

--Bruce

I'll bet Mahler would have approved of that variation from the score!  He was, from all I have read, an extremely dramatic conductor, and one who wasn't afraid to "make things his own."  Another great moment is after the Urlicht, when you hear the brass playing that great theme from Wagner.  It was an electrifying moment!  I was holding my breath and unable to breathe until the music "exhaled."  My husband was on the edge of his chair and the near hysterical woman on the other side of him had her eyes rolling back in her head!  (I wonder if she was able to get home safely.  Although I always find a Mahler symphony and transcendent experience, her reactions were so exaggerated that we both began to wonder if she were completely, well, sane. :o )   As soon as the music stopped, the audience erupted.  I'll bet it sounded thunderous up in the balcony, especially if you were in the music lovers' corner, where the applause snaps and explodes as it hits the back wall of the auditorium. 

I was lucky enough to be in one of those areas of the parquet which is right next to prime p. (cheaper and same sound ;D).  The outside noises are not particularly audible there, or in the first tier where we have our other subscriptions as soon as the ushers close the box door.  What is also abominable is the way the subway noises filter into Zankel Hall.  That hall is used for the Baroque series as well as other small ensemble groups and it is appallingly lacking in sound proofing.  The accoustic of the room is nothing to write home about, either.  Extremely bright and dead, despite all the wood panelling.  To have groups as wonderful as the The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra or the English Concert, or Le Concert des Nations (next season) competing with the sound of a subway train is awful.  I've sat all over that hall and have yet to find seats that offer great sound.  Yet, if I want to hear these wonderful authentic period instrument groups, I am stuck in Zankel.  The trustees of the organization should be shot for shortchanging the public when they converted the old cinema into that hall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Don Giovanni on May 09, 2007, 08:32:40 AM
I'm looking forward to the Proms this year. We have access to a box so I'm going to try and go to as many as possible.

I hope to see as much Mahler as I can. This year: symphonies 1, 3, 7, 9.


Anyone else going to the Proms?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on May 09, 2007, 08:38:50 AM
I'm quite jealous of Bruce and bunny who got to hear M2 - I really wanted to, but moved too late. As for recording, I hope they release it as a CD, but if they don't it will most likely appear as a downloadable file from the Philly Orchestra's website (in lossless FLAC!).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Michel on May 09, 2007, 09:24:59 AM
Good lord, I forgot that the proms schedule is out. I have looked through and as usual too much popular crap that isn't worth it.

I will be going to one concert, however, that I can greatly looking forward to:

Bruckner 8 - Concertebouw Haitink

And I may go to his Wagner prom, just because it might "sound" nice.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on May 09, 2007, 09:39:26 AM
Quote from: Michel on May 09, 2007, 09:24:59 AM
Good lord, I forgot that the proms schedule is out. I have looked through and as usual too much popular crap that isn't worth it.

I haven't looked at the schedule proper, but from Choo Choo's post earlier on, there seem to be quite a few great concerts. Mind you, I agree that there's probably a lot of dross as well that Choo Choo didn't bother to post about.

Quote from: Choo Choo on May 03, 2007, 01:42:56 PM
Just been going through the programme for this year's BBC Proms. (I actually have a small dollop of cash this year so thought I might splurge a bit.)

Not much that appealed to me in the first month - but around the middle of August it suddenly steps up a notch, and in rapid succession we get:

   Haitink / Concertgebouw in Bruckner (#8)
   Barenboim / VPO in Bruckner (#4) / Schubert / Ligeti / Bartok
   Abbado / Lucerne Festival Orch in Mahler (#3)
   Gergiev / LSO in Prokofiev
   Jansons / BRSO in Sibelius / Honegger / Beethoven
   Vanska / Lahti SO in Sibelius
   Tilson Thomas / SFSO in Shostakovich (#5) / Mahler (#7)
   Chailly / Gewandhaus in Brahms (#4)
   Levine / Boston SO in Carter / Bartok / Brahms
   Aimard playing Ligeti

And these are just the ones that immediately struck the eye.  Plenty more good stuff too.  Looks like that cash won't be around long...

Anyone else up for any of this?

The Haitink Bruckner is definitely tasty, but the Mahler performances should be good too. Also the Vanska Sibelius. I saw him lead a very powerful Kullervo last year. We're getting Jansons and MTT up here in Edinburgh as well.

Quote from: Don Giovanni on May 09, 2007, 08:32:40 AM
I'm looking forward to the Proms this year. We have access to a box so I'm going to try and go to as many as possible.

I hope to see as much Mahler as I can. This year: symphonies 1, 3, 7, 9.


Anyone else going to the Proms?

DG, how does a box work? Does it mean you have access to every performance?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 09, 2007, 10:10:41 AM
Quote from: stingo on May 09, 2007, 08:38:50 AM
I'm quite jealous of Bruce and bunny who got to hear M2 - I really wanted to, but moved too late. As for recording, I hope they release it as a CD, but if they don't it will most likely appear as a downloadable file from the Philly Orchestra's website (in lossless FLAC!).

Oh my!  How soon would that be available for download! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 09, 2007, 10:13:59 AM
Bunny and Bruce, thanks for your write-ups. Wish I could have been there.

Quote from: Choo Choo on May 09, 2007, 01:18:08 AM
I heard Eschenbach conduct Bruckner #8, and thought it one of the very worst I'd heard. 

Really? When/where was this? I heard Eschenbach do the most magical Bruckner 8 I have ever heard with the NYPO a few years back (98/99 or so, I think). He is variable, though. I heard him do an atrociously distended Dvorak 9th as well.


Quote from: bhodges on May 09, 2007, 07:26:19 AM
Tomorrow night, Aimard in (yet another) fascinating evening:

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano
Tamara Stefanovich, Piano
Daniel Ciampolini, Percussion
Joseph Gramley, Percussion

PETER EÖTVÖS Kosmos for 2 Pianos
GYÖRGY KURTÁG Selections from Játékok
STEVE REICH Clapping Music
LIGETI "Fém" from Études pour piano, No. 8 (adapted for piano and percussion)
NANCARROW Studies for Player Piano Nos. 2 & 9 (arr. for two pianos)
AIMARD (arr.) "Poème de chambre", after Ligeti's Poème symphonique for 100 Metronomes
LIGETI "Fanfares" from Études pour piano, No. 4 (adapted for piano and percussion)
BARTÓK Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion

--Bruce


He's doing the same in Chicago this Sunday. Unfortunately, I will be on the West Coast, so I will have to miss it. But I will be back to hear Haitink's Tuesday night performance of Bruckner 7 with the CSO!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 09, 2007, 10:47:15 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on May 09, 2007, 01:18:08 AM
Interesting.  I heard Eschenbach conduct Bruckner #8, and thought it one of the very worst I'd heard.  But his recent CD of Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony is probably the best I've heard.  So maybe he's just variable.  Certainly the Philadelphians have been in rare form in recent years, if the downloads from their site are anything to go by.

Glad you enjoyed the concert.  A fine Resurrection is indeed an experience to savour.  (My first was Tennstedt - still remember it.)

I think Eschenbach can be variable.  The Mahler 2 last night was phenomenal.  His Mahler 4 from a few months ago was very indifferent.  It wasn't awful, but it felt like a work in progress: poor choice of soloist (Marisol Montalvo), and rough play from the orchestra which was surprising considering how well they sounded before the intermission when they did the Berg Violin Concerto with Leonidas Kavakos.


The Bruckner 9th I heard him conduct a few weeks later was, again, totally wonderful -- incredible playing by the orchestra.  The Mozart Violin Concerto No. 5 with Gil Shaham was also executed extremely well even though it was a last minute substitution when Quasthoff had to withdraw at the last moment because of the "flu."  He had been scheduled to sing the Kindertoten Lieder. (Boy am I sorry about that!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Don Giovanni on May 09, 2007, 11:21:37 AM
Quote from: Novitiate on May 09, 2007, 09:39:26 AM

DG, how does a box work? Does it mean you have access to every performance?

The company that my dad works for played a role in the construction of the Royal Albert Hall. They have their own box there and they get tickets for 90% of the performances (and nearly every prom). I've been going to the proms for about two years and this year looks like the one I will enjoy the most - last year didn't really have anything spectacular.

Quote from: Novitiate on May 09, 2007, 09:39:26 AM

The Haitink Bruckner is definitely tasty, but the Mahler performances should be good too. Also the Vanska Sibelius. I saw him lead a very powerful Kullervo last year. We're getting Jansons and MTT up here in Edinburgh as well.


I saw Haitink do Mahler's 2nd about a year ago. All I can say is that it was phenomenal.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on May 09, 2007, 04:07:39 PM
Yes Eschenbach can indeed be variable - when he's on his A-game, there's very few that equal or surpass him. If he's not... well... let's just say the difference is very notable.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 09, 2007, 08:12:11 PM
Quote from: stingo on May 09, 2007, 04:07:39 PM
Yes Eschenbach can indeed be variable - when he's on his A-game, there's very few that equal or surpass him. If he's not... well... let's just say the difference is very notable.

It's funny, after the Mahler 4th which I had found disappointing, my husband, who had only heard it before when Rattle conducted the Berliners, said, "Now I know why you didn't like Rattle's performance.  This was so much more exciting and it sounded better too." I then asked him how he could say that when the orchestra's play was so rough and the singer couldn't be heard, and he replied that it didn't matter because the singer when Rattle performed was just awful looking and sounding (Kozena in a very unfortunate white outfit) although he admitted  it was easier to hear her.  I guess he would rather have not been able to hear her.  And, he added that the symphony wasn't as exciting and just didn't sound as nice.  I suppose he was referring to the lean sound of the Berliners compared to the still lush and silky Philadelphia strings, and the fact that Rattle's version of the 4th is extremely flaccid and the tension never comes to climax.  The Berliners, however, play like angels individually.  If there is a missed note or horn biff no one can tell, they are such fine instrumentalists.  I guess perfection is sometimes an overrated commodity. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2007, 08:44:32 AM
Just added this one into the mix, on Sunday afternoon at Carnegie:

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Nicolas Hodges, Piano

Elliott Carter: Three Illusions
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3, "Scottish"
Elliott Carter: Dialogues for Piano and Orchestra
Mozart: Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2007, 09:14:34 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 09, 2007, 07:26:19 AM
Tomorrow night, Aimard in (yet another) fascinating evening:

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano
Tamara Stefanovich, Piano
Daniel Ciampolini, Percussion
Joseph Gramley, Percussion

PETER EÖTVÖS Kosmos for 2 Pianos
GYÖRGY KURTÁG Selections from Játékok
STEVE REICH Clapping Music
LIGETI "Fém" from Études pour piano, No. 8 (adapted for piano and percussion)
NANCARROW Studies for Player Piano Nos. 2 & 9 (arr. for two pianos)
AIMARD (arr.) "Poème de chambre", after Ligeti's Poème symphonique for 100 Metronomes
LIGETI "Fanfares" from Études pour piano, No. 4 (adapted for piano and percussion)
BARTÓK Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion

Well this was pretty amazing, I must say.  Aimard conceived the entire thing performed straight through, without intermission, and the middle section (from Reich through the Ligeti "Fanfares") was done without pauses between the works.  Aimard's arrangement of the "Poème symphonique" was amusing, for the four musicians at two pianos, each solemnly hitting a single note, over and over...well, metronomically!

The Bartok was totally great -- very crisp, slightly jazzy and lean -- and the two percussionists were just marvelous.  At the end, bravos and Aimard and the others came out four times to acknowledge the applause. 

He's doing another recital/talk tonight, also at Zankel, but alas, I'll be at Falstaff in Philadelphia. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on May 11, 2007, 01:27:13 PM
Quote from: Bunny on May 09, 2007, 08:12:11 PMI guess perfection is sometimes an overrated commodity. 

It is - I'd much rather have a technically flawed but emotionally riveting performance than a technically perfect uninvolving one. Have you heard any of the Ondine recordings of the Philly Orchestra with Eschenbach?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 11, 2007, 01:50:37 PM
Quote from: Cato on May 09, 2007, 07:28:35 AM
Just bought the ticket, paid for by my sons: early Father's Day present!  Nice, well-behaved 20-somethings!   0:)     0:)

GMG member Toledobass might be able to tell us how rehearsals are going!

Sorry Folks,

I don't follow this thread often so I've missed all the mentions of the upcoming Bruckner 8.  It has been an ongoing tradition to play a Bruckner concert in the wonderful space of the Rosary Cathedral.  The funny thing to me is that it is a giveaway concert to those who subscribe to our Mozart and More series. I don't think most of the audience knew what they were in for that first Bruckner concert, but I think they've come to enjoy the annual offering.  It surely is well attended and well recieved.  We had played Bruckner under a different conductor before in our main hall but it was not well recieved due to poor performances.  Sanderling has a way of being so musically convincing that a level of trust with the audience was developed that I think they just come along for the ride now, basically expecting it to be good.  I always look forward to this concert (I surely can't say that about all my collegues.)  Bruckner's music is very special to Sanderling and I believe the 8th is his favorite.  He's been very detailed in rehearsal and the concert should come off well.  Of course I wish there were another performance for all of the taxing work we've put in over the past week,  oh well.  Next year is the 9th preceded by Messaien's L'Ascension and next week is Beethoven 9 (I believe this is the last symphony that we've needed to play to complete the entire cycle)!!!  A busy and exciting 2 weeks at work. :D   


Allan

PS.  The reason I came to the thread was to post that I'm looking forward to Rosenkavalier at the Cleveland Orchestra in early June.   ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 12, 2007, 04:20:40 PM
Thanks for the update on the Bruckner 8th Symphony from Toledobass!

Best Wishes for tomorrow!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 14, 2007, 04:36:56 AM
The concert I was looking forward to is now in the past:  the Toledo Symphony played Bruckner's Symphony #8 in the cathedral yesterday, and it was a wonderful experience: Bruckner's divine music    0:)    belongs quite rightly in cathedrals!
Conductor is Stefan Sanderling, who took a few things at times a little too slowly for my taste, but certainly the tempi were not indefensible.

GMG member Toledobass performed in this, and the bass sound was smooth and filling.  The brass of course are key to Bruckner, and they filled the cathedral's space when needed.  There was an almost immediate standing ovation (this one was deserved!).

I was surrounded by 20-somethings (one of them my son, a newly degreed mathematician) and some teenage boys, who were unaccompanied by parents.  So I was wondering what the reaction would be, but should not have been so skeptical: they seemed to become more and more engrossed.  When the finale charged in, they seemed as enraptured as the rest of the audience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 14, 2007, 04:38:57 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 14, 2007, 04:36:56 AM
I was surrounded by 20-somethings (one of them my son, a newly degreed mathematician) and some teenage boys, who were unaccompanied by parents.  So I was wondering what the reaction would be, but should not have been so skeptical: they seemed to become more and more engrossed.  When the finale charged in, they seemed as enraptured as the rest of the audience.

This does not surprise me in the least.

-- Nor does it surprise me that Allan acquitted himself so brilliantly!  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 14, 2007, 04:53:57 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 14, 2007, 04:36:56 AM
The concert I was looking forward to is now in the past:  the Toledo Symphony played Bruckner's Symphony #8 in the cathedral yesterday, and it was a wonderful experience: Bruckner's divine music    0:)    belongs quite rightly in cathedrals!
Conductor is Stefan Sanderling, who took a few things at times a little too slowly for my taste, but certainly the tempi were not indefensible.

GMG member Toledobass performed in this, and the bass sound was smooth and filling.  The brass of course are key to Bruckner, and they filled the cathedral's space when needed.  There was an almost immediate standing ovation (this one was deserved!).

I was surrounded by 20-somethings (one of them my son, a newly degreed mathematician) and some teenage boys, who were unaccompanied by parents.  So I was wondering what the reaction would be, but should not have been so skeptical: they seemed to become more and more engrossed.  When the finale charged in, they seemed as enraptured as the rest of the audience.

Thanks for the review, Cato. It makes me sad I couldn't have been home to experience it (and next month the Cleveland Orchestra is doing Rosenkavalier! ARRRGGGHHH!!!...the first time in three years I won't be in Ohio in June...damn...)

Interesting observation about the young people in the audience. I've had a few concert experiences recently that give me hope for classical music's future: there was a much younger audience than I'm used to in Berlin for the Mahler cycle. Both Hélène Grimaud and Hilary Hahn have, apparently, hordes of young fans, as young as eight or nine!...and the kids I saw at their concerts acted like they were seeing a famous pop star. Very encouraging.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 14, 2007, 05:10:18 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 14, 2007, 04:53:57 AM
Thanks for the review, Cato. It makes me sad I couldn't have been home to experience it (and next month the Cleveland Orchestra is doing Rosenkavalier! ARRRGGGHHH!!!...the first time in three years I won't be in Ohio in June...damn...)

Interesting observation about the young people in the audience. I've had a few concert experiences recently that give me hope for classical music's future: there was a much younger audience than I'm used to in Berlin for the Mahler cycle. Both Hélène Grimaud and Hilary Hahn have, apparently, hordes of young fans, as young as eight or nine!...and the kids I saw at their concerts acted like they were seeing a famous pop star. Very encouraging.

Sarge

I am moving to Columbus in July, and so will be 90 minutes away from the Cleveland Orchestra and from the Cincinnati Symphony.  I am not acquainted with the Columbus Symphony and how well or what they play.

Certainly the Toledo Symphony would not have been able to tackle Bruckner 20 years ago.  They began to improve greatly under previous conductor Andrew Massey, and that continues with Stefan Sanderling.  A good number of young women populate the orchestra: principal trumpeter these days is a woman, and her cheeks were puffed out and rosy yesterday as if she were a June bride!   8)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 14, 2007, 05:53:26 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 14, 2007, 05:10:18 AM
I am moving to Columbus in July, and so will be 90 minutes away from the Cleveland Orchestra and from the Cincinnati Symphony.  I am not acquainted with the Columbus Symphony and how well or what they play.

I've got relatives in Columbus (one niece is a professor at Ohio State, a nephew an executive at Abercrombie and Fitch) and visit often but I've never heard the orchestra. I'm impressed with the area, though. Columbus has really exploded and it's not the provincial backwater it once was.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 14, 2007, 06:08:58 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 14, 2007, 05:53:26 AM
I've got relatives in Columbus (one niece is a professor at Ohio State, a nephew an executive at Abercrombie and Fitch) and visit often but I've never heard the orchestra. I'm impressed with the area, though. Columbus has really exploded and it's not the provincial backwater it once was.

Sarge

When we lived there in the 70's, "cowtown"    :o    was not an unknown epithet for it from people in Dayton, Cincy, and Cleveland!   8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on May 14, 2007, 06:46:19 AM
My planned musical events

May 24- Oslo Concerthouse, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Jukka Pekka Saraste
            Varese-Ameriques
            Beethoven-Symphony no.3 "Eroica"
May 26- Köln Opera
            Händel-"Giulio Cesare in Egitto" (premiere)
June 08- Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, NDR Sinfonieorchester/Christoph von Dohnanyi
            Daniel Barenboim, piano
            Brahms-Piano concerto no.1
            Schumann-Symphony no.2
June 09- Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, NDR Sinfonieorchester/Christoph von Dohnanyi
            Daniel Barenboim, piano
            Schumann-symphony no.4
            Brahms-Piano concerto no.2
June 27- Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest/Mariss Jansons
            Mitsuko Uchida, piano
            Wagner-Tannhaüser Overture
            Mozart-Piano Concerto no.25
            Brahms-Symphony no.1
June 29- Prague Opera,Theatre of the Estates
             Mozart-Don Giovanni
       
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 14, 2007, 08:22:51 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 14, 2007, 04:53:57 AM
Thanks for the review, Cato. It makes me sad I couldn't have been home to experience it (and next month the Cleveland Orchestra is doing Rosenkavalier! ARRRGGGHHH!!!...the first time in three years I won't be in Ohio in June...damn...)


Sarge

Sarge Sarge Sarge $:).  The yearly operas at the Cleveland Orchestra are my favorite concerts to attend.  I've always thought Franz does best when there are voices on stage.  There's always a great excitement in the audience for these things and I can't wait for this one coming up.  (For added fun, the Mrs. will be singing some miniscule part.)  They cost a fortune to put on so I hope they are able to keep the tradition ongoing.



Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 17, 2007, 02:58:27 PM
Tonight! An all Beethoven programme.

BEETHOVEN Fidelio Overture
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No 4
BEETHOVEN Symphony No 5


NZSO
PIETARI INKINEN Conductor
FREDDY KEMPF Piano


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2007, 06:54:07 AM
This Sunday afternoon:

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano

R. STRAUSS: Der Bürger als Edelmann Suite, Op. 60
SCHOENBERG: "Lied der Waldtaube" ("Song of the Wood Dove") from Gurrelieder (arr. Erwin Stein)
AMBROISE THOMAS: Overture to Mignon
BERLIOZ: La Mort de Cléopâtre
RAVEL: Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 18, 2007, 01:35:28 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 17, 2007, 02:58:27 PM
Tonight! An all Beethoven programme.

BEETHOVEN Fidelio Overture
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No 4
BEETHOVEN Symphony No 5


NZSO
PIETARI INKINEN Conductor
FREDDY KEMPF Piano




Great concert last night.

It was the new Music Director Emeritus, Pietari Inkinen, first performance with the NSZO as conductor and he was sensational;totally committed to the material with the orchestra responding in kind.

Freddy Kempf was very fluid with the 4th PC delivering a moving and powerful interpretation. After 4 curtain calls he gave us a brief encore of a Schumann piece. I don't know what it was.

After intermission we had the sonic glory of Beethovens 5th symphony which in the wrong hands could sound a bit hackneyed but last night it was a superb journey from darkness to light. The energy and power in the final movement was goosebumps teritory. We left the concert hall elated  :)

Great quote from Beethoven in the programme;

'Life is short, Art is eternal'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2007, 01:46:07 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 18, 2007, 01:35:28 PM
After intermission we had the sonic glory of Beethovens 5th symphony which in the wrong hands could sound a bit hackneyed but last night it was a superb journey from darkness to light. The energy and power in the final movement was goosebumps teritory. We left the concert hall elated  :)

A good reading of the Beethoven Fifth -- i.e., in which neither the conductor nor the players take it for granted -- is an experience to treasure.  Sounds like you got one!  Thanks for the report.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 18, 2007, 09:02:14 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 18, 2007, 01:46:07 PM
A good reading of the Beethoven Fifth -- i.e., in which neither the conductor nor the players take it for granted -- is an experience to treasure.  Sounds like you got one!  Thanks for the report.

--Bruce

Yes, I groaned when I saw it on the seasons programme but it tured out to be a real treat. Just goes to show that even an 'ol warhorse in the rights hands can be magical  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on May 19, 2007, 01:16:12 PM
Well, I just subscribed to the Philly orchestra for the '07-'08 season. I may have missed M2 but there's NO way I'm going to miss M8 :) So of course I'm looking forward to them all...

Saturday 9A 2007-2008 Series
Philadelphia Orchestra 2007-2008 Season

   
Verizon Hall
   
Schubert, Mozart, and Haydn
October 27, 2007    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan,  conductor
Stephen Hough,  piano
SCHUBERT  Overture in C major "in the Italian Style"
MOZART  Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467
MOZART  Chaconne from Idomeneo
HAYDN  Symphony No. 100 ("Military")

Ravel and Roussel
November 10, 2007    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Stéphane Denève,  conductor
Vincent Dubois,  organ
HIGDON  blue cathedral
POULENC  Organ Concerto
RAVEL  Suite from Mother Goose
ROUSSEL  Suite No. 2 from Bacchus and Ariadne

Rattle Conducts Schumann
December 1, 2007    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Simon Rattle,  conductor
Christine Brandes,  soprano
Heidi Grant Murphy,  soprano
Bernarda Fink,  mezzo-soprano
Joseph Kaiser,  tenor
Mark Padmore,  tenor
Luca Pisaroni ,  bass-baritone
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale,  David Hayes, music director
SCHUMANN  Das Paradies und die Peri


Bernstein Festival: West Side Story
January 10, 2008    ( Thu, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach,  conductor
Time for Three,
Zachary De Pue, violin
Nicolas Kendall, violin
Ranaan Meyer, double bass
TCHAIKOVSKY  Romeo and Juliet
HIGDON  Concerto 4-3, for string trio and orchestra
BERNSTEIN  Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

Bernstein Festival: Bernstein, Barber and Bell
February 2, 2008    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Rossen Milanov,  conductor
Joshua Bell,  violin
BERNSTEIN  Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
BARBER  Violin Concerto
BERNSTEIN  Songs from West Side Story, for violin and orchestra
STRAVINSKY  Petrushka
STRAVINSKY  Scherzo à la russe

Serkin Plays Mozart
March 1, 2008    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Robert Spano,  conductor
Peter Serkin,  piano
STRAVINSKY  Dumbarton Oaks
STRAVINSKY  Capriccio, for piano and orchestra
MOZART  Concert-Rondo in D major, K. 382, for piano and orchestra
RACHMANINOFF  Symphony No. 1

A Musical Space Odyssey
April 12, 2008    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski,  conductor
Nikolaj Znaider,  violin
LIGETI  Atmosphères
BRAHMS  Violin Concerto
R. STRAUSS  Also sprach Zarathustra
J. STRAUSS  "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" Waltz

Symphony of a Thousand
May 3, 2008    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach,  conductor
Christine Brewer,  soprano
Michaela Kaune,  soprano
Marisol Montalvo,  soprano
Stephanie Blythe,  mezzo-soprano
Charlotte Hellekant,  mezzo-soprano
Paul Groves,  tenor
Franco Pomponi,  baritone
James Morris,  bass
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale,  David Hayes, music director
Westminster Symphonic Choir,  Joe Miller, music director
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia,  Alan Harler, music director
MAHLER  Symphony No. 8 ("Symphony of a Thousand")

All Schubert
May 17, 2008    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach,  conductor
SCHUBERT  Symphony in B minor ("Unfinished")
SCHUBERT  Symphony in C major ("Great")
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2007, 01:17:52 PM
Next Tuesday and Wednesday at P.S. 122, the International Contemporary Ensemble (http://www.iceorg.org) is doing:

Luigi Nono: A floresta é jovem cheja de vida (The Forest is Young and Full of Life) (1966)

From their website: In the 1960's Italian composer Luigi Nono turned to theater and electronics to express his political sentiments outside of the constraints of the concert hall.  Nono's bold anti-war statement blends his experiments with the human voice, traditional instruments and electronic playback into a self-contained dramatic work.  ICE is proud to present this work in collaboration with world-renowned soprano Tony Arnold and director Habib Azar.

PS, just saw stingo's post with all those tasty-looking Philly items...I will definitely be at the M8, too (maybe more than once)!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Michel on May 19, 2007, 01:47:55 PM
For me, one piece, twice:

PARSIFAL

First in Covent Garden with Haitink in the pit late 07, second in Paris in early 08.

I can't wait!!!

Does anyone fancy going to see Haitink do Bruckner's 8 at the proms?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 19, 2007, 09:26:37 PM
Quote from: stingo on May 19, 2007, 01:16:12 PM
Ravel and Roussel
November 10, 2007    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Stéphane Denève,  conductor
Vincent Dubois,  organ
HIGDON  blue cathedral
POULENC  Organ Concerto
RAVEL  Suite from Mother Goose
ROUSSEL  Suite No. 2 from Bacchus and Ariadne

That should be outstanding! Deneve is excellent. I'd love to have an opportunity to hear that repertoire from someone like him who cares about it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on May 20, 2007, 11:10:10 AM
This year, I have the following to look forward to:

May 22nd (http://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/concerts/concert_details.cfm?e=33960)

May 29th (http://www.cadoganhall.com/showpage.php?pid=348)

July 26th (http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=5205)

I'm also waiting to hear if I've managed to secure a ticket to this BBC Proms 2007 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2007/whatson/1807.shtml) concert. If I have, then I'll be sat overlooking the orchestra, which is something I've always wanted to do at the Royal Albert Hall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonGodders on May 20, 2007, 01:40:18 PM
Quote from: Michel on May 19, 2007, 01:47:55 PM
For me, one piece, twice:

PARSIFAL

First in Covent Garden with Haitink in the pit late 07, second in Paris in early 08.

I can't wait!!!

Does anyone fancy going to see Haitink do Bruckner's 8 at the proms?

Not really, Bruckner doesn't 'float my boat', but wouldn't mind seeing this fella' do the Beethoven Violin Concerto:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2007/whatson/0509.shtml#prom69

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mozart on May 20, 2007, 03:57:48 PM
hu. Aug 16
   

8:00 PM
   

The Grand Tour: Mozart in Vienna
Classical Thursdays: TH2

        

Artists:
Los Angeles Philharmonic; Nicholas McGegan,  conductor; Shai Wosner, piano

Program:
Mozart: Five Contradances, K. 609
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466 Listen
Mozart: Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter" Listen
   


wahh I wont be able to go
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on May 21, 2007, 03:11:55 PM
Sunday afternoon (yesterday) - concert entitled Young at Heart with Midori - as the title would suggest, a varied program w/ interest for kids (in fact, a lot of youngsters in attendance!):

Britten - The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
JS Bach - Double Violin Concerto - Midori + invited guest
Ravel - Mother Goose Suite
Bruch - Violin Concerto, No. 1 w/ Midori

One highlight was the Bach - the 'guest' was the 17 y/o 'concertmaster' of the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony - a gal who did quite well playing along w/ Midori front stage!  I'm sure that it was a thrill - tonight Midori is appearing w/ the Youth Symphony - she is spending 5 days or so here doing all sorts of these activities - I was not aware that she is so involved in these types of endeavors (admire her for these tremendous efforts).

Midori & the W-S Symphony did the Bruch quite well - my 'home' version is w/ Accardo & Kurt Masur (a wonderful Philips Duo w/ three Bruch Violin Concs., Serenade, & Scottish Fantasy) - interesting contrast, and liked both approaches.   :D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 24, 2007, 07:16:53 AM
This Saturday night:

New York Philharmonic
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Julian Rachlin, violin

Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Festival Overture
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3     
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

The Bartók is still an alltime favorite, and my hunch is that it may play to Maazel's strengths.  I don't recall ever hearing the Saint-Saëns, so that will be interesting. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on May 24, 2007, 09:54:22 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 24, 2007, 07:16:53 AM
This Saturday night:

New York Philharmonic
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Julian Rachlin, violin

Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Festival Overture
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3     
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

The Bartók is still an alltime favorite, and my hunch is that it may play to Maazel's strengths.  I don't recall ever hearing the Saint-Saëns, so that will be interesting. 

--Bruce


If the violin concerto is anything like his piano concerti, it should be quite enjoyable.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on May 24, 2007, 11:44:20 AM
Saint-Saens' Third Violin Concerto is terrific. You'll love it, Bruce. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 25, 2007, 07:57:05 PM
My favourite piece among those is the Rimsky Russian Easter Overture  :D. Somehow, I doubt the brass will do it justice though. It requires fullness of tone bordering on the brazen and raucous. In my experience (Masur era broadcasts) the NYPO brass section doesn't fit that description.

Bruce, I'm almost sure you'll recognize the tunes of the Saint-Saens concerto (esp. the final movement). It sizzles!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on June 02, 2007, 05:48:15 PM
Modern cello on Sunday night:
Artists: Rohan de Saram and David Hetherington

Programme:
Luciano Berio (Italy, 1925-2003) Sequenza XIV (2002)
Santiago Lanchares (Spain, 1952) – Espera, Luz, Espera*** (2006) for solo cello
James Dillon (Scotland, 1950) – Eos (1999) for solo cello
Iannis Xenakis (Greece/France 1922-2001) – Kottos (1977) for solo cello
Alexander Shchetynsky (Ukraine, 1960) Pas de Deux (1996) for 2 cellos
Sven Lyder Kahrs (Norway, 1959) – Mais tes désir ont la couleur du vent*** (2004)
Guido Baggiani (Italy, 1932) – Duo Concertante*** (1991) for 2 cellos
Brian Current (Canada, 1972) – *New work** (2007) for 2 cellos

Should be fun: I don't know any of the pieces other than the Xenakis, which I love (and have heard live within the last calendar year!). I know roughly what to expect with the Berio and Dillon pieces: anyone have opinions regarding the other people on the program list.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 04, 2007, 04:51:07 AM
The Staatskapelle Dresden will be in Mannheim next week, Dutoit conducting, Lisa Batiashvili violin:

Ravel Ma Mère L'oye

Prokofiev Violin Concerto #2 G minor

Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade

We had dinner with my parents-in-law last night and they gave us their subscription tickets: front row balcony  :)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on June 04, 2007, 04:59:24 AM
This coming Saturday my wife and I will be attending Beethoven's Choral Fantasy & Symphony No. 9 as performed by the Colorado Symphony and:

Jeffrey Kahane, music director and piano | Duain Wolfe, conductor | Pamela Coburn, soprano | Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano | Richard Clement, tenor | Nathan Berg, Bass | CSO Chorus

I have never seen either live, so looking forward to it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 04, 2007, 05:55:40 AM
Quote from: edward on June 02, 2007, 05:48:15 PM
Modern cello on Sunday night:
Artists: Rohan de Saram and David Hetherington

Programme:
Luciano Berio (Italy, 1925-2003) Sequenza XIV (2002)
Santiago Lanchares (Spain, 1952) – Espera, Luz, Espera*** (2006) for solo cello
James Dillon (Scotland, 1950) – Eos (1999) for solo cello
Iannis Xenakis (Greece/France 1922-2001) – Kottos (1977) for solo cello
Alexander Shchetynsky (Ukraine, 1960) Pas de Deux (1996) for 2 cellos
Sven Lyder Kahrs (Norway, 1959) – Mais tes désir ont la couleur du vent*** (2004)
Guido Baggiani (Italy, 1932) – Duo Concertante*** (1991) for 2 cellos
Brian Current (Canada, 1972) – *New work** (2007) for 2 cellos

Should be fun: I don't know any of the pieces other than the Xenakis, which I love (and have heard live within the last calendar year!). I know roughly what to expect with the Berio and Dillon pieces: anyone have opinions regarding the other people on the program list.

Wow, great program -- I don't know any of these composers, other than the same three you do.  Please report back.  And I don't know Hetherington, but have admired Rohan de Saram for years. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 04, 2007, 06:26:02 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 04, 2007, 04:51:07 AM
The Staatskapelle Dresden will be in Mannheim next week, Dutoit conducting, Lisa Batiashvili violin:

Ravel Ma Mère L'oye

Prokofiev Violin Concerto #2 G minor

Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade

We had dinner with my parents-in-law last night and they gave us their subscription tickets: front row balcony  :)

Sarge

Oooh! Dutoit does a stunning Sheherazade. He just conducted that here in Chicago a few months ago and it was easily the best I have heard live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 04, 2007, 06:31:10 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on June 04, 2007, 06:26:02 AM
Oooh! Dutoit does a stunning Sheherazade. He just conducted that here in Chicago a few months ago and it was easily the best I have heard live.

Yes, I was thinking this is a program right up Dutoit's alley.  I have heard Lisa Batiashvili several times in the last year or so, and she's marvelous.  I would love to hear her do that Prokofiev.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 04, 2007, 06:38:22 AM
Mahler 6, Orchestre metropolitain du Grand Montreal, Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Next Monday, June 11.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 04, 2007, 06:42:37 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on June 04, 2007, 06:26:02 AM
Oooh! Dutoit does a stunning Sheherazade. He just conducted that here in Chicago a few months ago and it was easily the best I have heard live.

Quote from: bhodges on June 04, 2007, 06:31:10 AM
Yes, I was thinking this is a program right up Dutoit's alley.  I have heard Lisa Batiashvili several times in the last year or so, and she's marvelous.  I would love to hear her do that Prokofiev.

--Bruce

That's good to know, O. I knew the Ravel would be outstanding. I'm really looking forward to hearing this concert.

We heard Batiashvili a couple of months ago. The Sibelius. It was stunning; I mean that literally. I wasn't expecting such great playing. She made me hear Sibelius new.

O, you mentioned your father saying how impressed he was with her, too, but that her family life came first. Mrs. Rock is wondering if we'll see her daughter again. In Ludwighafen, they came out together for a bow  :)

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/berlin/Bat.jpg)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on June 04, 2007, 09:55:31 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 04, 2007, 06:38:22 AM
Mahler 6, Orchestre metropolitain du Grand Montreal, Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Next Monday, June 11.

I'm so envious ...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 05, 2007, 06:02:43 AM
I'll let you know if your envy is justified!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on June 06, 2007, 05:22:59 AM
I've been waiting all year for this (http://www.clevelandorchestra.com/html/performance/viewByMonth.asp?m=6&y=2007#6/7/2007).

Anyone else in Ohio gonna be there?
Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on June 06, 2007, 06:53:02 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 05, 2007, 06:02:43 AM
I'll let you know if your envy is justified!

Please do! The 6th along with Das Lied are my favourite Mahler works. I've seen a disappointing performance of Das Lied, but haven't had a chance to see the 6th live.

I have to confess to a somewhat childish fascination for the hammer blows. I would love to experience that visually. Can you keep an eye out for that for me? :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 07, 2007, 05:04:30 PM
I will. They are great fun to watch - actually the best part of an otherwise forgettable performance from 2 years ago. The hammerblower holds that big mallet up in the air for a few seconds before slamming it down full tilt. The whole thing is visually more impressive than the actual sound produced. I suspect recorded performances are miked to make it sound bigger.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on June 09, 2007, 09:45:31 PM
Quote from: Bogey on June 04, 2007, 04:59:24 AM
This coming Saturday my wife and I will be attending Beethoven's Choral Fantasy & Symphony No. 9 as performed by the Colorado Symphony and:

Jeffrey Kahane, music director and piano | Duain Wolfe, conductor | Pamela Coburn, soprano | Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano | Richard Clement, tenor | Nathan Berg, Bass | CSO Chorus

I have never seen either live, so looking forward to it.


Quote from: George on June 05, 2007, 01:22:58 PM
:o :o :o

Wowzers! I'd say have a good time, but that would be like telling you to breathe. (Uneccessary)

;D

It was awesome George.  The Choral Fantasy has not been played live by the Colorado Symphony for 20 years and is a favorite of mine.  And the 9th....well, its the 9th!  ;D  Wife and I had a great time and took it in with another couple after a very nice two and half hour dinner. 

Next season the 5th, 6th, and 7th are on the menu....hope to catch a couple of 'em, as it is our goal to see all 9 of them live....and with two little ones, this may not be the easiest of plights.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Guido on June 10, 2007, 02:45:07 AM
LSO Gerghiev doing Mahler 6 and Tischenko cello concerto played by Tim Hugh
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 10, 2007, 02:57:45 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 07, 2007, 05:04:30 PM
I will. They are great fun to watch - actually the best part of an otherwise forgettable performance from 2 years ago. The hammerblower holds that big mallet up in the air for a few seconds before slamming it down full tilt. The whole thing is visually more impressive than the actual sound produced.

Yes, I agree. A few of us in the old forum came to that conclusion: it works better live; it's more a theatrical and dramatic device than a purely musical one and I think it's very effective. Mahler really hammers home his point  ;D  I saw Segerstam conduct the 6th and he added the third blow. Fantastic!

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on June 10, 2007, 06:48:27 AM
Quote from: George on June 10, 2007, 06:12:21 AM

...... (and your signature).  :)

Well, with just having discovered coffee at 42 (in the past couple of weeks) and Sarge posting all the viewing he has done of Twin Peaks, the signature was inevitable.  And as for being drowsy?  Not a chance.  I had a cup before, during, and after dinner.....add LvB to the mix and I was as alert as a fox hearing the horn and the hounds.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 05:09:23 AM
Yesterday night  was the closing concert of Montreal's Orchestre métropolitain and they chose the Mahler 6th to end their season. Young maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin gave a short but highly informative comment on the work. They played it without any filler and it lasted about 80 minutes. First movement exposition repeat was observed, and the andante was placed second. This was a very interesting departure from the usual movement order. Although I'm familiar with it (can be programmed that way on any recording), hearing it live brought a different slant on the work's architecture and tonal/emotional picture.  Now that I've heard it, I must say I prefer  the standard order (Scherzo-Andante).

Overall I'd say it was a truly magnificent presentation. Some sections of the orchestra (brass esp.) clearly outclass the more famous MSO band. Both conductor and orchestra play as men and women possessed, in total contrast with the boring and lackluster Nagano-MSO concerts. The orchestra's tonal palette is much more european than the clearer, more refined MSO. They play with plenty of warmth and colour, and a compactness of ensemble sound that  makes it sound a lot like the BSO. Nézet-Séguin has interesting ideas about the work. He presents a supercharged yet clear-headed view of the "Tragic", with no eccentricities.  Cellos and esp. double basses dig into their lines with a ferocity that brought a startling clarity and depth to the tonal foundation of the work. Yes, the hammerblows were powerfully done, but more importantly, the whole orchestra erupted with startling power at the crucial moments (end of I, climax of the Andante, and the whole second part of the Finale). I've heard the 6th about a hundred times on records and yet Mahler's punches to the solar plexus still came out of nowhere with tremendous power.

Some scrambling and confusion in the fugal portions of the last movement was noticeable, but better that shortlived blot than a whole evening of soulless professionalism. Clearly the OMGM is edging out the MSO in excitment and visceral commitment, and they're not far behind in corporate excellence. Nézet-Séguin is a real dynamo on the podium. Barely 30 years old, his charming and unassuming demeanor (he's barely 5'3") conceal a bundle of energy and a startling sense of hitting a work's 'hot buttons' with unerring precision and flair. If he's guest conducting in your area, don't miss him!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on June 12, 2007, 05:11:24 AM
From what I've heard of Yannick Nézet-Séguin (not enough, that's for sure) I think he's going to be a remarkable conductor. I'm envious. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 12, 2007, 11:28:22 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 05:09:23 AM
Nézet-Séguin is a real dynamo on the podium. Barely 30 years old, his charming and unassuming demeanor (he's barely 5'3") conceal a bundle of energy and a startling sense of hitting a work's 'hot buttons' with unerring precision and flair. If he's guest conducting in your area, don't miss him!

Many thanks for this good write-up of a conductor completely off my radar, not to mention this excellent-sounding Montreal orchestra.  (I didn't realize that the city had a second one.)  He definitely sounds like someone to watch, especially if he's already tackling the Mahler Sixth.

This Saturday, I'm hearing Riccardo Muti again with the New York Philharmonic.  If the program isn't quite as interesting as last week's (Cherubini Overture in G major, Beethoven "Emperor" with Lang Lang, and Hindemith Sancta Susanna in concert) I'm still looking forward to it.

Rossini: Semiramide Overture     
Schubert: Symphony No. 3     
Dvorák: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 11:31:22 AM
You might see him in New York. NYPO General Manager Zarin Mehta was in the audience at the concert
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 12, 2007, 11:32:09 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 11:31:22 AM
You might see him in New York. NYPO General Manager Zarin Mehta was in the audience at the concert.

Thank you, "Eagle Eyes!"  ;D  That does bode well...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 11:35:18 AM
It's not me, but the local La Presse critic who spotted him :D. He's the brother of conductor Zubin and formerly GM of the MSO. He's kept solid ties with our cultural scene. Someone must have tipped him of a promising concert 250 miles up north!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 12, 2007, 12:58:18 PM
This Friday night:

NZSO

PROGRAMME
DVORÁK Cello Concerto
NIELSEN Helios Overture
NIELSEN Symphony No 4 The Inextinguishable

FEATURED ARTISTS
ARVO VOLMER Conductor
GAUTIER CAPUÇON Cello

PERFORMANCE INFO
Dvorák's Cello Concerto, written in America in the mid-1890s, has an underlying mood of elegiac yearning, speaking of deep feelings for a dying sister-in-law.  Her favourite Dvorák song is movingly quoted in both the adagio and the finale's revised coda.  Nielsen, the major Danish twentieth-century symphonist, is doubly represented by his Helios Overture and the Fourth Symphony.  The Inextinguishable, composed in 1915, a continuous span of four movements, affirms the craving for life against a background of menacing violence.


ABOUT THE ARTISTS
GAUTIER CAPUÇON

Gautier Capuçon was born in Chambery, France in 1981 and began playing the cello at the age of five. He studied at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Paris and in 1999 was awarded first prize by the Maurice Ravel Music Academy of Saint-Jean-de Luz, and First Prize in the Andre Navarra Competition in Toulouse.

ARVO VOLMER
Arvo Volmer is from Estonia.  In 2003 he was appointed Music Director of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Estonian National Opera in Tallinn.  He was the prize winner at the international Nikolai Malko competition in Copenhagen.

I promise a review :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on June 12, 2007, 01:13:25 PM
This one:

BBC Prom 7 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2007/whatson/1807.shtml)

Ticket arrived this morning. Choir stalls - so, overlooking the orchestra.

Can't wait. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 12, 2007, 02:52:00 PM
Quote from: Mark on June 12, 2007, 01:13:25 PM
This one:

BBC Prom 7 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2007/whatson/1807.shtml)

Ticket arrived this morning. Choir stalls - so, overlooking the orchestra.

Can't wait. :)

I thought about that one, but decided not (can't go to everything ::).)  I hope you'll post a review.  I'll be listening to (and recording) the broadcast.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 12, 2007, 02:57:14 PM
Meanwhile I have just booked for the Kronos Quartet at end July, performing:

Henryk Gorecki String Quartet No 3 Piesni Spiewaja (..songs are sung)

Terry Riley The Cusp of Magic

Both UK premieres.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 12, 2007, 02:59:06 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 12, 2007, 02:52:00 PM
I thought about that one, but decided not (can't go to everything ::).)  I hope you'll post a review.  I'll be listening to (and recording) the broadcast.

True, but its fun trying ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on June 12, 2007, 03:05:35 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 12, 2007, 02:52:00 PM
I thought about that one, but decided not (can't go to everything ::).)  I hope you'll post a review.  I'll be listening to (and recording) the broadcast.

I'll certainly try to write up my thoughts. :)

Is it being broadcast on radio or TV?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 12, 2007, 03:10:28 PM
Quote from: Mark on June 12, 2007, 03:05:35 PM
I'll certainly try to write up my thoughts. :)

Is it being broadcast on radio or TV?

Radio 3.  Last year the broadcast quality was, to say the least, "variable" (apparently, they'd just got new digital signal processing equipment, and - according to the press release at the time - "hadn't quite worked out how to use it yet."  That's for damn sure.)  I'm hoping they'll have ironed out the bugs by this time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 12, 2007, 04:01:15 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 12, 2007, 11:28:22 AM
This Saturday, I'm hearing Riccardo Muti again with the New York Philharmonic.  If the program isn't quite as interesting as last week's...I'm still looking forward to it.

Rossini: Semiramide Overture     
Schubert: Symphony No. 3     
Dvorák: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce

i don't know Bruce. Looks damn interesting to me. I mean, how often is that Schubert and that Dvorak symphony programmed? Fifty years ago, a hundred, Rossini kicked off a lot of concerts but how often do we hear him today? He's become a rarity and thé few times I have heard him in concert, it was absolutely delightful. This is a concert I wouldn't mind seeing myself.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 05:03:53 PM
Bruce, I totally agree with sarge. It sure looks like an interesting evening to me. Better this than, say yet another Schubert 8 and Dvorak 9.

Wanderer, this looks like a mighty good program. Let us know how good (presumably) Capuçon was. And how the timpani battle in the Nielsen "looks" like in concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 12, 2007, 05:09:07 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 05:03:53 PM
Wanderer, this looks like a mighty good program. Let us know how good (presumably) Capuçon was. And how the timpani battle in the Nielsen "looks" like in concert!

Will do. The Timpani battle will be interesting to 'see'. And the NZSO reports they have been getting numorous requests for large photos of Capuçon  ;D

(http://www.konzerthaus-dortmund.de/binary.ashx?id=149608&view=image&select=EAA)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 06:00:27 PM
Yeah, he's a hottie. The Capuçon brothers should play in the Brahms Double. That would be quite interesting. I wonder if any concert agency has thought of that?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 12, 2007, 06:18:26 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 06:00:27 PM
Yeah, he's a hottie. The Capuçon brothers should play in the Brahms Double. That would be quite interesting. I wonder if any concert agency has thought of that?

Heres the story http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10445266
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 14, 2007, 02:49:49 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on June 04, 2007, 06:26:02 AM
Oooh! Dutoit does a stunning Sheherazade. He just conducted that here in Chicago a few months ago and it was easily the best I have heard live.

You were right, O. It was absolutely stunning. Dutoit surprised me, though. I thought we'd get a fast, supercharged Sheherazade but the first movement reminded me...don't laugh...of Celibidache's version. It was immense, and slow, which is how I picture the sea and is the way I like this music to go (favorite versions are Rostropovich and Celi). The Dresden brass lived up to their reputation. Among the wind soloists, the gentleman wearing the 60s do, playing the clarinet, was especially memorable. Only one complaint:  even though the build-up to it was thrilling, the actual shipwreck in the Finale was underwhelming.

Lisa Batiashvili called in sick and we heard instead Boris Belkin in the Prokofiev G minor. I've never heard him live and I own few recordings, but his Tchaikovsky with Ashkenazy has long been my favorite so it was interesting to finally see him. He played the concerto flawlessly. It must be part of him now.

Dutoit's Mother Goose was excellent of course and the delicacy of the Dresden band was quite breathtaking.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 14, 2007, 03:01:07 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 14, 2007, 02:49:49 PM
You were right, O. It was absolutely stunning. Dutoit surprised me, though. I thought we'd get a fast, supercharged Sheherazade but the first movement reminded me...don't laugh...of Celibidache's version. It was immense, and slow, which is how I picture the sea and is the way I like this music to go (favorite versions are Rostropovich and Celi). The Dresden brass lived up to their reputation. Among the wind soloists, the gentleman wearing the 60s do, playing the clarinet, was especially memorable. Only one complaint:  even though the build-up to it was thrilling, the actual shipwreck in the Finale was underwhelming.

Lisa Batiashvili called in sick and we heard instead Boris Belkin in the Prokofiev G minor. I've never heard him live and I own few recordings, but his Tchaikovsky with Ashkenazy has long been my favorite so it was interesting to finally see him. He played the concerto flawlessly. It must be part of him now.

Dutoit's Mother Goose was excellent of course and the delicacy of the Dresden band was quite breathtaking.

Sarge, thanks for the report. Good to hear Dutoit lived up to expectations.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:11:46 PM
Putting together a wedding-anniversary trip to Vienna in November, found a 5-day period when there's:

Day #1:  Musikverein - Cleveland Orchestra in Bruckner #9 (Welser-Möst)
Day #2:  Musikverein - Cleveland Orchestra in Mahler #2 (Welser-Möst)
Day #3:  Staatsoper - Tosca (Carignani)
Day #4:  Musikverein - BRSO in Bruckner #7 (Jansons)
Day #5:  Staatsoper - Queen Of Spades (Ozawa)

Just as well the wife likes music, really ... or I'd have had to go on my own. ;D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 14, 2007, 04:31:44 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:11:46 PM
Day #1:  Musikverein - Cleveland Orchestra in Bruckner #9 (Welser-Möst)
Day #2:  Musikverein - Cleveland Orchestra in Mahler #2 (Welser-Möst)
Day #3:  Staatsoper - Tosca (Carignani)
Day #4:  Musikverein - BRSO in Bruckner #7 (Jansons)
Day #5:  Staatsoper - Queen Of Spades (Ozawa)

Wow! That sounds great. BTW, Carignani, in case you don't know him, is GMD at the Frankfurt Opera. Should be very good. I have heard him there a couple of times when I was still living in Frankfurt.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 14, 2007, 04:40:45 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:11:46 PM
Putting together a wedding-anniversary trip to Vienna in November, found a 5-day period when there's:

Day #1:  Musikverein - Cleveland Orchestra in Bruckner #9 (Welser-Möst)
Day #2:  Musikverein - Cleveland Orchestra in Mahler #2 (Welser-Möst)

Day #3:  Staatsoper - Tosca (Carignani)
Day #4:  Musikverein - BRSO in Bruckner #7 (Jansons)
Day #5:  Staatsoper - Queen Of Spades (Ozawa)

I now know where I'm going to be in November.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:45:59 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on June 14, 2007, 04:31:44 PM
Wow! That sounds great. BTW, Carignani, in case you don't know him, is GMD at the Frankfurt Opera. Should be very good. I have heard him there a couple of times when I was still living in Frankfurt.

No, I don't know him at all.  That's good to hear.  Thanks.

The only thing I'm not totally happy about is Welser-Möst, whom I've seen/heard several times now, and TBH haven't been all that impressed - but the chance to hear the Clevelanders in those two is too good to miss (and he has to be good at something, right?)

There's also Gardiner with the Orchestre Révolutionaire and the Monteverdi Choir doing Ein deutsches Requiem at the Konzerthaus a couple of days later ... and Norrington conducting the Camerata Salzburg (excellent band) with Jonathan Biss in a series of Wagner / Beethoven / Brahms programmes ... just spoiled for choice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:47:11 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 14, 2007, 04:40:45 PM
I now know where I'm going to be in November.

Sarge

Excellent.  I know some good places to eat.

(I envy you your Staatskapelle Dresden concert.  Never heard them live yet.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:57:46 PM
Actually the concert which excites me the most is the BRSO / Jansons Bruckner #7.  If this were anyone else then I wouldn't bother - I really don't need yet another B7 - but I saw Jansons conduct the Concertgebouw in B3 this February - and for a piece that I thought I knew well, it was astounding.  Not just the best Bruckner #3 I've heard - or even the best Bruckner I've heard - but damn near the best anything I've heard.  I admire Jansons enormously.  Can't wait to hear what he does with #7  - and with the BRSO! - in the Musikverein!  We are in sell-a-kidney territory here.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on June 14, 2007, 05:00:54 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:57:46 PM
Actually the concert which excites me the most is the BRSO / Jansons Bruckner #7.  If this were anyone else then I wouldn't bother - I really don't need yet another B7 - but I saw Jansons conduct the Concertgebouw in B3 this February - and for a piece that I thought I knew well, it was astounding.  Not just the best Bruckner #3 I've heard - or even the best Bruckner I've heard - but damn near the best anything I've heard.  I admire Jansons enormously.  Can't wait to hear what he does with #7  - and with the BRSO! - in the Musikverein!  We are in sell-a-kidney territory here.

Then here's something for an appetiser:

Anton Bruckner: Symphonie Nr. 4 Es-dur
Aufnahme am 2. April 2004 beim Luzerner Osterfestival im Kultur- und
Kongresszentrum
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Mariss Jansons
Digital Satellite broadcast
http://rapidshare.com/files/34614490/Jansons_Bru4.zip.001  (http://rapidshare.com/files/34614490/Jansons_Bru4.zip.001)
http://rapidshare.com/files/34620769/Jansons_Bru4.zip.002. (http://rapidshare.com/files/34620769/Jansons_Bru4.zip.002.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 05:04:53 PM
Thank you for that.  I'm onto it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 14, 2007, 05:06:05 PM
Quote from: Drasko on June 14, 2007, 05:00:54 PM
Then here's something for an appetiser:

Anton Bruckner: Symphonie Nr. 4 Es-dur
Aufnahme am 2. April 2004 beim Luzerner Osterfestival im Kultur- und
Kongresszentrum
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Mariss Jansons
Digital Satellite broadcast
http://rapidshare.com/files/34614490/Jansons_Bru4.zip.001  (http://rapidshare.com/files/34614490/Jansons_Bru4.zip.001)
http://rapidshare.com/files/34620769/Jansons_Bru4.zip.002. (http://rapidshare.com/files/34620769/Jansons_Bru4.zip.002.)

Thank you! Hvala! Danke!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on June 14, 2007, 05:09:06 PM
CSO, Beethoven's 9th (June 23rd)

Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Annalena Persson, soprano
Ingeborg Danz, mezzo-soprano
Robert Künzl, tenor
Matthias Goerne, bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe, chorus director
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 15, 2007, 01:07:38 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:57:46 PM
We are in sell-a-kidney territory here.

I'll be using that quote... ;D

Seriously, that line-up of concerts sounds amazing.  (I guess we don't have a "jealous" icon.)  I am becoming a big fan of Welser-Möst, based on the orchestra's appearances at Carnegie the last few years.  And I heard Jansons in three concerts with the BRSO last fall in three concerts, all excellent.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 15, 2007, 01:08:58 PM
Okay, had this concert last night:

NZSO
DVORÁK Cello Concerto
NIELSEN Helios Overture
NIELSEN Symphony No 4 The Inextinguishable

FEATURED ARTISTS
ARVO VOLMER Conductor
GAUTIER CAPUÇON Cello

It was a less than full town hall; maybe the Nielsen scared them off ???

They opened with the Helios Overture which I was unfamiliar with but this didn't hinder my enjoyment of this wonderful piece. The opening deep cellos and basses with the horn calls reminded me of Wagner. The build in the middle with the whole orchestra was spine tingleling stuff and the contrapuntal section with the strings was fascinating.

Next up was the featured soloist with Dvoraks beautiful cello concerto. Capucon looks very young [25] and I wondered if he had the [life] experience to bring the piece to life. Turned out he was an exceptional player and interpreter bringing lots of nuance and power to what at times is a difficult work to play. The ending was suitably uplifting and inspiring. He did a brief encore of a humorous piece featuring lots of pizzicatto and 'hammer-on' technique. It was quite slight really. Note: Hes grown his hair quite long and had to keep sweeping it out of his eyes during the performance. When he was given his bouquet at the end he made a big effort to struggle through the orchestra to present the flowers to the pretty, young flautist ;)

After interval we were treated to the NZSO's first ever performance of Neilsen's epic Symphony #4. I found I enjoyed 'seeing' this work more than just 'hearing' it. I could appreciate the grinding dissonances of the opposing keys and the call and response of the flute and horn and of course the titantic timpani 'duel' in the final section. The duel was very exciting with both players thwacking the heck out of their instruments and creating a massive feeling of power or 'life-force'.

Overall another thrilling live performance from the NZSO. Bravo!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 15, 2007, 01:13:15 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 14, 2007, 04:45:59 PM
The only thing I'm not totally happy about is Welser-Möst...

Quote from: bhodges on June 15, 2007, 01:07:38 PM
I am becoming a big fan of Welser-Möst, based on the orchestra's appearances at Carnegie the last few years.

I haven't heard W-M live very often but did hear him conduct a Bruckner Seventh (with the LPO). Although he played it faster than I normally like, he won me over by the end--and the coda was thrilling...probably better than I've ever heard it before. On that basis, I'm having no second thoughts about that Bruckner Ninth.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on June 15, 2007, 01:13:55 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on June 15, 2007, 01:08:58 PM
Okay, had this concert last night:

NZSO
DVORÁK Cello Concerto
NIELSEN Helios Overture
NIELSEN Symphony No 4 The Inextinguishable

FEATURED ARTISTS
ARVO VOLMER Conductor
GAUTIER CAPUÇON Cello

It was a less than full town hall; maybe the Nielsen scared them off ???

They opened with the Helios Overture which I was unfamiliar with but this didn't hinder my enjoyment of this wonderful piece. The opening deep cellos and basses with the horn calls reminded me of Wagner. The build in the middle with the whole orchestra was spine tingleling stuff and the contrapuntal section with the strings was fascinating.

Next up was the featured soloist with Dvoraks beautiful cello concerto. Capucon looks very young [25] and I wondered if he had the [life] experience to bring the piece to life. Turned out he was an exceptional player and interpreter bringing lots of nuance and power to what at times is a difficult work to play. The ending was suitably uplifting and inspiring. He did a brief encore of a humorous piece featuring lots of pizzicatto and 'hammer-on' technique. It was quite slight really. Note: Hes grown his hair quite long and had to keep sweeping it out of his eyes during the performance. When he was given his bouquet at the end he made a big effort to struggle through the orchestra to present the flowers to the pretty, young flautist ;)

After interval we were treated to the NZSO's first ever performance of Neilsen's epic Symphony #4. I found I enjoyed 'seeing' this work more than just 'hearing' it. I could appreciate the grinding dissonances of the opposing keys and the call and response of the flute and horn and of course the titantic timpani 'duel' in the final section. The duel was very exciting with both players thwacking the heck out of their instruments and creating a massive feeling of power or 'life-force'.

Overall another thrilling live performance from the NZSO. Bravo!


So you're expectations were met? Preparing for this concert by listening to Rostropovich certainly must have created some truly high expectations, indeed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 15, 2007, 01:19:42 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 15, 2007, 01:13:55 PM
So you're expectations were met? Preparing for this concert by listening to Rostropovich certainly must have created some truly high expectations, indeed.

Well, the Dvorak wasn't quite as engaging as it could have been but it was still excellent :) The Neilsen was the highlight for me :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 15, 2007, 01:23:26 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on June 15, 2007, 01:08:58 PM
Okay, had this concert last night:

NZSO
DVORÁK Cello Concerto
NIELSEN Helios Overture
NIELSEN Symphony No 4 The Inextinguishable

FEATURED ARTISTS
ARVO VOLMER Conductor
GAUTIER CAPUÇON Cello

It was a less than full town hall; maybe the Nielsen scared them off ???


I hope people were energized by the Nielsen and want to hear more!  He seems very underplayed in the United States: I've heard the Helios once, I think, and the symphony maybe once, too.  (And that symphony is the most popular of the six.)

Thanks for that great report.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on June 15, 2007, 09:10:10 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 15, 2007, 01:13:15 PM
I haven't heard W-M live very often but did hear him conduct a Bruckner Seventh (with the LPO). Although he played it faster than I normally like, he won me over by the end--and the coda was thrilling...probably better than I've ever heard it before. On that basis, I'm having no second thoughts about that Bruckner Ninth.

Sarge

He always seems to take swifter tempos than most.  I've enjoyed lots of his stuff this year but he just butchered Rosenkavalier.  I'll be trying to hear the Bruckner and Mahler here in Cleveland though. 

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 16, 2007, 02:41:37 AM
Quote from: toledobass on June 15, 2007, 09:10:10 PM
I've enjoyed lots of his stuff this year but he just butchered Rosenkavalier.

That's interesting.  One of the other options was W-M conducting Arabella at the Staatsoper.

The impression he gives me is of trying to create an exciting performance by stirring up activity, but how far that reaches below the surface, I'm not so sure.  I'm much less keen on his LPO Bruckner #5 than I was - in fact, my enthusiasm for it has declined in inverse proportion to my increasing fondness for this piece - and I thought his recording of #8 with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra was, frankly, a pretty crude effort.

But the Clevelanders are a superb ensemble - and certainly know how to play Bruckner - so maybe (I'm hoping) the combination will be more positive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on June 16, 2007, 08:04:03 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 16, 2007, 02:41:37 AM
That's interesting.  One of the other options was W-M conducting Arabella at the Staatsoper.

The impression he gives me is of trying to create an exciting performance by stirring up activity, but how far that reaches below the surface, I'm not so sure.  I'm much less keen on his LPO Bruckner #5 than I was - in fact, my enthusiasm for it has declined in inverse proportion to my increasing fondness for this piece - and I thought his recording of #8 with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra was, frankly, a pretty crude effort.

But the Clevelanders are a superb ensemble - and certainly know how to play Bruckner - so maybe (I'm hoping) the combination will be more positive.

Yes I think you are correct in your analysis of his conducting.  For me he gets into trouble when he doesn't allow the music to breath.  By constantly pushing to get to the next moment he misses the chance to let the line unfold and have a life.  That's why I've always thought he's done better when singers are on the stage but this recent Rosenkavalier has proved me wrong.  When things don't work in his interpretations I find him to be unlistenable,  but when things work well he creates some marvelous stuff.


Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 16, 2007, 12:15:21 PM
Quote from: toledobass on June 15, 2007, 09:10:10 PM
He always seems to take swifter tempos than most.  I've enjoyed lots of his stuff this year but he just butchered Rosenkavalier.

And he's to be the music director in Vienna?...oh my  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 16, 2007, 12:35:17 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 16, 2007, 02:41:37 AM
But the Clevelanders are a superb ensemble - and certainly know how to play Bruckner - so maybe (I'm hoping) the combination will be more positive.

His Bruckner Fifth last fall with Cleveland (at Carnegie) was one of the best Bruckner performances I've ever heard.  Might just be his empathy with the piece, but I suspect there's more than that.  The LPO one that he recorded was (I hear) done when he really wasn't in synch with the group, but I think he and Cleveland are more on the same wavelength.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papageno on June 16, 2007, 01:11:52 PM
Don Giovanni
Die Zauberflote
Enfuhrung aus dem Serail
Requiem - Mozart
Carmen
Tosca
Orfeo ed Euridice - Gluck
and some Schubert, Haydn and Mahler
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: sidoze on June 16, 2007, 01:16:13 PM
Quote from: Drasko on June 14, 2007, 05:00:54 PM
Then here's something for an appetiser:

Anton Bruckner: Symphonie Nr. 4 Es-dur
Aufnahme am 2. April 2004 beim Luzerner Osterfestival im Kultur- und
Kongresszentrum
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Mariss Jansons
Digital Satellite broadcast
http://rapidshare.com/files/34614490/Jansons_Bru4.zip.001  (http://rapidshare.com/files/34614490/Jansons_Bru4.zip.001)
http://rapidshare.com/files/34620769/Jansons_Bru4.zip.002. (http://rapidshare.com/files/34620769/Jansons_Bru4.zip.002.)

OT: do you get these links from the Yahoo operashare group?

As for me, I'm not looking forward to any concerts. I looked through the Lucerne summer programme and the Bad Kissingen festival. Not for me this year. I'm going to hang out in Shoreditch instead. Now that's a class name.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on June 16, 2007, 04:45:55 PM
Quote from: sidoze on June 16, 2007, 01:16:13 PM
OT: do you get these links from the Yahoo operashare group?

They probably come from there but I just picked that up reposted at rmcr
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on June 18, 2007, 08:34:19 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 12, 2007, 05:09:23 AM
Yesterday night  was the closing concert of Montreal's Orchestre métropolitain and they chose the Mahler 6th to end their season. Young maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin gave a short but highly informative comment on the work. They played it without any filler and it lasted about 80 minutes. First movement exposition repeat was observed, and the andante was placed second. This was a very interesting departure from the usual movement order. Although I'm familiar with it (can be programmed that way on any recording), hearing it live brought a different slant on the work's architecture and tonal/emotional picture.  Now that I've heard it, I must say I prefer  the standard order (Scherzo-Andante).

Overall I'd say it was a truly magnificent presentation. Some sections of the orchestra (brass esp.) clearly outclass the more famous MSO band. Both conductor and orchestra play as men and women possessed, in total contrast with the boring and lackluster Nagano-MSO concerts. The orchestra's tonal palette is much more european than the clearer, more refined MSO. They play with plenty of warmth and colour, and a compactness of ensemble sound that  makes it sound a lot like the BSO. Nézet-Séguin has interesting ideas about the work. He presents a supercharged yet clear-headed view of the "Tragic", with no eccentricities.  Cellos and esp. double basses dig into their lines with a ferocity that brought a startling clarity and depth to the tonal foundation of the work. Yes, the hammerblows were powerfully done, but more importantly, the whole orchestra erupted with startling power at the crucial moments (end of I, climax of the Andante, and the whole second part of the Finale). I've heard the 6th about a hundred times on records and yet Mahler's punches to the solar plexus still came out of nowhere with tremendous power.

Some scrambling and confusion in the fugal portions of the last movement was noticeable, but better that shortlived blot than a whole evening of soulless professionalism. Clearly the OMGM is edging out the MSO in excitment and visceral commitment, and they're not far behind in corporate excellence. Nézet-Séguin is a real dynamo on the podium. Barely 30 years old, his charming and unassuming demeanor (he's barely 5'3") conceal a bundle of energy and a startling sense of hitting a work's 'hot buttons' with unerring precision and flair. If he's guest conducting in your area, don't miss him!

Thanks for the review - sounds like it was phenomenal. Nézet-Séguin guest conducted here a few months earlier, but unfortunately, I couldn't make it that night. He got great reviews though, and yours is a pretty high endorsement, so I'm keen to see him when he comes again the next season.

Incidentally, I'm a scherzo-andante person too. I find the scherzo follows on quite naturally from the 1st movement and the andante softens you up for the 'pow' of the finale :).

Everyone seems to be going to great concerts. Is Edinburgh the only town on a summer hiatus ???? There doesn't seem to be anything on until the Festival in August :-\.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 04:45:03 AM
Reading next season's schedule at the Gewandhaus, I noticed these concerts in the Grosser Saal, one on Saturday, one Sunday, first weekend in May: We're there!

Alban Berg Quartet

Haydn Op.77/1
Berg SQ3
Beethoven Op.132


MDR SO, conducted by Stefan Solyom

Sibelius En Saga
Sibelius VC
Shostakovich 10


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 19, 2007, 08:57:01 AM
This coming Saturday, Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic, with Deborah Voigt, in a program that looks like it could be a winner.  "Befreit" is one of my favorite Strauss songs.

R. Strauss: "Befreit," "Lied der Frauen," "Morgen!," "Frühlingsfeier"
Mahler: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 09:08:20 AM
Quote from: bhodges on June 19, 2007, 08:57:01 AM
This coming Saturday, Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic, with Deborah Voigt, in a program that looks like it could be a winner.  "Befreit" is one of my favorite Strauss songs.

R. Strauss: "Befreit," "Lied der Frauen," "Morgen!," "Frühlingsfeier"
Mahler: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce

Maazel used to play the Mahler 7 almost like Klemperer...at least the outer movements. I wonder if he still does. Take a stop watch, Bruce, and let me know, will ya?  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 19, 2007, 09:14:50 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 04:45:03 AM
Reading next season's schedule at the Gewandhaus, I noticed these concerts in the Grosser Saal, one on Saturday, one Sunday, first weekend in May: We're there!

Alban Berg Quartet

Haydn Op.77/1
Berg SQ3
Beethoven Op.132


MDR SO, conducted by Stefan Solyom

Sibelius En Saga
Sibelius VC
Shostakovich 10

Interesting.  I've been trying to put together a Leipzig/Dresden week of events for a long time now - and thought I had one in May this year ... until the Gewandhaus changed the programme late in the day from Bruckner #6 to Schmidt #2 (MDRSO again - fine band.)  Must have another look for next year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 19, 2007, 09:16:23 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 09:08:20 AM
Maazel used to play the Mahler 7 almost like Klemperer...at least the outer movements. I wonder if he still does. Take a stop watch, Bruce, and let me know, will ya?  ;D

One BSO concert, I was following along in a score while they played the Schoenberg Chamber Symphony No. 1, something music students have been doing, oh, about since the days of Berlioz — following live music with score in hand, I mean, not listening to Schoenberg  0:)

At the interval, an usher told me I couldn't do that, somebody or other found it "distracting."  I forebore to offer any retort, since I was not going to follow a score through the Beethoven Opus 125 anyway.

I can inly imagine what the usher would have had to say, if I had brandished a stopwatch in Symphony Hall!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 19, 2007, 09:22:08 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 09:08:20 AM
Maazel used to play the Mahler 7 almost like Klemperer...at least the outer movements. I wonder if he still does. Take a stop watch, Bruce, and let me know, will ya?  ;D

Sarge

;D  I'll see if I can come up with some timings.  (PS, I don't think I've heard Klemperer's Seventh...worth it?  I love the piece...fave recordings are Abbado's, both of them, and Chailly.)

I have (perhaps surprisingly) really, really enjoyed Maazel's Mahler over the last few years.  His First was incredible, one of the best I've ever heard of that piece, and his Fifth and Sixth were quite good, too.

PS, sorry meant to comment: it's a year off, but both of those concerts in Leipzig sound great.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 19, 2007, 03:53:00 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 15, 2007, 01:23:26 PM
I hope people were energized by the Nielsen and want to hear more!  He seems very underplayed in the United States: I've heard the Helios once, I think, and the symphony maybe once, too.  (And that symphony is the most popular of the six.)

Thanks for that great report.

--Bruce

Heres the review from the NZ Herald (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=18&objectid=10446232)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 04:33:50 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 19, 2007, 09:16:23 AM
I can inly imagine what the usher would have had to say, if I had brandished a stopwatch in Symphony Hall!  8)

Yes, the score on your lap, stopwatch in one hand, baton in the other, front row center  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 04:38:22 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 19, 2007, 09:14:50 AM
Interesting.  I've been trying to put together a Leipzig/Dresden week of events for a long time now - and thought I had one in May this year ... until the Gewandhaus changed the programme late in the day from Bruckner #6 to Schmidt #2 (MDRSO again - fine band.)  Must have another look for next year.

Yes, we do that too. Both Berlin and Dresden are close to Leipzig, making it easy to see concerts in two or three cities over a week's holiday.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 19, 2007, 05:07:37 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 19, 2007, 09:22:08 AM
PS, I don't think I've heard Klemperer's Seventh...worth it?

Uh...it's such an individual, even eccentric reading, I can't answer that for you. I love it--it actually is my favorite version--but really slow, glacial tempos don't bother me. I have infinite patience ;D

Klemp was very near the end when he recorded the Seventh. Ensemble is scrappy (they probably had trouble following his beat). After the slow introduction he launches the Allegro at exactly the same tempo! and maintains that slow pace until the end. It can seem interminable. One needs to set aside an entire afternoon for this movement...at least it can feel like that ;D

The first Nachtmusik, though, is just....perfect. Again, very slow, and at this speed the music becomes almost pointilistic; it reminds me of Webern. It really does appear to be staring into the future. The second Nachtmusik is really lovely; nothing weird about it and features the trademark Klemperer transparency and detail. He captures the music's atmosphere perfectly, I think. The Rondo-Finale is again very slow. Maazel, no speed demon, takes a little over 20 minutes in his Vienna recording. Klemp takes more than 24. Surely too slow but I think it's fascinating...and I love the way this speed emphasizes that sudden descent, that dark, hesitant moment that occurs just before the blazing, triumphant final notes.

Of course YMMV

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 06:58:42 AM
More long range planning. BASF sent me the schedule for all concerts that will take place in the firm's Feierabendhaus during the 2007-08 season. The most exciting recital, at least the one I'm looking forward to the most, will take place in March: Grigory Sokolov returning to Ludwigshafen. Program has not yet been announced.

Chamber music includes the Elgar Violin Sonata...never heard that live before. Some of the string quartets in the lineup:

Leipzig: Mendelssohn #4 E minor
            Piazzola Four for Tango
            Schulhof Five Pieces for String Quartet
            Shostakovich 8 C minor     

Auryn:   Haydn D major op.76/6
            Widmann Fantasia for Clarinet solo
            Widmann "Jagdquartett" String Quartet #3 (2003)
            Mozart Clarinett Quintet

Gewandhaus:  two different concerts and programs in one day, combining Romantic and Contempory music for string quartet


Some may remember the abbreviations thread at the old forum. My local band is a pain to spell out (Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz) and there is no satisfactory abbreviation that people recognize. The situation has just gotten worse. They've changed their name to:

Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

I guess the first name wasn't long enough. Mrs. Rock said they were forced to change their name to avoid confusion with the equally famous Polish Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz at Cracow.

Anyway, the DSPR-P's conductor, Ari Rasailainen, continues to program an interesting variety of musc; this year perhaps a tad more on the beaten path than usual. Concerts include:

Bartok PC 3 with Radu Lupu
Bruckner 9

Sibelius Swan of Tuonela
Strauss - Four Last Songs with Christine Oelze
Tchaikovsky - Symphony #6

Penderecki - Concerto Grosso for 3 cellos and orchestra
Shostakovich - Symphony #15
(this is going to be wildly popular with the bald and blue-hairs  ;D )

Bach/Webern - Ricercare
Berg - VC
Brahms - Symphony 4

Debussy - La Mer
Mozart - PC 27
Schumann - Symphony #3


Sarge

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 28, 2007, 08:04:14 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 06:58:42 AM
Penderecki - Concerto Grosso for 3 cellos and orchestra
Shostakovich - Symphony #15
(this is going to be wildly popular with the bald and blue-hairs  ;D )

They'll be able to tap along with the Rossini quotations, eh?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Tancata on June 28, 2007, 08:19:48 AM
 :D :D :D

Just had to give vent to my excitement!

One of my friends who lives in Edinburgh is putting on a show at the (Fringe) festival this year. He rings me up offering free accommodation for a week or so on the condition I go to the performance!

I check the mouth-watering program and tickets are still available for lots of stuff, so I book myself into:

Monteverdi - L'Orfeo / Jordi Savall  ;D ;D ;D - fully staged version (looks like the same production as on Savall's DVD) including some great singers: Montserrat Figueras, Furio Zanasi, Arianna Savall and Antonio Abete!!!

Mark Padmore  :o :o :o- Bach Cantatas and Arias 0:)

and

Monteverdi - Madrigals from Book 6 / Rinaldo Alessandrini  :o :o :o ;D

This all fell into place within the space of 30 minutes! Tickets were not expensive, and travel won't be too bad because I'm going to be in England just beforehand so I can probably catch a train...

For someone who spends most of his time in Dublin, which is about as provincial as it gets where Early Music and Opera are concerned...Jordi Savall, Mark Padmore and Rinaldo Alessandrini over the space of three days is pretty exciting (and I'm sure my mate's production will be excellent too!!!).

Is there anything outstanding I missed in the 11th-16th August period?  :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on June 28, 2007, 08:55:12 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 06:58:42 AM

Penderecki - Concerto Grosso for 3 cellos and orchestra
Shostakovich - Symphony #15
(this is going to be wildly popular with the bald and blue-hairs  ;D )

Sarge

You might as well give them a call now and find out what the replacement program is going to be Sarge.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 01:05:18 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 28, 2007, 08:04:14 AM
They'll be able to tap along with the Rossini quotations, eh?

Yeah, and I'm thinking that since this is a German audience, they should recognize the Wagner quotes too. But I worry...at their age it'll probably just really confuse them.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 01:09:43 PM
Quote from: Bogey on June 28, 2007, 08:55:12 AM
You might as well give them a call now and find out what the replacement program is going to be Sarge.  ;D

That's what I'm thinking, Bogey. When the governing body see the alarming decline in new subscriptions, and cancellations of long-standing ones, we'll probably end up getting the Schumann PC and Beethoven Fifth instead.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 28, 2007, 01:12:11 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 01:09:43 PM
That's what I'm thinking, Bogey. When the governing body see the alarming decline in new subscriptions, and cancellations of long-standing ones, we'll probably end up getting the Schumann PC and Beethoven Fifth instead.

Sarge

I'd be happy to sign some kind of petition.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 01:32:13 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 28, 2007, 01:12:11 PM
I'd be happy to sign some kind of petition.  ;D

--Bruce

Thanks, Bruce. I may have to start one. I'm not kidding. The crowd that attends the DSPR-P concerts abhors anything newer than Brahms. I'm amazed Rasilainen has programmed the Berg VC again. Three years ago fully half the audience refused to clap, not even a polite, acknowledgment that Zimmerman had performed it brilliantly. We were sitting to the side and could see backstage. The violinist did not want to come back out and Rasilainen actually pushed him out. You know when the soloist reappears, the ovation usually builds back up, a crescendo. This was a diminuendo. It actually got quieter, much quieter. Quite embarrassing.

When Sallinen's Shadows was performed, Rasilainen had a struggle of wills with part of the audience. The applause was tepid and a large part of the audience wasn't clapping. He refused to leave the stage and kept pointing at parts of the auditorium that were sitting on their hands. He stared at them, pointed at them, and made clapping motions, then waved his hand back towards the orchestra, asking the audience to at least applaud the skill of the players. The standoff went on for quite some time. He was obviously pissed.

It's a weird crowd. Shadows is not a difficult, ugly, dissonant piece of music. It's quite user friendly with an interesting orchestration, including a piano that makes some great noises. The work has some gorgeous, fullblown romantic melodies. With even a little effort, it's an easy piece to enjoy. Oh well...at least I appreciated it.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 28, 2007, 01:42:31 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 28, 2007, 01:32:13 PM
When Sallinen's Shadows was performed, Rasilainen had a struggle of wills with part of the audience. The applause was tepid and a large part of the audience wasn't clapping. He refused to leave the stage and kept pointing at parts of the auditorium that were sitting on their hands. He stared at them, pointed at them, and made clapping motions, then waved his hand back towards the orchestra, asking the audience to at least applaud the skill of the players. The standoff went on for quite some time. He was obviously pissed.

That is an amazing story; I have never seen anything like that here in New York.  (Not that it hasn't happened, of course.)  If anything, the applause will be polite rather than frenzied, but I've never seen an instance of little or no applause. 

I have a CD of the Sallinen (on Finlandia), and although it's a sober piece, I totally agree: it's hardly "difficult" to listen to.  (I have never heard it live, nor have I even seen it programmed here.)  But the real shocker is probably the reaction to the Berg -- and with Zimmerman, no less!   

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 28, 2007, 01:56:07 PM
Makes you wonder why they even bother showing up. It's not like they wouldn't know what they're getting themselves into.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on June 28, 2007, 02:17:26 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on June 28, 2007, 01:56:07 PM
Makes you wonder why they even bother showing up. It's not like they wouldn't know what they're getting themselves into.

Modernist martyrs they are!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on June 30, 2007, 08:27:48 AM
Hey, I'm going to l'Orfeo and the Padmore recital too 0:).

Should get together for a post-concert drink :).

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Maciek on June 30, 2007, 08:36:50 AM
Upon Tancata's request, I've merged one of his topics with this one. You can now find his original post here (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,429.msg47263.html#msg47263) (that's 10 posts above). Novitate's post right above mine was orginally a reply right after Tancata's post. Sorry for the commotion... :-[
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 02, 2007, 03:06:35 PM
Off to see this production of  Lucia di Lammermoor (http://www.nzopera.com/productions/2007/lucia.cfm) next Thursday  :)

I'll be learning it over the next week or so with this recorded version:

(http://images-jp.amazon.com/images/P/B0000041OY.09.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)

I've also bought this to watch over the weekend:

(http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/images/records/dg0734109.jpg)

Doing my homework ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 11, 2007, 12:24:54 PM
Friday night I'm going to hear a brand-new group called Riot, a trio with saxophone, guitar and accordion.  (I know, I know...just how did they arrive at this instrumentation?)

They have a cool (if minimal) website (http://www.riotnyc.com/), and the players are among the best in New York.  Of the five composers listed, I've heard music by Richard Carrick (director of the Either/Or Festival) but none of the others. 

As usual, highly eager to hear what this group has uncovered.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 11, 2007, 12:28:02 PM
Quote from: bhodges on July 11, 2007, 12:24:54 PM
Friday night I'm going to hear a brand-new group called Riot, a trio with saxophone, guitar and accordion.

The Birth of Death-Metal Polka
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 11, 2007, 12:31:44 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 11, 2007, 12:28:02 PM
The Birth of Death-Metal Polka

Could very well be!   8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on July 11, 2007, 02:03:25 PM
Quote from: bhodges on July 11, 2007, 12:24:54 PM
Friday night I'm going to hear a brand-new group called Riot, a trio with saxophone, guitar and accordion.  (I know, I know...just how did they arrive at this instrumentation?)



That spring spent in Paris?

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 12, 2007, 09:32:38 AM
And next week, Sō Percussion and Matmos are doing two nights (http://www.lincolncenter.org/show_events_list.asp?eventcode=14842) as part of the Lincoln Center Festival.  I've heard Sō Percussion in some great concerts of Steve Reich, David Lang and others, and heard the two guys who are Matmos when they opened for Björk a few years ago.  The concerts next week are an hour long, with no intermission.  I may go to both nights, since the guest artists are different: harpist Zeena Parkins on the 20th, and Dave Douglas on trumpet on the 21st.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 12, 2007, 04:11:03 PM
Next Friday 20th July I'm off to this:

NZSO

MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS En Saga
SIBELIUS Symphony No 5

FEATURED ARTISTS
PIETARI INKINEN Conductor
LEILA JOSEFOWICZ Violin

PERFORMANCE INFO
The Violin Concerto cost Mendelssohn more time than its effortless spontaneity would suggest. Sibelius's En Saga, a tone-poem without a programme, features inspired Sibelian national-Romanticism and his unerring mastery of the orchestra.  Repeated patterns (ostinati) abound, preparing us for the logic and taut organisation of the Fifth Symphony, with its sweeping power and energy.  Begun in the dark days of World War One, it was revised as the Russian Revolution was just about to embroil Finland in civil war.


Should be good :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 13, 2007, 07:01:58 AM
Josefowicz is excellent.  I heard her a few years ago in John Adams' Road Movies, an entertaining work for violin and piano.  And with the two Sibelius pieces, sounds like you have another great evening to look forward to.  (And En Saga doesn't seem to be done all that much.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on July 14, 2007, 07:27:43 AM
She is indeed - seems to be an advocate for Adams' work as I heard her play Adams' Violin Concerto in Philadelphia...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Tancata on July 14, 2007, 02:54:39 PM
In some ways, this doesn't look too hopeful. But...

It's a Handel opera! In Dublin!

Handel - Orlando

September 29th, 2007 - The Helix theatre, Dublin

Directed by Annilese Miskimmon
Conductor Christian Curnyn (who?  8))

Sung in English  >:( >:( :o >:( :-X

No details as yet about the singers... hmmm ..... And yet, I booked two tickets already...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: orbital on July 15, 2007, 05:20:12 PM
Not a concert, but I found an invitation for this play in my mailbox. For those in and around NYC, it may be interesting.
http://www.mvdaily.com/news/item.cgi?id=301230

Opus
A world-renowned string quartet struggles to prepare for its highest-profile performance ever, when the violist and founder of the quartet mysteriously disappears. When a young woman is hired as a replacement, her musical gifts inspire the musicians, and they decide at short notice to abandon their friendly Pachelbel Canon program and replace it with Beethoven's difficult Opus 131. The rehearsal room becomes a pressure cooker as passions rise, personalites clash and the musicians are forced to tackle the ephemeral nature of their life's work.

Primary Stages presents the play Opus by Michael Hollinger, 24 July until 1 September 2007 in New York, USA.

Information: primarystages.com

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on July 16, 2007, 03:57:17 AM
I missed Olivier Latry yesterday. It was so darn gorgeous a day that i decided for a bike ride instead of sitting on a wood bench for 2 hours. Oh, well: I'll read the review in today's paper.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 20, 2007, 02:49:30 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 12, 2007, 04:11:03 PM
Next Friday 20th July I'm off to this:

NZSO

MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS En Saga
SIBELIUS Symphony No 5

FEATURED ARTISTS
PIETARI INKINEN Conductor
LEILA JOSEFOWICZ Violin

PERFORMANCE INFO
The Violin Concerto cost Mendelssohn more time than its effortless spontaneity would suggest. Sibelius's En Saga, a tone-poem without a programme, features inspired Sibelian national-Romanticism and his unerring mastery of the orchestra.  Repeated patterns (ostinati) abound, preparing us for the logic and taut organisation of the Fifth Symphony, with its sweeping power and energy.  Begun in the dark days of World War One, it was revised as the Russian Revolution was just about to embroil Finland in civil war.


Should be good :)


Wonderful concert last night  :)

En Saga was powerful in its majestic sweep of conveying oceans and storms. The 'build' was superb and the dimenuendo glorious; some twit clapped VERY loudly before the conductors arms came to rest at his side and literally startled the conductor ::)

LEILA JOSEFOWICZ was amazing performing Mendelsshons violin concerto. She was expressive both with her virtuoso playing and her facial expressions and body movements; quite an exceptional talent.

Sibelius' #5 followed the break and was suitably impressive with the way it develops from fragments of ideas into full blown themes. The conclusion of the recapitulation of the first movement was stunning as were the six chords that conclude the symphony.

All in all another great night with the NZSO :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 20, 2007, 02:55:53 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 20, 2007, 02:49:30 PM
En Saga was powerful in its majestic sweep of conveying oceans and storms. The 'build' was superb and the dimenuendo glorious; some twit clapped VERY loudly before the conductors arms came to rest at his side and literally startled the conductor ::)


Some twit indeed.  Sometimes people are too eager to applaud after quiet endings, when a little silence would only enhance the experience.

But never mind...sounds like a terrific concert.  :D 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 24, 2007, 06:28:49 AM
This Saturday, a sold-out concert I've been looking forward to for months, part of the International Keyboard Institute & Festival (http://www.ikif.org/schedule.aspx), held every year at Mannes College of Music.

Marc-André Hamelin  

Haydn: Sonata in F major, Hob. XVI: 23
Haydn: Sonata in B flat major, Hob. XVI: 41
Alexis Weissenberg: Sonate en état de jazz (Sonata in a state of jazz)  (1982)
Chopin: Barcarolle, op. 60
Chopin: Third Ballade, op. 47
Hamelin: Etude no. 8 -- 'Erlkoenig' (after Goethe) (2007) (New York Premiere)
Hamelin: Etude no. 7 (2006)
Leopold Godowsky: Symphonic Metamorphoses on Johann Strauss' 'Wine, Women and Song'

I'm most looking forward to the Weissenberg (a friend actually knows this piece), the two Etudes, the Godowsky and (hopefully) an encore or two. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on July 24, 2007, 06:45:21 AM
If you happen to be in Bucharest in September there are quite a lot of interesting concerts (http://www.festivalenescu.ro/eng/program.html) in the "George Enescu" International Festival.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 24, 2007, 06:51:16 AM
Quote from: Florestan on July 24, 2007, 06:45:21 AM
If you happen to be in Bucharest in September there are quite a lot of interesting concerts (http://www.festivalenescu.ro/eng/program.html) in the "George Enescu" International Festival.

That's a great line-up!  I wasn't familiar with this, and aside from all the Enescu, there is a huge amount of Romanian contemporary music.  And delights like Gergiev and Rotterdam... :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on July 24, 2007, 07:00:58 PM
Mr. B,  I'll be holding my breath until you report on the Hamelin recital! Just a look at the program makes the mouth water! Of course it helps that it contains what is for me the most beautiful piano piece ever (not hard to guess, I suppose ;))
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 25, 2007, 05:57:15 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on July 24, 2007, 07:00:58 PM
Mr. B,  I'll be holding my breath until you report on the Hamelin recital! Just a look at the program makes the mouth water! Of course it helps that it contains what is for me the most beautiful piano piece ever  (not hard to guess, I suppose ;))

Hm..."the most beautiful piano piece ever"...you mean, the Godowsky?  ;D

In any case, I will certainly report on it!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bobby quine on July 25, 2007, 11:58:03 AM
August 4th, Monteverdi's L'Orfeo at the  Drottningholms Slottsteater (http://www.dtm.se/engelsk/eframes_index.html/) (built in 1766)

August 24th, Mahler and Sibelius with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting the Gothenburg SO

September 8, Emerson SQ performing Beethoven Quartet op 18:4, Webern, Saariaho and Beethoven op 135

...and of course, September 30th, Beethoven's 8th and Strauss' Eine Alpensinfonie with Dudamel conducting the Gothenburg SO!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mozart on July 26, 2007, 03:07:29 AM
My first concert

   
JACOB'S MASTERWORKS #1
Oct 5th & Oct 7th
Lehar: Gold and Silver Waltz
Brahms: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6, Pastoral


What a thrill!


and number 2 right here for sure

   
JACOB'S MASTERWORKS #5
Nov 16th, Nov 17th & Nov 18th
Webern: Im Sommerwind
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto
Schubert: Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished)
Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis



Omg what a season so far

   
JACOB'S MASTERWORKS #6
Dec 7th, Dec 8th & Dec 9th
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9


Are you kidding me?

SPECIAL: ONE NIGHT ONLY: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with San Diego Symphony
Jan 24th
Weber: Oberon, Overture
Beethoven: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

   
JACOB'S MASTERWORKS #11
Mar 29th
Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor
Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra



I love it!


But theres not much else, too little Mozart. And lots of russian crap in between those.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on July 26, 2007, 03:13:26 AM
Looking forward to this evening: Mozart's The Magic Flute (in English) at London's Barbican Centre.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mozart on July 26, 2007, 03:15:02 AM
Quote from: Mark on July 26, 2007, 03:13:26 AM
Looking forward to this evening: Mozart's The Magic Flute (in English) at London's Barbican Centre.

Nice!

An evil man tried to molest me  :) Haha try to hold a straight face if that line should come up.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on July 26, 2007, 01:01:49 PM
The September Gala at the CSO, of course. Muti conducting; featuring Tchaikovsky's 6th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on July 26, 2007, 01:02:40 PM
Quote from: Mozart on July 26, 2007, 03:15:02 AM
Nice!

An evil man tried to molest me  :) Haha try to hold a straight face if that line should come up.

What?  ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mozart on July 26, 2007, 03:29:35 PM
Quote from: Steve on July 26, 2007, 01:02:40 PM
What?  ???


Its from the Mackeras cd. I crack up everytime at the end of act 1 pamina sings an evillll mannn tried to molleesttt mee. Its hilarious.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 26, 2007, 03:31:02 PM
Quote from: Mark on July 26, 2007, 03:13:26 AM
Looking forward to this evening: Mozart's The Magic Flute (in English) at London's Barbican Centre.

Looking forward to your report Mark :)

The Magic Flute was my first opera last year [in German] but I'd learnt it in English. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iago on July 26, 2007, 05:01:01 PM
Going to Los Angeles on Tuesday to visit my cardiologist (just routine).
Noticed that MTT is conducting the LA Philharmonic in the Beethoven Ninth that night. So I think I'll stick around LA for that.
Trouble of course is, it's at the Hollywood Bowl and not Disney Hall.
And for those you that have never visited the Hollywood Bowl I might tell you that it's in a lovely setting, but the amplification system is just slightly better than atrocious, access roads and parking are almost non-existent and you just might be seated near crying babies.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on July 26, 2007, 05:07:00 PM
Quote from: Mozart on July 26, 2007, 03:29:35 PM

Its from the Mackeras cd. I crack up everytime at the end of act 1 pamina sings an evillll mannn tried to molleesttt mee. Its hilarious.

Alright, then...  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on July 26, 2007, 05:10:15 PM
Quote from: Iago on July 26, 2007, 05:01:01 PM
Going to Los Angeles on Tuesday to visit my cardiologist (just routine).
Noticed that MTT is conducting the LA Philharmonic in the Beethoven Ninth that night. So I think I'll stick around LA for that.
Trouble of course is, it's at the Hollywood Bowl and not Disney Hall.
And for those you that have never visited the Hollywood Bowl I might tell you that it's in a lovely setting, but the amplification system is just slightly better than atrocious, access roads and parking are almost non-existent and you just might be seated near crying babies.


Which GMG members are you referring to?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iago on July 26, 2007, 05:29:04 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on July 26, 2007, 05:10:15 PM
Which GMG members are you referring to?

GMG  members very rarely "cry". But they do "whine" very often.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mozart on July 26, 2007, 07:56:37 PM
Quote from: Steve on July 26, 2007, 05:07:00 PM
Alright, then...  ::)

Here, try not to laugh at this.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on July 27, 2007, 06:24:58 PM
Quote from: Mozart on July 26, 2007, 07:56:37 PM
Here, try not to laugh at this.




yawn...   :-\
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 29, 2007, 02:54:51 PM
Quote from: Mark on July 26, 2007, 03:13:26 AM
Looking forward to this evening: Mozart's The Magic Flute (in English) at London's Barbican Centre.

How was this Mark?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 30, 2007, 06:29:40 AM
Sunday afternoon, August 12, the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) (http://www.acmemusic.org/) is doing this program outdoors, at the Noguchi Museum (http://www.noguchi.org/index.html):

Kevin Volans: String Quartet No. 1 "White Man Sleeps" (1986)
Louis Andriessen: Workers' Union (1975)
Terry Riley: In C (1964)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on July 30, 2007, 06:45:58 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 30, 2007, 06:29:40 AM
Sunday afternoon, August 12, the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) (http://www.acmemusic.org/) is doing this program outdoors, at the Noguchi Museum (http://www.noguchi.org/index.html):

Kevin Volans: String Quartet No. 1 "White Man Sleeps" (1986)
Louis Andriessen: Workers' Union (1975)
Terry Riley: In C (1964)

--Bruce

Nice programme!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 30, 2007, 06:49:32 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on July 30, 2007, 06:45:58 AM
Nice programme!  :D

Isn't it!  And I now have the score to Workers' Union, to follow along!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on July 30, 2007, 07:15:05 AM
This morning I received the Autumn 07 programme for the Barbican in London, and have  booked:

Prokofiev Symphony No.5
Guibaidulina Violin Concerto No.2
LSO / Previn / Mutter

Tishchenko orch. Shostakovich Cello Concerto No.1
Mahler Symphony No.6
LSO / Gergiev

Mozart Piano Concerto No.21
Bruckner Symphony No.5
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande / Janowski / Lugansky

For the OSR concert I had the unusual experience of being the 1st person to book on-line, with my pick of the entire range of bookable seats.  The Gergiev I expected to be already sold out - and it is, just about - except that I happened along just after some generous soul had returned tickets for a couple of the best seats in the house.  Very happy about both of those.  (I have some off-air recordings of Janowski conducting "his" Monte Carlo orchestra in Bruckner, and they're pretty good.)

There are a few more decent-looking programmes as well, these were the ones that galvanised me into instant action.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 30, 2007, 07:26:56 AM
Splendid, Nigel!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 30, 2007, 07:30:42 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 30, 2007, 07:26:56 AM
Splendid, Nigel!

Truly!  Three great ones...  I heard Gergiev do the Mahler 6 a few years back with the New York Philharmonic...it was sensational. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on July 30, 2007, 08:12:23 AM
Instead of doing some work, I've been checking the concert schedules for the next few months ... seems like we have a few more good things coming up.  Pollini (at last!) interrupts his perpetual "greatest hits" tour for an evening of Schoenberg, Berg and Nono.  Aimard plays Messiaen.  A complete LvB sonata cycle by Barenboim.  Zimerman.  Ansdnes.  Rozhdestvensky returns, with Beethoven, Mahler, Sibelius.  Jansons with the BRSO.  The Concertgebouw.  I can hear my credit card whimpering even as I type this... ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on July 30, 2007, 10:40:51 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 29, 2007, 02:54:51 PM
How was this Mark?  :)

Sorry, Chris. Forgot to report back on the evening in the company of Armonico Consort Opera with the Orchestra of the Baroque. Terrifically fun production, emphasising the 'pantomime' element of the work to amusing effect. Semi-staged, lots of fun props and a few cheeky jokes - plus a clever little 'audience participation' piece which turned out to be how they got Sinead Pratschke on stage prior to her appearance later as Papagena.

The orchestral side was lovely and not in the least distracting from the acting, and the real stand out performances came from Elin Manahan Thomas as Pamina, and Timothy Travers-Brown as Monostatos, who was a comical delight and a great singer. The Barbican's notoriously dry acoustic robbed the singing of some of its punch, and the biggest disappointment was watching Jacquelyn Parker struggle somewhat with that famously high section of the Queen of the Night's Act II aria. It worked, but only just.

Only other noteworthy vocal performances came from Anna Bolton as Second Lady (quite honestly, she could've played Pamina just as well as Manahan Thomas), and William Townsend as the Old Priest/Armed Man. The evening's Sarastro - Ronald Nairne - was so-so (I've heard better basses), and the Three Boys (two of whom were actually girls) just didn't gel harmonically, making their parts rather painful to listen to. The other big disappointment was Tamino (Mark Wilde) who neither looked like the protagonist hero nor sang very convincingly.

If you want to hear this work in English, the Chandos set with Mackerras is superb and blows away what I heard on the night. It has a better Papageno, too: I saw Thomas Guthrie (also the director), and while he wasn't bad, his acting far exceeded his singing, which lacked sufficient projection.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 30, 2007, 01:36:15 PM
Quote from: Mark on July 30, 2007, 10:40:51 AM
Sorry, Chris. Forgot to report back on the evening in the company of Armonico Consort Opera with the Orchestra of the Baroque. Terrifically fun production, emphasising the 'pantomime' element of the work to amusing effect. Semi-staged, lots of fun props and a few cheeky jokes - plus a clever little 'audience participation' piece which turned out to be how they got Sinead Pratschke on stage prior to her appearance later as Papagena.

The orchestral side was lovely and not in the least distracting from the acting, and the real stand out performances came from Elin Manahan Thomas as Pamina, and Timothy Travers-Brown as Monostatos, who was a comical delight and a great singer. The Barbican's notoriously dry acoustic robbed the singing of some of its punch, and the biggest disappointment was watching Jacquelyn Parker struggle somewhat with that famously high section of the Queen of the Night's Act II aria. It worked, but only just.

Only other noteworthy vocal performances came from Anna Bolton as Second Lady (quite honestly, she could've played Pamina just as well as Manahan Thomas), and William Townsend as the Old Priest/Armed Man. The evening's Sarastro - Ronald Nairne - was so-so (I've heard better basses), and the Three Boys (two of whom were actually girls) just didn't gel harmonically, making their parts rather painful to listen to. The other big disappointment was Tamino (Mark Wilde) who neither looked like the protagonist hero nor sang very convincingly.

If you want to hear this work in English, the Chandos set with Mackerras is superb and blows away what I heard on the night. It has a better Papageno, too: I saw Thomas Guthrie (also the director), and while he wasn't bad, his acting far exceeded his singing, which lacked sufficient projection.

Excellent report Mark, thanks :)

I have the Chandos English version which is excellent, although I'm sticking to operas in their original language from now on.

Like you, I wouldn't have gone near an opera a few years ago but now I'm a true believer!

Currently watching Wagners Ring cycle on dvd [one Act per night] and its fantastic.

By the way The Magic Flute was my first live opera experience and it was great BUT my second live opera experience was Faust and that literally blew me away...wow! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on July 30, 2007, 02:04:48 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 30, 2007, 01:36:15 PM
Excellent report Mark, thanks :)

I have the Chandos English version which is excellent, although I'm sticking to operas in their original language from now on.

Like you, I wouldn't have gone near an opera a few years ago but now I'm a true believer!

Currently watching Wagners Ring cycle on dvd [one Act per night] and its fantastic.

By the way The Magic Flute was my first live opera experience and it was great BUT my second live opera experience was Faust and that literally blew me away...wow! :)

Only other opera I've heard (again, in English) is Bartok's Duke Bluebeard's Castle. Really loved it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 31, 2007, 01:40:49 PM
Quote from: Mark on July 30, 2007, 02:04:48 PM
Only other opera I've heard (again, in English) is Bartok's Duke Bluebeard's Castle. Really loved it.

Yeah, they did Bluebeards Castle here last year. Half staged like the Magic Flute version you saw. I didn't attend but it got great reviews so I maybe should have ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on July 31, 2007, 02:36:54 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 31, 2007, 01:40:49 PM
Yeah, they did Bluebeards Castle here last year. Half staged like the Magic Flute version you saw. I didn't attend but it got great reviews so I maybe should have ???

It's quite a psychologically deep work, and a tad disturbing in places. The ending really shocked me! :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 05, 2007, 05:16:57 PM
Next Thursday:

APN News & Media Premier Series 2007 Concert 10

Thu 16 Aug 2007 8:00pm - Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

APO

Farr Horizons


Marc Taddei           Conductor
NZ Trio Justine Cormack Violin, Ashley Brown Cello, Sarah Watkins Piano
 
Ives   Three Places in New England
Farr   Triple Concerto
Interval 
Prokofiev  Romeo and Juliet Suite

To celebrate great New Zealand composer Gareth Farr, the APO's new Composer-in-Residence, we present the Auckland premiere of a work he considers one of his greatest: the Triple Concerto. Written for Auckland's New Zealand Trio, Farr's concerto is in turns haunting, lyrical and tempestuous. It is complemented by the evocative vignettes of Charles Ives' Three Places in New England, and the passion and power of Prokofiev's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet, one of the favourites of the repertoire.

I haven't had any Ives or Prokofiev in concert yet so this should be interesting :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on August 07, 2007, 07:28:44 PM
I was contacted by the Philadelphia Orchestra regarding my purchase of an extra ticket for the May 3rd performance. They could not accommodate my request (for the other seat to be by my subscribed seat) as both the 2nd and 3rd tier were not available. So I opted for 1st tier front row. Perhaps I'll take that one when I go to hear the symphony....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 16, 2007, 02:30:53 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on August 05, 2007, 05:16:57 PM
Next Thursday:

APN News & Media Premier Series 2007 Concert 10

Thu 16 Aug 2007 8:00pm - Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

APO

Farr Horizons


Marc Taddei           Conductor
NZ Trio Justine Cormack Violin, Ashley Brown Cello, Sarah Watkins Piano
 
Ives   Three Places in New England
Farr   Triple Concerto
Interval 
Prokofiev  Romeo and Juliet Suite

To celebrate great New Zealand composer Gareth Farr, the APO's new Composer-in-Residence, we present the Auckland premiere of a work he considers one of his greatest: the Triple Concerto. Written for Auckland's New Zealand Trio, Farr's concerto is in turns haunting, lyrical and tempestuous. It is complemented by the evocative vignettes of Charles Ives' Three Places in New England, and the passion and power of Prokofiev's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet, one of the favourites of the repertoire.

I haven't had any Ives or Prokofiev in concert yet so this should be interesting :)


Great concert last night!

Even attended the pre-concert talk which was a first as it was a later concert than usual.

The Ives was wonderful. The whole thing threatened to blow apart during the chaotic climax of the second movement but they held it all together perfectly. Hearing/seeing this piece live was great to hear the different themes and tunes coming from different parts of the orchestra as it seemed their were literally several things happening at once. A ripple of amusement went around the audience at its conclusion.

The Farr premier was a treat. It was a 'triple concerto' performed with the NZ trio and orchestra so it was quite unique. Very dynamic at times and at others conjuring images of the sea and even some Asian themes. It received a very enthusiastic response from the rapt audience.

After the break it was a suite made up of Prokofiev's three Romeo & Juliet suites. Basically all the best bits made for an exciting musical ride; at the crashing conclusion to The Death of Tybalt there was a brief ripple of applause to which the conductor looked to the audience and said 'its good eh?!'

Another wonderful evening of classical art music :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 17, 2007, 02:51:32 PM
Thanks, SW, sounds like a really terrific concert.  The Ives does "threaten to blow apart" in places...part of its excitement! 

And the rest of the concert sounds great, too - would have liked to hear the Farr. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: sound67 on August 18, 2007, 07:40:28 PM
Having decided to visit the Proms for a week after all, I'm looking forward to the premiere of John Adams' "Doctor Atomic Symphony", which he will also be conducting

http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2007/whatson/2108.shtml

Unfortunately, most of the rest of this week's roster is pretty much what you can listen to in concert on any given Sunday (Bruckner 8th, Mahler 3rd, Wagner).

Thomas
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on August 24, 2007, 06:10:54 AM
Today I got the programme for the "Sibelius & Beyond" festival of Finnish music in London this autumn.  Headline is probably the complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies from Salonen and the LAPO, but plenty other events in various venues around town featuring a whole range of modern Finnish composers.

The one which I would definitely attend if I were around at the time (which I won't be) is a free lunchtime concert in the Royal Academy of Music on Marylebone Road on the 2nd November, at which Segerstam will be conducting his own 173rd Symphony.  Not too many other opportunites to hear that particular piece, I'm guessing.

London has a strong Finnish community.  Another not-to-be-missed event is always the annual Christmas Fair in the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe, where you can buy a whole range of produce including some amazing liqueurs that I've never been able to find anywhere else (and believe me, I've tried.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on August 24, 2007, 06:14:57 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on August 24, 2007, 06:10:54 AM
Today I got the programme for the "Sibelius & Beyond" festival of Finnish music in London this autumn.  Headline is probably the complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies from Salonen and the LAPO, but plenty other events in various venues around town featuring a whole range of modern Finnish composers.

They also have a complete Sibelius cycle going on in LA in October, with - can it be a coincidence? - the LAP/Salonen, too.

Quote from: Choo Choo on August 24, 2007, 06:10:54 AM
The one which I would definitely attend if I were around at the time (which I won't be) is a free lunchtime concert in the Royal Academy of Music on Marylebone Road on the 2nd November, at which Segerstam will be conducting his own 173rd Symphony.  Not too many other opportunites to hear that particular piece, I'm guessing.

173?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on August 24, 2007, 06:17:19 AM
Quote from: M forever on August 24, 2007, 06:14:57 AM
173?

Yes.  Not 172 or 174, but 173. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on August 24, 2007, 06:30:51 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on August 24, 2007, 06:17:19 AM
Yes.  Not 172 or 174, but 173. 

You mean Launching Thoughts into Nexties... and not Enjoying newly tuned pianos... nor Welcoming returning birds solemnly... 

Big mistake if you ask me...   ;D



http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/fimic.nsf/mainframe?readform&segerstam+leif (http://www.fimic.fi/fimic/fimic.nsf/mainframe?readform&segerstam+leif)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on August 27, 2007, 02:03:32 AM
September 21st, Bucharest

Evgeny Kissin / London SO / Sir Colin Davis

Beethoven

Piano Concerto no. 5 Emperor
Symphony no. 3 Eroica

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 27, 2007, 02:19:00 AM
Tonight:

Mariss Jansons/BRSO

Strauss Zarathustra
Sibelius 2

And tomorrow night:

same lot,

Beethoven Egmont
Debussy La mer
Shosta 5

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on August 27, 2007, 03:33:44 PM
Just received my season tickets to the Philly Orchestra- I'm quite excited to see/hear them again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on August 27, 2007, 10:47:53 PM
Quote from: Novitiate on August 27, 2007, 02:19:00 AM
Tonight:

Mariss Jansons/BRSO

Strauss Zarathustra
Sibelius 2

And tomorrow night:

same lot,

Beethoven Egmont
Debussy La mer
Shosta 5



That looks like those "greatest classical hits" programs Jansons seems to do almost exclusively now. But then, why not? Especially when it's on tour. Have fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 29, 2007, 02:59:12 PM
Quote from: M forever on August 27, 2007, 10:47:53 PM
That looks like those "greatest classical hits" programs Jansons seems to do almost exclusively now. But then, why not? Especially when it's on tour. Have fun.

Lol, M, the Edinburgh Festival is hardly the centre for adventurous programming ;).

Me, I'm just happy to get a chance to hear different orchestras. Besides which, having only started listening to classical music more seriously in the past year or so (hey, check out my user name), a lot of this repertoire I'm only hearing live for the first time, and sometimes for the first time ever. Having said that, I can certainly understand how this might be frustrating for seasoned listeners. In any case, once I leave Edinburgh, I'll be hard pressed to hear this variety of ensemble in the entire year, let alone in a 3 week period. Groups rarely tour that far south, greatest hits or otherwise :'(.

Anyway, I really enjoyed both evenings 8). The highlight for me was the Sibelius. I loved the warm, rich strings, and the build up in the final movement was pretty phenomenal. It was also interesting watching Jansons conduct. He is quite animated on the podium, with big arm gestures. But a few times, he appeared almost to stop completely – although I couldn't see whether he was still indicating the beat with his arms lowered – as though taking in the waves of sound just for a second or two. This was most noticeable in the final movement with the momentum that builds in the recurring sweeping string melody. Ironically, the programme notes made a point of the incipient modernism in this 2nd symphony, but I felt it was the romantic elements that Jansons brought out. That's not to say it was 'soupy'; it was clearly articulated but lush. The Strauss didn't work quite so well for me; it sagged a bit in the middle. Or perhaps I should say that I lost concentration a little :-[.

In the Shostakovich the following night, it was again the strings that made the greatest impression: the rich tones again, particularly in the gorgeous 3rd movement. I don't know this piece very well, only the version in the Mravinsky Anniversary box. In comparison, Jansons's is not as raw, but still robust. The brass were powerful, but in a warmer, less 'blary' way. Certainly the full contingent in the final movement was impressive, although the wind solos, especially the oboe, in the 3rd also stick in mind. A pity that someone brought her toddler along and I could hear it gurgling intermittently throughout the concert even half a hall away and about 15 rows in front of them >:(. I'm surprised no one asked them to leave. Still, I enjoyed it, even if I preferred the Sibelius marginally. It has certainly spurred me to explore Shostakovich a bit more, so it's all good :D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 29, 2007, 03:06:54 PM
I have this next Monday. I've been offered free tickets to this annual event for the past three years [being an NZSO subscriber] but declined each time for various reasons. This year I attended an NZSO Foundation luncheon and they had a cellist from the NYO perform a few pieces and he was very good. So this year I decided to accept the invitation and I am now quite looking forward to the occasion. The Bartok should be excellent and the Belt Sander world premier interesting!

NYO [NZSO National Youth Orchestra]


PROGRAMME

RAVEL La Valse
BARTOK Concerto for Orchestra
MARGETIC Belt Sander (Composer-in-Residence - World Premiere)
DEBUSSY La Mer

FEATURED ARTISTS
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor

PERFORMANCE INFO
Since its inception in 1959, the National Youth Orchestra has played a vital role in the musical life of New Zealand. It has served as a specialised training ground for New Zealand's most gifted young musicians, many of whom have forged careers here and abroad as orchestral players, soloists, chamber musicians and teachers.

The NZSO National Youth Orchestra continues to strive for the highest level of artistic excellence and it owes a considerable debt of gratitude to its conductors, who succeed year after year in bringing together young players from diverse backgrounds and experience and, in the space of just ten days, shape them into the fine ensemble you will hear.

National Youth Orchestra

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN

Yannick Nezet-Seguin is the Artistic Director of the Orchestre Métropolitain in Montreal and Principal Guest Conductor of the Victoria Symphony. In 2005, he made his Australian debut with the Sydney Symphony.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on August 29, 2007, 03:09:44 PM
Should be a fun time. Judging by what I've heard of him, Nézet-Séguin is a young conductor going places.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Choo Choo on August 29, 2007, 03:49:06 PM
Quote from: edward on August 29, 2007, 03:09:44 PM
Judging by what I've heard of him, Nézet-Séguin is a young conductor going places.

Agreed.  Just today I was listening again to his recent Montreal recording of Bruckner's 7th Symphony - an individual interpretation requiring great control to carry off successfully - which he does, in spades.  Great stuff.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: mahlertitan on August 29, 2007, 03:56:32 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on August 29, 2007, 03:49:06 PM
Agreed.  Just today I was listening again to his recent Montreal recording of Bruckner's 7th Symphony - an individual interpretation requiring great control to carry off successfully - which he does, in spades.  Great stuff.

I too, believe that He, is a conductor of immense potential, judging from that Bruckner's 7th alone.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 29, 2007, 04:02:12 PM
Quote from: edward on August 29, 2007, 03:09:44 PM
Should be a fun time. Judging by what I've heard of him, Nézet-Séguin is a young conductor going places.

Quote from: Choo Choo on August 29, 2007, 03:49:06 PM
Agreed.  Just today I was listening again to his recent Montreal recording of Bruckner's 7th Symphony - an individual interpretation requiring great control to carry off successfully - which he does, in spades.  Great stuff.

Quote from: MahlerTitan on August 29, 2007, 03:56:32 PM
I too, believe that He, is a conductor of immense potential, judging from that Bruckner's 7th alone.

Thanks for the feedback.

Its sounding very promising.

I'll be sure to post a review :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 30, 2007, 06:54:59 PM
I've just come back from a rather disappointing concert tonight.

The two fantastic BRSO concerts earlier this week were followed by a couple of MTT/SFSO gigs. Again, Festival-friendly repertoire ... Fanfare for the Common Man, anyone? ;D

Tonight's programme:

Strauss, final scene from Salome with Deborah Voight
Mahler 7

I've never heard any of MTT's recordings nor the SFSO so I had no idea what to expect. I thought the Strauss was very well played; the orchestra produced a beautiful full sound, although there were some problems with balance: you could barely hear Voight at some of the climactic moments.

The Mahler was disappointing. At the outset, I have to say that besides the 1st, the 7th is the one I've listened to the least, so I'm probably not the best judge of this piece.

But here goes. I felt that the brass let the side down. For instance, the horns didn't seem very steady at the opening of the first Nachtmusik. The Scherzo felt a bit stolid; I thought it lacked bite. Even the friend who went with me - not a classical fan by any means - commented that the humour promised in the programme notes was missing ;). While the various soloists played well, they didn't really come together coherently in the more chamber-like bits. The orchestra certainly generated a huge sound in the first and final movements, but this just seemed to muddy things up.

I had the same problem with the Mahler as the Prokofieff PC3 the previous night: it was hard to get a sense of either piece as a coherent whole. Yefim Bronfman was impressive but the piece didn't come alive for me. I didn't feel the electricity I sense in the Browning/Leinsdorf recording, for example. In that sense, the Tchaik 1 fared a lot better, although it's hard for me to gauge, being the first time I've heard it. That first concert opened with Fanfare, Ruth Crawford Seeger's Andante for Strings, and Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine (lol, I'm going ass-backwards). I liked this: the in-your-face brass of Fanfare, then the smooth layers of sounds of the strings, and then the Adams, which was rollicking good fun :D.

So overall, a mixed couple of nights, and not as good as I'd expected. I'm still happy to have gone, but would've liked to end the year's Festival on a better note :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on September 01, 2007, 12:32:10 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on August 24, 2007, 06:10:54 AM
Today I got the programme for the "Sibelius & Beyond" festival of Finnish music in London this autumn.  Headline is probably the complete cycle of Sibelius symphonies from Salonen and the LAPO, but plenty other events in various venues around town featuring a whole range of modern Finnish composers.

The one which I would definitely attend if I were around at the time (which I won't be) is a free lunchtime concert in the Royal Academy of Music on Marylebone Road on the 2nd November, at which Segerstam will be conducting his own 173rd Symphony.  Not too many other opportunites to hear that particular piece, I'm guessing.

London has a strong Finnish community.  Another not-to-be-missed event is always the annual Christmas Fair in the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe, where you can buy a whole range of produce including some amazing liqueurs that I've never been able to find anywhere else (and believe me, I've tried.)

What I wouldn't give to be in London this fall! I would love to see that cycle. And performances of contemporary Finnish music and little heard Sibelius chamber music...a smorgasbord. But, I was looking at the festival's website (http://www.sibeliusandbeyond.com/index.php), where is the Kullervo? A glaring ommission, I mean Jorma Hynninen will already be in town...that would really have capped things off.

Quote from: M foreverThey also have a complete Sibelius cycle going on in LA in October, with - can it be a coincidence? - the LAP/Salonen, too.

If DG is smart, they would record that cycle and release it on iTunes...as he intended to do one with them yet they never got around to it...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on September 01, 2007, 12:40:38 PM
Quote from: Novitiate on August 30, 2007, 06:54:59 PM
I've just come back from a rather disappointing concert tonight.

The two fantastic BRSO concerts earlier this week were followed by a couple of MTT/SFSO gigs. Again, Festival-friendly repertoire ... Fanfare for the Common Man, anyone? ;D

Tonight's programme:

Strauss, final scene from Salome with Deborah Voight
Mahler 7

I've never heard any of MTT's recordings nor the SFSO so I had no idea what to expect. I thought the Strauss was very well played; the orchestra produced a beautiful full sound, although there were some problems with balance: you could barely hear Voight at some of the climactic moments.

The Mahler was disappointing. At the outset, I have to say that besides the 1st, the 7th is the one I've listened to the least, so I'm probably not the best judge of this piece.

But here goes. I felt that the brass let the side down. For instance, the horns didn't seem very steady at the opening of the first Nachtmusik. The Scherzo felt a bit stolid; I thought it lacked bite. Even the friend who went with me - not a classical fan by any means - commented that the humour promised in the programme notes was missing ;). While the various soloists played well, they didn't really come together coherently in the more chamber-like bits. The orchestra certainly generated a huge sound in the first and final movements, but this just seemed to muddy things up.

I had the same problem with the Mahler as the Prokofieff PC3 the previous night: it was hard to get a sense of either piece as a coherent whole. Yefim Bronfman was impressive but the piece didn't come alive for me. I didn't feel the electricity I sense in the Browning/Leinsdorf recording, for example. In that sense, the Tchaik 1 fared a lot better, although it's hard for me to gauge, being the first time I've heard it. That first concert opened with Fanfare, Ruth Crawford Seeger's Andante for Strings, and Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine (lol, I'm going ass-backwards). I liked this: the in-your-face brass of Fanfare, then the smooth layers of sounds of the strings, and then the Adams, which was rollicking good fun :D.

So overall, a mixed couple of nights, and not as good as I'd expected. I'm still happy to have gone, but would've liked to end the year's Festival on a better note :).

Thanks for these excellent reports!

I understand your disappointment with the 7th. Among Mahler's symphonies, this is the one that benefits the most from extra-lucid conducting, extra-transparent textures and extra-colourful intrumental solos. A very difficult balance to achieve: chamber music clarity with large orchestra refulgence, yet it has to have lyrical flow and almost heart-on-sleeve emotionality.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on September 04, 2007, 06:12:08 PM
Off to Wellington for two nights tomorrow morning with two concerts to enjoy.

Tomorrow night:

Cinderella (http://www.nzballet.org.nz/cinderella.html)

and Friday night NZSO

PROGRAMME
Die Meistersinger Prelude
Lohengrin Prelude (Act 1)
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
The Flying Dutchman Overture
Tannhaüser Overture
Gotterdammerung: Immolation Scene


FEATURED ARTISTS
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Margaret Medlyn
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on September 05, 2007, 05:05:42 PM
Please report!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 11, 2007, 08:52:28 AM
At the CSO next week:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor


Tchaikovsky -   Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)
Hindemith -   Nobilissima visione
Scriabin -   The Poem of Ecstasy


Looking forward to the Hindemith and Scriabin, in particular. I heard the Scriabin ten years ago with Boulez when Bud Herseth was still principal trumpet. Will be interesting to hear what Chris Martin makes of it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 11, 2007, 10:32:46 AM
At Symphony Hall this season:

13 October (Sat)
Gandolfi, The Garden of Cosmic Speculation
Poulenc, Concerto for Organ, Timpani & Strings (Simon Preston)
Tchaikovsky, Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
(Robt Spano conducting)

10 November (Sat)
Berg, Violin Concerto (Christian Tetzlaff)
Mahler, Symphony No. 9

17 November (Sat)
Haydn, Symphony No. 104, London
Carter, Horn Concerto (Jas Sommerville)
Mahler, Symphony No. 1

26 January (Sat)
Elgar, The Dream of Gerontius
Davis conducting

9 February (Sat)
Martin, Petite symphonie concertante (Ann Hobson Pilot, hp; Randall Hodgkinson, pf; Mark Kroll, hpschd)
Prokofiev, Violin Concerto No. 1 (Vivian Hagner)
Saint-Saëns, Symphony No. 3, Organ (David Christie)
Dutoit conducting

16 February (Sat)
Sibelius, Violin Concerto in D (Vadim Repin)
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, Opus 43
Elder conducting

23 February (Sat)
Mozart, Symphony No. 29 in A
Berg, Chamber Concerto for piano & violin w/ 13 winds (Isabelle Faust, Peter Serkin)
Brahms, Serenade No. 2

15 March (Sat)
Schumann, Piano Concerto (Garrick Ohlsson)
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Opus 47
Gatti conducting

27 March (Thur)
Bartók, Piano Concerto No. 3 (András Schiff)
Schubert, Symphony No. 9 in C, Great
Haitink conducting

12 April (Sat)
Brahms, Symphony No. 3 in F Minor
Brahms, Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor (Yevgeny Kissin)

2 May (Fri, 7:30)
Berlioz, Les Troyens Seconde Partie, Les Troyens à Carthage
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 11, 2007, 10:37:54 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 11, 2007, 10:32:46 AM
10 November (Sat)
Berg, Violin Concerto (Christian Tetzlaff)
Mahler, Symphony No. 9

Levine did this same program here in 2004, with the Met Orchestra.  The Mahler was a tad slow, but the Berg was quite amazing.  Tetzlaff must be one of the work's great interpreters at the moment. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 11, 2007, 10:43:11 AM
Well, if the Mahler runs slow again, I can always catnap  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 11, 2007, 10:45:11 AM
Heard the Mahler First last maybe two seasons ago? -- also at Symphony. I seem to be curving to diminishing returns . . . I have found a little less patience with the last movement with each successive listening.

But maybe this one will reverse the curve curse . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 11, 2007, 11:03:56 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 11, 2007, 10:45:11 AM
Heard the Mahler First last maybe two seasons ago? -- also at Symphony. I seem to be curving to diminishing returns . . . I have found a little less patience with the last movement with each successive listening.

But maybe this one will reverse the curve curse . . . .

If you're a member of operashare, try to find Dudamel's debut with the CSO. There was a broadcast that someone uploaded. If that doesn't cure your impatience with the last movement of Mahler 1, nothing will. (NB: there are (or were) two Dudamel Mahler 1s on operashare: CSO and IPO - the CSO performance is on a different level entirely)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on September 13, 2007, 07:07:49 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on August 29, 2007, 03:06:54 PM
I have this next Monday. I've been offered free tickets to this annual event for the past three years [being an NZSO subscriber] but declined each time for various reasons. This year I attended an NZSO Foundation luncheon and they had a cellist from the NYO perform a few pieces and he was very good. So this year I decided to accept the invitation and I am now quite looking forward to the occasion. The Bartok should be excellent and the Belt Sander world premier interesting!

NYO [NZSO National Youth Orchestra]


PROGRAMME

RAVEL La Valse
BARTOK Concerto for Orchestra
MARGETIC Belt Sander (Composer-in-Residence - World Premiere)
DEBUSSY La Mer

FEATURED ARTISTS
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor

PERFORMANCE INFO
Since its inception in 1959, the National Youth Orchestra has played a vital role in the musical life of New Zealand. It has served as a specialised training ground for New Zealand's most gifted young musicians, many of whom have forged careers here and abroad as orchestral players, soloists, chamber musicians and teachers.

The NZSO National Youth Orchestra continues to strive for the highest level of artistic excellence and it owes a considerable debt of gratitude to its conductors, who succeed year after year in bringing together young players from diverse backgrounds and experience and, in the space of just ten days, shape them into the fine ensemble you will hear.

National Youth Orchestra

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
YANNICK NÉZET-SÉGUIN

Yannick Nezet-Seguin is the Artistic Director of the Orchestre Métropolitain in Montreal and Principal Guest Conductor of the Victoria Symphony. In 2005, he made his Australian debut with the Sydney Symphony.



This was a great concert experience last Monday night.

They brought the orchestra out as one to enthusiastic applause; so many fresh faces!

Ravel's La Valse was a joy to hear performed live with its various twists and turns. The young orchestra held it together superby and the thunderous climax was spine tingleling.

Bartoks Concerto for Orchestra was a challenging piece as I'd found it took me longer to get a handle on it in my pre-concert preperation. They performed it very well but it seemed to drag abit to my ears ???

After the break it was MARGETIC Belt Sander (Composer-in-Residence - World Premiere) and while this wasn't a classic piece of writing it was very engaging to hear/see. The composer was 'inspired' to write this after hearing an electric sanders rhythm/sounds so you can imagine the textures that were conjured up with the orchestra. The percussion especially provided a number of unique instrumemtation and sounds. It was all quite bizarre really!

The final piece was Debussy's La Mer which gets a bit overdone really, but on the night it was a highlight. In fact I prefered it to the NZSO's version last year. Great definition to the strings and the trcky six cello part in the first movement was handled perfectly.

They received a great response from the audience [which was surprisingly small]. It was a joy to see young people dedicating themselves to serious art music; a great night :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on September 13, 2007, 07:23:13 PM
- Schubert 8 and Bruckner 9,  Orchestre métropolitain du grand Montréal, Yannick Nézet-Séguin. There's no doubt I'm buying a ticket for that one.  I'll go on the 17th, they will be playing in one of Montreal's churches. On the 21 they play the same program again, this time in another church - the same venue they recorded the 7th in - and I think ATMA's engineeers will be making a recording.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PaulR on September 14, 2007, 07:11:40 AM
on the 29th, I'm going to a recital by Richard Goode at my school :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bonehelm on September 14, 2007, 07:42:09 AM
Yundi Li/Edo de Waart/Hong Kong Philharmonic - Prokofiev PC #2, Rachmaninov symphony no.3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on September 14, 2007, 08:02:22 AM
This one. (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,3289.0.html) ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 14, 2007, 08:06:50 AM
Oh, just caught this!  Congrats and good luck tomorrow!  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on September 15, 2007, 09:09:05 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 11, 2007, 10:32:46 AM


9 February (Sat)
Martin, Petite symphonie concertante (Ann Hobson Pilot, hp; Randall Hodgkinson, pf; Mark Kroll, hpschd)
Prokofiev, Violin Concerto No. 1 (Vivian Hagner)
Saint-Saëns, Symphony No. 3, Organ (David Christie)
Dutoit conducting



This I would love to see!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on September 15, 2007, 09:11:30 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 11, 2007, 10:32:46 AM


13 October (Sat)

Poulenc, Concerto for Organ, Timpani & Strings (Simon Preston)

(Robt Spano conducting)


I have never heard any of Poulenc's works played live....I will have to rectify this in about 8 hours time.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 15, 2007, 09:12:26 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on September 14, 2007, 08:02:22 AM
This one. (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,3289.0.html) ;D

You and me, both!  :)

Knock 'em flat daid, John!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 15, 2007, 09:12:47 AM
Quote from: Bogey on September 15, 2007, 09:11:30 AM
I have never heard any of Poulenc's works played live....I will have to rectify this in about 8 hours time.  8)

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 15, 2007, 09:16:09 AM
Quote from: Bogey on September 15, 2007, 09:09:05 AM
Quote from: karlhenning9 February (Sat)
Martin, Petite symphonie concertante (Ann Hobson Pilot, hp; Randall Hodgkinson, pf; Mark Kroll, hpschd)
Prokofiev, Violin Concerto No. 1 (Vivian Hagner)
Saint-Saëns, Symphony No. 3, Organ (David Christie)
Dutoit conducting

This I would love to see!

The Saint-Saëns was the grand finale on the season opener immediately after the organ's thorough restoration at Symphony Hall.  It was such a delight, I'm queuing right up for another performance!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on September 15, 2007, 09:20:19 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 15, 2007, 09:16:09 AM
This I would love to see!


The Saint-Saëns was the grand finale on the season opener immediately after the organ's thorough restoration at Symphony Hall.  It was such a delight, I'm queuing right up for another performance!

And Dutoit conducting....heck, I would go if he was on the podium for a musical salute to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 15, 2007, 09:21:58 AM
I am assured that there is no truth whatever to the rumor that jochanaan does Dick van Dyke imitations . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on September 16, 2007, 03:16:38 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 15, 2007, 09:21:58 AM
I am assured that there is no truth whatever to the rumor that jochanaan does Dick van Dyke imitations . . . .
A foul calumny!  I'd much rather imitate Julie Andrews! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on September 16, 2007, 06:33:16 PM
Attended  Cinderella (http://www.nzballet.org.nz/) while on holiday in Wellington a week ago.

Its the first ballet I've attended in 16 years and it turned out to be the highlight of our time away.

The sets, costumes, music and dancing were magical and captivating. They did an interesting thing too by having a small performance happening on stage inbetween the acts which actually worked and was a novel approach which I haven't seen before. It was related to the Cinderella story so fitted perfectly.

The theatre was lovely too. I hadn't been in the St.James before and it was a grand old lady with a Victorian feel with its giant arches and Gothic feel.

I'll definately be attending more ballets.

A memorable eveing out :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 20, 2007, 02:54:31 AM
Tonight Mrs. Rock and I will be attending a concert by the Staatskapelle Dresden. Fabio Luisi conducting, Hélène Grimaud piano.

Beethoven Piano Concerto #5
Strauss Eine Alpensinfonie

Sarge

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 20, 2007, 04:00:41 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on September 16, 2007, 03:16:38 PM
A foul calumny!  I'd much rather imitate Julie Andrews! ;D

Well, of course, if the Poulenc was practically perfect in every way . . . .

;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 21, 2007, 02:52:37 AM
Quote from: George on September 20, 2007, 05:29:58 AM
:o :o :o

Bring your camera (and post the pictures).  ;D

Believe it or not, I forgot my camera...and we had front row seats! ARRRGGGHHH!!!  What really makes it painful to contemplate the pictures I missed is the fact she didn't wear her usual long-sleeved, loose fitting shirt/blouse with her black slacks but a halter top that bared her arms, shoulders, back, and large swaths of chest. It was the sexiest outfit I've ever seen her wear. I didn't get a chance to talk to her this time either. By the time I'd purchased her new CD the crowd waiting for her autograph was huge. I doubt more than a fourth got to her before the intermission ended. The highlight of the concerto was the slow movement: intensely inward and poetic.

Luisi is a fun conductor to watch. He's short and very thin and very animated on the podium. He resembles Mahler somewhat. From the caricatures I've seen of Mahler conducting, they seem to have a similar style.  I imagined Luisi channeling Mahler last night.  :D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on September 21, 2007, 02:03:33 PM
Attended Turandot on Thursday night; needless to say it was fantastic!

It was great to see a contemporary production after having watched the Mets DVD version the previous night as it made the Mets version look positvely old-fashioned!

Actually its a great way to approach these operas; see the traditinal approach, then a modern updating. Its amazing how the same story and music can be presented in a completely different way; both excellent!

Heres (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10465168) todays review in our local newspaper  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 22, 2007, 03:09:10 AM
Quote from: George on September 21, 2007, 07:33:52 AM


You are a true collector...going for the music before the flesh.  ;D

In truth, I thought I could have both  ;)

Quote
Yeah, sure Sarge, I bet you were watching the conductor.  ::) 

Actually, I couldn't see him during the concerto...not that I would have noticed him much during the Beethoven in any case ;D  Because he's so short, and because the piano necessitated the placement of the podium deep in the orchestra, the viola section totally obscured him from our viewing angle. He was much closer to the edge of the stage during the Strauss, and visible.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 23, 2007, 11:35:37 PM
Friday night I attended this:

Evgeny Kissin
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis

Beethoven
"Emperor" Concerto
"Eroica" Symphony


Kissin's rendition of PCs arch-warhorse almost made me forget I've heard it a zillion times before. Especially the transition between the second and the third movement was so gentle, so flowing, so lyrical that I was really startled by the beginning of the Rondo. His superb pianism allowed him to deliver everything required: passion, drama, nostalgia and exuberance. The excellent dialogue between him and LSO, with a full and warm sound, especially in the winds, was a feast for the ears --- and also for the eyes, since the concertmaster was so raptured by the music that he literally swinged, rolled and bounced in his chair, while his feet stepped a la Fred Astaire.
The audience responded enthusiastically with ovations and Kissin obliged with two encores: Rage Over a Lost Penny and a Marche Militaire by Schubert.

Second part, another warhorse: Eroica. No surprise here. Davis conducted with very elegant and discrete gestures, the winds and brass were absolutely stunning while the strings sounded... well, lush, if you excuse my cliche. But despite the fine conducting and the excellent performance of the orchestra, I once again felt that the 4th movement is strikingly at odds with the other three and it's anything but heroic. With all due respect to Beethoven I believe it's a weak finale for an otherwise extraordinary work.

The five salvos of applauses and ovations made a perfect conclusion for a highly enjoyable evening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 24, 2007, 02:22:25 AM
Quote from: George on September 24, 2007, 02:17:05 AM
Glad you had a good time. His Rage over a lost penny is excellent.  :)

Indeed. And I could have sworn he'd play it as encore. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 24, 2007, 04:51:09 PM
Ticket sale for next month Bemus (Belgrade autumn festival) started, rather poor selection this year but I'm considering these five (probably all)

QUATUOR EBÈNE   
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Divertimento D major K 136
Bela Bartók - Quartet No. 1, op. 7
Franz Schubert - Quartet No. 14 Death and the maiden, D minor D810

GIDON KREMER & KREMERATA BALTICA    
Felix Mendelssohn - Violin concerto D minor, op. posth.
Bela Bartók - Divertimento
Cinema – compilation of film music
Charles Chaplin: "Smile" from the "Modern Times" (Arr. for Violin and Strings: Andrei Pushkarev)
Toru Takemitsu: Fragment from "Three Movie Scores"
Isaak Dunaevsky: "Overture" from "The Children of Captain Grant" (Arr. for Strings: A. Pushkarev)
Giya Kancheli: "Rag-Gidon-Time"
Glenn Miller: "Moonlight Serenade" (Arr. for Violin and Strings: Andrei Pushkarev)
Astor Piazzolla: "Tres Minutos con la Realidad ", "Libertango" (Arr. for Violine, Vibraphone and Strings: Andrei Pushkarev)
Ennio Morricone: Thema aus "For a fistful of Dollars" (Arr. for Strings: Aleksey Igudesman)
Soloists: Gidon Kremer, violin; Andrei Pushkarev, vibraphone

ALEXANDER RUDIN, violoncello & MUSICA VIVA    
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Serenade No. 6 D major K239 (Serenata Notturna) for two small orchestras
Aulis Sallinen - Chamber music III (The Nocturnal Dances of Don Juanquixote), for violoncello and strings, Op. 58
Valentin Silvestrov - Serenade for strings
Joseph Haydn - Symphony No. 8 Le Soir, G major Hob. I/8

BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC    
Conductor: Nikolay Alekseev
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Pyotr Tchaikovsky - Romeo and Juliet
Franz Liszt - Piano concerto No. 2 A major
Sergey Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5 B flat major, Op. 100

BELGRADE STRINGS    
Conductor RONALD ZOLLMAN
Letizia Belmondo, harp; Pyotr Fedkov, oboe; Elena Popovskaya, soprano and Alexander Kisselev, bass
Witold Lutoslawski - Trauermusik, for strings
Witold Lutoslawski - Concerto for oboe, harp and chamber orchestra
Dmitry Shostakovich - Symphony No. 14, for soprano, bass, strings and percussion, Op. 135
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hornteacher on September 24, 2007, 05:02:04 PM
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra concert next month:

Eric Ruske - Soloist

Mozart Horn Concerto #4
Strauss Horn Concerto #1
Beethoven Symphony #7


Should be fun, especially for a hornist like me!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 24, 2007, 05:28:43 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on September 11, 2007, 08:52:28 AM
At the CSO next week:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor


Tchaikovsky -   Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)
Hindemith -   Nobilissima visione
Scriabin -   The Poem of Ecstasy


Looking forward to the Hindemith and Scriabin, in particular. I heard the Scriabin ten years ago with Boulez when Bud Herseth was still principal trumpet. Will be interesting to hear what Chris Martin makes of it.

Full review on my blog: http://tonicblotter.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on September 24, 2007, 06:41:23 PM
American record Guide's latest issue has assessment of recent concerts by both Montreal orchestras, Nagano's OSM and Nézet-Séguin's OMGM.

I attended the NZ Mahler 6th concert from last summer, described with gushing enthusiasm by ARG' reviewer as 'made in heaven'. The cooler respons of another reviewer for Nagano's own Mahler offering (the Resurrection) concords with my own observations. NZ is the more interesting conductor, and each concert or disc of his is an event (as was this weekend's Bruckner 9, a real knockout). Nagano's elicit prudent praise, but he (and the orchestra) fail to excite or generate even moderate interest. No contest IMO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 25, 2007, 07:16:32 AM
Quote from: Drasko on September 24, 2007, 04:51:09 PM
GIDON KREMER & KREMERATA BALTICA    
Felix Mendelssohn - Violin concerto D minor, op. posth.
Bela Bartók - Divertimento
Cinema – compilation of film music
Charles Chaplin: "Smile" from the "Modern Times" (Arr. for Violin and Strings: Andrei Pushkarev)
Toru Takemitsu: Fragment from "Three Movie Scores"
Isaak Dunaevsky: "Overture" from "The Children of Captain Grant" (Arr. for Strings: A. Pushkarev)
Giya Kancheli: "Rag-Gidon-Time"
Glenn Miller: "Moonlight Serenade" (Arr. for Violin and Strings: Andrei Pushkarev)
Astor Piazzolla: "Tres Minutos con la Realidad ", "Libertango" (Arr. for Violine, Vibraphone and Strings: Andrei Pushkarev)
Ennio Morricone: Thema aus "For a fistful of Dollars" (Arr. for Strings: Aleksey Igudesman)
Soloists: Gidon Kremer, violin; Andrei Pushkarev, vibraphone

These all look great, especially that Lutoslawski/Shostakovich concert, but I hope you will highly consider the one above.  I heard Kremer and his group last summer, one of the finest ensembles I've ever heard.  But the big surprise was Andrei Pushkarev, who must be one of the world's greatest vibraphone players.  I have never heard anything like it.  The Glenn Miller arrangement was almost worth the entire evening alone.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 25, 2007, 07:22:42 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on September 24, 2007, 05:28:43 PM
Full review on my blog: http://tonicblotter.blogspot.com/

Fascinating write-up, thank you!  Loved this: (Note to self: next time don't sit in the Terrace when nine horns and the pipe organ are in use. )   ;D

I'm still marveling that Muti opened the concert with the Tchaikovsky--a novel idea, even if for some it turned out to be not entirely successful.  I find the whole subject of "program order" an interesting one, and generally think that some of those traditions are worth revisiting and shaking up.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 25, 2007, 08:02:29 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 25, 2007, 07:16:32 AM
These all look great, especially that Lutoslawski/Shostakovich concert, but I hope you will highly consider the one above.  I heard Kremer and his group last summer, one of the finest ensembles I've ever heard.  But the big surprise was Andrei Pushkarev, who must be one of the world's greatest vibraphone players.  I have never heard anything like it.  The Glenn Miller arrangement was almost worth the entire evening alone.

--Bruce

I've seen Kremer with his band once before and it was splendid evening: Part's Fratres, Shostakovich Violin Sonata (string orch. arr.) and Enescu Octet with few encores of which Piazzolla's Oblivion brought the house down. Really memorable night, so I'll definitely try not to miss that one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 25, 2007, 04:19:15 PM
Quote from: bhodges on September 25, 2007, 07:22:42 AM
Fascinating write-up, thank you!  Loved this: (Note to self: next time don't sit in the Terrace when nine horns and the pipe organ are in use. )   ;D

I'm still marveling that Muti opened the concert with the Tchaikovsky--a novel idea, even if for some it turned out to be not entirely successful.  I find the whole subject of "program order" an interesting one, and generally think that some of those traditions are worth revisiting and shaking up.

--Bruce

Thanks. I didn't think the Pathetique as opener was unsuccessful as much as I thought some of what followed wasn't quite of the same caliber. Conceptually it's fine. JUst make sure that it doesn't go programatically downhill from there. NB: the Terrace in Chicago is behind the orchestra, i.e. all of those nine horns had their bells pointed at me and the organ was just above me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: sound67 on October 03, 2007, 03:27:02 PM
Listened to the "Pathétique" this evening as part of a gala concert at the Alte Oper, Frankfurt, in memory of Mstislav Rostropovich. Three of his master pupils, Mischa Maisky, David Geringas and Natalia Gutman, played pieces with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi conducting. Since I'm friends with a musician from that orchestra I was able to attend the after-concert gala dinner. Towards the end, we noticed a presence standing next to our table. Looking up, we saw that it was Järvi, making his rounds to say farewell to the party crowd. Naturally, the orchestra musicians all rose up to shake his hands, and also naturally, I didn't do that because I would have felt ashamed. But since I did not move, he nodded in my direction, and I nodded back. A fine concert it was.

Thomas
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bonehelm on October 03, 2007, 05:34:37 PM
Vancouver symphony orchestra
Bramwell Tovey (conductor)
Lang Lang (pianist)

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto no.1 in C major, op.15
                  Symphony no.6 in F major, "pastoral"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: rockerreds on October 05, 2007, 09:33:48 AM
Wednesday,October 10
First Unitarian Church,22nd and Chestnut Streets.Philadelphia,PA
Concert 730pm,Talk 6pm
Mimi Stillman,flute
Yumi Kendall,cello
Charles Abramovic,piano

Works of Rorem,Crumb,Abramovic,Cacioppo

FREE!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 05, 2007, 09:47:25 AM
I am hearing Murray Perahia play some Beethoven and Chopin on Oct.21 and on Nov.4 Dohnanyi is conducting Bruckner's 4th with the CSO, Arabella Steinbacher will play the Sibelius VC in the first half.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 05, 2007, 10:17:41 AM
Eagerly looking forward to this coming Monday night, at Carnegie Hall:

Boston Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, Conductor

Ravel: Alborada del gracioso 
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte 
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major 
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (complete)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 06, 2007, 03:13:25 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 05, 2007, 10:17:41 AM
Eagerly looking forward to this coming Monday night, at Carnegie Hall:

Boston Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, Conductor

Ravel: Alborada del gracioso 
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte 
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major 
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (complete)

--Bruce

Nice. Indeed very nice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 06, 2007, 07:06:57 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 05, 2007, 10:17:41 AM
Eagerly looking forward to this coming Monday night, at Carnegie Hall:

Boston Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano
Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, Conductor

Ravel: Alborada del gracioso 
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte 
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major 
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (complete)

--Bruce

Ooh, that does sound fun. I still never had the chance of hearing the Ravel concerto live. Haitink is doing the complete Daphnis along with Poulenc's Gloria with the CSO + Chorus in November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on October 06, 2007, 10:22:07 AM
At the Montreal Symphony on the 23rd:

Herbert Blomstedt and the Bruckner 2nd  :D

Peter Serkin in Bach's first piano concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2007, 10:41:54 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on October 06, 2007, 10:22:07 AM
At the Montreal Symphony on the 23rd:

Herbert Blomstedt and the Bruckner 2nd  :D

Peter Serkin in Bach's first piano concerto.

Great-sounding program!  I don't think I've ever heard that Bruckner live, and it has one of my favorite Bruckner slow movements, really haunting.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: suomesta on October 10, 2007, 12:34:50 AM
Martin Fröst plays Aho's Clarinet Concerto tomorrow with the Lahti Symphony, can't wait! LS also shows their concerts as webcasts at www.classiclive.com. I'm the one waiving at you in the front row...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on October 10, 2007, 04:37:15 AM
Well,  the Cleveland O is playing Mahler 2 this weekend.  I think I might try and catch the friday morning show.

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 11, 2007, 06:26:05 AM
In less than 2 hours I'll be attending this:

Claude Debussy - Violin Sonata
Maurice Ravel - Violin Sonata
Cesar Franck - Violin Sonata


Cristina Anghelescu - violin, Viniciu Moroianu - piano.

(I guess these names ring no bell for you. :) )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: suomesta on October 12, 2007, 01:07:13 AM
Remember I mentioned going to listen to Martin Fröst the other day? Well the performance was simply outstanding. I am sorry, I know this is not a review place, but I still wanted to share this experience with you. He played 2 impros as an encore, here is a link to one of them http://www.classiclive.com/Concerts/2007/October/370
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: matti on October 12, 2007, 01:15:54 AM
Quote from: Florestan on October 11, 2007, 06:26:05 AM


Cristina Anghelescu 

Her name does ring a bell, in fact. She did well in the Sibelius Competition some fifteen years ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 12, 2007, 01:45:59 AM
Quote from: Florestan on October 11, 2007, 06:26:05 AM
In less than 2 hours I'll be attending this:

Claude Debussy - Violin Sonata
Maurice Ravel - Violin Sonata
Cesar Franck - Violin Sonata


Cristina Anghelescu - violin, Viniciu Moroianu - piano.

(I guess these names ring no bell for you. :) )

Quote from: matti on October 12, 2007, 01:15:54 AM
Her name does ring a bell, in fact. She did well in the Sibelius Competition some fifteen years ago.

Well, it's been a marvelous evening. The highlight was the Blues from Ravel's Sonata which the 2 performers made sound rather like a Tango: intensely passionate and sensual..

The only awful thing was that right after the 1st part of Debussy's Sonata a mobile phone started to ring somewhere in the hall and the f&*%$#g bastard did not turn it off, probably from fear of not being reprehended publicly and loudly --- which some of us did anyway.

Tonight:

Liszt - PC 1
Tchaikovsky - String Serenade
Tchaikovsky - Capriccio Italien


Romanian National Radio Orchestra, conductor Ilarion Ionescu-Galati
Ioana Maria Lupascu - piano

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 12, 2007, 03:50:11 AM
Great program, Andrei!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on October 12, 2007, 12:17:11 PM
Looking forward to this next Thursday.

Music of the Spheres


Mischa Santora  Conductor
Michael Houstoun  Piano
   
Britten   Sinfonia da Requiem
Prokofiev  Piano Concerto No.1
Interval 
Holst   The Planets

To finish the APN News & Media Premier Series for the year, a long awaited event – the APO presents Holst's Planets suite in its entirety for the first time in 15 years. Under the baton of Mischa Santora, whose appearances with the orchestra in 2005 were roundly applauded, Holst's masterpiece, admired especially for the astounding "Mars Bringer of War" and for the moving "Jupiter" theme, will receive a rendition worth the wait. The first half of the programme has two more treats in store: Michael Houstoun in Prokofiev's cheeky and virtuosic first piano concerto, and Benjamin Britten's devastatingly raw Sinfonia da Requiem, written upon the death of his parents.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2007, 02:34:30 PM
This week, three concerts by the Cleveland Orchestra, with Franz Welser-Möst.  I love them, so I'm excited...

Tomorrow:
Mozart: Symphony No. 28 in C Major, K. 200 
John Adams: Guide to Strange Places 
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique"  

Wednesday:
DebussyIbéria, from Images, No. 2 
Matthias Pintscher: Five Orchestral Pieces (NY Premiere)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 

Thursday:
Malin Hartelius, Soprano
Bernarda Fink, Mezzo-Soprano
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor
Mahler: Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection" 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: suomesta on October 18, 2007, 01:41:44 AM
Who said something about Bruckner - we have a black lab named after him! He likes his 8th Symphony especially...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 18, 2007, 02:31:41 AM
Tomorrow:

Enescu - Concert Overture on Romanian Folk Themes
Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor
(interval)
Sibelius - Valse triste
Respighi - Pini di Roma

Romanian National Radio Orchestra, conducted by Horia Andreescu
Geir Botnen, piano


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: quintett op.57 on October 18, 2007, 08:06:42 AM
Tonight :

Dvorak : Cello Concerto               Eschenbach/Orchestre de Paris/Yo-Yo Ma
Hindemith : Symphony in E-flat
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on October 19, 2007, 05:15:22 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on October 12, 2007, 12:17:11 PM
Looking forward to this next Thursday.

Music of the Spheres


Mischa Santeria Conductor
Michael Houston Piano
   
Britten sniffing DA Requiem
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.1
Interval
Holst the Planets

To finish the APN News & Media Premier Series for the year, a long awaited event – the APO presents Holst's Planets suite in its entirety for the first time in 15 years. Under the baton of Mischa Santeria, whose appearances with the orchestra in 2005 were roundly applauded, Holst's masterpiece, admired especially for the astounding Mars Bringer of War and for the moving Jupiter theme, will receive a rendition worth the wait. The first half of the programme has two more treats in store: Michael Houston in Prokofiev's cheeky and virtuosic first piano concerto, and Benjamin Britten's devastatingly raw Sniffing DA Requiem, written upon the death of his parents.


Great concert!

The Britten piece was the first work I've heard live by him and it was a treat. Loved the growling sax parts in the second movement and the finale reminded me of Stravinsky's Firebird conclusion. The only negative was the ragged horn section at one point.

Prokofiev's  Piano Concerto No.1 was great with Michael Houston performing the tricky work with alot of fire and passion. In an evening of 20th century composers this was the most modern sounding of the three.

Holst's The Planets was the highlight. I'm very familiar with this work as it was a gateway piece for me as a teenager so to hear/see it performed live was wonderful. They took the tempo noticeably faster than the Elder/Halle Orchestra Hyperion SACD version that I've been listening to recently. The power of Mars, especially when the main theme returns at the half way point only STRONGER, was goosebump territory. The only negative was for the Neptune finale they replaced the unseen choir with a very visible synth  ??? Apparently this was a musical decision not a financial one, but the ending was very thin and digital sounding after the grandeur of the preceding hour. Some guy did a LOUD sneeze right as the final notes were fading around the hall  ::)

A great finish to the APO's premium season  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on October 20, 2007, 04:36:02 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on October 19, 2007, 05:15:22 PM
Great concert!
...

Hey, good to see you made it to the concert and moreover, that it was worth your while :D. The Bartok PC1 is one of my favourites.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on October 21, 2007, 03:01:42 PM
Quote from: Novitiate on October 20, 2007, 04:36:02 AM
Hey, good to see you made it to the concert and moreover, that it was worth your while :D. The Bartok PC1 is one of my favourites.

Yep, thanks for that mate; glad I made the effort  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: rubio on October 22, 2007, 08:23:49 AM
I wonder about going to this concert:

Oslo PO - Gennadij Rozhdestventski
06.12.07 

Program: 
HJALMAR BORGSTRØM
The Thought, symphonic poem

PETER I. TCHAIKOVSKY
Manfred Symphony 


This sounds very promising, so basically I wonder if Rozhdestventski is giving great shows at the moment? Or is he over the top?


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 22, 2007, 09:52:37 AM
Quote from: rubio on October 22, 2007, 08:23:49 AM
I wonder about going to this concert:

Oslo PO - Gennadij Rozhdestventski
06.12.07 

Program: 
HJALMAR BORGSTRØM
The Thought, symphonic poem

PETER I. TCHAIKOVSKY
Manfred Symphony 


This sounds very promising, so basically I wonder if Rozhdestventski is giving great shows at the moment? Or is he over the top?

Can't answer your query about the conductor (whom I don't think I've ever heard live) but I'd go just for the combination of him, the orchestra, and that program.  Manfred isn't done all that often and is well worth hearing, and I've not heard any music by the other composer. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on October 22, 2007, 10:23:05 AM
Looking forward to doing this double bill on November 11:

Jones Hall, Houston, TX

2:30pm
Houston Symphony
Hans Graf, conductor


Mozart: Serenade for Winds
Berg: Lyric Suite
Zemlinsky: Lyric Symphony

8:00pm
UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Martha Argerich, piano


Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3

And the next weekend, with our local symphony, Sibelius 2nd and Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with Caitlin Tully, on Saturday, Nov. 17, and the 18th, Houston Symphony with Hans Graf and Emmanual Ax:

Sibelius:
Finlandia
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1

That's like a smorgasbord for Sibelians down here.  ;)

Speaking of Sibelius, M forever has been attending the L.A. Sibelius cycle and reporting back, sounds like it's been quite interesting so far, the 1st was apparently awesome (especially for M to say so!) The 5th and 6th is this weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 22, 2007, 10:56:26 AM
Quote from: Greta on October 22, 2007, 10:23:05 AM
Houston Symphony
Hans Graf, conductor


Mozart: Serenade for Winds
Berg: Lyric Suite
Zemlinsky: Lyric Symphony

8:00pm
UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Martha Argerich, piano


Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3

All sounds great, but Nov. 11 sounds like a really action-packed day!  That first program is really canny: winds in the first piece, strings in the next, then all together for the Zemlinsky.  And I was watching the UBS Verbier group online last August--another excellent group that appears to be made up of relatively young players.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 22, 2007, 03:03:42 PM
Quote from: Greta on October 22, 2007, 10:23:05 AM
8:00pm
UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Martha Argerich, piano


Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3

I'll be hearing the same combo in Chicago on the 13th!  :D  Looking forward to comparing notes.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 24, 2007, 06:52:06 AM
John Foulds "A World Requiem" (Royal Albert Hall, London 11th November 2007). Last performed there in 1926.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2007, 06:58:37 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 24, 2007, 06:52:06 AM
John Foulds "A World Requiem" (Royal Albert Hall, London 11th November 2007). Last performed there in 1926.

Now that sounds really fascinating.  (And I bet that in the United States, that piece has never been performed.)  Do report back.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2007, 07:40:26 AM
Tomorrow night, Paul Hillier and the Theatre of Voices, in this interesting program at Zankel Hall:

Sheldon Frank: "As I Was Saying" 
Berio: A-ronne
David Lang: The Little Match Girl Passion (World Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on October 24, 2007, 12:07:24 PM
Final NZSO concert for the season tomorrow night:

Edo de Waart
Subscription Tour 6 - Series 1

PSATHAS Planet Damnation
MOZART Piano Concerto No 23 K488
RACHMANINOV Symphony No 2

EDO DE WAART Conductor
SA CHEN Piano
LAURENCE REESE Timpani

The tiny repertoire of concertos for timpani is boosted by what will undoubtedly prove a demanding and illustrious addition from award-winning New Zealand composer John Psathas.  Mozart's popular Piano Concerto in A major, K 488, from the mid-1780s Marriage of Figaro era, communicates joy tinged with sadness, that perennial human condition.  After an aborted 1905 revolution in Russia, Rachmaninov escaped to the stability offered by Dresden.  The Second Symphony, the most expansive and, due to its lyrical emotion, best loved of the three was the first work composed there in 1906.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2007, 12:26:38 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on October 24, 2007, 12:07:24 PM
Final NZSO concert for the season tomorrow night:

Edo de Waart
Subscription Tour 6 - Series 1

PSATHAS Planet Damnation
MOZART Piano Concerto No 23 K488
RACHMANINOV Symphony No 2

EDO DE WAART Conductor
SA CHEN Piano
LAURENCE REESE Timpani

Sounds like another good evening in the concert hall.  I've heard of Psathas but don't know his music.  Love the title...  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 24, 2007, 12:28:20 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 24, 2007, 06:58:37 AM
Now that sounds really fascinating.  (And I bet that in the United States, that piece has never been performed.)  Do report back.

--Bruce

Will do Bruce; am looking forward to it. Apparently it is a massive work (90 mins) and was regularly performed at the Albert Hall in London every Armistice Day in the years after World war One.

Jeffrey
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 24, 2007, 12:29:27 PM
Wow, quite a monument Back in the Day, eh, vandermolen?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on October 24, 2007, 12:30:16 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 24, 2007, 12:26:38 PM
Sounds like another good evening in the concert hall.  I've heard of Psathas but don't know his music.  Love the title...  ;D

--Bruce

Yeah Bruce he is a local composer who is doing quite well; a number of his works have been played by both the NZSO and the APO. Could be a name to keep an eye on  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on October 24, 2007, 08:06:53 PM
Today's Montreal SO concert: my view in the Bruckner Abbey (guess which composer was featured? ;D).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 25, 2007, 06:07:19 PM
October 26-27, 2007
Verizon Hall
Schubert, Mozart, and Haydn    
   
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano

SCHUBERT  Overture in C major "in the Italian Style"
MOZART  Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467
MOZART  Excerpts from Ballet Music from Idomeneo
HAYDN  Symphony No. 100 ("Military")

My first subscription concert of the season. Looks to be a good one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 25, 2007, 11:13:10 PM
Quote from: stingo on October 25, 2007, 06:07:19 PM
October 26-27, 2007
Verizon Hall
Schubert, Mozart, and Haydn    
   
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano

SCHUBERT  Overture in C major "in the Italian Style"
MOZART  Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467
MOZART  Excerpts from Ballet Music from Idomeneo
HAYDN  Symphony No. 100 ("Military")

My first subscription concert of the season. Looks to be a good one.

No doubt it is. Please report back!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on October 26, 2007, 06:50:28 AM
We're hearing this concert tonight in Frankfurt:

HR-Sinfonieorchester (formerly the Frankfurt RSO) conducted by Paavo Järvi, Lars Vogt piano         

Mahler      Adagio Symphony #10
Mozart      Piano Concert B major KV 595
Sibelius   Symphony #5


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on October 26, 2007, 12:08:42 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on October 24, 2007, 12:07:24 PM
Final NZSO concert for the season tomorrow night:

Edo de Waart
Subscription Tour 6 - Series 1

PSATHAS Planet Damnation
MOZART Piano Concerto No 23 K488
RACHMANINOV Symphony No 2

EDO DE WAART Conductor
SA CHEN Piano
LAURENCE REESE Timpani

The tiny repertoire of concertos for timpani is boosted by what will undoubtedly prove a demanding and illustrious addition from award-winning New Zealand composer John Psathas.  Mozart's popular Piano Concerto in A major, K 488, from the mid-1780s Marriage of Figaro era, communicates joy tinged with sadness, that perennial human condition.  After an aborted 1905 revolution in Russia, Rachmaninov escaped to the stability offered by Dresden.  The Second Symphony, the most expansive and, due to its lyrical emotion, best loved of the three was the first work composed there in 1906.



Wonderful concert last night!

The world premier of PSATHAS' Planet Damnation was sensational. The percussion was heavily featured with the timpani stationed at the front of the stage. This was a highly rhythmic, driving and powerful tour de force replete with tubular bells, staccato violins and thrilling woodwind playing. The conclusion was met with thunderous applause. This is a composer to keep a look out for.

MOZART' Piano Concerto No 23 K488 was played by a delightful SA CHEN who looked very lovely and performed with an appropriate light touch. Charming.

RACHMANINOV' Symphony No 2 was a one hour journey of waves of surging strings and triumphant heralding of horns and percussion. The Adagio is especially beautiful.

Another fantastic night at the concert hall.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 26, 2007, 02:26:52 PM
On Sunday afternoon, James Levine and the MET Chamber Ensemble are doing a very interesting version of Stravinsky's Histoire du soldat.  Note the participants.  ;D

The MET Chamber Ensemble
James Levine, Artistic Director and Conductor
Judith Bettina, Soprano
Susan Narucki, Soprano
Sasha Cooke, Mezzo-Soprano
Elliott Carter, Soldier
Milton Babbitt, Devil
John Harbison, Narrator

Elliott Carter: Tempo e tempi 
John Harbison: North and South 
Milton Babbitt: The Head of the Bed 
Stravinsky: Histoire du soldat 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on October 26, 2007, 02:34:52 PM
Just further proof that Milton Babbitt is the Devil incarnate.

A seriously enticing concert: please report back!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 29, 2007, 07:23:21 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 26, 2007, 02:26:52 PM
On Sunday afternoon, James Levine and the MET Chamber Ensemble are doing a very interesting version of Stravinsky's Histoire du soldat.  Note the participants.  ;D

The MET Chamber Ensemble
James Levine, Artistic Director and Conductor
Judith Bettina, Soprano
Susan Narucki, Soprano
Sasha Cooke, Mezzo-Soprano
Elliott Carter, Soldier
Milton Babbitt, Devil
John Harbison, Narrator

Elliott Carter: Tempo e tempi 
John Harbison: North and South 
Milton Babbitt: The Head of the Bed 
Stravinsky: Histoire du soldat 

--Bruce

IMHO this was one of the best concerts of the year.  Susan Narucki was fantastic in the Carter song set, which I've now heard three or four times, live.  It must be one of his best works.  The Harbison set was new to me, and is also very strong, with some jazzy, bluesy elements, and Sasha Cooke has an absolutely huge voice. 

The Babbitt, sung by Judith Bettina, has never done it for me--until this performance.  It is like a steely object that stubbornly resists all efforts to penetrate it.  Its 15 stanzas (basically all stitched together without pauses for 22 minutes) seem like 15 monochrome canvases at first, until you start noticing tiny details that leap out. 

But of course, what everyone was waiting for was the Stravinsky.  John Harbison adapted the text, changing the names of the Soldier and the Devil to "Elliott" and "Milton."  It was worth the entire afternoon to see Carter turn and say to Babbitt, "You filthy, rotten scum!"  And at one point Babbitt replies, "My dodecaphonic hexachords will bring about your fall!"

The playing of the MET Chamber Ensemble was inspired: it was like hearing another 25 soloists.  David Chan, the MET Orchestra's concertmaster, was just fantastic in the Stravinsky. 

More potential good news: the concert was videotaped.  I'm trying to find out if it's going to be shown on PBS or turned into a DVD. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 29, 2007, 02:09:34 PM
Quote from: stingo on October 25, 2007, 06:07:19 PM
October 26-27, 2007
Verizon Hall
Schubert, Mozart, and Haydn    
   
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano

SCHUBERT  Overture in C major "in the Italian Style"
MOZART  Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467
MOZART  Excerpts from Ballet Music from Idomeneo
HAYDN  Symphony No. 100 ("Military")

My first subscription concert of the season. Looks to be a good one.

...and it was... a very enjoyable night out at the symphony. McGegan was very energetic, and I think that translated well to the orchestra. The Schubert which opened the program was agreeable, though it seemed very short lived. Mr. Hough gave a very good account of the Mozart concerto, with very fluid playing backed up by responsive accompaniment. I really enjoyed his solos though - I'm not sure if he played the ones usually played with the piece, but in his hands they sounded great and were interesting as well. A bonus was that they had a signing during the intermission, where Mr. Hough came out to autograph CDs. I already had his excellent Saint-Saens concerto collection, so I opted for the Hyperion Rachmaninov concerto set.

The second half was better than the first - it almost seemed like, now that the soloist had played and gone the orchestra was free to really let loose. And they did - I found the ballet excerpts from Idomeneo the most exciting and exuberantly played pieces in the program. There were hints of this in the last movement of the piano concerto, but it came out full flower in the ballet music and the Haydn symphony that followed. The Haydn of course was great - the extra percussion really made for some great listening. And of course, throughout, McGegan was hopping around on the podium like a frantic gnome making adjustments to ensure nothing went awry. The audience was enthusiastic as they offered a few callbacks to McGegan at the close of the show. I did notice that while some stood, it seemed the vast majority were still seated, but were applauding con brio, as was I.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 29, 2007, 02:14:50 PM
The Philadelphia Orchestra 
Stéphane Denève,  conductor 
Vincent Dubois,  organ 

Verizon Hall

Ravel and Roussel 
 
HIGDON  blue cathedral 
POULENC  Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Timpani 
RAVEL  Suite from Mother Goose 
ROUSSEL  Suite No. 2 from Bacchus and Ariadne

This is my next subscription concert - Nov 10th. I know I've heard the Poulenc before (by the Philadelphia Orchestra) as it was recorded and put on an Ondine CD (along with Barber's Toccata and something else). It will be great to hear it live. I'll have to dig out my Dutoit/Montreal SO recordings of the Ravel to remember what the Mother Goose was like. The Higdon I'll refresh my memory on as well from a Telarc CD (Spano/Atlanta). And I don't believe I've heard the Roussel yet, so a nice mix of old and new.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 29, 2007, 02:21:45 PM
Quote from: stingo on October 29, 2007, 02:14:50 PM
I know I've heard the Poulenc before (by the Philadelphia Orchestra) as it was recorded and put on an Ondine CD (along with Barber's Toccata and something else).

The something else would be the Saint-Saens Symphony No.3 "Organ". A fine disc, though I would have preferred the latter piece with a bit more edge and drive. Good to see Denève making some headway into the big leagues. He is one of a few young conductors I have been extremely impressed with. I first heard him several years ago conducting a performance at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Duisburg. His talent was quite evident then already. He apprenticed with Solti, IIRC.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: 12tone. on October 29, 2007, 06:22:31 PM
Our (CAN) Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has 0 programs this year that look remotely interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 30, 2007, 03:37:48 AM
Quote from: 12tone. on October 29, 2007, 06:22:31 PM
Our (CAN) Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has 0 programs this year that look remotely interesting.

Don't leave us hanging!  So what are they playing?  Any All-Dittersdorf programs?  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 30, 2007, 03:44:35 AM
Really looking forward to James Sommerville playing the premiere of the Carter Horn Concerto next month.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 31, 2007, 12:16:30 AM
This Friday:

Sibelius

Finlandia
Violin Concerto
Symphony no. 2


Romanian National Radio Orchestra, Jin Wang - conductor
Alexandru Tomescu - violin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bonehelm on November 03, 2007, 06:43:00 PM
Next tuesday:

THE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER

Schedule
Tuesday,6 November 2007
8 pm
English Musical Renaissance

John Ireland
The Land of the Lost Continent

William Walton
Quartet for Piano and Strings

Composer T.B.A
Songs

Edward Elgar
Quintet in A minor for Piano
and Strings, Opus 84

Someone want to tell me what to expect?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 08, 2007, 05:04:14 AM
Yesterday night a terrific night with Mr. Anthony di Bonaventura

Beethoven - Sonata in D Major (1781) (a very pleasant surprise)

Rachmaninov - Variations on a Theme of Corelli, op. 42

Ravel - Mirroirs

The beauty and poetry of his performance amazed me. I was also particularly impressed by his modesty.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on November 08, 2007, 11:59:16 AM
This next Friday:

Brentano String Quartet

Auckland performance
WHEN: Friday 16 November 2007, 7pm
WHERE: Auckland Town Hall


Programme 1

Selected & transcribed by Mark Steinberg: Renaissance works

Haydn: String Quartet in G Opus 64 No 4

Gabriela Lena Frank: world première of new work composed for the quartet

Bartók: String Quartet No 6 (1939)

Should be a good one  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 08, 2007, 12:05:52 PM
Wow, great program, and I haven't heard anyone mention Gabriela Lena Frank.  A group here in NYC called ModernWorks, run by cellist Madeleine Shapiro, has done some of her pieces and I enjoyed them a lot.  I'll be most interested in your comments!  And that Bartók... 0:)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 08, 2007, 12:15:20 PM
Just came in from Blandine Rannou recital at Belgrade City Hall
program was:
Jean Philippe Rameau - excerpts from Nouvelles Suites (first half of Suite in A and second part of Suite in G)
Antoine Forqueray - Suite No.5
encore: Forqueray's La Portugaise (sp?)

Very nice playing, not the most rhythmically incisive but very tender and gentle (though she was all guns blazing in L'Egiptienne and Le Jupiter) with lovely singing line, Allemande fron Rameau's suite in A was simply drop dead gorgeous.
Haven't heard her Rameau recordings for Zig-Zag, definitely will consider.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on November 08, 2007, 04:07:59 PM
Quote from: bhodges on November 08, 2007, 12:05:52 PM
Wow, great program, and I haven't heard anyone mention Gabriela Lena Frank.  A group here in NYC called ModernWorks, run by cellist Madeleine Shapiro, has done some of her pieces and I enjoyed them a lot.  I'll be most interested in your comments!  And that Bartók... 0:)

--Bruce

Interesting. Thanks for that background Bruce.

I'll be sure to report back  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 09, 2007, 12:00:52 PM
Just found out I'm hearing Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela at Carnegie on Sunday afternoon.  Since tickets are about as scarce as they come, I'm very excited.  Program:

BERLIOZ: Le Carnaval romain Overture 
CHOPIN: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21 (with Emanuel Ax)
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5 
Latin American compositions and other works 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 09, 2007, 07:35:47 PM
Bruce, I'm quite excited too! Please report.

Is there a trill on the trumpets at the end of Carnaval Romain (a fantastic touch only a few conductors achieve properly) ?

Ole!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: rubio on November 10, 2007, 05:53:25 AM
I wonder about these two concerts in Oslo.

First 29th of March 2008:

NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg
Christoph von Dohnanyi
Yefin Bronfman

Program:
BEETHOVEN pinao concerto no. 4
STRAVINSKY Firebird, complete

Then 16th of April 2008:

London Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Harding
Viktoria Mullova

Program:
BRITTEN Sinfonia da Requiem
PROKOFIEV Violin Concerto no. 2
BRAHMS Symphony no. 2
BEETHOVEN Sonata no. 1 i F Op.5
CHOPIN Sonata
CHOPIN Pieces (Nocturne, Etude, Valse)
BRAHMS Sonata F Op.99


Should I go for these concertos? They are not very cheap, but these orchestras don't come to Oslo often.
 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on November 11, 2007, 06:57:57 AM
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Stéphane Denève, conductor
Vincent Dubois, organ

HIGDON blue cathedral
POULENC Concerto for Organ, Strings, and Timpani
RAVEL Suite from Mother Goose
ROUSSEL Suite No. 2 from Bacchus and Ariadne

Jennifer Higdon's blue cathedral is a lushly scored work (as are the other works in the program) and modernist (but tonal) sensibility. I really enjoyed the mood and setting of the piece - and the orchestra did well by it. Which is a good thing because Higdon was sitting in the audience. It's not often I get to see the composer at a concert of their own music, but I understand Higdon teaches at Curtis in Philly.

The Poulenc was exceptionally well done - Deneve's interpretation made so much sense intellectually, sensually and emotionally that I think it is the finest version of this work that I've heard. And the soloist, Vincent Dubois returned for an encore.

After intermission came two suites of ballet music from Ravel and Roussel. I think the Ravel made more of an impact in terms of the emotions it displays - sadness, longing, humor... but the Roussel was much more visceral especially in the closing.

Post concert, Jennifer Higdon was autographing CD so I bought one of her chamber music, and said that hearing blue cathedral live was great. She said it does sound different from the recording, and I said, yes, the live experience is much more exciting.

I'd not mind seeing this conductor in Philadelphia more often - it was a great concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on November 11, 2007, 01:35:04 PM
Last Friday I went to Amsterdam, for :

the Concertgebouw orchestra, conducted by George Benjamin

Claude Debussy : Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Paul Dukas ( orch. Geert Van Keulen) : La plainte, au loin, du faune...
Olivier Messiaen: for organ solo : two fragm. from "La nativité du seigneur"
Les enfants de dieu
dieu parmi nous
Marc - André Dalbavie : La source d'un regard ( for Messiaen) ( 2007 - premiere,with Bamberg and Philadelphia)
Olivier Messiaen: Les offrandes oubliées
Chronochromie

Benjamin -a small,stylish figure in front of the huge orchestra, conducted music he definitely loves.
Dalbavie's work (The origin of a look, or The origin of a gaze..???)is a long "threnos" , a lament or  a dirge. It sounded almost "romantic" compared to Messiaen's extravagant and extraordinary Chronochromie. The Concertgebouw shook and shimmered under the gigantic brass chords and percussion (xylophone, xylorimba,tubular bells,cymbals,large tam tam ,bass drum, glockenspiel) explosions.
The Epode - a 5 minute piece for 18 solo strings - depicting a bird concert at dawn, still manages to amaze and shock.

Organist Leo Van Doeselaar, who played the Messiaen fragments, turned the Concertgebouw organ now into a huge roaring monster - then into a whispering & crooning Harmonium....

An interesting concert, of course. It was played twice ( Thursday/Friday) for almost sold out audiences. Benjamin briefly introduced the orchestral works by Messiaen .

Peter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 11, 2007, 01:40:23 PM
Wow, Peter, this must have been a fantastic night at the symphony!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on November 11, 2007, 01:49:35 PM
Yes Lilas, an impressive experience.

The Concertgebouw will do more Messiaen in 2008 :

Poèmes pour Mi ( one of my favorite Messiaen works) with Measha Bruggergosman / David Robertson
l'Ascension (Myung Whun Chung conducting)
Eclairs sur l'au-delà (Ingo Metzmacher)
Turangalila Symph. (Mariss Jansons / Jean Yves Thibaudet )

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on November 12, 2007, 03:55:46 AM
I've only been to a handful of concerts since the summer, so I'm happy to get back into the live music groove with a couple this weekend:

COPLAND   Music for the Theatre (2')
MILHAUD   Le Bouf sur le Toit (15')
TURNAGE   A Prayer out of Stillness (15-18') UK premiere
TÜÜR   Oxymoron (Music for Tirol) (19') Scottish premiere

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Olari Elts  - Conductor
John Patitucci  - double bass/ six string bass guitar

No idea about how any of this sounds ???, but I'm always ready to hear something new. Apparently the concert is a fusion of classical and jazz styles which 'can make for a memorable, edge of the seat music-making.' Seems like a very short programme though.


The Dunedin Consort - Buxtehude Anniversary Concert
Director John Butt

Buxtehude 'Der Herr ist mit Mir'
Bach 'Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit', Cantata 106
Beamish New commission

More familiar territory here :D. I really like the Dunedin's Bach and can't wait to hear the Actus Tragicus.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 12, 2007, 05:35:33 AM
Quote from: Novitiate on November 12, 2007, 03:55:46 AM
I've only been to a handful of concerts since the summer, so I'm happy to get back into the live music groove with a couple this weekend:

COPLAND   Music for the Theatre (2')
MILHAUD   Le Bouf sur le Toit (15')
TURNAGE   A Prayer out of Stillness (15-18') UK premiere
TÜÜR   Oxymoron (Music for Tirol) (19') Scottish premiere

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Olari Elts  - Conductor
John Patitucci  - double bass/ six string bass guitar

No idea about how any of this sounds ???, but I'm always ready to hear something new. Apparently the concert is a fusion of classical and jazz styles which 'can make for a memorable, edge of the seat music-making.' Seems like a very short programme though.

Wow, what a great program.  The Copland and Milhaud aren't done often enough, and the other two sound intriguing.  Please report back... :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 12, 2007, 06:28:27 AM
After yesterday's concert with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, they're back for round two tonight, and this time I'm much more excited by the repertoire.  Dudamel is conducting the Bartók, and Simon Rattle is doing the Shostakovich.

Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on November 12, 2007, 06:05:23 PM
Quote from: Greta on October 22, 2007, 10:23:05 AM
Looking forward to doing this double bill on November 11:

Jones Hall, Houston, TX

2:30pm
Houston Symphony
Hans Graf, conductor


Mozart: Serenade for Winds in c minor, K. 388
Berg: Lyric Suite
Zemlinsky: Lyric Symphony

8:00pm
UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Martha Argerich, piano


Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3

Both of these concerts were just fantastic...and the Verbier Festival Orchestra was insanely great, they fairly took the roof off Jones Hall last night.

First, the Houston SO concert:

To my delight, it was announced at the beginning this was being recorded for a release in early 2008 on Naxos. And there were certainly a lotta microphones! The audience (mostly geriatric) was admonished to stay quiet, and then we had a gorgeous Mozart Serenade, extremely well-prepared with 8 of the wind players and finely conducted by Hans Graf, somewhat a Mozart specialist. The Berg Lyric Suite was a real treat to hear, couched with an explanation to the audience that Berg is difficult, beware, though it was very enjoyable and beautiful music.

The Zemlinsky Lyric Symphony was the highlight by far, it's ravishing stuff. The soloists were Roman Trekel and Twyla Robinson, both excellent. The orchestra played with fine control and balance, it should be a nice new recording of this gem of a piece. I was very proud of the audience for staying quiet, rare down here. I felt the concentration of the audience was radically better too as a consequence!

The Verbier Festival Orchestra:

I described this incredible experience in great detail here (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,4316.msg106587.html#msg106587). Man, if you get the chance, go see this group. The current youth orchestra phenomenon is truly something to behold - this international group of young musicians played their hearts out and produced a searing performance, the most exciting orchestral concert I've perhaps ever been to. I almost couldn't believe how fantastic their Symphonie Fantastique was (pun!), and Dutoit conducted it marvelously.

The vibe in the room was palpable, the chemistry, the occasion...I won't forget the experience for a long, long time. Argerich was awesome too in Prokofiev 3rd, dynamic and graceful. We called her back for an encore finally, Chopin and some other piece we couldn't identify...and the orchestra also encored, with a cracking, vivacious rendition of Chabrier's España.

All in all, a truly exhilarating concert, and a treasure of an experience. (And a pleasure to meet GMG member brian_rein, who ended up going with us at the last minute!)

They play 3 more times in the US this week, in Chicago and New York, and next week in Europe.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on November 12, 2007, 06:31:28 PM
Quote from: 12tone. on October 29, 2007, 06:22:31 PM
Our (CAN) Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has 0 programs this year that look remotely interesting.

What are you looking for?  I wouldn't mind seeing every one of those Masterwork Diamond programs.

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on November 12, 2007, 06:34:33 PM
Quote from: rubio on November 10, 2007, 05:53:25 AM
I wonder about these two concerts in Oslo.

First 29th of March 2008:

NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg
Christoph von Dohnanyi
Yefin Bronfman

Program:
BEETHOVEN pinao concerto no. 4
STRAVINSKY Firebird, complete

 

I vote yes.  It seems like a no-brainer to me. (I don't comment on the other offering since I don't know his work.)

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 14, 2007, 07:32:17 PM
Houston, Texas at Rice University on Saturday November, 17: The Best Place to Be on Earth!!

Take a look at the program:

From morning to evening for an entire day, music of Eastern Europe performed by students of the Shepherd School

Concert I - 10:00 a.m.
Bartók - Piano Quintet, DD.77 (1903-4)
Proto - Quartet for Basses (1964)
Bartok - String Quartet No. 3 (1927)
Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 8 (1960)

Concert II - 12:00 noon
Saint-Saëns - Fantasie, Op. 124 (1907)
Glière - Duets for Two Cellos, Op. 53 (1911)
Schubert - Rondo in A Major, D. 951, for piano four-hands (1828)
Tchaikovsky - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 11 (1871)
Dvorák - String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77 (1875)

Concert III - 2:00 p.m.
Stravinsky - Octet for Wind Instruments (1923, rev. 1952)
Arensky - String Quartet, Op. 35 (1894)
Martinu - Promenades, for flute, violin, and piano (1940)
Dvorák - Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81 (1887)

Concert IV - 4:00 p.m.
Lutoslawski - Variations on a Theme of Paganini for Two Pianos (1941)
Janácek - String Quartet No. 2, "Intimate Letters" (1928)
Messiaen - Quartour pour la Fin de Temps (1941)

Concert V - 6:00 p.m.
Smetana - Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15 (1855)
Shostakovich - Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano, Op. 67 (1944)
Dvorák - String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 51(1879)
Prokofiev - Quintet in G Minor, Op. 39 (1924)

Concert VI - 8:00 p.m.
Martinu - Piano Quartet No.1 (1942)
Rózsa - String Quartet No. 1, Op. 22 (1949, 50)
Husa - Deux Preludes (1966)
Brahms - String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111 (1891)


.................when am I going to eat??!??!  :o ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 14, 2007, 10:32:34 PM
Quote from: brianrein on November 14, 2007, 07:32:17 PM
Houston, Texas at Rice University on Saturday November, 17: The Best Place to Be on Earth!!

Take a look at the program:

From morning to evening for an entire day, music of Eastern Europe performed by students of the Shepherd School

Concert I - 10:00 a.m.
Bartók - Piano Quintet, DD.77 (1903-4)
Proto - Quartet for Basses (1964)
Bartok - String Quartet No. 3 (1927)
Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 8 (1960)

Concert II - 12:00 noon
Saint-Saëns - Fantasie, Op. 124 (1907)
Glière - Duets for Two Cellos, Op. 53 (1911)
Schubert - Rondo in A Major, D. 951, for piano four-hands (1828)
Tchaikovsky - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 11 (1871)
Dvorák - String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77 (1875)

Concert III - 2:00 p.m.
Stravinsky - Octet for Wind Instruments (1923, rev. 1952)
Arensky - String Quartet, Op. 35 (1894)
Martinu - Promenades, for flute, violin, and piano (1940)
Dvorák - Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81 (1887)

Concert IV - 4:00 p.m.
Lutoslawski - Variations on a Theme of Paganini for Two Pianos (1941)
Janácek - String Quartet No. 2, "Intimate Letters" (1928)
Messiaen - Quartour pour la Fin de Temps (1941)

Concert V - 6:00 p.m.
Smetana - Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15 (1855)
Shostakovich - Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano, Op. 67 (1944)
Dvorák - String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 51(1879)
Prokofiev - Quintet in G Minor, Op. 39 (1924)

Concert VI - 8:00 p.m.
Martinu - Piano Quartet No.1 (1942)
Rózsa - String Quartet No. 1, Op. 22 (1949, 50)
Husa - Deux Preludes (1966)
Brahms - String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111 (1891)


.................when am I going to eat??!??!  :o ;D

Are you going to attend them ALL???  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 15, 2007, 05:24:28 AM
Quote from: Florestan on November 14, 2007, 10:32:34 PM
Are you going to attend them ALL???  :o
Well, I might skip the first halves of I and VI. Have to have a meal sometime  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 15, 2007, 05:32:41 AM
Quote from: brianrein on November 15, 2007, 05:24:28 AM
Well, I might skip the first halves of I and VI. Have to have a meal sometime  8)

Even so, it's way too much for one day...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 15, 2007, 07:38:17 AM
Quote from: brianrein on November 14, 2007, 07:32:17 PM
Houston, Texas at Rice University on Saturday November, 17: The Best Place to Be on Earth!!

Take a look at the program:

From morning to evening for an entire day, music of Eastern Europe performed by students of the Shepherd School

Concert I - 10:00 a.m.
Bartók - Piano Quintet, DD.77 (1903-4)
Proto - Quartet for Basses (1964)
Bartok - String Quartet No. 3 (1927)
Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 8 (1960)

Concert II - 12:00 noon
Saint-Saëns - Fantasie, Op. 124 (1907)
Glière - Duets for Two Cellos, Op. 53 (1911)
Schubert - Rondo in A Major, D. 951, for piano four-hands (1828)
Tchaikovsky - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 11 (1871)
Dvorák - String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77 (1875)

Concert III - 2:00 p.m.
Stravinsky - Octet for Wind Instruments (1923, rev. 1952)
Arensky - String Quartet, Op. 35 (1894)
Martinu - Promenades, for flute, violin, and piano (1940)
Dvorák - Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81 (1887)

Concert IV - 4:00 p.m.
Lutoslawski - Variations on a Theme of Paganini for Two Pianos (1941)
Janácek - String Quartet No. 2, "Intimate Letters" (1928)
Messiaen - Quartour pour la Fin de Temps (1941)

Concert V - 6:00 p.m.
Smetana - Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15 (1855)
Shostakovich - Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano, Op. 67 (1944)
Dvorák - String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 51(1879)
Prokofiev - Quintet in G Minor, Op. 39 (1924)

Concert VI - 8:00 p.m.
Martinu - Piano Quartet No.1 (1942)
Rózsa - String Quartet No. 1, Op. 22 (1949, 50)
Husa - Deux Preludes (1966)
Brahms - String Quintet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 111 (1891)


.................when am I going to eat??!??!  :o ;D

Wow!  That is quite a fantastic line-up.  I wouldn't even worry about food: just stuff a few PowerBars in your pocket and settle in for the day.  ;D

Do report back on all that.  Hard to choose, but I'd definitely want to catch concerts III and IV, the latter with the Messiaen. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on November 15, 2007, 06:37:09 PM
Quote from: brianrein on November 14, 2007, 07:32:17 PM
Houston, Texas at Rice University on Saturday November, 17: The Best Place to Be on Earth!!

Take a look at the program:


All chamber music? Looks pretty boring. But it's free right?

Anyway I am looking forward to the Feb. 2 performance of Die Walkuere at the MET conducted by Maazel. That should be interesting. There is James Morris as Wotan (a role he pretty much owns nowadays), Lisa Gasteen (I guess she is singing Brunnhilde) and Michele DeYoung (what is she singing? Fricka?).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 16, 2007, 01:28:53 PM
I just found out that I will be going to go hear the Magic Flute at the Met next Saturday with my in-laws. Diana Damrau is the Queen of the Night, Kirill Peternko conducting. I am stoked!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 16, 2007, 01:32:30 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on November 16, 2007, 01:28:53 PM
I just found out that I will be going to go hear the Magic Flute at the Met next Saturday with my in-laws. Diana Damrau is the Queen of the Night, Kirill Peternko conducting. I am stoked!

You are going to have a fantastic time.  Damrau is terrific (although I've not heard her in this).  Do report back!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 16, 2007, 03:42:52 PM
There's a youtube vid of Damrau as the Queen of the Night. She is quite fantastic (check also her sizzling and funny Martern aller arten).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 16, 2007, 04:02:51 PM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on November 15, 2007, 06:37:09 PM
All chamber music? Looks pretty boring. But it's free right?
Yep, it's free.

Not sure about boring though!  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 17, 2007, 07:09:44 PM
These are the concerts I attended during the chamber music festival:
Quote from: brianrein on November 14, 2007, 07:32:17 PM
Houston, Texas at Rice University on Saturday November, 17: The Best Place to Be on Earth!!
Concert II - 12:00 noon
Saint-Saëns - Fantasie, Op. 124 (1907)
Glière - Duets for Two Cellos, Op. 53 (1911)
Schubert - Rondo in A Major, D. 951, for piano four-hands (1828)
Tchaikovsky - String Quartet in D Major, Op. 11 (1871)
Dvorák - String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77 (1875)

Concert III - 2:00 p.m.
Stravinsky - Octet for Wind Instruments (1923, rev. 1952)
Arensky - String Quartet, Op. 35 (1894)
Martinu - Promenades, for flute, violin, and piano (1940)
Dvorák - Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81 (1887)

Concert V - 6:00 p.m.
Smetana - Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15 (1855)
Shostakovich - Trio for Violin, Cello, and Piano, Op. 67 (1944)
Dvorák - String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 51(1879)
I wanted to see the Shostakovich SQ 8, but arrived too late; the doors were shut. :( I also wanted to see the Shostakovich piano trio, but the violinist had broken her arm and the performance was called off.

The Saint-Saens Fantasie for Harp and Violin was a surprisingly interesting piece, though the harp held my attention far more than the violin did and in general it seemed to go on for quite a while. The Gliere duets were rather roughly performed, but I loved the No. VIII from this set - it sounds like baroque music from Brazil! The Schubert Rondo sounds like an inferior imitation of his own piano sonata in the same key (A major); the two works even open in the same way. The Tchaikovsky quartet was, of course, one of the highlights of the afternoon, though I noticed that the piece relies on the first violin for nearly all its good melodies. It doesn't matter: I love the work, one of the greatest chamber pieces of all time, and the first two movements are truly moving. In the ensuing Dvorak quintet only the third movement really caught my attention - truly beautiful! - although I thought to myself, "this came from his American period," and then looked at the program and saw it said 1875!

During the Stravinsky Octet I moved to a seat next to the exit so I could boot my computer and send a piece in to the school paper before the deadline hit. I listened, though, but the music didn't catch my interest, except a variation in the second movement based on a rather silly oompah-waltz. By contrast, the first seconds of the Arensky quartet for violin, viola and two cellos snared my attention so that I left my computer (bad idea!) and returned to my seat. The work owes a lot to the Tchaikovsky quartet, with its slow, beautiful beginning and gradual rise in action, but the second cello and minor key mean that this piece is the perfect foil. If the Tchaikovsky quartet is a rich treat, the Arensky is dark chocolate. Sunny moments appeared and then were replaced by the resumption of the powerfully somber opening passage. This performance had the feel of a real "discovery", and the players were correspondingly enthusiastic (unfortunately the violinist's enthusiasm got in the way of his technique on occasion). The second movement was a set of variations on a theme by Tchaikovsky; I have, just now, learned there is a third movement. It wasn't played! Why? Sadly, the same must be asked of the Dvorak piano quintet, in which the first three movements were played and the last again omitted! (In the interim, Martinu's Promenades was a very satisfying diversion, though marred by some unfortunate violin playing.)

Smetana's piano trio was a moving experience, aided by some truly exceptional playing, especially from the pianist, who has an incredibly tough role. The piano part seems in some places to be much like Rachmaninov! This was far more emotionally engaging than anything I had heard since the Arensky. It was, however, no match for what followed (since the Shostakovich had been canceled): Dvorak's string quartet in E-flat. I had heard this piece in a recording by the New Zealand String Quartet and disliked it. These students proved me wrong. The violist and cellist were especially captivating, both to watch and to hear. They were two of just three performers all afternoon to really let the music's power come through in their body language and, especially, facial expressions. This is an absolutely beautiful quartet from first second to last, and I was so overjoyed by the performance that I left immediately in case anything that followed proved disappointing. The afternoon therefore ended on probably the highest note I heard all day.

All told, I listened to 6 of the 12 hours of music on offer. I was able to fit in two meals and some bathroom breaks  ;D  . What a glorious Saturday at Rice University!

My main regrets are missing the Shosty Eighth Quartet - this was one of the things I was most looking forward to - as well as having to miss Janacek's "Intimate Letters" during my dinner break, and Brahms' String Quintet, the last piece of the day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 20, 2007, 01:28:27 PM
On Thursday, Nov. 29, Gustavo Dudamel will make his debut with the New York Philharmonic, and since the program is very interesting, I can't wait.  I can't recall ever hearing the Chávez in concert.

Chávez: Symphony No. 2, Sinfonía India
Dvorák: Violin Concerto (with Gil Shaham)
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 25, 2007, 11:32:19 AM
My wife is buying me a concert ticket for Christmas. It's in March, but I'm patient 8).

Concerts at the symphony here are strangely put together. They are konzept things. This one is entitled "Bach and the art of counterpoint". The French version of the concert title is "Bach et l'art de la fugue", which is not the same thing at all. Anyhow, the orchestra's brass will play Tre Canzoni from Gabrieli's symphoniae sacrae of 1597 in alternance with piano performances of some Preludes and Fugues from the WTC played by Angela Hewitt. Weird...

After intermission I'll be on familiar turf with Bruckner's 'counterpoint' symphony, the 5th. Nagano will conduct. I have mixed feelings about that. I heard him do a decent 8th in Berlin, but he was so dull and clueless in the 9th I felt embarrassed for him. Hopefully he'll take some Viagra instead of his usual Prozac.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 27, 2007, 08:04:59 AM
This weekend at Carnegie, three all-Russian programs by Valery Gergiev and the Kirov.  I've heard Gergiev do Le sacre, but none of the rest.

Saturday:
Glinka: Act I of Ruslan and Ludmilla
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps

Sunday:
Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Maiden (concert performance)

Tuesday:
Stravinsky: Les noces
Borodin: Act II of Prince Igor

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on November 28, 2007, 06:28:57 PM
This coming Saturday:

Tapestry - In the Company of Angels

(http://www.tapestryboston05.com/groupphoto.jpg)

From the web:
The trademark of the Boston an a cappella ensemble of four women (plus instrumental guests) is combining medieval repertory and contemporary compositions in bold conceptual programming. The ensemble made its debut in 1995, with a performance which The Boston Globe deemed "a knockout," and critics have since hailed the ensemble's rich distinctive voices, technically spot-on singing and emotionally charged performances.

Tapestry's holiday offering explores the lush Renaissance harmonies of Boston composer Patricia Van Ness and 16th century Spanish composers, spiced with lively folk songs and dances. The program includes selections from Tapestry's award winning CD Sapphire Night

"This is an outstanding performance such as I have rarely heard, beginning with a smooth legato of utter perfection in a low restricted range, then gradually expanding upwards with ecstacy to reach a top D with amazing control." - Gramophone


As noted back at H.H.Q., Tapestry will perform Castelo dos Anjos which was composed by our very own Karl Henning.  Hopefully by Sunday I will be able to provide a full report of the concert.




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on November 29, 2007, 05:32:42 AM
Splendid, Bill. Be sure to go back and meet the ladies after the concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 04, 2007, 09:05:48 AM
This Saturday at Carnegie Hall:

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Christian Zacharias, Piano

Bach: "Brandenburg" Concerto No. 3 
Schumann: Overture, Scherzo and Finale
Christopher Theofanidis: New work
Schumann: Piano Concerto 

I haven't heard Orpheus live in years, nor anything by Theofanidis, so this will be interesting. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on December 04, 2007, 09:07:40 AM
Too much Schumann  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 04, 2007, 09:29:15 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on December 04, 2007, 09:07:40 AM
Too much Schumann  8)

Aw... :'(...really?

Over the summer I heard a 1977 live recording of the Piano Concerto with Arrau, Jochum and the Concertgebouw...really liked it a lot. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on December 04, 2007, 09:55:29 AM
Quote from: bhodges on December 04, 2007, 09:29:15 AM
Aw... :'(...really?

No, not seriously, Bruce. Though at CMG there's someone doing for Schumann what a certain someone does here for a certain English composer.

I do like the Piano Concerto, though (rather like the Beethoven symphonies) it is not of the class of piece which compels my presence in the hall.  I enjoyed playing in the orchestra when we did this at Wooster.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: BachQ on December 04, 2007, 09:58:40 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on December 04, 2007, 09:55:29 AM
Though at CMG there's someone doing for Schumann what a certain someone does here for a certain English composer.

In that case, Schumann is doomed @ CMG .......
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 04, 2007, 10:05:25 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on December 04, 2007, 09:55:29 AM
No, not seriously, Bruce. Though at CMG there's someone doing for Schumann what a certain someone does here for a certain English composer.

I do like the Piano Concerto, though (rather like the Beethoven symphonies) it is not of the class of piece which compels my presence in the hall.  I enjoyed playing in the orchestra when we did this at Wooster.

Ah...I see, thanks.  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on December 04, 2007, 10:16:54 AM
OTOH, Bruce, the concert on which the BSO are playing (D Minor take note) the Shostakovich Fifth, the other half of the concert is Garrick Ohlsson playing the Schumann Concerto.

And yes, I look forward to the concert  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 12, 2007, 12:56:10 PM
This weekend, the New York Philharmonic is playing Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4, conducted by Andrey Boreyko.  The conductor is new to me, but the piece... 0:)...is not.  Will very much enjoy hearing it live...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on December 12, 2007, 01:01:07 PM
Quote from: bhodges on December 12, 2007, 12:56:10 PM
This weekend, the New York Philharmonic is playing Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4, conducted by Andrey Boreyko.  The conductor is new to me, but the piece... 0:)...is not.  Will very much enjoy hearing it live...

Splendid, Bruce! In the spring, the BSO will play the Fourth, which will be my first live experience of it . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on December 12, 2007, 01:04:53 PM
Trevor Pinnock will be conducting Bach's Christmas Oratorio in Ottawa, Canada, tomorrow night. I have my tickets ready!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 12, 2007, 01:10:19 PM
Karl, yup, it's fantastic live--you'll surely have a great evening.  I still recall this concert with great pleasure...seems like yesterday:

Carnegie Hall
December 3, 2000
The MET Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, Conductor
Scriabin: Prometheus, The Poem of Fire (Alexander Toradze, Piano)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 in C minor

I And Morigan, love Pinnock!  Never heard him live, though.  This CD, one of the first I ever bought, is still a favorite:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FR3WND7FL._AA240_.jpg)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on December 12, 2007, 01:14:57 PM
Yes, Pinnock has always been among my favourites for period music, and I'm absolutely thrilled to hear him live!! He's also going to conduct Handel's Messiah next week, but I won't be able to attend. What a shame! (If not for Messiah, for Pinnock, at least :))
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on December 12, 2007, 01:18:17 PM
Quote from: bhodges on December 12, 2007, 12:56:10 PM
This weekend, the New York Philharmonic is playing Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4, conducted by Andrey Boreyko.  The conductor is new to me, but the piece... 0:)...is not.  Will very much enjoy hearing it live...

--Bruce

Bruce,

He was our former conductor at the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 12, 2007, 01:20:50 PM
Quote from: Morigan on December 12, 2007, 01:14:57 PM
Yes, Pinnock has always been among my favourites for period music, and I'm absolutely thrilled to hear him live!! He's also going to conduct Handel's Messiah next week, but I won't be able to attend. What a shame! (If not for Messiah, for Pinnock, at least :))

Well, if you had to choose (and it sounds like you did) the Bach, no?  Maybe not performed quite as often...  Just looked at the website and it says it hasn't been performed there since 1975! 

ChamberNut, very interesting!  I've actually been to Winnipeg--my dad lived there for awhile back in the 1980s.  Great city.  (PS, did you get P.M.?)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 12, 2007, 06:35:12 PM
Quote from: Morigan on December 12, 2007, 01:04:53 PM
Trevor Pinnock will be conducting Bach's Christmas Oratorio in Ottawa, Canada, tomorrow night. I have my tickets ready!!

Kent Nagano is conducting it tonight in Montreal, and I, too, have tickets. But I gave them to my neighbour. Our daughter gave birth yesterday, and a tiny baby was quite enough to sway my priorities for tonight. I just hope another occasion comes along soon! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MN Dave on December 12, 2007, 06:46:53 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 12, 2007, 06:35:12 PM
Kent Nagano is conducting it tonight in Montreal, and I, too, have tickets. But I gave them to my neighbour. Our daughter gave birth yesterday, and a tiny baby was quite enough to sway my priorities for tonight. I just hope another occasion comes along soon! :D

Congratulations!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 04:49:20 AM
Thank you!

Morigan, please give us your impressions on Pinnock's Christmas Oratorio.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on December 13, 2007, 04:50:11 AM
Quote from: bhodges on December 12, 2007, 01:20:50 PM
ChamberNut, very interesting!  I've actually been to Winnipeg--my dad lived there for awhile back in the 1980s.  Great city.  (PS, did you get P.M.?)

--Bruce

Small world, eh Bruce?  :)  Yes, I did get your PM, thank you.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on December 13, 2007, 05:31:52 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 04:49:20 AM
Thank you!

Morigan, please give us your impressions on Pinnock's Christmas Oratorio.

Sure thing. BTW, are you from Montreal? The OSM and Nagano gave a great concert here last season for their Canadian tour. This guy's conducting is electrifying (and he conducted Beethoven's 7th, so you can imagine).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 05:34:53 AM
Yes I am from Montreal! Honestly I'm not crazy about Nagano. I'm surprised to hear he can be electrifying. This gives me hope! So far I've found him quite dull. I have tickets for the Bruckner 5 he'll conduct next Spring :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on December 13, 2007, 05:43:03 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 05:34:53 AM
Yes I am from Montreal! Honestly I'm not crazy about Nagano. I'm surprised to hear he can be electrifying. This gives me hope! So far I've found him quite dull. I have tickets for the Bruckner 5 he'll conduct next Spring :D

Argh! Lilas Pastia, I am so jealous! :)  I've been wanting to hear a live performance of a Bruckner symphony, and the 5th is one of my favorites.  I actually ran into the WSO conductor a month ago at the grocery store, and we chatted a bit.  I asked him "So...any chance we'll have some Bruckner in the next season 2008/2009?"  He then asked me my favorite Bruckner symphony was and I listed 3 or 4 different ones, of course. :)  He said he would keep it in mind.   ;D  We'll see!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on December 13, 2007, 05:49:00 AM
Maybe he was just showing off on tour!!  ;D I remember he was as energic as those young latino conductors.
I also heard his 9th last year, it was broadcast by Radio-Canada. I think it was his first official concert as conductor or the OSM.

Chambernut : We had Bruckner's 8th in Ottawa last season. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 13, 2007, 06:47:25 AM
I will be seeing John Adams's Dr. Atomic at the Lyric Opera tomorrow.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 13, 2007, 06:56:38 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on December 13, 2007, 06:47:25 AM
I will be seeing John Adams's Dr. Atomic at the Lyric Opera tomorrow.  :D

Oh you lucky dog...do post impressions.   :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on December 13, 2007, 01:03:08 PM
Quote from: Morigan on December 13, 2007, 05:49:00 AM
Chambernut : We had Bruckner's 8th in Ottawa last season. :D

Morigan, there is no need to be cruel!  :'(

:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 05:43:01 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on December 13, 2007, 06:47:25 AM
I will be seeing John Adams's Dr. Atomic at the Lyric Opera tomorrow.  :D

I have  a dowload of an August 2007 concert (not heard yet) and I thought it was an orchestral piece  ??? The notes only mention an orchestra and conductor (Adams himself). No mention of any singers. What am I to expect??
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 05:48:43 PM
Quote from: Morigan on December 13, 2007, 05:49:00 AM
Maybe he was just showing off on tour!!  ;D I remember he was as energic as those young latino conductors.
I also heard his 9th last year, it was broadcast by Radio-Canada. I think it was his first official concert as conductor or the OSM.

Chambernut : We had Bruckner's 8th in Ottawa last season. :D

If you're referring to Bruckner's 9th, I was at that concert and it was a turgid and unexciting affair. As far removed as could be from Nézet-Séguin's impassioned interpretation (from last September - a cd is coming out soon on ATMA).

Hear ye, Londoners: Nézet-Séguin has been appointed principal guest conductor of the LPO as of September 2008. I fully expect you bunch to give us reports :D. NZ will also make his début at the Salzburg Festival next Summer. This young man is going places!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on December 13, 2007, 06:00:23 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 05:43:01 PM
I have  a dowload of an August 2007 concert (not heard yet) and I thought it was an orchestral piece  ??? The notes only mention an orchestra and conductor (Adams himself). No mention of any singers. What am I to expect??
That was the Doctor Atomic Symphony, four movements assembled from parts of the opera with the vocal lines replaced by instrumental ones. I wasn't terribly impressed, to be honest, but it sounded to me as if it would work better in operatic form.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 13, 2007, 06:32:55 PM
Thanks, Edward!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Millfields on December 15, 2007, 05:36:41 AM
Looking forward to the following in Amsterdam:

Jan 16th Mahler 5/ Strauss Don Juan - Concertgebouw/ Maris Jansons
Feb 24th Wagner Walkure 1st Act / Schubert 8th  - Haitink/Concertgebouw
Feb 25th Mozart Cosi fan tutte - Vienna state opera/Schneider
3rd May  Mahler 4/ Strauss Till Eulenspiegel / Strauss misc songs - Ivan Fischer Budapest fest Orch
10th May Tristan und Isolde  - Dutch national opera
? June (if I can get a ticket) - Alfred Brendel

Anyone going to these concerts?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 15, 2007, 07:34:33 AM
Going to Belgium from late May to June 12. I'll be looking for concerts in Amsterdam, Liège, Antwerp or Cologne.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Millfields on December 16, 2007, 01:57:28 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 15, 2007, 07:34:33 AM
Going to Belgium from late May to June 12. I'll be looking for concerts in Amsterdam, Liège, Antwerp or Cologne.

You may also want to include Rotterdam in your search  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 16, 2007, 06:37:32 AM
You're righ, I didn't think of it! So far I've been to the Amsterdam Concertgebouw twice, and the Cologne Philharmonie once.

I try to settle for places that can be reached within a couple of hours by train. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 16, 2007, 10:29:16 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 16, 2007, 06:37:32 AM
I try to settle for places that can be reached within a couple of hours by train. :D

Then you have all Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg at your disposal...  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 17, 2007, 04:41:02 PM
I know. Here's what I have found:

- Amsterdam Concertgebouw: June 6, Myung-Whun Chung - Messiaen and Bruckner (sy no. 6)

- Rotterdam Philharmonic: Also on June 6, Andrew Davis: Bach Passacaglia en fuga in c -Mozart Tweede fluitconcert (Emmanul Pahud, flute) - Takemitsu I Hear the Water Dreaming - Tippett Vierde symfonie (4th symphony)

- Liège Philharmonic: on tour in China  :P

- SWR Cologne : the Concertgebouw on tour, with Messiaen and Schubert songs orchestrated by Webern.

- Luxembourg: nothing during my dates.

Methink another visit to Amsterdam will figure on the agenda :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on December 18, 2007, 03:05:32 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 17, 2007, 04:41:02 PM
I know. Here's what I have found:

Have you tried going westwards? Lille has a decent orchestra and their fancy website lists Das Lied von der Erde with Urmana on June 3, but it looks it's a guest concert in Paris (my french isn't good enough, so you might check yourself).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 18, 2007, 08:10:20 PM
Thank, I'll have a look. Lille is not that far. Nor are Nancy and Strasbourg for that matter. Same distance, different directions. But I'm busy concocting a London-Amsterdam combo that will probably leave me with no time - and cash :D - for anything else!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 19, 2007, 06:49:22 AM
This Friday, a fascinating selection of 20th and 21st-century holiday music by The Crossing, the choir in Philadelphia.

The Crossing
Donald Nally, conductor
Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill
Friday 21 December 2007  8pm

Andrew Gant: What child is this (1995)         
James MacMillan: Tremunt videntes angeli (2002)      
Judith Bingham: The clouded heaven (1998)         
Don Michael Dicie: Star unto glory (2006)          
John Paynter: The Rose (1969)            
Colin Mawby: How far is it to Bethlehem (1996)      
Jake Thackray/arr. Howard Goodall: Remember Bethlehem (2000)         
Kerry Andrew: Hevene Quene (2006)            
Kenneth Leighton: A Christmas Caroll (1954)          
Kenneth Leighton: O leave your sheep (1963)         
Thomas Adès: The Fayrfax Carol (1997)         
John Tavener: A nativity (1985)            
David Shapiro: Et incarnatus est (2007, world premiere)            
Jonathan Varcoe: Lullay lullay little child (1990)      
Jonathan Dove: Welcome, all wonders in one sight! (1999)   
Arr. Carl Ruggles: What child is this (1971)

--Bruce   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 20, 2007, 01:08:17 PM
It is an ETcetera/Klara CD, but next Saturday Zefiro Torna and all the singers are in a small village near Antwerp - Bornem, on the banks of the Schelde....this is what Musicweb had to say:

We live at a time when we should be very thankful for the vast wealth of 'early' music now available to us. Barely a generation ago – certainly two – it would have been unlikely that a recording of a substantial portion of the corpus of mediaeval sacred music from Finland would have been thought likely to succeed. It is equally unlikely that anyone would then have assembled the resources and channelled the energy into producing and disseminating such.


Here, though, is a sumptuous and inspiring collection – representative and selective, rather than aggressively comprehensive – of some nearly two dozen pieces ranging in length from one and a half to four and three quarter minutes. The Piae Cantiones ecclesiasticae et scholasticae veterum episcoporum ('pious songs for church and school by the old bishops') was published in Turku, Finland, in 1582. It actually comprises music from a variety of places and times, though it's safe to make two assumptions: that about half the 75 or so songs which it contains are Finnish... they are not to be found elsewhere, and are stylistically consistent. Secondly, we can determine very quickly not only that the songs are nearly all considerably older than the late sixteenth century, but also that some surely date back as much as 500 years. That many of the titles should be in Latin in Protestant Finland may be explained by the fact that the publication was sponsored by the Catholic sympathiser, King Johan III of Sweden, at that time ruler of Finland.


Evidence that the Piae Cantiones were an attempt to preserve a perhaps threatened local tradition of music hitherto transmitted only (or largely) orally is in the two republications within a few years - one in Finnish in 1616, a second again in Latin nine years after that; and many more before long. Significantly the Piae Cantiones have had a strong influence on contemporary Finnish music... Sibelius' Carminalia as well as modern 'folk' song and other modern arrangements of them, for example.


The majority of these songs are related to Christmas – hence, presumably – the preponderance (almost a third) in the first batch (De Nativitate tr.s1-8) here. Others concern high points of the liturgical year (e.g. Easter – De Passione tr.s9-11), school life (tr.s15-18) and the woes of the human condition (tr.s12-14) as well as the rebirth of nature in spring (tr.s19-22). It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that anyone unfamiliar with Finnish music before the Early Modern period (or for that matter any era of that nation's music) would do best to buy this CD, which is admittedly a little under-generous at less than an hour in length.


The performances are first class: Zefiro Torna performs on period instruments (from the 15th and 16th centuries), including the kannel (Estonian) or kantele (Finnish), a zither, or dulcimer. The particular combinations which we hear throughout the CD lend the music a definite 'antique', decidedly 'folk', aura. This does not detract from the clarity of the singing, though, by the four specialists in the group and by the half dozen young singers from the Antwerp Cathedral Choir. The Flemish Zefiro Torna (which was founded in 1996) draws players who first established themselves in such venerable ensembles as the Huelgas Ensemble, Collegium Vocale Ghent and Capilla Flamenca. The production and implied advocacy of Finnish music with such strong nationalist flavours by Flemish musicians is perhaps unexpected – but nevertheless to be applauded.


One's overall impression is of quiet, self-confident, highly focused music with the harmonics, temporal variation and melodic richness of mediaeval song from other northern European traditions. The original Carmina Burana may come to mind. There is a certain sparseness, tempered by a springy jollity, particularly in the festive pieces. It's the kantele that confers the greatest distinction on the music. It's not an overly 'twangy' instrument, and serves as an effective accompanying instrument for the singers.


Other percussive instruments are not usually overdone. They too compliment and support the rather delicate tracing of what is a very tuneful collection of pieces. Although their use (and the fade out) in O Scholares discite does jar just a little and there is some modern-sounding syncopation in Sum in aliena provincia. You may not like the bells in In vernali tempore; they sound just a little false, almost intrusive. The slight breathiness of the recorder and its ever so marginal over-closeness in recording contribute in a way to a sense that this is spontaneous and very genuine music making; most definitely not purely demonstrative or reluctantly catalogued so as to be merely a set of examples. It's worth listening to and getting to know in its own right.


Some of the songs (Personent hodie and Tempus adest floridum, for instance) will be recognized immediately. These incarnations delight for their tinges of freshness. Although Piae Cantiones is Finland's only collection of its type, it does reflect wider European traditions; yet Zefiro Torna and the others have successfully emphasised the uniquely Finnish properties of the music... crystalline transparency and thin tonalities; a clarity of timbre that is still evident in modern Baltic unaccompanied choral works; a momentum which rarely stops for effect, but rather is created without fuss in the bracingly brittle blend of melody and words. Although one senses the scholastic origins of this combination, the music is never perfunctory or dry. Rather, its liveliness is internal and does not rely on excessive arranging. It really is Sibelius' pure spring water again.


The recording is a good one and the booklet nicely illustrated with the text to all the songs in Latin/Finnish and English. Piae Cantiones would make a slightly different Christmas present as well as meet nicely the needs of anyone curious to experience Finnish music from the 500 year period in question.


Mark Sealey




 

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 20, 2007, 01:15:25 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 17, 2007, 04:41:02 PM
I know. Here's what I have found:

- Amsterdam Concertgebouw: June 6, Myung-Whun Chung - Messiaen and Bruckner (sy no. 6)

- Rotterdam Philharmonic: Also on June 6, Andrew Davis: Bach Passacaglia en fuga in c -Mozart Tweede fluitconcert (Emmanul Pahud, flute) - Takemitsu I Hear the Water Dreaming - Tippett Vierde symfonie (4th symphony)

- Liège Philharmonic: on tour in China  :P

- SWR Cologne : the Concertgebouw on tour, with Messiaen and Schubert songs orchestrated by Webern.

- Luxembourg: nothing during my dates.

Methink another visit to Amsterdam will figure on the agenda :D


Hi Lilas, I live in Antwerp - so don't forget our orchestra.
Brussels: the renamed Brussels' Philharmonic ( former VRO/Flemish Radio Orchestra),Orchestra of La Monnaie, Antwerp Opera Orchestra and the Flemish Symphony Orchestra - check the Bruges Concertgebouw and "Flagey" in Brussels ( a huge Art Deco building - the former seat of National Radio. It still houses the famous studio 4 ,loved by  many musicians....very good programming.

Peter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 20, 2007, 02:06:49 PM
Speaking of the Concertgebouw, they're returning to New York in February for three concerts with Mariss Jansons, and I'm planning to be at all of them:

Monday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY La mer
HECTOR BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Tuesday, February 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Yefim Bronfman, Piano
OTTO KETTING De aankomst ("The Arrival")
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73

Wednesday, February 6 at 8:00 p.m.
RICHARD STRAUSS Don Juan, Op. 20
GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp Minor

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 20, 2007, 05:54:36 PM
Quote from: pjme on December 20, 2007, 01:15:25 PM
Hi Lilas, I live in Antwerp - so don't forget our orchestra.
Brussels: the renamed Brussels' Philharmonic ( former VRO/Flemish Radio Orchestra),Orchestra of La Monnaie, Antwerp Opera Orchestra and the Flemish Symphony Orchestra - check the Bruges Concertgebouw and "Flagey" in Brussels ( a huge Art Deco building - the former seat of National Radio. It still houses the famous studio 4 ,loved by  many musicians....very good programming.

Peter

Hello, Peter! I love Antwerpen :D. I visited the city almost 25 years ago (my mother-in-law was born there). I found it extremely interesting. Unfortunately the cathedral was under repair and I couldn't visit. I missed all these Rubens paintings  :P. (http://www.topa.be/site/images/olv5-30_grand.jpg)

I was impressed by the Schelde and the city's docks, with its amazing forest of cranes and endless rows of cargo containers.

I checked the Royal Flanders Philharmonic, but I couldn't find concerts, and couldn't even figure out where their home base is? I had thought it would be in Antwerpen, but I can't be certain. In any case, I'm open to suggestions, so if you find something worth attending between May 29 and June 12, let me know! ;)

André

Bruce
: please report, I want to know what this orchestra sounds like out of the Concertgebouw!  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 21, 2007, 05:10:50 AM
Hi André, welcome in Antwerp!

You'll be surprised : after 25 years the city will look different to you. The cathedral has had indeed a major ( and ever continuing..) restauration. The architects did a great job, especially inside: all clutter has been removed ,discreet and effective lighting gives the building an airy feel.
Only recently the Opera had a complete make-over ( it was closed for almost 2 years). Now we're waiting for the new ( car free zone) square that will be built in front of it.

I will check "De Philharmonie" in Antwerp ,Bruges' Concertgebouw, Flagey and Bozar in Brussels.

Best wishes, Peter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 21, 2007, 06:39:31 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 20, 2007, 05:54:36 PM
André

Bruce
: please report, I want to know what this orchestra sounds like out of the Concertgebouw!  ;)

Hi André!  I'll probably be writing up all three concerts, so happy to send you the links.  They actually come to New York about every other year, and I usually go hear them no matter what they're playing.  They came with Blomstedt a few years ago (whom I admire as a conductor) but the programming was on the dull side, especially given the orchestra's history with contemporary music (and lots of Dutch composers) and also compared to what other orchestras are doing, such as Rattle and Berlin's three recent concerts with Lindberg, Adès and Kurtág.

I've heard the Concertgebouw Orchestra in both Avery Fisher Hall (surprisingly, not so bad) and Carnegie, where they really sound great.  The Fisher concerts were with Chailly, when he was doing his concerts of Brahms paired with Schoenberg, very stimulating.  A favorite memory from Carnegie was with Haitink in the Mahler Fifth.  After probably six or seven curtain calls, Haitink finally grabbed the score and waved it in the air, as if to say, "Here is the real star of the evening," and of course who could not agree...the crowd loved it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 21, 2007, 07:31:31 AM
André, The Royal Flanders Philharmonic (De Filharmonie) has its home base in Antwerp : at the "Singel" ( Conservatory + 2 concerthalls)and at the Queen Elisabeth Hall. The latter is in bad shape ,but has an excellent location : next to central station ( another great renovation! a huge 19th century dome on top of a futuristic base....5 or 6 storeys deep.It is on the Amsterdam - Paris line)

http://www.defilharmonie.be/orkest ( Jaap van Zweden and Phillippe Herreweghe chief conductors)

Since Belgium is so small, most orchestras tour extensively and play in many cities. Bruges boasts a new Concertgebouw , the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels has been re -named Bozar , Ghent has worked hard to improve the acoustics of "De Bijloke".
The Flagey - building in Brussels was almost torn down...private investors saved it and now it is again an Art Deco gem of the highest order. Even the large concertorgan in Studio 4 is supposed to work again .....???

http://www.debijloke.be/

http://www.concertgebouw.be/

http://www.flagey.be/flagey.htm

http://www.bozar.be/

http://www.desingel.be/

Bozar in Brussels remains ( Salle Henri Leboeuf )the largest & most famous concerthall in the country. It is the main seat of the Belgian National Orchestra ( Walter Weller ).

http://www.lamonnaie.be/demunt-1.0/index.jsp ( Kazushi Ono / Marc Wigglesworth cond.)

http://www.symfonieorkest.be/ The "Symfonie orkest van Vlaanderen" ( the Flemish SO), has its seat in Bruges. Etienne Siebens is conductor. They had to struggle to survive,but seem to do well....

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 21, 2007, 08:34:06 AM
Quote from: bhodges on December 20, 2007, 02:06:49 PM
Speaking of the Concertgebouw, they're returning to New York in February for three concerts with Mariss Jansons, and I'm planning to be at all of them:

Monday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY La mer
HECTOR BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Tuesday, February 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Yefim Bronfman, Piano
OTTO KETTING De aankomst ("The Arrival")
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73

Wednesday, February 6 at 8:00 p.m.
RICHARD STRAUSS Don Juan, Op. 20
GUSTAV MAHLER Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp Minor

--Bruce

Oh, my! Jansons doing the fantastique should be amazing. Same with the Brahms. Not sure why they need to do Mahler 5 again, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 21, 2007, 09:09:45 PM
Quote from: pjme on December 21, 2007, 07:31:31 AM
André, The Royal Flanders Philharmonic (De Filharmonie) has its home base in Antwerp : at the "Singel" ( Conservatory + 2 concerthalls)and at the Queen Elisabeth Hall. The latter is in bad shape ,but has an excellent location : next to central station ( another great renovation! a huge 19th century dome on top of a futuristic base....5 or 6 storeys deep.It is on the Amsterdam - Paris line)

http://www.defilharmonie.be/orkest ( Jaap van Zweden and Phillippe Herreweghe chief conductors)

Since Belgium is so small, most orchestras tour extensively and play in many cities. Bruges boasts a new Concertgebouw , the Palais des Beaux Arts in Brussels has been re -named Bozar , Ghent has worked hard to improve the acoustics of "De Bijloke".
The Flagey - building in Brussels was almost torn down...private investors saved it and now it is again an Art Deco gem of the highest order. Even the large concertorgan in Studio 4 is supposed to work again .....???

http://www.debijloke.be/

http://www.concertgebouw.be/

http://www.flagey.be/flagey.htm

http://www.bozar.be/

http://www.desingel.be/

Bozar in Brussels remains ( Salle Henri Leboeuf )the largest & most famous concerthall in the country. It is the main seat of the Belgian National Orchestra ( Walter Weller ).

http://www.lamonnaie.be/demunt-1.0/index.jsp ( Kazushi Ono / Marc Wigglesworth cond.)

http://www.symfonieorkest.be/ The "Symfonie orkest van Vlaanderen" ( the Flemish SO), has its seat in Bruges. Etienne Siebens is conductor. They had to struggle to survive,but seem to do well....



Peter, I'll be checking all these liks this weekend!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Siedler on December 26, 2007, 01:05:42 PM
BPO is coming to Finland but the tickets seems to be sold-out already.  :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 08, 2008, 09:11:16 AM
Saturday Jan. 19th
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Borodin - Prince Igor Overture
Chin Ya Kin - Ecstasy
Richard Strauss - Horn Concerto # 2
P.I. Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 2 "Little Russian"

Sunday Jan. 20th
Winnipeg Chamber Music Society

Prokofiev - Violin Sonata in C major, Op. 56
Mendelssohn - String Quartet in A minor, Op. 13
Beethoven - Piano Trio No. 5 in D major, Op. 70/1 "Ghost"

Thursday Jan. 24th
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Mozart - Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
Rossini - Overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers
Beethoven - Symphony No. 4

:)





Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on January 09, 2008, 10:00:13 AM
Tonight at the NAC:

Ludovic Morlot, chef d'orchestre
Midori, violon

RAVEL Ma Mère l'Oye : Suite
TCHAÏKOVSKI Concerto pour violon
RAVEL Pavane pour une infante defunte
CHOSTAKOVITCH Symphonie no 9

I can't wait!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 09, 2008, 10:03:22 AM
Quote from: Morigan on January 09, 2008, 10:00:13 AM
Tonight at the NAC:

Ludovic Morlot, chef d'orchestre
Midori, violon

RAVEL Ma Mère l'Oye : Suite
TCHAÏKOVSKI Concerto pour violon
RAVEL Pavane pour une infante defunte
CHOSTAKOVITCH Symphonie no 9

I can't wait!!!

What's the "NAC"? I heard Morlot a few weeks ago in Chicago and was quite impressed. He did an outstanding Rosenkavalier Suite with the CSO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on January 09, 2008, 10:07:59 AM
Canada's National Arts Centre... it's nothing spectacular but we have big names quite often and a very good orchestra led by Pinchas Zukerman.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 09, 2008, 10:09:20 AM
Quote from: Morigan on January 09, 2008, 10:07:59 AM
Canada's National Arts Centre... it's nothing spectacular but we have big names quite often and a very good orchestra led by Pinchas Zukerman.

What is the orchestra on the program?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 09, 2008, 10:09:47 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on January 09, 2008, 10:03:22 AM
What's the "NAC"? I heard Morlot a few weeks ago in Chicago and was quite impressed. He did an outstanding Rosenkavalier Suite with the CSO.

I heard him in 2006 with the New York Philharmonic, in a program of Carter, Schumann and Brahms that he conducted at the last minute, replacing Christoph von Dohnányi who was ill.  Considering that Morlot stepped in at the eleventh hour, and kept the program the same, he was very impressive.  

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on January 09, 2008, 10:18:48 AM
Thank you for your replies :)

Well, I have never heard of this conductor before, but I'm enthralled, mainly because it will be my first ever live performance of the Tchaikovsky VC!

O Mensch: the orchestra on this programme is the Centre's own orchestra, simply called the "NAC Orchestra" or "NACO"

It's going to make up for the fact that I missed Frederica von Stade's recital yesterday... and how much does this cost me? 10 bucks :) Being a student has never been more fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bassio on January 09, 2008, 01:03:48 PM
I did not know that you had a concert thread around here. Nice.  :)

I am looking forward to a concert next friday. A Piano Recital by a pianist called Tamas Vesmas.  :D Romanian. Anyone heard of him? He has some recordings on Amazon.

By the way, can I ask you guys to submit any upcoming concerts to http://www.allaboutclassical.com/concertcalendar
[Disclaimer: It is my website by the way.]
I apologize. I am embarrassed and I hate to be naggy. But the calendar is almost empty and I will be hurt to see it wasted. It seemed to me (at one moment in time and space) that a centralized classical music concert calendar to check out will be a great idea.  :-\
So if you are not busy for a few secs and you want to give the idea a push then it will be great. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 11, 2008, 08:55:53 AM
Quote from: Morigan on January 09, 2008, 10:00:13 AM
Tonight at the NAC:

Ludovic Morlot, chef d'orchestre
Midori, violon

RAVEL Ma Mère l'Oye : Suite
TCHAÏKOVSKI Concerto pour violon
RAVEL Pavane pour une infante defunte
CHOSTAKOVITCH Symphonie no 9

I can't wait!!!

Morigan, how was the concert?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on January 11, 2008, 10:56:28 AM
Hi ChamberNut,

It was great! The Ravel wasn't really what I was after, but it was still nice... I loved many parts of his Mother Goose suite.

The Tchaikovsky VC and Midori were my main motivations for buying the tickets, of course. I have to tell you something funny: just before the beginning of the concert, there was the usual recorded message telling the audience to turn off their cell phones, and then another voice announced: "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's soloist, Midori, is sorry to inform you that, due to loss of luggage during her travel from Japan, she will be appearing on stage wearing street clothes". LOL!! So anyway she played while wearing something that looked like a school girl's uniform from the 40's.

Her interpretation of the concerto was awesome; she used a little more rubato than what I'm used to, but it was interesting. I also thought her sound was very small. Sometimes a solo instrumentist from the orchestra would totally overpower the main melodic line of her violin. I thought her sound was somewhat like her: a small, shy and cute asian lady.

She came down to the Atrium to sign autographs and meet with people after the concert; it was nice.

Oh and I almost forgot: I loved the Shosty. I was anxious to hear the 9th after reading about its story and the controversy that it caused, etc. It confirmed to me that Morlot was a very competent conductor.

One could almost see Shostakovich's ghost running around the performers and yelling: "This is a circus! The world is a circus!".

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 11, 2008, 12:47:39 PM
We'll be attending a fascinating concert next Monday in Mannheim. The Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz performing three works I've never heard live:

César Franck - Psalm 150 for Choir and Orchestra

Camille Saint-Saens - Symphony #3 (Organ)

Arthur Honegger - Le Roi David


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 11, 2008, 12:49:57 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 11, 2008, 12:47:39 PM
We'll be attending a fascinating concert next Monday in Mannheim. The Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz performing three works I've never heard live:

César Franck - Psalm 150 for Choir and Orchestra

Camille Saint-Saens - Symphony #3 (Organ)

Arthur Honegger - Le Roi David


Sarge

Very interesting program, and I don't know the Honegger at all.  Does the hall have a great pipe organ, by any chance?  If so, you are possibly in for a sonic spectacular with that Saint-Saens.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on January 11, 2008, 03:09:11 PM
My wife and I are heading to this tonight:

Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado

Virtuoso Violins: Chamber Music by Candlelight

Lopez Nogueira, Suite for Solo Violin

Castello, Sonatas for One and Two Violins and Continuo

Stradella, Motet: Exultate in Deo fideles

Purcell, Fantasia: Three Parts Upon a Ground

Telemann, Concerto for Four Violins (unaccompanied) in G major

Handel, Cantata: Spande ancor

Telemann, Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in E major

http://dcc1079.googlepages.com/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on January 12, 2008, 05:28:38 AM
Quote from: Morigan on January 09, 2008, 10:18:48 AM
Thank you for your replies :)

It's going to make up for the fact that I missed Frederica von Stade's recital yesterday...


:'( :'( :'(

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on January 13, 2008, 01:49:30 PM
I'll be in London on February 10th for a Philharmonia concert /Royal Albert Hall.

Esa Pekka Salonen will conduct

André Jolivet's 5 Dances rituelles
Olivier Messiaen's Oiseaux exotiques ( piano & orch.)
Stravinsky : Le sacre du printemps

The concert will be repeated in Luxemburg's new Philharmonie ( on February 12th)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on January 13, 2008, 05:24:32 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 11, 2008, 12:47:39 PM
We'll be attending a fascinating concert next Monday in Mannheim. The Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz performing three works I've never heard live:

César Franck - Psalm 150 for Choir and Orchestra

Camille Saint-Saens - Symphony #3 (Organ)

Arthur Honegger - Le Roi David


Sarge


With that line up Sarge, let us know of any last minute changes. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 14, 2008, 05:31:54 AM
Quote from: Bogey on January 13, 2008, 05:24:32 PM
With that line up Sarge, let us know of any last minute changes. ;D

;D :D ;D

Yeah, with my luck they'll substitute Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for the Saint-Saens. But actually it doesn't matter. We aren't going. I've got the flu. :(

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Siedler on January 14, 2008, 05:51:45 AM
Quote from: Siedler on April 20, 2007, 05:34:10 PM
Thu 31.1.2008 / Carlos Kalmar, conductor / Lilli Paasikivi, mezzo-soprano / Jussi Myllys, baritone / Ain Anger, bass / Dominante Choir
Berlioz: Romeo and Juliet
I bought tickets a while ago to this one, I'm excited as I haven't heard Berlioz R&J yet.

Another concert which I'm really looked forward to (and I bought the tickets today):
21 May 2008 Helsinki, Finlandia Hall / Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo; Annika Mylläri-McLoud, soprano; Hilary Summers, alto; Akateeminen Laulu; EMO Ensemble

Arnold Schönberg: Chamber Symphony No. 1; Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2
--
It will be wonderful to hear Resurrection symphony live even with the dreary acoustics of the venue.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on January 14, 2008, 07:52:28 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 14, 2008, 05:31:54 AM
;D :D ;D

Yeah, with my luck they'll substitute Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for the Saint-Saens. But actually it doesn't matter. We aren't going. I've got the flu. :(

Sarge

Sorry to hear that.  Get well soon.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: B_cereus on January 15, 2008, 12:42:11 PM
I am seriously considering going to see a concert by the young French cellist Gautier Capucon early next month. He begins touring Europe and North America from this month.

I have never heard of him before, but I've read very positive reviews of his CD recordings. Anyone familiar and has opinions on him? Should I go for it, or should I spend my money somewhere else? Thanks  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on January 15, 2008, 07:34:53 PM
Gautier Capuçon is one of those amazing young French upstarts who are taking the musical world by storm. For some reason they are all very personable too, with many cd covers looking like so much soft beefcake porn. That definitely helps sell concert tickets and records ::). But they are good. I mean, really good!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 21, 2008, 04:22:05 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 08, 2008, 09:11:16 AM
Saturday Jan. 19th
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Borodin - Prince Igor Overture
Chin Ya Kin - Ecstasy
Richard Strauss - Horn Concerto # 2
P.I. Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 2 "Little Russian"

Wow!  Being hardly familiar with Tchaikovsky symphonies in general, I was blown away by the Symphony No. 2 "Little Russian".  I love the energy of this symphony, and all the Ukrainian folk themes within it.  I now must get this symphony into my collection!  This was a great concert.  The Strauss Horn concerto was also new to me, but I enjoyed it very much.  You could tell the reverence and influence of Mozart's Horn Concerti in this work! Lovely.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 21, 2008, 06:42:27 AM
Who was the horn soloist?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 21, 2008, 07:12:09 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on January 21, 2008, 06:42:27 AM
Who was the horn soloist?

Horn soloist was the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Principal Horn, Patricia Evans.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 22, 2008, 09:33:54 AM
Next week:

New York Philharmonic
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Synergy Vocals

Berio: Sinfonia
Brahms: Symphony No. 4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 25, 2008, 06:38:20 AM
But before next week, this one tonight.  I am very excited, and perhaps most amazingly, it's free.

Musicians from the Lucerne Festival Academy Ensemble and the New Juilliard Ensemble
Pierre Boulez, conductor

Varèse: Intégrales (1924-25)
Carter: Triple Duo (1982)
Stravinsky: Concertino (for twelve instruments) (1952)
Carter: Penthode (1984-85)
Boulez: Dérive I (1984, rev. 1986)
Carter: Clarinet Concerto (1996)
Ismail Lumanovski, clarinet

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on January 29, 2008, 05:04:22 AM
tonight:

Piotr Anderszewski recital

J S Bach: Partita No 2 in C minor, BWV 826
Schumann: Humoreske in B flat major, op 20
Szymanowski: Masques, op 34
J S Bach: Partita No 1 in B flat major, BWV 825
(or English Suite No 4 instead of 2nd Partita)

and then on Friday regular Belgrade Philharmonic subscription concert:

Jadwiga Rappe, alto [yup, of the thread (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2087.0.html) fame ;D]
Mariusz Smolij, conductor

S. Moniuszko: Overture to the opera Paria
K. Szymanowski: Three Songs to the poems of Jan Kasprowicz
S. Prokofiev: Symphony no. 5

That will be more live Szymanovski in four days than for last four years
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 29, 2008, 07:54:56 AM
Tell us what you think of Anderszewski. I was unimpressed with him in Chicago a few weeks ago in LvB PC 1.

I heard this last Saturday:

eight blackbird
Strange Imaginary Remix
 
Dennis DeSantis - strange imaginary remix
DeSantis - Powerless
David M. Gordon - Friction Systems
Gordon Fitzell- evanescence
Steve Mackey - Indigenous Instruments
Radiohead - Dollar and Cents (arr. Cliff Colnot)

Fun and games. The group is amazing. DeSantis was doing some electronic effects throughout all the works, which worked well for his own stuff and the Fitzell, but less so with the Mackey and Gordon, which lost a lot of edge and detail.

...I heard this yersterday:

MusicNOW

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Mark-Anthony Turnage, host
Sidsel Endresen, soprano

Wallin and Endresen -   LautLeben
Knussen -   Songs without Voices, Op. 26
Salonen -   Catch and Release

Wasn't so impressed with the Wallin/Endresen. Too much video performance art of a kind that has been done a million times. Loved the Knussen, though it was a tad austere for him. The Salonen was good fun. Star-studded audience with Boulez, Turnage, Knussen present. Boulez walked in right in front of me and Knussen sat a few seats over.


...and I am going to hear this on Saturday:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano


Berio -   Quatre dédicaces
Berlioz -   Les nuits d'été
Stravinsky -   Petrushka
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 29, 2008, 08:13:29 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on January 29, 2008, 07:54:56 AM
I heard this last Saturday:

eight blackbird
Strange Imaginary Remix
 
Dennis DeSantis - strange imaginary remix
DeSantis - Powerless
David M. Gordon - Friction Systems
Gordon Fitzell- evanescence
Steve Mackey - Indigenous Instruments
Radiohead - Dollar and Cents (arr. Cliff Colnot)

Fun and games. The group is amazing. DeSantis was doing some electronic effects throughout all the works, which worked well for his own stuff and the Fitzell, but less so with the Mackey and Gordon, which lost a lot of edge and detail.

I am a huge fan of eighth blackbird.  It is somewhat amazing to me that they have made a career, as a sextet doing nothing but contemporary music, but hearing is believing.  Their CD, strange imaginary animals, is terrific if you want to revisit some of the works on that program. 

That Boulez concert looks mighty tasty, too.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 29, 2008, 08:20:09 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 29, 2008, 08:13:29 AM
Their CD, strange imaginary animals, is terrific if you want to revisit some of the works on that program. 

I have that already, of course.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 29, 2008, 10:32:39 AM
Tonight, hearing this concert of Elliott Carter, the third concert in the Focus! festival.  The great thing is, they're repeating a piece, doing the Asko Concerto twice.  I wish people would consider doing this more often, especially with unfamiliar works.

--Bruce

* * * * *

Three Poems of Robert Frost (1980)
David McFerrin, baritone

Quintet for Piano and winds (1991)
Alexandra Lambertson, oboe; Bryan Conger, clarinet; Brigette Bencoe, French horn; Joshua Firer, bassoon; Jacek Mysinski, piano

Asko Concerto (2000)

Tempo e tempi (1999)
Jennifer Zetlan, soprano; Jessica Pearlman, oboe and English horn; David Fulmer, violin; Hannah Sloane, Cello

Asko Concerto (repeat performance)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on January 30, 2008, 08:46:19 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on January 29, 2008, 07:54:56 AM
Tell us what you think of Anderszewski. I was unimpressed with him in Chicago a few weeks ago in LvB PC 1.

Mixed impressions really. Enjoyed the Szymanowski very much but that is new piece to me so couldn't tell to what extent it is due to the music itself an to what extent to his playing. Was mostly ambivalent to Bach except for both Sarabandes which sounded slow, portentous and very much non-vocal to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on February 01, 2008, 08:02:20 AM
Piano recitals are a bit thin on the ground here, but next Wednesday, I'm heading over to Glasgow to hear Brendel, probably for the last time, given his retirement.

   Haydn - Variations in F minor, Hob.XVII/6
   Mozart - Piano Sonata in F major, K.533/K.494
   Beethoven - Piano Sonata in E flat major "quasi una fantasia", Op.27 No.1
   Schubert - Piano Sonata in B flat major, D960

I get the impression that some people find him a boring pianist, but after hearing him live last year (similar repertoire as the above), I disagree. I liked his poise and I remember a beautiful op. 110 from the last concert, although I personally prefer the Schubert Impromptus to be a little more extroverted.

Looking forward to this one :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Haffner on February 01, 2008, 09:17:48 AM
We don't get much for great Symphonic or Chamber music out here so:


Heaven and Hell
Van Halen
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 01, 2008, 10:00:08 AM
Here's one that I've got on my calendar and for once, and thankfully, I have the night off!!!!!


Friday, February 15, 2008 at 8:00 PM 
Severance Hall

JANACEK & SCHOENBERG

The Cleveland Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Janácek: Sinfonietta
Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande, Symphonic Poem

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2008, 10:07:48 AM
Quote from: toledobass on February 01, 2008, 10:00:08 AM
Here's one that I've got on my calendar and for once, and thankfully, I have the night off!!!!!


Friday, February 15, 2008 at 8:00 PM 
Severance Hall

JANACEK & SCHOENBERG

The Cleveland Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Janácek: Sinfonietta
Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande, Symphonic Poem

Allan

:o  :o  :o  Wow, that looks incredible.  Please gush voluminously, if appropriate, afterward.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 01, 2008, 10:09:50 AM
Come on up Bruce, bring a warm jacket though.  I'll supply the cigars and booze afterwards.

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2008, 10:18:00 AM
Quote from: toledobass on February 01, 2008, 10:09:50 AM
Come on up Bruce, bring a warm jacket though.  I'll supply the cigars and booze afterwards.

Allan

You make a highly tempting offer, Mr. T. Bass.  ;D  Alas, that night I'm supposed to hear Messiaen's Turangalîla at Carnegie, with David Robertson, St. Louis and pianist Nicolas Hodges.

Don't you wish sometimes that you could be like, ten different people?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 01, 2008, 10:24:44 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 01, 2008, 10:18:00 AM
You make a highly tempting offer, Mr. T. Bass.  ;D  Alas, that night I'm supposed to hear Messiaen's Turangalîla at Carnegie, with David Robertson, St. Louis and pianist Nicolas Hodges.

Don't you wish sometimes that you could be like, ten different people?

--Bruce

Sheeeeit meng,  that's not a shabby line up either.  Have a great time.  Have you heard the Messaien live before?  I missed Cleve doing it due to work and I really hate that I didn't get to see it.

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Haffner on February 01, 2008, 10:27:22 AM
Quote from: toledobass on February 01, 2008, 10:24:44 AM
Sheeeeit meng,  that's not a shabby line up either. 
Allan



Choo got eet, maing! I'm wi'cha! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2008, 10:31:25 AM
Quote from: toledobass on February 01, 2008, 10:24:44 AM
Sheeeeit meng,  that's not a shabby line up either.  Have a great time.  Have you heard the Messaien live before?  I missed Cleve doing it due to work and I really hate that I didn't get to see it.

Allan

Have heard it once, just a couple of years ago, at Carnegie in a great performance with Eschenbach and Philadelphia.  His inspired programming idea: on the first half, he placed traditional Balinese gamelan music, by an ensemble from Swarthmore College.  It sort of "retuned your ears" for the Messiaen after intermission.  I still think it's one of the most creative concerts I've been to.

[Just saw Haffner's reply...and chuckling...]

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Haffner on February 01, 2008, 10:38:52 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 01, 2008, 10:31:25 AM


[Just saw Haffner's reply...and chuckling...]

--Bruce


:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bassio on February 02, 2008, 04:52:53 AM
Quote from: Novitiate on February 01, 2008, 08:02:20 AM
Piano recitals are a bit thin on the ground here, but next Wednesday, I'm heading over to Glasgow to hear Brendel, probably for the last time, given his retirement.

   Haydn - Variations in F minor, Hob.XVII/6
   Mozart - Piano Sonata in F major, K.533/K.494
   Beethoven - Piano Sonata in E flat major "quasi una fantasia", Op.27 No.1
   Schubert - Piano Sonata in B flat major, D960

I get the impression that some people find him a boring pianist, but after hearing him live last year (similar repertoire as the above), I disagree. I liked his poise and I remember a beautiful op. 110 from the last concert, although I personally prefer the Schubert Impromptus to be a little more extroverted.

Looking forward to this one :).

Hey Novitiate, Brendel is one of my favorite artists - can you update us on the info please? Where, when?
Looking forward to your impressions.

I hope you don't miss it.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 05, 2008, 08:30:32 AM
Quote from: bhodges on December 20, 2007, 02:06:49 PM
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam
Mariss Jansons, Conductor

Monday, February 4 at 8:00 p.m.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY La mer
HECTOR BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Well this was quite marvelous.  I've heard the Debussy two or three times in the last year or so (including Levine and Boston a few weeks ago) but when it's played like this, I could listen to it over and over.  Ditto for the Berlioz, which had some real fire in the coloring, helped by the group's famous woodwind section, and Jansons's beautiful shading of dynamic levels.  (NB: I confess I'm not a huge fan of the piece.)

We also got two encores, both played with as much energy and finesse as you could want:

GRIEG  "Solveig's Song" from Peer Gynt 
BERLIOZ  "Marche Hongroise" from La damnation de Faust

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 05, 2008, 09:27:50 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 05, 2008, 08:30:32 AM
Ditto for the Berlioz, which had some real fire in the coloring, helped by the group's famous woodwind section, and Jansons's beautiful shading of dynamic levels.  (NB: I confess I'm not a huge fan of the piece.)

Damn. Wish I could have heard this. Two friends of mine reported from the Boston concert that it was amazing. Jansons/RCO is my top recommendation in modern sound for the fantastique. Jansons loves that piece and it shows.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 05, 2008, 09:35:57 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on February 05, 2008, 09:27:50 AM
Damn. Wish I could have heard this. Two friends of mine reported from the Boston concert that it was amazing. Jansons/RCO is my top recommendation in modern sound for the fantastique. Jansons loves that piece and it shows.

His might have been the most persuasive version I've heard.  Oh, and I forgot to mention the orchestra's fantastic percussion section which also helped create the otherworldly atmosphere.  The tuned tympani in the third movement...just outstanding, drenched with menace, and the offstage gongs, with a great timbre and also just so deftly played: a true mezzo-forte the first time they appear, piano the second--expert.

Very much looking forward to the Ketting De aankomst tonight...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Domenico on February 08, 2008, 10:11:38 AM
Tonight, as part of the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society series, a recital by Christian Zacharias.

Can't wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2008, 10:53:06 AM
I just heard Zacharias a few weeks ago with Orpheus, in the Schumann Piano Concerto--excellent.  He was clearly having a great time playing with them.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 08, 2008, 11:04:55 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 08, 2008, 10:53:06 AM
Schumann Piano Concerto

I get to hear it next week.  On Valentine's Day.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2008, 11:08:41 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 08, 2008, 11:04:55 AM
I get to hear it next week.  On Valentine's Day.  :)

Oh great, with whom?  (Sorry if you posted it already.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 08, 2008, 11:13:38 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 08, 2008, 11:08:41 AM
Oh great, with whom?  (Sorry if you posted it already.)

--Bruce

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra - Alexander Mickelthwate conducting

Darryl Friesen - piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2008, 11:15:04 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 08, 2008, 11:13:38 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra - Alexander Mickelthwate conducting

Darryl Friesen - piano

Ah, excellent.  Haven't heard Friesen, so do give a report if you like. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 08, 2008, 01:04:24 PM
It's official.  I got my ticket to see Boulez and Cleveland!!! I haven't had a chance to see a live concert in a while and I need a break from playing so much lately.  I can't wait!!!!


Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bassio on February 08, 2008, 01:30:18 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 08, 2008, 11:13:38 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra - Alexander Mickelthwate conducting

Darryl Friesen - piano

I guess bhodges meant: with whom? (= who will you be going with?)  ;D
.. didn't you say it will be valentine's day?  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bassio on February 08, 2008, 01:42:22 PM
Quote from: toledobass on February 08, 2008, 01:04:24 PM
It's official.  I got my ticket to see Boulez and Cleveland!!! I haven't had a chance to see a live concert in a while and I need a break from playing so much lately.  I can't wait!!!!


Allan

playing Maessian?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 08, 2008, 01:43:35 PM
Quote from: bassio on February 08, 2008, 01:42:22 PM
playing Maessian?
Janacek Sinfonietta and Schoenberg Pelleas


Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2008, 01:43:56 PM
Quote from: toledobass on February 08, 2008, 01:04:24 PM
It's official.  I got my ticket to see Boulez and Cleveland!!! I haven't had a chance to see a live concert in a while and I need a break from playing so much lately.  I can't wait!!!!


Allan

You lucky dog.  So which of these are you going to?  (Ah, you just answered...)

THIS WEEKEND AND NEXT:
Pierre Boulez conducts The Cleveland Orchestra
Pierre Boulez returns to Severance Hall to conduct The Cleveland Orchestra: on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8:00 p.m., hear the lyrical Berg Violin Concerto with soloist Leonidas Kavakos, the Bach/Webern Ricercare from Musical Offering and Schoenberg's passionate Pelleas and Melisande. The Friday, Feb. 8 11:00 a.m. performance features Schoenberg and Bach/Webern. Next week, Maestro Boulez conducts Bartók's Bluebeard's Castle on Feb. 14 and Feb. 16.

PS, I'm getting a kick out of the fact that the Bartók Bluebeard is on Valentine's Day... ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on February 10, 2008, 03:36:01 PM
I assume this thread can include 'concerts just seen' -  :D (or do we have another thread for that category?) -  ;D

But, just getting back for the evening from a Winston-Salem Symphony concert (Robert Moody is our local conductor); program:

Richard Strauss - Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
Arnold Schoenberg - Verklarte Nacht

Joseph Schwantner - Concerto for Percussion & Orchestra w/ Evelyn Glennie on percussion!

The last composer despite being an American from Chicago (and a few years older than me) is unknown to me!  Evelyn Glennie (http://www.evelyn.co.uk/homepage.htm) (my first experience w/ her skills, either live or on CD!) was just an amazing percussionist - moving from the back to the front of the stage, and playing just a wide assortment of drums, gongs, xylophones, etc. - and of course the piece de resistance is that she is DEAF!  I was impressed - she has performed in a variety of genres & has won a few Grammy awards - would be very interested in impressions from others concerning her recordings - thanks as usual!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 10, 2008, 03:54:56 PM
That sounds like a fantastic concert, and Glennie is quite a phenom.  I don't have many of her recordings, but I can recommend this one most enthusiastically: James MacMillan's Veni, Veni, Emanuel, written for her.  It originally came out in 1993 but has been re-released; apparently Amazon still has copies of the original, which has Glennie's picture on the cover.

Reissue:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41xuzLD2SkL._AA240_.jpg)

Original:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/414SW3Z83PL._AA240_.jpg)

http://www.amazon.com/Evelyn-Glennie-Veni-veni-emmanuel/dp/B000003EL4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on February 10, 2008, 04:09:14 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 10, 2008, 03:54:56 PM
That sounds like a fantastic concert, and Glennie is quite a phenom.  I don't have many of her recordings, but I can recommend this one most enthusiastically: James MacMillan's Veni, Veni, Emanuel, written for her.  It originally came out in 1993 but has been re-released; apparently Amazon still has copies of the original, which has Glennie's picture on the cover.

Bruce - thought that you might be one of the first to come through w/ recommendations!  :D

She was just amazing - running 'back & forth' from front and back stage w/ her groupings of percussion instruments - of course, I can't even imagine her inner experience in producing the percussion sounds along w/ the orchestra and not being able to HEAR any of this music! Indeed, phenomenal - she is on my 'wish list' to purchase a few CDs - not sure yet which 'genre' I may want?  (she won Grammy w/ a Bela Fleck collaboration - great banjo guy - have a number of his CDs) - she certainly is different - thanks - Dave  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on February 10, 2008, 04:18:12 PM
I'm playing so much lately I don't get time to go any concerts and won't for a while. :(

So, the next two concerts I'm looking forward to are two I'm playing in!  :D

With our college wind ensemble, of Lamar University (a college in southeast Texas), the following program on the 12th, 14th, and 15th:

Giovanni Gabrieli - Sonata pian e forte
(arranged for 8 brass)

George Gershwin, trans. Thomas Verrier - Rhapsody in Blue
(transcription of orchestral version)

Charles Ives - March Intercollegiate

Morten Lauridsen, trans. H Robert Reynolds -
Ave Maria (world premiere of arrangement)

Michael Daugherty - Raise the Roof
(a 2003 commission for Detroit Symphony)


Our big concert is on the Friday, the 15th at 5pm at the Lila Cockrell Theater in San Antonio if anybody is in the area! And we are also putting the program to CD in recording sessions the following week. It's been really a fun program to work up.

There are also many great concerts this week at the same location featuring Texas' best school orchestras, choirs and other wind groups as part of the TMEA Convention taking place this week. More information is here: http://www.tmea.org (http://www.tmea.org)

Another concert I'm looking forward to is March 4th, I play with our college jazz ensemble and we are doing a tribute to Harry James (a native of our area), with some other fun things thrown in.  ;D


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Steve on February 10, 2008, 05:24:15 PM
This Saturday: Verdi's Falstaff at the Lyric Opera of Chicago..

"Andrew Shore plays the Fat Knight as a genial, whiskery old buffer.... to his histrionic and vocal gifts, he adds the feat of downing pints of beer without coming up for breath! Shore was born to sing this role!" The Times, London

With her rich, honeyed soprano and unstoppable stage presence, Veronica Villarroel "is nothing short of breathtaking."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 11, 2008, 10:00:30 AM
Quote from: SonicMan on February 10, 2008, 04:09:14 PM
Bruce - thought that you might be one of the first to come through w/ recommendations!  :D

She was just amazing - running 'back & forth' from front and back stage w/ her groupings of percussion instruments - of course, I can't even imagine her inner experience in producing the percussion sounds along w/ the orchestra and not being able to HEAR any of this music! Indeed, phenomenal - she is on my 'wish list' to purchase a few CDs - not sure yet which 'genre' I may want?  (she won Grammy w/ a Bela Fleck collaboration - great banjo guy - have a number of his CDs) - she certainly is different - thanks - Dave  :)


More...I had no idea until just now that she is now Dame Evelyn Glennie.  Here (http://www.evelyn.co.uk/homepage.htm) is her huge website, with a discography.  I realize I have another one of her recordings--Tüür's Magma--but I've been so busy I haven't listened to it yet.  :-[  Maybe will rectify that later today.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 11, 2008, 12:11:16 PM
Just decided to go hear this tomorrow night, since Gilbert is conducting, and I don't know the Nielsen well (although I've heard the Blomstedt recording). 

Carnegie Hall
February 12, 2008
The Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Alan Gilbert, Conductor

BARBER  Overture for The School for Scandal, Op. 5 
BEETHOVEN  String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 95, "Serioso"  
NIELSEN  Symphony No. 3, Op. 27, "Sinfonia espansiva"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on February 11, 2008, 02:49:46 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 11, 2008, 10:00:30 AM
More...I had no idea until just now that she is now Dame Evelyn Glennie.  Here (http://www.evelyn.co.uk/homepage.htm) is her huge website, with a discography.  I realize I have another one of her recordings--Tüür's Magma--but I've been so busy I haven't listened to it yet.  :-[  Maybe will rectify that later today.

Bruce - yes, listed as a Dame in the program notes & introduced as such, also - been to her homepage, and quite impressive; a lot of CD choices on Amazon, and such a variety - hard to decide 'where' to start?

Enjoy your concert tomorrow night - looks good to me!  Dave  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on February 14, 2008, 02:02:27 PM
First concert of the year coming up next Thursday:

Playing with Fire

APO

Christian Knapp Conductor 

Mûza Rubackyté  Piano 
 
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales
Stravinsky Firebird Suite

Pianist Mûza Rubackyté has been hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "one of today's most important pianists". She begins our season with Chopin's fiery Piano Concerto No. 1. It launches a programme blazing with colour and energy, with Ravel's multi-hued waltzes leading into Stravinsky's electrifying and unforgettable Firebird Suite.

Looking forward to it. Seems like a long wait [late November] between concerts  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 14, 2008, 03:04:41 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 14, 2008, 02:02:27 PM
Pianist Mûza Rubackyté has been hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "one of today's most important pianists". She begins our season with Chopin's fiery Piano Concerto No. 1. It launches a programme blazing with colour and energy, with Ravel's multi-hued waltzes leading into Stravinsky's electrifying and unforgettable Firebird Suite.

Looking forward to it. Seems like a long wait [late November] between concerts  :)

Enjoy the concert, but don't put too much currency in Chicago Trib reviews. The guy who writes there is rather random.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 20, 2008, 08:42:21 AM
Tonight, the excellent new music group Either/Or, in this program:

Georg Friedrich Haas: Ein Schattenspiel, for piano and live electronics, New York premiere
Alexander Stankovski: Duet for saxophone and piano, US premiere
Richard Carrick: Moroccan Flow (unfolding from unity) for cello, World premiere
Beat Furrer: Lied for violin and piano
Karlheinz Essl : more or less, real-time composition for 5 computer-controlled soloists, US premiere
Peter Ablinger: Weiss/Weisslich 4 for piano and ensemble

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 20, 2008, 08:43:34 AM
Might go to hear Thibaudet play Debussy Preludes Book II and Brahms Piano Sonata No.3 this Sunday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 20, 2008, 08:45:32 AM
Delete that word "might" immediately!  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 20, 2008, 09:16:39 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 20, 2008, 08:45:32 AM
Delete that word "might" immediately!  ;D

That would make an ungrammatical sentence that already omits the subject even worse.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 20, 2008, 09:20:42 AM
All right, then change "might" to "I pledge to"...

;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 20, 2008, 09:25:27 AM
Holy F--K! The CSO just announced the new season (http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=3,11,6&SeasonID=0809). I get to hear Chailly do Mahler 10 for my birthday and then he does Bruckner 5 the following week! Dudamel returns for Brahms 2, Luisi conducts Symphonie fantastique, Haitink does Shosty 15, Schubert 9, Mahler 2, Bruckner 8, Lutoslawski, Trpceski plays Tchaik PC1, Boulez does Janacek Sinfonietta and Ives. Sensory overload! I'm gonna go broke.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 20, 2008, 09:45:11 AM
It's definitely chock full of great stuff.  I'd also love to hear that Muti in that Verdi Requiem, with Barbara Frittoli and Olga Borodina.

I'm amazed Boulez is doing Ives.  From his comments (e.g., he'd have to "recompose" his work) I didn't think he liked him much.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 20, 2008, 09:47:37 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on February 20, 2008, 09:25:27 AM
Holy F--K! The CSO just announced the new season (http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=3,11,6&SeasonID=0809). I get to hear Chailly do Mahler 10 for my birthday and then he does Bruckner 5 the following week! Dudamel returns for Brahms 2, Luisi conducts Symphonie fantastique, Haitink does Shosty 15, Schubert 9, Mahler 2, Bruckner 8, Lutoslawski, Trpceski plays Tchaik PC1, Boulez does Janacek Sinfonietta and Ives. Sensory overload! I'm gonna go broke.

Argh!  I am so envious! :(  I can't wait to see the WSO line-up.  I'm hoping they put Bruckner into the program.   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 20, 2008, 09:55:13 AM
I just saw Boulez do tje Janacek here in Cleveland and it was amazing.  A whole different experience from the more driven versions I have heard. It sort of reminded me of when someone does Brahms very well, how layered and dense the music really is and how much of that part of the construction of the music so many people fail to pay proper attention to. 

Very enjoyable listening,
Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 20, 2008, 09:59:01 AM
If I  actually make it through this week alive,  I fly out to Sacremento next week to catch the Mrs. in the Sacremento Opera production of Turn of the Screw.  She's Mrs. Grose.

(Also get to see my niece who was born in late Jan!!!!!)
Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 20, 2008, 10:07:07 AM
Allan,

You should try to get this CD (http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=4,1,3,7,2&productid=15422) (only available through that link). It has the most amazing Janacek Glagolitic Mass with Boulez conducting, among many other goodies.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 20, 2008, 10:08:50 AM
Quote from: toledobass on February 20, 2008, 09:59:01 AM
If I  actually make it through this week alive,  I fly out to Sacremento next week to catch the Mrs. in the Sacremento Opera production of Turn of the Screw.  She's Mrs. Grose.

(Also get to see my niece who was born in late Jan!!!!!)
Allan

!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Tempora on February 20, 2008, 10:12:09 AM
April 11-12
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra- Zubin Mehta
F.Mendelssohn-Opus 20
J.Brahms Symphony Op 68. No 1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 20, 2008, 10:12:15 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on February 20, 2008, 10:07:07 AM
Allan,

You should try to get this CD (http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=4,1,3,7,2&productid=15422) (only available through that link). It has the most amazing Janacek Glagolitic Mass with Boulez conducting, among many other goodies.

Wow thanks so much for that.  I'm ordering it today.

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on February 20, 2008, 02:03:06 PM
This one. (http://www.cadoganhall.com/showpage.php?pid=438)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 21, 2008, 05:30:37 AM
Mark! Are you back, lad?

(Don't make me read your signature!  ;D )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2008, 08:39:06 AM
Tonight, this fascinating concert by Marilyn Nonken, Director of Piano Performance Studies at New York University.  I've heard her do the Harvey piece before, and liked it quite a bit.

Tom Beyer: New Work (world premiere, w/ Kathy Supove, piano)
Chris Bailey: Out Of
Beth Wiemann: A Change in the Weather
Alvin Lucier: Music for Piano with Pure-Wave Slow-Sweep Oscillators
Jonathan Harvey: Tombeau de Messiaen

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 21, 2008, 08:51:29 AM
Saturday night at Symphony: (http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/perf_detail.jsp?pid=25700069)

MOZART :: Symphony No. 29
BERG :: Chamber Concerto for piano and violin with thirteen wind instruments
BRAHMS :: Serenade No. 2

Isabelle Faust, violin
Peter Serkin, piano


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 21, 2008, 08:53:03 AM
And who conducteth? Jimbo?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 21, 2008, 08:54:24 AM
Oui.

(I won't make you mash the link.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2008, 08:58:53 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 21, 2008, 08:51:29 AM
Saturday night at Symphony: (http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/perf_detail.jsp?pid=25700069)

MOZART :: Symphony No. 29
BERG :: Chamber Concerto for piano and violin with thirteen wind instruments
BRAHMS :: Serenade No. 2

Isabelle Faust, violin
Peter Serkin, piano

Wow, nice program.  I just heard Levine conduct that Berg a few weeks ago, and it was marvelous, and I haven't heard the Brahms live in a very long time.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 21, 2008, 09:40:49 AM
That concerto was the first Berg piece I learnt to love, Bruce.

About three-quarters down that BSO page, there's a podcast with Robt Kirzinger giving a semi-casual introduction to the program (he uses the technical term "neat-o" at one point).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2008, 09:45:58 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 21, 2008, 09:40:49 AM
That concerto was the first Berg piece I learnt to love, Bruce.

About three-quarters down that BSO page, there's a podcast with Robt Kirzinger giving a semi-casual introduction to the program (he uses the technical term "neat-o" at one point).

Oh great, thanks--I'll try to check it out later.  Sounds neat-o.  ;D

I hadn't heard that Berg live in years.  Just did a quick search of Carnegie's site, which goes back to 2005, and Levine's was the sole complete performance during that time.  (Another group did an excerpt, but not the complete piece.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on February 21, 2008, 10:43:29 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 14, 2008, 02:02:27 PM
First concert of the year coming up next Thursday:

Playing with Fire

APO

Christian Knapp Conductor 

Mûza Rubackyté  Piano 
 
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales
Stravinsky Firebird Suite

Pianist Mûza Rubackyté has been hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "one of today's most important pianists". She begins our season with Chopin's fiery Piano Concerto No. 1. It launches a programme blazing with colour and energy, with Ravel's multi-hued waltzes leading into Stravinsky's electrifying and unforgettable Firebird Suite.

Looking forward to it. Seems like a long wait [late November] between concerts  :)


Wonderful concert last night;a sensational way to start the new season.

The Chopin was glorious! Mûza Rubackyté was a wonderfully engaging soloist and the way she related to the members of the orchestra was a delight. She was very expressive with her body movements; a real treat.

I wasn't familiar with the brief Ravel piece. A 15min piece made up of four or five short pieces. A waltz, an omm-pah-pah, lots of percussion with tamborine rattling being prominent.

The Firebird was exciting. When the bass drum strikes came in they were like canon fire! Very interesting orchestration like the bit near the begining where the first violinists rub their fingers up and down the strings to get that spooky sound. The trumpet fanfare at the conclusion was rousing.

It was great to be back at a live performance  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 21, 2008, 02:09:52 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 20, 2008, 09:20:42 AM
All right, then change "might" to "I pledge to"...

;D

--Bruce

OK, I've rectified the problem and bought a ticket to hear Thibaudet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2008, 02:17:01 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on February 21, 2008, 02:09:52 PM
OK, I've rectified the problem and bought a ticket to hear Thibaudet.

:D

Just this week I was recalling his performance in the Messiaen Turangalîla with Eschenbach and Philadelphia a few years ago--one of my favorites of his appearances here.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 21, 2008, 02:56:15 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 21, 2008, 02:17:01 PM
Just this week I was recalling his performance in the Messiaen Turangalîla with Eschenbach and Philadelphia a few years ago--one of my favorites of his appearances here.

He's on the Chailly/RCO/Decca recording of the Turangalila, IIRC. BTW, intersting post the other day. I didn't realize Matt Groening was a Messiaen fan and that Leela is actually Turanga Leela. I have that whole show on DVD somewhere. I should really dig it out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 22, 2008, 06:21:32 AM
Tonight's WSO concert:

Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor
Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 2 in E minor

Alexander Mickelthwate, conducting
Vladimir Sverdlov, piano

A little less familiar with Rachmaninoff, even though these are two well known and loved works.  Very much looking forward to it!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 22, 2008, 07:31:39 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 21, 2008, 02:17:01 PM
:D

Just this week I was recalling his performance in the Messiaen Turangalîla with Eschenbach and Philadelphia a few years ago--one of my favorites of his appearances here.

--Bruce

You've seen that piece more than once? That's awesome.  I missed Cleveland doing it because of work and with all these other performances happening now and in the recent past I feel like I'm not gonna be able to see it live for a while.

Missing the boat,
Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on February 23, 2008, 11:37:41 AM
Tonight I am going to the BSO the third week in a row. It certainly is good to live in a place again with a really good orchestra and a nice concert hall. For years, the best I could catch was the LA Philharmonic which isn't really that great an orchestra anymore. Their ensemble quality really has suffered a lot under that overhyped mediocre poser Salonen. Thinking back, I haven't heard any really good concerts with him over the 5 years in lived in SoCal, some were pretty good but nothing special, some were really quite bad. At best, they got through the music without major booboos but rarely with special musical moments, at worst, they poked their way through the pieces with lots of ensemble insecurities and some pretty major messups while Salonen headbanged to the music like he was on drugs. The best memory I have of the LAP live is a Pictures at an Exhibition under Gergiev. But even that wasn't what one could call "world class". No comparison at all to how good the orchestra was before Salonen, when I heard them under Sanderling and (even!) Previn. And the acoustics in Disney Hall aren't all that good either, as nice as the hall is as a builing.

Last week I heard Shostakovich 4 conducted by Mark Elder which saw the BSO in excellent shape in a very well played, if not necessarily very intense performance - which I attributed mostly to Elder whose direction was competent, but he did not connect with the orchestra too well. They also played Sibelius' violin concerto with Vadim Repin, but I only arrived after the intermisssion because I made up my mind to go rather late that day.

The week before that, I heard Martin's Sinfonia Concertante for harpsichord, harp and chamber orchestra, Prokofieff's 1st violin concerto and Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony (I actually went to that program on two consecutive evenings). The conductor was Charles Dutoit and the soloist Viviane Hagner, and that was a very good concert in every respect. The soloist was outstanding, and Dutoit conducted a very stylish performance of the Organ Symphony.

Tonight, I am going to see the current MD, James Levine in a program with Mozart's 29th symphony, Berg's chamber concerto for violin, piano and wind instruments, and Brahms' 2nd serenade. So I am looking forward to that right now!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on February 23, 2008, 01:06:52 PM
Quote from: M forever on February 23, 2008, 11:37:41 AM
The week before that, I heard Martin's Sinfonia Concertante for harpsichord, harp and chamber orchestra, Prokofieff's 1st violin concerto and Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony (I actually went to that program on two consecutive evenings). The conductor was Charles Dutoit and the soloist Viviane Hagner, and that was a very good concert in every respect. The soloist was outstanding, and Dutoit conducted a very stylish performance of the Organ Symphony.

Wow!  Is Dutoit only guest conducting these days?  Karl did you mention this one also, or maybe I am thinking of a recording we discussed on Allan's thread?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on February 23, 2008, 01:16:44 PM
Yes, Karl was in the concert with his wife, too (I took a pic there of us all in the lobby and posted it here). Actually, they are coming tonight, too, we will all have dinner before the concert, and yes, Dutoit is doing a ton of guest conducting instead of holding a permanent position right now. He seems to be everywhere. I saw him in SF a while ago, too, a friend saw him even in Australia a few months back. And why not, no administrative burdens, nice fees, travelling all over the world...I think there are worse ways to make a living...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mark on February 23, 2008, 01:18:18 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 21, 2008, 05:30:37 AM
Mark! Are you back, lad?

(Don't make me read your signature!  ;D )

Now and then, Karl, now and then ... ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on February 23, 2008, 01:57:35 PM
Quote from: M forever on February 23, 2008, 01:16:44 PM
Yes, Karl was in the concert with his wife, too (I took a pic there of us all in the lobby and posted it here). Actually, they are coming tonight, too, we will all have dinner before the concert, and yes, Dutoit is doing a ton of guest conducting instead of holding a permanent position right now. He seems to be everywhere. I saw him in SF a while ago, too, a friend saw him even in Australia a few months back. And why not, no administrative burdens, nice fees, travelling all over the world...I think there are worse ways to make a living...

I would love to see him stop in Denver.  Probably not a big enough venue for him, but I will see if he has a schedule on the web.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on February 23, 2008, 03:40:19 PM
The January-February edition of american Record Guide reports a recent concert with Dutoit conducting the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra in Disney Hall, LA. This is a crack youth orchestra bankrolled by fellow Swiss bank UBS. The reviewer gushed no end on the brilliance, elegance and level of emotion Dutoit elicited from this band. The Fantastique was deemed "as close to a perfect Fantastique as I've heard", and "the ease, luminosity and confidence of Chabrier's  Espana afterwards was almost frightening".

What? Espana after the Fantastique? Well, if you happen to have Martha on hand to play Prokofiev's 3rd concerto as a final piece you rightly give her the spotlight !  Methink that Dutoit's still excellent connection with his former wife must play a role in all these engagements. I suspect they hire him on promises or mere expectations of a possible Martha appearance ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 25, 2008, 06:23:24 AM
Quote from: M forever on February 23, 2008, 01:16:44 PM
Dutoit is doing a ton of guest conducting instead of holding a permanent position right now.

He actually does have a semi-permanent position right now. He's the Artistic Adviser of the Philadelphia Orchestra, filling in until they find a permament replacement for Eschenbach (sort of what Haitink is doing with the CSO right now and what he did with Dresden after Sinopoli keeled over). Starting in 2009, Dutoit will be the principal conductor and artistic director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Dutoit is doing Holst's the Planets with the CSO at the end of March, which I am looking forward to.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on February 25, 2008, 07:36:33 PM
QuoteThe January-February edition of american Record Guide reports a recent concert with Dutoit conducting the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra in Disney Hall, LA. This is a crack youth orchestra bankrolled by fellow Swiss bank UBS. The reviewer gushed no end on the brilliance, elegance and level of emotion Dutoit elicited from this band. The Fantastique was deemed "as close to a perfect Fantastique as I've heard", and "the ease, luminosity and confidence of Chabrier's  Espana afterwards was almost frightening".

What? Espana after the Fantastique? Well, if you happen to have Martha on hand to play Prokofiev's 3rd concerto as a final piece you rightly give her the spotlight !  Methink that Dutoit's still excellent connection with his former wife must play a role in all these engagements. I suspect they hire him on promises or mere expectations of a possible Martha appearance.

Well, that review was right on then! :) I saw the same concert in Houston and had the exact same reaction. He and the Verbier group had incredible chemistry. In my far flung corner of the world, we rarely ever get to witness something like that live, and honestly they totally blew us away. I wrote about the concert at length here (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,4316.msg106587.html#msg106587).

And yeah, Verbier may be a "youth" orchestra, but the ages range from 17 up to 29, with very rigorous and competitive auditions held all over the world, so the players are at the level of near or newly professional already. I know someone who is trying out this year for timpani, he has made the final rounds, and just missed the spot last year, and he has already played for the Finnish National Opera for a while, so yeah, the players are definitely extremely high-quality.

About Dutoit and Argerich - they obviously still have a special relationship even though they may not be married anymore, you can really see that between them on stage, and this naturally only helps the music-making!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on February 26, 2008, 05:41:32 AM
Thanks, Greta. I had missed this thread entirely... Excellent review! the ARG man described also th eDudamel Simon Bolivar concert (part of a Yout Orchestra series at Disney Hall). He likened it to an exciting one night stand, and the Dutoit-Verbier as a profoundly satisfying relaitonship.

Dutoit is an outstanding orchestral trainer (first and foremost) and an excellent musician (second). If he can achieve the desired results in his first goal, it fires him to let his interpretive skills take charge of the proceedings. In Montreal the first five years were truly outstanding. Once they were at a really professional level he (and the orchestra) became complacent. So you wouldn't know what to expect from one concert (or disc) to another. A concert Elektra is one occasion I'll never forget.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 26, 2008, 06:39:58 AM
Turn of the Screw tonight at the Sacremento Opera.


Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 26, 2008, 06:50:56 AM
Wish her a "break a leg," Allan!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on February 26, 2008, 10:09:11 AM
Toi toi toi is the opera version,  Karl. (I think that's how it's spelled)

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on February 26, 2008, 02:10:48 PM
This next Thursday:

APN News & Media Premier Series 2008 Concert 2

Thu 6 Mar 2008 8:00pm - Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

Schumann & Sibelius

Okko Kamu Conductor
   
Richard Harwood Cello
   
Sallinen  At the Palace Gates                           
Sibelius   Scene with Cranes
Schumann  Cello Concerto
Sibelius   Symphony No.5

Your chance to hear Sibelius conducted by one of the finest interpreters of his work, Okko Kamu, who is also a master of the great romantic repertoire. He is joined for Schumann's passionate cello concerto by Richard Harwood, whose performance in Don Quixote in 2007 was warmly acclaimed.

Should be grand  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 27, 2008, 09:00:49 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 26, 2008, 02:10:48 PM
Sallinen  At the Palace Gates                           
Sibelius   Scene with Cranes
Schumann  Cello Concerto
Sibelius   Symphony No.5

That's a great program.  I don't know the first two at all.  (You rarely see any Sallinen on concert programs here.)

Tonight I'm looking forward to this one:

AXIOM
Jeffrey Milarsky, Conductor
Conor Hanick and Matthew Odell, Piano
James Ferree, French horn
Tomoya Aomori, Glockenspiel
Chihiro Shibayama, Xylorimba

MESSIAEN: Des Canyons Aux Étoiles ... (1974)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: c#minor on February 28, 2008, 11:20:03 AM
Pretty much most of the Nashville Symphony's lineup


John Corigliano - Triple Play: Concerto for Percussion Soloist and Strings
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93

Roberto Sierra - Fandangos for Orchestra
Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 "Pastoral"
Grieg - Concerto for Piano in A minor, Op. 16

Shostakovich - Festive Overture, Op. 96
Rachmaninoff - Concerto for Piano No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
Michael Torke - Jasper
Roy Harris - Symphony No. 3 in One Movement

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields performs!!!!!!
Mozart - Symphony No. 31 in D major,"Paris"
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major
Bach - Piano Concerto in D major, BWV 1054
Haydn - Symphony No. 104 in D major, "London"

Verdi - Messa da Requiem

Copland/D. Wilson Ochoa - Emblems
Mozart - Concerto for Piano No. 27 in B-flat major, K. 595
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 01, 2008, 01:32:50 PM
I was looking forward to this concert but didn't post about it earlier because, first, Mrs. Rock and I were fighting colds all week and we didn't know if we'd be well enough to go; and second, when we finally got well it was too late to book seats and we just went to the concert hall this evening hoping it wasn't sold out. It wasn't. :)

Grigory Sokolov at the BASF Feierabendhaus in Ludwigshafen. The program:

Mozart Sonata F major, K.280
Mozart Sonata F major, K.332
Chopin 24 Preludes Op.28

Unusual for a German audience, he received a standing ovation, and blessed us with four encores.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 04, 2008, 02:08:14 AM
Looking forward to this tomorrow evening:

ecat - New Music For Scotland presents
Peter Hill, piano recital

Messiaen: La Colombe; Morceau de lecture a vue; Le Tombeau de Paul Dukas
Le Merle Bleu, Le Traquet stapazin, Canteyodjaya, L'Alouette lulu


This is all new to me - the only Messiaen piano music I'm familiar with are his Vingt Regards and Visions de l'Amens. I do know, however, that Peter Hill is a great Messiaen interpreter. He came by last year to perform the Quartet with members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and I really enjoyed that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Harry on March 04, 2008, 02:12:48 AM
Since in my parts of the Netherlands there  are almost no live performances of any quality, exceptions excluded, my experience in that area is quite limited. :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2008, 08:34:37 AM
Tonight, seeing this concert with Alan Gilbert, the conductor who will take over when Maazel leaves.  Gilbert is quite, quite good.

New York Philharmonic
Dawn Upshaw, Soprano
Alan Gilbert, Conductor

Haydn: Symphony No. 48, "Maria Theresia"
Berio: Folk Songs
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 05, 2008, 08:47:56 AM
Sunday's Chamber Music Concert.  Actually bringing my fiancee to this one, as she likes Schubert.   :)

On the menu:

Beethoven - Piano Trio No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 1/1
Schubert - Impromptu in B flat major, Op. 142/3
Schubert - String Quartet in A minor, D804 "Rosamunde"

Winnipeg Chamber Music Society
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on March 05, 2008, 10:58:59 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 05, 2008, 08:47:56 AM
Sunday's Chamber Music Concert.  Actually bringing my fiancee to this one, as she likes Schubert.   :)

On the menu:

Beethoven - Piano Trio No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 1/1
Schubert - Impromptu in B flat major, Op. 142/3
Schubert - String Quartet in A minor, D804 "Rosamunde"

Winnipeg Chamber Music Society


Excellent! Your fiancee has impeccable taste.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on March 06, 2008, 05:36:19 AM
Quote from: c#minor on February 28, 2008, 11:20:03 AM
Pretty much most of the Nashville Symphony's lineup

I had never even heard of the Nashville Symphony, but a few weeks ago while I was driving across the continent, we also went through Nashville and drove around there a little bit. We also saw the symphony hall (don't remember what the actual name was though).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on March 06, 2008, 12:07:51 PM
Next Mondays Chamber Music Concert  :)

Mon 10 Mar 2008 6:30pm - Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber THE EDGE®

Richard Harwood [Cello] & Caroline Almonte [Piano]
   
Schumann - Adagio and Allegro
Brahms - Cello Sonata in E minor
Shostakovich - Cello Sonata
Bridge - Cello Sonata

Brilliant young cellist Richard Harwood appears with, Melbourne based soloist and chamber musician Caroline Almonte, in a programme of lyrical masterpieces.

Especially looking forward to the Brahmns and the Bridge.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Morigan on March 06, 2008, 08:49:13 PM
I'm looking forward to a concert dedicated to the Baroque flute this Saturday by a very good local baroque chamber music ensemble. I just hope it doesn't get canceled because of the upcoming snowstorm (the next one, I should say)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bonehelm on March 06, 2008, 09:38:03 PM
Anyone know if the Seattle symphony is any good? I'm going down to Washington and Oregon in early april during my orchestra tour, if I have free time i'll drop by the SSO a bit and check em out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 07, 2008, 11:57:03 AM
Quote from: Perfect FIFTH on March 06, 2008, 09:38:03 PM
Anyone know if the Seattle symphony is any good? I'm going down to Washington and Oregon in early april during my orchestra tour, if I have free time i'll drop by the SSO a bit and check em out.

You should definitely check out the Seattle group.  While I've not heard them live, they have done some excellent recordings, and I hear that Benaroya Hall, where they perform, is quite good acoustically. 

That concert the first week in April looks like an excellent one:

Seattle Symphony
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin

Wagner: Three Excerpts from Act III of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Barber: Violin Concerto
R. Strauss: Don Juan 
R. Strauss: Suite from Der Rosenkavalier

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Michel on March 08, 2008, 06:22:47 AM
I am seeing Eugene Onegin on Monday at Covent Garden.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: mikkeljs on March 09, 2008, 09:34:09 AM
Tonight I´m going to a Nørgård concert, where Nørgård himself will come and play Turn on a special tuned piano.   8) That will be the 7th time I meet him!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 10, 2008, 06:17:17 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 05, 2008, 08:47:56 AM
Sunday's Chamber Music Concert.  Actually bringing my fiancee to this one, as she likes Schubert.   :)

On the menu:

Beethoven - Piano Trio No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 1/1
Schubert - Impromptu in B flat major, Op. 142/3
Schubert - String Quartet in A minor, D804 "Rosamunde"

Winnipeg Chamber Music Society


Fantastic, all around.  Fiancee also enjoyed it also, and would like to come to more of the chamber concerts in the future.  :)

Although I thoroughly enjoyed my favorite Schubert quartet, the highlight ended up being the energetic performance of the Beethoven Opus 1 # 1 Trio. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 10, 2008, 06:55:27 AM
I'm not exactly looking forward to this. The program is pleasant enough but not adventurous. Still, hearing La Mer live is usually a treat. We're taking Mrs. Rock's parents...the tickets were our Christmas present to them.


Ludwigshafen, BASF-Feierabendhaus

Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Herbert Schuch, piano
Mario Venzago, conducting

Debussy La Mer

Mozart Piano Concerto #27 B major KV 595

Schumann Symphony #3 "Rheinische"


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bonehelm on March 13, 2008, 08:21:05 PM
Quote from: bhodges on March 07, 2008, 11:57:03 AM
You should definitely check out the Seattle group.  While I've not heard them live, they have done some excellent recordings, and I hear that Benaroya Hall, where they perform, is quite good acoustically. 

That concert the first week in April looks like an excellent one:

Seattle Symphony
Gerard Schwarz, conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin

Wagner: Three Excerpts from Act III of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Barber: Violin Concerto
R. Strauss: Don Juan 
R. Strauss: Suite from Der Rosenkavalier

--Bruce
Hey, thanks Bruce, my band director booked the one on the night of April 2nd. It's Annie-Sophie Mutter playing Brahms violin sonatas if I remember correctly. I should be in for a treat, since the violinist is among my idol's most treasured musicians..
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2008, 01:20:50 PM
Decided at the last minute to go to this tonight, after some persuasive friends called who are going:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Conductor
Women of the Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Music Director

BARTÓK: The Miraculous Mandarin Suite 
DEBUSSY: Nocturnes
HOLST: The Planets, Op. 32 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: orbital on March 14, 2008, 01:26:05 PM
Quote from: bhodges on March 14, 2008, 01:20:50 PM
Decided at the last minute to go to this tonight, after some persuasive friends called who are going:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Conductor
Women of the Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Music Director

BARTÓK: The Miraculous Mandarin Suite 
DEBUSSY: Nocturnes
HOLST: The Planets, Op. 32 

--Bruce
You probably had a 105F fever if you needed persuasion for this program  ;D Bartok... Debussy... Philadelphia... Bruce... needs a push... ??? can't compute  ;D

PS - Is this the year of Debussy in NY?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 15, 2008, 09:06:15 AM
Tonight the BSO plays the Shostakovich Fifth, and the Schumann Piano Concerto with soloist Garrick Ohlsson
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on March 15, 2008, 05:46:15 PM
Quote from: bhodges on March 14, 2008, 01:20:50 PM
Decided at the last minute to go to this tonight, after some persuasive friends called who are going:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Conductor
Women of the Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Music Director

BARTÓK: The Miraculous Mandarin Suite 
DEBUSSY: Nocturnes
HOLST: The Planets, Op. 32 

--Bruce

I would make it to the above concert with a 105F fever, somehow...my word! I really could hardly of a more possibly fetching program for that conductor/orchestra pair. How was it?  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2008, 10:27:09 AM
Quote from: orbital on March 14, 2008, 01:26:05 PM
You probably had a 105F fever if you needed persuasion for this program  ;D Bartok... Debussy... Philadelphia... Bruce... needs a push... ??? can't compute  ;D

PS - Is this the year of Debussy in NY?

;D  Well, I had been out all week and needed a break...hence the "persuasion."  ;D 

It was very good, if not at the tip-top level, but I enjoyed it.  Dutoit and Philadelphia are a good match, I think.  The Debussy was a little too driven, and the chorus--excellent though it was--was a little too loud in the final "Sirènes."  (I think the voices should sound more ethereal, as if they're in the distance.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 16, 2008, 10:59:29 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 14, 2008, 01:20:50 PM
Decided at the last minute to go to this tonight, after some persuasive friends called who are going:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Conductor
Women of the Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Music Director

BARTÓK: The Miraculous Mandarin Suite 
DEBUSSY: Nocturnes
HOLST: The Planets, Op. 32 

--Bruce


That's a great programme, although it's a shame they weren't playing the complete Mandarin. Some people are a bit sniffy about The Planets, but I think it's an amazing piece. Accessible, perhaps even populist, but still quite radical and adventurous. Some of the influences may be a bit obvious (Stravinsky, Debussy, Wagner), but Holst absorbs them and creates his own distinctive sound world. I'm impressed that you managed to get tickets for this at the last minute. Here in London, that concert would have sold out months ago.

I've been a bit crap at going to concerts lately. I went to see Salome at Covent Garden on Wednesday and loved it. Unless I get my arse into gear and start booking some more tickets, my next concert is in early May; it's the second of two performances of Nono's Prometeo at the Royal Festival Hall. That should be interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2008, 11:04:40 AM
Quote from: MDL on March 16, 2008, 10:59:29 AM

That's a great programme, although it's a shame they weren't playing the complete Mandarin. Some people are a bit sniffy about The Planets, but I think it's an amazing piece. Accessible, perhaps even populist, but still quite radical and adventurous. Some of the influences may be a bit obvious (Stravinsky, Debussy, Wagner), but Holst absorbs them and creates his own distinctive sound world. I'm impressed that you managed to get tickets for this at the last minute. Here in London, that concert would have sold out months ago.

I've been a bit crap at going to concerts lately. I went to see Salome at Covent Garden on Wednesday and loved it. Unless I get my arse into gear and start booking some more tickets, my next concert is in early May; it's the second of two performances of Nono's Prometeo at the Royal Festival Hall. That should be interesting.

Yes, the complete Mandarin is marvelous.  Awhile back Boulez did it here with Chicago and it was one of my favorite concerts of the year.  And I like The Planets, too.  (I have enjoyed Dutoit's recording for many years.) 

And as far as getting tickets, my experience has been that there are almost always seats to be had, from those who cancel at the last minute and return tickets.  If you are patient and keep trying--and only need a single--you can often have success.

Very envious of the Salome and Nono!  Do report on the latter!  (Not much Nono gets performed here.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on March 16, 2008, 10:41:43 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on March 15, 2008, 09:06:15 AM
Tonight the BSO plays the Shostakovich Fifth, and the Schumann Piano Concerto with soloist Garrick Ohlsson

Indeed they did, and I could go, too, because Karl's wife did not feel way, but I was there on his side  ;D Thanks again for the ticket! It was a very good concert, and I was very impressed by Daniele Gatti's direction. I only have one album with him (Respighi's tone poems with the Santa Cecilia orchestra) and have never seen him conduct live or on video. His conducting techinque and contact with the orchestra is very good, very relaxed and laid back but effective and with natural authority. He was very much on top of things, obviously had a thought-through and ripened concept and let the orchestra play without micromanaging and drawing attention to himself, but he gave exactly the right signs at the right moments to shape the music in a nuanced way as it happened. From a conducting point of view, really first class, much better than a lot of the vain posers out there on the podiums. I am delighted to read that he will become MD of the Orchestra National de France, an orchestra whose very specific sound I have always liked. Thet will actually be coming to Boston next month, I hope I can go, even though that will still be with Masur who is OK but not necessarily someone I would go to see in concert if I had a fever.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 18, 2008, 06:34:12 AM
Tonight:

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde

Conductor: James Levine
Isolde: Deborah Voigt
Brangäne: Michelle DeYoung
Tristan: Gary Lehman
Kurwenal: Eike Wilm Schulte
King Marke: Matti Salminen

Still no word on whether the ailing Ben Heppner will sing Tristan at the HD film broadcast on Saturday afternoon...  :(

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Haffner on March 18, 2008, 06:38:27 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 18, 2008, 06:34:12 AM
Tonight:

Wagner: Tristan und Isolde

Conductor: James Levine
Isolde: Deborah Voigt
Brangäne: Michelle DeYoung
Tristan: Gary Lehman
Kurwenal: Eike Wilm Schulte
King Marke: Matti Salminen

Still no word on whether the ailing Ben Heppner will sing Tristan at the HD film broadcast on Saturday afternoon...  :(

--Bruce




Bruce, I am supremely envious. And I hope you have a terrific time!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 18, 2008, 06:44:39 AM
Quote from: Haffner on March 18, 2008, 06:38:27 AM



Bruce, I am supremely envious. And I hope you have a terrific time!

Thanks, Haffner!  I'm very much looking forward to it.  I've seen this production on television (with Heppner and Jane Eaglen, IIRC), and listened to it on the Saturday afternoon radio broadcast when it premiered in 1999, but haven't seen it in the house.  I do like the production--a lot.  Lots of cool photos of it, here (http://66.187.153.86/Imgs/TristanIsolde0708.htm).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on March 18, 2008, 06:49:54 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 18, 2008, 06:44:39 AM
I do like the production--a lot.  Lots of cool photos of it, here (http://66.187.153.86/Imgs/TristanIsolde0708.htm).

Had it not been for the legends I couldn't have told Isolde from Brangaene. Actually, I could have had it the other way around, as Brangaene looks slightly younger.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 18, 2008, 06:56:46 AM
IIRC when the production premiered there was a most unfortunate photo in the paper, with Heppner and Eaglen...and a large rock.  All three pretty much looked the same.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on March 18, 2008, 07:03:36 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 18, 2008, 06:56:46 AM
IIRC when the production premiered there was a most unfortunate photo in the paper, with Heppner and Eaglen...and a large rock.  All three pretty much looked the same.

--Bruce

:D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 18, 2008, 10:43:02 AM
Quote from: Novitiate on March 04, 2008, 02:08:14 AM

Peter Hill, piano recital

Messiaen: La Colombe; Morceau de lecture a vue; Le Tombeau de Paul Dukas
Le Merle Bleu, Le Traquet stapazin, Canteyodjaya, L'Alouette lulu

A belated report :).

I enjoyed this recital very much. The colourful pieces from Catalogue contrasted nicely with the earlier works, with a bit of Bach thrown in for good measure. Hill isn't flashy but gets the colours and tones just right, IMO.

In fact, it turned out to be almost a full day of Messiaen. In the afternoon, Peter Hill gave a talk on Messiaen's use of birdsong, charting his progression from the earlier ornithologically 'fundamentalist' phase of Réveil des Oiseaux, when he insisted that he was merely transcribing nature, in a 'sing, Heav'nly Muse' kind of way I guess, through to a more flexible use in Oiseaux exotiques, and ultimately to the complex licence of Catalogue d'oiseaux.

While Messiaen made many field trips, he also worked from recordings, and what is really great is that Hill has managed to locate a few of these. He matched these with the relevant sections from Messiaen's notebooks (apparently he's left a huge archive). This was the most interesting part of the paper: to hear the passage of birdsong while following Messiaen's notation; then to hear the passage played as a single line; then the final incarnation (I think it was Oiseaux exotiques - can't remember after this time :-[).

This was followed by a paper on Et Expecto Resurrectionem Mortuorum by a Professor Nigel Simeone, who'd co-authored a biography of Messiaen with Peter Hill. Another good talk, this time more focused on the historical context of the piece. Interesting to note that after hearing Boulez conduct the piece, Messiaen wrote in his notes, 'formidable!!!' with the three exclamation marks :). The talk was complemented by a performance from the RSAMD students: impressive, although the hall was perhaps a bit too echo-y and resonant.

Apparently there will be an outdoor performance of Et Expecto on a mountain somewhere in France this summer. Can't remember the details though, but sounds pretty cool.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dana on March 18, 2008, 06:26:50 PM
      I saw Micheal Tilson Thomas and the San Fransisco Symphony last Friday and well... I was impressed :) They are the single most underrated orchestra in all of America. I say this because most people I speak to seem to be under the impression that while they're a good orchestra, they can't stand toe to toe with the New York Philharmonics and Philadelphia Orchestras (maybe this is only an East Coast superiority complex?). Stated simply, they can. They can, they can, they can.
      The program opened with Sibelius' 7th, which was the reason I attended the concert (aside from my curiosity regarding the orchestra). It's my favorite Sibelius, and MTT played it as the late romantic symphony that it is. While honoring the rough four-movement outline that most theorists and conductors have applied to the symphony, this performance, more than any I've heard before, unified the symphony into a single romantic work. The orchestra played to the works strength as struggling, deeply romantic melodies rested atop Sibelius' characteristic sound-blocks, and they got more character out of the scherzo-section than most others that I've heard.
      The other half of the program, was the one which I was most skeptical about. Beethoven's 3rd, it seemed to me, did not play to MTT's strengths of sensitivity and romanticism. For me, this symphony has always been primarily a classically influenced symphony of epic proportions, and much to my relief, that was how MTT played it. The orchestra scaled back their interpretive attentiveness just so much that it wasn't ridiculously romantic, but it still had a lot of flavor to it, especially the first movement. You could clearly hear how Haydn's compositional style influenced Beethoven, even as he was busting every mold that had ever been conceived.
      MTT has gotten a very European sound from the strings. I haven't heard such a homogeneous sound from the strings since the Vienna Philharmonic was in town last year (and I in no way mean that as an insult). The brass and woodwinds similarly showcased their ensemble. There's entering together, and there's entering as a single unit, and this orchestra had every single one of their entrances down pat (there was a single botched entrance in the entire performance). As for MTT himself, he looked like every caricature I've ever seen of Stokowski; the man looked downright ridiculous, and I don't think most of the techniques he used would ever be found in any conducting textbook (especially cut-offs). However, the ensemble trusted him completely, and there's no arguing with the kind of sound the orchestra produced.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 25, 2008, 05:29:35 AM
Tonight, the first concert of Keys to the Future, a 3-night festival of contemporary piano music played by some excellent musicians. 

Louis Andriessen: The Memory of Roses (1993)
Poul Ruders: Star-Prelude and Love Fugue (1990)
Joan Tower: Throbbing Still (2000)
John Fitz Rogers: Variations (2003)
Joseph Rubenstein: Romance No. 2 (aurora)* (2007)
Henry Martin: Preludes and Fugues (4 selections) (1998)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: c#minor on March 25, 2008, 11:34:20 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on March 15, 2008, 09:06:15 AM
Tonight the BSO plays the Shostakovich Fifth, and the Schumann Piano Concerto with soloist Garrick Ohlsson


Ahhh i saw him play the Schumann Concerto with the Nashville Symphony, then he gave an encore with a Chopin Nocturne. It was great.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 26, 2008, 12:02:49 PM
Tonight, the second concert of Keys to the Future.  I've actually heard Bolcom's Graceful Ghost, a nostalgic little bit of ragtime.

Chester Biscardi: Incitation to Desire (1984)
Hans Otte: Book of Sounds #11 (1982)
David Rakowski: Four Études (1997-2002)
Martin Kennedy: Theme and Variations (2004)
Charles Wuorinen: Bagatelle (1988)
William Bolcom: Graceful Ghost (1970) 
John Musto: In Stride (1994) 
Elena Kats-Chernin: Backstage Rag (1999)
John Halle: Rozology (2000)
Derek Bermel: Carnaval Noir (1997)**

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 27, 2008, 07:37:44 AM
Tomorrow night:

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Thomas Adès, Conductor
Stephen Wallace, Countertenor (Pleasure)
William Purefoy, Countertenor (Truth)
Christopher Lemmings, Tenor (Beauty)
Roderick Williams, Baritone (Deceit)
Stephen Richardson, Bass (Time)

GERALD BARRY: The Triumph of Beauty and Deceit (Concert Performance, NY Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 28, 2008, 08:35:03 AM
And on Sunday, this concert:

The MET Chamber Ensemble
James Levine, Artistic Director and Conductor

Mozart: Serenade in B-flat Major, K. 361, "Gran Partita" 
Gunther Schuller: Grand Concerto for Percussion and Keyboards (NY Premiere) 
Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 28, 2008, 09:11:51 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 28, 2008, 08:35:03 AM
Mozart: Serenade in B-flat Major, K. 361, "Gran Partita" 

Ah, Bruce!  Envy isn't the word.  Just love this work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 28, 2008, 10:27:57 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 28, 2008, 09:11:51 AM
Ah, Bruce!  Envy isn't the word.  Just love this work.

These MET Chamber Orchestra concerts are usually great.  The musicians play with such passion--as if they've been set free from the opera house pit and given the chance to do stuff they never play normally.  I imagine it will be quite something.  (Plus, I haven't heard Eine Kleine in decades, by anyone, so that will be fun, actually.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on March 28, 2008, 12:00:29 PM
APN News & Media Premier Series 2008 Concert 3

Thu 3 Apr 2008 8:00pm - Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

Rachmaninov & Brahms
     

Johannes Fritzsch Conductor
John Chen Piano
   
Glinka   Overture to Rusian and Ludmila                   
Rachmaninov  Piano Concerto No. 2 
Brahms   Symphony No. 2

Auckland favourite John Chen returns to perform one of the great piano showpieces: Rachmaninov's magnificent second concerto. After the interval, Brahms' moving and joyous second symphony under the expert baton of maestro Johannes Fritzsch.

Should be a good one.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 28, 2008, 12:16:25 PM
Nice program!  That Glinka is one of my alltime favorites, too...

PS, I don't know why I didn't find it before, but the Auckland Town Hall looks like a cool place to hear a concert! 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on March 28, 2008, 12:48:16 PM
Quote from: bhodges on March 28, 2008, 12:16:25 PM
Nice program!  That Glinka is one of my alltime favorites, too...

PS, I don't know why I didn't find it before, but the Auckland Town Hall looks like a cool place to hear a concert! 

--Bruce

Hi Bruce:

Yes, the Auckland Town Hall is a wonderful building. It has a great reputation for its superb acoustics.

Theres an underground carpark from which you emerge at the Town Halls front door and a great Japanese resturant next door which we usually frequent before a concert.

All in all it makes for a perfect evening of life and music  :)

By the way, I'm not familiar with the Glinka so that will be the musical surprise for the night.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 28, 2008, 01:00:36 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on March 28, 2008, 12:48:16 PM
Hi Bruce:

Yes, the Auckland Town Hall is a wonderful building. It has a great reputation for its superb acoustics.

Theres an underground carpark from which you emerge at the Town Halls front door and a great Japanese resturant next door which we usually frequent before a concert.

All in all it makes for a perfect evening of life and music  :)

By the way, I'm not familiar with the Glinka so that will be the musical surprise for the night.  ;)

All sounds totally great, including the Japanese food. 

The Glinka is one of my favorite overtures.  It is fast and very infectious.  (I've heard Gergiev and the Kirov do it as an encore--lots of fun!)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on March 28, 2008, 05:04:08 PM
Last Tuesday: WTC excerpts with Angela Hewitt, Gabrieli brass canzoni (MSO brass) and the Bruckner 5th symphony with the Montreal Symphony under Nagano.

My first ever 5th symphony in concert. Kent Nagano had come up with the bizarre idea of a first half comprised of solo piano and brass pieces. No orchestra. Angela Hewitt played 3 P&F from the Well-Tempered Piano Grand, while members of the orchestra's brass played two canzoni by Giovanni Gabrieli in alternance with the piano works. The idea, you see, was to offer a program based on counterpoint (incl. fugue). Not a bad plan, as it offered an interesting variety of repertoire, eras, styles, sonorities. If one was game enough, it made for a different kind of Evening at the Symphony.

Pianist Hewitt is well-known as a Bach specialist, but there's no way she can make us think of what she played as anything other than a travesty of how the music was conceived and how it must have sounded in the 1700s. This was heart on sleeve playing of the grandest kind, with myriad agogic and tempo adjustments always used to colour the music in the most ravishing shades of pastel. The Gabrieli works were something else altogether, grandly sonorous and also, of necessity, completely divorced from its more than 400 years' probable sonoristic complexion. I don't know what kind of trombones and sackbuts were used back then (around 1595), but it can't have been that kind of burnished, resonant sound.

The main offering was described in the local papers as "rather good". Plain as it may look, it's quite an appropriate assessment. One reviewer pointed to the fact that this reading was very removed from the intimate connection we've heard Franz-Paul Decker bring to his Bruckner in Montreal. Quite true.

Approximate timings were 21 - 18 -15 and 24. Technically it was generally well conceived, save for a much too slow scherzo and an indifferent, nondescript adagio.The orchestral detail Nagano brought out was sometimes mesmerizing in its beautiful complexity. It was fascinating to watch the interplay of string voices, the really surprising brass lines. Textures kept changing from 2 horns here to 4 the minute after, then 3, or 5, etc. Trumpets also switched from 2 to 4, to 1 or 3. I had no idea there was so many minute adjustments to the textures.

On a technical level this was excellent. The strings and winds in particular were unfailingly beautiful and sonorous. But it was not really more than that. I never, at any moment, sensed any real tension in the playing, any involvement from the podium. Considering the ultimately blah result, I wonder: What for? Who ever told Nagano he was a brucknerian? ::) After his lackadaisical, spent 9th and this polished but uninvolved 5th, I think the jury has enough evidence to damn him with the faintest praise.  Would that he'd turn his attention to repertoire where comparisons will not inevitably turn in his disfavour: some Martinu, Schmitt, Prokofiev, Nielsen, Villa-Lobos for example...

The house was packed.  2950 seats, with a real pair of buns on each. At first I thought people were showing up for the soloist and I wasn't sure all would stay after the intermission, but no, all these buns came back in place for the Bruckner. Dear Anton has always drawn big crowds here, and that can be attributed to the longstanding tradition initiated by Decker. He has the knack to bring fire and dedication to the orchestra when they play that composer's symphonies. He's scheduled to be back next season, which will mark the orchestra's 75th anniversary. I hope he conducts some Bruckner (I'd love to hear him in the 8th!).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on March 28, 2008, 06:05:00 PM
Tomorrow night, I am going to the BSO. They will play Bartók’s 3rd piano concerto with András Schiff and Schubert's Great C major symphony - probably my favorite piece of music. The baton will be operated by Bernard Haitink.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on March 28, 2008, 06:45:50 PM
Next Sunday a cello friend will be performing a recital that I've been looking forward to since he first told me that he was thinking of doing.  The major works are Bach and Britten's first suite there are 2 filler pieces that I'm not sure what they are.   

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bonehelm on March 29, 2008, 12:26:46 AM
April 2, 2008

Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Lambert Orkis, piano

Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 2
     in A major, Op. 100 d
Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1
     in G major, Op. 78 d
Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3
     in D minor, Op. 108 d


Benaroya Hall, Seattle


As part of our orchestra's US tour in April.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Guido on April 01, 2008, 06:50:16 AM
Tonight I am going to the Cadogan Hall London to see RVW Tallis Fantasia, Finzi Cello Concerto and RVW Symphony no.5. I am really looking forward to it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2008, 06:57:35 AM
Quote from: Guido on April 01, 2008, 06:50:16 AM
Tonight I am going to the Cadogan Hall London to see RVW Tallis Fantasia, Finzi Cello Concerto and RVW Symphony no.5. I am really looking forward to it.

Great program!  I don't know that Finzi at all...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2008, 08:29:31 AM
Tonight, the second concert of the MATA Festival (http://www.matafestival.org/index.html), celebrating young composers.  The venue is a hoot: the Brooklyn Lyceum (below), formerly "Public Bath #7," with separate entrances for men and women.  Some of the tile is still on the walls (and even a little mildew smell as well). 

This will also be my first time with this Boston group, and I hear they are excellent.

Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Gil Rose, conductor

(All New York premieres)

Alejandro Rutty: The Conscious Sleepwalker Loops (MATA commission)
Ken Ueno: On a Sufficient Condition for the Existence of Most Specific Hypothesis, Ken Ueno, throat singer
Derek Hurst: Clades, Concerto for the Firebird Ensemble
Lisa Bielawa: Double Violin Concerto, Colin Jacobsen and Carla Kihlstedt, violins

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Guido on April 01, 2008, 05:12:34 PM
Wow that looks like an excieitng concert - do report back!

The concert was very enjoyable, though the Finzi concerto was a little rough I thought. It is an immense work of the absolute highest quality and is probably his best work (I ama huge Fnzi fan) - an absolute must. Get the naxos recording with Tim Hugh - easily the best around, and it comes coupled the incredibly beautiful Eclogue for piano and strings, and the spiffy Grand Fantasia and Toccata. One of my favourite CDs.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 02, 2008, 06:15:52 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 01, 2008, 08:29:31 AM
Tonight, the second concert of the MATA Festival (http://www.matafestival.org/index.html), celebrating young composers.  The venue is a hoot: the Brooklyn Lyceum (below), formerly "Public Bath #7," with separate entrances for men and women.  Some of the tile is still on the walls (and even a little mildew smell as well). 

This will also be my first time with this Boston group, and I hear they are excellent.

Boston Modern Orchestra Project
Gil Rose, conductor

(All New York premieres)

Alejandro Rutty: The Conscious Sleepwalker Loops (MATA commission)
Ken Ueno: On a Sufficient Condition for the Existence of Most Specific Hypothesis, Ken Ueno, throat singer
Derek Hurst: Clades, Concerto for the Firebird Ensemble
Lisa Bielawa: Double Violin Concerto, Colin Jacobsen and Carla Kihlstedt, violins

--Bruce

This concert was notable just as much for the buzz as for the music: there must have been around 500 people packed into the space.  I overheard someone say, "It's a great night for new music," and it would be hard to disagree, with all the people crammed in.  (Extra chairs were brought upstairs, for the balcony ledge overlooking the stage.)  The clear favorites were Alejandro Rutty and Lisa Bielawa's pieces, although all four had their moments.  Rutty's work sounded almost like a Hollywood film score--sort of--interrupted with extreme dissonances and other things.  Bielawa wrote for Carla Kihlstedt, who sings while playing violin, so the obvious question is who will be able to do this piece afterward? 

I'm going back on Friday for the final concert, featuring two groups, Either/Or and Newspeak:

Either/Or
Richard Carrick: Towards Qualia
Andrew Byrne: White Bone Country

Newspeak
Missy Mazzoli: In Spite of All This
David T. Little: sweet, light, crude
Oscar Bettison: Breaking and Entering (with aggravated assault)

Members of Either/Or & Newspeak
Sean Griffin: Buffalo '70 (world premiere, MATA commission)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hornteacher on April 06, 2008, 01:42:35 PM
In a few weeks the Charlotte Symphony is playing the following:

Mozart's Ballet Music from Idomemeo
Barber's Violin Concerto
Dvorak's New World Symphony

Looking forward to it very much.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Danny on April 06, 2008, 03:39:51 PM
Next Friday/Saturday, octogenarian Leon Fleisher will be in Modesto, playing with the legenday and world famous Modesto Symphony Orchestra at the newly created Gallo Center for the Arts.  Look foward to these performances, I do. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 07, 2008, 06:12:52 AM
Tonight in Ludwighafen, the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz in an all Russian program:

Stravinsky Scherzo à la russe

Tschaikovsky Violin Concerto

Prokofiev Symphony No.5

Renaud Capucon, Violin
Jac van Steen, conducting



Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 07, 2008, 06:53:09 AM
This Saturday,April 12th (concert I've been looking forward to the most, other than Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 earlier this year :D)

DeBussy - La Mer

Bartok - Violin Concerto No. 1  Jinjoo Cho, violin

Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 Pastoral

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Shrunk on April 07, 2008, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 07, 2008, 06:53:09 AM
This Saturday,April 12th (concert I've been looking forward to the most, other than Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 earlier this year :D)

DeBussy - La Mer

Bartok - Violin Concerto No. 1  Jinjoo Cho, violin

Beethoven - Symphony No. 6 Pastoral

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate

I'm originally from Winnipeg, and as a student worked at the Centennial Concert Hall, so got to see lots of WSO shows for free.  How is the symphony doing these days?

Two of my most anticipated shows are coming up here in Toronto.

On April 12, countertenor Daniel Taylor and soprano Carolyn Sampson will be performing Handel arias with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. (http://www.tafelmusik.org/index.htm) 

Then, on the 27th, it's a performance of Idomeneo by the period ensemble Opera Atelier (http://www.operaatelier.com), with Measha Brueggergosman as Elettra.  Toronto's a HIP town!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 07, 2008, 10:15:20 AM
Quote from: Shrunk on April 07, 2008, 08:41:01 AM
I'm originally from Winnipeg, and as a student worked at the Centennial Concert Hall, so got to see lots of WSO shows for free.  How is the symphony doing these days?

WSO is doing fantastic!  Attendance is up, and it seems like more younger people are attending concerts.  Alexander Mickelthwate, our young conductor, has brought a lot of vigour, energy and passion to the WSO, and you can feel it anytime he is present.  There have already been 3 sell-out concerts this season, when there hadn't been any in several years.

I really think the sky is the limit for Maestro Mickelthwate.  I see him going places.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on April 07, 2008, 05:21:59 PM
Seen a couple of good ones lately in Houston....and have two in May to look forward to, namely Mahler 2nd under HSO Music Director Hans Graf.

Saturday I saw:

Part: Cantus in Memoriam for Benjamin Britten
Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
(Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

Houston Symphony
Kwame Ryan, conductor


Sidenote here: Mr. Ryan is a young Canadian/Trinidadian African-American, which is refreshing to see, and quite talented and expressive, with round sweeping arms and excellent clear technique. He excelled most in slow movements, the Part Cantus and the 2nd mvmt of LvB were outstanding, where he drew very fine musical playing from the orchestra. And Thibaudet was incredible!

The Thursday before last, a very interesting concert at the Rice University Shepherd School of Music (which our Brian also attended) in tribute to retired CSO principal trumpet Adolph 'Bud' Herseth, who was also there in attendance (resplendent in emerald green blazer and lemon colored tie!) It featured the Shepherd School Brass Choir and the Houston Symphony and Grand Opera trumpet sections in a variety of great brass music.

Two neat new pieces we heard were a world premiere of a jazzy piece for 12 trumpets by Arthur Gottschalk called fittingly "220 S. Michigan Avenue", dedicated to Herseth, and a colorful piece called "Fandango" for horn quartet that took advantage of a lot of contemporary techniques.

Most impressive were the Rice Univ students opening up with a rip-roaring DSCH "Festive Overture", the runs navigated with aplomb and antiphonal symphony/opera trumpets in the balcony, and Wagner's "Gathering of the Armies on the River Scheldt", from "Lohengrin" also with all players and offstage placement. And a piece I absolutely loved that I was not aware of before was the closer by Henri Tomasi called "Fanfares Liturgiques", a weighty and gorgeous over 20min work for 20 brass and percussion, breathtaking live!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 07, 2008, 05:55:56 PM
The Montreal Symphony's 2008-9 season has ben unveiled and there's the usual assortment of the good, the bad and the ugly. Unfortunately the sole Bruckner (7) is entrusted to Nagano :P. Our echt-brucknerian, Franz-Paul Decker, will be conducting yet another asinine 'Viennese evening' assortment of waltzes and polkas. But he will also be conducting the other Strauss in the Bourgeois Gentillhomme suite, Burleske (Hamelin) and the Sinfonia Domestica. I'll make sure to buy tickets for that one!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Henk on April 10, 2008, 08:28:21 AM
Tonight I'm going to hear the North Netherlands Orchestra which will perform Bruckner 7 and a new piece by  Zuidam. I'm very curious. It's the first time I go to a concert since I've been listening classical music. I hope I'll appreciate Bruckner live more.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on April 10, 2008, 12:33:46 PM
Quote from: Henk on April 10, 2008, 08:28:21 AM
Tonight I'm going to hear the North Netherlands Orchestra which will perform Bruckner 7 and a new piece by  Zuidam. I'm very curious. It's the first time I go to a concert since I've been listening classical music. I hope I'll appreciate Bruckner live more.

Cool! Enjoy your concert and be sure to report back :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Henk on April 10, 2008, 01:22:31 PM
Quote from: Novitiate on April 10, 2008, 12:33:46 PM
Cool! Enjoy your concert and be sure to report back :).

I was impressed by the concert. I could really feel the greatness of Bruckner's symphony. But that don't make me like Bruckner. It's great but not beautifull IMO and that gave me an unsatisfied feeling. Music should be beautifull in the first place.
Going to listen to Shostakovich 10 next. Maybe that's both great and beautifull. I know a symphony which is, Ives' 4th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 10, 2008, 05:57:45 PM
Henk, beauty is what Bruckner's music is all about. But it's a mature kind of beauty. Beauty of what's thought, not of what's seen (heard). And Bruckner was not his own best advocate. If he had cared about popularity, he would have composed differently. I trust that if you find it great, you will find it beautiful in the long run. After 35 years of brucknerian passion, I hear so much more beauty now than at the beginning. The music's sheer greatness just obscured it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich on April 10, 2008, 08:22:54 PM
Quote from: Henk on April 10, 2008, 01:22:31 PMI was impressed by the concert. I could really feel the greatness of Bruckner's symphony. But that don't make me like Bruckner. It's great but not beautifull IMO and that gave me an unsatisfied feeling.

Eeek! Bruckner #7? The first 2 movements are the definition of beauty! :) Honestly, for me those movements describe pretty much what beauty is. The 2nd movement, the music for the "master of all masters", is additionally an extraordinary piece of funeral music. It works. At least on the long run. BTW, has the climax in the 2nd mvmt been played with a cymbal?  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Henk on April 11, 2008, 01:03:18 AM
Ok, I think I'm wrong about it then. I think I've to be patient to appreciate Bruckner more. However another drawback to Bruckner: a guy said to me Bruckner as well as Mahler repeat the same things in their compositions, their compositions are not so different from each other. I haven't notice it myself but this guy has a lot knowledge about classical music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 11, 2008, 04:55:49 PM
There's always two sides to a coin. Truth is just the opinion of the majority. Having a recognizable aesthetic and style is another way of saying a composer may seem to repeat himself form one work to another. That's why after a while you'll never mistake Schumann for Mendelssohn ;).  You're not 'wrong', it's just a question of keeping your options open and not jumping to conclusions.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on April 12, 2008, 12:03:01 AM
Apparently I'm not looking forward to a Sokolov recital next month in Glasgow :'(:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/leading-articles/leading-article-tone-deaf-807767.html

Quote
Mr Sokolov has been put off by the Home Office's new requirement that anyone applying for a UK work visa must supply their biometric data before entering the country. Mr Sokolov would prefer to stay at home than submit to this. This is Mr Sokolov's personal choice, of course. But it seems worth asking whether it makes sense for Britain to lose the opportunity to hear such a brilliant musician because of some new visa procedures?

Pity - we don't get many piano recitals and I'd been looking forward to this one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on April 12, 2008, 08:28:16 PM
You guys should cut Henk some slack here. After all, he said it was his first live concert experience - and who knows how Bruckner 7 sounds when played by the "North Netherlands Orchestra"?  :P Maybe his observation was simply correct.  0:)

However, I think that most experienced listeners will agree with the above posters that there are indeed very few more sheerly beautiful pieces of music than this. The long sweeping opening theme alone must be one of the most beautiful "melodies" ever thought up - and it gets better and better because Bruckner does so much with the material. Anyway, I am sure Henk will eventually find to that music. It is also quite a big piece to be confronted with, especially for "beginners". It is not that easy to follow, and and a lot of listeners blank out at some point.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 12, 2008, 08:39:36 PM
Quote from: Greta on April 07, 2008, 05:21:59 PM
The Thursday before last, a very interesting concert at the Rice University Shepherd School of Music (which our Brian also attended)
Oh! Hello! :)
Quote from: Greta on April 07, 2008, 05:21:59 PMin tribute to retired CSO principal trumpet Adolph 'Bud' Herseth, who was also there in attendance (resplendent in emerald green blazer and lemon colored tie!) It featured the Shepherd School Brass Choir and the Houston Symphony and Grand Opera trumpet sections in a variety of great brass music. ... a piece I absolutely loved that I was not aware of before was the closer by Henri Tomasi called "Fanfares Liturgiques", a weighty and gorgeous over 20min work for 20 brass and percussion, breathtaking live!!
Got to agree with you on the Tomasi. That was a fabulous surprise all around.

Just got back from the Cuarteto Latinoamericano and guitarist Manuel Barrueco doing a couple hours of Latin American music by Revueltas, Piazzolla, and Rice University alum Gabriela Lena Frank. The highlight, in my view, was a suite by Barrios for solo guitar; the quintet's encore was the inevitable, glorious "Libertango". A good time was had by all...

Friday night it was the Houston Grand Opera's new production of La boheme. The bad news is that the Rodolfo (a certain Garrett Sorenson) was simply unforgivable; his Rodolfo was timid and lame, his voice did not project at all, and he was often washed out by the sound of the orchestra or, in duet, by Marcello's voice! A disaster. Fortunately, the supporting cast was fabulous, the sets were mighty fine, the orchestra played the pants of the piece, and Marcello and Musetta were sung terrifically. But the real news - Ana Maria Martinez as Mimi. She was impossibly beautiful - in the quietest moments, one could feel the audience leaning forward to listen to her. What a unique voice, soothing, rich and just plain gorgeous. I hope that we'll be hearing an awful lot more of her in the future, and I hope too that I'll get to see this opera again (putting up with the crap Rodolfo) to hear Ms Martinez once more.

In fact, quite frankly the largest disappointment of the night was finding out that Ana Maria is married. Now what am I going to do?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Henk on April 13, 2008, 10:40:15 AM
Quote from: M forever on April 12, 2008, 08:28:16 PM
You guys should cut Henk some slack here. After all, he said it was his first live concert experience - and who knows how Bruckner 7 sounds when played by the "North Netherlands Orchestra"?  :P Maybe his observation was simply correct.  0:)

However, I think that most experienced listeners will agree with the above posters that there are indeed very few more sheerly beautiful pieces of music than this. The long sweeping opening theme alone must be one of the most beautiful "melodies" ever thought up - and it gets better and better because Bruckner does so much with the material. Anyway, I am sure Henk will eventually find to that music. It is also quite a big piece to be confronted with, especially for "beginners". It is not that easy to follow, and and a lot of listeners blank out at some point.

I think the performance by the NNO was fine. There was a very huge applause and I don't think all these people were wrong. The performance sounded fine to me as well. Also the conductor, Tabachnik, seemed very professional and energetic.
I think I just have to get used with this kind of music, more then it's a question of to follow it in the sense that I can follow also music which is more "difficult" then Bruckner's.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on April 13, 2008, 10:55:35 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 12, 2008, 08:39:36 PM

Just got back from the Cuarteto Latinoamericano and guitarist Manuel Barrueco doing a couple hours of Latin American music by Revueltas,
I've got their disc of the Revueltas quartets coming in the mail.

For me it is Bach BWV 21/31 the coming Saturday with local forces, Richard Thompson in early May as well as Gurrelieder as part of the Bergen Festival.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Haffner on April 13, 2008, 04:19:47 PM
Quote from: Henk on April 11, 2008, 01:03:18 AM
Ok, I think I'm wrong about it then. I think I've to be patient to appreciate Bruckner more. However another drawback to Bruckner: a guy said to me Bruckner as well as Mahler repeat the same things in their compositions, their compositions are not so different from each other. I haven't notice it myself but this guy has a lot knowledge about classical music.



There are a couple of mutual quotes, especially in the middle Symphonies of each. I believe it would have been Mahler quoting Bruckner. Also, there is a strong Tristan und Isolde vibe to the Mahler's 9th. Most would notice it right off.

That written, composers quote from each other quite alot. Takes nothing away from what they accomplished. In some ways, it enhances it, because it can be fun to "pick" familiar stuff out!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Haffner on April 13, 2008, 04:22:10 PM
Quote from: M forever on April 12, 2008, 08:28:16 PM
You guys should cut Henk some slack here. After all, he said it was his first live concert experience - and who knows how Bruckner 7 sounds when played by the "North Netherlands Orchestra"?  :P Maybe his observation was simply correct.  0:)

However, I think that most experienced listeners will agree with the above posters that there are indeed very few more sheerly beautiful pieces of music than this. The long sweeping opening theme alone must be one of the most beautiful "melodies" ever thought up - and it gets better and better because Bruckner does so much with the material. Anyway, I am sure Henk will eventually find to that music. It is also quite a big piece to be confronted with, especially for "beginners". It is not that easy to follow, and and a lot of listeners blank out at some point.



I was awestruck from the very first listening to Bruckner's 7th, and I agree here. The ending of the first movement makes the length of it completely transform in retrospect. As soon as I heard the violins in the last bars, behind the monumental melody, I was hitting the "repeat" button. The rest of the symphony is just as extraordinary.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on April 13, 2008, 08:18:52 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 07, 2008, 10:15:20 AM
WSO is doing fantastic!  Attendance is up, and it seems like more younger people are attending concerts.  Alexander Mickelthwate, our young conductor, has brought a lot of vigour, energy and passion to the WSO, and you can feel it anytime he is present.  There have already been 3 sell-out concerts this season, when there hadn't been any in several years.

I really think the sky is the limit for Maestro Mickelthwate.  I see him going places.  :)

That's great to hear about Alexander.  I was in school with him and played in one of his degree recitals as well as in the orchestra that played for the conducting class.  Terrific to hear that he's doing good work.

Allan 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on April 13, 2008, 08:41:47 PM
Quote from: Henk on April 13, 2008, 10:40:15 AM
I think the performance by the NNO was fine. There was a very huge applause and I don't think all these people were wrong.

That's the second time now within just a few posts that you go "this guy knows a lot about classical music, so he must be right" and "I don't think these people were wrong". The point of a discussion forum is to share and discuss *your* opinions, not report those of others.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 14, 2008, 04:00:15 AM
Quote from: toledobass on April 13, 2008, 08:18:52 PM
That's great to hear about Alexander.  I was in school with him and played in one of his degree recitals as well as in the orchestra that played for the conducting class.  Terrific to hear that he's doing good work.

Allan 

His enthuasiasm is contagious.  I enjoy listening to his pre-concert chats, great sense of humor.

Thanks for your reply Allan.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 15, 2008, 05:17:21 PM
Quote from: M forever on April 13, 2008, 08:41:47 PM
That's the second time now within just a few posts that you go "this guy knows a lot about classical music, so he must be right" and "I don't think these people were wrong". The point of a discussion forum is to share and discuss *your* opinions, not report those of others.

I may be wrong, but I think a lot of first-timers form an opinion out of some sort of consensus. First reaction is often to open the morning papers to find out what the professional critic wrote. And eventually buy a Penguin guide or something similar. Useful, but ultimately not conducive to helping forge an informed opinion. It can take years to shake these habits.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 16, 2008, 06:58:21 AM
Tomorrow night:

eighth blackbird
Susan Marshall, Stage Direction

Steve Reich: Double Sextet (NY Premiere, Co-commissioned by The Carnegie Hall Corporation
David Lang/Michael Gordon/Julia Wolfe: singing in the dead of night (NY Premiere; with stage direction by Susan Marshall)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 17, 2008, 09:10:37 PM
Just opened my school's newspaper to see what kind of edits my opera review was subjected to. Mostly they left what I had written intact, but for some reason half of the final sentence got cut off, so that the whole conclusion is completely nonsensical.

Original final sentence:

"Music lovers who have never seen an opera before should take warning before hearing her [soprano Ana Maria Martinez]: they might just fall in love."

New final sentence:

"Music lovers who have never seen an opera before should take warning before hearing her:"      [that's it, no period even]

Ha! Ha! Uh ... is that funny?  ??? I prefer to think of it as postmodern absurdism.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on April 18, 2008, 04:40:41 AM
Ouch, Brian.....

guess she's not gonna be able to use that in here bio materials!!!!


Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 18, 2008, 06:03:08 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 17, 2008, 09:10:37 PM
Just opened my school's newspaper to see what kind of edits my opera review was subjected to. Mostly they left what I had written intact, but for some reason half of the final sentence got cut off, so that the whole conclusion is completely nonsensical.

Original final sentence:

"Music lovers who have never seen an opera before should take warning before hearing her [soprano Ana Maria Martinez]: they might just fall in love."

New final sentence:

"Music lovers who have never seen an opera before should take warning before hearing her:"      [that's it, no period even]

Ha! Ha! Uh ... is that funny?  ??? I prefer to think of it as postmodern absurdism.

Well isn't that ridiculous!  Sorry that your well-designed structure got torpedoed... :(

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 18, 2008, 06:09:23 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 17, 2008, 09:10:37 PM
"Music lovers who have never seen an opera before should take warning before hearing her:"      [that's it, no period even]

Ha! Ha! Uh ... is that funny?  ??? I prefer to think of it as postmodern absurdism.

I hope they correct that in the next edition. Your editor is an idiot.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 18, 2008, 12:58:51 PM
Tomorrow night, this all-Stravinsky evening.  Repertoire aside, the interesting thing is the venue: the vast Park Avenue Armory (http://www.armoryonpark.org/index.php) (check the photo gallery!).  I've never been to a concert there, so I have no idea what the sound will be like. 

Stravinsky Festival

Vox Vocal Ensemble
Gotham City Orchestra
George Steel, conductor

Symphony of Psalms (1930)
Mass (1944-48)
Requiem Canticles (1965-66)
Variations (Aldous Huxley in memoriam) (1963-64)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on April 18, 2008, 01:47:26 PM
Quote from: bhodges on April 18, 2008, 12:58:51 PM
Tomorrow night, this all-Stravinsky evening.  Repertoire aside, the interesting thing is the venue: the vast Park Avenue Armory (http://www.armoryonpark.org/index.php) (check the photo gallery!).  I've never been to a concert there, so I have no idea what the sound will be like. 

Stravinsky Festival

Vox Vocal Ensemble
Gotham City Orchestra
George Steel, conductor

Symphony of Psalms (1930)
Mass (1944-48)
Requiem Canticles (1965-66)
Variations (Aldous Huxley in memoriam) (1963-64)

--Bruce
OK, I'm envious. Three of my favourite Stravinsky works on one concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Daedalus on April 20, 2008, 03:03:55 AM
Tonight I am seeing Valery Gergiev conduct the LSO at the Barbican in a performance of Strauss' Metamorphosen and Mahler's Symphony No. 2.  8)

I don't know much about the former piece of music, which I have just downloaded to have a quick listen to before I go, but I cannot wait to hear Symphony No. 2!

So far Gergiev's Mahler cycle has been hit (great 7th and 1st) and miss (average 5th). I think I will find out just how good a Mahler interpreter Gergiev is tonight with the fantastic and complex 2nd.

Anyone else going?

D.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on April 20, 2008, 09:45:29 AM
I wouldn't mind going but I am in Boston right now, that's kind of a long drive. Although I wouldn't be too keen to go to a concert at the Barbican, that hall totally sucks. Metamorphosen and Mahler 2? There may be a vague connection there between the two pieces because both are about loss and all that, but I think the symphony itself is quite enough. I haven't heard any Mahler conducted by Gergiev yet, but I am downloading the 3rd symphony right now a friend gave me a recording of the 3rd, so I guess I will listen to that later.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Daedalus on April 20, 2008, 03:22:30 PM
Quote from: M forever on April 20, 2008, 09:45:29 AM
Although I wouldn't be too keen to go to a concert at the Barbican, that hall totally sucks.

What have you got against the Barbican?  ???
I love that place!  :) It's my nearest major arts centre and the nearest place for me to get to see classical music live!
I don't actually live in London but I travel in by train and it's really the closest place for me to get to. Plus, the LSO are fantastic.

Quote
Metamorphosen and Mahler 2? There may be a vague connection there between the two pieces because both are about loss and all that, but I think the symphony itself is quite enough.

I think the connection between the pieces is a juxtaposition of darkness and light, plus despair and hope.
Metamorphosen is a doleful, melancholy piece for 23 strings expressing a great sadness at the end of WW2 and particularly of the death of culture and arts in Germany due to the atrocities. I have to say I really enjoyed this piece of music, having only listened to it twice before hearing it played at the concert.

Symphony no. 2 was just superb in my opinion. The first movement and third movement were excellently orchestrated by Gergiev in particular. I felt it nearly lost its way towards the end. But otherwise, there were many spine tingling moments for me and I felt that the LSO got everything just right (how I like it anyway!)

The only negative was the large amount of people coughing in the audience and not even waiting for a break between movements or a loud bit! Just coughing during the most heart-rendering parts. I wanted to throw them all out!  >:(
London crowds, eh?  ::)

D.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on April 20, 2008, 03:51:15 PM
Quote from: Daedalus on April 20, 2008, 03:22:30 PM
What have you got against the Barbican?  ???

The Barbican Centre as such is pretty nice and the hall has an OK athmosphere, too, but the acoustics are pretty bad, rather dry and muffled, if you sit further away from the orchestra, the music also happens quite far away. There are certainly worse halls, but there are also much better ones.

Quote from: Daedalus on April 20, 2008, 03:22:30 PM
Metamorphosen is a doleful, melancholy piece for 23 strings expressing a great sadness at the end of WW2 and particularly of the death of culture and arts in Germany due to the atrocities.

It's really more about the widespread destruction of the country and most of its artistic institutions, especially the opera houses in Dresden and Munich during the war. I find it a little eerie when I go to concerts in Boston because Symphony Hall is modelled after the old Gewandhaus in Leipzig - which is gone, like almost all the old opera houses and concert halls. Although the Nazis did indeed also do very massive damage to German culture and art in general, they didn't cause its death - it's still there and alive! And most of the arts institutions have been reconstructed or built new, so Germany still is the country with by far the greatest density of opera houses and concert venues.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Daedalus on April 21, 2008, 01:18:54 AM
Quote from: M forever on April 20, 2008, 03:51:15 PM
The Barbican Centre as such is pretty nice and the hall has an OK athmosphere, too, but the acoustics are pretty bad, rather dry and muffled, if you sit further away from the orchestra, the music also happens quite far away. There are certainly worse halls, but there are also much better ones.

I'd have to disagree with both of those statements and, in fact, reverse them.  :)
I find the atmosphere to be pretty bad and dry - London audiences often seem apathetic to me.
However, the acoustics are excellent as far as I am concerned and I don't experience any problems when sitting right at the back of the hall (although I prefer to sit somewhere in the middle but prices can dictate   ;D )

Quote
It's really more about the widespread destruction of the country and most of its artistic institutions, especially the opera houses in Dresden and Munich during the war.
Yes, that's pretty much what I said it was about  ;)
But you are absolutely right - the destruction of the artistic institutions, in particular, appears to have been the main motivation behind the dolorous nature of the piece. The quotation in the programme notes was something along the lines of 'Metamorphosen is a threnody for German musical life'. Strauss wrote the words 'In Memoriam!' underneath the score during the grief striken second theme. There is where Gergiev made the link to Symphony No. 2, I believe.

Another interesting point about the piece is that Strauss took the title from Goethe, who used the word metamorphosen to describe his mental development and his evolving complete works.

As I said before, I was rather charmed with the piece.  :)

D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on April 21, 2008, 09:16:16 AM
Quote from: M forever on April 20, 2008, 09:45:29 AM
I wouldn't mind going but I am in Boston right now, that's kind of a long drive. Although I wouldn't be too keen to go to a concert at the Barbican, that hall totally sucks. Metamorphosen and Mahler 2? There may be a vague connection there between the two pieces because both are about loss and all that, but I think the symphony itself is quite enough. I haven't heard any Mahler conducted by Gergiev yet, but I am downloading the 3rd symphony right now a friend gave me a recording of the 3rd, so I guess I will listen to that later.
It's probably a fairly banal observation, but I think the best pairing I've ever heard for Mahler 2 was on the original Double Decca reissue of Mehta's WP recording: preceding it with Schmidt's 4th symphony (one of the most profoundly gloomy yet non-theatrical pieces I know) really does generate a powerful "darkness to light" narrative.

But of course that would be way too long for an actual concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on April 21, 2008, 12:43:57 PM
Quote from: Daedalus on April 21, 2008, 01:18:54 AM
However, the acoustics are excellent as far as I am concerned and I don't experience any problems when sitting right at the back of the hall (although I prefer to sit somewhere in the middle but prices can dictate   ;D )

Have you ever been to a really good hall like the Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Philharmonie Berlin? If not, then I can promise you a very, very pleasant surprise about just how good some halls can sound. Not just in terms of timbre, but also dynamic response. You will be overwhelmed by just how much "bigger" that sound can be. The Barbican (and also the Royal Festival Hall) are well known and feared for their mediocre acoustics which is why all the live recordings made in the Barbican are extemely closemiked and very dry (which gives them rather good and clean definition, but also an unpleasant dry boxiness without much athmosphere).

Quote from: Daedalus on April 21, 2008, 01:18:54 AM
Another interesting point about the piece is that Strauss took the title from Goethe, who used the word metamorphosen to describe his mental development and his evolving complete works.

Interesting observation. I wasn't aware of that reference.

Quote from: Daedalus on April 21, 2008, 01:18:54 AM
Strauss wrote the words 'In Memoriam!' underneath the score during the grief striken second theme.

I haven't seen the score in many years, but IIRC, those words appear in the score at the end where the lower strings play the funeral march theme from the Eroica which is alluded to throughout the piece, but only appears in its complete original shape there at the end.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Daedalus on April 21, 2008, 01:18:45 PM
Quote from: M forever on April 21, 2008, 12:43:57 PM
Have you ever been to a really good hall like the Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Philharmonie Berlin? If not, then I can promise you a very, very pleasant surprise about just how good some halls can sound.

No, I must say that I have not been to any of the concert halls you mention.
I do visit different venues, however like I said before, the Barbican is the easiest venue for me to get to. I always enjoy the sound there - it is good enough for me!  ;D
I understand your point but you won't convince me to the contrary because I believe that you must always support your local venue!  ;) 

Quote
Interesting observation. I wasn't aware of that reference.

Yes, apparently Strauss set himself a project to read through his entire works before writing this piece. It's another interesting observation and one that might add to the interpretation of the piece when one considers Strauss's age at the time of composing Metamorphosen. Also, how about the way that the music gradual evolves itself?

Quote
I haven't seen the score in many years, but IIRC, those words appear in the score at the end where the lower strings play the funeral march theme from the Eroica which is alluded to throughout the piece, but only appears in its complete original shape there at the end.

Yes, I noted the Beethoven reference.
I have no doubt you are right about where it is marked upon the manuscript. I was quoting from the programme notes and I may well have got that detail wrong.

Thank you for your comments about Metamophosen. As I said in my opening post, the piece was new to me prior to the concert and I can now turn to it with new knowledge and unlock new meanings.  :)

D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 21, 2008, 02:06:47 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 18, 2008, 06:09:23 AM
I hope they correct that in the next edition. Your editor is an idiot.

Sarge
Update, there is no next edition - it was the last newspaper of the year.  ;D  I've had a lot of people ask me what the sentence was supposed to be...

But, I hope the editor's not an idiot. While they were working on the paper I stopped by and brought them cookies, so I hope I didn't waste any precious dessert materials.  >:( :D

This weekend I am looking forward to seeing a live re-creation of the album Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, employing 40 Houston-area musicians, including sitarists, tablas, and more.  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Haffner on April 21, 2008, 04:20:48 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 21, 2008, 02:06:47 PM
I hope I didn't waste any precious dessert materials.  >:( :D



I hate it when that happens!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 21, 2008, 06:48:52 PM
Quote from: M forever on April 21, 2008, 12:43:57 PM
Have you ever been to a really good hall like the Musikverein, Concertgebouw, Philharmonie Berlin? If not, then I can promise you a very, very pleasant surprise about just how good some halls can sound. Not just in terms of timbre, but also dynamic response. You will be overwhelmed by just how much "bigger" that sound can be.

I have been many, many times to Montreal Symphony concerts in Salle Wilfrid Pelletier. A huge, ungainly hall where the sound expands grandly, yet fails to fill the expanses with what you imagine should be a tremendous dynamic range (of which the orchestra is certainly capable). Conversely, the somewhat smaller sounding Orchestre Métropolitain fills the church surroundings where it usually plays with almost overwhelming sonic presence. It really is a major factor. One of the most surprising things about attending a concert in one of those great halls (like the Concertgebouw) is that even the tiniest pp sounds project with such a purity of tone and presence that you never feel you're straining to hear even the smallest details. And when they let the stops go, there is a sense of saturation without sonic overload that is simply awesome.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on April 23, 2008, 07:24:41 AM
A Musical Space Odyssey
April 12, 2008    ( Sat, 8:00 PM )
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski,  conductor
Nikolaj Znaider,  violin
LIGETI  Atmosphères
BRAHMS  Violin Concerto
R. STRAUSS  Also sprach Zarathustra
J. STRAUSS  "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" Waltz

This was the last concert I heard, but Mr Jurowski was unable to attend due to illness. Roberto Minczuk filled in and did a great job. To be honest, I was really looking forward to hearing Zarathustra live (Dawn was amazing), but I found that the piece I enjoyed hearing the most was the Ligeti. I'm not sure I'd like it as much on a recording, but in the concert hall it really set the mood. Znaider played the Brahms brilliantly, excellently balanced with the orchestra too. Rounding out the program, the Blue Danube waltz was a good way to send people off humming and in good spirits. At the start of each section though, Minczuk had the orchestra start at a slow tempo which quickened to more standard waltz tempo, almost like a music box starting up. I'm not sure if that's in the score, but it was a curious effect. At any rate, a very good evening out. Next up - Mahler's 8th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 23, 2008, 08:15:57 AM
Thanks for that report!  I wish I'd been able to get to that concert, since it's a very good program.  The Ligeti is amazing in person, isn't it! 

I'm hearing the Mahler 8 when they do it here at Carnegie on May 6, and can't wait. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Shrunk on April 24, 2008, 09:07:28 AM
This is going to be big opera weekend for me!  I've already mentioned the HIP performance of  Idomeneo  (http://www.operaatelier.com/home_idomeneo.htm)I'll be seeing Sunday.  Then, just a few days ago, my brother called to let me know he had an extra ticket for Eugene Onegin (http://www.coc.ca/performances/onegin.html) at the Canadian Opera Company on Saturday.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 24, 2008, 09:13:37 AM
Those look great!  (I browsed the Onegin photos.)  Do report back...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on April 26, 2008, 11:55:31 AM
I've just walked down to the Southbank Centre and bought tickets for:

October 16: Messiaen: La Transfiguration (Kent Nagano/Philharmonia)
October 21: Xenakis: Pithoprakta / Messiaen: Chronochromie / Ligeti:Atmospheres / Benjamin:Sudden Time (Benjamin/Philharmonia)
November 8: Stockhausen concert. They're not playing any of my favourites, but it should be interesting. Anyway, Gruppen, Trans and Inori are all coming to town between the Proms and early next year, so whoo-hoo!  ;D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on April 26, 2008, 02:12:24 PM
Off to see the  Kiev Ballet (http://russianmusicandvideos.com/kiev_ballet.htm) perform The Sleeping Beauty accompanied by the APO today.

Should be fantastic  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 27, 2008, 01:52:53 PM
This concert on Tuesday:

Juilliard String Quartet
Charles Neidich, clarinet

Carter: Clarinet Quintet (2007, world premiere)
Carter: Riconoscenza per Goffredo Petrassi for solo violin (1984)
Carter: Figment for solo cello (1994)
Carter: Gra for solo clarinet (1993)
Carter: Rhapsodic Musings for solo violin (2001)
Carter: Figment IV for solo viola (2007)
Carter: Clarinet Quintet (2007) - repeat performance

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Shrunk on April 28, 2008, 08:39:05 AM
Quote from: Shrunk on April 24, 2008, 09:07:28 AM
This is going to be big opera weekend for me!  I've already mentioned the HIP performance of  Idomeneo  (http://www.operaatelier.com/home_idomeneo.htm)I'll be seeing Sunday.  Then, just a few days ago, my brother called to let me know he had an extra ticket for Eugene Onegin (http://www.coc.ca/performances/onegin.html) at the Canadian Opera Company on Saturday.  :D

So here's the report on my operatic weekend.

Eugene Onegin.  This was actually my first time at Toronto's new Four Seasons Centre.  The opera house has been much criticized on architectural grounds for its bland exterior, justifiably I would add.  However, having now seen a performance there, it is obvious that the money was put where it counts: the auditorium itself.  It posesses great acoustics and sightlines, with the balconies rising at an almost perpendicular pitch to that no seat is far from the action.  My kids' violin teacher, who plays in the COC orchestra, says that the orchestra pit is unusually comfortable for the musicians, as well.  So it's good to see that the company had its priorities in order when designing the concert hall.  It may not be Sydney or the Walt Disney Concert Hall, but it's a perfect place to watch opera.

The production itself was a success, as well.  The staging is quite innovative, as can be seen in the photo gallery above.  The set resembles a German Expressionist film, with oversized doors and walls going off at odd angles and the floor being steeply pitched to one side and towards the front, creating weird perspective effects as the performers move about it.  The opera is staged as a dream or flashback, with Onegin wandering the stage or standing on the lip as an unseen observer thru much of it.  The cast was uniformly strong, with Brett Polegato a particular standout in the title role.  In addition to the requisite voice, he is also an excellent actor, important here as much of the time he is called upon to display emotion thru physical action without a part to sing.

Idomeneo.  This was really something special.  Opera Atelier specializes in baroque and renaissance opera but, like many others in the HIP scene, have been making increasing incursions into the classical repertoire. Most of the attention for this production has been focussed on Measha Brueggergosman, Canada's soprano of the moment, who rarely performs opera and was here playing Elettra.  She didn't disappoint, especially in the final mad scene, but neither did she overshadow or dominate the performance.  Particularly striking was "male soprano" Michael Maniaci as Idamante, usually played as a trouser role.  A male soprano is not the same thing as a counter tenor; whereas the latter typically sings in falsetto, Maniaci's voice never "broke" during adolescence, leaving him with a true natural soprano voice.  It really is quite a unique voice, without the "edge" that most counter tenors have, yet still quite distinct from a female soprano.  As usual, Opera Atelier lavishes attention on all aspects of the production, from the sets and costumes, to the acting style and choreography, to recreate a period performance as much as possible.  You can read some more detailed reviews on the links below:

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Music/article/419017

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080428.watelier28/BNStory/Entertainment/home

http://www.torontosun.com/Entertainment/Theatre/2008/04/28/5406546-sun.html

Anyway, if anyone is going to be in Toronto I'd highly recommend seeing either (or both) of these shows.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 28, 2008, 08:50:20 AM
WSO's season finale - Friday May 2nd

Tan Dun - Concerto for water instruments

Mahler - Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor

:)

Also, the season finale for the 2008/2009 WSO season will also be Mahler, number 6.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 28, 2008, 08:53:06 AM
Sunday, May 4th

Winnipeg Chamber Music Society

Haydn - Piano Trio in D major, Hob XV:7

Piazzolla - L'histoire du Tango for saxophone and piano

Schumann - Piano Quintet in E flat major, Op. 44   (one of my favorite Schumman works  :))

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on April 30, 2008, 07:03:54 PM
May 3rd, M8. 'nuff said. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 02, 2008, 09:12:49 AM
Tonight, the second concert of Look & Listen, with Mark Stewart, the Daedalus String Quartet, Electric Kompany and Ethel.

Pre-concert music:
Stockhausen: Gesang der Jünglinge

Mark Stewart: Music for Plumbing and Other Non-traditional and Neglected Instruments
Carl Christian Bettendorf: II y a l'Ocean
Kristin Hevner: Vignettes
Stravinsky: Three Pieces for String Quartet
Mark Stewart: On the Origin of the Species
Nick Didkovsky: Human Dog
Mark Stewart: Stop, Look & Listen--Speedy Feety

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on May 02, 2008, 11:49:15 AM
Quote from: stingo on April 30, 2008, 07:03:54 PM
May 3rd, M8. 'nuff said. :)

Hey, not good 'nuff >:( ;). Who? Where? :)

Hope you enjoy it, at least more than I did my one and only live performance. I had rotten seats and couldn't hear a thing and had a canoodling couple next to me to boot.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 02, 2008, 02:44:30 PM
Quote from: Shrunk on April 28, 2008, 08:39:05 AM
Particularly striking was "male soprano" Michael Maniaci as Idamante, usually played as a trouser role.  A male soprano is not the same thing as a counter tenor; whereas the latter typically sings in falsetto, Maniaci's voice never "broke" during adolescence, leaving him with a true natural soprano voice.  It really is quite a unique voice, without the "edge" that most counter tenors have, yet still quite distinct from a female soprano.

That's interesting. I hadn't heard of this singer. What's even more interesting though is the fact he's having some problems getting roles:

http://www.operatoday.com/content/2005/04/an_interview_wi_4.php

One would think he'd be ideal for those roles that were written for castrato.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on May 04, 2008, 06:15:59 AM
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
Christine Brewer, soprano
Michaela Kaune, soprano
Marisol Montalvo, soprano
Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano
Charlotte Hellekant, mezzo-soprano
Vinson Cole, tenor
Franco Pomponi, baritone
James Morris, bass
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale,  David Hayes, music director
Westminster Symphonic Choir,  Joe Miller, music director
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia,  Alan Harler, music director
The American Boychoir,  Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, music director

MAHLER  Symphony No. 8 ("Symphony of a Thousand")

M8, live. Wow. A little slower than I would've liked but not distractingly so. The female soloists were uniformly excellent, and the male soloists were good, but inaudible sometimes when singing with the chorus. Still, what a thrill to actually be there. As good as recordings are, there's nothing like hearing it live. They were recording for a possible CD release, which I will buy if/when it does come out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Monsieur Croche on May 04, 2008, 07:16:16 AM
I'm going to this concert on May 17th:

Ari Rasilainen, conductor
Daniel Hope, violin

PROKOFIEV - Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 25 'Classical'
MENDELSSOHN - Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
SIBELIUS - Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 04, 2008, 08:18:20 AM
Next Sunday the Brahms piano quintet and 2nd SQ -- The Alexander String Quartet with Lara Downes. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 04, 2008, 12:23:26 PM
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on May 04, 2008, 07:16:16 AM
I'm going to this concert on May 17th:

Ari Rasilainen, conductor
Daniel Hope, violin

PROKOFIEV - Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 25 'Classical'
MENDELSSOHN - Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
SIBELIUS - Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39

That's really interesting. Rasilainen is the conductor of my local orchestra, the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pflaz (more commonly known as the DSPRP, and locally as Die Friggin' Pfälzers). Your're Indonesían, right? What orchestra is he conducting?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Shrunk on May 04, 2008, 03:29:59 PM
My operatic feast continues with Pelleas et Melisande (http://www.coc.ca/performances/pelleas.html) this Friday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on May 04, 2008, 03:47:00 PM
Last night, a local event in Winston-Salem (North Carolina, USA), my home town - 30th anniversary of the Piedmont Chamber Singers (http://www.piedmontchambersingers.org/), a local group doing vocal works from all periods - my wife was a member in the late '70s-early '80s - the highlight for me was the presence of William Bolcom (http://www.bolcomandmorris.com/), the composer - some premier presentations of his works (written w/ conjunction of the North Carolina poet laureate) - this is not a great choral group, but seeing Bolcom was great (actually was sitting just across the aisle from me) & the last performances included alumni on the stage (including my wife, of course) - not a bad evening -  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 04, 2008, 03:50:14 PM
Quote from: stingo on May 04, 2008, 06:15:59 AM
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
Christine Brewer, soprano
Michaela Kaune, soprano
Marisol Montalvo, soprano
Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano
Charlotte Hellekant, mezzo-soprano
Vinson Cole, tenor
Franco Pomponi, baritone
James Morris, bass
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale,  David Hayes, music director
Westminster Symphonic Choir,  Joe Miller, music director
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia,  Alan Harler, music director
The American Boychoir,  Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, music director

MAHLER  Symphony No. 8 ("Symphony of a Thousand")

M8, live. Wow. A little slower than I would've liked but not distractingly so. The female soloists were uniformly excellent, and the male soloists were good, but inaudible sometimes when singing with the chorus. Still, what a thrill to actually be there. As good as recordings are, there's nothing like hearing it live. They were recording for a possible CD release, which I will buy if/when it does come out.

Mahler 8 live is always an occasion. Glad you enjoyed it, Stingo. The slower tempos wouldn't have bothered me...I prefer it that way.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 04, 2008, 04:50:08 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 04, 2008, 03:50:14 PM
Mahler 8 live is always an occasion.

Even with Eschenbach?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 04, 2008, 05:28:20 PM
Quote from: M forever on May 04, 2008, 04:50:08 PM
Even with Eschenbach?

Okay...so I may be guilty of hyperbole  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 05, 2008, 06:40:21 AM
Quote from: stingo on May 04, 2008, 06:15:59 AM
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
Christine Brewer, soprano
Michaela Kaune, soprano
Marisol Montalvo, soprano
Stephanie Blythe, mezzo-soprano
Charlotte Hellekant, mezzo-soprano
Vinson Cole, tenor
Franco Pomponi, baritone
James Morris, bass
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale,  David Hayes, music director
Westminster Symphonic Choir,  Joe Miller, music director
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia,  Alan Harler, music director
The American Boychoir,  Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, music director

MAHLER  Symphony No. 8 ("Symphony of a Thousand")

M8, live. Wow. A little slower than I would've liked but not distractingly so. The female soloists were uniformly excellent, and the male soloists were good, but inaudible sometimes when singing with the chorus. Still, what a thrill to actually be there. As good as recordings are, there's nothing like hearing it live. They were recording for a possible CD release, which I will buy if/when it does come out.

Thanks for these comments!  I'm hearing the same concert tomorrow night at Carnegie Hall.  The one minus: Carnegie has no pipe organ, so they'll be using the little electronic number they wheel out for such occasions.  But never mind, I'm still excited.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 07, 2008, 12:57:38 PM
Speaking of Carnegie Hall, M will be in New York next week. Last time I was there (2 weeks ago), I went to Lincoln Center and heard the New York Philharmonic conducted by Charles Dutoit with André Watts as soloist in (I think he stepped in for an indisposed Martha Argerich). After opening the program with a light-footed Overture to Le Nozze di Figaro, they played Beethoven's 1st piano concerto, fairly lean and straightforward, rather "classicist" but not without fine musical nuances and Watts played his part with crisp rhythm and articulation and, something you see rarely these days, with the music in front of him. After the intermission, Dutoit led a fabulous, very spirited and virtuoso performance of Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances with the NYP in top form and also playing rather more animated and into it (especially the string sections which played *together as a group* very well, not just all together in a technical sense) than you often see American orchestras play. The evening ended with a richly nuanced, sonorous and very stylish reading of Ravel's La Valse. Although the acoustics in Avery Fisher Hall aren't exactly good, I found them a little better than I had expected (or rather, feared) after the many horror stories I had heard about the hall. Or maybe I was in a lucky spot (my seat was in the first balcony on the left side). The sound of the hall from there wasn't "great", but it was listenable. Still, I wish the NYP had a better home - the hall certainly is butt-ugly!  ;D Nonetheless, a great concert night!

The NYP won't be in action next week, but the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will appear on two consecutive nights in Carnegie Hall under the direction of Bernard Haitink. These are the two programs:

Thursday
RAVEL  Menuet antique 
PETER LIEBERSON  Neruda Songs 
MAHLER  Symphony No. 1, "Titan" 

Friday
HAYDN  Symphony No. 101 in D Major, "The Clock" 
SHOSTAKOVICH  Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 43 


I am not exactly a big fan of either the orchestra or the conductor, nor the combination of the two (last year, I heard a fairly mediocre and uninteresting performance of Bruckner 7 with them in Chicago), but it might still be a decent occasion to check out Carnegie Hall. I am just not sure I want to hear Mahler 1 yet again, for the 378th or so time, as nice as the piece is... Shostakovich 4 might be interesting though, so I am considering going to that concert or maybe even both.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 07, 2008, 01:28:16 PM
M,

Haven't heard the Mahler here last week (heard mixed reports), but I may check out the Shosty 4 tomorrow evening. Will let you know how it goes if I go. FWIW, the Mahler 1 may have, for you, the possibly interesting curiosity that Haitink has dug out some documentation that claims to show that Mahler had intended the solo bass opening of the third movement to be played by the entire bass section, muted and pianissimo, but that he never found a bass section that was up to the job, so to get an approximation of the desired effect it has always been played solo. Haitink restores this in these performances to have it played by the entire bass section as supposedly originally intended. Hovnanian has a post about it (http://csobassblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/week-33.html). Not sure that will persuade you to hear it (it didn't do it for me), but thought I'd mention it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 07, 2008, 01:51:08 PM
I can believe that. I always held the opinion that the "solo" in Mahler 1 isn't really a "solo", just in the sense of one bass alone, not in the sense of "a solo!", if you know what I mean. It is obvious to me that by writing for 1 bass alone *with a mute* - even though this is often left off by players who want to produce themselves, and they usually play the passage too loud and too expressive -, Mahler basicaly wanted the darkest and most subdued color he could get in the orchestra. I can imagine he wanted that played by a whole section, with mutes, that should be a great effect. Apart from that, I can only echo what Hovnanian said there in his blog:

The lack of concerts in my schedule is no mistake. Even though it was not my turn, I volunteered to be on call this week to avoid the Mahler 1st Symphony. Over the years I’ve come to loathe the piece and so take advantage of every opportunity to get out of playing it. Unfortunately for me it is one of those things that comes up at least once a year. If I’m not mistaken, the orchestra played it at subscription concerts less than 12 months ago. What is the deal with that? I wonder if listeners get as tired of it as I do. Anyway, the frequency of programming makes for some tricky maneuvering in order to avoid it.

It does make me a little curious though to read Haitink did 4 full rehearsals for this, the piece isn't really that complex and a good orchestra should be able to actually clear up even the musical fine detail in 2 rehearsals or less. So maybe Haitink worked a lot on the fine detail? That might be interesting to hear after all.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on May 07, 2008, 03:22:49 PM
So Sunday, I saw my first live Mahler, this that I had mentioned a while back:

MAHLER Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection'

Houston Symphony
Hans Graf, conductor
Erin Wall, soprano
Meredith Arwady, contralto
Houston Symphony Chorus

Wow. The whole group I went with, it was our first live Mahler experience, and it was simply overwhelming. There is so much going on in the music that hearing (and seeing!) it live reveals compared to listening to recordings, it's fascinating. All the offstage stuff was a highlight, not to mention the percussionist who had to traipse 20 ft in the air to hit three VERY large tubular bells...

The performance was just fantastic, the best I've heard this orchestra over my visits this year, great chemistry with MD Hans Graf, and a far more dramatic and blazing account than I would have expected from his intellectual, refined performances earlier this season of other fare. It was nice to see them really play at full tilt! I will write more in the Mahler thread...

So I have one concert left in my HSO subscription - but I can't decide which one to go to...these are the last two:

May 9-11

RAUTAVAARA: Cantus Articus, Concerto for Birds and Orchestra
MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 4
SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 3, Rhenish

Hannu Lintu, conductor
Cho-Liang Lin, violin

May 15-18

FALLA: Suite from El Amor Brujo
RODRIGO: Concierto de Aranjuez
FALLA: Nights in the Gardens of Spain
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Capriccio espagnol

Hans Graf, conductor
Eliot Fisk, guitar
Shai Wosner, piano
Katherine Ciesinski, mezzo-soprano

I'm torn! I would really love to see Cho-Liang Lin, but the Spanish season finale looks fun and will probably be the better performance...and anyway I love Falla...  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 07, 2008, 07:44:48 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 07, 2008, 01:28:16 PM
M,

Haven't heard the Mahler here last week (heard mixed reports), but I may check out the Shosty 4 tomorrow evening. Will let you know how it goes if I go. FWIW, the Mahler 1 may have, for you, the possibly interesting curiosity that Haitink has dug out some documentation that claims to show that Mahler had intended the solo bass opening of the third movement to be played by the entire bass section, muted and pianissimo, but that he never found a bass section that was up to the job, so to get an approximation of the desired effect it has always been played solo. Haitink restores this in these performances to have it played by the entire bass section as supposedly originally intended. Hovnanian has a post about it (http://csobassblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/week-33.html). Not sure that will persuade you to hear it (it didn't do it for me), but thought I'd mention it.

Vanska has been doing the same thing in up in Minnesota.

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 08, 2008, 01:31:26 AM
An article from today's Guardian about Nono's Prometeo. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I'm going to the second performance on Saturday, May 10th.


Scribbles for a sonic revolution


People from all over the world are flying in to Britain to hear an extraordinary piece of music this weekend. By Marshall Marcus

Thursday May 8, 2008
The Guardian


For the past few weeks, I have been receiving some extraordinary emails. Today's concerns a request from some young Australian composers to attend rehearsals at the Royal Festival Hall in the coming days. At first, I assumed they lived in London, but it seems they are flying in from Australia especially to hear a particular piece of music this weekend. This is extreme stuff, but not an isolated case. Yesterday, it was an elderly German lady. Tomorrow, who knows? But then, something astounding is about to happen: the most remarkable piece of 20th-century music is set to hit London for the first time.

Article continues

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I've been living with this work for almost two years. In 53 years, I've known nothing remotely like it. So what is it - and why does it provoke such strong reactions? The composer, who died in 1990, is the Italian Luigi Nono. And the piece is Prometeo, a grand, haunting Promethean music drama, a labyrinthine meditation on the act of creation. It makes huge demands on performers and listeners alike, and is difficult to approach without real commitment (Southbank Centre, where I am head of music, has put notes online in advance, to help the audience prepare).
Over its two-hour-plus span, you will hear the cracking of notes and desperate breathing, as well as sudden, terrifying fanfares and unimaginably beautiful floated sound. This is sound as extremity, with no narrative action to help. But the rewards are phenomenal. Nono puts you in touch with your own listening in a manner I have never experienced; he provokes an organic line between musician, instrument, voice, microphone, speaker, concert hall and, finally, audience.

British composer Simon Bainbridge is an acknowledged expert on the work. "One of the most amazing features is the composer's ability to draw you into his time," he says. "I remember slowly being transported out of real time into this complex structure, which plays continuously for two hours 20 minutes; it could easily have been five hours. It's an outstanding achievement - to be able to transport the listener into that environment. At the end, it was a good five or six minutes before I could get back into clock time again. It's so monumental, so extraordinary, that it takes you a while to get back to life."

The forces involved are epic - four orchestras, a choir, solo singers and instrumentalists, narrators, two conductors, a sound director. Not surprisingly, it is rarely performed; only now, almost a quarter of a century after its first performance, is the work receiving its UK premiere. To understand more about it, it is worth considering what happens when we watch a normal concert. I use the word "watch" deliberately. In an age so dominated by visual imagery, watching is what we tend to do in concerts, with even the architecture of the halls collusive in this perceptual skewing. The stage is designed to be spatially divorced from the audience, and this "room within a room" separates the sound source from the listener, forcing us to listen across space rather than within it. It's no surprise that we are often looking when we might be listening.

Nono demolished this arrangement by placing the performers around the sides of the hall at different heights and configurations. Multiple loudspeakers hang throughout the hall, choreographing the sound of the musicians. The old centralised "listening-by-looking" stage vanishes, as the whole hall becomes a giant stage and listening instrument; the audience find themselves at the centre of this setup, actually inside the sound. The results are spellbinding.

It's not surprising that this game originated in Venice. With its history of grand, spatially inspired music from the Gabriellis to Monteverdi, Vivaldi and beyond, this is a city whose architectural contexts and decentralised plan provoked sound experiments. Nono was born in, and often returned to, Venice. As his widow, Nuria Schoenberg Nono, relates, Prometeo is inspired by the sound of Venice and was conceived for St Mark's - although the first performance took place in San Lorenzo during the 1984 Venice Biennale. The preparations were astounding. Architect Renzo Piano constructed a wooden boat-like edifice within the church, into which the performers and audience were placed. The Freiburg Sound Studio worked with Nono to develop the electronics, while philosopher (and current Mayor of Venice) Massimo Cacciari assembled an astonishing combination of ancient and modern texts for the libretto.

Who can blame our Australian composers for grabbing the chance while they can? I am reminded of the writer Rachel Holmes' words on first hearing Prometeo: "What does democracy and freedom feel and sound like? It sounds and feels like this."

Prometeo is at the Royal Festival Hall, London SE1, on Friday and Saturday. Box office: 0871 663 2500.




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 08, 2008, 08:44:14 PM
M,

I just caught the Haydn/Shosty program here in Chicago. I thought the Haydn was superb. Very elegant, finely balanced and excellent string articulation. Shosty 4 is such a strange piece. I loved the performance, but it's not a gut wrenching intense sort of Shosty that Haitink does. It's more one that gradually creeps up on you. It's more measured, but there was a lot of detail that made it really worth hearing. Terrific woodwind playing. FYI, they are performing these programs five (!) times here in Chicago (preceded by four rehearsals). I guess Haitink is leaving nothing to chance for the tour. Which means by the time it hits Carnegie it will either be mindbogglingly fantastic or deadly boring from sheer repetition.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 08, 2008, 10:25:04 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 08, 2008, 08:44:14 PM
M,

I just caught the Haydn/Shosty program here in Chicago. Shosty 4 is such a strange piece. I loved the performance, but it's not a gut wrenching intense sort of Shosty that Haitink does. It's more one that gradually creeps up on you. It's more measured, but there was a lot of detail that made it really worth hearing. Terrific woodwind playing. FYI, they are performing these programs five (!) times here in Chicago (preceded by four rehearsals). I guess Haitink is leaving nothing to chance for the tour. Which means by the time it hits Carnegie it will either be mindbogglingly fantastic or deadly boring from sheer repetition.  ;)

Interesting. Haitink and the CSO are bringing Shostakovich 4 to the Proms this year and I'm quite tempted, although they are playing Mahler 6 the day before. I've seen Haitink a few times in concert and he's always worth catching. He doesn't go for a shock-and-awe approach, but he always sustains interest and, crucially, tension, which makes his performances ultimately satisfying and rewarding. His performance of Mahler 6 with the London Philharmonic a decade or so ago in the Festival Hall was probably the finest I've ever heard live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 08, 2008, 11:07:04 PM
Quote from: MDL on May 08, 2008, 10:25:04 PM
Interesting. Haitink and the CSO are bringing Shostakovich 4 to the Proms this year and I'm quite tempted, although they are playing Mahler 6 the day before. I've seen Haitink a few times in concert and he's always worth catching. He doesn't go for a shock-and-awe approach, but he always sustains interest and, crucially, tension, which makes his performances ultimately satisfying and rewarding. His performance of Mahler 6 with the London Philharmonic a decade or so ago in the Festival Hall was probably the finest I've ever heard live.

And maybe the only one you ever heard live?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 08, 2008, 11:49:02 PM
Quote from: M forever on May 08, 2008, 11:07:04 PM
And maybe the only one you ever heard live?

Don't be facetious. I've heard it live at least eight times, probably closer to ten. Other conductors include Tennstedt, Rattle, Fischer, Maazel... I'd have to do a bit of research to remind myself of the others.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 09, 2008, 12:24:20 AM
Quote from: M forever on May 08, 2008, 11:07:04 PM
And maybe the only one you ever heard live?

Seriously, what's with the snarky comment? What did I say in my innocuous post that justified that kind of response?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 09, 2008, 07:05:50 AM
Quote from: MDL on May 09, 2008, 12:24:20 AM
Seriously, what's with the snarky comment? What did I say in my innocuous post that justified that kind of response?

M is suffering from PMS. You know how cranky he gets just before his period.  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Harry on May 09, 2008, 07:23:10 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 09, 2008, 07:05:50 AM
M is suffering from PMS. You know how cranky he gets just before his period.  ;D

Sarge

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 09, 2008, 08:03:19 AM
Tomorrow night, this concert at Carnegie, with a world premiere by Charles Wuorinen, and Sarah Chang in the Vivaldi.  I don't recall ever hearing the Respighi live, so that will be a treat, too.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Sarah Chang, Violin

Respighi: Gli Uccelli (The Birds)  
Wuorinen: Synaxis, Concerto Grosso for four soloists (oboe, clarinet, horn, contrabass), Strings and Timpani 
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 09, 2008, 11:13:36 AM
Quote from: MDL on May 09, 2008, 12:24:20 AM
Seriously, what's with the snarky comment? What did I say in my innocuous post that justified that kind of response?

Nothing, I was just curious on what live concert experiences background that statement was based. A lot of people here know 2 or 3 recordings of a particular work but feel it will enrichen everyone else if they throw in their "opinion" that one of them is "the greatest ever" and you have a lot of people here who have never heard one of the great orchestras live but who participate in endless discussions about "the world's best orchestra" and similar nonsense, or they base their enthusiasm (to which we all are very entitled of course) on just one concert experience (see also 4 posts above yours) and of course, we are happy for them, but the information density and value for other people is just not there.

BTW, I also respect and value Haitink's very solid professionality and his refusal to clown around and try to come up with random musical ideas as a substitute for lack of insight and study, like so many other interpreters do. I have seen him many times in Berlin and twice in the past year (last year in May in Chicago, as I mentioned, and very recently here in Boston with Bartók's 2nd PC and Schubert's 9th which was, once again, very solid but nothing really particularly "exciting" or "interesting"). He does have some great moments though, for instance, the Mahler 6 he conducted in Berlin just before they made the Philips recording was very impressive. There is also a highly interesting recording of the same symphony with the Orchestre National de France. There are few recordings of Mahler symphonies with French orchestras, so it is highly interesting to hear how the ONF which has retained some elements of the traditional French orchestral style plays this piece and how they sound - and they do very well, plus it is obvious that Haitink led the performance with a clear concept because the balancing of the sections and the music context are very convincing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 09, 2008, 11:57:16 AM
Quote from: MDL on May 08, 2008, 10:25:04 PM
Interesting. Haitink and the CSO are bringing Shostakovich 4 to the Proms this year and I'm quite tempted, although they are playing Mahler 6 the day before. I've seen Haitink a few times in concert and he's always worth catching. He doesn't go for a shock-and-awe approach, but he always sustains interest and, crucially, tension, which makes his performances ultimately satisfying and rewarding. His performance of Mahler 6 with the London Philharmonic a decade or so ago in the Festival Hall was probably the finest I've ever heard live.

MDL, FWIW, I heard Haitink and the CSO do the Mahler 6 here last fall which I thought was absolutely terrific. IMHO, Haitink's best work here so far. Again, not in your face, but a devastating emotional musical landscape nonetheless. Alas, the recording the CSO brought out on its new in-house label does not refelect the performance I heard at all. The recording is somehow congested, boomy basses, with the edges rounded off. It has no impact whatsoever.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 09, 2008, 01:07:46 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 09, 2008, 11:57:16 AM
MDL, FWIW, I heard Haitink and the CSO do the Mahler 6 here last fall which I thought was absolutely terrific.

But then you always think the CSO is "absolutely terrific"  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on May 09, 2008, 05:01:26 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 09, 2008, 08:03:19 AM
Tomorrow night, this concert at Carnegie, with a world premiere by Charles Wuorinen, and Sarah Chang in the Vivaldi.  I don't recall ever hearing the Respighi live, so that will be a treat, too.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Sarah Chang, Violin


Bruce - that looks like a great concert! The Orpheus Chamber Orch is a favorite of mine!  Plus, I've not been to the Carnegie in years - would be a great treat!

Wife & I are currently on a long weekend in Abingdon, VA (about 2.5 hrs from us only) - staying at the historic Martha Washington Inn (http://www.marthawashingtoninn.com/) - just had a great meal in their dinning room (will return tomorrow night); will be seeing a show on Saturday afternoon at the historic Virginia Barter Theater (http://www.bartertheatre.com/), Keep On the Sunny Side - about the Carter Family and their early success, including the '27 recordings in Bristol, TN, which is just a half hour or so down I-81 - looking forward to that show -  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 09, 2008, 06:48:43 PM
Quote from: M forever on May 09, 2008, 01:07:46 PM
But then you always think the CSO is "absolutely terrific"  ;)

I'll comment on this the day I hear you make a critical remark about the SK Dresden.   >:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 09, 2008, 09:58:28 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 09, 2008, 06:48:43 PM
I'll comment on this the day I hear you make a critical remark about the SK Dresden.   >:D

Well, that wouldn't make so much sense to compare that out of context, would it, and it would be rather unfair to compare an orchestra with as little direct relationship to the musical traditions of central Europe as the CSO with an orchestra which has more than 460 years of continuous history and which is pretty much the embodiment of living tradition, but here you go (we only have to reach back a few days):

Quote from: M forever on May 04, 2008, 12:42:41 PM
I highly recommend this recording, not just because I am a big fan of this orchestra-conductor combination in general which however doesn't mean that I like everything they did - and there is actually a fairly weak and disappointing Beethoven 9 from a live concert in Japan with these forces on video

Your turn now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 10, 2008, 02:16:06 PM
Coming up next Thursday  :)

APN News & Media Premier Series 2008 Concert 4

Thu 15 May 2008 8:00pm - Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

Moments of Discovery


Tecwyn Evans Conductor

Deborah Wai Kapohe Mere Boynton Soprano
Mere Boynton  Mezzo-Soprano
James Eggleston Tenor
George Henare Baritone
   
Falla ~  The Three Cornered Hat
Farr ~  Ex Stasis

The Three Cornered Hat is set in a sunny Spanish village and is full of local flavour, romance, intrigue, mistaken identity and rumbustious comedy. Full of life and laughter, it is guaranteed to get toes tapping. Afterwards, be the first to hear a major new piece from APO Composer-in-Residence Gareth Farr – a symphonic song cycle featuring four voices and themes of self-discovery and revelation. Farr's works are a central part of New Zealand music and this promises to be one of his best yet.

Very interesting line-up...

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 10, 2008, 09:47:55 PM
CityMusic Cleveland has been performing this week and I'm excited to go to the final performance as an audience member tomorrow evening.  Especially looking forward to the Ligeti.

Antonio Vivaldi: Sinfonia in B minor (Al santo sepulcro)
György Ligeti: Violin Concerto
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.1

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 11, 2008, 05:06:55 AM
Sounds like an interesting program, Allan.  One question: is the Ives before or after the break? 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 11, 2008, 06:02:26 AM
Quote from: M forever on May 09, 2008, 09:58:28 PM
Well, that wouldn't make so much sense to compare that out of context, would it, and it would be rather unfair to compare an orchestra with as little direct relationship to the musical traditions of central Europe as the CSO with an orchestra which has more than 460 years of continuous history and which is pretty much the embodiment of living tradition, but here you go (we only have to reach back a few days):

Your turn now.

I don't visit this forum regularly anymore, remember? I'm not going to engage in a reductive debate about silly stereotypes. PS: I think the Czechs, Hungarians, Germans and Eastern-European Jews who formed the bulk and the backbone of the CSO for at least its first six decades of existence would seriously beg to differ with your uninformed comment re: musical traditions. Never mind, e.g., the current French principal flute, or the second horn who played in German orchestras for many years.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 11, 2008, 06:20:20 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 11, 2008, 05:06:55 AM
Sounds like an interesting program, Allan.  One question: is the Ives before or after the break? 

Hi David,

I have no idea,  I cut and pasted that directly from their website.  I should have added that the program is entitled Revolutionary Music.

Allan 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 11, 2008, 04:04:07 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 09, 2008, 08:03:19 AM
Tomorrow night, this concert at Carnegie, with a world premiere by Charles Wuorinen, and Sarah Chang in the Vivaldi.  I don't recall ever hearing the Respighi live, so that will be a treat, too.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Sarah Chang, Violin

Respighi: Gli Uccelli (The Birds)  
Wuorinen: Synaxis, Concerto Grosso for four soloists (oboe, clarinet, horn, contrabass), Strings and Timpani 
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons 

--Bruce


Must have been an excellent concert, Bruce!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 11, 2008, 06:14:59 PM
Quote from: toledobass on May 10, 2008, 09:47:55 PM
CityMusic Cleveland has been performing this week and I'm excited to go to the final performance as an audience member tomorrow evening.  Especially looking forward to the Ligeti.

Antonio Vivaldi: Sinfonia in B minor (Al santo sepulcro)
György Ligeti: Violin Concerto
Charles Ives: The Unanswered Question
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.1

Allan

What a badass concert this was.  One of best performances I've attended in a long time.


Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MISHUGINA on May 11, 2008, 08:21:59 PM
Two concerts this month which i am going to

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra

Daniel Hope, violin

BRITTEN Violin Concerto
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
SIBELIUS Symphony no 7

and another

HAYDN Symphony no. 101 "Drumroll"
MAHLER Symphony no. 10

both concerts conducted by Hannu Lintu. I'm skeptical about the Sibelius because the last time I heard him conduct Sibelius 5 its all bombast and orchestral playing was scrappy. Most likely for Mahler 10 maestro Lintu will use the Cooke 2 version.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 12, 2008, 06:13:30 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 11, 2008, 04:04:07 PM
Must have been an excellent concert, Bruce!  8)

Why, indeed it was!   8)

Quote from: toledobass on May 11, 2008, 06:14:59 PM
What a badass concert this was.  One of best performances I've attended in a long time.


Allan

Did you enjoy the Ligeti Violin Concerto?  (Or perhaps it should be called "Concerto for Violin and Ocarinas."  ;D)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 12, 2008, 08:45:11 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 12, 2008, 06:13:30 AM


Did you enjoy the Ligeti Violin Concerto?  (Or perhaps it should be called "Concerto for Violin and Ocarinas."  ;D)

--Bruce

Hehe,  I did enjoy it. I'm glad I got to see it live.  The entire concert was terrific, but the Ligeti was just a hair raising, vital performance.  Stellar, engaged playing from the entire ensemble. 

Allan 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 12, 2008, 11:53:25 AM
This Saturday, this concert called Food & Music, by the American Modern Ensemble.  The Bolcolm song is hilarious...I'm curious to see how they use it in the program.  Don't know any of the other pieces, including the Bernstein.

Aaron Jay Kernis: The Four Seasons of Futurist Cuisine
Barbara Kolb: Three Place Settings
Marc Mellits: Fruity Pebbles
Leonard Bernstein: La Bonne Cuisine
Robert Paterson: Eating Variations (world premiere)
Yotam Haber: The Gourmand's Lament
William Bolcolm: Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise
Derrick Wang: Hors d'oeuvres (NYC premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 12, 2008, 12:29:57 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 12, 2008, 11:53:25 AM
Marc Mellits: Fruity Pebbles

Isn't that a trademark?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 12, 2008, 12:59:38 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 12, 2008, 12:29:57 PM
Isn't that a trademark?

Oh, sorry...

Quote from: bhodges on May 12, 2008, 11:53:25 AM
Marc Mellits: Fruity Pebbles

;D  *running away*

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 12, 2008, 01:01:12 PM
Sheesh.....the freakin' jokers in this place ;) ;D

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 12, 2008, 01:09:38 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 12, 2008, 12:59:38 PM
Oh, sorry...

8)

I do wonder (in a distant, professional way) how Mellits can use that for a title, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 12, 2008, 01:10:32 PM
Quote from: toledobass on May 12, 2008, 01:01:12 PM
Sheesh.....the freakin' jokers in this place ;) ;D

Bruce is irrepressible, Allan.  Nor do I know anyone capable of pressing him even once . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 15, 2008, 08:05:47 AM
Tonight at Carnegie:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, Principal Conductor
Kelley O'Connor, Mezzo-Soprano

Ravel: Menuet antique 
Peter LiebersonNeruda Songs 
Mahler: Symphony No. 1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on May 15, 2008, 09:14:07 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 15, 2008, 08:05:47 AM
Tonight at Carnegie:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, Principal Conductor
Kelley O'Connor, Mezzo-Soprano

Ravel: Menuet antique 
Peter LiebersonNeruda Songs 
Mahler: Symphony No. 1

--Bruce


I really can't imagine taking upon the daunting task of singing those songs. 

Allan
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 15, 2008, 12:17:03 PM
Quote from: toledobass on May 15, 2008, 09:14:07 AM
I really can't imagine taking upon the daunting task of singing those songs. 

Allan

True, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's touching version will be hard to forget (if that's what you meant).   :'(  The songs are so good, though, they should really become concert hall staples.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 16, 2008, 08:58:01 AM
Tonight:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, Principal Conductor

Haydn: Symphony No. 101 in D Major, "The Clock"  
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 43 

Can't wait for the Shostakovich, especially!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 16, 2008, 09:21:30 AM
If I may say so, Bruce: yowza!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 16, 2008, 09:32:40 AM
I feel very lucky to have heard the Shostakovich 4 live fairly recently (last December) and came away thinking this might--repeat, might--be his greatest symphony.  I have Haitink's studio recording (which I haven't heard in a long time) but have never heard him do it live. 

Also, the way the orchestra was playing last night... :o...quite, quite impressive.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 16, 2008, 11:36:50 AM
I didn't make it to the concert last night because I had food poisoning! As it turned out, the fruit salad I had for breakfast in the hotel wasn't "the healthy choice" after all  :o

Fortunately, since I also had a lot of work to do and wasn't sure if I would make it in any case, I didn't buy a ticket, although I know there was some risk it might be sold out. I checked availability of seats regularly, and it got fairly close. But then I couldn't go anyway.

So, how was the bass thing in the third movement? How different did it sound to the way we normally hear it, with one bass? Did they play all with mutes on? Did they manage to play that really in tune? I am not asking because I doubt they can, but that passage is simply very difficult to get in tune. It is not really difficult, but it lies really awkwardly on the fingerboard.

Fortunately, I am feeling better today and I am still in town, so I just bought a nice ticket (parquet 24 H) for tonight, so now I am looking forward to that! My first time in Carnegie Hall!

I actually heard DSCH4 live very recently, maybe 6 weeks or so ago, with the BSO conducted by Mark Elder. Elder made a little speech before the concert, he talked about the music and said that the BSO hadn't played the piece in 25 years. They certainly played it technically very well, but Elder and the orchestra didn't connect so well, so while his conducting was very "animated", the performance was rather stiff and angular. This was only the second time I ever heard it live, the other time was in the mid-late 80s with the RSO Berlin conducted by Rostropovich - a devastating performance. Back then, the music still had very contemporary rather than just historical relevance. The iron curtain was still up, and in Berlin, we were right on the edge of the Eastern Block - the Philharmonie at that time was only a few hundred feet from the Wall -, so hearing that message from the other side of the iron curtain was particularly intense.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 16, 2008, 04:24:55 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 16, 2008, 09:32:40 AM
I feel very lucky to have heard the Shostakovich 4 live fairly recently (last December) and came away thinking this might--repeat, might--be his greatest symphony.  I have Haitink's studio recording (which I haven't heard in a long time) but have never heard him do it live. 

A little birdie tells me that the DSCH 4 from this past week's Chicago concerts may make it onto a future CSOResound release.  ;)

Quote from: M forever on May 16, 2008, 11:36:50 AM
I didn't make it to the concert last night because I had food poisoning! As it turned out, the fruit salad I had for breakfast in the hotel wasn't "the healthy choice" after all  :o

Ouch! Hope you feel better.

Quote from: M forever on May 16, 2008, 11:36:50 AM
They certainly played it technically very well, but Elder and the orchestra didn't connect so well

What orchestra does Elder connect with? Your above description could be applied to the concerts I heard him give here. We seem to be getting a disproportionate amount of Elder here in Chicago lately. He's doing a whole Dvorak festival for the last several weeks of next season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 16, 2008, 09:29:32 PM
Sorry to hear that!  ;) Well, there aren't that many really good conductors around anymore, so I guess orchestras have to take what they can get...Elder reminded me a lot of Eschenbach in his clumsy gesturing which didn't really transmit to the orchestra.

Anyway, the concert tonight was very good. Not really special, but very solid and good. The orchestra played very well on the whole, especially the violins and the basses pleased with crisp and finely chiseled playing although the middle string sections were competent, but rather pale and didn't fill out the sound very well. The result was a slender and well articulated, but anemic string sound. The brass was basically very good, but while they actually sounded very good in pianos, the pressed and thinnish sound they produce in f and ff may be relatively "loud", but it fails to fill the room. The sound more pokes at you from behind the orchestra than really coming at you in a broad wave of sound. A couple of weeks ago, I heard the Orchestre National de France, and with about half the brass section (they played Tchaikovsky 5), they managed to fill the room much more with glowing, well projecting brass sound. There was some very exquisite woodwind playing, although the bassoon with its very prominent and extended solo part in the last movement failed to really project with its rather choked sound.

Musically, it was an evening of solid, it slightly understated music making. The Haydn (101, "The Clock") was reasonably refined and there was some very finely articulated playing from the strings in the slow movement, but overall, it was more a powdered wig cliché kind of Haydn, the kind which substitutes real insights into the music with just general niceness and some "sensitive" touches here and there. It was obvious that while Haitink knew what should come next, he hadn't really reflected on the many fine details in the score, so they all just kind of jogged past the listener.

In the Shostakovich, he also let the music pretty much speak for itself, or rather, play the orchestra for itself. Haitink is without doubt an immensely experienced and professional conductor who avoids random and vain effects, and in a world in which there are many posers on the podium, we have to respect that. But then, at 78, he doesn't seem to have gained or be interested in realizing the kind of detail insights other well aged maestros have/had. The music was well executed and he contributed his tried and tested small repertoire of gestures to the orchestra playing although that didn't have much of an effect. He has exactly 1.5 facial expressions - the cheese face (#1) and then the cheese face with a flicking of the neck (#1.5) which apparently indicates that he wants things somehow animated. Then he has about 2.5 conducting gestures - the wrist flick, the note-quite-so-flicked-wrist, and for the left hand, the little fist which he shakes in the air from time to time. Whether he did that or not, did not have any noticeable effect on the orchestra. He didn't seem to know the piece too well either, or maybe he has forgotten much about it, since he had his head in the score for extended periods of time and gave a number of wrong entries and dynamic indications (professionally ignored by the orchestra members who came in at the right time anyway and delivered). The very long, subdued coda almost fell apart but the orchestra members, especially the basses and the timpani, kept the pulse alive he failed to provide.

Still, a rather pleasant evening, if not exactly the kind of flattening experience one would expect from hearing live this incredibly original and daring, very disturbing and multilayered work.

My most positive impression was Carnegie Hall. A wonderful hall with a really stylish, elegantly understated look and slightly glassy and reverberant, but still very good acoustics.

On the whole, I still think Haitink is good for the orchestra. While I wasn't really overwhelmed by anything I have heard from him in a long time, on disc or in recent live concerts (Bruckner 7 in Chicago last year, Schubert 9 with the BSO 2 months ago, and tonight's concert), it still has to be respected that what he does with the orchestra is basically solid, honest musical work. I talked with some members of the bass section who I have known for many years. One of them I hadn't met since the mid-90s and when I mentioned that we had last met when they came to Berlin with Barenboim, he said "I am glad Barenboim is gone!" and everybody nodded...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 16, 2008, 10:02:17 PM
A very interesting and unusually detailed report from our man in Carnegie Hall. For me it brings to the fore a few questions:

- Is it wise to program a Haydn symphony with one of the repertoire's acknowledged juggernauts ? Is it possible for an orchestra/conductor/evening to do both justice? Which one comes up short in the process ?

- What leads to programming decisions anyway: musical logic, the need for contrast ? the complementary nature of the programmed works? Or what else? I would have imagined a Honegger symphony or Stravinsky concerto (violin? piano?) to be more appropriate and at least of no detrimental influence on the patrons' attendance.

- What is it that leads a world-renowned conductor to expose himself to artistic scrutiny in a specialists' piece such as the Shostakovich 4th ? (or Mahler 7, or Bruckner 5 ?)
Quoteat 78, he doesn't seem to have gained or be interested in realizing the kind of detail insights other well aged maestros have/had
. It would seem that some elderly baton wielders age better than others, buth then again , don't the lesser mortals know who they are, and where their limitations lie ? I've seen/heard many concerts in which a mismatch of conductor and repertoire was obvious right from the evening program, and none has ever proved me wrong. Either I (the concertgoer) am prejudiced, or the concert programmer (MD?) is misguided.

- Season after season I scrutinize the MSO'S program and I rarely come up with more than a couple interesting evenings. Recently I scrutinized the Amsterdam, Cologne, Liège and Brussels seasons, and I count myself lucky to have found a program that could hold my interest for a whole evening. Is it surprising to find more interest in "What are you listening to" threads than in the "concerts you attended" ones ?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Greta on May 17, 2008, 11:38:34 PM
Lilas, programming could be it's own whole thread, and I think has been...

Haydn 101 and Shostakovich 4 do seem odd bedfellows, and Haitink has never really clicked with me personally, though I do respect his musicmaking.

Speaking of pairings, I was looking at the offerings in Houston next year, and saw two interesting programs in September. One, absolutely charming, is Stravinsky's Violin Concerto (Gil Shaham) and Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin, bookended by Mozart's Symphony 29, and last the "Haffner" No. 35. I'm already looking forward to that one. The program makes a lot of good sense. The concert after that though - is Mozart's PC No. 21....and DSCH No. 13 'Babi Yar'...with Yevgeny Yevtushenko coming to read his famous poem "Babi Yar". That, I'm not sure what to think about.

I won't be there then though, but in Atlanta, and am looking forward to seeing the ASO on their opening weekend...but, I see it's Brahms 1st, LvB PC 3, and the Stokie/Bach C minor Passcaglia and Fugue. Kind of a disappointing program. In fact, looking at Atlanta's season, it looks shockingly like Houston's in programming. A parade of warhorses, paired with a token palatable contemporary work and tradiational concerto being the usual setup. A a few choral spectaculars and a big Mahler thrown in. It almost seems that somehow a "standardized American orchestra season" has fallen into place...

But, anyway, I saw a nice concert this evening, getting back to topic. I went to the Houston season finale, the Spanish themed program, and it was mostly quite good. Falla's El Amor Brujo, which I was totally not familiar with, I liked a whole lot and it got a great performance, save the awful singer who was just distracting and could barely be heard. Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain I'd heard live once before, and I liked it much more than I remembered, with its grace and pastel washes of sound.

The disappointment though was Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. I admit I was only familiar with the melody from the 2nd mvmt, and the piece as a whole just seemed very long and samey throughout. The guitarist was Eliot Fisk, who seemed very good, but he never quite jived with the orchestra tempo wise, they didn't connect. Fisk offered two impressive encores though, one a Bach partita.

Last was clearly what they had been waiting for, they lit into a red-blooded Capriccio Espagnol that was played extremely well and musically, with fine ensemble communication and great solo contributions, especially from their young concertmaster who has grown immensely over her first year here.  Nice to end the season with some sparks.

I'm not subscribing next year as I don't know if I'll be in this vicinity the whole season, but next year looks great, some fun programs and good guest artists to boot.

Shame with all the moolah down here the orchestra still has to play in that dated soundtrap called Jones Hall though...high time for some new digs. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 18, 2008, 05:03:35 AM
It's very much a situation that repeats itsdelf around the musical world. Next season here in Montreal I think there's only one concert that really interests me. The rest is made up of halfs only. Woul would want to pay a day's wages for half a concert ? :P. And in a dated soundtrap on top of that :-\ (yes, we have that, too, here.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 20, 2008, 09:09:57 AM
Thursday night, this interesting program.  They did the Carter in 2005, but of course it's worth hearing as often as anything else they might play!  I like Biss more each time I hear him, and with the size of the ensemble the Tchaikovsky will probably be larger than life.

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Jonathan Biss, Piano

Carter: Variations for Orchestra 
Schumann: Piano Concerto 
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 20, 2008, 03:46:20 PM
NZSO next Friday:

TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto
SCHOLES Bonk for Percussion and Orchestra (World Premiere)
BRAHMS Symphony No 1

DMITRI SITKOVETSKY Conductor
BAIBA SKRIDE Violin
BRUCE McKINNON Percussion

Tchaikovsky's much-loved Violin Concerto, written during the spring of 1878 in Switzerland after an Italian sojourn, displays eloquent lyricism and southern warmth. Brahms, conscious of the comparison, was not pleased when conductor Hans von Bülow praised the C minor Symphony as "Beethoven's Tenth". Guaranteed a future by its muscularity, performances of Brahms's First underline the truth of contemporary critical assessment in Vienna, which reported it to be "an inexhaustible fountain of sincere pleasure".

Had the Brahms #1 a few years ago, but always great to have it again.

Should be great  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 22, 2008, 09:05:23 AM
On Saturday night, this concert by the Boston-based Xanthos Ensemble (http://www.xanthosensemble.com/), playing at an interesting venue here called Roulette (http://www.roulette.org/).  Founded in 2005, the group is in residence at the Boston Conservatory.

Charles Wuorinen: New York Notes 
Derek Charke: What Do the Birds Think? 
Mario Davidovsky: Flashbacks  
Pierre Boulez: Dérive 
Donald Hagar: Missing Time 
Daniel Knaggs: Three Nature Songs (2008) 
Pozzi Escot: Aria IV 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Monsieur Croche on May 22, 2008, 09:05:21 PM
It's still quite some time away (July 13), but perhaps I'll be attending this concert:

Messiaen and the French Connection

Vaughan Williams - Blake Songs
Messiaen - La Mort du Nombre
Messiaen - Theme and Variations for Violin and Piano
Messiaen - Louange a l'immortalite de Jesus (from the Quartet for the End of Time)
Chen Qigang - Dance (allegedly Messiaen's last student).
Leong Yoon Pin - Sketches

The concert would include a multimedia spectacle specially choreographed to music. Now that sounds both ominous and fascinating at the same time!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 22, 2008, 09:12:54 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 22, 2008, 09:05:23 AM
Derek Charke: What Do the Birds Think? 
--Bruce
Poor quality but:

(http://lwlolm.150m.com/Pix/how_birds_see_world.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on May 24, 2008, 01:27:29 PM
Tonight I am going to the Boston Pops Film Night with John Williams. I am not that much into film music, but Williams has contributed some very classic scores to a lot of movies I like, and I think it will be interesting to see him live at least once (and he isn't getting younger either, so who knows how long he will still be in action).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 26, 2008, 11:56:09 AM
Next Sunday, this fascinating concert by the American Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leon Botstein.  I have never heard anything by Panufnik or Langgaard live.

Toru Takemitsu: Cassiopeia
Andrzej Panufnik: Symphony No. 5, "Symphony of the Spheres" (US Premiere)
Rued Langgaard: Music of the Spheres (US Premiere)
György Ligeti: Apparitions
György Ligeti: Atmosphères

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on May 26, 2008, 12:00:43 PM
I'm very envious. (Though no doubt you envy the all-Scelsi concert I'm going to on Thursday.)

It's astonishing for those of us who've known and loved it for years to see such a great work as Langgaard's Music of the Spheres getting its US premiere only now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 26, 2008, 12:09:25 PM
Quote from: edward on May 26, 2008, 12:00:43 PM
I'm very envious. (Though no doubt you envy the all-Scelsi concert I'm going to on Thursday.)

:o You got that right!  Do report back, please.  What will you be hearing?

Quote from: edward on May 26, 2008, 12:00:43 PMIt's astonishing for those of us who've known and loved it for years to see such a great work as Langgaard's Music of the Spheres getting its US premiere only now.

Yes, more than a little surprising (speaking as someone who only recently discovered the piece, and how wonderful it is).  I can't recall seeing anything by Langgaard even programmed recently.  He appears to be completely off concert planners' radar.  I'm not super-excited by the conductor--he's a much better programmer and scholar--but still, to hear it live should be interesting.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on May 26, 2008, 12:20:12 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 26, 2008, 12:09:25 PM
:o You got that right!  Do report back, please.  What will you be hearing?
The program appears to be a mixture of vocal works (Lilitù, Hô, Litanie, Sauh I and II, CKCKC, Ogloudoglou, chamber works (Okanagon and I Presagi) and the bass-and-ensemble Yamaon. Since the last three are amongst my favourite Scelsi works, I'm pumped about this. ;)

The following Thursday, I'm looking forward to this one, too:

A concert featuring the Montreal-based Transmission ensemble (Lori Freedman, clarinet; Guy Pelletier, flutes; Clemens Merkel, violin; Julie Trudeau, cello; D'Arcy Gray, percussion; Brigitte Poulin, piano). Repertoire to include works by Pierre Boulez (Dérive), Iannis Xenakis (Plekto), Tristan Murail (13 couleurs du soleil couchant), Georges Aperghis (Quatre pieces fébriles) and Claude Vivier (Paramirabo).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 26, 2008, 12:29:52 PM
Wow, two excellent programs!  I think the only Scelsi I've heard of those is Okanagon.  And that Transmission program almost sounds even more winning.  Rhetorical rant: why no Xenakis on programs?  At Carnegie Hall next season, there is not a single Xenakis piece being performed, by anyone.  That just seems really odd.  Anyway, will be interested in your comments on that one, too.

I just heard Dérive on Saturday night by an excellent group new to me, the Xanthos Ensemble from Boston.  They did a beautiful job with it, and I was thinking that it might be a piece to which I'd point people who historically don't care for Boulez.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 27, 2008, 08:55:26 AM
OK, this is a concert I'll be attending in the middle of my living room, with popcorn and soda.  :D

Airing on PBS, June 11th

Bruckner - Symphony No. 5

Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Most

Recorded at the Abbey of St. Florian in Linz, Austria, during the 2006 Brucknerfest.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 28, 2008, 08:06:48 AM
On Saturday, the annual Bang on a Can marathon gets underway at 6:00 p.m., ending 12 hours later at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Here (http://www.bangonacan.org/marathon/schedule) is the complete schedule, and at the moment I'm planning to stay for the entire thing.  (We'll see how that goes.  ;D)

Things I'm most looking forward to hearing:

Birtwistle: Carmen Arcadiae Mechanicae Petpetuum (by Alarm Will Sound, scheduled for around 7:00 p.m.)
Gudmunsen-Holmgreen: Convex-Concave-Concord (Bang on a Can All Stars, around 10:30 p.m.)
Reich: Daniel Variations (SIGNAL, around midnight)
Stockhausen: Stimmung (Toby Twining Music, about 5:00 a.m.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 29, 2008, 06:09:36 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 28, 2008, 08:06:48 AM
On Saturday, the annual Bang on a Can marathon gets underway at 6:00 p.m., ending 12 hours later at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning.  Here (http://www.bangonacan.org/marathon/schedule) is the complete schedule, and at the moment I'm planning to stay for the entire thing.  (We'll see how that goes.  ;D)

Things I'm most looking forward to hearing:

Birtwistle: Carmen Arcadiae Mechanicae Petpetuum (by Alarm Will Sound, scheduled for around 7:00 p.m.)
Gudmunsen-Holmgreen: Convex-Concave-Concord (Bang on a Can All Stars, around 10:30 p.m.)
Reich: Daniel Variations (SIGNAL, around midnight)
Stockhausen: Stimmung (Toby Twining Music, about 5:00 a.m.)

--Bruce

Blimey! I don't think I'd have the stamina. Still, that's quite a programme and if you make it all the way through and stay awake, I'd imagine that listening to Stimmung at that time of night/morning, when you're probably a bit woozy, should be quite an experience. Good luck with that. Drink lots of coffee.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 29, 2008, 06:18:59 AM
Coming Sunday I will be at the Muziektheater in Amsterdam, with two of my best friends. On the menu - Messiaen, François d'Assise. I like many of Messiaen's organ pieces and the Turangalila Symphony, but this enormous opera (duration and the forces required) is new to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 29, 2008, 07:59:14 AM
Quote from: Jezetha on May 29, 2008, 06:18:59 AM
Coming Sunday I will be at the Muziektheater in Amsterdam, with two of my best friends. On the menu - Messiaen, François d'Assise. I like many of Messiaen's organ pieces and the Turangalila Symphony, but this enormous opera (duration and the forces required) is new to me.

I'm very envious.  Do report back!  (I have a friend from here who is going to see it, too: Pete Matthews, whose blog is called Feast of Music (http://www.feastofmusic.com/).  Just in case you happen to run into him!  Edit: just checked his blog, and he'll be there on Sunday, too!)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 29, 2008, 08:57:52 AM
Quote from: MDL on May 29, 2008, 06:09:36 AM
Blimey! I don't think I'd have the stamina. Still, that's quite a programme and if you make it all the way through and stay awake, I'd imagine that listening to Stimmung at that time of night/morning, when you're probably a bit woozy, should be quite an experience. Good luck with that. Drink lots of coffee.

;D  I'm planning to take a nap Saturday afternoon, so I'll be able to stay up with no problem.  It should be lots of fun, since the venue has huge expanses of glass (see below), and they're predicting thunderstorms "after midnight." 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 29, 2008, 09:20:44 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 29, 2008, 07:59:14 AM
I'm very envious.  Do report back!  (I have a friend from here who is going to see it, too: Pete Matthews, whose blog is called Feast of Music (http://www.feastofmusic.com/).  Just in case you happen to run into him!  Edit: just checked his blog, and he'll be there on Sunday, too!)

--Bruce

I'll be looking out for him... And I'll report back, of course!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 30, 2008, 01:42:54 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 29, 2008, 08:57:52 AM
;D  I'm planning to take a nap Saturday afternoon, so I'll be able to stay up with no problem.  It should be lots of fun, since the venue has huge expanses of glass (see below), and they're predicting thunderstorms "after midnight." 

--Bruce

That looks fantastic. Very, very, very stupidly, for reasons that I cannot even begin to fathom, I missed a performance of Stimmung a few years ago that was held at the top of the Swiss Re building in London. I suppose Stimmung has never really been my favourite Stockhausen work (although I've just bought the new Theatre of Voices recording and actually quite like it). But I missed the chance to catch the view from one of London's tallest buildings. I've been banging my head with the fridge door ever since.

(http://www.aidan.co.uk/md/LonSwissReMdV5623.jpg)

(http://rosenblumtv.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/001-gherkin3.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 01, 2008, 04:18:04 AM
So I've finally booked my Proms tickets:

July 27: Messiaen: La Transfiguration. (I'm also going to the Southbank Transfiguration later in the year.)
August 2: Stockhausen Day: Gruppen (x2), Klang 13th Hour, Klang 5th Hour, Harmonien, Kontakte. Late-night concert: Stimmung.
Augst 22: Mahler: Symphony No.5, Stockhausen: Punkte. The third part of this concert consists of Schubert and Beethoven, but I doubt I'll stick around for that. It would be such an anticlimax after the Stockhausen.
September 7: Messiaen: Saint Francis of Assisi (complete concert performance).

There are many other concerts that I'm tempted by, including Haitink/CSO Mahler Symphony No.6, Rattle/BPO Messiaen Turangalila, but I don't want to overdo it.
I often end up having to miss at least one concert for one reason or another.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 02, 2008, 12:30:49 PM
Off to see  La Boheme (http://www.nzopera.com/productions/2008/la_boheme.cfm) today  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 02, 2008, 01:53:45 PM
This July 10th or 12th, I'll be seeing the Cactus Pear Music Festival in the following works:

MENDELSSOHN String Quintet Op 18
GOETZ Piano Quintet
BRAHMS The Greatest Clarinet Quintet of All Time

It should be unforgettable.  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Shrunk on June 03, 2008, 06:30:28 AM
I know it's not the kind of thing usually posted in this thread, but I'm looking forward to seeing Leonard Cohen this Saturday, on his first concert tour in 14 years.

Reviews and videos from the first show on the tour here. (http://www.webheights.net/speakingcohen/tourrev1.html)

A quote from that show: "This is the first time in 14 years I have stood before you in this position as a performer. (Back then) I was just a kid of 60 with crazy dreams."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 03, 2008, 07:31:01 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 01, 2008, 04:18:04 AM
So I've finally booked my Proms tickets:

July 27: Messiaen: La Transfiguration. (I'm also going to the Southbank Transfiguration later in the year.)
August 2: Stockhausen Day: Gruppen (x2), Klang 13th Hour, Klang 5th Hour, Harmonien, Kontakte. Late night concert: Stimmung.
Augst 22: Mahler: Symphony No.5, Stockhausen: Punkte. The third part of this concert consists of Schubert and Beethoven, but I doubt I'll stick around for that. It would be such an anticlimax after the Stockhausen.
September 7: Messiaen: Saint Francis of Assisi (complete concert performance).

There are many other concerts that I'm tempted by, including Haitink/CSO Mahler Symphony No.6, Rattle/BPO Messiaen Turangalila, but I don't want to overdo it.
I often end up having to miss at least one concert for one reason or another.

Wow, so you're hearing Stimmung, too!  (Among all the other great-sounding items.)  I had a great time Saturday night (actually Sunday morning  :D) hearing it at dawn, as the sun was coming up.  And birds were chirping, high up in the upper reaches of the building, which was wild.  (The singers noticed them and looked up, smiling.)

This performance was 80 minutes but apparently it can go on 2 or 3 hours, depending on the choices the performers make in the score.  I was totally transported by it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 03, 2008, 03:32:30 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 03, 2008, 07:31:01 AM
Wow, so you're hearing Stimmung, too!  (Among all the other great-sounding items.)  I had a great time Saturday night (actually Sunday morning  :D) hearing it at dawn, as the sun was coming up.  And birds were chirping, high up in the upper reaches of the building, which was wild.  (The singers noticed them and looked up, smiling.)

This performance was 80 minutes but apparently it can go on 2 or 3 hours, depending on the choices the performers make in the score.  I was totally transported by it.

--Bruce

Bruce, that sounds fantastic! I've listened to my CD and can imagine how, if you're in the mood, you can lose yourself in this piece.

But I do hope that the Proms performance of Stimmung doesn't spread over three hours, otherwise I've got a bloody long walk home from Kensington (cab drivers who work the posh parts of London won't take anybody to my part of town after midnight - not because it's rough but because they can get more money staying in the posh areas - and the night buses running at that time of night on Saturday are utterly terrifying).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 03, 2008, 03:41:34 PM
Quote from: MDL on June 03, 2008, 03:32:30 PM
Bruce, that sounds fantastic! I've listened to my CD and can imagine how, if you're in the mood, you can lose yourself in this piece.

But I do hope that the Proms performance of Stimmung doesn't spread over three hours, otherwise I've got a bloody long walk home from Kensington (cab drivers who work the posh parts of London won't take anybody to my part of town after midnight - not because it's rough but because they can get more money staying in the posh areas - and the night buses that time of night on Saturday are utterly terrifying).

It was really, really beautiful.  Oh, and FYI, at 5:30 in the morning, there must have been 500 people there, hearing the thing.  :o  Here (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/arts/music/02mara.html?ei=5124&en=a92661792f70838c&ex=1370145600&adxnnl=1&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink&adxnnlx=1212536242-w7lAPb2R6iixqP6wdIlHUA) is the New York Times review by Steve Smith (also there the entire 12 hours), with the Stockhausen mentioned at the very end.

I suspect most people don't stretch the piece much beyond an hour or so, mostly because of the singers' stamina.  (Someone let me know if I'm wrong.)  They sit on the floor, cross-legged, which can't be very comfortable for very long, and since it's just nonstop vocalizing...well, I know Wagner tests people even longer, but... :-\

Edit: After seeing another thread, I couldn't resist playing with www.churchsigngenerator.com, one of my fave sites... ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 03, 2008, 04:13:49 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 03, 2008, 03:41:34 PM
It was really, really beautiful.  Oh, and FYI, at 5:30 in the morning, there must have been 500 people there, hearing the thing.  :o  Here (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/arts/music/02mara.html?ei=5124&en=a92661792f70838c&ex=1370145600&adxnnl=1&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink&adxnnlx=1212536242-w7lAPb2R6iixqP6wdIlHUA) is the New York Times review by Steve Smith (also there the entire 12 hours), with the Stockhausen mentioned at the very end.

I suspect most people don't stretch the piece much beyond an hour or so, mostly because of the singers' stamina.  (Someone let me know if I'm wrong.)  They sit on the floor, cross-legged, which can't be very comfortable for very long, and since it's just nonstop vocalizing...well, I know Wagner tests people even longer, but... :-\

Edit: After seeing another thread, I couldn't resist playing with www.churchsigngenerator.com, one of my fave sites... ;D

--Bruce

www.churchsigngenerator.com

Ha! I've not seen that site before. Snork! No, don't start me off again!

Seriously, thanks for the info about Stimmung. I'm actually really excited about Stockhausen Day and the Mahler 5/Stockhausen Punkte concert. I'll let you know how they pan out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on June 03, 2008, 11:03:19 PM
Quote from: MDL on June 03, 2008, 04:13:49 PM
www.churchsigngenerator.com

Ha! I've not seen that site before. Snork! No, don't start me off again!

Seriously, thanks for the info about Stimmung. I'm actually really excited about Stockhausen Day and the Mahler 5/Stockhausen Punkte concert. I'll let you know how they pan out.

Snork?! That word is always used on The Archers message board (BBC Radio Four) to describe a screen-splattering reaction to reading something funny when you're sitting behind your computer with coffee (or tea)!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on June 04, 2008, 02:17:12 AM
Gurreleider - yesterday. Pretty amazing and awe-inspiring.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 04, 2008, 02:41:55 AM
Quote from: erato on June 04, 2008, 02:17:12 AM
Gurreleider - yesterday. Pretty amazing and awe-inspiring.

Nice one. I love hearing Gurrelieder in the flesh. Where and who?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 04, 2008, 02:57:15 AM
Quote from: Jezetha on June 03, 2008, 11:03:19 PM
Snork?! That word is always used on The Archers message board (BBC Radio Four) to describe a screen-splattering reaction to reading something funny when you're sitting behind your computer with coffee (or tea)!

Is it? I'm not an Archers fan so I've never been on that forum.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on June 04, 2008, 03:37:15 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 04, 2008, 02:41:55 AM
Nice one. I love hearing Gurrelieder in the flesh. Where and who?
Sorry about the leider !

Bergen festival, Andrew Litton conducting. I'm still shaking. 360 performers on the stage, (incl glockenspiel, 4 harps, 4 bassons and 2 (!) bass-basoons (is that counterbasoons?), bass clarinet, some seriously large trombonesm  10 man strong percussion, 10 flutes of varying sizes, etc, etc....) .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on June 04, 2008, 03:58:38 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 04, 2008, 02:57:15 AM
Is it? I'm not an Archers fan so I've never been on that forum.

Funny. Because that is where it originated! I became active on that board in October 2006. So the word must have 'broken loose' as it were!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MISHUGINA on June 04, 2008, 04:28:37 AM
I attended Mahler 10th last weekend. Here is my review:

http://mishuginaguide.blogspot.com/2008/06/hannu-lintu-leads-mpo-in-haydn-103-and.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 04, 2008, 05:02:07 AM
Quote from: erato on June 04, 2008, 03:37:15 AM
Sorry about the leider !

Bergen festival, Andrew Litton conducting. I'm still shaking. 360 performers on the stage, (incl glockenspiel, 4 harps, 4 bassons and 2 (!) bass-basoons (is that counterbasoons?), bass clarinet, some seriously large trombonesm  10 man strong percussion, 10 flutes of varying sizes, etc, etc....) .

Contrabassoons, I believe. Why contra I have no idea.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on June 04, 2008, 05:04:46 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 04, 2008, 05:02:07 AM
Contrabassoons, I believe. Why contra I have no idea.
Sounds right. Thanks.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 06, 2008, 07:03:48 AM
Tomorrow night, I'm hearing Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic in Mahler's Ninth.  The Wednesday night performance got an excellent review in the paper today, but I'm almost more excited about my listening companions: a graphic designer friend and her husband, who will be hearing their first live Mahler concert.  They are very excited about it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 06, 2008, 06:02:38 PM
Quote from: MDL on June 04, 2008, 05:02:07 AM
Contrabassoons, I believe. Why contra I have no idea.

The term "contra" in musical terminology is to be understood not in the sense of "opposed" but "opposite", as indicating a "mirrorred" relationship between two elements rather than a "conflict". Counterpoint is the art of putting two melody lines in relationship to each other ("opposite" of each other), but not in a conflicting way, in a way in which they relate to each other harmoniously. Instrumental or vocal ranges are typically denoted "contra" when they extend a range by mirroring it. Therefore, the extension of the "basso" range is the "contrabasso" which mirrors it. But it can also go the other way. The high male voice is the "tenor", the higher male voice which "mirrors" or extends it is the "counter tenor".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 07, 2008, 02:12:19 AM
Quote from: M forever on June 06, 2008, 06:02:38 PM
The term "contra" in musical terminology is to be understood not in the sense of "opposed" but "opposite", as indicating a "mirrorred" relationship between two elements rather than a "conflict". Counterpoint is the art of putting two melody lines in relationship to each other ("opposite" of each other), but not in a conflicting way, in a way in which they relate to each other harmoniously. Instrumental or vocal ranges are typically denoted "contra" when they extend a range by mirroring it. Therefore, the extension of the "basso" range is the "contrabasso" which mirrors it. But it can also go the other way. The high male voice is the "tenor", the higher male voice which "mirrors" or extends it is the "counter tenor".

Thanks for the explanation. Also, I suppose that while it's logical to refer to bass clarinets, trumpets, trombones and flutes, a "bass bassoon" sounds a bit clunky.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on June 07, 2008, 03:56:30 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 07, 2008, 02:12:19 AM
Thanks for the explanation. Also, I suppose that while it's logical to refer to bass clarinets, trumpets, trombones and flutes, a "bass bassoon" sounds a bit clunky.

It's more often called a 'double bassoon'.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 12, 2008, 04:02:45 PM
Tomorrow, June 13th at Avery Fischer Hall, Lorin Maazel conducts the NYPO, one of the worlds great Mahler orchestras, in Mahler's 9th Symphony. I am really excited.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 12, 2008, 04:20:33 PM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 12, 2008, 04:02:45 PM
Tomorrow, June 13th at Avery Fischer Hall, Lorin Maazel conducts the NYPO, one of the worlds great Mahler orchestras, in Mahler's 9th Symphony. I am really excited.

I heard this last Saturday night, and took a husband-and-wife couple for their first live Mahler performance.  (Not to worry; they are familiar with Mahler from recordings--I would never spring the 9th on someone by surprise.  :D) 

Anyway, I hope I don't oversell it, but you are in for a treat: the wife said afterward, "That gave me the vapors!"  Even with a few brass glitches (just to be fair), it was marvelous in many ways. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 12, 2008, 04:26:03 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 12, 2008, 04:20:33 PM
I heard this last Saturday night, and took a husband-and-wife couple for their first live Mahler performance.  (Not to worry; they are familiar with Mahler from recordings--I would never spring the 9th on someone by surprise.  :D) 

Anyway, I hope I don't oversell it, but you are in for a treat: the wife said afterward, "That gave me the vapors!"  Even with a few brass glitches (just to be fair), it was marvelous in many ways. 

--Bruce
Yeah, Mahler's 9th is like pizza: even when it's average it's pretty damn good.

I am also looking forward to next Saturday night, June 20, at Avery Fischer Hall, Lorin Maazel and the NYPO perform Anton Bruckner's 8th Symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 13, 2008, 01:26:30 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 12, 2008, 04:26:03 PM
Yeah, Mahler's 9th is like pizza: even when it's average it's pretty damn good.

PIZZA?!?!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 13, 2008, 06:26:38 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 12, 2008, 04:26:03 PM
I am also looking forward to next Saturday night, June 20, at Avery Fischer Hall, Lorin Maazel and the NYPO perform Anton Bruckner's 8th Symphony.

And I'll be hearing that same concert on Friday night.  (Saturday night I will be at a jazz concert.) 

Tonight looking forward to this at Zankel Hall.  The Ensemble ACJW (ungainly name) is a group of young players, a joint project between Carnegie Hall and Juilliard.

Ensemble ACJW
Pablo Heras-Casado, Conductor

Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 4 
Cavalli (arr. Jacob Druckman): Delizie contente che l'alme beate 
Druckman: Delizie contente che l'alme beate 
Kagel: "East" from The Compass Pieces 
Adès: Chamber Symphony, Op. 2 
Carter: Asko Concerto

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 13, 2008, 06:50:00 PM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 12, 2008, 04:26:03 PM
Yeah, Mahler's 9th is like pizza: even when it's average it's pretty damn good.

That pretty much sums up your understanding of music. And pizza, too, I guess. Thanks for this contribution.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 13, 2008, 07:19:25 PM
Quote from: M forever on June 13, 2008, 06:50:00 PM
That pretty much sums up your understanding of music. And pizza, too, I guess. Thanks for this contribution.
And someone put a gun to your head and forced you to read it and reply right? Shouldn't you be worrying about which gig as a prop you are going for next?
My contributions do not include such absolutely stupid and insipid comments as to how Szell and Reiner killed music making in America, give me a break. Actually you are pretty close to a Nazi, a cultural Nazi that is. This includes every clunker made by central European orchestras is somehow more idiomatic than anything from the U.S.. And please do us a favor, stop recommending the Sinopoli Mahler cycle on DG. It is terrible, from first note to last. You go to the store and grab any Mahler recording off the shelf and the conducting, playing and recorded sound are all better.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 13, 2008, 07:35:26 PM
Except that you don't know anything about conducting, playing, or recorded sound, so why should your "opinion" impress me? What musical experience do you base your deep analysis on?

Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 13, 2008, 07:19:25 PM
This includes every clunker made by central European orchestras is somehow more idiomatic than anything from the U.S.

I don't think you even begin to understand what may or may not be "idiomatic" in orchestral music. That is a cultural world that is completely alien to you and that you can only look at from the outside, as you have often demonstrated. Yes, I guess it is pretty "nazi" when someone who has actually grown up in a particular culture, studying and playing the music himself has the nerve to think that he may understand that better than someone who hasn't, who lacks the most basic insights into that culture...

That's pretty completely idiotic even for you. That would be like me saying I understand Chinese culture better than you and it would make you a "Nazi" for disagreeing.

BTW, if the above is true, why did I rip and upload the complete Schubert 9 with CSO/Giulini just recently to offer it to other members as a "special treat"?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 14, 2008, 01:34:43 AM
Quote from: M forever on June 13, 2008, 06:50:00 PM
That pretty much sums up your understanding of music. And pizza, too, I guess. Thanks for this contribution.

Blimey, who crapped on your corn flakes? Not nice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on June 17, 2008, 09:10:08 AM
I'll be attending the final two concerts for the Winnipeg Chamber Music Society this week:

Last Night:

Mozart - Piano Trio in B flat major, K254 
Brahms - Violin Sonata in A major, Op. 100
Beethoven - String Trio in G major, op. 9. no. 1  (This was a fantastic performance!)  :)


Thursday:

Mozart - Piano Quartet in G minor, K478
Lutoslawski - Four Silesian Melodies for 4 violins
Mendelssohn - Octet in E flat major, Op. 18
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 22, 2008, 01:40:22 PM
NZSO this Friday: Auckland Friday 27 June 6.30pm Town Hall


RAVEL La Valse
SAINT-SAËNS Piano Concerto No 2
TCHAIKOVSKY Manfred Symphony

YOEL LEVI Conductor
SIMON TRPČESKI Piano

The Ballets Russes never danced the score Diaghilev requested from Ravel but La Valse took to the concert hall instead. Its colourful depiction of a crowded ballroom increases in nightmarish tumult to finally dissolve in an excitingly unstable cataclysmic whirl. Saint-Saëns' Second Piano Concerto initially pays homage to Bach, then treats us to a concoction of Gallic wit, sprinkled with brittle ghostliness, before ending theatrically with a driving, tarantella-like force.  Romantic composers were drawn to the supernatural elements of Tchaikovsky's four scenes that form the symphony based on Byron's Manfred Symphony.

About the Artists
YOEL LEVI is Music Director Emeritus of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Adviser of the Flemish Radio Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Israel Philharmonic. He is a frequent guest conductor of leading orchestras throughout North America, Europe and the Far East.

SIMON TRPČESKI first came to public at the London International Piano Competition in 2000 and then at his exceptional Wigmore Hall debut recital in 2001. A born performer with astonishing technical command and a magnetic personality, he has delighted audiences in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.

Especially looking forward to the Manfred Symphony.

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 06:59:53 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 12, 2008, 04:26:03 PM
I am also looking forward to next Saturday night, June 20, at Avery Fischer Hall, Lorin Maazel and the NYPO perform Anton Bruckner's 8th Symphony.

Well, I enjoyed this so much on Friday that I went again on Saturday night.  Maazel was much better in this than I might have expected: strong architectural grasp, with many details well-worked out, and most of the time the orchestra really sounded splendid.  There were some brass bobbles (especially the first night) but not enough to ruin the experience.  If there were anything I'd want improved, it would be the attention to dynamics.  The soft moments needed to be even softer, in a reading that was basically very loud.  (The climaxes were really loud.)  But overall, I thought Maazel acquitted himself very, very well.  Now I'll think about getting that Berlin recording.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 07:21:27 AM
Quote from: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 06:59:53 AM
Well, I enjoyed this so much on Friday that I went again on Saturday night.  Maazel was much better in this than I might have expected: strong architectural grasp, with many details well-worked out, and most of the time the orchestra really sounded splendid.  There were some brass bobbles (especially the first night) but not enough to ruin the experience.  If there were anything I'd want improved, it would be the attention to dynamics.  The soft moments needed to be even softer, in a reading that was basically very loud.  (The climaxes were really loud.)  But overall, I thought Maazel acquitted himself very, very well.  Now I'll think about getting that Berlin recording.

--Bruce
I came away with the same impression overall. Personally I think at times it sounded a bit too brassy (like that metallic buzz you sometimes hear from the brasses). The Wagner Tubas were good but not great, but the horns were great. Overall I think it is a very good presentation. It doesn't bow me over and really enhance my appreciation of the work but I can't complain. Also I really have to hand it to the timpanist (I think it was Christ Lamb) who handled the really difficult part with aplomb.

I am not sure why Judith Leclaire and Robert Langevin (the principal bassoon and flute respectively) weren't there but they didn't really miss them by the sound of it.

Also after the concert a woman complained that Philip Myers (the principal horn) had some funny articulation which I didn't hear and that the flutes were out of tune which was totally ludicrous.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 07:34:04 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 07:21:27 AM
Also after the concert a woman complained that Philip Myers (the principal horn) had some funny articulation which I didn't hear and that the flutes were out of tune which was totally ludicrous.

There was at least one horn passage that is usually done very legato, which he did with more articulation, but I definitely felt that was Maazel's call, not Myers's.  And I didn't hear anything but goodness from the flutes.

PS, on both nights the audience was remarkably quiet, much more so than usual for Philharmonic audiences, and perhaps even more amazing: I didn't hear a cell phone, ever.  

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 07:43:24 AM
Quote from: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 07:34:04 AM

PS, on both nights the audience was remarkably quiet, much more so than usual for Philharmonic audiences, and perhaps even more amazing: I didn't hear a cell phone, ever.  

--Bruce
You didn't hear a watch beeping RIGHT at the start of the piece? And I mean right at the start like as soon as Maazel gives the downbeat the damn thing started beeping. It went on for a good 10 seconds or so.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 07:49:22 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 07:43:24 AM
You didn't hear a watch beeping RIGHT at the start of the piece? And I mean right at the start like as soon as Maazel gives the downbeat the damn thing started beeping. It went on for a good 10 seconds or so.

:o  Wow, no...missed that completely (thankfully).  Where were you sitting?  On Saturday, I was in the back right corner of the orchestra, just out from under the overhang.  (The sound was better than on Friday, when I was on the left side, about halfway back.)

Yikes...I hate those watches.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 08:00:28 AM
Quote from: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 07:49:22 AM
:o  Wow, no...missed that completely (thankfully).  Where were you sitting?  On Saturday, I was in the back right corner of the orchestra, just out from under the overhang.  (The sound was better than on Friday, when I was on the left side, about halfway back.)

Yikes...I hate those watches.

--Bruce
I must have been right on top of you then, but I was sitting pretty much dead center. I wonder whether Maazel heard that CASIO watch. The funniest thing was the guy/girl must have been trying to silence the damn thing and it went on beeping twice as fast for a few seconds. I am surprised they didn't kick the offender out. THe music was real quiet at the point and that beeping sound stuck out like a white guy in Harlem.

I almost missed the concert. I waited for the 2 train for what seemed like an eternity and came in seconds before Dicterow came out...

What also surprised me was that while reading the program notes it says the last time the NYPO performed this piece was in 2000, which is incidentally the last time they performed last week's piece - Gustav Mahler's 9th Symphony. Eight years with no Bruckner 8th or Mahler 9th is unfathomable IMHO. I think the blame rests on the shoulders of Kurt Masur.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 23, 2008, 04:08:08 PM
Yeah, Masur is know for not liking Bruckner. What can you do?

Quote from: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 07:34:04 AM
There was at least one horn passage that is usually done very legato, which he did with more articulation, but I definitely felt that was Maazel's call, not Myers's.

Where was that?

Quote from: bhodges on June 23, 2008, 07:34:04 AM
And I didn't hear anything but goodness from the flutes.

Could be, of course, but I would really like to read a critical review from you (just once!), not critical nitpicking for its own sake, just critical. That would make statements like this much more believable.

BTW, which edition did they do? Haas or Nowak?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 23, 2008, 06:16:53 PM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 08:00:28 AM
What also surprised me was that while reading the program notes it says the last time the NYPO performed this piece was in 2000.

I think that was with Eschenbach. That 2000 performance is still seared into my memory as the most amazing Bruckner 8th I have ever heard, as well as the most terrific orchestral playing I have ever heard from the sometimes inconsistent NYPO.

Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 08:00:28 AM
I think the blame rests on the shoulders of Kurt Masur.

Hardly. He did a fair amount of Mahler and Bruckner with the NYPO. I lived in NY for five years of his reign and don't recall a particular shortage of either composer. IIRC, Masur especially liked to program Bruckner for the free concert they do annually at St.John the Divine for whatever that holiday is. Then again, it's a bit redundant to program Bruckner and Mahler in NY, since so many of their works are considered warhorses these days which orchestras like to take on tour and which therefore invariably show up on Carnegie Hall programs. I remember a number of seasons where you could have literally heard at least partial Mahler and Bruckner cycles a few times over between Carnegie and Lincoln Center, but without hearing e.g. a single Schubert symphony at either place.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 06:24:23 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on June 23, 2008, 06:16:53 PM
I think that was with Eschenbach. That 2000 performance is still seared into my memory as the most amazing Bruckner 8th I have ever heard, as well as the most terrific orchestral playing I have ever heard from the sometimes inconsistent NYPO.

Hardly. He did a fair amount of Mahler and Bruckner with the NYPO. I lived in NY for five years of his reign and don't recall a particular shortage of either composer. IIRC, Masur especially liked to program Bruckner for the free concert they do annually at St.John the Divine for whatever that holiday is. Then again, it's a bit redundant to program Bruckner and Mahler in NY, since so many of their works are considered warhorses these days which orchestras like to take on tour and which therefore invariably show up on Carnegie Hall programs. I remember a number of seasons where you could have literally heard at least partial Mahler and Bruckner cycles a few times over between Carnegie and Lincoln Center, but without hearing e.g. a single Schubert symphony at either place.
THey are doing Mahler's 2nd and 5th and 8th next year - 5th with Dudamel - 8th with Maazel and 2nd  with Kaplan. Also Bruckner's 9th is on the schedule and I think that is with Eschenbach but I don't remember who they listed. So it looks like more Bruckner and Mahler next year. Schubert's Great C Major is also on the schedule as well.

Incidentally the edition Maazel used with the Bruckner 8th is Nowak according to the notes.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 23, 2008, 07:23:40 PM
Thanks - but why are you saying "according to the notes"? Weren't you there yourself? Do you think it was actually Haas, not Nowak?

Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 06:24:23 PM
THey are doing Mahler's 2nd and 5th and 8th next year - 5th with Dudamel -

Oh wow, I have to hear that! This is such a complex piece with so many things happening on so many layers, I have always wanted to hear that conducted by someone who has studied the music for many years, reflected on how to bring all those details together, how to balance and illuminate all those layers, someone who really leads the listener inside the music instead of doing the monkey thing in front of a highly trained group of musicians on autopilot. So I have to go to that concert!!!

Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 06:24:23 PM
8th with Maazel

That might be neat. But - in Carnegie Hall or Avery Fisher Hall?

Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 06:24:23 PM
2nd  with Kaplan

That might be interesting, too. Kaplan certainly deserves to be taken seriously for all the work and studying he has invested in figuring the music out. His two recordings are very solid and there is a lot of good stuff in them which shows that he really knows what he wants and how he wants it.

Quote from: O Mensch on June 23, 2008, 06:16:53 PM
I think that was with Eschenbach. That 2000 performance is still seared into my memory as the most amazing Bruckner 8th I have ever heard, as well as the most terrific orchestral playing I have ever heard from the sometimes inconsistent NYPO.

Your greatest live Bruckner 8 was with Eschenbach? Man I - am - so - sorry  :'(  But maybe we should look at it from the positive side. That means that you have many potentially really great Bruckner experiences ahead of you, like with...uh...uh...well...you know...well, I guess Eschenbach is better than nothing!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PSmith08 on June 23, 2008, 08:29:04 PM
Quote from: M forever on June 23, 2008, 07:23:40 PM
That might be interesting, too. Kaplan certainly deserves to be taken seriously for all the work and studying he has invested in figuring the music out. His two recordings are very solid and there is a lot of good stuff in them which shows that he really knows what he wants and how he wants it.

I've always sort of wished that Kaplan would approach some of the other works by Mahler, given his comprehensive and critical study of the 2nd, as I think he could do some very interesting things with the other symphonies. Of course, that's a bit of a pipe dream, as I think that it was his deep interest in the 2nd that motivated his protean scholarship. Still, his recordings of the 2nd are very nice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 23, 2008, 09:08:03 PM
Not a pipe dream. A few conductors have done that. Kaplan's insights are very deep, but not extremely and unusually deep. It just took him a long time because he had no solid musical training and experience before. Which makes his achievements all the more impressive but it has to be kept in mind that for him the learning process was particularly slow because of the lack of these abilities, not because he spent so much longer than anyone else studying that particular score. Well, maybe that, too, it is hard to "gauge". But a number of conductors have approached the Mahler symphonies equally well prepared and with very well reflected interpretations. The best current example, I guess, is Boulez - and it is interesting to note that there are quite a few parallels between his and Kaplan's style.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 24, 2008, 06:16:10 AM
Quote from: M forever on June 23, 2008, 07:23:40 PM
Your greatest live Bruckner 8 was with Eschenbach? Man I - am - so - sorry  :'(  But maybe we should look at it from the positive side. That means that you have many potentially really great Bruckner experiences ahead of you, like with...uh...uh...well...you know...well, I guess Eschenbach is better than nothing!  :)

Say what you want about the guy (I'm sure you will), but it was indeed an amazing performance. I have had extremely inconsistent experiences with Eschenbach. That astounding B8 on one end of the spectrum and a just atrociously bizarre Dvorak 9 on the other end and a lot in the middle. So I can see why people don't like him too much. But that one evening the stars somehow aligned. And in many, many concerts I have never heard such playing from the NYPO before or since. They outdid themselves. The Adagio, especially, was amazingly nuanced and just "alive".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 24, 2008, 06:50:25 AM
Quote from: M forever on June 23, 2008, 07:23:40 PM
Thanks - but why are you saying "according to the notes"? Weren't you there yourself? Do you think it was actually Haas, not Nowak?

I don't know the score well enough to say definitely whether it was Haas or Nowak. Then the notes also say an earlier and a newer Nowak edition so there is no way I am going to know most of the differences unless I am on the lookout for them. Also there were moments where I spaced out while staring at the legs of this girl with high heels sitting on the side so whatever differences there might be I didn't quite catch. I am sorry but I find it really difficult to give 100% attention for an hour and a half no matter what the piece is. The performance lasted close to 90 minutes which would make a pretty long Nowak presentation.

Back to Mahler's 5th, there is a recording with Mehta conducting the NYPO recorded at Manhattan Center which I think is pretty good in presenting the orchestra close to what it sounds like when you take it out of the somewhat dry acoustics of Avery Fischer Hall. I picked that recording up by accident when a seller on Amazon sent that cd instead of something else. But it really presents the tonal palette of the different sections of the Philharmonic quite nicely, especially those rifts in the horns in the 2nd movement.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 24, 2008, 09:26:11 AM
I think the best recordings of the NYP sonically that I have heard are the DG recordings with Sinopoli which are also musically outstanding (I believe they were made in Manhattan Center, too). I didn't find Avery Fisher Hall too bad when I was there a while ago, but then I also had a potentially very good seat in the second balcony from the front on the left side. And considering that it didn't sound too great there either, I can easily imagine that it must suck further back in the hall. Overall, the concert (with Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Ravel conducted by Dutoit) was by a fair margin the most impressive concert by an American orchestra I have heard since I came here 5 years ago, so I hope to catch them live again before not too long. I will actually be back in NY in July but there are no more "serious" concerts with them then. In any case, they really deserve a better hall. Apart from the sound, it is stunningly ugly.

The easy way to tell whether it is Haas or Nowak, BTW, is that in the finale, after the massive "rex tremendae majestatis" passage where the brass build up ever higher piled long-held chords over a steady march-like ostinato in timpani and lower strings, in the Nowak edition, there are only four quiet bars with timpani and pizzed strings as bridge to the next section which opens with a quiet, pastoral motif in the horns while in the Haas edition, there is a fairly extensive interlude with a violin solo (the only place I can think of actually that a violin solo occurs in Bruckner's symphonies). That passage comes from the earlier version and was reinserted by Haas into the later version which is pretty much exactly represented by Nowak's edition because he felt that without it, there was a structural hole there and that Bruckner can only have been pressured into cutting the passage. There are a number of prominent Bruckner interpreters who have the same opinion and choose Haas mainly for that reason.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 24, 2008, 09:51:42 AM
Quote from: M forever on June 24, 2008, 09:26:11 AM
I think the best recordings of the NYP sonically that I have heard are the DG recordings with Sinopoli which are also musically outstanding (I believe they were made in Manhattan Center, too). I didn't find Avery Fisher Hall too bad when I was there a while ago, but then I also had a potentially very good seat in the second balcony from the front on the left side. And considering that it didn't sound too great there either, I can easily imagine that it must suck further back in the hall. Overall, the concert (with Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Ravel conducted by Dutoit) was by a fair margin the most impressive concert by an American orchestra I have heard since I came here 5 years ago, so I hope to catch them live again before not too long. I will actually be back in NY in July but there are no more "serious" concerts with them then. In any case, they really deserve a better hall. Apart from the sound, it is stunningly ugly.

The easy way to tell whether it is Haas or Nowak, BTW, is that in the finale, after the massive "rex tremendae majestatis" passage where the brass build up ever higher piled long-held chords over a steady march-like ostinato in timpani and lower strings, in the Nowak edition, there are only four quiet bars with timpani and pizzed strings as bridge to the next section which opens with a quiet, pastoral motif in the horns while in the Haas edition, there is a fairly extensive interlude with a violin solo (the only place I can think of actually that a violin solo occurs in Bruckner's symphonies). That passage comes from the earlier version and was reinserted by Haas into the later version which is pretty much exactly represented by Nowak's edition because he felt that without it, there was a structural hole there and that Bruckner can only have been pressured into cutting the passage. There are a number of prominent Bruckner interpreters who have the same opinion and choose Haas mainly for that reason.
I know which passage you are referring to now. The bridge passage occurs about 6 minutes into the finale (I have the Boulez/WP recording in front of me right now which uses the Haas). The Haas has either 10 or 20 bars of bridge material depending on whether you count in 2s or 4s which isn't TERRIBLY longer than the 4 bars in the Nowak I guess. Maazel definitely used the Nowak then. Incidentally the horn solo after that passage is probably what the girl referred to as "funny articulation" after the concert. During the concert I had an itch that it didn't sound quite normal (in the sense that the horn passage sounds different from the recordings I have) but it was a fleeting moment that I didn't remember afterwards.

The Avery Fisher Hall acoustics really depend on where you sit. A few months ago I sat pretty much a few rows back dead center in the orchestra level and heard Masur and the Orch. Nat. France do an unbelievable Tchaikovsky 5th (talk about a performance that make you rethink how well you know a work). The suavity and beauty of that orchestra really took my breath away. Then I sat in the first balcony for the Mahler 9th and acoustically it was pretty dead. The opening walls of string sound that opens the finale as a non-event. But somehow Bruckner sounded pretty well from the same spot...

There is NO question the NYPO needs a new hall. They use that place for high school graduations (I had mine there about 15 years ago). You take the number of high schools in the city and figure out how much wear and pounding that hall takes. You wouldn't even think about pretty anything nice in there because you know teenagers, they will destroy anything and everything. You go a few hundred feet further into the MET and the acoustics is much warmer and less agressive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 24, 2008, 11:04:04 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 24, 2008, 09:51:42 AM
They use that place for high school graduations (I had mine there about 15 years ago).

And law school graduations.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 24, 2008, 11:10:12 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on June 24, 2008, 11:04:04 AM
And law school graduations.  ;)
You don't realize how ugly it is until you get up to the stage area. It's like the whole stage needs to be repainted or something. It is quite embarassing actually.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 24, 2008, 11:43:01 AM
I heard the ONdF/Masur play Tchaikovsky 5 in Boston and I was literally blown away by that, too. That was an awesome performance in every respect (and as you know, I have heard, or as you like to call it, "been a prop" at many outstanding concerts, so that really means something) and it was also "interesting" for me to see how I reacted to that because I had had very mixed expectations.
I have heard the ONdF live a number of times before and they were, quite contrary to the general reputation French symphony orchestras still have, very good every time and some of the concerts very really very good - a Tchaikovsky 6 I heard with them with Maazel in the 80s to this day remains one of the great concert experiences of my life. I have also always enjoyed the rather special sound they have retained with very silky strings, rather bright but very sonorous brass and woodwind playing which always lived up to the high expectations one has of French woodwind players.
Before this concert, I had wondered how Masur's tenure might have "affected" the orchestra since, I have to admit, I used to be quite "biased" against him which is partially based on many very solidly crafted, but rarely really outstanding recordings I have heard with him (a lot of which I generally listen to more for the quality and style of the GOL than for his interpretive insights) but also on having played under his baton a number of times and I have to say, basically rather competent as he is, he also is (or maybe used to be) a real asshole   ::) ::)
Anyway, the concert was great and while Masur's leadership there has definitely resulted in a noticeable "Germanization" of the sound, it is still relatively very refined and sonorous - I talked to some members of the orchestra afterwards and they all said they were very happy with how he has influenced the sound and playing style of the orchestra - and the music making was stunningly nuanced and spirited. Plus, even though they didn't force the sound at all, they really filled the hall well with round, deep, glowing sound (I wish O Mensch could hear something like that some time)  ;) Even though I have also heard Tchaikovsky 5 way too many times and did not look particularly forward to hearing it again, but then I didn't want to miss the chance to catch the orchestra live as it has been a while since I last heard them, I enjoyed this concert enormously and there was not one dull moment.
:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 24, 2008, 12:19:36 PM
Don't know whether Masur is an asshole or not but the orchestra seems to like him. I know going by how they smile at him when he comes on and off the stage is probably not a good indicator of their affinity towards him. The audience seem to like him more now that he only shows up occasionally instead of seeing him day in and day out. A couple of things that really stood out as far as the playing of the ONdF is as you said the silken playing of the strings - both in the 3rd movement of the Tchaikovsky 5th and also in the encore, the Polonaise from Eugene Onegin. What really blew me away was the playing of the woodwinds. The phrasing and legato was so perfect I swear you never think those guys need to take a breath. I think the Tchaikovsky 5th is on the menu next year at the NYPO as New Yorkers can't seem to get enough of the piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 24, 2008, 03:14:29 PM
He must have mellowed out a lot because the orchestra members I talked to (one of the bass players I had played together with a long time ago in a French-German student orchestra) had nothing but very positive things to say about him and their work together (which is fairly rare for orchestra musicians).
The woodwind were indeed very impressive, especially the lady (http://www.cvillechambermusic.org/images/photos/cismondi.jpg) who played the first oboe who really played in very long arches, especially in her long solo passages in the slow movement which also rose effortlessly above the strings when these got louder. And it was great to see and hear the original French bassoon ("le basson") in action which is rare these days since even some French orchestras have switched to the German system, a pity as it is one more characteristic color of the orchestral palette gone...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 24, 2008, 03:36:46 PM
Don't know whether Masur mellowed out a lot but he seems a lot older. I know he is no spring chicken so to speak but since I heard him about 5-6 years ago and now he looks like he has aged 15 years, to the point he looks like he has trouble standing. Well at least he doesn't need a chair like Levine does nowadays. My wife asked whether there is something wrong with his left arm since it always seem to move uncontrollably and I told her I don't know.

It would be interesting to hear the other famous French orchestra - namely the Orch. de Paris if and when they come to town.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 26, 2008, 05:06:33 PM
These look like Parkinson's disease symptoms  :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 26, 2008, 06:04:51 PM
Maybe, but it could also be late consequences of a very bad car accident Masur was involved in in the 70s. IIRC, in the accident, his wife was killed and several more persons who were in one of those small plasticky cars the East Germans had ("Trabant") were killed, too, when Masur ran the Mercedes that he as priviledged Gewandhauskapellmeister had into that car. Apparently the accident was his fault but everything was covered up because he had good contacts to the regime. That story was dragged out again by newspapers after the fall of the wall and reunification when Masur was celebrated by some as a hero because he had played a role in de-escalating the situation in Leipzig in 1989.
He sustained some lasting injury in the accident, exactly what I don't know, but it led to him not being able to hold a baton anymore which is the actual reason he started conducting without one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: paul on June 26, 2008, 07:20:15 PM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on June 23, 2008, 08:00:28 AMI think the blame rests on the shoulders of Kurt Masur.

Kurt Masur hasn't been music director of the Philharmonic since 2002, so I don't think that he has had much to do with any recent programming of Bruckner. Maazel's performance of Bruckner 8 with the Philharmonic received such positive responses from the musicians that it ultimately landed him the job and I don't think that he wanted to risk another performance of it too soon. Right before his "farewell season" seems like a better time to do it. I agree that Friday's performance was exceptional and I'm sorry that I couldn't go see the concert again the next night.

Also for the record, Masur is still an asshole and as frustrating as ever to play under. He is just older.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: paul on June 26, 2008, 07:22:01 PM
Maazel's first performance in 2000, that is.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 26, 2008, 07:49:10 PM
Quote from: paul on June 26, 2008, 07:20:15 PM
Also for the record, Masur is still an asshole and as frustrating as ever to play under. He is just older.

How do you know?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: paul on June 27, 2008, 05:13:56 AM
Quote from: M forever on June 26, 2008, 07:49:10 PM
How do you know?

I have played under him and gone to many rehearsals and concerts with him and the Philharmonic. My teacher is in the Philharmonic as is her student who I occasionally study with (who won his job under Masur) and I get an earload about working with Masur all the time from them and other members of the orchestra I've talked to. His relationship with the NYPO is not the happiest.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on June 27, 2008, 02:43:40 PM
Are you referring to back when he was MD or more recently? Does he come back as guest regularly? What's the synopsis of what you hear (the "earloads"). I remember him being usually competent and prepared, fairly insistent, but often unnecessarily unfriendly back then in Leipzig (and one time, I also happened to play with a smaller orchestra in Jena for a conducting seminar he led, that was pretty bad, how he acted the world star who condescended to work with half-talented students and a smaller, "provincial" orchestra, and he made sure everyone knew what he felt about them). Where did you play under him, BTW?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 27, 2008, 03:03:27 PM
Yikes! When shit hits the fan...  :o . What is it with conductors' egos anyway?  :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 01, 2008, 08:16:03 AM
Next week seeing Zimmermann's opera, Die Soldaten, in the production from the 2006 Ruhr Festival (below).  The narrow stage stretches the length of the venue (the Park Avenue Armory), some 300 feet long, with the audience seated on a huge unit that straddles the stage on either side, mounted on railroad tracks.  The seating is able to move 7" per second, moving the audience closer to the action as required.  It looks totally amazing!

--Bruce

(http://www.omm.de/veranstaltungen/festspiele2006/bilder/RUHR2006-die-soldaten3.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 01, 2008, 08:34:56 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 01, 2008, 08:16:03 AM
The seating is able to move 7" per second, moving the audience closer to the action as required.  It looks totally amazing!

--Bruce

(http://www.omm.de/veranstaltungen/festspiele2006/bilder/RUHR2006-die-soldaten3.jpg)

WTF?! Are you serious? So is the whole audience going to be shunting backwards and forwards like they're on something that's escaped from Disney World? Have seat belts been provided? What's going to happen to the we're-in-a-box-with-a-crate-of-champagne brigade? Too many questions. I think I'm going to be sick.

That looks amazing! Don't suppose you can sneak some footage onto YouTube, can you?  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 01, 2008, 08:57:23 AM
Quote from: MDL on July 01, 2008, 08:34:56 AM
WTF?! Are you serious? So is the whole audience going to be shunting backwards and forwards like they're on something that's escaped from Disney World? Have seat belts been provided? What's going to happen to the we're-in-a-box-with-a-crate-of-champagne brigade? Too many questions. I think I'm going to be sick.

That looks amazing! Don't suppose you can sneak some footage onto YouTube, can you?  ;D

;D  Yes, you are correct!  And a theme park ride is exactly what I was thinking of.  (And a friend said, "Whoa, 7 inches a second...don't you think that's a little fast!")  Apparently it's not so fast: during Act I the seating makes one traversal up to the front and then back, and a similar "up and back" during Act II.  But still...

Opening night is Saturday, so there should be a review in the NY Times shortly after.  Will definitely post it here, if so.  (And I assume they will have at least one photo.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 01, 2008, 09:28:50 AM
Just found the video about the piece, including building the set, that I saw on Sunday--they must have just posted it. 

http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/die-soldaten/96

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: uffeviking on July 01, 2008, 10:41:14 AM
Fantastic video, thank you so much Bruce!

You better eat light before you attend, don't want you to get airsick, or car sick, or audience sick, whatever.

I have the video of the 1989 Harry Kupfer production at the Staatsoper Stuttgart where Kupfer moved the action on to two levels, stage floor and second story platform. Not a bad idea either. A conductor friend of mine spent time in Stuttgart during the rehearsals as one of the many advisers and he was overwhelmed at the multitude of actions.

Looking forward to your review! :-*

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 01, 2008, 10:45:26 AM
Quote from: uffeviking on July 01, 2008, 10:41:14 AM
Fantastic video, thank you so much Bruce!

You better eat light before you attend, don't want you to get airsick, or car sick, or audience sick, whatever.

I have the video of the 1989 Harry Kupfer production at the Staatsoper Stuttgart where Kupfer moved the action on to two levels, stage floor and second story platform. Not a bad idea either. A conductor friend of mine spent time in Stuttgart during the rehearsals as one of the many advisers and he was overwhelmed at the multitude of actions.

Looking forward to your review! :-*



Yes, I've seen some still photos of that production, which also looks quite fine.  (I don't recall the production here at NY City Opera being nearly as complex as either of these sound.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on July 01, 2008, 02:16:29 PM
Quote from: bhodges on July 01, 2008, 09:28:50 AM
Just found the video about the piece, including building the set, that I saw on Sunday--they must have just posted it. 

http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/die-soldaten/96

--Bruce

Thanks for the link, Bruce.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Monsieur Croche on July 01, 2008, 11:02:29 PM
Tonight: Jenö Jandó

Bach – Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, BWV 903
Bach – Italian Concerto, BWV 971
Bartók – Suite, Op. 14
Kodaly – Dances of Marosszek
Liszt – Sonata in B Minor

------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow: Jennifer Micallef & Glen Inanga

Bach-Reger – Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068
Beethoven – Grosse Fuge in B Flat Major, Op. 133
Mozart-Busoni – Duettino Concertante (from PC #19)
Holloway – Selections from Gilded Goldbergs
Martinu – Fantasy
Stravinsky – Three Dances from Petrushka
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day after tomorrow: Kim Sung-Hoon

Bach – Partita No. 6 in E Minor, BWV 830
Scriabin – Sonata No. 5, Op. 53, "Poem of Ecstasy"
Brahms – Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 5

-----------------------------------------------------------------

And the day after: Christopher Taylor***

Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Rzewski – The People United Will Never Be Defeated!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

And the next day: Konstantin Scherbakov

Bach-Godowsky – Violin Sonata in B Minor, BWV 1002
Shostakovich – Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87 (selections)
Beethoven-Liszt – Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, "Choral"

Man, do I have a busy week ahead of me!  8) 8) 8)

***I'm especially looking forward to this one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 02, 2008, 01:59:44 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 01, 2008, 09:28:50 AM
Just found the video about the piece, including building the set, that I saw on Sunday--they must have just posted it. 

http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/die-soldaten/96

--Bruce

Great video, what I've seen of it. (I'm at work and I'd got halfway through when a colleague came over to ask a question so I had to look busy.) Didn't an early, abortive scenario for Soldaten consist of putting the audience on swivel chairs and surrounding them with 12 screens and stages? Maybe I dreamt one up that. Whatever.

I saw ENO's Soldaten back in 1996/7 and loved it. It was a modern-dress affair, unlike the DVD, but it worked fine.

BTW, does anybody know why the original Wergo Soldaten was recorded in mono, even though it was taped in the '60s? If any work cries out for stereo sound, this is it. (Well, my LPs are mono. Perhaps it's been reissued in stereo on CD.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 02, 2008, 07:56:58 AM
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on July 01, 2008, 11:02:29 PM
And the day after: Christopher Taylor***

Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988
Rzewski – The People United Will Never Be Defeated!

***I'm especially looking forward to this one.


I would be, too.  A couple of years ago he did the complete Ligeti etudes here--all 18 of them--and it was one of the finest, most intense recitals I've ever been to.  You are in for a treat.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 23, 2008, 10:07:25 AM
Tonight, a recital by Philippe Entremont (Yes, he's still with us!), part of the International Keyboard Institute & Festival (http://www.ikif.org/) at Mannes College of Music.  The program:

Mozart:  Sonata in A Major, KV 331
Beethoven:  Sonata, Op. 57 "Appassionata"
DebussyImages, Book I
DebussySuite pour le piano
RavelPavane pour une Infante defunte
RavelAlborada del gracioso

And Saturday night at the same festival, Marc-André Hamelin in this one:

Mozart:  Sonata in A minor, K. 310
Chopin:  Two Nocturnes, Op. 27
Scriabin:  Sonata No. 7, Op. 64
Ives:  Concord Sonata

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 24, 2008, 12:47:02 PM
Looking forward to  Romeo & Juliet  (http://www.nzballet.org.nz/) tomorrow.

Here's  (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10523375) a review in todays NZ Herald.

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 24, 2008, 12:55:44 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 24, 2008, 12:47:02 PM
Looking forward to  Romeo & Juliet  (http://www.nzballet.org.nz/) tomorrow.

Here's  (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10523375) a review in todays NZ Herald.

:)

What a gorgeous production!  That scene with the edge of the moon, looming huge behind the building, is pretty stunning.  Enjoy and do report back. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 24, 2008, 12:58:43 PM
Yes, Bruce it does look special and great review in the Herald.

I will post my thoughts  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: calvin on July 25, 2008, 11:01:47 PM
tonight i'll be attending the concert of mehta conducting tchaikovsky 6 and picture at an exhibition with Israel Philharmonic at the Sydney Opera House......
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 26, 2008, 03:54:33 AM
My first Prom of the season, Sunday 27th. Three choirs, no less. Should be fairly loud!

Messiaen La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ (98 mins)
There will be no interval

Gerard Bouwhuis piano
Adam Walker flute
Julian Bliss clarinet
Sonia Wieder-Atherton cello
Colin Currie xylophone
Adrian Spillett marimba
Richard Benjafield vibraphone


Philharmonia Voices
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Thierry Fischer conductor


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 28, 2008, 09:33:15 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 23, 2008, 10:07:25 AM
And Saturday night at the same festival, Marc-André Hamelin in this one:

Mozart:  Sonata in A minor, K. 310
Chopin:  Two Nocturnes, Op. 27
Scriabin:  Sonata No. 7, Op. 64
Ives:  Concord Sonata

Hamelin's recital was absolutely astounding.  Even the works I don't normally enjoy were a delight to listen to--e.g., I am not the biggest fan of Mozart's sonatas, but nevertheless greatly enjoyed his crisp, rhythmically precise reading of this one.  The two Chopin Nocturnes were exquisite, with dynamic shading about as subtle as it gets.  In pretty much the entire concert, Hamelin's soft moments were very impressive. 

The devilish Scriabin was piercing, mysterious, weird, with huge chords that seemed to link it to the Ives that followed.  And for most of us, the Ives was the climax.  Although many fine pianists play this piece today--and play it extremely well--Hamelin really makes sense out of its sprawling structure and holds it together.  Plus, he can do the folksky "hoedown" portions with humor. 

Two encores, including one he wrote himself: Little Nocturne (2007), a dreamy miniature in a fairly conservative style--it actually didn't sound too unlike the Scriabin.  And then, "the Diabelli Variation that Beethoven never wrote," a 30-second riff on "Chopsticks" that was totally hilarious. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 28, 2008, 01:40:43 PM
Quote from: MDL on July 26, 2008, 03:54:33 AM
My first Prom of the season, Sunday 27th. Three choirs, no less. Should be fairly loud!

Messiaen La Transfiguration de Notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ (98 mins)
There will be no interval

Gerard Bouwhuis piano
Adam Walker flute
Julian Bliss clarinet
Sonia Wieder-Atherton cello
Colin Currie xylophone
Adrian Spillett marimba
Richard Benjafield vibraphone

Philharmonia Voices
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC National Chorus of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Thierry Fischer conductor

This was amazing! If not quite in the Mahler 8/Gurrelieder league, the forces on stage were nevertheless enormous. I liked the way the metal percussion was spread around the stage; seven gongs to the left, three tam-tams to the right and bells at the back. It added a bit of theatre to the ritualistic chiming that recurs throughout the piece. Obviously, the big climaxes were mindblowing, but I was really impressed by some of the quieter passages that, experienced live, had a weight and mystery that I've not tuned into when listening to recordings. Obviously, listening to a gargantuan piece live is always a revelation, but I've been listening to various recordings of Transfiguration on and off for almost three decades and I was still bowled over by how it sounded in the flesh.

And I'm going to hear/see it again in the Festival Hall in the autumn under Nagano. Can't wait.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 28, 2008, 03:52:54 PM
Quote from: MDL on July 28, 2008, 01:40:43 PM
This was amazing! If not quite in the Mahler 8/Gurrelieder league, the forces on stage were nevertheless enormous. I liked the way the metal percussion was spread around the stage; seven gongs to the left, three tam-tams to the right and bells at the back. It added a bit of theatre to the ritualistic chiming that recurs throughout the piece. Obviously, the big climaxes were mindblowing, but I was really impressed by some of the quieter passages that, experienced live, had a weight and mystery that I've not tuned into when listening to recordings. Obviously, listening to a gargantuan piece live is always a revelation, but I've been listening to various recordings of Transfiguration on and off for almost three decades and I was still bowled over by how it sounded in the flesh.

And I'm going to hear/see it again in the Festival Hall in the autumn under Nagano. Can't wait.

Thanks for this interesting report, on what must have been an overwhelming experience.  Huge Messiaen works definitely need to be experienced in person, and I can't believe you're going to hear it twice, live, within just a few months!  (I still have not heard it on recordings.)  So did you mention your favorite?  If not, please feel free to recommend one.  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 29, 2008, 02:12:36 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 28, 2008, 03:52:54 PM
Thanks for this interesting report, on what must have been an overwhelming experience.  Huge Messiaen works definitely need to be experienced in person, and I can't believe you're going to hear it twice, live, within just a few months!  (I still have not heard it on recordings.)  So did you mention your favorite?  If not, please feel free to recommend one.  :D

--Bruce

La Transfiguration is by some distance my favourite Messiaen piece. I only found out at the Prom that it was one of Messiaen's favourites, too. I've got all five recordings.  I didn't mean to collect them all; I just kept on stumbling over them in sales. (The most recent I picked up in either Boston or New York in 2003.) I got to know the piece via Antal Dorati's Washington performance on Decca Headline, so inevitably, perhaps, that's probably my favourite. In the review of recordings in the Proms brochure, Dorati's performance was singled out for its intensity. It's due for reissue soon, so snap it up.

I was listening to Chung again last night. It's beautifully recorded and gorgeously played, but occasionally lacks bite and impact. If you're in the mood for a softer-grained Messiaen, it's well worth a listen. De Leeuw's recording is very attractive and was highy regarded by the composer, apparently, although I think both Rickenbacker and Camberling provide bigger-boned, more appropriately monumental readings.

So I'd say wait until Dorati's recording resurfaces. If you can't wait, Rickenbacker on Koch is impressive. Perhaps you can pick up Chung as well for a fascinating comparison. Have you never heard this piece at all? If not, you need to wrap your ears around it pronto, and prepare to be amazed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 29, 2008, 04:01:33 AM
Quote from: MDL on July 29, 2008, 02:12:36 AM
So I'd say wait until Dorati's recording resurfaces. If you can't wait, Rickenbacker on Koch is impressive. Perhaps you can pick up Chung as well for a fascinating comparison. Have you never heard this piece at all? If not, you need to wrap your ears around it pronto, and prepare to be amazed.

Thanks much for the comments!  No, I've never heard the piece--not for any particular reason, just the usual "too much music and not enough time to get to it all."  (E.g., I only heard Des canyons aux étoiles for the first time last February.)

Anyway, I'll keep an eye out for the Dorati, but may get one of the others.  I have some of the other Chung Messiaen recordings and like them a lot.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on July 29, 2008, 05:09:39 AM
Attended this a couple days ago:

Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado

Corelli,    Sonata in D Major for violin and continuo, opus 5 no. 1 (1700)     
Handel,    Chaconne in G Major for solo harpsichord
Marais,     Piece en Trio no. 5 in E minor (1692)
Muffat,     Sonata in D Major for Violin and Continuo (1677)    
Telemann, Trio in D Minor     
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 29, 2008, 02:29:18 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 24, 2008, 12:47:02 PM
Looking forward to  Romeo & Juliet  (http://www.nzballet.org.nz/) tomorrow.

Here's  (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1501119/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10523375) a review in todays NZ Herald.

:)

Well, it was an excellent performance but, sadly, attending a Saturday afternoon ballet matinee isn't a good idea if you want to really commit yourselve to the performance. The young Mums and kids were there in force and we ended up with a pre-schooler behind us who was never going to sit still and quiet for 3 hours. I found the constant chat, whispering and fidgeting very distracting. [the Mums as well as the kids]  :( I'm used to attending symphony orchestra concerts where the audience is made up of mature, serious music lovers who are there to focus exclusively on the performance. So, while I was able to enjoy the wonderful ballet as best I could it was a bit of a chore at times.

No more Saturday ballet mattinee's for me.  ;)

Edit: BTW we're not shy to shush people, but it was a tricky situation with such a young kid and a majority of families in attandance.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 29, 2008, 02:42:25 PM
This Fridays NZSO concert:

HAYDN Cello Concerto No 2
SCHUMANN Symphony No 4
LODGE Winterlight for Bassoon and Orchestra (World Premiere)

JULIA JONES Conductor
ALBAN GERHARDT Cello
PREMAN TILSON Bassoon

Energy, subdued intimacy, and even menace interweave in Schumann's Fourth Symphony, ostensibly in a sombre minor key, only for a major key conquest to prevail. Haydn's Second Cello Concerto, with its once disputed authenticity, achieves symphonic proportions. Undoubtedly easier on audience ears than a performer's technique, it is amiable yet demanding, undeniably a major contribution to the 18th century cello repertoire.

Should be good  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on July 29, 2008, 10:56:42 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 29, 2008, 02:29:18 PM
Well, it was an excellent performance but, sadly, attending a Saturday afternoon ballet matinee isn't a good idea if you want to really commit yourselve to the performance. The young Mums and kids were there in force and we ended up with a pre-schooler behind us who was never going to sit still and quiet for 3 hours. I found the constant chat, whispering and fidgeting very distracting. [the Mums as well as the kids]  :( I'm used to attending symphony orchestra concerts where the audience is made up of mature, serious music lovers who are there to focus exclusively on the performance. So, while I was able to enjoy the wonderful ballet as best I could it was a bit of a chore at times.

No more Saturday ballet mattinee's for me.  ;)

Edit: BTW we're not shy to shush people, but it was a tricky situation with such a young kid and a majority of families in attandance.  :)

Yes, this is a very embarrassing situation and it frequently happens at Bucharest National Opera as well. There is also something that I hate: in the first intermission people go to the bar and buy candy bars or chocolate or whatever. They then come back to their seats and chat all the time. Right after the second act begins, it also begins a "chorus" of unwrapping chocolates and candy bars and whatever. For God's sake, why don't they do it before, not after? Stupidity rules!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 30, 2008, 06:21:34 AM
There were a few irritants at the Messiaen Prom, too. I suspect (without anything like proof to back it up!!) that they were tourists who had come to the Proms because that's the sort of thing you do when you visit London, not realising that they were in for 100 minutes of hard-core modernism. Two young men left after about half an hour, and one of them made a really strange dismissive yelp as he reached the door, which was bloody rude. An Oriental family in the row behind me left after about 70 minutes; their children either wriggled or snored through most of the concert. And in front of me, two girls sniggered at some of the more unusual sections of the score; the string glissandi in Part 8 had them in stitches. They were silent, which was something, but they were still annoying.

Still, it was an amazing concert and I'd actually forgotten all about the tossers surrounding me until this thread reminded me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 30, 2008, 02:17:29 PM
Quote from: Florestan on July 29, 2008, 10:56:42 PM
Yes, this is a very embarrassing situation and it frequently happens at Bucharest National Opera as well. There is also something that I hate: in the first intermission people go to the bar and buy candy bars or chocolate or whatever. They then come back to their seats and chat all the time. Right after the second act begins, it also begins a "chorus" of unwrapping chocolates and candy bars and whatever. For God's sake, why don't they do it before, not after? Stupidity rules!

Agreed! Yes, my wife and I always marvel at all the people eating ice cream on a stick at intermission; some of them look like their starving! And the noisey sweet packets can be distracting. The last thing I want to do at a concert is eat  ??? This is one of the reasons I seldom go to the movie theatre anyone; sitting there surrounded by people stuffing their faces is quite unpleasent.

Quote from: MDL on July 30, 2008, 06:21:34 AM
There were a few irritants at the Messiaen Prom, too. I suspect (without anything like proof to back it up!!) that they were tourists who had come to the Proms because that's the sort of thing you do when you visit London, not realising that they were in for 100 minutes of hard-core modernism. Two young men left after about half an hour, and one of them made a really strange dismissive yelp as he reached the door, which was bloody rude. An Oriental family in the row behind me left after about 70 minutes; their children either wriggled or snored through most of the concert. And in front of me, two girls sniggered at some of the more unusual sections of the score; the string glissandi in Part 8 had them in stitches. They were silent, which was something, but they were still annoying.

Still, it was an amazing concert and I'd actually forgotten all about the tossers surrounding me until this thread reminded me.

Yes, I notice that problem at Opera's and the Ballet and even at Handels Messiah last year. People come along as a 'one-off' with little or no understanding of the event and treat the experience like they're at the movies and chat and eat and text etc. Even at the NZSO concerts you can spot the people who have come along as a one-off 'cause they start fidgeting half way through the symphony in the second half.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on August 01, 2008, 12:55:12 AM
August 2nd is Stockhausen Day at the Proms. I normally sit in the stalls to the side, but because several pieces in the first concert are in surround sound, I've got a seat in the middle of the stalls. The acoustics are too distant and unfocused for a standard concert, but should be OK for Gruppen and Kontakte.
I'm not sure if I'll make it to any of the films or talks. I might need to save my energy for the two concerts.

1.00pm: Film Music Masters: Stockhausen (48'), and In absentia (23').
4.15pm - 5.00pm: Proms Intro Discussion around pieces by Stockhausen, with Paul Hillier, Morag Grant and Robin Rimbaud.
Prom 20: Stockhausen Day 1 - BBC Symphony Orchestra

Time 6.00pm - c9.10pm

Stockhausen
Gruppen (24 mins)
Stockhausen
Klang, 13th hour – Cosmic Pulses (for electronics) (UK premiere) (32 mins)
Stockhausen
Klang, 5th hour – Harmonien for solo trumpet (BBC commission: world premiere) (c15 mins)

Interval


Stockhausen
Kontakte (35 mins)
Stockhausen
Gruppen (repeat performance) (24 mins)

Marco Blaauw trumpet
Nicolas Hodges piano
Colin Currie percussion

BBC Symphony Orchestra
David Robertson conductor
Pascal Rophé conductor
Ludovic Morlot conductor


Prom 21: Stockhausen Day 2 - Theatre of Voices

Time 10.15pm - c11.35pm

Stockhausen
Stimmung (70 mins)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on August 01, 2008, 09:53:54 AM
Vaughan Williams symphonies 5,6,9 on 2nd November (Festival Hall London) Hickox.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 08, 2008, 03:42:05 PM
Next Sunday looking forward to this:

NZSO

CELEBRITY SERIES
Yefim Bronfman
"The sky is the limit when Bronfman performs ..."
Pittsburg Post Gazette February 2007

BRAHMS Piano Concerto No 2
DVORAK Symphony No 9 in E Minor op 95 From the New World

JACQUES LACOMBE Conductor
YEFIM BRONFMAN Piano

Yefim Bronfman appears regularly with the Berlin, Vienna, Israel, New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, the Dresden Staatskapelle, the Orchestre de Paris and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, working with celebrated conductors including Barenboim, Dohnányi, Dutoit, Gergiev, Maazel, Masur, Mehta and Salonen. As exclusive SonyBMG recording artist, he has won widespread praise for his recordings.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on August 08, 2008, 03:57:14 PM
We all know who Yefim Bronfman is. But who is Jacques Lacombe?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 08, 2008, 04:04:05 PM
Quote from: M forever on August 08, 2008, 03:57:14 PM
We all know who Yefim Bronfman is. But who is Jacques Lacombe?

This from the NZSO website:

JACQUES LACOMBE was principal guest conductor of the Montreal Symphony and is currently Music Director of the Trois-Rivieres Symphony. As an opera conductor his engagements include the Metropolitan Opera, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, and opera companies in Vancouver, Montreal, Philadelphia and Liège.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on August 09, 2008, 06:06:51 AM
Lacombe is an excellent technician and a very solid musician. He spent a lot of time in Vienna in his formative years (where he met his wife, cellist Carla Antoun, another very refined musician). But I've never heard him ignite the orchestra as Dutoit or Nézet-Séguin did.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 09, 2008, 02:34:30 PM
It's the Edinburgh International Festival again :).

I'm particularly looking forward to Król Roger

Mariinsky Opera Company
Valery Gergiev Conductor

Roger Andrzej Dobber
Roxana Elzbieta Szmytka
Edrisi Sergei Semishkur
Shepherd Pavlo Tolstoy

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get hold of Kaspszyk's recording which Maciek and some others recommended so I'll be going into this one completely blind.


Also:

Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe Conductor

Stravinsky Symphonies of wind instruments
Henri Pousseur Mnémosyne
Stravinsky Mass
Bruckner Mass in E minor

I haven't heard any Herreweghe outside of Bach, but love both the Stravinsky and Bruckner masses.


And a piano recital (oh yeah! 8))

Ivan Moravec

Chopin Two Nocturnes Op 27
Barcarolle in F sharp major
Ballade No 1 in G minor
Janáček  Selection from 'On the Overgrown Path'
'In the Mists'
Debussy Pour le Piano


And a couple of concerts with the Staatskapelle Dresden (with Fabio Luisi) - a fair bit of Strauss here.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:40:58 AM
Quote from: Novi on August 09, 2008, 02:34:30 PM
And a piano recital (oh yeah! 8))

Ivan Moravec

Chopin Two Nocturnes Op 27
Barcarolle in F sharp major
Ballade No 1 in G minor
Janáček  Selection from 'On the Overgrown Path'
'In the Mists'
Debussy Pour le Piano
HUMONGOUS ENVY ALERT. How come Ivan Moravec only performs in hemispheres I don't live in? And why, for that matter, doesn't some record label just give him a studio and a microphone and carte blanche to record anything he wants for as long as he wants?

Incidentally, I just ordered Houston Opera season tickets. Especially looking forward to the beautiful (in both voice and, well, things-other-than-voice) soprano Ana Maria Martinez in Pagliacci and to a terrific young cast in Rigoletto, including a wonderful soprano named Shigamuratova, or something similarly long.

EDIT: Albina Shagimuratova.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 14, 2008, 10:19:10 AM
Quote from: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:40:58 AM
EDIT: Albina Shagimuratova.

Really?  ;D

Really (just googled)

Sarge  Butthead
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 14, 2008, 10:40:09 AM
Tomorrow night, at the Mostly Mozart Festival, I'm going to one of the non-Mostly concerts.  ;D

La Passion de Simone
Kaija Saariaho composer (Mostly Mozart debut)
Amin Maalouf text (Mostly Mozart debut)

Dawn Upshaw soprano
Michael Schumacher dancer (Mostly Mozart debut)
Susanna Mälkki conductor (New York debut)
Peter Sellars director
Martin Pakledinaz costume design
James F. Ingalls lighting design
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Mostly Mozart debut)
London Voices (Mostly Mozart debut)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on August 14, 2008, 09:09:18 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:40:58 AM
HUMONGOUS ENVY ALERT. How come Ivan Moravec only performs in hemispheres I don't live in?

Because, from a culture point of view, you live at the end of the world.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:10:26 PM
Quote from: M forever on August 14, 2008, 09:09:18 PM
Because, from a culture point of view, you live at the end of the world.
Hey! Kinky Friedman is from Texas  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:10:56 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 14, 2008, 10:19:10 AM
Really?  ;D

Really (just googled)

Sarge  Butthead
It's Ana Maria Martinez (http://www.tokafi.com/static/2006/01/15questionsanamariamartinez-2006-01-04.6519900823.jpg) you should be checking twice...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on August 14, 2008, 09:11:49 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:10:26 PM
Hey! Kinky Friedman is from Texas  ;D

As is George Bush. That's not an excuse.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:37:13 PM
Quote from: M forever on August 14, 2008, 09:11:49 PM
As is George Bush. That's not an excuse.
Kinky conquers all.

(http://weblog.timoregan.com/uploaded_images/kinky_friedman-763418.jpg)

"There's a fine line between fiction and non-fiction, and I believe I snorted it in 1976."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 16, 2008, 08:33:28 AM
Quote from: Brian on August 14, 2008, 09:40:58 AM
HUMONGOUS ENVY ALERT. How come Ivan Moravec only performs in hemispheres I don't live in? And why, for that matter, doesn't some record label just give him a studio and a microphone and carte blanche to record anything he wants for as long as he wants?

Incidentally, I just ordered Houston Opera season tickets. Especially looking forward to the beautiful (in both voice and, well, things-other-than-voice) soprano Ana Maria Martinez in Pagliacci and to a terrific young cast in Rigoletto, including a wonderful soprano named Shigamuratova, or something similarly long.

EDIT: Albina Shagimuratova.

Hi Brian - didn't realise you were a Moravec fan as well 0:). If I knew how, I'd make a sneaky recording for you ;D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on August 16, 2008, 08:45:46 AM
I just bought my tickets for a Chicago trip in November:  Berg's Lulu at the Lyric Opera, and Mahler's 2nd (Haitink) at the CSO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on August 25, 2008, 04:34:43 AM
Edinburgh Festival

27 August
Staatskapelle Dresden/Fabio Luisi
Richard Strauss Don Juan
Bernhard Lang Monadology II for large orchestra
Richard Strauss Don Quixote

28 August
Ivan Moravec, piano
Chopin Two Nocturnes Op 27
Barcarolle in F sharp major
Ballade No 1 in G minor
Janáček  Selection from 'On the Overgrown Path'
'In the Mists'
Debussy Pour le Piano

BBC Proms, London

30 August
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Jukka-Pekka Saraste conductor
Nikolai Lugansky, piano
Magnus Lindberg Seht die Sonne
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3
Sibelius Symphony No.1

31 August
Lang Lang, piano
Marc Yu*, piano
Mozart Piano Sonata No.13 in B flat major, K.333
Rachmaninov Prelude in G minor, Op.23 No.5; Prelude in Bb Major, Op.23 No.2 
Chopin Grand Polonaise in E-flat major 
Schubert Fantasia in F minor for piano duet, D940* 
Debussy Preludes, Book 1 - La fille aux cheveux de lin; Les collines d'Anacapri 
Traditional Chinese Moonlight Reflections; Spring Dance 
Liszt transc. Horowitz Hungarian Rhapsody No.2, S.244

2 September
Berliner Philharmoniker/Sir Simon Rattle
Wagner Tristan und Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod
Messiaen Turangalîla Symphony








Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 26, 2008, 02:16:10 PM
Quote from: Novi on August 09, 2008, 02:34:30 PM
Ivan Moravec

Chopin Two Nocturnes Op 27
Barcarolle in F sharp major
Ballade No 1 in G minor
Janáček  Selection from 'On the Overgrown Path'
'In the Mists'
Debussy Pour le Piano


:'( :'( :'(

QuoteDear Festival Supporter,

I see from our records that you have booked tickets for Ivan Moravec on Thursday 28 August. I have to inform you that due to ill health Mr Moravec is unable to perform.

Steven Osborne is stepping in and while I like Osborne well enough, Moravec had been the highlight of the season for me. He'd been scheduled to perform a couple of years ago but pulled out of that as well. This is so not my year for piano recitals - first I miss out on Sokolov, now Moravec.

There - another one for good measure :'(

I really hope Moravec isn't seriously ill. He must be well in his 70s.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on August 26, 2008, 03:54:00 PM
Looking forward to (and excited to get) my subscription tickets to the Philly Orchestra. I understand they're going to be mailed on Friday of this week.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on August 27, 2008, 09:48:53 AM
2008/2009 Winnipeg Chamber Music Society concerts :)

September 21, 2008

Haydn - Piano Trio in A flat major, Hob XV:14
Peters, Randolph - Intrada (for string quartet and piano duet)
Beethoven - String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 (Razumovsky II)

November 16, 2008

Brahms - Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 60
Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time

January 11, 2009

Beethoven - String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95 (Serioso)
Beethoven - Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 96
Beethoven - Piano Trio in B flat major, Op. 97 (Archduke)

March 1, 2009

Haydn - String Quartet in C, Hob III:32 (Sun)
Schubert - Fantasy in F minor for piano duet, D940
Shostakovich - Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57

May 3, 2009

Boccherini - String Trio in D major
Ho, Vincent - Violin Sonata (2008)
Dvorak - Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 87

June 9, 2009

Mozart - String Quartet in B flat major, K458 (Hunt)
Puccini - Crisantemi
Saint-Saens - Violin Sonata in D minor, Op. 75

June 11, 2009

Mozart - Piano Quartet in E flat major, K452
Grieg - String Quartet in G minor, Op. 27
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on August 27, 2008, 09:52:56 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concerts I'll be attending for the 2008/2009 Season  :)

September 26, 2008

Strauss, R. - Also Sprach Zarathustra
Korngold - Violin Concerto (James Ehnes, violin)
Strauss, R. - Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

November 1, 2008

Ho, Vincent - Red Zen
Corigliano, John - The Red Violin:  Chaconne (Nikki Chooi, violin)
Holst - The Planets

November 10, 2008

Pinchas Zukerman, National Arts Center - Ottawa
Alexina Louie - Infinite Sky with Birds
Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Jon Kimura Parker, piano)
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5

November 14, 2008

Rossini - The Thieving Magpie Overture
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 22 (Stewart Goodyear, piano)
Beethoven - Symphony No. 7

January 16, 2009

Estacio, John - Spring's Promise
Davies, Victor - Concerto for Tubameister and Orchestra (Chris Lee, tuba)
Bottesini - Grand duo concertante for violin & double bass (Karl Stobbe, violin; Meredith Johnson, double bass)
Beethoven - Symphony No. 8

January 31, 2009

Messiaen - Turangalila Symphony (Pascal Gallet, piano; Jean Laurendeau, ondes martenot)

February 13, 2009

Bartok - Violin Concerto No. 2 (Gwen Hoebig, violin)
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique)

March 21, 2009

Ravel - Mother Goose Suite
Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No. 2 (Yuja Wang, piano)
Mussorgsky - Pictures at An Exhibition (orch. Ravel)

April 11, 2009

Beethoven - Choral Fantasy for piano, orchestra and chorus (David Moroz, piano)
Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D minor (Choral)

May 15, 2009

Mahler - Symphony No. 6 (Tragic)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 27, 2008, 12:21:55 PM
Quote from: AB68 on August 25, 2008, 04:34:43 AM
Edinburgh Festival

27 August
Staatskapelle Dresden/Fabio Luisi
Richard Strauss Don Juan
Bernhard Lang Monadology II for large orchestra
Richard Strauss Don Quixote

28 August
Ivan Moravec, piano
Chopin Two Nocturnes Op 27
Barcarolle in F sharp major
Ballade No 1 in G minor
Janáček  Selection from 'On the Overgrown Path'
'In the Mists'
Debussy Pour le Piano


Quote... due to ill health Mr Moravec is unable to perform ...

Quote

Cancellation of Concert
Staatskapelle Dresden
Wednesday 27 August 8.00pm
Usher Hall


Dear Festival Supporter,

I see from our records that you have booked tickets for Staatskapelle Dresden who are due to perform tonight, Wednesday 27 August. Unfortunately the concert has been cancelled. The orchestra's instruments have not arrived in Edinburgh in time for the concert to go ahead ...

Oh dear, AB68, I feel for you :'(.

Hope you enjoy your time in Edinburgh nonetheless :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 27, 2008, 12:25:01 PM
Quote from: Novi on August 26, 2008, 02:16:10 PM
:'( :'( :'(

Steven Osborne is stepping in and while I like Osborne well enough, Moravec had been the highlight of the season for me. He'd been scheduled to perform a couple of years ago but pulled out of that as well. This is so not my year for piano recitals - first I miss out on Sokolov, now Moravec.

There - another one for good measure :'(

I really hope Moravec isn't seriously ill. He must be well in his 70s.
That's very bad news indeed.  :(  Indeed, Moravec is 78 years old.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on August 29, 2008, 01:13:03 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 27, 2008, 12:25:01 PM
That's very bad news indeed.  :(  Indeed, Moravec is 78 years old.

Wow, 78 - do you know if it is just general old age wear and tear?

Tomorrow:

Beaux Arts Trio

Mendelssohn Piano Trio No 1 in D minor
Kurtág Hommage à Christian Wolff
Beethoven Piano Trio in B flat Op 97 'Archduke'

Bye bye :'( :-* 0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on August 30, 2008, 09:20:28 AM
We've a full season ahead of us, starting next weekend in Berkeley with the Alexander String Quartet playing Opus 127, with an introduction by the inimitable and always entertaining Robert Greenberg.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on September 04, 2008, 06:35:21 AM
Quote from: Novi on August 27, 2008, 12:21:55 PM
Oh dear, AB68, I feel for you :'(.

Hope you enjoy your time in Edinburgh nonetheless :).

I did have a faboulus time in the beautiful city og Edinburgh, and I got to hear the SD the next day.
Very disapointed that Moravec had to cancel though, I only hope it's nothing serious. I have wanted to hear him live for years.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on September 04, 2008, 11:27:48 AM
A Flying Start
Denève conducts Mahler 5
SAT 4 OCT 2008: 7.30PM

The new Glasgow Season sets sail with a spectacular
programme, as Stéphane Denève continues his critically
acclaimed Mahler cycle with his most popular symphony,
the Fifth. Journey through a vast musical landscape: funereal
darkness, boisterous dancing, a joyous finale – and, of course,
the hauntingly beautiful Adagietto, famously used in Visconti's
Death in Venice.

Wagner Overture to The Flying Dutchman
Szymanowski Sinfonia concertante
Mahler Symphony No5
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Piotr Anderszewski (piano)


Great...looking forward to it.  The RSNO should be in fine fettle,  but knackred form after another busy Summer!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 04, 2008, 11:39:43 AM
Quote from: mahler10th on September 04, 2008, 11:27:48 AM
A Flying Start
Denève conducts Mahler 5
SAT 4 OCT 2008: 7.30PM

The new Glasgow Season sets sail with a spectacular
programme, as Stéphane Denève continues his critically
acclaimed Mahler cycle with his most popular symphony,
the Fifth. Journey through a vast musical landscape: funereal
darkness, boisterous dancing, a joyous finale – and, of course,
the hauntingly beautiful Adagietto, famously used in Visconti's
Death in Venice.

Wagner Overture to The Flying Dutchman
Szymanowski Sinfonia concertante
Mahler Symphony No5
Stéphane Denève (conductor)
Piotr Anderszewski (piano)


Great...looking forward to it.

Nice program!  You rarely see that Szymanowski on concerts (I can't recall it anywhere), so good for Denève for programming it. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 05, 2008, 12:32:24 PM
Next weekend:

Xenakis: Oresteia (1965-1966) - This production is the U.S. premiere of the composer's only opera, and details are here (http://www.millertheatre.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?nid=1215).  Program notes by Paul Griffiths are online, here (http://www.millertheatre.com/Pdf/ProgramNotes/Oresteia.pdf).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 06, 2008, 09:19:24 AM
Sunday 7th September


Messiaen: St Francis at the Proms. I haven't sat through a concert this long since Gotterdammerung at the ENO. I hope I don't get fidgety.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 06, 2008, 11:57:06 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 05, 2008, 12:32:24 PM
Next weekend:

Xenakis: Oresteia (1965-1966) - This production is the U.S. premiere of the composer's only opera, and details are here (http://www.millertheatre.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?nid=1215).  Program notes by Paul Griffiths are online, here (http://www.millertheatre.com/Pdf/ProgramNotes/Oresteia.pdf).

--Bruce

Wow! Sounds amazing. I've never heard Oresteia. I had a bit of a Xenakis binge last weekend and worked my way through some of the Timpani CDs. The other half, who doesn't appreciate Xenakis one bit (reaction to Antikhthon: "What's that horrible din? Is somebody farting through bagpipes?"), was away for a few days.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on September 06, 2008, 01:47:55 PM
I'm looking forward to this in two weeks:

NZSO

BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture
LEOPOLD MOZART Trombone Concerto
SANDSTRÖM Motorbike Odyssey
DVOŘÁK Symphony No 8

HANNU LINTU Conductor
CHRISTIAN LINDBERG Trombone

The Roman Carnival Overture is sheer exhilaration as a concert-opener.  The curtain will fall on another crowd-pleaser, Dvořák's poetic Eighth Symphony, resonating so it seems with songs of the meadows and dances from the villages of his native Bohemia. Mozart's father sacrificed his creative aspirations to promote his genius son, but still produced a sizeable opus, including a three-movement trombone concerto. Sandström's Motorbike Odyssey is a journey as well as a vehicle for trombone virtuosity, late 20th century style.

The Sandstrom 'Motorbike Odyssey' should be fascinating  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 10, 2008, 09:51:55 AM
Quote from: MDL on September 06, 2008, 09:19:24 AM
Sunday 7th September


Messiaen: St Francis at the Proms. I haven't sat through a concert this long since Gotterdammerung at the ENO. I hope I don't get fidgety.

Hey, how was the Messiaen?  This was a concert version?  I've only heard the recording--and like it--but wonder how it would fare in concert. 

Quote from: MDL on September 06, 2008, 11:57:06 AM
Wow! Sounds amazing. I've never heard Oresteia. I had a bit of a Xenakis binge last weekend and worked my way through some of the Timpani CDs. The other half, who doesn't appreciate Xenakis one bit (reaction to Antikhthon: "What's that horrible din? Is somebody farting through bagpipes?"), was away for a few days.

That Timpani series is just wonderful...I need to get the remaining one I don't have soon.  The bagpipes comment made me laugh...

Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on September 06, 2008, 01:47:55 PM
I'm looking forward to this in two weeks:

NZSO

BERLIOZ Roman Carnival Overture
LEOPOLD MOZART Trombone Concerto
SANDSTRÖM Motorbike Odyssey
DVOŘÁK Symphony No 8

HANNU LINTU Conductor
CHRISTIAN LINDBERG Trombone

The Roman Carnival Overture is sheer exhilaration as a concert-opener.  The curtain will fall on another crowd-pleaser, Dvořák’s poetic Eighth Symphony, resonating so it seems with songs of the meadows and dances from the villages of his native Bohemia. Mozart’s father sacrificed his creative aspirations to promote his genius son, but still produced a sizeable opus, including a three-movement trombone concerto. Sandström’s Motorbike Odyssey is a journey as well as a vehicle for trombone virtuosity, late 20th century style.

The Sandstrom 'Motorbike Odyssey' should be fascinating  :)

Great program, please report back.  Very imaginative, pairing those two trombone pieces together!  (I don't know Sandström's work at all, although I am familiar with Sven-David Sandström.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on September 10, 2008, 11:15:10 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 05, 2008, 12:32:24 PM
Next weekend:

Xenakis: Oresteia (1965-1966) - This production is the U.S. premiere of the composer's only opera, and details are here (http://www.millertheatre.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?nid=1215).  Program notes by Paul Griffiths are online, here (http://www.millertheatre.com/Pdf/ProgramNotes/Oresteia.pdf).

--Bruce

Well, that wont come up too often, so it should be a real experience.  Look forward to your later review.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 11, 2008, 03:27:36 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 10, 2008, 09:51:55 AM
Hey, how was the Messiaen?  This was a concert version?  I've only heard the recording--and like it--but wonder how it would fare in concert. 
--Bruce

The Messiaen was amazing. It was semi-staged, with a few props; the singers were dressed in white shirts and black trousers and moved around the stage very slowly; a few lighting effects were employed with varying degrees of success (I could have done without the flashing lights that accompanied the Angel's knocking on the door). The orchestra played brilliantly and the large chorus made an impressive noise when required. But the audience was tiny; the hall was less than half full and the top circle was almost deserted. There were almost as many people on stage as there were watching. I've been to late-night concerts at the Proms that had similar-sized audiences. But if it was dispiriting for the performers, there was no sign of that in the performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 16, 2008, 05:35:22 AM
Just bought some tickets for the next month:

Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde
Beethoven - Symphony No.4

Christianne Stotijn (mezzo)
Robert Dean Smith (tenor)
Budapest Festival Orchestra / Ivan Fischer

and

Venezia delle strade ai Palazzi
Le Poème Harmonique

When saw first notice I was really hoping for Lully's Cadmus et Hermione but they are coming with new production, sounds promising:
QuoteLe Poème Harmonique has created a new production that is once again more than a concert; it is a theatrical event with special lighting, costumes and Baroque gestures employed to evoke the spirit of Venice at a time when art music and popular forms mixed, creating artistic freedom of a new order. Venezia delle strade ai Palazzi includes Claire Lefilliâtre’s much-admired rendition of Monteverdi’s Lamento della Ninfa; music by Manelli, who introduced Venice to opera; canzonettes, bergamasques and many other facets of an art that was constantly evolving. The ensemble features soprano Lefilliâtre; tenor Jan van Elsacker; tenor Serge Goubioud; bass Arnaud Marzorati; Mira Glodeanu, violin; Lucas Guimaraes, treble and bass viol; Françoise Enock, violone; Joël Grare, percussion; and Jean-Luc Tamby, colascione and guitar. The production is directed by Benjamin Lazar.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: mozartsneighbor on September 16, 2008, 07:34:38 AM
Sokolov is coming to Vienna in December! Tickets haven't gone on sale yet, but I will be there on the first day when they do in early November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: drogulus on September 16, 2008, 02:54:42 PM

     The Spectrum Singers will be performing in Cambridge this November

     (http://www.spectrumsingers.org/images/spectrum_member.jpg)

     Norman Dello Joio: To Saint Cecilia (1958)
     performed in memory of the composer

     Benjamin Britten: Hymn to St. Cecilia, op. 27 (1942)

     Daniel Pinkham: A Song for St. Cecilia's Day

     Herbert Howells: Hymn for St. Cecilia

     Gerald Finzi: For St. Cecilia
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 18, 2008, 08:19:12 AM
Quote from: drogulus on September 16, 2008, 02:54:42 PM
     The Spectrum Singers will be performing in Cambridge this November

     (http://www.spectrumsingers.org/images/spectrum_member.jpg)

     Norman Dello Joio: To Saint Cecilia (1958)
     performed in memory of the composer

     Benjamin Britten: Hymn to St. Cecilia, op. 27 (1942)

     Daniel Pinkham: A Song for St. Cecilia's Day

     Herbert Howells: Hymn for St. Cecilia

     Gerald Finzi: For St. Cecilia


Interesting program!  Like all those composers but don't know every last one of the St. Cecilia tributes. 

Tonight for me:

Cassatt String Quartet

Libby Larsen: She Wrote (New York Premiere)
Joan Tower: Night Fields
Maurice Ravel: Quartet in F Major

I haven't heard any of Larsen's work other than choral pieces, so this will be interesting, and I don't know the Tower quartet at all.  (The concert is a celebration of Tower's 70th birthday.) 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 18, 2008, 10:40:28 AM
Tonight at 18:30, at the ICA (http://www.icaboston.org):

The Firebird Ensemble (http://www.firebirdensemble.com/calendar.html) plays:

Danger Garden (2006) by Curtis Hughes (b. 1974)
Flashbacks (1995) by Mario Davidovsky (b. 1934)
Rhapsody (2003) Boston Premiere by Donald Martino (1931-2005)
Polish Folk Songs (2007) by Lee Hyla (b. 1952)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 18, 2008, 10:45:58 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 18, 2008, 10:40:28 AM
Tonight at 18:30, at the ICA (http://www.icaboston.org):

The Firebird Ensemble (http://www.firebirdensemble.com/calendar.html) plays:

Danger Garden (2006) by Curtis Hughes (b. 1974)
Flashbacks (1995) by Mario Davidovsky (b. 1934)
Rhapsody (2003) Boston Premiere by Donald Martino (1931-2005)
Polish Folk Songs (2007) by Lee Hyla (b. 1952)


Oh great!  Nice program...don't know Hughes at all.  I heard them here and they are good!  Do report back...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on September 19, 2008, 12:49:35 AM
Not this weekend, but next:

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, conductor


Bach/Stokowski: Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Emmanuel Ax, piano
Brahms: Symphony No. 1

And these two just took place, I had no idea I was going until we suddenly had to evacuate from Hurricane Ike!

Sun., Sept. 13
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Jaap van Zweden, conductor


Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25
Emmanuel Ax, piano (yep, again!)
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Thurs., Sept. 18
Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Jaap van Zweden, conductor

Laquita Mitchell, soprano
Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano
Vale Rideout, tenor
Robert Orth, baritone

Stucky: August 4, 1964
(World Premiere)
Libretto by Gene Scheer

These concerts mark the first week of Jaap van Zweden's tenure in Dallas. Both were fantastic...honestly I was blown away.

He pushed the hell out of them in the Mahler...with death-defying accelerations and extremes...they responded like crazy. Thrilling playing. Big colorful sound, very musical. Great hall too...the Meyerson has very responsive acoustics that let the sound really bloom. I liked van Zweden, expressive but without histronics, very clear in his gestures. This is a fertile partnership with palpable chemistry.

The Stucky premiere was very impressive, I immediately wanted to hear it again. It's only 70 min long and was all that was on the program. This is an oratorio, about LBJ and two poignant events during his presidency, program notes and more here (http://kpac883.blogspot.com/2008/09/world-premiere-steven-stucky-august-4.html).

It's a gorgeous, sumptuous work, on the neo-Romantic side, and features a thought-provoking libretto by Gene Scheer. There are many amazing moments in the piece, including a central orchestral Elegy, a haunting ending that highlights the chorus...morse-code like percussive writing for the Oval Office scenes...quotes of "We Shall Overcome" mixed among LBJ's declamations. If I had to name a few references I heard, Adams' Doctor Atomic and the choral writing of Harmonium might come to mind, with echoes of Rouse, at times vaguely Copland.

All the soloists were stunning, and costumed in period-appropriate clothing for their characters. Especially Robert Orth as LBJ was great, affecting a long Southern drawl, and never lapsing while navigating huge tessituras - his duets in the last numbers w/ Vale Rideout were amazing. I hate to single out anyone really because they were all excellent as well as the orchestra...it was hard to believe this was only the first performance!

Stucky was double booked tonight with the NY Phil premiering "Rhapsodies" but was in attendance as well...a bit of ticker tape even floated down when he stepped on stage. Hope this piece is recorded, or broadcast, soon!!

This evacuation has been a tolerable one...  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on September 19, 2008, 05:57:57 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 27, 2008, 09:48:53 AM
2008/2009 Winnipeg Chamber Music Society concerts

September 21, 2008

Haydn - Piano Trio in A flat major, Hob XV:14
Peters, Randolph - Intrada (for string quartet and piano duet)
Beethoven - String Quartet No. 8 in E minor, Op. 59 (Razumovsky II)


This Sunday's concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 19, 2008, 06:20:18 AM
Nice program!  Interesting instrumentation on that Randolph Peters piece.  (Don't know his work at all.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 19, 2008, 11:29:15 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 18, 2008, 10:45:58 AM
Oh great!  Nice program...don't know Hughes at all.  I heard them here and they are good!  Do report back...

--Bruce

Outstanding ensemble, and an electrifying performance. The core group is a quartet: Kate Vincent, Artistic Director & viola; Aaron Trant, Assistant Director & percussion (and he had a small truckload of gear he was swatting at all program long . . . there was another concert after, of Boston Musica Viva, and there was supposed to be a 45-minute break for the stage-change, but somehow that gap shrank to half an hour, and I do not envy Mr Trant the experience of that half-hour); David Russell, cello; Sarah Bob, piano. They were joined by guest flutist, two clarinetists, violinist and cellist.

Two guest cellists, as it turned out; for David Russell had been called away to hospital, where his wife was having their first child.

For that reason, the Martino was canceled, and a clarinet solo piece substituted.

The performance cannot be praised too highly; I was not crazy about the clarinet solo piece. Nor, really, about the two pieces which preceded it on the program. The program concluded, though, with a Lee Hyla piece (originally commissioned for Boston Musica Viva, which explained the rather-larger-than-usual-for-the-Firebird-Ensemble instrumentation . . . and which made for a cute tie-in with the fact that the other performance in that venue last night, was to be Boston Musica Viva) which, while in some ways not 'my thing', had a distinct and personal profile, and a largely affable profile at that.

(Well, I wasn't mad about the clarinetists, either, although one of them doubled outstandingly on bass; hat's off to her in that regard.)

The guest strings and flutist were marvelous; as indeed were "Firebird's Own" . . . a percussionist managing a tentful of gear is apt to look like the most impressive member of a new music group, but Mr Trant was un-flamboyantly expert. The most curious thing he was asked to play (by Hyla, as it turned out) seemed to be a sort of no-frills bagpipe substitute, resembling to no small degree an industrial-scale breathalyzer attached to an Easy Read edition harmonica.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 19, 2008, 11:43:31 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 19, 2008, 11:29:15 AM
seemed to be a sort of no-frills bagpipe substitute, resembling to no small degree an industrial-scale breathalyzer attached to an Easy Read edition harmonica.

I might have to quote that somewhere... ;D

Thanks for the long comments.  The Lee Hyla pieces I've heard I've liked a lot, so interesting that it made an impression.  Maybe they'll bring that same program here.  I heard the group last April at the MATA Festival, where they served as the "concertino" in a new concerto grosso by Derek Hurst, with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project.  (Wasn't totally convinced by the piece, which was way too long.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 23, 2008, 07:09:20 AM
Tomorrow, opening night at Carnegie Hall, with an all-Bernstein program:

San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director and Conductor
Dawn Upshaw, Soprano
Christine Ebersole, Vocalist
Thomas Hampson, Baritone
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Ensemble selected from the Vocal Arts Department and the Drama Division of The Juilliard School

Bernstein:  Symphonic Dances from West Side Story 
Bernstein: Selections from A Quiet Place
·· Prelude from Act I
·· You're Late
·· Morning. Good morning.
·· Postlude from Act I 

Bernstein:  "I Can Cook Too" from On the Town 
Bernstein:  Meditation No. 1 from Mass  
Bernstein:  "What a Movie!" from Trouble in Tahiti 
Bernstein:  "To What You Said" from Songfest 
Bernstein:  "Danzón" from Fancy Free 
Bernstein:  "Gee, Officer Krupke" from West Side Story 
Bernstein:  "Ya Got Me" from On the Town 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 23, 2008, 07:46:03 AM
"Ya Got Me" . . . is that Rilke or Apollinaire?  ;D ;) 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 23, 2008, 07:49:56 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 23, 2008, 07:46:03 AM
"Ya Got Me" . . . is that Rilke or Apollinaire?  ;D ;) 8)

Alas, "mere" Comden and Green.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 23, 2008, 07:55:07 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 23, 2008, 07:49:56 AM
Alas, "mere" Comden and Green.  ;D

In the past twelvemonth, I must have seen them on two or three DVD extra features.  They were quite institutional, weren't they?  Leaves me with mixed feelings.  In true Hollywood hyperbole, such contributors are routinely dubbed great . . . but, well, I'm not so sure.

But, hey, maybe Apollinaire wasn't great, either!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on September 23, 2008, 10:37:05 AM
Quote from: Senta on September 19, 2008, 12:49:35 AM
Not this weekend, but next:

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, conductor


Bach/Stokowski: Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Emmanuel Ax, piano
Brahms: Symphony No. 1


Saw Spano a few months ago here in Scotland doing Mahler 5 with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra where he is a favourite visitor.  I like this conductor.

Mahler 5 features on your next concert I see, and it's featured so many times and in so many places.  What is it with Mahler 5?  Everybodys doing it this year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 23, 2008, 10:39:09 AM
Spano does good work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 23, 2008, 10:41:14 AM
And of course, no idle consideration for a Scot, Robert Spano is an anagram for to be sporran (a third option, after to be, or not to be).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 23, 2008, 06:01:24 PM
Well, I am no longer really looking forward to these concerts:

Quote
Important Program Change Notice for all October 9-21 Ticketholders

Symphony Center today announced that conductors Jaap van Zweden and Neeme Järvi
have agreed to replace Riccardo Chailly for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's
subscription concerts scheduled for October 9-21.  It is with deep regret that
Chailly has withdrawn from his CSO performances.  According to his manager,
Chailly is to undergo tests for an ongoing heart condition, directly following
his tour with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. 

---

Please note the new concert programs:

Thursday, October 9, 8:30 (Note time)
Friday, October 10, 8:00
Saturday, October 11, 8:00
Tuesday, October 14, 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Jaap van Zweden, conductor

Bruckner Symphony No. 5

---

Thursday, October 16, 8:00
Friday, October 17, 1:30
Saturday, October 18, 8:00
Tuesday, October 21, 7:30
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Neeme Järvi, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3
Taneyev Symphony No. 4

The original programming was Chailly conducting Bruckner 5 one week and Mahler 10 the next. I might still go hear the Bronfman/Järvi pairing. Taneyev should be fun for a change. Hope Chailly gets better soon.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on September 23, 2008, 10:20:58 PM
Quote from: mahler10th on September 23, 2008, 10:37:05 AM
Mahler 5 features on your next concert I see, and it's featured so many times and in so many places.  What is it with Mahler 5?  Everybodys doing it this year.

Everybody is doing it all the time, everywhere. And orchestras are so well trained today and know the standard literature inside out so you could easily conduct it, too (and I am not kidding). Of course, that doesn't change the fact that few conductors really explore the depths of this music. And why should they? When they can strike poses on the podium with the orchestra more or less on autopilot, who cares about musical depth and the details?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on September 24, 2008, 09:15:52 AM
October 4th
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor

Tilson Thomas -   Street Song for Symphonic Brass
Sibelius -   Symphony No. 4
Shostakovich -   Symphony No. 5

Two of my current favourites, so couldn't miss this.

December 13th
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
David Zinman, conductor
Julia Fischer, violin

Shostakovich -   Violin Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky -   Symphony No. 1 (Winter Dreams)

Violinist Julia Fischer, whose "uncanny accuracy of intonation and individuality of phrasing" has been praised by the Chicago Tribune, makes her CSO debut with Shostakovich's brooding and demonic First Violin Concerto. Following this dark and demanding work is Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 1, which was described as "better and richer in content than many other, more mature works" by the composer himself.

Looking forward to hearing Julia Fischer for the first time, though I have read mixed reviews. I'm also a bit puzzled by the program linking arguably the best 20th Century Violin Concerto with the lesser performed Tchaikovsky. Contrast is all I can come up with.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 26, 2008, 12:12:19 PM
Tonight, this one:

San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director and Conductor
Erin Wall, Soprano
Kendall Gladen, Mezzo-Soprano
Garrett Sorenson, Tenor
Alastair Miles, Bass
New York Choral Artists
Joseph Flummerfelt, Chorus Director

Knussen: Symphony No. 3 
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on September 26, 2008, 06:50:24 PM
Bruce, what did you  make of the Knussen? Any good?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on September 27, 2008, 07:06:40 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

September 26, 2008

Strauss, R. - Also Sprach Zarathustra
Korngold - Violin Concerto (James Ehnes, violin)
Strauss, R. - Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

Fantastic concert!  James Ehnes was an amazing performer, in front of his very appreciate "home crowd".  He came back for an encore, playing the 2nd mvt. of Bach's Violin Concerto No. 1.   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 27, 2008, 02:19:57 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on September 26, 2008, 06:50:24 PM
Bruce, what did you  make of the Knussen? Any good?

Yes, quite good, and the friend with me enjoyed it even more than the Beethoven Ninth after intermission.  The Knussen is from 1979, dedicated to Tilson Thomas, and short--just 15 minutes--based on Shakespeare's Ophelia, and her ultimate drowning.  So the score is filled with watery effects (sometimes sounds like Debussy).  Lots of interesting percussion, and a solo trio up front of harp, celesta and guitar that intervenes now and then.  Audience seemed to like it, with scattered "bravo's" here and there. 

Now off to this concert:

New Juilliard Ensemble
Joel Sachs, Conductor
Toni Marie Marchioni, Oboe and English Horn

Roumen Balyozov: Juilliard Concerto (2007-08)***
Jonathan Harvey: Sprechgesang (2007)**
Balázs Horváth: POLY (2007)**
Atli Heimer Sveinsson: Íslenkst Rapp V (1998)**
Frederic Rzewski: Bring Them Home! (2004)*

*New York Premiere
** Western Hemisphere Premiere
***World Premiere (Composed for the New Juilliard Ensemble)


--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on September 27, 2008, 03:41:37 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 27, 2008, 07:06:40 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

September 26, 2008

Strauss, R. - Also Sprach Zarathustra
Korngold - Violin Concerto (James Ehnes, violin)
Strauss, R. - Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

Fantastic concert!  James Ehnes was an amazing performer, in front of his very appreciate "home crowd".  He came back for an encore, playing the 2nd mvt. of Bach's Violin Concerto No. 1.   :)


Excellent! Ehnes is currently my favourite living violinist. Who was the conductor?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on September 28, 2008, 05:43:05 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on September 27, 2008, 03:41:37 PM
Excellent! Ehnes is currently my favourite living violinist. Who was the conductor?

Alexander Mickelthwate.  Wonderful young conductor, who's now in his 3rd year with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 28, 2008, 11:54:40 AM
Tonight at Rice University!
Pianist and University of North Texas (  :P ; I don't know who they are, but we beat their football team 77-20 yesterday  ;D ) professor Gustavo Romero plays Beethoven: Sonata in C Minor, Op. 10 No. 1; Sonata in G Major, Op. 79; Sonata in A Major, Op. 2 No. 2; Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110; and Sonata in C Major, Op. 53 "Waldstein."

We'll see how it is ... I'm excited though!   :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 28, 2008, 12:00:10 PM
Almost forgot! Two exciting concerts this weekend from Rice student orchestras:

Saturday, October 4
Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz - Le corsaire
Wagner - Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde
Smetana - "Vltava [The Moldau]"
Janacek - Sinfonietta

Sunday, October 5
Shepherd School Chamber Orchestra
Varèse - Ionisation (!!)
Tchaikovsky - Suite No 4, "Mozartiana"
Mendelssohn - Symphony No 3, "Scottish"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on September 28, 2008, 10:33:06 PM
Ooh, those concerts look good Brian!

I saw this today!!

Quote from: Senta on September 19, 2008, 12:49:35 AM

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, conductor


Bach/Stokowski: Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Emmanuel Ax, piano
Brahms: Symphony No. 1

I'm liable to go into superlatives here if I get started!!

I wasn't familiar with the Bach at all, and the Brahms, only parts of it, now I am sold on both. ;)  And the Piano Concerto is such a neat piece.

The whole concert was a knockout...amazing pieces, and incredible performances! I was in awe of how technically stunning they were, how well balanced, how seamlessly they play together...I have many Atlanta SO recordings I treasure, and live they sound absolutely as they do on CD. And Spano is great! :D So energetic, he just radiates joy on the podium and it is infectious. I am thrilled I got the chance to see them live!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 29, 2008, 04:16:13 AM
Siouxsie Sioux (ex-Banshees) playing at Koko in Camden Town tonight. I should probably have posted this in The Diner or somewhere because it isn't classical, but it is a concert I'm looking foward to, so what the hell...   ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 29, 2008, 05:53:01 AM
Quote from: MDL on September 29, 2008, 04:16:13 AM
Siouxsie Sioux (ex-Banshees) playing at Koko in Camden Town tonight. I should probably have posted this in The Diner or somewhere because it isn't classical, but it is a concert I'm looking foward to, so what the hell...   ;D

Please report back!  If it's part of the same tour, I heard her last spring here and she was great.

Tonight, I'm hearing the American Modern Ensemble in this interesting program titled Women Who Rock.

Missy Mazzoli: Lies You Can Believe In
Hannah Lash: Stalk
Alexandra du Bois: Dopo il duol, Dopo il mal (After Sorrow, After Woe)
Gabriela Frank: Adagio para Amantani
Vivian Fung: Miniatures
Roshanne Etezady: Mother-of-Pearl
Laura Schwendinger: High Wire Act
Augusta Read Thomas: Passion Prayers

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on September 30, 2008, 03:19:27 AM
Mobile Chamber Music Society
QNG -- Quartet New Generation
Recorder Collective

Thursday, October 16th, 7:30 pm

Diverse and Diagonal

Pavan—John Dowland (1563 - 1626)   

Mortal Flesh (2007-08)—Paul Moravec (b. 1957) 

Alla dolce ombra—(Diminutions by Girolamo Dalla Casa)—Cipriano de Rore (1516-1565)

Airlines (2008, written for QNG)—Woiciech Blecharz (b. 1981)

Ping Pong (2008, written for QNG)—Ulrich Schultheiß (b. 1956)

Intermission

Fuga a tre soggetti  (from The Art of the Fugue)—Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

Arak (2008)—Petros Ovsepyan (b. 1966)

Vexilla regis (1892)—Anton Bruckner (1824 - 1896)

Sitting Ducks—Chiel Meijering (b. 1954)

When the season was announced, a "recorder collective" sounded pretty missable, but the program may be interesting, with its mixture of "olde" and new.  Not sure about Brucker on recorders, though.   ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 30, 2008, 03:53:01 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 29, 2008, 05:53:01 AM
Please report back!  If it's part of the same tour, I heard her last spring here and she was great.

--Bruce

This was the final date of the the Mantaray tour, so Siouxsie played two sets, which is unsual for her. The evening was being filmed, so there'll probably be a DVD before long. There were also numerous costume changes, which added a bit of camp glamour to the evening.

This was the third time I'd seen her in 11 months; the previous shows were at the Roundhouse, also in Camden, and the O2 Festival in Hyde Park. The sets didn't vary a great deal; most shows included old faves Israel, Christine, Happy House, Dear Prudence, Spellbound, Arabian Knights, Hong Kong Garden and Night Shift, loads of tracks from Mantaray and some slightly underwhelming covers. Last night, I really could have done without the cover of These Boots Are Made For Walking (if that's the title), especially since Sioux played nothing from her albums Join Hands, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse, Hyaena, Tinderbox, Looking Glass, Peepshow, Superstition or The Rapture, and the only Creatures track she performed was Right Now.

Still, a fun evening in a gorgeously over-the-top venue that, shamefully, I'd never been to before.

At the O2 Festival, Siouxsie performed an amazing piece of choreography whereby she lifted her leg up to head height, grabbed hold of it and held that pose for a few moments (Madonna, eat your heart out), leading an acquaintance of mine to come out with a comment that I couldn't possibly repeat on a civilised forum such as this. Siouxsie didn't repeat that move last night.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 30, 2008, 07:00:59 AM
Quote from: MDL on September 30, 2008, 03:53:01 AM
This was the final date of the the Mantaray tour, so Siouxsie played two sets, which is unsual for her. The evening was being filmed, so there'll probably be a DVD before long. There were also numerous costume changes, which added a bit of camp glamour to the evening.

This was the third time I'd seen her in 11 months; the previous shows were at the Roundhouse, also in Camden, and the O2 Festival in Hyde Park. The sets didn't vary a great deal; most shows included old faves Israel, Christine, Happy House, Dear Prudence, Spellbound, Arabian Knights, Hong Kong Garden and Night Shift, loads of tracks from Mantaray and some slightly underwhelming covers. Last night, I really could have done without the cover of These Boots Are Made For Walking (if that's the title), especially since Sioux played nothing from her albums Join Hands, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse, Hyaena, Tinderbox, Looking Glass, Peepshow, Superstition or The Rapture, and the only Creatures track she performed was Right Now.

Still, a fun evening in a gorgeously over-the-top venue that, shamefully, I'd never been to before.

At the O2 Festival, Siouxsie performed an amazing piece of choreography whereby she lifted her leg up to head height, grabbed hold of it and held that pose for a few moments (Madonna, eat your heart out), leading an acquaintance of mine to come out with a comment that I couldn't possibly repeat on a civilised forum such as this. Siouxsie didn't repeat that move last night.

Three times in 11 months...you lucky dog.  8) 

And as for that choreography, she must be one of the most in-shape 50-year-old singers around.  (Feel free to P.M. me with the comment if you like.  ;D) 

Thanks for the post.  Here's a 2004 photo of her performing in NYC, at B.B. King's in Times Square.  Don't like this venue much at all--yours sounds much more interesting--but she was great.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 02, 2008, 05:41:18 AM
squarez called and offered his extra ticket to the Duetch Opera performance of Der Rosenkavalier tomorrow night at the Beijing Poly Theatre. I know nothing about the cast nor conductor. But I am looking forward to it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on October 02, 2008, 08:55:08 PM
Ignorance is bliss!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 02, 2008, 09:20:38 PM
Quote from: M forever on October 02, 2008, 08:55:08 PM
Ignorance is bliss!

Thank you. I meant I have no information about it at this point, not that I have never heard of them. Chances are, I have heard most of them before. It isn't often that Der Rosenkavalier is on stage in Beijing. Most of the time it is Carmen, La Boheme and La Traviata.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 02, 2008, 11:28:59 PM
Tonight, the season opening concert of the Romanian Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Beethoven

Wellington's Victory
Piano Concerto No. 5
Symphony No. 3 Eroica


Horia Andreescu, conductor
Gerhard Oppitz, piano


I've never heard Oppitz playing, what am I to expect of him?


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 03, 2008, 06:19:55 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 28, 2008, 12:00:10 PM
Friday, October 3
Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz - Le corsaire
Wagner - Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde
Smetana - "Vltava [The Moldau]"
Janacek - Sinfonietta
I just found out that, in alignment with a glorious and somewhat shady Rice tradition, my roommate has arranged a blind date for me for this concert.  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on October 03, 2008, 07:34:41 AM

Festival Hall
Thursday 16 October 2008, 7.30pm

Olivier Messiaen La Transfiguration de notre seigneur Jesus-Christ for chorus & orchestra

Kent Nagano conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Kenneth Smith flute
Karen Stephenson cello
Mark van de Wiel clarinet
David Corkhill percussion
Kevin Hathway percussion
Peter Fry percussion
BBC Symphony Chorus
Philharmonia Voices


It should be interesting to compare this to the Proms performance I attended not too long ago. I don't know, you wait decades for a Transfiguration to make an appearance, and then they turn up in pairs.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 07:40:24 AM
Quote from: MDL on October 03, 2008, 07:34:41 AM
Festival Hall
Thursday 16 October 2008, 7.30pm

Olivier Messiaen La Transfiguration de notre seigneur Jesus-Christ for chorus & orchestra

Kent Nagano conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Kenneth Smith flute
Karen Stephenson cello
Mark van de Wiel clarinet
David Corkhill percussion
Kevin Hathway percussion
Peter Fry percussion
BBC Symphony Chorus
Philharmonia Voices


It should be interesting to compare this to the Proms performance I attended not too long ago. I don't know, you wait decades for a Transfiguration to make an appearance, and then they turn up in pairs.

I am in awe that you will have heard this twice in little more than two months--amazing.  And I don't see even a single performance of it scheduled in New York this year.  :'(

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: adamdavid80 on October 03, 2008, 07:41:31 AM
Hey, Bruce, what concerts are you going to?  What here in NY is available this weekend?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 07:50:31 AM
Tomorrow and Sunday I'll be at Carnegie Hall:

Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Ute Lemper, vocalist
Hudson Shad, vocal group
Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, "The Year 1905"

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
Beethoven: Große Fuge, Op. 133 
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
Brahms: Violin Concerto 

Are you going to either of those? 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on October 03, 2008, 07:56:39 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 07:40:24 AM
I am in awe that you will have heard this twice in little more than two months--amazing.  And I don't see even a single performance of it scheduled in New York this year.  :'(

--Bruce

It's pretty unusual, certainly. I think it was done in London about a decade ago, possibly by the LSO in the Barbican, but I missed it for some reason. (I'm not 100 per cent sure about that, though; maybe I dreamt it.) Did you get around to buying a recording or are you waiting for the rerelease of the Dorati?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 07:59:16 AM
Haven't bought a recording of it yet--not for any particular reason!--just overwhelmed with other music at the moment.  But I look forward to hearing it soon, during all this Messiaen fever.  To be fair, there *is* a great deal of Messiaen being programmed around town, including Reinbert de Leeuw conducting Turangalîla in December.   :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: adamdavid80 on October 03, 2008, 08:51:14 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 07:50:31 AM
Tomorrow and Sunday I'll be at Carnegie Hall:

Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Ute Lemper, vocalist
Hudson Shad, vocal group
Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, "The Year 1905"

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
Beethoven: Große Fuge, Op. 133 
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
Brahms: Violin Concerto 

Are you going to either of those? 

--Bruce

No, but the Sunday especially sounds awesome.  enjoy the hell out of that!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 09:48:29 AM
Quote from: adamdavid80 on October 03, 2008, 08:51:14 AM
No, but the Sunday especially sounds awesome.  enjoy the hell out of that!

Those MET concerts are generally excellent, if you like Levine.  (Gergiev sometimes conducts them, too, like an all-Mussorgsky concert last season.)  I especially like Levine's programming, given that he is very sympathetic to a lot of 20th-century music and contemporary works, too (e.g., a Wuorinen world premiere later in the season). 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on October 03, 2008, 10:37:37 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 09:48:29 AM
Those MET concerts are generally excellent, if you like Levine. 

--Bruce

:P ;D :D


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 10:40:46 AM
Quote from: toledobass on October 03, 2008, 10:37:37 AM
:P ;D :D

I gather your reaction is mixed.  ;D 

He did a Mahler 9 a few years ago with the MET ensemble (and I was warned about it ahead of time) that was just really, r-e-a-l-l-y slow.  Thankfully the program also included Christian Tetzlaff in the Berg Violin Concerto, which was fantastic.  But the Mahler never took off, which was too bad since the playing was marvelous.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 03, 2008, 03:13:10 PM
Monday at 20:00, at the Longy School (http://longy.edu/):

The Firebird Ensemble (http://www.firebirdensemble.com/calendar.html) plays:

Court Studies by Thomas Ades
Now and Then (1981) by Earl Kim
Twilight Music by John Harbison
Divine Detours by C. Bryan Roulon
Torrid Nature Scene World Premiere by Nick Vines
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 04, 2008, 07:50:04 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 28, 2008, 12:00:10 PM
Almost forgot! Two exciting concerts this weekend from Rice student orchestras:

Saturday, October 4
Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz - Le corsaire
Wagner - Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde
Smetana - "Vltava [The Moldau]"
Janáček - Sinfonietta
Well, what a fantastic night! It was interesting thing to hear the differences between this year's orchestra and last year's; our previous strengths, the lower strings and brass, are still fantastic, but now the centerpiece of the orchestra is what was once a weak link - the violins. Incredible. On the other hand, the woodwinds are spotty; the flutes were perfect in their Smetana solos, although conductor Larry Rachleff toyed with the rhythm of the solo's ending in an unfortunate way, but the wind group generally didn't fare so well in the spotlight at the start of the Wagner prelude.

The Smetana was a tad rushed, with previously mentioned weird interpretive curveball in the opening solo, but lovely anyway. The Berlioz was a really exciting beginning. But by far the evening's highlight was the Janáček Sinfonietta. I'd never heard it before - I only knew the Glagolitic Mass, which is absolutely awesome. But ... wow. Put it this way: afterwards I was walking through my dorm when I heard a gal whom I did not even know listened to classical music shouting: "It was ORGASMIC."

And you know ... I just can't think of a better word. It was orgasmic!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 05, 2008, 11:52:18 AM
Well, and there you have it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: adamdavid80 on October 06, 2008, 07:41:45 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 03, 2008, 07:50:31 AM
Tomorrow and Sunday I'll be at Carnegie Hall:

Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian, conductor
Ute Lemper, vocalist
Hudson Shad, vocal group
Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, "The Year 1905"

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
Beethoven: Große Fuge, Op. 133 
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
Brahms: Violin Concerto 

Are you going to either of those? 

--Bruce

How was it?  And what's in store for the coming week/weekend?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2008, 07:54:21 AM
Hey Adam, both were fantastic.  I think I enjoyed Toronto even more, although the MET Orchestra is about as good as it gets, usually.  Will be doing reviews of both, so won't go into great detail at the moment, but in a nutshell: Lemper was excellent, but miked, and not sure she had to be.  The Shostakovich was so exciting that my friend, a woman who had never been to Carnegie Hall, immediately went on iTunes to find a version of it.  (PS, there are four.) 

The MET concert was fascinating.  Two wild things--the Beethoven and the Messiaen--followed by some comfort food (the Brahms).  The Messiaen was totally striking, and provoked disparate reactions: some left in disgust, others were shouting "bravo" at the end.  Tetzlaff was terrific, although it took him some time to get there, with a few intonation problems.  But nothing like the sound of that orchestra in Carnegie: their concerts aren't cheap, but highly recommended.

This week, I will be at the Philadelphia Orchestra concert tomorrow with Martha Argerich (Prokofiev and Shostakovich Firsts), a concert by ModernWorks on Thursday (E. 15th Street), the Japan Society on Friday, and a new music group, counter)induction, on Sunday night at Tenri. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 07, 2008, 07:07:05 AM
Quote
Monday at 20:00, at the Longy School (http://longy.edu/):

The Firebird Ensemble (http://www.firebirdensemble.com/calendar.html) plays:

Court Studies by Thomas Ades
Now and Then (1981) by Earl Kim
Twilight Music by John Harbison
Divine Detours by C. Bryan Roulon
Torrid Nature Scene World Premiere by Nick Vines


YHM, Bruce!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 07, 2008, 11:32:40 AM
Tonight, this one:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Conductor
Martha Argerich, Piano

Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales 
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major, Op. 10
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1 
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel) 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 07, 2008, 11:39:08 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 07, 2008, 11:32:40 AM
Tonight, this one:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Conductor
Martha Argerich, Piano

Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales 
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major, Op. 10
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1 
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel) 

--Bruce

Friends of ours in Philly just witnessed that program, Bruce, and their words glowed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 07, 2008, 11:41:29 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on October 07, 2008, 11:39:08 AM
Friends of ours in Philly just witnessed that program, Bruce, and their words glowed.

Oh great, glad to hear it!  (And that Argerich showed up, but then, apparently when Dutoit is around she always does.) 

I could do without Pictures (having heard it just recently) but like the rest of the program a lot.  I've never heard her do the Shostakovich.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 07, 2008, 11:43:11 AM
Yes;  much as I like it, Pictures is one I don't need to hear more than once every four-five months.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on October 07, 2008, 10:04:42 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 07, 2008, 11:41:29 AM
And that Argerich showed up, but then, apparently when Dutoit is around she always does.

Not the last two times I went to a concert with Dutoit for which she was also announced (in SF two or three years ago, and in NY earlier this year).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 07, 2008, 10:19:20 PM
Quote from: M forever on October 07, 2008, 10:04:42 PM
Not the last two times I went to a concert with Dutoit for which she was also announced (in SF two or three years ago, and in NY earlier this year).

I had the same misfortune twice as well.

Interestingly, the only two times that I did hear her was in Beijing, and both times with Maisky.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 09, 2008, 11:10:58 AM
Tonight:

Modernworks
Madeleine Shapiro, cello

Walter Branchi: Ecstatic Silence (2008) - A 45-minute piece for cello and electronics, created for the small space in which the concert is being held.  Have no idea what to expect, but details are here (http://www.modernworks.com/schedule/index.html#WalterBranchi).  And the composer's website:

http://www.walter-branchi.com/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on October 09, 2008, 07:52:48 PM
Quote from: springrite on October 07, 2008, 10:19:20 PM
I had the same misfortune twice as well.

I heard her live once only, that was with Abbado and the BP with Tchaikovsky's 1st concerto. And it was very good. But there are lots of good pianists. Both times, the replacements were very good. In SF, with Schumann's piano concerto, it was a French pianist whose name eludes me at the moment even though he is rather well known. In NY, it was André Watts who played Beethoven's 1st concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ezodisy on October 11, 2008, 06:37:37 AM
I went to the Barbican last night to hear the BBC SO perform Mussorgsky (missed it), a Pintscher premiere and Tchaikovsky's Manfred. I hadn't been to an orchestral concert for a year or two, I'd forgotten how ceremonial they seem with the applause and all that, it seemed strange--and a little embarrassing with what I guess were leftover Prommers clapping between movements. A guy called Kazushi Ono conducted, lots of energy, a pretty good Manfred Symphony, I really enjoy that first movement and the recurring theme, though it didn't quite get the overwhelming feeling which Fedoseyev and the Moscow Radio SO created and which remains one of the best concerts I've attended. I think from now on if I attend any classical concerts they'll just be at the opera house as I'd like something to watch while listening. That and a few piano recitals, which are fine for staring into space.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 11, 2008, 07:57:19 AM
Splendid, Tony!  I'd love to hear the Manfred Symphony live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 13, 2008, 09:07:17 AM
Tonight:

John Adams: Doctor Atomic (at the MET, with Gerald Finley, conducted by Alan Gilbert)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on October 13, 2008, 04:10:39 PM
And how about the concerts you were looking forward to :P
Had tickets for La Poeme Harmonique new staged production, early 17th century Venetian music (revolving around Monteverdi) Venezia, dalle strade ai pallazzi, but then some last moment family problem made it a no go. And it was one night only guest performance. Oh, well...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 14, 2008, 11:35:44 AM
Quote from: Drasko on October 13, 2008, 04:10:39 PM
And how about the concerts you were looking forward to :P

Here you go:

Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Peter Oundjian and Ute Lemper
http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2008/Jul-Dec08/toronto0410.htm

The MET Orchestra with James Levine and Christian Tetzlaff
http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2008/Jul-Dec08/levine0510.htm

These two concerts were superb, especially the Toronto program.  The friend with me went out and bought the Shostakovich 11th Symphony on iTunes the day after--he was that impressed. 

Now last night's Doctor Atomic, unfortunately, was another story: very disappointing.  I really wanted to like it, as did 3 other friends there, but none of us thought very highly of it.  I like John Adams, the raw material is interesting (i.e., Oppenheimer and the development of the atomic bomb), and the cast was very good.  But the direction was often really, really static, and I didn't feel the score was Adams' best work.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on October 14, 2008, 01:47:24 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 14, 2008, 11:35:44 AM
Now last night's Doctor Atomic, unfortunately, was another story: very disappointing.  I really wanted to like it, as did 3 other friends there, but none of us thought very highly of it.  I like John Adams, the raw material is interesting (i.e., Oppenheimer and the development of the atomic bomb), and the cast was very good.  But the direction was often really, really static, and I didn't feel the score was Adams' best work.

Oh, wow. I don't think I have ever read a negative review from you before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on October 14, 2008, 02:50:36 PM
Adams himself may have felt so:  some good music within a failed opera. He devised an orchestral suite, which is available as download somewhere. I have it and really like it. Not great, but quite good stuff. I suppose sitting through the whole staged affair might be tedious, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2008, 09:56:38 AM
Tomorrow night:

R. Strauss: Salome (final performance at the Met, with Karita Mattila, conducted by Patrick Summers)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on October 15, 2008, 09:57:33 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 15, 2008, 09:56:38 AM
Tomorrow night:

R. Strauss: Salome (final performance at the Met, with Karita Mattila, conducted by Patrick Summers)

--Bruce

Ahh, envy is mine!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2008, 10:02:39 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 15, 2008, 09:57:33 AM
Ahh, envy is mine!   :)

By any chance did you catch the broadcast last Saturday?  If not, they are doing encore screenings at some theaters (i.e., now taped, rather than live).  And then after that, they usually show the tape on public television a few weeks later, at least in the U.S.  So you might have other chances to catch it.  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on October 15, 2008, 10:04:25 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 15, 2008, 10:02:39 AM
By any chance did you catch the broadcast last Saturday?  If not, they are doing encore screenings at some theaters (i.e., now taped, rather than live).  And then after that, they usually show the tape on public television a few weeks later, at least in the U.S.  So you might have other chances to catch it.  :D

--Bruce

I'll check the PBS feed we get here in Canada.  And also our local movie theaters.  Good tip Bruce, thanks!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2008, 10:11:18 AM
Just had a few minutes so I checked the Met's site, and the encore is showing Saturday, Nov. 15, and it looks like at about 6 theaters in Winnipeg!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on October 15, 2008, 10:13:38 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 15, 2008, 10:11:18 AM
Just had a few minutes so I checked the Met's site, and the encore is showing Saturday, Nov. 15, and it looks like at about 6 theaters in Winnipeg!

--Bruce

Excellent, Bruce!  I'll mark that on my calendar.  Thank you!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on October 15, 2008, 04:29:47 PM
These theater showings seem to be a big success. Here it's shown in a 600-seat theater in HD, and you better line up an hour ahead or you can't get good seat (or any seat at all). There's also a euro series of performances. About half are from La Scala, but Salzburg and other famous venues are also listed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 15, 2008, 08:56:54 PM
Murray Perehia's recital in Beijing later this evening.

Bach: Partita #2
Beethoven: Appasionata
Chopin Ballade #3 and #4
Chopin Etudes, Mazurkas, Nocturnes
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: adamdavid80 on October 16, 2008, 05:41:36 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 15, 2008, 08:56:54 PM
Murray Perehia's recital in Beijing later this evening.

Bach: Partita #2
Beethoven: Appasionata
Chopin Ballade #3 and #4
Chopin Etudes, Mazurkas, Nocturnes


He's still ALIVE????
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 17, 2008, 01:46:44 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 15, 2008, 08:56:54 PM
Murray Perehia's recital in Beijing later this evening.

Bach: Partita #2
Beethoven: Appasionata
Chopin Ballade #3 and #4
Chopin Etudes, Mazurkas, Nocturnes


Yes, alive and well. Almost well at least. Overall, he played beautifully, except for the opening movement in the first and second halves, which is expected considering his old hand injury. He obviously had difficulties at the beginning when his hands were relatively stiff.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 20, 2008, 09:31:59 AM
Tonight, this concert at Carnegie:

Boston Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Maurizio Pollini, Piano

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique" 
Leon Kirchner: The Forbidden (NY Premiere) 
Schumann: Piano Concerto

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on October 20, 2008, 09:29:11 PM
Quote from: springrite on October 17, 2008, 01:46:44 AM
Yes, alive and well. Almost well at least. Overall, he played beautifully, except for the opening movement in the first and second halves, which is expected considering his old hand injury. He obviously had difficulties at the beginning when his hands were relatively stiff.

So you think that Perahia is not smart enough to warm up before each half of the concert?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: adamdavid80 on October 21, 2008, 03:42:30 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 17, 2008, 01:46:44 AM
Yes, alive and well. Almost well at least. Overall, he played beautifully, except for the opening movement in the first and second halves, which is expected considering his old hand injury. He obviously had difficulties at the beginning when his hands were relatively stiff.



I was kidding about the alive part (no one gets my sense of humor...least of all me), but, actually, i was surprised to hear he still performs.  I'm not sure if I would be able to enjoy a Perahia performance today.  No disrespect intended, but the limitatiojns his hand injury brings is kinda reminiscient of fat Elvis in the 1970's...if you close your eyes you can almost imagine your really there, but the reality of the situation is a little less magical...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 21, 2008, 06:44:30 AM
Tonight, seeing Doctor Atomic again.  I want to hear Alan Gilbert and the Met Orchestra play the score once more, even if the production as a whole doesn't quite work.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: adamdavid80 on October 21, 2008, 08:09:43 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 21, 2008, 06:44:30 AM
Tonight, seeing Doctor Atomic again.  I want to hear Alan Gilbert and the Met Orchestra play the score once more, even if the production as a whole doesn't quite work.

--Bruce

What have the reviews been like?  The New Yorker gave it a middling grade, but not as bad as yours.  (Then again, you ARE seeing it again)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 21, 2008, 08:16:44 AM
Quote from: adamdavid80 on October 21, 2008, 08:09:43 AM
What have the reviews been like?  The New Yorker gave it a middling grade, but not as bad as yours.  (Then again, you ARE seeing it again)

Reviews are quite, quite mixed.  Check out composer Mark Adamo's comments on his blog (two different posts).  I think he's pretty perceptive (as was Ross).

http://www.markadamo.com/index.php

I just decided it would be worth hearing the great Met Orchestra play the score again, and now that I know what to expect from the production and direction...I won't be disappointed!  >:D  Seriously, if you're an Adams fan, you might want to check it out, just for the musical values.  But FWIW, a friend who saw the Netherlands Opera DVD and loved it, then saw the Met's version two days later--and she didn't like it at all.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 21, 2008, 08:45:53 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 21, 2008, 08:16:44 AM
Reviews are quite, quite mixed.  Check out composer Mark Adamo's comments on his blog (two different posts).  I think he's pretty perceptive (as was Ross).

http://www.markadamo.com/index.php

Thanks for the link, Bruce; and YHM!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ezodisy on October 22, 2008, 01:14:08 AM
(http://www.sallegaveau.com/pix/photo_spectacle/I.Pogorelich.jpg)

23 October, Paris. Time to dust off the old recording equipment.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on October 22, 2008, 05:27:20 AM
Quote from: ezodisy on October 22, 2008, 01:14:08 AM
(http://www.sallegaveau.com/pix/photo_spectacle/I.Pogorelich.jpg)

23 October, Paris. Time to dust off the old recording equipment.

What is the programme?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ezodisy on October 22, 2008, 05:56:44 AM
supposed to be Chopin (nocturne and sonata 3), Sibelius valse triste, Liszt mephisto waltz and Ravel Gaspard. No guarantees however, and of course he might not show up. Bought a ticket this morning and was told that there are enough left to buy on the evening of, which is surprising, of course.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 22, 2008, 06:33:56 AM
Quote from: ezodisy on October 22, 2008, 05:56:44 AM
Bought a ticket this morning and was told that there are enough left to buy on the evening of, which is surprising, of course.

Well, not surprising to me since he has lost so many followers over the past decade or so, and I do not believe attracted new ones.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ezodisy on October 22, 2008, 11:28:12 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 22, 2008, 06:33:56 AM
Well, not surprising to me since he has lost so many followers over the past decade or so, and I do not believe attracted new ones.

sorry Paul but I don't buy it -- everyone with or without desire stares at a car crash.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2008, 07:18:08 AM
Tomorrow afternoon, I'm hearing a rare performance of Bernstein's Mass, with Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.  I have never heard the whole piece.  What's also interesting is the venue: tonight they're doing it at Carnegie Hall, but my friends and I decided to go to the one tomorrow at the United Palace Theater in Harlem (photos below).  According to the program notes (http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_8506_pn.html?selecteddate=10242008) there will be about 700 people onstage.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 24, 2008, 07:41:43 AM
Quote from: bhodges on October 24, 2008, 07:18:08 AM
Tomorrow afternoon, I'm hearing a rare performance of Bernstein's Mass, with Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.  I have never heard the whole piece.

I shall take keen interest, Bruce, in your review!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 24, 2008, 07:47:14 AM
Tonight, a friend of mine who is finishing a Master's in conducting at NEC is leading a concert as part of his endgame:

Ravel, Mother Goose Suite
Beethoven "Emperor" Piano Concerto
Act II from Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2008, 07:51:20 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on October 24, 2008, 07:47:14 AM
Tonight, a friend of mine who is finishing a Master's in conducting at NEC is leading a concert as part of his endgame:

Ravel, Mother Goose Suite
Beethoven "Emperor" Piano Concerto
Act II from Humperdinck's Hansel und Gretel


Well isn't that a great program!  I just heard the Humperdinck for the first time last December--marvelous score.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on October 25, 2008, 01:49:42 PM
This Friday the NZSO:

Looking forward to the Strauss tone poems.

VERDI La Forza del Destino Overture
ROSSINI Largo al factotum from The Barber of Seville
BELLINI Ah! per sempre io ti perdei from I Puritani
MOZART The Marriage of Figaro Overture and The Catalogue Aria from Don Giovanni
PUCCINI Questo amor, vergogna mia from Edgar
BIZET Toreador Song from Carmen
R STRAUSS Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegel

PIETARI INKINEN Conductor
TEDDY TAHU RHODES Bass-Baritone

In a 19th century final concert, opera rubs shoulders with tone poems from Bavaria. Verdi's heroine in La Forze del Destino, forced to choose between her father and lover, suffers a tragic fate, foreshadowed in the dramatic overture by the use of the destiny theme. Richard Strauss' Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegel in turn graphically portray well known rakishness and a prankster's merry exploits. To complement the Verdi, the bass-baritone arias are in keeping with the drama of this programme. 

I'm less interested in the opera aria's simply because I'd prefer to hear them in the context of the complete opera.

Should still be good though  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: M forever on October 25, 2008, 05:22:42 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 24, 2008, 07:51:20 AM
I just heard the Humperdinck for the first time last December--marvelous score.

That's exactly what Richard Strauss (who conducted the premiere) said, too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 27, 2008, 03:15:27 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on October 25, 2008, 01:49:42 PM
I'm less interested in the opera aria's simply because I'd prefer to hear them in the context of the complete opera.

Should still be good though  :)

Yes, but Teddy Tahu Rhodes should be great!  He has a very fine voice, and was in the Met's recent production of Peter Grimes, as Ned Keene.  He was a huge hit--definitely a rising star.

Please report back...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 30, 2008, 08:37:34 PM
Solitary Wanderer, would be interested to hear what you think of Pietari Inkinen, and also of former director James Judd, who's a candidate for the music directorship in my parents' town.

I just got back from a fantastic performance of Berlioz' opera Beatrice and Benedict, at the Houston Grand Opera. It was sung in English, but still terrific, with a comical Somarone (who slipped in a Joe the Plumber joke...) and generally marvelous cast. It didn't hurt that the usher stopped me on the way to my seat in the balcony and gave me a free promotional ticket to a place smack in the middle of the orchestra section!  :o :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on November 01, 2008, 04:15:11 AM
Today is the first day of the Southbank Centre's Stockhausen binge. There's a free performance of Michael's Greeting in the front room, and then:

Karlheinz Stockhausen KLANG - 5th Hour: Harmonien (Harmonies) (vers. for bass clarinet) UK premiere
Karlheinz Stockhausen Trans for orchestra & tape
Karlheinz Stockhausen KLANG - 5th Hour: Harmonien (Harmonies) (vers. for flute) UK premiere
Karlheinz Stockhausen Trans for orchestra & tape


Royal College of Music Orchestra
Diego Massonconductor
Cathie Boyddirector
Suzanne Stephensbass clarinet
Kathinka Pasveerflute


And they're performing Trans twice! Well, I'm excited, anyway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 01, 2008, 08:42:15 AM
Vaughan Williams symphonies 5,6 9 etc tomorrow Festival Hall, London (Philharmonia, Hickox)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on November 01, 2008, 08:56:59 AM
November 1, 2008

Ho, Vincent - Red Zen
Corigliano, John - The Red Violin:  Chaconne (Nikki Chooi, violin)
Holst - The Planets

Tonight's WSO concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 01, 2008, 09:20:38 AM
This coming Thursday

Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse
Tugan Sokhiev conductor
Nelson Freire piano

Messiaen - Les Offrandes oubliées
Franck - Symphonic variations
Mussorgsky/Ravel - Pictures at an Exhibition

I've heard Freire couple times before and think he is one of the best pianist you can hear live today, but never heard Toulouse orchestra and am curious to hear if they retained any of that typical french sound or will sound just plain generic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 03, 2008, 08:04:09 PM
Today got to go to Rice University's Composer Forum Concert, an opportunity to hear music written (and performed) by students. The program included a couple works by acquaintances of mine, including an absolutely beautiful setting of a Neruda sonnet for tenor and piano, as well as a very peculiar piece indeed for stereophonic playback, with the (stunningly appropriate!) title "And the stallion put on my pants and began to sing." In some of the works I felt like the dedication of the performers was greater than the effort by the composers, but hey, these are students. And that Neruda setting was very touching indeed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on November 06, 2008, 10:07:06 AM
Tomorrow, Friday, at 2pm. My wife and I are going to hear Lang Lang play Beethoven with the NYPO. Also on the program is Bruckner's 9th symphony. This is going to be good. I hope Lang Lang doesn't cancel the last minute.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 06, 2008, 10:31:53 AM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on November 06, 2008, 10:07:06 AM
Tomorrow, Friday, at 2pm. My wife and I are going to hear Lang Lang play Beethoven with the NYPO. Also on the program is Bruckner's 9th symphony. This is going to be good. I hope Lang Lang doesn't cancel the last minute.

That could be a very good concert indeed.  My experiences with Lang Lang have been mostly very positive, with the sole exception of his recent appearance on The Tonight Show.  He played a Chopin Prelude (IIRC) and just blasted the hell out of it--the most insensitive reading from him I've seen.  But in concert, his Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 (with Maazel and the NYPO) and Beethoven First (with Jansons and Bavarian Radio) were excellent.  And Eschenbach should do a good job with the Bruckner, too. 

Unfortunately I think I'm going to miss this concert, since I can't go tomorrow, and on Saturday I'm hearing the Tetzlaff Quartet (with Christian Tetzlaff). 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on November 06, 2008, 12:28:46 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 27, 2008, 03:15:27 PM
Yes, but Teddy Tahu Rhodes should be great!  He has a very fine voice, and was in the Met's recent production of Peter Grimes, as Ned Keene.  He was a huge hit--definitely a rising star.

Please report back...

--Bruce

Yes, it was a very good evening music.

Teddy Tahu Rhodes has a wonderful, rich bass-baritone and was very expressive with his body movements; maybe due to his recent stint at the Met. His had to skip one of the sheduled pieces because he told us he was struggling with a serious throat infection. Instead he sang an old Irish Aire which was lovely but undemanding. He certainly had great stage presence with his imposing stature.

The two Strauss works were wonderful.

An interesting thing happened during Don Juan:

The concertmasters violin malfunctioned so he grabbed the assistant conertmasters violin who in turn reached behind him and took the violin out of the hands of the violinist sitting behind him who then sat through the remainder of the piece clutching the concertmasters dead violin! Very much a pecking order!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on November 06, 2008, 12:34:27 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 30, 2008, 08:37:34 PM
Solitary Wanderer, would be interested to hear what you think of Pietari Inkinen, and also of former director James Judd, who's a candidate for the music directorship in my parents' town.

Hi Brian  :)

I enjoyed James Judd alot for his work, over several years with the NZSO, as he displayed a great sense of leadership and direction.

It's Pietari Inkinen's first year as new director with the NZSO and I have mixed feelings. He's very young and no doubt very talented but somehow I'm not sensing the 'connection' between him and the orchestra. I commented on this to my wife as we left the Town Hall last Friday. Maybe he needs to grow into the job a bit more.

My wife likes his hair as it 'moves' quite magically as he's conducting  :D

(http://operachic.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/19/ink02.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: adamdavid80 on November 07, 2008, 06:55:26 AM
Quote from: bhodges on November 06, 2008, 10:31:53 AM
That could be a very good concert indeed.  My experiences with Lang Lang have been mostly very positive, with the sole exception of his recent appearance on The Tonight Show.  He played a Chopin Prelude (IIRC) and just blasted the hell out of it--the most insensitive reading from him I've seen.  But in concert, his Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 (with Maazel and the NYPO) and Beethoven First (with Jansons and Bavarian Radio) were excellent.  And Eschenbach should do a good job with the Bruckner, too. 

Unfortunately I think I'm going to miss this concert, since I can't go tomorrow, and on Saturday I'm hearing the Tetzlaff Quartet (with Christian Tetzlaff). 

--Bruce

Did you by any chance see the lang lang profile in the new yorker a feww issues.months back?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 07, 2008, 07:20:07 AM
Quote from: adamdavid80 on November 07, 2008, 06:55:26 AM
Did you by any chance see the lang lang profile in the new yorker a feww issues.months back?

Yes, the one by David Remnick, around the time of the Olympics--very good!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 07, 2008, 08:31:59 AM
Tomorrow night:

Zankel Hall
Tetzlaff Quartet

Mozart: String Quartet in D Minor, K. 421 
Berg: Lyric Suite 
Sibelius: String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56, "Voces intimae"

And Sunday afternoon:

Weill Recital Hall
The MET Chamber Ensemble
James Levine, Artistic Director and Conductor
Judith Bettina, Soprano
Jennifer Black, Soprano
Matthew Plenk, Tenor

Schoenberg: Five Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 16 (chamber version
Schumann: "Ich denke dein," Op. 78, No. 3 
Schumann: "Liebhabers Ständchen," Op. 34, No. 2 
Schumann: "Unterm Fenster," Op. 34, No. 3 
Schumann: "In der Nacht," Op. 74, No. 4 
Schumann: "Tanzlied," Op. 78, No. 1 
Boulez: Dérive 1 
Boulez: Improvisation sur Mallarmé I 
Mozart: Divertimento in D Major, K. 131 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on November 09, 2008, 05:50:33 PM
Final concert for the year APO

APN NEWS & MEDIA PREMIER SERIES | TWELVE

FANTASTIC SYMPHONIES
THU, 13 NOVEMBER 8:00PM

AUCKLAND TOWN HALL, THE EDGE®

Lionel Bringuier
CONDUCTOR

Ewa Kupiec
PIANO

Debussy
Prelude to the Afternoon Sun

Szymanowski
Symphony No.4 (Symphonie Concertante)

Berlioz
Symphonie Fantastique

The sweeping narrative and orchestral virtuosity of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique have rightly made it an audience favourite, and conducting prodigy Lionel Bringuier is already famous for his interpretation. He is joined by renowned Polish pianist Ewa Kupiec for the fourth symphony by her countryman Szymanowski, a work which rivals Berlioz in its fascinating tapestry of sound.

Excited to hear the Symphonie Fantastique live  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 10, 2008, 05:46:59 AM
This Friday in Mannheim:

Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Andrei Gavrilov Klavier
Ari Rasilainen Dirigent

Sergej Rachmaninow
Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 c-Moll op. 18

Sergej Rachmaninow
Sinfonie Nr. 2 e-Moll op. 27



Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on November 10, 2008, 11:38:26 AM
November 10, 2008

Pinchas Zukerman, National Arts Center Orchestra - Ottawa

Alexina Louie - Infinite Sky with Birds
Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Jon Kimura Parker, piano)
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5

I'm looking forward to seeing the Ottawa orchestra performing tonight in Winnipeg.   :)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on November 10, 2008, 11:40:18 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on November 09, 2008, 05:50:33 PM
Berlioz
Symphonie Fantastique

Excited to hear the Symphonie Fantastique live  :)

SW, I was fortunate to hear the Symphonie Fantastique live last season, to open up the 2007/2008 60th Anniversary of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

That was an incredible evening!   :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on November 10, 2008, 11:55:30 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 10, 2008, 11:40:18 AM
SW, I was fortunate to hear the Symphonie Fantastique live last season, to open up the 2007/2008 60th Anniversary of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

That was an incredible evening!   :)



I'm sure it was an epic event!

Funny thing is the NZSO are doing it next season too so I'll have it twice in six months!

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 11, 2008, 08:45:09 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 10, 2008, 11:38:26 AM
Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Jon Kimura Parker, piano)
RICE PROFESSOR ALERT!  :D :D

Sarge, I'd kill to hear Ari Rasilainen in the Rachmaninov symphony. If his Atterberg and Hausegger albums for cpo are any indication, the man has a rare affinity for the hyper-romantics.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 14, 2008, 07:17:05 AM
Tonight, the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall, in an all-Bernstein program:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, Conductor
Glenn Dicterow, Violin
Ana María Martínez, Soprano
Paul Groves, Tenor
New York Choral Artists
Joseph Flummerfelt, Chorus Director

Bernstein: On the Waterfront Symphonic Suite 
Bernstein: Serenade (After Plato's Symposium
Bernstein: West Side Story Suites Nos. 1 and 2

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on November 14, 2008, 07:25:08 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra tonight!

November 14, 2008

Rossini - The Thieving Magpie Overture
Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 22 (Stewart Goodyear, piano)
Beethoven - Symphony No. 7

Guest conductor:  Matthias Bamert
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 14, 2008, 08:13:02 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 10, 2008, 05:46:59 AM
This Friday in Mannheim:
...
Andrei Gavrilov Klavier
...

Did he show up?

Tonight

Isabelle Faust playing Schumann Violin Concerto with Belgrade Philharmonic, Thomas Sanderling conducting, rest of the programme: Wagner's Meistersinger overture and Shostakovich 5th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 15, 2008, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 11, 2008, 08:45:09 AM
Sarge, I'd kill to hear Ari Rasilainen in the Rachmaninov symphony. If his Atterberg and Hausegger albums for cpo are any indication, the man has a rare affinity for the hyper-romantics.

Rasilainen is doing a Rach cycle this season. PCs 1, 3, 4, the Rhapsody and The Bells are scheduled for February and March (Gavrilov the pianist). It's a good year for this Rach fan  :)

Quote from: Drasko on November 14, 2008, 08:13:02 AM
Did he show up?

We didn't attend last night (we decided to catch the concert in Mainz tomorrow evening) but my in-laws went and they said he did show up. They said he performed two encores (they couldn't identify them).

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on November 15, 2008, 04:51:31 AM
For our anniversary we will drive to Cincinnati next Saturday to hear the CSO play the Dvorak Violin Concerto  (Julia Fischer and Paavo Järvi) and then Holst's The Planets.

A Bruckner Eighth Symphony in Cleveland easily trumped this in my opinion, but my wife and Bruckner are maybe not the best of friends   :o  and it is our anniversary (30 years) after all, and the rule always is for the Intelligent Husband: "Keep Your Wife Happy, and then You Will Be Happy!"   0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 15, 2008, 07:26:24 AM
Today...
noon - Schubert Quintet for Strings & the Piano Quintet, "Trout"
2pm - Mozart Quintet for Piano and winds, and piano quintets by Franck, Vaughan Williams and Dvorak
4pm - R. Strauss - "Til Eulenspiegel, einmal Anders!" Op. 28 (arr. Franz Hasenöhrl for horn, clarinet, bassoon, double bass and violin; 1954); Brahms clarinet quintet and string quintet No 2
Then a change in venue from my university's annual chamber music festival (as you may have guessed, the theme is quintets  ;D ) to the Houston Symphony Orchestra for:
SHOSTAKOVICH Tea for Two
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No 1
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No 2, "Little Russian"
Jon Kimura Parker, piano - if I remember correctly


Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 15, 2008, 04:23:55 AM
Rasilainen is doing a Rach cycle this season. PCs 1, 3, 4, the Rhapsody and The Bells are scheduled for February and March (Gavrilov the pianist). It's a good year for this Rach fan  :)
Well, I hope they are recording those concerts. I'm jealous over here.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 15, 2008, 07:49:46 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 15, 2008, 07:26:24 AM
Today...
Well, I hope they are recording those concerts. I'm jealous over here.  ;D

It would be a way for CPO to offer a Rach PC cycle. I don't know if it's possible though (is Gavrilov still under contract with EMI?).

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 15, 2008, 08:14:32 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 15, 2008, 07:49:46 AM
(is Gavrilov still under contract with EMI?).

Sarge

He moved to DG ages ago, but doubt he has a contract with them anymore. Not sure he recorded anything for over a decade.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on November 15, 2008, 09:14:14 AM
Quote from: Cato on November 15, 2008, 04:51:31 AM
"Keep Your Wife Happy, and then You Will Be Happy!"   0:)

Wisdom!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on November 15, 2008, 09:47:30 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 15, 2008, 07:26:24 AM
4pm - R. Strauss - "Til Eulenspiegel, einmal Anders!" Op. 28 (arr. Franz Hasenöhrl for horn, clarinet, bassoon, double bass and violin; 1954); Brahms clarinet quintet and string quintet No 2


Yes, ditto for me, actually I'm leaving quite soon to get up there for the Brahms and Strauss...and the Symphony concert as well (Brian is the beneficiary of the free tickets they sent trying to lure me back as subscriber  :D)

The program is as follows:

Shostakovich:
Tahiti Trot (Tea for Two)
Shostakovich/Atovmyan: Two Selections from The Gadfly
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1
Picker: Old and Lost Rivers
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, Little Russian

Houston Symphony
Hans Graf, conductor
Jon Kimura Parker, piano
Mark Hughes, trumpet

I am greatly looking forward to hearing those lighter DSCH bits as well as my favorite concerto for piano and trumpet.  ;) Should be fun!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 16, 2008, 05:04:15 PM
Just heard Staatskapelle Dresden with Luisi do Don Quixote and Brahms 4 (+Oberon Overture encore). Wonderful! I'm really digging Luisi. Fantastic sense of dramatic structure. Looking forward to a month from now when he comes back to town to conduct the CSO in Symphonie fantastique.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on November 16, 2008, 06:24:16 PM
The above Houston concert was good last night...they're trying out some new concertmasters there and we really dug this week's, whose name is Nathan Cole...

All the Shostakovich was a blast, played extremely well, asst. conductor Brett Mitchell did a nice job on the lighter selections. Jon Kimura Parker was a hoot on the PC 1, really dancing in his seat in the last mvmt and milking the jokey bits for all they were worth. 2nd mvmt was magical as well from both piano and orch.

The Picker piece, played as part of the ongoing 20th anniversary of their Fanfare Project, was totally lost in this program of Russian comedy - just a nice and forgettable mishmosh of pretty chords with no real arrival point.

Tchaik 2nd was fun and energetically played, still a strange piece to me, but overall just great to hear live (I never had before!)

I also stopped by the Rice Chamber Music Festival earlier that day to hear some great Brahms, Clarinet and Piano Quintets were highlight performances.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on November 17, 2008, 07:29:21 AM
This Saturday at the Tilles Performing Arts Center in Long Island, Fabio Luisi and the Staatskapelle Dresden perform Beethoven's 1st PC and Brahms final symphony, with Yundi Li as soloist in the Beethoven. It's funny I heard Lang Lang play the exact same piece with the NYPO only a couple of weeks earlier.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: rockerreds on November 17, 2008, 03:32:45 PM
Quote from: Senta on November 16, 2008, 06:24:16 PM
The above Houston concert was good last night...they're trying out some new concertmasters there and we really dug this week's, whose name is Nathan Cole...

All the Shostakovich was a blast, played extremely well, asst. conductor Brett Mitchell did a nice job on the lighter selections. Jon Kimura Parker was a hoot on the PC 1, really dancing in his seat in the last mvmt and milking the jokey bits for all they were worth. 2nd mvmt was magical as well from both piano and orch.

The Picker piece, played as part of the ongoing 20th anniversary of their Fanfare Project, was totally lost in this program of Russian comedy - just a nice and forgettable mishmosh of pretty chords with no real arrival point.

Tchaik 2nd was fun and energetically played, still a strange piece to me, but overall just great to hear live (I never had before!)

I also stopped by the Rice Chamber Music Festival earlier that day to hear some great Brahms, Clarinet and Piano Quintets were highlight performances.


Living here in Philadelphia I got to hear Nathan Cole many times when he was a student at Curtis-excellent.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on November 17, 2008, 05:33:47 PM
Well, don't post to this thread often - a lot offered in my area, but guess that I'm just an 'ole man' preferring to stay at home and play my CDs -  ;D

But, coming up this Sunday is a concert by our local Winston-Salem Symphony devoted to Leonard Bernstein - called Lenny's Spiritual Side (http://www.wssymphony.org/0809_c2.html) - his daughter will be present - looking forward to the event!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 18, 2008, 05:16:42 PM
Quote from: Cato on November 15, 2008, 04:51:31 AM
For our anniversary we will drive to Cincinnati next Saturday to hear the CSO play the Dvorak Violin Concerto  (Julia Fischer and Paavo Järvi) and then Holst's The Planets.

A Bruckner Eighth Symphony in Cleveland easily trumped this in my opinion, but my wife and Bruckner are maybe not the best of friends   :o  and it is our anniversary (30 years) after all, and the rule always is for the Intelligent Husband: "Keep Your Wife Happy, and then You Will Be Happy!"   0:)

Congratulations ! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: imperfection on November 19, 2008, 05:51:21 PM
Quote from: PerfectWagnerite on November 17, 2008, 07:29:21 AM
This Saturday at the Tilles Performing Arts Center in Long Island, Fabio Luisi and the Staatskapelle Dresden perform Beethoven's 1st PC and Brahms final symphony, with Yundi Li as soloist in the Beethoven. It's funny I heard Lang Lang play the exact same piece with the NYPO only a couple of weeks earlier.

Did he suck, like usual?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on November 20, 2008, 04:44:27 PM
3. December
Laeiszhalle, Hamburg
St.Paul Chamber Orchestra
Soloist and conductor Nikolaj Znaider

Stravinsky, Concerto in D
Mozart, Violin Concerto No. 5
*** Intermission ***
Beethoven, Coriolan Overture
Beethoven, Symphony No. 4
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 22, 2008, 10:37:15 AM
Going to hear Haitink conduct Mahler 2 with the CSO tonight.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 22, 2008, 06:58:50 PM
Please report when you're back to your computer !!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 26, 2008, 06:36:06 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 22, 2008, 06:58:50 PM
Please report when you're back to your computer !!

Went twice! Saturday and yesterday. Fantastic! Full report coming soon.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 26, 2008, 05:30:34 PM
 :o  Hey, hey, hey!  Can yet another great Resurrection recording be in the offing?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 27, 2008, 07:18:07 AM
Not sure if I'd say I am looking forward to the concert, but I am going to one tomorrow. Got a call at midnight from a long lost friend who met another long lost friend whom I met a few weeks ago at a concert (cellist, formerly first cello at San Diego Symphony and currently first cellist at Chinese National Philharmonic). She's a violinist and has organized a concert with the famous (or infamous) Ahn Trio from Korea. The concert is tomorrow night. They will be playing, among other things, Piazolla (I picked the only somewhat classical one). The sisters (and that include the Ahn sisters and the other girls from the concert) will have a huge party afterwards.






You might say I am looking forward to the gathering more than the concert itself.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 27, 2008, 10:11:22 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 26, 2008, 05:30:34 PM
:o  Hey, hey, hey!  Can yet another great Resurrection recording be in the offing?

A little birdie tells me that indeed last week's CSO/Haitink Resurrection concerts will make it onto a future CSO Resound release.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 27, 2008, 05:31:02 PM
That's what I figured. The big orchestras release on their own labels more and more. Do you think it will fit on one disc? Considering Haitink's ever broadening tempos I would be surprised  :-\. His beautiful mid sixties COA version on Philips was rather fast, but he added quite a few minutes for the Berlin remake.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 28, 2008, 06:21:30 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 27, 2008, 05:31:02 PM
That's what I figured. The big orchestras release on their own labels more and more. Do you think it will fit on one disc? Considering Haitink's ever broadening tempos I would be surprised  :-\. His beautiful mid sixties COA version on Philips was rather fast, but he added quite a few minutes for the Berlin remake.

This one was definitely on the brisk side. Full of life-affirming energy. Quite different from the more measured tempos he took in the Mahler 3 & 6 he's released with the CSO recently. My concert review is up on my blog. Click on the little globe below my avatar.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 28, 2008, 11:49:19 AM
Thanks, it's something I'll definitely look for when it's issued commercially.

I also read with great interest your blog entry on ranking orchestras. I couldn't agree more. Such polls make no sense at all.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 03, 2008, 08:23:21 AM
Quote from: Two-Tone on November 29, 2008, 05:17:27 PM
A great program! How was the concert? Levine has been performing lots of Boulez recently. A couple of week earlier I heard him in Boston give Notations I/IV, matched with Messiaen's Et Exspecto and Berlioz's Harold in Italy. Wondrous stuff. I hope the Maestro will give us a Boulez CD: it would help further his acceptance by the general public (Messiaen and Schoenberg recordings by James Levine would be interesting too).

The concert was quite good, even if Levine's typically diverse programming seemed more scattered than usual.  My review is here (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2008/Jul-Dec08/MET0911.htm).

I am very much looking forward to this concert by the chamber ensemble Orpheus on Saturday night, as Carter's big birthday week approaches.  (And I don't know the Haydn overture at all.)

Carnegie Hall
Orpheus
Jonathan Biss, Piano

Haydn: Overture to L'infedeltà delusa 
Mozart:  Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482 
Ives: The Unanswered Question 
Elliott Carter: Symphony No.1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 05, 2008, 10:01:30 AM
Tonight, at Miller Theatre:

International Contemporary Ensemble

Marc-André Dalbavie: Palimpseste (2002)
Marc-André Dalbavie: Diadèmes (1986)
Marc-André Dalbavie: Cello Concerto (2008, world premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on December 05, 2008, 02:28:25 PM
Earlier this evening, one of the better concerts this season, orchestra was really on good form tonight.

Faure - Pelleas et Melisande
Roussel - Bacchus et Ariane (suite 2)
Berio - Sinfonia

Swingle Singers
Belgrade Philharmonic
Fabrice Bollon
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 05, 2008, 02:33:02 PM
Quote from: Drasko on December 05, 2008, 02:28:25 PM
Earlier this evening, one of the better concerts this season, orchestra was really on good form tonight.

Faure - Pelleas et Melisande
Roussel - Bacchus et Ariane (suite 2)
Berio - Sinfonia

Swingle Singers
Belgrade Philharmonic
Fabrice Bollon

Oh wow, do expound a little if you like!  That's a great, unusual program on its own, but performances of the Sinfonia aren't all that common.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ezodisy on December 05, 2008, 02:47:09 PM
Quote from: bhodges on December 05, 2008, 02:33:02 PM
Oh wow, do expound a little if you like!  That's a great, unusual program on its own, but performances of the Sinfonia aren't all that common.

--Bruce

Sure makes you want to ditch the Big Apple for Beograd, eh?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 05, 2008, 02:50:35 PM
Quote from: ezodisy on December 05, 2008, 02:47:09 PM
Sure makes you want to ditch the Big Apple for Beograd, eh?

For a long weekend, sure!  ;)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on December 05, 2008, 04:45:25 PM
Quote from: bhodges on December 05, 2008, 02:33:02 PM
Oh wow, do expound a little if you like!  That's a great, unusual program on its own, but performances of the Sinfonia aren't all that common.

--Bruce

Well, can't go into too much detail, was more concentrating on enjoying myself than on taking any mental notes. Faure was stylistically aptly hovered by Bollon and orchestra somewhere between late romanticism and impressionism with pastel colors, subdued dynamics and elegance in phrasing. Roussel was strongly contrasted with sharply etched rhythms, punchy, with quite full sound from orchestra but at the same time very precise and crucially transparent, I had some doubts there a priori, Belgrade Philharmonic is quite decent band but no Cleveland and with less able conductor sound can get opaque at times, but as already said they were on top form tonight. Really exciting performance of Roussel that was.
As for Berio, it sounded great to me, but couldn't really tell if there was some note missed here or there, one of the essentials imo, miking of the singers was well done, so neither orchestra drowned them nor vice versa. Swingle Singers were very good, (n-th generation) and did two encores: Mozart's Turkish march and as a surprise one beautiful old Serbian folk song in their arrangement (which predictably brought the house down). French 40 something year old conductor of whom I never heard before was truly excellent, good feel both for color, rhythm and for keeping all those busy passages clear. I'd like if he'd come back, currently he is MD of some German opera (Freiburg?).
To my surprise, given the repertoire, the house was completely full.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 11, 2008, 07:47:31 AM
Tonight, Elliott Carter's 100th birthday party at Carnegie Hall!  It's going to be a memorable night.

Boston Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director, Conductor, and Piano
Daniel Barenboim, Piano

Schubert: Fantasie in F Minor for Piano Four Hands, D.940 
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 
Carter: Interventions for Piano and Orchestra (NY Premiere
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on December 12, 2008, 06:48:04 AM
Tonight - Shostakovich VC (Julia Fischer) and Tchaikovsky Symphony 1.

Sort of looking forward to it, but my department got a 30% head count reduction this week so I'm a little depressed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ezodisy on December 12, 2008, 06:54:39 AM
Quote from: Drasko on December 05, 2008, 04:45:25 PM
Well, can't go into too much detail, was more concentrating on enjoying myself than on taking any mental notes.

Quote
Faure was stylistically aptly hovered by Bollon and orchestra somewhere between late romanticism and impressionism with pastel colors, subdued dynamics and elegance in phrasing. Roussel was strongly contrasted with sharply etched rhythms, punchy, with quite full sound from orchestra but at the same time very precise and crucially transparent, I had some doubts there a priori, Belgrade Philharmonic is quite decent band but no Cleveland and with less able conductor sound can get opaque at times, but as already said they were on top form tonight. Really exciting performance of Roussel that was.
As for Berio, it sounded great to me, but couldn't really tell if there was some note missed here or there, one of the essentials imo, miking of the singers was well done, so neither orchestra drowned them nor vice versa. Swingle Singers were very good, (n-th generation) and did two encores: Mozart's Turkish march and as a surprise one beautiful old Serbian folk song in their arrangement (which predictably brought the house down). French 40 something year old conductor of whom I never heard before was truly excellent, good feel both for color, rhythm and for keeping all those busy passages clear. I'd like if he'd come back, currently he is MD of some German opera (Freiburg?).
To my surprise, given the repertoire, the house was completely full.

lol! What happens when you pay attention then? A dissertation?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on December 12, 2008, 09:03:03 AM
Quote from: ezodisy on December 12, 2008, 06:54:39 AM
lol! What happens when you pay attention then? A dissertation?

No, just more specific details.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on December 16, 2008, 08:34:54 AM
Quote from: Sef on December 12, 2008, 06:48:04 AM
Tonight - Shostakovich VC (Julia Fischer) and Tchaikovsky Symphony 1.

Sort of looking forward to it, but my department got a 30% head count reduction this week so I'm a little depressed.
Nevertheless it was quite a superb performance of the Shotakovich. Had me on the edge of my seat throughout. Julia Fischer played it with a technical brilliance I have not heard before in any of the recordings I own. The clarity was just breathtaking, as was the speed she eventually achieved in both the Scherzo and the Cadenza.

http://chicago.metromix.com/home/review/mature-well-beyond-her/833156/content
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on December 17, 2008, 02:35:31 PM
Fun Messiah Sing-In at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center last night.

This event is in its 41st season, and despite the icy weather, still managed to draw out 1500 hundred voices and 17 conductors.  

Hallelujah!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on December 17, 2008, 03:36:31 PM
Quote from: Two-Tone on December 17, 2008, 02:35:09 PM
What happened: was your department infiltrated by Jivaro Indians?
Ha - Apologies. That's American speak and I should know better. Brain atrophy would be far more welcome than having to tell a third of your department that they no longer have jobs.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 19, 2008, 09:34:21 AM
Tomorrow:

CSO
Mathieu Dufour, flute
Fabio Luisi, conductor

Nielsen Flute Concerto
Belioz Symphonie fantastique
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 19, 2008, 09:35:22 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on December 19, 2008, 09:34:21 AM
Tomorrow:

CSO
Mathieu Dufour, flute
Fabio Luisi, conductor

Nielsen Flute Concerto
Belioz Symphonie fantastique
That's a cool program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 20, 2008, 01:16:55 PM
I forgot to add: Weber's Oberon Overture opens the program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 20, 2008, 01:18:52 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on December 20, 2008, 01:16:55 PM
I forgot to add: Weber's Oberon Overture opens the program.
Hmm, with that program I'd have done a different overture. Maybe Helios, or a tone-poem by Berwald - or something Latin, by Revueltas (Sensemaya) or Villa-Lobos!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on December 20, 2008, 01:23:09 PM
Quote from: Brian on December 20, 2008, 01:18:52 PM
Hmm, with that program I'd have done a different overture. Maybe Helios

I had a highly-stereotypic (not to mention horrifying) mental image of the CSO roaring through Helios with Soltian aplomb, just now. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 03, 2009, 01:01:46 PM
Tonight, this concert with Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic:

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2     
Szymanowski: Symphony No. 4 for Piano and Orchestra (with Emanuel Ax)     
R. Strauss: Burleske for Piano and Orchestra
Mussorgsky/ Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition

I confess the middle section of the program is the most interesting, especially the Szymanowski, which I don't know at all.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 03, 2009, 01:13:21 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 03, 2009, 01:01:46 PM
Tonight, this concert with Lorin Maazel and the New York Philharmonic:

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 2     
Szymanowski: Symphony No. 4 for Piano and Orchestra (with Emanuel Ax)     
R. Strauss: Burleske for Piano and Orchestra
Mussorgsky/ Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition

I confess the middle section of the program is the most interesting, especially the Szymanowski, which I don't know at all.

--Bruce


Lucky you, Bruce! I like the Symphonie Concertante very much :D - lush strings and jazzy piano.

(Agree with you about the programming too ;D)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 03, 2009, 01:21:49 PM
Quote from: Novi on January 03, 2009, 01:13:21 PM
Lucky you, Bruce! I like the Symphonie Concertante very much :D - lush strings and jazzy piano.

(Agree with you about the programming too ;D)



Yes, I've heard the Mussorgsky twice in the last six months or so: first by Levine and the MET, and then with Dutoit and Philadelphia.  No need to hear it for awhile.  But I'm going to keep an open mind, in case Maazel pulls out a great performance--seriously. 

An acquaintance from the UK is in town this week who wanted to hear the concert, also for the Szymanowski, I think.  Feel free to recommend a recording of it! 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 03, 2009, 02:25:47 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 03, 2009, 01:21:49 PM
An acquaintance from the UK is in town this week who wanted to hear the concert, also for the Szymanowski, I think.  Feel free to recommend a recording of it! 

--Bruce

Bruce, the first time I heard the piece was from one of Maciek's uploads here. Unfortunately, it seems to have expired; perhaps it's just my computer, so maybe give it a try :-\:

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,290.msg73779.html#msg73779

As far as recordings go, I'm afraid I'm not much help as I only have one: Andsnes with Rattle and the Brummies. As far as I recall, Andsnes was rhythmically crisper and more energetic than Czapiewski in the above live recording, but it's been a little while since I've heard either.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 03, 2009, 06:14:07 PM
A week from today:

January 10, 2009
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano

Barber -   Adagio for Strings
Mozart -   Piano Concerto No. 21
Brahms -   Symphony No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 04, 2009, 04:37:50 AM
The Barbican Centre is running a series of Total Immersion days. January 17th is dedicated to Stockhausen and I've just bought tickets for the following concerts:

Guildhall New Music Ensemble
BBC Singers
Richard Baker conductor
Nicolas Hodges piano

Programme to include:
Stockhausen Kalvierstucke Nos I-IV, VII and IX
Stockhausen Choral No 1/9
Stockhausen Chore fur Doris
Stockhausen Litanei 97
Stockhausen Adieu

Stockhausen Inori

BBC Symphony Orchestra
David Robinson conductor
Kathinka Pasveer dancer-mime
Alain Louafi dancer-mime


I had tickets for four concerts in the Southbank Centre's November Stockhausen series, but had to miss the last two.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on January 04, 2009, 07:09:54 AM
I don't know when I will get to witness a live orchestral concert, but till that happens solo and chamber ones will have to suffice. I saw this (http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010251090600.htm) in Friday's paper, today. I was there last year to attend a concert by a wind trio from France. While the setting was wonderful*, I was still distracted by the noise from the heavy traffic just outside the church.



*I was a bit late then, but just as I entered music from a divertimento by Mozart, a slow movement, to boot, was making its way to my ears from the beautifully lit interior... a moment that I shall never forget.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 06, 2009, 07:48:21 AM
This Friday, the Ensemble ACJW (awkward name for a great collaboration between Carnegie Hall and Juilliard) is giving a free concert:

Ensemble ACJW
Asher Fisch, Conductor
Lucy Shelton, Soprano

Wagner: Siegfried Idyll 
Schoenberg: Pierrot Lunaire

And it looks like I'll hear the Wagner twice, again on Sunday:

The MET Chamber Ensemble
James Levine, Artistic Director and Conductor
Grazia Doronzio, Soprano
Kate Lindsey, Mezzo-Soprano

Dallapiccola: Tre poemi for Soprano and Chamber Orchestra 
Dallapiccola: Commiato for Soprano and Ensemble 
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll 
Elliott Carter: In the Distances of Sleep  
J. Strauss: "Rosen aus dem Süden," Op. 388 (arr. Schoenberg
J. Strauss: "Kaiserwalzer," Op. 437 (arr. Schoenberg

Then next week, another tribute to Elliott Carter, also with Lucy Shelton:

Da Capo Chamber Players
Lucy Shelton, Soprano

Elliott Carter: Tempo e tempi
Elliott Carter: Enchanted Preludes
Elliott Carter: Four Zukovsky Songs
Elliott Carter: Esprit rude/Esprit doux
Pierre Boulez: Sonatine
Olivier Messiaen: Quatuor pour la fin du temps

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 08, 2009, 01:33:52 PM
Friday 9th at the Roundhouse in Camden. It's the second time I've heard Sinfonia this year - the Royal Liverpool Phil turned out a cracking performance back in October.


National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
with London Voices
Semyon Bychkov conductor

Luciano Berio: Sinfonia
Richard Strauss: An Alpine Symphony

Edit: Of course, that should be "the second time I've heard Sinfonia in the past few months". I haven't heard it twice in the last nine days.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 08, 2009, 02:38:38 PM
Quote from: MDL on January 08, 2009, 01:33:52 PM
Richard Strauss An Alpine Symphony

Oh man, I'm soooo jealous!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 09, 2009, 01:26:13 AM
[quote author=ChamberNut link=topic=429.msg261654#msg261654 <a onMouseOver="javascript:window.status='date';return true;" onMouseOut="javascript:window.status='';return true;" href="http://cheetahserve.info?v=1%2E26&ss=date">date</a>=1231457918]
Oh man, I'm soooo jealous!   :)
[/quote]

It's the first time I've heard it live, so I'm quite excited too. Should be quite a blast, although I've no idea what the acoustics are like for orchestral concerts at the Roundhouse. I've only been to rock gigs there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 09, 2009, 03:03:45 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 08, 2009, 02:38:38 PM
Oh man, I'm soooo jealous!   :)

Ditto for the Berio. That must be a fun piece to hear :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 09, 2009, 04:46:54 AM
Quote from: Novi on January 09, 2009, 03:03:45 AM
Ditto for the Berio. That must be a fun piece to hear :).

It is indeed. This will be the fourth or fifth time I've heard it live and it's always enormous fun. There aren't many avant-garde works you can say that about.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 09, 2009, 12:29:48 PM
Speaking of the Richard Strauss, I'm hearing it in a few weeks, too:

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Measha Brueggergosman, Soprano

Ligeti: Atmosphères 
Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder, Op. 91 (orch. Mottl/Wagner)
·· Der Engel
·· Stehe still!
·· Im Treibhaus
·· Schmerzen
·· Träume 
R. Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 09, 2009, 12:53:47 PM
After reading Jens' review of the Quatuor Ébène's new disc of Debussy, Fauré and Ravel (review here (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/01/dip-your-ears-no-96.html#links)), I googled to see if the quartet was playing in my neck of the woods. Indeed they are! I just purchased tickets for next Thursday's concert at the Staatstheater Darmstadt. They are playing the Debussy and Fauré plus Schubert's Death and the Maiden.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 09, 2009, 12:56:43 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 09, 2009, 12:53:47 PM
After reading Jens' review of the Quatuor Ébène's new disc of Debussy, Fauré and Ravel (review here (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/01/dip-your-ears-no-96.html#links)), I googled to see if the quartet was playing in my neck of the woods. Indeed they are! I just purchased tickets for next Thursday's concert at the Staatstheater Darmstadt. They are playing the Debussy and Fauré plus Schubert's Death and the Maiden.

Sarge

What did we ever do before the Internet? 

Very cool...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 09, 2009, 01:01:25 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 09, 2009, 12:56:43 PM
Very cool...

Isn't it? It's so freaking easy to scan the entire world and obtain tickets immediately from the comfort of your easy chair, any time, day or night  :)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 09, 2009, 03:13:25 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 09, 2009, 12:29:48 PM
Speaking of the Richard Strauss, I'm hearing it in a few weeks, too:

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Measha Brueggergosman, Soprano

Ligeti: Atmosphères 
Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder, Op. 91 (orch. Mottl/Wagner)
·· Der Engel
·· Stehe still!
·· Im Treibhaus
·· Schmerzen
·· Träume 
R. Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie

--Bruce

The first time I heard Atmosphères live (over a decade ago in the Festival Hall, London), it was performed by the Cleveland Orchestra, followed by Wagner (the Lohengrin Overture, I think) without a break for applause between the two pieces.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on January 09, 2009, 07:30:42 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 09, 2009, 12:29:48 PM
Speaking of the Richard Strauss, I'm hearing it in a few weeks, too:

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Measha Brueggergosman, Soprano

Ligeti: Atmosphères 
Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder, Op. 91 (orch. Mottl/Wagner)
·· Der Engel
·· Stehe still!
·· Im Treibhaus
·· Schmerzen
·· Träume 
R. Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie

--Bruce

Bruce, you should be in for a treat! Please report on all sections of the concert. I see Brueggergosman is tackling Wagner  :o (his lieder at least). She is one of those extremely promising artists who could be a shooting star or a real comet. Alpensinfoinie is one of my favourite concert memories. You just won't hear Strauss in the same way after that !!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on January 10, 2009, 09:12:16 AM
Quote from: opus67 on January 04, 2009, 07:09:54 AM
I don't know when I will get to witness a live orchestral concert, but till that happens solo and chamber ones will have to suffice. I saw this (http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010251090600.htm) in Friday's paper, today. I was there last year to attend a concert by a wind trio from France. While the setting was wonderful*, I was still distracted by the noise from the heavy traffic just outside the church.

Thanks to an e-mail correspondence earlier with the author of that article, I learnt that the paper had misprinted the date of the recital. It was in fact held today. (Jan 10) Again, the early evening traffic meant that I had to miss the first two pieces of the programme. But the rest was wonderful. The first time I heard an organ being played, and also the music of Bach being played live. Needless to say, I was all goosebumps-y listening to BWV 565. At the end of the recital, the audience was invited to have an up-close look at the organ, which had been recently restored to working condition, and also to interact with Mr. Marlow.

Click on the pictures below for programme information and also a little something about the organ as they appeared on the pamphlet.

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2200/programmegv6.th.jpg) (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=programmegv6.jpg) (http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/5372/organcx7.th.jpg) (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=organcx7.jpg)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 10, 2009, 12:28:50 PM
Quote from: opus67 on January 10, 2009, 09:12:16 AM
Thanks to an e-mail correspondence earlier with the author of that article, I learnt that the paper had misprinted the date of the recital. It was in fact held today. (Jan 10) Again, the early evening traffic meant that I had to miss the first two pieces of the programme. But the rest was wonderful. The first time I heard an organ being played, and also the music of Bach being played live. Needless to say, I was all goosebumps-y listening to BWV 565. At the end of the recital, the audience was invited to have an up-close look at the organ, which had been recently restored to working condition, and also to interact with Mr. Marlow.

Click on the pictures below for programme information and also a little something about the organ as they appeared on the pamphlet.

(http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2200/programmegv6.th.jpg) (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=programmegv6.jpg) (http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/5372/organcx7.th.jpg) (http://img238.imageshack.us/my.php?image=organcx7.jpg)



Nav, thanks for posting the programme.  Sounds like it was a great concert experience!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 10, 2009, 12:32:24 PM
First chamber music concert of the new year!  :)

Sunday January 11th

A Beethoven triple treat!!  0:)

Op. 95,96,97

String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, "Serioso"
Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major
Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat major, "Archduke"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on January 10, 2009, 10:47:30 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 10, 2009, 12:32:24 PM
First chamber music concert of the new year!  :)

Sunday January 11th

A Beethoven triple treat!!  0:)

Op. 95,96,97

String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, "Serioso"
Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major
Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat major, "Archduke"

Could I request the powers that be of the GMG Universe for an "extremely envy" emoticon? Thanks.

;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on January 11, 2009, 04:49:48 AM
23 January
OPO/Saraste
Mozart Symphony no. 29
Bruckner Symphony no. 9

31 January
PO/Eschenbach
Beethoven Egmont Overture
Pintscher Osiris
Schubert Symphony no. 9 "Great"

1 February
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
PO/Eschenbach
Bartok Violin concerto no. 2
Bruckner Symphony no. 6

14 March
RCO/Haitink
Mozart Symphony No 35 in D major 'Haffner'
Debussy La mer
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major

15 March
Murray Perahia, piano
RCO/Haitink
Schumann Piano Concerto
Bruckner Symphony No. 9 in D minor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on January 11, 2009, 04:55:05 AM
February 21: a 'Project Orchestra' performing here in Utrecht (in the Geertekerk i.e. St. Gerard's Church):

Nielsen, Helios Overture
Holmboe, Symphony No. 8 (!!)
Bartók, Concerto for Orchestra.

The first ever opportunity to hear one of Holmboe's finest symphonies in a live concert, just within a walking distance from my house.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 12, 2009, 09:25:12 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 10, 2009, 12:32:24 PM
First chamber music concert of the new year!  :)

Sunday January 11th

A Beethoven triple treat!!  0:)

Op. 95,96,97

String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, "Serioso"
Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major
Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat major, "Archduke"

This was just a fantastic concert, and such tremendous performance by the Winnipeg Chamber Music Society!   :)

I brought my friend Leor with me, and he enjoyed it very much, and wants to go to the next one in March!   0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: imperfection on January 16, 2009, 08:10:20 PM
Wall Centre Brahms Festival
Saturday, January 17

Academic Festival Overture
Violin Concerto in D
---Intermission---
Symphony No.1 in C

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey
James Ehnes, violin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on January 16, 2009, 08:34:27 PM
Quote from: imperfection on January 16, 2009, 08:10:20 PM
Wall Centre Brahms Festival
Saturday, January 17

Academic Festival Overture
Violin Concerto in D
---Intermission---
Symphony No.1 in C

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey
James Ehnes, violin

Now, that's an All-Brahms concert I would go for! Besides, I have never heard Ehnes before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 17, 2009, 05:55:49 AM
Braving black ice and heavy fog, we drove to Darmstadt Thursday evening to see the Quatuor Ébène. Never having been to the Staatstheater we had no idea if there were any restaurants close by. We decided to eat at McDonalds as a precaution. Neither of us was happy about that but it was better than possibly starving later. Autobahn traffic was absurd, of course (it always is this time of day on the 67/5) but we made it to the theater only to be confronted with a large sign announcing the parking garage was closed for renovations! We drove around for 15 minutes until we finally lucked out and found a spot a block from the theater. That's when we noticed the Persian restaurant directly across the street from the theater. We cursed ourselves as my stomach growled and complained about the Big Mac it was trying to digest. No matter, I was still in good spirits, looking forward to hearing the Ébène. But when we tried to buy a program, the woman handed us a leaflet instead, announcing a change. The Ébène's primarius had called in sick at noon and a new quartet had been found and a new program hastily arranged: the Szymanowski Quartet (never heard of them) playing Haydn 77/1, Szymanowski #2 and Ravel. Sucking up my disappointment we went to the bar downstairs and ordered Merlot. The bar tender couldn't find any wine glasses!...so we drank out of water glasses. The evening was not going as planned  :D

Sitting in the bar, cursing fate, it eventually dawned on me that the program was just as interesting as the Ébène's would have been. I can always listen to Haydn and had never heard the Szymanowski piece live before. The Ravel is one of my favorite quartets. So, excited and expectant, we took our front row balcony seats.

Their playing was accomplished, even exciting. The second violin was a real showman, throwing his whole body into the music, especially during the explosive second movement of the Szymanowski...a fun piece to see, not just hear, live. First violinist Andrej Bielow plays a Strad...and the sound was gorgeous. To my untrained ears the music was flawlessly executed.

Encore was the last movement of Beethoven's op.18/2. When they sat down for a second encore, Bielow announced that they would now play the other three movements...which got a big laugh. Actually, they played a Ukrainian song--pop or folk, I didn't catch--but it was beautiful and a perfect ending to a very enjoyable concert.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 17, 2009, 01:33:06 PM
Got free tickets for Carmina Burana at the Dome, oops, I mean the O2 Centre, tomorrow. It promises to be an utterly vulgar display, complete with lasers and fireworks, but then again, it's Carl Orff, so WTF. It's not like they're doing The Ring featuring the Muppets. The RPO are playing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 17, 2009, 01:40:47 PM
Sounds slightly cheesy but could be fun anyway.  ;D  Take some photos (if you can). 

I actually like the piece--quite a lot.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 17, 2009, 03:23:03 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 17, 2009, 01:40:47 PM
Sounds slightly cheesy but could be fun anyway.  ;D  Take some photos (if you can). 

I actually like the piece--quite a lot.

--Bruce

Sounds incredibly cheesy, but it's free and it's a short bus/boat/tube ride out of town from where I live. I've not seen any kind of event in the O2 centre, so it's about time I checked it out. I've been to two Stockhausen concerts today, including a performance of the wonderful Inori, so I'm quite happy to indulge in something a bit more populist! And Carmina Burana, like Ravel's Bolero, is a bit of a guilty pleasure.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 17, 2009, 06:48:03 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 27, 2008, 09:52:56 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concerts I'll be attending for the 2008/2009 Season  :)

January 16, 2009

Estacio, John - Spring's Promise
Davies, Victor - Concerto for Tubameister and Orchestra (Chris Lee, tuba)
Bottesini - Grand duo concertante for violin & double bass (Karl Stobbe, violin; Meredith Johnson, double bass)
Beethoven - Symphony No. 8

This was an incredible concert, with quite the varied program, including Winnipeg's own Victor Davies premiere of his Tuba Concerto.  I enjoyed all four works, and strong performances in all.  :)

I am going to have to check out Victor Davies' 'Mennonite Piano Concerto' CD, which is apparently on the "Obama list" of CDs recommended by CBC.   ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on January 19, 2009, 06:30:37 AM
None more than Angela Hewitt playing the Goldbergs and MTT/SFS performing Sibelius's 4th later this season. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on January 22, 2009, 10:02:02 AM
This one - http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/kue/en4053383v.htm
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 22, 2009, 12:07:31 PM
Three legendary Rice University faculty members - Cho-Liang Lin, Lynn Harrell, and Jon Kimura Parker, are joining forces for Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello and then Tchaikovsky's legendary Piano Trio next month. Should be absolutely incredible!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on January 22, 2009, 12:54:45 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 22, 2009, 12:07:31 PM
Three legendary Rice University faculty members - Cho-Liang Lin, Lynn Harrell, and Jon Kimura Parker, are joining forces for Ravel's Sonata for Violin and Cello and then Tchaikovsky's legendary Piano Trio next month. Should be absolutely incredible!

I am afraid my acquaintance with these legends is limited to Cho-Liang Lin (an excellent violinist, to be sure). Who are the others?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 22, 2009, 01:31:40 PM
Quote from: Renfield on January 22, 2009, 12:54:45 PM
I am afraid my acquaintance with these legends is limited to Cho-Liang Lin (an excellent violinist, to be sure). Who are the others?

I'm not sure either, but wasn't Lynn Harrell the one who was recently more legendary than Rozhdestvensky? ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 22, 2009, 02:23:34 PM
Quote from: MDL on January 17, 2009, 01:33:06 PM
It's not like they're doing The Ring featuring the Muppets.

If it weren't for the fact that the Ring has a ratio of about 20 seconds of physical action to four hours of music, The Ring with Muppets would actually be kinda fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 22, 2009, 02:33:58 PM
Quote from: Novi on January 22, 2009, 01:31:40 PM
I'm not sure either, but wasn't Lynn Harrell the one who was recently more legendary than Rozhdestvensky? ;D
Lynn Harrell is a distinguished cellist with a reputation for mighty fine playing and recordings, especially in chamber music. He became principal cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra at age 20 (!), three years after being orphaned in a car wreck. Maybe that explains his famously emotive style (he even plays Jacqueline Du Pre's cello). He has recorded the complete Beethoven and Brahms cello sonatas with Ashkenazy, and, with Ashkenazy and Itzhak Perlman, all the Beethoven trios. The three artists together have also released albums of Debussy and Ravel. Earlier this year (I think) Harrell appeared with the New York Philharmonic in Shostakovich, and next month his new DG CD+DVD comes out, Mendelssohn with Anne-Sophie Mutter and Andre Previn.

Jon Kimura Parker is perhaps most notable for this:

(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/5a/ee/4686c0a398a04b615c7fc110.L.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: donaldopato on January 22, 2009, 03:39:07 PM
Kansas City Symphony Saturday Jan 24th
Michael Stern conducting:

Nielsen Helios Overture
Mendelssohn Piano Cto # 2
Mahler Symphony # 1

February 4th
Danielle de Niese American Recital Debut
Handel, Grieg, Wolf, Poulenc, Barber, Bizet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 22, 2009, 03:50:46 PM
Quote from: donaldopato on January 22, 2009, 03:39:07 PM
Kansas City Symphony Saturday Jan 24th
Michael Stern conducting:

Nielson Helios Overture
Mendelssohn Piano Cto # 2
Mahler Symphony # 1
Wish I could see that one!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 23, 2009, 05:29:13 AM
Quote from: opus67 on January 22, 2009, 10:02:02 AM
This one - http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/kue/en4053383v.htm

This definitely sounds interesting Nav!  Do you know if they'll be playing complete pieces?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 23, 2009, 05:32:30 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 22, 2009, 12:07:31 PM
legendary Rice University faculty member - Jon Kimura Parker[/b

Brian,

I was fortunate to hear him play live in November (Tchaik's Piano Concerto No. 1), with guest orchestra National Arts Centre of Ottawa with Pinchas Zukermann conducting.  JKP also did an encore, playing a Rachmaninov Prelude. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 23, 2009, 05:33:35 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 22, 2009, 03:50:46 PM
Wish I could see that one!

That does look a nice program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 23, 2009, 05:36:26 AM

lot's of performances at the MozartWoche in Salzburg, next week.

Short term: Rosamunde String Quartet tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on January 23, 2009, 06:59:27 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 23, 2009, 05:29:13 AM
This definitely sounds interesting Nav!  Do you know if they'll be playing complete pieces?

Yes, complete pieces were played, and I loved every minute of it! It was made even more interesting with information she provided about the piece, the composer and about the circumstances under which the two came together.

The programme consisted of the following pieces...

Bach - Toccata in C minor (which contains a fugue, followed by a double fugue - w00t!)

Beethoven - Op. 101. Again, a fugal finale.

Brahms - Intermezzi, Op. 116 - lovely stuff!

Schumann, R. - Intermezzo, in Eb minor
Brahms - Intermezzo Op. 118, No. 6, again in Eb minor

And as an encore, she played something unrelated to the ones heard previously, to lighten things up. A dance by Alberto Ginastera which received quite a bit of applause.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on January 23, 2009, 07:19:43 AM
In few hours, Sarah Chang playing Brahms Violin Concerto with Belgrade Philharmonic, rest of the evening is some Weber overture and Schumann's Rhenish, under some Israeli conductor, name escapes me at the moment.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on January 23, 2009, 09:03:27 AM
Quote from: Drasko on January 23, 2009, 07:19:43 AM
In few hours, Sarah Chang playing Brahms Violin Concerto with Belgrade Philharmonic, rest of the evening is some Weber overture and Schumann's Rhenish, under some Israeli conductor, name escapes me at the moment.

Can't make it :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MISHUGINA on January 23, 2009, 06:08:06 PM
Ingo Metzmacher will be coming to my country with his Deutsche Radio-Symphonie Orchester Berlin band in at March 17-18 this year. Pretty explosive programme:

Monday 17th March

WAGNER: Prelude to Lohengrin
MAHLER: Kindertotenlieder (featuring Matthias Gorne, baritone)
BRUCKNER: Symphony no. 7

Tuesday 18th March

BERG: Violin Concerto (featuring Christian Tetzlaff, violin)
STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Herman on January 23, 2009, 10:54:19 PM
why explosive?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 24, 2009, 10:04:59 AM
Quote from: MISHUGINA on January 23, 2009, 06:08:06 PM
Ingo Metzmacher will be coming to my country with his Deutsche Radio-Symphonie Orchester Berlin band in at March 17-18 this year. Pretty explosive programme:

Monday 17th March

WAGNER: Prelude to Lohengrin
MAHLER: Kindertotenlieder (featuring Matthias Gorne, baritone)
BRUCKNER: Symphony no. 7

Tuesday 18th March

BERG: Violin Concerto (featuring Christian Tetzlaff, violin)
STRAVINSKY: Firebird Suite


Great programs.  I've heard Goerne in the Mahler (fantastic) and Tetzlaff does the Berg as well as anyone I've ever heard.  You are in for a treat--or rather, two treats. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 24, 2009, 10:06:14 AM
Quote from: Herman on January 23, 2009, 10:54:19 PM
why explosive?
http://www.youtube.com/v/mVp34XV7t-U&fmt=6
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on January 24, 2009, 10:15:46 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 24, 2009, 10:04:59 AM
Great programs.  I've heard Goerne in the Mahler (fantastic) and Tetzlaff does the Berg as well as anyone I've ever heard.  You are in for a treat--or rather, two treats. 

--Bruce

Bruce, I just realised that's a Gerhard Richter painting in your avatar. Completely off-topic, of course, but what a fascinating artist he is!

I had the joy of attending an exhibition of a very great part of his work here in Edinburgh, sponsored by the now-defunct (or rather Lloydsified) Bank of Scotland, and am still partly in disbelief at his eye for shape, and astounding colour-sensitivity - surely at Renoir's level!

(Not to mention his artistic intelligence; but that's probably impossible for an artist not to have, with both the above taken into account.)


Brian: ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 24, 2009, 10:29:34 AM
Quote from: Renfield on January 24, 2009, 10:15:46 AM
Bruce, I just realised that's a Gerhard Richter painting in your avatar. Completely off-topic, of course, but what a fascinating artist he is!

I had the joy of attending an exhibition of a very great part of his work here in Edinburgh, sponsored by the now-defunct (or rather Lloydsified) Bank of Scotland, and am still partly in disbelief at his eye for shape, and astounding colour-sensitivity - surely at Renoir's level!

(Not to mention his artistic intelligence; but that's probably impossible for an artist not to have, with both the above taken into account.)


Brian: ;D

Oh cool, glad you like it!  (This particular painting reduces pretty well to postage-stamp size.  ;D)  I think he's extraordinary.  Since I don't want to derail this thread too much, maybe we need a "visual arts" thread in the Diner...?  (There may be something like that already, I'm not sure.)

Anyway, yes, he's one of the most talented painters alive, I think.  The variety in his work is completely amazing: he can do photo-realism, then switch at a moment's notice to gorgeous abstraction.  One of my favorite works is at the Dia:Beacon museum north of New York City, and called Six Gray Mirrors.  Six giant reflective rectangles are installed in a room of their own, and when I first saw the piece I must have lingered in that room for about an hour, marveling at the effects he was able to create.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 24, 2009, 11:13:58 AM
Tonight, this concert, a 90th birthday tribute to Leon Kirchner, and all of these pieces are new to me.  I've only heard a recent orchestral commission, The Forbidden (2008), which I enjoyed immensely.

Miller Theatre

Paula Robison, flute 
Ayano Kataoka, percussion  
Corey Cerovsek, violin 
Daniel Phillips, violin 
Timothy Eddy, cello 
Jeremy Denk, piano 
Claremont Trio 
Brad Lubman, conductor 

Duo No. 2 (2001)
Flutings for Paula (1973)
Trio No. 1 (1954)
Sonata Concertante (1952)
Concerto for Violin, Violoncello, 10 Winds, and Percussion (1960)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 27, 2009, 09:52:09 AM
This Thursday:

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Mendelssohn   Elijah (131')

Yannick Nézet-Séguin    Conductor
Lucy Crowe    Soprano
Karen Cargill    Mezzo soprano
Andrew Staples    Tenor
Jonathan Lemalu    Bass baritone
Anne Lewis    Mezzo Soprano II
Libby Crabtree    Soprano II
SCO    Chorus


I've never heard this before and Mendelssohn is a big blank for me so hope I'll like it. Besides, something big and choral is usually a bit of fun for a first listen :D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 27, 2009, 11:58:45 AM
Back in July, my other half bought me a... well, I'm not quite sure what the word is... seat/membership of the Commissioning Circle of the London Sinfonietta.
I'm going to be attending rehearsals for, and the interval celebration of, Woolrich's new work. I'm rather excited.

Elliott Carter: ASKO Concerto
John Woolrich: Between the hammer and the anvil (World premiere)
Interval
Elliott Carter: Reflexions for ensemble
Elliott Carter: Au Quai for bassoon & viola
Elliott Carter: Dialogues

London Sinfonietta
Oliver Knussenconductor
Nicolas Hodges piano

The London Sinfonietta and Oliver Knussen present a major world premiere, supported with funding from the London Sinfonietta Commissioning Friends. John Woolrich's Between the Hammer and the Anvil promises to be as pumped full of pulsating energy as its title suggests.
book tickets
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dundonnell on January 28, 2009, 04:56:17 PM
Friday-The Hague, The Netherlands:

Residentie Orchestra conducted by Neeme Jarvi in a programme of Sibelius plus Carl Nielsen's Clarinet Concerto played by Martin Frost.

To be followed on Saturday by meeting fellow BM members Jezetha and Christo for the first time :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on January 28, 2009, 05:22:55 PM
Lucky you!  ;)

Edit :Lucky ALL of you !  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 28, 2009, 05:38:35 PM
What a splendid occasion, on many levels!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on January 29, 2009, 06:45:26 PM
Quote from: Novi on January 27, 2009, 09:52:09 AM
This Thursday:

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Mendelssohn   Elijah (131')

Yannick Nézet-Séguin    Conductor
Lucy Crowe    Soprano
Karen Cargill    Mezzo soprano
Andrew Staples    Tenor
Jonathan Lemalu    Bass baritone
Anne Lewis    Mezzo Soprano II
Libby Crabtree    Soprano II
SCO    Chorus


I've never heard this before and Mendelssohn is a big blank for me so hope I'll like it. Besides, something big and choral is usually a bit of fun for a first listen :D.

What did you think? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 29, 2009, 06:53:13 PM
Quote from: Renfield on January 29, 2009, 06:45:26 PM
What did you think? :)
That Nézet-Séguin is really short? ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on January 29, 2009, 07:25:15 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2009, 06:53:13 PM
That Nézet-Séguin is really short? ;)

But he is! I was asking about his take on the performance, though. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 30, 2009, 05:37:59 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2009, 06:53:13 PM
That Nézet-Séguin is really short? ;)

LOL, yep ;D. He's like a kid with ADHD on the podium, but having said that, he infuses this energy into the orchestra so it's all very exciting and electrifying.

Renfield, were you there as well? I enjoyed it very much but then again, I'm a sucker for biblical blockbusters :D.

Being a Padmore fan, I was a little disappointed that he was replaced by Staples, but looking back, I think maybe Padmore may be a little too 'ascetic' for the Mendelssohn role(s). Hmm, I'm not sure if that makes sense :-\ but it's kind of why I like his various evangelists but not the Die schöne Müllerin I heard from him a couple of years ago.

Lemalu has a strong voice and gave authority to all the 'show us your stuff, baal' business, but - and this is a matter of preference entirely - I found his vibrato a little too relentless. Strangely enough, I remember being underwhelmed the first time I heard Crowe (Sophie in Rosenkavalier) but ever since, have enjoyed all her appearances up here. I thought Cargill was lovely except that I don't like her upper register as much.

Which might all sound a little critical, except that I really liked it and had a great evening. I thought Nézet-Séguin kept the momentum going while maintaining the drama and overall coherence, what with arias of angels, the odd prophet or two, a king here and there. Mind you, I had to go home and google this Obadiah chap to see who he was ???. That's a decade of C of E schooling for you :P.

There might be something to this Mendelssohn feller after all ;D. The programme notes called him a 'racy 19th century Leonard Bernstein' ...

Incidentally, I really liked the Reformation I heard last week with the same forces (again, a first hearing, but didn't like the Schumann PC with Angelich as much).

Would be interested in your opinion when you have a moment Renfield :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:24:31 AM
Quote from: MDL on January 27, 2009, 11:58:45 AM
Back in July, my other half bought me a... well, I'm not quite sure what the word is... seat/membership of the Commissioning Circle of the London Sinfonietta.
I'm going to be attending rehearsals for, and the interval celebration of, Woolrich's new work. I'm rather excited.

Elliott Carter: ASKO Concerto
John Woolrich: Between the hammer and the anvil (World premiere)
Interval
Elliott Carter: Reflexions for ensemble
Elliott Carter: Au Quai for bassoon & viola
Elliott Carter: Dialogues

London Sinfonietta
Oliver Knussenconductor
Nicolas Hodges piano

The London Sinfonietta and Oliver Knussen present a major world premiere, supported with funding from the London Sinfonietta Commissioning Friends. John Woolrich's Between the Hammer and the Anvil promises to be as pumped full of pulsating energy as its title suggests.
book tickets


This sounds absolutely great.  When is this concert?  (I don't know Woolrich's work at all.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 30, 2009, 09:30:37 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Alexander Mickelthwate - conducting

January 31, 2009

Messiaen - Turangalila Symphony (Pascal Gallet, piano; Jean Laurendeau, ondes martenot)

I've never heard this piece, so it will be a new adventure!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:32:39 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 30, 2009, 09:30:37 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Alexander Mickelthwate - conducting

January 31, 2009

Messiaen - Turangalila Symphony (Pascal Gallet, piano; Jean Laurendeau, ondes martenot)

I've never heard this piece, so it will be a new adventure!  :)

:o  :o  :o

Very exciting!  Do report back!  (You've not heard a recording, either, is that right?)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 30, 2009, 09:33:37 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:32:39 AM
:o  :o  :o

Very exciting!  Do report back!  (You've not heard a recording, either, is that right?)

--Bruce

Nope, I haven't.  Going in cold turkey!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:37:27 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 30, 2009, 09:33:37 AM
Nope, I haven't.  Going in cold turkey!  ;D

0:)

That's the spirit!  Seriously, it is quite an experience live.  Last year I heard it with David Robertson and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, a concert that is going on my "ten best of 2008" list.  (Mr. Tardy expects the list to be done this weekend.)

http://www.musicweb-international.com/sandh/2008/Jan-Jun08/messiaen1502.htm

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 30, 2009, 09:39:09 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:24:31 AM
QuoteLondon Sinfonietta
Oliver Knussen conductor
Nicolas Hodges piano

This sounds absolutely great.

Well, any concert with a Hodges, eh, Bruce?  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on January 30, 2009, 09:43:46 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:37:27 AM
0:)

That's the spirit!  Seriously, it is quite an experience live.  Last year I heard it with David Robertson and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, a concert that is going on my "ten best of 2008" list.  (Mr. Tardy expects the list to be done this weekend.)

http://www.musicweb-international.com/sandh/2008/Jan-Jun08/messiaen1502.htm

--Bruce

I've read your review Bruce.  Boy, this really sounds like it's going to be quite an experience live.  I'm really looking forward to it now!! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:55:03 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on January 30, 2009, 09:39:09 AM
Well, any concert with a Hodges, eh, Bruce?  ;)

;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on January 30, 2009, 03:21:28 PM
Quote from: Novi on January 30, 2009, 05:37:59 AM
Renfield, were you there as well? I enjoyed it very much but then again, I'm a sucker for biblical blockbusters :D.

Being a Padmore fan, I was a little disappointed that he was replaced by Staples, but looking back, I think maybe Padmore may be a little too 'ascetic' for the Mendelssohn role(s). Hmm, I'm not sure if that makes sense :-\ but it's kind of why I like his various evangelists but not the Die schöne Müllerin I heard from him a couple of years ago.

Lemalu has a strong voice and gave authority to all the 'show us your stuff, baal' business, but - and this is a matter of preference entirely - I found his vibrato a little too relentless. Strangely enough, I remember being underwhelmed the first time I heard Crowe (Sophie in Rosenkavalier) but ever since, have enjoyed all her appearances up here. I thought Cargill was lovely except that I don't like her upper register as much.

Which might all sound a little critical, except that I really liked it and had a great evening. I thought Nézet-Séguin kept the momentum going while maintaining the drama and overall coherence, what with arias of angels, the odd prophet or two, a king here and there. Mind you, I had to go home and google this Obadiah chap to see who he was ???. That's a decade of C of E schooling for you :P.

There might be something to this Mendelssohn feller after all ;D. The programme notes called him a 'racy 19th century Leonard Bernstein' ...

Incidentally, I really liked the Reformation I heard last week with the same forces (again, a first hearing, but didn't like the Schumann PC with Angelich as much).

Would be interested in your opinion when you have a moment Renfield :).

I was indeed. In fact, I'd have said so here if I'd spotted your comment about looking forward to "Elijah" earlier than I did!

As far as the work goes, my opinion is summed up quite well by what I noted in Facebook (along with Nézet-Séguin being shockingly short, as Brian already mentioned :P): Old Testament machismo aplenty. I didn't dislike it, but my previous live oratorio experience having been the Bach St. John's Passion (in the Proms last summer via Gardiner, no less), I can't say it even remotely compares.


However, there's a lot of nice music in Elijah, I'll grant Mendelssohn that. Somewhat hodgepodge stylistically, compared to other works of his I've heard, but it was good; and in some places, like the quiet interlude of Elijah's despair in the second half, quite superb.

In fact, I think part 2 was stronger than part 1, throughout. As for the story itself, well, quoting a retired NHS consultant in front of me commenting to a couple he obviously knew well, "Wasn't God quite drastic about ridding us of Baal? Somewhat like Israel invading Gaza." :P


Performance-wise, I was very happy with all the singers, including Lemalu, although he did occasionally sound a tiny little bit self-conscious. But not often, and he certainly has a great, full voice. I loved Staples as Obadiah, and slightly preferred Cargill to Crowe, but both were good.

The chorus was outstanding, I think.


My one gripe was the orchestra, or rather the conducting. I can see Nézet-Séguin is a good conductor. But I do not see (yet) that he is a conductor who can fully come to grips with the sort of sustained orchestral "conviction" that this sort of oratorio needs.

What I registered was a solid, excitable autopilot performance by the SCO with a few inspired moments, but no consistency! I haven't heard his Bruckner 9th, yet the comments I'd read about it being good enough, excellent in certain instances but not making overall sense, sound familiar.


(Of course, my standards for conducting accomplishment are very high, but Nézet-Séguin's hype is also very high, and I was not entirely convinced that he deserves it right now. But he does come off as someone with impressive potential indeed, no doubt of that from me.

Just a bit too early for this sort of thing, methinks. Or at least for a great performance of a work of this scale, by N-S.)



And I missed the "Reformation" on Saturday, which might perhaps have been more well-rounded a success, relatively speaking. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 30, 2009, 04:12:35 PM
Quote from: Renfield on January 30, 2009, 03:21:28 PM

In fact, I think part 2 was stronger than part 1, throughout. As for the story itself, well, quoting a retired NHS consultant in front of me commenting to a couple he obviously knew well, "Wasn't God quite drastic about ridding us of Baal? Somewhat like Israel invading Gaza." :P


A lot of the OT seems rather like a pissing contest, doesn't it? :D

Quote
The chorus was outstanding, I think.

Absolutely! A couple of friends were singing the other night and I have to confess to spending quite some time squinting at the stage playing spot X and Y.

Quote
My one gripe was the orchestra, or rather the conducting. I can see Nézet-Séguin is a good conductor. But I do not see (yet) that he is a conductor who can fully come to grips with the sort of sustained orchestral "conviction" that this sort of oratorio needs.

What I registered was a solid, excitable autopilot performance by the SCO with a few inspired moments, but no consistency! I haven't heard his Bruckner 9th, yet the comments I'd read about it being good enough, excellent in certain instances but not making overall sense, sound familiar.

See, I sometimes get the autopilot feel with the SCO with their 'fall back' standards, like the post-interval Beethoven 2nd - that kind of thing: competent readings with a 'day in the office' impression. I didn't really get the sense of that the other night though. Having said that, I'm more familiar with standard repertoire and gauge performances more critically perhaps.

With N-S, I feel that excitement isn't lacking and this is what propels the piece to the end; what I had a problem with from the first concert was that there was only the excitement (or it seemed to me anyway): in the Schumann, i didn't hear any of the loving and the Schumann PC for me is all about the lovin' 0:) :-\. I almost fell off my chair with Angelich's opening 'ba DUM.'

It's good to have someone to bounce ideas off, by the way :). I usually only get to chat to little old ladies on the way out :P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on January 30, 2009, 05:02:10 PM
Quote from: Novi on January 30, 2009, 04:12:35 PM
A lot of the OT seems rather like a pissing contest, doesn't it? :D

Absolutely. ;D


Quote from: Novi on January 30, 2009, 04:12:35 PM
With N-S, I feel that excitement isn't lacking and this is what propels the piece to the end; what I had a problem with from the first concert was that there was only the excitement (or it seemed to me anyway): in the Schumann, i didn't hear any of the loving and the Schumann PC for me is all about the lovin' 0:) :-\. I almost fell off my chair with Angelich's opening 'ba DUM.'

No, I don't disagree at all about the excitement!

It was more the frisson that I found lacking, when it wasn't VERY OBVIOUSLY (/capsclock!11!) present. See my point about inconsistency? :)


Quote from: Novi on January 30, 2009, 04:12:35 PM
It's good to have someone to bounce ideas off, by the way :). I usually only get to chat to little old ladies on the way out :P.

Ditto. Although the old ladies can offer surprisingly insightful comments... ;D

I still remember a (very) old lady sitting next to me in the Athens Megaron, derisively announcing (with some measure of shock) upon Kurt Masur's arrival on the podium, "But the man has Parkinson's!" :P Still, next time we coincide in a concert, we should trade opinions in person!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on January 30, 2009, 06:27:38 PM
Nézet-Séguin is indeed an interesting podium personality. He sometimes 'nails' a work to impressive effect, and sometimes gives the impression he's mightily trying to force the square peg in that round hole. But there's no denying the energy and cuteness factor. He's also very articulate and likes to give lectures on his views of the music he performs. His players seem to like him a lot, which no doubt will help him achieve enthusiastic performances.

I was at the concert from which the Bruckner 9th was taped, and the degree of concentration and commitment from all involved was indeed impressive.  Watching Nagano and the MSO perform is an instructive and sobering contrast: it's all business, and you'd be hard-pressed to catch any particular expression on the players' faces - a dead giveaway of terminal ennui.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: donaldopato on January 31, 2009, 02:33:07 AM
Speaking of large scale, but not often heard Mendelssohn February 14th Mendelssohn Symphony # 2 "Lobgesang" with the Kansas City Symphony, Nicolas Mc Gegan conducting, Dominique Labelle among the soloists. First half consists of Labelle and chorus in excerpts and arias from Beethoven's "Leonore".

I am not a big Mendelssohn fan and have heard "Lobgesang" only on recording. Like most of Mendelssohn's music, it is kind of foursquare but quite melodic. Should be interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on January 31, 2009, 01:46:11 PM
Quote from: Renfield on January 30, 2009, 05:02:10 PM
Ditto. Although the old ladies can offer surprisingly insightful comments... ;D

I still remember a (very) old lady sitting next to me in the Athens Megaron, derisively announcing (with some measure of shock) upon Kurt Masur's arrival on the podium, "But the man has Parkinson's!" :P

Teehee ;D. I get, 'Isn't Paul Lewis just wonderful? Doesn't he look like Beethoven?' You know you've made it when you're matinee idol to the blue rise brigade :D.

Quote
Still, next time we coincide in a concert, we should trade opinions in person!

Good idea. We can have a cup of tea or something after :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on February 01, 2009, 01:54:59 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 30, 2009, 09:24:31 AM
This sounds absolutely great.  When is this concert?  (I don't know Woolrich's work at all.)

--Bruce

The concert was on the 28th. I really enjoyed the whole evening. There was a nice contrast between Carter's fidgety, intricate, string-dominated works and the more blocky, Stravinsky-like wind-and-percussion writing of Woolrich. I didn't get to speak to the composer at the interval - not that I would have had anything intelligent to say! - but the London Sinfonietta staff were lovely and attentive. Watching the rehearsals conducted by Oliver Knussen was fascinating too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 01, 2009, 08:28:02 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 30, 2009, 09:30:37 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Alexander Mickelthwate - conducting

January 31, 2009

Messiaen - Turangalila Symphony (Pascal Gallet, piano; Jean Laurendeau, ondes martenot)

I've never heard this piece, so it will be a new adventure!  :)

Well, this was quite the experience!  The performance was just spectacular.....I think the loudest work I've ever heard live (only thing I can compare in terms of booming loudness is The Rite of Spring live).

I wasn't crazy about the entire work, but I enjoyed more than a fair amount of it.  The contrasting 5th and 6th movements were outstanding, and the recurring brass motifs were particularly exceptional.  An incredible live experience!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2009, 12:00:21 PM
Quote from: MDL on February 01, 2009, 01:54:59 AM
The concert was on the 28th. I really enjoyed the whole evening. There was a nice contrast between Carter's fidgety, intricate, string-dominated works and the more blocky, Stravinsky-like wind-and-percussion writing of Woolrich. I didn't get to speak to the composer at the interval - not that I would have had anything intelligent to say! - but the London Sinfonietta staff were lovely and attentive. Watching the rehearsals conducted by Oliver Knussen was fascinating too.

Thanks!  Sounds like good programming to put these two next to each other.  (And I love Knussen and the London Sinfonietta.)

Quote from: ChamberNut on February 01, 2009, 08:28:02 AM
Well, this was quite the experience!  The performance was just spectacular.....I think the loudest work I've ever heard live (only thing I can compare in terms of booming loudness is The Rite of Spring live).

I wasn't crazy about the entire work, but I enjoyed more than a fair amount of it.  The contrasting 5th and 6th movements were outstanding, and the recurring brass motifs were particularly exceptional.  An incredible live experience!  :)

Cool!  Glad you liked it.  It is so massive that it just cries out to be heard live...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 02, 2009, 05:53:20 AM
Our local chapter of the Chopin Gesellschaft has been rather quiet the past year but that ended last night with a very interesting concert given by the Polish Duo Łukaszczyk (brothers Maciej and Jacek). As usual with the society's concerts, this was an intimate affair in a private home with an audience of around 50. The program:

Mozart Sonata D major K.448
Chopin Rondo C major op.73
Grieg Old Norwegian Romance and Variations op.51
Poulenc Capriccio (d'après le Bal Masqué)
Shostakovich Concertino op.94


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on February 02, 2009, 11:38:02 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 01, 2009, 12:00:21 PM
It is so massive that it just cries out to be heard live...

Orchestral Messiaen doesn't quite work as well in the sitting room ... :)

Well, I was looking forward to Anthony Marwood and someone else on piano tonight. But the concert was cancelled as they didn't make it into town - presumably stuck in London :P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 05, 2009, 08:37:17 AM
Tonight at Zankel Hall, pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard in another fascinating evening.  He must be one of the most brilliant programmers around.  FYI, Daniel Felsenfeld's great program notes are here (http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_11387_pn.html?selecteddate=02052009).

Bach: Canons Nos. 1 and 2 from The Art of Fugue 
Elliott Carter: Two Diversions 
Bach: "Rectus Inversus" No. 12 from The Art of Fugue 
Elliott Carter: Night Fantasies 
Bach: Canons Nos. 4 and 3 from The Art of Fugue 
Elliott Carter: Retrouvailles 
Elliott Carter: Matribute 
Elliott Carter: 90+ 
Bach:  "Rectus Inversus" No. 13 from The Art of Fugue 
Elliott Carter: Intermittences 
Elliott Carter: Caténaires 
Bach: Fuga a tre soggetti (unfinished) No. 14 from The Art of Fugue

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on February 05, 2009, 09:01:06 AM
Well, this coming Sunday, our local Symphony will be performing the program below at the Stevens Center - pretty standard selections, but I do like all of these works, and my wife is fond of the Bartok piece (and one of my favs from him!) -  :D

Sunday, February 8, 2009 · 3:00 pm

Kathryn Levy, flute · Amanda Gerfin, oboe · Robert Campbell, horn · Saxton Rose, bassoon
Anita Cirba and Kenneth Wilmot, trumpets

Vivaldi: Concerto in C Major for Two Trumpets, RV 357
Mozart: Sinfonia concertante, K 297b
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 05, 2009, 09:10:07 AM
That's a fine program, Dave, and the Bartók is always a treat heard live.  0:)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on February 05, 2009, 04:56:00 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 05, 2009, 09:10:07 AM
That's a fine program, Dave, and the Bartók is always a treat heard live.  0:)


Hello, Bruce - I was 'salivating' over the program you described on the previous post - enjoy and wish I were there to hear this music w/ you!  Dave  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on February 06, 2009, 12:25:35 AM
Just got tickets for this, my first live Martinu, as far as I can remember.

On Sunday 15 February the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra will be heading for the Balkans. Their concerts in Belgrade and Zagreb will include works by B. Smetana, F. Chopin and B. Martinů. The concerts will be conducted by the orchestra's Chief Conductor Vladimír Válek and the solo will be performed by pianist Jan Simon.

programme:
Bedřich Smetana: Šárka, from the cycle My Country
Fryderyk Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor
Bohuslav Martinů: Symphony No. 1, H. 289
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 09, 2009, 12:32:29 PM
Tonight, this concert of music for piano, four hands (with pianists listed for each), a FREE preview of the Keys to the Future festival coming up in May.  More info here (http://www.keystothefuture.org/spotlight1.html).

Andrew List: Mystical Journey (2005) (Jundt and Hutton-DeWys)
Bruce Stark: Four (2008) (Hakobian and Escudero) (World Premiere
Arvo Pärt Pari Intervallo (2002) (Jundt and Hutton-DeWys) (U.S. Premiere)
Doug Opel: Dilukkenjon (2002) (Hakobian and Escudero)
Steve Reich: Piano Phase (1967) (Gosling and McMillen) 
William Bolcom: Recuerdos No. 1 (1985) (Jundt and Hutton-DeWys)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 10, 2009, 06:45:30 AM
Concert at NEC tonight, including some Ives songs, and Britten's Serenade for tenor, horn & strings conducted by a friend of mine  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 10, 2009, 06:48:56 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 10, 2009, 06:45:30 AM
Concert at NEC tonight, including some Ives songs, and Britten's Serenade for tenor, horn & strings conducted by a friend of mine  :)

That sounds great (just looked at the NEC website).  I've not heard the Britten in years. 

And the price is right, too.  ;)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 10, 2009, 06:54:08 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 10, 2009, 06:48:56 AM
That sounds great (just looked at the NEC website).  I've not heard the Britten in years. 

And the price is right, too.  ;)

There is so very much music one can go out and hear, without incurring cost, eh, Bruce? No need to wallow in the same few pieces all the time, wot?  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 10, 2009, 06:55:41 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 10, 2009, 06:54:08 AM
There is so very much music one can go out and hear, without incurring cost, eh, Bruce? No need to wallow in the same few pieces all the time, wot?  8)

Yup!  ;) 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 13, 2009, 08:59:23 AM
Tonight!

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra - Alexander Mickelthwate conducting

February 13, 2009

Bartok - Violin Concerto No. 2 (Gwen Hoebig - Principal Violin & Concertmaster, soloist)
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 13, 2009, 09:03:26 AM
Handel's Alcina tomorrow night.  Taking Maria & Mamochka to the opera for Valentine's Day!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on February 13, 2009, 09:07:45 AM
Tonight, at the Mondavi Center at UCD, the Munich Symphony Orchestra featuring Philippe Entremont, conductor and piano soloist, in an all-Beethoven performance comprising the "Prometheus" Overture, Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, op. 15, and Symphony No. 7 in A Major, op. 92.  Not the most exciting program I can imagine, but I do love the seventh and haven't heard it in performance for several years.  Still, if they're good, I expect it will be a pleasurable evening, even if less satisfying than the Russian State Ballet Theatre and Sacramento Symphony's performance of Proky's Cinderella last week.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 13, 2009, 09:20:13 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on February 13, 2009, 09:07:45 AM
. . . even if less satisfying than the Russian State Ballet Theatre and Sacramento Symphony's performance of Proky's Cinderella last week.

Oh, and that sounds lovely!  How'd I miss your going to that?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on February 13, 2009, 01:03:18 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 13, 2009, 09:20:13 AM
Oh, and that sounds lovely!  How'd I miss your going to that?
I probably didn't mention it.  Sure, ABT or the Kirov might have performed it with more spectacular leaps, and the Sacramento Symphony might not have been quite as sonorous as the Cleveland, but it was all quite splendid and the costumes, the music, the choreography, and the performers combined to give us one of the most thoroughly enjoyable evenings of dance in recent memory.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 13, 2009, 02:19:11 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 10, 2009, 06:48:56 AM
That sounds great (just looked at the NEC website).  I've not heard the Britten in years. 

And the price is right, too.  ;)

And good music-making at any price. (http://henningmusick.blogspot.com/2009/02/set-wild-echoes-flying.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 15, 2009, 08:54:53 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on February 13, 2009, 08:59:23 AM
Tonight!

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra - Alexander Mickelthwate conducting

February 13, 2009

Bartok - Violin Concerto No. 2 (Gwen Hoebig - Principal Violin & Concertmaster, soloist)
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6 (Pathetique)


This was an incredibly rich listening experience!  Particularly, hearing Tchaikovsky's 6th live was just incredibly emotional....very uplifting experience.  Mickelthwate's conducting was so passionate (and he did not have the score open for the symphony.)  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on February 15, 2009, 09:08:21 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on February 15, 2009, 08:54:53 AM
This was an incredibly rich listening experience!  Particularly, hearing Tchaikovsky's 6th live was just incredibly emotional....very uplifting experience. 

[Cato alert.] Absolutely. I've heard it from von Dohnányi and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (IIRC), and still cherish the experience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Eddie Williamson on February 16, 2009, 03:27:34 PM
Das Rheingold

Los Angeles Opera
Directed by Achim Freyer

I have plans to go March 8.  This is the first installment of LA's $32 million Ring cycle, which will conclude next year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on February 17, 2009, 04:05:37 AM
Quote from: Drasko on February 06, 2009, 12:25:35 AM
Just got tickets for this, my first live Martinu, as far as I can remember.

On Sunday 15 February the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra will be heading for the Balkans. Their concerts in Belgrade and Zagreb will include works by B. Smetana, F. Chopin and B. Martinů. The concerts will be conducted by the orchestra's Chief Conductor Vladimír Válek and the solo will be performed by pianist Jan Simon.

programme:
Bedřich Smetana: Šárka, from the cycle My Country
Fryderyk Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor
Bohuslav Martinů: Symphony No. 1, H. 289


Smetana was ok, Chopin profoundly boring (full credits to Simon) but Martinu was splendiferous!!!

(http://www.zorba-bruparck.be/Image/img_anthony_quinn_zorba.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on February 17, 2009, 06:46:35 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on February 15, 2009, 08:54:53 AM
This was an incredibly rich listening experience!  Particularly, hearing Tchaikovsky's 6th live was just incredibly emotional....very uplifting experience.

I can imagine... well, not really. :P I mean, it's a wonderful (yet weird in its structure) work just to listen to via speakers, so it must have been amazing to hear it live. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on February 17, 2009, 02:18:16 PM
Quote from: KammerNuss on February 15, 2009, 08:54:53 AM
This was an incredibly rich listening experience!  Particularly, hearing Tchaikovsky's 6th live was just incredibly emotional....very uplifting experience.  Mickelthwate's conducting was so passionate (and he did not have the score open for the symphony.)  0:)

Some experienced conductors use a score in performance, even with well-known works. Others don't. I wonder what's the rationale of doing it one way instead of the other ? Is there any gain or miss ?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on February 17, 2009, 02:27:24 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on February 17, 2009, 02:18:16 PM
Some experienced conductors use a score in performance, even with well-known works. Others don't. I wonder what's the rationale of doing it one way instead of the other ? Is there any gain or miss ?

Toscanini, AFAIK, didn't use a score because of his poor eyesight; and Karajan didn't use a score because Toscanini didn't. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 18, 2009, 05:47:56 AM
Just ordered my tickets for Korey and I at the ballet!  Sooo looking forward to this one!!  :)

March 14th

Prokofiev's Romeo & Juliet

Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
*Not sure yet who is conducting.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 18, 2009, 08:38:02 AM
On Sunday afternoon, the big reopening of Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, with the following artists and program:

Jordi Savall, vièle
Montserrat Figueras, soprano
Driss el Maloumi, oud
Dmitri Psonis, santur
David Mayoral, percussion
Leon Fleisher, piano
Emerson String Quartet

Artists of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Ani Kavafian & Arnaud Sussmann, violins
Paul Neubauer, viola
David Finckel & Fred Sherry, cellos
Edgar Meyer, double bass
Ransom Wilson, flute
Stephen Taylor, oboe
David Shifrin, clarinet
Milan Turkovic & Peter Kolkay, bassoons
Kevin Cobb & Raymond Mase, trumpet
Michael Powell & John Rojak, trombones
Juilliard Orchestra
David Robertson, conductor

Sephardic Invocation: Three Romances
Anon: Palestina Hermoza y Santa
Traditional: El Moro de Antequera
Anon: Una matica de ruda
Bach: Chromatic fantasia and fugue in D minor
Osvaldo Golijov: Mariel
Stravinsky: Octet for Winds
Bartók: String Quartet No.3
Stravinsky: Suite from Pulcinella

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on February 21, 2009, 04:30:21 AM
Off to see this tonight at the Festival Hall (going for the Mahler, obviously):


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.17 in G, K.453
Gustav Mahler Symphony No.5

Gustavo Dudamel conductor
Emanuel Ax piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 21, 2009, 08:07:06 AM
Quote from: Renfield on February 17, 2009, 02:27:24 PM
Toscanini, AFAIK, didn't use a score because of his poor eyesight; and Karajan didn't use a score because Toscanini didn't. ;D

And because reading a score with your eyes closed is just super difficult.  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 21, 2009, 08:08:33 AM
Glad I wasn't the one to say it, Sarge  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 21, 2009, 08:32:43 AM
Quote from: MDL on February 21, 2009, 04:30:21 AM
Off to see this tonight at the Festival Hall (going for the Mahler, obviously):


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.17 in G, K.453
Gustav Mahler Symphony No.5

Gustavo Dudamel conductor
Emanuel Ax piano
Do report back! I'm slated to see Dudamel and his Venezuelan band in April. :)

As for me, I managed to sneak into a fundraising gala with Renee Fleming on Thursday night, at which tickets started at $1000. It was a black tie event, but nobody kicked me out for only having a yellow one.  ;D 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on February 21, 2009, 02:00:54 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 21, 2009, 08:32:43 AM
Do report back! I'm slated to see Dudamel and his Venezuelan band in April. :)

As for me, I managed to sneak into a fundraising gala with Renee Fleming on Thursday night, at which tickets started at $1000. It was a black tie event, but nobody kicked me out for only having a yellow one.  ;D 

Just got back from an amazing concert. The entire audience (the place was sold out) was on its feet at the end, and you don't often see that at the Festival Hall. The members of the orchestra looked unusually happy, and the streets around the Southbank Centre were full of punters excitedly discussing the evening. The other half, who normally finds Mahler a bit of a chore, was left giddy with excitement. We had seats on the front row facing the cellos. Now, I don't normally like being that close to the orchestra, but it was startling to watch Dudamel in action. I've never seen a conductor charge around the podium with such lunatic abandon, or heard one make such a wide range of noises (if you saw Ricky Gervais's dance in The Office, you'll have some idea of what it was like). Whatever he was up to, he certainly had the band fired up. With everything pushed to extremes, it wasn't a night for the squeamish, and I'm sure that there will be those who found it a bit vulgar. But, hey, it's Mahler, not Webern or Bach, and it was a live performance, not a library-standard recording.

Brian, I'm very jealous that you're seeing the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra in April. Is that The Rite of Spring?! Blimey, you're going to need smelling salts. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2009, 02:07:09 PM
Quote from: MDL on February 21, 2009, 04:30:21 AM
Off to see this tonight at the Festival Hall (going for the Mahler, obviously):


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No.17 in G, K.453
Gustav Mahler Symphony No.5

Gustavo Dudamel conductor
Emanuel Ax piano

He's just great, isn't he!  I just heard him do the Mahler with the New York Philharmonic a few weeks ago (review here (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2009/jan-jun09/dudamel1601.htm)), and interesting that you noted the same reaction in the members of the orchestra.  My experience only reconfirmed an impression that has been steadily growing, concert by concert: he is terrific now, and will most likely only continue to develop (i.e., and get better).

Sounds like you had an absolutely splendid time!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on February 21, 2009, 02:12:55 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 21, 2009, 02:07:09 PM
He's just great, isn't he!  I just heard him do the Mahler with the New York Philharmonic a few weeks ago (review here (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2009/jan-jun09/dudamel1601.htm)), and interesting that you noted the same reaction in the members of the orchestra.  My experience only reconfirmed an impression that has been steadily growing, concert by concert: he is terrific now, and will most likely only continue to develop (i.e., and get better).

Sounds like you had an absolutely splendid time!

--Bruce

It was brilliant. I'm still a bit hyper and have just thrown a can of Foster's Export down my gullet in record time. I'm off to watch a bit of telly now to calm down.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2009, 02:15:21 PM
Quote from: MDL on February 21, 2009, 02:12:55 PM
It was brilliant. I'm still a bit hyper and have just thrown a can of Foster's Export down my gullet in record time. I'm off to watch a bit of telly now to calm down.

;D  ;D  ;D

Love it, love it, love it--and I am not in the least bit surprised.  I've heard him now five times live (I think)--twice with his Venezuelan group, twice with the New York Philharmonic and once with the Israel Philharmonic--and each time has been a memorable experience.  I keep expecting to be let down, but it hasn't happened yet.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 21, 2009, 02:31:39 PM
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 8:00pm

Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/0809-schedule.html#apr)

QuoteBRENTANO QUARTET
PETER SERKIN, piano
RICHARD LALLI, reciter

HAYDN: Quartet in D minor, op. 76, no. 2 ("Quinten")
WUORINEN: Second Piano Quintet (commissioned by the artists) Washington premiere
SCHOENBERG: Ode to Napoleon, op. 41 for speaker, string quartet and piano
BEETHOVEN: Grosse Fuge, op. 133

Oh, it's hey-ho for DC in April, for me!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2009, 02:38:37 PM
Looks like an excellent one, Karl.  I've heard the Brentano's are quite good, but I've not heard them live. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 21, 2009, 03:07:01 PM
I've still never heard that Schoenberg work, Bruce.  I'll much enjoy that weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on February 21, 2009, 03:17:16 PM
It's an excellent thing that the classical music world seems to have a new, cosmopolitan version of the young Lenny. Dudamel at his very young age seems to have a high level of musicianship allied to unbeatable charisma. There should be a renewal of interest for music wherever he conducts.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on February 22, 2009, 12:53:34 AM
Miaskovsky's 6th Symphony, 28th April 2010 in London (Jurowski)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on February 22, 2009, 04:05:22 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 22, 2009, 12:53:34 AM
Miaskovsky's 6th Symphony, 28th April 2010 in London (Jurowski)

Ooh, that's forward planning. My other half bought me the complete Miaskovsky symphonies for Christmas and I'm really enjoying working my way through them. 6 and 24 are my current faves, but I've still got quite a few symphonies to hear yet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 22, 2009, 04:11:29 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on February 22, 2009, 12:53:34 AM
Miaskovsky's 6th Symphony, 28th April 2010 in London (Jurowski)

Is that a UK premiere?

I have this idea that any Myaskovsky performance over here would be a US premiere . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 22, 2009, 04:01:27 PM
A passel of 'em in here to look forward to . . . including the premiere of the Carter Flute Concerto. (http://henningmusick.blogspot.com/2009/02/symphony-announcements.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 22, 2009, 07:23:19 PM
Just got back from hearing Kissing give a blazing account of Prokofiev R&J excerpts, Sonata No. 8 and a potpourri of Chopin. Next up:

March 1
Hilary Hahn, violin
Valentina Lisitsa, piano

Ysaÿe -   Sonata No. 4 for Solo Violin
Ives -   Sonata No. 4 ( Children's Day at the Camp Meeting)
Brahms -   Hungarian Dances (arr. Joachim)
Ives -   Sonata No. 2
Ysaÿe -   Sonata No. 6 for Solo Violin
Ysaÿe -   Rêve d'enfant
Ives -   Sonata No. 1
Bartók -   Romanian Folk Dances (arr. Székely)

and then:

March 7:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin
Roxana Constantinescu, mezzo-soprano
Nicholas Phan, tenor
Kyle Ketelsen, bass-baritone

Janácek -   Sinfonietta
Szymanowski -   Violin Concerto No. 1
Stravinsky -   Pulcinella
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Rabbity Baxter on February 24, 2009, 01:08:23 AM
Here in London we have two new-ish small venues which often offer interesting repertoire in concerts. Coming soon are:


Wednesday, 25 February 2009 at 7.30pm

Russian Settings of Robert Burns

In one of the more unusual twists in literary history Robert Burns became a kind of national poet in Soviet Russia: Samuel Marshak's translations of his poems sold over 600,000 copies, rivalling Pushkin in popularity — and Russian composers, of course, rose to the occasion. The bass-baritone Vassily Savenko and pianist Alexander Blok have recorded 22 Burns settings by Shostakovich, Sviridov, Denisov, Levitin and Khrennikov, just released on a new Toccata Classics CD, and will be presenting a selection of them on Wednesday evening at a Toccata Classics event to launch their recording.

Place – Pushkin House, 5a Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2TA
Tel – 020 7269 9770
Undergrounds – Holborn, Tottenham Court Road



Thursday 26th February at 7.15pm
Stephen Gutman, piano
Bauer and Hieber 48 Great Marlborough Street, London

Rameau: La Dauphine, Suite no 2
Poulenc: Mouvements perpetuels
Anderson: Misreading Rameau
Cage: The Seasons- ballet in one act
Fauré: Pièce breve no 1, Barcarolle no 4, Nocturne no 6

Ticket price £10 (£5 students) and to include a glass or two of wine (French presumably)



Thu 5 March 2009 – 7.30pm

Pushkin House
5a Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2TA
020 7269 9770

Rachmaninoff, Scriabin And Their Contemporaries: Russian Piano Music Of The Serebraniy Vek

Jonathan Powell ‒ piano

Programme:
Sergey Rachmaninoff | Etudes tableaux, op.33
Anatoly Lyadov | Barcarolle
Sergey Taneyev | Prelude
Konstantin Eiges | Sonata no.2 'Poema'
Alexander Scriabin | Sonata no.2
Georgy Conus | Five pieces
Felix Blumenfeld | Sonate-Fantaisie

This programme brings together both luminaries and now-forgotten names from that richest of epochs of Russian culture ‒ the period of Symbolism, and one of transition between Romanticism and Modernism. Alongside classics of the piano repertoire by Rachmaninoff and Scriabin, this concert explores rediscovered treasures by Eiges, a friend of Rachmaninoff, Conus, Scriabin's first teacher, and Blumenfeld, Horowitz' teacher and cousin of Neuhaus and Szymanowski. We also hear pieces from influential composers Taneyev and Lyadov, whose music is frequently heard in Russia, but still rarely heard in the UK.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on February 24, 2009, 02:42:54 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on February 22, 2009, 07:23:19 PM
Janácek -   Sinfonietta
Szymanowski -   Violin Concerto No. 1
Stravinsky -   Pulcinella

Wow, I'd love to hear these.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on February 24, 2009, 05:33:54 AM
This saturday, the 28th February at the Royal Festival Hall, London
Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Stig Andersen, Waldemar
Soile Isokoski, Tove
Monica Groop, Waldtaube
Andreas Conrad, Klaus-Narr
Ralf Lukas, Bauer
Barbara Sukowa, speaker
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Philharmonia Voices

Arnold Schoenberg- Gurrelieder
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 24, 2009, 05:39:56 AM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on February 24, 2009, 05:33:54 AM
This saturday, the 28th February at the Royal Festival Hall, London
Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Stig Andersen, Waldemar
Soile Isokoski, Tove
Monica Groop, Waldtaube
Andreas Conrad, Klaus-Narr
Ralf Lukas, Bauer
Barbara Sukowa, speaker
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Philharmonia Voices

Arnold Schoenberg- Gurrelieder

That's a piece I think I shall never tire of hearing live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 24, 2009, 07:03:08 AM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on February 24, 2009, 05:33:54 AM
This saturday, the 28th February at the Royal Festival Hall, London
Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Stig Andersen, Waldemar
Soile Isokoski, Tove
Monica Groop, Waldtaube
Andreas Conrad, Klaus-Narr
Ralf Lukas, Bauer
Barbara Sukowa, speaker
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Philharmonia Voices

Arnold Schoenberg- Gurrelieder

I wonder if I can convince Mrs. Rock to get on a train for London after work Friday. Nah...probably not. It was hard enough getting her to Frankfurt to hear Gurrelieder ;D

Enjoy your concert, Mr. BiG

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 24, 2009, 07:08:39 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on February 22, 2009, 07:23:19 PM

March 1
Hilary Hahn, violin
Valentina Lisitsa, piano

Ysaÿe -   Sonata No. 4 for Solo Violin
Ives -   Sonata No. 4 ( Children's Day at the Camp Meeting)
Brahms -   Hungarian Dances (arr. Joachim)
Ives -   Sonata No. 2
Ysaÿe -   Sonata No. 6 for Solo Violin
Ysaÿe -   Rêve d'enfant
Ives -   Sonata No. 1
Bartók -   Romanian Folk Dances (arr. Székely)


Oh my...I'd love to hear that. I wonder if she's coming to Europe with that program.

Edit: She will be in Germany next month!...and in my neck of the woods: in Baden Baden Mar 22.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on February 24, 2009, 05:43:43 PM
I'm not much into concert mood this year. But it seems I have missed a good one. Nézet-Séguin's Orchestre Métropolitain performed Mahlers' Das Lied with dutch alto Christianne Stotijn. Soloist, orchestra and conductor seem to have been up to the task. Hopefully a recording will follow. I suppose the deal with Stotijn was struck when NZ was conducting in Rotterdam. He's a very clever fellow.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/arts/musique/musique-classique/200902/23/01-830136-nezet-seguin-et-stotijn-un-mahler-troublant.php

For those who understand French, this is critic Gingras' few instances of critical doubt, a sure sign something special was going on that night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 25, 2009, 11:47:16 AM
Tomorrow night, this concert--which, by the way, is FREE. 

Alice Tully Hall
The Juilliard Orchestra
David Robertson, conductor

Messiaen: Des Canyons aux étoiles

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on February 25, 2009, 12:32:37 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 25, 2009, 11:47:16 AM
Tomorrow night, this concert--which, by the way, is FREE. 

Alice Tully Hall
The Juilliard Orchestra
David Robertson, conductor

Messiaen: Des Canyons aux étoiles

--Bruce

Free? Free?! As we say in the UK, you jammy bastard (translation: lucky chap). I've never quite loved this piece as much as Transfiguration, Chronochromie or Turangalila, but it's still fascinating. I heard Simon Rattle and the CBSO performing a double bill with Canyons and Boulez's Rituel in Symphony Hall about 12 years ago, and a great night it was, too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 25, 2009, 12:43:28 PM
I know what you mean...I've only just gotten acquainted with Canyons (having heard it once live last year) and it hasn't quite "stuck" like some of the others.  But then, one's first impressions are sometimes suspect!   

And yes, your jammy bastard  ;D has been thinking a lot about low-cost concerts, ever since Alex Ross's post on the subject a few weeks ago (here (http://www.therestisnoise.com/2009/02/cheap-seats-followup.html), with a link to his article in The New Yorker on the same subject).  I hate hearing anyone say, "I can't afford concerts," since a city like this (and a few others, like London) is a goldmine.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 27, 2009, 04:44:02 AM
May make it to The Nose, after all. (Not a concert, of course.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: aquablob on February 27, 2009, 05:06:06 AM
March 5: Angela Hewitt
Goldberg Variations 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on February 28, 2009, 05:31:15 AM
Hah!  March 1, Angela Hewitt, Goldberg Variations, at the Mondavi Center
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: aquablob on February 28, 2009, 07:48:31 AM
Are you going? If so, you can report back and give me a (p)review!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on February 28, 2009, 07:53:00 AM
March 1, 2009

Haydn - String Quartet in C, Hob III:32 (Sun)
Schubert - Fantasy in F minor for piano duet, D940
Shostakovich - Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57

Can't wait for this concert tomorrow night!!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on February 28, 2009, 11:37:49 AM
NZSO March 13th

MAHLER Symphony No 3 in D minor

Aptly described as a "cathedral of sound", Mahler takes us all the way from Creation to Heaven, in an attempt to imagine the history of an entire universe in musical terms. Describing his own symphony to conductor Bruno Walter in 1896, Mahler said: "Just imagine a work of such magnitude that it actually mirrors the whole world".
Don't miss this opportunity to hear the NZSO at full strength with chorus on stage, conducted by the NZSO's own Music Director, Pietari Inkinen.

"Hearing Mahler's Third Symphony live is a can't-miss opportunity to discover the heights to which classical music can ascend, emotionally and intellectually." Andrew Druckenbrod, Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic.

Looking forward to this experience  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Eddie Williamson on February 28, 2009, 03:03:19 PM
THIS PAST THURSDAY (2/26),
I went to Disney Hall for a solid night of the music of birthday boy, Felix Mendelssohn.  LA Opera music director James Conlon conducted his next-door neighbor's orchestra, the LA Philharmonic, for the three-part, all-Mendelssohn program.  Sarah Chang played the concerto.
First, it was great to hear the First Symphony, which Conlon, during introductory comments, said he hadn't heard in concert other than the times he conducted it.  And it showed: he took the reigns and guided the LA Phil from memory, not using a score.  Great performance, it really was an true ensemble work, with the winds in particular shining during the ~30 minute work.  The outer movements (Allegro di molto, Allegro con fuoco) were my favorites; the Andante (second movement) dragged just a little, I thought.  I really enjoyed this neglected work.  Miss Chang and the LA Phil got off to an unbecoming start with the Concerto and the forces never quite meshed, IMHO, although I did enjoy the second and third movements more than the not-very-pretty first (and it should make hairs on your neck tingle).  Richard Grinnell put it perfectly in his pithy review of the VC: simply, Chang did not play 'elegantly' enough for my taste.  But the concert was 'redeemed' -- perhaps too harsh a word but relatively speaking, it was true -- with masterful renditions of the famous pieces from A Midsummer Night's Dream.  I love these pieces, and they provided the perfect end-cap for the night. 

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/02/la-phil-conlon.html
Quote
James Conlon -- whose fuel reserves have been compared to those of the Energizer Bunny -- has been locked in overdrive this week, launching Los Angeles Opera's first Wagner "Ring" while also observing the Mendelssohn bicentennial with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He is no doubt thankful that the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Walt Disney Concert Hall are right across the street from each other.

Actually, Mendelssohn is a great fit for Conlon right now since revisiting this composer could be considered an extension of the conductor's "Recovered Voices" project at L.A. Opera. Mendelssohn's music, after all, was banned by the Nazis, and we now know that there is a substantial hoard from his huge output that has never been published or heard. And of his scores that are available, maybe only a dozen or so are programmed regularly.

So in his usual spirit of mission, Conlon came to Disney Hall on Thursday night with a rarity that only record collectors know, it seems: the Symphony No. 1 in C minor. The philharmonic had never performed it before, and Conlon pointedly told us that he had never heard it played live unless he was conducting it.

Our loss. It's a great piece, shot through with fierce, rumbling, minor-key vigor, owing much to Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in particular and Beethoven in general but still stamped with its own sound. It becomes perhaps even more imposing when you consider that it was written by a boy of 15 -- albeit with 12 string symphonies under his belt.

Conlon didn't merely play the symphony through. He gave it a painstaking workout, fine-tuning weaker spots like the balance of the strings and winds in the third movement's trio and the phrasing of the pizzicato strings before the clarinet solo in the finale so that they shone. The philharmonic sounded enthused and charged up, with terrific wind playing and scintillating strings in the fugues.

Violinist Sarah Chang and the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto did not make a good match to me. She played it stridently, with plenty of fire yet very little elegance, generating all kinds of little inflections that disrupted the piece's unity. But the audience loved it.

Finally, Conlon chose the three best-known selections from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" -- the miraculous Overture, the fleet-footed Scherzo and the ultra-familiar Wedding March. They were brilliantly handled -- especially the Scherzo -- with the same tempestuous Conlon energy that lighted up the First Symphony.

-- Richard S. Ginell

TONIGHT,
I am in Chicago on a personal trip and happened to find that Helen Regenstein Conductor Emeritus Pierre Boulez is in town for a special program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra:
Looks like a great program.  I have never heard any of these pieces before, except the first Stravinsky, and I do love Boulez's Stravinsky.  Very looking forward to a great night. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Häuschen on February 28, 2009, 09:01:54 PM
^Wow, that Boulez program looks excellent!  Would love to hear his Varese live.

I'm looking forward to:

Zubin Mehta w/ Wiener Philharmoniker & Lang Lang at Disney Hall on March 4:

Wagner - Rienzi Overture
Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 2
Schubert - Symphony No. 9

Yannick Nézet-Séguin w/ LA Phil & Martha Argerich, Disney Hall on March 13

Ravel - La Valse
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5

Charlemagne Palestine Organ Recital in LA on March 16!!

Pablo Heras-Casado w/ LA Phil, Disney Hall on March 20

Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4
Mahler - Symphony No. 4

Hope to catch Andras Schiff's last recital of late Beethoven sonatas too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 01, 2009, 12:30:11 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 25, 2009, 12:43:28 PM
I know what you mean...I've only just gotten acquainted with Canyons (having heard it once live last year) and it hasn't quite "stuck" like some of the others.  But then, one's first impressions are sometimes suspect!   

And yes, your jammy bastard  ;D has been thinking a lot about low-cost concerts, ever since Alex Ross's post on the subject a few weeks ago (here (http://www.therestisnoise.com/2009/02/cheap-seats-followup.html), with a link to his article in The New Yorker on the same subject).  I hate hearing anyone say, "I can't afford concerts," since a city like this (and a few others, like London) is a goldmine.

--Bruce

Interesting link to the Alex Ross article. I've spent four days in a strange and exotic locale away from the internet (ie, Devon) so I'm just catching up with stuff tonight. How was the Messiaen? I won't ask if it was value for money, obviously.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 01, 2009, 12:41:25 PM
Quote from: Eddie Williamson on February 28, 2009, 03:03:19 PM
TONIGHT,
I am in Chicago on a personal trip and happened to find that Helen Regenstein Conductor Emeritus Pierre Boulez is in town for a special program with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra:

  • Stravinsky: Symphony in Three Movements
  • Stravinsky: Four Studies for Orchestra
  • Carter: Réflexions
  • Varèse: Ionisation
  • Varèse: Amériques
Looks like a great program.  I have never heard any of these pieces before, except the first Stravinsky, and I do love Boulez's Stravinsky.  Very looking forward to a great night. 

A great programme?! It looks astonishing! I only hope that the band had the stamina to keep up. Was Amériques performed in the standard version or the reconstruction of the original, longer version, with off-stage bands and the even more bizarre selection of whistles, sirens, etc as recorded by Chailly/RCO/Decca and Wit/WhateverhisPolishbandiscalledthesedays/Naxos?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on March 01, 2009, 02:44:49 PM
I hope we get some reports on how it sounded after all! Much inventive programming or just enticing conjunction of artists and repertoire. Argerich in the Ravel... a match made in heaven if you ask me  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 01, 2009, 02:55:16 PM
Quote from: Häuschen on February 28, 2009, 09:01:54 PM
Yannick Nézet-Séguin w/ LA Phil & Martha Argerich, Disney Hall on March 13

Ravel - La Valse
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5

ZOINKS!  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 01, 2009, 02:58:20 PM
Quote from: MDL on February 21, 2009, 02:00:54 PM
Brian, I'm very jealous that you're seeing the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra in April. Is that The Rite of Spring?! Blimey, you're going to need smelling salts. Enjoy!
Program:

Tchaikovsky | Symphony No 4
Ravel | Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No 2
Three TBA Latin-American encores

Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel
8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 01, 2009, 11:22:15 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 01, 2009, 02:58:20 PM
Program:

Tchaikovsky | Symphony No 4
Ravel | Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No 2
Three TBA Latin-American encores

Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel
8)

Where did I get The Rite from? Durr! Still, that looks like a great programme. The queue for returns for the Mahler was huge, but I suspect it'll be dwarfed by the queue for this one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 02, 2009, 05:26:39 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on February 28, 2009, 07:53:00 AM
March 1, 2009

Haydn - String Quartet in C, Hob III:32 (Sun)
Schubert - Fantasy in F minor for piano duet, D940
Shostakovich - Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57

Can't wait for this concert tomorrow night!!   :)

What an outstanding concert experience this was!!!  From start to finish, each work unique in it's own special way.  One of my favorite concerts ever!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 02, 2009, 06:18:58 AM
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 28, 2009, 07:48:31 AM
Are you going? If so, you can report back and give me a (p)review!
Re. Angela Hewitt playing the Goldberg Variations at the Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall, Sunday March 1,2009:

It wasn't a performance, but a communion.  Hearing her play this extraordinary work was like bearing witness to a private, intimate moment between Ms Hewitt, the ghost of Bach, and the piano.  Her virtuosity simply vanished; although she commanded a vast range of dynamics and shadings of tone with rapid-fire trills and crossovers all presented in unblemished clarity, her technique never called attention to itself in deficiency nor excess, but simply served the music, from introspective restraint to dancing exuberance as each flowing moment requested.

My wife and I felt privileged to be present, as did the rest of the audience, apparently, for all sat respectfully silent for a good 30 seconds or so after the last note of the final aria died away before breaking into hearty applause--a first in our experience at that venue.  As we made our way home afterwards, the thought came to mind that all of the pain, struggle, and strife of life seem worth it if our world creates the conditions enabling artists such as Andrea Hewitt, JS Bach, and Steinway & Sons to realize such spellbinding beauty.   I suspect we will long treasure the memory of this performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 02, 2009, 06:44:26 AM
Love it when an audience lets some silence settle in before starting up the applause.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 02, 2009, 06:50:30 AM
Yep.  The more moving the performance, the more I want to savor it, and I've learned to wait at least until the performer or conductor signals readiness for applause, but there are almost always some yokels who prefer to show their approval immediately without regard for others preference to let the ending "sink in" first.  Maybe they should add a request to the pre-performance announcements about silencing cell phones and such...?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jay F on March 02, 2009, 08:30:39 AM
I'm going to see the Pittsburgh Symphony play Mahler's 2nd on June 14. It's become their theme song, kind of, since they played it for Pope John Paul shortly before he died. I can hardly wait. I've never heard M2 live. I've heard 3 twice, 7, 8, and 9 once.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 02, 2009, 08:43:01 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on March 02, 2009, 06:18:58 AM
Re. Angela Hewitt playing the Goldberg Variations at the Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall, Sunday March 1,2009:

It wasn't a performance, but a communion.  Hearing her play this extraordinary work was like bearing witness to a private, intimate moment between Ms Hewitt, the ghost of Bach, and the piano.  Her virtuosity simply vanished; although she commanded a vast range of dynamics and shadings of tone with rapid-fire trills and crossovers all presented in unblemished clarity, her technique never called attention to itself in deficiency nor excess, but simply served the music, from introspective restraint to dancing exuberance as each flowing moment requested.

My wife and I felt privileged to be present, as did the rest of the audience, apparently, for all sat respectfully silent for a good 30 seconds or so after the last note of the final aria died away before breaking into hearty applause--a first in our experience at that venue.  As we made our way home afterwards, the thought came to mind that all of the pain, struggle, and strife of life seem worth it if our world creates the conditions enabling artists such as Andrea Hewitt, JS Bach, and Steinway & Sons to realize such spellbinding beauty.   I suspect we will long treasure the memory of this performance.

Beautiful write-up, David.  I've never heard Hewitt live, but my brother turned me on to some of her Bach recordings, which are marvelous.  (One thing I also like is that she writes great, scholarly program notes.)  And the generous 30 seconds of silence after...wow, what a great audience.

Quote from: nicht schleppend on March 02, 2009, 08:30:39 AM
I'm going to see the Pittsburgh Symphony play Mahler's 2nd on June 14. It's become their theme song, kind of, since they played it for Pope John Paul shortly before he died. I can hardly wait. I've never heard M2 live. I've heard 3 twice, 7, 8, and 9 once.

Man, you are in for a really mindblowing experience.  Of course we all listen to Mahler on recordings, but there is nothing like a live performance of the Second.  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on March 02, 2009, 08:57:39 AM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on February 24, 2009, 05:33:54 AM
This saturday, the 28th February at the Royal Festival Hall, London
Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Stig Andersen, Waldemar
Soile Isokoski, Tove
Monica Groop, Waldtaube
Andreas Conrad, Klaus-Narr
Ralf Lukas, Bauer
Barbara Sukowa, speaker
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
Philharmonia Voices

Arnold Schoenberg- Gurrelieder

What an extraordinary concert!
The soloists were marvelous, espeacially Monica Groop.
The orchestra was on top form.
A perfect night.
Can't wait to hear the continuation of their series "Vienna, city of dreams 1900-1935".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jay F on March 02, 2009, 09:39:54 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 02, 2009, 08:43:01 AM
Beautiful write-up, David.  I've never heard Hewitt live, but my brother turned me on to some of her Bach recordings, which are marvelous.  (One thing I also like is that she writes great, scholarly program notes.)  And the generous 30 seconds of silence after...wow, what a great audience.

Man, you are in for a really mindblowing experience.  Of course we all listen to Mahler on recordings, but there is nothing like a live performance of the Second.  :D

--Bruce
Hearing the 8th was mindblowing, too. Everyone who could carry a tune in DC was part of the chorus. I knew at least five people who sang in it. Again, I'm really looking forward to this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: aquablob on March 02, 2009, 09:44:54 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on March 02, 2009, 06:18:58 AM
Re. Angela Hewitt playing the Goldberg Variations at the Mondavi Center, Jackson Hall, Sunday March 1,2009:

It wasn't a performance, but a communion.  Hearing her play this extraordinary work was like bearing witness to a private, intimate moment between Ms Hewitt, the ghost of Bach, and the piano.  Her virtuosity simply vanished; although she commanded a vast range of dynamics and shadings of tone with rapid-fire trills and crossovers all presented in unblemished clarity, her technique never called attention to itself in deficiency nor excess, but simply served the music, from introspective restraint to dancing exuberance as each flowing moment requested.

My wife and I felt privileged to be present, as did the rest of the audience, apparently, for all sat respectfully silent for a good 30 seconds or so after the last note of the final aria died away before breaking into hearty applause--a first in our experience at that venue.  As we made our way home afterwards, the thought came to mind that all of the pain, struggle, and strife of life seem worth it if our world creates the conditions enabling artists such as Andrea Hewitt, JS Bach, and Steinway & Sons to realize such spellbinding beauty.   I suspect we will long treasure the memory of this performance.

Thanks for this; I will report back in a few days on my experience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on March 03, 2009, 06:51:51 AM
Tonight I am going to the debut recital of a young Norwegian pianist (I didn't even know they debuted anymore). Her name is Ingfrid Breie Nyhus, and is one of the most talented young pianists in Norway and in Scandinavia.

The program:
Chopin Ballade in G minor, op.23
Schubert Sonata no. 14  in A minor, D784
Sinding Piano Pieces op.20, 31/5,44/2 and 33/6
Rachmaninov Corelli Variations

A wonderful program. Very much looking forward to this.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on March 03, 2009, 07:00:46 AM
Going through the VPO's website, I found that Mehta, Lang Lang and the orchestra will be performing in Mumbai in a week from now. I wish I could have looked forward to it.  :'( Mozart, Chopin and Beethoven are in store.


P.S.: I also learnt that Lang is actually a valid English word.  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 03, 2009, 07:03:22 AM
Quote from: AB68 on March 03, 2009, 06:51:51 AM
(I didn't even know they debuted anymore).

Gotta start sometime.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on March 03, 2009, 07:16:31 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on March 03, 2009, 07:03:22 AM
Gotta start sometime.

Yes, but I can't recall the last time I saw a debut  concert/recital announced.  I thought it was a thing of the past. But I absolutely welcome it. I think it is very exciting to hear young musicians and to follow their careers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 03, 2009, 07:42:02 AM
Off to the evening concert in the Barbican's Xenakis Total Immersion day:

Programme to include:
Xenakis Tracees
Xenakis Anastenaria
Xenakis Sea-Nymphs*
Xenakis Mists
Xenakis Nuits*
Xenakis Troorkh
Xenakis Antikhton

BBC Symphony Orchestra
BBC Singers
Martin Brabbins conductor
Stephen Betteridge conductor*
Christian Lindberg trombone
Rolf Hind piano


I'm considering the afternoon concert, but I don't know any of the pieces. Anyone familiar with them?

Programme to include:
Xenakis Rebonds
Xenakis Persephassa
Xenakis Okho

Guildhall Percussion Ensemble
Richard Benjafield director
Catherine Ring solo percussion
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 05, 2009, 06:07:36 AM
This in light of the upcoming concerts of the BRSO in New York:

Mariss Jansons in New York (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=506)

(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/jansons_and_orchestra1.jpg)
Quote
In light of the BRSO's upcoming trip to New York I spoke with Mariss Jansons, who I reached at his home in St. Petersburg. Having heard the impressive and surprisingly accessible world premieres of the last two works the BRSO commissioned, I was interested in how heavily he is involved in the commissioning of new pieces for the orchestra and whether there's a particular philosophy behind the commissions. Jansons, one of the most unassuming and pretension-free maestros out there, answers in his soft-spoken, accented voice: "I am very much involved, of course, when we commission works for my orchestra. But there is no particular "philosophy" I follow—except that I try to assure that the work is first rate.
---> http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=506 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=506)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on March 05, 2009, 06:27:30 AM
I have tickets to RCO/Haitink's concerts at the Barbican in London next weekend.
On saturday the program is Debussy's "La Mer", Mozart's "Haffner" symphony and Beethoven's seventh.
On sunday it is Schumann's piano concerto with Perahia and Bruckner's ninth.
Can't wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2009, 07:35:27 AM
Quote from: MDL on March 03, 2009, 07:42:02 AM
Off to the evening concert in the Barbican's Xenakis Total Immersion day:

Programme to include:
Xenakis Tracees
Xenakis Anastenaria
Xenakis Sea-Nymphs*
Xenakis Mists
Xenakis Nuits*
Xenakis Troorkh
Xenakis Antikhton

BBC Symphony Orchestra
BBC Singers
Martin Brabbins conductor
Stephen Betteridge conductor*
Christian Lindberg trombone
Rolf Hind piano


I'm considering the afternoon concert, but I don't know any of the pieces. Anyone familiar with them?

Programme to include:
Xenakis Rebonds
Xenakis Persephassa
Xenakis Okho

Guildhall Percussion Ensemble
Richard Benjafield director
Catherine Ring solo percussion

I hope you went to the afternoon concert, too!  Didn't see this in time to affect your ticket purchase, but I have heard Okho, for percussion, and it's wonderful.

Quote from: Bruckner is God on March 05, 2009, 06:27:30 AM
I have tickets to RCO/Haitink's concerts at the Barbican in London next weekend.
On saturday the program is Debussy's "La Mer", Mozart's "Haffner" symphony and Beethoven's seventh.
On sunday it is Schumann's piano concerto with Perahia and Bruckner's ninth.
Can't wait!

Great programs.  I would go for the Debussy and the Bruckner alone (but the rest should be highly enjoyable as well).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 05, 2009, 07:51:18 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 05, 2009, 07:35:27 AM
I hope you went to the afternoon concert, too!  Didn't see this in time to affect your ticket purchase, but I have heard Okho, for percussion, and it's wonderful.

Great programs.  I would go for the Debussy and the Bruckner alone (but the rest should be highly enjoyable as well).

--Bruce

Whoops, I forgot to put the date. It's this Saturday (7th) so I've still got time to book tickets. Or rather, one ticket. I think I've posted before that the other half, although willing to give a lot of modern music a whirl, draws the line at Xenakis.

Thanks for the recommendation.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2009, 07:57:36 AM
Oh great!  Okho is for three African djembés.  I've only heard it once, but it made a big impression.  Meanwhile, that is a LOT of Xenakis!  Have you plotted out your "cool-down" strategy?  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on March 05, 2009, 07:58:57 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 05, 2009, 07:57:36 AM
Oh great!  Okho is for three African djembés.  I've only heard it once, but it made a big impression.  Meanwhile, that is a LOT of Xenakis!  Have you plotted out your "cool-down" strategy?  ;D

--Bruce

I assume after all that Xenakis, almost anything else can be considered a cool-down.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2009, 08:02:47 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 05, 2009, 07:58:57 AM
I assume after all that Xenakis, almost anything else can be considered a cool-down.  ;D

Perhaps an afternoon of greatest hits by Patsy Cline (http://www.patsycline.com/).   ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: some guy on March 05, 2009, 09:45:59 AM
Tonight in Portland (OR) the ferociously talented Doug Theriault will be performing, along with the splendid Matt Hannifan and Tom Hamilton. I've been buying Theriault CDs like popcorn recently, but this is the first time I will have seen him live.

(For any Portlanders reading this before 8 tonight, it's at Enterbeing, 1603 NE Alberta.) 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 05, 2009, 01:30:22 PM
Quote from: bhodges on March 05, 2009, 07:57:36 AM
Oh great!  Okho is for three African djembés.  I've only heard it once, but it made a big impression.  Meanwhile, that is a LOT of Xenakis!  Have you plotted out your "cool-down" strategy?  ;D

--Bruce

OK, ticket booked for the afternoon bash as well. I've got a seat slap bang in the middle of the stalls which should be good because I understand that there's a bit of surround sound stuff going on in at least one of the pieces. I'm still smarting from the fact that when Stockhausen's Gruppen was performed at the Proms last year, the three orchestras were bunched together in the central area and only about a dozen or so people, squeezed into the tiny gap between the three, would have experienced the piece as Stockhausen intended.

I will, of course, be cooling down in the traditional English manner: ie, two gallons of lager and a dodgy kebab. Must remember to set the video for Harry Hill's TV Burp. The weekend just isn't a weekend without a bit of Harry.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2009, 01:33:57 PM
Quote from: MDL on March 05, 2009, 01:30:22 PM
I will, of course, be cooling down in the traditional English manner: ie, two gallons of lager and a dodgy kebab. Must remember to set the video for Harry Hill's TV Burp. The weekend just isn't a weekend without a bit of Harry.

Sounds like a total blast.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: aquablob on March 05, 2009, 07:27:54 PM
Just returned from Angela Hewitt's performance of Bach's epic Goldberg Variations, with repeats and no intermission! Truly an astounding performance; suffice it to say that I echo DR's comments. Had the pleasure of meeting Hewitt for a few moments after the concert, also. A lovely evening!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on March 05, 2009, 07:33:04 PM
Lucky devil. A complete Goldberg must indeed be quite an experience. Were the surroundings appropriate to the occasion (meaning, not being a mile off in the distance) ?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: aquablob on March 05, 2009, 08:04:25 PM
Funny that you ask... :D

When we first took our seats, we realized that sitting directly behind us was the same elderly couple that sat directly to our right at the last concert we attended (Pacifica Quartet). How did we come to this realization? The same noisy breathing machine. I do feel sorry for the ill old-timers, but there was simply no way we were going to sit near them again! (Not only is the breathing machine unbelievably distracting, but they have a tendency to "whisper" quite loudly and take well over a minute to unwrap cough drops...)

So we went to the ticket booth and exchanged ours for a pair of tickets up in the balcony, where the view was fine and the sound terrific.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on March 05, 2009, 08:21:22 PM
I never thought a breathing machine would be allowed in a concert  :o. In any case, only the best circumstances will do for those special occasions. Moving to the balcony was the thing to do!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 06, 2009, 12:34:59 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 21, 2009, 02:31:39 PM
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 8:00pm

Library of Congress
(http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/0809-schedule.html#apr)

QuoteBRENTANO QUARTET
PETER SERKIN, piano
RICHARD LALLI, reciter

HAYDN: Quartet in D minor, op. 76, no. 2 ("Quinten")
WUORINEN: Second Piano Quintet (commissioned by the artists) Washington premiere
SCHOENBERG: Ode to Napoleon, op. 41 for speaker, string quartet and piano
BEETHOVEN: Grosse Fuge, op. 133

Oh, it's hey-ho for DC in April, for me!

Tickets for the concert were not available until this past Wednesday (the 4th).  I made a note, but (probably doing this in the wrong order) I wanted to book my travel first.  Found airfare improbably cheaper than the train, and went ahead and booked that last night.  This morning, on the Ticketmaster website, when I searched for a pair of tickets, I got a page telling me none were available.

Tried calling Ticketmaster, a surprisingly opaque journey.  Only took me three different phone numbers. Turns out (cannot be very surprising) there are not any two seats together available (and here it is, just the third day tickets have been available . . . a hot ticket, and none too capacious a venue) but the agent had two seats, one behind the other.  And so, all is well!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 07, 2009, 02:52:26 PM
Bloody hell! After four hours of Xenakis (well, take off 50 minutes for intervals and stage reshuffles), my ears begging for mercy. Currently sat at the computer with a beer, listening to some nice, easy-going Ravel via Spotify. It was an amazing day. At 1pm, various young people (Sankorfa and the Guildhall Percussion Ensemble) blasted their way through an hour of visceral percussion music. Special honours should go to Catherine Ring and her heroic, fascinating solo Rebonds, but my fave was the eardrum-shredding Persephassa; the swirling, surging climax of that piece was astounding.

I didn't bother with the various films in the afternoon. Call me a philistine, but I was happy to walk around the City and grab a samosa on Brick Lane.

The main event in the evening lasted almost three hours and was split into three parts. I really liked the symmetry of the event: two large-scale orchestral works (Tracées, Anastenaria), a choral work (Sea-Nymphs) a piano work (Mists), and choral work (Nuits) and two orchestral works (Troorkh, Antikhthon). OK, big-medium-small-medium-big isn't especially sophisticated, but I found it satisfying. Hearing Antikhthon live, the first piece by Xenakis that I got to know and love almost 30 years ago, was a thrilling.

There was a much bigger turn-out for this Total Immersion event than for the Stockhausen not so long ago, which I thought was interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 07, 2009, 04:00:05 PM
Quote from: MDL on March 07, 2009, 02:52:26 PM
Bloody hell! After four hours of Xenakis (well, take off 50 minutes for intervals and stage reshuffles), my ears begging for mercy. Currently sat at the computer with a beer, listening to some nice, easy-going Ravel via Spotify. It was an amazing day. At 1pm, various young people (Sankorfa and the Guildhall Percussion Ensemble) blasted their way through an hour of visceral percussion music. Special honours should go to Catherine Ring and her heroic, fascinating solo Rebonds, but my fave was the eardrum-shredding Persephassa; the swirling, surging climax of that piece was astounding.

I didn't bother with the various films in the afternoon. Call me a philistine, but I was happy to walk around the City and grab a samosa on Brick Lane.

The main event in the evening lasted almost three hours and was split into three parts. I really liked the symmetry of the event: two large-scale orchestral works (Tracées, Anastenaria), a choral work (Sea-Nymphs) a piano work (Mists), and choral work (Nuits) and two orchestral works (Troorkh, Antikhthon). OK, big-medium-small-medium-big isn't especially sophisticated, but I found it satisfying. Hearing Antikhthon live, the first piece by Xenakis that I got to know and love almost 30 years ago, was a thrilling.

There was a much bigger turn-out for this Total Immersion event than for the Stockhausen not so long ago, which I thought was interesting.

Sounds intense! I'm not familiar with this repertoire at all, but do enjoy reading your reports though. The only thing close to this kind of 'immersion day' that I've been to was a Messiaen Day at the university last year: a couple of talks in the afternoon followed by a couple of performances in the evening. There was a Stockhausen Day recently, but I only went to the piano recital at the end of the day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 07, 2009, 05:30:58 PM
Well, tomorrow (i.e. Sunday - change in Daylight Savings time!) - the Winston Salem Symphony (i.e. North Carolina, east coast USA) is having a guest conductor, JoAnn Falletta - program in the attached image - looking forward to attending this performance -  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 09, 2009, 05:28:15 AM
Herbie comes to Boston!

Saturday, 14 March
8:00pm
Symphony Hall

Nielsen, Helios Overture
Mozart, Pf Cto № 18 in B-flat Major, K.456 (Richard Goode)
Brahms, Symphony № 4 in E Minor
Herbert Blomstedt, guest conductor

The Boston Symphony Orchestra


I still feel that he ought to be conducting a Nielsen symphony, but we'll go hear the concert anyway  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Rabbity Baxter on March 09, 2009, 08:28:30 AM
SPRING PIANO SERIES 2009
at the
SCHOTT RECITAL ROOM LONDON





Eight innovative pianists from six countries have come together to devise this
fresh concert series held in Schott's brand-new recital venue in central London.

Their programmes combine classics of the piano repertoire (Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt and Albeniz)
with more rarely heard music from the early 20th-century (Medtner, Scriabin, Karg-Elert and
Mosolov) and new pieces ranging in style from the Jazz-inspired and post-minimalist to experimental.


All concerts start at 6.30pm.
Tickets are sold on the door: £8/£5 (concessions).

48 Great Marlborough Street
London W1F 7BB
Underground: Oxford Circus
Tottenham Court Rd
020 7292 6090

2 April      Chisato Kusunoki
Chopin Nocturnes op.27 no.1, op.62 no.2
Medtner Sonata op.22
David Hackbridge Johnson New work
Balakirev Sonata

Chisato's programme reflects both her love of standard piano repertoire and her committment to contemporary music. She has also made a special study of the music of Russian Romantic Nikolay Medtner, on whose works she worked closely with Hamish Milne.

9 April       Mary Dullea
Cowell Banshee, Aeolian Harp
Nancarrow Sonatina
Crumb Gnomic Variations
Mawhinney Batu
Albeniz Almeria, Triana

Irish pianist Mary Dullea is in demand as both soloist and chamber musician; she has recently been exploring and performing repertoire that incorporates the use of the inside and the outside of the piano, and this programme places music employing these extended techniques by US composers, alongside other 20th-century works, in turn virtuosic and evocative, that in their own individual ways make extraordinary use of the keyboard and the sonic capacity of the piano.

16 April      Jørgen Hald Nielsen
Nielsen Chaconne
Bach-Møller Chaconne
Ravel-Sorabji Rhapsodie espagnole
Hinton Variations and Fugue on a theme of Grieg

Two chaconnes by his Danish countrymen open this programme (Jørgen worked with Møller, who died young), and these are well complemented by the perfumed and colourful palette of Sorabji's Ravel transcription. Hinton's huge and fantastically varied work ‒ which Jørgen has performed often in Denmark, but which has not been heard in the UK for 15 years ‒ completes the bill.



23 April          Composer Double Bill:
John White
Beethoven Sonata op.110
Liszt Weinachtsbaum (extracts); La Lugubre gondola no.2
Karg-Elert Miniatures including Ritornello à la Brahms, Poema esaltata à la Skrjabin, Crucifixus etiam pro nobis à la Reger
White Sonatas nos.162, 165, 156, 166

John White returns to the German roots of his musical personality with this late Beethoven work he studied with Arthur Alexander, a friend of Bax and Medtner, over half a century ago. The highly individual and evocative music of late Liszt and Karg-Elert have both had influences on John's own work, recent examples of which end his selection.

Dave Smith
Smith Toccantella, Al contrario, Stuck with Robert, selections from 42 1-minute pieces

Dave is well known to London audiences for his engaging performances of his own music, which is variously allusive, thought-provoking and entertaining, but always original and brilliantly written for the piano.

30 April      Jonathan Powell
Schubert Reliquie Sonate
Kornauth Fantasie
White Sonata no.168
Mosolov Turkmenian Nights
Scriabin Sonata no.6
Finnissy Skryabin in Itself
Haydn Adagio

Juxtaposing the musical worlds of Vienna, early 20th-century Moscow and contemporary Britain, this programme reflects not only Jonathan's broad tastes but also his areas of special interest. Kornauth's music is unknown in the UK, but its rich pallette and similarity to Mahler and Strauss are sure to endear it to audiences here. Mosolov's impressively thunderous take on central Asian folk music is simply a must-hear!



7 May      Ivo de Greef
A Tribute to Keith Jarrett

Originally conceived in 2008 by Ivo De Greef and the Portuguese radio station Antena 2, this project combines the music of Keith Jarrett with new
compositions in hommage to this pianist-composer. The individual approaches of Gustavo Beytelmann, Robert Mitchell, Jonathan Powell, Sergio Azevedo and Kris Defoort (all pianist-composers themselves) highlight different aspects  of Jarrett's musical legacy and create a dialogue with original Jarrett compositions (from the Köln Concert through to The Melody at Night With You). The varied backgrounds of these composers accentuate the multi-faceted output, influence and appeal of Keith Jarrett. Belgian pianist Ivo De Greef is sought-after in the fields of contemporary (with London-based ensemble Noszferatu) and tango music (with Quinteto El Después), having performed across the world.

      
14 May      Simon Mawhinney
Messiaen Vingt regards sur l'enfant Jésus

Simon's career embraces performing, composing (go to Mary Dullea's concert on 9 April to hear one of his pieces) and teaching at Queen's University, Belfast. His compositions have been performed from USA to Korea and range from pieces for symphony orchestra to electroacoustic music. As a pianist, he has a particularly interest in works of longer duration and in 20th-century and contemporary repertoire. His recent Belfast performance of this Messiaen work earned him a standing ovation.



www.schott-music.co.uk
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 09, 2009, 08:36:02 AM
Quote from: Rabbity Baxter on March 09, 2009, 08:28:30 AM
30 April      Jonathan Powell
Schubert Reliquie Sonate
Kornauth Fantasie
White Sonata no.168
Mosolov Turkmenian Nights
Scriabin Sonata no.6
Finnissy Skryabin in Itself
Haydn Adagio

Juxtaposing the musical worlds of Vienna, early 20th-century Moscow and contemporary Britain, this programme reflects not only Jonathan's broad tastes but also his areas of special interest. Kornauth's music is unknown in the UK, but its rich pallette and similarity to Mahler and Strauss are sure to endear it to audiences here. Mosolov's impressively thunderous take on central Asian folk music is simply a must-hear!

Great programs!  Quite interesting series, there.  This one above looks especially tasty, but it's a very fine line-up.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 09, 2009, 04:00:19 PM
Looking forward to a trip down to London town this week :):

First up:

Dr Atomic at the ENO

In this UK premiere, director PENNY WOOLCOCK's (Channel 4's Klinghoffer) inventive staging features designs by Improbable's JULIAN CROUCH (Satyagraha). The award-winning baritone GERALD FINLEY 'repeats his triumph' (Evening Standard) as Oppenheimer, and dynamic young conductor LAWRENCE RENES leads the ENO Orchestra and Chorus in a night of devastating creative potency

CAST:
Edward Teller Brindley Sherratt; J Robert Oppenheimer Gerald Finley; Robert Wilson Thomas Glenn; Kitty Oppenheimer Sasha Cooke; General Leslie Groves Jonathan Veira; Frank Hubbard Roderick Earle; Captain James Nolan Christopher Gillett; Pasqualita Meredith Arwady (Feb 25, 28 Mar 05, 11, 13, 16) Morag Boyle (Mar 07, 18, 20)

Then the two RCO concerts at the Barbican:

Mozart Symphony No 35 in D major 'Haffner'
Debussy La mer
Beethoven Symphony No 7 in A major

Schumann Piano Concerto
Bruckner Symphony No 9 in D minor

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Bernard Haitink conductor
Murray Perahia piano

And finally, a lunchtime recital at Wigmore Hall before I toddle back home:

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano
Monday 16 March 2009 - 1:00 PM

Haydn Piano Sonata in D HXVI:24
Ravel Menuet sur le nom de Haydn; Miroirs: Noctuelles; Oiseaux tristes; Une barque sur l'océan; Alborada del gracioso; La vallée des cloches
Debussy Hommage à Haydn; Images Book 2: Cloches à travers les feuilles; Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fût; Poissons d'or

Londoners, can I have some advice please: can anyone tell me if Regent's Park is nice to run in? I'm staying near Baker St, which I understand is just around the corner, and was wondering if I should bring my running shoes :). Cheers!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 09, 2009, 04:19:43 PM
And this one before I head out of town:

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Beethoven   Overture, Egmont (9')
Tchaikovsky   Violin Concerto (33')
Beethoven   Symphony No 7 (36')

Louis Langrée    Conductor
James Ehnes    Violin

Bread and butter repertoire, but I guess it's cost effective as they probably don't have to source the scores and hire any ring-ins, and Beethoven gets the punters in, I suppose. But I've never heard the Tchaik live before, so I'm looking forward to that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on March 09, 2009, 04:26:29 PM
Quote from: Novi on March 09, 2009, 04:19:43 PM
And this one before I head out of town:

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Beethoven   Overture, Egmont (9')
Tchaikovsky   Violin Concerto (33')
Beethoven   Symphony No 7 (36')

Louis Langrée    Conductor
James Ehnes    Violin

Bread and butter repertoire, but I guess it's cost effective as they probably don't have to source the scores and hire any ring-ins, and Beethoven gets the punters in, I suppose. But I've never heard the Tchaik live before, so I'm looking forward to that.

Oh sh**, I'd forgotten about that concert!

Blast. I hope there's any tickets still available.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 09, 2009, 05:49:03 PM
Quote from: Novi on March 09, 2009, 04:19:43 PM
And this one before I head out of town:

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

Beethoven   Overture, Egmont (9')
Tchaikovsky   Violin Concerto (33')
Beethoven   Symphony No 7 (36')

Louis Langrée    Conductor
James Ehnes    Violin

Bread and butter repertoire, but I guess it's cost effective as they probably don't have to source the scores and hire any ring-ins, and Beethoven gets the punters in, I suppose. But I've never heard the Tchaik live before, so I'm looking forward to that.

Our local boy, James Ehnes!  :)  Wish I were at that concert.  Ironically, I have heard all 3 of these works live, but on 3 separate concerts.  Hope you enjoy the concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on March 09, 2009, 06:18:51 PM
Quote from: Novi on March 09, 2009, 04:00:19 PM



Londoners, can I have some advice please: can anyone tell me if Regent's Park is nice to run in? I'm staying near Baker St, which I understand is just around the corner, and was wondering if I should bring my running shoes :). Cheers!

Regent's Park is one of London's most beautiful parks, and very suitable for running. So do bring your running shoes.
Enjoy your concerts and London. I am going to the Haitink concerts myself. Very much looking forward to it. RCO/Haitink rarely disappoint
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on March 10, 2009, 02:22:01 AM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on March 09, 2009, 06:18:51 PM
Regent's Park is one of London's most beautiful parks, and very suitable for running. So do bring your running shoes.
Enjoy your concerts and London. I am going to the Haitink concerts myself. Very much looking forward to it. RCO/Haitink rarely disappoint

It's a beautiful park, but can get very busy during the day, so do your running early before the crowds descend. On a vaguely related note, I regularly walk home or into town along the South Bank riverside walk and get a bit p*ssed off with a lot of the runners and cyclists who seem to think that they have a right of way over the majority of ordinary pedestrians. Inconsiderate bastards. I hope you're a considerate runner.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 10, 2009, 05:07:02 AM
Quote from: Renfield on March 09, 2009, 04:26:29 PM
Oh sh**, I'd forgotten about that concert!

Blast. I hope there's any tickets still available.

Hope there are a couple left for you :). The last time Langrée was here, he led a phenomenal Mozart concert, besides which the blue rinse stalwarts enjoy watching 'nice young men' and you get two this concert ;D so I suspect it might be sold out. It's probably worth giving the box office a call to see if there are any returns as well.

Quote from: KammerNuss on March 09, 2009, 05:49:03 PM
Our local boy, James Ehnes!  :)  Wish I were at that concert.  Ironically, I have heard all 3 of these works live, but on 3 separate concerts.  Hope you enjoy the concert.

KammerNuss, your lad Ehnes has been busy over here. It seems like every time I switch on the radio, they're broadcasting his performances :). Do you get to hear him a lot?


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 10, 2009, 05:23:40 AM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on March 09, 2009, 06:18:51 PM
Regent's Park is one of London's most beautiful parks, and very suitable for running. So do bring your running shoes.
Enjoy your concerts and London. I am going to the Haitink concerts myself. Very much looking forward to it. RCO/Haitink rarely disappoint

Thanks, Bruckner is God! I'm most looking forward to the Bruckner. Mind you, my first thoughts were that the 9th seems a bit too apocalyptic for a Sunday matinée :-\ :D.


Quote from: MDL on March 10, 2009, 02:22:01 AM
It's a beautiful park, but can get very busy during the day, so do your running early before the crowds descend. On a vaguely related note, I regularly walk home or into town along the South Bank riverside walk and get a bit p*ssed off with a lot of the runners and cyclists who seem to think that they have a right of way over the majority of ordinary pedestrians. Inconsiderate bastards. I hope you're a considerate runner.

Rest assured, MDL, I'm a considerate runner on all counts. I'm terribly genial, and smile and nod at passing pedestrians, mums with prams, dogs, swans, ducks, cyclists ... But more importantly, I'm not anywhere fast enough to be inconsiderate :D. I'd probably get lapped by someone hustling for the bus :P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on March 10, 2009, 03:25:07 PM
Quote from: Novi on March 10, 2009, 05:07:02 AM
Hope there are a couple left for you :). The last time Langrée was here, he led a phenomenal Mozart concert, besides which the blue rinse stalwarts enjoy watching 'nice young men' and you get two this concert ;D so I suspect it might be sold out. It's probably worth giving the box office a call to see if there are any returns as well.

Hahah, I bet. ;D

And I did find a seat, literally the last one left! Will we be accidentally bumping into each other, then, maybe? ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 10, 2009, 04:53:50 PM
Quote from: Novi on March 10, 2009, 05:07:02 AM
KammerNuss, your lad Ehnes has been busy over here. It seems like every time I switch on the radio, they're broadcasting his performances :). Do you get to hear him a lot?

Last September was the first time I've heard him live (performing the Korngold concerto).  I think he makes it a habit to perform in his home province on a regular basis.  We're lucky to have Ehnes, because we don't get all that many high-profile soloists who perform in Winnipeg.  Too small potatoes for the "big stars".  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on March 10, 2009, 06:46:45 PM
Kind of a concert ;D:

http://vintagevoltageexpo.eventbrite.com/

Falls right on my birthday.  The planets will be aligned.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 11, 2009, 01:53:12 AM
Saturday afternoon: Arvo Pärt, Passio domini jesu christi secundem ioannem - in the Dome Church, here in Utrecht.

Next week, Saturday evening: Hendrik Andriessen, De Veertien Stonden [The Fourteen Hours, a passion music drama from the 1940s by the leading Catholic Dutch composer of his generation, father of Louis Andriessen] - in the Geertekerk (St. Gerhard's Church) in the old town of Utrecht as well.

Performers? Well, yes, many performers; hopefully they'll be serving the music  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 11, 2009, 04:30:52 PM
Quote from: Renfield on March 10, 2009, 03:25:07 PM
And I did find a seat, literally the last one left! Will we be accidentally bumping into each other, then, maybe? ;)

Renfield, your mailbox is full $:).

But the plan sounds good :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on March 11, 2009, 05:18:46 PM
Quote from: Novi on March 11, 2009, 04:30:52 PM
Renfield, your mailbox is full $:).

But the plan sounds good :).

Mailbox is no longer full. It now has room for two (2) more messages!

And good to hear. Looking forward to this entirely accidental meeting. $:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 12, 2009, 08:04:42 AM
Sat 14 Mar 2009, 7:30pm
Konzerthaus, Vienna, Vienna

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Solveig Kringelborn soprano
Juha Uusitalo bass-baritone

Schoenberg   Verklärte Nacht
Zemlinsky   Lyric Symphony

=====================

Sun 15 Mar 2009, 7:30pm
Konzerthaus, Vienna, Vienna

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Mitsuko Uchida piano

Schoenberg   Piano Concerto
Mahler   Symphony No. 9
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 12, 2009, 08:58:07 AM
Quote from: MDL on March 07, 2009, 02:52:26 PM
Bloody hell! After four hours of Xenakis (well, take off 50 minutes for intervals and stage reshuffles), my ears begging for mercy. Currently sat at the computer with a beer, listening to some nice, easy-going Ravel via Spotify. It was an amazing day. At 1pm, various young people (Sankorfa and the Guildhall Percussion Ensemble) blasted their way through an hour of visceral percussion music. Special honours should go to Catherine Ring and her heroic, fascinating solo Rebonds, but my fave was the eardrum-shredding Persephassa; the swirling, surging climax of that piece was astounding.

I didn't bother with the various films in the afternoon. Call me a philistine, but I was happy to walk around the City and grab a samosa on Brick Lane.

The main event in the evening lasted almost three hours and was split into three parts. I really liked the symmetry of the event: two large-scale orchestral works (Tracées, Anastenaria), a choral work (Sea-Nymphs) a piano work (Mists), and choral work (Nuits) and two orchestral works (Troorkh, Antikhthon). OK, big-medium-small-medium-big isn't especially sophisticated, but I found it satisfying. Hearing Antikhthon live, the first piece by Xenakis that I got to know and love almost 30 years ago, was a thrilling.

There was a much bigger turn-out for this Total Immersion event than for the Stockhausen not so long ago, which I thought was interesting.

Sorry, somehow missed your report!  Thanks so much...wish I could have been there.  And I have never heard most of these live, including Antikhthon, and I don't know Persephassa at all.  Another one for the "have to fix" pile!

Really sounds like quite an intense day--and also glad to hear that you had lots of company. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on March 12, 2009, 12:37:12 PM
Tonight!


Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 28, 2009, 11:37:49 AM
NZSO March 13th

MAHLER Symphony No 3 in D minor

Aptly described as a "cathedral of sound", Mahler takes us all the way from Creation to Heaven, in an attempt to imagine the history of an entire universe in musical terms. Describing his own symphony to conductor Bruno Walter in 1896, Mahler said: "Just imagine a work of such magnitude that it actually mirrors the whole world".
Don't miss this opportunity to hear the NZSO at full strength with chorus on stage, conducted by the NZSO's own Music Director, Pietari Inkinen.

"Hearing Mahler's Third Symphony live is a can't-miss opportunity to discover the heights to which classical music can ascend, emotionally and intellectually." Andrew Druckenbrod, Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic.

Looking forward to this experience  0:)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 12, 2009, 12:49:05 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on March 12, 2009, 12:37:12 PM
Tonight!



Are you getting goosebumps yet?

;D

Have a great time!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 12, 2009, 01:06:52 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on February 28, 2009, 11:37:49 AM
NZSO March 13th
Aptly described as a "cathedral of sound"...
Andrew Druckenbrod, Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic.

I believe the Press Release of the NZSO is the only source that has _ever_ described the MAHLER 3rd thus.
If that's a cathedral, it's one right out of "The House on the Haunted Hill (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185371/mediaindex)".  ;D

It's more an orchestral orgasm so powerful, it can't express itself but to add voices to its climax.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 13, 2009, 12:23:00 PM
Tonight at Carnegie Hall...looking forward to the Widmann especially (don't know his work at all) but the rest should be good, too.

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mariss Jansons, Chief Conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano

Jörg Widmann: Con brio (US Premiere
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503 
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 13, 2009, 01:26:04 PM
Quote from: bhodges on March 13, 2009, 12:23:00 PM
Tonight at Carnegie Hall...looking forward to the Widmann especially (don't know his work at all) but the rest should be good, too.

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mariss Jansons, Chief Conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano

Jörg Widmann: Con brio (US Premiere
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503 
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

Yep... the Widmann should be the best piece. Still, I think it's a real shame that it's not coupled with the Beethoven Symphony it was based on.
(Nothing didactic about coupling a work with another for which it was composed to go along with. Any assertion otherwise strikes me as gratuitously asinine.) Aside, Beethoven with Jansons is really, really exciting. Mozart with Jansons is [John Stewartish falsetto voice] booooooooring. Should be a clean sweep with the Tchaik, though.

Salonen, Zemlinsky & Schreker for me, tomorrow.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 13, 2009, 01:58:52 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 13, 2009, 01:26:04 PM
Still, I think it's a real shame that it's not coupled with the Beethoven Symphony it was based on.

Nah, take Ludwig for read.  Don't make the programming too didactic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 13, 2009, 02:01:08 PM
Talked two officemates into buying under-40 tix for tomorrow's concert, so we are a merry fivesome:

Quote
Herbie comes to Boston!

Saturday, 14 March
8:00pm
Symphony Hall

Nielsen, Helios Overture
Mozart, Pf Cto № 18 in B-flat Major, K.456 (Richard Goode)
Brahms, Symphony № 4 in E Minor
Herbert Blomstedt, guest conductor

The Boston Symphony Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on March 13, 2009, 02:27:20 PM
Don't suppose anyone here is going to this next week?

19-3 Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: including world premiere of Van der Aa, Amsterdam
Aanvangstijd: 20:15 Start Time: 20:15
Lokatie: Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, grote zaal Location: The Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Great Hall
Kaarten: Concertgebouw Amsterdam Maps: Concertgebouw Amsterdam
Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Ed Spanjaard- dirigent Ed Spanjaard, conductor
Christianne Stotijn - alt-mezzo Christi Stotijn - alt-mezzo


Alban Berg - Lyrische suite (KCO-première) Alban Berg - Lyric Suite (KCO-premiere)
Michel van der Aa - Spaces of Blank (opdrachtwerk, wereldpremière) Michel van der Aa - Spaces of Blank (commissioned work, world premiere)
Karl Amadeus Hartmann - Zesde symfonie Karl Amadeus Hartmann - Sixth Symphony

Only 4000 miles away, but I'd love to see it.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2009, 09:49:45 AM
Quote from: Sef on March 13, 2009, 02:27:20 PM
Alban Berg - Lyrische suite (KCO-première) Alban Berg - Lyric Suite (KCO-premiere)
Michel van der Aa - Spaces of Blank (opdrachtwerk, wereldpremière) Michel van der Aa - Spaces of Blank (commissioned work, world premiere)
Karl Amadeus Hartmann - Zesde symfonie Karl Amadeus Hartmann - Sixth Symphony

Only 4000 miles away, but I'd love to see it.


Ditto.  (I'm a little surprised that the orchestra hasn't done the Lyric Suite before!)  But yes, what an intriguing concert.  That would be a good one to catch more than once.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on March 14, 2009, 09:53:43 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 14, 2009, 09:49:45 AM
Ditto.  (I'm a little surprised that the orchestra hasn't done the Lyric Suite before!)  But yes, what an intriguing concert.  That would be a good one to catch more than once.

--Bruce
Well they do it again on the 20th if that helps!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2009, 09:56:16 AM
Quote from: Sef on March 14, 2009, 09:53:43 AM
Well they do it again on the 20th if that helps!

;D

Alas, I am already booked to see some concerts here, so I'll have to hear them another weekend.  But I'm itching to get back to Amsterdam, and that particular concert would be one I'd definitely travel to hear.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 13, 2009, 12:23:00 PM
Tonight at Carnegie Hall...looking forward to the Widmann especially (don't know his work at all) but the rest should be good, too.

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mariss Jansons, Chief Conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano

Jörg Widmann: Con brio (US Premiere
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503 
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

--Bruce


This concert was quite good (even if the Mozart was slightly underwhelming). 

The Widmann was fantastic; I'd love to hear it again soon.  The final sentence in the program notes are worth quoting: The timpani part has been colorfully (and sympathetically) described as sounding "like a hamster with unclipped nails locked in the dryer."  The thing is, in addition to being hilarious, that is really quite accurate.  (And no, I've never had a hamster, nor have I thrown any of them into a dryer.)

;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 14, 2009, 11:50:19 AM
Quote from: Sef on March 13, 2009, 02:27:20 PM
Don't suppose anyone here is going to this next week?

19-3 Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra: including world premiere of Van der Aa, Amsterdam
Aanvangstijd: 20:15 Start Time: 20:15
Lokatie: Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, grote zaal Location: The Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Great Hall
Kaarten: Concertgebouw Amsterdam Maps: Concertgebouw Amsterdam
Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Ed Spanjaard- dirigent Ed Spanjaard, conductor
Christianne Stotijn - alt-mezzo Christi Stotijn - alt-mezzo

Alban Berg - Lyrische suite (KCO-première) Alban Berg - Lyric Suite (KCO-premiere)
Michel van der Aa - Spaces of Blank (opdrachtwerk, wereldpremière) Michel van der Aa - Spaces of Blank (commissioned work, world premiere)
Karl Amadeus Hartmann - Zesde symfonie Karl Amadeus Hartmann - Sixth Symphony

Only 4000 miles away, but I'd love to see it.

Only 30 miles away from my home ;), but I'm afraid I won't go. What is the most appealing piece for you? Michel van der Aa is still a rather new name, even for us, here.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 14, 2009, 01:37:05 PM
Quote from: bhodges on March 14, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
This concert was quite good (even if the Mozart was slightly underwhelming). 

The Widmann was fantastic; I'd love to hear it again soon.  The final sentence in the program notes are worth quoting: The timpani part has been colorfully (and sympathetically) described as sounding "like a hamster with unclipped nails locked in the dryer."  The thing is, in addition to being hilarious, that is really quite accurate.  (And no, I've never had a hamster, nor have I thrown any of them into a dryer.)
--Bruce

May I say: "Told 'ya so" ?  ;D

And they seriously quoted my Hamster-description in the program notes? That is hilarious.

I'm afraid that my Zemlinsky/Schoenberg Philharmonia/Salonen concert at the Konzerthaus here was not really that great. More loud than lovely.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on March 15, 2009, 07:07:08 AM
Quote from: Christo on March 14, 2009, 11:50:19 AM
Only 30 miles away from my home ;), but I'm afraid I won't go. What is the most appealing piece for you? Michel van der Aa is still a rather new name, even for us, here.
It would have to be the Hartmann, though the Lyric Suite would be good to hear. The Hartmann in particular is a favorite of mine (especially the sixth, which many consider his best), who is virtually unplayed (and unheard of) in English speaking countries except for the odd performance of his Concerto Funebre. Not likely to see anything like that this side of the pond.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 15, 2009, 07:54:14 AM
Quote from: Sef on March 15, 2009, 07:07:08 AM
It would have to be the Hartmann, though the Lyric Suite would be good to hear. The Hartmann in particular is a favorite of mine (especially the sixth, which many consider his best), who is virtually unplayed (and unheard of) in English speaking countries except for the odd performance of his Concerto Funebre. Not likely to see anything like that this side of the pond.

Reason enough for me to be playing Karl Amadeus Hartmann's Sixth from 1953 at this moment - as I happen to own the Berlin Classics cd with his symphonies nos. 5, 6 and 8. The Sixth is done by the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester under Günther Herbig, in this recording from 1979. I cannot recall I played this one before, so this must be a first listening experience.  ::)

Edit: this one, I mean: (http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/july99/hartmann.jpg)


Well, the Symphony sounds rather austere and indeed 'Central-European', not totally unlike 'our' Matthijs Vermeulen but much more structured. I'll certainly return to it in order to find out what qualities make it Hartmann's best.  Thanks for you info! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on March 15, 2009, 08:34:50 AM
Quote from: Christo on March 15, 2009, 07:54:14 AM
Reason enough for me to be playing Karl Amadeus Hartmann's Sixth from 1953 at this moment - as I happen to own the Berlin Classics cd with his symphonies nos. 5, 6 and 8. The Sixth is done by the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester under Günther Herbig, in this recording from 1979. I cannot recall I played this one before, so this must be a first listening experience.  ::)

Edit: this one, I mean: (http://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/july99/hartmann.jpg)


Well, the Symphony sounds rather austere and indeed 'Central-European', not totally unlike 'our' Matthijs Vermeulen but much more structured. I'll certainly return to it in order to find out what qualities make it Hartmann's best.  Thanks for you info! :)
Straying a little off topic, but my introduction to Hartmann came via the Hartmann composer thread and this CD:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21F0ACW5ERL._SL500_AA130_.jpg)
Described as a "barnstormer" - and I agree.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 15, 2009, 08:56:01 AM
Off topic continuation:


(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QE9VZES7L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Amazon.com  (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00083D4JS/goodmusicguide-20)

If you like Hartmann, I highly recommend the three single discs (available individually?!) that can be found in this box:

...and most importantly a whole series of MUSICA VIVA recordings of the strand of tonal modernism that has been pretty much lost, since:

Karl Amadeus Hartmann's 6th Symphony and two movements of his 4th with Fricsay
(also the fourth movement of Wolfgang Fortner's 4th Symphony)

Boris Blacher's Paganini Variations (LOVE that work) with Fricsay

Karl Holler's Symphonic Fantasie on a Theme by Frescobaldi and Sweelinck Variations for orchestra conducted by Jochum

--------------------
I recently, finally, plugged many of my Hartmann holes when I got me my own set of his symphonies:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RJKEVKV2L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
K.A.Hartmann, Symphonies 1-8, Kubelik (mostly), Wergo (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000025RFU/goodmusicguide-20)

(Which won out, narrowly, over Metzmacher's alternative on EMI.)

If you like this style of music (which I call
Quote"music that would have been"—that is: classical music as it might have developed naturally from the sounds of Stravinsky and Schoenberg, had it not been for World War II to wreak havoc, physically and ideologically, on the modern music scene. A whole style—tonal but angular and craggy—got wiped out in favor of the hard-nosed ideologues of the avant-garde.
, you might find this tiny appreciation of one of the last living composers of that non-school--Harald Genzmer--interesting:
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=495 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=495)


Thread duty:


TODAY:

Konzerthaus, Vienna

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Mitsuko Uchida piano

Schoenberg   Piano Concerto
Mahler   Symphony No. 9

Bruce: How did you like the Shchedrin?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Häuschen on March 15, 2009, 09:23:58 AM
The Mahler/Schoenberg with Uchida and Salonen sounds excellent!  I missed the Vienna Philharmonic w/ Mehta two weeks ago in LA because of my work schedule.

I'm attending the last performance of Das Rheingold at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion today.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 16, 2009, 03:19:38 AM
Quote from: Häuschen on March 15, 2009, 09:23:58 AM
The Mahler/Schoenberg with Uchida and Salonen sounds excellent!  I missed the Vienna Philharmonic w/ Mehta two weeks ago in LA because of my work schedule.

I'm attending the last performance of Das Rheingold at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion today.

Yes... Mahler/Schoenberg was MUCH better than Schoenberg/Zemlinsky. Uchida is marvelous in the Schoenberg Cto. and the Philharmonia was efficient... and the Mahler had moments of absolute excellence. Terrific 3rd and 4th movement. And loud. The Philharmonia, if nothing else, "goes to 11".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2009, 06:46:36 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 15, 2009, 08:56:01 AM
Bruce: How did you like the Shchedrin?

I liked it very much (title: Beethoven's Heiligenstädter Testament), and like the Widmann, would like to hear it again.  The Shchedrin is about 12 minutes long, and has huge, grinding chords--Beethoven-esque but with extra brass--contrasting with light, fast runs in the strings and a few Mahlerian climaxes.  It seemed as sober as the Widmann was playful.  (Both used Beethoven as inspiration.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 16, 2009, 07:16:39 AM
Saturday night's concert, what a treasure it was, for both my wife and I!

Romeo et Juliet - Prokofiev

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2009, 07:19:26 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on March 16, 2009, 07:16:39 AM
Saturday night's concert, what a treasure it was, for both my wife and I!

Romeo et Juliet - Prokofiev

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Royal Winnipeg Ballet

That sounds great.  Years ago I saw the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's staging of The Nutcracker--very stylish and effective.  They are a really terrific company.   

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 16, 2009, 07:20:21 AM
Upcoming concert this Saturday!   :)

Ravel - Mother Goose Suite
Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor *
Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)

*Inon Barnatan - piano

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate - conducting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 16, 2009, 07:22:13 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 16, 2009, 07:19:26 AM
That sounds great.  Years ago I saw the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's staging of The Nutcracker--very stylish and effective.  They are a really terrific company.   

--Bruce

I saw the RWB's staging of The Nutcracker last year as well.  Amazing!   

Did you see them in 'The Big Apple', Bruce?  I know the RWB tours quite a bit?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2009, 07:25:14 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on March 16, 2009, 07:22:13 AM
I saw the RWB's staging of The Nutcracker last year as well.  Amazing!   

Did you see them in 'The Big Apple', Bruce?  I know the RWB tours quite a bit?  :)

Actually I saw them in Winnipeg!  My dad lived there for 4-5 years back in the 1980s, and I visited there a good bit (including several times in the winter, when the temperature was something like -20F).  I always enjoyed the city; my sister and I have talked about making a long weekend trip back sometime. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 16, 2009, 07:28:18 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on March 16, 2009, 07:16:39 AM
Saturday night's concert, what a treasure it was, for both my wife and I!

Romeo et Juliet - Prokofiev

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Ever since I first fell under that piece's spell (in Buffalo in the early '90s), it's been on my short list of desert-island Prokofiev.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 16, 2009, 07:35:12 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 16, 2009, 07:25:14 AM
Actually I saw them in Winnipeg!  My dad lived there for 4-5 years back in the 1980s, and I visited there a good bit (including several times in the winter, when the temperature was something like -20F).  I always enjoyed the city; my sister and I have talked about making a long weekend trip back sometime. 
--Bruce

The summers are a little more...errr....comfortable.  ;D  Actually, our summers are great!  Well Bruce, if you ever decide to pay a visit, I would love to get together for coffee, and perhaps a concert (always a chamber, piano recital or orchestral concert playing  :))

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2009, 07:43:19 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on March 16, 2009, 07:35:12 AM
The summers are a little more...errr....comfortable.  ;D  Actually, our summers are great!  Well Bruce, if you ever decide to pay a visit, I would love to get together for coffee, and perhaps a concert (always a chamber, piano recital or orchestral concert playing  :))



You can be sure I'll give you a ring if/when we get up there, and of course "yes" to concerts!  :D  I have a friend (Pat Spencer, flutist who does a lot of contemporary music) who used to direct a new chamber music series every summer in the Winnipeg Art Gallery.  (Not sure if it's still going on.)

And the summers...the summers...with the super-long daylight hours...fantastic!  I remember being amazed that it was still light at 11:00 p.m.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Eddie Williamson on March 16, 2009, 08:02:17 PM
Saw Martha Argerich on Friday!!  Ravel Concerto in G.  Yannick Nezet-Seguin conducted.  La Valse and Shostakovich 5 also on the bill.  Watch out Dudamel!!

Also, saw Das Rheingold at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.  Killer, I don't care what the reviews at latimes.com say. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MISHUGINA on March 17, 2009, 07:44:52 PM
Review of my two nights with Deutsches Radio Symphonie Orchester Berlin conducted by Ingo Metzmacher. Christian Tetzlaff's Berg still haunts my mind!

http://mishuginaguide.blogspot.com/2009/03/deutsches-radio-symphonie-orchestra.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 18, 2009, 12:39:50 AM
Quote from: KammerNuss on March 16, 2009, 07:35:12 AM
The summers are a little more...errr....comfortable.  ;D  Actually, our summers are great!  Well Bruce, if you ever decide to pay a visit, I would love to get together for coffee, and perhaps a concert (always a chamber, piano recital or orchestral concert playing  :))

Oh, Winnipeg, oh memories. I enjoyed it mostly for "not being Fargo", from which our college-day excursions went. I spent one very rainy day in the Zoo, just me, my college girlfriend, and the free-roaming peacock.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: OzRadio on March 19, 2009, 07:21:31 AM
Late reporting, but the missus and I enjoyed the Academy of Ancient Music's rendition of all the Brandenburg Concertos in Kansas City last Friday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Herman on March 20, 2009, 08:07:38 AM
Alexandre Tharaud, Couperin and Chopin's Preludes at the Concertgebouw tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 20, 2009, 08:08:26 AM
Very nice, Herman!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 20, 2009, 08:09:46 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 18, 2009, 12:39:50 AM
I enjoyed it mostly for "not being Fargo"

Well, just think of all the places you can enjoy, using that as a benchmark!

Perth Amboy, New Jersey, here Jens comes!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 20, 2009, 08:52:33 AM
Off to see/hear Otello now.

Conductor Bertrand de Billy
Production Francesca Zambello
Revival director Nico Trees
Set and Costumes Alison Chitty
Choreography Alphonse Poulin
Lighting Mimi Jordan Sherin
Chorus Andrés Máspero

Otello Johan Botha
Jago Lucio Gallo
Cassio Wookyung Kim
Rodrigo Francesco Petrozzi
Lodovico Christian Van Horn
Montano Christoph Stephinger
Ein Herold Igor Bakan
Desdemona Adrianne Pieczonka
Emilia Enkelejda Shkosa
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on March 20, 2009, 11:54:21 AM
This next Friday  :)

Cho-Liang Lin & the NZSO

BODY Melodies for orchestra
BARBER Violin Concerto
WAGNER arr de VLIEGER Tristan and Isolde: An Orchestral Passion

PIETARI INKINEN Music Director
CHO LIANG LIN Violin

The incomparable Cho-Liang Lin brings one of Barber's most romantic works warmly to life. Written three years after his famous Adagio for Strings, it amply demonstrates Barber's lyrical gifts. Wagner's masterpiece Tristan and Isolde appears in a fascinating new guise in de Vlieger's arrangement.  In seven linked excerpts, the Dutch composer has stripped away the opera's inessentials to focus on the doomed lovers' hearts and minds, with the great second act duet as its core.

Especially looking forward to the Wagner arrangement which I don't imagine you'd see very often.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on March 20, 2009, 08:03:41 PM
Quote from: Herman on March 20, 2009, 08:07:38 AM
Alexandre Tharaud, Couperin and Chopin's Preludes at the Concertgebouw tonight.

I'm jealous !!  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Herman on March 21, 2009, 02:26:32 AM
Interesting. Tharaud uses the score on stage. Obviously he's got the music memorized, but he does have a page turner by his side.

It wasn't my way of looking at the Chopin Preludes, but that's what concerts are for, too. I'm rather suprized Tharaud isn't playing Schumann as yet. He likes to highlight march-like, percussive elements. I got the feeling he would as lief have skipped prelude nr 17, a sort of moment of respite, and marched onwards towards the finale. That was a definite turn off for me. If you play the entire Op 28 you're required to make sense of every single piece.

Next to me was a old lady, a blind pianist, who was so much impressed with this recital she asked me to help her purchase three of Tharaud's discs.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 21, 2009, 03:36:17 AM
Tonight, a mostly Stravinsky program performed by several young musicians from the Curtis Institute:

LUDWIG:         From the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

STRAVINSKY:  Divertimento for Violin and Piano
                 Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo
                 L'Histoire du soldat 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 22, 2009, 08:57:38 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 16, 2009, 07:20:21 AM
Last night!   :)

Ravel - Mother Goose Suite
Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor *
Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)

*Inon Barnatan - piano

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate - conducting


What an absolutely incredible evening of music.  Just another WOW moment in my classical music journey.  I had yet to ever hear Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2, and that was a major highlight of the evening....both the work and the incredible performance left me spellbound, and I gave a rousing standing ovation (along with the rest of the crowd!)  The young Inon Barnatan was just so much fun to watch, what a terrific, electrifying performance!  :)

And the evening capped off with an overwhelming performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel).  Shivers up my arms and the back of my neck from the opening to the intro of the Great Gate of Kiev right to the end.  One of the greatest concerts, and certainly my favorite concert this season!  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 22, 2009, 11:43:16 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on March 20, 2009, 11:54:21 AM
CHO LIANG LIN Violin
Rice Professor Alert!

One of my good friends is a student of Cho-Liang Lin, and, as if that weren't enough, when my mom worked at a bank's marketing department in the 1980s, her boss owned a Stradivarius and a Guarneri which she regularly loaned to the then-20-something Cho-Liang Lin for concert tours.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on March 22, 2009, 12:03:37 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 22, 2009, 11:43:16 AM
Rice Professor Alert!

One of my good friends is a student of Cho-Liang Lin, and, as if that weren't enough, when my mom worked at a bank's marketing department in the 1980s, her boss owned a Stradivarius and a Guarneri which she regularly loaned to the then-20-something Cho-Liang Lin for concert tours.

Brian/Solitary,

Just got the season program for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for the 2009/2010 season, and the season opening concert features Cho-Liang Lin on the violin for the Sibelius Violin Concerto!  Definitely will be one of the concerts I attend for the next season!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 22, 2009, 01:42:45 PM
The Curtis students' performances were terrific, as expected, but what stole last night's show was the unexpected brilliance of Ludwig's new composition, a five part song cycle for mezzo based on the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, using the same orchestration as Stravinsky's Soldier's Tale (percussion, trombone, trumpet, violin, bass, clarinet, bassoon).  This piece, written specifically for this group, deserves a place in the repertoire.  I don't think I've been so pleasantly surprised by such a piece since I first heard Barber's Knoxville.  (Hmmm--come to think of it, Barber was another composer trained at Curtis.)  In trying to learn something more about it, I found a streaming playback of a performance here (http://www.instantencore.com/MusicDetails.aspx?PId=5031034).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on March 22, 2009, 01:47:10 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 22, 2009, 12:03:37 PM
Brian/Solitary,

Just got the season program for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for the 2009/2010 season, and the season opening concert features Cho-Liang Lin on the violin for the Sibelius Violin Concerto!  Definitely will be one of the concerts I attend for the next season!  :)

He last toured here five years ago when he performed Bersteins Serenade with the NZSO.

I quite enjoy Barbers lush Violin concerto, especially the andante, so this should be a treat  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 23, 2009, 04:13:54 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 22, 2009, 08:57:38 AM
What an absolutely incredible evening of music.  Just another WOW moment in my classical music journey.  I had yet to ever hear Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2, and that was a major highlight of the evening....both the work and the incredible performance left me spellbound, and I gave a rousing standing ovation (along with the rest of the crowd!)  The young Inon Barnatan was just so much fun to watch, what a terrific, electrifying performance!  :)

And the evening capped off with an overwhelming performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel).  Shivers up my arms and the back of my neck from the opening to the intro of the Great Gate of Kiev right to the end.  One of the greatest concerts, and certainly my favorite concert this season!  0:)

(* sips hot tea *)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 23, 2009, 04:14:55 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on March 21, 2009, 03:36:17 AM
Tonight, a mostly Stravinsky program performed by several young musicians from the Curtis Institute:

LUDWIG:         From the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

STRAVINSKY:  Divertimento for Violin and Piano
                 Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo
                 L'Histoire du soldat 

How did you like the unaccompanied clarinet pieces, Dave?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 23, 2009, 07:32:31 AM
Not surprised by your interest, Karl.  I even thought of you and Mark during the performance.  To me the pieces seemed flashy, brash, rhythmically playful, and at one point I experienced that occasional amazement at composers like Stravinsky (were there any composers like Stravinsky? Mozart, maybe?) who seem to have grasped the virtuoso challenges and possibilities for a great number of instruments.  Clarinetist Yao Guang Zhai gave a spirited performance and I loved his smooth, dark, full tone.  The site I linked above also includes a sample of his performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on March 24, 2009, 06:47:04 AM
Quote from: OzRadio on March 19, 2009, 07:21:31 AM
Late reporting, but the missus and I enjoyed the Academy of Ancient Music's rendition of all the Brandenburg Concertos in Kansas City last Friday.

I just saw them last night in NYC, and sadly the first half of the concert was not particularly good.  The playing in the first movement of the first concerto (BWV 1046) was very rough!  Not only were some of the instruments noticeably out of tune, but they sounded as if they weren't quite playing together.  Tempo was perhaps a bit too slow with no rhythmic drive so that the first movement seemed like a piece of broken china with the pieces put together but not glued into a stable whole. The horns sounded irrelevant, and lacked punch.  The rest of the concerto was on a level that I would term just competent, which is not what one expects from the Academy of Ancient Music.  I was only surprised that Egarr didn't stop the performance after the first 3 or 4 minutes and start over.

They warmed up a bit more in the 6th (BWV 1051) which was next, but they really didn't turn in a more than decent performance until they did the 2nd concerto (BWV 1047) thanks to the trumpet soloist who came out and did brilliantly, inspiring his fellow musicians to get their act together.  After the intermission, the rest (concertos 5,3,4) proceeded as it should have from the beginning.  Unfortunately, even at its best, last night's concert has not inspired me to run out and purchase their new recording of the concertos. 

I understand that anyone and any group can have an "off" night.  Sometimes despite best intentions, nothing seems to go right and a performance just doesn't jell.  This was clearly one of those nights.  Recalling last years concert which was delightful, I was very disappointed.  At the end, the musicians filed off the stage very quickly, barely waiting to take bows.  I suspect that the musicians knew that they hadn't put in their top work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 24, 2009, 07:24:59 AM
My review from the Philharmonia in Vienna.

(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/city-of-dreams.jpg)

Vienna, that city of bygone imperial allure, more louche than glamorous, hosted London's Philharmonia Orchestra under their new music director Esa-Pekka Salonen in two concerts of Ur-Viennese repertoire. Part of a series entitled "Vienna, City of Dreams", the orchestra has embarked on exploring and explaining repertoire that is quintessential for Vienna around the turn of the last century, the Vienna of the Secession, the Vienna that the Second Viennese School was borne out of, the Vienna of Freud and Jung (hence "Dreams"), Gustav Klimt, Oskar Kokoschka and Karl Kraus, Mahler and Schoenberg...

--> http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=514 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=514)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 24, 2009, 10:12:55 AM
Coming up this Saturday, a visit from the Estonian National Symphony with Joyce Yang:

Pärt: Summa
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43

Don't see how this can help but be fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 24, 2009, 10:21:15 AM
Great program, Dave!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 24, 2009, 11:28:25 AM
It appeals to us, all right!  Near the end of the season we'll catch a near-doppelganger when MTT/SFS premieres a new piece by the young composer, Mason Bates, followed by Sibelius's 4th and Prokofiev's 2nd PC (with Yuja Wang).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 24, 2009, 11:35:20 AM
Our program this Saturday is:

Ravel, Ma mère l'oye
Prokofiev, Vn Cto № 2 in G Minor, Opus 63
Stravinsky, Petrushka

Lisa Batiashvili, vn
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, guest conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 24, 2009, 11:58:07 AM
Another great program, Karl!  I'll be interested to hear your opinion of the soloist, especially in what I know is a favorite of us both. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 25, 2009, 06:08:35 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on March 24, 2009, 10:12:55 AM
Coming up this Saturday, a visit from the Estonian National Symphony with Joyce Yang:

Pärt: Summa
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43

Don't see how this can help but be fun.

Quote from: DavidRoss on March 24, 2009, 11:28:25 AM
It appeals to us, all right!  Near the end of the season we'll catch a near-doppelganger when MTT/SFS premieres a new piece by the young composer, Mason Bates, followed by Sibelius's 4th and Prokofiev's 2nd PC (with Yuja Wang).

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on March 24, 2009, 11:35:20 AM
Our program this Saturday is:

Ravel, Ma mère l'oye
Prokofiev, Vn Cto № 2 in G Minor, Opus 63
Stravinsky, Petrushka

Lisa Batiashvili, vn
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, guest conductor


Some great evenings ahead, gents!  David, a couple of months ago I got acquainted with Mason Bates's String Band, which he wrote for the Claremont Trio.  Here's what Bob Briggs says about it on MusicWeb:

"Mason Bates's String Band contains some good 'ole fiddling which becomes more sophisticated and turns into a very serious, and unusual, middle section, which, although it seems to have dropped in from another piece, is actually a very clever continuation of the opening music. The fiddling returns and the work ends somewhat enigmatically. This work is a real winner but it's not easy to grasp first time round, but after a few hearings you'll start to follow Bates's argument."

And Karl, that's a made-to-order program for Dutoit, definitely playing to his strengths.

Tomorrow night I'm hearing this concert by the group Either/Or.  Their performance last year of the two Lachenmann pieces got my vote for "Best Concert of 2008."

Richard Carrick: "á cause de soleil"-Flow Cycle String Trio Part 1 (2009, world premiere)
Chaya Czernowin: Sahaf (Drift) for electric guitar, piano, percussion, and saxophone (revised version, 2008)
Elizabeth Hoffman: Pathological Curves (2009, world premiere)
Helmut Lachenmann: String Quartet #3, GRIDO (2001/2)
Helmut Lachenmann: Salut für Caudwell for two guitarists (1977)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 25, 2009, 06:16:36 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 25, 2009, 06:08:35 AMTomorrow night I'm hearing this concert by the group Either/Or.  Their performance last year of the two Lachenmann pieces got my vote for "Best Concert of 2008."

Richard Carrick: "á cause de soleil"-Flow Cycle String Trio Part 1 (2009, world premiere)
Chaya Czernowin: Sahaf (Drift) for electric guitar, piano, percussion, and saxophone (revised version, 2008)
Elizabeth Hoffman: Pathological Curves (2009, world premiere)
Helmut Lachenmann: String Quartet #3, GRIDO (2001/2)
Helmut Lachenmann: Salut für Caudwell for two guitarists (1977)

What?!  Don't you know that the concert-going public isn't interested in anything other than a handful of 19th Century warhorses?  Sounds like a great evening ahead, Bruce--hope you enjoy it as much as last year's.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 25, 2009, 06:28:31 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on March 25, 2009, 06:16:36 AM
What?!  Don't you know that the concert-going public isn't interested in anything other than a handful of 19th Century warhorses?  Sounds like a great evening ahead, Bruce--hope you enjoy it as much as last year's.

;D  ;D  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 27, 2009, 01:46:55 PM
Tonight, Australian pianist Lisa Moore (http://www.lisamoore.org/), "New York's queen of avant-garde piano," in a program of Sam Adams, John Adams, Martin Bresnick, Janáček, Debussy and Halim El-Dabh.

The venue is interesting: Klavierhaus (http://klavierhaus.com/), a piano showroom, with seating limited to only 50 people.  I love the intimacy of settings like this.

--Bruce 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Gabriel on March 27, 2009, 04:07:42 PM
Concerts I have attended recently:

Schönberg: Violin concerto, Pelléas et Melisande. Hahn/Eötvös/Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Lélio. Muti/Depardieu/Orchestre National de France.

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro. Minkowski/Les musiciens du Louvre/Priante/Peretyatko/Spagnoli/Kovalevska/Bonitatibus.

Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, excerpts from Romeo and Juliet. Sokhiev/Diadkova/Orchestre National du Capitole du Toulouse.

Mozart: Opera arias. Damrau/Rhorer/Le cercle de l'Harmonie.


Soon:

Wagner: Die Feen. Minkowski/Les musiciens du Louvre.

J. S. Bach: Matthäuspassion. Malgoire/La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy/Agnew/Pasichnyk.

Schumann, Beethoven, Debussy, Chopin. Ivan Moravec.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on March 28, 2009, 09:15:19 AM
 
Very much looking forward to these concerts. Alot of Beethoven with some of my favourite pianists.

Friday april 17:
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
Bach: Toccata in E minor, BWV 914
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 13 in E flat major Op 27 No 1
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor Op 27 No 2 'Moonlight'
Schumann: Kinderszenen op.15
Chopin: Waltz in D Flat Major, Op. 70, No. 3
Chopin: Waltz Op.42
Chopin: Ballade No 3 in Ab major Op 47

Friday may 8:
Radu Lupu, piano
Ludwig van Beethoven:
Sonate Nr. 10 G-Dur op. 14 Nr. 2
Sonate Nr. 9 E-Dur op. 14 Nr. 1
Sonate Nr. 8 c-Moll op. 13 »Pathétique«
Franz Schubert:
Sonate Nr. 21 B-Dur D 960

Saturday may 9:
Berliner Philharmoniker/Kirill Petrenko
Lars Vogt, piano
Ludwig van Beethoven
Klavierkonzert Nr. 3 c-Moll op. 37
Edward Elgar
Symphonie Nr. 2 Es-Dur op. 63



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on March 30, 2009, 06:03:24 AM
The seasonal listening begins :):

Dunedin Consort

Bach's Matthew Passion
Director - John Butt, Evangelist - Nicholas Mulroy, Christus - Peter Kooij
Choristers of St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh

Sounds like it's not OVPP this year, given the participation of the Choristers. John Butt seems to like to tweak things a bit every year. The Dunedin Matthew Passion is an Easter staple here, and I've heard it done with a couple of female ripieno singers, as well as with a handful of children.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2009, 08:31:23 AM
This Saturday night at Carnegie, another fascinating program from David Robertson and St. Louis.  I like that the two soloists each have their own turn, then join to perform together in the Saariaho.

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
David Robertson, Music Director and Conductor
Karita Mattila, Soprano
Anssi Karttunen, Cello

Wagner: "Good Friday Music" from Parsifal  
Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Canto di speranza for Cello and Orchestra
Sibelius: Luonnotar, Op. 70 
Kaija Saariaho: Mirage for Soprano, Cello, and Orchestra (NY Premiere
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 82 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on April 01, 2009, 09:15:56 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 01, 2009, 08:31:23 AM
This Saturday night at Carnegie, another fascinating program from David Robertson and St. Louis.  I like that the two soloists each have their own turn, then join to perform together in the Saariaho.

Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
David Robertson, Music Director and Conductor
Karita Mattila, Soprano
Anssi Karttunen, Cello

Wagner: "Good Friday Music" from Parsifal  
Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Canto di speranza for Cello and Orchestra
Sibelius: Luonnotar, Op. 70 
Kaija Saariaho: Mirage for Soprano, Cello, and Orchestra (NY Premiere
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 82 
Mattila singing Luonnotar, then the new Saariaho piece, and followed by the Fifth!  Sounds like a real treat, Bruce...I'm envious.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on April 02, 2009, 06:03:24 AM
This one (http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/03/31/stories/2009033150050100.htm).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 03, 2009, 09:27:08 AM
Tonight!

RAVEL | Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No 2
CASTELLANOS | Santa Cruz de Pacairigua
TCHAIKOVSKY | Symphony No 4

Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 03, 2009, 09:34:40 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 03, 2009, 09:27:08 AM
Tonight!

RAVEL | Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No 2
CASTELLANOS | Santa Cruz de Pacairigua
TCHAIKOVSKY | Symphony No 4

Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel


His Tchaik 4 with the Israel Philharmonic last December was one of the most exciting performances of that piece I've heard in years.  You are in for a great treat tonight. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 03, 2009, 10:35:06 AM
Tonight, the third night of the MATA Festival, celebrating music of young composers.  First half of the program is the NOW Ensemble (new to me), with Bing and Ruth (ditto) on the second half.  If nothing else, some cool titles!

NOW Ensemble
Jascha Narveson: Nice Boots [2008]
Patrick Burke: Hypno-germ [2006]
Greg Spears: Quiet Songs [2006]
David Crowell: sCrAmBLe SuIt [2007]
Missy Mazzoli: Magic With Everyday Objects [2007]

INTERMISSION

Bing and Ruth
Music by composer/leader David Moore
Put Your Weight Into It [2007]
City Lake/Tu Sei Uwe [2009] 2009 MATA commission
Rails [2008]
Broad Channel [2005]
In This Ruined House [2008]
...and then it rained [2007]
Little Line in a Round Face [2009]

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on April 04, 2009, 06:24:13 AM
Quote from: Novi on March 30, 2009, 06:03:24 AM
The seasonal listening begins :):

Dunedin Consort

Bach's Matthew Passion
Director - John Butt, Evangelist - Nicholas Mulroy, Christus - Peter Kooij
Choristers of St Mary's Cathedral
St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh

Sounds like it's not OVPP this year, given the participation of the Choristers. John Butt seems to like to tweak things a bit every year. The Dunedin Matthew Passion is an Easter staple here, and I've heard it done with a couple of female ripieno singers, as well as with a handful of children.

Well, turns out it was OVPP after all – ripieno choristers :).

The Matthew Passion is one of my favourites and the yearly performance is becoming quite a tradition, although the first I've been to at this venue. The acoustics of St Mary's weren't as bad as its cavernous space would suggest. Some of the faster segments (and some were pretty fast) lost a bit of clarity, but overall, it wasn't bad. I did, however, freeze my butt off, which made for quite an appropriate sense of Lenten deprivation :P.

Peter Kooij had an understated gravitas as Christus, although he seemed to have his head buried in the score or eyes glued to John Butt for much of the piece. I should add that this didn't really affect his performance or projection as such, but it seemed strange that even a line as important as 'Eli, Eli, lama asabthani?' was sung without looking up at all. This was all the more noticeable in comparison to Nicholas Mulroy's Evangelist. Mulroy has a great sense of the dramatic progression of the narrative and does a wonderful job of delivering the story to the audience.

I like Susan Hamilton's voice; there's a kind of freedom to her approach that mightn't suit a more reverential take on Bach but works well here. I suspect it's largely a matter of taste, as last year I almost came to blows with the chap next to me who hated her voice. He hated OVPP as well. For that matter, he wasn't particularly fond of HIP interpretations anyway, which left me wondering why he was at a Dunedin Consort gig in the first place ???.

The only weak point I felt was the soprano in the second chorus. She didn't blend quite so well and a couple of times was just a little ahead of the beat in her entries such that the chorus seemed a little ragged. Minor quibbles though.

One thing I gather the naysayers object to is the perceived lack of weight, say, in the crowd scenes. I don't have a problem with this; the four person chorus packs greater weight relative to the solo parts. What struck me for the first time the other night was that it seemed a little odd to have no separation between the solo part and his role in the chorus. So, for instance, the Evangelist finishes declaiming and jumps straight into the chorus. It would be good to hear another take on the piece one day, although it seems to me that OVPP is the performance mode du jour for straightened times: no choir, dispense with chorus master, save on part hire ...  :D



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 06, 2009, 03:19:15 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 03, 2009, 09:27:08 AM
Tonight!

RAVEL | Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No 2
CASTELLANOS | Santa Cruz de Pacairigua
TCHAIKOVSKY | Symphony No 4

Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel


Brian, I'm curious - how was the concert with your friends?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 06, 2009, 04:20:22 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 22, 2009, 08:57:38 AM
What an absolutely incredible evening of music.  Just another WOW moment in my classical music journey.  I had yet to ever hear Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2, and that was a major highlight of the evening....both the work and the incredible performance left me spellbound, and I gave a rousing standing ovation (along with the rest of the crowd!)  The young Inon Barnatan was just so much fun to watch, what a terrific, electrifying performance!  :)

And the evening capped off with an overwhelming performance of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel).  Shivers up my arms and the back of my neck from the opening to the intro of the Great Gate of Kiev right to the end.  One of the greatest concerts, and certainly my favorite concert this season!  0:)

Kammer-Nuss, I see you haven't gotten much response here - and that's ok, IMO it's mainly a thread where you expand on why (oh, why?) we are expending ridiculous sums to hear particular concerts. I myself am all excited about the new Montreal SO season, although posting the contents here would probably not raise more than a quarter of an eyebrow in terms of interest.

The concert you attended was perfectly gauged, and programmed with much savoir-faire. You didn't mention the Ravel Mother Goose opener, but as you go along in this life (if you keep on listening to classical music - an addictive habit), you'll find this to be a  piece you still want to hear 50 years hence (assuming you're under 30). One of the most magical works of music ever written, and one of Ravel's imperishable masterpieces (along with the PCs, Daphnis, the Quartet and Trio). Saint-Saëns' second PC is an incredible barnstormer of a piece, where the composer devilishly keeps his poise and classical mien, fully expecting the listener to ridiculously jump up and down at the end - what a piece!! And of course, Mussorgsky's Ravel orchestrated masterpiece is the ultimate orchestral showstopper - and, something Ravel understood uncanningly - the epitome of instrumental showstopper. A good conductor will hold the massed forces and individual solos/section in perfect balance, and keep an iron-fisted rythmic underpinning to bring the work to its exhilarating close.

Look for that kind of program: it has all the ingredients to a totally satisfying evening. Later on, you will make up your choices based on your preferences. But you will always remember those evenings at the symphony where you're all giddy at the end. Before it becomes an intellectual/aesthetic quest, music is about the senses, and the muses.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 06, 2009, 05:04:15 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on April 06, 2009, 04:20:22 PM
I myself am all excited about the new Montreal SO season, although posting the contents here would probably not raise more than a quarter of an eyebrow in terms of interest.

I will have to go look at the OSM website, Lilas.  The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's new 2009/2010 season was also unveiled.  A good series of concerts, but nothing that I'm extraordinarily excited about, compared to the past three years (I'm still waiting for Bruckner  :().  I am extremely happy to hear that our young, very talented and enthusiastic conductor, Alexander Mickelthwate, has signed on for another three years!  :)

Of note Lilas, Kent Nagano and the OSM is performing a concert in Winnipeg at the end of January 2010, part of their 2010 Canadian Tour.   :)The concert will include Weber's 'Oberon Overture', Beethoven's 'Piano Concerto No. 1' (Till Fellner of Austria as soloist) and Stravinsky's 'Firebird'.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 06, 2009, 05:36:44 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 06, 2009, 05:04:15 PM
I will have to go look at the OSM website, Lilas.  The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's new 2009/2010 season was also unveiled.  A good series of concerts, but nothing that I'm extraordinarily excited about, compared to the past three years (I'm still waiting for Bruckner  :().  I am extremely happy to hear that our young, very talented and enthusiastic conductor, Alexander Mickelthwate, has signed on for another three years!  :)

Of note Lilas, Kent Nagano and the OSM is performing a concert in Winnipeg at the end of January 2010, part of their 2010 Canadian Tour.   :)The concert will include Weber's 'Oberon Overture', Beethoven's 'Piano Concerto No. 1' (Till Fellner of Austria as soloist) and Stravinsky's 'Firebird'.

I'm pretty sure the OSM's concerts will be broadcast by the CBC. But it's not the same as being there when it happens (just like you  experienced in that Ravel etc concert). One of my most cherished concerts was with the OSM under Aldo Ceccato (very little-known conductor) playing Tchaikovsky's second symphony, with Radu Lupu as soloist in the Grieg concerto. Yawn stuff for the jaded concert listener, but even the newbie I was could testify it was a high voltage, high-artistry content program.

I haen't heard of of  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_MickelthwatelAlexander%20Mickelthwate) before. I suspect he'll be on the canadian concert schedule for the next few year, and I'll make sure I go out and hear what all the fuss is about! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on April 06, 2009, 07:33:17 PM
Previn Plays and Conducts
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24
Strauss: Sinfonia Domestica
Philadelphia Orchestra
Andre Previn
Verizon Hall

Heard this concert on Saturday, and I was very grateful for the chance to see Andre Previn play and conduct the Mozart concerto. He slowly made his way to the piano, but when he sat down, he was in full command of the assembled forces. And he certainly can play too - I really enjoyed the first movement cadenza a lot. The audience approved as well. After intermission, he returned to the podium aided by a silver headed walking stick, and then concertmaster David Kim. There was noticeable quieting in the applause as Previn stepped onto the podium, but once he'd made it, the applause resounded through the hall. He sat down, and commenced with a very good (to my ears) performance of the Strauss. About the only negative in the performance was a somewhat ragged entrance by the horns, but that's a niggling negative in the context of all the excellent music making.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 07, 2009, 02:19:31 PM
Tonight, this free concert by Klangforum Wien, at the Austrian Cultural Forum.  The venue is small: the concert hall seats roughly 70 people, which includes a small balcony!

Enno Poppe: Trauben
György Kurtág: Pilinszky János
Clemens Nachtmann: Moto non perpetuo
Michael Jarrell: Assonance III
Saed Haddad: Le Contredesir
Hanspeter Kyburz: Danse aveugle

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 09, 2009, 08:46:01 AM
Saturday, this program conducted by BSO Assistant Conductor, Shi-Yeon Sung:

Sibelius, The Bard
Grieg, Pf Cto (Nelson Freire)
Copland, Suite from Appalachian Spring
Bartók, Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on April 09, 2009, 09:26:06 AM
Not quite a concert, but I am looking forward to attending a workshop held by Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra on Saturday at which my daughter is playing! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 09, 2009, 09:38:03 AM
Quote from: Sef on April 09, 2009, 09:26:06 AM
Not quite a concert, but I am looking forward to attending a workshop held by Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra on Saturday at which my daughter is playing! :)

How great!  Do let us know how it goes!  Is it perhaps a lecture-demonstration, with the orchestra playing something? 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 09, 2009, 09:38:32 AM
Very nice, Sef!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on April 09, 2009, 09:50:37 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 09, 2009, 09:38:03 AM
How great!  Do let us know how it goes!  Is it perhaps a lecture-demonstration, with the orchestra playing something? 

--Bruce
I will report on it for sure. It's a closed workshop in the morning, then open to the public for a couple of hours in the afternoon. As I understand it there are a collection of various young Chicago Orchestra players pulled together to play with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra under Dudamel himself - pretty cool I'd say! They (the Chicago players) have been rehearsing for the last few weeks, and I believe that they are playing the final movement of Mahler 1 (which I saw Dudamel conduct a couple of years ago with the CSO), and the Candide Overture. Don't know whether it will be possible or not, but I'll be taking my camera just in case I can get a personal shot!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on April 11, 2009, 04:08:03 PM
8.00pm Thursday 16th April, Auckland Town Hall THE EDGE®

APO Thursday 16th April

Conductor: Oleg Caetani
Cello: Torleif Thedéen

WEBERN: Six pieces Op. 6
HAYDN: Cello Concerto No 1 in C
Interval
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

Brahms took almost 30 years to write his first symphony, feeling he had to live up to the legacy of Beethoven. When it was finally performed, however, Brahms was acclaimed as his true successor and Oleg Caetani's interpretation of Brahms' music is authoritative and inspiring. One of Auckland's favourite visitors, Torleif Thedéen, returns to perform Haydn's first cello concerto, a piece full of joy and elegance.

First APO concert for the year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on April 12, 2009, 07:40:24 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 09, 2009, 09:38:03 AM
How great!  Do let us know how it goes!  Is it perhaps a lecture-demonstration, with the orchestra playing something? 

--Bruce
Well it actually ended up being a concert. The closed workshop in the morning was very enjoyable by all accounts. My daughter compared Gustavo as a cross between her annoyingly enthusiastic music teacher and her "close attention to detail" Orchestra conductor. The afternoon had the 162 member orchestra perform Bernstein's Candide and the final movement of Mahler's first symphony. The Bernstein was played at a pace slightly faster than I have heard youth orchestras play it in the past, close to the CSO version I have on CD. Fairly precise (at least as far as a 162 player orchestra made up of 7 or 8 different organizations would allow) after one 40 minute rehearsal. The Mahler was a bit rough at the edges, but it was more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra. Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, and even managed to keep my 9 year old engaged in the audience. Gustavo didn't talk much (his English is still not perfect by any stretch), but he bounced around on the podium as energetically as ever. Certainly an experience not be missed. I have attached a photo - not the best I took, but one I could crop to remove identification of orchestra members. Can never be too careful.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 12, 2009, 08:11:09 AM
Quote from: Sef on April 12, 2009, 07:40:24 AMGustavo didn't talk much (his English is still not perfect by any stretch),
Indeed, when I saw him in Houston on the 3rd he spoke only in Spanish. I translated for my friends...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on April 13, 2009, 07:21:45 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 12, 2009, 08:11:09 AM
Indeed, when I saw him in Houston on the 3rd he spoke only in Spanish. I translated for my friends...
Then I guess he should be congratulated for even attempting to communicate with the audience in English.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on April 14, 2009, 12:05:23 PM
He spoke English reasonably well when profiled last year by 60 Minutes (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/02/17/60minutes/main3841251.shtml)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 14, 2009, 01:23:15 PM
Quote from: Sef on April 12, 2009, 07:40:24 AM
Well it actually ended up being a concert. The closed workshop in the morning was very enjoyable by all accounts. My daughter compared Gustavo as a cross between her annoyingly enthusiastic music teacher and her "close attention to detail" Orchestra conductor. The afternoon had the 162 member orchestra perform Bernstein's Candide and the final movement of Mahler's first symphony. The Bernstein was played at a pace slightly faster than I have heard youth orchestras play it in the past, close to the CSO version I have on CD. Fairly precise (at least as far as a 162 player orchestra made up of 7 or 8 different organizations would allow) after one 40 minute rehearsal. The Mahler was a bit rough at the edges, but it was more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra. Everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, and even managed to keep my 9 year old engaged in the audience. Gustavo didn't talk much (his English is still not perfect by any stretch), but he bounced around on the podium as energetically as ever. Certainly an experience not be missed. I have attached a photo - not the best I took, but one I could crop to remove identification of orchestra members. Can never be too careful.

Thanks for that fine account, and I note (and agree with), "more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra."  One of the things Dudamel demonstrates is that, while technical perfection is certainly desirable and a worthwhile goal, it is not the sole criterion of a musically satisfying performance.  I think what he has accomplished--and is doing--with his Venezuelans is remarkable. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on April 14, 2009, 01:53:27 PM
Quote from: bhodges on April 14, 2009, 01:23:15 PM
Thanks for that fine account, and I note (and agree with), "more than made up for by the sheer size and the enthusiasm of the orchestra."  One of the things Dudamel demonstrates is that, while technical perfection is certainly desirable and a worthwhile goal, it is not the sole criterion of a musically satisfying performance.  I think what he has accomplished--and is doing--with his Venezuelans is remarkable. 

--Bruce
... and you know, it's impossible to give an accurate and objective account of any youth orchestra performance. There was a comment in a Chicago newspaper that said a professional orchestra would be proud of that performance at the weekend. I wouldn't go that far, especially since my local professional orchestra is the CSO, but since most peoples perception of a youth orchestra is teenagers sawing through some popular classics it stands to exaggerate was was most definitely a very good performance full of energy.

I would even hazard to guess that the vast majority of the public (excluding the good members of this forum of course) would be unable to determine that a particular performance was by a youth orchestra (well the good ones anyway). This is why I am looking forward to this CYSO concert as a prelude to their South American tour:

Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 7:30 pm   
Allen Tinkham, Conductor 
Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center
220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Tickets: $15-$50, Children 7 and under free
For more information, call: 312-939-2207 x31
Works by Strauss, Higdon, Dvorak

.... and of course I take into consideration my bias as a proud parent of one current, one ex, and one future member!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 14, 2009, 11:24:31 PM
Quote from: Sef on April 14, 2009, 01:53:27 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2009 at 7:30 pm   
Allen Tinkham, Conductor 
Orchestra Hall, Symphony Center
220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Tickets: $15-$50, Children 7 and under free
For more information, call: 312-939-2207 x31
Works by Strauss, Higdon, Dvorak

You mean children under 7 are allowed in a concert hall?  :o Gosh, I hate that. Just imagine that right in the middle of an Adagio one or more of these fellows start crying, screaming or asking their parents stupid questions --- wittnessed that more than once and it's awful, awful, awful...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on April 15, 2009, 08:04:09 AM
Quote from: Florestan on April 14, 2009, 11:24:31 PM
You mean children under 7 are allowed in a concert hall?  :o Gosh, I hate that. Just imagine that right in the middle of an Adagio one or more of these fellows start crying, screaming or asking their parents stupid questions --- wittnessed that more than once and it's awful, awful, awful...
This whole thread could get derailed if I start on this one...... but to keep it brief, yes, I've seen it happen too, though to be honest not at Orchestra Hall - maybe the families of talented performers have the right kind of 7 year olds -  :) But then again, I don't think I've been to a professional concert (ever) when I haven't been annoyed by adults whispering, fidgeting, coughing, kicking the back of my chair, conducting (yes!). All of that - in Orchestra Hall!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on April 15, 2009, 10:27:19 AM
Looking forward to May: Mahler's symphonies in order in Carnegie Hall, where he actually conducted!  Perhaps his ghost will join us. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 15, 2009, 01:16:36 PM
Quote from: Bunny on April 15, 2009, 10:27:19 AM
Looking forward to May: Mahler's symphonies in order in Carnegie Hall, where he actually conducted!  Perhaps his ghost will join us. :D

I am going to that cycle, too.  It should be a fascinating experience. 

But tonight at Carnegie, yes, it's the:

YouTube Symphony Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, Artistic Advisor and Conductor
Mason Bates, Composer and DJ
Measha Brueggergosman, Soprano
Joshua Roman, Cello
Gil Shaham, Violin
Yuja Wang, Piano
Students from Lang Lang's International FoundationAnna Larsen, Piano
Charlie Liu, Piano
Derek Wang, Piano

The YouTube Symphony Orchestra's show features soloists, chamber groups, chamber orchestra, large orchestra, electronica and multi-media, and samples diverse periods and styles of classical music, including works by Gabrieli, Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Villa-Lobos, John Cage and Tan Dun's Internet Symphony No. 1 "Eroica." 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 16, 2009, 02:47:41 AM
Quote from: Sef on April 15, 2009, 08:04:09 AM
But then again, I don't think I've been to a professional concert (ever) when I haven't been annoyed by adults whispering, fidgeting, coughing, kicking the back of my chair, conducting (yes!). All of that - in Orchestra Hall!

That happened to me as well, not always in concert halls but always in the opera house. :)

Once I was attending Le Nozze di Figaro sitting on the edge seat of a row when, after 15 minutes into it, all of a sudden a kid appeared near me and started "screaming in whisper" or "whispering in scream" to someone seated in the middle of the row: "Papa, papa, give me the car keys, mom's just arrived!". And the keys were passed from hand to hand to the kid who took them and disappeared in the dark.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on April 18, 2009, 12:26:16 PM
Smetana's Má Vlast

April 30th, Bohemian National Hall, NYC

"The Aaron Copland School of Music Orchestra under the direction of Maurice Peress presents a rare performance of Bedrich Smetana's Má Vlast (My Country).

"Smetana, 'the father of Czechish music,' set out to create a body of works that celebrated the natural landscapes, history, native language, as well as the folk legends of Bohemia and Moravia and the people's struggle for independence. In 1874, just as he was becoming deaf, Smetana began work on what would become a monumental cycle of six symphonic poems; Vyšehrad  Vltava, Šárka, Z ceských luhu a háju (From Bohemian Woods and Groves), Tábor and Blaník.  Heard as a whole for the first time in 1882, Má Vlast was immediately acclaimed by the native musical public as representative of Czech National style. Smetana dedicated the cycle to the city of Prague where Maestro Peress had the honor of conducting the work with the Brno Orchestra." dvoraknyc.org

(http://www.karadar.com/Jpg/Smetana_image_01.jpg)
karadar.com

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on April 19, 2009, 04:55:07 AM
Moeran's Symphony: Proms 2009
Miaskovsky Symphony No 6: (Festival Hall, London, 2010)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 22, 2009, 08:36:30 AM
This Friday at Carnegie Hall, and I don't think I've ever seen this piece done by such a huge group of people!

Terry Riley: In C 

"Specially curated by the Kronos Quartet for the 45th anniversary of the premiere of In C, a one-time-only gathering of musicians will perform the work in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage for the first time.

"Featuring Kronos, Terry Riley, and original In C performers Stuart Dempster, Jon Gibson, Katrina Krimsky, and Morton Subotnick. 

"Plus Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan, Sidney Chen, Dennis Russell Davies, Loren Kiyoshi Dempster, Bryce Dessner, Dave Douglas, Trevor Dunn, Jacob Garchik, Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, Michael Harrison, Michael Hearst, Scott Johnson, Joan La Barbara, Saskia Lane, Alfred Shabda Owens, Elena Moon Park, Lenny Pickett, Gyan Riley, Aaron Shaw, Judith Sherman, Mark Stewart, Kathleen Supové, Margaret Leng Tan, Jeanne Velonis, Wu Man, Yang Yi, Dan Zanes, and Evan Ziporyn. 

"Also with Koto Vortex, Quartet New Generation, So Percussion, members of the GVSU New Music Ensemble, and members of the Young People's Chorus of New York City."


--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on April 22, 2009, 07:33:42 PM
This Friday, the Chicago Chamber Musicians at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Virginia:

Trio in B-flat Major, D. 471, Schubert
Horn Quintet in E-flat Major, K. 407, Mozart
Octet in F Major, Op. 166 D. 803, Schubert

Especially the Octet!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 22, 2009, 07:35:13 PM
Quote from: bhodges on April 22, 2009, 08:36:30 AMmembers of the GVSU New Music Ensemble,
Their Reich CD of the Music for 18 Musicians is nothing short of heroic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 23, 2009, 11:21:15 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 22, 2009, 07:35:13 PM
Their Reich CD of the Music for 18 Musicians is nothing short of heroic.

I *still* have not heard this, and would like to!  Everyone seems to love it, and since I do like the piece...

Saturday night, very much looking forward to this concert, especially the Grisey.

Ensemble ACJW
Matthias Pintscher, Conductor
Katherine Whyte, Soprano
Cecelia Hall, Mezzo-Soprano

Webern: Six Pieces, Op. 6 
Ravel: Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé 
Grisey: Partiels  
Berg (arr. de Leeuw): Seven Early Songs 
Pintscher: Choc (Monumento IV)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 24, 2009, 09:55:19 AM
And next week, check out this program by the Talea Ensemble (http://www.taleaensemble.org/Talea_Ensemble.html), a group new to me:

Fausto Romitelli: Domeniche alla perferia dell'impero ** (1996, 2000) for flute, clarinet, violin and cello
Brian Ferneyhough: Unity Capsule (1973-76) for flute
Bernard Rands: Scherzi (1974) for clarinet, violin, cello and piano
Perluigi Billone: Mani "De Leonardis" ** (2004) for automobile springs and glass  ;D
Philippe Hurel: Per Luigi (1994) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano

** US premiere

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 25, 2009, 07:11:23 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 24, 2009, 09:55:19 AM
Perluigi Billone: Mani "De Leonardis" ** (2004) for automobile springs and glass  ;D
--Bruce

Bruce, try to find out the brand of auto springs. I want to know if they used foreign or domestic. Are they supporting our troubled auto industry?  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on April 25, 2009, 09:39:23 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 24, 2009, 09:55:19 AM
And next week, check out this program by the Talea Ensemble (http://www.taleaensemble.org/Talea_Ensemble.html), a group new to me:

Fausto Romitelli: Domeniche alla perferia dell'impero ** (1996, 2000) for flute, clarinet, violin and cello
Brian Ferneyhough: Unity Capsule (1973-76) for flute
Bernard Rands: Scherzi (1974) for clarinet, violin, cello and piano
Perluigi Billone: Mani "De Leonardis" ** (2004) for automobile springs and glass  ;D
Philippe Hurel: Per Luigi (1994) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano



** US premiere

--Bruce

It looks like an interesting program.  Will you give us a review?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 25, 2009, 02:38:22 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 25, 2009, 07:11:23 AM
Bruce, try to find out the brand of auto springs. I want to know if they used foreign or domestic. Are they supporting our troubled auto industry?  ;D

Sarge

;D  Happy to inquire (and I bet the performer, Alex Lipowski, would probably give you an answer).  ;D

Quote from: secondwind on April 25, 2009, 09:39:23 AM
It looks like an interesting program.  Will you give us a review?

Sure!  I'm planning to write it up...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on April 26, 2009, 11:47:13 AM
I am not looking forward to it, but I just attended a concert by the RSNO, with the younger of the Järvi brothers, Christjan, conducting.


The programme was Dvorák's Scherzo capriccioso, Schwertsik's Divertimento Macchiato for Trumpet and Orchestra (the soloist being the apparently very famous, and certainly incredibly skilled Håkan Hardenberger - the composer was also present), and Bruckner's 6th Symphony.

The Dvorák was pleasant filler. The new piece was interesting, though somewhat suspect; almost literally! It sounded slightly like the beginning of a nervous breakdown, and the composer gave a similar impression, in person! However, the execution was superb.


And the Bruckner was f-an-t-a-s-t-i-c. The fact that the RSNO can play Bruckner, and that the conductor (who has recently done a very highly acclaimed Bernstein Mass, and appears to have contemporary musical leanings in general) wasn't bad was given...

But the fact that he could so confidently sustain a supremely cogent performance of such a 'problem case' as Bruckner's 6th, while at the same moment providing perhaps the most convincing reading of the work I've heard along with Otto Klemperer's, was not!

The RSNO strings played with minimal vibrato (!), and the first movement's tempi were as initially odd as they were ultimately completely convincing, structurally. And, I'll repeat it, the man can sustain orchestral intensity, even in the loudest and most-likely-to-spin-out-of-control passages (whether in terms of phrasing or orchestral balance) like very few conductors I can think of; probably the key for pulling the 6th off like that. Not to mention he found a way to miraculously counter the RSNO's one real flaw (IMO), the rigidity of their phrasing.


Bottom line:

Christjan Järvi, to put it in internet parlance, delivers. I'll be keeping an eye on his work, and would recommend the same. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 27, 2009, 10:09:41 AM
Quote from: Renfield on April 26, 2009, 11:47:13 AM
I am not looking forward to it, but I just attended a concert by the RSNO, with the younger of the Järvi brothers, Christjan, conducting.


The programme was Dvorák's Scherzo capriccioso, Schwertsik's Divertimento Macchiato for Trumpet and Orchestra (the soloist being the apparently very famous, and certainly incredibly skilled Håkan Hardenberger - the composer was also present), and Bruckner's 6th Symphony.

The Dvorák was pleasant filler. The new piece was interesting, though somewhat suspect; almost literally! It sounded slightly like the beginning of a nervous breakdown, and the composer gave a similar impression, in person! However, the execution was superb.


And the Bruckner was f-an-t-a-s-t-i-c. The fact that the RSNO can play Bruckner, and that the conductor (who has recently done a very highly acclaimed Bernstein Mass, and appears to have contemporary musical leanings in general) wasn't bad was given...

But the fact that he could so confidently sustain a supremely cogent performance of such a 'problem case' as Bruckner's 6th, while at the same moment providing perhaps the most convincing reading of the work I've heard along with Otto Klemperer's, was not!

The RSNO strings played with minimal vibrato (!), and the first movement's tempi were as initially odd as they were ultimately completely convincing, structurally. And, I'll repeat it, the man can sustain orchestral intensity, even in the loudest and most-likely-to-spin-out-of-control passages (whether in terms of phrasing or orchestral balance) like very few conductors I can think of; probably the key for pulling the 6th off like that. Not to mention he found a way to miraculously counter the RSNO's one real flaw (IMO), the rigidity of their phrasing.


Bottom line:

Christjan Järvi, to put it in internet parlance, delivers. I'll be keeping an eye on his work, and would recommend the same. :D

Thanks for your write-up!  Great-sounding program, and you know it's special when the Bruckner 6th is probably the most familiar work of the three.  And I've not yet heard Christjan Järvi, but obviously he shares the family predilection for unfamiliar repertoire.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on April 27, 2009, 12:57:24 PM
Quote from: bhodges on April 27, 2009, 10:09:41 AM
Thanks for your write-up!  Great-sounding program, and you know it's special when the Bruckner 6th is probably the most familiar work of the three.  And I've not yet heard Christjan Järvi, but obviously he shares the family predilection for unfamiliar repertoire.

--Bruce

:D

Actually, I think I might've undersold the Dvorák: it was certainly one of his most 'intensely charming' compositions I've heard.


Re Kristjan Järvi, whose name I managed to slightly mangle, above: hasn't he founded some sort of contemporary ensemble, to boot?

Edit: Yes, he has (http://www.absoluteensemble.com/) - and in your haunts, Bruce! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 27, 2009, 06:22:17 PM
Bad news, ladies and gentlemen!

I just asked my parents about a concert they attended a few weeks ago featuring Dvorak's Sixth Symphony. The response was startling: my father said that he couldn't tell what the main themes were and had a hard time following the piece, and my mom said that she had enjoyed the piece more than Dad did, but that "it wasn't very melodic." Immediately afterward, I advised them to catch the Sibelius Violin Concerto program coming up and was met with astonished looks and the remark, "I thought Sibelius' music was rather...astringent." And that's not even mentioning the explaining I had to do after I casually remarked on my enjoyment of Nielsen...

Help!  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 28, 2009, 04:37:27 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 27, 2009, 06:22:17 PM
Bad news, ladies and gentlemen!

I just asked my parents about a concert they attended a few weeks ago featuring Dvorak's Sixth Symphony. The response was startling: my father said that he couldn't tell what the main themes were and had a hard time following the piece, and my mom said that she had enjoyed the piece more than Dad did, but that "it wasn't very melodic." Immediately afterward, I advised them to catch the Sibelius Violin Concerto program coming up and was met with astonished looks and the remark, "I thought Sibelius' music was rather...astringent." And that's not even mentioning the explaining I had to do after I casually remarked on my enjoyment of Nielsen...

Help!  :o

Parents are strange creatures. Not very melodic? Dvorak???  ;D :D ;D  I have a vivid recollection of playing the first movement of Brahms Fourth (Karajan 1963) for my mother only to hear her scream to turn off that god-awful sound! I thought then, and still do, that that opening is one of the most beautiful sounds in all god's creation. Her response was deeply disturbing to me. Still can't figure it out.

When I was dating the future Mrs. Rock, I gave her a Brahms Fourth. Upon first hearing, she swooned in ecstasy. It was at that moment I knew she was the woman for me  8)

About Sibelius: it's strange how his reputation has fallen. In the U.S. in the 30s and 40s, he was as popular in our concert halls as Beethoven!

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on April 28, 2009, 04:53:04 AM
http://www.kammermusikkfest.no/?gruppe=2785 (http://www.kammermusikkfest.no/?gruppe=2785)

I am going to the Rislør festival og Chamber Music this year (which I tend to do every second year). Lots of Beethoven this year from the likes of Andsnes, Vertavo, Nebolsin, Mørk, Stotijn....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on April 28, 2009, 04:54:20 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 27, 2009, 06:22:17 PM
Bad news, ladies and gentlemen!

I just asked my parents about a concert they attended a few weeks ago featuring Dvorak's Sixth Symphony. The response was startling: my father said that he couldn't tell what the main themes were and had a hard time following the piece, and my mom said that she had enjoyed the piece more than Dad did, but that "it wasn't very melodic." Immediately afterward, I advised them to catch the Sibelius Violin Concerto program coming up and was met with astonished looks and the remark, "I thought Sibelius' music was rather...astringent." And that's not even mentioning the explaining I had to do after I casually remarked on my enjoyment of Nielsen...

Help!  :o

They just simply do not like what they do not recognize or understand.  You must strap them to chairs, securely fasten their heads and eyelids so they cannot close them and play Dvorak and Sibelius' music as they watch a large video screen of flowers, beautiful fields, lakes, valleys and gardens, etc.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 28, 2009, 05:04:25 AM
Gentlemen, is it mandatory that Brian's parents like Dvorak or Sibelius? I personally see no problem whatsoever.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 28, 2009, 05:18:11 AM
Quote from: Florestan on April 28, 2009, 05:04:25 AM
Gentlemen, is it mandatory that Brian's parents like Dvorak or Sibelius? I personally see no problem whatsoever.  :)

Not mandatory, no. But their response is puzzling: strange criticism of the music.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 28, 2009, 05:23:35 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 28, 2009, 05:18:11 AM
Not mandatory, no. But their response is puzzling: strange criticism of the music.

True. But I think even Mozart would be un-melodic to someone whose thoughts wander astray to God knows what when being exposed for the first time to, say, his 4th violin concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 28, 2009, 08:18:53 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 28, 2009, 04:37:27 AM
When I was dating the future Mrs. Rock, I gave her a Brahms Fourth. Upon first hearing, she swooned in ecstasy. It was at that moment I knew she was the woman for me  8)
That sounds like the measure I should use in the future!  :D  Thanks for (perhaps inadvertently) suggesting it.

And it is indeed the criticism that puzzles me ... how conservative a listener must you be to think Dvorak didn't write themes? I can certainly get not liking Sibelius (though my mom's view of Grieg as a modernist is a little weird), but seriously!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on April 28, 2009, 01:55:14 PM
These things happen. My wife can't stand it when a solo cello disc plays: "you KNOW how I hate the trombone!" or when it's an organ disc "do you have to force us to go to Mass?". I won't even mention how she reacts to the harpsichord   :P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on April 28, 2009, 02:02:18 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 28, 2009, 08:18:53 AM
That sounds like the measure I should use in the future!  :D  Thanks for (perhaps inadvertently) suggesting it.

And it is indeed the criticism that puzzles me ... how conservative a listener must you be to think Dvorak didn't write themes? I can certainly get not liking Sibelius (though my mom's view of Grieg as a modernist is a little weird), but seriously!

I once talked to someone who said that his in-laws considered anything after Buxtehude too modern ;D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 28, 2009, 05:08:58 PM
Terrify them with Henning, I say!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 29, 2009, 06:41:50 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 24, 2009, 09:55:19 AM
And next week, check out this program by the Talea Ensemble (http://www.taleaensemble.org/Talea_Ensemble.html), a group new to me:

Fausto Romitelli: Domeniche alla perferia dell'impero ** (1996, 2000) for flute, clarinet, violin and cello
Brian Ferneyhough: Unity Capsule (1973-76) for flute
Bernard Rands: Scherzi (1974) for clarinet, violin, cello and piano
Perluigi Billone: Mani "De Leonardis" ** (2004) for automobile springs and glass  ;D
Philippe Hurel: Per Luigi (1994) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano

** US premiere

--Bruce

Fascinating concert, with about 25 of us there in an overheated theater.  (The temperature here was an unseasonable 90 degrees, and most places haven't turned on their air conditioning yet.)  Longer review in the works, but in short:

Romitelli was quite a discovery, and might have been my favorite on the program, along with the Hurel that ended it.  Rands's piece was fun but perhaps a mite long, and the Ferneyhough was typically complex, with the flutist bringing out the score mounted on huge pieces of foam board, like three large drawings. 

The Billone was fun: the coil springs were alternately stroked and tapped, sometimes very loudly, with a glass bowl off to one side that got (lightly) struck as well.  The sound of the coils is unusual--almost electronic.  Before the concert, the player described going to automobile junkyards in search of just the right ones, which were then cut to size, presumably for pitch reasons. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 01, 2009, 07:57:48 AM
Concerts to look forward too in & around Washington DC:

http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=529 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=529)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on May 01, 2009, 07:30:46 PM
Quote from: hildegard on April 18, 2009, 12:26:16 PM
Smetana's Má Vlast

April 30th, Bohemian National Hall, NYC

"The Aaron Copland School of Music Orchestra under the direction of Maurice Peress presents a rare performance of Bedrich Smetana's Má Vlast (My Country).

"Smetana, 'the father of Czechish music,' set out to create a body of works that celebrated the natural landscapes, history, native language, as well as the folk legends of Bohemia and Moravia and the people's struggle for independence. In 1874, just as he was becoming deaf, Smetana began work on what would become a monumental cycle of six symphonic poems; Vyšehrad  Vltava, Šárka, Z ceských luhu a háju (From Bohemian Woods and Groves), Tábor and Blaník.  Heard as a whole for the first time in 1882, Má Vlast was immediately acclaimed by the native musical public as representative of Czech National style. Smetana dedicated the cycle to the city of Prague where Maestro Peress had the honor of conducting the work with the Brno Orchestra." dvoraknyc.org

(http://www.karadar.com/Jpg/Smetana_image_01.jpg)
karadar.com




Smetana's MáVlast takes on new meaning when experienced as a live performance. Violins become water, horns become hunters and the sound and movement of every other instrument conjure up layers of vision and symbolism.     

Conductor Maurice Peress, well-versed in his understanding of Smetana and Dvorak and their musical influences, gave a passionate reading and wrenched every ounce of commitment from his young students who make up the Queens College Orchestra of the Aaron Copland School of Music.    
 
New York's recently renovated Bohemia National Hall, which was the focus of social events for New York's Czech and Slovak communities more than 100 years ago, and the soft murmur of accented voices from those sitting behind me completed this fantastic journey. 




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on May 01, 2009, 07:36:34 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 01, 2009, 07:57:48 AM
Concerts to look forward too in & around Washington DC:

http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=529 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=529)



And the DC premier of Zwilich's Septet for Piano Trio and String Quartet by the Kalechstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and the Miami String Quartet at the Kennedy Center on May 5th.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on May 01, 2009, 08:09:12 PM
I found out I am going to a concert tomorrow! I am really excited - first time to see Leonard Slatkin.  :D

Houston Symphony
Leonard Slatkin, conductor


Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano
Nathaniel Webster, baritone
Houston Symphony Chorus


Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
Roberto Sierra: Missa Latina


I am also stoked about the Sierra piece, heard a lot of good things about it - have held off looking up a recording so I can be surprised. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 01, 2009, 08:46:23 PM
Quote from: Senta on May 01, 2009, 08:09:12 PM
I found out I am going to a concert tomorrow! I am really excited - first time to see Leonard Slatkin.  :D

Houston Symphony
Leonard Slatkin, conductor


Heidi Grant Murphy, soprano
Nathaniel Webster, baritone
Houston Symphony Chorus


Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
Roberto Sierra: Missa Latina


I am also stoked about the Sierra piece, heard a lot of good things about it - have held off looking up a recording so I can be surprised. ;)
Heh, the premier recording comes out in a couple weeks. My thoughts from an advance listen are in the listening thread (as you know). The Sierra piece is awesome! And for what it's worth, Heidi Murphy and Nathaniel Webster are the soloists who sang at the work's premiere performance last December 10, so they really know the music.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Daverz on May 01, 2009, 10:47:29 PM
After joining our local classical meetup group, I've discovered that there are a lot of free (or "suggested donation of $5") concerts in the area (unfortunately not discovered until the tail end of the season).  Coming up are the Jung Trio and the California String Quartet.

http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/pdf/090408concertmay10pr.pdf
http://www.srfol.org/srfol-music.htm

I also have tickets to see the San Diego Symphony playing the Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2.  But it's a "concert" in their "Symphony Exposed" series.  I didn't realize what I was getting with that until I went to the "Symphony Exposed" Elgar 2nd "concert", which featured an actor in Edwardian costume, moustache, and sporting a (fake?) English accent reading some dubious script.  Really obnoxious.   That reminds me that I need to try to exchange my tickets for the "real" concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 03, 2009, 12:50:18 PM
Quote from: Senta on May 01, 2009, 08:09:12 PM
I found out I am going to a concert tomorrow! I am really excited - first time to see Leonard Slatkin.  :D

Ha!! Seriously: Ha!!!

It's a trade-off. Hear him in concert or keep that excitement. (To be fair: I think he has actually in himself to work really well with second-tier American orchestras that he's not married to... and I've heard good concerts under him, as well. Except so few, so very few out of so very many...)

Quote
I am also stoked about the Sierra piece, heard a lot of good things about it - have held off looking up a recording so I can be surprised. ;)

I had more fun reviewing the (world premiere, coincidentally of the) Missa Latina than listening to it. One of the slightly-above-mediocre reviews on _ionarts_ (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2006/02/roberto-sierras-missa-latina-premiered.html), possibly worth reading after (or even before?) you go to the concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on May 04, 2009, 01:31:04 AM
Ouch LOL!  ;D Funny how some posts look a lot different in hindsight than foresight...

Quote from: jlaursonHa!! Seriously: Ha!!!

It's a trade-off. Hear him in concert or keep that excitement. (To be fair: I think he has actually in himself to work really well with second-tier American orchestras that he's not married to... and I've heard good concerts under him, as well. Except so few, so very few out of so very many...)

I have many very good Slatkin recordings, but live, meh...I wish I gotten to see him in different rep, maybe the English stuff since he seems to specialize in that. We joked that his baton work reminded us of Zorro - he has this left-to-right slash that seemed to be a favorite thing. The performance of the Sierra was so much better than the LvB 8, I almost forgot I had heard it too by the end of evening. The Beethoven was just very competently conducted, with no real new insights, and the playing was kind of lazy and lackluster. I just remember them doing a LvB 7 last year under Kwame Ryan that was so good and fresh...lol guess this was an off night!

The Sierra mass, if anything, seemed to be pretty involved for the orchestra and chorus, and they dispatched it with plenty of fire in the belly - Slatkin also just looked a lot more interested in conducting it than the Beethoven LOL! We had seats way up close this time and got to see some good communication from the podium and some much better playing through this long slough of a work.

Quote from: jlaursonI had more fun reviewing the (world premiere, coincidentally of the) Missa Latina than listening to it. One of the slightly-above-mediocre reviews on _ionarts_, possibly worth reading after (or even before?) you go to the concert.

Jens, I agree largely with your review of the Sierra...I did actually really enjoy the performance as a whole, and especially certain moments of the piece, but the work I feel doesn't hang together so well compositionally. There were many moments of feeling like phrases were traveling somewhere they never got to go, orchestral outbursts appeared and disappeared (for what aim?), and when he hit on something really nice he never quite stayed with it long enough. The sudden gear shifts into the Latin-American dancy type music often left us scratching our heads - me and my friend exchanged frank eyebrow raises at the point in the last third or so where he launches into cartoonish music seemingly out of nowhere, with no relation to what came before. It just seemed like a major trim and rearrange of the work would be much to its benefit, because the writing is quite nice at times. Especially the choral writing is often superb...as well his use of the wind colors (bass clarinet comes to mind) is striking.

Vocally, we didn't get to see Nathaniel Webster, but a late replacement, Nicholas Meglioranza, who I thought an able partner and complement to Grant-Murphy. Both sung with passion and also delicacy, and her voice, her purity of tone, were really divine floating above all the orchestral trappings.  Roberto Sierra was actually there at the performance too to make an appearance at the end, which was nice, and of course it's always good to see us get any interesting new music performed down this way.

I wouldn't mind hearing some bits of Missa Latina again, but it just wasn't the strong reaction I hoped for that I had when I saw for example, Steven Stucky's new oratorio in Dallas last fall, which sped by at 70 min and I could have heard immediately again. This Sierra does seem a piece that would be likely fare for Gustavo Dudamel in L.A though...won't be surprised if it makes an appearance. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2009, 08:18:49 AM
Quote from: Senta on May 04, 2009, 01:31:04 AMthe work I feel doesn't hang together so well compositionally. There were many moments of feeling like phrases were traveling somewhere they never got to go, orchestral outbursts appeared and disappeared (for what aim?), and when he hit on something really nice he never quite stayed with it long enough.
Quote from: Jens, on his blogWhat are obstructions to and detractions from the music may be highlights to someone else... but there was, despite much beautiful music, another quibble I had. The constant regular musical eruptions and swooping mini-climaxes that lacked – unlike in Bruckner – the grand design of overarching ideas and structure or – as in Mahler – the cumulative power of neurotic outbursts left one with the feeling of impotence, after a while.

Advice: you guys should never, ever listen to music by Peteris Vasks. I came to the Sierra after a few days of listening to Vasks' symphonies and concertos, and it's no exaggeration to say that the Latvian's orchestral style makes Sierra sound, structurally, like Bach in comparison. The aimlessness of Vasks was so infuriating that I was very happy to accept the aimlessness of Sierra for at least being of a piece and enjoyable.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on May 04, 2009, 10:40:31 AM
I did enjoy listening to the Sierra overall...but it is kind of frustrating when you feel like a work has the ingredients to be good, but isn't quite there yet. ;) I'd like to hear some of Sierra's other shorter pieces.

I do like Vasks myself though, in particular the Violin and Cello Concerto, not very familiar with the symphonies.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 04, 2009, 10:43:06 AM
In 11 days, on May 15th, one of the most highly anticipated concerts for me since I started attending:

MAHLER's 6th

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 04, 2009, 10:50:28 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 04, 2009, 10:43:06 AM
In 11 days, on May 15th, one of the most highly anticipated concerts for me since I started attending:

MAHLER's 6th

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate

:D  :D  :D

A full report, please!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wilhelm Richard on May 04, 2009, 07:29:22 PM
In about a month I briefly return to the West Coast and cannot wait to see Porgy & Bess in San Francisco on the ninth!

http://sfopera.com/o/274.asp
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on May 05, 2009, 03:17:35 AM
May 7

Oliver Knussen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin
National Symphony Orchestra

Anderson, Imagin'd Corners
Knussen, Violin Concerto
Thomas, Helios Choros I
Schuller, Of Reminiscences and Reflections

This is hubby's pick (he thinks Josefowicz is hot!), but it looks interesting.  Does anyone have thoughts/info on Knussen?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 05, 2009, 07:03:53 AM
Quote from: Wilhelm Richard on May 04, 2009, 07:29:22 PM
In about a month I briefly return to the West Coast and cannot wait to see Porgy & Bess in San Francisco on the ninth!

http://sfopera.com/o/274.asp

Heard the piece a few years back in an excellent production by the Opera Company of Philadelphia.  Such a beautiful score...

Quote from: secondwind on May 05, 2009, 03:17:35 AM
May 7

Oliver Knussen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin
National Symphony Orchestra

Anderson, Imagin'd Corners
Knussen, Violin Concerto
Thomas, Helios Choros I
Schuller, Of Reminiscences and Reflections

This is hubby's pick (he thinks Josefowicz is hot!), but it looks interesting.  Does anyone have thoughts/info on Knussen?

What an imaginative program!  Don't know most of the program at all, but I did hear the Knussen a few months ago, and wrote about it here (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2009/jan-jun09/dudamel1601.htm).  I definitely wanted to hear it again.  Josefowicz should do a very good job with it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 05, 2009, 08:29:14 AM
Quote from: Wilhelm Richard on May 04, 2009, 07:29:22 PM
In about a month I briefly return to the West Coast and cannot wait to see Porgy & Bess in San Francisco on the ninth!

http://sfopera.com/o/274.asp
Jealous!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 06, 2009, 05:39:09 AM
Tomorrow:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Ian Bostridge, tenor

Purcell -   Funeral Music for Queen Mary (Arr. Stucky)
Britten -   Les illuminations
Shostakovich -   Symphony No. 15

My favorite Shostakovich symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 05:45:28 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 06, 2009, 05:39:09 AM
Tomorrow:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Ian Bostridge, tenor

Purcell -   Funeral Music for Queen Mary (Arr. Stucky)
Britten -   Les illuminations
Shostakovich -   Symphony No. 15

My favorite Shostakovich symphony.

:D  :D  :D

Just heard two concerts by Haitink and your fab band; both were splendid but the Bruckner Eighth just sent us into orbit.  Haitink was using a cane and sitting to conduct, but once he began I completely forgot about all that.  The ensemble playing was really stellar.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 06, 2009, 06:11:10 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 05:45:28 AM
:D  :D  :D

Just heard two concerts by Haitink and your fab band; both were splendid but the Bruckner Eighth just sent us into orbit.  Haitink was using a cane and sitting to conduct, but once he began I completely forgot about all that.  The ensemble playing was really stellar.

--Bruce

Yes, I heard the Bruckner 8 here a few weeks ago before they took it on tour. I missed the Schubert but heard the alternate program with Brahms 1 substituted for the Schubert. Haitink is doing Bruckner 9 here next season and a complete Beethoven cycle to wrap up his term. Unfortunately no more Shosty from him next season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 10:00:29 AM
Tonight, the first of ten Mahler concerts at Carnegie with the Staatskapelle Berlin--all the symphonies in sequence, with some of the song cycles--with Barenboim and Boulez alternating conducting duties. 

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Quasthoff, Bass-Baritone

Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 06, 2009, 10:10:46 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 10:00:29 AM
Tonight, the first of ten Mahler concerts at Carnegie with the Staatskapelle Berlin--all the symphonies in sequence, with some of the song cycles--with Barenboim and Boulez alternating conducting duties. 

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Quasthoff, Bass-Baritone

Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 

--Bruce

Can you spell E N V Y ? 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 06, 2009, 10:55:39 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 10:00:29 AM
Tonight, the first of ten Mahler concerts at Carnegie with the Staatskapelle Berlin--all the symphonies in sequence, with some of the song cycles--with Barenboim and Boulez alternating conducting duties. 

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Quasthoff, Bass-Baritone

Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 

--Bruce


I am so jealous that I can't be in NY. My wife will be there for the 5th this Saturday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on May 06, 2009, 11:56:29 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 10:00:29 AM
Tonight, the first of ten Mahler concerts at Carnegie with the Staatskapelle Berlin--all the symphonies in sequence, with some of the song cycles--with Barenboim and Boulez alternating conducting duties. 

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Quasthoff, Bass-Baritone

Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 

W-O-W

Are you going to all 10?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 06, 2009, 12:51:13 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 10:00:29 AM
Tonight, the first of ten Mahler concerts at Carnegie with the Staatskapelle Berlin--all the symphonies in sequence, with some of the song cycles--with Barenboim and Boulez alternating conducting duties. 

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Quasthoff, Bass-Baritone

Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 

--Bruce


:D  :D  :D 

Looking forward to tonight as well; and to-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow...  (and not at a creeping, petty, pace either).

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 12:58:23 PM
Quote from: secondwind on May 06, 2009, 11:56:29 AM
W-O-W

Are you going to all 10?

That would be an "affirmative"!   :D  (I know, I'm a nut.)

Bunny, are you going to all of them, too?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 06, 2009, 02:11:52 PM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 06, 2009, 10:10:46 AM
Can you spell E N V Y ? 

I can...  :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 06, 2009, 02:14:20 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 06, 2009, 12:58:23 PM
That would be an "affirmative"!   :D  (I know, I'm a nut.)

Bunny, are you going to all of them, too?

--Bruce

Of course!  What would be the point of not going to them all?  Besides, I already had 2 concerts through my subscriptions so it was just a matter of filling in (if you can call it that when 8 concerts are the "fillers." )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 06, 2009, 06:36:26 PM
Great, great, start to the Mahler Cycle.

Quasthoff was magnificent in Kindertotenlieder

Barenboim conducted the mother of all Mahler 1sts.

Audience on their feet, couldn't stop the applause. 

Magnificent evening. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on May 06, 2009, 07:06:45 PM
Quote from: Bunny on May 06, 2009, 06:36:26 PM
Great, great, start to the Mahler Cycle.

Quasthoff was magnificent in Kindertotenlieder

Barenboim conducted the mother of all Mahler 1sts.

Audience on their feet, couldn't stop the applause. 

Magnificent evening. :D

Just for one night, I wish I was you.
Barenboim doen't mess around, does he?  Congratulations on witnessing a wonderful performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 06, 2009, 07:43:30 PM
Quote from: Bunny on May 06, 2009, 06:36:26 PM
Quasthoff was magnificent in Kindertotenlieder

I heard Quasthoff twice in Kindertotenlieder. That man is a force of nature. After hearing him it's not until intermission that you realize that you in fact *did not* just lose all your loved ones.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 07, 2009, 06:51:38 AM
Quote from: John on May 06, 2009, 07:06:45 PM
Just for one night, I wish I was you.
Barenboim doen't mess around, does he?  Congratulations on witnessing a wonderful performance.

I feel guilty saying thank you.  The congratulations and thanks really should go to Barenboim, the SK Berlin and Quasthoff.  I was just lucky to have subscribed.  In the garage after the concert, picking up our car, everyone on the line was marveling at the brilliance of the evening.  The woman standing ahead of us in the line turned, and said that she had been to many concerts in her life, but this was a very special evening.  Was it the best Mahler 1st even conducted? Who can tell?  Was it absolutely brilliant "theater"?  Absolutely.  Barenboim knows how to open a work, how to close a climax (he was jumping all over the podium at the end; it looked like he was trying to physically lift the orchestra into another dimension); and he kept everything interesting.  The introduction of the second theme in the first movement sounded so "new" that I couldn't believe that I was listening to a work I had heard so many times over the years.  The Klezmer themes had just the right touch of satirical nostalgia.  I was filled with wonder at the genius of the composer, and for a short, brief second, I felt as if Mahler's ghost had suddenly come down to posess Barenboim's body. 

Quote from: O Mensch on May 06, 2009, 07:43:30 PM
I heard Quasthoff twice in Kindertotenlieder. That man is a force of nature. After hearing him it's not until intermission that you realize that you in fact *did not* just lose all your loved ones.

I've heard Quasthoff before, most notably singing Das Lied von der Erde, but this was really a special evening.  He was in great voice, the accompaniment was exactly right, and I think everyone in the hall knew that it was out of the ordinary.  Last night everything came together in just the perfect synergy of talents.  I can only hope that the next concerts in the series (including Quasthoff singing the Ruckert Lieder on Sunday) come close.  I was close to tears as he sang and I suspect many in the audience were also profoundly moved.  You know that there's something going on when the applause comes in late.  Last night after Quasthoff stopped singing, you could have heard a pin drop in Stern Hall, and then just one set of hands clapping.  That released everyone to start the applause.  I'm sorry that enthusiastic listener broke the spell, but I'm glad that someone reminded us to show our appreciation.

PS. I'd like to give a special thanks to Sergeant Rock who posted about this series in Berlin.  I wouldn't have been aware of how great it could be without his post.  And Sarge, I'll be sure to make the Sunday concerts (also at 2pm) and I'll be sure not to miss Symphony No. 6.  I only wish you could fly to NY to hear it with us.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 07, 2009, 07:06:22 AM
I'm looking forward to tonight:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"
Staatskapelle Berlin
Pierre Boulez, Conductor
Eberhard Friedrich, Chorus Director
Dorothea Röschmann, Soprano
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 07, 2009, 07:38:26 AM
Great review, Bunny! Thank you.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 07, 2009, 09:33:16 AM
I will echo Bunny's comments: it was quite a special evening.  And although I'm not quite a huge Barenboim fan (yet), there was something going on last night that made spellbinding listening.  I don't think I've ever heard the First played quite like that.  (More in a later review.)

And Quasthoff really is something else.  It still amazes me, the contrast between his physical self and the sounds that emerge.  The friend with me had never seen him before and could hardly believe what he was hearing.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 07, 2009, 01:47:16 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 07, 2009, 09:33:16 AM
I will echo Bunny's comments: it was quite a special evening.  And although I'm not quite a huge Barenboim fan (yet), there was something going on last night that made spellbinding listening.  I don't think I've ever heard the First played quite like that.  (More in a later review.)

And Quasthoff really is something else.  It still amazes me, the contrast between his physical self and the sounds that emerge.  The friend with me had never seen him before and could hardly believe what he was hearing.

--Bruce

Quasthoff is amazing.  I don't really see "him" on the stage anymore.  I only see his voice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AB68 on May 07, 2009, 10:31:19 PM
Tonight-
Radu Lupu, piano
Beethoven Sonatas op. 14, nos1 & 2 and op.13
Schubert Sonata no.21 D 960.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 08, 2009, 05:56:12 AM
Quote from: AB68 on May 07, 2009, 10:31:19 PM
Tonight-
Radu Lupu, piano
Beethoven Sonatas op. 14, nos1 & 2 and op.13
Schubert Sonata no.21 D 960.

I love Radu!  I love the way he sprawls on a bridge chair in front of the keyboard, the way his arms extend to embrace the piano, and the colors that he elicits from the ubiquitous Steinway D.  And especially, I love his Schubert. The D960!  Lucky, lucky you.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 08, 2009, 10:10:12 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 07, 2009, 07:06:22 AM
I'm looking forward to tonight:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"
Staatskapelle Berlin
Pierre Boulez, Conductor
Eberhard Friedrich, Chorus Director
Dorothea Röschmann, Soprano
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor



Last night's concert was very different from the first.  Where Barenboim was a passionate and impetuous suitor, seducing an emotional response from the musicians and the audience; Boulez was like a lawyer who argues so brilliantly that intellectually you want to see things his way.  For this Mahler 2nd, the emotions were checked at the door.  Perhaps the performance was closer to the score -- no playing around with tempos allowed here -- but it was also degrees cooler than Barenboim's fervid heat.  Michelle DeYoung was excellent, and Dorothea Röschmann had no problems handling the highs, her voice easily soaring above the orchestra and chorus.  However, not only was the performance very cold and calculated, but it didn't allow the symphony to grow and breathe: it didn't grow organically.  I expected the longish pause after the first movement, Mahler called for that.  However, I think Boulez missed a trick when he allowed everything to grind to a halt at the end of the second movement in order to allow the soloists to enter, and again at the end of the third movement, with some clatter on stage rather than letting the last notes of the third movement melt into the Urlicht.  That stood out as the least well thought out pause, and something that I would not have expected in so controlled a performance.  And that really says it all: it was a very controlled performance and each movement was just that: the next movement.  Was it good, well played music?  I don't doubt that it was.  But was it good theater?  No.  That spark that lifts performances of Mahler into that realm of glory was, for me, frozen into an icicle that merely melted away rather than igniting.  I was not completely dissatisfied, but I felt like a diner who expects a feast only to find the smallest portions on the plate.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 08, 2009, 10:13:17 AM
Tonight:

Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor

Staatskapelle Berlin
Pierre Boulez, Conductor
Eberhard Friedrich, Chorus Director
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano
Women of the Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor
The American Boychoir
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Music Director

My fingers are crossed!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 09:22:39 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 08, 2009, 10:13:17 AM
Tonight:

Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor

Staatskapelle Berlin
Pierre Boulez, Conductor
Eberhard Friedrich, Chorus Director
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano
Women of the Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor
The American Boychoir
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Music Director

My fingers are crossed!


How was the 3rd, Bunny?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 09:36:52 AM
(I'm not Bunny, but... ;D)

The Third (as well as the Fourth the next night) seemed to fare better than the Second, which doesn't seem to be in synch with Boulez's temperament at all.  But the Third seemed a fairly good match; I thought the outer two movements were the best of the evening.  VERY fine work from Michelle DeYoung, who has just sounded splendid so far (along with Thomas Quasthoff and Dorothea Röschmann).  The orchestra was still struggling a bit, with some bobbles here and there.  (Someone suggested that jet-lag may have been a factor, which I'd be inclined to allow, since they seem to be getting better with each concert.  Few musicians would be at their best, playing at the equivalent of 4:00 in the morning!)

If I were to judge solely on audience reaction, Barenboim's Fifth yesterday afternoon may have won the prize (so far).  Although one could nitpick about tempi and some balances, it was a very exciting, visceral performance.

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 09:41:31 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 09:36:52 AM
(I'm not Bunny, but... ;D)

The Third (as well as the Fourth the next night) seemed to fare better than the Second, which doesn't seem to be in synch with Boulez's temperament at all.  But the Third seemed a fairly good match; I thought the outer two movements were the best of the evening.  VERY fine work from Michelle DeYoung, who has just sounded splendid so far (along with Thomas Quasthoff and Dorothea Röschmann).  The orchestra was still struggling a bit, with some bobbles here and there.  (Someone suggested that jet-lag may have been a factor, which I'd be inclined to allow, since they seem to be getting better with each concert.  Few musicians would be at their best, playing at the equivalent of 4:00 in the morning!)

If I were to judge solely on audience reaction, Barenboim's Fifth yesterday afternoon may have won the prize (so far).  Although one could nitpick about tempi and some balances, it was a very exciting, visceral performance.

--Bruce



Thanks Bruce!  :)  So......does that mean the 6th is tonight?   :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 11, 2009, 09:43:46 AM
Easy, Ray! Give the fellow a breather!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 09:45:35 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 11, 2009, 09:43:46 AM
Easy, Ray! Give the fellow a breather!  8)

I guess I'm overly excited....as I am hearing the 6th myself on Friday (albeit in Winnipeg).  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 09:55:31 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 09:41:31 AM
Thanks Bruce!  :)  So......does that mean the 6th is tonight?   :) :) :) :)

We have a one-day break.  Well, "some" have a break, since I'm going tonight, too (;D): Barenboim and members of the orchestra are doing an all-Elliott Carter program of chamber music.  Then the cycle resumes on Tuesday:

Tuesday: No. 6 (Boulez)
Wednesday: No. 7 (Barenboim)
Thursday: No concert, Bunny and Bruce catch up on mail, clean house, etc.  ;D
Friday: No. 8 (Boulez)
Saturday: Das Lied (Barenboim)
Sunday: No. 9 (Barenboim)

Ray, I will be very eager to hear your comments on the Sixth, which sometimes I think is my favorite of the entire lot.  It has my favorite Mahler slow movement, and is packed with drama, among many other things.  It is incredibly difficult to play, requiring heroic musicianship, and therefore lots of fun (well, "fun" might be slightly inaccurate  ;D) to watch.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 11, 2009, 10:34:08 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 09:55:31 AM
We have a one-day break.  Well, "some" have a break, since I'm going tonight, too (;D): Barenboim and members of the orchestra are doing an all-Elliott Carter program of chamber music.  Then the cycle resumes on Tuesday:

Tuesday: No. 6 (Boulez)
Wednesday: No. 7 (Barenboim)
Thursday: No concert, Bunny and Bruce catch up on mail, clean house, etc.  ;D
Friday: No. 8 (Boulez)
Saturday: Das Lied (Barenboim)
Sunday: No. 9 (Barenboim)

For balance, Bruce, there really ought to be another all-Elliott Carter program on Thursday . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 10:44:58 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 11, 2009, 10:34:08 AM
For balance, Bruce, there really ought to be another all-Elliott Carter program on Thursday . . . .

Oh.....darn!!  I have a lot of housework to do that evening.  Can't make it.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 11:06:47 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 09:22:39 AM
How was the 3rd, Bunny?  :)
Quote from: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 09:36:52 AM
(I'm not Bunny, but... ;D)

The Third (as well as the Fourth the next night) seemed to fare better than the Second, which doesn't seem to be in synch with Boulez's temperament at all.  But the Third seemed a fairly good match; I thought the outer two movements were the best of the evening.  VERY fine work from Michelle DeYoung, who has just sounded splendid so far (along with Thomas Quasthoff and Dorothea Röschmann).  The orchestra was still struggling a bit, with some bobbles here and there.  (Someone suggested that jet-lag may have been a factor, which I'd be inclined to allow, since they seem to be getting better with each concert.  Few musicians would be at their best, playing at the equivalent of 4:00 in the morning!)

If I were to judge solely on audience reaction, Barenboim's Fifth yesterday afternoon may have won the prize (so far).  Although one could nitpick about tempi and some balances, it was a very exciting, visceral performance.

--Bruce



Well, I am Bunny!  ;)

I agree with Bruce, the Third was head and shoulders above the 2nd, which in my memory is getting worse and worse (what a playful thing memory can be. ::) )

I think the brass continued to struggle a bit in places, but aside from a very slight biff, the posthorn solo (off stage) was delivered beautifully.  I think that solo must be fiendishly difficult because I've never heard it done perfectly except on a recording, and I don't know anyone who's heard it done without a hitch, either.  I've two friends who play horns (one French horn, the other trumpet), and I will ask them about it when I get the chance.

Boulez is a very careful man.  He is fastidious, elegant, detail oriented and above all extremely logical.  His third manages to make sense of everything.  What he lacks, however is heart.  Or, I should say, his emotions are carefully restrained.  The orchestra's play that night was the best it had been, and the heart of the symphony was contributed by Miss DeYoung.  What a wonderful Mahlerian Mezzo she is!  My admiration for her grows every time I hear sing.

The fourth on Sat. night was exquisite, probably the best that Boulez has done in the series so far.  With this symphony, restraint and delicacy really help, and more than even the third I think Boulez is very well suited to conduct it.  It is his elegant restraint the kept it from being too maudlin and sentimental. Moreover, for the first time the brass seemed to be a part of the orchestra, and the problems with ensemble and ragged play that were very evident in earlier nights were not in evidence.

The first movement started a little faster than I expected, more nicht schleppen than Bedächtig; nicht eilen.  But, by the time the violins entered with the first theme it was at a pace that was leisurely enough for the lines to breathe.  The tempos were I think still on the faster end of the spectrum, but never uncomfortable.  In the Scherzo Boulez conveyed just the right amount of satire, and cold menace.  The concert master, which ever one it was, did a great job on the solo.  I watched as he carefully picked up each violin, quietly plucking a string to make sure he had the correct instrument -- I always admire anyone who doesn't get those violins confused.  Both first and second movements were like faceted and polished crystal: very transparent and gleaming.  The Ruhevoll, however was the best movement of the three, and the tempo was more leisurely.  The crystalline quality of the first two movements yielded to a softer, more yielding sound.  In my imagination it was like veils of mist and cloud floating across the moonlit face of an alp.  It set up the Lied extremely well.  It had just the right quality of dreaminess with just a hint of darkness: a silver cloud with a dark lining which is how I like it.  Which brings us to the Lied.  

The first half of the concert consisted of a selection from des Knaben Wunderhorn, sung beautifully by Miss Röschmann.  What a special voice she has, very silvery and yet powerful enough to rise above the sounds of the orchestra and fill the hall.  I've heard two Mahler 4ths where the vocalist was poorly chosen: one who couldn't be heard, and a mezzo who had too mature and womanly a voice.  The ending of this symphony, with that deceptively simple song is imo the perfect ending, and the whole performance can rise and fall on the choice of soprano.  No one in the audience could have been disappointed with the way Dorothea Röschmann sang.  

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 11:11:37 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 11:06:47 AM
The fourth on Sat. night was exquisite, probably the best that Boulez has done in the series so far.  With this symphony, restraint and delicacy really help, and more than even the third I think Boulez is very well suited to conduct it.  It is his elegant restraint the kept it from being too maudlin and sentimental. Moreover, for the first time the brass seemed to be a part of the orchestra, and the problems with ensemble and ragged play that were very evident in earlier nights were not in evidence.

...

The first half of the concert consisted of a selection from des Knaben Wunderhorn, sung beautifully by Miss Röschmann.  What a special voice she has, very silvery and yet powerful enough to rise above the sounds of the orchestra and fill the hall.  I've heard two Mahler 4ths where the vocalist was poorly chosen: one who couldn't be heard, and a mezzo who had too mature and womanly a voice.  The ending of this symphony, with that deceptively simple song is imo the perfect ending, and the whole performance can rise and fall on the choice of soprano.  No one in the audience could have been disappointed with the way Dorothea Röschmann sang.  

Agree completely with the comment on Boulez above and his match with the Fourth.  And Dorothea Röschmann has been the revelation for me of the series so far.  I have seen her on a number of recordings but don't recall hearing her before--wow, what a singer.  And I couldn't agree more: the Fourth can absolutely plummet in the last movement if the singer is wrong. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 11:28:50 AM
Bruce, I should ask you if you had your Barenboim moment yesterday?  That was a wonderful 5th that he conducted Sunday, and without the score!  It came as no surprise to me because I heard him conduct the 5th with the Chicago SO in either 2005 or 2006 (his last year in Chicago), and it was also an electrifying performance with one of the best Adagiettos ever.  That Chicago performance had memorable brass playing (as usual for Chicago), but the silkiness of those strings lives in my memory.

Barenboim's Mahler is really special because he is so totally Zen about it.  He is completely in the moment when he conducts, and I think he lifts the SKB to another level.  They can play amazingly well for Boulez when they are "on." But they also can deliver a completely flat performance as they did with the Mahler 2nd.  They had similar problems with brass and raggedy play the first night with Barenboim, but it all came together so electrically that the flaws became unimportant.  Does Barenboim create magic on that stage?  I think so.  Going to his concerts can probably be very dicey because he gambles, big time, with the music.  But those times when it works become something very special.  On Sunday, it worked, both for the Ruckert Lieder with Quasthoff, who is as you so rightly term, a force of nature; and later with the 5th symphony which can either come together as majestic or fall into pieces of bombast if the brass isn't handled exactly right.  Sunday's performance also had some of the best orchestral playing we've yet heard from the SKB.  Yesterday's concert set a very high standard for tomorrow's Mahler 6th.  Boulez can really deliver with this symphony.  One of my father's friends used to talk about hearing a Boulez Mahler 6th back in the 70s when he was conducting the NYPO that was for him an incredible experience, so I know that Tuesday night has the potential of being a real high point.  I've still go my fingers crossed.  Crossing them has paid off so far - big time!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on May 11, 2009, 11:41:12 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 11:11:37 AM
And I couldn't agree more: the Fourth can absolutely plummet in the last movement if the singer is wrong. 

--Bruce

Quoted for emphasis!


Good to hear the intégrale is working out. I would hardly expect such an achievement from Barenboim; but he seems bent on proving me wrong. ;D

I'd still probably opt for Boulez doing all ten any day, though...

(Even with the very real potential for performances overly on the chilly side of the excitement spectrum.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 11:48:56 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 09:55:31 AM
Ray, I will be very eager to hear your comments on the Sixth, which sometimes I think is my favorite of the entire lot.  It has my favorite Mahler slow movement, and is packed with drama, among many other things.  It is incredibly difficult to play, requiring heroic musicianship, and therefore lots of fun (well, "fun" might be slightly inaccurate  ;D) to watch.

--Bruce

It is becoming my favorite as well, Bruce.  At least....it feels that way when I'm listening to it.  ;D  Although it's got some stiff competition from the 2nd, 5th and 1st for me.

Will the middle movements be Scherzo/Andante, or vice versa?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 11:50:41 AM
Thank you Bunny and Bruce for your thorough reviews! I hope you enjoy the 6th!!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 11:52:21 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 11:28:50 AM
Bruce, I should ask you if you had your Barenboim moment yesterday?  That was a wonderful 5th that he conducted Sunday, and without the score!  It came as no surprise to me because I heard him conduct the 5th with the Chicago SO in either 2005 or 2006 (his last year in Chicago), and it was also an electrifying performance with one of the best Adagiettos ever.  That Chicago performance had memorable brass playing (as usual for Chicago), but the silkiness of those strings lives in my memory.

Barenboim's Mahler is really special because he is so totally Zen about it.  He is completely in the moment when he conducts, and I think he lifts the SKB to another level.  They can play amazingly well for Boulez when they are "on." But they also can deliver a completely flat performance as they did with the Mahler 2nd.  They had similar problems with brass and raggedy play the first night with Barenboim, but it all came together so electrically that the flaws became unimportant.  Does Barenboim create magic on that stage?  I think so.  Going to his concerts can probably be very dicey because he gambles, big time, with the music.  But those times when it works become something very special.  On Sunday, it worked, both for the Ruckert Lieder with Quasthoff, who is as you so rightly term, a force of nature; and later with the 5th symphony which can either come together as majestic or fall into pieces of bombast if the brass isn't handled exactly right.  Sunday's performance also had some of the best orchestral playing we've yet heard from the SKB.  Yesterday's concert set a very high standard for tomorrow's Mahler 6th.  Boulez can really deliver with this symphony.  One of my father's friends used to talk about hearing a Boulez Mahler 6th back in the 70s when he was conducting the NYPO that was for him an incredible experience, so I know that Tuesday night has the potential of being a real high point.  I've still go my fingers crossed.  Crossing them has paid off so far - big time!!

Yes, that Fifth might have been the best so far, along with Boulez's Fourth the night before.  I do think overall, (and I adore Boulez) that Barenboim is perhaps better suited to deliver a more satisfying Mahler reading, just observing this "mini-experiment" here.  I wish I could remember the exact words a friend said after the Second, something to the effect of: "Boulez sees the Second and admires its concepts, its orchestration, its revolution--but has no idea how to get to its ecstatic heart."  I sort of felt that way; it wasn't an awful Second, just not one that gives goosebumps.  It should leave you with your eyes watering at the end.

The friend going with me to the Sixth tomorrow night has heard Boulez do it before, and said it was one of the high points of her concertgoing career, so I'm trying not to get too excited.  The orchestra definitely was sounding better in the last two concerts, so perhaps they truly just needed a bit of a ramp-up.  But it's a really hard piece.

Quote from: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 11:48:56 AM
Will the middle movements be Scherzo/Andante, or vice versa?  :)

If the program notes (http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_9959_pn.html?selecteddate=05122009) are any clue, it looks to be "Andante/Scherzo."  (I think I prefer the other order.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 11:54:31 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 11:50:41 AM
Thank you Bunny and Bruce for your thorough reviews! I hope you enjoy the 6th!!  :)

:D

PS, I am also doing full reviews of each for MusicWeb, and if you want to check my blog I'm testing out Twitter (in the upper right corner, "Microforest"), to give brief, one-sentence comments on each concert.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 12:27:00 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 11, 2009, 11:52:21 AM


If the program notes (http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_9959_pn.html?selecteddate=05122009) are any clue, it looks to be "Andante/Scherzo."  (I think I prefer the other order.)

--Bruce

Sigh. Sadness here.  :'(

Mahler changing the order of the movements just before the performance reminds me of the stories of students taking the SAT who change an answer just as the bell rings.  Statistically, we are told, the first choice is usally the correct one. 

If Boulez is putting the Scherzo third, then this had better be the best darn performance ever.  Otherwise I will be very disappointed. 

I wonder if Barenboim would put the Scherzo second?  :-\
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 11, 2009, 12:29:42 PM
Quote from: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 12:27:00 PM
Sigh. Sadness here.  :'(

Mahler changing the order of the movements just before the performance reminds me of the stories of students taking the SAT who change an answer just as the bell rings.  Statistically, we are told, the first choice is usally the correct one. 

If Boulez is putting the Scherzo third, then this had better be the best darn performance ever.  Otherwise I will be very disappointed. 

I wonder if Barenboim would put the Scherzo second?  :-\

:( I've never yet heard it Andante/Scherzo, and my mind is having a hard time imagining it heard this way.  I'm happy that the performance I'm going to on Friday has the Scherzo/Andante order.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 01:30:23 PM
I'm hoping the program notes are not accurate.  Apparently Boulez recorded (http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonie-No-6-Gustav/dp/B000001GOZ) it with the Wiener Philharmoniker with the Scherzo second. 

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VTYNC2Y4L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on May 12, 2009, 12:46:02 PM
I got to hear Berlioz' Damnation of Faust at the beginning of the month. Simon Rattle conducted, Magdalena Kozena sang Marguerite, Thomas Quasthoff sang Mephistopheles, Eric Owens sang Brander, and Gregory Kunde sang the title role. An excellent performance all the way around, but I was most impressed by Kunde, as I've not heard of him before (whereas the other two leads I've heard/heard of) but he did a wonderful job with Faust. I ended up purchasing an EMI recording so as to better familiarize myself with the work, but it's not like hearing it live in the concert hall. Good times indeed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 12, 2009, 06:39:25 PM
Quote from: Bunny on May 11, 2009, 01:30:23 PM
I'm hoping the program notes are not accurate.  Apparently Boulez recorded (http://www.amazon.com/Mahler-Symphonie-No-6-Gustav/dp/B000001GOZ) it with the Wiener Philharmoniker with the Scherzo second. 

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51VTYNC2Y4L._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

Joy tonight!  Scherzo second.  Brass continue to have some problems, but Hammer gives great thunks. Exposition repeat observed, 2 hammerblows. Boulez knows how to do drama, and this was DRAMATIC.  Boulez was more animated on the podium than he has been this whole series, he actually moved his arms around, even waving an extended arm!  The orchestra took notice, and delivered an intense perfomance.  SKBerlin has a terrific 1st Violin and a treasure in the oboist.  If only the cowbells were a trifle more prominent, especially in the Andante, however, on the whole an excellent performance.  :D

Biggest criticism is not to Boulez and SKBerlin: Carnegie Hall usher seated a late couple in the front of the Parquet between first and second movements.  Made the orchestra wait and broke the concentration.  Bad move.  Boos and hisses for Carnegie Hall staff.  If they came late, tant pis.  No excuses, a terrible thing to do to Boulez, the SKB and me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 12, 2009, 07:38:43 PM
Great post, Bunny !

I'm not sure about how the the 6th's cowbells ought to sound (which is another way of saying I have my own idea in the subject ;D). A IIRC the experience of hearing cowbells up in the mountain pastures struck him deeply. as it did with me, but I heard them from above, looking down below. We were having a snack in the Allgauern Alpen, nach Obertsdorf . Cowbells were heard very distinctly, startlingly reminiscent of the 6th symphony - I mean, although I had a long time ago read about the 6th's genesis and Mahler's love of nature sounds, hearing those in situ came as quite a shock. After a few seconds, my attempts to locate the grazing herd was fruitful and I noticed a dozen cows in the shadow of a tree, about 1000 feet below in the valley. Their sound was coming very distinctly from down there, although they appeared as tiny as ants from my viewpoint.

Now, Mahler has precisely described this section as "the last greeting from earth to penetrate the remote solitude of the mountain peaks." Well, we were quite far from the mountain peaks, so my hunch is that, if Mahler's sensations are to be translated in sounds, then the cowbells ought to sound from as far as possible - an almost ethereal feeling (as in "ether"). 'Closeup' cowbells bring me closer to Chicago's meat processing plants than to the Alp's pastures.

Not that it's a defining factor, but I'd like to know wich 6th have particularly distant cowbell sounds?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 12, 2009, 09:47:48 PM
Lilas, for me cowbells should be heard clearly even if from a distance. Ideally they are the pastoral equivalent of the bells of a church seen on a slope of the mountain below.  Their sound marks the time as well as the connection of the ordinary to the spiritual. I think that there is a duality in Mahler's music: he is immersed in the physical nature of the Earth, ie. The mountains, sky, etc. while at the same time he sees them in a deeply mystical way. This is, for me the heart of Mahler's vision.

It's late and I'm not really expressing this as well as I would like. I'll try again later. I only hope this doesn't read like complete drivel!  ::) :P

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 13, 2009, 03:55:53 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on May 12, 2009, 07:38:43 PM
Not that it's a defining factor, but I'd like to know wich 6th have particularly distant cowbell sounds?

The ones with a dozen cows backstage.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 13, 2009, 05:37:07 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 13, 2009, 03:55:53 AM
The ones with a dozen cows backstage.  ;D

hehehe ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 13, 2009, 06:09:09 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on May 12, 2009, 07:38:43 PM
Great post, Bunny !

I'm not sure about how the the 6th's cowbells ought to sound (which is another way of saying I have my own idea in the subject ;D). A IIRC the experience of hearing cowbells up in the mountain pastures struck him deeply. as it did with me, but I heard them from above, looking down below. We were having a snack in the Allgauern Alpen, nach Obertsdorf . Cowbells were heard very distinctly, startlingly reminiscent of the 6th symphony - I mean, although I had a long time ago read about the 6th's genesis and Mahler's love of nature sounds, hearing those in situ came as quite a shock. After a few seconds, my attempts to locate the grazing herd was fruitful and I noticed a dozen cows in the shadow of a tree, about 1000 feet below in the valley. Their sound was coming very distinctly from down there, although they appeared as tiny as ants from my viewpoint.

Now, Mahler has precisely described this section as "the last greeting from earth to penetrate the remote solitude of the mountain peaks." Well, we were quite far from the mountain peaks, so my hunch is that, if Mahler's sensations are to be translated in sounds, then the cowbells ought to sound from as far as possible - an almost ethereal feeling (as in "ether"). 'Closeup' cowbells bring me closer to Chicago's meat processing plants than to the Alp's pastures.

Not that it's a defining factor, but I'd like to know wich 6th have particularly distant cowbell sounds?

FYI, I believe only dairy cows have bells, so clear the Chicago meat processing plant from your imagination (unring that bell ;D). 

Cows and their bells make the most noise when the herd is moving: usually going to pasture in the morning, and returning to the barn in the evening.  I'm no farm girl, and I don't live in the mountains, but I've heard cows (a small dairy herd) on the road wearing bells as they were moved from one pasture to the another pasture on the other side of the road.  As we drove closer they made quite a racket with the bells clanging, the occasional moo, etc as they walked and settled themselves in the other pasture.  I can't imagine that Mahler was so far away that they were just barely audible.  We were able to hear the bells from a good way off, so I suspect that in the mountains with the thinner air, they would sound fairly crisply even at distance.  So, I'd like my cowbells clearly audible, not barely audible, but certainly not drowning out the orchestra.

Maybe I should hold a cowbell competition. Sooner or later I'll find the best balance between the barn door and the church door so to speak...  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 11:39:37 AM
Don't have much to add to Bunny's good write-up of last night's Mahler Sixth with Boulez, other than that it is so far the highlight of the cycle for me.  The piece is a very good match for Boulez's temperament (as opposed to the Second), and the playing, while still a bit rocky, was better than the previous concerts. 

So tonight:

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Hampson, Baritone

Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Mahler: Symphony No. 7 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 13, 2009, 11:57:20 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 11:39:37 AM
Don't have much to add to Bunny's good write-up of last night's Mahler Sixth with Boulez, other than that it is so far the highlight of the cycle for me.  The piece is a very good match for Boulez's temperament (as opposed to the Second), and the playing, while still a bit rocky, was better than the previous concerts. 

So tonight:

Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Hampson, Baritone

Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Mahler: Symphony No. 7 

--Bruce

I think my top highlights have to be Quasthoff.  He's been a miracle and I don't care if his upper register has "lost some bloom."  Nonsense!  His artistry is unrivaled and the voice is still  stunningly beautiful.  Boulez did deliver, though and I would say that the 4th, 5th, and 6th have been the best played so far despite the brass.  Did you notice that the opening trumpeter had that awful biff right at the first entrance?  It was perfect in the repeat, but I'm sure he would rather have biffed in the repeat if he had to biff than in the first entrance.  What's going on with the brass? I read somewhere that the trumpeter who did the posthorn solo in the 3rd is the son of the First Violinist.  That's keeping it in the family. ;)

Much joy in anticipation of tonight's excellent program!  Barenboim's recording of that symphony is one of my favorites. :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 12:11:35 PM
Yes, Quasthoff has been marvelous, and I didn't really hear the "lost bloom" either: he sounded just fine to me.  And actually all three of the singers have been terrific.  (I am uncertain what to expect of Hampson tonight, since I haven't heard him recently.) 

Re: the unfortunate problems with the brass.  I don't know what's going on, but yes, they seem to be struggling. 

And I'll be glad to have a break tomorrow, before the Eighth.  0:)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on May 13, 2009, 12:13:39 PM
I find it hard to imagine Boulez not delivering on the 6th. The times I've heard him conduct it have ranged from good to electrifying. Would love to get the chance to hear Quasthoff sing Mahler, too... the Wayfarer songs with Boulez on CD are remarkable.

I'm envious of you guys getting to hear Barenboim do the 7th... the recording I thought was nothing short of sensational.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 12:17:18 PM
Quote from: edward on May 13, 2009, 12:13:39 PM
I find it hard to imagine Boulez not delivering on the 6th. The times I've heard him conduct it have ranged from good to electrifying.

The friend who went with me last night wanted to hear Boulez conduct the piece again, after hearing him awhile back do the Sixth with the London Symphony Orchestra.  I asked her, "So it was great?" and she said, "It was a life-changing experience!"  :o  Last night wasn't quite at that level, but still very impressive.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 13, 2009, 12:19:55 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 12:11:35 PM
And I'll be glad to have a break tomorrow, before the Eighth.  0:)

Sleeping in, eh, Bruce?  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 13, 2009, 12:22:12 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 12:11:35 PM
Yes, Quasthoff has been marvelous, and I didn't really hear the "lost bloom" either: he sounded just fine to me.

Anthony Tommasini is a certifiable moron. His reviews should generally be ignored.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 12:35:49 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 13, 2009, 12:19:55 PM
Sleeping in, eh, Bruce?  ;D

;D  Honest, it will be nice to have a night off.  This festival is great fun but also time-consuming! 

Quote from: O Mensch on May 13, 2009, 12:22:12 PM
Anthony Tommasini is a certifiable moron. His reviews should generally be ignored.

The Quasthoff comment made me think, "Were we even in the same room?"  ??? 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 13, 2009, 12:38:26 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 12:35:49 PM
The Quasthoff comment made me think, "Were we even in the same room?"  ??? 

I've had many "same room?" experiences reading his reviews. Same with John von Rhein at the Chicago Tribune. I can't even believe that guy's name. It's gotta be fake.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 13, 2009, 12:38:40 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 13, 2009, 12:35:49 PM
The Quasthoff comment made me think, "Were we even in the same room?"  ??? 

I've had occasion to wonder that, even at times when I knew the other fellow was not a complete nincompoop.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 13, 2009, 08:04:15 PM
Staatskapelle Berlin
Daniel Barenboim, Music Director and Conductor
Thomas Hampson, Baritone

Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Mahler: Symphony No. 7 

FREUDE! 

Tonight the orchestra delivered the best sustained playing in the cycle so far.  NO BRASS PROBLEMS!  Barenboim gave a magnificent reading of the symphony, coming together in wonderful fashion.  The musicians played so beautifully I began to wonder if I had hallucinated all of the problems in the earlier symphonies.  No brass biffs, no early entrances, no problems with ensemble, no ragged or rough play.  The solo instruments, from the trumpet (formerly very problematic) to the horn, to the wonderful 1st violin, to the oboist (a real treasure), to the flutes, to the clarinets, to the harps, to the first violist (superb), to the guitarist, and the mandolin player (excellent) -- all played brilliantly without a hitch. And the percussionists were simply splendid.  If they were a slumping baseball team, I would assume the manager had called the team together for a tough love/get your ass in gear type of talk. 

Hampton may not have been in best voice, he exhibited signs of having a cold or allergies (blowing his nose and coughing). While he had some very slight, although well covered, problems only with his highest notes, he rose to the occasion with a very sensitive reading of the Lieder.  After the perfection or the previous singers, I will not quibble here.  Vocally so far, we have had a surfeit of pleasures.  Even with Hampson's problems, this was an evening when nothing could dim the brilliance of the music. 

At the end, the audience leapt to our feet and couldn't stop shouting and clapping.  It was a very happy evening.  The 7th ends in a celebratory climax.  There is not a hint of darkness as is all too common in Mahler who liked to temper his joy with something darker.  Barenboim, while pulling out all of the stops, gave one of the more disciplined readings.  Thumbs up!  I have come to feel that when he is on, and he has been on so far, everything he does has a tremendous vitality that is lost with some conductors nowadays who are afraid to venture too far from the "composer's intentions."

Another thing that was clearly in evidence tonight is how good this orchestra can sound.  The strings had tremendous warmth and fullness, the tympany had great power -- those cowbells both on stage and off were perfect.  The clarinets sounded both nostalgic and satirical in turn.  The transparency was amazing, each instrumental group was heard so clearly even during the loudest climaxes.  If the SKB plays like this on a regular basis at home, it's no wonder that the Berlin critics are always carping about the BP.  Tonight the orchestra played like a world class Mahler band.

Note: Despite the excellence of this evening, I have to remark on the fact that apparently a few members of the audience must have dozed off during the first movement.  The end of the first movement is a fairly loud climax, which apparently woke them up.  They started the applause as if the symphony had just concluded, and then I suppose with some egg on their faces, quieted down for the second movement.  Clearly Mahler rookies.  There was no other untoward interruptions by any others in the audience, so I will assume they managed to stay awake, following the lead of the rest of the Mahler Pros as to the proper time to start clapping. ;D

Oops, secret sources have suggested that it was Tomassini asleep in the balcony...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 14, 2009, 10:31:01 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 12, 2009, 09:47:48 PM
Lilas, for me cowbells should be heard clearly even if from a distance.

Just for my own reference, where in the Mahler 6th do the cowbells appear?  Is it in the Andante (approx. 12 minutes in)?  ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 14, 2009, 10:37:50 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 14, 2009, 10:31:01 AM
Just for my own reference, where in the Mahler 6th do the cowbells appear?  Is it in the Andante (approx. 12 minutes in)?  ???

Nevermind.  They are approx. 10 minutes into the Finale.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on May 14, 2009, 10:46:22 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 14, 2009, 10:37:50 AM
Nevermind.  They are approx. 10 minutes into the Finale.  8)
Yes, though they appear multiple times throughout the work, and in the faster movements indicating a temporary turn away from the march rhythms to a more pastoral atmosphere.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 14, 2009, 10:48:02 AM
Cow-pat Mahler?!!?  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 14, 2009, 11:01:45 AM
Quote from: edward on May 14, 2009, 10:46:22 AM
Yes, though they appear multiple times throughout the work, and in the faster movements indicating a temporary turn away from the march rhythms to a more pastoral atmosphere.

Much appreciated, Edward!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 15, 2009, 10:42:45 AM
Tonight at Carnegie Hall...hoooo-boy!  :D

Staatskapelle Berlin
Pierre Boulez, Conductor
Eberhard Friedrich, Chorus Director
Christine Brewer, Soprano (Magna Peccatrix)
Adrianne Pieczonka, Soprano (Un poenitentium)
Sylvia Schwartz, Soprano (Mater gloriosa)
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano (Mulier Samaritana)
Jane Henschel, Mezzo-Soprano (Maria Aegyptiaca)
Stephen Gould, Tenor (Doctor Marianus)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Bass-Baritone (Pater ecstaticus)
Robert Holl, Bass (Pater profundus)
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor
The American Boychoir
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Music Director

Mahler: Symphony No. 8, "Symphony of a Thousand"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 15, 2009, 10:45:26 AM
Oh, you love it, Bruce, and you know it  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 15, 2009, 10:46:01 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 15, 2009, 10:42:45 AM
Tonight at Carnegie Hall...hoooo-boy!  :D

Staatskapelle Berlin
Pierre Boulez, Conductor
Eberhard Friedrich, Chorus Director
Christine Brewer, Soprano (Magna Peccatrix)
Adrianne Pieczonka, Soprano (Un poenitentium)
Sylvia Schwartz, Soprano (Mater gloriosa)
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano (Mulier Samaritana)
Jane Henschel, Mezzo-Soprano (Maria Aegyptiaca)
Stephen Gould, Tenor (Doctor Marianus)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann, Bass-Baritone (Pater ecstaticus)
Robert Holl, Bass (Pater profundus)
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor
The American Boychoir
Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Music Director

Mahler: Symphony No. 8, "Symphony of a Thousand"

--Bruce


You and Bunny are going to require therapy after the Mahler cycle is over.  Either because of overdosing on the dramatic works of Mahler....or going through withdrawal!  :D

Hope you both enjoy the final concerts!  8) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 15, 2009, 10:50:27 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 15, 2009, 10:45:26 AM
Oh, you love it, Bruce, and you know it  ;D

;D  You better believe it!  The Eighth is usually quite an experience, just for the number of people onstage.  (Although tonight's, like most these days, looks to be considerably under "1,000.")

Quote from: ChamberNut on May 15, 2009, 10:46:01 AM
You and Bunny are going to require therapy after the Mahler cycle is over.  Either because of overdosing on the dramatic works of Mahler....or going through withdrawal!  :D

Hope you both enjoy the final concerts!  8) :)

I think "overdosing" is closer to the truth.  This has been a fascinating week, but in no way would I normally like to experience these pieces in such close succession.  Ideally, best to have some time to mull them over--let them churn around in your head--before going on to another one (IMHO anyway).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 15, 2009, 02:06:32 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 15, 2009, 10:46:01 AM
You and Bunny are going to require therapy after the Mahler cycle is over.  Either because of overdosing on the dramatic works of Mahler....or going through withdrawal!  :D

Hope you both enjoy the final concerts!  8) :)

Mahler is therapy for me.  Although after another concert without an intermission I may need some physical therapy for my aching back. ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 15, 2009, 03:14:58 PM
The Mahler cycle sounds fantastic. Experiencing Mahler's #2 & #3 performed live have been two of my best concerts thus far.

Anyway next Friday I have the NZSO.

WEBERN Passacaglia for Orchestra
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No 1
BEETHOVEN Symphony No 7

MATTHIAS BAMERT Conductor
STEVEN OSBORNE Piano

Webern's Passacaglia was written before he had thrown off his Romantic origins, and surprisingly yokes an ancient form, the passacaglia, to decadent and dazzling orchestration reminiscent of Richard Strauss. Shostakovich's 1933 piano concerto, with its mordant wit, features shades of Petrouchka cast in clean neo-classical lines. Written as a showcase for Shostakovich's own formidable pianistic gifts, the concerto also gives the orchestra's Principal Trumpet a prominent role. Beethoven's insistent pounding rhythms and the brilliant key of A major fill his Seventh Symphony with unstoppable joy.

Should be good  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: flyingdutchman on May 15, 2009, 03:52:36 PM
Going tomorrow afternoon to see this, by treat of my sister:

http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/

Gershwin!!

I needed this considering my recent employment issues.  A celebration is in order.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 15, 2009, 05:33:31 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 15, 2009, 03:14:58 PM
WEBERN Passacaglia for Orchestra
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No 1
BEETHOVEN Symphony No 7

Splendid program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on May 16, 2009, 05:47:32 AM

My group's performance last night to a sell-out crowd.

Bach's Cantata 196: Der Herr Denket an Uns, Bernsteins's Chichester Psalms,, Mozart's Vesperae Solennes de Confessore

Such gorgeous pieces, each one,  -- tried and true choral standards -- but they sound fresh every time!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 16, 2009, 06:15:17 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 15, 2009, 03:14:58 PM
Anyway next Friday I have the NZSO.

WEBERN Passacaglia for Orchestra
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No 1
BEETHOVEN Symphony No 7

MATTHIAS BAMERT Conductor
STEVEN OSBORNE Piano

Should be good  :)



I went to a WSO concert earlier this season for Beethoven's 7th, and Bamert was the conductor!  :)
Great concert it was!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 16, 2009, 06:22:54 AM
Last night's review:

Mahler's 6th - Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra - Alexander Mickelthwate.

In summary - best concert I've ever been to.  :)

Surprisingly (and the only very minor disappointment) was that Mickelthwate decided to go with the Andante/Scherzo order.  And there were two hammer blows.  WOW!!!!  The recording on CD doesn't do the hammer blows justice.  Quite astounding live.  :)

The orchestra and conductor were really in synch.  They were spot on for the majority.  An incredible performance.  It was an emotional evening for the orchestra as well.....the stellar Doug Bairstow, the WSO Principal Oboeist, performed in his final concert as he's now retiring.  He was the Principal Oboe for an incredible 44 years!  The greatest ovation was saved for him.  0:)

A really amazing concert experience.  No words really can do justice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on May 16, 2009, 08:57:47 AM
Kudos to the WSO and Mickelthwate for the formidable hammerblows. They ought to make a terrific impact and yet, even in concert, it's not always the case.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: drogulus on May 16, 2009, 12:11:28 PM


      Tonght I'll hear the Spectrum Singers perform Mozart:

      Mass in C "Coronation", K. 317

      Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K. 339


      But first I'll have a burger at the Sandwich Shop on Church St. and then a classical butterscotch sundae.

     (http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7571/concert.jpg) (http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6222/sandwichn.jpg)
     

     
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on May 16, 2009, 04:50:57 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on May 15, 2009, 03:14:58 PM

WEBERN Passacaglia for Orchestra
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No 1
BEETHOVEN Symphony No 7

MATTHIAS BAMERT Conductor
STEVEN OSBORNE Piano

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 15, 2009, 05:33:31 PM
Splendid program!

Yes, plenty of memorable tunes and driving rhythms!

Quote from: ChamberNut on May 16, 2009, 06:15:17 AM
I went to a WSO concert earlier this season for Beethoven's 7th, and Bamert was the conductor!  :)
Great concert it was!  :)


Yep, Bambert is a regular guest conductor with the NZSO, often doing Brahms or Beethoven  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on May 16, 2009, 11:55:25 PM
Quote from: drogulus on May 16, 2009, 12:11:28 PM

      Tonght I'll hear the Spectrum Singers perform Mozart:

      Mass in C "Coronation", K. 317

      Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K. 339


      But first I'll have a burger at the Sandwich Shop on Church St. and then a classical butterscotch sundae.

     (http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7571/concert.jpg) (http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/6222/sandwichn.jpg)       

You will love these pieces, if you are not already familiar with them, specially if you are a Mozart fan. There is a wonderful recording of this combination with Emma Kirkby, which is one of my favorite interpretations.

(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/37/de/462c024128a00a43b7e99010.L.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Gabriel on May 17, 2009, 03:53:53 AM
I'm really looking forward to these two last weeks of May.

May 18th, Théâtre des Champs Élysées

Bach : Cantata BWV 35 Geist und Seele wird verwirret
Sinfonia (Cantata BWV 12 Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen)
Widerstehe doch der Sünde (Cantata BWV 54)
Schläfert alle Sorgenkummer (Cantata BWV 197)
Händel : Concerto grosso in B flat major op. 3 n° 2 HWV 313
Cara speme (Giulio Cesare)
Non ho cor che per amarti (Agrippina)
Concerto grosso in D minor op. 3 n° 5 HWV 316
Ombra mai fù, Crude furie (Serse)
Concerto Copenhagen, Lars Ulrich Mortensen, Anne Sofie von Otter.


May 25th, Théâtre du Châtelet

Alfano: Cyrano de Bergerac. Navarra Symphonic Orchestra/Fournillier. Domingo/Manfrino/Lamprecht. (Well, this should be included in the opera thread, but anyway).


And then... I'll travel to Austria to join the Haydn commemorations, first in Vienna, and then in Eisenstadt:

May 30th, Schloss Esterházy, Haydnsaal, Eisenstadt

Haydn: Symphonies n. 30 ("Alleluia"), 49 ("La passione"), 26 ("Lamentatione"), 44 ("Trauersymphonie"). Academy of Ancient Music/Goodwin.

And for the day of the 200th anniversary:

May 31st, Bergkirche, Eisenstadt
Haydn: Schöpfungsmesse. Chor und Orchester der Bergkirche/Bauer.

And later on, the same day, in the Haydnsaal:

Haydn: Die Schöpfung. Österreichisch-Ungarische Haydn Philharmonie/Wiener Kammerchor/Fischer. Dasch/Strehl/Quasthoff.

I'm eager to attend, of course, all these concerts, but I can't describe the joy of being able to participate in these great Haydn moments.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on May 17, 2009, 04:29:24 AM
Quote from: Gabriel on May 17, 2009, 03:53:53 AM
I'm eager to attend, of course, all these concerts, but I can't describe the joy of being able to participate in these great Haydn moments.

Very joyful, indeed! I envy you, but it also brings back great recollections of 2006 when my family and I "walked in Mozart's footsteps" from Prague to Salzburg to Vienna attending and participating in similar commemorations. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 17, 2009, 04:40:43 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 07, 2009, 06:51:38 AM
PS. I'd like to give a special thanks to Sergeant Rock who posted about this series in Berlin.  I wouldn't have been aware of how great it could be without his post.  And Sarge, I'll be sure to make the Sunday concerts (also at 2pm) and I'll be sure not to miss Symphony No. 6.  I only wish you could fly to NY to hear it with us.

It was so close Bunny. I'm actually going to be coming to the States this month (I fly out of Frankfurt next Sunday) but there was no way I could come earlier, or swing financially a two weeks stay and 10 concerts in NYC.

As a consolation prize, I'll be hearing Welser-Möst conduct Mahler 5 in Cleveland on the 28th.

Sarge

P.S.  Yes, the Staatskapelle is a marvelous band...I prefer it to the Berlin Phil.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: drogulus on May 17, 2009, 06:27:50 AM
Quote from: hildegard on May 16, 2009, 11:55:25 PM
You will love these pieces, if you are not already familiar with them, specially if you are a Mozart fan. There is a wonderful recording of this combination with Emma Kirkby, which is one of my favorite interpretations.

(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/37/de/462c024128a00a43b7e99010.L.jpg)


     The Spectrum Singers Mozart concert was superb. Mozart has never interested me until now, but the Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, K. 339 made a breaklthrough. In part this may be because the piece was written to emphasize the text, as per spec, and Mozart produced a work that isn't notably "classical". It recalls the Baroque to my ears, especially Handel, and sounds so much like Beethoven and Brahms that I wonder if these composers studied this score. I'll bet they did. The Mass was brilliant, but just a bit more like Mozart as I imagine him.

      hildegard, thanks, I'll look for that recording. I'll also want to see if there are any unfashionable "Golden Age" performances out there.

     
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 17, 2009, 07:43:56 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 16, 2009, 06:22:54 AM
Last night's review:

Mahler's 6th - Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra - Alexander Mickelthwate.

In summary - best concert I've ever been to.  :)

Surprisingly (and the only very minor disappointment) was that Mickelthwate decided to go with the Andante/Scherzo order.  And there were two hammer blows.  WOW!!!!  The recording on CD doesn't do the hammer blows justice.  Quite astounding live.  :)

The orchestra and conductor were really in synch.  They were spot on for the majority.  An incredible performance.  It was an emotional evening for the orchestra as well.....the stellar Doug Bairstow, the WSO Principal Oboeist, performed in his final concert as he's now retiring.  He was the Principal Oboe for an incredible 44 years!  The greatest ovation was saved for him.  0:)

A really amazing concert experience.  No words really can do justice.

Here is the review from the Winnipeg Free Press (our local daily paper) for the Friday night Mahler's 6th I attended.  :)

High Mahler drama wraps WSO season

By: Gwenda Nemerofsky

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra ended their season on a decidedly low note this weekend and it wasn't because of the quality of their performance.

Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate and his 90-plus cohorts chose the frighteningly fatalistic Symphony No. 6 "Tragic" by Mahler as their season farewell. The temperature outside was a wind-whipped 3 C Friday night -- and the music, not for the faint of heart, did nothing to warm us up.

Having said that, it was soon evident that this is a work close to Mickelthwate's heart -- one of which he has an intimate understanding.

Opening ominously with a distinctive military motif, the first movement was rife with warlike images, right down to the snare drum, like a drummer boy leading soldiers to battle. Mahler, the supreme strategist, kept us befuddled by inserting a lyrical violin solo, played with sweet tone by concertmaster Gwen Hoebig.

The celeste's gentle bell-like notes rang out, and just as peace seemed imminent, the alarming, driving march returned in the low strings and brass and the bass drum banged out danger.

The listener is pulled this way and that in the movement, played with intensity and fire. The weak point came early on. The violin section was piercingly shrill -- as if insufficiently warmed up. They pulled things together later in the movement.

Mahler originally planned the scherzo to come before the andante, but in the work's premiere, conducted it in reverse order. Mickelthwate, as many conductors before him, chose to follow this sequence.

The long-phrased andante was soothing, with many excellent woodwinds solos. Harpists Richard Turner's and Ann Germani's passages had an ethereal aqueous effect and the cellos literally sang.

While overall flow could have been smoother, the optimistic blossoming result was still achieved, and there was a bittersweetness that was quite breathtaking. Mickelthwate gave this a very sensitive reading, drawing out superb expressiveness. Principal oboist Doug Bairstow, in his final WSO season, phrased his solo line seamlessly, his tone pure and true.

The scherzo was agitated from the start; full of little skirmishes, then, quizzically, became playful. The distinctly stately section was given appropriate sedateness, interrupted by brash outbursts from various wind instruments. Détaché notes by the strings were balletically light and prim.

The finale was a 30-minute marathon full of grandiose heroics introduced with harp sweeps. Tuba and trombone interplay framing the movement was evocative of a requiem, while in between, the energetic drama, raucous and blustery, would easily suit the next Indiana Jones adventure flick.

Percussionist Fred Liessens, wielding a sledgehammer, dealt the dreaded blows of fate with dull, dead thuds.

Mickelthwate (in his finest work to date) and the WSO were impressive in this monumental and physically demanding work.

gwenda.nemerofsky@shaw.ca

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 18, 2009, 05:57:22 AM
Yesterday's performance of The People United Will Never Be Defeated! by Rzewski was my introduction to the piece.  Rather than improvising, he played from a copy of the score he wrote out for Ursula Oppen, deconstructing and reconstructing the song and associated melodies through 36 variations in 6 sets of 6, from extremely sparse notes spread on a blank sonic canvas, to an overwhelming wall of sound that was hard to believe came from just one piano, together with assorted whistles, stomps, slaps, and scratches.  Parts of it were very beautiful, parts of it reminded me of Cecil Taylor, and parts seemed a bit tedious, but after about 40 minutes or so I kept thinking that this is what is meant by a tour de force.

The performance was in the small studio at the Mondavi Center and afterwards Rzewski pulled up a chair and chatted with the audience for nearly an hour, which was nearly as interesting as the performance itself.  Subjects ranged from reminiscences of stopping off to listen to new LPs at a record store by the stop where he changed buses en route to his piano lessons as a kid in the late '40s, hanging out in jazz clubs to hear Monk, and his friendship with John Cage, to loose descriptions of the structural framework for improvisation underlying some of his work and laments about the inability of classically trained musicians to improvise.

Later this week we have what promises to be a highlight of the season:  MTT/SFS playing a new commission by Mason Bates, The B-Sides; Sibelius's 4th Symphony; and Prokofiev's 2nd Piano Cto with Yuja Wang.  Hot damn! 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2009, 06:00:14 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 18, 2009, 05:57:22 AM
Yesterday's performance of The People United Will Never Be Defeated! by Rzewski was my introduction to the piece.  Rather than improvising, he played from a copy of the score he wrote out for Ursula Oppen, deconstructing and reconstructing the song and associated melodies through 36 variations in 6 sets of 6, from extremely sparse notes spread on a blank sonic canvas, to an overwhelming wall of sound that was hard to believe came from just one piano, together with assorted whistles, stomps, slaps, and scratches.  Parts of it were very beautiful, parts of it reminded me of Cecil Taylor, and parts seemed a bit tedious, but after about 40 minutes or so I kept thinking that this is what is meant by a tour de force.

The performance was in the small studio at the Mondavi Center and afterwards Rzewski pulled up a chair and chatted with the audience for nearly an hour, which was nearly as interesting as the performance itself.  Subjects ranged from reminiscences of stopping off to listen to new LPs at a record store by the stop where he changed buses en route to his piano lessons as a kid in the late '40s, hanging out in jazz clubs to hear Monk, and his friendship with John Cage, to loose descriptions of the structural framework for improvisation underlying some of his work and laments about the inability of classically trained musicians to improvise.

Gosh, I have yet to hear the Rzewski, Dave.

Quote from: DavidRossLater this week we have what promises to be a highlight of the season:  MTT/SFS playing a new commission by Mason Bates, The B-Sides; Sibelius's 4th Symphony; and Prokofiev's 2nd Piano Cto with Yuja Wang.  Hot damn! 

Always glad to hear of a commission by a major orchestra.

The title B-Sides gives me pause, though  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 18, 2009, 06:14:42 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 18, 2009, 06:00:14 AM
The title B-Sides gives me pause, though  8)

Per Mason Bates:
QuoteIt was between Tchaikovsky and Brahms that Michael Tilson Thomas, surprisingly mellow in his dressing room during one intermission, broached the idea of a new work. Fresh off the podium after the concerto, and apparently undistracted by the looming symphony in the second half, he suggested a collection of five pieces focusing on texture and sonority—perhaps like Schoenberg's Five Pieces for Orchestra. Since my music had largely gone in the other direction—large works that bathed the listener in immersive experiences—the idea intrigued me. I had often imagined a suite of concise, off-kilter symphonic pieces that would incorporate the grooves and theatrics of electronica in a highly focused manner.  So, like the forgotten bands from the flipside of an old piece of vinyl, The B-Sides offers brief landings on a variety of peculiar planets, unified by a focus on fluorescent orchestral sonorities and the morphing rhythms of electronica.

The first stop is the dusky, circuit-board landscape of 'Broom of the System.' To the ticking of a future clock, our broom—brought to life by sandpaper blocks and, at one point, an actual broom—quietly and anonymously keeps everything running, like a chimney-sweep in a huge machine. The title is from a short-story collection by David Foster Wallace, though one could place the fairy-like broom in Borges' Anthology of Fantastic Zoology.

The ensuing 'Aerosol Melody (Hanalei)' blooms on the north shore of Kauai, where a gentle, bending melody evaporates at cadence points. Djembe and springy pizzicati populate the strange fauna of this purely acoustic movement, inspired by several trips with the Fleishhacker family. The lazy string glissandi ultimately put the movement, beachside, to sleep.

Gemini in the Solar Wind' is a re-imagination of the first American spacewalk, using actual communication samples from the 1965 Gemini IV voyage provided by NASA. In this re-telling, clips of words, phrases, and static from the original are rearranged to show Ed White, seduced by the vastness and mystery of space, deliriously unhooking from the spacecraft to drift away blissfully.

His final vision of the coast of northern California drops us down close to home. The initial grit of 'Temescal Noir,' like the Oakland neighborhood of the title, eventually shows its subtle charm in hazy, jazz-tinged hues. Unbothered by electronics, this movement receives some industrious help in the rhythm department by a typewriter and oil drum. At its end, the broom returns in a cameo, again altering the tempo, and this propels us into 'Warehouse Medicine.' An homage to techno's birthplace—the empty warehouses of Detroit—the final stop on The B-Sides gives no quarter. Huge brass swells and out-of-tune pizzicati emulate some of the visceral sonorities of techno, and on this pounding note The B-Sides bows out.

The work is dedicated to Michael Tilson Thomas, whose impromptu composition lessons informed the work to an enormous degree, in addition to the countless concerts I have experienced while living in the Bay Area. Many thanks, as well, to the wonderful musicians who have brought this to life.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2009, 06:24:25 AM
Many thanks!  Sounds like a spicy addition to an already-good program, Dave.

Tangentially, and I don't remember the author . . . but I once read a quirky novel of the title The Broom of the System.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2009, 06:27:43 AM
Yes, it's David Foster Wallace . . . I thought it was a novel, and not a short-story collection . . . .

[ All right, the blurb on the back does confirm this as a debut novel (http://www.amazon.com/Broom-System-David-Foster-Wallace/dp/0142002429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242656791&sr=1-1) ]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2009, 12:01:04 PM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 18, 2009, 05:57:22 AM
Yesterday's performance of The People United Will Never Be Defeated! by Rzewski was my introduction to the piece.  Rather than improvising, he played from a copy of the score he wrote out for Ursula Oppen, deconstructing and reconstructing the song and associated melodies through 36 variations in 6 sets of 6, from extremely sparse notes spread on a blank sonic canvas, to an overwhelming wall of sound that was hard to believe came from just one piano, together with assorted whistles, stomps, slaps, and scratches.  Parts of it were very beautiful, parts of it reminded me of Cecil Taylor, and parts seemed a bit tedious, but after about 40 minutes or so I kept thinking that this is what is meant by a tour de force.

The performance was in the small studio at the Mondavi Center and afterwards Rzewski pulled up a chair and chatted with the audience for nearly an hour, which was nearly as interesting as the performance itself.  Subjects ranged from reminiscences of stopping off to listen to new LPs at a record store by the stop where he changed buses en route to his piano lessons as a kid in the late '40s, hanging out in jazz clubs to hear Monk, and his friendship with John Cage, to loose descriptions of the structural framework for improvisation underlying some of his work and laments about the inability of classically trained musicians to improvise.

Later this week we have what promises to be a highlight of the season:  MTT/SFS playing a new commission by Mason Bates, The B-Sides; Sibelius's 4th Symphony; and Prokofiev's 2nd Piano Cto with Yuja Wang.  Hot damn! 

Great that you got to hear this for the first time live, and with Rzewski playing.  I heard him play at the Mannes College of Music here a few years ago (his works, but not that one), and thought he was quite a good pianist. 

And wow, that MTT/SFS concert looks fantastic.  I've heard a few pieces by Bates in the last year or so...interesting composer. 

So for my own concert listening, we finished up the big Mahler cycle yesterday with the Staatskapelle Berlin, and I'm delighted to report that the last three concerts (Nos. 8 and 9, with the Adagio from No. 10 and Das Lied von der Erde in between) were just terrific.  Boulez did the Eighth with patience and beautiful control, and if the singers were a bit of a mixed lot, the Westminster Choir made up for it with some fantastic singing.

Barenboim conducted the final two concerts.  The Adagio from the Tenth was sublime.  And of the two singers in Das Lied, Klaus Florian Vogt was very good, but Michelle DeYoung was "f****** amazing" (to quote my eager concert companion that night  ;D). 

And then they saved what might have been the best until the very end, with a superbly played Ninth.  No missed entrances, no confusion, no flubs, just a lot of highly committed, world-class musicianship.  It was a great way to end what has been a fascinating two weeks. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 18, 2009, 01:19:54 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 18, 2009, 12:01:04 PM
So for my own concert listening, we finished up the big Mahler cycle yesterday with the Staatskapelle Berlin, and I'm delighted to report that the last three concerts (Nos. 8 and 9, with the Adagio from No. 10 and Das Lied von der Erde in between) were just terrific.  Boulez did the Eighth with patience and beautiful control, and if the singers were a bit of a mixed lot, the Westminster Choir made up for it with some fantastic singing.

Barenboim conducted the final two concerts.  The Adagio from the Tenth was sublime.  And of the two singers in Das Lied, Klaus Florian Vogt was very good, but Michelle DeYoung was "f****** amazing" (to quote my eager concert companion that night  ;D). 

And then they saved what might have been the best until the very end, with a superbly played Ninth.  No missed entrances, no confusion, no flubs, just a lot of highly committed, world-class musicianship.  It was a great way to end what has been a fascinating two weeks. 
That sounds terrific, Bruce.  Your companion is right about Ms DeYoung is usually effing aMAzing, so I've no doubt your companion was right.  I'd love to hear her in Das Lied (good as Thomas Hampson was in the MTT/SFS recording, I still think I'd've preferred her).  That's wonderful that you were able to be there for the Mahler cycle, Bruce.  Remind me to be good, please, so I might have a chance of coming back in the next life as you.

--Dave
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2009, 01:45:15 PM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 18, 2009, 01:19:54 PM
That sounds terrific, Bruce.  Your companion is right about Ms DeYoung is usually effing aMAzing, so I've no doubt your companion was right.  I'd love to hear her in Das Lied (good as Thomas Hampson was in the MTT/SFS recording, I still think I'd've preferred her).  That's wonderful that you were able to be there for the Mahler cycle, Bruce.  Remind me to be good, please, so I might have a chance of coming back in the next life as you.

--Dave

[Charming compliment humbly accepted!]   Although you may want to reconsider since at the moment, being me means living in a small NYC apartment and putting up with a lot of city things that many people would never tolerate, not to mention lately, having a trimmed down social life.  A critic I know said that lately he's so busy, he catches up with people during concert intermissions, because that's the only time he can.  I can identify!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 18, 2009, 04:03:28 PM
It's the Mahler Overload which has me most concerned for you, at present, Bruce. My Maria was in New York yesterday, and she durstn't call you, for fear of what might answer the phone  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 05:07:20 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 18, 2009, 04:03:28 PM
It's the Mahler Overload which has me most concerned for you, at present, Bruce. My Maria was in New York yesterday, and she durstn't call you, for fear of what might answer the phone  ;D

"Hello, Maria?  No, Bruce is...is...'away' at the moment...mwah-ha-ha-ha-ha...."  >:D

I have to say, it's going to be a pleasure to go to a concert of solo piano music tonight...  0:)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 08:49:19 AM
Keys to the Future
Concert 1 of 3
Greenwich House
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 8PM
Marina Lomazov, Blair McMillen, Lisa Moore, Tatjana Rankovich, Joseph Rubenstein, pianists

Joseph Rubenstein: Romance No. 3 (labyrinth)* (2007) Rubenstein
Aaron Kernis: Before Sleep and Dreams (1990) Rankovich
Bruce Stark: Fanfare (2003) Rankovich
Radiohead (arr. O'Riley): Knives Out (1997) Moore
John Adams: American Beserk (2001) Moore
Karen Tanaka: Crystalline II (1996) McMillen
Chester Biscardi: Piano Sonata (1986) McMillen
Carter Pann: Three Strokes (2000) Lomazov
William Bolcom: The Serpent's Kiss (1969) Lomazov

*World premiere

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 19, 2009, 08:55:39 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 08:49:19 AM
Radiohead (arr. O'Riley): Knives Out (1997) Moore

I wonder how negotiation for rights went for that, Bruce.  Unless Radiohead (or those holding the rights to "Knives Out") licenses it out, the rights to even an arrangement belong to them . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 19, 2009, 09:09:05 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 18, 2009, 12:01:04 PM

So for my own concert listening, we finished up the big Mahler cycle yesterday with the Staatskapelle Berlin, and I'm delighted to report that the last three concerts (Nos. 8 and 9, with the Adagio from No. 10 and Das Lied von der Erde in between) were just terrific.  Boulez did the Eighth with patience and beautiful control, and if the singers were a bit of a mixed lot, the Westminster Choir made up for it with some fantastic singing.

Barenboim conducted the final two concerts.  The Adagio from the Tenth was sublime.  And of the two singers in Das Lied, Klaus Florian Vogt was very good, but Michelle DeYoung was "f****** amazing" (to quote my eager concert companion that night  ;D). 

And then they saved what might have been the best until the very end, with a superbly played Ninth.  No missed entrances, no confusion, no flubs, just a lot of highly committed, world-class musicianship.  It was a great way to end what has been a fascinating two weeks. 

--Bruce

Yes, the last 3 symphonies really gave us the orchestra that we had expected from the beginning.  Finally, all the problems with ragged play, brass, ensemble, etc. were ironed out.  I am just surprised that you didn't notice that by the 7th the first trumpet duties had been taken over by the musician sitting stage right of Christian Batzdorf!  I suppose that biffing on the trumpet entrance in the 6th was the final straw.  In the 7th the new soloist was slightly tentative in places, but his self-assurance grew steadily that evening so that by the 8th he was fully in command of his instrument, and very comfortable in the solos.

That 8th was excellent, but painful.  Unfortunately my luck with the seats was out for that concert because we found ourselves in the 9th row Parquet left with only partial view (couldn't see chorus or Mater Gloriosa), although we could hear everything.  In fact, we heard too much of everything!  It was so loud I was wishing for my musician's earplugs which were sitting in my drawer at home. :(  But what terrific soloists we had!  I don't think you will hear voices that compliment each other as well if we see it another 10 times, and the soloists really make or break the piece.  We are also lucky that the nature of the music is GRAND, so that Boulez was comfortable pulling out all the stops.  If you read the pamphlet with remarks by Boulez and Barenboim, it becomes apparent just how uncomfortable Boulez is with the nostalgic, sentimental and emotional aspects of Mahler's works.  He has a bit of trouble understanding how Mahler could be both sarcastic and sentimental at the same time.  I think the 8th appeals to to him intellectually in much the same way some producers and directors get obsessed with staging Dylan Thomas's play Under the Milkwoods (which is virtually unstageable. hehe)  Boulez is so cerebral that he always shines when there are problems to solve. 

After the 8th ended I had a headache for hours, but it was such a happy headache.  Couldn't even have a glass of wine afterwards because I knew that would make it an unhappy headache... but if one must suffer for beauty, so too must one suffer for art.  My only quibble with Boulez is that he masses the violins.  I have really gotten to appreciate the subtle difference in the sound when the fiddles are split antiphonally, as Barenboim, Ivan Fischer, and many others now do for Mahler.  I think that splitting those violins really adds transparency to the sound which is decreased when the violins are massed. 

The remaining concerts by Barenboim were also superb.  Das Lied was so fantastic, and I think that Vogt was excellent as well.  He is young, and he brought great energy and insight.  I found him very believable singing about how rotten life is, so let's get drunk.  It reminded me of so many kids I know who would prefer to drink away all of their problems.  And his voice is fantastic!  So strong and pure.  We heard Ben Heppner doing das Lied with Quasthoff (and that was also amazing), and I don't think that Heppner sounded better than Vogt did.   DeYoung was DeYoung, and that is saying volumes.  She has really become a superb Mahlerian.  I also can't say enough about the delicacy of the Adagio.  How skillfully Mahler blurred the melodic lines into discord and then refined them back into melodic phrases.  It was as if a master metallurgist took the gold ore, heated it over and over, each time producing metal of increasing purity.  How sad that he never was able to complete the symphony, but thanks to Barenboim I have gotten a much better insight into the direction that Mahler was traveling.  I doubt that he would ever have invented anything like Schoenberg's atonal music system.  Barenboim revealed how far Mahler had gone into dissonance while always staying grounded in tuneful melody.  How beautifully he conducted that Adagio.  It went by so quickly that when the applause began I was taken by surprise.  I just wanted it to start over.  I hadn't had enough.

Which brings us to the last concert: What a triumph!  This 9th was a very fitting valedictory for the orchestra as well as the composer.  It wasn't one of the speedy 9ths that would fit on one cd, but a longer, loving look at the composer's final work.  In DH's review of Barenboim's cd he mentioned something about tam-tams being damped too soon and triangles not being loud enough.  Well, percussion was spot on in this one; I could feel the buzz on the floor every time that tam-tam was struck.  I was fascinated watching the percussionist who had to move behind the tympanist to get to the tam-tam, and then had to slip behind him to get back to his chair where the cymbals were.  And the first violist!  Just terrific, and this symphony is really led by the violas. 

I've read that when writing the opening of this symphony, Mahler was trying to recreate the sound of his own heart murmur that presaged his final illness.  This time I could actually hear the whoosh as a murmur, but the sound also reminded me of the sound of the ocean -- a reminder of the ship that carried the composer home to Austria to die.  This really was a symphony to bring out the tears by the time those final last notes, pianissimo, died in the air.  Barenboim and the orchestra got at least 10 minutes of applause -- thunderous applause, before they left the stage. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:13:35 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 19, 2009, 08:55:39 AM
I wonder how negotiation for rights went for that, Bruce.  Unless Radiohead (or those holding the rights to "Knives Out") licenses it out, the rights to even an arrangement belong to them . . . .

I have no idea.  But apparently Christopher O'Riley has been performing them all over the place, after recording an entire disc of his arrangements called True Love Waits (cover below).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:20:29 AM
Quote from: Bunny on May 19, 2009, 09:09:05 AM
Yes, the last 3 symphonies really gave us the orchestra that we had expected from the beginning.  Finally, all the problems with ragged play, brass, ensemble, etc. were ironed out.  I am just surprised that you didn't notice that by the 7th the first trumpet duties had been taken over by the musician sitting stage right of Christian Batzdorf!  I suppose that biffing on the trumpet entrance in the 6th was the final straw.  In the 7th the new soloist was slightly tentative in places, but his self-assurance grew steadily that evening so that by the 8th he was fully in command of his instrument, and very comfortable in the solos.

Great comments.  (And unfortunately from my seat I couldn't see the trumpet layout, so I wasn't able to catch that a substitution had been made, which of course would explain a lot.) 

And so sorry the Eighth produced a headache (as he waits for jokes to appear  ;D).  I was in the front row for a performance about ten years ago, and it's just not a piece for which you want to be that close!  (Although I did get an amazing profile view of Chailly conducting.)

That "Adagio" from the Tenth was so beautiful, wasn't it!  Commenting on its harmonic invention, the friend with me offered an interesting take, "That's 'contemporary music,' and will probably remain 'contemporary music' for another hundred years."

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 19, 2009, 09:26:53 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:13:35 AM
I have no idea.  But apparently Christopher O'Riley has been performing them all over the place, after recording an entire disc of his arrangements called True Love Waits (cover below).

Well, it must all be agreed upon, then  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 09:27:38 AM
So Bruce, are you hoping for the Haydn symphonies marathon to come to NY next?  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:29:45 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 09:27:38 AM
So Bruce, are you hoping for the Haydn symphonies marathon to come to NY next?  :D

[drops dead from heart attack]

;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 09:32:34 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:29:45 AM
[drops dead from heart attack]

;D

--Bruce

But of course, there will be a few days thrown in for breaks.....and the obligatory all Carter concert.  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 19, 2009, 09:34:24 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:29:45 AM
[drops dead from heart attack]


104 Haydn Symphonies                    10+ Mahler Symphonies
                                         ∆


Seems balanced
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 09:36:16 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 19, 2009, 09:34:24 AM

104 Haydn Symphonies                    10+ Mahler Symphonies
                                         ∆


Seems balanced

:D I was thinking the same thing David!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:37:55 AM
Yeah, that balance looks about right.  ;D

So at say, three symphonies per concert--no wait, let's do four--that's 26 concerts.  So basically an entire month of Haydn.  ;D

(Purely speculative: someone must have done this, no?)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 19, 2009, 09:44:15 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:37:55 AM
Yeah, that balance looks about right.  ;D

So at say, three symphonies per concert--no wait, let's do four--that's 26 concerts.  So basically an entire month of Haydn.  ;D

(Purely speculative: someone must have done this, no?)

--Bruce
Ah, but I hear Celibidache is conducting for this event. We'll need at least 106 nights. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 09:52:48 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:37:55 AM
Yeah, that balance looks about right.  ;D

So at say, three symphonies per concert--no wait, let's do four--that's 26 concerts.  So basically an entire month of Haydn.  ;D

(Purely speculative: someone must have done this, no?)

--Bruce

Perfect Bruce!  Opening night would include the Symphony No. 94 "Surprise".  After the concert, the conductor turns around and announces "Surprise!  This month's Haydn marathon will also include all Mozart symphonies as well!"

;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 09:58:23 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 09:52:48 AM
Perfect Bruce!  Opening night would include the Symphony No. 94 "Surprise".  After the concert, the conductor turns around and announces "Surprise!  This month's Haydn marathon will also include all Mozart symphonies as well!"

;D

[Now I really *am* going to pass out.]

;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 19, 2009, 10:00:32 AM
Bruce, I had no idea that Ray had it in for you so  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 10:02:49 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 19, 2009, 10:00:32 AM
Bruce, I had no idea that Ray had it in for you so  ;D

Oh no Karl.  If I did, I'd include the Die Meistersinger von Nuremburg in one of the "break nights".  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on May 19, 2009, 10:04:32 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 09:52:48 AM
Perfect Bruce!  Opening night would include the Symphony No. 94 "Surprise".  After the concert, the conductor turns around and announces "Surprise!  This month's Haydn marathon will also include all Mozart symphonies as well!"

;D

"Surprise! We'll be doing a Segerstam symphonic retrospective over the intervals."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 19, 2009, 10:05:43 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 19, 2009, 10:02:49 AM
Oh no Karl.  If I did, I'd include the Die Meistersinger von Nuremburg in one of the "break nights".  ;D

Surgically done, Ray Bruce, you've been Big-Bertha'ed  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 19, 2009, 10:07:11 AM
Quote from: Renfield on May 19, 2009, 10:04:32 AM
"Surprise! We'll be doing a Segerstam symphonic retrospective over the intervals."
What?  No Hovhaness?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bunny on May 19, 2009, 10:20:33 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 18, 2009, 01:19:54 PM
That sounds terrific, Bruce.  Your companion is right about Ms DeYoung is usually effing aMAzing, so I've no doubt your companion was right.  I'd love to hear her in Das Lied (good as Thomas Hampson was in the MTT/SFS recording, I still think I'd've preferred her).  That's wonderful that you were able to be there for the Mahler cycle, Bruce.  Remind me to be good, please, so I might have a chance of coming back in the next life as you.

--Dave

Everyone can hear her in Das Lied.  She has made an amazing recording with Jon Villars and the Minnesota Symphony, led by Eiji Oue (Reference Recordings).  It's my favorite recording of that work.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512fCNAVfhL._SS500_.jpg)

Here's what the Hurwitzer had to say about it:
10/10
"Eiji Oue has made some great recordings for Reference (most notably his Strauss disc, containing "Ein Heldenleben" and the "Frau Ohne Schatten" symphonic fantasy), but this one is simply extraordinary.  In its expressive intensity this performance clearly belongs with the best ever recorded; just listen to the way he and Michelle DeYoung sustain phrases like "blauen licht die fernen" in the final song, "The Farewell". This is greatness, folks, and Oue is very lucky to have an orchestra superbly responsive to his direction, a young tenor willing to risk his vocal career on the "Drinking Song of Earth's Misery," and in DeYoung a true "Mahler" alto sensitive to every line of the text. Villars is excitingly direct, sounding sort of like a young Ernst Haefliger, but what DeYoung does with phrasing and breath control verges on the sublime. Has the difficult middle section of the fourth song, "Of Beauty," ever been so clearly and effortlessly articulated? The only comparison that comes to mind is the young Christa Ludwig (for Klemperer on EMI). Add to all of this sonics of drop-dead demonstration quality, and the result is without question a recording for the ages. Stunning."
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: matti on May 19, 2009, 11:33:33 AM
Quote from: Renfield on May 19, 2009, 10:04:32 AM
"Surprise! We'll be doing a Segerstam symphonic retrospective over the intervals."

He composed his 200th symphony in July 2008, and counting... even Wikipedia can't follow this weasel of a symphony scribbler fast enough. I'm no expert but I suspect he's streching the concept of "symphony" a bit too much for comfort.

And speaking of comfort... I've heard a few of his works which are "free pulsating" according to the composer himself. Well, I'd certainly be "free of pulse" after even a minor Segerstam marathon.

Just to clarify, I'm a huge fan of the man, I think he is hilarious and very, very talented. He also knows it himself, to the point that he appears to suffer from a very happy and productive case of extreme egomania. No harm done there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 19, 2009, 12:06:50 PM
Quote from: Renfield on May 19, 2009, 10:04:32 AM
"Surprise! We'll be doing a Segerstam symphonic retrospective over the intervals."
We have a winner  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 20, 2009, 07:20:45 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 19, 2009, 08:49:19 AM
Keys to the Future
Concert 1 of 3
Greenwich House
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 8PM
Marina Lomazov, Blair McMillen, Lisa Moore, Tatjana Rankovich, Joseph Rubenstein, pianists

Joseph Rubenstein: Romance No. 3 (labyrinth)* (2007) Rubenstein
Aaron Kernis: Before Sleep and Dreams (1990) Rankovich
Bruce Stark: Fanfare (2003) Rankovich
Radiohead (arr. O'Riley): Knives Out (1997) Moore
John Adams: American Beserk (2001) Moore
Karen Tanaka: Crystalline II (1996) McMillen
Chester Biscardi: Piano Sonata (1986) McMillen
Carter Pann: Three Strokes (2000) Lomazov
William Bolcom: The Serpent's Kiss (1969) Lomazov

*World premiere

--Bruce

This recital was quite good.  Surprisingly, the Radiohead transcription didn't really work for me: some of the good stuff in the original, such as the vocals (!) and the electronics, are gone, which makes the result a little bland.  The final Bolcom was the undeniable hit of the evening, requiring the pianist to slap hands on the wood above the keyboard and make small cricket-like noises, in addition to some very difficult ragtime playing.  The concert as a whole worked very well, although I would have liked just a little more variety in the pieces.  But it's good to hear a lot of recently composed works that owe a debt to jazz and blues.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 21, 2009, 08:31:08 AM
Tonight, this concert at Carnegie.  I have heard Lang Lang sound marvelous on some occasions, and terrible on others, so tonight is anyone's guess.  But I suspect the Stravinsky will be excellent, in any case.

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Lang Lang, Piano

Stravinsky: Pétrouchka (1947 version) 
Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 21, 2009, 01:24:55 PM
Off to go hear excerpts from Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire with eighth blackbird in a few hours.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 21, 2009, 01:27:09 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 21, 2009, 01:24:55 PM
Off to go hear excerpts from Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire with eighth blackbird in a few hours.

Wow, that should be great!  Do you know who's singing?  (I looked on their site but couldn't find the concert listed.) 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 22, 2009, 09:32:38 AM
Tomorrow night, this interesting line-up from Either/Or:

Tenri Cultural Institute

Either/Or
Richard Carrick - piano
Jennifer Choi - violin
Michael Ibrahim - saxophones
David Shively - percussion and organ

John Luther Adams: Red Arch, Blue Veil. for piano, percussion, and fixed media (2002)
Andrew Byrne: A Ringing World, for bells and gongs, written for Either/Or (2009, world premiere)
Richard Carrick: la scene miniature for saxophone, violin, piano and percussion (2009, world premiere)
David Franzson: The Negotiation of Context, for piano and pedal organ, written for Either/Or (2009, world premiere)
Helmut Lachenmann: Toccatina for solo violin (1988)
Hans Thomalla: Lied for saxophone, piano, and vibraphone (2008, US premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 22, 2009, 09:34:16 AM
Bruce!

How was the Brahms PC1 with Lang Lang?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 22, 2009, 09:36:12 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 21, 2009, 01:24:55 PM
Off to go hear excerpts from Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire with eighth blackbird in a few hours.

A great piece, which is even better live!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 22, 2009, 09:56:38 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 22, 2009, 09:34:16 AM
Bruce!

How was the Brahms PC1 with Lang Lang?  :)

Well...well...parts were very good, even better than that.  There is no question that he is prodigiously talented, but I felt that somehow he doesn't quite connect with this piece (the second movement, especially).  There seemed to be a bit of disconnect with Levine and the orchestra, too.  (I wonder how this concert came to pass, i.e., why Levine picked him as the soloist, since I'm sure he chooses whoever he wants.)

Some typical body language distractions, most notably in a passage when Lang Lang was *not* playing, but silently "conducting" from the piano bench ( :o).  (Today a friend said there's a video on YouTube of him playing with Montreal where he cues the orchestra's entrance, causing a glare from Dutoit...have to find that!)

The guy is incredibly gifted, and most people seem to enjoy watching him, which means he's probably good publicity for classical music in general.  On the other hand...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on May 22, 2009, 10:04:12 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 22, 2009, 09:56:38 AM
but I felt that somehow he doesn't quite connect with this piece (the second movement, especially).

Then quite frankly, I would have been greatly disappointed.  That second movement is one of my favorite Adagios of any composer.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 22, 2009, 10:10:43 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 22, 2009, 10:04:12 AM
Then quite frankly, I would have been greatly disappointed.  That second movement is one of my favorite Adagios of any composer.

He was going through the motions, trying to play softly, leaning down with his face almost touching the keys, but at the same time, Levine and the orchestra seemed to be trying to follow him, not always successfully.  I dunno...wanting to find meaning in the piece, and actually finding it, are two different things.

I should add, in fair reportage, that my listening companion for the evening, who loves Brahms but had never heard Lang Lang, thought more highly of the performance than I did.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 23, 2009, 08:18:29 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 21, 2009, 01:27:09 PM
Wow, that should be great!  Do you know who's singing?  (I looked on their site but couldn't find the concert listed.)  

--Bruce

It was a studio concert with Lucy Shelton. The announcement said "excerpts" but they ended up playing the whole thing.  http://www.eighthblackbird.com/studioconcert

They will be performing the whole thing again next season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 23, 2009, 08:30:49 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on May 23, 2009, 08:18:29 AM
It was a studio concert with Lucy Shelton. The announcement said "excerpts" but they ended up playing the whole thing.  http://www.eighthblackbird.com/studioconcert

They will be performing the whole thing again next season.

Fantastic!  I was thinking/hoping it might be Shelton, since she's made it one of her signature pieces.  I've heard her do it twice, and she is quite good at characterizing the texts (in addition to singing well). 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 23, 2009, 08:43:56 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 18, 2009, 06:00:14 AM
Always glad to hear of a commission by a major orchestra.

The title B-Sides gives me pause, though  8)
For my wife and me, Bates's B-Sides was the highlight of the evening.  The first movement owed a lot to Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine, and the energy and percussive drive were sustained through the next four.  Bates performed the electronica with the orchestra from a laptop set up among the percussionists, and judging from the enthusiasm with which the orchestra played, the standing O given Bates when MTT brought him to the front of the stage, and the comments overheard among patrons at intermission, everyone else loved the piece as well.

If MTT records it, either with SFS or with his New World Symphony, I'd probably snap it up.  Hmmm--come to think of it, it would be dandy coupled with the Schuman VC and Gil Shaham!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 23, 2009, 08:50:08 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 23, 2009, 08:43:56 AM
For my wife and me, Bates's B-Sides was the highlight of the evening.  The first movement owed a lot to Adams's Short Ride in a Fast Machine, and the energy and percussive drive were sustained through the next four.  Bates performed the electronica with the orchestra from a laptop set up among the percussionists, and judging from the enthusiasm with which the orchestra played, the standing O given Bates when MTT brought him to the front of the stage, and the comments overheard among patrons at intermission, everyone else loved the piece as well.

If MTT records it, either with SFS or with his New World Symphony, I'd probably snap it up.  Hmmm--come to think of it, it would be dandy coupled with the Schuman VC and Gil Shaham!

Just remembered that I heard a small excerpt from B-Sides called "Warehouse Medicine" on the recent YouTube Symphony Orchestra (http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_13015.html) concert here.  (Bates was at the laptop, with MTT conducting.)  Liked it, but the evening had so many other distractions that it was difficult to focus on it.  But I'm glad to hear the entire piece made a positive impression.  You all are so lucky to be in MTT's orbit, IMHO...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on May 23, 2009, 09:38:20 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 23, 2009, 08:50:08 AM
Just remembered that I heard a small excerpt from B-Sides called "Warehouse Medicine" on the recent YouTube Symphony Orchestra (http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_13015.html) concert here.  (Bates was at the laptop, with MTT conducting.)  Liked it, but the evening had so many other distractions that it was difficult to focus on it.  But I'm glad to hear the entire piece made a positive impression.  You all are so lucky to be in MTT's orbit, IMHO...
Yes, that's the last movement, more techno-based than the others, interesting how he used orchestral sections to drive the pulse of the piece (reminding me vaguely of the Soft Machine guy who wrote the diamond industry ad theme--Karl Jenkins?) but it wasn't my favorite of the five, though it made for a big finale (completely opposite the end of Sibelius's 4th).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Gabriel on May 25, 2009, 03:25:50 PM
I came back a couple of hours ago from the Théâtre du Châtelet, where I attended Alfano's Cyrano de Bergerac with Plácido Domingo in the title role. It was really an incredible evening. It was the first time I listened to Plácido Domingo directly, and I was really impressed how he has managed to keep his voice young; if I had closed my eyes, it would have been perfectly possible that I was listening to a performance of the 1980s. Luckily I didn't close my eyes, because Roxana was sung by Nathalie Manfrino, whose voice is as marvelous as her physical beauty ;D: her performance was memorable, to the point that in my view she matched Domingo's excellence on the stage. The mise en scène was really formidable and unfortunately I wasn't able from my position in the orchestre to listen in the best conditions the excellent playing of the Orchestre Symphonique de Navarre.

At the end there was a most moving ovation from all the theatre, that stood up for clapping the wonderful production.

Conclusion: if somebody from GMG, by any reason, would be around Paris on May 28th or 31st, I would very seriously advice not to miss this spectacle.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: imperfection on May 25, 2009, 09:34:26 PM
June 6th
Mahler 6th
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Bramwell Tovey

666 anyone?  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on June 03, 2009, 03:30:05 PM
Next Friday the NZSO.

ROSSINI William Tell Overture
MAGNUS LINDBERG Clarinet Concerto
BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

PIETARI INKINEN Music Director
KARI KRIIKKU Clarinet

Rossini's William Tell Overture is full of well-loved melodies, finishing with that famous barnstorming finale. Berlioz' gorgeously orchestrated Symphonie Fantastique is surely the most evocative monument to unrequited love, touching every register from adoration to rage.  From Finland comes both soloist and Magnus Lindberg's clarinet concerto, which the BBC Music Magazine described as, "A marvellous vehicle for the amazing virtuosity of clarinettist Kari Kriikku ..."

Great programme!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 04, 2009, 06:45:32 AM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on June 03, 2009, 03:30:05 PM
Next Friday the NZSO.

ROSSINI William Tell Overture
MAGNUS LINDBERG Clarinet Concerto
BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

PIETARI INKINEN Music Director
KARI KRIIKKU Clarinet

Rossini's William Tell Overture is full of well-loved melodies, finishing with that famous barnstorming finale. Berlioz' gorgeously orchestrated Symphonie Fantastique is surely the most evocative monument to unrequited love, touching every register from adoration to rage.  From Finland comes both soloist and Magnus Lindberg's clarinet concerto, which the BBC Music Magazine described as, "A marvellous vehicle for the amazing virtuosity of clarinettist Kari Kriikku ..."

Great programme!

Wow, looks like you are in for a real treat.  Kriikku is terrific.  And to couple the Lindberg with Rossini and Berlioz...all very interesting.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 04, 2009, 06:46:48 AM
Very nice program, indeed!

And an opportunity to hear the Lindberg concerto live is most enviable.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 04, 2009, 01:09:59 PM
I am being tempted by the following:

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor
Hilary Hahn, violin
Beethoven -  Egmont Overture
Jennifer Higdon -  Violin Concerto *
Dvorák -  Symphony No. 5

* BSO Co-Commission, East Coast Premiere

I have tickets to the BSO for next season to hear another Higdon concerto (for 2 violins and a double bass). So much music to hear, and so little time to hear it all; do I really need two Higdon concertos in one calendar year?

(Maybe I should go for the Dvorak! Is that justification enough? :D )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 04, 2009, 01:18:58 PM
Quote from: owlice on June 04, 2009, 01:09:59 PM
I am being tempted by the following:

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor
Hilary Hahn, violin
Beethoven -  Egmont Overture
Jennifer Higdon -  Violin Concerto *
Dvorák -  Symphony No. 5

* BSO Co-Commission, East Coast Premiere

I have tickets to the BSO for next season to hear another Higdon concerto (for 2 violins and a double bass). So much music to hear, and so little time to hear it all; do I really need two Higdon concertos in one calendar year?

(Maybe I should go for the Dvorak! Is that justification enough? :D )


I would jump on that in a minute!  Very nice program, and the Higdon orchestral works I've heard have been really satisfying, e.g., her Concerto for Orchestra.  And to hear Hahn play *anything* IMHO is a treat.  The Dvorak Fifth isn't done that often.  I heard it a couple of years ago with the Cleveland Orchestra and thought, For some in the audience, this is going to be their favorite Dvorak symphony, and they've probably never heard it live.  (Ultimately I didn't quite like it as much as Nos. 6, 7 or 8, but it's well worth hearing.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 04, 2009, 04:46:29 PM
IIRC (and there are no guarantees that I am :) ), I have heard only one Higdon work, a short orchestral piece called Blue Sky which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra. The NSO wanted new works for encores; I thought the piece would work better as an opener, as it was thoughtful and somber. She was writing it right after 9/11. I thought it a fine work.

I've heard Hahn in concert, and yes, to hear her play anything is a treat, even for someone as unfond of solo violin as I am! :D

I don't know that I've ever heard the Dvorak Fifth.

Oh, dear. Additional justification....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 04, 2009, 04:47:09 PM
...or is that rationalization? ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 05, 2009, 06:28:11 AM
Quote from: owlice on June 04, 2009, 04:46:29 PM
Oh, dear. Additional justification....

Quote from: owlice on June 04, 2009, 04:47:09 PM
...or is that rationalization? ;D

;D  I hope you go, and enjoy, and do report back! 

Tomorrow night I'm hearing Stanley Drucker, principal clarinet in the New York Philharmonic who is retiring after 60 years with the orchestra, in Copland's Clarinet Concerto.

New York Philharmonic
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Stanley Drucker, clarinet
Philip Smith, trumpet

Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 4   
Haydn: Trumpet Concerto
Copland: Clarinet Concerto
Ravel: Boléro

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 05, 2009, 07:01:29 AM
Oh, heck, Bruce, maybe I'll join you at the NY Phil instead; except for the last work, that program is great!

:: does not like Boléro ::

:: checks tickets ::

A few still left, too! And man, Mahler Eighth coming up; I may need to hear that, too!

:: wanders off to ponder ::
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 05, 2009, 07:04:51 AM
The Fourth is usually my favorite Brandenburg!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 05, 2009, 12:31:13 PM
Quote from: owlice on June 04, 2009, 04:46:29 PM
IIRC (and there are no guarantees that I am :) ), I have heard only one Higdon work, a short orchestral piece called Blue Sky which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra. The NSO wanted new works for encores; I thought the piece would work better as an opener, as it was thoughtful and somber. She was writing it right after 9/11. I thought it a fine work.
I think you mean blue cathedral, which is the Higdon piece I've heard and which, for reasons unknown to me, is not capitalized. I found it rather silly ... somber, somewhat Hollywoodish in colors, and with the string section making an odd whooshing sound by waving little metal rings of some kind around at the end.

That NY Phil concert sounds incredible! I would gladly attend were I in the right time zone ... and Drucker is, by this point, one of America's national musical treasures. I remember the Hurwitzer, panning a CD of the Rhapsody in Blue with the NYPO and pianist Fazil Say, writing that Drucker should have gotten top billing for his incredible opening glissando!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 05, 2009, 01:02:14 PM
Brian, I could of course be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that it was not blue cathedral; the work was about five minutes long. The NSO commission was for a short ensemble work to serve as an encore. I could be confusing the title with another work I heard the NSO premiere by another composer, though, called Beyond the Blue Horizon, and if that's the case, the name of the Higdon piece is probably out of my brain for good, alas!

Maybe I saved a program; will look. It was from the early part of this century, though, so I may not still have it. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 05, 2009, 01:06:12 PM
Quote from: owlice on June 05, 2009, 01:02:14 PM
Brian, I could of course be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that it was not blue cathedral; the work was about five minutes long. The NSO commission was for a short ensemble work to serve as an encore. I could be confusing the title with another work I heard the NSO premiere by another composer, though, called Beyond the Blue Horizon, and if that's the case, the name of the Higdon piece is probably out of my brain for good, alas!

Maybe I saved a program; will look. It was from the early part of this century, though, so I may not still have it. :D
Maybe it is Blue Sky, then! I seem to remember cathedral being closer to ten minutes. Perhaps Ms Higdon should consider using another color  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 05, 2009, 01:08:52 PM
Quote from: Brian on June 05, 2009, 01:06:12 PM
Maybe it is Blue Sky, then! I seem to remember cathedral being closer to ten minutes. Perhaps Ms Higdon should consider using another color  ;)

Or maybe it's by someone else entirely!! And was called purple rain!! Geez, who knows; it's all sooooo yesterday! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 05, 2009, 02:32:53 PM
Quote from: owlice on June 05, 2009, 01:08:52 PM
Or maybe it's by someone else entirely!! And was called purple rain!! Geez, who knows; it's all sooooo yesterday! :D
I don't know; I'm kind of hoping that Jennifer Higdon went through a "Blue Period"!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 05, 2009, 04:46:06 PM
Quote from: Brian on June 05, 2009, 02:32:53 PM
I don't know; I'm kind of hoping that Jennifer Higdon went through a "Blue Period"!  ;D

HA!

Her brother's middle name was "Blue," and blue cathedral was a response to his death from melanoma. (I learned this today when looking for "Blue Sky.") I would likely have remembered that association (as my younger brother died when he was 36); the little piece I heard -- whatever its title might be! -- was written after 9/11, so definitely after blue cathedral had already premiered, and whatever the work was, I was at the NSO's premiere of it.

The NSO's website was of no help whatsoever in looking for this work; I'm going to be left with pawing through stacks of Playbills to see whether I kept that one, methinks!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 05, 2009, 04:48:38 PM
Maybe I imagined it... it's not listed on Wikipedia; surely that means it doesn't exist, right? :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on June 07, 2009, 07:23:53 PM
My last concert of the season - the Berlioz Requiem in Philadelphia.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on June 08, 2009, 04:40:29 AM
http://jenniferhigdon.com/works.html (http://jenniferhigdon.com/works.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 08, 2009, 04:41:29 AM
Quote from: stingo on June 07, 2009, 07:23:53 PM
My last concert of the season - the Berlioz Requiem in Philadelphia.

Their season runs late, doesn't it!?

What a great piece!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on June 08, 2009, 05:28:37 AM
David, thanks. I didn't see the work I heard there. I'll have to see whether I still have the program. I didn't get to that this weekend, as homework, the pool, and bikeriding took precedence! Also a nap on Saturday, from which I awake at 7:50 PM, which means... I did not make it to the concert. :(

Karl:

QuoteWhat a great piece!

Indeed, despite the paucity of alto lines! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 10, 2009, 01:27:16 PM
Lorin Maazel is wrapping up his tenure with the New York Philharmonic, and for his final concerts in June is going out with a bang.  Tomorrow night:

Britten: War Requiem

New York Philharmonic
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Lionel Bringuier, conductor
Nancy Gustafson, soprano
Dale Rideout, tenor
Ian Greenlaw, baritone
New York Choral Artists
The Dessoff Symphonic Choir
Brooklyn Youth Chorus

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on June 10, 2009, 02:34:10 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 10, 2009, 01:27:16 PM
Lorin Maazel is wrapping up his tenure with the New York Philharmonic, and for his final concerts in June is going out with a bang.  Tomorrow night:

Britten: War Requiem

New York Philharmonic
Lorin Maazel, conductor
Lionel Bringuier, conductor
Nancy Gustafson, soprano
Dale Rideout, tenor
Ian Greenlaw, baritone
New York Choral Artists
The Dessoff Symphonic Choir
Brooklyn Youth Chorus

--Bruce


Impressive choice! And I was not aware Maazel was inclined towards Britten.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 11, 2009, 10:35:47 AM
Quote from: Renfield on June 10, 2009, 02:34:10 PM
Impressive choice! And I was not aware Maazel was inclined towards Britten.

Well, we shall see.  He may not be!  ;D

Seriously, I don't recall ever hearing him conduct any Britten, but somehow I think he may be a good match for this score.  He does like works with very large forces: his final concerts at the end of the month are the Mahler Eighth.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on June 12, 2009, 11:27:29 AM
Last night's chamber music concert, 2008/2009 season finale (Winnipeg Chamber Music Society):

Mozart - Piano Quartet in E flat, K.493
Puccini - Crisantemi
Grieg - String Quartet in G minor, op. 27 *

*This quartet is amazing heard live.  I always loved it, but after hearing it live, I love it 10 times more.  My favorite non-Viennese string quartet.  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on June 12, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
Friday June 19
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

New World Symphony

Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Alisa Weilerstein, cello


Dvorák -   Carnival Overture
Dvorák -   Cello Concerto
Dvorák -   Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)

Love it, Love it, Love it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on June 12, 2009, 11:34:45 AM
Quote from: Sef on June 12, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
Friday June 19
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

New World Symphony

Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Alisa Weilerstein, cello


Dvorák -   Carnival Overture
Dvorák -   Cello Concerto
Dvorák -   Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)

Love it, Love it, Love it.

Wow, now that's a Tour-de-force Dvorak lineup!  Awesome.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on June 12, 2009, 12:00:31 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on June 12, 2009, 11:34:45 AM
Wow, now that's a Tour-de-force Dvorak lineup!  Awesome.  :)
Yeah - CSO is in the middle of a 3 week Dvorak festival!

http://www.cso.org/main.taf?p=3,11,6&CategoryID=dvorak&SeasonID=0809

The Carnival overture was the first piece my eldest daughter played with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra many years ago, and the 9th was just performed by the same orchestra with my youngest daughter a month ago. I'm taking them both, but I really want to hear the Cello Concerto. Despite being more interested in 20th Century music these days nothing really approaches the Dvorak Cello Concerto as the finest example of that idiom in my opinion.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on June 12, 2009, 12:13:04 PM
Oh, and this, Saturday August 1

CSO at Ravinia

Salerno-Sonnenberg Returns

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin


Shostakovich -   Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 99
Shostakovich -   Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47

My belated Father's Day present.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Gabriel on June 12, 2009, 02:04:21 PM
Two recent concerts. I attended yesterday (Théâtre des Champs Élysées) a performance of Haydn's Die Jahreszeiten conducted by Christophe Rousset and played by Les Talents Lyriques. It was a good performance, not extraordinary, but very enjoyable. Today was Jordi Savall's turn (at the Salle Pleyel), conducting Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine: it was truly memorable.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 14, 2009, 01:53:55 PM
Just returned from a quite amazing recital by violinist Hilary Hahn, with Valentina Lisitsa at the piano.  Program:

Ysaÿe: Sonata in E Minor for Solo Violin
Ives: Sonata No. 4
Brahms: Selections from Hungarian Dances (arr. Joseph Joachim)
Ives: Sonata No. 2
Intermission
Ysaÿe: Sonata in E major for Solo Violin
Ysaÿe: Rêve d'Enfant for Violin and Piano
Ives: Sonata No. 1
Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
Encore:
Paganini: Cantabile

It had been awhile since I'd heard Hahn live--maybe five years--and she has really grown as an artist.  The Ives sonatas were the main event for me, and they were stunning, but the surprises were the Ysaÿe works.  And I never thought I would write "stirring" and "Paganini" in the same sentence, but there you go.

The venue was Town Hall, in a series called "Free for All," which is exactly as it sounds.  Tickets are distributed, first-come-first-served, on the day of the concert. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 15, 2009, 05:40:09 AM
Quote from: Sef on June 12, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
Friday June 19
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

New World Symphony

Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Alisa Weilerstein, cello


Dvorák -   Carnival Overture
Dvorák -   Cello Concerto
Dvorák -   Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)

Love it, Love it, Love it.

I'm planning to go to this one as well. Heard the Emersons and Kahane yesterday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 15, 2009, 01:35:33 PM
Tonight, this concert, by counter)induction (http://counterinduction.com/):

Lee Hyla: Ciao Manhattan
Salvatore Sciarrino: Centauro Marino
Eric Moe: Dead Cat Bounce
Douglas Boyce: Deixo | Sonata
Kyle Bartlett: adagio sostenuto

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 16, 2009, 07:36:32 AM
Quote from: bhodges on June 15, 2009, 01:35:33 PM
Tonight, this concert, by counter)induction (http://counterinduction.com/):

Lee Hyla: Ciao Manhattan
Salvatore Sciarrino: Centauro Marino
Eric Moe: Dead Cat Bounce
Douglas Boyce: Deixo | Sonata
Kyle Bartlett: adagio sostenuto

--Bruce


This concert was excellent--a fine reminder of the many superb young musicians out there dedicated to contemporary music.  I especially liked the Sciarrino (for violin, viola, cello, piano and clarinet), in which the strings and wind play very soft figures, regularly interrupted by fortissimo barrages on the piano.

Next up: this concert on Friday:

Either/Or

Feldman: Why Patterns?
Stockhausen: Klavierstück IX

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 17, 2009, 10:47:43 AM
Looking forward to this concert on Saturday, since I have not heard a note of Maazel's own music. 

Lorin Maazel, conductor
New York Philharmonic

Maazel: Monaco Fanfares
Maazel: Farewells
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on June 18, 2009, 05:58:52 PM
My last concert of the '08-'09 concert season is this Sunday at 2pm:

Berlioz: Requiem
Paul Groves, Tenor
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: op.110 on June 19, 2009, 12:42:56 AM
Don't know if it's been mentioned before, but I'm looking forward to taking my girlfriend to Central Park, bringing a few bottles of wine, and getting hammered while listening to Mahler 1. I'm sure many forum-ers in the tri-state area will be attending this concert. I'm on a tight budget (unemployed and just recently graduated college), otherwise I'd really want to watch Mahler Symphony No. 8 performed by the NYPhil.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 19, 2009, 06:34:29 AM
Quote from: stingo on June 18, 2009, 05:58:52 PM
My last concert of the '08-'09 concert season is this Sunday at 2pm:

Berlioz: Requiem
Paul Groves, Tenor
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall

That sounds great.  Paul Groves has a beautiful voice...

Quote from: op.110 on June 19, 2009, 12:42:56 AM
I'm on a tight budget (unemployed and just recently graduated college), otherwise I'd really want to watch Mahler Symphony No. 8 performed by the NYPhil.

FYI, you can listen to the Thursday (June 25) Mahler 8 concert on the radio (and I suspect, online).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on June 19, 2009, 06:01:42 PM
Quote from: op.110 on June 19, 2009, 12:42:56 AM
Don't know if it's been mentioned before, but I'm looking forward to taking my girlfriend to Central Park, bringing a few bottles of wine, and getting hammered while listening to Mahler 1. I'm sure many forum-ers in the tri-state area will be attending this concert. I'm on a tight budget (unemployed and just recently graduated college), otherwise I'd really want to watch Mahler Symphony No. 8 performed by the NYPhil.

Umm a couple of bottles of wine, Central Park, Mahler's 1st and your girlfriend? WTF more do you want? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 20, 2009, 06:12:55 AM
Quote from: Sef on June 12, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
Friday June 19
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

New World Symphony

Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Alisa Weilerstein, cello


Dvorák -   Carnival Overture
Dvorák -   Cello Concerto
Dvorák -   Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)

Love it, Love it, Love it.

Went to this last night. Wasn't impressed. Elder is rather unimaginative. No real new insigths. Weilerstein has potential but needs to work on her articulation. Woodwinds were magnificent last night, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 21, 2009, 02:58:53 AM
I've booked my Proms tickets, a miserly credit-crunch total of three. Compared to last year's Stockhausen and Messiaen binges, this year's festival isn't as interesting (to me, obviously), but there still some goodies.

September 2

Xenakis Nomos gamma (15 mins)
Rachmaninov The Isle of the Dead (20 mins)
interval
Xenakis Aïs (18 mins)
Shostakovich Symphony No.9 in E flat major (25 mins)
Leigh Melrose baritone
Colin Currie percussion
BBC Symphony Orchestra
David Robertson conductor

September 4

Ligeti Atmosphères (9 mins)
Mahler Kindertotenlieder (27 mins)
Schoenberg Five Orchestral Pieces, Op.16 (19 mins)
interval
R Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra (34 mins)
Matthias Goerne baritone
Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester
Jonathan Nott conductor

September 7

Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op.25 (20 mins)
interval
Mahler, compl. Cooke Symphony No.10 (80 mins)
Saleem Abboud Ashkar piano
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly conductor

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 22, 2009, 11:56:37 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 21, 2009, 02:58:53 AM
I've booked my Proms tickets, a miserly credit-crunch total of three. Compared to last year's Stockhausen and Messiaen binges, this year's festival isn't as interesting (to me, obviously), but there still some goodies.

September 2

Xenakis Nomos gamma (15 mins)
Rachmaninov The Isle of the Dead (20 mins)
interval
Xenakis Aïs (18 mins)
Shostakovich Symphony No.9 in E flat major (25 mins)
Leigh Melrose baritone
Colin Currie percussion
BBC Symphony Orchestra
David Robertson conductor

Wow, leave it to David Robertson to come up with this program!  He does it over and over, combining things that no one else does.  The other two concerts you bought look excellent, too, but this is particularly intriguing.  Here in NYC, I have yet to see any of Xenakis's orchestral works performed.

This Saturday night I am looking forward to hearing Lorin Maazel's final concert as music director of the New York Philharmonic, in the Mahler Eighth Symphony.  But before that, on Wednesday night, this free one:

Wed., June 24, 7:00 pm
Baryshnikov Arts Center
Messiaen: Visions de l'Amen (Marilyn Nonken and Sarah Rothenberg, pianos)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 24, 2009, 01:38:52 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 22, 2009, 11:56:37 AM

This Saturday night I am looking forward to hearing Lorin Maazel's final concert as music director of the New York Philharmonic, in the Mahler Eighth Symphony. 

Nice one. I saw Maazel conducting Mahler 8 in the Albert Hall back in the early '90s. It was pretty impressive apart from his leaden treatment of the dancing woodwind writing that is supposed to make a contrast in the slow, heavy orchestral intro of the second movement. Sounds like a minor point, but it bugs me almost two decades later...!  :-[
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 24, 2009, 01:42:47 PM
Quote from: MDL on June 24, 2009, 01:38:52 PM
Nice one. I saw Maazel conducting Mahler 8 in the Albert Hall back in the early '90s. It was pretty impressive apart from his leaden treatment of the dancing woodwind writing that is supposed to make a contrast in the slow, heavy orchestral intro of the second movement. Sounds like a minor point, but it bugs me almost two decades later...!  :-[

Not minor at all, and I can imagine...  And on a potentially related topic, he is somewhat prone to micro-management, which I hope will not be the case this week.  The first of four performances is tonight, so I'll be eager to see some reports tomorrow. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on June 30, 2009, 02:30:43 PM
Away for a caribbean vacation last week, which means I missed the Nézet-Séguin Bruckner 8  >:(. A recording will come forth in a few months, but still... :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on July 01, 2009, 07:53:49 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on June 30, 2009, 02:30:43 PM
Away for a caribbean vacation last week, which means I missed the Nézet-Séguin Bruckner 8  >:(. A recording will come forth in a few months, but still... :'(

Caribbean vacation or Nezet-Seguin....hmmm...you chose wisely 8)

Just recieved program for Belgrade Philarmonic's next subscription season. Some interesting and even few completely unexpected items. More Sibelius than in previous ten years put together: Symphonies Nos.1 & 5, Tapiola, Lemminkainen Legends and Violin Concerto and quite a bit Scandinavian stuff generally: Grieg Symphony in C (never heard of), Klami Kalevala Suite and something I never thought I'd hear live, let alone here in Belgrade - Leifs' Geysir :o Other not so often played repertoire include Myaskovsky's 6th Symphony, Copland's 3rd and Appalachian Spring, also yet unannounced program led by Lothar Zagrosek, of the entartete musik fame, could be very interesting. Of soloists Andrei Gavrilov playing Prokofiev's 5th Concerto could be highlight of the season.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on July 01, 2009, 11:15:03 AM
I always choose wisely  8) !

Lucky devil! I dream of a Leifs first half concert made of Geysir, Dettifoss, and Hekla. Double scotch during, and Strauss walzes after intermission.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on July 02, 2009, 02:44:06 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on July 01, 2009, 11:15:03 AM
I always choose wisely  8) !

Lucky devil! I dream of a Leifs first half concert made of Geysir, Dettifoss, and Hekla. Double scotch during, and Strauss walzes after intermission.  :D

Interesting idea, but no the concert will consist of
Leifs - Geysir
Tchaikovsky - Rococo Variations (arrangement for trumpet ::))
Grieg - Symphony in C

I just hope I'll be sufficiently dizzy and deaf after Leifs to just half hear that Tchaikovsky transcription.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: hildegard on July 03, 2009, 04:40:08 AM
Last night's Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, with the wonderful bass-baritone voice of David Pittsinger as Emile de Becque.

(http://images.broadwayworld.com/upload/37880/tn-500_sp1.jpg)

OK, not exactly a concert, but the de Becque role was written for Enzio Pinsa and is traditionally performed by an opera singer. As such, he outshone the rest of the cast.

News is Pittsinger so much wanted to do SP, he passed on a commitment to do Thais with Renee Fleming at the Met. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 08, 2009, 05:03:04 AM
Tonight at (Le) Poisson Rouge--and at 9:30, on the late side!  In just a little over a year, this place has turned into one of the most interesting venues in NYC, programming classical music (new and old) alongside rock, jazz and all sorts of other music.  But the amount of classical is huge, maybe 50%.  It's like having a "classical music nightclub" nearby, where you can listen to music while having drinks and snacks.  Anyway, looking forward to:

ModernWorks

Ge Gan-Ru: String Quartets 1, 4 and 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 09, 2009, 04:02:01 AM
Tonight, this fascinating line-up by a young group, the Talea Ensemble (http://www.taleaensemble.org/Talea_Ensemble.html).  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
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on July 23, 2009, 09:37:05 PM
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? :D)
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!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 24, 2009, 02:52:51 AM
Quote from: owlice on July 23, 2009, 09:37:05 PM
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? :D)
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". (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2006/03/orffnbach.html) (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.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on July 24, 2009, 05:28:28 AM
I'm looking forward to a free piano recital this Sunday.  Should be sweet! 8)  I don't know what's being played, but anything that's (a) classical and (b) live and (c) free is fantastic!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on July 27, 2009, 01:29:38 PM
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!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on July 27, 2009, 06:29:16 PM
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!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on July 30, 2009, 02:51:46 PM
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?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on July 30, 2009, 02:57:01 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on July 30, 2009, 02:51:46 PM

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

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

This year, at the Edinburgh International Festival! :D

(I already have tickets.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on July 30, 2009, 03:32:42 PM
Quote from: Renfield on July 30, 2009, 02:57:01 PM
This year, at the Edinburgh International Festival! :D

(I already have tickets.)

I should have added "outside of Britain".  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 31, 2009, 05:48:01 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on July 30, 2009, 02:51:46 PM
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
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 31, 2009, 05:57:08 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on July 30, 2009, 02:51:46 PM
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. (http://www.berkshirelinks.com/berkshires-news/2008/02/27/bso-colin-davis-elgar)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on August 13, 2009, 08:35:21 AM
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.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 13, 2009, 11:37:30 AM
Quote from: MDL on August 13, 2009, 08:35:21 AM
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
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 14, 2009, 01:04:47 PM
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  :)



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 17, 2009, 10:41:41 AM
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
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on August 17, 2009, 12:39:22 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on August 14, 2009, 01:04:47 PM
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!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 17, 2009, 12:40:50 PM
Quote from: bhodges on August 17, 2009, 10:41:41 AM
John Adams: Son of Chamber Symphony

Soon to be followed up with Bride of Chamber Symphony, I hope?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 17, 2009, 12:47:34 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 17, 2009, 12:40:50 PM
Soon to be followed up with Bride of Chamber Symphony, I hope?

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

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 18, 2009, 11:06:32 AM
Quote from: bhodges on August 17, 2009, 10:41:41 AM
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
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on August 25, 2009, 05:38:57 AM
Winnipeg Chamber Music Society has released its 2009/2010 schedule.  This will be my third year as a subscriber! 8)  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



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on August 25, 2009, 05:42:14 AM
Sept 17, though I still need to draw up a final program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on September 04, 2009, 01:49:17 AM
Off-topic but still...

Here's a concert that was completely out of my radar until I read its review (http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/music/article15042.ece) today. :( Very interesting programming. Snippets of earlier performances (of Carnatic music on a string quartet) are available at the Madras String Quartet's website (http://www.madrasstringquartet.com/audio_video.html).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 06, 2009, 02:22:45 AM
I'm off to the last day of the Kings Place Festival in Kings Cross; a series of dozens of short concerts, £4,50 a pop, and free events. I've booked this:

Time: 14:15
Venue: Hall One

Michael Collins clarinet
Michael McHale piano

Britten Mazurka Elegiaca (arr. Colin Matthews)
Colin Matthews Three Studies
And Schumann Fantasiestücke

Then I'll have a mooch to see what else gets my attention.


http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/kings-place-festival-2009
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Gabriel on September 09, 2009, 09:44:05 AM
Salle Pleyel, Paris:

October 3rd and 4th. Varèse 360º (complete works). Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Ensemble Asko I Schönberg, Capella Amsterdam/Peter Eötvös, Anu Komsi.

November 22nd. Mozart, Die Zauberflöte. Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin/Jacobs, Behle, Petersen, Marcos Fink, Kaapola.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 10, 2009, 08:23:28 AM
Just got tix to these:

October 17, 3pm
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor

Bruckner -   Symphony No. 2


November 14, 8pm
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Eugene Izotov, oboe
David McGill, bassoon
Robert Chen, violin
John Sharp, cello

Haydn -   Sinfonia concertante in B-flat Major
Bruckner -   Symphony No. 9


Thinking of going to this, even though I can't stand Bell:

October 10, 8pm
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Roberto Abbado, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin
Henry McDowell, organ

Honegger -   Horace Victorieux, Mimed Symphony
Bruch -   Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor
Saint-Saëns -   Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
Saint-Saëns -   Symphony No. 3 (Organ)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 13, 2009, 10:49:09 AM
This Wednesday, opening night of the New York Philharmonic with new conductor Alan Gilbert.  It's a really great program, and I don't recall ever hearing Fleming sing any Messiaen.

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Renée Fleming, soprano

Magnus Lindberg: EXPO (2009, world premiere: New York Philharmonic Commission
Messiaen: Poèmes pour Mi (1936)   
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique   

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on September 15, 2009, 12:35:38 PM
Quote from: bhodges on September 13, 2009, 10:49:09 AM
This Wednesday, opening night of the New York Philharmonic with new conductor Alan Gilbert.  It's a really great program, and I don't recall ever hearing Fleming sing any Messiaen.

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Renée Fleming, soprano

Magnus Lindberg: EXPO (2009, world premiere: New York Philharmonic Commission
Messiaen: Poèmes pour Mi (1936)   
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique   

--Bruce

That looks fairly epic for a season opener, Bruce. Impressions eagerly awaited!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on September 15, 2009, 07:21:35 PM
Quote from: MDL on September 06, 2009, 02:22:45 AM
I'm off to the last day of the Kings Place Festival in Kings Cross; a series of dozens of short concerts, £4,50 a pop, and free events. I've booked this:

Time: 14:15
Venue: Hall One

Michael Collins clarinet
Michael McHale piano

Britten Mazurka Elegiaca (arr. Colin Matthews)
Colin Matthews Three Studies
And Schumann Fantasiestücke

Then I'll have a mooch to see what else gets my attention.


http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/music/kings-place-festival-2009
So how was it?  The Schumann is the only one of the three that I have heard.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on September 15, 2009, 10:26:40 PM
QuoteSaint-Saëns -   Symphony No. 3 (Organ)

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

:: sobs in a corner ::

~~~~~~~~~~~

I've got this coming up next week:

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor
Time for Three:
Zachary De Pue, violin
Nicolas Kendall, violin
Ranaan Meyer, double bass

Brahms Hungarian Dances
Higdon Concerto 4-3
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 17, 2009, 01:46:07 AM
My other half has got us free tickets for a concert by the British Philharmonic Orchestra (er, who?) in the grounds of the Tower of London, which is conveniently halfway between where I work and live. OK, so it's hardly a night of Stockhausen and Berio, and I'm already gritting my teeth in dread at the thought of the inevitable audience clap-along, but I love going to concerts in slighly unusual venues and there are a few items in the programme that I actually quite like, even though I never post on GMG about any music pre-Mahler.

And it's the opening night of Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre tonight at the ENO. I'm going next week (but I had to pay for that ticket, obviously).


This Friday 18 September, we have the CLASSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA - BRITISH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA!

A GALA EVENING OF POPULAR CLASSICS, CONDUCTED BY ANTHONY GABRIELE, WITH NIGEL HUTCHISON (PIANO) AND NATASHA MARSH (SOPRANO)

The British Philharmonic Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the UK's most exciting, diverse and exhilarating orchestras and we are pleased to announced the final programme for their 'Classical Extravaganza' on Friday 18 September. Conducted by Anthony Gabrielle, and starring Nigel Hutchison and Natasha Marsh, the night will feature:
Copland Fanfare for the common man


Rossini William Tell Overture
Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor (with Nigel Hutchison)
Walton Crown Imperial
Handel Water Music Suite
Johann Strauss On the beautiful Blue Danube - Waltzes
Verdi Sempre Libera from La Traviata (with Natasha Marsh)
Gershwin Summertime from Porgy & Bess (with Natasha Marsh & Nigel Hutchison)
Puccini Oh! Mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Schicchi (with Natasha Marsh)
Mascagni Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien
Offenbach Can Can from Orpheus in the Underworld



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 17, 2009, 09:52:42 AM
Quote from: MDL on September 17, 2009, 01:46:07 AM
My other half has got us free tickets for a concert by the British Philharmonic Orchestra (er, who?) in the grounds of the Tower of London, which is conveniently halfway between where I work and live. OK, so it's hardly a night of Stockhausen and Berio, and I'm already gritting my teeth in dread at the thought of the inevitable audience clap-along, but I love going to concerts in slighly unusual venues and there are a few items in the programme that I actually quite like, even though I never post on GMG about any music pre-Mahler.

And it's the opening night of Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre tonight at the ENO. I'm going next week (but I had to pay for that ticket, obviously).


This Friday 18 September, we have the CLASSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA - BRITISH PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA!

A GALA EVENING OF POPULAR CLASSICS, CONDUCTED BY ANTHONY GABRIELE, WITH NIGEL HUTCHISON (PIANO) AND NATASHA MARSH (SOPRANO)

The British Philharmonic Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the UK's most exciting, diverse and exhilarating orchestras and we are pleased to announced the final programme for their 'Classical Extravaganza' on Friday 18 September. Conducted by Anthony Gabrielle, and starring Nigel Hutchison and Natasha Marsh, the night will feature:
Copland Fanfare for the common man


Rossini William Tell Overture
Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor (with Nigel Hutchison)
Walton Crown Imperial
Handel Water Music Suite
Johann Strauss On the beautiful Blue Danube - Waltzes
Verdi Sempre Libera from La Traviata (with Natasha Marsh)
Gershwin Summertime from Porgy & Bess (with Natasha Marsh & Nigel Hutchison)
Puccini Oh! Mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Schicchi (with Natasha Marsh)
Mascagni Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Tchaikovsky Capriccio Italien
Offenbach Can Can from Orpheus in the Underworld

That could actually be a lot of fun, if you're in the mood for it.  (But do report on the Ligeti!)

Tonight, I'm hearing this concert in conjunction with the artists' recently released Alfano CD on Naxos:

Elmira Darvarova, violin
Sam Magill, cello
Scott Dunn, piano

Franco Alfano: Sonata for Cello and Piano (1925)
Vernon Duke: Sonata for Violin and Piano (1949, New York premiere)
Franco Alfano: Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano (1929)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 17, 2009, 09:55:55 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 17, 2009, 09:52:42 AM
Tonight, I'm hearing this concert in conjunction with the artists' recently released Alfano CD on Naxos:

Elmira Darvarova, violin
Sam Magill, cello
Scott Dunn, piano

Franco Alfano: Sonata for Cello and Piano (1925)
Vernon Duke: Sonata for Violin and Piano (1949, New York premiere)
Franco Alfano: Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano (1929)

I knew, Bruce, that you had an exemplary excuse for not coming to Boston for my recital tonight!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 17, 2009, 01:05:15 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 17, 2009, 09:55:55 AM
I knew, Bruce, that you had an exemplary excuse for not coming to Boston for my recital tonight!  ;D

;D  ;D

Good luck!  (Not that you'll need it of course.)  I will look forward to your comments on how it went.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 17, 2009, 03:52:21 PM
SCHUMAN | Showcase: A Short Display for Orchestra
CHOPIN | Piano Concerto No 2
TCHAIKOVSKY | Symphony No 5

Houston Symphony Orchestra
Hans Graf

w/ Ingrid Fliter, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 18, 2009, 01:23:53 AM
Quote from: secondwind on September 15, 2009, 07:21:35 PM
So how was it?  The Schumann is the only one of the three that I have heard.

It was a really good day. I only bought tickets for two concerts because there were so many free events going on including a few bouts of madrigal singing and some Eastern European folk music. The highlight of the concerts was probably the premiere of Matthews's Tanglewood Fanfare, a brief but thrilling romp for piano and horn, which was performed twice.

I've never been to a concert in Kings Place before; I was pretty impressed, not only with the comfy seats and good acoustics of Hall 1 (I've not tried Hall 2 yet), but also with the pleasant bars and canalside terrace. The staff were very friendly and a lot less stressed than the staff at the Southbank Centre or Barbican!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 19, 2009, 04:14:56 AM
From the Listening thread, addressed to our esteemed owlice:

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 19, 2009, 04:14:08 AM
Molto bene!

And a Naxos perq riding on the symphony subscription: very nice!

What are you going to hear at symphony this season?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 19, 2009, 04:27:58 AM
Some of what I am looking forward to over this coming BSO season:

Carter's Mosaic & the Debussy Danses sacrée et profane, featuring recently retired harpist Ann Hobson Pilot, on 3 October

Hindemith's Opus 50 Konzertmusik for brass & strings (first time hearing this live!) in a program conducted by Daniele Gatti on 10 October

Martinů, Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca (first time hearing any Martinů live!) on 17 October

Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements in a program conducted by Sir Andrew Davis on 28 November

Franz Peter Zimmermann playing the Martinů Second Violin Concerto on 5 December

Nikolai Znaider playing the Elgar Violin Concerto (first time hearing this live!) on 5 December

Jimmie leading an all-French program on 30 January: Berlioz' Harold en Italie (with Steven Ansell), Ravel's Daphnis Suite no. 2 & Left-Handed Concerto, and Carter's Dialogues for piano & orchestra (okay, so he studied in Paris) . . . the latter two with Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Elizabeth Rowe playing the Carter Flute Concerto premiere on 4 February!

. . . and more.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 19, 2009, 06:08:58 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 19, 2009, 04:27:58 AM
Martinů, Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca (first time hearing any Martinů live!) on 17 October

Who is conducting that? Morlot? He is going to be doing the same with the CSO a little later in the season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 19, 2009, 07:13:22 AM
Quote from: O Mensch on September 19, 2009, 06:08:58 AM
Who is conducting that? Morlot?

Aye, former BSO assistant conductor Ludovic Morlot.

Quote from: O MenschHe is going to be doing the same with the CSO a little later in the season.

What's the rest of your program?

The full BSO program is:

Martinů, Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca
Stravinsky: Capriccio for piano and orchestra (w/ Peter Serkin)
Thomas, Helios Choros II (Sun God Dancers)
Tchaikovsky, Francesca da Rimini

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on September 19, 2009, 05:53:41 PM
Tomorrow night's chamber music concert:

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

Gwen Hoebig, violin
Desmond Hoebig, cello
David Moroz, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on September 20, 2009, 08:27:30 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 19, 2009, 04:14:56 AM
From the Listening thread, addressed to our esteemed owlice:


Karl, first concert is listed here: http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,429.msg355761.html#msg355761

Works later in the season include Rautavaara's Incantations and Leshnoff's Starburst. Some new works, some old works, and even some Mozart, but only because I couldn't get a work I wanted without it!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on September 21, 2009, 04:56:00 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 19, 2009, 05:53:41 PM
Tomorrow night's chamber music concert:

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

Gwen Hoebig, violin
Desmond Hoebig, cello
David Moroz, piano

Great, great night of music.  I knew I was in for something special regarding the Kodaly Duo, a work I had never heard before.  Right before the performance I braced myself, for something told me I was in for an amazing ride...and what a ride it was!  What an amazing piece, and what a performance it was by the Hoebig brother and sister duo.  :)  I was truly blown away.  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 21, 2009, 07:02:27 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 21, 2009, 04:56:00 AM
Great, great night of music.  I knew I was in for something special regarding the Kodaly Duo, a work I had never heard before.  Right before the performance I braced myself, for something told me I was in for an amazing ride...and what a ride it was!  What an amazing piece, and what a performance it was by the Hoebig brother and sister duo.  :)  I was truly blown away.  0:)

A marvelous piece, Ray!  I have only heard it live once, about 15 years ago, and then bought a recording (on Harmonia Mundi, if I recall), which has his Sonata for Solo Cello, which you might enjoy since you liked the Duo.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 21, 2009, 07:05:45 AM
Tonight:

Opening night at the Met, with Puccini's Tosca in a new production by Luc Bondy.  Karita Mattila sings the title role, with James Levine conducting.  

Going with friends to see it outside on the plaza at Lincoln Center, where the production will be broadcast live.  (They're also showing it on a huge screen in Times Square.)  It's going to be a beautiful night here in NYC, so this could be a lot of fun.

Edit: Opera Chic has a few photos from the dress rehearsal, here (http://operachic.typepad.com/opera_chic/2009/09/luc-bondys-tosca-first-photos-of-the-new-metropolitan-opera-production.html).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on September 22, 2009, 04:38:12 AM
Not sure if I will have tickets yet, but my friend and fellow GMG'er Squarez is looking to get me a couple of tickets for this Thursday (24th)'s performance by the Lucerne Festival Orchestra under Abbado. They will perform Mahler 4 and a few Mozart concert arias. THe 24th is Vanessa's birthday. A concert featuring Vanessa's favorite composer seems to be the perfect birthday gift.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on September 22, 2009, 05:23:02 AM
Quote from: springrite on September 22, 2009, 04:38:12 AM
Not sure if I will have tickets yet, but my friend and fellow GMG'er Squarez is looking to get me a couple of tickets for this Thursday (24th)'s performance by the Lucerne Festival Orchestra under Abbado. They will perform Mahler 4 and a few Mozart concert arias. THe 24th is Vanessa's birthday. A concert featuring Vanessa's favorite composer seems to be the perfect birthday gift.

Wow, that sounds pretty good - hope you can get some tickets. Who's singing?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on September 22, 2009, 05:24:46 AM
Quote from: Novi on September 22, 2009, 05:23:02 AM
Wow, that sounds pretty good - hope you can get some tickets. Who's singing?

I have no idea, but I know at least the singer is NOT local.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 22, 2009, 11:31:03 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 21, 2009, 07:05:45 AM
Tonight:

Opening night at the Met, with Puccini's Tosca in a new production by Luc Bondy.  Karita Mattila sings the title role, with James Levine conducting.  

Going with friends to see it outside on the plaza at Lincoln Center, where the production will be broadcast live.  (They're also showing it on a huge screen in Times Square.)  It's going to be a beautiful night here in NYC, so this could be a lot of fun.

Edit: Opera Chic has a few photos from the dress rehearsal, here (http://operachic.typepad.com/opera_chic/2009/09/luc-bondys-tosca-first-photos-of-the-new-metropolitan-opera-production.html).

--Bruce

Well, I feel like one of the few people around who actually liked the Met's new Tosca.  While not perfect (the ending, in particular, needs some technical shoring up), the musical values were terrific, given the outstanding work of Marcelo Álvarez (Cavaradossi), Karita Mattila (Tosca) and most of all George Gagnidze (Scarpia) who turned out to be an excellent last-minute replacement for Juha Uusitalo.  James Levine and the orchestra just sounded fabulous, making me realize I don't have a good modern version (recording) of this piece.

But the production by Luc Bondy got soundly, loudly booed during the curtain calls.  I am not sure I really understand why, since it wasn't that far-out--actually not "far-out" at all.  (And not nearly as "out there" as things by say, Calixto Bieito.)  What it seems to me: a general hand-wringing for the loss of Franco Zeffirelli's lavish, much-loved production, which PS, may or may not make the best case for the opera.  It's a shame, since this new one emphasizes the dramatic intensity and doesn't have the singers dwarfed by the set.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Harpo on September 22, 2009, 02:22:30 PM
Carnegie Hall, Oct. 17

       Takács Quartet
·· Edward Dusinberre, Violin
·· Károly Schranz, Violin
·· Geraldine Walther, Viola
·· András Fejér, Cello


SCHUMANN  String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 41, No. 1 
WOLFGANG RIHM  Quartet No. 11 (NY Premiere) 

BEETHOVEN  String Quartet in F Major, Op. 59, No. 1, "Razumovsky" 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 22, 2009, 03:38:15 PM
Quote from: Harpo on September 22, 2009, 02:22:30 PM
Carnegie Hall, Oct. 17

       Takács Quartet
·· Edward Dusinberre, Violin
·· Károly Schranz, Violin
·· Geraldine Walther, Viola
·· András Fejér, Cello


SCHUMANN  String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 41, No. 1 
WOLFGANG RIHM  Quartet No. 11 (NY Premiere) 

BEETHOVEN  String Quartet in F Major, Op. 59, No. 1, "Razumovsky" 


*jaw hits floor*

That sounds incredible! I just heard the Tokyo Quartet do the Beethoven 59/1 live, but the Takács ... that will be an incredible experience.  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on September 24, 2009, 06:51:18 AM
Just returned with Vanessa from Lucerne Fesival Orchestra's concert under Abbado. It was Vanessa's first LIVE classical concert and is a birthday gift she very much enjoyed. The playing was magnificent and Abbado was on top form. The soprano was good but the voice did not seem to fit the role since it lack the naivete that's called for. That would be my only complaint.

I saw many old friends at the concert, many of whome flew in from other parts of China just to attend this concert. Abbado is very much loved in China.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 24, 2009, 07:27:31 AM
Abbado has earned all the love.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on September 24, 2009, 07:29:25 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 24, 2009, 07:27:31 AM
Abbado has earned all the love.

Indeed!

BTW, the soprano is Hanisch. (not sure about spelling)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 24, 2009, 08:42:05 AM
Quote from: springrite on September 24, 2009, 06:51:18 AM
Just returned with Vanessa from Lucerne Fesival Orchestra's concert under Abbado. It was Vanessa's first LIVE classical concert and is a birthday gift she very much enjoyed. The playing was magnificent and Abbado was on top form. The soprano was good but the voice did not seem to fit the role since it lack the naivete that's called for. That would be my only complaint.

I saw many old friends at the concert, many of whome flew in from other parts of China just to attend this concert. Abbado is very much loved in China.

Great story, and glad the concert was good.  I love Abbado, and the Lucerne group seems to be doing great work.  (I haven't gotten any of their DVDs yet, but they already have a few.)

Tonight, this excellent-sounding concert.  I've heard the Harvey piece just a year or so ago, and think it's a tremendous piece, and I don't recall ever hearing the Stockhausen live.

Talea Ensemble
"Points of Contact: Stockhausen's Kontakte and Beyond"
@ Roulette

Jonathan Harvey: Tombeau de Messiaen (1994) for piano and tape
James Tenney: Ergodos II (for John Cage) (1964) for tape with instrumental responses
Karlheinz Stockhausen: Kontakte (1960) for piano, percussion and 4-channel electronic sounds

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on September 25, 2009, 09:32:32 AM
Tonight, a little Brahms, a little Tchaikovsky, and a little Higdon. Tomorrow, my ears will likely be filled by other people's music choices (Jimmy Buffet has been mentioned, alas), but tonight, I get a great orchestra, pleasant companionship, and wonderful music, and I'm really looking forward to it!

(Tomorrow, I ride in a charity fundraiser at which my team will have a camp, which is where the music-not-of-my-choice will be. I think it's a ruse to keep me on my bike!!)

Bruce,

How was last night's concert?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 25, 2009, 09:45:50 AM
Quote from: owlice on September 25, 2009, 09:32:32 AM
Tonight, a little Brahms, a little Tchaikovsky, and a little Higdon. Tomorrow, my ears will likely be filled by other people's music choices (Jimmy Buffet has been mentioned, alas), but tonight, I get a great orchestra, pleasant companionship, and wonderful music, and I'm really looking forward to it!

(Tomorrow, I ride in a charity fundraiser at which my team will have a camp, which is where the music-not-of-my-choice will be. I think it's a ruse to keep me on my bike!!)

Bruce,

How was last night's concert?

Hi owlice, nice to see Jennifer Higdon on your list!  I like what I've heard from her very much.  If you are inclined toward chamber music, check out the CD by eighth blackbird that has her sextet, Zaka--fantastic.

Concert last night was terrific: two early electronic artifacts from the 1960s (not to seemingly dismiss the Stockhausen as such), which were really well done.  (Caveat: I had never heard either the Tenney or the Stockhausen live.)

I was lucky to hear Jonathan Harvey's Tombeau de Messiaen last year in an equally fine performance; I like it better every time I hear it.  The taped part is actually another piano, tuned slightly differently than the tempered live piano, which creates a marvelous array of microtonal sounds.  This performance was in a much smaller space, so the twangy microtones were really "in your face." 

Tonight I'm returning to the same space (Roulette) to hear the Talea Ensemble and the International Contemporary Ensemble collaborate on an entire evening of music by Mario Diaz de León, who is completely new to me.  De León was in rock and hardcore bands in the 1990s, before starting to write for classical instruments (with electronics) in 2001.  Could be very interesting...

Then on Sunday, Talea is doing Janáček's "Intimate Letters" Quartet and a piece by Georges Aperghis, at a really odd-sounding venue: the Roger Smith Hotel (47th and Lexington).  Now that could be really weird.  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on September 25, 2009, 09:02:15 PM
Back from the Baltimore SO; that was fun!

Tonight's playbill includes this text:
QuoteTonight's program introduces a theme that will run throughout the BSO's 2009-2010 season: the diverse folk and ethnic traditions that have enriched classical music over the centuries. Brahms' Hungarian Dances celebrate this German composer's love of Hungarian gypsy music while Jennifer Higdon's Concerto 4-3 was inspired by the bluegrass music of her childhood home in East Tennessee.

Really? That inspiration, though present, didn't seem quite as prevalent as the jazz influence, but what else are you going to do with two violins and a bass? :)

The concerto had three movements with very little break between them; the three movements were The Shadows, Little River, and Roaring Smokies. I was a bit surprised that the soloists were amplified; wasn't expecting that. The work started with solo violin being used as a percussion instrument, a quiet rhythmic noise that eventually escalated to string frenzy with all three instruments. All three instruments were used as percussion instruments, with the bass sometimes being banged on with a clenched fist (aren't all fists clenched? How could a hand be a fist without being clenched?), and sometimes with a flat hand. The second movement used the orchestra very little; this movement, with many quiet and introspective places, seemed nearly an extension of the first movement cadenza, not musically, but structurally. The last movement was a rip-roaring tear through the strings of Time for Three, the featured trio.

It's obvious these three guys play together a lot; in fact, there were many many times when it seemed they were playing for each other, rather than for an audience. Though our seats were nearly dead center, we saw an awful lot of one violinst's back; he played to the bass player throughout most of the concerto. This didn't affect the sound, but did make me feel occasionally like a voyeur into a private playgroup.

The violinists were dressed in black suits for their concert appearance; the bass player wore black pants and a medium purple button-down shirt that he wore open at the neck and untucked everywhere; his left sleeve was also rolled up. My companion's underbreath comment was something about this not being the 9:30 Club (http://"http://www.930.com/"). :D

Regardless of how they are dressed, these guys can play. Fiddle, classical, jazz -- it was all there. At one point in the first movement, the massed strings imitated the trio, but couldn't match the trio's fiddle technique; that was noticeable (to me, anyway).

They played an encore which left the BSO bass players open-mouthed; oh, the things the bass player did to his instrument, and oh, the sounds he got out of it! Pretty amazing.

The concerto was presented in the middle of the concert; Brahms opened the evening's music: Hungarian Dances no. 1, 3, and 10. Very well-played, these were; the orchestra sounded great!

The Tchaikovsky 4th Symphony closed the concert. After the first movement of this work, a gasped, unvoiced "wow" came from somewhere in the hall. Great playing, great sound, great music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 26, 2009, 01:48:39 AM
Gyorgy Kurtag: Stele, Op.33
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No.2 (Resurrection)

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


This will be a good test of the Festival Hall's revamped acoustics. I've heard great things about Jurowski, particularly in Russian music, but his Mahler is a bit of an unknown quantity. Should be exciting at least.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on September 26, 2009, 07:57:30 AM
Looking forward to the start of my orchestral season in Philadelphia this year:

BARBER Adagio for Strings
PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No 2
BERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique
Yuja Wang, piano
Charles Dutoit, conductor

I believe this will be my first time hearing Barber's Greatest Hit live, which I'm very much looking forward to. Prokofiev's concerto was previously unknown to me (listened to recordings of it via rhapsody) but it's quite a difficult work to play from the sounds of it. The Berlioz is part of Dutoit's initiative to have Berlioz' large scale works performed (last year's concert season for me ended with Berlioz' Requiem) - and it has been a while since I've heard this piece live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 26, 2009, 08:01:14 AM
Quote from: stingo on September 26, 2009, 07:57:30 AM
Looking forward to the start of my orchestral season in Philadelphia this year:

BARBER Adagio for Strings
PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No 2
BERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique

Yuja Wang, piano
Charles Dutoit, conductor

I believe this will be my first time hearing Barber's Greatest Hit live, which I'm very much looking forward to. Prokofiev's concerto was previously unknown to me (listened to recordings of it via rhapsody) but it's quite a difficult work to play from the sounds of it. The Berlioz is part of Dutoit's initiative to have Berlioz' large scale works performed (last year's concert season for me ended with Berlioz' Requiem) - and it has been a while since I've heard this piece live.

Beautiful program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ChamberNut on September 26, 2009, 09:22:32 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 22, 2009, 12:03:37 PM
Brian/Solitary,

Just got the season program for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for the 2009/2010 season, and the season opening concert features Cho-Liang Lin on the violin for the Sibelius Violin Concerto!  Definitely will be one of the concerts I attend for the next season!  :)

Wow, this was last night's concert.  I never really had been into Sibelius' violin concerto.....until last night! What an amazing performance, and piece, now that I am more accustomed to JS' sound world.  :)  Cho-Liang Lin was terrific.  He is very interesting to watch when he is not playing, and he's observing the conductor and orchestra.  He's very animated!

The night also included WSO's performance of Dvorak's Carnival Overture, and Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony.  All outstanding!  A wonderful season opener.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Joe Barron on September 29, 2009, 07:52:57 AM
A local group is doing an all-Haydn concert in Chestnut Hill Oct. 16. Program consists of relatively early music, including the first couple of string quartets (also called divertimenti) and the conceto for violin and harpsichord. I interviewed a couple of the musicians for a preview article and will insert the link here when it's posted online.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Joe Barron on September 30, 2009, 01:26:59 PM
My preview of the Haydn concert may be seen here (http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2009/09/30/entertainment/doc4ac3a89bd7c22516927507.txt).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 02, 2009, 09:15:06 AM
Quote from: Joe Barron on September 30, 2009, 01:26:59 PM
My preview of the Haydn concert may be seen here (http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2009/09/30/entertainment/doc4ac3a89bd7c22516927507.txt).

Really good piece, Joe!  :D  Makes me want to go.  (But I'll be entertaining my dad then.) 

Tonight I'm hearing the world premiere of David Chesky's opera, The Pig, The Farmer, and the Artist

Synopsis

To avoid being slaughtered by a lunatic farmer, Shirley the cow (a former hooker from Amsterdam), and her transvestite husband, Harvey, escape to New York's East Village, where they soon become all the rage of the highbrow art scene. Back on the farm, the Pig gets wind of their fame and follows to seek his artistic fortunes as well. Will the elitist critics accept the Pig's trendy conceptual art? Will the psychotic homesteader arrive in time to reclaim his prized hog? Will swine become the new black? This outrageous Fellini-esque satire superimposes the world of contemporary music onto the modern art scene, scorchingly skewering them both.


Apparently no one under 18 will be admitted because of "adult content."  ;D 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 02, 2009, 11:01:37 AM
That's an interesting plot.  ;D ;D

My university's orchestra is playing music that is, to understate, much more conventional...

Tonight!
BEETHOVEN | Leonore Overture No 3
RAVEL | Suite No 2, Daphnis et Chloe
BRAHMS | Symphony No 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 02, 2009, 07:24:18 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 02, 2009, 11:01:37 AM
That's an interesting plot.  ;D ;D

My university's orchestra is playing music that is, to understate, much more conventional...

Tonight!
BEETHOVEN | Leonore Overture No 3
RAVEL | Suite No 2, Daphnis et Chloe
BRAHMS | Symphony No 2

Ravishing! There's a live online stream of tomorrow's performance. I'm gonna link it so all of you can listen.  :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on October 02, 2009, 07:41:37 PM
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra 2009-2010 Season: Masterworks 1-3

2009-2010 Season: "Great Expectations"
Masterworks 2: Jon Manasse, clarinet (Info)
Glenn Quader, conductor
Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
George Mason University's Center for the Arts (Directions)

MENDELSSOHN: Overture to The Fair Melusine
MOZART: Clarinet Concerto in A Major
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 4

I'm looking forward to hearing Manasse on the Mozart.  I've never heard the Fairfax Symphony before--not quite sure where they fall on the continuum of orchestras.  Somewhere below the NSO or Baltimore SO, I guess, but probably above many of the "community" orchestras in the area.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on October 03, 2009, 06:32:30 AM
Will be leaving shortly for the first concert this season sponsored by our local chapter of the German Chopin Society. What's interesting is there is no Chopin scheduled but two Russian sonatas: Scriabin's Black Mass and Prokofiev's Eighth.

Edit: The program was changed. I kind of suspected it would be. We asked the organzier about it and all he said was that the Prokofiev was a little too noisy for the room so they decided to make a substitution. I didn't buy that but let it go  ;D  The concerts do take place in a private home, the room with the baby grand only about 20x40 feet.

The pianist was a young Japanese woman, Aiko Yajima, who has been a perpetual second or third place prize winner in every competition she's entered since 1998 (eight listed in the program). She played the Shostakovich Prelude and Fuge #24 D minor, Scriabin's Sonata #9, Chopin's Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise Brilliante and Chopin's Third Sonata. Encores: a Chopin Mazurka and Etude, and a Gershwin piece that the German audience loved.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on October 03, 2009, 01:20:58 PM
Thanks to a kind friend, tonight I'm going to hear Jane Krakowski (http://"http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&event=TKTSS") at the Kennedy Center.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Gabriel on October 04, 2009, 01:14:00 PM
I've enjoyed a very musical weekend, with three concerts in two days. Two of them were Varèse's opera omnia, which is not precisely in my usual range of exploration, but as I knew some works as Ionisation, Density 21.5, Amériques and Arcana, I thought it might be interesting to experience it live. It was very interesting indeed, but it is so far away from my musical preferences that I must admit I had to discipline myself in order not to lose too much concentration. My best remembrance from the cycle will be Ionisation, which I curiously found rather beautiful to experience live.

After the second session of Varèse's works, I rushed from the Salle Pleyel to the Théâtre des Champs Élysées to a most splendid concert of classical music: Haydn's 56th symphony and Mozart's 35th, conducted remarkably by Thomas Hengelbrock, who is not so radical as René Jacobs but achieves an astonishing sense of coherence (even though the Haffner symphony is not among my favourite Mozart, I was totally absorbed by the magnificent playing of the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble). To crown the performance, the audience was delighted by Véronique Gens singing Beethoven's Ah, perfido! and Haydn's Scena di Berenice. This work by Haydn is one that I really wanted to listen to live (I'm convinced it is one of the summits of classical vocal music), and I was profoundly and sincerely moved by it.

As encores, we had the two arias for Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro. A great musical evening. But my main advice after this concert is one: if you have the chance to attend a concert of Hengelbrock conducting Haydn, do not miss it. He has a rare ability to make the intellectual music of Haydn shine in balance with its emotional side.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 05, 2009, 10:06:20 AM
Tonight, looking forward to this by an ensemble at Juilliard, and PS, it's free:

AXIOM
Jeffrey Milarsky, Conductor
Peter Jay Sharp Theatre

Davidovsky: Flashbacks (1995)
Ligeti: Kammerkonzert (1970)
Birtwistle: Three Settings of Celan (1989-1994)
Birtwistle: Secret Theatre for Chamber Ensemble (1984)

I don't recall ever hearing Secret Theatre live, so this will be a treat.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on October 08, 2009, 02:35:13 AM
Wozzeck, tonight at the Festival Hall. Apparently, the Festival Hall lights conked out during a recent Philharmonia performance of Stravinsky's Firebird (why were they arsing around with the lighting anyway?!?). I hope there are no technical snafus tonight.

Philharmonia Orchestra
Resident at Southbank Centre / City of Dreams: Vienna 1900-1935
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
Hubert Francis Drum Major
Robert Murray Andres
Peter Hoare Captain
Hans-Peter Scheidegger Doctor
Anna Burford Margret
David Soar 1st Apprentice
Leigh Melrose 2nd Apprentice
Ben Johnson Idiot
Louis Watkins Marie's Child
Philharmonia Voices
Jean-Baptiste Barriere video direction
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 08, 2009, 02:49:28 PM
going to this one tomorrow... again.

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/10/ionarts-at-large-midori-jansons-and.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/10/ionarts-at-large-midori-jansons-and.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on October 10, 2009, 08:38:39 AM
Next weekend will be non-stop:

Thursday:

National Symphony Orchestra
Lorin Maazel, conducting
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin
MUSSORGSKY/RIMSKY-KORSAKOV - Night on Bald Mountain
BARBER - Violin Concerto, Op. 14
MAAZEL - The Giving Tree for Orchestra, Cello Obligato and Narrator, Op. 15
FRANCK - Symphony in D minor

Friday:

At The Barns at Wolftrap
The Canadian Brass


Saturday:

National Philharmonic: The Artistry of Richard Stoltzman

Richard Stoltzman, clarinet
Piotr Gajewski, conductor

MOZART Clarinet Concerto
GERSHWIN Promenade
GERSHWIN Bess and Summertime
GERSHWIN Lullaby
COPLAND Clarinet Concerto

Sunday a friend is giving an organ recital in Baltimore. . . I would almost have time to get there after my clarinet lesson. . .  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 10, 2009, 10:46:44 AM
BSO playing the Shostakovich Opus 93 tonight!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Classical Review on October 10, 2009, 03:08:21 PM
Starting to get excited about hearing Yefim Bronfman playing Brahms' Second Piano Concerto on October 22nd (http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/music/classical/tickets/philharmonia-orchestra-44715).

FK
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 11, 2009, 09:59:04 AM
A week from today:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor

Bruckner -   Symphony No. 2

FREE concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 12, 2009, 09:40:09 PM
Vancouver BC. this last week has had some rare items:  VSO did the Bruch double concerto (violin and viola version) + Fanny Mendelssohn overture in C
The West Coast Symphony had the von Flotow 2nd piano concerto in what appears to have been its first public live performance ever.
Coming up next month -VSO: the Clara Schumann piano concerto and on another program the Strauss Brentano Lieder (+ Elgar Symphony 1)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 13, 2009, 03:50:12 PM
Quote from: listener on October 12, 2009, 09:40:09 PMthe Clara Schumann piano concerto

Lovely piece! Glad it's getting played live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 16, 2009, 06:33:56 AM
Tomorrow night, can't wait for this one:

International Contemporary Ensemble
Steven Schick, percussion and conductor
Miller Theatre, Columbia University

All-Xenakis program

Psappha (1975)
Akanthos (1977)
Echange (1989)
Palimpsest (1979)
Thallein (1984)
O-Mega (1997)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 19, 2009, 02:17:16 PM
This past weekend's concert was a thrill, especially the Emperor concerto!  LaPlante was just flawless!  However, he hums quite loudly.  ;D

Brahms - Symphony No. 4
Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 5


Andre LaPlante, piano

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwaite, conduting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on October 28, 2009, 05:02:21 PM
Quote from: Brahmsian on October 19, 2009, 02:17:16 PM
This past weekend's concert was a thrill, especially the Emperor concerto!  LaPlante was just flawless!  However, he hums quite loudly.  ;D

Ray - don't you hate that!  :(  I especially dislike hearing these grunts on recordings, but probably not as bad as your fellow Canadian Glenn Gould -  ;) ;D   Dave
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 28, 2009, 07:54:32 PM
November 14:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Eugene Izotov, oboe
David McGill, bassoon
Robert Chen, violin
John Sharp, cello

Haydn -   Sinfonia concertante in B-flat Major
Bruckner -   Symphony No. 9

8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: some guy on October 29, 2009, 12:27:03 AM
3 November. Metz.

Turntable Titans Tour.

eRikm
Ignaz Schick
Katsura Mouri (of Busratch)
Martin Tetreault

I've been on the road since 18 August. Have seen well over a hundred concerts in that time. Some of them pretty spectacular (like the one with Peter Brötzmann in Fresne-en-Woëvre). But I'm guessing that this concert in Metz will be the cream of the cream. We'll see. (It's also, I just realized, the last concert of this trip. :()
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 29, 2009, 02:22:47 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 28, 2009, 11:46:07 AM
9th April 2010 at the Cadogan Hall, London:

Shostakovich Festive Overture
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.2
Shostakovich Symphony No.5

Maxim Shostakovich conductor
Natasha Paremski piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

WHOA!
If I could afford the plane tickets...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on October 29, 2009, 03:43:54 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 16, 2009, 06:33:56 AM
Tomorrow night, can't wait for this one:

International Contemporary Ensemble
Steven Schick, percussion and conductor
Miller Theatre, Columbia University

All-Xenakis program

Psappha (1975)
Akanthos (1977)
Echange (1989)
Palimpsest (1979)
Thallein (1984)
O-Mega (1997)

--Bruce
:o




Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 28, 2009, 11:46:07 AM
9th April 2010 at the Cadogan Hall, London:

Shostakovich Festive Overture
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No.2
Shostakovich Symphony No.5

Maxim Shostakovich conductor
Natasha Paremski piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
That's even better than the one I'm going to...
I'm also seeing the 5th tomorrow night, along with the Rachmaninoff 2nd Concerto- Christopher Wilkins, Orlando Phil. with soloist William Wolfram.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on October 30, 2009, 09:24:40 PM
Okay, I just finished seeing it 2 1/2 hours ago.
I did enjoy it- how could I not? The last time I went to see a concert was August 18, 2005, so that would be over 4 years ago.

I think the performance of the Shostakovich was a bit better than the Rachmaninoff. The orchestra just doesn't have a big, thick string sound which is required. Either that, or they just play too cautiously. The trumpets, especially, frequently needed to speak up more than they did (though I have to say, the low brass- trombones and tubas sounded as good as any orchestra I've heard).

The weirdest thing is, I guess, nothing about the concert, or the fact that there were so many people my age or younger there, but what it was like driving back at night. The only time I drive at night is every time I drive home from work, but this is a little different. I turned the wrong way and just decided to go into this really big bookstore that I never went in before for a while. Then, in the parking lot, more than ever, I just wanted to walk... and keep walking... all night long... and I don't know if I can describe it in words, but maybe, float into the sky and turn into part of the night sky and then go into another universe and cause the apocalypse. I guess that's what happens whenever I'm far away in some place I'm not too familiar with at night- the overwhelming excitement combined with overwhelming pain really feel weird...

I have to know... anyone understand what I'm talking about?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on November 01, 2009, 05:58:57 AM
Quote from: Greg on October 30, 2009, 09:24:40 PM
I have to know... anyone understand what I'm talking about?
As I thought, only me... well, never mind then.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: some guy on November 01, 2009, 06:25:24 AM
Quote from: Greg on October 30, 2009, 09:24:40 PMThe last time I went to see a concert was August 18, 2005....
You have GOT to be kidding! I've been to 150+ concerts since August 18, 2009. This year.

One of us is WAY out of line!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on November 01, 2009, 06:26:58 AM
Quote from: some guy on November 01, 2009, 06:25:24 AM
You have GOT to be kidding! I've been to 150+ concerts since August 18, 2009. This year.

One of us is WAY out of line!!
One of us is struggling to survive financially until he gets out of school a few months from now...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on November 01, 2009, 06:33:46 AM
I'm going to hear the b minor mass at concert in half an hour......
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 01, 2009, 07:48:45 AM
Quote from: Greg on November 01, 2009, 06:26:58 AM
One of us is struggling to survive financially until he gets out of school a few months from now...

Do they not have student tickets in your neck of the woods? I think I went to more concerts when I was still a student, as compared to when I joined the workforce.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 01, 2009, 09:34:22 AM
O Mensch, if Greg is in Orlando, even if they will have student tickets I don't imagine there will be many opportunities to cash in. However, Greg could probably get into WAY more concerts than he currently does. In Houston there is a huge music scene, obviously, and with student tickets or free tickets all around, I have caught about 10-12 concerts so far this school year.

Greg, as an example, check the student package of your local orchestra. This year I got a college student season ticket pack from the Houston Symphony which, for $66, got me 6 concert tickets. My seats - in the front orchestra section - have a face value of $61 for one single concert. So I got a 6 for the price of 1.082 deal!

Also, if UCF or another local university has a music school, check its events calendar. Most student recitals will be free, and student recitals tend to have really adventurous programming because they're required to cover a certain number of centuries.

Quote from: some guy on November 01, 2009, 06:25:24 AM
You have GOT to be kidding! I've been to 150+ concerts since August 18, 2009. This year.

One of us is WAY out of line!!
That's an average of 2 concerts per day, dude.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 01, 2009, 11:54:02 AM
Quote from: some guy on November 01, 2009, 06:25:24 AM
I've been to 150+ concerts since August 18, 2009. This year.

Uh...that must be a misprint  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 01, 2009, 11:55:02 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 01, 2009, 11:54:02 AM
Uh...that must be a misprint  ;D

Sarge
Maybe he sings in the shower.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 01, 2009, 11:59:03 AM
Quote from: Greg on October 30, 2009, 09:24:40 PM
I have to know... anyone understand what I'm talking about?

I do (well, not about going into another universe and causing the apocalypse ;D ) but the feeling of just wanting to walk into the night. Sure, many times in my youth. I was lucky enough to live in areas that allowed that too. Long, lonely night walks...very Thomas Wolfeian  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on November 01, 2009, 12:32:51 PM
Looking forward to - in the good company of fellow forum member Jezetha! - a world premiere.

I.e. of the Requiem (1935, but only rediscovered last year) for choir and orchestra by Cornelis Dopper (1870-1939). Thursday, November 19, in the Geert Reis Theater in the Northern Dutch town of Stadskanaal (of all places; Dopper was born there, but later went to study in Leipzig and on).

Interestingly enough, the concert also features the Dutch premiere of the Fourth Symphony (2009) by Arvo Pärt. BTW I only learned from this programme that Pärt actually wrote a Fourth, some fourty years after his Third. Did anyone hear it already?

North Netherlands Choir & Orchestra under Anthony Hermus, repeating the concert on Friday and Saturday, 20 and 21 of November, in Drachten and Groningen - an opportunity HARRY shouldn't miss!

For Cornelis Dopper see here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelis_Dopper).

                                     (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Cornelis_Dopper.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 01, 2009, 12:36:22 PM
Quote from: Christo on November 01, 2009, 12:32:51 PM
Interestingly enough, the concert also features the Dutch premiere of the Fourth Symphony (2009) by Arvo Pärt. BTW I only learned from this programme that Pärt actually wrote a Fourth, some fourty years after his Third. Did anyone hear it already?
Victor Carr jr. (ClassicsToday) (http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=12473) has heard it.

I recently discovered Cornelis Dopper's Seventh Symphony and it's a big enough favorite of mine that I am really envious of you and Jezetha! You will have to enjoy that performance for all of us and report back. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on November 01, 2009, 12:49:41 PM
Quote from: Christo on November 01, 2009, 12:32:51 PM
Looking forward to - in the good company of fellow forum member Jezetha! - a world premiere.

I.e. of the Requiem (1935, but only rediscovered last year) for choir and orchestra by Cornelis Dopper (1870-1939). Thursday, November 19, in the Geert Reis Theater in the Northern Dutch town of Stadskanaal (of all places; Dopper was born there, but later went to study in Leipzig and on).

Interestingly enough, the concert also features the Dutch premiere of the Fourth Symphony (2009) by Arvo Pärt. BTW I only learned from this programme that Pärt actually wrote a Fourth, some fourty years after his Third. Did anyone hear it already?

North Netherlands Choir & Orchestra under Anthony Hermus, repeating the concert on Friday and Saturday, 20 and 21 of November, in Drachten and Groningen - an opportunity HARRY shouldn't miss!

For Cornelis Dopper see here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornelis_Dopper).

                                     (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Cornelis_Dopper.jpg)

Christo pre-empted me... But yes, I am going with him to far and distant Stadskanaal to hear that still virginal Requiem by Stadskanaal's greatest son, Cornelis Dopper. Looking forward to it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on November 01, 2009, 12:56:56 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 01, 2009, 12:36:22 PM
Victor Carr jr. (ClassicsToday) (http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=12473) has heard it.

I recently discovered Cornelis Dopper's Seventh Symphony and it's a big enough favorite of mine that I am really envious of you and Jezetha! You will have to enjoy that performance for all of us and report back. :) 

Hi Brian,

Good report, I missed it (though I am a Classicstoday reader), many thanks indeed! I remember a forum discussion on Dopper's Zuiderzee Symphony, and your (and Jezetha's) admiration for it, which caused me to reconsider my verdict. (Always thought it was lovely, but derivative). I plan to play my complete Dopper collection before the concert; we'll see, he may turn out to be a better composer than he's commonly credited for.

We will, of course, duly report on the Requiem, and all that comes with this world premiere, as probably this forum's only members who will be there to report on the occasion.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on November 01, 2009, 01:02:28 PM
Quote from: Christo on November 01, 2009, 12:56:56 PM
Hi Brian,

Good report, I missed it (though I am a Classicstoday reader), many thanks indeed! I remember a forum discussion on Dopper's Zuiderzee Symphony, and your (and Jezetha's) admiration for it, which caused me to reconsider my verdict. (Always thought it was lovely, but derivative). I plan to play my complete Dopper collection before the concert; we'll see, he may turn out to be a better composer than he's commonly credited for.

We will, of course, duly report on the Requiem, and all that comes with this world premiere, as probably this forum's only members who will be there to report on the occasion.

I won't claim Dopper is the greatest composer ever, BUT - his Chaconne, the Sixth ('Amsterdam') and Seventh ('Zuiderzee') are masterly and very inventive. So are the two Päan's (especially the second one, iirc) that came coupled with the Second Symphony on Chandos.

I too will produce a personal review...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 01, 2009, 01:02:47 PM
Quote from: Christo on November 01, 2009, 12:56:56 PM
Hi Brian,

Good report, I missed it (though I am a Classicstoday reader), many thanks indeed! I remember a forum discussion on Dopper's Zuiderzee Symphony, and your (and Jezetha's) admiration for it, which caused me to reconsider my verdict. (Always thought it was lovely, but derivative). I plan to play my complete Dopper collection before the concert; we'll see, he may turn out to be a better composer than he's commonly credited for.

We will, of course, duly report on the Requiem, and all that comes with this world premiere, as probably this forum's only members who will be there to report on the occasion.

My admiration for the Seventh symphony is mostly one of pure pleasure - I am always a little disturbed by its tendency to just be loud whenever it lacks ideas (even the slow movement is very, well, loud), and the first and third movements rhapsodize a bit excessively, but the second movement is a total charmer and the finale never fails to make me grin from ear to ear. It's brilliant (in a very silly way). :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on November 01, 2009, 01:13:56 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 01, 2009, 01:02:47 PM
My admiration for the Seventh symphony is mostly one of pure pleasure - I am always a little disturbed by its tendency to just be loud whenever it lacks ideas (even the slow movement is very, well, loud), and the first and third movements rhapsodize a bit excessively, but the second movement is a total charmer and the finale never fails to make me grin from ear to ear. It's brilliant (in a very silly way). :)

Hi Brian! I know what you mean when you say Dopper can be loud when he runs out of ideas. There is something very brusque about his manner sometimes. Regarding the slow and final movements of the Seventh, I think I differ in my understanding of them. Mengelberg's performance of this movement isn't meandering at all, and the whole thing comes across (to this listener at least) as a rapt and dreamy meditation, with a few outbursts, granted... Proceeding to the Finale - Dopper uses two very different melodies, one joyful, the other serious, and combines them in the climax. And yes, there is something slightly ridiculous, perhaps, about the unsubtlety of that extremely loud and stamping passage. But - Dopper himself meant it as a depiction of soldiers marching towards to their death (World War I was just over). So there is something La Valse-like too behind it, the music self-destructs. That's why I personally don't find that Coda funny at all, but in its intentional (I hope) vulgarity and brutality rather menacing...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on November 01, 2009, 04:41:31 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on November 01, 2009, 07:48:45 AM
Do they not have student tickets in your neck of the woods? I think I went to more concerts when I was still a student, as compared to when I joined the workforce.
You know... that reminded me of something... I did use my student ID at the concerts I went to 4 years ago. I wonder if I still could've used the one I have now... I'm in a different county now, but I suppose that might not make a difference, since it was a different one the last time, too. It's not a high school ID, either, but that probably doesn't even matter...
(though for the future, I won't need to since I'll be out of school not long from now)




Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 01, 2009, 11:59:03 AM
I do (well, not about going into another universe and causing the apocalypse ;D ) but the feeling of just wanting to walk into the night. Sure, many times in my youth. I was lucky enough to live in areas that allowed that too. Long, lonely night walks...very Thomas Wolfeian  8)

Sarge
Well, thank you- glad somebody understands!  ;D
(though Orlando would be bit scary to walk around in  ;D )




Quote from: Brian on November 01, 2009, 09:34:22 AM
O Mensch, if Greg is in Orlando, even if they will have student tickets I don't imagine there will be many opportunities to cash in. However, Greg could probably get into WAY more concerts than he currently does. In Houston there is a huge music scene, obviously, and with student tickets or free tickets all around, I have caught about 10-12 concerts so far this school year.

Greg, as an example, check the student package of your local orchestra. This year I got a college student season ticket pack from the Houston Symphony which, for $66, got me 6 concert tickets. My seats - in the front orchestra section - have a face value of $61 for one single concert. So I got a 6 for the price of 1.082 deal!

Also, if UCF or another local university has a music school, check its events calendar. Most student recitals will be free, and student recitals tend to have really adventurous programming because they're required to cover a certain number of centuries.
That's an average of 2 concerts per day, dude.
Wow... nice deal
Well, they have a concert very close to where I live:
http://www.cah.ucf.edu/events.php?id=1182

though it doesn't say what is playing?  ??? :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 01, 2009, 05:15:08 PM
Quote from: Greg on November 01, 2009, 04:41:31 PM
You know... that reminded me of something... I did use my student ID at the concerts I went to 4 years ago. I wonder if I still could've used the one I have now... I'm in a different county now, but I suppose that might not make a difference, since it was a different one the last time, too. It's not a high school ID, either, but that probably doesn't even matter...

The state, county or whatever doesn't matter. I used my NY student ID in Chicago way back when and even in Germany. You don't have to be within the jurisdiction of your school to use your student ID.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on November 01, 2009, 05:57:27 PM
Quote from: O Mensch on November 01, 2009, 05:15:08 PM
The state, county or whatever doesn't matter. I used my NY student ID in Chicago way back when and even in Germany. You don't have to be within the jurisdiction of your school to use your student ID.
Cool!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 03, 2009, 11:30:07 AM
Tonight at (Le) Poisson Rouge, a CD release party for Huang Ruo's new Naxos release (below).  What I've heard of his music has been highly enjoyable.

Future In REverse (FIRE)
Huang Ruo, composer and conductor

String Quartet No. 1: The Three Tenses
Drama Theater III: Written on the Wind
Four Fragments
Drama Theater II: Shifting Shades

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 03, 2009, 07:35:21 PM
Quote from: Jezetha on November 01, 2009, 01:13:56 PM
Hi Brian! I know what you mean when you say Dopper can be loud when he runs out of ideas. There is something very brusque about his manner sometimes. Regarding the slow and final movements of the Seventh, I think I differ in my understanding of them. Mengelberg's performance of this movement isn't meandering at all, and the whole thing comes across (to this listener at least) as a rapt and dreamy meditation, with a few outbursts, granted... Proceeding to the Finale - Dopper uses two very different melodies, one joyful, the other serious, and combines them in the climax. And yes, there is something slightly ridiculous, perhaps, about the unsubtlety of that extremely loud and stamping passage. But - Dopper himself meant it as a depiction of soldiers marching towards to their death (World War I was just over). So there is something La Valse-like too behind it, the music self-destructs. That's why I personally don't find that Coda funny at all, but in its intentional (I hope) vulgarity and brutality rather menacing...

Thank you for that explanation. I knew that my response to the symphony was prompted not by bad or silly writing, but by irony - a sort of over-the-top, maniacally single-minded version of Tchaikovsky 6/iii. Could easily imagine it as the background music to a movie about totalitarianism. But, stripped of its context, there is still something delightful to me about the ending: not the light-hearted silliness Vermeulen thought he heard when he shouted "Long live Sousa!", but the sort of savage satire you could find in a Dr. Strangelove. Thanks for your comments. I'll try to seek out the Mengelberg recording; there's no doubt I love this piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 05, 2009, 05:40:52 AM
This Saturday:

Miller Theatre
Music of Galina Ustvolskaya
Fifth House Ensemble

Trio (1949)
Piano Sonata No. 6 (1988)
Octet (1949-1950)
Composition 2 (1972-1973)
Piano Sonata No. 4 (1957)
Composition 3 (1974-1975)

And on Sunday:

(Le) Poisson Rouge
Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble
Terry Riley: In C, remixed by Dennis DeSantis

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on November 05, 2009, 06:44:08 AM
Tonight in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the campus of the University of Michigan, I will be hearing a work named Out In The Sun by a composer named Karl Henning.

Also on the program is a minor work by some upstart named Moe Zart, or something like that!   8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 05, 2009, 06:49:33 AM
Quote from: Cato on November 05, 2009, 06:44:08 AM
Tonight in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the campus of the University of Michigan, I will be hearing a work named Out In The Sun by a composer named Karl Henning.

Also on the program is a minor work by some upstart named Moe Zart, or something like that!   8)

Whoa!  8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on November 05, 2009, 06:53:26 AM
Quote from: Cato on November 05, 2009, 06:44:08 AM
Tonight in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the campus of the University of Michigan, I will be hearing a work named Out In The Sun by a composer named Karl Henning.

Also on the program is a minor work by some upstart named Moe Zart, or something like that!   8)
I'm glad that this work is getting more widespread hearing--I like it very much.

Which reminds me, I must give my newest Henningmusik a second listen. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 05, 2009, 06:54:16 AM
Quote from: Cato on November 05, 2009, 06:44:08 AM
Tonight in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the campus of the University of Michigan, I will be hearing a work named Out In The Sun by a composer named Karl Henning.

Also on the program is a minor work by some upstart named Moe Zart, or something like that!   8)

Nice to see the young upstart sharing a program with one of the masters.  ;D  Let us know how it goes!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 05, 2009, 06:33:55 PM
Although occasions abound for interesting evenings at the symphony/opera/chamber music recital hall, I can't attend to much these days. Between workworkwork, caring for my Mom, taking care of some family business and visiting my friends (# 1 item on my free-time agenda), there's nothing left for concerts. At least not for a while  :'( . That's why I count on you guys to keep me posted on what's going on  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 06, 2009, 12:53:47 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 05, 2009, 06:33:55 PM
Although occasions abound for interesting evenings at the symphony/opera/chamber music recital hall, I can't attend to much these days. Between workworkwork, caring for my Mom, taking care of some family business....

Tell me about it ::) I'm missing complete harpsichord festival at the moment (Cabezon plus other early Spanish composers tomorrow, for instance, Frescobaldi on Wednesday) and as a subscriber every Thursday I regularly get text message from philharmonic informing me what nice things I'll be missing on Friday night :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on November 06, 2009, 10:29:36 PM
this weekend: the Schumanns and Mendelssohns  (Vancouver Symphony)
Sat: Felix Mendelssohn: Fingal's Cave, MNights Dream, CLARA Schumann Piano cto
Sun: R. Schumann Romances op.94 for oboe and piano, Piano Trio op.80; Mendelssohn Octet
Mon: FANNY Mendelssohn Overture in C; Felix's Piano Concerto 1; Schumann Symphony 4
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 07, 2009, 03:44:20 AM
tonight:

Igor Stravinsky
"Le Chant du Rossignol"

Maurice Ravel
"Shéhérazade"

Nikolai Rimskij-Korsakow
"Scheherazade" op. 35

Andrey Boreyko, conductor
Ann-Katrin Naidu, mezzo

Monday, I think:

Bavarian State Orchestra

Peter Eötvös
Concerto for Two Pianos
(Götz Schumacher &
Andreas Grau)

Anton Bruckner
Symphonie Nr. 7 E-Dur

Kent Nagano, conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 07, 2009, 03:58:12 AM
Monday at the BASF concert hall in Ludwigshafen, the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz conducted by its new Chefdirigent, Karl-Heinz Steffens. (Ari Rasilainen has moved on, unfortunately; I really loved his inventive programming.)

Schönberg Fünf Orchesterstücke op. 16
Mozart Piano Concerto #21 KV 467 (Rudolf Buchbinder)
Brahms Symphony #1

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 07, 2009, 06:25:38 PM
Since there might be plans for a ca. June 22 - July 5 european visit, I checked the Concertgebouw's programming and, lo and behold, they are playing the Mahler 5th. Daniele Gatti will conduct. Now, that *should* be of some interest  :D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on November 07, 2009, 10:03:39 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 07, 2009, 06:25:38 PM
Since there might be plans for a ca. June 22 - July 5 european visit, I checked the Concertgebouw's programming and, lo and behold, they are playing the Mahler 5th. Daniele Gatti will conduct. Now, that *should* be of some interest  :D.

Great to learn !  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on November 08, 2009, 04:39:38 AM
Quote from: bhodges on November 05, 2009, 06:54:16 AM
Nice to see the young upstart sharing a program with one of the masters.  ;D  Let us know how it goes!

--Bruce

I wrote a review of Karl's work on Henning's Headquarter's (q.v.).

The other works were Mozart's (aka Moe Zart aka Moe the Tender Toe) Serenade #11, 3 Dances and Finale from the "peasant opera" Der Mond (The Moon) by Carl Orff, and a Concerto for Violin and Wind Orchestra by Kurt Weill.

The Mozart was nicely played, a jaunty piece at times, with a reflective moment or two in the slower movements.  The Orff had the sound one knows from Carmina Burana, conveyed a humorous atmosphere, with a few surprises harmonically.  

The Weill I found the weakest work, with a great deal of seemingly senseless sawing by the soloist.  The best thing about it was the second movement, which contained a part for xylophone: the performer was obviously a Zen xylophonist, or something like that, because he was truly "One" with his instrument!   0:)   His head bobbed with every note he counted!  Every two-or-three note motif produced a wild facial expression, as if he were watching a movie collage of King Kong, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Casablanca, and Psycho, with a few Bugs Bunny cartoons tossed in now and then.  After his part was finished, he then returned to his seat, where he looked glum, since he had nothing left to do, and began openly yawning and stretching several times    :o    during the (admittedly tedious) finale.

(The fellow resembled the truly scary Steve Burns of Blues Clues, a children's show where it seemed the young man really believed he lived inside a TV show!   :o   )


(http://epguides.com/BluesClues/cast.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on November 08, 2009, 04:30:09 PM
Let's go to Blues Clues world!  :D


(then maybe life will have some interest to it maybe)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 10, 2009, 01:02:44 PM
This Thursday night here at Rice, the Pavel Haas String Quartet plays:

SCHUBERT | Quartettsatz
HAYDN | Quartet Op 76 No 2 "Quinten"
BRITTEN | Three Divertimenti
PAVEL HAAS | Quartet No 2, "From the Monkey Mountains"

I am super-excited.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 10, 2009, 01:18:31 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 10, 2009, 01:02:44 PM
This Thursday night here at Rice, the Pavel Haas String Quartet plays:

SCHUBERT | Quartettsatz
HAYDN | Quartet Op 76 No 2 "Quinten"
BRITTEN | Three Divertimenti
PAVEL HAAS | Quartet No 2, "From the Monkey Mountains"

I am super-excited.  8)

That is one great-looking recital, especially since you *never* see Haas programmed anywhere.  I have at least one recording by that group, and it's marvelous, but have never heard them live.  Do report back!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Elgarian on November 11, 2009, 06:41:21 AM
Massenet's Werther at the Lowry Theatre, Manchester, with Alice Coote and Opera North, this evening.

(OK, I know. Not a concert.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on November 11, 2009, 06:47:41 AM
Dec. 3rd

StravinskySymphony of Psalms
Dominick ArgentoLe Tombeau d'Edgar Poe
Rachmaninoff The Bells, Op. 35

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor
Nashville Symphony Chorus
George Mabry, Chorus Director
Twyla Robinson, Soprano
Bryan Griffin, Tenor
Darren K. Stokes, Bass-baritone


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: some guy on November 11, 2009, 09:13:37 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 01, 2009, 11:54:02 AM
Uh...that must be a misprint  ;D

Sarge
No misprint, Sarge, but an estimate, which was off by about twenty concerts. So fire me! From 18 August, 2009 to 3 November, 2009, I attended only 131 concerts. And I took notes, so if you dare question me, again...!! ;D

Anyway, the Metz concert I mentioned at first was splendid. eRikm and Katsura Mouri played a set, then Ignaz Schick and Martin Tetreault. Then all four played. After the break, Katsura and Ignaz played a set, then eRikm and Martin. Then all four played. Then they all four did an encore.

All four of these are giants of new music, well, not giants, titans. Giants doesn't rhyme with turntable, after all. Or tour. And they each have distinctive styles, hence the various combinations for this concert, I suppose.

Now, of course, I have nothing to look forward to. Now I have to live in the past, albeit the very recent past. But there'll be more concerts some day, I trust!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 11, 2009, 09:14:27 AM
Quote from: Franco on November 11, 2009, 06:47:41 AM
Dec. 3rd

StravinskySymphony of Psalms
Dominick ArgentoLe Tombeau d'Edgar Poe
Rachmaninoff The Bells, Op. 35

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor
Nashville Symphony Chorus
George Mabry, Chorus Director
Twyla Robinson, Soprano
Bryan Griffin, Tenor
Darren K. Stokes, Bass-baritone

That is a very exciting program.  I wonder what Guerrero had in mind, putting those three works together? 

Tomorrow night at the Met:

Janáček: From the House of the Dead (Esa-Pekka Salonen, Met debut/Met Orchestra)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: some guy on November 11, 2009, 09:22:18 AM
Quote from: some guy on November 11, 2009, 09:13:37 AM
But there'll be more concerts some day, I trust!!
Wow. Talk about getting one's wishes:

bst.cr
ben bennett (drumheads - columbus, oh)
ryan jewell (snare drum - columbus, oh)
wilson shook (alto saxophone - seattle)

plus:

jonathan sielaff (solo electric bass clarinet)
jp jenkins (solo music making tool/s)
kelvin pittman / tyler wilcox (duo saxophones)

This is tonight's concert right here in Portland, OR. At Worksound at 8 pm. So now I'm back to looking forward!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on November 11, 2009, 09:26:55 AM
Quote from: bhodges on November 11, 2009, 09:14:27 AM
That is a very exciting program.  I wonder what Guerrero had in mind, putting those three works together? 

Tomorrow night at the Met:

Janáček: From the House of the Dead (Esa-Pekka Salonen, Met debut/Met Orchestra)

--Bruce

Here's some information from the Symphony's website:

QuoteEdgar Allan Poe's resonant poem served as inspiration for Rachmaninoff's choral symphony The Bells, which would prove to be one of the composer's own favorite works. The iconoclastic modern Russian master Stravinsky looked to the Old Testament for his Symphony of Psalms, creating a wholly original work of liturgical music — notable for its unique scoring and its intensity of feeling. Both of these dynamic works will feature the stirring voices of the Nashville Symphony Chorus, joined by soloists Twyla Robinson, Bryan Griffin and Darren K. Stokes.

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 11, 2009, 11:50:07 AM
Following a June 24 or 25 Mahler 5th at the Concertgebouw, I should be going to Brussel's La Monnaie where Gerd Albrecht has programmed Bruckner's 8th symphony. I just hope these plans don't fall by the wayside. Keeping my fingers crossed ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on November 11, 2009, 01:39:54 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 11, 2009, 11:50:07 AM
Following a June 24 or 25 Mahler 5th at the Concertgebouw, I should be going to Brussel's La Monnaie where Gerd Albrecht has programmed Bruckner's 8th symphony. I just hope these plans don't fall by the wayside. Keeping my fingers crossed ;D

With De Munt (La Monnaie, as you prefer to call it  ;)) you're entering into pjme's sphere of influence. You might ask Peter what he holds of it?  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 11, 2009, 03:00:16 PM
Ben oui, quoi? What can I say? I've always known it by its french name ;)

I recall Peter is from Belgium. Is there anything else I should know?

If I attend this Brussels concert it will be my first time in the Capital (other than landing at Zaventem and connecting at Bruxelles-Midi). :-[ . There' s a long story behind that gross oversight, as well as purely geographical factors. That should be a good occasion to correct this situation.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on November 11, 2009, 11:42:42 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 11, 2009, 03:00:16 PM
I recall Peter is from Belgium. Is there anything else I should know?

"Peter is from Belgium, from Belgium Peter" - that is all
        Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 12, 2009, 10:02:51 AM
This Saturday's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert:


Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture
Bruch: Scottish Fantasy
Mozart: Symphony No. 39


Jean-Marie Zeitouni, guest conductor
Karl Stobbe, violin (Scottish Fantasy)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 12, 2009, 10:36:09 AM
Tomorrow night, if I can make it, and if doesn't get canceled due to state of flu epidemic being proclaimed officially today.

Chopin - Piano Concerto No.2
Miaskovsky - Symphony No.6

Konstantin Lifschitz (piano)
Dimitri Liss (conductor)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on November 13, 2009, 12:07:26 AM
Friday - Saturday next  (20-21)  Vancouver Symphony
Sir Andrew Davis conductor
Celena Shafer Soprano

Delius  The Walk to the Paradise Garden
R. Strauss  Brentano Lieder
Elgar   Symphony No. 1

I see a couple of the Brentano lieder done by Fischer-Dieskau in my collection, I think I've never heard the ones for female voice.    There's one recording by Natalie Dessay,  I don't recall Schwarzkopf doing these.   If the CBC record the concert I'll report it and try to get the broadcast date.   The Clara Schumann piano concerto last week was recorded for broadcast , again I'll look for a date.
later: I've just discovered a recent recording of the Brentano lieder on Naxos.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 13, 2009, 05:36:09 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 10, 2009, 01:02:44 PM
This Thursday night here at Rice, the Pavel Haas String Quartet plays:

SCHUBERT | Quartettsatz
HAYDN | Quartet Op 76 No 2 "Quinten"
BRITTEN | Three Divertimenti
PAVEL HAAS | Quartet No 2, "From the Monkey Mountains"

I am super-excited.  8)

Great recital! The Pavel Haas String Quartet are young, bursting with excitement, and, technically speaking, they're ridiculously perfect. This is a chamber music group where each of the four soloists could clearly go off and be soloists in their own right. The Schubert gave little evidence of this, though: soft-toned and impossibly elegant, the Quartettsatz floated along like a dream. Then the Haydn quartet received a quasi-HIP performance, with little to no vibrato, vigorous tempi and some truly flamboyant playing! Although I appreciated the contrast, I couldn't help thinking that the pieces were written 23 years apart, and to treat them as polar opposites seems, somehow, like a magic trick.

The Britten, which my friend and I had never heard before, was a delightful piece, and the musicians were clearly enjoying every minute. They seemed to really "come into their own" here - not because they weren't in it before, but because I could catch the cellist grinning.  :D

The Pavel Haas Quartet playing Pavel Haas will have to have a privileged spot in my memories of college. I don't know how he did it, but Pavel Haas wrote a Quartet, No 2, which has this structure:
Andante
Andante
Largo
Vivace
...but never gets boring or undramatic. The first movement was atmospheric but maybe a bit dangerously so - I lost my way keeping track of the thematic material. The second movement is a hilarious depiction of a drunk driving an ox-cart; the third a ravishing nocturne. As for the exuberant finale, with its mix of jazz, pop tunes, and sensationally hard work for all four players, well: discover its many surprises for yourself.  8)

All in all, a great night. The Pavel Haas Quartet was incredibly good, and the ensemble named after it was spectacular too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 13, 2009, 08:05:31 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 13, 2009, 05:36:09 AM

All in all, a great night. The Pavel Haas Quartet was incredibly good, and the ensemble named after it was spectacular too!

This makes me really want to hear this group--doing Haas, of course!  Thanks so much; sounds like a terrific concert. 

Tonight, hearing the Talea Ensemble in this program:

Fabien Levy: à propos (2008, US premiere)
Salvatore Sciarrino: Omaggio a Burri (1995)
Morton Feldman: Why Patterns? (1978)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 13, 2009, 08:11:49 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 13, 2009, 05:36:09 AM
The Pavel Haas Quartet playing Pavel Haas will have to have a privileged spot in my memories of college. I don't know how he did it, but Pavel Haas wrote a Quartet, No 2, which has this structure:
Andante
Andante
Largo
Vivace
...but never gets boring or undramatic. The first movement was atmospheric but maybe a bit dangerously so - I lost my way keeping track of the thematic material. The second movement is a hilarious depiction of a drunk driving an ox-cart; the third a ravishing nocturne. As for the exuberant finale, with its mix of jazz, pop tunes, and sensationally hard work for all four players, well: discover its many surprises for yourself.  8)

All in all, a great night. The Pavel Haas Quartet was incredibly good, and the ensemble named after it was spectacular too!

So, I guess they played version without percussion? That quartet has optional percussion part for final movement, with it the movement really lives up to its Wild Night title.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 13, 2009, 09:51:43 AM
Quote from: Drasko on November 13, 2009, 08:11:49 AM
So, I guess they played version without percussion? That quartet has optional percussion part for final movement, with it the movement really lives up to its Wild Night title.

No sir; no percussion, unless you count the cellist's extensive col legno. :)

And, Bruce, the Haas and Britten were definitely the evening's highlights!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 13, 2009, 02:48:42 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 13, 2009, 09:51:43 AM
No sir; no percussion, unless you count the cellist's extensive col legno. :)

No, I'm not counting that. You should get their studio recording, which includes percussion part.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41f1jwl8PxL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

And you get best Janacek 2nd since Janacek Quartet.

Quote from: Drasko on November 12, 2009, 10:36:09 AM
Tomorrow night, if I can make it, and if doesn't get canceled due to state of flu epidemic being proclaimed officially today.

Chopin - Piano Concerto No.2
Miaskovsky - Symphony No.6

Konstantin Lifschitz (piano)
Dimitri Liss (conductor)
Belgrade Philharmonic

Couldn't make it.  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 13, 2009, 03:47:47 PM
What happened ?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 13, 2009, 07:56:12 PM
Quote from: Drasko on November 13, 2009, 02:48:42 PM
No, I'm not counting that. You should get their studio recording, which includes percussion part.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41f1jwl8PxL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

And you get best Janacek 2nd since Janacek Quartet.

Janacek too? Sold!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 14, 2009, 05:30:29 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on November 13, 2009, 03:47:47 PM
What happened ?

Some inescapable family obligations.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 14, 2009, 07:13:28 AM
Things happen... You wouldn't have enjoyed the concert if you had eluded them.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 15, 2009, 11:34:33 PM
At last managed to get a ticket to this tomorrow:

Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor

Wagner -   Prelude to Die Meistersinger
Schoenberg -   Chamber Symphony No. 1
Brahms -   Symphony No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 16, 2009, 04:40:44 AM
Quote from: Mensch on November 15, 2009, 11:34:33 PM
At last managed to get a ticket to this tomorrow:

Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor

Wagner -   Prelude to Die Meistersinger
Schoenberg -   Chamber Symphony No. 1
Brahms -   Symphony No. 2

Sounds like this would be a most excellent concert.  Not just the program, but I'm a fan of Rattle!

*hides for cover*
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 17, 2009, 09:50:36 AM
Tonight, music of Ralph Shapey (1921-2002), whose work I don't know well, played by some really stellar musicians:

Miranda Cuckson, violin, viola, and artistic director
Charles Neidich, clarinet
William Purvis, horn
Blair McMillen, piano
Argento Chamber Ensemble
New York Woodwind Quintet
Talujon Percussion Quartet
Michel Galante, conductor

Five for violin and piano (1960)
Interchange (1996)
Movements (1960)
Etchings (1945)
Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Group (1954)
Three for Six (1979)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on November 17, 2009, 09:59:33 AM
Quote from: bhodges on November 17, 2009, 09:50:36 AM
Tonight, music of Ralph Shapey (1921-2002), whose work I don't know well, played by some really stellar musicians:

Miranda Cuckson, violin, viola, and artistic director
Charles Neidich, clarinet
William Purvis, horn
Blair McMillen, piano
Argento Chamber Ensemble
New York Woodwind Quintet
Talujon Percussion Quartet
Michel Galante, conductor

Five for violin and piano (1960)
Interchange (1996)
Movements (1960)
Etchings (1945)
Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Group (1954)
Three for Six (1979)

--Bruce
I hope you'll do a mini-review.  I don't know Shapey at all! :-[
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 17, 2009, 10:12:02 AM
Yes, I'm reviewing it for MusicWeb, and I'll try to remember to post the link here.  (Or perhaps use it as an excuse to begin a Shapey thread, if there isn't one.)

Edit: ah, found the Shapey thread, here (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,11581.msg284950.html#msg284950).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 18, 2009, 09:12:10 AM
Tonight, this concert by NYC's only period instrument orchestra.  My first time hearing this group, and the program is intriguing.

American Classical Orchestra
Thomas Crawford, conductor
Stephanie Chase, violin

Beethoven: Romanze in F for Violin and Orchestra
Mozart: Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter"
Haydn: Symphony No. 101, "The Clock"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on November 18, 2009, 09:19:19 AM
Tomorrow night:

Astor PiazzollaBuenos Aires - Tres Movimientos Sinfonicas, Op. 15
PiazzollaConcierto para Bandoneón "Aconcagua"
PiazzollaLas Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)
RavelBolero

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor
Tianwa Yang, Violin
Daniel Binelli, Bandoneón



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 18, 2009, 09:25:36 AM
Quote from: Franco on November 18, 2009, 09:19:19 AM
Tomorrow night:

Astor PiazzollaBuenos Aires - Tres Movimientos Sinfonicas, Op. 15
PiazzollaConcierto para Bandoneón "Aconcagua"
PiazzollaLas Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)
RavelBolero

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor
Tianwa Yang, Violin
Daniel Binelli, Bandoneón

And another very interesting program.  Did you see Alex Ross's article in June 2007 (here (http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2007/06/25/070625crmu_music_ross)) about the Nashville Symphony, along with orchestras in Indianapolis and Birmingham, Alabama?  Some excellent points made...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 18, 2009, 09:33:26 AM
Quote from: Franco on November 18, 2009, 09:19:19 AM
Tomorrow night:

Astor PiazzollaBuenos Aires - Tres Movimientos Sinfonicas, Op. 15
PiazzollaConcierto para Bandoneón "Aconcagua"
PiazzollaLas Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)
RavelBolero

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor
Tianwa Yang, Violin
Daniel Binelli, Bandoneón

Franco,

Three years ago, I attended a Winnipeg SO concert with Giancarlo Guerrero conducting.   It was a unique concert.  He was quite animated (and very sweaty!)  :D

The program that evening was Beethoven's Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 2, and the highlight of the night was Golijov's Oceana

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on November 18, 2009, 09:37:56 AM
Quote from: bhodges on November 18, 2009, 09:25:36 AM
And another very interesting program.  Did you see Alex Ross's article in June 2007 (here (http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2007/06/25/070625crmu_music_ross)) about the Nashville Symphony, along with orchestras in Indianapolis and Birmingham, Alabama?  Some excellent points made...

--Bruce

Nice piece by Alex Ross - and the symphony has found a director, who appears to be a good choice.  The programming is really very interesting - there are a bunch of concerts I'll be going to, and they may have made some adjustments since 2007; I don't think the hall is overly reverberant ...

It was sad when Kenneth Schermerhorn died - seemingly out of nowhere a few months before the opening of the new performance space he did so much to make a reality.  The previous space they had been using was incredibly bad - and the opposite of reverberant, really pretty horrid.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on November 20, 2009, 06:02:33 AM
Last night:

QuoteAstor Piazzolla -  Buenos Aires - Tres Movimientos Sinfonicas, Op. 15
Piazzolla -  Concierto para Bandoneón "Aconcagua"
Piazzolla -  Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires)
Ravel -  Bolero

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor
Tianwa Yang, Violin
Daniel Binelli, Bandoneón

Usually getting to the Symphony hall is no problem, on Thursdays the traffic is light and parking is not an issue, however, last night the Predators were in town and the arena is just across the street from the Symphony, so things were a bit more hectic.  But, we did get parked (although, having to pay extra) and seated with about 5 minutes to spare.

Initially, I was mainly looking forward to the Piazzolla pieces and only mildly interested in hearing Bolero - in actuality however, my enjoyment was in the reverse: the Piazzolla works were passable but Ravel's Bolero was stupendous.

The orchestra sounded marvelous and gave an exciting performance of an exciting piece.  The jury's still out if I am sold on Giancarlo Guerrero, possibly more sizzle than steak, but it will take more performances before I am prepared to commit to that judgment.

The soloists in the Piazzola works were very good, but the works themselves are not very compelling (IMO, and I am a big fan of his quintet recordings), plus, the orchestrator in Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) did some things which struck me as more cute than effective, or even suitable.

Having said all that - it was an enjoyable evening on balance, and my wife and I had great seats despite getting them on a last minute sale.  It was good to see the hall almost full, just a few empty seats.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on November 20, 2009, 06:04:43 AM
Quote from: Franco on November 20, 2009, 06:02:33 AM
The soloists in the Piazzola works were very good, but the works themselves are not very compelling (IMO, and I am a big fan of his quintet recordings), plus, the orchestrator in Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas (The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires) did some things which struck me as more cute than effective, or even suitable.

Pity!  The Kremerata Baltica version on Eight Seasons is one I'll pound the table for any day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on November 20, 2009, 06:23:30 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on November 20, 2009, 06:04:43 AM
Pity!  The Kremerata Baltica version on Eight Seasons is one I'll pound the table for any day.

This version was scored for violin solo with string orchestra, and there were sections when the orchestrator (don't have the program in front of me) began channelling Pachebel's Canon that seemed odd ...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 20, 2009, 07:28:54 AM
Quote from: Franco on November 20, 2009, 06:02:33 AM
Initially, I was mainly looking forward to the Piazzolla pieces and only mildly interested in hearing Bolero - in actuality however, my enjoyment was in the reverse: the Piazzolla works were passable but Ravel's Bolero was stupendous.

Thanks for the comments on what sounds like a pretty satisfying evening.  I think Bolero often gets a bad rap from people who haven't heard it live lately!  What a fabulous piece of music it is, a marvel of orchestration.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: donaldopato on November 22, 2009, 02:21:08 PM
An interesting world premiere: Avner Dorman's Concerto For Piano (Lost Souls)
Alon Goldstein, Piano, Michael Stern conducted the Kansas City Symphony:

http://donaldopato.blogspot.com/2009/11/kansas-city-symphony-avner-dorman-piano.html (http://donaldopato.blogspot.com/2009/11/kansas-city-symphony-avner-dorman-piano.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on November 22, 2009, 07:17:27 PM
Tonight, my son and I attended this (free!) concert, part of the 64th American Music Festival at the National Gallery of Art:

Richard Stoltzman, clarinetist
Yehudi Wyner, pianist

Foss, Dedication
Bernstein, Sonata for Clarinet and Piano
Wyner, Commedia for Clarinet and Piano
Reich, New York Counterpoint for Clarinet and Tape
Carter, Gra
Wyner, three piano works not listed on the program
Carter, Pastorale
Gershwin, Three Preludes for Piano, adapted for clarinet and piano (arr. Jay Gach)

My son, currently home from college for Thanksgiving, likes Reich; that was the impetus for attending this concert. And it was great! Stoltzman talked about practicing this work when it was newly-written, illustrating how this sounded and his then-small-child's reaction ("Dad! The needle's stuck on the record!").

Throughout the concert, Wyner or Stoltzman made comments to the audience about the program.

The three piano works not listed on the program.... the first, written in Wyner's salad days, was inspired and influenced by Baroque music. The second, titled the equivalent of "Goodbye, Rome," was impressionistic. The third, a light-hearted, affectionate work called "Three-fingered Don," was written for composer Donald Martino on the occasion of his retirement. The title refers to Martino's pianistic endeavors when singing his own pop works; these endeavors were demonstrated for us by Wyner, which was cute.

The Gershwin adaptations worked very well. It was interesting to hear the contrast between the two Carter works, which were composed 52 years apart. The Reich was our favorite, and the audience was with us on this.

This series of (free!) concerts continues on Wednesday with the Enso String Quartet playing Jalbert Icefield Sonnets, Moravec Vince and Jan: 1945, Corigliano Snapshot circa 1909, and Reich Different Trains. The kid has this latter on his iPod, and you can bet he wants to attend!

Also in the series:
Corigliano Symphony #2 for String Orchestra
Lerdahl WAVES
Aikman Lines in Motion, a Concert Piece for Violin and Orchestra
Bolcom Nine New Bagatelles
Kirchner Piano Sonata #3
Bermel Funk Studies
Carter Piano Sonata
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on November 23, 2009, 03:28:02 AM
Lovely, owliceWyner teaches (at the Longy school, I think), and we heard a piano-&-orchestra work of his premiered at Symphony a few seasons ago.  I didn't realize that he concertizes, as well!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on November 23, 2009, 03:40:17 AM
Karl, he is 80, which really surprised me! I thought he might be in his mid-sixties; he's certainly in great shape for an 80-year-old. He concertizes very well; it was a pleasure to listen to him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 23, 2009, 04:44:43 AM
Last night's Winnipeg Chamber Music Society concert:

Janacek - On the Overgrown Path (for solo piano)

Beethoven - String quartet No. 12 in E flat major, Op.127

A great, great night!  The Janacek piano piece was fascinating!  Also was a first listen.

I cannot properly describe how special it was to hear my first live performance of a late Beethoven string quartet.  An amazing experience!  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 23, 2009, 09:24:39 AM
Looking forward to both of these ballet concerts:

December 19-29, 2009

The Nutcracker


A Christmas holiday tradition in Winnipeg.  :)
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

March 10-14, 2010

Swan Lake


Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on November 23, 2009, 03:58:11 PM
I'm going to see Nutcracker on December 19 too! :) With Les grands ballets canadiens and the Montreal Symphony (well, I assume it's them).

Tha will be my granddaughter's first 'real' musical experience (other than the Mozart for babies she goes to sleep with every night).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 24, 2009, 10:46:28 AM
Monday, the American Composers Orchestra, and haven't heard them in quite awhile.

American Composers Orchestra
Stefan Lano, Conductor
Curt Cacioppo, Voice and Percussion
Donal Fox, Piano
Colin Gee, Writer, Director, and Actor
Erin Gee, Vocalist
Huang Ruo, Vocalist

Charles Ives: Tone Roads No. 1
Curt Cacioppo: When the Orchard Dances Ceased (World Premiere)
Huang Ruo: Leaving Sao (NY Premiere)
Charles Ives: Tone Roads No. 3
Erin Gee: Mouthpiece XIII: Mathilde of Loci, Part 1 (World Premiere)
Donal Fox: Peace Out for Improvised Piano and Orchestra (World Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on November 26, 2009, 06:43:49 PM
I attended the second concert of the 64th American Music Festival at the National Gallery of Art yesterday. The program was the Enso String Quartet playing Jalbert Icefield Sonnets, Moravec Vince and Jan: 1945, Corigliano Snapshot circa 1909, and Reich Different Trains.

The middle two works were each inspired by photographs. In the case of the Moravec, the photo was of his parents before they were married; for the Corigliano, the photo was one of his father as a small boy playing the violin while his father's older brother played the guitar. The photos were displayed on the screen behind the musicians during the works which inspired them.

Excellent music excellently played.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on November 27, 2009, 06:54:40 AM
What I had actually been looking forward to this Saturday, was Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements.  But this has been The Season of Changes at Symphony Hall;  and the switches to this weekend's program actually make it an All-Chestnut Concert . . . though still well worthwhile:

Debussy, Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Stravinsky, The Firebird (1945 suite)
Brahms, Vn Cto (Joshua Bell)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 27, 2009, 07:17:43 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on November 27, 2009, 06:54:40 AM
What I had actually been looking forward to this Saturday, was Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements.  But this has been The Season of Changes at Symphony Hall;  and the switches to this weekend's program actually make it an All-Chestnut Concert . . . though still well worthwhile:

Debussy, Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Stravinsky, The Firebird (1945 suite)
Brahms, Vn Cto (Joshua Bell)

That's a very nice line up, Karl!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on November 27, 2009, 07:19:00 AM
As long as Bell does more than just phone it in; let's hope!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on November 28, 2009, 05:33:34 PM
Heard a marvelous performance of Mahler's 7th by the Philadelphia Orchestra, with Christoph Eschenbach at the podium. I'd buy it if they release it as a download or on CD.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on December 04, 2009, 06:30:22 AM
Heard this last night

QuoteStravinsky -  Symphony of Psalms
Dominick Argento -  Le Tombeau d'Edgar Poe
Rachmaninoff -  The Bells, Op. 35

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, Conductor
Nashville Symphony Chorus
George Mabry, Chorus Director
Twyla Robinson, Soprano
Bryan Griffin, Tenor
Darren K. Stokes, Bass-baritone

The Symphony of Psalms is the reason I bought tickets to this concert - and it was splendidly sung and played by the Nashville groups.  The only distraction to me were the supertitles, but since I did not notice them until they were over half way through, I guess one could say they were unobtrusive.

The Argento piece, taken from an opera, was interesting.  He is a composer with whom I am unfamiliar, and I may sample more of his operatic output based on what I heard last night.  The tenor sang well, and again, the Nashville orchestra acquitted itself nicely.

The Rachmaninoff piece bored me, and I almost left before the end. 

My wife had an appointment just before the concert and we had planned on getting to the hall separately, but she still had not arrived by 20 minutes into the Rachmaninoff piece - I was beginning to get worried.  She eventually sat down about five minutes after I had the urge to leave - but told me she had been mugged on the way over.

She had left her car at the place she'd had the appointment and decided to walk the four blocks to the symphony hall - and some jerk came up and pushed her down and tried to grab her purse.

She fought him off and came away shaken up and but thankfully with only a skinned knee and hand.  I felt terrible for her, especially since it was her birthday.  We went home and had some wine and I gave her many hugs and we decided no more separate cars to the symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on December 04, 2009, 09:14:40 AM
Quote from: Franco on December 04, 2009, 06:30:22 AM
My wife had an appointment just before the concert and we had planned on getting to the hall separately, but she still had not arrived by 20 minutes into the Rachmaninoff piece - I was beginning to get worried.  She eventually sat down about five minutes after I had the urge to leave - but told me she had been mugged on the way over.

She had left her car at the place she'd had the appointment and decided to walk the four blocks to the symphony hall - and some jerk came up and pushed her down and tried to grab her purse.

She fought him off and came away shaken up and but thankfully with only a skinned knee and hand.  I felt terrible for her, especially since it was her birthday.  We went home and had some wine and I gave her many hugs and we decided no more separate cars to the symphony.

Oh my!  I'm very happy to hear your wife is OK.  Hope she gave him a good kick in the nuts!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on December 04, 2009, 09:19:19 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on December 04, 2009, 09:14:40 AM
Oh my!  I'm very happy to hear your wife is OK.  Hope she gave him a good kick in the nuts!

Yes she did.   

Thanks for your comments.

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on December 05, 2009, 08:13:51 PM
Quote from: Franco on December 04, 2009, 09:19:19 AM
Yes she did.   

Good for her!!!

Quite a memorable birthday, though not in the right direction. :(

~~~

I will probably not make it to this concert, though would look forward to it if I could go!

Jens Elvekjaer, pianist

Haydn, Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI:49
Webern, Variations for Piano, op. 27
Ravel, From Miroirs:  Oiseaux tristes and Une Barque sur l'océan
Schumann, Carnaval

This had been advertised with Sorensen on the program, too; don't know what happened. This concert is on Sunday evening.

The reason I probably won't make it to that concert is that I'm going to a Messiah singalong that starts at 3 PM. :) And likely out to dinner after that, so I'll have fun, but it won't be with Elvekjaer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 08, 2009, 11:44:42 AM
On Monday, this:

Stephen Beus, piano
Stefan Jackiw, violin    

Tchaikovsky
: String Quartet in Bb Major (1865)
Anton Arensky:  Piano Trio in D Minor Op. 32 (1894)
Ernő Dohnányi:  Sextet in C Major  (1935)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 09, 2009, 11:21:31 AM
And December 20, this has potential to be awesome.  Stephanie Blythe is quite amazing, and I don't recall ever hearing the Sea Pictures live. 

Carnegie Hall
The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Stephanie Blythe, Mezzo-Soprano

Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 37
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

But before that, just decided to go to this one next Tuesday:

Paula Cooper Gallery
S.E.M. Ensemble
Timetable Percussion
Petr Kotik, conductor

Christian Wolff:[ i]Flutist (and) Percussionists[/i] (2003) N.Y. Premiere
Christian Wolff: For John / Material (2007) N.Y. Premiere
Christian Wolff, special guest
Petr Kotik: 3, 6 & 10 for John Cage (2009)  (First public performance)
Performed by TimeTable Percussion
Lejaren Hiller: String Quartet No. 5 (1962)
J.S. Bach: Sonata No. 1 in B-Minor for flute and continuo (circa 1720)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on December 15, 2009, 07:52:33 PM
Noël Nouvelet

BCOC (Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado) joins forces with St. Martin's Chamber Choir (Timothy Krueger, director) for a special Christmas presentation of Marc-Antoine Charpentier's engaging Messe de Minuit pour Noel (Christmas Midnight Mass), plus Corelli's popular Christmas Concerto and French Noel arrangements from the 18th century.

* Friday, December 18, 7:30 pm, St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, 1350 Washington St, Denver

The Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado is a greater Denver-based period instrument orchestra in its fifth concert season.


Venue:

(http://pipedreams.publicradio.org/gallery/pix/west/colorado/denver_stjohnskimball.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 17, 2009, 07:20:45 PM
Quote from: bhodges on December 09, 2009, 11:21:31 AM
And December 20, this has potential to be awesome.  Stephanie Blythe is quite amazing, and I don't recall ever hearing the Sea Pictures live. 

Carnegie Hall
The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Stephanie Blythe, Mezzo-Soprano

Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 37
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

But before that, just decided to go to this one next Tuesday:

Paula Cooper Gallery
S.E.M. Ensemble
Timetable Percussion
Petr Kotik, conductor

Christian Wolff:[ i]Flutist (and) Percussionists[/i] (2003) N.Y. Premiere
Christian Wolff: For John / Material (2007) N.Y. Premiere
Christian Wolff, special guest
Petr Kotik: 3, 6 & 10 for John Cage (2009)  (First public performance)
Performed by TimeTable Percussion
Lejaren Hiller: String Quartet No. 5 (1962)
J.S. Bach: Sonata No. 1 in B-Minor for flute and continuo (circa 1720)

--Bruce

It wouldn't have taken much imagination (or performer fee) to add Mahler's Rückert Lied # 3 (Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen) as a preface to the symphony - ending part one of the concert, preferably. Not only is this song an absolute masterpiece, but Mahler quotes the song in the Adagietto. Not to take away from the Elgar cycle (lovely), but in terms of programming, I'd feel cheated  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 18, 2009, 07:47:21 AM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 17, 2009, 07:20:45 PM
It wouldn't have taken much imagination (or performer fee) to add Mahler's Rückert Lied # 3 (Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen) as a preface to the symphony - ending part one of the concert, preferably. Not only is this song an absolute masterpiece, but Mahler quotes the song in the Adagietto. Not to take away from the Elgar cycle (lovely), but in terms of programming, I'd feel cheated  :(

That's a great idea (as a fan of Ich bin der Welt).  I'll drop Jimmy a line to see if he can make a quick addition to the program.   ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 18, 2009, 01:35:52 PM
Is this tongue in cheek or for real, Bruce? If you succeed, I'll be duly impressed... ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 18, 2009, 01:42:47 PM
Quote from: Lilas Pastia on December 18, 2009, 01:35:52 PM
Is this tongue in cheek or for real, Bruce? If you succeed, I'll be duly impressed... ;D

Nyah, just funnin' with ya.   ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on December 22, 2009, 06:37:03 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on November 23, 2009, 09:24:39 AM
Looking forward to both of these ballet concerts:

December 19-29, 2009

The Nutcracker


A Christmas holiday tradition in Winnipeg.  :)
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra


Tonight it is!  It is a wonderful production - set in 1913 Winnipeg.  A very Canadiana production, with northern lights and pond hockey scenes. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 22, 2009, 07:51:49 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on December 22, 2009, 06:37:03 AM
Tonight it is!  It is a wonderful production - set in 1913 Winnipeg.  A very Canadiana production, with northern lights and pond hockey scenes.

Now that sounds very cool--an imaginative adaptation.

Tonight I'll be at the Met for my final time with Elektra--everyone's holiday favorite.   >:D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on December 22, 2009, 08:27:23 AM
Quote from: bhodges on December 22, 2009, 07:51:49 AM
Now that sounds very cool--an imaginative adaptation.

Indeed, I saw this production a few years ago.  It warmed the cockles of my heart!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on December 22, 2009, 12:32:51 PM
Quote from: Brahmsian on December 22, 2009, 06:37:03 AM
Tonight it is!  It is a wonderful production - set in 1913 Winnipeg.  A very Canadiana production, with northern lights and pond hockey scenes.

Sounds like fun! I saw a Nutcracker in Amsterdam last December replete with canals. :D Hope you enjoy this one!

Me, I'm going to the Dunedin Consort's Messiah tomorrow. Quite looking forward to it as I've never heard it live before. I'm not doing much by way of celebrations this year so this is probably as seasonal as I'll get. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on December 22, 2009, 02:55:39 PM
I brought my 2 year old granddaughter to the Ballet for Nutcracker (along with my daughter and son. She was interested, but she much preferred to spend time staring at the giant Christams tree in the Foyer than the fake one on stage. It was back and forth between our seats and that Christmas tree. My 26-year old son was the most interested in our group  ;D

A very colourful, yet utterly traditional, passé production. There were a couple of black dancers in the tropue and I was thinking how nice it would have been to have an all-black troupe, with the action set in the colonial South. Cotton balls dancing instead of snowflakes, etc. Or else, a Pocahontas-like version. Something original, quoi !

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 30, 2009, 09:19:59 AM
Ten concerts outside of Washington that I've most enjoyed in 2010 2009:

(Listed chronologically)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/12/top-10-live-at-large-performances-of.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/12/top-10-live-at-large-performances-of.html)

Holliger & Haydn - Polyptyque & Bach with Röhn & Hengelbrock - MPhil-Mahler-Gatti-Mahvelous! - American Nights @ MusicaViva with Kristjan Järvi and the BRSO - Faust for Schnittke, Schoenberg for Brahms - On the Searing Pain of Our Horrible Best Choices: Barbara Frey's Jenůfa - Elizabeth I and Philip II Horsing Around Early Music - BRSO, Jansons, and Lutosławski's Concerto for Orchestra - Schubert by way of WebernBel Canto with Buster Keaton
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on January 02, 2010, 07:10:11 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on December 30, 2009, 09:19:59 AM
Ten concerts outside of Washington that I've most enjoyed in 2010:

Wow; you've been very busy in the past 35 hours, then, and you knew you'd enjoy them even before you got to them!! :D

(Sorry.... couldn't resist!!)

~~~

Not a concert, but I'm looking forward to seeing the show "Young Frankenstein" this coming week.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 06, 2010, 01:00:29 PM
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
"Awakening"
Saturday 16 January 2010 7:30 pm
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall


Bach /Mahler Suite
Rott Scherzo (from Symphony in E)
Mahler Symphony No. 1


Vasily Petrenko conductor

I am looking forward to this one, especially the Hans Rott Scherzo.  Also, I have been in Liverpool for 10 months and I haven't been to a concert yet, so this will be a nice restart.

;D :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 06, 2010, 06:03:59 PM
John, that looks like a great concert. I too am about to hear the Mahler 1!

Sunday, Jan 10
Houston, TX...

BARBER | Symphony No 1
MAHLER | Symphony No 1

Houston Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor

Excited to see Ms Alsop in action!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on January 08, 2010, 06:45:13 AM
National Symphony Orchestra, Jan. 9

Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Nikolaj Znaider, violin
The Choral Arts Society of Washington

Elgar, Violin Concerto in B Minor, Opus 61
Holst, The Planets, Opus 32

As a side note, Znaider will play the same Guarnerius violin played by Fritz Kreisler in the premier of the violin concerto 100 years ago.  So at least the violin knows the tune!  It is always good to have an instrument with experience. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 08, 2010, 08:22:25 AM
This Sunday, one of James Levine's typically eclectic programs:

The MET Chamber Ensemble
James Levine, Artistic Director and Conductor
Judith Bettina, Soprano
Kristin Hoff, Mezzo-Soprano
Evan Hughes, Bass-Baritone

Babbitt: The Head of the Bed
Carter: Syringa
R. Strauss: Der Bürger als Edelmann Suite, Op. 60

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 08, 2010, 09:09:55 AM
I remember being underwhelmed by the inaugural recording of the Babbitt;  will be interested in your report on this performance, Bruce!

And, we should talk Partch sometime . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 08, 2010, 09:27:56 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 08, 2010, 09:09:55 AM
I remember being underwhelmed by the inaugural recording of the Babbitt;  will be interested in your report on this performance, Bruce!

And, we should talk Partch sometime . . . .


I have that same recording, and was equally underwhelmed.  It's an easy piece to admire, but a tough one to love, I think.  But when I last heard it--by these same forces--in 2007, I actually began to warm up to it (see here (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2007/Jul-Dec07/levine2810.htm)). 

I noticed you were listening to that Partch recording!  Do tell... :D  (Or perhaps in a Partch thread?)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 08, 2010, 11:03:06 AM
Tomorrow:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Mathieu Dufour, flute
Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano
Falk Struckmann, bass-baritone

Ravel -   Le tombeau de Couperin
Dalbavie -   Flute Concerto
Bartók -   Bluebeard’s Castle
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 08, 2010, 11:04:45 AM
Quote from: Mensch on January 08, 2010, 11:03:06 AM
Tomorrow:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Mathieu Dufour, flute
Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano
Falk Struckmann, bass-baritone

Ravel -   Le tombeau de Couperin
Dalbavie -   Flute Concerto
Bartók -   Bluebeard's Castle

A powerhouse of a concert.  I'm hearing the same one here in a few weeks, and can't wait. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 08, 2010, 12:22:50 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 06, 2010, 06:03:59 PM
John, that looks like a great concert. I too am about to hear the Mahler 1!


Bach /Mahler Suite
Rott Scherzo (from Symphony in E)
Mahler Symphony No. 1

Thank you Brian.  Thing is, I paid my money to see the little 10 minuite piece sandwiched between.  The other two performances are a bonus.  When I immersed myself in Hans Rott during last Summer, it became a bit of a small ambition to see ANY Hans Rott piece played LIVE.  The opportunity has come up quicker than expected.   :o  ;D

Great to hear Alsop is busy as hell.  She is guest conductor with the HSO?  Last thing I heard was she was at Baltimore.  We really, really must see more, more women conductors, because my belief is that their musical instincts can go beyond what we usually listen to.  Iona Brown and Simone Young spring to mind, but when I hear it's a woman conductor, the first person I think of of course is Alsop.

Hope your concert goes brilliantly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 09, 2010, 08:46:11 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 08, 2010, 11:04:45 AM
A powerhouse of a concert.  I'm hearing the same one here in a few weeks, and can't wait. 

--Bruce

You're in for a treat. Best CSO performance I've heard in a while. Dufour was in top form, as were both soloists in the Bartok.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 13, 2010, 06:09:35 AM
Three days to go before at last I will hear some Hans Rott played live.  I am slabbering at the mouth for the occassion.  It will make my stay in this dreadful, dirty city a little brighter.  AND there's Mahler 1 on the bill too.  I'll be paying close attention to the opening naturals and try to experience listening to it for the FIRST time (tho' I've heard it so many times).  It will be great to see and hear it live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 13, 2010, 06:16:37 AM
Oh, but in a sense it will be the first you've ever heard it, John.  Hearing a piece live in the space is always a much richer experience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 13, 2010, 08:23:18 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 13, 2010, 06:16:37 AM
Oh, but in a sense it will be the first you've ever heard it, John.  Hearing a piece live in the space is always a much richer experience.

Thank you Karl, you are very much correct!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 13, 2010, 08:32:02 AM
Quote from: John on January 13, 2010, 06:09:35 AM
Three days to go before at last I will hear some Hans Rott played live.  I am slabbering at the mouth for the occassion.  It will make my stay in this dreadful, dirty city a little brighter.  AND there's Mahler 1 on the bill too.  I'll be paying close attention to the opening naturals and try to experience listening to it for the FIRST time (tho' I've heard it so many times).  It will be great to see and hear it live.

I don't know Rott's work that well--certainly have never heard any live.  If I recall, isn't his name included in the composers whose names are engraved around the balcony of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw? 

Anyway, coupled with the Mahler, you are in for a treat.  Nothing like being in a good hall and watching the orchestra just blast away.  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 13, 2010, 06:45:14 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 13, 2010, 08:32:02 AM
I don't know Rott's work that well--certainly have never heard any live.  If I recall, isn't his name included in the composers whose names are engraved around the balcony of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw? 

Anyway, coupled with the Mahler, you are in for a treat.  Nothing like being in a good hall and watching the orchestra just blast away.  :D

--Bruce

Thank you Bruce.  I'll be posting an indepth review here on Sunday.  I didn't know about his possible name engraving on the Concertgebouw balcony - I'll find out about that!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 14, 2010, 07:54:08 AM
This weekend at Symphony Hall:

Mozart, Symphony № 38 in D ("Prague"), K.504
Elgar, Violin Concerto in b minor, Opus 61

Nikolaj Znaider, violin
Sir Colin Davis, guest conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 14, 2010, 07:07:24 PM
It is eminently possible I might go to one of these.  I am spoilt for choice really, because

A ]  Paavo Jarvi has taken a very serious interest in Hans Rott, and he's doing something in America with the first Symphony in Cincinnati, a concert which I cannot attend because a large Ocean is waving around between Liverpool and Cincinnati,  stopping such antics.  So I could get to see him doing it in Frankfurt in March.
B]  The other concert is in the Netherlands, and I have never been to the Netherlands, menaced as I am by the sheer hieght of all the Dutch people I've ever known.  ???   Anyway, Jarvi in Frankfurt sounds great, but to visit Holland, hear the Symphony, visit some famous places including the Concertgebouw, perhaps meet a GMGer or two, come home and write about it all sounds much more appealing...but still, I think the most interesting performance will be Jarvi, because he speaks with some passion for the work, and he might for all we know come out with a Rott 1 release which will prove to be reference material, because he's well capable of that.

Here's my choices, I'll figure things out as the time gets nearer.

March 13-20, 2010 Symphony No. 1 in E major
Noordhollands Jeugdorkest
Bas Pollard
March 13/14, 2010: Hoorn/NL, Oosterkerk
March 20, 2010: Amsterdam/NL, Posthoornkeerk

April 14-17, 2010 Symphony No. 1 in E major
hr-Sinfonieorchester
Paavo Järvi
April 14-16, 2010: Frankfurt a.M./D, Alte Oper
April 17, 2010: Aschaffenburg/D, Stadthalle 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 15, 2010, 05:35:18 AM
I'm sure Järvi will be superb. I just heard him conduct Martinu, Ravel and Nielsen with the Frankfurt RSO last month and it was excellent. The orchestra sounds leagues better under him than it ever did under his predecessor Hugh Wolff.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 16, 2010, 01:36:06 PM
I have just returned from the above concert.  More later.    :-*
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on January 16, 2010, 05:02:56 PM
John, you got me confused - what symphony no. 1 in E major are you referring to?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 16, 2010, 06:46:57 PM
Quote from: Barak on January 16, 2010, 05:02:56 PM
John, you got me confused - what symphony no. 1 in E major are you referring to?

Hans Rott.  Sorry about that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on January 16, 2010, 06:51:40 PM
Thanks.

So, how was that concert? ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 16, 2010, 07:59:45 PM
A week ago...

BARBER | Symphony No 1
MAHLER | Symphony No 1

Marin Alsop led the Houston Symphony in one of the finest HSO performances I've seen; Alsop really, really knows the Barber (conducting from memory), and she did a terrific job emphasizing the piece's unity of form. The previous (and first) time I saw the Barber live, it had seemed more rhapsodic, more impulsive. Not so here. Great oboe solo. The Mahler was splendiferous, first time I've heard any Mahler live; a sonic spectacular! In the third movement, "Frere Jacques" was commenced by the full bass section, not just a soloist.

Tonight:

MILHAUD | Le boeuf sur le toit
RAVEL | Piano Concerto
MILHAUD | La creation du monde
GERSHWIN | Rhapsody in Blue

A very intelligent program considering the union of jazz and classical music! The Milhaud pieces were a delight, though I think Le boeuf went on a little long and would rather have seen it in ballet form (the scenario involves a policeman being decapitated by a ceiling fan!). Pianist Kirill Gerstein was simply brilliant in the Ravel and Gershwin; the Ravel slow movement, the most beautiful music on the program, was also the evening's highlight. In the Rhapsody, Gerstein really made the solos his own, jazzing the rhythms and adding his own embellishments, new chords and other (very tasteful!) delights. I can't count the number of times I grinned at his gutsy improvisations. Only blemish: the clarinetist totally blew the opening solo, managing the glissando well but then falling apart in a web of wrong notes. It was fairly painful - but luckily not a harbinger of things to come. Hans Graf conducted with greater engagement than usual, although I think some of the violins faked their way through, or played as unobtrusively as possible through, Le boeuf.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 17, 2010, 04:31:28 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 16, 2010, 07:59:45 PM
In the third movement, "Frere Jacques" was commenced by the full bass section, not just a soloist.

I'm sorry to hear she chose to do it that way. It's far more effective with just a single bass. Other than that I'm happy you heard Mahler live finally! It's always an overwhelming experience, both sonically and emotionally (for me). It took me four decades to hear all the symphonies live. The Sixth was my first (Szell and his Clevelanders in 1967); exactly 40 years later I finally heard the Tenth (played by the Vienna Phil, Harding conducting at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt).

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 17, 2010, 07:19:43 AM
Today:

Civic Orchestra of Chicago
David Robertson, conductor

Webern -   Passacaglia, Op. 1
Webern -   Five Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 10
Webern -   Six Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 6
Mahler -   Adagio from Symphony No. 10

And tickets are FREE!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 17, 2010, 07:25:03 AM
Quote from: Mensch on January 17, 2010, 07:19:43 AM
Webern -   Passacaglia, Op. 1
Webern -   Five Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 10
Webern -   Six Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 6

Shoot, why'd I ever leave Chicago? I would kill to hear so much Webern live.

Tomorrow though I get my consolation prize - Rozhdestvensky conducting Bruckner's 3rd, plus a couple of Beethoven overtures.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 17, 2010, 05:00:32 PM
SATURDAY 16th JANUARY 2010
Vasily Petrenko
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra @ Philharmonic Hall

Bach /Mahler Suite
Rott Scherzo (from Symphony in E)
Mahler Symphony No. 1


First, the venue.
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall is, acoustically, brilliant, even from the second cheapest seats.   :P  The
Hall is now first on my internal cache of preferred venues, simply because of the sheer quality of
the sound experience.
The enclosed picture shows where I was sitting, but the stage looks much further away in the pic
than it does in situ.  From a musical point of view, it is clear the planners who created the
new Hall in 1939 (to replace the old burnt down one) had the dynamics of listening in mind.  I
knew I was in for a treat when the instruments started wailing in wait of the conductor.
Meanwhile I went to the pre-concert talk, which was supposed to cover all three pieces in the
concert, but to my delight the speakers stuck to the subject of Hans Rott, and managed to cover
the other two pieces with only minuites left!  However, I was disappointed to learn absoloutely
nothing new about Hans Rott that I don't already know, so there were NO titbits for my Rott
screenplay.  Also, the guest speaker was fairly nervous, and tended to speak about one thing and
veer off onto something else without completing his threads.  Still, it was interesting if unintelligible to people there who had never heard of Rott.  My opinion was that I could have taken the place of the learned music professor and made the damn thing sound open and eminently more exciting for the assembled concert pre-talk attendees.  He made the whole occassion of an interesting talk comletely boring, despite attempts by his younger host to inject some life into the discussion.  Anyway...

It appeared to be a sell-out concert. 

Well.  The concert began with the Mahler Bach Transcriptions. When Vasily Petrenko came out to
conduct it seemed the laws of Physics had been re-arranged, because he looked younger than the
last time I saw him (on TV).  Anyway, he swept through the Mahler Bach, it was nice, but not
something I can comment on as it's not something I intend to get or listen to, so I don't know
what to say about it.  :-[  But it was the first time I'd heard these orchetsrations to very familiar
Bach music:

Two pieces from Suite Two BMV 1064 (O'ture and Rondeau & Badinerie), and two from Suite Three BMV 1068 (Air and Gavottes I &II) all arranged in 1909 by Mahler.  All  I can say is it was Bachs music,
brisk, Mahler orchestrated, and it was a very nice opening for what was to come...

What was to come next, ending the first half of the concert, was a twelve minute showpiece of the
scherzo of Rotts only Symphony.  Well...like Henning and so many others here say, you really
haven't heard it until you've REALLY heard it...LIVE and dangerously close to your face and ears. 
The opening fanfare came in swiftly and strong, and when the basses started squiggling down to the
main theme, they weren't bounced down in near glissando (like I've heard Jarvi do) or stepped down
(like many others), they came in an incremental fashion, plenty of fortissimo from the basses but
brilliantly articulated to take us into the main dance-like theme. I would expect this kind of
carry on from a conductor like Boulez.  But Vasily isn't Boulez.  On this account though, he's as
good as...So the Rott piece played, and as usual the triangle dinked away in the right places,
something I only get a real sense of at a live performance - the triangle is always so much more
present in a concert hall.  Yep, and here comes the timpani, everything is rolling and sweeping just the way it should, nine minuites in and Petrenko is sqauring his orchestra up for the finale.  He pulls the whole thing off beautifully, all the banging and swooning goes off on stage like fireworks.  I wish I had the technical ability to explain more.  Anyway Vasily ends the piece with his baton in the air, an I immediately stood up and clapped my hands sore.  I also shouted...only one other person shouted - from the expensive seats.  But the applause was longlasting and hopefully enough to get Petrenko and his brigade ready for the second half of the concert - Mahlers 1st.

Aye. Mahlers 1st.   :D  Woo Hoo, etc. 
It took off slowly.  The natural A's at the beginning...well, they were there and they played...but the magic wasn't in it.  I want to hear those collective opening'A's literally vibrate with a magical life of their own, promising all kinds of wonders to come. Vasily didn't do this.  The opening sequence was well drawn out, beautifully played, but where was that sense of life and expectancy from the humming A's?  It just wasn't there for me. 
Anyway. Everything is measured and beautifully played, and as always in a LIVE performance, there are some wee wonders that you just don't get in front of the music system.  One thing I will say for Petrenko, he is not afraid, in certain passages throughout this Symphony, of bringing the orchestra to a near halt before opening up the next passage.  But this tecnique, and a wonderful timpani acoustic, proved itself by bringing pretty much the rest of the work alive.  The listening experience was close to Inbal, Petrenko playing and phrasing sections which promote a feeling of dialogue - Petrneko is like a painter telling a story with this symphony, big flourishing strokes and sound resonance you would pay a lot more than my measly £16 seat to hear.  Vasily also let us know that this was intense stuff by scaring the hell out of everybody who expected the usual pause between movements - he crashed into that cry of a broken heart less than a few seconds later, just as the usual round of "between movements" coughing started - the coughing was englfed in a huge splash of Stürmisch bewegt- Energisch, surprising the packed house.  Pretty soon we were all in sobbing awe as the Orchestra absoloutely hit the money with the biggest, death defying fourth movement I've ever heard.
WOW.

It was a fantastic night.  Petrenko and the Orchestra lost Mahlers opening magic, but made up for it by blinding us with everything else.  The best concert I've been to in years.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 18, 2010, 05:17:09 AM
Splendid review, thank you, John!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 18, 2010, 05:52:51 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 18, 2010, 05:17:09 AM
Splendid review, thank you, John!

Seconded.

John, two questions: Did Petrenko use a single bass or the entire section at the beginning of the funeral march? Did he reinforce the two final notes of the symphony (the cuckoo theme) à la Bernstein or play it straight? And a third question: Have you made a decision yet about the Rott concert in Frankfurt?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 18, 2010, 12:57:30 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 18, 2010, 05:52:51 AM
Seconded.
John, two questions: Did Petrenko use a single bass or the entire section at the beginning of the funeral march? Did he reinforce the two final notes of the symphony (the cuckoo theme) à la Bernstein or play it straight? And a third question: Have you made a decision yet about the Rott concert in Frankfurt?
Sarge

Thank you for the interest guys.
He used single Bass at the beginning of the funeral march, a real wonder from the RLPO First Bass player.  Vasily certainly did reinforce the last two notes à la Bernstein.  I almost grew hoarse at the end shouting my approval.
10 out of 10.
I was so excited I nearly swore. :-[

I have not yet made my mind up about Frankfurt Sarge, but I will post excitedly here in the next two or three weeks whatever way it goes (depends on an expected cashflow increase, lol!).

Are you a quiet and polite clapper, or a real shouter when the show is good?  I'm a shouter!
  :P  I attempted to break all manner of media laws by recording the Rott Scherzo on my mobile phone - unfortunately it sounded more like Lutoslawski in a bad mood on playback - but my hollering is plenty legible.  I might post it, lol.   :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 18, 2010, 02:28:14 PM
Why, only this past Saturday I hooted in Symphony Hall . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 18, 2010, 02:29:13 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 18, 2010, 05:52:51 AM
Seconded.

John, two questions: Did Petrenko use a single bass or the entire section at the beginning of the funeral march? Did he reinforce the two final notes of the symphony (the cuckoo theme) à la Bernstein or play it straight? And a third question: Have you made a decision yet about the Rott concert in Frankfurt?

Sarge

When is the Rott concert in Frankfurt, Sarge? Anyone thinking of going?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 18, 2010, 05:32:27 PM
Here are the dates for Frankfurt and the other in the Netherlands.  They were posted further up, but here they are again jlaurson
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 19, 2010, 12:22:28 AM
Why go to a live concert:
Respighi: Ancient Airs and Dances Suite 3 -  for string orchestra .    I don't remember ever having heard this "live" although it a radio favourite and there are several recordings.
Respighi: The Pines of Rome, complete with organ, piano, celeste, campanelli, harp, 6 extra brass in the balcony, and bird-scare (raganella).  Raganella played by the timpanist who was otherwise tacet in the first movement, the (pipe) organ was the house Wurlitzer played with the console below the stage and cued by video.   The orchestra recorded this with Akiyama 30 years ago and there are still nine players from that period.
First half:: Dvořák: Carnival Overture (which they seem to play at least once a year, but rarely at this speed) and Violin Concerto with Jennifer Koh filling in for ailing Arabella Steinbacher.   Maybe she didn't sound "Czech", but she did make the piece a lot more interesting than the Bruch concerto.   
Vancouver Symphony, Kazuyoshi Akiyama    Maybe not deep, but very satisfying
If the program seems to be "slumming", perhaps Akiyama's May 2 one will be more to one's taste:  Szymanowski Violin Concerto 1 and Bruckner 4
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 19, 2010, 04:20:45 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on January 18, 2010, 02:29:13 PM
When is the Rott concert in Frankfurt, Sarge? Anyone thinking of going?

April 14, 15 and 16. Yes, I plan to attend--if my health permits. It's not often we get a chance to hear Rott live.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 19, 2010, 04:23:31 AM
Quote from: listener on January 19, 2010, 12:22:28 AM
Dvořák: Carnival Overture (which they seem to play at least once a year...

That's one of my pet peeves concerning programming. It's as though Dvorak only wrote one overture. Carnival is the only one that gets programmed with any regularity. Maddening.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spotswood on January 20, 2010, 12:14:47 PM
Looking forward to this one (http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2010/01/20/entertainment/doc4b57270616222815066113.txt), if I can make it. Ari seemed to like the article. He said he can never remember what he says in interviews, so it's always a surprise to read it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2010, 12:25:13 PM
Quote from: Joe Barron on January 20, 2010, 12:14:47 PM
Looking forward to this one (http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2010/01/20/entertainment/doc4b57270616222815066113.txt), if I can make it. Ari seemed to like the article. He said he can never remember what he says in interviews, so it's always a surprise to read it.

Excellent article, Joe!  And I hope you get to hear them; they're terrific.  I'm hoping to hear them in a few months when they do the four Xenakis quartets again, but the Kimmel program is more unusual. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spotswood on January 20, 2010, 02:12:40 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 20, 2010, 12:25:13 PM
Excellent article, Joe!  And I hope you get to hear them; they're terrific.  I'm hoping to hear them in a few months when they do the four Xenakis quartets again, but the Kimmel program is more unusual. 

--Bruce

The temptation to make "you don't know JACK" jokes was strong and had to be resisted.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 21, 2010, 11:41:03 AM
Quote from: John on January 18, 2010, 12:57:30 PM
Are you a quiet and polite clapper, or a real shouter when the show is good?  I'm a shouter!
  :P  I attempted to break all manner of media laws by recording the Rott Scherzo on my mobile phone - unfortunately it sounded more like Lutoslawski in a bad mood on playback - but my hollering is plenty legible.  I might post it, lol.   :o

There were a few embarrassing moments in my youth  ;D  My enthusiasm got the better of me after a particularly fine Dvorak Seventh at Blossom Music Center (the Cleveland Orchestra's summer venue).  When WCLV broadcast the concert a few weeks later, my voice could be heard clearly (I have that on tape).

When I was a student, I recall giving that same orchestra a very vocal--and solitary--standing ovation after they encored with the Ride of the Valkyries at Ohio University in 1968. Fortunately that was not recorded for posterity   :D

Nowadays I try to contain my enthusiasm but only because a health condition obliges me to stay emotionally and physically cool  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 21, 2010, 12:46:03 PM
Speaking of the Schubert 8th (on another thread), I'm hearing it on Sunday, along with another, equally unfamiliar symphony.  ;D  Seriously, I think it's good to hear the Beethoven now and then, and I'm bringing a friend who has never heard it live.  (She's mostly coming for the Strauss.)

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Diana Damrau, Soprano

Schubert: Symphony No. 8, "Unfinished"
R. Strauss:
"Das Bächlein," Op. 88, No. 1
"Ich wollt' ein Sträusslein binden," Op. 68, No. 2
"Allerseelen," Op. 10, No. 8
"Zueignung," Op. 10, No. 1
"Morgen," Op. 27, No. 4
"Ständchen," Op. 17, No. 2
"Wiegenlied," Op. 41, No. 1
"Amor," Op. 68, No. 5
"Grossmächtige Prinzessin" from Ariadne auf Naxos
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 21, 2010, 01:26:22 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 21, 2010, 12:46:03 PMand I'm bringing a friend who has never heard it live

Now she is in for a treat. I've got Beethoven's Fifth memorized, but the first time I heard it live, just a couple years ago, the experience was so overwhelming and so wonderful that I forgot what was going to happen next!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on January 22, 2010, 08:00:21 AM
I'm definitely going to this:

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Günther Herbig, conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, piano

BeethovenCoriolan Overture
BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 3
Schumann  -  Symphony No. 4

The Schumann is replacing works by Dvorak and Janacek; am a little annoyed about that, but am still looking forward to the concert, of course! I've not heard Garrick Ohlsson live (or at least, not in .... a long time), and he is reason enough to attend.

I may also go hear this:

National Symphony Orchestra
Iván Fischer, conductor
Stig Andersen, tenor
Christianne Stotijn, mezzo

Mozart - Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504, "Prague"
Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde

The Mahler is the draw here, of course; I could easily do without the Mozart.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 22, 2010, 08:43:55 AM
Quote from: owlice on January 22, 2010, 08:00:21 AM
I'm definitely going to this:

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Günther Herbig, conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, piano

BeethovenCoriolan Overture
BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 3
Schumann  -  Symphony No. 4

The Schumann is replacing works by Dvorak and Janacek; am a little annoyed about that, but am still looking forward to the concert, of course!

Yes, it would have been a much more colorful program without that substitution IMO.

Quote from: owlice on January 22, 2010, 08:00:21 AMI may also go hear this:

National Symphony Orchestra
Iván Fischer, conductor
Stig Andersen, tenor
Christianne Stotijn, mezzo

Mozart - Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504, "Prague"
Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde

The Mahler is the draw here, of course; I could easily do without the Mozart.

Oh!  Have you suffered K.504 overload, owlice?  That's one that always falls fresh to mine earn . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on January 22, 2010, 10:01:45 AM
I'm suffering from general Mozart overload, Karl! The classical radio station LOVES playing Mozart, and this weekend, is playing Mozart every hour (though not necessarily on the hour). I can understand their focus on Mozart this weekend, but the other 51 weeks of the year could stand to have much less Mozart, and more of all the other things that don't get nearly the same exposure!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 22, 2010, 10:22:50 AM
Quote from: owlice on January 22, 2010, 10:01:45 AM
I'm suffering from general Mozart overload, Karl! The classical radio station LOVES playing Mozart, and this weekend, is playing Mozart every hour . . . .

Yuck, and I quite understand.  W. C. R. B.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 23, 2010, 07:05:43 PM
Tomorrow:

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Cliff Colnot, conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano
Tamara Stefanovich, piano
Nathan Cole, violin
John Sharp, cello
Arshia Cont, IRCAM computer production
Jérémie Henrot, IRCAM sound engineer

Boulez -   Notations
Borowski -   Wandlung (CSO Commission)
Boulez -   Structures, deuxième livre for two pianos
Boulez -   Messagesquisse for Seven Cellos
Fujikura -   Mirrors (CSO Commission)
Boulez -   Anthèmes II

8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 23, 2010, 08:26:13 PM
Quote from: Mensch on January 23, 2010, 07:05:43 PM
Boulez -   Messagesquisse for Seven Cellos
. . .
Boulez -   Anthèmes II

I've got a recording of these now, and I should give a listen . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on January 24, 2010, 03:17:55 PM
I did not go to the Mahler; I did go to this:
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Günther Herbig, conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, piano

BeethovenCoriolan Overture
BeethovenPiano Concerto No. 3
Schumann  -  Symphony No. 4

And oh, I'm a dolt! I had in my pea brain substituted the Schubert Fourth for the Schumann, which is okay, but... not something I was really hot to hear. (I think of it as the non-tragic Tragic.) That's what I get for having a CD with both Fourths on it!

So I was pleasantly surprised by the second half of the concert (even as I was smacking myself in the head for my stu... er... confusion)!

Great concert, fabulous playing from all forces, and Ohlsson was amazing.  My friend and I both enjoyed the afternoon -- lunch beforehand at a crepe place -- very much.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 24, 2010, 05:43:58 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 23, 2010, 08:26:13 PM
I've got a recording of these now, and I should give a listen . . . .

Somehow, having just heard it, I can't imagine Anthemes 2 working very well on a recording unless it's SACD and you have a really high end surround system with a *real* SACD player that actually reads the surround layer. There are speakers set up all around the hall that emit the electronically manipulated sounds received from the solo violinist. Half the fun of the piece is in the spatial aspect of it with the solo violinist in constant dialogue with his own distorted and resampled echos from all over the place. BTW, interesting thing happened in that work: about one minute into the piece, the computers had a brainfart and the speakers emitted just one loud 'thud', whereupon the performance had to be interrupted until the computers were rebooted or whatever. During the unintended break, as the soloist stood forlorn on the stage, one audience member shouted at him "play some Bach!" to the amusement of the rest of the audience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on January 25, 2010, 03:58:37 AM
Quote"play some Bach!"

And did he?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 25, 2010, 05:39:42 PM
Just got back from a recital of chamber music pieces by five undergraduate students at my university (Rice). I'll post a full review in a couple days (link, anyway, to my review for a Rice magazine). In the meantime, here was the program and the names to watch out for in our future generation of composers:

Breakdancing on Bridges - by Joelle Zigman, for string quartet. Catchy fusion of tuneful songwriting and a miniature quartet form
Rhapsody - by Ross Griffey, for solo viola. In the emotive, volatile tradition of Ysaye and Lillian Fuchs, though rather less concise
Remembrances on a motive by Tallis - by Andrew Schneider, a "song without words" for oboe accompanied by viola and cello. Brilliant, beautiful!
Alles wandelt sich - text by Bertolt Brecht, music by Hilary Purrington, for baritone and quartet. Great singer, simple but effective accompaniment
Dramatic Devices - by Keith Allegretti. The one disappointment, a self-important bit of wandering noisemaking for "Pierrot ensemble." Afflicted with an ungainly percussion fetish, and the longest thing on the program by a considerable margin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 26, 2010, 04:11:07 AM
Go, Ingo!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 26, 2010, 04:14:45 AM
26 February here in Boston. (http://instantencore.com/concert/details.aspx?PId=5055040)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 26, 2010, 05:07:24 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 26, 2010, 05:04:31 AM
He conducted a superb Korngold Die Tote Stadt last year.

Oh, that's an opera I need to get to know sometime.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 27, 2010, 04:18:15 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 26, 2010, 04:14:45 AM
26 February here in Boston. (http://instantencore.com/concert/details.aspx?PId=5055040)

Congratulations, Karl. Glad to see your music getting more exposure...and for such a worthy cause.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 27, 2010, 05:38:08 AM
Thanks, Sarge!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 27, 2010, 12:43:05 PM
Some excitement coming up on Saturday and Sunday at Carnegie Hall:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, Conductor Emeritus
Mathieu Dufour, Flute
Michelle DeYoung, Mezzo-Soprano
Falk Struckmann, Bass-Baritone
Cynthia Yeh, Percussionist
Vadim Karpinos, Percussionist

Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
Marc-André Dalbavie: Flute Concerto
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle

* * * * *

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, Conductor Emeritus
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano
Tamara Stefanovich, Piano

Boulez: Livre pour cordes
Bartók: Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion, and Orchestra
Stravinsky: The Firebird (complete)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco on January 28, 2010, 05:51:35 AM
In yesterday's mail was the pamphlet announcing the 2010-2011 season for the Nashville Symphony (http://www.nashvillesymphony.org/main.taf?p=1,1,7,1). 

I was very impressed. 

There are several new works and one world premiere, along with performances of some of my favorite works such as The Rite of Spring, Durufle Requiem, John Adams Doctor Atomic Symphony, BergLyric Suite, a night of Sibelius and Nielsen,  and Lutoslawski Livre pour orchestre.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 28, 2010, 06:01:55 AM
Very nice, Franco!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 28, 2010, 07:41:34 AM
Quote from: Franco on January 28, 2010, 05:51:35 AM
In yesterday's mail was the pamphlet announcing the 2010-2011 season for the Nashville Symphony (http://www.nashvillesymphony.org/main.taf?p=1,1,7,1). 

I was very impressed. 

There are several new works and one world premiere, along with performances of some of my favorite works such as The Rite of Spring, Durufle Requiem, John Adams Doctor Atomic Symphony, BergLyric Suite, a night of Sibelius and Nielsen,  and Lutoslawski Livre pour orchestre.

Wow, you have a great season ahead.  And with the Mahler 8th and 2nd as bookends!  Like that Tower/Copland/MacMillan/Prokofiev concert, too, in addition to the others you mention above. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 30, 2010, 06:31:09 AM
Quote from: owlice on January 25, 2010, 03:58:37 AM
And did he?

Of course not. They got the system fixed pretty quickly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 31, 2010, 03:58:02 AM
My other half has signed up to seefilmfirst.com and occasionally gets free tickets, sometimes for shows in somewhat questionable taste (an amplified Orff's Carmina Burana in the O2 Arena, anyone?). But the most recent deal is rather splendid. I would have happily paid to see this:

Thursday, 4th Feb, Festival Hall

George Benjamin: Dance Figures
Igor Stravinsky: Violin Concerto in D
Interval
Bela Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor

Now, back to the world of concerts I've actually had to pay for...

Next weekend, we're off visiting our families up north and will be dropping in on this:

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Brave New World
Saturday 6 February 2010 7:30 pm
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall


Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber
Bartók: Piano Concerto No.3
Rachmaninov: Symphony No.3

Vasily Petrenko conductor
Kun Woo Paik piano

I've not seen "blond bomshell" Petrenko in action yet, so this should be interesting.


And I've just booked all three concerts in the Southbank Centre's April Varèseathon:

April 16th, Queen Elizabeth Hall:

Edgard Varèse: Ionisation for 13 percussionists
Edgard Varèse: Equatorial for bass & ensemble
Edgard Varèse: Density 21.5 for solo flute
Edgard Varèse/Chou Wen-Chung: Etude pour espace
Edgard Varèse: Dance for Burgess for chamber orchestra (fragment)
Edgard Varèse: La procession de Verges for tape
Edgard Varèse: Déserts for wind, piano, percussion & tape
Edgard Varèse: Poème électronique for tape

David Atherton conductor
Cathie Boyd staging
Sir John Tomlinson bass
EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble
Jonathan Golove cello theremin
Natasha Farny cello theremin
Sound Intermedia

And two concerts on Sunday April 18th:

Queen Elizabeth Hall:

Edgard Varèse: Hyperprism for wind & percussion
Edgard Varèse: Un grand sommeil noir for voice & piano
Edgard Varèse: Octandre
Edgard Varèse: Offrandes for soprano & chamber orchestra
Edgard Varèse: Intégrales for wind & percussion

David Atherton conductor
Cathie Boyd staging
Elizabeth Atherton soprano
Sound Intermedia

Festival Hall:

Edgard Varèse: Nocturnal for soprano, male chorus & small orchestra
Edgard Varèse: Arcana
Edgard Varèse: Tuning Up arr. Chou Wen-Chung
Edgard Varèse: Amériques

National Youth Orchestra

Paul Daniel conductor
Cathie Boyd staging


I booked these in person at the Southbank Centre, but now, looking at the website, I realise that I could have saved 20% because I'd booked all three concerts. Bollocks! Still, there's a tip for anybody else who's thinking about going to all three concerts.

Oddly, the Festival Hall balcony is not being used for the NYO's grand finale, and I got the impression that not many tickets had been sold as of mid-January. I hope there are going to be more people in the audience than there are on stage!  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on January 31, 2010, 08:50:45 AM
Coming up at the Barns of Wolf Trap Discovery Series:

Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet
Friday, February 12

Serenade - Karl Pilss
Suite - Gunther Schuller
Kleine Kammermusik Op. 24 No. 2 - Paul Hindemeth
Antiche Danze ungheresi dal secolo XVII - Ferenc Farkas
Quintet - Gyorgy Orban
Six Bagatelles - Gyorgy Ligeti

I'm excited to see some pieces and composers that are new to me!  And, of course, excited to hear some first-rate wind playing.   8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 31, 2010, 10:57:32 AM
coming up at Tanglewood  August 12
ANTONIOU  Concertino for double bass and chamber orchestra
PERLE  Concertino for piano, winds, and timpani
SCHULLER  Tre Invenzioni
MADERNA   Il Giardino religioso
HINDEMITH   Kammermusik No. 2

http://www.bso.org/bso/mods/complete_season.jsp?id=bcat12400010

looks like there should be something of interest for Boston area residents.
Beowolf in Old English,  Where the Wild Things Are, Ariadne auf Naxos....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 02, 2010, 01:54:22 PM
This Friday, at the Morgan Library, all four Xenakis quartets by the JACK Quartet.   8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 03, 2010, 06:23:04 AM

Mahler 3rd with the Concertgebouw & Jansons tomorrow.

Elektra with the Munich Philharmonic & Thielemann Sunday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 03, 2010, 06:58:51 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on February 03, 2010, 06:23:04 AM

Mahler 3rd with the Concertgebouw & Jansons tomorrow.

Elektra with the Munich Philharmonic & Thielemann Sunday.


To paraphrase one of my favorite lines from a Mel Brooks' film: It's good to be a music critic.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on February 04, 2010, 03:29:33 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 02, 2010, 01:54:22 PM
This Friday, at the Morgan Library, all four Xenakis quartets by the JACK Quartet.   8)

--Bruce
Sweet. I'm interested in hearing how that turns out.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 04, 2010, 03:47:30 PM
Quote from: Greg on February 04, 2010, 03:29:33 PM
Sweet. I'm interested in hearing how that turns out.  8)

Pardon me if I posted this earlier, but I heard them do these two years ago, and wrote it up, here (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2008/Jul-Dec08/xenakis2910.htm).  This group lives these pieces.

PS, you should get their DVD (http://www.amazon.com/JACK-Quartet-Xenakis-String-Quartets/dp/B001SGVDQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1265330690&sr=8-1) if you haven't already.  Much better to actually see them in action.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on February 04, 2010, 03:51:26 PM
Cool, nice review.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 05, 2010, 09:44:01 AM
Quote from: Greg on February 04, 2010, 03:51:26 PM
Cool, nice review.

Thanks!

After the Xenakis tonight, here's what's up tomorrow.  Looking forward to all of it: haven't heard the Stravinsky or the Dvořák in ages, have never heard Angela Hewitt live, and then there's the interesting premiere, part of Orpheus's series of commissions based on the Brandenburg Concertos.

Carnegie Hall

Orpheus
Angela Hewitt, Piano

STRAVINSKY: Concerto in D Major
BACH: Concerto for Keyboard and Orchestra in D Minor, BWV 1052
PETER MAXWELL DAVIES: Sea Orpheus (NY Premiere)
DVOŘÁK: Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2010, 10:56:55 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 08, 2010, 03:59:46 AM
Next week at Covent Garden:

PROKOFIEV The Gambler (http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=10626)  Antonio Pappano conducting.

(http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8623/thegambler.jpg)

You are most likely in for a real treat, assuming you like Prokofiev.  I saw the Met's production several times (thinking it will never return), and loved it.  Do report back, please!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2010, 11:23:29 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 08, 2010, 11:18:19 AM
This is the first time that Covent Garden have staged The Gambler - and for some reason they've capped the ticket prices at £50, which means that for a change I have prime seats dead centre of the Orchestra Stalls (where it would cost £195 for Verdi or Mozart.)

I saw the Bolshoi's Fiery Angel here a couple of years ago and it was sensational.  The ROH orchestra were also on top form in last week's Rake, so I have a good feeling about this...  ;D

Sounds like the stars are aligning!  I hope to see Fiery Angel one day, but it seems like the one Prokofiev opera that is too "provocative" for American audiences.  ::)  A friend saw that same production (perhaps in Berlin?) and said it was one of the greatest operatic experiences she had ever had!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on February 08, 2010, 06:28:07 PM
Thanks to a very helpful poster, who will attend the concert with me, I have secured seats for the June 24 performance of Mahler 5 at the Concertgebouw. June 25 is sold out, and only a dozen seats were available for the June 24 concert.  That Mahler centenary festival seems to be very popular!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on February 08, 2010, 08:27:22 PM
Somewhere above I posted the last concert I went to last month featuring the RLPO, Vasily Petrenko, Mahler 1, Mahler Bach and Hans Rotts Scherzo (which is what I really went to see anyway).
Well...
Here is that sherzo in HQ video...but I can't hear my shouting at the end!  Pah!

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=321913605518&ref=mf (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=321913605518&ref=mf)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 09, 2010, 05:52:02 AM
Not a concert I'll be attending but wish I were! Mahler! Cleveland! Boulez! Gerhaher! ARRRGGGHHH!!! I really hate to miss this. My best American friend is going. The bastard, gloating, sent me the notice from the orchestra's website.

THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Magdalena Kozena, mezzo-soprano
Christian Gerhaher, baritone

MAHLER Adagio from Symphony No. 10
MAHLER Des Knaben Wunderhorn ("The Youth's Magic Horn")


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on February 09, 2010, 06:55:44 PM
Philadelphia played the Adagio recently and I quite enjoyed it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on February 10, 2010, 07:09:25 AM
None.  We're too poor this year to afford the ticket prices or charitable support.  (Where's the weeping emoticon?)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 10, 2010, 09:01:34 AM
tomorrow
Bruckner 5th
Bernard Haitink
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 10, 2010, 11:15:20 AM


Mahler 3rd with the Concertgebouw & Jansons tomorrow.

Review: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/ionarts-at-large-mahler-cycle.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/ionarts-at-large-mahler-cycle.html)

Elektra with the Munich Philharmonic & Thielemann Sunday.

Review: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/elektrafying.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/elektrafying.html)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 11, 2010, 08:19:38 AM
Tonight, more premieres by that 101-year-old slacker, Elliott Carter.  Apparently they are going to play one of the new pieces, Nine By Five, twice during the evening.

Paul Hall, The Juilliard School
New York Woodwind Quintet

Carol Wincenc, Flute
Stephen Taylor, Oboe
Charles Neidich, Clarinet
Marc Goldberg, Bassoon
William Purvis, Horn

With Rolf Schulte, violin
Fred Sherry, cello
Students from the NYWQ Seminar

Carter: 8 Etudes and a Fantasy (1949-1950)
Carter: Tre Duetti (2009-2010)
Carter: Retracing II for solo horn** (2009)
Carter: Nine By Five** (2009 Commissioned by Juilliard)

Conversation with Elliott Carter

Carter: Wind Rose* (2008)
Francaix: Quintet No. 1 (1948)
Carter: Nine By Five

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 12, 2010, 06:13:45 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on February 10, 2010, 11:15:20 AM

Mahler 3rd with the Concertgebouw & Jansons tomorrow.

Review: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/ionarts-at-large-mahler-cycle.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/ionarts-at-large-mahler-cycle.html)


Nice write-up, Jens; your comment on the opening of the sixth movement was lovely.  I'm hearing the same concert next week (along with a second evening, with the Sibelius Violin Concerto with Janine Jansen, and the Rachmaninov Symphony No. 2).

But before that, tomorrow night at Carnegie:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, Music Director and Conductor
Kari Kriikku, Clarinet

Wagner: Rienzi Overture
Magnus Lindberg: Clarinet Concerto (US Premiere)
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 12, 2010, 06:16:29 AM
Have you heard that Lindberg concerto yet, Bruce?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 12, 2010, 06:24:45 AM
No, I don't recall hearing it--and everyone seems to love it.  The recording is supposed to be terrific.  (And PS, this will be my first time hearing Kari Kriikku live.)  I'm going with another music writer--Lisa Hirsch, from San Francisco, whose blog is Iron Tongue of Midnight--and she was raving about the piece. 

Have you heard it?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 12, 2010, 06:26:05 AM
The premiere recording, yes;  dynamite piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on February 16, 2010, 09:34:26 AM
Wednesday 3rd of March, the Barbican, London:
Vienna Philharmonic/Lorin Maazel
Stravinsky-The Rite of Spring
Bruckner-Symphony no. 3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lilas Pastia on February 16, 2010, 07:21:41 PM
Caramba! This is one I wish I could attend !  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 17, 2010, 07:49:15 AM
Quote from: Bruckner is God on February 16, 2010, 09:34:26 AM
Wednesday 3rd of March, the Barbican, London:
Vienna Philharmonic/Lorin Maazel
Stravinsky-The Rite of Spring
Bruckner-Symphony no. 3

Same program in Frankfurt Germany this weekend:

Samstag, 20. February 2010
Alte Oper Frankfurt, Großer Saal, 7:00 p.m.
Wiener Philharmoniker         
Lorin Maazel Leitung
Anton Bruckner Sinfonie Nr. 3
Igor Strawinsky Le sacre du printemps

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 17, 2010, 07:56:41 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 17, 2010, 07:49:15 AM
Same program in Frankfurt Germany this weekend:

Samstag, 20. February 2010
Alte Oper Frankfurt, Großer Saal, 7:00 p.m.
Wiener Philharmoniker         
Lorin Maazel Leitung
Anton Bruckner Sinfonie Nr. 3
Igor Strawinsky Le sacre du printemps

Sarge

I like that they're closing with the Stravinsky.  (Of course, I have yet to get to know the Bruckner.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 17, 2010, 08:18:45 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 17, 2010, 07:56:41 AM
I like that they're closing with the Stravinsky.  (Of course, I have yet to get to know the Bruckner.)

My favorite Bruckner, actually. (I wrote a poem about hearing it once upon a time at Severance. The poem was published last November in The Bruckner Journal.) Not his best symphony but one I love unreservedly. When I saw the program, I smiled: typical Maazel. Refreshing actually. I recall many of his Cleveland programs seemed to be put together through sheer whimsy. I heard the Stravinsky a few years ago at the Alte Oper. I'm wondering if there will be another mass exodus after Part I. He can still scandalize the blue-haired  :D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 17, 2010, 10:34:27 AM
Well, I am engaged in a furious campus battle over contemporary music!

You can read along if you like ... originally I went to a symposium of Rice student composers and wrote a little piece talking about what I heard (http://www.ricestandard.org/listening-in-on-rices-student-composers/). One of the composition majors who wasn't performed then weighed in against me, and in particular against the fact that I had strongly disliked one of the works, with an opinion on the futility of critics listening to things they don't understand (http://www.ricestandard.org/truth-about-beethoven/). My riposte is in the comments section of that article ... should be a nice, fun catfight about the value of contemporary music and music criticism.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on February 17, 2010, 11:45:28 AM
Quote from: Barak on February 08, 2010, 06:28:07 PM
Thanks to a very helpful poster, who will attend the concert with me, I have secured seats for the June 24 performance of Mahler 5 at the Concertgebouw. June 25 is sold out, and only a dozen seats were available for the June 24 concert.  That Mahler centenary festival seems to be very popular!


That poster (blush) is yours truly, who looks forward to the experience with bated breath!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 19, 2010, 06:10:32 AM


The Band that Beethoven Knew

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/band-that-beethoven-knew.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/band-that-beethoven-knew.html)

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra & Chailly on US Tour.
(Interview & History)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 19, 2010, 09:06:00 AM
Tonight, very very excited about the program, have been waiting since last season for this!!  :)

Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture
*Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10


Andrey Boreyko, guest conductor
*Gwen Hoebig, violin (WSO Principal violinist)
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 19, 2010, 09:10:33 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on February 19, 2010, 09:06:00 AM
Tonight, very very excited about the program, have been waiting since last season for this!!  :)

Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture
*Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10


Andrey Boreyko, guest conductor
*Gwen Hoebig, violin (WSO Principal violinist)
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Have a great time!  I hope I mentioned (forgive me if I did already) that I went to a great concert with Boreyko on my birthday a few years back, when he did the Shostakovich 4th with the NY Phil--one of the best of that piece I've ever heard.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 19, 2010, 09:12:03 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 19, 2010, 09:10:33 AM
Have a great time!  I hope I mentioned (forgive me if I did already) that I went to a great concert with Boreyko on my birthday a few years back, when he did the Shostakovich 4th with the NY Phil--one of the best of that piece I've ever heard.

--Bruce

Oh yes Bruce, you had mentioned it!  He was a great and well loved conductor for the WSO.  This is his first return to Winnipeg since leaving.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 19, 2010, 09:14:25 AM
And that Prokofiev should be great, too--actually the whole program is wonderful.  The Rimsky-Korsakov is a blast in the right hands.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 19, 2010, 09:18:38 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 19, 2010, 09:14:25 AM
And that Prokofiev should be great, too--actually the whole program is wonderful.  The Rimsky-Korsakov is a blast in the right hands.

--Bruce

And Bruce, believe it or not, both the Prokofiev and Rimsky-Korsakov works will be first listens for me!  And Shosty's 10th is one of my favorite symphonies (of any composer).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 19, 2010, 09:22:25 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on February 19, 2010, 09:18:38 AM
And Bruce, believe it or not, both the Prokofiev and Rimsky-Korsakov works will be first listens for me!  And Shosty's 10th is one of my favorite symphonies (of any composer).

Oh wow, so you are really going to have a good time... :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 20, 2010, 04:56:12 AM
Tonight we'll be seeing the Vienna Philharmonic in Frankfurt. Bruckner and Stravinsky. Maazel conducting.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on February 20, 2010, 05:14:40 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 20, 2010, 04:56:12 AM
Tonight we'll be seeing the Vienna Philharmonic in Frankfurt. Bruckner and Stravinsky. Maazel conducting.

Sarge

I'd love to hear that one! Let us know how it went. I should be hearing tomorrow Belgrade Philharmonic in all Brahms program, 1st and 4th Symphonies, Mehta conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on February 20, 2010, 11:50:35 PM
Quote from: Drasko on February 20, 2010, 05:14:40 AM
I'd love to hear that one! Let us know how it went.

Ditto: sounds like the perfect programme for the VPO, tradition vs. Stravinsky! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Elgarian on February 22, 2010, 06:06:16 AM
Two operas (can I count operas in this thread?) coming up - Opera North at the Lowry Theatre. La Boheme on Tuesday (Anne Sophie Duprels as Mimi), and Cosi on Thursday (in a beautiful production I've seen before and loved, last autumn).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 22, 2010, 06:38:45 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on February 17, 2010, 07:56:41 AM
I like that they're closing with the Stravinsky.  (Of course, I have yet to get to know the Bruckner.)

You would have been disappointed, Karl. Stravinsky went first. No explanation from the man who came out before the concert started to wax eloquent about the corporate sponsors (several banks). He just said, "The program has been changed but I probably don't need to tell you that since you'll notice right away when the music starts." I was rather irritated to hear a five minute speech about those "great" banks and their directors because as far as I could tell, it didn't reduce the cost of our tickets by even a farthing (our twelfth row balcony seats cost 158 Euro each!!!). As I said, the last time we heard Le Sacre in Frankfurt (in 2006, on a program with Varese's Arcana and the Ravel G Major PC) it was the last work and there was a mass exodus. Maybe they learned from that past mistake  ;D

But the irritation vanished with the first notes of the Stravinsky. I don't know why but hearing it live makes it sound so much more iconoclastic and...new. At home when I play it, it's as comfortable as Mozart's Jupiter: a piece I know inside and out, that long ago lost its ability to shock and amaze. But that original bad boy spirit comes back in a live environment. It's always great to hear the Vienna (as M used to say, they have a unique musical culture): they do sound different: the strings, those treacherous horns (on good behavior the whole evening), the oboe tone that always reminds me of a duck being strangled  ;D  Maazel wasn't too mannered, nothing as outrageous as his Cleveland recording although Rondes printanières was played enormously slowly.

The Bruckner (version 1889) was a treat with Maazel at his most interventionist. The opening was surprisingly swift but at the first climax he slammed on the breaks so hard the music almost came to a complete stop ;D This was the Maazel I know and love: the orchestra gripped tightly in his fist, the music struggling to break free and flow naturally. Nothing natural about this performance. though. I know, you may think that a defect but I enjoy watching a dictatorial conductor have his way with the music  :D  I can't think of another Bruckner Third quite like it (Dennis Russell Davies's Third with the Bruckner Orchester Linz perhaps the closest in that first movement).

The Adagio was ravishing, those Viennese strings delivering. One lone spectator broke out in applause afterwards...not a rookie mistake, the guy knew what he was doing, showing genuine gratitude for a superb performance. The players deserved it.

The Scherzo was swift but Maazel shifted gears for the Trio...and it was a blast, played at a true beer garden Ländler pace. It sounded like Robert Simpson's description: "There is a distinct whiff of Austrian beer. The slight tipsiness of the music becomes downright alcoholism at the end of the first section." The entire string section seemed to be dancing, swaying giddily (drunkenly?) in their chairs. I've never heard it done better, or with more character, but then these are the guys who excel in Austrian dance music (the New Year's Concerts).

Maazel really prolonged the final notes in the final bar of the last movement. Again, I've never heard anyone else do it that way (it contradicts the score)...but it's Maazel's way. I'm not sure I would enjoy repeated hearings at home, on CD, but for a once in a lifetime experience, it was superb, and great fun, and worth every Cent.

Edit: Forgot to mention the encore. When a piccolo player followed Maazel out for his fourth bow, I knew we weren't finished. It was the Brahms Hungarian Dance #1 ...which, coincidently, was the encore played in Cleveland in 1973 the first time I heard the Bruckner Third live.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 22, 2010, 06:59:54 AM
Nice recap, Sarge, thanks!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 22, 2010, 07:03:17 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 22, 2010, 06:56:14 AM
Good grief - that's over twice the price of the premium seats in the Musikverein.  Is that normal for Frankfurt?

My front-row stalls seats in London next week cost *cough* 35 quid each... :-[

It's normal, unfortunately, for the top tier international orchestras. (The New York Phil played last month, with comparable ticket prices.) Frankfurt's a rich city and there's no orchestral competition (not like London) so they can fill the hall even at those prices. Of course there were lower prices (starting at 50 Euro) but Mrs. Rock and I like to sit in certain places...places that tend to be pricey. The HR Sinfonieorchester is the home band (they used to be called the RSO Frankfurt). The top price for their concerts is around 50 Euro, very reasonable.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 22, 2010, 07:07:41 AM
Great report, Sarge--thanks so much.  Totally agree with your comment about The Rite and its familiarity, and how that can evaporate in live performance.  And I can well imagine Maazel intervening in the Bruckner.  ;)

Glad you got an encore, too--love when that happens.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 22, 2010, 07:14:18 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 22, 2010, 07:07:41 AM
Glad you got an encore, too--love when that happens.
--Bruce

Me too. Mrs. Rock was especially happy...because she loves the Brahms..and because she's a thrifty German Frau who demands as much for her money as possible.  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on February 22, 2010, 07:24:47 AM
Great review, Sarge. You almost made me hear the performances. Excellent. Thanks!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 22, 2010, 07:25:25 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 22, 2010, 07:14:18 AM
..and because she's a thrifty German Frau who demands as much for her money as possible.  ;D

Sarge

;D  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 22, 2010, 09:12:54 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 22, 2010, 06:38:45 AM
our twelfth row balcony seats cost 158 Euro each!!!

Jesus Christ and Mary Holy Mother of God! :o

That makes 300 Euro, which is a relatively good salary in Romania...  ;D

Otherwise, great review!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on February 22, 2010, 11:36:58 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 22, 2010, 06:38:45 AM
You would have been ...

Thanks for the write up, Sarge.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 22, 2010, 11:43:46 AM
Tonight, at Galapagos Art Space (http://www.galapagosartspace.com/), Chicago-based Opera Cabal presents USW, a one-act chamber opera about the life of Rosa Luxemburg, with music by Lewis Nielson, a composer new to me.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on February 22, 2010, 11:45:34 AM
Your description of Maazel at the helm made your review come to life.  What a night it must have been.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 25, 2010, 08:02:29 AM
On Monday at Carnegie Hall:

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, Music Director and Conductor
Päivi Nisula, Soprano
Hannu Niemelä, Baritone
YL Male Voice Choir
Matti Hyökki, Chorus Master

Beethoven: Große Fuge, Op. 133 (arr. Michael Steinberg)
Sibelius: Kullervo, Op. 7

A friend who just heard the same concert in Minneapolis said they did Finlandia as an encore--haven't heard that in a very long time.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 25, 2010, 08:48:24 AM
Not my piece, but part of the rehearsal for tomorrow night's concert:

http://www.youtube.com/v/6rT8T1XgUAM
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on February 26, 2010, 03:49:11 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 25, 2010, 08:02:29 AM
A friend who just heard the same concert in Minneapolis said they did Finlandia as an encore--haven't heard that in a very long time.

--Bruce

Aha! I knew Vänskä would not disappoint. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on February 26, 2010, 08:43:57 AM
Interesting - I'll be hearing Vanska conduct in Philadelphia on March 13th:

AHO Minea
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 2
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Osmo Vanska, conductor
Jean-Frederic Neuberger, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 01, 2010, 01:57:55 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 22, 2010, 07:03:17 AM
It's normal, unfortunately, for the top tier international orchestras. (The New York Phil played last month, with comparable ticket prices.) Frankfurt's a rich city and there's no orchestral competition (not like London) so they can fill the hall even at those prices. Of course there were lower prices (starting at 50 Euro) but Mrs. Rock and I like to sit in certain places...places that tend to be pricey. The HR Sinfonieorchester is the home band (they used to be called the RSO Frankfurt). The top price for their concerts is around 50 Euro, very reasonable.

Sarge

Are you often in Frankfurt for classical music? That's not your home turf, is it? Somehow, I place you further to the West.
If there is something interesting (i.e. not with Maazel) upcoming that you are planning to attend with the Frau, let me know if you wish.
Frankfurt's always worth a trip.

Meanwhile on topic (or slightly behind topic):
Ionarts-at-Large: Bach's St. John Passion with Ton Koopman (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/02/ionarts-at-large-bachs-st-john-passion.html)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 01, 2010, 04:49:57 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 01, 2010, 01:57:55 AM
Are you often in Frankfurt for classical music? That's not your home turf, is it? Somehow, I place you further to the West.

Southwest, actually. We live in a village on the Rhine north of Worms. It takes 50 to 60 minutes to drive to the Alte Oper. We attend quite a few concerts in Frankfurt.

QuoteIf there is something interesting (i.e. not with Maazel)

;D :D ;D  Okay, he is an acquired taste, I admit.

The next concert we're planning to attend is this one (interesting, for me anyway, because it's a rare opportunity to hear the Rott symphony live):

Donnerstag, 15. April 2010
Großer Saal, 20:00 Uhr
hr-Sinfonieorchester         
Paavo Järvi  Leitung
Emmanuel Pahud Flöte

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Ouvertüre zur Oper »Die Entführung aus dem Serail«
Flötenkonzert G-Dur KV 313
Hans Rott Sinfonie Nr. 1

Preise: € 16,- 23,50 32,- 40,- 49,- (Endpreise) VA

We haven't decided yet whether to go Thurs or Fri.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 01, 2010, 05:52:29 AM
Lady Blacksmith Mambazo - part of the Wake Forest University 'Artist's Series' - this Thursday evening in Wait Chapel - have a couple of their CDs, but will be first time seeing the group 'live' - should be popular!  :D


(http://thebeat.iloveny.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ladysmith-black-mambazo.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on March 01, 2010, 09:53:30 AM
Quote from: SonicMan on March 01, 2010, 05:52:29 AM
Lady Blacksmith Mambazo - part of the Wake Forest University 'Artist's Series' - this Thursday evening in Wait Chapel - have a couple of their CDs, but will be first time seeing the group 'live' - should be popular!  :D
(http://thebeat.iloveny.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ladysmith-black-mambazo.jpg)

How super!  I would pay plenty of money to see them myself.
Wait Chapel?  Is it small or large?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 01, 2010, 10:20:24 AM
Quote from: John on March 01, 2010, 09:53:30 AM
How super!  I would pay plenty of money to see them myself.
Wait Chapel?  Is it small or large?

Hello John - Wait Chapel holds over 2,200 people, so there should be a crowd!  On the main Reynolda campus of Wake Forest University (painting below - beautiful building).

As a faculty member (of the medical school), my wife and I have 'free' seasonal passes each year to all of the concerts, so no cost for us (parking is even FREE!).

Most of the events for this series are held in the Scales Fine Arts Center in one of two smaller auditoriums, so the school uses a variety of different size places anticipating the attendance.  Dave  :D

(http://media.williammangumfineart.com/catalog/product//W/a/WaitsDream_lg_1.jpg)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on March 01, 2010, 10:48:00 AM
I have decided to apply for 'Honourary' Faculty membership (Music/Literature/Arts) of Wake Forest University.  This way, it is likely even my air fares will be paid to see up and coming concerts and I'll sleep over at a campus party before returning home.
Aye.  Put in a good word for me Dave.
:P
In all seriousness, Lady Blacksmith Mambazo are magnificent on the World circuit, and I hope you enjoy the thrilling sound of their sonorities!  One of the few outfits in "World Music" I rate and respect very much.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 01, 2010, 02:18:11 PM
Quote from: John on March 01, 2010, 10:48:00 AM
I have decided to apply for 'Honourary' Faculty membership (Music/Literature/Arts) of Wake Forest University.  This way, it is likely even my air fares will be paid to see up and coming concerts and I'll sleep over at a campus party before returning home.
Aye.  Put in a good word for me Dave............

John - will do!  ;D  We'll let you stay @ our house, just 10 mins. from the WFU major campus - the medical center campus is near business I-40 on what is now called the 'Bowman Gray Campus' - pic below of where I work!

Dave
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on March 01, 2010, 05:08:57 PM
Oh Good.  I have written a long letter to the Provosts Office at Wake Forest University, demanding that I be installed as a Honourary Professor of the Arts, and sent a copy also to John Friedenberg, Director of Theatre there, and included a whopping $5 in the hope that he finds this persuasion enough.  I will take your offer up and stay at you home after concerts, where I can admire some fabulous X-Ray art and drink some Coors before taking off to Ohio for prolonged discussions with Cato regarding his 'Lorenz Cure' for listeners of Atonal Muisc.
:P

*** JOHN realises he is talking nonsense and rushes off to hide in Scotlands mountains***
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on March 01, 2010, 10:59:38 PM
This Saturday - hope I can make it!:

Moscow New Music Studio

Ligeti: Horn Trio; 10 Pieces for Woodwind Quintet; Continuum for Harpsichord

Reich: Violin Phase; Piano Phase
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 02, 2010, 04:18:12 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 01, 2010, 04:49:57 AM

Donnerstag, 15. April 2010
Großer Saal, 20:00 Uhr
hr-Sinfonieorchester         
Paavo Järvi  Leitung
Emmanuel Pahud Flöte

Super! I'll totally be there. Let me know what date you chose and whether you wish to meet or avoid me. In the former case, do you know a local third person that would care to attend on my second ticket? (I assume you will be traveling with your lady wife and in any case don't care for "Parkett-plaetze".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 02, 2010, 04:45:37 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 02, 2010, 04:18:12 AM
Super! I'll totally be there. Let me know what date you chose and whether you wish to meet or avoid me. In the former case, do you know a local third person that would care to attend on my second ticket? (I assume you will be traveling with your lady wife and in any case don't care for "Parkett-plaetze".

Other than her parents and brother, no, we know no one who likes classical concerts. Our last friend who enjoyed classical music left the area some time ago. Actually, Mrs. Rock prefers Parkett seating, close to the front. I'll talk to her tonight, see which day is best for her. I'll pm you.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 02, 2010, 07:44:13 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 02, 2010, 04:45:37 AM
Other than her parents and brother, no, we know no one who likes classical concerts. Our last friend who enjoyed classical music left the area some time ago. Actually, Mrs. Rock prefers Parkett seating, close to the front. I'll talk to her tonight, see which day is best for her. I'll pm you.

Sarge

Oh, I know!  I'll bring my lovely (American) editor from Deutsche Welle. It'll be so cute... like a double-date spread over two continents and three generations.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 02, 2010, 07:56:40 AM
Very much looking forward to this WSO concert on Saturday night!!  This will be a first listen to the Kodaly number  :)

Kodály: Háry János Suite
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade


Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Andreas Boyde, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 02, 2010, 08:40:31 AM
Lovely program, Ray!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 02, 2010, 08:49:23 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on March 02, 2010, 08:40:31 AM
Lovely program, Ray!

Thanks Karl.  I am noticing a trend within my own self, lately.  I find that I am getting much more excited about concerts that are more 'unfamiliar', not as routine as I am about concerts that would show more tried and true works that I do love (ie. Beethoven, Mozart).

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 02, 2010, 09:43:23 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on March 02, 2010, 07:56:40 AM
Very much looking forward to this WSO concert on Saturday night!!  This will be a first listen to the Kodaly number  :)

Kodály: Háry János Suite
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade


Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Andreas Boyde, piano

I agree, great program.  You don't see the Kodály all that often in concert these days, and...there's a reason the Rimsky-Korsakov is so popular.  Like most everything, it's really fun live.

Quote from: Brahmsian on March 02, 2010, 08:49:23 AM
Thanks Karl.  I am noticing a trend within my own self, lately.  I find that I am getting much more excited about concerts that are more 'unfamiliar', not as routine as I am about concerts that would show more tried and true works that I do love (ie. Beethoven, Mozart).

Quoted for emphasis.  I don't need to hear the Beethoven piano concertos, great as they are, in live performance again for a long time.  But that Kodály would be a strong draw.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 03, 2010, 12:53:58 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on March 03, 2010, 12:33:25 AM
3rd July at Covent Garden:

STRAUSS  Salome (http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=11292)  with Angela Denoke in the title role, Hartmut Haenchen conducting.


Lucky you. She has a habit of baring all, in that role!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 03, 2010, 03:28:50 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on March 03, 2010, 02:23:52 AM
Hmm.  Not sure how much of an incentive that is. :-\ 


You're quite picky with your nude sopranos, my friend.

Just imagine Jane Eaglen or Alessandra Marc in the nude for one second, and you will salivate at the opportunity of resting them on Fraeulein Denoke.

(https://secure.staatsoper.de/upload/media/200903/30/11/rsys_27420_49d094225e897.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 03, 2010, 06:29:49 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 25, 2010, 08:02:29 AM
On Monday at Carnegie Hall:
Minnesota Orchestra
Beethoven: Große Fuge, Op. 133 (arr. Michael Steinberg)
Sibelius: Kullervo, Op. 7
--Bruce

Did you attend, Bruce? Mrs. Rock and I should have crossed the Atlantic for this concert. Here's the Hurwitzer's review. (http://www.classicstoday.com/Classics/ConcertReview_ASPFiles/ViewConcertReview.asp?Action=User&ID=621)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on March 03, 2010, 06:46:06 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 03, 2010, 03:28:50 AM
Just imagine Jane Eaglen or Alessandra Marc in the nude for one second ...

Ain't you bit over speculating on our friend's tastes, maybe he likes his sopranos plump? After all, more fat, more soap.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 03, 2010, 07:06:10 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 03, 2010, 06:29:49 AM
Did you attend, Bruce? Mrs. Rock and I should have crossed the Atlantic for this concert. Here's the Hurwitzer's review. (http://www.classicstoday.com/Classics/ConcertReview_ASPFiles/ViewConcertReview.asp?Action=User&ID=621)

Sarge

Yes, and it was terrific.  (And about 6 friends went, also.)  The Beethoven was excellent--very fast and vigorous--but the Kullervo was the highlight, especially with this amazing YL Male Voice Choir.  Their precision and sheer volume level (at times) were most impressive.  The two soloists were all right; I didn't like them as much as others seemed to.

I realized later that (probably) the reason this piece isn't done more often is because...you have to find a chorus who can do Finnish!  And everyone was delighted when they all remained onstage for the encore, an inspiring arrangement of Finlandia that brought tears to our eyes.  Quite an evening.

--Bruce 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 03, 2010, 07:14:10 AM
Finnish shouldn't be too tough a language to teach a choir to sing.  (Just saying.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on March 03, 2010, 08:36:26 AM
I probably should have made a post earlier, but this week has suddenly turned into something of a concert-athon.

Firstly, I remembered that Richard Egarr was in town, just in time to catch him on the following programme with (a portion of) the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in St. Cuthbert's, yesterday:

Handel: Concerto Grosso in B-flat Op 3 No 2
Handel: Concerto Grosso in A minor Op 6 No 4
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No 3
Handel: Organ Concerto No 13 in F 'The Cuckoo and the Nightingale'

On the strength of this concert, incidentally, his set of the Brandenburgs is on my shopping list; the Handel concerto was also a delightful new find (for me), though I suspect Egarr's excellent improvisation might have a lot to do with that.

Then I realised he's staying until tomorrow, to conduct the SCO again - I only hope I'll find a ticket:

Mozart: Symphony No 1 in E flat major, K16
Haydn: Piano Concerto in D
Beethoven: Overture, The Creatures of Prometheus, Op 43
Beethoven: Symphony No 8


Last but not least, leaving the St. Cuthbert concert, I was passed a leaflet about some BBC3 live broadcasts from Glasgow, and almost didn't catch the name of a certain Mark-Andre Hamelin scheduled to play this Friday. Twice!

Frantically-booked train and concert tickets later, I will be in Glasgow on Friday to hear him in:

a) Mozart: Piano Sonata in a minor, K310
Hamelin: Etude No.11 'Minuetto' (2008) from 'Twelve Etudes In All The Minor Keys'
Liszt Piano Sonata No.1 in b minor, S178 (1853)

Then, following a one-hour break,

b) Berg: Sonata, Op.1 (1907-8)
Liszt: Venezia e Napoli (supplement to 'Années de Pélerinage', second year) (1859)
Debussy: Préludes, book 2 (excerpts) (1911-13)
Hamelin: Twelve Etudes In All The Minor Keys (excerpts)


:o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 03, 2010, 08:47:52 AM
Quote from: Renfield on March 03, 2010, 08:36:26 AM
Last but not least, leaving the St. Cuthbert concert, I was passed a leaflet about some BBC3 live broadcasts from Glasgow, and almost didn't catch the name of a certain Mark-Andre Hamelin scheduled to play this Friday. Twice!

Frantically-booked train and concert tickets later, I will be in Glasgow on Friday to hear him in:

a) Mozart: Piano Sonata in a minor, K310
Hamelin: Etude No.11 'Minuetto' (2008) from 'Twelve Etudes In All The Minor Keys'
Liszt Piano Sonata No.1 in b minor, S178 (1853)

Then, following a one-hour break,

b) Berg: Sonata, Op.1 (1907-8)
Liszt: Venezia e Napoli (supplement to 'Années de Pélerinage', second year) (1859)
Debussy: Préludes, book 2 (excerpts) (1911-13)
Hamelin: Twelve Etudes In All The Minor Keys (excerpts)


:o

The SCO concerts look wonderful, but the Hamelin programs look terrific--especially featuring some of those etudes.  In that bravura pianistic tradition, he turns out to be quite accomplished in writing showy (and often hilarious) works for himself.  All the ones I've heard have been gems. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on March 03, 2010, 09:02:10 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 03, 2010, 08:47:52 AM
The SCO concerts look wonderful, but the Hamelin programs look terrific--especially featuring some of those etudes.  In that bravura pianistic tradition, he turns out to be quite accomplished in writing showy (and often hilarious) works for himself.  All the ones I've heard have been gems. 

--Bruce

Indeed, I'm quite looking forward to his own works, as well as the Liszt and Berg sonatas.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 06, 2010, 04:35:26 AM

I was looking forward to Pollini / Thielemann in Brahms (b minor) and Beethoven. Now it's changed to a Mozart concerto (no harm in that, even though Thielemann-Pollini-Brahms would have been more interesting, on paper). And I can't free up an evening for it, either.

Meanwhile Washington & B'more Audiences have Jean-Guihen Queyras to look forward to.

Here is an interview with Queyras, previewing the Library of Congress performance. Queyras on performing contemporary music, how it is playing with Alexandre Tharaud, how he came to found his music festival, and how his name should be pronounced:

Between Boulez and Bach: Interview with Jean-Guihen Queyras
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1653 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1653)


Between Boulez and Bach: Interview with Jean-Guihen Queyras – The B Side

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/03/between-boulez-and-bach-interview-with.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/03/between-boulez-and-bach-interview-with.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 09, 2010, 12:14:54 AM
tonight:  Vancouver Symphony      Bramwell Tovey, cond.      Janina Fialkowska, piano
LISZT: Legend of St. Francis Preaching to the Birds,  orch. Mottl*.    Mottl I know only from a suite of dances from Gluck operas.     I suspect the wrong version may have been sent from the rental source, but it is a short work, and the orchestra had no problems with it.    It sounds a bit more like something from Respighi than Liszt in this version.   At least it was something new.
CHOPIN  PIANO CONCERTOS 1 AND 2 Beautifully played, the orchestra and soloist seemed to disappear and there was just the  music.   Fialkowska was a protegé of Rubinstein and has been playing these concertos for decades ( played no.1 here in 1978) and knows them intimately.   These were recorded for broadcast April 25 an I'll try to remember to post a reminder.  And a 2-CD set is in progress as well.
and BERLIOZ   Roman Carnival Overture after intermission gave the soloist a chance for a quick change after signing autographed CD's in the lobby

coming up on Saturday:  Wieniawski Violin Concerto 2 and Holst  The Planets.  A women's chorus is booked, but whether the WurlitZer or electric organ, bass oboe or bass clarinet will be used I'll have to go see.

*Mottl conducted the 100th performance of Tristan und Isolde the night before he died, and Liszt died the day after hearing Mottl conduct the same work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 09, 2010, 08:35:21 AM
Swan Lake

Saturday March 13th

Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Going with my wife.  Really looking forward to it.  My first time attending a live performance of Swan Lake.   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 09, 2010, 09:13:02 AM
Wonderful, Ray!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Valentino on March 09, 2010, 09:15:33 AM
Tannhäuser

Den norske Opera
(http://www.operaen.no/Default.aspx?ID=27244&ProductID=PROD18)
Friday March 12th.

And even more so after critics all over Europe have praised the Herheim staging.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 09, 2010, 10:50:16 AM
Thursday night: Shostakovich's The Nose at the Met, with production design by the South African artist, William Kentridge.  And since I don't know the opera at all, I'm going again next week.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 09, 2010, 11:17:49 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 09, 2010, 10:50:16 AM
Thursday night: Shostakovich's The Nose at the Met, with production design by the South African artist, William Kentridge.  And since I don't know the opera at all, I'm going again next week.

Regardless of merits of the stage production (which we hope are copious), the opera itself will win you readily, Bruce!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 09, 2010, 12:03:23 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on March 09, 2010, 11:05:39 AM
Would be interested in hearing feedback about that.  Who's conducting?

The reviews have already started coming in, and they are quite positive.  At the moment I hope to write it up, but we'll see how much time that takes!  Valery Gergiev is conducting (all but the final performance, which will be with Pavel Smelkov).

Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on March 09, 2010, 11:17:49 AM
Regardless of merits of the stage production (which we hope are copious), the opera itself will win you readily, Bruce!

Kentridge has already gotten kudos; The New York Times said something to the effect that the Met should be working with him more often.  And the reports on the score are even more effusive.  (PS, it is hard for me to imagine that he wrote this when he was 22!)  As a fan of early Shostakovich, I can't wait.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 10, 2010, 09:04:58 AM
Hi All,

Here is a link to the broadcast of the concert of Feb. 19th for the WSO and Andrey Boreyko performing Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.  For you to listen and enjoy, my friends!   :)

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20100219russi#readReviews (http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20100219russi#readReviews)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 10, 2010, 11:25:19 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on March 10, 2010, 09:04:58 AM
Hi All,

Here is a link to the broadcast of the concert of Feb. 19th for the WSO and Andrey Boreyko performing Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.  For you to listen and enjoy, my friends!   :)

http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20100219russi#readReviews (http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20100219russi#readReviews)

Thanks a lot for this link.  For the zillionth time, is it great to be in the age of the Internet, or what?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Valentino on March 10, 2010, 11:58:38 AM
Damn right, Bruce.

And thanks for the Queyras-links, jlaurson.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 11, 2010, 11:34:41 AM
Quote from: bhodges on March 09, 2010, 10:50:16 AM
Thursday night: Shostakovich's The Nose at the Met, with production design by the South African artist, William Kentridge.  And since I don't know the opera at all, I'm going again next week.

--Bruce
N Y Times discussion of the production at
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/arts/music/11nose.html?ref=arts
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 14, 2010, 07:02:54 AM
This afternoon, the local Winston Salem Symphony is presenting the concert below:

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto no. 2 in F Major
Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, op. 48 (Waltz and Finale)
Thile: Concerto for Mandolin


Obviously, a couple of familiar works for starters, both of which I enjoy; but the 'new' item is a 'Mandolin Concerto' commissioned by the performer, Chris Thile, a member of 'Nickel Creek' and other groups - so looking forward to seeing him on the mandolin!  :D

(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/ChrisThile/809821652_WvjAE-S.jpg)  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z9Q3G2HML._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 14, 2010, 12:45:35 PM
Vancouver Symphony     Sat  March  13
A program more like an adventurous pops concert, rounded off with Holst's The Planets.  FULL Orchestra, the bass oboe part is cued in the score for bass clarinet and cor anglais, women's chorus, and the house Wurlitzer.  Right at the start the sound of the violins playing col  legno confirmed that hearing this work live was worth the effort.
  Also John Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine ("wish it had been longer" was a comment from younger audience members behind me), Joseph Strauss Music of the Spheres (when was a Strauss waltz included in a regular concert that you can remember?), and a premiere of a new 5-minute piece by Ryan Trew, Starlike that the orchestra felt should play in tandem with The Planets after its rehearsal.  It is pleasant, sparkling planetarium stgyle music.
AND Wieniawski Violin Concerto 2, once a staple but pushed aside by more recent concertos, played by Adrian Anantawan in a booking that coincided with the Special Olympics. He was born without a right hand, but has mastered bowing using mainly shoulder muscles.  He's not the loudest I've ever heard, but the left hand was astonishingly accurate, he brought out the folk elements and the orchestra kept its sound down to a comfortable level.  It actually sounded like a major work.
Bramwell Tovey introduced the works and there was a pre-recorded video interview with Anatawan during the change in seating for the concerto.    Tovey's contract has been extended here for another five years.
   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: offbeat on March 14, 2010, 04:03:41 PM
March 13 - Canterbury Cathedral
Two disadvantages for this venue - the chilly atmosphere and the hard seats - also the really loud bits tend to distort - Strauss Death and Transfiguration although well played suffered from this distortion
Much better was Ravels Pavane - so sad and best for me an eerie and magic performance of Szymanowski's Stabat Mater . Rounded off with Poulencs Gloria i enjoyed this concert very much  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 14, 2010, 04:32:14 PM
Quote from: SonicMan on March 14, 2010, 07:02:54 AM
This afternoon, the local Winston Salem Symphony is presenting the concert below:

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto no. 2 in F Major
Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings in C Major, op. 48 (Waltz and Finale)
Thile: Concerto for Mandolin


Obviously, a couple of familiar works for starters, both of which I enjoy; but the 'new' item is a 'Mandolin Concerto' commissioned by the performer, Chris Thile, a member of 'Nickel Creek' and other groups - so looking forward to seeing him on the mandolin!  :D

(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/ChrisThile/809821652_WvjAE-S.jpg)  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Z9Q3G2HML._SL500_AA300_.jpg)

Well, just returned from the concert above - of course, the main reason to attend was to see Chris Thile - his Mandolin Concerto was quirky and maintained attention - he blended his playing well w/ the orchestra, which was standard (including a piano & 3 percussion players w/ kettle drums!) - I'm not sure 'how much' of the orchestration he did himself, but he is MUCH MORE than if you've only heard him in a few discs, such as those w/ Nickel Creek!

After performance of the concerto in which he was just outstanding as a mandolin instrumentalist, converting it into a virtuosity experience, he had several encores - starting w/ one of Bach's solo violin Partitas (just the beginning) which was absolutely astounding!  This was followed by him going back to bluegrass, playing & singing a Bill Monroe song from the 1950s - again, a just superb performance - both the audience and the musicians were thoroughly engrossed in seeing this performer on stage (and I must say after years of attending these symphony performances, the latter is distinct!).

Bottom line - this guy is a unique musician, composer, singer, and cross- musical phenomenon - I'm not sure how much he did the orchestration of this concerto but it was commissioned by a half dozen or so orchestras including the one here; he also has composed for his own CDs and music for plenty of others - check out his Wiki Bio HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Thile), if interested -  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on March 14, 2010, 05:16:15 PM
Quote from: offbeat on March 14, 2010, 04:03:41 PM
March 13 - Canterbury Cathedral
Two disadvantages for this venue - the chilly atmosphere and the hard seats - also the really loud bits tend to distort - Strauss Death and Transfiguration although well played suffered from this distortion
Much better was Ravels Pavane - so sad and best for me an eerie and magic performance of Szymanowski's Stabat Mater . Rounded off with Poulencs Gloria i enjoyed this concert very much  :)

How wonderful for you.  I have been to Canterbury Cathederal twice, but not for music, and I'm thrilled that such fabulously spiritual music is...er...distorting around the place.  :P  Glad to hear you enjoyed it very much.  I LOVE that Cathederal!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Harpo on March 15, 2010, 07:54:58 AM
Quote from: SonicMan on March 14, 2010, 04:32:14 PM
(Re. mandolinist Chris Thile)  I'm not sure how much he did the orchestration of this concerto but it was commissioned by a half dozen or so orchestras including the one here; he also has composed for his own CDs and music for plenty of others - check out his Wiki Bio HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Thile), if interested -  ;D

Here's a quote from the Birmingham News about Chris Thile:
"Finally, there was Thile's Mandolin Concerto, which...spotlighted not only his virtuoso solo playing, but his gift for orchestration and melodic invention in a style that could only be Chris Thile."  Quote from me:An amazing virtuoso performance by a 29-year-old who is also charming and --um--cute.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 15, 2010, 08:39:51 AM
Washington area oncerts to look forward to:

http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1659 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1659)
April in Music – and Eschenbach's Introduction (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1659)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on March 18, 2010, 07:55:54 PM
Tomorrow evening at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Virginia, the Antares Quartet, consisting of violin, clarinet, cello, and piano.  The program:

Piano Trio Op. 1 - Ludwig van Beethoven
Red River - Mason Bates
Tashi Quartet - Peter Lieberson
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on March 26, 2010, 05:04:27 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on March 26, 2010, 04:30:54 AM
Haven't seen Pogorelich since a Chopin recital in 2005.  Can't imagine what his Tchaikovsky No.1 is going to be like...

For starters I don't think it could be expected to clock in under 50 minutes, but who knows ...
Maybe his Rachmaninov 2nd from three years ago coud give you some point of reference:

http://rapidshare.com/files/259988134/Pogorelich_-_Berlin.9.3.2007.rar
Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No.2
Ivo Pogorelich / Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin / Peter Ruzicka
Berlin Philharmonie 9. III 2007

My next concert should be interesting, have no idea in what shape is Gavrilov these days, hope he doesn't cancel. In about two weeks:

N. Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko, orchestral fanatasy
M. Ravel: Concerto for the left hand
S. Prokofiev: Piano concerto no. 1
J. Sibelius: Symphony No. 1

Belgrade Philharmonic
Conductor: Uros Lajovic
Soloist: Andrei Gavrilov, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on March 28, 2010, 02:39:58 AM
Celestial singing and music of the season last night:

Music for Double Chorus, Antiphony
Amor Artis Chorus and Baroque Ensemble and The Greenwich Village Singers
Conducted by Johannes Somary and Mark Mangini

Selections by Heinrich Schutz, Palestrina, de Victoria, Brahms and Vaughan Williams.
Included both of Schutz's Magnificats, the German and the Latin.

What a gorgeous piece of music that is, the Latin Magnificat!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 30, 2010, 07:15:29 AM
Last night, a fascinating program of recent Italian music by the Talea Ensemble.  This was one of the best-played concerts of new music I've heard in awhile--an extremely talented young group.  I've heard the Billone before; it's for four automobile springs and glass, and here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwpr4F7r8Rw) is an excerpt from the piece, played by the same percussionist who did it last night, Alex Lipowski (co-director of the ensemble).

Fabio Nieder: Sogno 10 lundei gennaio 1892 in una casa molte gente musiche son entrato a casa (2005)
Luca Francesconi: Viaggiatore insonne (1984)
Stefano Gervasoni: Due poesie francesi d'Ungaretti (1994)
Stefano Gervasoni: Due poesie francesi di Beckett (1995)
Pierluigi Billone: Mani. De Leonardis (2004)
Federico Gardella: Armida's Garden (2010)
Gabriele Vanoni: Appunti per un'asparizione (2010)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on March 30, 2010, 08:12:52 AM
Quote from: SonicMan on March 14, 2010, 04:32:14 PM
I'm not sure 'how much' of the orchestration he did himself, but he is MUCH MORE than if you've only heard him in a few discs, such as those w/ Nickel Creek!

I actually like Nickel Creek. :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on March 30, 2010, 04:50:07 PM
Quote from: DavidW on March 30, 2010, 08:12:52 AM
I actually like Nickel Creek. :'(

Hi David - well, I like them also, but Chris Thile is just so talented is so many other ways, as my recent experiences in hearing him in concert (going from doing his concerto to a Bach violin partita and then to a Bill Monroe song w/ singing) and then purchasing those early CDs of him as a teenager - take a look at some of my other posts on him, if interested; he is quite special - Dave  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on March 31, 2010, 04:39:37 AM
Okey doke Dave. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 31, 2010, 09:16:57 AM
Going to this, on Saturday night!  :)

Beethoven - Missa Solemnis

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Leslie Ann Bradley, soprano
Allyson McHardy, mezzo-soprano
Lawrence Wiliford, tenor
Victor Engbrecht, bass
Mennonite Festival Chorus, William Baerg & Rudy Schellenberg, co-conductors

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 31, 2010, 09:44:04 AM
The 2010/2011 WSO concert season schedule has been released.  Here are some of the concerts I plan to attend! My first Bruckner symphony too, so happy!!!  :)

September 24, 2010 - Opening Night!

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Mark O'Connor, violin
Karl Stobbe, violin

Richard Strauss: Don Juan
Mark O'Connor: Double Violin Concerto No.1
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major


October 29, 2010

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Janina Fialkowska, piano

Robert Turner: Shades of Autumn
Chopin: Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major


March 4, 2011

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Gwen Hoebig, violin

Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra


April 29, 2011 - Closing concert, all Tchaikovsky program (w/ local boy James Ehnes!!)

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
James Ehnes, violin

Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: Polonaise
Tchaikovsky: Violin concerto in D major
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor


October 8, 2010

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Alban Gerhardt, cello

Dvorák: Cello Concerto in B minor
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major


November 12, 2010

Cristian Mandeal, conductor
Bede Hanley, oboe

Schubert: Overture in D major
(In the Italian Style)
Strauss: Oboe Concerto in D major
Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550


January 29, 2011 - part of annual New Music Festival

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Dame Evelyn Glennie, percussion

Randolph Peters: New Work (World Premiere)
Vincent Ho: Percussion Concerto: (World Premiere)
John Corigliano: Symphony No. 1


February 4, 2011

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor

Krzysztof Penderecki: Symphony No. 7

February 18, 2011 - My first attendance of a Bruckner live symphonic performance!

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Anton Kuerti, piano

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major


March 18, 2011

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano

Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances



The full 2010/2011 season guide can be viewed here:

http://www.wso.ca/wp-content/uploads/wso_1011_seasonguide_web_lr.pdf (http://www.wso.ca/wp-content/uploads/wso_1011_seasonguide_web_lr.pdf)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 31, 2010, 09:52:08 AM
Very nice, Ray!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2010, 10:21:21 AM
Quote from: Brahmsian on March 31, 2010, 09:44:04 AM
The 2010/2011 WSO concert season schedule has been released.  Here are some of the concerts I plan to attend! My first Bruckner symphony too, so happy!!!  :)

September 24, 2010 - Opening Night!

Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Mark O'Connor, violin
Karl Stobbe, violin

Richard Strauss: Don Juan
Mark O'Connor: Double Violin Concerto No.1
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major



That is a very nontraditional opening night program.  :D  O'Connor is quite something, both as a composer and performer, and I'm impressed they would include him on this kind of evening!

Tonight I'm hearing Leonard Slatkin and the Juilliard Orchestra in an all-William Schuman program:

Circus Overture
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 3

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 01, 2010, 10:30:28 AM
Who's the soloist, Bruce? (You knew I'd ask!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2010, 10:35:12 AM
It's a Juilliard student, Francisco Ladron de Guevara-Finck.  Have not heard him, but usually the soloists they choose in these things are outstanding.  Here's his bio:

"Mexican violinist Francisco Ladron de Guevara-Finck currently is enrolled as a senior at Juilliard and studies violin with Lewis Kaplan. He was the first-prize winner of the 1997 International Kocian Competition in the Czech Republic and has performed throughout Mexico, the United States, Germany, the Czech Republic, and in Taiwan. He began his violin studies at the age of four with Mikhail Medvid in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. He studied in Juilliard's Pre-College Division with Dorothy DeLay and Hyo Kang in 1998 under the sponsorship of the SIVAM, a Mexican Foundation. Mr. Ladron de Guevara-Finck made his Carnegie Hall debut as part of the LinkUP! Concerts, performing with the Orchestra of St. Luke's under the direction of David Leobel. In October 2000, he was invited as featured soloist, along with Plácido Domingo, where he performed with Mexico's Bellas Artes Orchestra. In April 2004, he appeared again in Carnegie Hall as a soloist of the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In December 2008, Mr. Ladron de Guevara-Finck performed in Taipei in Ponce's Violin Concerto with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sergio Cardenas. In 2009, he attended the Tanglewood Music Festival. Last December, he was invited to participate in a master class given by Midori in Tokyo, Japan."

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 01, 2010, 10:49:02 AM
Very nice.  The Schuman Vn Cto is a piece well worth hearing live, I should think!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2010, 10:56:21 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on April 01, 2010, 10:49:02 AM
Very nice.  The Schuman Vn Cto is a piece well worth hearing live, I should think!

I heard it many, many years ago on an old Bernstein LP, with (I think) Isaac Stern as the soloist, on a recording with the Third Symphony.  Played that recording to death!  But I've never heard the piece live. 

PS, giving up some other great concerts tonight: a Lachenmann 75th birthday with the JACK Quartet, and two members of ICE doing Nono.  Oh well...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: WI Dan on April 01, 2010, 06:23:26 PM
Feb. 23rd (or 24th, or 25th), 2011
Minnesota Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä

Beethoven - Violin Concerto
(Lisa Batiashvili, violin)

Sibelius - Symphony No. 6
Sibelius - Symphony No. 7

(http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/cool.gif)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on April 01, 2010, 06:24:40 PM
Quote from: Dan on April 01, 2010, 06:23:26 PM
Feb. 23rd (or 24th, or 25th), 2011
Minnesota Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä

Beethoven - Violin Concerto
(Lisa Batiashvili, violin)

Sibelius - Symphony No. 6
Sibelius - Symphony No. 7

(http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/cool.gif)

In one concert, wow awesome Dan!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: WI Dan on April 01, 2010, 06:55:30 PM
Quote from: Brahmsian on April 01, 2010, 06:24:40 PM
In one concert, wow awesome Dan!  :)
Yeah, I'm pretty stoked, ... even though it's almost 11 months away.  Never been to a "big time" concert, before!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on April 01, 2010, 07:26:04 PM
Jersey Boys - Susan & I are doing an 'overnight' in Charlotte, NC (about a 90 min drive) to see this musical about Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons (http://frankie%20valli%20&%20the%20four%20seasons), a group that was quite popular in my 'early' years decades ago - looking forward to the experience - plus have a couple of good restaurants lined up for our dining enjoyment!  ;D

(http://blogs.targetx.com/slu/MargaureteRomero/jersey_boys.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on April 10, 2010, 01:18:15 PM
Last night, I attended the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The program:

Sibelius Finlandia
Rautavaara Incantations (for percussion and orchestra) (http://www.boosey.com/pages/cr/catalogue/cat_detail.asp?site-lang=en&musicid=52991)
Beethoven Seventh Symphony

Colin Currin, percussion
Hannu Lintu, conductor

As much as I love the other two works -- and they were fabulously played -- the Rautavaara was the draw. This was the American premiere of the work; it was wonderful. I hope a recording of it becomes available soon!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 12, 2010, 03:07:16 AM
Noteworthy concerts in the Washington D.C. region --

and a scoop on which of your favorite coloratura sopranos is pregnant & to be married.



WETA - May in Music (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1915)
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1915 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=1915)

(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/05-Leadbeaters-Cockatoo480.png)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on April 13, 2010, 11:47:15 PM
Is it bad form to repost something you posted a few months ago? Well, pardon me if I'm committing some grave crime against the rules of GMG etiquette, but here's a reminder about this weekend's Southbank Varèsefest:

Friday April 16th, Queen Elizabeth Hall:

Edgard Varèse: Ionisation for 13 percussionists
Edgard Varèse: Equatorial for bass & ensemble
Edgard Varèse: Density 21.5 for solo flute
Edgard Varèse/Chou Wen-Chung: Etude pour espace
Edgard Varèse: Dance for Burgess for chamber orchestra (fragment)
Edgard Varèse: La procession de Verges for tape
Edgard Varèse: Déserts for wind, piano, percussion & tape
Edgard Varèse: Poème électronique for tape

David Atherton conductor
Cathie Boyd staging
Sir John Tomlinson bass
EXAUDI Vocal Ensemble
Jonathan Golove cello theremin
Natasha Farny cello theremin
Sound Intermedia

And two concerts on Sunday April 18th:

Queen Elizabeth Hall:

Edgard Varèse: Hyperprism for wind & percussion
Edgard Varèse: Un grand sommeil noir for voice & piano
Edgard Varèse: Octandre
Edgard Varèse: Offrandes for soprano & chamber orchestra
Edgard Varèse: Intégrales for wind & percussion

David Atherton conductor
Cathie Boyd staging
Elizabeth Atherton soprano
Sound Intermedia

Festival Hall:

Edgard Varèse: Nocturnal for soprano, male chorus & small orchestra
Edgard Varèse: Arcana
Edgard Varèse: Tuning Up arr. Chou Wen-Chung
Edgard Varèse: Amériques

National Youth Orchestra

Paul Daniel conductor
Cathie Boyd staging


I booked these in person at the Southbank Centre, but now, looking at the website, I realise that I could have saved 20% because I'd booked all three concerts. Bollocks! Still, there's a tip for anybody else who's thinking about going to all three concerts.

Oddly, the Festival Hall balcony is not being used for the NYO's grand finale, and I got the impression that not many tickets had been sold as of mid-January. I hope there are going to be more people in the audience than there are on stage!   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on April 14, 2010, 02:32:59 AM
Miaskovsky Symphony No 6 (Festival Hall London, Jurowski) 28th April - can't wait to hear this live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: offbeat on April 14, 2010, 12:24:49 PM
This Saturday 17 april at royal festival hall
Mark Anthony Turnage Texan Tenebrae
Philip Glass Violin Concerto no 2
Gorecki Symphony 3

Quite excited as  first time ive been to RFH for many years
Not sure about the Glass or Turnage as never heard before
Always Liked the Gorecki despite critic wise has as many detractors as admirers.,,,,
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 14, 2010, 12:32:24 PM
Quote from: offbeat on April 14, 2010, 12:24:49 PM
This Saturday 17 april at royal festival hall
Mark Anthony Turnage Texan Tenebrae
Philip Glass Violin Concerto no 2
Gorecki Symphony 3

Quite excited as  first time ive been to RFH for many years
Not sure about the Glass or Turnage as never heard before
Always Liked the Gorecki despite critic wise has as many detractors as admirers.,,,,

Wonderful program (speaking as an admirer of the Gorecki).  I'm not the hugest Glass fan, and haven't heard that concerto, but I have heard it's one of his best pieces.  Have only heard one CD of Turnage's work (not this piece) and he is...hm...hard to describe.  I gather he is heavily influenced by some rock music.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 15, 2010, 09:20:53 AM
Tonight at Carnegie, part of a big Andriessen festival this week:

Louis Andriessen: La Commedia (concert version, NY Premiere)

Asko | Schoenberg
Reinbert de Leeuw, Conductor
Synergy Vocals
Claron McFadden (Béatrice)
Cristina Zavalloni (Dante)
Jeroen Willems (Lucifer)
Marcel Beekman (Casella)
The Brooklyn Youth Chorus
Dianne Berkun, Director

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2010, 06:27:33 AM
Mrs. Rock and I will be leaving shortly for the Rott concert in Frankfurt (Mozart Flute Concerto and Rott's Symphony). Just got an email from Jens. He's already in Frankfurt and scheduled to interview Paavo Järvi before the concert tonight. We're hoping to meet Jens (I'm wearing a pink ribbon in my hair so he'll recognize me  ;D )  Sadly, John, our resident Rott fanboy, isn't able to join us.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: offbeat on April 16, 2010, 06:30:58 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 14, 2010, 12:32:24 PM
Wonderful program (speaking as an admirer of the Gorecki).  I'm not the hugest Glass fan, and haven't heard that concerto, but I have heard it's one of his best pieces.  Have only heard one CD of Turnage's work (not this piece) and he is...hm...hard to describe.  I gather he is heavily influenced by some rock music.

--Bruce
Tks Bruce - dont think ive ever heard any of Turnages so could be good or bad  :-\
Re Glass i think i know what you mean - ive heard some of his ultra minimalist stuff which seems to go on and on with no discernable change and makes me scream please stop - however i love his music for the film Koyaanisqatsi so really im in definite two minds about him  :-\ :-\ :-\
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dax on April 16, 2010, 06:47:32 AM
At Schotts in Great Marlborough Street in London at 6.30 on Saturday 17th there is a most interesting programme. I'll be there for sure: -

17 April
Jonathan Powell
Rachmaninoff Variations on a Theme of Chopin
Blumenfeld Episodes in the Life of a Dancer
Medtner Sonata op.25 no.2 'Night Wind'
Obukhov Revelation
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 16, 2010, 09:54:28 AM
Tonight, Alan Gilbert and the NY Philharmonic in three world premieres:

Sean Shepherd: These Particular Circumstances 
Nico Muhly: Detailed Instructions    
Matthias Pintscher: songs from Solomon's garden, for baritone and chamber orchestra

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on April 16, 2010, 11:02:53 PM
Will there be anyone else there Bruce?  >:D

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 17, 2010, 06:40:10 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2010, 06:27:33 AMhoping to meet Jens (I'm wearing a pink ribbon in my hair so he'll recognize me ;D )
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oyNGjUshKzs/RgO39CyUFII/AAAAAAAAAXM/-ncOfj-8ohw/s320/Man+with+pink+turban+in+Thar+Desert.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on April 17, 2010, 06:46:27 AM
I'm thinking about going next month to see Hilary Hahn and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra perform Mozart and Higdon.  I think it might be neat. :)

I guess I have to make up my mind soon before tickets sell out. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 17, 2010, 08:04:25 AM
Quote from: Christo on April 17, 2010, 06:40:10 AM
                                         (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oyNGjUshKzs/RgO39CyUFII/AAAAAAAAAXM/-ncOfj-8ohw/s320/Man+with+pink+turban+in+Thar+Desert.jpg)

;D :D ;D

One or both of us should have worn that. We did meet briefly a few minutes before the concert started, agreed to meet during intermission, but then we somehow missed each other within the confines of a rather small albeit crowded space. Pink turbans would have been useful  :D  We had better luck after the concert.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 17, 2010, 01:04:48 PM
Tonight at Symphony:

Ligeti: Concert Românesc
Shostakovich: Pf Cto № 1 (w/ Marc-André Hamelin)
Tchaikovsky: Symphony № 2, Little Russian


BSO Assistant Conductor, Julian Kuerti (http://bso.org/bso/mods/bios_detail.jsp;jsessionid=M10AYU0RTIZQ2CTFQMGCFEQ?id=24300114)

BTW, if you wish, you can hear the concert stream live at wcrb (http://www.wgbh.org/995/) (Listen Live, 99.5).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: petrarch on April 18, 2010, 07:21:06 AM
Jordi Savall, The Music of the History of Jerusalem, at Harvard in a couple of weeks...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 19, 2010, 01:19:35 PM
Tonight, the expert musicians of the New York New Music Ensemble in a bunch of premieres:

David Rakowski: Phillis Levin Songs (2008, New York premiere)
David Cope: Quartet for flute, violin, cello and piano (2009, world premiere written for NYNME)
Charles Wuorinen: Trio for flute, bass clarinet and piano (2009, world premiere written for NYNME)
Lei Liang: Trio for piano, cello and percussion (2002, New York premiere)
Jeremy Sagala: Tenebrae (2009, world premiere written for NYNME)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on April 19, 2010, 04:25:54 PM
Sep.25 the Orlando Phil. is playing the Mahler 2nd.

It'll probably be the only concert I go to this year, but ohhhhhh yeaaaaahhhh. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 20, 2010, 09:58:35 AM
Quote from: Christo on April 17, 2010, 06:40:10 AM
                                         (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oyNGjUshKzs/RgO39CyUFII/AAAAAAAAAXM/-ncOfj-8ohw/s320/Man+with+pink+turban+in+Thar+Desert.jpg)

http://www.ladyofthecake.com/mel/frank/sounds/hand.wav
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 20, 2010, 11:00:04 AM
Tonight at the MATA Festival, the Calder Quartet (from Los Angeles) in this interesting program:

Nathan Davis: Skrzyp Skrzyn [2010] (World Premiere)
Fabian Svensson: Singing and Dancing [2008]
Lisa Coons: Cythére (a trauma ballet in two parts) [2010] (World Premiere)
Daniel Wohl: Glitch [2009]

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: greg on April 20, 2010, 11:28:21 AM
Quote from: bhodges on April 20, 2010, 11:00:04 AM
Daniel Wohl: Glitch [2009]
Hmm... wonder if this one sounds modern...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 21, 2010, 06:05:13 AM
Heard an absolutely sublime performance of the complete 1997 Kanon Pokajanen by Arvo Pärt last Saturday - by Musica Vocale under Rob Vermeulen (who also conducted Holmboe's Eight Symphony last year, as related here before).

One and a half hour without a break and in perfect concentration. Great experience.  8)

(http://www.tomdeneckere.be/Tom_Deneckere/20080813_Kanon_Pokajanen_files/shapeimage_5.png)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on April 21, 2010, 03:15:11 PM
Gil Shaham and the CSO
Oct 22 1:30 PM
Haydn/ Hartmann/ Barber/ Mozart 
October 22, 2010 Gil Shaham, recognized by audiences and critics alike as one of the most virtuosic and engaging violinists, plays double duty as both conductor and soloist in this program. A recent recipient of the coveted Avery Fisher Award, Shaham offers Hartmann's riveting Concerto funebre, written in protest of the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. This string-centric concert also features Barber's heartbreaking Adagio for Strings.
Program
Haydn  Violin Concerto No. 4
Hartmann  Concerto funebre for Solo Violin and String Orchestra
Barber  Adagio for Strings
Mozart  Violin Concerto No. 5 (Turkish)

Hmmmmm - can I sit through Mozart and Haydn violin concertos in order to hear one of my favorites - and I'm not talking about the Barber!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 26, 2010, 02:08:08 PM
looking back to Nagano / Lupu in LvB PC1 & Brahms Sy1:
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-radu-lupu-kent-nagano.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-radu-lupu-kent-nagano.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on April 26, 2010, 04:31:31 PM
coming this weekend
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Kazuyoshi Akiyama conductor
Nicola Benedetti Violin

Oesterle   Perennials
Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 1
Bruckner Symphony No. 4, Romantic

having second thoughts about the June 7 program: Strauss' Alpine Symphony is off, replaced by Tchaikowsky #6.   Shostakovich vn cto 1 is still on.   Possibly a cost cutting move, no extra players required or hire fees for the music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on April 27, 2010, 03:48:13 AM
Tomorrow:

Miaskovsky Symphony 6 RFH London.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 28, 2010, 03:57:35 AM
Reviewing the Rott concert (also attended by Sarge).


Ionarts-at-Large: Paavo Järvi Excites with Rott, Pahud Bores with Mozart (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-paavo-jarvi-excites.html)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-paavo-jarvi-excites.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-paavo-jarvi-excites.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 28, 2010, 04:05:34 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 27, 2010, 03:48:13 AM
Tomorrow:

Miaskovsky Symphony 6 RFH London.

:)  (We're waiting for your review, of course.)  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on April 28, 2010, 05:27:57 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on April 28, 2010, 03:57:35 AM
Reviewing the Rott concert (also attended by Sarge).


Ionarts-at-Large: Paavo Järvi Excites with Rott, Pahud Bores with Mozart (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-paavo-jarvi-excites.html)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-paavo-jarvi-excites.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/04/ionarts-at-large-paavo-jarvi-excites.html)

Really enjoyed your WETA article on ROTT too. The poem's last line is devastating, and I loved the allusion to SNL  :D 

I agree about the Mozart (your quick comment as we parted at intermission to retake our seats was spot-on: "crushingly boring"). The fault of Mozart or Pahud? Equal partners in crime, I think. It's probably my least favorite Mozart work and Pahud did nothing to make me revise my opinion. Even the encore (a Gluck duo with the orchestra's first chair flute and former student of Pahud's) was a snooze.

I thought the first movement of the Rott superb...Paavo and the band raised goosebumps with that slow buildup to the movement's first climax. Thrilling. The slow movement too was nicely done. I have doubts about the Scherzo. I thought the initial tempo too fast--way too fast; it missed the rustic character I think Rott intended. The downshift into the Trio (if that section is called a trio in the score) was jarring because the tempo difference was so extreme. My exemplar here is Davies on CPO who gets it just right I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcWEiH_uqQA&feature=related

If the recording of the Scherzo is like the concert it won't be my favorite interpretation but it will make a great alternative take, a very different one, to the versions we currently have.

I agree the last movement is fun, a riot...but I still think he could have used an editor. A bit more...well, a lot more dynamic contrast would help. It stays too loud too long. The music became quite oppressive live (at least where we were sitting, practically in the concertmaster's lap). I imagined the premature applause was a cry to "Please stop the noise...for god's sake, make it stop!" ;D  Anyway, I find it an easier listen at home...and probably would have found it more congenial had we been in the balcony. But I'm glad I went...well, I wouldn't have missed it actually. Despite my doubts I remain a confirmed Rott fanboy.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 28, 2010, 02:17:50 PM
This:

May 8th, 8pm
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Robert Chen, violin
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

Martinů  The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca 
Debussy  La mer 
Tchaikovsky  Violin Concerto

The original program was to have Chen (CSO concertmaster) play the Ligeti concerto. At some point early in the season the Tchaik substitution was made for no apparent reason.  >:(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 28, 2010, 03:03:39 PM
Quote from: Mensch on April 28, 2010, 02:17:50 PM
This:

May 8th, 8pm
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Robert Chen, violin
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

Martinů  The Frescoes of Piero della Francesca 
Debussy  La mer 
Tchaikovsky  Violin Concerto

The original program was to have Chen (CSO concertmaster) play the Ligeti concerto. At some point early in the season the Tchaik substitution was made for no apparent reason.  >:(

Ticket sales, my friend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on April 30, 2010, 05:08:32 AM
Tonight with an old, dear friend (as in, someone I've known a long time, not someone who is older than I am), these works with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Alsop conducting:

Leshnoff, Starburst (world premiere)
Stravinsky Violin Concerto in D (Shaham)
Rachmaninoff Symphony #2

Leshnoff lives in Baltimore and teaches at a nearby university. Next year will see a number of new works from him, commissioned by the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. He's composer-in-residence of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and Naxos will be issuing three CDs of his music. (One is already out, another is scheduled for release in November.) It's wonderful to see this excellent young composer getting the attention he so richly deserves.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 30, 2010, 05:21:16 AM
Yoo-hoo, owlice!

What a great program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 01, 2010, 12:04:53 PM
Monday night at the Guggenheim Museum:

Stockhausen: Oberlippentanz (Upper Lip Dance) from Licht (Light)
Stockhausen: Freude (Joy) from Klang (Sound) (U.S. premiere)

Matthew Harding, trumpet (from United States Marine Band)
Bridget Kibbey and June Han, harps

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on May 03, 2010, 04:09:43 PM
Hiya, Karl! It was a great program, and I look forward to getting a recording of Leshnoff whenever it might appear!

Bruce, it has been some years indeed since I have listened to any Stockhausen; must pull some off the shelf and revisit soon.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on May 03, 2010, 11:01:47 PM
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra  Kazuyoshi Akiyama conductor
Nicola Benedetti Violin

Oesterle   Perennials
Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 1
Bruckner Symphony No. 4, Romantic

The Szymanowski is certainly a rarity, and it's a Benedetti specialty.   She seemed a little awed at the size of the auditorium - sound carries better that she expected, but the balance was right when the orchestra got going.  Definitely worth going out for.   The piece is  a bit like the 2nd movement of the Glière 3rd Symphony arranged by Scriabin or Sorabji.
The brass got through the Bruckner without mishap, he's not my favourite composer but a live performance is usually more interesting than a recorded one.  Something about the solidity of the sound that wakes up drowsers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 04, 2010, 04:32:25 AM
 Bruce territory:


Ionarts-at-Large: Munich Biennale (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/05/ionarts-at-large-munich-biennale.html)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 04, 2010, 04:35:11 AM
Quote from: owlice on May 03, 2010, 04:09:43 PM
Hiya, Karl! It was a great program, and I look forward to getting a recording of Leshnoff whenever it might appear!

Possibly French by ancestry: Le Chnauffe ; )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 04, 2010, 09:06:33 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 01, 2010, 12:04:53 PM
Monday night at the Guggenheim Museum:

Stockhausen: Oberlippentanz (Upper Lip Dance) from Licht (Light)
Stockhausen: Freude (Joy) from Klang (Sound) (U.S. premiere)

Matthew Harding, trumpet (from United States Marine Band)
Bridget Kibbey and June Han, harps

--Bruce

This turned out to be more fascinating than I expected, and even though I was a bit tired, I still enjoyed it.  Mr. Harding was terrific on trumpet, sometimes playing while kneeling, or lying on his back.  He wore a belt with containers carrying a variety of mutes for the instrument, producing a pretty wide range of sounds.  At one point he appeared to be exhaling and inhaling while depressing various valves, creating not one, but two different sounds of rushing air.

The two-harp piece was even more impressive (and about 40 minutes long).  The musicians also speak and sing (which they did very well), and again, Stockhausen creates an entire world of new sounds.  Just when you'd thought you'd heard everything the harp can do, here comes a piece like this.

Quote from: jlaurson on May 04, 2010, 04:32:25 AM
Bruce territory:


Ionarts-at-Large: Munich Biennale (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/05/ionarts-at-large-munich-biennale.html)

Thanks, Jens!  Three interesting evenings (if not entirely successful).  I would have especially loved to hear the Munich Philharmonic doing that Nono and Pesson--well, the whole concert, actually.  Don't know Thomalla at all.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: offbeat on May 06, 2010, 01:41:00 PM
RFH May 8th
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Schumann Piano Concerto
Beethoven Symphony 4
Philharmonia Orchestra/Ashkenazi/Sunwook Kim (piano)

Standard programme but first listen live to Beethoven 4 and also first at seeing Ashkenazi  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2010, 12:25:57 PM
For anyone in NYC, this Saturday is Symphony Space's annual day-long concert that begins at 11:00 am, and this year titled "Wall to Wall Behind the Wall."  Music is by Shostakovich, Lutoslawski, Prokofiev, Ustvolskaya, Tansman, Bacewicz and others--all with some excellent artists--and all free.

More info here:
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/6005-wall-to-wall-behind-the-wall?source=homepage

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2010, 01:32:08 PM
Tonight at Zankel Hall, pianist Nicolas Hodges (no relation to me) in this program:

Beethoven: Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2, No. 1
Rzewski: Nanosonatas, Book 1
Dutilleux: Three Preludes
Schumann: Sonata No. 1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 12, 2010, 07:41:00 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 11, 2010, 01:32:08 PM
Tonight at Zankel Hall, pianist Nicolas Hodges (no relation to me) in this program:

Beethoven: Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2, No. 1
Rzewski: Nanosonatas, Book 1
Dutilleux: Three Preludes
Schumann: Sonata No. 1

--Bruce

An excellent recital last night, and with a very unusual encore by--of all people--Pascal Dusapin: Étude No. 4 (1998-99).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 12, 2010, 08:20:39 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 12, 2010, 07:41:00 AM
An excellent recital last night, and with a very unusual encore by--of all people--Pascal Dusapin: Étude No. 4 (1998-99).

--Bruce

Do you remember Nic Hodges from his swirling solo in Ferneyhough's "Shadowtime"?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 12, 2010, 08:21:18 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 12, 2010, 08:20:39 AM
Do you remember Nic Hodges from his swirling solo in Ferneyhough's "Shadowtime"?

Yes, he was wonderful in that!  (Didn't much like the "opera," but oh well.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 15, 2010, 09:18:27 AM
Tomorrow afternoon, and already salivating:

The MET Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Deborah Polaski, soprano

Bartók: The Wooden Prince
Schoenberg: Erwartung

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 17, 2010, 08:37:03 AM
Quote from: toucan on May 15, 2010, 11:06:57 AM
On the 4th of November at the Salle Pleyel in Paris a new work by Arvo Pärt (silhouette, hommage a Gustave Eiffel) will be premiered by Paavo Jarvi.

Two days later, November 6 at the same concert hall, Pierre Boulez will be premiering new works by Bruno Mantovani,
Jens Jovelik and Johannes Maria Stand.

These sound great.  Will be interested to hear your report (even though they are some months off!). 

Quote from: bhodges on May 15, 2010, 09:18:27 AM
Tomorrow afternoon, and already salivating:

The MET Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor
Deborah Polaski, soprano

Bartók: The Wooden Prince
Schoenberg: Erwartung

--Bruce

This concert was sensational.  Boulez really knows the Bartók, and it should really show up on concerts more often.  Many beautiful moments, with some excellent chances for the brass and winds to shine--especially the lead trumpet. 

And Deborah Polaski, who often does Wagner and R. Strauss, has a powerhouse voice that was used very effectively in Erwartung.  I've already heard from one friend who didn't think she could be heard well over the massive orchestra, but from my seat, she was really overwhelming. 

Boulez was his typically understated self.  It was a bit amusing to me, watching the enormous MET Orchestra playing at full blast, while Boulez kept his body language to an absolute minimum. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 17, 2010, 08:43:14 AM
Just booked tickets for this at the Barbican.

Henri Dutilleux Métaboles
Messiaen Turangalila-Symphonie

London Symphony Orchestra
Valery Gergiev conductor
Joanna MacGregor piano
Cynthia Millar ondes martenot

No idea what to expect of Gergiev in either piece, but I suspect he won't be boring.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 17, 2010, 08:46:45 AM
Quote from: MDL on May 17, 2010, 08:43:14 AM
Just booked tickets for this at the Barbican.

Henri Dutilleux Métaboles
Messiaen Turangalila-Symphonie

London Symphony Orchestra
Valery Gergiev conductor
Joanna MacGregor piano
Cynthia Millar ondes martenot

No idea what to expect of Gergiev in either piece, but I suspect he won't be boring.

Whoa!  So true: "boring" it won't be!  I would love to know what he does with those pieces.  The Dutilleux is marvelous...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 18, 2010, 12:01:09 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 17, 2010, 08:46:45 AM
Whoa!  So true: "boring" it won't be!  I would love to know what he does with those pieces.  The Dutilleux is marvelous...

--Bruce

Agreed; the Messiaen was the more immediate draw because it's the "big" piece, I've lost count of the recordings I've got and I've known it since my teens. But the more I hear the Dutilleux, the more I think I might prefer it. The concert is this Thursday (I missed off the date).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2010, 07:45:31 AM
Quote from: MDL on May 18, 2010, 12:01:09 AM
Agreed; the Messiaen was the more immediate draw because it's the "big" piece, I've lost count of the recordings I've got and I've known it since my teens. But the more I hear the Dutilleux, the more I think I might prefer it. The concert is this Thursday (I missed off the date).

PS, you probably heard: Yvonne Loriod died yesterday.  :'(  Anyway, will look forward to your comments on this concert. 

Looking forward to this on Friday at Carnegie, especially after having seen Lulu last week.  And I haven't heard the Eroica in awhile.

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Erin Morley, Soprano

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62
Berg: Lulu Suite
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 18, 2010, 08:56:50 AM
Quote from: bhodges on May 18, 2010, 07:45:31 AM
PS, you probably heard: Yvonne Loriod died yesterday.  :'(  Anyway, will look forward to your comments on this concert. 

Looking forward to this on Friday at Carnegie, especially after having seen Lulu last week.  And I haven't heard the Eroica in awhile.

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Erin Morley, Soprano

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture, Op. 62
Berg: Lulu Suite
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"

--Bruce

No, I didn't know about that. 86; not a bad innings. Sad news all the same.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on May 21, 2010, 02:06:03 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 17, 2010, 08:46:45 AM
Whoa!  So true: "boring" it won't be!  I would love to know what he does with those pieces.  The Dutilleux is marvelous...

--Bruce

Gergiev's Messiaen was fascinating. Unless my hearing was affected by the Barbican acoustics, I've never heard the bass cross-rhythms slashing through the textures so clearly, echoing Stravinsky's Petrushka. The LSO seemed to be on fine form. OK, there was an unfortunate guff about eight seconds into the first movement, but I was amazed by the unflagging virtuosity of the brass, who were crisp and alert until the very end.
I read an online review complaining that the ondes martenot was too loud and intrusive. Well, I'm not sure where that reviewer was sat, but from my seat (front row balcony) the ondes martenot wasn't nearly audible enough.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 22, 2010, 05:17:44 AM
I went to the Concertgebouw yesterday, after more than a decade. The place felt instantly familiar. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra were to play Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto (soloist: Alexander Gavrylyuk), Rachmaninov's Isle of the Dead and Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy, all under the baton of Mikhail Pletnev. These last two works are among my all-time favourites, and I like Prokofiev a lot, so I really had something to look forward to.


Prokofiev's Second Piano Concerto was unknown to me, but its language was immediately recognizable, even if I hadn't known the name of the composer. It's in four movements, two short middle movements flanked by two meatier ones. The first movement is terrific. Its highlight is an amazing cadenza, that ruminates on the material we have heard and builds and builds, finding ever greater expressiveness and depth in the process, until a point of maximum tension is reached where the whole orchestra crashes in. Tremendous. Gavrylyuk was faultless here, though I can't compare him, of course. But he took me with him completely, and that counts too. The middle movements are in Prokofiev's well-known satirical and fantastic vein, but didn't leave much of an impression after that great first movement. The final movement is weightier. It has powerful moments. But for me Prokofiev really scales the heights in the opening movement. If I only had heard that, I would have been perfectly happy.
(to be continued...)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: purephase on May 22, 2010, 12:13:29 PM
Quote from: MDL on May 21, 2010, 02:06:03 PM
Gergiev's Messiaen was fascinating. Unless my hearing was affected by the Barbican acoustics, I've never heard the bass cross-rhythms slashing through the textures so clearly, echoing Stravinsky's Petrushka. The LSO seemed to be on fine form. OK, there was an unfortunate guff about eight seconds into the first movement, but I was amazed by the unflagging virtuosity of the brass, who were crisp and alert until the very end.
I read an online review complaining that the ondes martenot was too loud and intrusive. Well, I'm not sure where that reviewer was sat, but from my seat (front row balcony) the ondes martenot wasn't nearly audible enough.

I was in the circle and likewise have no idea what that reviewer was on about.  Given his sneering tone about the ondes martenot in general, I have a difficult time believing he even liked the piece very much before the performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 24, 2010, 08:08:00 AM
This weekend:

Ligeti: Le Grand Macabre (Alan Gilbert/New York Philharmonic, semi-staged by Douglas Fitch) - The hype surrounding this production is enormous, but somehow I suspect Gilbert will do a great job with it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 26, 2010, 11:09:39 PM
Tonight: Minkowski and Les musiciens de Louvre plays all 6 Brandenburg concertoes.
Tomorrow night: Ashkenazy and the Faust quartet in Sallinen, Mozart and Beethoven (op 132).
Sunday: Jaap ter Linden plays all 6 cello suites of Bach.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on May 27, 2010, 07:10:03 AM
Quote from: Jezetha on May 22, 2010, 05:17:44 AM
(to be continued...)
We're, errr ... (http://tiffabee.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/waiting.gif)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 27, 2010, 07:41:21 AM
Christian Thielemann, Radu Lupu
Munich Phil.

Detlev Glanert
"Insomnium" (World Premiere, after Gerhaher had to cancel last year)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto in B-flat KV 595

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Symphony No. 3, op. 56
"Scottish"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 29, 2010, 04:37:59 AM
Which concerts to look forward to in the Washington DC area.

Friday, 5.28.10, 11:00 am

June in Music
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2049
(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2049)

(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/06-Baudins-Cockatoo_480.png)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on May 30, 2010, 01:15:30 PM
I'm looking forward to the National Symphony Orchestra's Rite od Spring and Scheherazade this Friday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 02, 2010, 04:01:25 AM

One of the best concerts of the year so far, despite 'questionable' Mendelssohn.

2.6.10

Ionarts-at-Large: World Premiere of Glanert's "Insomnium" with Thielemann

Glanert, Mozart, Mendelssohn: Radu Lupu (piano), Munich Philharmonic, Christian Thielemann (conductor), Gasteig, Munich 27/28/29.05.2010

Glanert: "Insomnium"
Mozart: Piano Concerto in B-flat, K595
Mendelssohn: Symphony No.3, "Scottish" (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/06/ionarts-at-large-world-premiere-of.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 02, 2010, 01:58:41 PM
Quote from: bhodges on May 24, 2010, 08:08:00 AM
This weekend:

Ligeti: Le Grand Macabre (Alan Gilbert/New York Philharmonic, semi-staged by Douglas Fitch) - The hype surrounding this production is enormous, but somehow I suspect Gilbert will do a great job with it.

--Bruce

Hey, Bruce... (Pardon me if you've posted elsewhere; my broadband's been on the blink for a bit) ..how was it? Le Grand Macabre at the ENO was probably the highlight of last year's concerts for me. How was it for you?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Elgarian on June 03, 2010, 06:44:21 AM
Returned a few days ago after two evenings of the Beverley Early Music Festival. On Saturday Julia Doyle and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Matthew Truscott performed excerpts from The Fairy Queen, the Bach D minor double concerto, and a collection of Handel arias, all sandwiched between a couple of Handel's concerto grossi. We got to hear a lot of it twice, because they were rehearsing in the afternoon in Beverley Minster. Sunday evening was the Dunedin Consort, brilliantly performing Handel's Acis and Galatea.

It was all so good, so very very good, and the whole trip, as we soaked in the music and enjoyed the sheer exhilarating commitment of the performers, was so ... inspiring? - that any attempt to describe it would inevitably fail to convey anything to the purpose. I'm still in some strange rarefied place, high up, unwilling to come down; not even wanting much to talk about it. Very strange. Very wonderful.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 03, 2010, 08:08:24 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 02, 2010, 01:58:41 PM
Hey, Bruce... (Pardon me if you've posted elsewhere; my broadband's been on the blink for a bit) ..how was it? Le Grand Macabre at the ENO was probably the highlight of last year's concerts for me. How was it for you?

It was just terrific; I wish I had gone to all 3 nights.  If you start with this post (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,25.msg415785.html#msg415785) in the Ligeti thread, you'll see a link to the Times review, some excellent comments by Sforzando, and a few from me.  (I'm writing a longer review, to come.)

Alan Gilbert is really the hero of the thing, but Doug Fitch's design work and direction were often astounding. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 03, 2010, 03:24:51 PM



Ionarts-at-Large: Britten vs. Purcell, Champions League


The overlap of Britten- and Football fans seems to be bigger than you might expect... the many empty seats in the Philharmonic hall of the Gasteig more likely due to the football match of Bayern Munich vs. Internationale Milano that evening, rather than Purcell-Britten. (Although for the Munich Philharmonic's audience, Britten does constitute risqué programming.) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/06/ionarts-at-large-britten-vs-purcell.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on June 05, 2010, 03:08:04 AM
I believe I got my inevitable comeuppance for that Gerontius I had tickets for, in the last Edinburgh International Festival, and didn't show up:

Mahler 3rd and 8th sold out, just as I muster the money for tickets. :( :(


Would anyone who has tickets and is reading this render themselves available for me to murder, so as to go in their place?

Edit: Pletnev too. But that does include the Tchaikovsky concerto, so I had little hopes to begin with.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: secondwind on June 05, 2010, 08:51:47 AM
We enjoyed the NSO's Scheherazade and Rite of Spring last night--two pieces that always transport me to other worlds.  Scheherazade was lush and enchanting, if you like that sort of thing (and I do).  Thr Rite of Spring was if anything a better performance--and a good way for Fischer to cap off his time here.  Next season Eschenbach arrives.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Elgarian on June 06, 2010, 08:10:39 AM
Quote from: secondwind on June 05, 2010, 08:51:47 AM
Scheherazade was lush and enchanting, if you like that sort of thing (and I do).
Yes, please.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on June 06, 2010, 12:00:28 PM
Quote from: Renfield on June 05, 2010, 03:08:04 AM
I believe I got my inevitable comeuppance for that Gerontius I had tickets for, in the last Edinburgh International Festival, and didn't show up:

Mahler 3rd and 8th sold out, just as I muster the money for tickets. :( :(



I assume the 3rd is the Runnicles performance? I have not checked the EF programme It is repeated at the London Proms, I have a ticket for it there...perhaps you can manage a trip to London if there are tickets left.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on June 06, 2010, 12:10:35 PM
Quote from: knight on June 06, 2010, 12:00:28 PM
I assume the 3rd is the Runnicles performance? I have not checked the EF programme It is repeated at the London Proms, I have a ticket for it there...perhaps you can manage a trip to London if there are tickets left.

Mike

But isn't Bělohlávek conducting in London? Setting aside what an event the Mahler 8th is in its own right, I'm not quite sure I'd bet the cost of a trip to London on his Mahler conducting. :-\

(Though I am currently gauging if I can attend the Beethoven 9th by Vänskä and the Minnesota Orchestra, in August.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 07, 2010, 12:29:59 PM
Tonight, this concert by the Orchestra of the League of Composers/ISCM:

Milton Babbitt: Transfigured Notes (NY Premiere)
Elliott Carter: On Conversing with Paradise (NY Premiere)
Joan Tower: Purple Rhapsody (NY Premiere)
D.J. Sparr: DACCA:DECCA:GaFfa (World premiere)
Jason Treutingoblique music for 4 plus (blank) (World premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on June 07, 2010, 01:07:51 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 07, 2010, 12:29:59 PM
Jason Treutingoblique music for 4 plus (blank) (World premiere)

Very interesting title. What kind of piece is it?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 07, 2010, 01:09:51 PM
Quote from: Renfield on June 07, 2010, 01:07:51 PM
Very interesting title. What kind of piece is it?

Treuting is one of the four players in So Percussion--a superb quartet that plays here often--so I'm assuming that it's for percussion and orchestra.  But I'll know more tonight!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Renfield on June 07, 2010, 01:15:00 PM
Quote from: bhodges on June 07, 2010, 01:09:51 PM
Treuting is one of the four players in So Percussion--a superb quartet that plays here often--so I'm assuming that it's for percussion and orchestra.  But I'll know more tonight!

--Bruce

Thanks. Looking forward to your impressions, then! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 16, 2010, 06:35:07 AM
Today I bought tickets for the opening concert of the Rheingau Musik Festival. The festival takes place every year during the summer and fall months. Venues are in various locations in the Rheingau wine region. Many of the concerts are already sold out (for example, those featuring Mutter and Grimaud--I tell ya, sex sells  ;D ) but surprisingly a few seats were still available for the opening concert: Mahler Second, P. Järvi conducting the HR Sinfonieorchester (formerly RSO Frankfurt). It will take place in the grand basilica at Kloster Eberbach, a former monastery, now a state winery.

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/june2010/Kloster_Eberbach_600.jpg)

More Mahler is on the schedule in July: the Rückert Lieder with Hampson and the First Symphony, Eschenbach conducting the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra; a Mahler recital by Christian Gerhaher; and the Ninth conducted by Gergiev.

There is much Schumann this year (his 200th birthday), including a concert we'll probably attend, featuring the Cello Concerto played by Jean-Guyen Queyras, RSO Stuttgart, Norrington (Dvorak 7 and Wagner Flying Dutchman Overture also on the program). Complete concert list can be seen here. (http://www.rheingaufestival.de/rmf,en,program.html)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 16, 2010, 06:44:55 AM
What a gorgeous venue!  Great that you snagged tickets for the opening Mahler (and I'm surprised, too, that there were any available), but many other offerings look tasty.  And on a non-classical note, was surprised and pleased to see The Manhattan Transfer doing a concert!  Some friends just saw them here a few weeks ago (in the now-iconic Allen Room, part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center complex), and said they were still rockin' it. 

Anyway, will look forward to hearing about that Mahler, and whatever else looks intriguing to you.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 24, 2010, 09:38:49 AM
On Saturday night, the final concert of the NY Phil's season:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Christine Brewer, soprano
Jane Henschel, mezzo-soprano
Anthony Dean Griffey, tenor
Eric Owens, bass-baritone
New York Choral Artists
Joseph Flummerfelt, director

Magnus Lindberg: Al largo (world premiere)
Beethoven: Missa solemnis

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 25, 2010, 12:11:32 PM
Tonight, this concert of works for two pianos, by members of the American Modern Ensemble.  I've heard the Corigliano Chiaroscuro once before, and it's fascinating, requiring the two pianos to be tuned a quarter tone apart, and the Rzewski is a beast of a piece, intended to evoke the sounds of a cotton mill.

Stephen Gosling, piano
Blair McMillen, piano

John Adams: Hallelujah Junction
Mary Ellen Childs: Kilter
John Corigliano: Chiaroscuro
Amanda Harberg: Subway
Doug Opel: Dilukkenjon
Robert Paterson: Deep Blue Ocean (world premiere)
Frederic Rzewski: Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 02, 2010, 10:11:01 AM
On Thursday, this concert by the Talea Ensemble, one of the best new music groups around:

Eliot Gattegno, saxophone
Elizabeth Weisser, viola
Steven Beck, piano
Alex Lipowski, percussion

Karlheinz Stockhausen: Tierkreis (1975)
John Cage: Etudes Australes (1975) *selections
Beat Furrer: A due (1997)
Alex Mincek: Nucleus (2010)
Mario Garuti: Il demone meridiano (1997) *US PREMIERE

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on July 04, 2010, 06:50:58 PM
Two concerts I am looking forward to in two weeks here in Sydney, Australia:

"Trioz" with Kathryn Selby (piano) & Cathy McCorkill (clarinet)


Beethoven - Clarinet Trio
Bruch - Piano Trio
Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time

Australian Youth Orchestra

Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Ekaterina Gubanova (mezzo-soprano)

Brett Dean - Ampitheatre
Mahler - Wunderhorn songs (selections)
Shostakovich - Symphony 10

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 06, 2010, 10:36:21 AM
Quote from: Sid on July 04, 2010, 06:50:58 PM
Two concerts I am looking forward to in two weeks here in Sydney, Australia:

"Trioz" with Kathryn Selby (piano) & Cathy McCorkill (clarinet)


Beethoven - Clarinet Trio
Bruch - Piano Trio
Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time

Australian Youth Orchestra

Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Ekaterina Gubanova (mezzo-soprano)

Brett Dean - Ampitheatre
Mahler - Wunderhorn songs (selections)
Shostakovich - Symphony 10

Sid, both concerts look excellent--a good performance of the Messiaen is an intense experience--but the second one is especially appealing.  Elder is a wonderful conductor, and I recall hearing that singer in Prokofiev's War and Peace at the Met a couple of years ago.  And the Dean piece looks interesting.  Do report back. 

Tomorrow night, an all-Edgard Varèse program, with members of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)--a preview of their upcoming Lincoln Center Festival concert:

Varèse: Density 21.5 (1936), with Claire Chase, flute
Varèse: Un Grand Sommeil Noir (1906), with Samantha Malk, soprano
Varèse: Amériques (New York premiere of 8-hand piano version) (1929), with Jacob Greenberg, Amy Williams, Amy Briggs and Thomas Rosenkranz

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 06, 2010, 10:39:36 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 06, 2010, 10:36:21 AM
Tomorrow night, an all-Edgard Varèse program, with members of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)--a preview of their upcoming Lincoln Center Festival concert:

Varèse: Density 21.5 (1936), with Claire Chase, flute
Varèse: Un Grand Sommeil Noir (1906), with Samantha Malk, soprano
Varèse: Amériques (New York premiere of 8-hand piano version) (1929), with Jacob Greenberg, Amy Williams, Amy Briggs and Thomas Rosenkranz

You are in for a treat, Bruce!  I heard Amys play this (with two other pianists, IIRC) in Cambridge last November (gosh, I think it was last year), and that 'reduction' of Amériques is a stunner!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 06, 2010, 10:42:19 AM
Oh cool, glad to hear!  The concert is at the Yamaha Piano Salon, which may be a fairly small space, so we may be really blasted out.  ;D  (I mean that in a good way.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on July 06, 2010, 08:04:00 PM
Bruce, you are so fortunate to be able to see the music of Varese live. He is one of my favourite composers, more for the way he makes me think and pushes my boundaries, than for the actual music. I'm unlikely to ever see anything by him here in Sydney, but who knows. & yeah, I am looking forward to going to those two concerts I posted earlier. They will be on the same day! It will be quite intense with the Messiaen & Shostakovich on the same day. Can't wait...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 07, 2010, 10:31:18 AM
Quote from: Sid on July 06, 2010, 08:04:00 PM
Bruce, you are so fortunate to be able to see the music of Varese live. He is one of my favourite composers, more for the way he makes me think and pushes my boundaries, than for the actual music. I'm unlikely to ever see anything by him here in Sydney, but who knows. & yeah, I am looking forward to going to those two concerts I posted earlier. They will be on the same day! It will be quite intense with the Messiaen & Shostakovich on the same day. Can't wait...

Wow, I can't believe those concerts are on the same day--you're going to either be exhausted, or so excited you can't sleep.   ;D

So PS, WQXR is streaming tonight's Varèse concert live online (and they may archive it for later listening), here:

http://www.wqxr.org/articles/q2-music/2010/jun/22/varese-live-on-ice/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 07, 2010, 10:32:24 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 07, 2010, 10:31:18 AM
Wow, I can't believe those concerts are on the same day--you're going to either be exhausted, or so excited you can't sleep.   ;D

So PS, WQXR is streaming tonight's Varèse concert live online (and they may archive it for later listening), here:

http://www.wqxr.org/articles/q2-music/2010/jun/22/varese-live-on-ice/ (http://www.wqxr.org/articles/q2-music/2010/jun/22/varese-live-on-ice/)

--Bruce

Nice! A pity I'm on duty this evening.  But if they have it available subsequently . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 08, 2010, 06:45:38 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 06, 2010, 10:36:21 AM
Tomorrow night, an all-Edgard Varèse program, with members of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)--a preview of their upcoming Lincoln Center Festival concert:

Varèse: Density 21.5 (1936), with Claire Chase, flute
Varèse: Un Grand Sommeil Noir (1906), with Samantha Malk, soprano
Varèse: Amériques (New York premiere of 8-hand piano version) (1929), with Jacob Greenberg, Amy Williams, Amy Briggs and Thomas Rosenkranz

--Bruce

This short concert--just 50 minutes--was excellent.  Claire Chase is now one of the best flutists around, and I honestly can't imagine what else one might want in a performance of this piece.  Also, in her brief remarks, I learned that Density 21.5 was the first piece in which key "clicks" were actually notated. 

Amazingly, the vocal piece could have been written by Debussy or Ravel; hearing it blind, I would never in a million years have guessed "Varèse."  But for most people, the 2-piano, 8-hands arrangement of Amériques (by the composer himself) was the big draw, and it didn't disappoint.  Of course, many of us missed the huge percussion battery in the orchestral version (not to mention, the siren), but on the other hand, the transparency offered by the pianos had its own rewards.  The piece uses just a handful of materials (interesting, briefly imagining Varèse as a minimalist!), which are easier heard here.  And while I did miss the bone-rattling climaxes in the original, with 8 hands, those pianos were shakin'.   ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 08, 2010, 06:48:46 AM
Judging by the date, Un grand sommeil noir must be an early score which somehow escaped the composer's purge, Bruce!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 08, 2010, 06:54:32 AM
Yes, that's right (and the pianist, Jacob Greenberg, commented on the purge).  Truly, if someone had said it was from one of Ravel's song cycles I wouldn't have blinked an eye.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 09, 2010, 10:35:29 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 02, 2010, 10:11:01 AM
On Thursday, this concert by the Talea Ensemble, one of the best new music groups around:

Eliot Gattegno, saxophone
Elizabeth Weisser, viola
Steven Beck, piano
Alex Lipowski, percussion

Karlheinz Stockhausen: Tierkreis (1975)
John Cage: Etudes Australes (1975) *selections
Beat Furrer: A due (1997)
Alex Mincek: Nucleus (2010)
Mario Garuti: Il demone meridiano (1997) *US PREMIERE

--Bruce

Another fascinating evening by the Talea Ensemble last night.  The "big hit" seemed to be selections from Stockhausen's Tierkreis: "Cancer," "Aries," "Capricorn," and "Libra," each arranged by a different composer--all very intriguing.  The blistering Nucleus was also a favorite: it begins very quietly, with the sax doing subtle key clicks while the drummer uses brushes, but then things heat up.

I especially liked Beat Furrer's A due, which I'd heard before.  I was able to see most of the viola part and it looks ridiculously difficult to play. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on July 18, 2010, 05:41:07 PM
Quote from: Sid on July 04, 2010, 06:50:58 PM
Two concerts I am looking forward to in two weeks here in Sydney, Australia:

"Trioz" with Kathryn Selby (piano) & Cathy McCorkill (clarinet)


Beethoven - Clarinet Trio
Bruch - Piano Trio
Messiaen - Quartet for the End of Time

Australian Youth Orchestra

Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Ekaterina Gubanova (mezzo-soprano)

Brett Dean - Ampitheatre
Mahler - Wunderhorn songs (selections)
Shostakovich - Symphony 10

I went to these two concerts with a friend on the same day. The first one was in a church in Sydney's northern suburbs and the second at the opera house concert hall. I enjoyed all of the works. The Beethoven was brimming with youthful vigour, the Bruch was quite autumnal & Brahmsian (I was surprised that it only had two parts). The Messiaen needs no introduction here, a masterpiece of chamber music, and dedicated in this performance to Australian Ken Tribe, who was prominent in our music scene (he died last week). The Dean was terrifying in the first half, but quite lush and beautiful in the second. Some interesting effects were the basses hit by drumsticks and a trumpet played pointing inside a tuba. The latter sounded like the trumpet was underwater. Gubanova sung the Mahler songs very animatedly and expressively, and the Shostakovich was a very intense, passionate and dynamic interpretation. The Australian Youth Orchestra is going on a world tour, and they will do us proud because this concert was of a very high standard.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on July 18, 2010, 09:50:41 PM
A concert I'm looking forward to this coming Sunday:


Conductor: David Angell

Soloist: Ken Burnett, clarinet

The Bourbaki Ensemble

A free concert hosted by Macquarie University as part of the Music on Winter Sundays series.
Bourbaki Ensemble

The Bourbaki Ensemble is a chamber string orchestra based in Newtown, Sydney. Their aim is to perform works from the string orchestra repertoire.

The Bourbaki winter program highlights two of the great works of the English string repertoire, and also includes a variety of Australian compositions as well as continuing to feature a work by Charles Ives, the Ensemble's composer of the year.

PROGRAM

Ralph Vaughan Williams:
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Gustav Holst: St. Paul's Suite

Andrew Ford: Oma Kodu for clarinet and string orchestra (Ken Burnett, clarinet)

Wayne Dixon:
Mermaids

Charles Ives: Hymn

Richard Willgoss: General Bourbaki Rings the Changes

Chris Williams: Altjiranga Mitjina
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on July 18, 2010, 10:39:45 PM
& forgot, going to this concert tomorrow. I'm just beginning to get into some of the Baroque repertoire, so this will be an interesting concert (for those in Sydney, this monthly "Little Lunch Music" series at the recital hall costs only $10 - a great value thing for those who are nearby to go, you can have your lunch during the concert, it's very informal. It features some of the best musicians in Sydney, I've gone to a few this year and they are highly recommended):

A Little Lunch Music on Tuesday 20 July at 12.30pm.

Presented by City Recital Hall Angel Place and Selby & Friends, Tuesday's concert will feature special guests - ARIA award-winning harpsichordist Neal Peres Da Costa and the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music Early Music Ensemble. They will present an inspiring concert featuring the works of Franceso Geminiani – Concerto Grosso No. 12 'La Follia', G.F.Handel Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.3 and Henry Purcell Suite from Fairy Queen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 19, 2010, 02:58:47 AM
Looking forward to:


Song Recital Krassimira Stoyanova - Vesselina Kasarova

Don Carlo (cond. Armiliato, René Pape, Ramón Vargas, Thomas Hampson, Paata Burchuladze, Christian Van Horn, Olga Guryakova, Nadia Krasteva...)

Die schweigsame Frau (cond. Nagano, Hawlata, Wyn-Rogers, Borchev, Spence, Diana Damrau* last public appearance before her pregnancy time-out)

Song Recital Agnes Baltsa


Wiener Philharmoniker / Daniel Barenboim (cond. / piano)
Dorothea Röschmann, Elīna Garanča, Klaus-Florian Vogt, René Pape
LUDWIG V. BEETHOVEN • Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G, op. 58
PIERRE BOULEZ • Notations I-IV, VII
ANTON BRUCKNER • Te deum for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra

Camerata Salzburg, Ivo Pogorelich, Piano, Philippe Herreweghe, Conductor
ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 1 in B flat, op. 38 – Spring Symphony
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN • Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, op. 11
ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 3 in E flat, op. 97 – Rhenish Symphony

ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 4 in D minor, op. 120 (second version)
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN • Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, op. 21
ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 2 in C, op. 61

Orfeo & Euridice (Gluck, cond. R.Muti, Elisabeth Kulman, Genia Kühmeier, Christiane Karg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on July 19, 2010, 09:25:45 PM
Quote from: Sid on July 18, 2010, 10:39:45 PM

A Little Lunch Music on Tuesday 20 July at 12.30pm.

Presented by City Recital Hall Angel Place and Selby & Friends, Tuesday's concert will feature special guests - ARIA award-winning harpsichordist Neal Peres Da Costa and the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music Early Music Ensemble. They will present an inspiring concert featuring the works of Franceso Geminiani – Concerto Grosso No. 12 'La Follia', G.F.Handel Concerto Grosso Op.3 No.3 and Henry Purcell Suite from Fairy Queen.

A great concert. Da Costa conducted (he wasn't at the harpsichord) and he explained each work before they played it. This ensemble was made up of students and their teachers at the Sydney Con. As part of thier course, they study not only the playing of modern instruments, but also period ones. Virtually each musician was a soloist in the Handel, & the middle movement had a baroque flute and recorder as soloists to make a "pivot." The Geminiani was quite melodic and had violin, viola and cello soloists. I never knew about these guys (they've been going for 6 years) and I plan to go to some of their concerts at the Con. It's amazing what talent we have in this city...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 25, 2010, 01:01:59 PM
Which concerts to look forward to in the Washington DC area.



August in Music
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2199
(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2199)

(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/08-Blue-and-Yellow-Maccaw_4.png)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on July 25, 2010, 05:32:16 PM
Quote from: Sid on July 18, 2010, 09:50:41 PM
A concert I'm looking forward to this coming Sunday:


Conductor: David Angell

Soloist: Ken Burnett, clarinet

The Bourbaki Ensemble

A free concert hosted by Macquarie University as part of the Music on Winter Sundays series.
Bourbaki Ensemble

The Bourbaki Ensemble is a chamber string orchestra based in Newtown, Sydney. Their aim is to perform works from the string orchestra repertoire.

The Bourbaki winter program highlights two of the great works of the English string repertoire, and also includes a variety of Australian compositions as well as continuing to feature a work by Charles Ives, the Ensemble's composer of the year.

PROGRAM

Ralph Vaughan Williams:
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Gustav Holst: St. Paul's Suite

Andrew Ford: Oma Kodu for clarinet and string orchestra (Ken Burnett, clarinet)

Wayne Dixon:
Mermaids

Charles Ives: Hymn

Richard Willgoss: General Bourbaki Rings the Changes

Chris Williams: Altjiranga Mitjina

I really enjoyed this concert. 3 of the composers were there for the premieres of their works. Wayne Dixon's mermaids could sometimes be enticing, but there was also a dark side. There were shades of Berg & Richard Strauss there. Richard Willgoss' piece incuded an interesting difference: the vioinists left the stage & played around the audience - the sound was amazing. This piece had the rhythms and sequences of bells ringing their changes. Andrew Ford's piece was based on an Estonian folk song, and had this earthy European feel. It reminded me a bit of Golijov's clarinet quintet, which I saw in concert a few weeks back (but that had a Jewish feel). The Ives was an amazing piece, lasting only 3 minutes. Chris Williams' piece sounded a bit like another Australian minimalist, Ross Edwards (but even more minimalistic?). The two English composers were served well too, the Holst played very vigorously, and the Vaughan Williams was quite spiritual ("the best piece for string orchestra" as David Angell, the conductor, said). All up, an excellent program, and I will definitely go to more of their concerts in the future (they have been around in Sydney for about 10 years, but I had never heard of them before this). I think they can easily give the Australian Chamber Orchestra or Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra a run for their money (although those are excellent ensembles as well), for one - they play more contemporary repertoire by living composers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 25, 2010, 05:53:07 PM
Sid, thanks for that report, and for introducing me to a group I've never heard of.  That program was quite interesting!  Have heard at least one piece by Andrew Ford, but nothing by Dixon, Willgross, or Williams--good that they were on the program.

And well-played versions of the Vaughan Williams, Holst and Ives are in my book, always welcome, and a treat.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 25, 2010, 06:04:57 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 19, 2010, 02:58:47 AM
Wiener Philharmoniker / Daniel Barenboim (cond. / piano)
Dorothea Röschmann, Elīna Garanča, Klaus-Florian Vogt, René Pape
LUDWIG V. BEETHOVEN • Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in G, op. 58
PIERRE BOULEZ • Notations I-IV, VII
ANTON BRUCKNER • Te deum for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra

Somehow overlooked this potential gem, Jens (among the many enticing items you posted).  I've only heard the Bruckner live once, back in the 1980s with Muti and Philadelphia, and of course the Boulez isn't done that often either, especially by a group of this caliber.  Comments forthcoming?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 25, 2010, 11:46:49 PM
Quote from: bhodges on July 25, 2010, 06:04:57 PM
Somehow overlooked this potential gem, Jens (among the many enticing items you posted).  I've only heard the Bruckner live once, back in the 1980s with Muti and Philadelphia, and of course the Boulez isn't done that often either, especially by a group of this caliber.  Comments forthcoming?

--Bruce

Oh, yes... 'Notes from Salzburg' will be made and published. Don't know yet, whether ionarts & daily or a one-off at WETA.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dax on July 28, 2010, 01:27:00 AM
Received yesterday:

DAVE SMITH PLAYS PIANO SONATAS BY JOHN WHITE

Schott's recital room
48, Great Marlborough Street
London W1F 7BB
020 7292 6090

FRIDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER 2010 at 6.30 pm


Up to yesterday, John White has written 172 piano sonatas. Since no 21, many are one-movement works of about 4-5 minutes duration.
I shall be playing 18 of them, including a couple of world premières and the 23-minute long no 135.

Sonatas nos 29, 55, 65, 71, 76, 78, 81, 88, 89, 109, 111, 127, 132, 135, 136, 137, 154 and 171.

A (very old) article on John's sonatas can be found at
http://www.users.waitrose.com/~chobbs/smithwhite.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 28, 2010, 06:31:05 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 25, 2010, 11:46:49 PM
Oh, yes... 'Notes from Salzburg' will be made and published. Don't know yet, whether ionarts & daily or a one-off at WETA.


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 1 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on July 28, 2010, 06:52:57 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 19, 2010, 02:58:47 AM
Camerata Salzburg, Ivo Pogorelich, Piano, Philippe Herreweghe, Conductor
ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 1 in B flat, op. 38 – Spring Symphony
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN • Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, op. 11
ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 3 in E flat, op. 97 – Rhenish Symphony

ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 4 in D minor, op. 120 (second version)
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN • Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, op. 21
ROBERT SCHUMANN • Symphony No. 2 in C, op. 61

I'm very curious about these. Not sure if Pogorelich played 1st Concerto before. He used to take 45 minutes for 3rd Sonata, if his level of madness hasn't changed lately he could take 1st concerto to an hour.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 28, 2010, 07:05:52 AM
Quote from: Drasko on July 28, 2010, 06:52:57 AM
I'm very curious about these. Not sure if Pogorelich played 1st Concerto before. He used to take 45 minutes for 3rd Sonata, if his level of madness hasn't changed lately he could take 1st concerto to an hour.

Well, bloody hell: 15 minutes ago he canceled his two concerts here. Instead we get Yu Kosuge tonight, with the Chopin f-minor.
Hmpf.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 28, 2010, 07:07:04 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 28, 2010, 07:05:52 AM
. . . Instead we get Yu Kosuge tonight, with the Chopin f-minor.

That should be special.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 29, 2010, 03:53:29 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 28, 2010, 07:07:04 AM

That should be special.



(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 2 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival-2.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival-2.html)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 30, 2010, 08:28:16 AM



(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 3 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival-3.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival-3.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 31, 2010, 10:24:09 AM



Thursday July 5 at the Proms:


Mahler Symphony No. 4 in G major (56 mins)
interval
Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor (70 mins)
Camilla Tilling soprano
World Orchestra for Peace
Valery Gergiev conductor


I've only heard Gergiev conduct Mahler once (Mahler 6 broadcast on TV very late in 2008), but due to personal traumas, I wasn't able to focus on the concert.

So what can I expect from Gergiev's Mahler? And what about the World Orchestra for Peace?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 31, 2010, 01:08:27 PM
Quote from: MDL on July 31, 2010, 10:24:09 AM


So what can I expect from Gergiev's Mahler? And what about the World Orchestra for Peace?

Oh God... expect very little. Not even Giulini could get that body to sound decent... and without rehearsals...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 31, 2010, 02:26:11 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on July 31, 2010, 11:32:31 AM
I was at that Mahler 6 (assuming you mean the BBC4 broadcast) and thought it rather scrappy, seeming under-rehearsed (or possibly, rehearsed by someone else.)  I was close enough to see Gergiev lose his place in the score during the Finale - much riffling of pages back & forth - and together with all the palsied finger-twiddling and profuse sweating, the impression given was not of someone at the top of their game.  However everyone is entitled to an off-day, and I have booked for him conducting the LSO in Mahler 1 and Shchedrin PC4 in November, which I'm hoping will turn out rather better.

I think it was the BBC4 broadcast.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on July 31, 2010, 02:35:01 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 31, 2010, 01:08:27 PM
Oh God... expect very little. Not even Giulini could get that body to sound decent... and without rehearsals...

Oh, crap. Well, thankfully, for the first time in about 15 years, I've bought a cheap ticket in the gods rather than a posh one in the stalls, so if it's a bit shite, I haven't spent too much. Thanks for the warning. Maybe they'll come together in a fit of inspiration on the evening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on July 31, 2010, 10:14:28 PM
I will be at the Proms Tuesday and Wednesday; both Runnicles concerts. Tuesday is English music, main piece Elgar Symphony no 1 and Wednesday is Mahler 3.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 01, 2010, 05:27:14 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 4 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-4.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-4.html)


Fixed

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 01, 2010, 06:16:51 PM
I'm looking forward to a concert on the weekend here in Sydney, which will be a tribute to Ken Tribe, who died a few weeks ago (he was 96). This guy was one of the main behind the scenes people who brought things like Musica Viva to Australia (& secured government funding, etc. to many groups) in the early days following World War Two. He was a lawyer by profession but was really passionate about classical music. The concert will feature some of his friends, like the Goldner String Quartet. I am looking forward to perhaps learning more about his life, and hearing some of his favourite music. He didn't want a funeral, but a free concert like this, to celebrate & showcase the kind of talents that he spent most of his life supporting.

http://www.musicaviva.com.au/concertseason/kentribe
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on August 01, 2010, 10:43:30 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 01, 2010, 05:27:14 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 4 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival-4.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/07/notes-from-salzburg-festival-4.html)

Jens, The link does not open.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 02, 2010, 04:59:14 AM

On Chopin & Audiences


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 5 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-5.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-5.html)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 02, 2010, 08:14:41 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 02, 2010, 04:59:14 AM
On Chopin & Audiences
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/july2010/venn-diagramm.png)


;D :D ;D


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 04, 2010, 10:03:56 AM
Next week, this concert, part of the Mostly Mozart Festival.  Very much looking forward to hearing both groups.  I've never heard the Xenakis live, and the Ligeti is one of my all-time favorite works.

Ensemble Basiani North American debut
Ars Nova Copenhagen Mostly Mozart debut
Paul Hillier, director Mostly Mozart debut
Paolo Bordignon, organ
Introduction by Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Bach: Jesu, meine Freude
Trad.: Georgian polyphony
Ligeti: Lux aeterna
Xenakis: Nuits

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on August 05, 2010, 08:32:40 AM
I've been looking forward to this for months, and I'm glad to say that I was not disappointed.

Three standing ovations for Gil Shaham last night after his performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 (the "Turkish") at the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center (NYC). Having followed his career for years, the maturity he now brings to his music is marvelous to experience. Sweet, sweet sound from that glorious Strad of his, and his interpretation of my favorite third movement was sublime.

The evening was rounded out with Stravinsky's enjoyable Dumbarton Oaks Concerto, which opened the evening.  Beethoven's Second Symphony (with its beautiful second movement) as the closing piece unfortunately felt  anticlimactic after the Mozart. But it was wonderful to experience Pablo Heras-Casado's (a new conductor to me) readings of these pieces. The 32-year-old conductor from Spain got a very enthusiastic response....overall a wonderful NY summer evening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 05, 2010, 01:59:07 PM
Misadventures with Gluck


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 7 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-7.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-7.html)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papageno on August 06, 2010, 05:46:34 AM
Bach's Brandenburg Concertos with Gardiner of the 14th of August, for now...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 06, 2010, 11:01:42 AM
Lulu at last!


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 8 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-8.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-8.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on August 07, 2010, 10:53:58 AM
Weather (and maybe other things :P) depending, I will travel to a village called Peize tomorrow afternoon, to hear Elly Kooiman play at this baroque organ in the local church. The instrument was built by a.o. Arp Schnitger (1691) and Albertus Anthoni Hinsz (1757):

(http://orgel.edskes.com/img/kerk_peize_dorpskerk_16632.jpg)

If not, I will be organizing my own cd concert at home.
In most cases, I like the programmes and playlists.

;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: premont on August 07, 2010, 11:17:37 AM
Quote from: Marc on August 07, 2010, 10:53:58 AM
Weather (and maybe other things :P) depending, I will travel to a village called Peize tomorrow afternoon, to hear Elly Kooiman play at this baroque organ in the local church.

It seems as if she is going to play a Bach-only program this evening. Not bad.
Do you know if she is related to Ewald K.?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on August 07, 2010, 11:22:22 AM
Quote from: premont on August 07, 2010, 11:17:37 AM
It seems as if she is going to play a Bach-only program this evening. Not bad.
Do you know if she is related to Ewald K.?
And you know what? I kinda like Bach. ;D

I don't know if she's related to the late Ewald Kooiman. But I guess not, since one rarely finds them mentioned together.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Antoine Marchand on August 07, 2010, 12:35:25 PM
Quote from: premont on August 07, 2010, 11:17:37 AM
It seems as if she is going to play a Bach-only program this evening. Not bad.

Program: Böhm, Sweelinck, Frescobaldi, J.S. Bach. Not bad at all.

http://ellykooiman.com/

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: premont on August 07, 2010, 01:31:23 PM
Quote from: Antoine Marchand on August 07, 2010, 12:35:25 PM
Program: Böhm, Sweelinck, Frescobaldi, J.S. Bach. Not bad at all.

http://ellykooiman.com/

:)


Right, but only Bach was mentioned at the homepage below:

http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=12594

Send to a friend  Recommended pipe organ music recordings and books

Performer: Elly Kooiman http://ellykooiman.com/
Details: Elly Kooiman obtained international prices after her organ study with Piet Kee in Amsterdam and Anton Heiller in Vienna, taught organ at the School of the Arts Utrecht and studied Musicology.
The Hoofdwerk of the organ in Peize was built in 1631 by Anthoni Verbeeck, the pedal in 1696 by Arp Schnitger and Rugpositief in 1757 by Albertus Anthoni Hinsz.
Elly Kooiman plays works of J.S. Bach.
OrganFocus link to this event:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=12594
Country Netherlands
City Peize
Location Dorpskerk, Kerkstraat 2
Starts: 2010-08-08 at 15:00
Ends: 2010-08-08
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on August 08, 2010, 08:09:16 AM
Quote from: Antoine Marchand on August 07, 2010, 12:35:25 PM
Program: Böhm, Sweelinck, Frescobaldi, J.S. Bach. Not bad at all.
Yes, that was the correct information.
Indeed: not bad at all. :)
The organ was built originally for a larger church (Pepergasthuiskerk, Groningen) and moved to the Village Church of Peize in 1861.
The sound was rather pregnant with only a short reverberation. It was very nice though to hear such great music played (a.o. Bach's BWV 548!) on this interesting instrument. Especially the 'smaller' compositions worked very well, a.o. the F-Major Adagio e dolce of Bach's 3rd Trio Sonata. The organ has got no 16ft pedals, which automatically 'assures' a more chamber music sound, very appropiate for this composition IMO.
Before and after I and other visitors had a nice chat with mrs. Kooiman, who took some of us upstairs to the organ to talk a little about the instrument. She also told me that she was related to Ewald Kooiman back in the 11th grade .... Kooiman is a very common name in the Netherlands (the name is related to the old profession of duck decoy-man).
Funny enough, both Ewald and Elly Kooiman began their lessons with Piet Kee in Amsterdam at the same time.

Some sound examples of the organ are uploaded in the Bach organ thread.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 08, 2010, 05:58:08 PM
Quote from: Sid on August 01, 2010, 06:16:51 PM
I'm looking forward to a concert on the weekend here in Sydney, which will be a tribute to Ken Tribe, who died a few weeks ago (he was 96). This guy was one of the main behind the scenes people who brought things like Musica Viva to Australia (& secured government funding, etc. to many groups) in the early days following World War Two. He was a lawyer by profession but was really passionate about classical music. The concert will feature some of his friends, like the Goldner String Quartet. I am looking forward to perhaps learning more about his life, and hearing some of his favourite music. He didn't want a funeral, but a free concert like this, to celebrate & showcase the kind of talents that he spent most of his life supporting.

http://www.musicaviva.com.au/concertseason/kentribe

This was a great tribute to a man I didn't know that much about. The host was Australian composer & director of Musica Viva Australia Carl Vine. Ken Tribe's family & friends payed tribute to him, as did NSW Governor Marie Bashir. Some of his favourite ensembles played music, such as the Australia Ensemble, Pinchgut Opera, Gondwana Choir, the Selby piano trio, and the Goldner String Quartet. Some of the composers featured were locals Peter Sculthorpe, Lyn Williams, Ross Edwards and also classics like Purcell, Beethoven, Dvorak and Mozart. I enjoyed this tribute and I feel Australian classical music is and has been made the much richer by dedicated behind the scenes people like Tribe, who are not interested in the spotlight, but actually getting things done, and supporting, nurturing and enlivening the classical music scene and culture across this country.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 08, 2010, 06:02:09 PM
Before the Ken Tribe tribute, I went to an organ recital at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, Willoughby. The organist was Jean-Baptiste Monnot, professor at the Paris Conservatoire (he's only 26). I'm beginning to enjoy organ music, and I enjoyed the program (I would have liked some French works as well, but it was still very good). I was really surprised how much like Bach the Mozart sounded.

J.S. Bach - Prelude and Fugue in A Minor
R. Schumann - Four Sketches
W.A. Mozart (trans. Jean Guillou) - Adagio and Fugue KV 546
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on August 09, 2010, 03:22:00 AM
Wednesday August 11 at the Royal Albert Hall:


Ligeti Night (3 mins)
Ligeti Morning (2 mins)
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (35 mins)
interval
Ligeti Lux aeterna (9 mins)
Langgaard Music of the Spheres (36 mins)
(UK premiere)
interval
Sibelius Symphony No. 5 in E flat major (32 mins)
Inger Dam-Jensen soprano
Henning Kraggerud violin
Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Danish National Concert Choir
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Dausgaard conductor


I'm very excited about hearing Music of the Spheres, which is receiving its UK premiere. And I've never heard Lux Aeterna live either. They could have ditched the Tchaikovsky, though; it's a bit of a long night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 13, 2010, 01:33:58 AM
I just went to a free lecture & recital at Sydney Conservatorium of Music:

http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/music/784.html?eventcategoryid=71&eventid=5213

Dr Martin Jarvis, an expert in musical manuscript forensics argued that J.S. Bach's second wife, Anna Magdalena, was much more than a mere copyist. By showing and discussing samples of the original manuscripts, and demonstrating what techniques are used in his science, he argued that J.S. Bach's Cello Suites were most likely composed by his wife, not him. I didn't even know that this area of scientific research existed, so I learned a lot from this lecture. After the lecture, the audience enjoyed a performance of the first two cello suites by Korean-Australian cellist Minah Choe, who is currently doing her doctorate at the Con. This was part of the Alfred Hook lecture series, and I can recommend anyone in Sydney to attend these - there are ones coming up by Roy Howat, Peter Sculthorpe and Andrew Ford. Just check the con's website for details...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 13, 2010, 08:21:15 AM
Next Monday night:

International Contemporary Ensemble
Ludovic Morlot, conductor
with special guest Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Purcell (trans. Benjamin): Fantasia VII
Benjamin: Antara
Birtwistle: Selections from Bach Measures
Birtwistle: Slow Frieze
Bach (arr. Berio): Contrapunctus XIX, from The Art of Fugue
Lachenmann: Mouvement

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 13, 2010, 09:08:11 AM
Quote from: MDL on August 09, 2010, 03:22:00 AM
Wednesday August 11 at the Royal Albert Hall:


Ligeti Night (3 mins)
Ligeti Morning (2 mins)
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (35 mins)
interval
Ligeti Lux aeterna (9 mins)
Langgaard Music of the Spheres (36 mins)
(UK premiere)
interval
Sibelius Symphony No. 5 in E flat major (32 mins)
Inger Dam-Jensen soprano
Henning Kraggerud violin
Danish National Vocal Ensemble
Danish National Concert Choir
Danish National Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Dausgaard conductor


I'm very excited about hearing Music of the Spheres, which is receiving its UK premiere. And I've never heard Lux Aeterna live either. They could have ditched the Tchaikovsky, though; it's a bit of a long night.

As much as I love the Tchaikovsky, it is definitely the odd style out on that program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on August 13, 2010, 05:48:00 PM
Still a ways off, but I'm *REALLY* looking forward to this:

December 2, 3, 4

Schoenberg  Transfigured Night 
Janáček  Glagolitic Mass



Chicago Symphony Orchestra >
Pierre Boulez >
conductor
Christine Brewer
soprano
Nancy Maultsby
mezzo-soprano
Lance Ryan
tenor
Mikhail Petrenko
bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe
director and conductor

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 15, 2010, 05:59:26 PM
Wow, I'd love to see Janacek's mighty "Glag" done live, but it's rare (due to the language barrier?)...

Anyway, not as spectacular, but still pretty amazing was this concert here in Sydney yesterday:

Sydney Youth Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Brian Buggy OAM
@ Blessed Sacrament Church, Mosman

Wagner - Prelude: Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg
Tchaikovsky - "Sleeping Beauty" Ballet Suite Op. 66a
Buggy - Nursery Rhyme arrangements
Buggy - Suite for Strings
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17 "Little Russian"
(Encore) J. Williams - "Indiana Jones" Film Suite

This was a good program, and some of it was just really fun. I think the classics were interpreted and played very energetically and vigorously. Conductor Brian Buggy's suite was also interesting, it reminded me a bit of Vaughan Williams or Villa-Lobos in string mode. It was great for me to hear the "Little Russian" after not hearing it for 10 years. & the "Indiana Jones" was a nice finale. We have about 9 youth orchestras here in Sydney, and with their dedication & conductors as good as Buggy, they play to a very high standard (& I think theirs programs are more interesting, too)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 16, 2010, 07:01:36 AM
A Don Giovanni to open your ears, hearts, and nasolacrimal ducts:


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TE9zLWfFE7I/AAAAAAAABHM/Dz2f7Vd-v90/s320/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 9 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-9.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-9.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 16, 2010, 07:30:49 PM
Last night @ Sydney Conservatorium of Music:

Cocktail Hour Recital Series
"French Violin"
Goetz Richter, violin
Jeanell Carrigan, piano

C. Franck - Sonata in A Major
M. Ravel - Sonata in A Minor (Sonate Posthume)
C. Debussy - Sonata in G minor

As violinist Goetz Richter pointed out, Franck was only nominally French, but he lived most of his life there. Both performers are on the teaching staff of the Conservatorium. I liked how Richter had this very energetic and passionate style - I know nothing about violin playing, but I could tell from his body movements that he was very involved (& their interpretation, of course). So maybe that's why I liked this rendering of the Franck, as (at times) in the past, I have felt his music to be a little too sombre and dark - but here he sounded lighter and more animated. The Ravel was an early work, from the 1890's when he was still in the grip of his teacher Faure's style, and I was a little annoyed with the repetition of the single theme (it was in one movement). I really enjoyed the concluding Debussy, no wonder since I've known it for 10 years. This is a work strongly on the cusp of neo-classicism, Boulez said he admired it for it's simplicity, but I think that it can also be very passionate, as it was done here. I enjoyed this recital and I will be going back for more (for people in Sydney, they usually do two of them on a Monday night, one at around 6 the other at 7.30 - check the website)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 17, 2010, 08:13:19 AM
Quote from: bhodges on August 13, 2010, 08:21:15 AM
Next Monday night:

International Contemporary Ensemble
Ludovic Morlot, conductor
with special guest Pierre-Laurent Aimard

Purcell (trans. Benjamin): Fantasia VII
Benjamin: Antara
Birtwistle: Selections from Bach Measures
Birtwistle: Slow Frieze
Bach (arr. Berio): Contrapunctus XIX, from The Art of Fugue
Lachenmann: Mouvement

--Bruce

What a fantastic evening this was, curated by Pierre-Laurent Aimard (who offered excellent comments several times while the stage was being reset).  Each of three "big" pieces was preceded by examples of earlier polyphony, to striking effect.  Although the Benjamin might have been my personal fave, the Lachenmann was a huge audience hit.  And with each concert, the International Contemporary Ensemble shows it is about as accomplished as any group around. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on August 17, 2010, 08:58:25 AM
Quote from: bhodges on August 17, 2010, 08:13:19 AM
the Lachenmann was a huge audience hit
This is something that never ceases to please and surprise me. I always link of Lachenmann as rather inaccessible for the most part, but works like Pression and Ein Kinderspiel seem to be crowd-pleasers too. I'm sure part of it is the fact that some of the works do come close to performance art--maybe, pace Brian Ferneyhough, the fact that his music is so incredibly German gives people something to hang those new sounds onto as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 17, 2010, 06:48:40 PM

Later today: Recital: Arcardi Volodos replacing (what a surprise!) K. Zimerman. After I heard of the upgrade cancellation, I immediately asked for a ticket.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 17, 2010, 06:52:36 PM
Quote from: Mensch on August 13, 2010, 05:48:00 PM
Still a ways off, but I'm *REALLY* looking forward to this:

December 2, 3, 4

Schoenberg  Transfigured Night 
Janáček  Glagolitic Mass



Chicago Symphony Orchestra >
Pierre Boulez >
conductor
Christine Brewer
soprano
Nancy Maultsby
mezzo-soprano
Lance Ryan
tenor
Mikhail Petrenko
bass
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe
director and conductor

:)

I share your excitement, Mensch! I too am going to see the "Glagolitic Mass" live - and it's a dream come true for me. Don't know if I'll ever get this opportunity again.


10 Oct 2010 7:30 PM
Barbican Hall
DVORÁK: Violin Concerto
JANÁCEK: Glagolitic Mass
Sir Colin Davis conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter violin
Krassimira Stoyanova soprano
Anna Stephany mezzo-soprano
Simon O'Neill tenor
Martin Snell bass
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 18, 2010, 06:47:21 AM
Quote from: edward on August 17, 2010, 08:58:25 AM
This is something that never ceases to please and surprise me. I always link of Lachenmann as rather inaccessible for the most part, but works like Pression and Ein Kinderspiel seem to be crowd-pleasers too. I'm sure part of it is the fact that some of the works do come close to performance art--maybe, pace Brian Ferneyhough, the fact that his music is so incredibly German gives people something to hang those new sounds onto as well.

The review by Anthony Tommasini in today's New York Times commented on the size of the crowd and the enthusiasm, not just for the Lachenmann but for all three of the recent works.  And he also commented on how a concert like this one would have been unimaginable at the Mostly Mozart festival a decade ago.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 18, 2010, 12:22:00 PM
Next Monday at (Le) Poisson Rouge, pianist Taka Kigawa, in this program:

Pierre Boulez: Sonata No. 1
Jason Eckardt: Echoes' White Veil
Matthias Pintscher: On a Clear Day
Anton Webern: Variations, Op. 27
Iannis Xenakis: Evryali

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 21, 2010, 10:59:52 PM
Just came back from a concert here at Sydney University's Great Hall:

The University of Sydney Graduate Choir & Wind Ensemble
Christopher Bowen OAM, conductor/musical director

G. Gabrieli - Canzona, Sinfonia, Sonata for brass; Motets for choir, organ & brass
A. Bruckner - Ecce sacerdos magnus (motet); Mass in E minor

I enjoyed this concert, it was a good pairing of two composers, the earlier one influencing the later one. It was the first time ever that I had heard any works by Gabrieli, and I found them interesting. I have known the Bruckner mass for years. The concluding Agnus Dei is the most ambigious and soul-searching conclusion to any mass that I have heard. It was also the first time I have heard this ensemble, and they were pretty good imo...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 22, 2010, 03:22:02 AM
Tonight :

Pavel Haas Quartet
(Veronika Jarůšková, Eva Karová violin - Pavel Nikl viola - Peter Jarůšek cello)

Britten Three Divertimenti
Dvořák String Quartet Op.96 'American'
Beethoven String Quartet Op.59 No.1 'Rasumovsky'

Snape Maltings Concert Hall

My first chamber music concert....  0:)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 22, 2010, 11:00:41 PM
Quote from: papy on August 22, 2010, 03:22:02 AM


My first chamber music concert....  0:)

Enjoy & I hope it leads you to go to & savour many many more!...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 23, 2010, 08:50:05 AM
Quote from: Sid on August 21, 2010, 10:59:52 PM
Just came back from a concert here at Sydney University's Great Hall:

The University of Sydney Graduate Choir & Wind Ensemble
Christopher Bowen OAM, conductor/musical director

G. Gabrieli - Canzona, Sinfonia, Sonata for brass; Motets for choir, organ & brass
A. Bruckner - Ecce sacerdos magnus (motet); Mass in E minor

I enjoyed this concert, it was a good pairing of two composers, the earlier one influencing the later one. It was the first time ever that I had heard any works by Gabrieli, and I found them interesting. I have known the Bruckner mass for years. The concluding Agnus Dei is the most ambigious and soul-searching conclusion to any mass that I have heard. It was also the first time I have heard this ensemble, and they were pretty good imo...

That looks like a fabulous concert.  I'm hearing the same Bruckner Mass this fall, with Philippe Herreweghe conducting three combined choirs.  Very much looking forward, since I've never heard the piece live. 

Quote from: papy on August 22, 2010, 03:22:02 AM
Tonight :

Pavel Haas Quartet
(Veronika Jarůšková, Eva Karová violin - Pavel Nikl viola - Peter Jarůšek cello)

Britten Three Divertimenti
Dvořák String Quartet Op.96 'American'
Beethoven String Quartet Op.59 No.1 'Rasumovsky'

Snape Maltings Concert Hall

My first chamber music concert....  0:)

Wow, what a great introduction!  That's an excellent line-up.  Do report back, and yes, hope you like it enough to explore more. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 23, 2010, 11:00:24 AM
Veronika Jarůšková is quite a dish, ain't she, Papy. :-) (Not that I judge performances like Sarge... ;))




Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 10 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-10.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-10.html)
Arcadi Volodos Recital

Looking forward to more Salzburg performances: Vienna Phil, Haitink, Bruckner. Concertgebouw, Jansons, Something. Berlin Phil, Rattle, Something else... (I'm in the bad habit of never quite bothering to check what is being played.) Skipping the Hagen Quartet to hear more of the ARD Intl. Music Competition before heading out to Dubrovnik to the Festival of Julian Rachlin.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 23, 2010, 12:06:28 PM
Quote from: Sid on August 22, 2010, 11:00:41 PM
Enjoy & I hope it leads you to go to & savour many many more!...

Quote from: bhodges on August 23, 2010, 08:50:05 AM
Wow, what a great introduction!  That's an excellent line-up.  Do report back, and yes, hope you like it enough to explore more. 
--Bruce

That was a great concert. I had never been in the Snape concert hall itself before so i was not sure what it would be like sound-wise and view-wise. The hall was smaller than expected so even from the back of the top tier where I was, that was enjoyable to the full.

Hearing chamber music live was quite a revelation really : the quality level of the playing, the details in the works, the response between instruments, the power and force of even such a small ensemble.

All three works were practically maiden to me - I only had the Rasumovsky in my collection following a recommendation by Sonic Dave a little while back but never really clicked on it to date. Chamber music was very much one of those stumbling blocks to me (like solo piano about a year ago...yeah I know  ;D ) , a bit stuffy and all sounding the same  0:)

-----
Britten Three Divertimenti
Dvořák String Quartet Op.96 'American'
Beethoven String Quartet Op.59 No.1 'Razumovsky'
-----

The 3 divertimenti were quirky, a bit odd at times, but the last one had an ending that could only make you smile  ;D

The "American" SQ (especially the 2nd mvt) was pure bliss and made the mind dreaming away. Favorite piece of the night and on the to-buy list immediately.

The Razumovsky was very impressive too but suffered in comparison to the impression the "American" had on me. Listening to the Op.59 again now though and I like a lot too.

I'll definitely keep exploring ....as soon as this Wednesday actually as I am heading to Snape again for that concert :

Isabelle Faust violin
Jean-Guihen Queyras cello
Alexander Melnikov piano

Haydn Piano Trio in E flat Hob.XV:29
Beethoven Piano Trio in B flat Op.97 'Archduke'
Dvořák Piano Trio in E minor Op.90 'Dumky'

Three more maiden works again  ;D  but this time at least, I know one performer : Queyras - from whom I have the Dvorak Cello Concerto and the Arpeggione sonata (a favourite of mine). I look forward to hearing him play live.


Quote from: jlaurson on August 23, 2010, 11:00:24 AM
Veronika Jarůšková is quite a dish, ain't she, Papy. :-) (Not that I judge performances like Sarge... ;))

yes.

quite.

8)

She'd deserve Sarge's seal of approval for sure  ;D


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 23, 2010, 12:17:10 PM
Olivier, I've never been to Snape, but it is supposed to be a fantastic place for concerts.  Many fine recordings have been made there, too, such Jessye Norman's Richard Strauss recital--one of my favorite CDs. 

Glad it was a great experience, and that you're getting to return!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 23, 2010, 11:10:51 PM
Looking forward to this one tonight, I haven't heard any of these composers (or this ensemble), except for Ligeti:

Continuum Sax, Match Percussion with guests Natsuko Yoshimoto and Roland Peelman

Last Blues
Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre Ultimo

The world premiere of Brian Howard's Last Blues brings together an ensemble of Australia's most influential and talented exponents of new music. Continuum Sax are joined by Match percussion, conductor Roland Peelman and violinist Natsuko Yoshimoto presenting a rare opportunity to hear the work of one of Australia's most respected composers. Brian Howard's Last Blues, borrowing its title from Cesare Pavese's evocative poem, invokes memory and loss through a compelling and yet fragile dialogue between the violin and ensemble. This intriguing and innovative concert also features the exuberant Bagatelles by György Ligeti and new works by Margery Smith and Mary Finsterer.

Performers: Natsuko Yoshimoto - Violin, Daryl Pratt and Alison Eddington - Percussion, Margery Smith, James Nightingale, Martin Kay, Jarrod Whitbourn - Saxophones and Roland Peelman - Conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 24, 2010, 05:43:47 PM
Quote from: Sid on August 23, 2010, 11:10:51 PM
Looking forward to this one tonight, I haven't heard any of these composers (or this ensemble), except for Ligeti:

Continuum Sax, Match Percussion with guests Natsuko Yoshimoto and Roland Peelman

Last Blues
Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Centre Ultimo

Performers: Natsuko Yoshimoto - Violin, Daryl Pratt and Alison Eddington - Percussion, Margery Smith, James Nightingale, Martin Kay, Jarrod Whitbourn - Saxophones and Roland Peelman - Conductor

This was an excellent concert. The program was as follows:

Gyorgy Ligeti - 6 Bagatelles for saxophone quartet (arr. Fabio Oehrli)
Margery Smith - Lost Blues for saxophone quartet and percussion duo (World Premiere)
Mary Finsterer - IONIA for saxophone quartet and percussion (Premiere of new version)
Chun Ting Pang - In Different Spaces for percussion duo
Matthew Hindson - Song of Life for solo violin
Brian Howard - Last Blues for solo violin, saxophone quartet and percussion duo (World Premiere)

I really enjoyed seeing the two percussionists (who are a couple in real life) playing all of their various interesting instruments. All the pieces were interesting. The Ligeti was a great opener, very virtuosic and bright. The highlight of the evening was the premiere of Brian Howard's Last Blues, virtually a concerto for all of the musicians. It was based on Cesare Pavase's poem of that name & every player was a soloist in this piece. There were cadenzas for the saxes, the violin, and the two percussionists. It had much lyricism and poetry, but also some dissonance and darkness. Three of the composers were there on the night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on August 24, 2010, 05:49:04 PM
Another concert I went to during the week:

Frozen Improvisations - in memoriam of Niels Viggo Bentzon (1919-2000)

Georg Pedersen, cello
Tonya Lemoh, piano

Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Sonata for Solo Cello Op. 110 (1956) (Sydney premiere)
Traesnit for solo piano Op. 65
Sonata for Cello and Piano Op. 43 (1947) (Australian premiere)

I had never heard the music of this Danish composer before. My first impression was that there were elements of minimalism as well as a kind of romanticism in his music. The colours of the solo piano piece were pretty amazing, and there were many repeats (at least for the piano part) in the Sonata for Cello & Piano. Both of the musicians played excellently...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 24, 2010, 08:38:44 PM
Quote from: papy on August 23, 2010, 12:06:28 PM
Isabelle Faust violin
Jean-Guihen Queyras cello
Alexander Melnikov piano

Haydn Piano Trio in E flat Hob.XV:29
Beethoven Piano Trio in B flat Op.97 'Archduke'
Dvořák Piano Trio in E minor Op.90 'Dumky'


OH MY GOD I wish I could attend that concert! Three superb young performers, geniuses all in fact, in my favorite piano trio (Dvořák) and my two favorite composers (Dvořák and Beethoven). Drooling.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 24, 2010, 11:03:14 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 24, 2010, 08:38:44 PM
OH MY GOD I wish I could attend that concert! Three superb young performers, geniuses all in fact, in my favorite piano trio (Dvořák) and my two favorite composers (Dvořák and Beethoven). Drooling.

All at least twice as old as you (maybe not Melnikov), so why exactly do you call them "young"? Yes, they have a pulse, I suppose. Which is novel for most record collectors...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 26, 2010, 11:58:03 AM
Quote from: papy on August 23, 2010, 12:06:28 PM
Isabelle Faust violin
Jean-Guihen Queyras cello
Alexander Melnikov piano

Haydn Piano Trio in E flat Hob.XV:29
Beethoven Piano Trio in B flat Op.97 'Archduke'
Dvořák Piano Trio in E minor Op.90 'Dumky'

Again, great to experience that level of playing at this concert - very impressed by the sound of Faust and Queyras - slick interaction, almost seemed effortless. Melnikov was impressive too, although the sound of the piano was not as clear as I thought it'd be.

Work-wise : I was a bit underwhelmed by the Haydn Trio (it sounded a bit muddly/overlapping between the instruments and too repetitive to my ears at the time). The "Archduke" also took some a bit of time to get me going, I would have to listen to the work again to be honest to form a firmer opinion, although I did enjoy the latter part of it.

Dvorak's Dumky is the one that won me over, great clarity between the instruments, its changes of pace, its softness...loved it. Had to buy the CD by these forces to get that work (listening to it now). I think Dvorak will be my first port of call when i explore chamber music further.

Off to his den  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 26, 2010, 02:14:58 PM
Tomorrow evening the NZSO National Youth Orchestra

The 2010 NZSO National Youth Orchestra season will feature Bulgarian conductor Rossen Milanov. Deeply committed to musical training and a musical force in his own right, Rossen Milanov is Music Director of no less than three orchestras and holds the role of Associate Conductor with the famed Philadelphia Orchestra.

Rossen Milanov conductor
Jason Bae piano

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Stravinsky Concerto for Piano and Wind
Adams The Chairman Dances
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

We get free tickets each year being subscribers.
Missed last years performance so looking forward to this one. Excellent programme.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on August 26, 2010, 03:00:16 PM
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on August 26, 2010, 02:14:58 PM
Tomorrow evening the NZSO National Youth Orchestra

The 2010 NZSO National Youth Orchestra season will feature Bulgarian conductor Rossen Milanov. Deeply committed to musical training and a musical force in his own right, Rossen Milanov is Music Director of no less than three orchestras and holds the role of Associate Conductor with the famed Philadelphia Orchestra.

Rossen Milanov conductor
Jason Bae piano

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Stravinsky Concerto for Piano and Wind
Adams The Chairman Dances
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

We get free tickets each year being subscribers.
Missed last years performance so looking forward to this one. Excellent programme.

That programme actually looks quite generic, but the RVW should be enjoyable.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Solitary Wanderer on August 26, 2010, 03:20:35 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 26, 2010, 03:00:16 PM

That programme actually looks quite generic, but the RVW should be enjoyable.

In the context that the Youth Orchestra is made up of 12 - 18 year olds having a dream come true I think it's an excellent programme - good on them  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 28, 2010, 04:21:31 AM

Eschenbach. Barto. Schumann. Rihm. Vienna Phil.


Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 11 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-11.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-11.html)


Haitink. Bruckner. Vienna Phil.


Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 12 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-12_28.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-12_28.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 28, 2010, 04:55:00 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 28, 2010, 04:21:31 AM
Eschenbach. Barto. Schumann. Rihm. Vienna Phil: t takes a confluence of circumstances (including loss of the actual ticket) and a touch of talent for disorganization to casually check the Salzburg Festival website around two in the afternoon to see if my Vienna Philharmonic concert with Christoph Eschenbach and Tzimon Barto starts at seven or eight, only to find out it had started at eleven in the morning.

I hate when that happens.  :'(  At least you were able to salvage the situation. When I failed to notice the afternoon rather than evening start of a Boulez conducted Mahler Sixth in Berlin, all I got out of it were very expensive bookmarks (the only thing the tickets were good for at that point).

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 28, 2010, 05:25:06 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 28, 2010, 04:55:00 AM
I hate when that happens.  :'(  At least you were able to salvage the situation. When I failed to notice the afternoon rather than evening start of a Boulez conducted Mahler Sixth in Berlin, all I got out of it were very expensive bookmarks ...

ouch.ouch.ouch.ouch. that's difficult to overcome. except by hearing boulez in mahler again, of course. which you might like to do, on the 20th or 21st of January. (Amsterdam, RCO, M7!!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 28, 2010, 05:52:24 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 28, 2010, 05:25:06 AM
ouch.ouch.ouch.ouch. that's difficult to overcome. except by hearing boulez in mahler again, of course. which you might like to do, on the 20th or 21st of January. (Amsterdam, RCO, M7!!)

On my birthday! Now I know what to tell Mrs. Rock when she asks me what I want. She loves Amsterdam anyway and it's been a few years since we were last there.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 28, 2010, 06:16:48 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 24, 2010, 11:03:14 PM
All at least twice as old as you (maybe not Melnikov), so why exactly do you call them "young"? Yes, they have a pulse, I suppose. Which is novel for most record collectors...

Yeah, well, (1) people my age don't give concerts for money, usually, (2) "young" has a different meaning in classical music, (3) even if you call then "middle-aged" they are still indisputably major artists with three or four decades more to go, (4) in fact Isabelle Faust and Alexander Melnikov are not twice as old as me (38 and 37), and Queyras, 42, is exactly twice my age, not "at least."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 28, 2010, 01:49:12 PM


Jansons. Bartok-Musorgsky-Stravinsky. Concertgebouw Orchestra


Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 13 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-12.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-12.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 30, 2010, 12:48:54 PM
Elektra * Gatti * VPO * Theorin, Meier, Pape, Westbroek, Gambill et al.


Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 14 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-14.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-14.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 30, 2010, 12:52:12 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 28, 2010, 06:16:48 AM
Yeah, well, (1) people my age don't give concerts for money, usually, (2) "young" has a different meaning in classical music, (3) even if you call then "middle-aged" they are still indisputably major artists with three or four decades more to go, (4) in fact Isabelle Faust and Alexander Melnikov are not twice as old as me (38 and 37), and Queyras, 42, is exactly twice my age, not "at least."

1.) not true
2.) don't buy it... although i think i know what you mean, but think you are looking only at one selective slice of classical music...
3.) i didn't dispute that at all...
4.) hey... technicality. was trying to be more tongue-in-cheek than it ended up sounding; didn't want to come across as pissing in your general (or direct) direction... sorry if you felt that way, though!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 01, 2010, 01:20:48 PM

Rattle * Berlin * Mattila * Wagner, Strauss, Schoenberg, Berg, Webern

Notes from the Salzburg Festival ( 15 )
{last for 2010}

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-15th-and.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/09/notes-from-salzburg-festival-15th-and.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 01, 2010, 09:38:20 PM
Looking forward to two concerts, one on Friday, another Sunday.

The first one is part of the New Music Network series here in Sydney. This concert is called "An Infinity Room" and features music for keyboards by local composer (and broadcaster) Julian Day.

http://www.australianstage.com.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,29/agid,7854/catids,75%7C148/day,3/month,9/task,view_detail/year,2010/

The other one is more of a traditional concert, the final concert in the Music on Winter Sundays series at Macquarie Uni (but they're cheating - it's alread Spring!). Anyway, it will feature The Occasionally Performing Sinfonia, a largely amateur group, doing Wagner, Chausson, Mahler and Shostakovich's 5th symphony.

http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/events/index.asp?ItemID=4108
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 05, 2010, 11:04:30 PM
Quote from: Sid on September 01, 2010, 09:38:20 PM
Looking forward to two concerts, one on Friday, another Sunday.

The first one is part of the New Music Network series here in Sydney. This concert is called "An Infinity Room" and features music for keyboards by local composer (and broadcaster) Julian Day.

http://www.australianstage.com.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,29/agid,7854/catids,75%7C148/day,3/month,9/task,view_detail/year,2010/

The other one is more of a traditional concert, the final concert in the Music on Winter Sundays series at Macquarie Uni (but they're cheating - it's alread Spring!). Anyway, it will feature The Occasionally Performing Sinfonia, a largely amateur group, doing Wagner, Chausson, Mahler and Shostakovich's 5th symphony.

http://www.pr.mq.edu.au/events/index.asp?ItemID=4108

Julian Day's music is very minimalistic. The main half hour (or so) work after the interval of this concert, called Ceremony, featured Day and three other musicians on electronic keyboards. They successively placed and changed heavy screws onto the keys, which sustained the notes and created a drone-like sound. It was good to hear four keyboards going at once - the sound was quite hypnotic and mesmerising. It was probably the type of music that's more engaging live than it would be on a recording.

The TOPS concert was fantastic. There were about 500 people in the theatre. All the works were performed well, but the highlights were violinist Richard Pulley's soulful and turbulent rendition of the Chausson Poeme & a very dramatic interpretation of the Shostakovich, which perhaps the most ironic reading of the finale which I have heard. This was perhaps the most "angst-ridden" program (as conductor Mal Hewitt joked), but the way it was presented by the two conductors made it very accessible. This is a voluntary orchestra (no-one gets paid a cent), but their performance was spirited and committed. This very fittingly brought to a close the free Macquarie Uni series, and I look forward to going to more next year. I think it's great that the uni is attempting to be inclusive and welcome people from all levels of society to enjoy the richness of the classical repertoire.

It was the first time I had seen either of these two groups perform...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 08, 2010, 07:45:22 AM
In mid-October, this concert beckons.  I've never heard the Vivier live, and haven't heard any of John Luther Adams's larger pieces.

American Composers Orchestra
George Manahan, Music Director and Conductor
Susan Narucki, Soprano
Ursula Oppens, Piano

Vivier: Lonely Child (NY Premiere)
Singleton: BluesKonzert (NY Premiere)
Druckman: Nor Spell Nor Charm
John Luther Adams: The Light Within (World Premiere, Orchestral Version)
Wang Jie: From the Other Sky (World Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 08, 2010, 08:25:09 AM
Tonight:
Worst reviews and famous bad reviews read by John Malkovich, written by Igudesman, played by Rachlin & Friends.

Sept.17th: Philharmonia, Salonen, Tristan & Isolde (Bill Viola)
Sept 21st: Maltman @ Wigmore
Sept 22nd: Mahler & Zemlinsky by LPO / Jurowski
Sept 24th: Mahler 5th, LSO, Gerviev ("looking forward" is a strong term...)
Jan 21st: Mahler 7th, Boulez, Concertgebouw
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 09, 2010, 12:30:15 PM
On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 9:

Wagner: Das Rheingold (the new MET production by Robert Lepage) - They're showing this in many places, including the Ziegfeld, which is the largest movie theater in town (except for IMAX).  Promises to be loads of fun.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 10, 2010, 09:09:58 AM
And on Monday, part of the New York Chamber Music Festival, with musicians from the New York Philharmonic and the MET Orchestra.  This one stars Pascal Rogé:

Saint-Saëns: Scherzo for 2 Pianos Op. 87
Poulenc: Sonata for Cello and Piano
Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano
Ravel: Sonatine for Piano
Ravel: Trio in A minor for Violin, Cello and Piano

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 12, 2010, 07:22:10 PM
Went to this one yesterday with a friend:

Tatiana Kolesova, piano
Blessed Sacrament Church, Mosman, Sydney

Chopin - Four Ballades, "Heroic" Polonaise
Ravel - Valses Nobles et Sentimentales
Nicolai Kapustin (b. 1937) - Sonata No. 2 Op. 54 (1989)

This was the first solo piano recital I had attended for 20 years. The pianist is on a tour here from Russia. She was of a very high standard, having won 2nd prize (out of 250 applicants) in the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2008. The Chopin was lyrical, dramatic and song-like, the Ravel was witty and light, and the Kapustin work was full of the blues (unusual for a Ukranian?) and reminded me of Ives (the notes say that he was influenced by Gershwin, but there was a 12 note row in the final movement). All up, some good variety and a very enjoyable recital.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 16, 2010, 09:44:35 PM
Looking forward to this concert by the Australia Ensemble, resident at University of New South Wales, Sydney. The Program is a good mix of two C20th Australian composers and two Europeans from earlier times:

Saturday September 18, 8pm
Sir John Clancy Auditorium

Peggy GLANVILLE-HICKS (1912-1990): Concertino da camera for flute, clarinet, bassoon and piano (1945)
Nigel BUTTERLEY (b 1935): Spindles of the Stars for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2005)
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856): Piano Trio No 2 in F Opus 80 (1847) - 200th anniversary of the composer's birth
Wolfgang MOZART (1756-1791): Clarinet Quintet in A K581 (1789)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 16, 2010, 11:20:49 PM
This Sunday should be good, and it's freeeeeee  :D

Moscow New Music Studio (Студия новой музыки) playing works by Ligeti (Violin Concerto) and Lutoslawski (String Quartet and a couple of small works).

I heard the Ligeti years ago in NY, but I've never heard Luto's quartet - and it's a great one, among my faves (I know it from the Arditti recording).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 17, 2010, 12:08:41 PM
Next week, opening night of the New York Philharmonic:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, Music Director
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Wynton Marsalis, Music Director and Trumpet

Wynton Marsalis: Swing Symphony (Symphony No. 3) (U.S. premiere)
R. Strauss: Don Juan
Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphoses on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on September 18, 2010, 10:07:31 AM
And for me, the opening of the 2010-2011 season in Philadelphia:

Berlioz Le Corsaire Overture
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Mahler Symphony No. 1

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin

(The actual season opening concert, which takes place Thursday, has Lalo's Symphone Espagnole and Respighi's Pines of Rome in place of the Mendelssohn/Mahler.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 18, 2010, 10:16:09 AM
Quote from: stingo on September 18, 2010, 10:07:31 AM
(The actual season opening concert, which takes place Thursday, has Lalo's Symphone Espagnole and Respighi's Pines of Rome in place of the Mendelssohn/Mahler.)

Go to both, go to both!   :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on September 18, 2010, 10:20:17 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 18, 2010, 10:16:09 AM
Go to both, go to both!   :D

--Bruce

I really wish I could - the last time I heard Pines was in the Academy of Music, one of the best concerts I'd heard. But it's a bit difficult since it's a Thursday rather than Friday or weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 20, 2010, 09:51:02 PM
Quote from: Sid on September 16, 2010, 09:44:35 PM
Looking forward to this concert by the Australia Ensemble, resident at University of New South Wales, Sydney. The Program is a good mix of two C20th Australian composers and two Europeans from earlier times:

Saturday September 18, 8pm
Sir John Clancy Auditorium

Peggy GLANVILLE-HICKS (1912-1990): Concertino da camera for flute, clarinet, bassoon and piano (1945)
Nigel BUTTERLEY (b 1935): Spindles of the Stars for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and piano (2005)
Robert SCHUMANN (1810-1856): Piano Trio No 2 in F Opus 80 (1847) - 200th anniversary of the composer's birth
Wolfgang MOZART (1756-1791): Clarinet Quintet in A K581 (1789)

A superb concert on all accounts. The Glanville-Hicks was a light, neo-classical work (she studied in Paris under Boulanger). The Butterley was reminiscent to me of Takemitsu, washes of colour (very subtle), & at one stage the piccolo, violin and cello played the same note, which sounded like it was coming from the same instrument. The composer was in the audience. The Schumann was poetic and lyrical - many emotions, highly influenced by J.S. Bach (the counterpoint). & to top it all off, the Goldner String Quartet with clarinetist Catherine McCorkill played the Mozart, which is my favourite clarinet quintet. The final movement was played quite fast, but they were so skilled, they could handle it easily. This was my first concert at this venue, and I plan to go back (acoustic excellent - the concert was recorded by ABC Classic FM radio for future broadcast)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 20, 2010, 10:26:58 PM
Another one I went to at the Sydney Con last night:

"A Little Charisma with Friends"
Charisma Trio
Julia Ryder - cello
Ros Dunlop - clarinet/bass clarinet
David Miller - piano
Valmai Coggins - guest viola

Alfred Hill - Miniature Trio No. 1 in F for clarinet, cello & piano (1916-18)
Moya Henderson - G'Day Africa (I-III) for clarinet (doubling bass clarinet), cello, viola & piano (1995)
Nino Rota - Trio for clarinet, cello & piano

I had never heard any of these works. I came to see a Ravel & Tchaikovsky piano trio recital but it was postponed, this was on instead. The Hill was a neo-classical piece, written for his students at this very institution (the Sydney Con) where he taught. It was light & reminiscent of Mozart. The Henderson was the piece that grabbed me the most, based on South African songs & the clarinet part especially jazzy. The finale of the Rota was the most familiar piece, as it had a circus atmosphere, reminding me of a part of the soundtrack of La Strada (which he did for Fellini). I really enjoyed this recital, especially the Henderson (who was in the audience)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 21, 2010, 01:09:14 PM
Well, I figured that since I have now finished unpacking my life into my new room in London, I should buy some new concert tickets to celebrate!

4 October 2010
Orchestra of St Paul's

Michael Tippett: Little Music for strings
Richard Strauss/Rudolf Leopold: Metamorphosen arr. for septet
Interval
John Adams: Shaker Loops
Dmitry Shostakovich/Barshai: Symphony in A flat for strings, Op.118a (from String Quartet No.10)

7 October 2010
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater
Mozart: Symphonies 25 and 29, opera scenes

9 October 2010
LPO, Neeme Jarvi
Dvorak: Te Deum
Dvorak: Stabat Mater

Of course I must also remember to see the Janacek Glagolitic Mass on 10 October! What a week of music that will be!

I got 50% off student discounts on all of these. I couldn't buy any Philharmonia concerts (like Vladimir Ashkenazy's upcoming Rachmaninov cycle) because student discounts aren't available online. :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 22, 2010, 05:35:51 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 21, 2010, 01:09:14 PM
Well, I figured that since I have now finished unpacking my life into my new room in London, I should buy some new concert tickets to celebrate!

I got 50% off student discounts on all of these. I couldn't buy any Philharmonia concerts (like Vladimir Ashkenazy's upcoming Rachmaninov cycle) because student discounts aren't available online. :(
Excellent choices. Try to catch the Philharmonia at the box office, anyway.

Me: tonight:
LPO / Jurowski - Zemlinsky / Mahler - RFH

tomorrow:
F.F.Guy - Chopin Recital - St.Lukes
"Radius" -- two short operas at the Purcell Room - RFH
Birthday drinks

Friday: Cosi fan tutte - ROH

Saturday: LPO / Jurowski - Bartok, Haydn, Dufay - RFH

Sunday: LSO / Gergiev - Mahler 5 - Barbican (or else "The Makropulous Case" at the ENO, which would presumably be more interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 22, 2010, 01:02:48 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on September 22, 2010, 05:35:51 AM
Sunday:  "The Makropulous Case" at the ENO, which would presumably be more interesting.

Oh goodness, that is sorely tempting.

I walked past the Purcell Room today and was totally delighted that the underside of the building is a skate park. Where else would a skating park and a classical venue be in the same place?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 22, 2010, 04:26:58 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 22, 2010, 01:02:48 PM
Oh goodness, that is sorely tempting.

I walked past the Purcell Room today and was totally delighted that the underside of the building is a skate park. Where else would a skating park and a classical venue be in the same place?

The front steps of the Munich Opera are, although not by intent, a skate park. :-)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: CD on September 22, 2010, 04:30:20 PM
La Frontera, ICE (International Contemporary Ensemble) at MoCP
Museum of Contemporary Photography
600 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL

Dedicated to Omar Hernández-Hidalgo (1971-2010), a Mexican viola virtuoso who was murdered in Tijuana in June of 2010, ICE has commissioned three new works by young Mexican composers in memory of this extraordinary musician.

Edgar Guzmán (b. 1981), New Piece (2010) for violin/viola, cello, flute and clarinet WORLD PREMIERE
Ivan Naranjo (b. 1977), New Piece (2010) for violin/viola, cello, flute and clarinet WORLD PREMIERE
Samuel Cedillo (b. 1981), New Piece (2010) for violin/viola, cello, flute and clarinet WORLD PREMIERE
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 22, 2010, 06:49:33 PM
Looking forward to two concerts here in Sydney on the weekend (25-26 Sept '10):

Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra
Emma-Jane  Murphy, cello
Sarah Grace-Williams, conductor

Ravel - Pavane for a Dead Princess
Schumann - Cello Concerto
Haydn - Symphony No. 103 "Drumroll"

Sydney University Musical Society
(haven't got any other details at his stage)

Faure - Requiem
Vivaldi - Gloria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 22, 2010, 11:34:23 PM
My 1000th post!

Quote from: Velimir on September 16, 2010, 11:20:49 PM
Moscow New Music Studio (Студия новой музыки) playing works by Ligeti (Violin Concerto) and Lutoslawski (String Quartet and a couple of small works).


Well this turned out to be everything I hoped for.  :) The Luto quartet was awesome - I can only imagine how much rehearsal and virtuosity it takes to play that thing - and the Ligeti VC was also well done, if not quite as polished as the previous time I heard it.

Also on the menu were Lutoslawski's Dance Preludes, Chain I, and an early socialist-realist piece called Bukoliki. All in all, a nice mix. Holding the concert in a chamber-music hall added to the impact and immediacy of the sound. Audience was very attentive, and as often happens with modern music concerts, younger and hipper than the norm.

A thank you to the Polish and Hungarian cultural centers for subsidizing this free concert. And you can check out Moscow New Music Studio at www.ccmm.ru.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 23, 2010, 10:03:25 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 17, 2010, 12:08:41 PM
Next week, opening night of the New York Philharmonic:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, Music Director
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Wynton Marsalis, Music Director and Trumpet

Wynton Marsalis: Swing Symphony (Symphony No. 3) (U.S. premiere)
R. Strauss: Don Juan
Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber

--Bruce

This concert was excellent.  Marsalis's piece is a joy, written for a gigantic orchestra that includes a small jazz ensemble, and he was buried in the group, playing trumpet.  It's about 40 minutes (perhaps a wee bit too long), in five movements, with lots of nods to Gershwin and Ives, and of course, many jazz sections, including lots of Latin-flavored passages.  The percussion section includes guiros, wood blocks, whip cracks and bongos--the players looked like they were having a blast.  The audience gave Marsalis a huge standing ovation (and this was before intermission).

The rest of the program was very good, and only further cemented my admiration for Alan Gilbert.  The Hindemith piece hadn't been done by the Philharmonic since 1995--a bit surprising, since as the printed notes acknowledge, it is arguably his most popular score, and used to be more of a staple on programs.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on September 23, 2010, 12:45:34 PM
Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Saturday 2 October:

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Ensemble under Daniel Reuss: Pärt - Tulev - Kreek - Tüür
(http://www.concertgebouw.nl/page.ocl?pageid=279&dag=2&maand=10&jaar=2010)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 24, 2010, 07:09:26 AM
Tonight, the excellent new music group counter)induction, in this program:

Georges Aperghis: Mouvement pour quintette
Kyle Bartlett: vox sanguinaria
Vinko Globokar: Voix instrumentalisee
Alfred Schnittke: Piano Quartet

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on September 25, 2010, 09:09:10 PM
Quote from: stingo on September 18, 2010, 10:07:31 AM
And for me, the opening of the 2010-2011 season in Philadelphia:

Berlioz Le Corsaire Overture
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Mahler Symphony No. 1

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin

(The actual season opening concert, which takes place Thursday, has Lalo's Symphone Espagnole and Respighi's Pines of Rome in place of the Mendelssohn/Mahler.)

It was an excellent concert all around. The orchestra was in fine form and so was Mr. Bell. I'd also add it's one thing to hear a work like M1 on recordings, it's quite another when you're sitting quite close the double basses in the hall.

Apart from the music, the concertmaster David Kim said a few words of welcome as well as announcing that Charles Dutoit will assume the title of Conductor Laureate starting with the 2012-2013 season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on September 25, 2010, 11:12:44 PM
Quote from: Sid on September 22, 2010, 06:49:33 PM
Looking forward to two concerts here in Sydney on the weekend (25-26 Sept '10):

Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra
Emma-Jane  Murphy, cello
Sarah Grace-Williams, conductor

Ravel - Pavane for a Dead Princess
Schumann - Cello Concerto
Haydn - Symphony No. 103 "Drumroll"

Sydney University Musical Society
(haven't got any other details at his stage)

Faure - Requiem
Vivaldi - Gloria

A great weekend of music here in Sydney. I enjoyed all of the pieces, couldn't single one out. I wish all weekends could be as musically good as this! Also a weekend of firsts - the first ever cello concerto my accompanying friend & I saw, as well as the first requiem & Vivaldi piece. We chatted to cellist Emma-Jane Murphy after the MCO concert, and told her how much we appreciated her fine performance. Both the Schumann & Faure are pieces that didn't really grab me at first when hearing the recordings, but once I got to know them better, things just clicked into place. & seeing them live was the pinnacle for me.

The details of the performers for the Sydney University Musical Society concert are as follows:

Gregory Platt - conductor
Ross Cobb - organ
Alice Girle, Jocelyn O'Brien - soprano (Vivaldi)
Eliza Newton - alto (Vivaldi)
Oskar Andersson - treble (Faure)
Morgan Pearse - baritone (Faure)

They all did a superb job!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 28, 2010, 12:30:05 PM
Tomorrow night:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Mahler: Symphony No. 6

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 29, 2010, 08:50:40 AM
And on Saturday night, Gustavo Dudamel and the Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall.  I don't think I've ever heard the group play anything like this program.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Gustavo Dudamel, Conductor

Rossini: Overture to La gazza ladra
Orbón: Tres versiones sinfónicas
Bernstein: Divertimento for Orchestra
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
Ravel: Boléro

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2010, 02:14:33 PM
If that program had La valse instead of Bolero, I'd go bananas over it. Bolero is really good, of course, and I like it, but not love, quite.

I am looking forward to...

10 October 2010
Dvorak | Violin Concerto
Janacek | Glagolitic Mass
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Various vocalists, choir
LSO
Colin Davis

Very, VERY excited. Splurged for a 19 pound ticket because, will I ever get to see the Glagolitic Mass live again?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 29, 2010, 05:57:33 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 29, 2010, 02:14:33 PM
Very, VERY excited. Splurged for a 19 pound ticket because, will I ever get to see the Glagolitic Mass live again?

You could come to Chicago in November. Boulez is doing it with the CSO (which I am looking forward to :D ).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: CD on September 30, 2010, 04:59:44 AM
Yes! If I go to the CSO this year it will be for that concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2010, 05:26:14 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 29, 2010, 08:50:40 AM
And on Saturday night, Gustavo Dudamel and the Vienna Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall.  I don't think I've ever heard the group play anything like this program.

Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Gustavo Dudamel, Conductor

Rossini: Overture to La gazza ladra
Orbón: Tres versiones sinfónicas
Bernstein: Divertimento for Orchestra
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
Ravel: Boléro

--Bruce

This was one of the best concerts I've ever attended.  More details later, but for now: Dudamel really is a huge talent, and when he's at his best, the room just explodes with energy.  That's what happened here.  My companion that night is from Vienna and has heard the orchestra many times, but not with Dudamel--and she said she sensed something very special going on.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 04, 2010, 02:47:56 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 04, 2010, 05:26:14 AM
This was one of the best concerts I've ever attended.  More details later, but for now: Dudamel really is a huge talent, and when he's at his best, the room just explodes with energy.  That's what happened here.  My companion that night is from Vienna and has heard the orchestra many times, but not with Dudamel--and she said she sensed something very special going on.

--Bruce

Oh, man. So glad to hear that, Bruce! When I heard Dudamel with his Venezuelan orchestra a couple years ago, he had great potential written all over him, and (my previous carping aside) that is great repertoire for him. Very glad you agree he's the real deal, very glad you had a great night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2010, 03:10:48 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 04, 2010, 02:47:56 PM
Oh, man. So glad to hear that, Bruce! When I heard Dudamel with his Venezuelan orchestra a couple years ago, he had great potential written all over him, and (my previous carping aside) that is great repertoire for him. Very glad you agree he's the real deal, very glad you had a great night.

Well, I was in your corner; I basically love La Valse, and would have been delighted if he'd played that--but that was before I heard the Boléro the other night, that was giving me and my friend goosebumps.  Dudamel coaxed some incredible solos out of the group, especially from the bassoon and trombone, and the last few pages were as exciting as you could imagine.

I have now heard him six or seven times live--with the NY Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, the Venezuelan group, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and now Vienna.  (And he's conducted most of the major orchestras around the world.)  This was the same program he conducted with the orchestra at Lucerne a few weeks ago, and he'll do it in Vienna in the coming weeks. 

The naysayers think he's either a) over-hyped, or b) another product of Deutsche Grammophon's marketing machine.  Yes, he has been over-promoted a bit, to a level  that no human being could possibly measure up, e.g., "the next Bernstein," "classical music's savior," etc.  Based on what I've heard, though, there is a genuine talent here--a guy who has the ability to ignite musicians in a rare way.  The evidence is all over YouTube--performances from the London Proms in 2007, Simon Bolívar Youth Orchestra, the Philharmonia, Gothenburg Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic--and the thing is, he's only getting better. 

Yes, he still has some maturing to do; not every concert is totally successful, and there are pieces he's done (like the Mahler Ninth) that I look forward to hearing with him in say, 10 years or so.  But it is hard to deny what you are seeing and hearing when he's conducting, and on Saturday night, you should have seen the faces of the Vienna players, positively beaming.  As my Viennese friend said, "They don't usually look like that."

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 04, 2010, 11:59:08 PM
Quote from: bhodges on October 04, 2010, 05:26:14 AM
This was one of the best concerts I've ever attended.  More details later, but for now: Dudamel really is a huge talent, and when he's at his best, the room just explodes with energy.  That's what happened here.  My companion that night is from Vienna and has heard the orchestra many times, but not with Dudamel--and she said she sensed something very special going on.

--Bruce

That's his strength and his weakness. Like a joke that's better for the delivery than the punchline, the Dudamel-experience is one of "You had to have been there". It doesn't translate on recordings, for example. (And not in an acoustically-related way, like the way CT's recordings don't reflect the concert experience.) Anyway, it remains to be seen how often, how well he can inspire with one and the same orchestra in standard repertoire. My money on the next big conductor remains on Andris Nelsons just ahead of YNS.

Oh, boy, good that I now looked at my calendar re: which concerts I might be looking forward to: just realized that I have to call Daniel Harding in a few hours. He, incidentally, is not on that list of mine above... :-)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 05, 2010, 12:23:19 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on October 04, 2010, 11:59:08 PMMy money on the next big conductor remains on Andris Nelsons just ahead of YNS.

I foolishly missed seeing Andris Nelsons in Shosty's Fifth this week. With the caveat that I haven't seen AN, my money is on a dead heat between Gustavo and Vasily Petrenko (whom I will be seeing next month in Shosty's Eleventh).  :D I guess the really great thing about your post and mine, is that we have such an unusual number of Next Big Conductors to choose from!

I think part of the problem of Dudamel recordings not delivering is that he is actually quite a subtle interpreter - I got to hear him do a slow, almost trancelike Daphnis Suite No 2 and Tchaikovsky Fourth, the latter of which had a first movement bursting with tension even though it was slower than any I'd heard. The other part of the problem is DG insists on recording his interpretation of Germans. Imagine if Dudamel was doing the complete Chavez, or Revueltas, or Castellanos, for Naxos/BIS...

Bruce - it's interesting to hear that you can hear him improving - and that last remark from your Viennese friend made me very happy indeed. Wonderful!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on October 05, 2010, 05:43:22 AM
This month should be seeing Sine Nomine Quartet playing Schumann's 41/1, Brahms' 51/1 and Beethoven op.95.

Was looking forward to all Handel recital by Marijana Mijanovic with Kammerorchester Basel, but unfortunately she canceled due to illness.

Still pondering whether to try to get tickets for New York Philharmonic under Gilbert with Kavakos as soloist (Debussy Faun, Sibelius Concerto, Brahms 4th). Would like to hear them but tickets are on the pricey side and they'll be playing in this hideous soc-realistic 4000 seat barn of a hall with acoustic no better than open field.

Will try to get the tickets for Kissin next month though, Schumann Fantasiestucke, Noveletten, Chopin all four Ballades.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 07, 2010, 01:04:53 PM
Tonight, this concert by the Da Capo Chamber Players, opening their 40th season:

Samuel Zyman: Música Para Cinco – US premiere
Jorge Grossman: Mecanismos
Reinaldo Moya: Crónica de una Muerte Anunciada
Tania León: Alma
Roque Cordero: Quinteto

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 08, 2010, 06:34:41 AM
Tomorrow night's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert.  I'm excited, since this will be the first time I hear both of these works live in concert.

Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor
Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D major


Alban Gerhardt, cello soloist
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 08, 2010, 11:35:34 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 08, 2010, 06:34:41 AM
Tomorrow night's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert.  I'm excited, since this will be the first time I hear both of these works live in concert.

Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor
Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D major


Alban Gerhardt, cello soloist
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor

Alban Gerhardt is a superb cellist, ChamberNut! You're lucky (and I was in San Antonio a few years ago): Gerhardt is so good that the whole world knows he is or will be a star, but he's so modest that he still visits places like SA and Winnipeg regularly. At my local orchestra's concert (where he played Saint-Saens), he parked a chair at the end of the last row of the cellos to participate in the second half of the program.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 08, 2010, 11:42:42 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 08, 2010, 11:35:34 AM
Alban Gerhardt is a superb cellist, ChamberNut! You're lucky (and I was in San Antonio a few years ago): Gerhardt is so good that the whole world knows he is or will be a star, but he's so modest that he still visits places like SA and Winnipeg regularly. At my local orchestra's concert (where he played Saint-Saens), he parked a chair at the end of the last row of the cellos to participate in the second half of the program.  :)

Yes, I'm really excited about hearing him play live!  :)  We don't often get many top names come through Winnipeg, but we do occasionally!  At least we get to hear James Ehnes play almost every year (or every 2nd year), since he's a local boy.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 08, 2010, 12:20:28 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 08, 2010, 11:42:42 AM
Yes, I'm really excited about hearing him play live!  :)  We don't often get many top names come through Winnipeg, but we do occasionally!  At least we get to hear James Ehnes play almost every year (or every 2nd year), since he's a local boy.  8)

Heh, I remember when Andre Watts married a gal from Columbus, Indiana, and then all of a sudden my hometown's semi-pro orchestra had a classical "superstar" turning up every year to play a Rachmaninov concerto for his in-laws. It was great  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 08, 2010, 12:32:50 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 08, 2010, 12:20:28 PM
Heh, I remember when Andre Watts married a gal from Columbus, Indiana, and then all of a sudden my hometown's semi-pro orchestra had a classical "superstar" turning up every year to play a Rachmaninov concerto for his in-laws. It was great  8)

Awesome!  We are going to be graced with the presence of Krzysztof Penderecki in February 2011 as part of the annual week long New Music Festival.  The WSO will be performing Penderecki's 7th Symphony "Seven Gates of Jerusalem".  Just recently having heard for the first time, some of Penderecki's music, I'm quite excited about this!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 09, 2010, 03:49:42 PM
Wow, that's pretty amazing!

I just saw Dvorak's "Te Deum" and "Stabat Mater" with the London Philharmonic, but I'll write about it tomorrow. It's nearly 1 am...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 10, 2010, 06:33:44 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 08, 2010, 06:34:41 AM
Tomorrow night's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert.  I'm excited, since this will be the first time I hear both of these works live in concert.

Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor
Brahms - Symphony No. 2 in D major


Alban Gerhardt, cello soloist
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor

Brian,

This was a wonderful concert!  Gerhardt (although he did not play perfectly), played with a lot of passion and intensity.  He also really was into the orchestra when he was not playing, you could tell he really enjoyed the work that was playing.  I love it when soloists enjoy the orchestra and appreciate their efforts.

I went to the pre-concert chat, and the banter going back and forth between Mickelthwate and Gerhardt (both German boys) was fantastic!

Hearing Brahms Symphony No. 2 Live, I've come away with a new appreciation of that work.  It is a much more vibrant, and passionate work than I ever gave it credit for in the past, and I think the live performance was the key!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: CD on October 10, 2010, 11:27:42 AM
Wednesday Ensemble Dal Niente (http://dalniente.com/index.html) are playing the first concert of their season. The program:

SEASON OPENER SET 1: HOW ABOUT NOW?
Anthony Cheung (b.1982): Centripedalocity (2008) for flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, harp, violin, viola, and cello
Eliza Brown (b.1985): Uneasy (2009/10) for piccolo/alto flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone, piano, and percussion
Marcos Balter (b.1974): Growth (2010) for flute, clarinet, saxophone, electric guitar, piano, violin, viola, and cello (WORLD PREMIERE)
Nico Muhly (b.1981): How About Now (2006) for flute, clarinet, electric guitar, bass and piano
Michel van der Aa (b.1970): Rekindle (2009) for flute and soundtrack (NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE)

SEASON OPENER SET 2: HIGHLIGHTS FROM DARMSTADT
Mark André (b.1964): Asche (2004/05) for flute, clarinet, piano, viola, and cello
Hans Thomalla (b.1975): Momentsmusicaux (2003/04) for flute, clarinet, piano, viola, and cello

Mostly excited for the André and Thomalla pieces but it will be interesting to hear the rest of the program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 10, 2010, 02:21:47 PM
Awesome, awesome, Ray!

~

I owe the board two reports.  8)

9 October: Dvorak Te Deum and Stabat Mater. LPO, Neeme Jarvi Wonderful. Dvorak's Stabat Mater is long, Brahmsian in spots, and a little dry in places, but it is still a powerful conception. Unfortunately, I enjoyed this performance for a pretty despicable reason. The text to Stabat mater frequently includes the Latin word "fac" - in which the a is pronounced like in "father" or "waffle." But somebody had instructed the chorus and the soloists to pronounce fac in an altogether different way. Use your imagination.

The result was that I spent most of the performance in physical and emotional pain - physical from trying to hold in my laughter, and from trying to wipe the stupid grin off my face, and emotional because I felt embarrassed, dirty, and not a little guilty to notice that nobody else seemed to be noticing! How they could fail to was beyond me: at one point the chorus sings three consecutive fortissimo "FAC!"s. And the bass soloist very obviously knew what he was up to: he opens one of the sections with a "Fac!" and I have never, ever, ever heard a "ck" sound enunciated with such violent conviction. I nearly died.

The Te Deum had only one "fac", and in any case, it's one of Dvorak's greatest works. How come nobody ever told me so? How come nobody seems to think so? ArkivMusic says there are fewer recordings of the Te Deum than of the Requiem, Mass, or Stabat Mater, but you know what: the Te Deum is pure brilliance, pure Dvorak, exuberant, danceable, gorgeously beautiful, and full of melodies which get thrown away after 20 seconds, or relegated to the violas - I had one of those "God, Antonin" moments when I heard him file away a spectacular tune among the first violins, then never use it again, while I was left thinking, "you could have written a whole opera on the promise of that tune for an aria." The Te Deum disproves the myth of Dvorak's "American period" - it pretty much defines his "American sound" but was written right before he set sail - and it encapsulates all that I love about the composer.

The chorus and soloists were terrific (and the tenor even knew how to say fac!), and Neeme Jarvi led everything with excitement and vigor. His inability to exhibit any human emotion, which I've known about since living in Detroit during his years there, is still going strong, but you can tell from the way he conducts that he has great rapport with the musicians, and great love for the music.

Another highlight of the evening: to my right were three people, a young lady about 30, a young man about 30, and between the two of them the young lady's mother. We communicated entirely in smiles. I smiled hello at the start and they smiled back. Then, after the Te Deum, we all grinned at each other in utter delight. Even in the lobby, I grinned and they grinned back. Then, halfway through the Stabat Mater, Mom decided to leave early for some reason, and made a run for it during a pause. The young lady got up and moved over next to her young man, and he clasped her hand in his. I thought this was totally wonderful, so when she glanced over next, I issued my last big grin of the night. Love is a beautiful thing.  ;D

10 October: Dvorak Violin Concerto and Janacek Glagolitic Mass. Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin; LSO, Colin Davis Could have been better. Mutter sped through the concerto's opening mini-cadenzas like she had better things to do, and her first movement was an odd mix of perfunctoriness and lavishly romantic playing (portamenti to die for!). The slow movement was exquisite, though; I've never heard anyone intone the main theme with such hushed lyricism as Mutter. Again, too, those portamenti! I love 'em, even if the performance was mixed.

The Janacek Glagolitic Mass was even more mixed. I was ecstatic just to be hearing it live, and as I don't expect ever to see it live again, it will definitely be a permanent memory. But, due to space and budget and intelligence constraints, Davis and the LSO opted for the "concert" version - that is, Intrada at the end only, just one set of timpani, nobody off-stage, reduced "Veruju." It IS a terribly impractical piece - seeing it live enabled me to really notice this, like the tiny celesta part, the fact that one of the percussion guys sits around for half the piece and then dingles a triangle once and crashes a cymbal once, the fact that the mezzo has only three lines!

For the most part, I rode the high of "OMG, I'm seeing them play the Glagolitic Mass!" This enabled me to accept and enjoy a couple of questionable interpretive decisions, like Davis' bizarre way with final chords of movements (he plays them faster than marked so they sound more like a "bang") - but then, in "Svet," one decision came along that almost ruined the experience. The "Svet" is a sort of darkness-to-light transition; the first minute and a half build up to a chugging string motif overlaid with jubilant brass, the arrival of the light, the reassertion of faith. When this moment arrived, Colin Davis had the orchestra take off like a rocket. They were literally at double the tempo I'd have chosen - literally double - and most of the band could NOT keep up. I'm afraid the decision struck me as stupid, utterly stupid.

Generally, though, a good experience: the one Intrada was well-played, the organ solo was FANTASTIC (and POWERFUL!), the LSO chorus did themselves absolutely proud, and the soloists - when you could hear them! - were good. Only the trombones didn't hold up their end of the bargain, really.

So two very interesting days at the symphony. My next concert is the 12th, Endellion String Quartet at Wigmore Hall, and then nothing 'til the 21st.
:)


P.S. My notes are so copious because both concerts were recorded for CDs, and I might request them when they come up on MusicWeb, so these will come in handy for comparison and for flavor.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 12, 2010, 08:33:45 AM
In two hours: the Endellion String Quartet plays Bartok No 5, Beethoven Op 18 No 4, and Beethoven Op 59 No 1!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 12, 2010, 08:39:40 AM

Luciano Berio
"Sinfonia"

Gustav Mahler
Symphonie Nr. 1 D-Dur

Bavarian RSO, Riccardo Chailly
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 12, 2010, 08:46:35 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 10, 2010, 06:33:44 AM
Hearing Brahms Symphony No. 2 Live, I've come away with a new appreciation of that work.  It is a much more vibrant, and passionate work than I ever gave it credit for in the past, and I think the live performance was the key!  :)

Quote from: Brian on October 09, 2010, 03:49:42 PM
I just saw Dvorak's "Te Deum" and "Stabat Mater" with the London Philharmonic, but I'll write about it tomorrow. It's nearly 1 am...

Quote from: Corey on October 10, 2010, 11:27:42 AM
Wednesday Ensemble Dal Niente (http://dalniente.com/index.html) are playing the first concert of their season. The program:

[interesting details snipped]

Quote from: Brian on October 12, 2010, 08:33:45 AM
In two hours: the Endellion String Quartet plays Bartok No 5, Beethoven Op 18 No 4, and Beethoven Op 59 No 1!

Quote from: jlaurson on October 12, 2010, 08:39:40 AM
Luciano Berio
"Sinfonia"

Gustav Mahler
Symphonie Nr. 1 D-Dur

Bavarian RSO, Riccardo Chailly

No time to comment on all these great-sounding concerts, other than to say I'm enjoying reading all the reports on them. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 12, 2010, 09:27:32 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 12, 2010, 08:33:45 AM
In two hours: the Endellion String Quartet plays Bartok No 5, Beethoven Op 18 No 4, and Beethoven Op 59 No 1!

Brian, the No. 4 is my favorite of Beethoven's early quartets.  Opus 59/1 is a fantastic quartet!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on October 12, 2010, 08:04:33 PM
Coming up this Sunday at St. John's Uniting Church in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia:

"An afternoon with Lauris Elms"

This recital will feature an interview with one of Australia's most well-loved opera singers, Lauris Elms, as well as performances by singers from Opera Australia of some of her favourite songs:

Britten - A Charm of Lullabies (mezzo soprano Dominica Matthews)
Schubert - The Shepherd on the Rock (soprano Fiona Maconaghie, with  Deborah de Graff (clarinet))
Mahler - Ruckert Lieder (baritone James Roser)
All accompanied by John Martin at the piano

It promises to be a wonderful afternoon...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 13, 2010, 06:37:07 AM
Muti canceled due to illness, so the Cherubini Requiem is out for this week and instead the CSO is playing Mahler 7 with Boulez!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 16, 2010, 11:41:37 AM
Tonight:

Evan Ziporyn: A House in Bali - A Balinese gamelan-infused opera, based on the life of Canadian composer Colin McPhee, written by the clarinetist with Bang on a Can.  The preview photos look fantastic.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 16, 2010, 11:47:18 AM
A week from tonight:

QuoteThe young Brazilian conductor Marcelo Lehninger, appointed one of the BSO's two new assistant conductors for the 2010-11 season, makes his debut with the orchestra in these concerts. He is joined by celebrated violinist Pinchas Zukerman for Beethoven's majestic and lyrical Violin Concerto. Samuel Barber's characterful School for Scandal Overture—inspired by the 18th-century Sheridan comedy—was his first publicly performed orchestral work and a great success for the twenty-one-year-old composer. Anchoring the program is Tchaikovsky's broad, Romantic, dramatic Symphony No. 5, one of the most popular in the repertoire.

Seems to me that the Beethoven is of sufficient gravity that it is a little curious to speak of the Tchaikovsky anchoring the program . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on October 17, 2010, 02:40:16 AM
Christian Thielemann and the Munich Philharmonic are giving a mini-Bruckner cycle at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt next February:

10 Feb - Bruckner 4 and Schreker "Nachtstück" from the opera Der ferne Klang
12 Feb - Bruckner 8
13 Feb - Bruckner 5


and the following week:

18 Feb - Mahler 6, Zinman and the HR-Sinfonieorchester


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 17, 2010, 04:00:53 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on October 17, 2010, 02:40:16 AM
Christian Thielemann and the Munich Philharmonic are giving a mini-Bruckner cycle at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt next February:

10 Feb - Bruckner 4 and Schreker "Nachtstück" from the opera Der ferne Klang
12 Feb - Bruckner 8
13 Feb - Bruckner 5


Just back from CT's M-8 in Munich myself; and earlier today a matinee at the Konzerthaus in Vienna with a young cellist of moderate interest.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on October 17, 2010, 05:20:29 PM
Quote from: Sid on October 12, 2010, 08:04:33 PM
Coming up this Sunday at St. John's Uniting Church in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia:

"An afternoon with Lauris Elms"

This recital will feature an interview with one of Australia's most well-loved opera singers, Lauris Elms, as well as performances by singers from Opera Australia of some of her favourite songs:

Britten - A Charm of Lullabies (mezzo soprano Dominica Matthews)
Schubert - The Shepherd on the Rock (soprano Fiona Maconaghie, with  Deborah de Graff (clarinet))
Mahler - Ruckert Lieder (baritone James Roser)
All accompanied by John Martin at the piano

It promises to be a wonderful afternoon...

This was a very enjoyable recital. They also played Schumann's Three Fantasy Pieces for clarinet and piano. Silvio Rivier's interview with retired opera/lieder singer Lauris Elms was particularly interesting, with her recounting memories of her career, including singing with Joan Sutherland at Covent Garden in Lucia di Lammermoor. It was interesting how she started off playing the piano, then the violin, and then began to work as a singer after a stint in the graphic arts industry. The clarinettist at the recital was her daughter. I liked all of the songs of the recital, the singers of the Australian Opera sang the Schubert, Mahler and Britten beautifully. This was my first song recital in 20 years, and my friend's first ever song recital, so it was quite exciting. We were also able to talk to some of the performers after the recital, as nibblies and drinks were served in the church hall. Alll in all a great evening & we plan to go to more of the recitals in this "Artsong" series...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 18, 2010, 03:49:05 AM
Quatuor Ebene (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=379). Twice. Once tonight, once tomorrow.

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/01/dip-your-ears-no-96.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2009/01/dip-your-ears-no-96.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 20, 2010, 09:29:14 AM
Tonight at Carnegie Hall:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection" (Valery Gergiev/Mariinsky Orchestra)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on October 24, 2010, 10:29:42 PM
Went to this chamber concert on the weekend, at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. The performers were members of the Australia Ensemble.

Ligeti - Six Bagatelles for wind quintet (1953)
W.A. Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik in G K525 for two violins, viola, cello and double bass (1787)
Matthew Hindson (b. 1968) - Light is both a particle and a wave for flute, clarinet, piano, two violins, viola and cello, commissioned by Justice Jane Matthews (2010) - first performance
Saint-Saens - The Carnival of the Animals (Le carnaval des animaux) for two pianos, two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet and glockenspiel/xylophone (1886)

This was a fun night. The older pieces were light and fun, while the Hindson was more serious. The first movement of the Hindson reminded me of Xenakis (structured dissonance?) and the second movement of the old romantic classical music. There was a pivotal piano solo where the pianist played all over the keyboard - very impressive to see/hear. I was a bit thrown off by how, after the dissonance and almost aggressive energy of the first movement, there was a complete change of style to something more romantic and melodic. It was a big contrast. The Saint-Saens was the most fun piece of the evening, and a great finisher (for the whole Australia Ensemble 2010 season). I especially liked how cellist Julian Smiles was able to play the famous Swan in an emotional way without lapsing into sentimentality. I look forward to going to more of their concerts next year...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on October 25, 2010, 02:59:06 PM
Went to see this last night @ Sydney Conservatorium of Music:

Cocktail Hour Recital Series
"Not unravelling and not petering out"
Ole Bohn, violin
Georg Pedersen, cello
Phillip Shovk, piano

Ravel - Trio in A minor
Tchaikovsky - Trio in A minor, Op. 50 (Dedicated to a great artist, Nicolai Rubinstein)

This was a recital by three of the teaching staff of the Con, who are excellent musicians. The Ravel piano trio is one of my favourite works by him. It's light and airy, the first movement being based on a Basque tune, the second on the rhythms of Malaysian poetry, the third a passacaglia (neo-classical?), and the finale contains reminiscences of what went on before. I just love the last movement - it makes me think of being on the beach in summer, hearing the surf, the hot sun, a whisp of breeze. Apparently Ravel despised Beethoven (cellist Georg Pedersen related how Ravel said to cellist Gregor Piatagorsky, Pedersen's teacher, after a recital of Beethoven words to the affect that "Your performance was excellent, but why did you choose to play such terrible music?"). Funnily enough, I hear similarities in how both composers utilised the piano trio, but those similarities may well be superficial. The second half of the program was taken up by Tchaikovsky's piano trio which I had never heard before. The first movement was quite song like but also agitated, the second a theme and variations which (at times) had a Baroque/Classical era flavour - a bit like the Rococo Variations - and the third quite elegaic and dark.

For those in Sydney, these Cocktail Hour recitals are on at the Con every Monday, put on by staff of the Con, and the cost is $15 adult/$10 concessions. The two small 100 seater recital halls are used, so the atmosphere is intimate and you get a good view (staggered seating). They are put on during semester times only. Recommended!...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 27, 2010, 09:00:30 AM
Last week, I saw the Pavel Haas String Quartet perform Dvorak's "American" quartet and quintet. Tomorrow, I get to see them playing Beethoven's Op 59 No 1. The delights never cease!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 27, 2010, 10:41:02 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 27, 2010, 09:00:30 AM
Last week, I saw the Pavel Haas String Quartet perform Dvorak's "American" quartet and quintet. Tomorrow, I get to see them playing Beethoven's Op 59 No 1. The delights never cease!

Lucky you!  I've still not heard this group live.

Tonight:

Trio con Brio Copenhagen
Soo-Jin Hong, violin
Soo-Kyung Hong, cello
Jens Elvekjaer, piano

Hans Abrahamsen: Traumlieder for Piano Trio (1984/2009) — New York Premiere
Beethoven: Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70 No. 1 "Ghost"
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50

And on Sunday, the following.  I don't recall ever seeing anything by Satie on any concert by Levine (and don't really know this piece, either).

The MET Chamber Ensemble
James Levine, Artistic Director and Conductor
Erin Morley, Soprano
Susanna Phillips, Soprano
Emalie Savoy, Soprano
Tamara Mumford, Mezzo-Soprano

Webern: Four Songs, Op. 12
Satie: Socrate
Boulez: sur Incises

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 28, 2010, 05:37:21 PM
8:00 PM
Saturday December 4, 2010

Program:
Schoenberg  Transfigured Night 
Janáček  Glagolitic Mass

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez
conductor
Christine Brewer
soprano
Nancy Maultsby
mezzo-soprano
Lance Ryan
tenor
Mikhail Petrenko
bass
Paul Jacobs
organ
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe
director and conductor

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Oh and the week before that:

8:00 PM
Saturday November 27, 2010

Program:
Debussy  Symphonic Fragments from The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian 
Ligeti  Violin Concerto
Ravel Mother Goose Suite
Debussy  La Mèr

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez
conductor
Robert Chen
violin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on October 28, 2010, 07:01:03 PM
Going to these two tonight at Sydney Conservatorium of Music:

"Mature Delights"

Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra
Imre Palló and Doctor of Musical Arts student Anthony Clarke, conductors

Sculthorpe String Sonata No 5 for string orchestra*
Bartok Concerto for orchestra
* World Première 101 Compositions for 100 Years

"Zodiac"
Ensemble Offspring

Program:
* world premiere

•Mitchell Huckstepp: new work, for flute, clarinet & two percussion *
•Daniel Manera: Duet for Clarinet and Hi-Hat *
•Laura Altman: new work, for flute, clarinet & two percussion *
•Helena Czajka: Trafalgar Square, for flute, clarinet, marimba and vibraphone *
•Stephen Rozanc: new work, for flute, clarinet & two percussion *
•Natalie Unwalla: The Mouse, the Bird and the Sausage, for flute, clarinet and marimba *
•Marcus Whale: Slatted Light, for two winds, accordion and vibraphone*

- interval -

•Karlheinz Stockhausen: Tierkreis (arr. Ensemble Offspring), for flutes, clarinets & 2 percussion




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on October 29, 2010, 05:26:11 PM
Quote from: Sid on October 28, 2010, 07:01:03 PM
Going to these two tonight at Sydney Conservatorium of Music:

"Mature Delights"

Sydney Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra
Imre Palló and Doctor of Musical Arts student Anthony Clarke, conductors

Sculthorpe String Sonata No 5 for string orchestra*
Bartok Concerto for orchestra
* World Première 101 Compositions for 100 Years

"Zodiac"
Ensemble Offspring

Program:
* world premiere

•Mitchell Huckstepp: new work, for flute, clarinet & two percussion *
•Daniel Manera: Duet for Clarinet and Hi-Hat *
•Laura Altman: new work, for flute, clarinet & two percussion *
•Helena Czajka: Trafalgar Square, for flute, clarinet, marimba and vibraphone *
•Stephen Rozanc: new work, for flute, clarinet & two percussion *
•Natalie Unwalla: The Mouse, the Bird and the Sausage, for flute, clarinet and marimba *
•Marcus Whale: Slatted Light, for two winds, accordion and vibraphone*

- interval -

•Karlheinz Stockhausen: Tierkreis (arr. Ensemble Offspring), for flutes, clarinets & 2 percussion
I enjoyed both concerts. In the first, Peter Sculthorpe talked about his concern with how climate change is effecting Australia, and how this was the main issue behind his String Quartet No. 18 (here in a new arrangement for string orchestra). He said that he had thought about ending the work in a dark way, but said that he's an optimist and couldn't bear to do that, no matter how (sometimes) grim the outlook in this matter. The movements were titled Prelude - A Land Singing - A Dying Land - A Lost Land - Postlude. There were the usual trademark Sculthorpe sounds - insect sounds, bird song, and the drone of the didgeridoo simulated by the strings. The middle movements sounded similar to his Sun Musics a bit. Initially, when hearing the optimistic ending of the work in the original version on radio (the birds return after the desolation of the middle movements), I thought it was a bit cheesy. But talking to a woman during the interval, she said that we need a bit of optimism in this day and age & I think that's true. I really liked the sound of the five double basses - awsome!

After the interval we were treated to another "mature delight," Bartok's exhuberant, tragic and humorous Concerto for Orchestra. The orchestra played their hearts out. This is a great group who just got back from acclaimed performances in New York and San Francisco (maybe some members here saw them?). I think that they must have done us proud, judging from the standard of their playing here.

The Ensemble Offspring concert was no less enjoyable. We were treated to seven new works by final year students at the Con. There were a variety of approaches, eg. the Manera sounded jazzy and a bit rocky, the Altman a bit like the static but ever changing soundscapes of Takemitsu, & the Huckstepp a bit minimalistic. To top it all off, after the interval the four musicians played their own arrangment of Stockhausen's Tierkreis (Signs of the Zodiac) and doubled and even tripled on all manner of wind and percussion instruements - a plethora of flutes and clarinets, accordion, mouth organ, piano, cowbells, marimba, xylophone, and even a music box. It was perhaps the most colourful piece I have ever heard. I plan to go to some of their concerts next year, I talked to their director and Harry Partch's music is on the cards (they are currently building the instruments to play that). Can't wait!...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 30, 2010, 08:53:45 AM
Tonight:

Haydn
String Quartet in B flat Op. 50 No. 1
Schumann
String Quartet in A Op. 41 No. 3
Beethoven
String Quartet in F Op. 135
Hagen Quartet
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 30, 2010, 09:42:02 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 30, 2010, 08:53:45 AM
Tonight:

Haydn
String Quartet in B flat Op. 50 No. 1
Schumann
String Quartet in A Op. 41 No. 3
Beethoven
String Quartet in F Op. 135
Hagen Quartet

Wow, that is a fantastic program.  I particularly really love the Schumann, and the quirky, fun Op.135
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 02, 2010, 07:50:16 AM
Tonight, part of Lincoln Center's White Light Festival:

Collegium Vocale Gent Choir
Accademia Chigiana Siena (New York debut)
I Solisti del Vento (New York debut)
Philippe Herreweghe, conductor

Brahms: Warum ist das Licht gegeben, Op. 74, No. 1
Schubert (arr. Verhaert): Andante, from String Quartet in D minor ("Death and the Maiden"), D.810
Cornelius: Requiem "Seele, vergiss sie nicht"
Brahms: Begräbnisgesang, Op. 13
Bruckner: Mass in E minor

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 02, 2010, 08:02:31 AM

November 4th, Thursday

Bavarian Radio SO, Franz Welser Moest,

Joseph Haydn
Symphonie d-Moll, Hob. I:26
("Lamentatione")
Alban Berg
Symphonische Stücke aus "Lulu"
für Sopran und Orchester
Antonín Dvorák
Symphonie Nr. 5 F-Dur, op. 76

November 7th, Sunday, 7PM

Munich Philharmonic, Dmitrij Kitajenko

Sergej Prokofiev
Symphonie Nr. 4 C-Dur op. 47
Pjotr Iljitsch Tchaikovsky
Rokoko-Variationen für Violoncello und Orchester op. 33
Sergej Rachmaninoff
"Die Glocken" op. 35

November 11th, Thursday

BRSO, Bernard Haitink

Tony Bruckner, Te Deum & 9th Symphony

November 18th, Thursday

BRSO, Danny Harding, Paul Lewis (!)

LvB, Piano Concerto No.5
Béla Bartók
"Herzog Blaubarts Burg"
Oper in einem Akt (konzertant)

November 19th, Friday

Munich Philharmonic, James Gaffigan

Joseph Haydn
Symphonie Nr. 49 f-Moll Hob. I:49 "La Passione"
Friedrich Cerha
Konzert für Schlagzeug und Orchester
Sergej Rachmaninoff
"Symphonische Tänze" op. 45

November 26th, Friday

Munich Philharmonic, Nikolaj Znaider trying to conduct

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Symphonie C-Dur KV 425 "Linzer Symphonie"
Pjotr Iljitsch Tchaikovsky
Symphonie Nr. 5 e-Moll op. 64
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on November 03, 2010, 02:09:00 AM
Quote from: Mensch on October 28, 2010, 05:37:21 PM
Oh and the week before that:

8:00 PM
Saturday November 27, 2010

Program:
Debussy  Symphonic Fragments from The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian 
Ligeti  Violin Concerto
Ravel Mother Goose Suite
Debussy  La Mèr

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez
conductor
Robert Chen
violin
I have tickets for the Friday Performance - much anticipated, particularly the Violin Concerto which has become one of my favorites lately. I'm taking my daughter who I thought was open minded when it comes to more challenging pieces, but who admitted last week that a local performance of Schnittke's Concerto Grosse #3 left her a little bewildered - I advised her to listen to the Ligeti a few times before the concert, so I hope she takes notice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 03, 2010, 05:34:58 PM
Quote from: Sef on November 03, 2010, 02:09:00 AM
I have tickets for the Friday Performance - much anticipated, particularly the Violin Concerto which has become one of my favorites lately. I'm taking my daughter who I thought was open minded when it comes to more challenging pieces, but who admitted last week that a local performance of Schnittke's Concerto Grosse #3 left her a little bewildered - I advised her to listen to the Ligeti a few times before the concert, so I hope she takes notice.

My wife and I actually switched to the Friday performance as well. Where are you sitting?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sef on November 04, 2010, 12:45:04 AM
Quote from: Mensch on November 03, 2010, 05:34:58 PM
My wife and I actually switched to the Friday performance as well. Where are you sitting?
Up at the top - not exactly flush these days with kids at college! Perhaps we can meet during the interval?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on November 05, 2010, 06:53:50 PM
Tomorrow night I'll be enjoying the Melrose Symphony Orchestra perform the Egmont Overture, The Firebird, and the Brahms Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. The Melrose Symphony is in its 93rd  Season as the "Oldest Continuing Volunteer Orchestra in the Nation" and the calibre of the group is remarkable. More background on the group and the concert is here:

http://www.melrosesymphony.org/ (http://www.melrosesymphony.org/)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 07, 2010, 04:42:08 PM
Quote from: Sef on November 04, 2010, 12:45:04 AM
Up at the top - not exactly flush these days with kids at college! Perhaps we can meet during the interval?

Sure. Send me a PM sometime closer to the concert date and we can discuss details. We're sitting in the Terrace behind the orchestra, but usually hang out in the ballroom during intermission.

I know what you mean. It seems prices have gone way up this season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Benji on November 07, 2010, 04:57:34 PM
Quote from: Mensch on October 28, 2010, 05:37:21 PM
8:00 PM
Saturday December 4, 2010

Program:
Schoenberg  Transfigured Night 
Janáček  Glagolitic Mass

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez
conductor
Christine Brewer
soprano
Nancy Maultsby
mezzo-soprano
Lance Ryan
tenor
Mikhail Petrenko
bass
Paul Jacobs
organ
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe
director and conductor

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Oh and the week before that:

8:00 PM
Saturday November 27, 2010

Program:
Debussy  Symphonic Fragments from The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian 
Ligeti  Violin Concerto
Ravel Mother Goose Suite
Debussy  La Mèr

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez
conductor
Robert Chen
violin

I imagine the french music and Ligeti will be spectacular - I'm so jealous.

I'd also love to hear the Glagolitic Mass live. Not sure about Boulez with that though - he did it at the BBC Proms a few years back and he didn't look especially interested in the music, but perhaps that's just the way he always looks - i.e. dour haha. There is a Youtube video of the performance if you want a sneak peek of what you might be getting. I hope it's awesome for you.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 07, 2010, 05:15:44 PM
Quote from: Benji on November 07, 2010, 04:57:34 PM
I'd also love to hear the Glagolitic Mass live. Not sure about Boulez with that though - he did it at the BBC Proms a few years back and he didn't look especially interested in the music, but perhaps that's just the way he always looks - i.e. dour haha. There is a Youtube video of the performance if you want a sneak peek of what you might be getting. I hope it's awesome for you.  :)

Boulez has only one facial expression while conducting. Don't let that deceive you about his level of involvement.  ;) I actually have a live recording of a performance he did with the CSO several seasons ago that was issued on a "From the Archives" - Tribute to Pierre Boulez set of radio broadcasts that the CSO put out for a fundraiser a few years ago, so I have a good idea of what to expect and it's the reason I got tickets for that in the first place. He did a Sinfonietta here last season that was spectacular.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Benji on November 07, 2010, 05:21:25 PM
Quote from: Mensch on November 07, 2010, 05:15:44 PM
Boulez has only one facial expression while conducting. Don't let that deceive you about his level of involvement.  ;)

It's funny - i'm so used to seeing his dour face that when I saw this for the first time...

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Smv71eitL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)

... I didn't immediately recognise him.  ;D

QuoteI actually have a live recording of a performance he did with the CSO several seasons ago that was issued on a "From the Archives" - Tribute to Pierre Boulez set of radio broadcasts that the CSO put out for a fundraiser a few years ago, so I have a good idea of what to expect and it's the reason I got tickets for that in the first place. He did a Sinfonietta here last season that was spectacular.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts then, come December. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on November 07, 2010, 08:58:20 PM
Looking forward to going to this one this evening:

Cocktail Hour Recital - Three Clarinets +

Three Clarinets +
Monday 8 November 6.00pm
Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Ros Dunlop clarinet, Sue Newsome clarinet, Natascha Briger clarinet,
Christopher Kimber violin, Valmai Coggins viola, Julia Ryder cello,
David Miller piano

Schoenberg Suite 29
Feldman Three clarinets, cello and piano
Smith T(F)ree Radicals

I've seen some of these musicians in other recitals at the Con. I have never heard any of these pieces, and I haven't seen any works by Feldman or Smith live. Don't even know who this Smith guy is, perhaps he's an Australian composer?...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on November 08, 2010, 01:31:57 PM
Quote from: Sid on November 07, 2010, 08:58:20 PM
Looking forward to going to this one this evening:

Cocktail Hour Recital - Three Clarinets +

Three Clarinets +
Monday 8 November 6.00pm
Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Ros Dunlop clarinet, Sue Newsome clarinet, Natascha Briger clarinet,
Christopher Kimber violin, Valmai Coggins viola, Julia Ryder cello,
David Miller piano

Schoenberg Suite Op. 29 for violin, viola, cello, piano, Eb clarinet, Bb/A clarinet, Bass clarinet
Feldman Three clarinets, cello and piano
Smith T(F)ree Radicals for three bass clarinets and electronics

I've seen some of these musicians in other recitals at the Con. I have never heard any of these pieces, and I haven't seen any works by Feldman or Smith live. Don't even know who this Smith guy is, perhaps he's an Australian composer?...

Enjoyed this recital. Yes, Margery Smith was an Australian composer, and she was there at the performance at the electronics console for the performance of her piece. It had disssonance, some quite groovy jazzy moments, with the electronics providing a vague backdrop of sounds which I was constantly trying to work out what they were - natural or man-made? The Feldman was a slow, quiet and very intense piece. In complete contrast, the Schoenberg was very busy, full of this Baroque like counterpoint married with serialism. I was a bit exhausted by this piece because I'd never heard it before, and was trying to follow the various voices, but eventually gave up and just tried to listen without being too anal about it. All in all, this was a great recital...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on November 08, 2010, 02:50:01 PM
Quote from: Mensch on November 07, 2010, 05:15:44 PM
Boulez has only one facial expression while conducting. Don't let that deceive you about his level of involvement.  ;)
One of the most amusing things I've seen at a concert was Boulez getting carried away conducting the LSO in the last movement of Mahler's 6th. His face still looked dour, but he was waving his arms around much more dramatically than usual, and at the build-up to climaxes I could swear his feet left the ground a few times.

If I'd ever bought into Boulez the emotionless, I certainly didn't after that performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 09, 2010, 06:58:50 AM
Quote from: edward on November 08, 2010, 02:50:01 PM
One of the most amusing things I've seen at a concert was Boulez getting carried away conducting the LSO in the last movement of Mahler's 6th. His face still looked dour, but he was waving his arms around much more dramatically than usual, and at the build-up to climaxes I could swear his feet left the ground a few times.

If I'd ever bought into Boulez the emotionless, I certainly didn't after that performance.

Actually, if you have this DVD:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51716KQXEFL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

watch the Firebird. Toward the end when the horn solo comes in, I swear Boulez is so overcome by the beauty of it all he actually gets all teary eyed. You have to watch carefully, it's only a brief moment where you can see it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Scarpia on November 09, 2010, 06:59:50 AM
Quote from: Mensch on November 09, 2010, 06:58:50 AMToward the end when the horn solo comes in, I swear Boulez is so overcome by the beauty of it all he actually gets all teary eyed. You have to watch carefully, it's only a brief moment where you can see it.

You're sure it wasn't due to conjunctivitis?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 10, 2010, 04:15:27 AM
Just bought myself a ticket for an evening of Chamber Music to be performed by Trio Imàge (http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/kue/mus/en6607900v.htm) (on the 18th). I don't have the exact programme, but I'm guessing well-known piano trios (::)).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Benji on November 10, 2010, 04:42:32 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 10, 2010, 04:15:27 AM
Just bought myself a ticket for an evening of Chamber Music to be performed by Trio Imàge (http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/kue/mus/en6607900v.htm) (on the 18th). I don't have the exact programme, but I'm guessing well-known piano trios (::)).

It'd be amusing if they just played 4'33"  ;D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on November 10, 2010, 04:44:34 AM
Don't do something, just sit there!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 10, 2010, 04:49:26 AM
Quote from: Benji on November 10, 2010, 04:42:32 AM
It'd be amusing if they just played 4'33"  ;D

Sure, as long as it's the after-show encore. :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 10, 2010, 06:13:28 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 10, 2010, 04:15:27 AM
Just bought myself a ticket for an evening of Chamber Music to be performed by Trio Imàge (http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/kue/mus/en6607900v.htm) (on the 18th). I don't have the exact programme, but I'm guessing well-known piano trios (::)).

Any trio that releases a CD combining Mozart, Schumann and Kagel gets my attention.  Hope the concert is interesting, and do report back.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 10, 2010, 06:21:22 AM
Quote from: bhodges on November 10, 2010, 06:13:28 AM
Any trio that releases a CD combining Mozart, Schumann and Kagel gets my attention.  Hope the concert is interesting, and do report back.

--Bruce

Surely, Bruce. While programmes, being the rarities that they are, generally tend to be on the "gentler" side, I have attended a concert which featured a string quartet composed in '97. Indeed, it would be interesting to see if they mix in the Kagel -- whose music is unknown to me, BTW -- somewhere.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 10, 2010, 06:30:41 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 10, 2010, 06:21:22 AM
Surely, Bruce. While programmes, being the rarities that they are, generally tend to be on the "gentler" side, I have attended a concert which featured a string quartet composed in '97. Indeed, it would be interesting to see if they mix in the Kagel -- whose music is unknown to me, BTW -- somewhere.

"Gentler" is fine.  ;)  I'm just impressed when a group looks a little "outside the box" for repertoire (Kagel isn't done that often), and just the fact that they are paying attention to music from the 1990s is a good thing, too.   

May have to seek out that CD!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 11, 2010, 06:54:54 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 10, 2010, 04:15:27 AM
Just bought myself a ticket for an evening of Chamber Music to be performed by Trio Imàge (http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/kue/mus/en6607900v.htm) (on the 18th). I don't have the exact programme, but I'm guessing well-known piano trios ( ::) ).

According to the preview in today's paper (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article878813.ece), the trio will be playing Mozart, K. 458; Beethoven's in E-flat major (which one?), and Brahms' opus 87. This will mark the first time I listen to the music of the 'other' B's performed live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 11, 2010, 07:36:21 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 11, 2010, 06:54:54 AM
This will mark the first time I listen to the music of the 'other' B's performed live.

Can't believe you have never heard Beethoven LIVE. It's about time!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 11, 2010, 08:07:27 AM
Quote from: springrite on November 11, 2010, 07:36:21 AM
Can't believe you have never heard Beethoven LIVE. It's about time!!!

Yep. Still haven't ticked the 'Watch a symphony orchestra perform' off the list, though. :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 11, 2010, 12:14:59 PM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 11, 2010, 08:07:27 AM
Yep. Still haven't ticked the 'Watch a symphony orchestra perform' off the list, though. :(

Oh I hope that is fulfilled sooner rather than later!  Recordings are great--make no mistake, and I feel lucky to live in an age where you can listen to something hundreds of times if you want to--but hearing a terrific group in person is one of life's great pleasures.

Tomorrow night, seeing this:

Bernstein: A Quiet Place
New York City Opera

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 11, 2010, 12:50:59 PM
Quote from: bhodges on November 11, 2010, 12:14:59 PM
Oh I hope that is fulfilled sooner rather than later!  Recordings are great--make no mistake, and I feel lucky to live in an age where you can listen to something hundreds of times if you want to--but hearing a terrific group in person is one of life's great pleasures.

Tomorrow night, seeing this:

Bernstein: A Quiet Place
New York City Opera

--Bruce

just back from a spot of Bruckner with B.Haitink.

Re: Quiet Place: Have you read what Bernheimer wrote about it? Priceless. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/820eb3c6-e2e0-11df-9735-00144feabdc0.html (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/820eb3c6-e2e0-11df-9735-00144feabdc0.html) Why isn't there any critic who can write even half as well in 300 words?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 11, 2010, 12:55:05 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on November 11, 2010, 12:50:59 PM
just back from a spot of Bruckner with B.Haitink.

Re: Quiet Place: Have you read what Bernheimer wrote about it? Priceless. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/820eb3c6-e2e0-11df-9735-00144feabdc0.html (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/820eb3c6-e2e0-11df-9735-00144feabdc0.html) Why isn't there any critic who can write even half as well in 300 words?

Yes, I did see Bernheimer's piece (after I'd already committed to going) and thought, "Uh-oh."  But we'll see: I'm more forgiving of some of Bernstein's excesses than some.

How was Haitink, and which Bruckner? 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 11, 2010, 01:05:29 PM
Quote from: bhodges on November 11, 2010, 12:55:05 PM

How was Haitink, and which Bruckner? 

--Bruce

Haitink was fine... determined, cohesive... great 2nd movement of that 9th. But I couldn't have cared much less for the Te Deum. My problem with the piece, more than anything else, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 14, 2010, 10:48:48 PM
Quote from: springrite on November 11, 2010, 07:36:21 AM
Can't believe you have never heard Beethoven LIVE. It's about time!!!

I remembered today that I attended a piano recital sometime within the last two years in which Brahms' Op. 118/6 and Beethoven's Op. 90 were played. :)

Quote from: bhodges on November 11, 2010, 12:14:59 PM
Oh I hope that is fulfilled sooner rather than later!  Recordings are great--make no mistake, and I feel lucky to live in an age where you can listen to something hundreds of times if you want to--but hearing a terrific group in person is one of life's great pleasures.

Tomorrow night, seeing this:

Bernstein: A Quiet Place
New York City Opera

--Bruce

Thanks, Bruce. (A quiet place at the opera, huh? ;D) Hope you enjoyed it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on November 16, 2010, 03:56:18 PM
Looking forwards to this recital on the weekend:

"DOUBLE DUOS"
Performers: Laura Chislett Jones - Flute, Thomas Jones - Violin, Daryl Pratt - Percussion, Alison Pratt - Percussion, David Gilfillan - Sound Projection

Recital Hall East, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
PRESENTED BY: NEW MUSIC NETWORK

The neo-expressionism of Wolfgang Rihm and Elliott Carter's crystalline lyricism set this concert on a trajectory which explores new music chamber repertoire in an acoustic setting and with electronics. The trajectory is further outlined by four composers of the younger generation who represent, in these works, dramatically varied sounds worlds: complexity, minimalism, timbral exploration and ritualised and re-interpreted folk music. Rosalind Page's Courbe dominante takes inspiration from Kandinsky, Schoenberg and sound sources from planetary origins (Saturn) which she has transformed into a series of Baroque-referenced dance movements. Polish composer, Hanna Kulenty, is represented by her "European trance music" which uses digital delay. Giorgio Colombo Taccani's Luz, written for Laura and Thomas Jones, reflects refined timbral and harmonic beauty. Diego Luzuriaga is becoming well-known for his lively and passionate music which takes elements of Ecuadorean-Andean folk music as its point of departure. Luzuriaga's Double Duo has lent its name to this concert as the four instrumental performers are two married couples.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 17, 2010, 08:40:59 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 14, 2010, 10:48:48 PM
Thanks, Bruce. (A quiet place at the opera, huh? ;D) Hope you enjoyed it.

I enjoyed it (Bernstein A Quiet Place) immensely.  NYCO did itself quite proud with the production--not expensive, just effective--and had a very fine cast of singers.  I realized afterward that one of the reasons it's not done often is...it's too difficult!  Both the singers and the orchestra have very demanding parts, pretty much all evening, but everyone did a beautiful job.  The conductor was Jayce Ogren, who is not well known (yet), but I've heard him conduct the International Contemporary Ensemble (a fast-rising group here in NYC), and he's definitely someone to watch.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 17, 2010, 08:54:47 AM
On Friday, this fascinating concert.  I've never heard the Grisey, either live or recorded.  Barbara Hannigan was terrific last spring as Gepopo (the chief of police) in Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre.

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Barbara Hannigan, soprano

Magnus Lindberg: Souvenir (in memoriam Gérard Grisey) (World Premiere)
Gérard Grisey: Quatre chants pour franchir le seuil

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on November 18, 2010, 07:40:36 PM
Just went to this one here at City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney:

"A Little Lunch Music" with Selby & Friends
Taryn Feibig, soprano
Kathryn Selby, piano
Emma-Jane Murphy, cello
Dimity Hall, violin

Schubert - Gretchen am spinnrade (soprano, piano)
Amy Beach(1867-1944) - Two Songs for vioice, violin, cello and piano Op. 100 No. 1 & Op. 100 No. 2
Shostakovich - Seven Romances on Poems of Alexander Blok Op. 127 (1967), Vocal-instrumental suite for soprano, violin, cello and piano (sung in German)
I. Ophelia's Song
II. Gamayun, the Bird of Prophecy
III. We Were Alone
IV. The City Sleeps
V. The Storm - VI. Secret Signs - VII. Music
Encores: a song by Gershwin & "I could have danced all night" from My Fair Lady

I really enjoyed this performance. I had never heard this apparently popular Schubert song, and think it's the darkest and most tragic piece I have heard by him. Amy Beach was an American composer who studied in Germany, and these two songs reminded me strongly of Wagner. The Shostakovich was quite dark and moody. The fifth song, "The Storm" was the perfect evocation of a world in chaos. This song cycle was written after the composer's first heart attack, on the behest of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Kathryn Selby told of how the composer had experienced "writer's block" after his recovery, his wife had disposed of all of the alcohol in the house, but he found one tucked away in a cupboard corner, drank it, and the work simply poured out of him. After the darkness of the Shostakovich, the two encores finished the concert with a bit of froth and bubble. Just shows the range of Taryn Feibig's voice. All in all, this was a very enjoyable concert for me & I hope to go to more of theirs next year...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 18, 2010, 11:12:39 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on November 11, 2010, 01:05:29 PM
Haitink was fine... determined, cohesive... great 2nd movement of that 9th. But I couldn't have cared much less for the Te Deum. My problem with the piece, more than anything else, though.

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TOQyQ8HiDBI/AAAAAAAABU0/cmY_Qt-rBEw/s400/bearnard-haitink094.png)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on November 21, 2010, 04:21:33 PM
Quote from: Sid on November 16, 2010, 03:56:18 PM
Looking forwards to this recital on the weekend:

"DOUBLE DUOS"
Performers: Laura Chislett Jones - Flute, Thomas Jones - Violin, Daryl Pratt - Percussion, Alison Pratt - Percussion, David Gilfillan - Sound Projection

Recital Hall East, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
PRESENTED BY: NEW MUSIC NETWORK

The neo-expressionism of Wolfgang Rihm and Elliott Carter's crystalline lyricism set this concert on a trajectory which explores new music chamber repertoire in an acoustic setting and with electronics. The trajectory is further outlined by four composers of the younger generation who represent, in these works, dramatically varied sounds worlds: complexity, minimalism, timbral exploration and ritualised and re-interpreted folk music. Rosalind Page's Courbe dominante takes inspiration from Kandinsky, Schoenberg and sound sources from planetary origins (Saturn) which she has transformed into a series of Baroque-referenced dance movements. Polish composer, Hanna Kulenty, is represented by her "European trance music" which uses digital delay. Giorgio Colombo Taccani's Luz, written for Laura and Thomas Jones, reflects refined timbral and harmonic beauty. Diego Luzuriaga is becoming well-known for his lively and passionate music which takes elements of Ecuadorean-Andean folk music as its point of departure. Luzuriaga's Double Duo has lent its name to this concert as the four instrumental performers are two married couples.

This was an excellent recital, here are the full details of the program:

Wolfgang Rihm - Drei Vorspiele zu einer Insel (Three Preludes to an Island) for flute, violin and percussion
Elliot Carter - from 4 Lauds, Rhapsodic Musings for solo violin
Rosalind Page - Courbe dominante for flute in C, alto flute & saturnian sound source
Hanna Kulenty - A Fifth Circle for flute and delay
Giorgio Colombo Taccani - Luz for flute and violin
Diego Luzuriaga - Double Duo for flute, violin and 2 percussionists

These musicians are virtuosos at the top of their game. It was an excellent program, but I particularly liked Page's work, which included sounds recorded from the planet Saturn, which interspersed the acoustic flute parts; and Luzuriaga - who is an Ecuadorian composer - whose work took me to the heart of South America. The last movement was particularly fun - a fast dance, very percussive, from the Ecuadorian Andes. I'll have to check out what some of these composers have on disc. The only piece I knew was the Carter, the rest was entirely new to me...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 22, 2010, 03:16:08 AM
Stravinsky | Scherzo fantastique
Prokofiev | Piano Concerto No 3
Shostakovich | Symphony No 11

Oleg Marshev, piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko, conductor

Wednesday
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 24, 2010, 02:33:37 PM
Cross-post from the listening thread with expansion.

I just got back from seeing Shostakovich's 11th - Vasily P and the London Phil. Somehow, my memory had capacious recollections of the eeriness of the opening string and timpani figures, but I'd completely forgotten the sheer trouser-browning terror of the second-movement massacre. When the fugato was hurtling towards self-destruction and I was already on the edge of my seat, the tam-tam player stood up and strode forward to man his station and a gangsta voice in my head said, "Oh man... s*** is gonna go DOWN!" And it did. That's one of those rare climaxes in music where at the end of the huge build-up, when all the tension is getting released, everything actually gets crazier. At the and of the piece, I confess I had another immature thought. You know how in some bad action movies (like Mortal Kombat), the very last scene reveals a new, even more powerful evil villain who suddenly pops up just in time for the entire audience to realize that there will be a sequel, and then the credits role before he does anything? That's the coda of the 11th. Blam-o, new even more powerful villain casts darkness over the land, and - oops, you'll just have to wait for the 12th to see how that turns out!

The performance was everything you could possibly ask for, with an especially sensitive cor anglais solo in the finale.  Petrenko even let the violas stand for special recognition after it was over. Vasily is a tall, skinny blonde who, from the balcony, looks a bit like what Draco Malfoy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draco_Malfoy) would look like if he had had loving parents. Except that, after the Eleventh was over, Happy Kid Vasily had disappeared. The conductor who turned around had a look on his face I've never seen on a conductor before: he looked defeated. He looked like a man who has just had teeth removed. Up in the balcony, I got chills, slowed down my clapping, moved back in my seat. It was actually uncomfortable (the power of empathy). Only on the very last curtain call had he recovered - only then was he able to smile and put his hand over his heart in appreciation.

The first half of the program was mostly average. Prokofiev's Third Concerto was all about Petrenko and the London players' excellent accompaniment; Oleg Marshev mostly just was competent and pleasing, and in the final crescendo he was drowned out so quickly as to be a non-factor. So that's why concerto recordings skew the balances so much... Marshev realized he had lost the battle, so he delivered (with great panache and virtuosity) a lengthy encore, a solo Chopin piece I'd never heard before but which I am guessing was a polonaise. The Stravinsky (Scherzo fantastique) was characterfully played, but it's still a turd of a piece. No, that's not the right word. It's cute and pretty and feather-light and has good moments. But I've heard it live at concert halls twice, now, twice in 2010 in fact!, and I would never consider putting it on the stereo at home. It must have been a really early work of his, because it's totally pointless and not even skilfully derivative. There were six double bassists on stage for it, and the double bass part had exactly two notes in twelve minutes. What kind of composer uses six double basses to play two notes in twelve minutes? A composer who needs a bit more practice.

I can understand the need for a slightly obscure 12-minute overture by a Russian to lead off the program. But there are a lot of 12-minute (or 11- or 13- ) overtures by Russians. Borodin - Prince Igor; Tchaikovsky - Danish Themes; Rimsky-Korsakov - Snow Maiden Suite; various symphonic poems by Glazunov, Liadov, Svetlanov (!); probably something good by Weinberg (thus completing the Soviet Masters Triumvirate); maybe a good Shchedrin short. Heck, there are probably good alternatives by Stravinsky.

Anyhow. The massacre and subsequent stillness of the Shostakovich were totally worth it - and it was totally worth it, too, to see in action one of the finest young (or, if jlaurson is reading this in a nit-picking mood, relatively young) conductors in the business. I think I'm going to go to Liverpool in January to see Vasily do Rachmaninov's Second Symphony. Should be a blast.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 25, 2010, 07:03:46 AM
Back from an enjoyable evening of Chopin at my Alma mater (the place where I studied during the last two years of high school), courtesy Polish pianist Marek Drewnowsky (http://www.drewnowski.pl/SITE/biographie.php?langue=en). The event was organised by a local music school along with the Polish Embassy as part of the Chopin anniversary. For reasons that sounded rather dubious to me, the event was shifted from the school auditorium, which is fairly modern and plays host to concerts and plays on a regular basis, to a regular, smallish hall -- the MC, who is a pianist himself, said the acoustics were better there! ??? The room was packed when I entered and the only seats available were right at the back from where I could only see the piano lid. But just before the show started, young members of the audience were invited to sit around the piano where mats were spread out so that older people could occupy the seats. I immediately went to the front only to find most of the available space already occupied, and not an inch left behind the piano where one could view the pianist's finger-work. So I spent the rest of recital, sitting about five feet away from the piano, listening and watching the pedals in action.  :(

As for the programme itself, it was mostly Chopin with a sprinkling of Scarlatti. Things got under way the Variations on "La ci darem la mano," followed by three sonatas by Scarlatti (don't know which), then Chopin again with the Nocturne, Op. 15/2; the waltzes, Opp. 64/2 (a personal favourite of mine), 42 and third one, the details of which I forget. Then there was a Mazurka, and a very short piece for an encore -- and it was not the 'Minute' waltz. (Sorry, I'm not good with remembering the opus numbers of Chopin works, even though I love much of his music.)

Drewnowski, I learnt, has something in common with Gustav Leonhardt: both have portrayed the role of the composers they are most associated with on screen. Apparently, he has acted in a feature film as Chopin, and, of course, recorded the soundtracks featuring his music. And he plays well in the dark too. While playing one of the Scarlatti, there was a black-out for a few seconds, but the music continued unperturbed. ;D

The best part of the evening however, today and few days ago and piano trio concert, was simply being in the presence of unadulterated sound emanating from the instrument(s).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on November 27, 2010, 05:47:44 PM
Looking forward to this recital tommorrow night by the Melbourne based Flinders String Quartet here in Sydney at the Conservatorium. From the website:

Richard Mills is always alive with energy and his fourth string quartet is no exception. Berg's Opus 3 quartet uses a language that is close to the human voice and was praised by Schoenberg for its originality. To finish the year, we have invited Paul Dean to play Mozart's masterpiece for string quartet and clarinet.

Berg String Quartet Op.3
Mills String Quartet No.4 'Glimpses from my
        book of Dada'* (world premiere)
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major K.581

Guest Artist Paul Dean, clarinet

*Commissioned with assistance from the Australia Council and dedicated to Flinders Quartet on their tenth birthday.

Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney
Monday 29 November 2010, 7 pm

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on November 29, 2010, 02:37:57 PM
Quote from: Sid on November 27, 2010, 05:47:44 PM
Looking forward to this recital tommorrow night by the Melbourne based Flinders String Quartet here in Sydney at the Conservatorium. From the website:

Richard Mills is always alive with energy and his fourth string quartet is no exception. Berg's Opus 3 quartet uses a language that is close to the human voice and was praised by Schoenberg for its originality. To finish the year, we have invited Paul Dean to play Mozart's masterpiece for string quartet and clarinet.

Berg String Quartet Op.3
Mills String Quartet No.4 'Glimpses from my
        book of Dada'* (world premiere)
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A major K.581
        Clarinet Quintet fragment in B flat

Guest Artist Paul Dean, clarinet

*Commissioned with assistance from the Australia Council and dedicated to Flinders Quartet on their tenth birthday.

Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney
Monday 29 November 2010, 7 pm

I really enjoyed this concert. I had not heard the music of Australian composer Richard Mills for many years. His string quartet was appropriately a bit of Dadaesque fun, with movements titled in ways like "The circumspect Ibis," "The rise of the airheads in public life," "Reve circulaire du Wombat," "Scheming and latte drinking," "The octopus quadrille," and "Anti Tango from Berlin as Premonition of invasion by Russian Herbalists." That movement's title was taken from the memory of a dream by fellow composer Grahame Koehne's mother, who died while the quartet was completed, so the last slow movement, a prayer, was dedicated to her. There were even paperclips inserted near the bridges of the first violins in the "Anti Tango," talking to the violinist Matt Tomkins afterwards, he said Mills was taking the piss out of this same thing done by a German composer in an avant-garde string quartet. It sounded like an household appliance sound, like the noise made by a fridge, vaccuum cleaner or microwave or something. I was also reminded of Bartok by this quartet, especially in the use of Bartok pizzicato.

It was pretty amazing hearing the Berg opus 3 done live as well. Those rich harmonies. The quartet played the three main themes briefly and talked about them before playing the whole work. I also learned that Berg wrote this very passionate work when he was dating his wife to be, but her father was quite obstructive and against the relationship.

To finish off, Paul Dean joined the quartet to play the sublime Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A. This is one of my favourite works by Mozart, and it is the second time that I have seen/heard it live. Paul Dean basically used his whole body to play the clarinet, and he had a very fine sense of dynamics. They also played the incomplete Clarinet Quintet fragment in B flat, which sounded a bit like the first movement of the other quintet, but it ended abruptly and only lasted 5 minutes or so.

All in all, I loved this (my first) taste of the Flinders Quartet, and plan to go to a couple of their recitals next year (they do three recitals throughout the year, touring Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 02, 2010, 04:34:58 AM
Sunday 5 December

Schubert | Unfinished Symphony
Mozart | Piano Concerto No 21
Beethoven | Symphony No 5

I wasn't planning on going to this - was expecting to go see Mahler's First instead - but you know what? Sometimes you just gotta cave in and enjoy the old, famous stuff.  8)  Especially when the artists are:

Angela Hewitt, piano
Christoph von Dohnanyi, conductor
Philharmonia
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 02, 2010, 07:48:14 AM
Quote from: Brian on December 02, 2010, 04:34:58 AM
Sunday 5 December

Schubert | Unfinished Symphony
Mozart | Piano Concerto No 21
Beethoven | Symphony No 5

I wasn't planning on going to this - was expecting to go see Mahler's First instead - but you know what? Sometimes you just gotta cave in and enjoy the old, famous stuff.  8)  Especially when the artists are:

Angela Hewitt, piano
Christoph von Dohnanyi, conductor
Philharmonia

Agreed, and further: everyone should hear the Beethoven Fifth now and then, just to be reminded of why it has the status it does.  Just last January I heard it with James Levine and the MET Orchestra--beautiful, muscular performance.  Dohnanyi should be wonderful with it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on December 02, 2010, 08:35:40 PM
Will be going to this concert in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney on the weekend. It's unclear at this stage who the pianist will be (not advertised on their website yet). I remember seeing these two Beethoven works live a long time ago, but I don't remember ever seeing the music of Sibelius, so it'll be interesting:

Program:
Beethoven Emperor Concerto
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra
Guest Conductor:  Luke Gilmour.

5th of December 2010
2.30pm, The Scots College, Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on December 05, 2010, 12:46:26 AM
will stretch the budget next month to include
Elgar Howarth conductor
Kyoko Takezawa Violin

Barber: The School for Scandal: Overture
Barber: Violin Concerto
Bruckner: Symphony No. 6

There's an association in the back of my mind of Howarth with brass music, might account for the Bruckner on the program?    Edition is not indicated.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 05, 2010, 07:40:44 PM
Quote from: Mensch on October 28, 2010, 05:37:21 PM
8:00 PM
Saturday December 4, 2010

Program:
Schoenberg  Transfigured Night 
Janáček  Glagolitic Mass

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez
conductor
Christine Brewer
soprano
Nancy Maultsby
mezzo-soprano
Lance Ryan
tenor
Mikhail Petrenko
bass
Paul Jacobs
organ
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe
director and conductor

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

This turned out to be the absolute highlight of recent CSO concerts. Stupendous performance! (Apart from a rather nondescript mezzo.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on December 05, 2010, 07:52:06 PM
Quote from: Sid on December 02, 2010, 08:35:40 PM
Will be going to this concert in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney on the weekend. It's unclear at this stage who the pianist will be (not advertised on their website yet). I remember seeing these two Beethoven works live a long time ago, but I don't remember ever seeing the music of Sibelius, so it'll be interesting:

Program:
Beethoven Emperor Concerto
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra
Guest Conductor:  Luke Gilmour.

5th of December 2010
2.30pm, The Scots College, Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill.

I enjoyed this concert. The pianist was Jacky Wong, who is over here from Hong Kong studying his masters at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. A young guy & a past winner of the Asian International Piano Competition, he was a very subtle pianist, very rarely did he "bang" down on the keys. I loved the encore as well (I'm not sure, it sounded like Rachmaninov). The Coriolan and Sibelius symphony also received good performances (the finale of the symphony was their best effort, imo, and the flutes and woodwind sections made a very big effort to play those tricky bits). I think a major problem here is the poor acoustic of Scot's College Auditorium, there is very little decay, especially for the strings (which sometimes sounded higher than they really are). There was also a bit in the Sibelius where I saw the trombonists playing, but couldn't hear them! I have seen members of this group perform at the chapel at St. Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill, and that by far has a better acoustic. But I can't really complain much about the performances, they were pretty good for a semi-professional orchestra, imo...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 06, 2010, 07:14:29 AM
Tonight, a sold-out, all-Boulez concert with the composer present, marking his 85th birthday:

James Baker, conductor
Talea Ensemble

Boulez: 12 Notations
Boulez: Improvisations I and II sur Mallarmé
Boulez: Dérive I
Boulez: Dérive II

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 07, 2010, 12:28:01 PM
Next week, two concerts by the Saito Kinen Orchestra, which I've never heard, either live or recorded.

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Seiji Ozawa, Music Director and Conductor
Tatsuya Shimono, Conductor
Yukio Tanaka, Biwa
Kifu Mitsuhashi, Shakuhachi

Takemitsu: November Steps for Biwa, Shakuhachi, and Orchestra
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Seiji Ozawa, Music Director and Conductor
Christine Goerke, Soprano
Anthony Dean Griffey, Tenor
Matthias Goerne, Baritone
SKF Matsumoto Choir
Ritsuyukai Choir
SKF Matsumoto Children's Chorus
Pierre Vallet, Chorus Master

Britten: War Requiem

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 07, 2010, 01:19:38 PM
Quote from: bhodges on December 07, 2010, 12:28:01 PM
Next week, two concerts by the Saito Kinen Orchestra, which I've never heard, either live or recorded.
--Bruce

Should be a treat. Japan's best, probably. Great Mahler, surprisingly good Bach... versatile and open minded ensemble.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 07, 2010, 05:49:38 PM
Quote from: bhodges on December 06, 2010, 07:14:29 AM
Tonight, a sold-out, all-Boulez concert with the composer present, marking his 85th birthday:

Aren't they kinda nine months late with that?  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 14, 2010, 06:37:57 AM
Tonight, celebrating my birthday with this concert.  The program is a little conservative, but never mind: the concert is sold out, I've never heard the ensemble, and I'm curious to hear Ozawa after all these years.  Don't know Gondai's work at all.

Carnegie Hall
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Seiji Ozawa, Music Director and Conductor
Tatsuya Shimono, Conductor
Mitsuko Uchida, Piano

Atsuhiko Gondai (b. 1965): Decathexis (US Premiere)
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor
Brahms: Symphony No. 1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MN Dave on December 14, 2010, 06:41:21 AM
Quote from: bhodges on December 14, 2010, 06:37:57 AM
Tonight, celebrating my birthday with this concert. 

Happy 29th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 14, 2010, 07:25:09 AM
Quote from: Sackbut on December 14, 2010, 06:41:21 AM
Happy 29th.

;D

I'll gladly take it.  Thank you so much! 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on December 15, 2010, 06:56:22 PM
Last night, went to this one:

New Music Network presents
atmospheres
Halcyon with austraLYSIS


Music Workshop, Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Program:

David Adamcyk - Avant la larme (2006) for soprano, tenor saxophone, piano & electronics
Roger Dean & Hazel Smith - Toy Language 2 (2010) for mezzo-soprano, acousmatic material, and live processing
Kaija Saariaho - Nuits, adieux (1991) for four singers and live electronics
Kasia Glowicka - Luminescence (2009) for five voices & electronics
Trevor Wishart - Vox 2 (1982-84) for four amplified voices and electronics

Artists

Halcyon
Elizabeth Scott, conductor
Alison Morgan, soprano
Jenny Duck-Chong, mezzo soprano
Jo Burton, mezzo soprano
Andrei Laptev, tenor
Clive Birch, bass
James Nightingale, tenor saxophone
Zubin Kanga, piano

austraLYSIS
Roger Dean, Greg White, sound processing & diffusion

Some of this music was right from the cutting edge; Adamcyk and Glowicka are young composers who were found by the ensemble on the internet (the former Canadian, the latter Polish but living in the Netherlands). The pieces I enjoyed the most were the Saariaho & the Glowicka. In the former, each singer sung into two microphones, and their voices came in and out of focus which created these subtle and delicate tones (the exploration of colour being an important aspect of this style, which is called spectralism). The Glowicka had these bassy sounds from the electronic accompaniment, and the singers went high and low to accompany these sounds. It had overtones of techno, and you wouldn't be forgiven for thinking it would be more in place in a night club than a concert hall! I really enjoy these concerts (I have gone to quite a few in this series this year), because (as on this night) I am able to hear composers' music which I am not familiar with at all. Needless to say, I enjoyed this concert, it was worth going for the two composers I mentioned alone, but the others were interesting as well...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 16, 2010, 10:45:51 AM
Quote from: Sid on December 15, 2010, 06:56:22 PM
David Adamcyk - Avant la larme (2006) for soprano, tenor saxophone, piano & electronics
Roger Dean & Hazel Smith - Toy Language 2 (2010) for mezzo-soprano, acousmatic material, and live processing
Kaija Saariaho - Nuits, adieux (1991) for four singers and live electronics
Kasia Glowicka - Luminescence (2009) for five voices & electronics
Trevor Wishart - Vox 2 (1982-84) for four amplified voices and electronics

. . . . .

The pieces I enjoyed the most were the Saariaho & the Glowicka.

Thanks for the report on a great-sounding concert.  I'm a big Saariaho fan but have never heard that piece.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on December 16, 2010, 02:46:24 PM
Well thanks for reading, Bruce. Yes, the Saariaho was a really interesting piece, and I plan to get something of hers in the near future. I just discovered this New Music Network series this year & they put on a number of contemporary chamber concerts per year, some of them with live electronics. They are all inexpensive, which is great. There's a whole world out there for me to explore. I should have also added that the above concert was quite well attended, so obviously there's a dedicated audience out there in Sydney for this type of new music...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 17, 2010, 08:48:35 AM
Quote from: Sid on December 16, 2010, 02:46:24 PM
Well thanks for reading, Bruce. Yes, the Saariaho was a really interesting piece, and I plan to get something of hers in the near future. I just discovered this New Music Network series this year & they put on a number of contemporary chamber concerts per year, some of them with live electronics. They are all inexpensive, which is great. There's a whole world out there for me to explore. I should have also added that the above concert was quite well attended, so obviously there's a dedicated audience out there in Sydney for this type of new music...

I always enjoy your concert reports, Sid, since the repertoire you report on is unusual.  And it's great to hear that so many people are coming out to concerts like these. 

Tonight I'm hearing the second of the New York Philharmonic's CONTACT! concerts, conducted by Alan Gilbert:

James Matheson: True South (World Premiere: New York Philharmonic Commission
Jay Alan Yim: neverthesamerivertwice (World Premiere: New York Philharmonic Commission)         
Julian Anderson: Comedy of Change (U.S. Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 17, 2010, 12:58:51 PM
Thanks to a free ticket that spontaneously came my way, I just used my lunch hour to catch the first half of a CSO brass performance of Gabrieli, Bach and Grainger, which was a blast as you can imagine.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dax on December 18, 2010, 12:32:13 AM
Quote from: Sid on December 15, 2010, 06:56:22 PM
Roger Dean

An extraordinary bloke. He was reputedly offered a position in the double bass section of the Oslo Philharmonic at the age of 16 and his abilities on that instrument at university were quite staggering. A decent pianist and a vibes player who could use 6 sticks simultaneously as he did in an interesting trio of his which used that instrument. A considerable jazzer at that time but also (later) the author of a sensible and readable book on (non-jazz) improvisation. Has 2 PhDs and a DLitt. Headed the Australian Heart Foundation for a period. Last I heard, he was Vice-Chancellor of Canberra University . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Novi on December 19, 2010, 05:36:13 AM
Quote from: Sid on December 02, 2010, 08:35:40 PM
Will be going to this concert in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney on the weekend. It's unclear at this stage who the pianist will be (not advertised on their website yet). I remember seeing these two Beethoven works live a long time ago, but I don't remember ever seeing the music of Sibelius, so it'll be interesting:

Program:
Beethoven Emperor Concerto
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Woollahra Philharmonic Orchestra
Guest Conductor:  Luke Gilmour.

5th of December 2010
2.30pm, The Scots College, Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill.

Haha, I lived in the area for almost 20 years and never knew there was a Woollahra Philharmonic :D Actually, I never knew there was so much happening around Sydney until I read your reviews. Interesting stuff - thanks!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on December 19, 2010, 06:00:53 AM
"Havergal Brian's Gothic symphony will be performed at the Proms July 17, 2011 - BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Martyn Brabbins", it says here:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/DEC10/listing.htm#ixzz18ZGakhHF

I know where I will be... !!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 19, 2010, 08:30:44 AM
Quote from: Jezetha on December 19, 2010, 06:00:53 AM
"Havergal Brian's Gothic symphony will be performed at the Proms July 17, 2011 - BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Martyn Brabbins", it says here:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2010/DEC10/listing.htm#ixzz18ZGakhHF

I know where I will be... !!

This looks like a really, really good excuse to have a big old GMG meetup  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2010, 08:35:44 AM
Quote from: Brian on December 19, 2010, 08:30:44 AM
This looks like a really, really good excuse to have a big old GMG meetup  :)

I was thinking the same thing. Will you still be in London?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 19, 2010, 08:47:43 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2010, 08:35:44 AM
I was thinking the same thing. Will you still be in London?

Sarge

Plan to!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2010, 08:48:44 AM
Quote from: Brian on December 19, 2010, 08:47:43 AM
Plan to!

Excellent
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on December 19, 2010, 09:57:23 AM
Okay - Dundonnell, Sarge, Brian, Vandermolen, me, who else? Luke! Mirror Image, Hattoff... We're getting to the 12 Brianites Sarge predicted.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2010, 10:13:42 AM
Quote from: Jezetha on December 19, 2010, 09:57:23 AM
Okay - Dundonnell, Sarge, Brian, Vandermolen, me, who else?

Christo?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on December 19, 2010, 10:15:56 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2010, 10:13:42 AM
Christo?


Of course! I 'tweeted' the big news. As he's active on Twitter, he should see it. And otherwise I'll mail him or ring him up!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2010, 10:18:19 AM
Quote from: Jezetha on December 19, 2010, 10:15:56 AM

Of course! I 'tweeted' the big news. As he's active on Twitter, he should see it. And otherwise I'll mail him or ring him up!

I can't believe he'd miss it...if he were able to attend. He wrote this about the Gothic:

Quote from: Christo on June 09, 2007, 10:19:35 PM
Well, then. Here is yet another voice that feels urged to declare solemnly:
1. That in his opinion Brian's Gothic outshines Mahler's Thousand in all respects mentioned already, but first and for all musically;
2. That the first free, purely orchestral, movements are all superb, but that the third one, Vivace, stands for nothing less but sheer wizardry: some of the best orchestral music ever written. Oh, please try it again. It's the only musical equivalent I ever encountered of another experience of pure bliss: descending the Swiss-Italian Alps after a long climb (by bike), heading to the south.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on December 19, 2010, 10:20:47 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2010, 10:18:19 AM
I can't believe he'd miss it...if he were able to attend. He wrote this about the Gothic:

Sarge


He still stands by that, I have no doubt! I just mailed him... Christo just published a book about free speech (in Dutch), so he's rather busy, I think.


Edit: Christo (Johan Snel) just mailed back - he won't be able to make it... He and his family will have just arrived at their holiday home in Tuscany. Pity
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dax on December 20, 2010, 04:56:36 AM
If it's confirmed, I shall be there too. I've heard the Gothic before in the Albert Hall and it's one of the few pieces of music which is well served by that otherwise fairly horrendous venue.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on December 20, 2010, 08:32:36 AM
Quote from: Dax on December 20, 2010, 04:56:36 AM
If it's confirmed, I shall be there too. I've heard the Gothic before in the Albert Hall and it's one of the few pieces of music which is well served by that otherwise fairly horrendous venue.
When were you there? 1966 or 1980? And 'horrendous venue' - you might be right. I suddenly remember a piece by Jessica Duchen about her gruelling experiences at the RAH during the (hot) summer... Oh well. I'm no stranger to suffering for Art... 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dax on December 20, 2010, 06:06:58 PM
1980. Hadn't realised it was that long ago before checking up.

The Albert Hall was pretty suitable for Langgaard's Sfaerernes Musik - one of last summer's proms great pleasures.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on December 20, 2010, 11:38:56 PM
Quote from: Dax on December 20, 2010, 06:06:58 PM
1980. Hadn't realised it was that long ago before checking up.

The Albert Hall was pretty suitable for Langgaard's Sfaerernes Musik - one of last summer's proms great pleasures.


With Dausgaard. Yes, I heard that on the radio. Incredible piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on December 21, 2010, 04:57:09 PM
On Sunday, went to see this concert at Sydney Town Hall:

Handel's Messiah
presented by The Radio Community Chest


Combined Churches Choir
The Sydney Messiah Orchestra
Tim Chung, conductor
Peter Kneeshaw, organist & assistant conductor
Erika Simons, soprano
Anna Dowsley, contralto
Pascal Herington, tenor
Morgan Pearse, bass

I enjoyed this concert, was looking forward to seeing this work live for the first time ever this year. A friend was to come but he wasn't well. The choir was about 400 strong, and the orchestra was made up of 20 musicians, including a timpanist. There was organ in place of harpsichord. So in other words, this was a pretty large scale presentation of the work.

"For Unto Us A Child Is Born" was a thrill to hear. All of those dotted rhythms and counterpoint done beautifully. I was very moved by the work of all of the soloists involved, they are young singers at the start of their careers, and they did a great job.

I noticed that during the "Hallelujah" Chorus all of the audience stood, and the soloists also sung along with the chorus to this. Is this a tradition? The performance was very well received, there was a standing ovation at the end which went on for a long time. It seemed like the audience didn't want to leave. I really enjoyed it & I look forward to going again next year...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on December 27, 2010, 10:27:38 AM
[Not that I'm particularly looking forward to it, but I didn't want to start a thread for this either.]

This New Year's Eve Beethoven Cycle in Tokyo 2010 will be held in Ueno district in Japan. Maestro Lorin Maazel and the Hiroyuki Iwaki Orchestra will perform live all Beethoven Symphonies at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, located at Ueno district in Tokyo. There are few tickets still available.

For those who cannot attend the concert at Ueno, there are many other ways to enjoy the concert in realtime in the New Year's Eve, even if you are not in Japan. 


http://a4a.wide.ad.jp/en/index.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 31, 2010, 07:23:52 AM

Top 10 Live "At-Large" Performances of 2010

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-live-at-large-performances-of.html
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/12/top-10-live-at-large-performances-of.html)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TR3o6mX0XXI/AAAAAAAABYI/ditZstxYQss/s320/Damrau_Act1_W_Hoesl.jpg)  (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TFxX5a2bhcI/AAAAAAAABJU/cCyNohzrs28/s400/Lulu_act2_Monika_Rittershaus_lynniemylove.jpg)   (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_fvqDJniJWuw/TGl7BF6-IqI/AAAAAAAABK0/aRk7cuPL1Xk/s400/web-giovanni_2010_152.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on January 01, 2011, 09:00:23 PM
January 8th

DEBUSSY Nocturnes
MOZART Requiem
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Lucy Crowe - Soprano
Birgit Remmert - Mezzo-soprano
James Taylor - Tenor
Andrew Foster-Williams - Bass-baritone
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 02, 2011, 03:21:33 AM
Concerts in the Washington Area:

                             February in Music
                           http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2552
(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/14-Crimson-winged-Parrakeet_480.png)
(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2552)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 03, 2011, 09:26:59 AM
Tonight at the Met, thanks to a friend who called with an extra ticket!

Puccini: La Fanciulla del West, with Deborah Voigt

Don't know the piece at all, but for one friend, it's his favorite Puccini opera.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 03, 2011, 09:37:24 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 03, 2011, 09:26:59 AM
Tonight at the Met, thanks to a friend who called with an extra ticket!

Puccini: La Fanciulla del West, with Deborah Voigt

Don't know the piece at all, but for one friend, it's his favorite Puccini opera.

--Bruce

Might go see that on the 8th (at the movie theatre).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 03, 2011, 09:44:05 AM
Do report, if so!  It's supposed to be excellent, with Voigt in "Annie Get Your Gun-mode."  ;D

EDIT:  Just found out Voigt isn't singing tonight...it's Elisabete Matos.  Oh well...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 05, 2011, 08:42:57 AM
Tonight at (Le) Poisson Rouge, pianist Gloria Cheng and the Calder Quartet at in this great program.  I've heard the last two pieces, but none of the others.

Boulez: Une page d'éphéméride (New York premiere)
Vivier: Pianoforte (New York premiere)
Godfrey: Night Walk (New York premiere)
Adès: Mazurkas, Op. 27
Saariaho: Ballade and Prelude
Messiaen: Selections from Eight Préludes
Stravinsky: Three Pieces for String Quartet
Adès: Piano Quintet

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 05, 2011, 08:47:01 AM
A Boulez première! Who'd a thunk it! ; )

Thread duty:

Friday we get to enjoy both Stravinsky's Œdipus Rex and a concert performance of Bartók's A kékszakállú herceg vára . . . first live Stravinsky & Bartók of the year! (for us, I mean . . . .)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 05, 2011, 08:55:34 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 05, 2011, 08:47:01 AM
Friday we get to enjoy both Stravinsky's Œdipus Rex and a concert performance of Bartók's A kékszakállú herceg vára . . . first live Stravinsky & Bartók of the year! (for us, I mean . . . .)[/font]

Karl, that looks sensational--great singers for both.  I've heard Michelle DeYoung in a number of things lately, including the Bartók last year.  She's marvelous (and like, 13 feet tall  ;D).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 12, 2011, 09:25:16 AM
I've already shared this with Bruce, but thought I would post it here as well.

It's the 20th anniversary of the Winnipeg New Music Festival Week, coming up Jan 28th to Feb 4th, which features brand new or 'newer' music from contemporary composers from Canada, USA and other countries.

I'm excited as Pendereckiwill be making an appearance there this year, and four of his works will be played (Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima, Quartetto per archi, Viola Concerto and Symphony No. 7 'Seven Gates of Jerusalem').  The Kronos Quartet, John Corigliano and percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie will be there as well.

Here are some more of the works being featured in the NMF: http://www.newmusicfestival.ca/wp (http://www.newmusicfestival.ca/wp)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 12, 2011, 09:29:22 AM
That's splendid, Ray! Live performance really illumines the Threnody, in particular.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 12, 2011, 09:30:12 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 12, 2011, 09:29:22 AM
That's splendid, Ray! Live performance really illumines the Threnody, in particular.

That is a splendid piece!  I can't wait to hear all of it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 12, 2011, 09:35:25 AM
That's quite an excellent line-up, and says a lot about Mickelthwate and about Winnipeg's arts scene in general.  And yes, I'd love to hear the Threnody live, too.  I'm surprised it doesn't show up on programs more often.

And to hear Evelyn Glennie would also be a real treat, not to mention the Kronos Quartet.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: david-jw on January 12, 2011, 10:37:31 AM
I am going to see Pollini perform Op 109/110/111 in Feb in London   ;D

Cant wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 12, 2011, 10:41:24 AM
Quote from: david-jw on January 12, 2011, 10:37:31 AM
I am going to see Pollini perform Op 109/110/111 in Feb in London   ;D

Cant wait!
When-Where?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: david-jw on January 12, 2011, 10:54:27 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on January 12, 2011, 10:41:24 AM
When-Where?

15th Feb at Royal Festival Hall

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/music/classical/tickets/maurizio-pollini-piano-51194

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 12, 2011, 11:00:29 AM
Quote from: david-jw on January 12, 2011, 10:54:27 AM
15th Feb at Royal Festival Hall

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/music/classical/tickets/maurizio-pollini-piano-51194

Bloody hell... I'll miss it by a week. :-(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 12, 2011, 11:16:49 AM
Another great one coming up--the closing night of this year's Focus! Festival--and it's free.

Jan. 28, 2011
Juilliard Orchestra
Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor

Lutoslawski: Overture for Strings
Lutoslawski: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
Lutoslawski: Partita for Violin and Orchestra
Lutoslawski: Symphony no. 4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 12, 2011, 02:36:02 PM
Quote from: david-jw on January 12, 2011, 10:37:31 AM
I am going to see Pollini perform Op 109/110/111 in Feb in London   ;D

Cant wait!

Oh man, I need to grab tickets for that FAST. They'll sell out in a hurry if they haven't already.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: david-jw on January 13, 2011, 05:35:57 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 12, 2011, 02:36:02 PM
Oh man, I need to grab tickets for that FAST. They'll sell out in a hurry if they haven't already.

Yeah go for it..... it should be amazing.

I am very familiar with his great 1970's recording of these works so am looking forward to seeing what 35 years has brought to his interpretation.

Maybe he will be re-recording them  before he retires?.............
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 13, 2011, 08:07:18 AM
Tonight, MATA presents another one of its Interval concerts with young composers.  The series is at Issue Project Room, a small experimental venue in Brooklyn.  The program is curated by Juraj Kojs, and I've not heard any of his music, nor any of the others.

(from the MATA website (http://matafestival.org/mata-interval/))

"In this program, seven composers/performers will introduce their approach to extending, hybridizing and abstracting the principles of instrumental design in a multimodal musical performance. Spencer Topel will present a piece for violin and live electronics. Jorge Variego will perform a composition for clarinet and a joystick controller. Juraj Kojs will manipulate the Slovakian sheep bells with digitally modeled cyberbell structures, and the Zeta cello, novel K-Bow controller and narration will be the focal point for Sarah O'Halloran and Margaret Schedel. Chikashi Miyama's hands will sculpt musical structures in the air over his non-haptic Peacock instrument, and Paula Matthusen will show her work for live electronic organisms in jars."

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Elnimio on January 13, 2011, 11:35:26 AM
None, really. It's a very disappointing season at the ASO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on January 16, 2011, 04:10:33 PM
Went to this one yesterday:

Christ Church St Laurence (Sydney) Organ Recital Series
Christopher Cook (Melbourne organist)
Instrument: Hill & Son organ, 1892


Programme:

GF Handel (arr. WH Goss-Custard) - Overture to the Occasional Oratorio
F Liszt (arr. Edwin Lemaire) - Sposalizio (from Years of Pilgramage, Italian Book)
Percy Whitlock - Canzona & Scherzetto from Sonata (1936)
Jean Langlais - Prelude modal; Bells
E Elgar - Prelude & Angel's Farewell (from Dream of Gerontius)
Henri Mulet - Rosace (3 of Esquisses Byzantines)
Alexandre Pierre Francois Boely - Fantasie & Fugue in Bb

I have been wanting to hear French organ music live for some time, and this recital was great because that's my favourite part of the organ repertoire. The Handel was quite robust as usual, and a great opener. I didn't recognise the Liszt in the organ arrangement, it sounded totally different to the original piano version to my ears. I especially liked Langlais' second piece "Bells" - he got the sonorities right of the bell sounds and ringing the changes, imo. The Mulet was also a colourful and airy piece. The concluding Boely sounded much like Widor to my ears. I had not heard any of the music of the lesser names here, except for Langlais (got to get more of his stuff). This instrument is not the biggest organ, but the textures are quite subtle, the sounds very colourful. The recital went for exactly an hour, which was a very full programme, especially considering that it was free. I plan to go to more of these in the future (for people in Sydney - they're on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 2pm)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 16, 2011, 04:24:57 PM
off on my little European two-week odyssey

Mahler 7 | Boulez | RCO | Amsterdam
"K.A.Hartmann Night" | MKO | Munich
Werther | dir. Villazon | Lyon
Braunfels: Uhlenspiegel | Gera / Thuringia
MozartWoche | Salzburg
Brahms d-minor | Barto | Tonkuenstler | St.Poelten
Week @ Wigmore | London

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 16, 2011, 04:26:24 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on January 16, 2011, 04:24:57 PM
Week @ Wigmore | London

We might bump shoulders if the timing is right.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 16, 2011, 09:02:14 PM
conductor change ahead this weekend.... Christoph Campestrini replaces Elgar Howarth in a program of BARBER Violin Concerto and BRUCKNER Symphony 6 (edition not stated) with the Vancouver S.O.   No reason given.
Campestrini seems to be a fast learner, he gets a lot of guest and festival bookings, the Barber/Bruckner combination is not standard repertoire.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 20, 2011, 06:37:30 AM
Help Brian decide!

Should he

1. Catch the Hagen Quartet playing Mozart and a UK premiere by Georg Friedrich Haas on 29 and 30 January at home in London,
2. Take a train to Liverpool to see the RLPO/Petrenko in Rachmaninov's Second Symphony and Sibelius' First on 28 and 30 January,
3. or catch the RLPO on the 28th and dash back to London for the Hagen concerts?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 20, 2011, 07:02:14 AM
Hopefully I'll make it to at least one of these:

7:00 PM
Monday January 31, 2011

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
André de Ridder, conductor
Mason Bates, Mead Composer-in-Residence and host
Anna Clyne, Mead Composer-in-Residence and host
Mouse On Mars

Martin Matalon  Las siete vidas de un gato 
Mouse on Mars  Electronica set


8:00 PM
Wednesday February 2, 2011

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano

Wagner  Overture to Tannhäuser
Bartók  Piano Concerto No. 2
Strauss  Ein Heldenleben 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2011, 07:13:56 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 20, 2011, 06:37:30 AM
Help Brian decide!

Should he

1. Catch the Hagen Quartet playing Mozart and a UK premiere by Georg Friedrich Haas on 29 and 30 January at home in London,
2. Take a train to Liverpool to see the RLPO/Petrenko in Rachmaninov's Second Symphony and Sibelius' First on 28 and 30 January,
3. or catch the RLPO on the 28th and dash back to London for the Hagen concerts?

Assuming potential train delays are not an issue, I definitely vote for No. 3!  The program is great (just checked), and Haas is a composer on the ascent.  Last year I heard the JACK Quartet do his String Quartet No. 3, which is played in total darkness.

Quote from: Mensch on January 20, 2011, 07:02:14 AM
Hopefully I'll make it to at least one of these:

7:00 PM
Monday January 31, 2011

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
André de Ridder, conductor
Mason Bates, Mead Composer-in-Residence and host
Anna Clyne, Mead Composer-in-Residence and host
Mouse On Mars

Martin Matalon  Las siete vidas de un gato 
Mouse on Mars  Electronica set


8:00 PM
Wednesday February 2, 2011

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano

Wagner  Overture to Tannhäuser
Bartók  Piano Concerto No. 2
Strauss  Ein Heldenleben 

Wow, the CSO collaborating with Mouse on Mars--who would have thought?   :o   I would definitely go to that if it were here.  And I'm hearing Cleveland here in a few weeks in similar music, but Aimard is doing the Schumann Piano Concerto, rather than the Bartók.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 20, 2011, 07:17:53 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 20, 2011, 07:13:56 AM
Wow, the CSO collaborating with Mouse on Mars--who would have thought?   :o   

Yeah, my thoughts exactly, which is why I want to go. Kudos to our composers in residence Mason Bates and Anna Clyne for their creative programming.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2011, 07:19:38 AM
Quote from: Mensch on January 20, 2011, 07:17:53 AM
Yeah, my thoughts exactly, which is why I want to go. Kudos to our composers in residence Mason Bates and Anna Clyne for their creative programming.

Totally agree.  PS, Muti is doing a piece by Clyne on one of their three concerts here later in the spring--surprised, and pleased.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 20, 2011, 07:21:34 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 20, 2011, 07:19:38 AM
Totally agree.  PS, Muti is doing a piece by Clyne on one of their three concerts here later in the spring--surprised, and pleased.

Well, he kinda has to since he picked the pair as composers in residence. I missed my earlier opportunities to hear the work of either one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2011, 11:49:42 AM
Tomorrow night, this great-sounding concert by the Talea Ensemble:

Bent Sørensen: The Deserted Churchyards (1990)
Bent Sørensen: Funeral Procession (1989-90)
Hans Abrahamsen: Schnee (2006)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 22, 2011, 09:10:02 AM
Tonight!

Franck | Symphony in D minor
Faure  | Requiem

London Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra
Yannick Nezet-Seguin

My first classical concert of 2011;
my first encounter with Nezet-Seguin;
my first listen to the Faure Requiem!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on January 22, 2011, 09:25:12 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 22, 2011, 09:10:02 AM
Tonight!

Franck | Symphony in D minor
Faure  | Requiem

London Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra
Yannick Nezet-Seguin

My first classical concert of 2011;
my first encounter with Nezet-Seguin;
my first listen to the Faure Requiem!!

Nice programme. Enjoy it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on January 22, 2011, 09:30:16 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 22, 2011, 09:10:02 AM
Tonight!

Franck | Symphony in D minor
Faure  | Requiem

Franck and Fauré...there's a duo I wouldn't have put together. Yes, interesting.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 22, 2011, 01:31:53 PM
Quote from: Jezetha on January 22, 2011, 09:25:12 AM
Nice programme. Enjoy it!

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 22, 2011, 09:30:16 AM
Franck and Fauré...there's a duo I wouldn't have put together. Yes, interesting.

Sarge

The programme was actually the best part. White heat and bombast in the first half, meditative calm in the second. It worked really well.

It would have worked better with some more "white heat and bombast," though. Cesar Franck's D minor symphony is a piece I think of as excessive, hugely emotional, the kind of thing that responds really well to aggressive attacks, unabashed rubato, huge swells of lyrical sound. If the Franck symphony were a movie, you'd want Orson Welles, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, and Ingrid Bergman to be directed by Hitchcock (or Welles, duh).

Yannick Nezet-Seguin's conception is more like Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird: genial, attentive to detail, not ready to make a judgment until all the facts are in. So the first movement's eruptions were not very differentiated from the deep from which they came, but on the other hand, the second theme came across like a sunrise. Nezet-Seguin lingered over the various woodwind solos and got away with it because the LPO winds are fantastic. The only times when his laid-back cool-headedness really bothered me were the final chords of the outer movements, which were sustained too long. I'd rather have thunderclaps than nice cushiony thumps!

I'd never heard the Faure before, but found a lot to like. Gerald Finley and Sally Matthews were excellent soloists, the organ was lovely, and I really enjoyed many moments of Faure's account. I thought of Verdi often: the two Requiems (Requ...not even going to try and figure out the plural) are polar opposites, of course, and Faure's really seems very apt. Love the opening and its reprise in the Libera me. The LPO chorus were magnificent throughout, and the softer they get the more beautiful they sound - afterwards they got a huge roar of approval when the chorus master came out and had them take a bow.

So I did enjoy myself. It was a nice, enjoyable evening out. If the Franck were a CD, I'd have more likely than not panned it, but the London Philharmonic are always a joy to hear. I've also now had the immense pleasure of experiencing their choir twice. That said, not everybody had much positive to say about the night. The guy walking down the staircase next to me very emphatically said, "Absolutely dreadful. Bland as bland can be."

I mean, I'm not on the Yannick Nezet-Seguin bandwagon - he clearly is not a "youngster" on the level of V. Petrenko, Dudamel, V. Jurowski, or Alan Gilbert - but if I ever get that turned off by the LPO & Chorus, send me back to Texas!!

P.S. Screw being sad. At my funeral, if sacred music has to be played, it should be another work I've heard performed by the same musicians in the same hall (but with Neeme Jarvi, last fall): Dvorak's vivacious Te Deum!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 22, 2011, 01:39:41 PM
I took a coupla artsy photos at the interval.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on January 22, 2011, 01:51:55 PM
Thanks for the writeup, Brian, and the photos!


I agree with your idea of the Franck symphony - it needs passion, the music should boil, especially in the outer movements. When the conductor is too sober, the music may fall flat or, as the man said, be just bland. I have the same problem with Thomas Dausgaard, who simply is too level-headed in the music of Rued Langgaard. We don't need Brahmsian precision there, we need fire.


Glad you liked Fauré's Requiem. It's a lovely piece. Not much depth there, but much beauty. A bit like Rimsky's 'Sheherazade', in that respect. Butterflies.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 23, 2011, 04:39:05 AM
Lots of Bartók knocking around the UK this year, but why did they call the series Infernal Dance, which would have been more appropriate for a Stravinsky festival?

First one this Thursday.


Béla Bartók: Kossuth
Béla Bartók: Piano Concerto No.1
Interval
Béla Bartók: The Miraculous Mandarin, complete

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor

Yefim Bronfman piano
Philharmonia Orchestra
Philharmonia Voices


I've never heard Kossuth. Is it any good? Can somebody recommend a recording?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 23, 2011, 05:29:28 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 23, 2011, 05:16:24 AM
I'm kinda pissed off about this one, because originally the Miraculous Mandarin was supposed to be "semi-staged", on the basis of which I planned to to take along someone who probably mightn't make a great deal of the music without the visual representation.  Now I get a note from the RFH blithely informing me that after all they've decided to drop the staging and just present a straight concert - but not offering a refund, I notice.  >:(

I got the same note, which came as a surprise because I hadn't been aware that it was meant to be staged. There's no mention of staging in the Infernal Dance brochure. Where did you get the dodgy info from?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on January 23, 2011, 05:58:56 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 23, 2011, 05:40:46 AM
"Semi-staged with puppets" was the description.


Ha, brilliant! It's a shame they're not going through with it. Sounds hilarious. Whatever next? The sock puppet Tristan und Isolde?  ;D

I've got the Infernal Dance leaflet in front of me and can see no mention of puppets. Maybe my copy was from a different print run.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on January 23, 2011, 03:22:29 PM
Just went to this one on the weekend:

Symphony in the Domain (open air concert as part of the Sydney Festival)
An evening with Shakespeare

John Bell, compere/narrator
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Brett Weymark, conductor

Nicolai - The Merry Wives of Windsor, overture
Walton - Henry V, a Shakespeare Scenario, highlights
(interval)
Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream, overture
Prokofiev - Three pieces from Romeo & Juliet
Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture - with cannons & fireworks!

A freind & I went to this concert under the stars. The weather was great & we took some wine & soft drink to have while we heard the beautiful music. We really enjoyed John Bell's narration of Henry V. He used his natural voice, and was quite understated and to the point without being dry. The St. Crispin's Day speech is such a rousing piece of rhetoric, one of the greatest political speeches of all time ("We few, we happy few, we band of brothers..."). It was also great to be able to chat and air-conduct during the pieces without breaking protocol - this was an open air concert after all. The audience was in their thousands, we were sitting at the back, but we got a glimpse of the large screens and the sound from the speakers was excellent. To end, the traditional "encore," Tchaikovsky's stirring 1812, complete with all the effects. A very enjoyable evening all round, and my first open air concert in nearly 20 years (my friend had never been to one of these ever)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 25, 2011, 05:55:57 AM
Tonight:

St. Peter's Church
Timetable Percussion
Talujon


Gérard Grisey: Le Noir de l'Étoile (1989-90) -- Haven't heard this, but every Grisey piece I've encountered to date has been completely fascinating. This one is about an hour long, for six percussionists situated around the audience, plus tape and live electronics. The venue is a modern structure in the center of town, often used for music events.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: nigeld on January 25, 2011, 06:58:21 AM
BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert series starting up again at LSO St Lukes on Thursday 10th Feb and the next seven Thursdays thereafter.

Highlight for me possibly Alina Ibragimova and Cedric Tiberghien on the 17th Feb

Ravel Sonata in G major for violin and piano
Lekeu Sonata in G major for violin and piano

£7 per ticket.  Now that's value!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 25, 2011, 07:05:43 AM
Saturday at Symphony Hall:

LIGETI
Double Concerto for flute and oboe (with BSO principals Elizabeth Rowe & Jn Ferrillo)
   
MOZART
Violin Concerto № 4 in D, K.218 (with Arabella Steinbacher)
   
DVOŘÁK
Symphony № 7

Guest conductor: Christoph von Dohnányi
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on January 25, 2011, 01:00:13 PM
Wagner in National Opera of Finland:

9.4.2011: Parsifal. Singers include Esa Ruuttunen as Klingsor, Päivi Nisula as Kundry, still magnificent-voiced Matti Salminen as Gurnemanz, Michael Weinius as Parsifal, Petri Pussila as Titurel and Tommi Hakala as Amfortas.

August-September 2011: After a long pause Ring of the Nibelung returns. Some of the singers include: Norwegian singer Terje Stensvold  as Wotan, british Catherine Foster as Brünnhilde and  Matti Salminen as Hagen.

Can't wait!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on January 26, 2011, 08:42:38 AM
Sunday, January 30th
Mobile Chamber Music Society
Quatuor Diotima

Onslow: String Quartet no. 29 in d minor, op 55
Czernowin: Anea Crystal
Ravel: Quartet

If nothing else, it'll be fun watching the blue-haired ladies' heads explode during the Czenowin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-eNtIZcYsk
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 26, 2011, 08:50:12 AM
Quote from: Wendell_E on January 26, 2011, 08:42:38 AM
If nothing else, it'll be fun watching the blue-haired ladies' heads explode during the Czenowin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-eNtIZcYsk

;D  ;D  ;D

Wow, a very imaginative program! Do report back. (And on the detonating heads, as well.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 26, 2011, 09:09:40 AM
Tonight!

Peter Eötvös | Shadows (UK premiere)
Liszt | Piano Concerto No 2
Zemlinsky | Lyric Symphony
Alexander Markovich, piano
Vladimir Jurowski

Never heard the Zemlinsky, or anything by Eötvös. Four quid for a ticket!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 26, 2011, 09:14:15 AM
And wow, again. Looks like you are in for a real treat, Brian! The Zemlinsky is gorgeous.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on January 26, 2011, 09:18:41 AM
Quote from: bhodges on January 26, 2011, 09:14:15 AM
And wow, again. Looks like you are in for a real treat, Brian! The Zemlinsky is gorgeous.

Indeed, a beautiful and moving work (if played and sung well, of course!)  And Liszt's Second Piano Concerto isn't bad, either.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 26, 2011, 09:23:35 AM
I like the Liszt piano-&-orchestra works!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 26, 2011, 12:11:05 PM
Walter Braunfels (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2007)' Uhlenspiegel. Tomorrow in Gera (http://bit.ly/gV3lYs).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 27, 2011, 04:01:59 AM
The LPO program last night opened with a UK premiere, "Shadows" by Peter Eötvös. It's sort of a mini concerto for flute, clarinet, a percussionist with snare drum and suspended cymbal, and orchestra. It also calls for a bizarre orchestral layout in which some of the forces sit with their backs to the audience. A diagram is attached. I couldn't figure out why the orchestra was asked to sit like this based on the music itself: to muffle the brass? To divide the strings really dramatically? Aside from placing the solo instruments literally in the center of the ring, there seemed to be no particular aural advantage to this. Since the performance was recorded for a CD, perhaps the CD experience will explain Eötvös' decision.

As for the music itself: it fairly clearly was originally a chamber piece; the best movement was scored for flute and clarinet alone. At other points the orchestra interjected Scary Music chords, reminiscent of Jaws or noir, and there were some interesting coloristic effects - just neat sounds being produced by the ensemble as a whole or individual soloists. Still and all, I'm not entirely sure I could deduce from listening why Eötvös actually wrote the piece. My cynical guess is he had a nice chamber duet sitting around and fulfilled a commission by arranging it up (N.B. looking at his website, this guess is wrong; it was originally for the soloists plus a small wind ensemble and handful of strings). It achieved interesting colors and sounds but didn't develop any sort of argument or even conversation.

Maybe it was this context, but I was far more impressed with Liszt's Second Concerto than I've ever been before. Alexander Markovich walked onstage and immediately captured attention, by means of being the most morbidly obese person I've ever seen at a classical concert. It actually affects his playing technique, since he has to hold his arms up over his own girth. But, as my friend pointed out, it also affects his theatricality, because his rather large face amplifies any sort of feelings he's going through - feelings of intensity, or wicked grins, sort of bubble across the chins. At any rate, his pianism had absolutely everything Liszt demands: brilliant technique, great poetry, fire and brimstone. It was a fantastic performance matched by the LPO and Vladimir Jurowski at every point: I think the reason I liked the concerto so much in this performance, compared to so little on the Cziffra CD, was the excited, brilliantly on-point accompaniment, which played up the humor (!) in one of the central episodes and riveted everywhere else.

Google reveals a blogger says Markovich had "the unalloyed joy of a five-year-old." That's basically true, and part of his appeal. Plus, he played an encore of enormous wit and good humor, all the way through which he grinned like a little kid and seemed to watch his own fingers the way a child watches cookies baking or Michael Jordan playing ball. It was a piano arrangement of Waldteufel's Les patineurs, souped up to be absurdly difficult and merrily silly. I suspected Godowsky, but his unofficial website's list of works doesn't allude to Waldteufel at all. Samuil Feinberg and Marc-Andre Hamelin similarly pleaded innocence. Heck, I'll claim to have written it. Markovich had a blast, so we all did too.

After the interval came Zemlinsky's Lyric Symphony, with soprano Melanie Diener and no less than Thomas Hampson taking the baritone role. I'd never heard the piece before, and on first listen, it has some riveting sections and a couple which were less appealing. One problem was Diener, who struggled to make herself heard. Hampson, of course, is a class act, and every one of his songs was a stunner. The orchestral accompaniment is a miracle of music-making, for it has all the wild movement and oscillation of an oceanscape, uses huge numbers of instruments really well, and transitions from one mood to another really easily. If a couple songs let me down, others were gripping; my friend lost interest halfway through (it is 48 minutes), but that was sad because my favorite part was the very last, when Hampson took a seat and the orchestra wound down to a blissful, breathtaking conclusion. Note to Eötvös and others of his brand: the reason you introduce a mood, usually (Vier letzte lieder is a good counterexample) is to contrast it with something. Zemlinsky's piece really captured my imagination because after all that sturm und drang, after all the volatility and uncertainty, that final wind-down felt like going home, or a leaf falling gently to the ground. Or maybe a hard day's night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 27, 2011, 04:22:45 AM
Glad your estimation of the Liszt Second Concerto had occasion to improve, Brian!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 27, 2011, 08:32:24 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 27, 2011, 04:01:59 AM
Google reveals a blogger says Markovich had "the unalloyed joy of a five-year-old." That's basically true, and part of his appeal. Plus, he played an encore of enormous wit and good humor, all the way through which he grinned like a little kid and seemed to watch his own fingers the way a child watches cookies baking or Michael Jordan playing ball. It was a piano arrangement of Waldteufel's Les patineurs, souped up to be absurdly difficult and merrily silly. I suspected Godowsky, but his unofficial website's list of works doesn't allude to Waldteufel at all. Samuil Feinberg and Marc-Andre Hamelin similarly pleaded innocence. Heck, I'll claim to have written it. Markovich had a blast, so we all did too.

"London Philharmonic Orchestra" just commented on my blog post to say that Markovich arranged the piece himself.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on January 27, 2011, 01:28:59 PM
Excellent piece of writing, Brian! Thank you! I am especially glad to see you liked the Liszt - the Second Piano Concerto has always been a favourite of mine. It is an impeccably-judged one-movement structure. And the ending, when done with panache, is thrilling.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 28, 2011, 02:08:54 AM
Tonight:

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8

Nikolai Demidenko
Cristian Mandeal
Romanian NRSO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 29, 2011, 09:32:14 AM
Tonight!

Mozart | String Quartet in C "Dissonance"
G.F. Haas | String Quartet No 6 (UK premiere)
Shostakovich | String Quartet No 8

Hagen Quartet
Wigmore Hall

I've never heard the Mozart or Haas works before. In the words of noted classical music aficionado Barney Stinson, "It is ON!"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 29, 2011, 09:46:59 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2011, 09:32:14 AM
Tonight!

Mozart | String Quartet in C "Dissonance"
G.F. Haas | String Quartet No 6 (UK premiere)
Shostakovich | String Quartet No 8

Hagen Quartet
Wigmore Hall

I've never heard the Mozart or Haas works before. In the words of noted classical music aficionado Barney Stinson, "It is ON!"

Sounds fantastic! Do report back. I'm especially curious about the Haas, since I've just discovered some of his work in the last 3 months or so.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 29, 2011, 01:33:20 PM
Quote from: bhodges on January 29, 2011, 09:46:59 AM
Sounds fantastic! Do report back. I'm especially curious about the Haas, since I've just discovered some of his work in the last 3 months or so.

--Bruce

Well, I had an experience I have never, ever had before at a concert hall. The Haas was a - you'd given me a much nicer term for it a couple pages back, but can I call it "sound effects"? - it was a "sound effects" piece, lots of insistent weaving between two neighboring tones, a little more than 20 minutes of it in fact, as the musicians clambered through different harmonies/harmonics and produced piercing sounds. It was not exactly a work with a narrative, or even a work with a tone in the literary sense; it had little my parents would even consider music.

But that wasn't the new experience. The thing I'd never encountered before was a Lithuanian guy sitting next to me, wearing a suit and looking to be around 50. He obviously disliked the Haas. I couldn't exactly blame him, as it's not my "type," but he started nodding off. Then he caught himself, leaned forward, put his head in his hands, and started dozing again. Then he caught himself, laughed, mumbled something, and reached in his pocket.

The guy pulled out earbuds, inserted them into his ears, whipped out a smartphone, turned on its radio, and tuned into a techno station. DURING THE CONCERT. I couldn't believe it. I almost burst out laughing. The woman in front of us turned her head and stared, not so much in outrage as in astonishment. Meanwhile, this guy stared ahead at the performers, looking for all the world like any other listener, except he had earbuds in and they were audibly supplying a techno beat.

I can't say I was annoyed enough to tell him to shove it. For starters, he was texting in Lithuanian (his text included something about "Wigmore" and "tragèdija," presumably the tragèdija of his having to listen to new music: and that's a Lithuanian word, according to Google), so I didn't know if he spoke English. But more importantly, I made a philosophical decision. I decided that I wasn't listening to Georg Friedrich Haas... I was listening to the ghost of Charles Ives.  ;D

(Incidentally, the Mozart was fun, although pretty obviously hyper-romanticized - REALLY sounded like heroic Beethoven - and the Shostakovich performance sizzled with dark energy. The fade-out on the final chord was so breathtakingly perfect that everyone in the room, except my Lithuanian neighbor who was still texting, strained their ears to hear when they'd stop playing, but everyone missed it because the slide into silence was so remarkably well-done.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on January 29, 2011, 11:43:16 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 29, 2011, 03:24:20 PM
Wow.  That's even worse than the woman two seats away from me during one of last year's Proms, who held up a broadsheet newspaper in front of her all the way through Bruckner's Ninth Symphony (Blomstedt conducting) and kept noisily turning pages and refolding it whenever the music went quiet.
What manner of death was devised for her?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 30, 2011, 04:35:30 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2011, 09:32:14 AM
Tonight!

Mozart | String Quartet in C "Dissonance"
G.F. Haas | String Quartet No 6 (UK premiere)
Shostakovich | String Quartet No 8

Hagen Quartet
Wigmore Hall

I've never heard the Mozart or Haas works before. In the words of noted classical music aficionado Barney Stinson, "It is ON!"

They did that a few days ago in Salzburg. Unfortunately I was in Lyon and missed it. Catching lots of Holliger & Mozart & Haydn now, though. Villazon is on his way to being a baritone, from the sound of it. Then the night-train to Vienna to hang out with a friend who is playing Brahms d-minor that day. Then off to Wigmore.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 30, 2011, 11:43:14 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2011, 01:33:20 PM
The guy pulled out earbuds, inserted them into his ears, whipped out a smartphone, turned on its radio, and tuned into a techno station. DURING THE CONCERT. I couldn't believe it. I almost burst out laughing. The woman in front of us turned her head and stared, not so much in outrage as in astonishment. Meanwhile, this guy stared ahead at the performers, looking for all the world like any other listener, except he had earbuds in and they were audibly supplying a techno beat.

:o  :o  :o

A new low in concert hall behavior! Like you, I would have been tempted to laugh, at someone who is so (apparently) unhappy with the program, and determined to "fix" the situation. ("Erm, perhaps you would have had a better time...AT HOME?")

Thanks, that vignette is quite an eye-opener.

PS, and thanks for the comments on the rest of the program. Your description of the Haas sounds like comments on other works of his I've heard.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on January 30, 2011, 03:41:50 PM
Quote from: Wendell_E on January 26, 2011, 08:42:38 AM
Sunday, January 30th
Mobile Chamber Music Society
Quatuor Diotima

Onslow: String Quartet no. 29 in d minor, op 55
Czernowin: Anea Crystal
Ravel: Quartet

If nothing else, it'll be fun watching the blue-haired ladies' heads explode during the Czenowin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-eNtIZcYsk

Quote from: bhodges on January 26, 2011, 08:50:12 AM
;D  ;D  ;D

Wow, a very imaginative program! Do report back. (And on the detonating heads, as well.)

--Bruce

Alas, I suppose Czernowin was too much for Mobile, and the program was different from the one listed at the quartet's website, opening with Schubert's two-movement Quartet fragment (No. 5, D. 68), followed by a different Onslow quartet (no. 30, op 56).  After intermission, the Ravel, and Webern's early Langsamer Satz for an encore.  Still, a wonderful program and performance, even if I bought my plastic sheeting in vain.  I bought up a couple of the quartet's discs at intermission, a Schoenberg/Webern/Berg disc, and another of quartets by Dieter Schnebel (1930), whom I've never heard of.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 31, 2011, 01:27:05 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 31, 2011, 01:22:09 AM

There's also a mini-series of Barenboim conducting the Staatskapelle Berlin in Bruckner's 7th, 8th & 9th symphonies in April 2012, for anyone interested in that.


Oh, man. Why am I moving back to the United States???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on January 31, 2011, 04:04:44 AM
No Big Gulps in London? . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 31, 2011, 01:05:42 PM
Tonight, the terrific sextet eighth blackbird, in this program. I love Mazzoli's title (and the piece is good, too).

Missy Mazzoli: Still Life with Avalanche
Pierre Boulez: Dérive 1
Philip Glass: Music in Similar Motion
Philippe Hurel: ...à mesure
Thomas Adès: Catch, Op. 4
Stephen Hartke: Meanwhile, Incidental Music to Imaginary Puppet Plays

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 01, 2011, 12:45:48 AM
That Mazzoli is a great title, Bruce!

As a follow-up on the rude concert behavior discussion, I have received the following message from a college friend:

Once a man in front of me at a Woodlands Symphony concert picked up his cell phone during a performance of Brahms 2; I tapped him on the shoulder to kindly ask him to put his phone away...he wanted to fight me at the end of the concert
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2011, 12:01:18 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 01, 2011, 12:45:48 AM
As a follow-up on the rude concert behavior discussion, I have received the following message from a college friend:

Once a man in front of me at a Woodlands Symphony concert picked up his cell phone during a performance of Brahms 2; I tapped him on the shoulder to kindly ask him to put his phone away...he wanted to fight me at the end of the concert

:o  :o  :o

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 03, 2011, 06:06:44 AM
Tonight:


Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet.
Elgar: Cello Concerto.
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 5.
Gemma Rosefield, cello
Forest Philharmonic Orchestra; Andrew Gourlay

Not sure who the Forest Philharmonic is, but the ticket was quite cheap, the seat is very good, and believe it or not I haven't heard Elgar's cello concerto in three or four years, nor R&J in nearly a year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 03, 2011, 07:32:20 AM
Quote from: Mensch on January 20, 2011, 07:02:14 AM
Hopefully I'll make it to at least one of these:

7:00 PM
Monday January 31, 2011

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
André de Ridder, conductor
Mason Bates, Mead Composer-in-Residence and host
Anna Clyne, Mead Composer-in-Residence and host
Mouse On Mars

Martin Matalon  Las siete vidas de un gato 
Mouse on Mars  Electronica set


8:00 PM
Wednesday February 2, 2011

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano

Wagner  Overture to Tannhäuser
Bartók  Piano Concerto No. 2
Strauss  Ein Heldenleben

Well, the former was quite fun. The Matalon piece was written to accompany Bunuel's classic Un chien andalou, which I somehow had managed not to have seen yet, and which was conveniently projected behind the ensemble. The Mouse on Mars bit was good fun, though it started getting a bit repetitive somewhere two thirds of the way through before picking up again. Sadly, the CSO component was very minimal. Of some dozen or so musicians, only one violist, one cellist and one horn player were CSO members. All the others were extras. I suppose with Muti in town and a bunch of chamber things going on there were too few available, but still this is almost false advertising.

The Cleveland Orchestra sadly got cancelled due to the blizzard, as they were unable to make it into town from Ann Arbor where they were touring before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 03, 2011, 11:18:25 AM
Wow, the NY Philharmonic is doing Stockhausen's Gruppen next season, at the Park Avenue Armory!

:o

Edit: Wow, the concert will also include Mozart (the party scene from Don Giovanni), Boulez's Rituel and Ives's The Unanswered Question. Incredible program, all designed to take advantage of multiple ensembles in the space.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 03, 2011, 11:45:26 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 03, 2011, 11:18:25 AM
Wow, the NY Philharmonic is doing Stockhausen's Gruppen next season, at the Park Avenue Armory!

Not sure I'm mad about the piece, but it must be worthwhile hearing live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 04, 2011, 07:22:32 AM
Tonight and tomorrow:

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Toshio Hosokawa: Woven Dreams (2009, NY Premiere)
R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano

Wagner: Overture to Tannhäuser
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta

Looking forward to all of it, especially the Hosokawa premiere.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 04, 2011, 08:07:42 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 04, 2011, 07:22:32 AM
Tonight and tomorrow:

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Toshio Hosokawa: Woven Dreams (2009, NY Premiere)
R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano

Wagner: Overture to Tannhäuser
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta

Looking forward to all of it, especially the Hosokawa premiere.

--Bruce

Wonderfully varied programming, Bruce!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 04, 2011, 08:14:57 AM
Yes, Welser-Möst generally does a very good job, mixing things up. I love that he's ending their stand with the Bartók, which often seems to begin concerts! But the bottom line: I'll pretty much hear the orchestra play anything.  0:)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 04, 2011, 08:21:49 AM
Quote from: bhodges on February 04, 2011, 08:14:57 AM
But the bottom line: I'll pretty much hear the orchestra play anything.  0:)
--Bruce

My oldest friend heard the Wagner, Schumann and Strauss a few weeks ago at Severance. He said it had been many moons since he'd enjoyed a concert more.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 04, 2011, 08:30:40 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 04, 2011, 08:21:49 AM
My oldest friend heard the Wagner, Schumann and Strauss a few weeks ago at Severance. He said it had been many moons since he'd enjoyed a concert more.

Sarge

Grrreat! Frankly, I've been looking forward to these concerts for months.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 07, 2011, 02:05:44 AM
Looking forward to Harding/Grimaud/LSO, to Langrée/David Fray/LPO, and something else at St.Lukes...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on February 07, 2011, 10:12:36 AM
Tomorrow, Tuesday 8 February
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Brahms piano concerto no. 2
Wagner Prelude and liebestod from Tristan and Isolde
Strauss Rosenkavalier suite

Wednesday 9 february
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Mariss Jansons
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Rossini Ouverture'L'Italiana in Algeri
Mozart Piano concerto no. 24 KV491
Beethoven Symphony no. 7
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 07, 2011, 10:54:28 AM
Next week:

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Juanjo Mena, Conductor
Hilary Hahn, Violin

Hindemith: Konzertmusik for Strings and Brass
Higdon: Violin Concerto (NY Premiere)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 07, 2011, 12:06:54 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 07, 2011, 10:54:28 AM
Higdon: Violin Concerto (NY Premiere)

What do you think of Higdon's work? I'm so far tending to put her in the "overhyped" category.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 07, 2011, 12:18:07 PM
Quote from: Mensch on February 07, 2011, 12:06:54 PM
What do you think of Higdon's work? I'm so far tending to put her in the "overhyped" category.

Mostly very positive, but perhaps what I've heard are her best: Zaka (recorded by eighth blackbird, and they play it beautifully), and the Concerto for Orchestra--I was at the premiere, and thought it a very well-written, exciting piece. But looking at a list of her compositions, I realize there's a lot I'm not familiar with.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Jennifer_Higdon

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 08, 2011, 01:17:47 PM
Just got back from:

Mendelssohn: Overture, Intermezzo, Nocturne, Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Weber: Clarinet Concerto No 1
Beethoven: Symphony No 7

Antony Pay, clarinet
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
David Zinman

And tomorrow night:

Rachmaninov: Isle of the Dead
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini
Liszt: Totentanz
Dvorak: Symphony No 7

Bernd Glemser, piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Osmo Vanska

Quite the two days!! 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 08, 2011, 01:21:55 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 08, 2011, 01:17:47 PM
Bernd Glemser, piano

He's a surprisingly good pianist. Not necessarily interpretively memorable, but naturally musical and thoughtful. Did a nice cycle of Beethoven concertos on an obscure record label with Bruno Weil and the Duisburg Symphony (now Philharmonic).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 08, 2011, 02:12:36 PM
Quote from: Mensch on February 08, 2011, 01:21:55 PM
He's a surprisingly good pianist. Not necessarily interpretively memorable, but naturally musical and thoughtful. Did a nice cycle of Beethoven concertos on an obscure record label with Bruno Weil and the Duisburg Symphony (now Philharmonic).

That description nicely fits his Rachmaninov on Naxos, too. The Third is especially satisfying, but that might be because it's not always easy to find somebody who can dispatch the longer, louder cadenza with accuracy and expression. I'm looking forward to seeing him in concert, where being naturally thoughtful and genuine counts for a lot.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on February 08, 2011, 02:29:30 PM
Thursday, February 10th at the Festival Hall:


Béla Bartók: Cantata Profana
Béla Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste

Interval

Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Attila Fekete tenor
Michele Kalmandi bass-baritone
Gulbenkian Choir


The first concert in Salonen's Infernal Dance season was excellent; a shame it was so poorly attended. The balcony can't have been any more than a fifth full. I suppose the Rite will pull more people into this concert; it's the only reason my other half is willing to be dragged along.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 08, 2011, 02:39:44 PM
Quote from: MDL on February 08, 2011, 02:29:30 PM
Thursday, February 10th at the Festival Hall:


Béla Bartók: Cantata Profana
Béla Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste

Interval

Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Attila Fekete tenor
Michele Kalmandi bass-baritone
Gulbenkian Choir

I would definitely be at this concert for the Bartok.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2011, 02:49:31 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 08, 2011, 01:17:47 PM
Just got back from:

Mendelssohn: Overture, Intermezzo, Nocturne, Scherzo from A Midsummer Night's Dream
Weber: Clarinet Concerto No 1
Beethoven: Symphony No 7

Antony Pay, clarinet
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
David Zinman

And tomorrow night:

Rachmaninov: Isle of the Dead
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini
Liszt: Totentanz
Dvorak: Symphony No 7

Bernd Glemser, piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Osmo Vanska

Quite the two days!! 8)

Quite the two days, for sure! That's a really beefy line-up for tomorrow. Are you writing these up?

Quote from: MDL on February 08, 2011, 02:29:30 PM
Thursday, February 10th at the Festival Hall:


Béla Bartók: Cantata Profana
Béla Bartók: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste

Interval

Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Attila Fekete tenor
Michele Kalmandi bass-baritone
Gulbenkian Choir


The first concert in Salonen's Infernal Dance season was excellent; a shame it was so poorly attended. The balcony can't have been any more than a fifth full. I suppose the Rite will pull more people into this concert; it's the only reason my other half is willing to be dragged along.

This looks great! (And hope attendance is better for this one.) I like what Salonen does with the Stravinsky; have heard it several times with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Do report back.

On Saturday night, I'm hearing this, part of the Avant Music Festival, at a venue new to me, Wild Project:

John Cage: Dream and In A Landscape (performed by Vicky Chow)
John Cage: Song Books (Ekmeles)
John Cage: Two5 (Randy Gibson and William Lang)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 09, 2011, 02:29:32 PM
Quote from: bhodges on February 08, 2011, 02:49:31 PM
Quite the two days, for sure! That's a really beefy line-up for tomorrow. Are you writing these up?


I wasn't planning on any write-ups: the OAE concert was just wonderful, wholly enjoyable music-making, David Zinman the consummate professional, a lovely night; the near-hour LPO first half tonight was similar, with Osmo Vanska taking a slow approach to the Isle of the Dead which paid off, and Bernd Glemser taking the Totentanz entirely seriously. A really rock-solid pianist, pleasure to see.

But my no-write-up plan got a jolt in the second half. Vanska's Dvorak 7 was faster than I like it, but the result was surprising: it dragged me out of my comfort zone and set me back to a time 5-6 years ago when the piece left me feeling cold and lonely. You know what the performance made me realize? Dvorak's Seventh is full of a lot of really weird music. There's some stuff in there that's just plain bizarre. It's like being in a foreign landscape, enemy territory in fact, at night, strange shapes looming out in the darkness, footsteps running past. It was terrifying. The scherzo was taken way too quickly, so it just seemed angry, but the finale - god - apocalyptic. It was like Richard III: a symphony hell-bent on its own destruction, no matter what, filled with self-loathing, going down in a blaze not even of glory but of indignation at the fates. I felt like my worldview was being challenged. I was really shaken.

So some writing might happen. I've even decided on the final line already: "Why the major-key ending, then? The man who jumps has no regrets."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 11, 2011, 06:42:03 AM
Going to hear Lohengrin (opening night) at the Lyric Opera tonight, thanks to a friend who couldn't use his tickets. Quite excited. haven't seen this in years and it's probably my favorite non-Ring Wagner Opera to see on stage.

Lohengrin
Johan Botha 

Elsa
Emily Magee 

Ortrud
Michaela Schuster 

Telramund
Greer Grimsley 

Conductor
Sir Andrew Davis
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on February 14, 2011, 02:52:04 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 08, 2011, 02:39:44 PM
I would definitely be at this concert for the Bartok.

That's what I was just thinking! What a wonderful program for that particular set of performers.

I'm also extremely jealous of Brian and that whole Rach/Liszt/Dvorak program there, yum!

Okay, so I have a spring trip coming up, visiting over on the East Coast - Maryland, Baltimore/DC area thereabouts. Never been over there at all, rather excited.

So we're looking at these concerts:

Sunday, March 20

Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488 
Zemlinsky - Lyric Symphony

National Symphony
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor & piano
Twyla Robinson, soprano
Matthias Goerne, baritone

Thursday, March 24

Ravel -  Valses nobles et sentimentales
Grieg -  Piano Concerto
Lutoslawski -  Concerto for Orchestra

Baltimore Symphony
Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor
Orion Weiss, piano

Actually planning to fly in a day early to see the Eschenbach concert, though completely a lucky coincidence to have found the Lutoslawski, very thrilled about hearing.

Need some input on seating for Kennedy Center and Meyerhoff Hall, are anywhere seats fine in these halls? Or are some really not worth getting?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 14, 2011, 02:56:19 PM
A Senta sighting!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 14, 2011, 03:49:31 PM
Quote from: Senta on February 14, 2011, 02:52:04 PM

Okay, so I have a spring trip coming up, visiting over on the East Coast - Maryland, Baltimore/DC area thereabouts. Never been over there at all, rather excited.

So we're looking at these concerts:

Sunday, March 20

Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488 
Zemlinsky - Lyric Symphony

Thursday, March 24
Ravel -  Valses nobles et sentimentales
Grieg -  Piano Concerto
Lutoslawski -  Concerto for Orchestra


Need some input on seating for Kennedy Center and Meyerhoff Hall, are anywhere seats fine in these halls? Or are some really not worth getting?

(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/themes/fmblog/images/masthead/masthead_main.png)
Good choices. Perhaps this can help a little, too? March in Music, your monthly selection of particularly mentionable concerts in the [DC] region. http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2750 (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2750).

As per seating: for the BSO, try to go to Strathmore, not Meyerhoff. Why, you ask? This is why: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/11/strathmore-is-one-of-my-favorite-halls.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/11/strathmore-is-one-of-my-favorite-halls.html). You can get to Strathmore very easily with the DC Metro or from DC (or B'more, if necessary) per car. Although Meyerhoff is pretty good, too. Orchestra seating there is better than at the Kennedy Center.

In the KC, orchestra seating should be considered between rows N and AA... not all the way on the outside... but well off-center. Or else balcony. Behind the orchestra was excellent but it's not being made available anymore.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 14, 2011, 07:08:46 PM
Quote from: Senta on February 14, 2011, 02:52:04 PM
Thursday, March 24

Ravel -  Valses nobles et sentimentales
Grieg -  Piano Concerto
Lutoslawski -  Concerto for Orchestra

Baltimore Symphony
Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor
Orion Weiss, piano

Senta, do go hear this concert. Apart from the rare opportunity to hear the Lutoslawski, Yan Pascal Tortelier is an excellent conductor. He subbed here in Chicago last season on short notice for I forget whom and conducted a scorcher of a Saint Saens Organ Symphony. Highly recommended. He's the son of the famous French cellist Paul Tortelier.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on February 14, 2011, 10:29:02 PM
Hi Karl! Yes, 'tis me!! DavidRoss poked me and cajoled me to rekindle my GMG habit recently, hopefully I'll find a bit of time to hang out here again :)

QuoteAs per seating: for the BSO, try to go to Strathmore, not Meyerhoff. Why, you ask?

Sigh...yes, I wish...but I shall be leaving that Sat. afternoon :( So that narrowed the choices of days. Thanks for the recommends, Jens, I really enjoy reading your blog. Will come in handy as there may be future trips to this area forthcoming, in fact with all the cultural offerings might find it hard to leave!

I'll be there Mar. 19-26, soon as dates were set I began perusing the local concerts, going to be doing a lot of things (the usual touristy stuff too), so decided to sadly forgo chamber things and at least see the big orchestras this go round. Such a shame too...the chamber music offerings were stellar.

I did nearly faint when I saw the Lutoslawski listed during that week, you can't imagine (well, Lutoslawski fans might!) how much I have wanted to hear this piece live, it is a huge favorite of his work. I have a few various recordings by Tortelier, and was pleased to see his name there (esp. w the Ravel!), I can't wait to hear his take on it.

Lyric Symphony I also greatly adore, I was at the concert where the recent Naxos Houston Symphony recording was done and seeing it live is what really did it for me. Twyla Robinson was the soprano for that too, but Goerne I have never seen live, excited to hear him.

I also just realized I didn't have and never heard the Eschenbach/Orch de Paris recording, so just ordered it (w/ Goerne!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 15, 2011, 12:34:59 AM
Quote from: Senta on February 14, 2011, 10:29:02 PM
Lyric Symphony I also greatly adore, I was at the concert where the recent Naxos Houston Symphony recording was done and seeing it live is what really did it for me. Twyla Robinson was the soprano for that too, but Goerne I have never seen live, excited to hear him.

I also just realized I didn't have and never heard the Eschenbach/Orch de Paris recording, so just ordered it (w/ Goerne!)

Having just heard Lyric Symphony live myself, I can definitely understand the impulse to travel across time zones* to hear it again! It makes an incredible impression... and that ending, after all the unrest, feels like heaven... :)

*Yeah, yeah, you have other reasons... but they're secondary!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 15, 2011, 02:53:43 AM
Quote from: Senta on February 14, 2011, 10:29:02 PM
I did nearly faint when I saw the Lutoslawski listed during that week, you can't imagine (well, Lutoslawski fans might!) how much I have wanted to hear this piece live, it is a huge favorite of his work. I have a few various recordings by Tortelier, and was pleased to see his name there (esp. w the Ravel!), I can't wait to hear his take on it.

Lyric Symphony I also greatly adore, I was at the concert where the recent Naxos Houston Symphony recording was done and seeing it live is what really did it for me. Twyla Robinson was the soprano for that too, but Goerne I have never seen live, excited to hear him.

I also just realized I didn't have and never heard the Eschenbach/Orch de Paris recording, so just ordered it (w/ Goerne!)

The Lutoslawski is a fantastic piece, of course... and a real specialty of Tortelier, as is Ravel. Which is good, because unlike Mensch, I think Tortelier is a rather modest and average conductor (with an awful technique and incapable of not mentioning his father at least every 30 minutes). But when he's into something (Florent Schmit, Ravel, Lutos' Concerto for Orchestra) he does good stuff. Wisely enough, he usually sticks to these pieces now. And the BSO knows him, so they won't be thrown off if he suddenly beats two bars ahead.

And yes... what an opportunity to hear the Lyric Symphony, huh?! If, by chance, I managed to have a hand in bringing the Eschenbach / Paris recording to your attention, all the better.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 16, 2011, 04:25:33 AM
Tonight!

Ravel | Ma mere l'oye (Mother Goose)
Berlioz | La mort de Cleopatre
Berlioz | Symphonie fantastique

Anna Catarina Antonacci, mezzo
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Yannick Nezet-Seguin

Nezet-Seguin and Antonacci just teamed up for a BIS CD of the two Berlioz works.

This will be my second chance to see Yannick Nezet-Seguin in action. The first time I was impressed by his clever programming but not really by his conducting. This time I'm three rows from the podium, and he's conducting two of my very favorite works (the Ravel and the Symphonie). I love the Ravel especially dearly and this will be a major pleasure to hear in concert. ... Or, if it's not a major pleasure, expect a blog post savaging poor Yannick!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 16, 2011, 07:30:11 AM
Yannick NS Interview: http://bit.ly/fRccE7 (http://bit.ly/fRccE7). Overstretched... but very fine. Heard him in Salzburg a few weeks ago and he & CEO were stupendous again.

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aK718tQt62s/TVq4xMLLE9I/AAAAAAAABbo/TciAVxUgJ3A/s1600/stLukesLSO.png)


LSO Lunchtime Concert: Mozart at St.Luke's

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/ionarts-at-large-mozart-at-stlukes.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/ionarts-at-large-mozart-at-stlukes.html)

Tomorrow night: Haitink, Mahler 7, BRSO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Shrunk on February 16, 2011, 08:29:19 AM
Seeing John Adams' Nixon in China (http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1011Season/NixonInChina.aspx) at the Canadian Opera Company this Saturday.

And we'll be in NYC for March break, so snagged tickets to see Lucia di Lammermoor (http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/season/production.aspx?id=11005) at the Met, w/ Natalie Dessay.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 16, 2011, 11:06:52 AM
Quote from: Shrunk on February 16, 2011, 08:29:19 AM
Seeing John Adams' Nixon in China (http://www.coc.ca/PerformancesAndTickets/1011Season/NixonInChina.aspx) at the Canadian Opera Company this Saturday.


Would be interested in your comments. I saw the production at the Met a few weeks ago: loved the libretto, liked the music, but the production (by Peter Sellars) just left me wanting more, somehow. I would like to see a different director's take on the piece.

Tonight, the Talea Ensemble in this fascinating concert, with Ms. Chin interviewed at intermission:

Unsuk Chin: Allegro ma non troppo (1994/1998)
Unsuk Chin: Fantasie Mecanique (1997)
Unsuk Chin: Etudes for Piano (2003)
Unsuk Chin: ParaMetaString (1996)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 17, 2011, 05:15:39 AM


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MEIexQv-B-4/TVxY8LE_f1I/AAAAAAAABcQ/RBH6yItzn-w/s400/MPhil_Thielemann_Brahms.png)

Ionarts-at-Large: Thielemann's Last Round of Munich Brahms

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/ionarts-at-large-thielemanns-last-round.html

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PKdOzuoRC6I/TVw3EXU7QaI/AAAAAAAABcI/30QJ3C80Cjk/s1600/Christian_Thielemann_at_Wor.png)
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/ionarts-at-large-thielemanns-last-round.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 17, 2011, 06:37:02 AM
Tomorrow night:

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major

Bruckner - Symphony No. 7 in E major


Anton Kuerti - piano

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor

REALLY looking forward to the concert, particular for the Bruckner, as it will be my first time attending a live performance for a Bruckner symphony.   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 17, 2011, 06:40:24 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 17, 2011, 06:37:02 AM
REALLY looking forward to the concert, particular for the Bruckner, as it will be my first time attending a live performance for a Bruckner symphony.   :)

And what a great Bruckner symphony to start with! That opening cello line has to be one of the most beautiful sequences he wrote.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:45:30 AM
Finally: my first orchestral concert!


The Symphony Orchestra of India (http://www.soimumbai.in/index.aspx) are finally coming out of Bombay. So far, apart from a tour to Russia, I don't think they have toured anywhere.


Here's the programme:

Sunday, February 27 at 7.00 pm Chennai

Mikhail Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla Overture
Isaac Albeniz: Asturias from the Suite Española
Tommaso Vitali: Chaconne
Georges Bizet: Carmen Suites (No.1 and 2)
Maurice Ravel: Bolero

Marat Bisengaliev – Violin (he's also the MD of the SOI)
Conductor – Zane Dalal
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 17, 2011, 08:47:00 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:45:30 AM
Marat Bisengaliev – Violin (he's also the MD of the SOI)

MD (music director), or rather the concertmaster?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 17, 2011, 08:49:45 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:45:30 AM
Finally: my first orchestral concert!


The Symphony Orchestra of India (http://www.soimumbai.in/index.aspx) are finally coming out of Bombay. So far, apart from a tour to Russia, I don't think they have toured anywhere.


Excellent news!  I still remember my first orchestral concert, and it was unbelievable.  I really don't think it can be appropriately described, except it is powerful!! Even hearing the orchestra tune before the start of a piece was like "WOW"!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:50:31 AM
Quote from: Mensch on February 17, 2011, 08:47:00 AM
MD (music director), or rather the concertmaster?

He's the music director. According to their website, the concert master is one Fabrizio Bono.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 17, 2011, 08:51:06 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:45:30 AM
Finally: my first orchestral concert!


The Symphony Orchestra of India (http://www.soimumbai.in/index.aspx) are finally coming out of Bombay. So far, apart from a tour to Russia, I don't think they have toured anywhere.


Here's the programme:

Sunday, February 27 at 7.00 pm Chennai

Mikhail Glinka: Russian and Ludmilla Overture
Isaac Albeniz: Asturias from the Suite Española
Tommaso Vitali: Chaconne
Georges Bizet: Carmen Suites (No.1 and 2)
Maurice Ravel: Bolero

Marat Bisengaliev – Violin (he's also the MD of the SOI)
Conductor – Zane Dalal

Congratulations! Sounds fantastic--what a great program. That Glinka overture is one of my favorites--fast, giddy fun--and the Ravel heard live is just extraordinary.

Have a wonderful time, and do report back.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:53:41 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 17, 2011, 08:49:45 AM
Excellent news!  I still remember my first orchestral concert, and it was unbelievable.  I really don't think it can be appropriately described, except it is powerful!! Even hearing the orchestra tune before the start of a piece was like "WOW"!   :)

One the one hand, I'm slightly bummed that the programme does not get very close to the vaulted Core Repertoire, but on the other, it's rather encouraging to see the most famous pieces are by Bizet and Ravel. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:57:06 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 17, 2011, 08:51:06 AM
Congratulations! Sounds fantastic--what a great program. That Glinka overture is one of my favorites--fast, giddy fun--and the Ravel heard live is just extraordinary.

Have a wonderful time, and do report back.

--Bruce

Thanks, Bruce. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 17, 2011, 09:24:42 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:53:41 AM
One the one hand, I'm slightly bummed that the programme does not get very close to the vaulted Core Repertoire, but on the other, it's rather encouraging to see the most famous pieces are by Bizet and Ravel. :)

I would definitely put the Ravel in the "core" category, with the Bizet and Glinka not far behind. The Albeniz is an interesting choice, full of brilliant colors. Don't know that Vitali piece at all, but it's apparently his most famous work.

If you could have programmed the concert, what would you have included?  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 17, 2011, 09:28:33 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 17, 2011, 09:24:42 AM
I would definitely put the Ravel in the "core" category, with the Bizet and Glinka not far behind.

Indeed. It doesn't get much more core-repertoire-y than Bolero.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 09:30:07 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 17, 2011, 09:24:42 AM
I would definitely put the Ravel in the "core" category, with the Bizet and Glinka not far behind. The Albeniz is an interesting choice, full of brilliant colors.

Quote from: Mensch on February 17, 2011, 09:28:33 AM
Indeed. It doesn't get much more core-repertoire-y than Bolero.

Okay, then. Make that the core of the core repertory. ;D

Quote from: Brewski on February 17, 2011, 09:24:42 AM
If you could have programmed the concert, what would you have included?  :D

--Bruce

At least one Beethoven symphony. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 17, 2011, 09:36:06 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 09:30:07 AM
At least one Beethoven symphony. :D

Ah...gotcha.  (And "at least" noted... ;D)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 17, 2011, 10:48:31 AM
Tonight, this concert, part of the Tune-In Festival at the Park Avenue Armory (huge space):

Frederic Rzewski: Coming Together (1972) (arr. Matt Albert ) Performed by: eighth blackbird
John Cage: Credo in US (1942) Performed by: red fish blue fish
David T. Little: sweet light crude (2007) Performed by: Newspeak
Stefan Weisman: I Would Prefer Not To (2007) Performed by: Newspeak
Matt Marks: A Portrait of Glenn Beck (2009) Performed by: Newspeak
Louis Andriessen: Worker's Union (1975) Performed by: eighth blackbird, Newspeak, red fish blue fish, Doug Perkins, Steven Schick, Lisa Moore, Blair McMillen, Josh Rubin, Kamala Sankaram, Mellissa Hughes, Abby Fischer, Nina Faia

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 17, 2011, 10:51:02 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 17, 2011, 10:48:31 AM
Matt Marks: A Portrait of Glenn Beck (2009) Performed by: Newspeak

I don't know that I like the idea that an artist, any artist, has spent valuable time working on a portrayal or even an acknowledgement of the existence of Glenn Beck.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 17, 2011, 10:54:46 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 17, 2011, 10:51:02 AM
I don't know that I like the idea that an artist, any artist, has spent valuable time working on a portrayal or even an acknowledgement of the existence of Glenn Beck.

;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 17, 2011, 10:58:44 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 09:30:07 AM
Okay, then. Make that the core of the core repertory. ;D

At least one Beethoven symphony. :D

Yes, that would be nice!

Or "at least" one Bruckner and one Mahler symphony.  That surely isn't asking for much, is it?  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 17, 2011, 02:58:34 PM
semi-on-topic:


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UquqBnDF28/TV20yeNnCnI/AAAAAAAABco/Ea1fOFQU29k/s400/OsloPhiharmonic%2BKopie.png)

Side Notes: The Conductor Trading Game (Vasily Petrenko Succeeds Jukka-Pekka Saraste in Oslo)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/side-notes-conductor-trading-game.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/side-notes-conductor-trading-game.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 17, 2011, 03:44:32 PM
About your last line: Liverpool has Petrenko locked up through 2014-15. He could hardly choose two better orchestras for the juggle-two-jobs gig: making lots of waves in Liverpool and tending a major ensemble in Oslo. Plus, that's a short flight. Back when I lived in Detroit, our music director was Neeme Jarvi - dividing his time between D-town and Gothenburg!

And yes, I appreciated the sports free agency analogy a little too much.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 17, 2011, 03:57:10 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on February 17, 2011, 02:58:34 PM
semi-on-topic:


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UquqBnDF28/TV20yeNnCnI/AAAAAAAABco/Ea1fOFQU29k/s400/OsloPhiharmonic%2BKopie.png)

Side Notes: The Conductor Trading Game (Vasily Petrenko Succeeds Jukka-Pekka Saraste in Oslo)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/side-notes-conductor-trading-game.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/side-notes-conductor-trading-game.html)

This will be great! I would like to see Petrenko perform more Scandinavian composers. I would like to hear him tackle some Sibelius, Pettersson, Alfven, Rautavaara, and Nielsen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 17, 2011, 05:09:25 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 17, 2011, 03:44:32 PM

And yes, I appreciated the sports free agency analogy a little too much.


You can't be a Vikings fan and not still be pained about Herschel Walker.
And I didn't even live in MN/ND at the time.

Commute: Beats Marin Alsop's Baltimore <--> Sao Paulo.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 18, 2011, 11:55:19 AM
Tonight, this rather wild-sounding line-up at the Tune-In Festival. (PS, the concert is supposed to be about 3 hours long.)

Georg Friedrich Haas: in vain (2000)
Performed by: Argento Chamber Ensemble

Kurt Schwitters: UrSonate (1922-32)
Vocals performed by: Steven Schick
Electronics composed and performed by: Shahrokh Yadegari
Video by: Ross Karre

Johann Sebastian Bach: Chaconne from Partita in D Minor (1717-23)
(arr. Matt Albert )
Performed by: eighth blackbird, red fish blue fish, Lisa Moore, Josh Rubin, Blair McMillen, Mellissa Hughes, Kamala Sankaram, Nina Faia, Abby Fischer

Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians (1974-76)
Performed by: eighth blackbird, red fish blue fish, Lisa Moore, Josh Rubin, Blair McMillen, Mellissa Hughes, Kamala Sankaram, Nina Faia, Abby Fischer

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 19, 2011, 09:05:22 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 17, 2011, 06:37:02 AM
Tomorrow night:

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major

Bruckner - Symphony No. 7 in E major


Anton Kuerti - piano

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor

REALLY looking forward to the concert, particular for the Bruckner, as it will be my first time attending a live performance for a Bruckner symphony.   :)

A tremendous concert!  Kuerti gave an outstanding performance in the Beethoven Concerto, but the highlight of the night no doubt for me was the Bruckner symphony.   :)

This was the first attack by the WSO w/Mickelthwate for Bruckner, and they did not disappoint.  Even at all of the climatic parts (and there are many in this symphony), the orchestra held it together extremely well.  I was worried about how the brass section would handle some of these passages but I was worried for nothing.  The WSO had not featured Bruckner in the last 6 or 7 years, and as for the Bruckner 7th goes, it had not been performed since 1982!  :o  Hearing the performance of the Adagio was probably one of the most satisfying, heart swelling experiences I've ever felt.  Seeing and hearing the Wagner tubas was also great.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 20, 2011, 10:42:06 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 19, 2011, 09:05:22 AM
A tremendous concert!  Kuerti gave an outstanding performance in the Beethoven Concerto, but the highlight of the night no doubt for me was the Bruckner symphony.   :)

This was the first attack by the WSO w/Mickelthwate for Bruckner, and they did not disappoint.  Even at all of the climatic parts (and there are many in this symphony), the orchestra held it together extremely well.  I was worried about how the brass section would handle some of these passages but I was worried for nothing.  The WSO had not featured Bruckner in the last 6 or 7 years, and as for the Bruckner 7th goes, it had not been performed since 1982!  :o  Hearing the performance of the Adagio was probably one of the most satisfying, heart swelling experiences I've ever felt.  Seeing and hearing the Wagner tubas was also great.

Beautiful! That Adagio is something else...so happy it went well.

In about 2 hours, hearing the big finale of the Tune-In Festival at the Armory:

John Luther Adams: Inuksuit (2009, NY Premiere) - Will be performed by 72 percussionists: 54 in the gigantic main space, with the other 18 in the smaller rooms in the building, and microphones adding sounds from outside (e.g., traffic, conversation, etc.). Audience members are invited to "move around freely and discover their own individual listening points."

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 22, 2011, 09:33:15 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 20, 2011, 10:42:06 AM
In about 2 hours, hearing the big finale of the Tune-In Festival at the Armory:

John Luther Adams: Inuksuit (2009, NY Premiere) - Will be performed by 72 percussionists: 54 in the gigantic main space, with the other 18 in the smaller rooms in the building, and microphones adding sounds from outside (e.g., traffic, conversation, etc.). Audience members are invited to "move around freely and discover their own individual listening points."

--Bruce

This piece was quite an amazing experience in many ways. Of the videos taken that are starting to show up on YouTube, here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttijTIomspw) is a good one--23 minutes out of the 85--that gives a sense of the environment and the occasion. (Haven't found me in the film yet.  ;D)

UPDATE: Here's another, much shorter clip, with some of the climax, as well as the quieter part near the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWC9Zn5hIO4

Tonight, hearing Steve Schick conduct the International Contemporary Ensemble, in this program:

Feldman: The King of Denmark, for solo percussion
Webern: Concerto for nine instruments
Xenakis: Jalons, for chamber orchestra
Cage: Imaginary Landscape No. 4, for 12 radios
Feldman: For Samuel Beckett, for chamber orchestra

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on February 22, 2011, 11:32:38 AM
Event Details:
RSNO - The 10:11 Season
Neeme Järvi Conducts the Leningrad
Saturday 26th March 2011, 7.30pm
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall : Main Auditorium


http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/whatson/event/77915-RSNO-The-10:11-Season--Jarvi-Conducts-the-Leningrad?utm_source=newsletter&utm_agt=261163&utm_medium=email&utm_content=highlight&utm_campaign=whatson_mar (http://www.glasgowconcerthalls.com/whatson/event/77915-RSNO-The-10:11-Season--Jarvi-Conducts-the-Leningrad?utm_source=newsletter&utm_agt=261163&utm_medium=email&utm_content=highlight&utm_campaign=whatson_mar)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on February 22, 2011, 02:49:21 PM
Went to this one on the weekend:
Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney
Organ recital by Elke Voelker

1892 Hill & Son Organ

Handel - Fireworks Music (trans. E. Power Biggs)
J. S. Bach - Air on the G string (trans. S. Karg-Elert); Fantasia & Fugue in G minor, BWV 1068
Brahms - Hungarian Dance No. 3 (trans. E. Voelker)
Mendelssohn - Prelude & Fugue in C minor, Op.37/1
Grieg - Anitra's Dance from Peer Gynt Suite (trans. E.H. Lemare)
Karg-Elert - Chorale-Improvisation "Nun danket alle Gott" Op. 65 No. 59
Vierne - (ii) Aria from Symphonie VI pour orgue Op. 59
Alain - Litanies

I enjoyed this recital by Elke Voelker, a leading German organist. I liked all of the items, especially the final two French ones. It was really interesting to hear transcriptions of well-known orchestral works...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 23, 2011, 01:31:21 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 22, 2011, 09:33:15 AM
UPDATE: Here's another, much shorter clip, with some of the climax, as well as the quieter part near the end:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWC9Zn5hIO4


Until around 0:25 I thought it was an underground shelter during one of Luftwaffe's percussive (pun intended) sessions above London.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 23, 2011, 07:33:56 AM
Quote from: Eusebius on February 23, 2011, 01:31:21 AM
Until around 0:25 I thought it was an underground shelter during one of Luftwaffe's percussive (pun intended) sessions above London.  ;D

;D

Quite understandable. And the camera movement only enhances that sensation!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 24, 2011, 05:53:28 AM
Hey Ray, I saw violinist Augustin Hadelich is coming to Winnipeg in April. Don't miss him, an absolutely fantastic player!

I just snagged last-minute 5-pound tickets to this, tonight:

Philharmonia
Stephane Deneve
Piotr Anderszewski, piano

Faure | Pelleas et Mellisande, suite
Mozart | Piano Concerto No 20
Debussy | La mer
Ravel | La valse

Have never heard the Faure, and the last time I saw Anderszewski in concert was almost 10 years ago - also in Mozart, I think, though I was a preteen then!

I do wish I could see Deneve conducting Roussel. :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 24, 2011, 06:35:29 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2011, 05:53:28 AM
Faure | Pelleas et Mellisande, suite....Have never heard the Faure...

Ravishing music. It's been a favorite of mine ever since hearing the Sicilienne movement in 1971 during my honeymoon.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 24, 2011, 07:28:24 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2011, 05:53:28 AM
Hey Ray, I saw violinist Augustin Hadelich is coming to Winnipeg in April. Don't miss him, an absolutely fantastic player!

I just snagged last-minute 5-pound tickets to this, tonight:

Philharmonia
Stephane Deneve
Piotr Anderszewski, piano

Faure | Pelleas et Mellisande, suite
Mozart | Piano Concerto No 20
Debussy | La mer
Ravel | La valse

Have never heard the Faure, and the last time I saw Anderszewski in concert was almost 10 years ago - also in Mozart, I think, though I was a preteen then!

I do wish I could see Deneve conducting Roussel. :(

That's a great program and Denève will be excellent in all that French stuff. He's scheduled to do Roussel's Le festin de l'araignée for his CSO debut here next season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 24, 2011, 07:39:36 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2011, 05:53:28 AM
Hey Ray, I saw violinist Augustin Hadelich is coming to Winnipeg in April. Don't miss him, an absolutely fantastic player!


Hmm, really?  Do you know if is for a concert with the WSO, or chamber concert?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 24, 2011, 07:40:39 AM
That is a great program (and a tempting Chicago performance, too).  I haven't yet heard Denève.

Tonight, another program in the new Tully Scope Festival. Love Kurtág's Troussova, which can be very powerful with the right singer. Have never heard the Feldman pieces live.

AXIOM
Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor
Lauren Snouffer, soprano
The Clarion Choir (Steven Fox, artistic director)

Kurtág: Hommage à R.Sch
Kurtág: Messages of the Late R.V. Troussova
Feldman: Rothko Chapel
Feldman: Bass Clarinet and Percussion

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 24, 2011, 02:08:15 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2011, 05:53:28 AM
Philharmonia
Stephane Deneve
Piotr Anderszewski, piano

Faure | Pelleas et Mellisande, suite
Mozart | Piano Concerto No 20
Debussy | La mer
Ravel | La valse

Really terrific concert! So glad I went. The Ravel was a thrilling reading, which even got the jaded critic-man sitting behind me to acknowledge it with a "very good," and the Mozart was very well-rendered by conductor and soloist. Anderszewski has Gould-Jando Syndrome, that is, a tendency to vocalize every note he plays, and as I was in the third row this did get rather distracting. It would have been less so had he not been off-key in his noisemaking! That said, everything he did with the piano was up to his usual level of expressive prowess.

The real shocker, though was La mer. I had only heard the work once before (!), also in a live concert, way back in 2008. At the time I thought it slow, heavy, grey, and if at all sea-like then like a colorless, cold sea with thick waves. Credit the excellent Philharmonia - in peak form - or credit Denève, who looked as if whenever the brass entered he was being overcome with pure sensual joy, but one way or another this was a bright, richly hued mer and I was blown away. It was more "like hearing something for the first time" than nearly any time I've ever thought a performance was "like...first time etc". Totally spectacular. Part of the key was that things moved along at a brisk pace, at times very brisk, but without any sacrifices to clarity or sheer French gorgeousness. Come to think of it, a lot like Denève's way with Roussel! And at the very end of the third movement - as at the very end of the Ravel - the Philharmonia really dialed it up to 11.

In other words, a total pleasure. As for Denève, I would seriously consider taking a weekend's holiday in Scotland just to hear him again before going back to the USA (or accepting free plane tickets to see him do Roussel in Chicago). Terrific program, playing with lots of conviction, energy, enthusiasm. Oh, and when he takes a bow, he's perfected a move wherein he rises up extremely fast and snaps his head back - to get his gigantic plume of curly hair (http://www.heraldscotland.com/polopoly_fs/stephane-deneve-1.1010875!image/566868898.JPG_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/566868898.JPG) out of his eyes without having to brush any of it aside.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 24, 2011, 02:14:26 PM
Looks like my best chance to see Denève again is April 28-30, when they're doing this up in Scotland:

Ravel | Alborada del gracioso
Lieberson | Neruda Songs (2005)
Ravel | Rapsodie espagnole
Falla | Three-Cornered Hat, Suites 1 and 2

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Kelley O'Connor, mezzo
Stéphane Denève
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 24, 2011, 02:59:21 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2011, 02:08:15 PM
In other words, a total pleasure. As for Denève, I would seriously consider taking a weekend's holiday in Scotland just to hear him again before going back to the USA (or accepting free plane tickets to see him do Roussel in Chicago).

He's slated to take over the SWR Symphony Orchestra in Stuttgart next season. Tickets to Stuttgart should be a bit cheaper for you than Chicago and you'd have a wider range of programs and dates to choose from.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chaszz on February 24, 2011, 04:47:32 PM
I am going to see Gluck's Iphigenia en Tauride at the Met next Wednesday evening. Several years back I was gainfully well employed and used to sit in the better seats at the Met, for instance spending $1000 for a Ring cycle. Now I'm retired and eking out a dedicated sculptor's exsitence on soc sec, and for the first time will be sitting in the stratosphere near the ceiling. We'll see how that works out.

But greatly looking forward to Gluck, whom I love. In keeping with my sometime approach to opera, where I just jump in and enjoy while knowing nothing about it, and not having heard a recording of it, I may or may not read the synopsis. I do know from my interest in Greek culture that Iphigenia was Agamemnon's daughter whom he planned to sacrifice to the gods to get a good wind in order to sail to Troy and bring home his brother's wife the troublemaker Helen. And that sacrifice of her daughter incensed Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, and led to her murdering him after the Trojan War. But I don't know what this has to do with Gluck's libretto. I also know little about Gluck, who I actually like more consistently than Mozart and Haydn -- he never seems to do pretty fillips like those two do. Nothing but serious solid great music from him -- no rococo cake decoration. But whether he comes before or after them, and who influenced whom or vice versa, if at all -- I have no idea. This is opera by ignorance, but the music trumps that.  And hopefully the story also. And the wonderful, almost domed, architectural space of the Met, filled with light from the stage and with glorious music -- that is the best thing of all.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on February 24, 2011, 05:35:07 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2011, 02:14:26 PM
Looks like my best chance to see Denève again is April 28-30, when they're doing this up in Scotland:
Ravel | Alborada del gracioso
Lieberson | Neruda Songs (2005)
Ravel | Rapsodie espagnole
Falla | Three-Cornered Hat, Suites 1 and 2
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Kelley O'Connor, mezzo
Stéphane Denève

Please let me know if you're going to make it so we can meet up if the opportunity permits.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 25, 2011, 07:20:18 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2011, 02:14:26 PM
Looks like my best chance to see Denève again is April 28-30, when they're doing this up in Scotland:

Ravel | Alborada del gracioso
Lieberson | Neruda Songs (2005)
Ravel | Rapsodie espagnole
Falla | Three-Cornered Hat, Suites 1 and 2

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Kelley O'Connor, mezzo
Stéphane Denève

Another great program! The Lieberson songs are marvelous on their own, but O'Connor lends them something very special. I heard her do them here a couple of years ago, with Haitink and Chicago--a very emotional concert, here (http://www.musicweb-international.com/sandh/2008/Jan-Jun08/cso1505.htm).

And thanks for the write-up of the other concert! La Mer is just great in person...

Quote from: Chaszz on February 24, 2011, 04:47:32 PM
I am going to see Gluck's Iphigenia en Tauride at the Met next Wednesday evening. Several years back I was gainfully well employed and used to sit in the better seats at the Met, for instance spending $1000 for a Ring cycle. Now I'm retired and eking out a dedicated sculptor's exsitence on soc sec, and for the first time will be sitting in the stratosphere near the ceiling. We'll see how that works out.

For what it's worth, the seats in the Met Balcony and Family Circle have the best sound in the house (IMHO). Yes, a pair of binoculars will be welcome if you have them, but as far as the sound goes, I think you'll be very happy.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on February 26, 2011, 05:07:40 AM
Going to attend a recital by Andreas Schiff. I was told that on the long program are: Bach WTC (book one) plus two Beethoven sonatas. Now that is a program and a half!

I am pretty sure it will be selections from Book One, not the whole thing. But still a good program. I will be going with several friends.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on February 26, 2011, 05:12:25 AM
Oh, that will be a treat, Paul!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on February 26, 2011, 08:29:51 AM
At the top of the list is pianist Denis Matsuev (1998 Moscow Tchaikovsky Competition winner) in San Francisco May 15.

Program:
Schubert, Sonata A Minor, op. 143
Beethoven, Sonata F Minor #23, op. 57 (Appasionata)
Liszt, Mephisto Waltz #1, S.514
Rachmaninoff, Sonata B-flat Minor #2, op.36 Second Edition

Wow... :o

Tomorrow night (2/27) I'm hearing Zubin Mehta/Israel Phil perform Mahler 5--should be excellent.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on February 26, 2011, 10:39:50 AM
I just got excellent seats for this one:

March 25 2011, Friday 7:00 PM
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Symphony Hall
Boston, MA
  Thomas Adès, conductor

Anthony Marwood, violin
Hila Plitmann, soprano
Kate Royal, soprano
Toby Spence, tenor
Christopher Maltman, baritone

TCHAIKOVSKY - The Tempest
ADÈS- Violin Concerto, Concentric Paths
SIBELIUS - Prelude and Suite No. 1 from The Tempest
ADÈS - Scenes from The Tempest
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: 12tone. on February 26, 2011, 05:28:30 PM
Why can't the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Vancouver, British Columbia that is) play anything good!?!?!!!??!   Worst program year ever!

The only Bax they played was Tintagel and that was way back in October when I don't think I cared for that music.  Nuts.  I missed it.

And now nothing till next season.

I hope they do it right this time!  >:(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: westknife on February 26, 2011, 06:38:52 PM
Just subscribed to the NY Metropolitan Opera for the 2011-12 season, 7 performances, first time I've ever done this... pretty excited, although it doesn't start until September.

- Anna Bolena (not a huge bel canto fan, but it was part of the deal and it's got Anna Netrebko so how bad can it be)
- Nabucco (can't go wrong with Verdi)
- Satyagraha (some modernism in there for good measure)
- La Bohème (old faithful, never actually seen it live so now's the time I guess)
- The Enchanted Island (no idea what this is, some kind of "baroque pastiche" with English words, we'll see)
- Götterdämmerung (love the Wagner, can't wait)
- Khovanshchina (a less famous Mussorgsky opera. it will be epic and Russian, can't go wrong)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on February 26, 2011, 06:58:32 PM
And the Philadelphia Orchestra posted their 2011-2012 season, so I'll have to think about what to hear. Lots of good things. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 28, 2011, 07:50:26 AM
Although the official program guide hasn't yet been finalized, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra did announce its 2011/2012 season.  I'm pretty excited overall.

Some of the highlights for me will be:

*All Shostakovich program conducted by Maxim Shostakovich (Violin Concerto 1, Hamlet Incidental Music, Symphony No. 9)  Korbinian Altenberger, soloist

*Schubert's Symphony No. 9; Mozart - Sinfonia concertante for Winds in E flat major, K 297b

*Dawn Upshaw - Three Songs for Orchestra by Golijov

*Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 (Horacio Gutierrez, soloist); Dvorak's 8th Symphony.  This is the season opener.

*Kancheli's Styx.  Although I haven't heard Styx yet, the 3 or 4 works I've heard by Kancheli I really, really enjoyed.

*Andre Mathieu's Piano Concerto No. 4 (Alain Lefevre, soloist).  Sibelius Symphony No. 2

*Barber's Violin Concerto (Augustin Hadelich, soloist); Copland - Appalachian Suite, Larry Rachleff, conducting

*Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem

*Brahms - Piano Concerto No. 2 (Jon Kimura Parker, soloist); Schumann Symphony No. 1

*Beethoven - Piano Concerto No. 3 (Michael Kim, soloist); Symphony No. 5.  I will probably skip this concert, as I've already heard all of Beethoven's symphonies in concert, and I just do not get excited anymore for Beethoven performances as they just perform his music way, way too often.  If I go, it will only be for the PC#3, which I haven't yet heard in concert.

*Mahler - Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection".  OH MY GOD!!!!!  :o :)  So excited!!  This is the 2011/12 season finale, and I already can't wait for this one!!!   :) ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 28, 2011, 12:18:07 PM
Tonight:

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, Music Director and Conductor
Lisa Batiashvili, Violin

Beethoven: Violin Concerto (with cadenza by Alfred Schnittke)
Sibelius: Symphony No. 6
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 02, 2011, 01:00:57 AM
The coming week:

Oslo Philharmonic

Maurice Ravel
Le tombeau de Couperin
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano concerto no. 21 'Elvira Madigan'
Igor Stravinsky
Le sacre du printemps

Marc Albrecht: conductor
Christian Ihle Hadland: piano (replacing Lars Vogt)



Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony no. 8
Francois Devienne
Piccolo concerto no. 8
Jusef Suk
Märchen

Bertrand de Billy: conductor

Oslo Opera

Lulu. Berg. Stefan Herheim.

(John Fiore conducting... though I still harbor hopes that I can abduct Marc Albrecht from the airport and make him conduct the performance I'm seeing.
His Lulu with the VPO in Salzburg (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/08/notes-from-salzburg-festival-8.html) this year was stupendous.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on March 02, 2011, 06:39:38 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on February 17, 2011, 08:45:30 AM
Finally: my first orchestral concert!


The Symphony Orchestra of India (http://www.soimumbai.in/index.aspx) are finally coming out of Bombay. So far, apart from a tour to Russia, I don't think they have toured anywhere.


Here's the programme:

Sunday, February 27 at 7.00 pm Chennai

Mikhail Glinka: Russlan and Ludmilla Overture
Isaac Albeniz: Asturias from the Suite Española
Tommaso Vitali: Chaconne
Georges Bizet: Carmen Suites (No.1 and 2)
Maurice Ravel: Bolero

Marat Bisengaliev – Violin (he's also the MD of the SOI)
Conductor – Zane Dalal

Sunday evening was a memorable occasion (apart from the tie, in more ways than one, between the Indian and English cricket teams)! The concert started, in true Indian tradition, twenty minutes late, although I would put the blame squarely on the organisers rather than the orchestra. Perhaps it was for this reason, that conductor Dalal chose to say a few words about the works during the interval. The show began as the conductor walked out, bowed gently to the audience, turned on his heel while initiating a short timpani roll which led to the Indian national anthem.  After that came the colourful pieces of the Glinka overture and the Carmen Suites. I must say, the strings in unison sound so much softer compared to when I listen to recordings through speakers. The second half of the concert began with SOI's Music Director, Marat Bisengaliev, taking centre stage in three virtuoso violin pieces: the Albeniz, transcribed for violin and about a dozen strings; the chaconne by Tommaso Vitali, a work nearly 10 minutes or so long, now backed by the whole string ensemble; and finally, Prelude and Allegro, by Fritz Kreisler. All of these works were new to me, yet I somehow felt that it could have had a little more 'fire' to them. I should listen to some other violinists tackling these. The final piece was, of course, Ravel's Boléro. And I heard it for the second time in the day -- never thought that it would ever happen! Earlier in the afternoon, I watched towards the end of a documentary about Gianluigi Gelmetti, former conductor of the Sydney SO, the whole piece as performed during his last concert as chief conductor. As Bruce rightly pointed out, the ending of the piece, heard live, is quite something. Oh, and I really felt sorry for the snare drummer ;D , who deservedly received applause along with the conductor on the podium.

The encores began, with the orchestra getting quickly into the Radetzky March. It was neither New Year's Day nor were we the at Musikvereinssaal, but almost everyone began to clap immediately. What fun! And the concluding piece for the evening was a work just for the strings, or so I thought, when in the middle of it, right after the bassists twirled their instruments, the woodwind and brass players stood up and began singing, "Laaa la laa..."! ;D And the piece ended with a resounding "Hey!" from the entire orchestra. (Can anyone come up with a name?)

As I said, a very memorable evening. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chaszz on March 02, 2011, 09:09:43 AM
Quote from: Chaszz on February 24, 2011, 04:47:32 PM
I am going to see Gluck's Iphigenia en Tauride at the Met next Wednesday evening. Several years back I was gainfully well employed and used to sit in the better seats at the Met, for instance spending $1000 for a Ring cycle. Now I'm retired and eking out a dedicated sculptor's exsitence on soc sec, and for the first time will be sitting in the stratosphere near the ceiling. We'll see how that works out.

But greatly looking forward to Gluck, whom I love. In keeping with my sometime approach to opera, where I just jump in and enjoy while knowing nothing about it, and not having heard a recording of it, I may or may not read the synopsis. I do know from my interest in Greek culture that Iphigenia was Agamemnon's daughter whom he planned to sacrifice to the gods to get a good wind in order to sail to Troy and bring home his brother's wife the troublemaker Helen. And that sacrifice of her daughter incensed Agamemnon's wife, Clytemnestra, and led to her murdering him after the Trojan War. But I don't know what this has to do with Gluck's libretto. I also know little about Gluck, who I actually like more consistently than Mozart and Haydn -- he never seems to do pretty fillips like those two do. Nothing but serious solid great music from him -- no rococo cake decoration. But whether he comes before or after them, and who influenced whom or vice versa, if at all -- I have no idea. This is opera by ignorance, but the music trumps that.  And hopefully the story also. And the wonderful, almost domed, architectural space of the Met, filled with light from the stage and with glorious music -- that is the best thing of all.

I have been fighting off a bad cold for 5 days and will be unable to go. Just called the Met to donate back my ticket.   

ZOUNDS!!!

CURSES!!!

WHAT A REVOLTIN' DEVELOPMENT THIS IS!!!

OBVIOUSLY GERMS ARE TARGETED ESPECIALLY AGAINST A CERTAIN SUBSET OF HUMANITY OF WHICH I AM A MEMBER!!!

(I will be back with more details when I have figured out this insidious plot completely.... )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chaszz on March 02, 2011, 09:12:28 AM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on February 26, 2011, 08:29:51 AM
At the top of the list is pianist Denis Matsuev (1998 Moscow Tchaikovsky Competition winner) in San Francisco May 15.

Program:
Schubert, Sonata A Minor, op. 143
Beethoven, Sonata F Minor #23, op. 57 (Appasionata)
Liszt, Mephisto Waltz #1, S.514
Rachmaninoff, Sonata B-flat Minor #2, op.36 Second Edition

Wow... :o

Tomorrow night (2/27) I'm hearing Zubin Mehta/Israel Phil perform Mahler 5--should be excellent.

I quite like your avatar, but what are those black things across the beloved master's head? Tuning pegs, or rays of inspiration from an advanced outer-space civilization?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 02, 2011, 09:21:02 AM
Navneeth, thanks for the report, and it sounds like you had a really good time!  :D  Your comment about the softness of the strings isn't surprising; could be a result of the concert hall itself, depending on the acoustics of the place. (Some places in Avery Fisher Hall, here, can give a similar result--the sound is more diffuse, with less "oomph.")

Can't help you with the second encore.  :(  Would be interested to hear if you find out.  (Or, just call the orchestra's office--here, they're usually delighted that anyone cares enough to do so!)

Quote from: Chaszz on March 02, 2011, 09:09:43 AM
I have been fighting off a bad cold for 5 days and will be unable to go. Just called the Met to donate back my ticket.   

ZOUNDS!!!

CURSES!!!

WHAT A REVOLTIN' DEVELOPMENT THIS IS!!!

OBVIOUSLY GERMS ARE TARGETED ESPECIALLY AGAINST A CERTAIN SUBSET OF HUMANITY OF WHICH I AM A MEMBER!!!

(I will be back with more details when I have figured out this insidious plot completely.... )

So sorry to hear (but have to confess, your rant is a little humorous... ;D). Hope you are able to reschedule--I hear the production is quite something. (I haven't seen it yet.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 02, 2011, 09:33:43 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 02, 2011, 09:21:02 AM
Navneeth, thanks for the report, and it sounds like you had a really good time!  :D  Your comment about the softness of the strings isn't surprising; could be a result of the concert hall itself, depending on the acoustics of the place. (Some places in Avery Fisher Hall, here, can give a similar result--the sound is more diffuse, with less "oomph.")

On the other hand, it can simply be the usual problem that less wealthy orchestras simply can't afford the best instruments. No matter the technical skill of the violinists involved, if one orchestra's string section can afford Strads and the other can't, the latter just won't have the oomph of the former. In the case of string instruments, a couple of tens of thousands of dollars (per instrument) make all the difference between a full sound that projects to the last row and one that doesn't.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on March 02, 2011, 09:38:31 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 02, 2011, 09:21:02 AM
Navneeth, thanks for the report, and it sounds like you had a really good time!  :D  Your comment about the softness of the strings isn't surprising; could be a result of the concert hall itself, depending on the acoustics of the place. (Some places in Avery Fisher Hall, here, can give a similar result--the sound is more diffuse, with less "oomph.")

Can't help you with the second encore.  :(  Would be interested to hear if you find out.  (Or, just call the orchestra's office--here, they're usually delighted that anyone cares enough to do so!)

re: contacting them, that's a good idea, Bruce. Thanks.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 02, 2011, 09:40:43 AM
Quote from: Mensch on March 02, 2011, 09:33:43 AM
On the other hand, it can simply be the usual problem that less wealthy orchestras simply can't afford the best instruments. No matter the technical skill of the violinists involved, if one orchestra's string section can afford Strads and the other can't, the latter just won't have the oomph of the former. In the case of string instruments, a couple of tens of thousands of dollars (per instrument) make all the difference between a full sound that projects to the last row and one that doesn't.

That is quite true, as well--good point.

Tonight, works for flute and electronics by Patricia Spencer, longtime member of the Da Capo Chamber Players. The Musgrave is fascinating: it uses a digital delay to create a series of flute echoes, evoking Narcissus's gazing at his reflection in the water.

Patricia Spencer, flute
Samir Chatterjee, tabla
Linda Hall, piano
Lisa Preirnesberger, bass clarinet
Sarn Pluta, sound projectionist
Sherry Teitelbaum, director

Stockhausen: Bijou (US premiere)
Korde: Lalit* (world premiere / revised version)
Chen Yi: Three Bagatelles from China West
Georgescu: Exorcisme (US premiere)
Musgrave: Narcissus*

*written for Ms. Spencer

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on March 02, 2011, 09:52:07 AM
Quote from: Mensch on March 02, 2011, 09:33:43 AM
On the other hand, it can simply be the usual problem that less wealthy orchestras simply can't afford the best instruments. No matter the technical skill of the violinists involved, if one orchestra's string section can afford Strads and the other can't, the latter just won't have the oomph of the former.

Do all/most string players (or at least violinists, say) in any of the top orchestras play Strads (or equally famous, few-hundred-years-old instruments from Italy or thereabouts)? Or were you simply using "Strads" as a place-holder for high-quality violins?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 02, 2011, 10:09:11 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on March 02, 2011, 09:52:07 AM
Do all/most string players (or at least violinists, say) in any of the top orchestras play Strads (or equally famous, few-hundred-years-old instruments from Italy or thereabouts)? Or were you simply using "Strads" as a place-holder for high-quality violins?

I was using them as a place holder. There aren't enough Strads to go around for everyone, though he was a very prolific maker. But you can be certain that when you're looking at the string section of a top tier orchestra, you're looking at several tens of millions of dollars worth of antique Italian, French and German timber.  ;) The values of string instruments have exploded exponentially, vastly faster than the rate of inflation, over the last couple of decades, owing only in part to rarity, and much more due to demand from collectors and investors who buy these things specifically in anticipation of greater return on their investment down the line. This applies even to instruments from less known makers. E.g. someone I know (a recently retired violinist from a German orchestra and former first violin of a string quartet) bought an Antoniazzi (19th century Italian) violin for 30K Deutsche Mark (approx. 15K Euros) in the late 80s. That instrument is easily worth upwards of 85K USD today (quadruple its value over little more than 20 years), financial crisis notwithstanding. Many musicians, even famous ones, at least for some time play on donated instruments or instruments "on loan" from a collector, a bank, or some other institution that hoards these things. See, e.g. this list of recipients of loaned Strads and other instruments from the Stradivari Society: http://www.stradivarisociety.com/recipients.php
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on March 03, 2011, 07:54:38 AM
Quote from: springrite on February 26, 2011, 05:07:40 AM
Going to attend a recital by Andreas Schiff. I was told that on the long program are: Bach WTC (book one) plus two Beethoven sonatas. Now that is a program and a half!

I am pretty sure it will be selections from Book One, not the whole thing. But still a good program. I will be going with several friends.

Short review:

The WTC (Book Two, 1-12) were played as you'd expect from Schiff, which for the most part is not my cuppa. But #3, #4, #10, #11 and #12 were very good. I am generally satisfied but not overjoyed by them.

Op 110 was played very Schumannesque. If you don't know the piece, you wouldn't even guess it is Beethoven.

Op111. Well, that is another matter. The Arietta is simply the best that I have ever heard. Dreamy, transcendental, other-worldly, word fails me. The whole of the work would be better had Schiff not been so careful with the first movement, where he so obviously slowed down at various points to make sure he fitted all the notes in. It would have been better for me had he kept the momentum, the drive, the shape of the music even if he missed a few notes.

Then, 2 Schubert Impromptus as enchores.

A great recital if only for the magical Arietta!




Now, I just got tickets to the Berlin Phil in Beijing in November playing Mahler 9. Vanessa is going with me. (She only goes with me to concerts if they play Mahler!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on March 04, 2011, 06:42:05 PM
Looking forward to to two recitals here in Sydney, this one on Sunday:

Trioz "Vitebsk" tour

Kathryn Selby, piano
Natsuko Yoshimoto, violin (as guest)
Emma Jane Murphy, cello

Program:

Joseph Suk - Elegie for piano, violin & cello,Op. 23 (1902)
Aaron Copland - Vitebsk, study on a Jewish Theme,for piano trio
Claude Debussy - Piano Trio, L.3
Ludwig v. Beethoven - Piano Trio in B flat major, Op.97 "Archduke"

& this one at Sydney Conservatorium on Monday evening:

"Australian Portrait"

Michael Duke saxophone
David Howie piano

Program
Boyd - Ganba for baritone saxophone and piano *
Smetanin - If Stars Are Lit for alto saxophone and piano *
Hindson - Repetepetition for soprano saxophone and piano *
Zadro - X Suite for alto saxophone and piano #

* World premiere
# Australian premiere and 101 Compositions for 100 Years commission

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on March 05, 2011, 08:47:02 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 03, 2011, 07:54:38 AM
Now, I just got tickets to the Berlin Phil in Beijing in November playing Mahler 9. Vanessa is going with me. (She only goes with me to concerts if they play Mahler!)

BTW, I did pass on the Bruckner 9 for the following day. I don't want to draw the wrath of Bruckner fans, but somehow it'd be a downer after the Mahler 9. Just me...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 06, 2011, 06:07:10 AM
Concerts to hear in the Washington area:


April in Music
http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2857

(http://www.weta.org/fmblog/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/16-Tabuan-Parrakeet-Kopie.png) (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=2857)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: westknife on March 06, 2011, 12:49:59 PM
thinking of going to the met's wozzeck next month
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 06, 2011, 01:10:13 PM
Quote from: westknife on March 06, 2011, 12:49:59 PM
thinking of going to the met's wozzeck next month

I'm going to see it at least twice. If you've never seen this production, which debuted in 1997, it's very effective in a stark, minimal way. And the leads should be really something: Matthias Goerne and Waltraud Meier. I just hope Levine is healthy when the time comes, so he can conduct it.

PS, here are some photos, taken from the 2001 performances:

http://archives.metoperafamily.org/Imgs/Wozzeck0506.htm

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on March 07, 2011, 04:01:21 PM
Quote from: Sid on March 04, 2011, 06:42:05 PM
Looking forward to to two recitals here in Sydney, this one on Sunday:

Trioz "Vitebsk" tour

Kathryn Selby, piano
Natsuko Yoshimoto, violin (as guest)
Emma Jane Murphy, cello

Program:

Joseph Suk - Elegie for piano, violin & cello,Op. 23 (1902)
Aaron Copland - Vitebsk, study on a Jewish Theme,for piano trio
Claude Debussy - Piano Trio, L.3
Ludwig v. Beethoven - Piano Trio in B flat major, Op.97 "Archduke"

& this one at Sydney Conservatorium on Monday evening:

"Australian Portrait"

Michael Duke saxophone
David Howie piano

Program
Boyd - Ganba for baritone saxophone and piano *
Smetanin - If Stars Are Lit for alto saxophone and piano *
Hindson - Repetepetition for soprano saxophone and piano *
Zadro - X Suite for alto saxophone and piano #

* World premiere
# Australian premiere and 101 Compositions for 100 Years commission

I liked both of these recitals. A friend came along to the first one, and we both enjoyed it.

I like Trioz's recitals because they always include some things off the beaten track, as well as standard repertoire. We were familiar with the Debussy & Beethoven, but not the Suk or Copland. The Suk was a great opener, a quite dark and melancholic piece, dominated by the solo violin a bit. Debussy's only piano trio is from his younger years, but still has suggestions of those unique harmonies which would come later. It was first recorded only in 1984, and as the program notes show, it has a relaxed salon feel. Even the final movement marked appassionato doesn't take itself too seriously. The most surprising piece in the program was the Copland trio fragment. It had loud dissonant sections flanking some more lyrical melodic parts. Copland was influenced by Bloch in his use of Jewish sounding themes. This piece was written in 1929 and it used microtones and the two string players playing out of tune (deliberately) a bit like Ives before & Cage & Xenakis after. The ten minute piece really had a visceral impact on me. After the interval, we were treated to a superlative performance of the Beethoven "Archduke" trio, the king of piano trios. The playing was so good, it was of recording quality. I plan to go to more of Trioz's series this year, they are one of my favourite ensembles.

The saxophone-piano duos program at Sydney Conservatorium the following Monday evening was also excellent. All these pieces were very different from eachother (eg. using different kinds of saxes), but in common with the Copland above, the Smetanin & Zadro employed microtones. My favourite works on the program were the Boyd & Zadro, which were also the longest works. Boyd's work was based on her impressions of the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia, which is basically a desert. The work engaged with the history of that place, employing Aboriginal harmonies, sounds of the wind, and also briefly the clickety clack and whistle of the railway that goes through there. Sometimes the piano sounded like a brass instrument and the sax sounded like a piano. I liked the darkness of this piece, which mirrored how the Aboriginal people were driven out from the area by the building of the railway. They didn't know what it was, some of them thought it was some huge mythical beast. The piano part of Zadro's suite had a bit of the complexity of Carter, but the work sounded quite tonal despite some dissonances. The 8 movements were each miniature tone poems of different places or states of mind. I particularly liked "cauldron" which brought to mind the witche's dance in Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. Some interesting effects were used, such as blowing with the saxophone into the bowels of the grand piano to produce a creepy vibe and the saxophonist tapping the side of his instrument to make a percussive effect. I think that this work would benefit from the piano part becoming orchestrated. Even though I'm mainly a chamber fan it would be a lot of fun to hear this work as a saxophone concerto. The Smetanin and Hindson were short etudes. The Smetanin was a bit uncomfortable to hear, much dissonance and high pitched sounds from the sax. It was based on the spectral analysis of a recording made by the Russian poet Mayakovsky, about whom Smetanin has also written an opera. The Hindson was typical of his style - light, airy and full of vigorous dance rhythms. The music of Ross Edwards was an influence here, according to Hindson's notes. It was great to hear the music of living Australian composers of this calibre & three of them were present to acknowledge the applause. Before I went to the recital, I thought it would sound a bit like jazz because of the use of the solo saxes, but on the whole, it was very much classical...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 07, 2011, 05:39:14 PM
Quote from: Brewski on March 06, 2011, 01:10:13 PM
I'm going to see it at least twice. If you've never seen this production, which debuted in 1997, it's very effective in a stark, minimal way. And the leads should be really something: Matthias Goerne and Waltraud Meier. I just hope Levine is healthy when the time comes, so he can conduct it.

PS, here are some photos, taken from the 2001 performances:

http://archives.metoperafamily.org/Imgs/Wozzeck0506.htm

--Bruce

You've presumably heard by now, but Goerne is apparently out due to knee surgery.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 10, 2011, 06:50:58 AM
Yikes...no, I hadn't heard. What a shame; I was really looking forward to seeing him in this role. Just checked the Met's site, and it's now Alan Held, who sang it the last time. He was wonderful--really wonderful--but I was of course curious to see Goerne. Oh well...

Thanks for the info.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 10, 2011, 07:36:56 AM
Just found out about this recital, closing this year's International Keyboard Institute and Festival. It's a few months off (July 29), but wow...

Marc-André Hamelin, piano

Berg:  Piano Sonata, Op. 1
Stockhausen:  Klavierstücke IX
RavelGaspard de la nuit
Liszt:  Sonata in B minor

And hearing this on Saturday. Formenti replaces Aimard, who is ill.

New York Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Marino Formenti, piano

Haydn: Symphony No. 6, Le Matin
Ligeti: Piano Concerto
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on March 10, 2011, 03:26:52 PM
I plan to go to this concert on in Sydney this coming weekend:

Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra/Sarah-Grace Williams

BEETHOVEN     Ruins of Athens Overture
MOZART        Flute Concerto no 2
Soloist: Svetlana Yaroslavskaya (Principal Flute MCO)
MENDELSSOHN     Symphony no 3 op 56 A minor 'Scottish'

Some of the money from door takings will go towards the recent Queensland floods recovery appeals...

[EDIT: Can't go to this after all because I've got other things on; I will try to make it to MCO's next concert around May...]

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 11, 2011, 04:02:57 AM
Schulhoff | Quartet No 1
Prokofiev | Quartet No 2
Schubert | Quintet D956

Pavel Haas Quartet
Saturday night
Wigmore Hall

So excited about this! This will be the fifth time I've seen the PHQ, and it's very possibly the most exciting program of the five. I saw them do the Prokofiev Quartet in Texas last year, and it was fantastic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: westknife on March 12, 2011, 05:50:57 PM
going to see the ny philharmonic under esa-pekka salonen on tuesday, as part of the "hungarian echoes" festival, very excited:

haydn - symphony no.6 "le matin"
ligeti - piano concerto
bartók - concerto for orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 13, 2011, 11:06:08 AM

Ionarts-at-Large: Beethoven Between Agony and Delight

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pWM6WiDiu3k/TX0R9M3i7RI/AAAAAAAABdo/vlCGATguce0/s400/MPhil_Thielemann_Grimaud_Beethoven_Brahms.png)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/03/ionarts-at-large-beethoven-between.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/03/ionarts-at-large-beethoven-between.html)

In Mme. Grimaud there is something—although I can't quite put my finger on what it is—that stands between her monochromatic renditions and the tediousness that a lesser, if similar straight-forward, bland pianist would evoke.

Or so I thought...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 13, 2011, 12:19:03 PM
Quote from: westknife on March 12, 2011, 05:50:57 PM
going to see the ny philharmonic under esa-pekka salonen on tuesday, as part of the "hungarian echoes" festival, very excited:

haydn - symphony no.6 "le matin"
ligeti - piano concerto
bartók - concerto for orchestra

Just saw this last night--mostly fantastic. Not sure Salonen is the best match for Haydn (it was fine), but the Ligeti and the Bartók were fantastic. Marino Formenti, the pianist, is terrific in the Ligeti, and the orchestra sounded excellent in everything. The only real down side: the audience was incredibly rude and restless in the Ligeti. The middle movement has a low double bass note--sustained and very quiet--with some wonderfully high timbres above, and the coughing was like being in a flu ward.  >:(

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 01:14:45 PM
Couple of concerts at Snape just booked :

Sunday 27 March
Christian Blackshaw, Piano
Schubert
D960 - B flat sonata
A minor sonata - D845 or 784 ? (not sure...they only mention A minor...)
6 Moments Musicaux


---------------

Friday 22 April 2011
Britten–Pears Baroque Orchestra and Soloists
Mark Padmore Director/Evangelist
Bach - St John Passion

--------------

Sunday 19 June 2011
Aldeburgh Festival
Matthias Goerne baritone
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Schubert Winterreise D911

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 15, 2011, 02:18:23 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 01:14:45 PM
--------------

Sunday 19 June 2011
Aldeburgh Festival
Matthias Goerne baritone
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Schubert Winterreise D911


Okay, that might be worth a trip up there to hear.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 02:23:33 PM
only a few tickets left in the tiered section :

http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/events/goerne-aimard-winterreise (http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/events/goerne-aimard-winterreise)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 15, 2011, 02:30:49 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 02:23:33 PM
only a few tickets left in the tiered section :

http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/events/goerne-aimard-winterreise (http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/events/goerne-aimard-winterreise)

Thanks very much - I feel lucky to have grabbed a seat, now. :) I'll be in 'ZE'...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 02:35:33 PM
ZF here... still a good view and sound from the last rows in any case  ;)

See you at the bar  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: westknife on March 16, 2011, 06:47:50 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 13, 2011, 12:19:03 PM
Just saw this last night--mostly fantastic. Not sure Salonen is the best match for Haydn (it was fine), but the Ligeti and the Bartók were fantastic. Marino Formenti, the pianist, is terrific in the Ligeti, and the orchestra sounded excellent in everything. The only real down side: the audience was incredibly rude and restless in the Ligeti. The middle movement has a low double bass note--sustained and very quiet--with some wonderfully high timbres above, and the coughing was like being in a flu ward.  >:(

--Bruce

Wow, what a terrific concert. I actually thought the Haydn was wonderful—the various soloists (esp. 1st violin) were marvelous and it came off as a sort of "concerto for orchestra," tying it to the Bartók in a way. One problem though: I felt that the rhythm of much of the 2nd movement (which is quite delicate) was not handled very well. It did not move like it was supposed to. Otherwise great all around

The Ligeti was great, and I must say I also found the audience distracting. Somebody's cell phone rang 2 separate times (the same person) and an older woman behind me provided some unwanted running commentary (she may have been senile, which is sad, but still annoying). But the performance was quite good—the 2nd movement, in particular, was very effective at conjuring a sort of dream-like atmosphere.

It was obvious that the Bartók was the highlight/centerpiece of the show. I have simply never been moved so much by this piece in any of the recordings I've heard (this was my first time seeing it live). The slow movement was nothing short of soul-searching, and the finale, played much faster than I'm used to, was absolutely thrilling. I kept thinking to myself that at this pace, they're about to just lose it at any moment, but of course they never did. Excellent all around.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 16, 2011, 06:50:34 AM
The Bartók Concerto for Orchestra I have always found a blast!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2011, 07:00:30 AM
Quote from: westknife on March 16, 2011, 06:47:50 AM
Wow, what a terrific concert. I actually thought the Haydn was wonderful—the various soloists (esp. 1st violin) were marvelous and it came off as a sort of "concerto for orchestra," tying it to the Bartók in a way. One problem though: I felt that the rhythm of much of the 2nd movement (which is quite delicate) was not handled very well. It did not move like it was supposed to. Otherwise great all around

Interesting comment about its being a "concerto for orchestra." Who knows, perhaps Salonen was thinking the same thing!

Quote from: westknife on March 16, 2011, 06:47:50 AMThe Ligeti was great, and I must say I also found the audience distracting. Somebody's cell phone rang 2 separate times (the same person) and an older woman behind me provided some unwanted running commentary (she may have been senile, which is sad, but still annoying). But the performance was quite good—the 2nd movement, in particular, was very effective at conjuring a sort of dream-like atmosphere.

Yes, a friend called last night to comment on the concert, and also mentioned the cell phone, AND apparently there was more coughing and rustling about. Later I wondered if some of the super-soft, delicate effects that Ligeti asks for were perhaps a bit lost in the hall. But in any case, too bad about the distractions. But yes, Formenti is something, isn't he!

Quote from: westknife on March 16, 2011, 06:47:50 AMIt was obvious that the Bartók was the highlight/centerpiece of the show. I have simply never been moved so much by this piece in any of the recordings I've heard (this was my first time seeing it live). The slow movement was nothing short of soul-searching, and the finale, played much faster than I'm used to, was absolutely thrilling. I kept thinking to myself that at this pace, they're about to just lose it at any moment, but of course they never did. Excellent all around.

Any day hearing the Bartók live is a great day, in my book.  0:) Great that you caught such a good one for your first live experience! And yes, Salonen really raced off during the finale; I wasn't sure that the orchestra could really play it that fast, but after a few seconds, it became clear: sure, why not! The brass section (at least, on Saturday) was also having a stellar night.

Are you going to any of the other concerts in this "Hungarian Echoes" series?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2011, 10:08:34 AM
This Saturday, the next concert in the "Hungarian Echoes" series:

New York Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano
Gábor Bretz, bass

Ligeti: Concert Românesc
Haydn: Symphony No. 7, Le Midi
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 16, 2011, 10:28:38 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 16, 2011, 10:08:34 AM
This Saturday, the next concert in the "Hungarian Echoes" series:

New York Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano
Gábor Bretz, bass

Ligeti: Concert Românesc
Haydn: Symphony No. 7, Le Midi
Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle

--Bruce

Oooooh! Pardon me while I book my plane tickets!
Seriously - the Ligeti is a lot of cheeky fun and Bluebeard's Castle must be one of those things that's just hugely powerful seen live...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: westknife on March 16, 2011, 10:40:23 AM
I won't be making it to that one, although I'm sure Bluebeard's Castle will be great.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2011, 10:42:18 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 16, 2011, 10:28:38 AM
Oooooh! Pardon me while I book my plane tickets!
Seriously - the Ligeti is a lot of cheeky fun and Bluebeard's Castle must be one of those things that's just hugely powerful seen live...

Well, c'mon over!  :D

I've never heard the Ligeti live (although awhile back Jonathan Nott did one of the movements as an unusual encore in a concert with more Ligeti). And yes, the Bartók is great live; I've been very lucky to hear it in concert about once a year, including with Michelle DeYoung, who makes an excellent (and very tall!) Judith. Don't know Gábor Bretz at all.

It will be interesting to hear Salonen's take on the opera. Based on what he did with the Concerto for Orchestra last Saturday, it's looking good.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 17, 2011, 07:40:23 AM
Tonight!

Mendelssohn | Hebrides overture
Brahms | Symphony No 4
Dvorak | Cello Concerto

Philharmonia
Steven Isserlis, cello
Andras Schiff, conductor

Should be good. Oddly, the Philharmonia marketing says the Brahms 4 finale has "the same air of finality as Beethoven's Ninth." Where is that coming from? I guess in a strictly literal sense it's true, but only in the sense that, say, "Much Ado" has "the same rhetorical command" as "Hamlet."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 17, 2011, 07:59:46 AM
Marketing. 'Nuff said.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 17, 2011, 08:36:35 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 17, 2011, 07:40:23 AM
Andras Schiff, conductor

Didn't know Schiff had gone into serious conducting. Would be curious to hear your thoughts on this. The Brahms 4 is very hard to do properly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 17, 2011, 09:53:48 AM
Quote from: MishaK on March 17, 2011, 08:36:35 AM
Didn't know Schiff had gone into serious conducting. Would be curious to hear your thoughts on this. The Brahms 4 is very hard to do properly.

Indeed. Last time I saw it "live" was a PBS telecast with NYPO and Kurt Masur, so bad I turned it off. Will be interesting to see how Schiff does with it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 17, 2011, 11:16:07 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 17, 2011, 09:53:48 AM
Indeed. Last time I saw it "live" was a PBS telecast with NYPO and Kurt Masur, so bad I turned it off.

Well, that's surprising. I don't have Masur's complete cycle, but his Brahms 1 with NYPO is quite good. Then again, there are several cycles that produced good 1s and 2s, but failed when it came to grasping what's going on in 3 & 4.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 17, 2011, 03:09:56 PM
Here's the Steven whose cello I heard tonight

(http://suggia.weblog.com.pt/arquivo/Isserlis276.jpg)

And coincidentally here's the Steven whose book I was reading on the train tonight

(http://linguaned.webs.com/photos/steven_pinker1.jpg)

Blog essay soon!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 17, 2011, 03:41:22 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 17, 2011, 07:40:23 AM
Tonight!

Mendelssohn | Hebrides overture
Brahms | Symphony No 4
Dvorak | Cello Concerto

Philharmonia
Steven Isserlis, cello
Andras Schiff, conductor

Blog review! (http://bgreinhart.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/philharmonia-mendelssohn-brahms-dvorak-17-mar/) With special comments on Schiff the conductor.

Choice quote: "The audience seemed unusually ill; during the Dvořák, somebody in the back had a sneezing fit that sounded exactly like a water balloon fight."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 18, 2011, 06:43:24 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 17, 2011, 03:09:56 PM
And coincidentally here's the Steven whose book I was reading on the train tonight

(http://linguaned.webs.com/photos/steven_pinker1.jpg)

Pinker seems to have been moonlighting as Germany's most popular talkshow host for the past 30 years or so.

(http://www.merkur-online.de/bilder/2009/05/28/323611/793711191-thomas-gottschalk.9.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 18, 2011, 06:45:35 AM
I may go to this tomorrow or Tuesday:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
John Sharp, Ken Olsen, Katinka Kleijn, cellos
Charles Dutoit, condutor

Berlioz  Roman Carnival Overture
Penderecki  Concerto grosso for Three Cellos and Orchestra
Elgar  Enigma Variations
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 20, 2011, 05:45:55 AM

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_f6gacWJkcA/TYXVSEhB84I/AAAAAAAABd4/5RhzyED4fhU/s400/BRSO_5Lines.png)

Ionarts-at-Large: Uchida's Beethoven Touch

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/03/ionarts-at-large-uchidas-beethoven.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/03/ionarts-at-large-uchidas-beethoven.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 23, 2011, 01:56:48 AM
Tonight!

Brett Dean | Komarov's Fall
John Adams | Doctor Atomic Symphony
Gustav Holst | The Planets

London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra
Marin Alsop


... how awesome is that??!?!?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 23, 2011, 02:56:22 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 23, 2011, 01:56:48 AM
Tonight!

Brett Dean | Komarov's Fall
John Adams | Doctor Atomic Symphony
Gustav Holst | The Planets

London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra
Marin Alsop

Absolutely freaking stupendous. I don't have time to write a blog post now, but the Adams in particular left me utterly stunned. Just an amazing experience, and I'm a changed listener. May well be the first music by a living composer that I've not merely enjoyed, or been interested by, or smiled at, or had respect for, but felt, felt emotionally and compulsively and urgently, with every bone in my body. I've heard Adams before (Shaker Loops, Chairman Dances) but not like this. It was like hearing Janacek or Sibelius for the first time. Wow.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on March 23, 2011, 03:20:17 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 23, 2011, 02:56:22 PM
Absolutely freaking stupendous. I don't have time to write a blog post now, but the Adams in particular left me utterly stunned. Just an amazing experience, and I'm a changed listener. May well be the first music by a living composer that I've not merely enjoyed, or been interested by, or smiled at, or had respect for, but felt, felt emotionally and compulsively and urgently, with every bone in my body. I've heard Adams before (Shaker Loops, Chairman Dances) but not like this. It was like hearing Janacek or Sibelius for the first time. Wow.
8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 24, 2011, 04:52:20 PM
Just got back from

Smetana | Sarka
Bruch | Violin Concerto No 1
Dvorak | Symphony No 8

Philharmonia; Jakub Hrusa
James Ehnes, violin

A night of absolute pure delight. I was in very happy attendance with my oldest friend - well, she's 21, but we've been friends since we were 9 or 10 years old - and we sat in the third row, grinning like complete morons through the Smetana as the Philharmonia, in their very top form, danced and soft-shoed and then sandblasted their way through the tone poem. It was a rip-roaring good time, although Elizabeth noted it was most satisfying to hear a world-class orchestra play softly rather than loudly. Yeah... that is harder, isn't it?!

The Dvorak 8 is as close as music gets to mirroring my soul. It really is me; this isn't music that "resonates with me" so much as feels like it's already inside of me and the music of my self is in harmony with the music of Dvorak. I didn't feel able to explain that over our intermission cups of soup, so I told Elizabeth "it's me!" and rather than ponder this too much we simply sat back and got rocketed into a stratosphere of joy. Man, what a great time (and what great playing, except a single horn flub in the slow movement. Bravo flautist! Bravo trombones! Bravo cellos!). Jakub Hrusa is very obviously one to watch. I enjoyed his first couple CDs, gave a good, fairly enthusiastic review of his Smetana Ma Vlast, and now he is very much on my radar - not too far removed from some of his equally young colleagues, like Vasily Petrenko or Gustavo Dudamel. The orchestra very clearly loved him - they kept grinning, and he shook more hands post-symphony than anyone I've ever seen (even two double bassists). I'm not sure a CD of the concert would be preferable to any of the stiff competition despite some occasionally really sensitive phrasing and a real genius for tender moments, but when it's this much fun live, who cares?

Oh, and of course the Bruch. I'd read so many reviews of James Ehnes, so much comment on him, but nothing prepared me for the actual experience of hearing James Ehnes. Good god that man is amazing: technically brilliant, tonally golden, with a wonderfully romantic way of singing notes, tossing in just the right amount of portamenti (they all made me murmur "oh!"), and generally making everything sound sun-kissed. Holy cow. Equally memorable: in the Bach encore, he hit a wrong note and made a hilarious "D'oh!" face with rolled eyes (while, of course, continuing the phrase as if nothing could really perturb him). No wonder Ehnes is a superstar. He's earned it. Someday Hrusa may have earned it too.

Elizabeth and I stopped for a cannoli on the way back. Even so, when I got her back to her place, we were still very much "on a music high" and could scarcely talk about anything else. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 24, 2011, 05:46:01 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 24, 2011, 04:52:20 PM
James Ehnes, violin

That's our James, homegrown Manitoba boy, I'm very proud to boast!  :D  I've heard him perform the Korngold concerto live, and will be hearing him perform the Tchaikovsky concerto live for the WSO's season finale.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 25, 2011, 02:40:50 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 23, 2011, 02:56:22 PM
Absolutely freaking stupendous. I don't have time to write a blog post now, but the Adams in particular left me utterly stunned. Just an amazing experience, and I'm a changed listener. May well be the first music by a living composer that I've not merely enjoyed, or been interested by, or smiled at, or had respect for, but felt, felt emotionally and compulsively and urgently, with every bone in my body. I've heard Adams before (Shaker Loops, Chairman Dances) but not like this. It was like hearing Janacek or Sibelius for the first time. Wow.

"Doctor Atomic Symphony" blog post up! (http://bit.ly/gAxJiH)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on March 25, 2011, 09:35:26 PM
I'll probably go to this one next Monday at Sydney Conservatorium...

Cocktail Hour - Schubertiade
(6.00pm)

28 March 2011

Perfomers

Goetz Richter violin
Jeanell Carrigan piano

Program
Schubert   
Sonatina in A Minor, D384
Duo Sonata in A Major, op. 162, D574
Fantasia in C Major, D934
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 26, 2011, 01:51:25 AM
Tomorrow morning at Snape Maltings :

Sunday 27 March
Schubert Ensemble
Trio in B flat
Trout Quintet
Auf der Strom (with viola obbligato)
Die Forelle (soloist Pippa Berry).

to complement the afternoon concert booked a few days back :

Quote from: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 01:14:45 PM
Sunday 27 March
Christian Blackshaw, Piano
Schubert
D960 - B flat sonata
A minor sonata - D845 or 784 ? (not sure...they only mention A minor...)
6 Moments Musicaux

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on March 26, 2011, 03:31:00 AM
Tomorrow -

The Boston Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble:     

MCHEDELOV  Solo and Variations for Harp on a Theme of Paganini
RAVEL:     Piece en forme de Habanera
DEBUSSY:   Arabesque No 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on March 26, 2011, 04:08:26 PM
Quote from: Szykneij on February 26, 2011, 10:39:50 AM
March 25 2011, Friday 7:00 PM
Boston Symphony Orchestra
  Thomas Adès, conductor

TCHAIKOVSKY - The Tempest
ADÈS- Violin Concerto, Concentric Paths
SIBELIUS - Prelude and Suite No. 1 from The Tempest
ADÈS - Scenes from The Tempest

This was an incredible concert! It was the first time I had seen Adès conduct, and I wasn't all that excited by his style. He appeared a little stiff to me and his cues seemed a bit choreographed, but you can't argue with results. The orchestra and soloists put on a fantastic performance.
  Although quite enjoyable, the least impressive to me was the Tchaikovsky. The orchestra played well enough, but the piece itself paled when compared to Sibelius's take on "The Tempest". (The version of the Sibelius performed was the Prelude (opus 109 No. 1) and Suite No. 1 (opus 109, No.2).)
  The highlight by far was Anthony Marwood's performance of Adès's violin concerto, composed specifically for him. Marwood is tall and lanky in stature with incredibly long fingers to match. They flew up and down the fingerboard with ease in a most demanding composition that frequently explored the topmost range of the instrument.
   I think the violin concerto would have served as a better ending to the concert than the actual choice, selections from Adès's opera "The Tempest" that were well-received by the audience. The soprano soloist, Hila Plitmann, who sang the part of Ariel should probably be mentioned in the "Highest Note Ever Sung" thread. If she didn't come close to hitting the highest note, she has to be in the running for the longest time spent in the near-dog whistle range. I'd love to see the score to discover exactly where those notes are on the staff.
  The attire of the performers was notable. The orchestra members wore dark suits with neckties instead of tuxes and Adès wore a dark suit with black shirt and no tie. Marwood came out in white pants and jacket with a black shirt. I'm not sure if the more casual dress was due to the earlier-than-usual 7:00 start time or the less traditional philosophy of the 40-year-old Adès.

 


 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on March 26, 2011, 04:24:31 PM
Quote from: Szykneij on March 26, 2011, 04:08:26 PM
. . . The soprano soloist, Hila Plitmann, who sang the part of Ariel should probably be mentioned in the "Highest Note Ever Sung" thread. If she didn't come close to hitting the highest note, she has to be in the running for the longest time spent in the near-dog whistle range. I'd love to see the score to discover exactly where those notes are on the staff.

Oh, they must be on ledger-lines well above the staff, Tony! ; )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on March 26, 2011, 06:08:23 PM
Quote from: Apollon on March 26, 2011, 04:24:31 PM
Oh, they must be on ledger-lines well above the staff, Tony! ; )

Yes, I should have said "where the notes are off the staff".   :)

WCRB aired tonight's performance with interviews. It was mentioned that within the first minute, she has to sing 17 high "E's".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on March 27, 2011, 07:19:48 PM
Brian - I am soo thrilled you fell in love with Adams at your recent concert! If you liked that, make sure you try Harmonielehre and Naive & Sentimental Music....his other "symphonies" per se.

Finally got back from my East Coast trip and have some time to write about the wonderful concerts I saw there, going to start with this one:

Quote
Sunday, March 20, 1:30 pm
    National Symphony
    Christoph Eschenbach, conductor & piano
    Twyla Robinson, soprano
    Matthias Goerne, baritone

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488 
ZEMLINSKY Lyric Symphony

Well, due to my sig. other's rustiness at DC Metro, and due to one of their trains just sitting and not leaving for a while, we were about 20 min late, although it is nice they have the concert playing on a closed circuit TV with ample seats in the lobby so you can watch. I noticed when we took the Kennedy Center shuttle there that the whole thing was full with other latecomers amusingly!

It seemed the Mozart was great, the last half I saw, spirited and with much character. After intermission, we went to our seats on 2nd Tier, 1st Row, far up on the left side if you are looking at orchestra. They were okay, our budget didn't allow for the pricey ones, though sometimes I felt we lost some of the singers' sound.

But the Lyric Symphony performance was just spectacular....it was quite a notch better than when I had seen it in Houston, the orchestra responded beautifully to Eschenbach's direction and dynamics and conveyed the various emotions in the movements very well. They also had a very nice ensemble sound, quite bold, confident, and energetic in the full orchestra sections, and great musicality - I was especially impressed with the small ensemble work that Zemlinsky writes in, they brought it across so nicely! As a whole, it was very detailed, polished and on point playing and the arc of the piece really came through, there was as much energy through the soft dreamy movements as in the big boisterous ones. :)

I loved getting to hear Goerne, he was in great voice and was very expressive in his role; Robinson was good too, maybe not as great as Goerne, but I did I like her acting. I have heard her twice in this though and feel she does sometimes get lost in the orchestra where it is thickly scored. But yes, I am thrilled I got to hear this amazing piece again live, and so glad it was in a performance that to me hit all the right points and was really satisfying, especially as far as orchestra is concerned!

Quote
Thursday, March 24, 8:00 pm
Baltimore Symphony
Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor
Orion Weiss, piano

RAVEL Valses nobles et sentimentales
GRIEG Piano Concerto
LUTOSLAWSKI Concerto for Orchestra

Ahhh, this was such a totally delightful day! We had spent time at the Baltimore Natl Aquarium that afternoon, then eaten at Phillips Seafood before, and this was one of the BSO's Wine Nights, so we partook in that before - $10 a person for 5 samples (all quite good). This was at the Meyerhoff, what I liked was that parking was close (and the levels named after composers!), and that the lobby felt cozy, we found the auditorium very warm and inviting - though large, we didn't feel that our Rear Orchestra seats were uncomfortably far back.

Tortelier came out quickly and struck up the Ravel waltzes, which were a joy to hear, performed very elegantly, a lovely taste of the great playing to come. Strikes me how some parts remind me so much of La Valse!

It's been a long time since I heard the Grieg Piano Concerto, obviously, this is played so much that I expected it to be enjoyable but, likely with no new revelations. Wow, I was very wrong - Orion Weiss was such a treat at the piano, digging into the piece and finding a fresh, romantic, flirtatiousness in the writing, playing up the tougher pianism with flair. The slow 2nd mvmt really deserves mention, his expression along with that of the orchestra did not allow you to tune out, anticipating the finale, but to really enjoy the warm romance and rich melody that Grieg has written. Altough I was of course waiting for that Lutoslawski, we relished in the excellent and engaing performance of the Grieg all around.

Now the main course! I noticed at intermission unfortunately that we were one of perhaps 10-15 young couples/people....such a shame since Lutoslawski really is that perfect music to grab someone younger who might be a little new to classical, in fact, the whole concert was. But on this weeknight, those that were there seemed to have a prior appreciation for the Lutoslawski, and were obviously engaged and quite quiet and well-behaved.

First of all, to hear this piece live, well it's on my "Bucket List" shall we say....not only do I adore this composer, but most especially this work. I have several recordings of it, a couple extremely good, but this performance and piece live completely shattered my expectations. You could tell Tortelier was really comfortable in this piece (I believe someone had mentioned it was a specialty?) and he had wonderful eye contact with the orchestra throughout and directed the intricacies so clearly. The orchestra also played like they were excited to play the piece, which was so nice to hear, you could really feel their on-the-edge-of-the-seat concentration and playing :) At the end of the 1st mvmt, he was maybe a touch fast (where the orchestra has many dovetailing solos in various sections), and the 1st mvmt was really quick in all, but the 2nd mvmt and 3rd were spot on tempi wise.

But oh the style! It was so appropriate, Tortelier let the brass really ring out, showing very clean releases, but they also showed great control on softer passages, and the orchestral balance sounded awesome in the hall – in fact, the orchestra sounded ready to record the piece right there. All of the ingredients were there - the playfulness, the rhythmic drive, the sweep and grandness in the brass declamations – I know Lutoslawski would have been very pleased if he had been able to hear it. It's kind of hard to put into words what it is like when you hear one of your all-time favorite pieces live in an amazing performance, but it is pretty much music listener heaven! When they revved up, dashing to the end, then pulled back for those little technical bits/solos approaching the last bars, my breath was caught in my throat – and on the concluding note, the audience burst forth rather quickly in applause and lots of catcalls, it was thrilling :D Such excitement and a happy glow from the audience members around us, all in all just a delicious concert from beginning to end. I do hope this Concerto is broadcast on the radio perhaps, and feel jealous of those who got to see it at the Strathmore in the weekend ;)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on March 28, 2011, 01:50:01 AM
Quote from: Sid on March 25, 2011, 09:35:26 PM
I'll probably go to this one next Monday at Sydney Conservatorium...

Cocktail Hour - Schubertiade
(6.00pm)

28 March 2011

Perfomers

Goetz Richter violin
Jeanell Carrigan piano

Program
Schubert   
Sonatina in A Minor, D384 (1816)
Duo Sonata in A Major, op. 162, D574 (1817)
Fantasia in C Major, D934 (1827)

This recital was of three of Schubert's works for violin and piano. Violinist Goetz Richter explained the background of some of these works. Some critics of Schubert's time complained of the length of his pieces, the number of repeats & modulations, and said they were long-winded. One critic actually left halfway through the premiere of the Duo Sonata! In contrast to this, Schumann praised the "heavenly length" of Schubert's music. This made me wonder whether if the 8th "Unfinished" symphony would have been completed - all four movements - would it be as popular as it is today, or would it attract similar accustations of long windedness? Some people, even today, don't like the 9th "Great" symphony for similar reasons. The first piece in the recital, the Sonatina was published as such (and not as a sonata) in order to encourage amateur violinists to take up the work. This was quite a light work, in a more classical era kind of style. The Duo Sonata (also called the Grand Duo) was a longer work, in four movements. This was the only work on the program that I knew, I have it on disc, and I think they played it brilliantly here. The final work, the Fantasia, is a late work and seemed slightly darker than the other two. It was in four connected movements. The theme and variations had many repeats indeed, it was very intricate and involved. I particularly liked the energetic finale, a lot of vigorous bowing there. A thing I like about Schubert's chamber music is that he doesn't favour one or the other instrument, he treats them as equals. I liked this pair of performers (both lecture at the Sydney Conservatorium), I saw them last year perform three French violin sonatas, and the Schubert program was equally interesting and varied.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 28, 2011, 01:36:55 PM
quite a Schubertian day...  8)

QuoteSunday 27 March - 11am
Schubert Ensemble of London
Auf der Strom - with viola obbligato (soloist Pippa Berry).
Trio in B flat
Die Forelle (soloist Pippa Berry).
Trout Quintet

Auf der Strom - maiden work for me, very beautiful, particularly liked the sound of the viola on this version (versions on youtube seem to be all with horn ?). I wasn't bowled over by the singing, mind you.

Trio in B flat - maiden work as well - great fun, one directly for the shopping basket  ;D

Die Forelle - see comment above on the singer  :-\

Trout Quintet - very well played I found. I am starting to really enjoy live chamber music (more so than on records), especially at Snape when the hall still remains very intimate, even from the last row. Live cello sound is just gorgeous.


QuoteSunday 27 March - 5pm
Christian Blackshaw, Piano
Schubert
6 Moments Musicaux
D784 A minor sonata
D960 - B flat sonata

oh what a blast that was !! Despite not being overtly familiar with a couple of the moments musicaux and D784 itself (will dig the Lupu boxset again this week), I really enjoyed Blackshaw's playing. D960 was just the pinnacle of the day,  just at the right tempo for me (a bit slower than Lupu but not like Richter's  ;D ). time really stood still during that work, that was mesmerizing. Judging by the audience's reaction, I guess I wasn't alone feeling like that  :D

Blackshaw played the Impromptu in G flat off D899 as an encore. Needless to say, I left  the hall with a wide grin on those last 50 minutes alone.  ;D

As a side point, the whole Schubert week-end (5 concerts in total I think) was also a fundraiser for a local children hospice and the end donation was in excess of £20,000. Quite an achievement considering the hall was only about 50-60% full on both concerts above.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on March 29, 2011, 02:54:22 AM
Sid & Papy Oli: I wish I was there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on March 29, 2011, 03:19:21 PM
Quote from: Il Conte Rodolfo on March 29, 2011, 02:54:22 AM
Sid & Papy Oli: I wish I was there.

Well thanks for reading my review. I also enjoyed Papy Oli's one, it was very interesting - I'll especially have to listen to more of Schubert's solo piano works (& lieder!) - he's one of my favourite c19th composers...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Père Malfait on March 30, 2011, 08:02:53 AM
Trevor Pinnock presents the following concert tonight at Nashville's venerable Christ Church Cathedral:

FROBERGER Suite No.12 in C major:
'Lamento sopra la dolorosa perdita della Real Mstà di Ferdinando IV, Rè de Romani etc.'
Gigue
Courante
Sarabande
J.S. BACH Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830: Toccata - Allemande - Corrente - Air - Sarabande - Tempo di Gavotta - Gigue
Interval
Trois Pièces de Clavecin:
LOUIS COUPERIN Prelude in D minor
ELISABETH JAQUET DE LA GUERRE Sarabande in D minor
ELISABETH JAQUET DE LA GUERRE Chaconne in D major
F. COUPERIN Livres de Clavecin - La Huitiême Ordre:
Passacaille
La Morinète
RAMEAU Quatres Pièces de Clavecin:
Les Tendres Plaintes
Les Niais de Sologne
L'Entretien des Muses
Les Cyclopes

And the Tallis Scholars present the following all-Victoria program tomorrow night at St. George's Episcopal Church:

VICTORIA: Dum complerentur, dum ergo essent
VICTORIA: Quem vidistis, pastores?
VICTORIA: Nigra sum
VICTORIA: 4 Responses for Tenebrae
                    Tamquam ad Latronum
                    Animam meam
                    Tradiderunt me
                    Caligaverunt
VICTORIA: Surrexit pastor bonus
Interval
VICTORIA: Requiem (a 6)

Not bad for Nashville, eh?  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 30, 2011, 08:18:30 AM
Quote from: Père Malfait on March 30, 2011, 08:02:53 AM
Trevor Pinnock presents the following concert tonight at Nashville's venerable Christ Church Cathedral:

FROBERGER Suite No.12 in C major:
'Lamento sopra la dolorosa perdita della Real Mstà di Ferdinando IV, Rè de Romani etc.'
Gigue
Courante
Sarabande
J.S. BACH Partita No.6 in E minor, BWV 830: Toccata - Allemande - Corrente - Air - Sarabande - Tempo di Gavotta - Gigue
Interval
Trois Pièces de Clavecin:
LOUIS COUPERIN Prelude in D minor
ELISABETH JAQUET DE LA GUERRE Sarabande in D minor
ELISABETH JAQUET DE LA GUERRE Chaconne in D major
F. COUPERIN Livres de Clavecin - La Huitiême Ordre:
Passacaille
La Morinète
RAMEAU Quatres Pièces de Clavecin:
Les Tendres Plaintes
Les Niais de Sologne
L'Entretien des Muses
Les Cyclopes

And the Tallis Scholars present the following all-Victoria program tomorrow night at St. George's Episcopal Church:

VICTORIA: Dum complerentur, dum ergo essent
VICTORIA: Quem vidistis, pastores?
VICTORIA: Nigra sum
VICTORIA: 4 Responses for Tenebrae
                    Tamquam ad Latronum
                    Animam meam
                    Tradiderunt me
                    Caligaverunt
VICTORIA: Surrexit pastor bonus
Interval
VICTORIA: Requiem (a 6)

Not bad for Nashville, eh?  ;D

Not bad at all!  :o That Tallis Scholars program looks especially marvelous. I've only heard them live a few times, but every single concert has been quite remarkable.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Père Malfait on March 30, 2011, 08:55:54 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 30, 2011, 08:18:30 AM
Not bad at all!  :o That Tallis Scholars program looks especially marvelous. I've only heard them live a few times, but every single concert has been quite remarkable.

--Bruce

I haven't had the opportunity to hear them live in 15 or so years. The last time was in the mid-90's, when they presented the complete Great Service of William Byrd in Memphis' St. Mary's Cathedral. By candlelight, no less! I'd heard them many times before that, though, and yes, their concerts are always exemplary. I can't wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 30, 2011, 09:13:05 AM
Quote from: Père Malfait on March 30, 2011, 08:55:54 AM
The last time was in the mid-90's, when they presented the complete Great Service of William Byrd in Memphis' St. Mary's Cathedral. By candlelight, no less!

Now that sounds truly beautiful. I'll have to keep an eye out, in case they do something similar in one of their performances here.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 30, 2011, 01:45:27 PM
A second concert on the Easter Week-end, again at Snape :

QuoteLa Nuova Musica
David Bates - director

Lotti - Crucifixus
Gesualdo - Responsary for Holy Saturday
Johann Hermann Schein - Madrigals from Israelisbrünlein (1623)
Allegri - Miserere
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Père Malfait on March 31, 2011, 04:33:54 AM
Last night, Mr. Pinnock played a slightly different (and imo more varied and interesting) program than publicized:

Trevor Pinnock, Harpsichordist
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville, TN

~ PROGRAM ~

Chaconne and Variations, HWV 435                                          George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
   
Three pieces from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book:   
   
   The Bells                                                                          William Byrd (ca. 1540–1623)
   
   Tell me, Daphne                                                          Giles Farnaby (ca. 1563–1640)
   
   The King's Hunt                                                          John Bull (ca. 1563–1628)
   
Lamento sopra la dolorosa perdita della Real Maestà di Ferdinanda IV, Rè de Romani  Johann Jacob Froberger (1616–1667)
   from Suite No. 12 in C Major   
   
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816                             Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
   Allemande – Courante – Sarabande – Gavotte – Bourée – Loure – Gigue      

Intermission
   
Livres de Clavecin – La Huitiême Ordre                                          François Couperin (1668–1733)
   Passacaille   
   La Morinète
   
   
Trois Pièces de Clavecin                                                          Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683–1764)
   Musette en rondeau      
               Tambourin   
   Gavottes avec ses doubles
   

Sonatas in D Major, K. 490,  K. 491, K. 492                          Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757)
   
Encores:   
   
Great Balls o'Fire (seriously!)   
   
Ground in c minor, ZT 682                                                          Henry Purcell (1659–1695)

Mr. Pinnock played with more élan than I normally associate with his performances, and was a charming raconteur. The audience didn't want to let him go at the end of the concert. Speaking of the audience, I was pleasantly surprised at how well-behaved they were - hacking, coughdrop unwrapping, program shuffling, stage whispering & ill-timed applause were at a bare minimum.   :D

A most enjoyable evening.  Tallis Scholars tonight! I can't wait!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2011, 09:29:47 AM
Tomorrow night, looking forward to this. I don't think I've heard the Prokofiev at all, and Mutter's recording of the Gubaidulina is terrific. Love the Tchaikovsky, which doesn't seem to show up on programs that often.

New York Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin

Prokofiev: Overture in B-flat major, American
Gubaidulina: In Tempus Praesens, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (New York Premiere)
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, Little Russian 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 01, 2011, 09:35:25 AM
No, the early symphonies somehow are almost 'neglected' in the major concert halls here in the States, Bruce.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 01, 2011, 09:41:12 AM
Quote from: Apollon on April 01, 2011, 09:35:25 AM
No, the early symphonies somehow are almost 'neglected' in the major concert halls here in the States, Bruce.

Gergiev does them now and then, but not many others, it seems--a real shame.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on April 01, 2011, 11:54:32 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 01, 2011, 09:29:47 AM
Tomorrow night, looking forward to this. I don't think I've heard the Prokofiev at all, and Mutter's recording of the Gubaidulina is terrific. Love the Tchaikovsky, which doesn't seem to show up on programs that often.

New York Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin

Prokofiev: Overture in B-flat major, American
Gubaidulina: In Tempus Praesens, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (New York Premiere)
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2, Little Russian 

--Bruce

What a great line-up, Bruce!  The Gubaidulina concerto is outstanding, and the 'Little Russian' symphony was for a long time my favorite Tchaikovsky symphony.  Enjoy!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2011, 09:25:26 AM
Tonight:

Berg: Wozzeck with Alan Held, Waltraud Meier, and James Levine conducting.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 06, 2011, 10:42:24 AM
Concert or staged performance, Bruce?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 10:45:51 AM
Thinking of going to this next week:

Wednesday, April 13, 8:00

Orchestre National de France
Daniele Gatti, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano

Debussy Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 06, 2011, 10:48:36 AM
Go! Gatti does excellent work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Scarpia on April 06, 2011, 10:51:10 AM
Quote from: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 10:45:51 AM
Thinking of going to this next week:

Wednesday, April 13, 8:00

Orchestre National de France
Daniele Gatti, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano

Debussy Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

The one orchestra I would really like to hear live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2011, 10:55:22 AM
Quote from: Apollon on April 06, 2011, 10:42:24 AM
Concert or staged performance, Bruce?

It's staged--the Mark Lamos production that they've had since 1997. It's quite good: towering walls dwarf everyone in the cast. And at this point, I feel like I should try to hear Levine whenever he's conducting. Who knows how long he's going to be around?  :-\

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on April 06, 2011, 10:57:27 AM
Quote from: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 10:45:51 AM
Thinking of going to this next week:

Wednesday, April 13, 8:00

Orchestre National de France
Daniele Gatti, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano

Debussy Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

Go. I'd love to hear them live as well. If I remember M was very enthusiastic after hearing them live on few occasions.


Jiri Menzel is directing Prokofiev's In Love with Three Oranges at Belgrade Opera, tonight was the premiere, which I missed, but I'd love to catch one of the reprises.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 10:59:57 AM
Quote from: Il Barone Scarpia on April 06, 2011, 10:51:10 AM
The one orchestra I would really like to hear live.

Aren't you in NY? They are playing at Lincoln Center on 4/17:

Orchestre National de France
Daniele Gatti, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano
Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Avery Fisher Hall

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No.3
STRAUSS: Der Rosenkavalier Suite
RAVEL: La valse
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Scarpia on April 06, 2011, 11:01:42 AM
Quote from: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 10:59:57 AM
Aren't you in NY? They are playing at Lincoln Center on 4/17:

Orchestre National de France
Daniele Gatti, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano
Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Avery Fisher Hall

BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No.3
STRAUSS: Der Rosenkavalier Suite
RAVEL: La valse

No, only visit NY occasionally.  Imagine the disappointment if I went all that way to hear them and they played in tune.   ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on April 06, 2011, 11:03:52 AM
Quote from: Il Barone Scarpia on April 06, 2011, 11:01:42 AM
  Imagine the disappointment if I went all that way to hear them and they played in tune.   ;D

Go freely, they won't do that, they're French. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 11:09:35 AM
Quote from: Il Barone Scarpia on April 06, 2011, 11:01:42 AM
No, only visit NY occasionally.  Imagine the disappointment if I went all that way to hear them and they played in tune.   ;D

Oh, sorry. Where do you live? The ONdF seem to be on a US tour. Surely they'll be coming to a concert hall within a reasonable distance of you, no?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Scarpia on April 06, 2011, 11:14:32 AM
Quote from: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 11:09:35 AM
Oh, sorry. Where do you live? The ONdF seem to be on a US tour. Surely they'll be coming to a concert hall within a reasonable distance of you, no?

Near D.C.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 06, 2011, 11:21:31 AM
Quote from: Il Barone Scarpia on April 06, 2011, 11:14:32 AM
Near D.C.

Well, it looks like they will be in Philly on April 15 with the same program as in Chicago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 06, 2011, 06:22:45 PM
Stephen Hough @ Wigmore tomorrow (Friday), some quartet on Saturday, and the Philharmonia on Sunday. I think.
Later that week Helene Grimaud (for the third time in just over a month... and I'm not even a particular fan) and the Bergen Phil conducted by Gullberg-Jensen... then Manze with the Matthew Passion, conducting the Oslo Phil.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 06, 2011, 08:02:38 PM
Probably going to this one on Friday night -

Sydney Conservatorium of Music Conductors' Series - Moderne revisited - Modern Music Ensemble (6.00pm)

8 April 2011

Hear talented students perform in larger ensembles and orchestras as they present classical masterpieces through to new and exciting works, including several exciting 101 Compositions world premierès.

Perfomers

Modern Music Ensemble
Daryl Pratt director


Program

Aitken   Shadows II: Lalita (1972)
Hallgrimsson   'Sonnambulo' Concerto for Double Bass op. 42
Boulez   Derive 1
Montague   At the White Edge of Phrygia
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: westknife on April 07, 2011, 05:36:14 AM
Wozzeck this Saturday at the Met, can't wait
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 07, 2011, 07:39:39 AM
Quote from: Sid on April 06, 2011, 08:02:38 PM
Probably going to this one on Friday night -

Sydney Conservatorium of Music Conductors' Series - Moderne revisited - Modern Music Ensemble (6.00pm)

8 April 2011

Hear talented students perform in larger ensembles and orchestras as they present classical masterpieces through to new and exciting works, including several exciting 101 Compositions world premierès.

Perfomers

Modern Music Ensemble
Daryl Pratt director


Program

Aitken   Shadows II: Lalita (1972)
Hallgrimsson   'Sonnambulo' Concerto for Double Bass op. 42
Boulez   Derive 1
Montague   At the White Edge of Phrygia

That looks like an interesting concert. I've heard the Boulez piece several times in the last year or so and like it a lot; the other three composers I don't know.

Quote from: westknife on April 07, 2011, 05:36:14 AM
Wozzeck this Saturday at the Met, can't wait

I was there last night--magnificent. The two leads (Alan Held and Waltraud Meier) sang and acted beautifully, and Levine loves this score. He got a huge ovation at the beginning (I think this was his first appearance since all of his recent cancellations), and (slightly sad) took his curtain call at the podium, rather than going onstage with the cast.

I may go again on Saturday, since who knows--this run may be the last time he conducts this piece.  :(

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on April 07, 2011, 07:48:42 AM
Sufjan Stevens on the 29th of April in Bergen, Norway!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 07, 2011, 05:02:15 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 07, 2011, 07:39:39 AM
That looks like an interesting concert. I've heard the Boulez piece several times in the last year or so and like it a lot; the other three composers I don't know...

Well you're kind of one step ahead of me there, as I'm not familiar with any of these works (I do have a couple of discs of Boulez' music, but not that piece). I usually go to concerts were I know at least one or two of the works, but this one will be different. The conductor Daryl Pratt is senior lecturer at the Sydney Con (in percussion) but he also conducts this ensemble. I haven't researched any of these composers in depth, no doubt the program notes will give me more info when I go tonight. It'll be quite interesting & maybe I'll make a few discoveries there...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 08, 2011, 03:02:02 AM
Quote from: Sid on April 06, 2011, 08:02:38 PM
Probably going to this one on Friday night -

Sydney Conservatorium of Music Conductors' Series - Moderne revisited - Modern Music Ensemble (6.00pm)

8 April 2011

Hear talented students perform in larger ensembles and orchestras as they present classical masterpieces through to new and exciting works, including several exciting 101 Compositions world premierès.

Perfomers

Modern Music Ensemble
Daryl Pratt director


Program

Aitken   Shadows II: Lalita (1972)
Hallgrimsson   'Sonnambulo' Concerto for Double Bass op. 42
Boulez   Derive 1
Montague   At the White Edge of Phrygia

Well they changed the published program in some ways:

Steve Reich (b. 1936) - Vermont Counterpoint for eleven flutes (three each of flutes, alto flutes, piccolos & solo part)
Faeron Pileggi, solo flute, alto flute and piccolo/SCM Flute Choir

Haflioi Hallgrimsson (b. 1941) - 'Sonnambulo' Concerto for Double Bass & Chamber Orchestra, Op. 42
Maxime Bibeau, bass soloist

Karlheinz Stockhausen
(1928-2007) - From 'Tierkreis' (Aries - Taurus - Gemini - Leo - Aquarius - Pisces - Aries (reprise))
Jacob Abela, piano/Ivan Cheng, clarinet

Stephen Montague (b. 1943) - At The White Edge of Phrygia, for chamber orchestra with three percussionists and piano

This was a very interesting and enjoyable concert. The two pieces I know (& have on disc) were the Reich & Stockhausen; I had not heard any of the music of the other two composers. Reich's Vermont Counterpoint would be known to many here. It is an exhuberant and bouncy work. Here it was performed fully 'live,' there were no recorded elements.

The Hallgrimsson Concerto for Double Bass included prominent parts for one keyboardist, playing piano and celesta. The central cadenza had an interplay between the soloist, going through the whole gamut of the double bass' range, and the keyboardist. The nocturnal world and delicate colours of this piece reminded me a bit of Dutilleux's string concertos. The theme at the beginning - which sounded a bit new age - eventually came back at the end. Hallgrimsson is a prominent Icelandic composer.

After the interval, selections from Stockhausen's Tierkreis, here for two players who were decked out in golden costumes. The clarinetist played while moving to choreographed movements, taking in the whole of the stage. At times, the clarinet was held high when he was playing the high notes, and held low when playing the low notes. This is quite a fun piece which is best experienced live (I also saw it last year in an arrangement for four players playing a plethora of instruments).

The 'discovery' of the night for me was the Montague piece. The notes by the composer say that "the title refers to the use of "white sound" as well as the Phrygian scale or mode: e to e on the keyboard without any sharps or flats." "Stylistically, the work has been called 'post-minimalist', since it is a fusion of both American minimalism and the European symphonic tradition." The repetitiveness of this work reminded me a bit of Ravel's Bolero, but unlike that work which simply goes from soft to loud, this work was more organic. It had a sense of ebb and flow, like watching waves come in and go out at the seashore. The three percussionists played a variety of instruments - from the usual things like bass drum, high-hat, xylophone, marimba, wood-blocks, tam tams, triangle to less familiar instruments like maraccas and even a set of paint tins! The rhythmic propulsion created by this tightly woven ensemble reminded me very much of Harry Partch's music. Finally the delicate "white noise" in the piece - eg. the use of the prepared piano, string players playing on the wrong side of the bridge to create an almost silent mechanical sound (& also hitting the strings with sticks), the use of muted brass, and the blowing of air through the wind instruments - all had an effect similar to that of a piece I saw in 2009 by Australian composer Brett Dean. By the end of the piece, the objects were taken out of the piano, the mutes were taken out of the brass, and the strings were played normally with a bow, so the dynamic level was gradually raised. I so enjoyed this piece that I'll have to investigate what things I can get from this composer on disc. It's the first time I have heard this 'post-minimalist' music, which I've only read about before. All in all this was a fantastic concert, showcasing the talent and hard work of these students and the mentoring of their conductor, Sydney Conservatorium senior lecturer Daryl Pratt...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 09, 2011, 05:19:15 AM
Tomorrow...

BACH | St Matthew Passion [in English]
James Gilchrist, Evangelist - Jeremy White, Christ
Carolyn Sampson - Iestyn Davies - Ben Hulett - Roderick Williams
The Bach Choir
Florigelium
David Hill

A friend in the choir snagged me a ticket. I've never heard this work before (!) and am looking forward both to it and to the traditional picnic lunch at the interval. The weather in London is simply glorious this weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 09, 2011, 09:14:35 PM
Will go to this  one at Sydney Conservatorium tomorrow night:

Cocktail Hour - A Glorious Spanish Feast (7.30pm)

11 April 2011

Faculty and their guests present a program of chamber music concerts featuring repertoire that ranges from baroque to contemporary music.

Perfomers
Georg Pedersen cello
Natalia Sheludiakova piano

Program
Cassado Suite for solo cello
de Falla Popular Spanish Suite
Plus works by Granados, Albeniz & Sarasate.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 10, 2011, 09:40:38 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 09, 2011, 05:19:15 AM
Tomorrow...

BACH | St Matthew Passion [in English]
James Gilchrist, Evangelist - Jeremy White, Christ
Carolyn Sampson - Iestyn Davies - Ben Hulett - Roderick Williams
The Bach Choir
Florigelium
David Hill

A friend in the choir snagged me a ticket. I've never heard this work before (!) and am looking forward both to it and to the traditional picnic lunch at the interval. The weather in London is simply glorious this weekend.

Well, at about 3:11 p.m. today James Gilchrist stood, quietly chatted mid-chorale with conductor David Hill, and dashed offstage. After a short interval it was announced that he was being taken to the hospital and that they had simply no idea what had happened to him but he needed immediate attention. The rest of the work (they'd gotten through about 120 minutes) was excised of anything with a part for the Evangelist - that is, nearly everything.

A choir member told me afterwards that Gilchrist had suddenly gone blind in one eye! That's extremely scary - hope he's okay.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 10, 2011, 11:15:06 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 10, 2011, 09:40:38 AM
A choir member told me afterwards that Gilchrist had suddenly gone blind in one eye! That's extremely scary - hope he's okay.

Apparently he was coming down with a migraine. He'll be fine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 11, 2011, 08:03:44 PM
Quote from: Sid on April 09, 2011, 09:14:35 PM
Will go to this  one at Sydney Conservatorium tomorrow night:

Cocktail Hour - A Glorious Spanish Feast (7.30pm)

11 April 2011

Faculty and their guests present a program of chamber music concerts featuring repertoire that ranges from baroque to contemporary music.

Perfomers
Georg Pedersen cello
Natalia Sheludiakova piano

Program
Cassado Suite for solo cello
de Falla Popular Spanish Suite
Plus works by Granados, Albeniz & Sarasate.

I enjoyed this concert. Here was the full program:

G. Cassado (1897-1966)
Suite for Cello Solo
     Prelude - Fantasia
     Sardana - Danza
     Intermezzo e Danze Finale

M. de Falla (1876-1946)
Popular Spanish Suite (transc. cello & piano)
     El Pano Moruno
     Nana
     Cancion
     Polo
     Asturiana
     Jota

E. Granados
(1867-1916)
Spanish Dance No. 5 - Andaluza (Playera) from 12 Spanish Dances (transc. cello & piano)

P. de Sarasate (1844-1908)
Zapateado (transc. cello & piano)

M. de Falla
Ritual Fire Dance (transc. cello & piano by Gregor Piatigorsky)

The recital opened with a solo cello work & the rest of the pieces were transcriptions for cello & paino. I had not heard anything by Cassado before, but I was familiar with the other pieces in other shapes and forms. Cellist-composer Cassado's cello suite was a very imaginative piece which often had an improvisatory feel. I particularly liked the last movement which had a bit of plucking (like with a guitar) and harmonies that reminded me of a troubadour song from the middle ages. de Falla's famous set of Seven Popular Spanish Songs - from which we heard six (not all of them were transcribed) has a very earthy feel, employing elements of Spanish folk music like flamenco. Granados is one of my favourite Spanish composers and this the 5th of his Spanish Dances is the most famous. It's my favourite & cellist Georg Pederson said it was his favourite as well. Compared to the more vigorous and dissonant de Falla, the Granados sounded more refined and restrained, but still just as emotional in other ways. About the Sarasate, a fun flashy piece, Pedersen jokingly introduced it as "Now I'll attempt to play a piece originally for violin with my cello. I might end up enjoying it much more than you!" This piece left everyone with a smile on their face. Then to finish up, an encore of de Falla's famous Ritual Fire Dance, transcribed by Pedersen's teacher, the great Russian cellist Gregor Piatigorsky. The piece lost none of it's intensity in this chamber version.

All in all, this was a great recital. The audience was made up of all ages, from children aged 6 accompanied by their parents to adults of all ages. It's good to go to a more mixed recital like this, as often I go to concerts where I am lost in a sea of grey heads. I look forward to going to more recitals by this excellent cellist, who gives quite a few throughout the year at the Sydney Con, of which he is a senior lecturer. His accompanist on the piano Natalia Sheludiakova also did a great job...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 12, 2011, 02:30:24 AM
Excellent, Sid, that was a real treat!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 12, 2011, 05:53:22 PM
Quote from: Il Conte Rodolfo on April 12, 2011, 02:30:24 AM
Excellent, Sid, that was a real treat!

Thanks for reading. I must add that I really liked cellist Georg Pedersen's sense of humour which is very European (he's originally from Denmark). He'll be doing a number of other recitals at the Sydney Con later on in the year which I plan to go to. He's an excellent performer and always programs some very interesting repertoire...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on April 14, 2011, 07:49:46 AM
17 July 2011 - Havergal Brian, Symphony No. 1, 'The Gothic'.


Brianites, unite (in London)!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-17/5 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-17/5)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 15, 2011, 01:44:49 AM
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on April 14, 2011, 07:49:46 AM
17 July 2011 - Havergal Brian, Symphony No. 1, 'The Gothic'.


Brianites, unite (in London)!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-17/5 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-17/5)

That will be awesome!!! I'm an avid attendee of chamber recitals & concerts, but I wouldn't mind seeing one of those very large scale works live. They're not often done here in Sydney (I'd hazard a guess that Brian's Gothic has never been done live on our shores). I'm not familiar with that work, but I have read quite a bit about it here & elsewhere, and it has a simply legendary reputation (some people even think it outdoes Mahler's 8th or Schoenberg's Gurrelieder, the only comparable things). Messiaen's Turangalila was played here about a decade ago (with Thibaudet as pianist), but I missed that. Maybe these huge works - in terms of the forces used & their length - kind of daunt me.

Have a good time at the concert, and I'll be interested to read what you think of it after you go...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on April 15, 2011, 01:57:11 AM
Quote from: Sid on April 15, 2011, 01:44:49 AM
That will be awesome!!! I'm an avid attendee of chamber recitals & concerts, but I wouldn't mind seeing one of those very large scale works live. They're not often done here in Sydney (I'd hazard a guess that Brian's Gothic has never been done live on our shores). I'm not familiar with that work, but I have read quite a bit about it here & elsewhere, and it has a simply legendary reputation (some people even think it outdoes Mahler's 8th or Schoenberg's Gurrelieder, the only comparable things). Messiaen's Turangalila was played here about a decade ago (with Thibaudet as pianist), but I missed that. Maybe these huge works - in terms of the forces used & their length - kind of daunt me.

Have a good time at the concert, and I'll be interested to read what you think of it after you go...


Thanks! Getting tickets will be nerve-wracking, but I hope I'll come through... If I do, of course I will be describing the single most important concert of my life!


As a matter of fact, 'The Gothic' was performed in Brisbane only a few months ago, on 22 December! Google "Brisbane Gothic"...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 15, 2011, 02:00:50 AM
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on April 15, 2011, 01:57:11 AM

Thanks! Getting tickets will be nerve-wracking, but I hope I'll come through... If I do, of course I will be describing the single most important concert of my life!


As a matter of fact, 'The Gothic' was performed in Brisbane only a few months ago, on 22 December! Google "Brisbane Gothic"...

Well as they say "you learn a new thing every day." I'm not surprised that it was performed in Brisbane. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra can be excellent in the large scale repertoire. I've got a ABC classics recording of them doing Bruckner's 7th under Karajan acolyte Muhai Tang. Yes, our symphony orchestras have come a long way in the past 25 years (or even less!). Looks like some Queenslanders are not as conservative as the rest of the country tends to unfairly stereotype them as, being open to listening to such lengthy and complex music...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on April 15, 2011, 02:07:06 AM
Quote from: Sid on April 15, 2011, 02:00:50 AM
Well as they say "you learn a new thing every day." I'm not surprised that it was performed in Brisbane. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra can be excellent in the large scale repertoire. I've got a ABC classics recording of them doing Bruckner's 7th under Karajan acolyte Muhai Tang. Yes, our symphony orchestras have come a long way in the past 25 years (or even less!). Looks like some Queenslanders are not as conservative as the rest of the country tends to unfairly stereotype them as, being open to listening to such lengthy and complex music...


Got the HBS Newsletter yesterday. You might want to note in your listening diary:


The Brisbane Gothic is scheduled to be broadcast on 4MBS on Saturday 4 June at 8pm, Brisbane time (UTC+10h),  which is  9 hours ahead of UK BST, so equivalent to 11am the same day in the UK.  As 4MBS is available online, HBS members worldwide with Internet access will be able to hear the performance for themselves.  Just searching for '4MBS listen online' will easily find their website. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on April 15, 2011, 05:33:08 AM
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on April 14, 2011, 07:49:46 AM
17 July 2011 - Havergal Brian, Symphony No. 1, 'The Gothic'.


Brianites, unite (in London)!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-17/5 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/july-17/5)

I think it is a must that our dear young GMG Brian attend this concert!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on April 15, 2011, 07:57:29 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 15, 2011, 05:33:08 AM
I think it is a must that our dear young GMG Brian attend this concert!   :)


Yes, he owes it to his name.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 15, 2011, 04:30:07 PM
Going to this one tonight & a friend might come as well -

Australia Ensemble @ University of New South Wales

Saturday April 16, 8pm

Sir John Clancy Auditorium UNSW

Theatre in Music: Surrealist Dreams and Sydney Harbour Anecdotes

Johann STRAUSS Jr (1825-1899): Emperor Waltz (Kaiser-Walzer), Opus 437 for flute, clarinet, string quartet and piano (1889/1925)

Barry CONYNGHAM (b 1944): Showboat Kalang for flute, clarinet, piano, two violins, viola, cello - commissioned by the Albert H. Maggs Foundation for performance by the Australia Ensemble @UNSW (2010)

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951): Pierrot Lunaire for reciter-singer, flute/ piccolo, clarinet/ bass clarinet, violin/viola, cello, voice, piano (1912)

Info below from the website:

http://www.ae.unsw.edu.au/programs/subscriptionSeries.html

Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire has been regarded as one of the great events of modern music since its sensational first performance in 1912; but its density and quickness of reference and allusion do not always communicate fully with an audience in a standard concert-hall performance. This performance furthers the strongly theatrical intentions of its composer by adding a dancer to mime the moods and gestures of Pierrot as universal, moon-struck clown, in company with special lighting and projection of words and images to go with the reciter-singer's delivery of the decadent poetic texts and the dazzling brilliance of the instrumental writing. The Australian composer Barry Conyngham has written a companion work of theatrical potential in his Showboat Kalang, which evokes in altogether more affectionate style an older period of Sydney Harbour's waterborne entertainment and the dances for which the showboat musicians, including the composer's father, played on harbour cruises. Images and sounds combine with mime and spotlit dance movement in this mostly light-hearted, sometimes serious recollection of an earlier pleasure-loving harbour city; and Johann Strauss Jr's Emperor waltz, in an arrangement attributed to Schoenberg, takes us back to the public mood of another pleasure-loving city, Vienna, where some of Pierrot's hallucinations seem to originate.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 17, 2011, 04:32:58 PM
Quote from: Sid on April 15, 2011, 04:30:07 PM
Going to this one tonight & a friend might come as well -

Australia Ensemble @ University of New South Wales

Saturday April 16, 8pm

Sir John Clancy Auditorium UNSW

Theatre in Music: Surrealist Dreams and Sydney Harbour Anecdotes

Johann STRAUSS Jr (1825-1899): Emperor Waltz (Kaiser-Walzer), Opus 437 for flute, clarinet, string quartet and piano (1889/1925)

Barry CONYNGHAM (b 1944): Showboat Kalang for flute, clarinet, piano, two violins, viola, cello - commissioned by the Albert H. Maggs Foundation for performance by the Australia Ensemble @UNSW (2010)

Arnold SCHOENBERG (1874-1951): Pierrot Lunaire for reciter-singer, flute/ piccolo, clarinet/ bass clarinet, violin/viola, cello, voice, piano (1912)

Info below from the website:

http://www.ae.unsw.edu.au/programs/subscriptionSeries.html

Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire has been regarded as one of the great events of modern music since its sensational first performance in 1912; but its density and quickness of reference and allusion do not always communicate fully with an audience in a standard concert-hall performance. This performance furthers the strongly theatrical intentions of its composer by adding a dancer to mime the moods and gestures of Pierrot as universal, moon-struck clown, in company with special lighting and projection of words and images to go with the reciter-singer's delivery of the decadent poetic texts and the dazzling brilliance of the instrumental writing. The Australian composer Barry Conyngham has written a companion work of theatrical potential in his Showboat Kalang, which evokes in altogether more affectionate style an older period of Sydney Harbour's waterborne entertainment and the dances for which the showboat musicians, including the composer's father, played on harbour cruises. Images and sounds combine with mime and spotlit dance movement in this mostly light-hearted, sometimes serious recollection of an earlier pleasure-loving harbour city; and Johann Strauss Jr's Emperor waltz, in an arrangement attributed to Schoenberg, takes us back to the public mood of another pleasure-loving city, Vienna, where some of Pierrot's hallucinations seem to originate.

A friend and I went to this concert, with a multimedia aspect (dance & visuals) & we enjoyed it. The choreographer/dancer in the Conyngham & Schoenberg was Connor Dowling, from the Sydney Dance Company. The reciter-singer in the Schoenberg was Fiona Campbell (mezzo soprano) from the Australian Opera.

Strauss' Emperor Waltz, in an arrangement attributed to Schoenberg, was not quite what I expected. I had only heard Strauss' original work for orchestra before. This arrangment was not run of the mill or chliched by any means. I liked how there were solos for each instrument.

Barry Conyngham is a fairly prominent Australian composer in his sixties. He studied with fellow Australian Peter Sculthorpe and the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. Like their work, Conygham's music is of a late c20th modern/experimental style. This work was about the history of the Showboat Kalang, a vessel which plied the waters of Sydney harbour from the 1930's to 1960's. The composer's father worked as a banjo player in the dance bands that played on this vessel. The boat was also refitted  for war service in Papua New Guinea and Borneo during WW2. Then it came back to Sydney to be a pleasure boat again, but was eventually broken up and ended it's "life" in 1972. This was an interesting piece, that changed mood and style to fit in with what the particular scene was about. It was a journey through Australian history from 1938 to the present. The most dissonant and loud part was in the 1942 scene, when Japanese midget submarines came into Sydney harbour and torpedoed another boat. I remember seeing these actual subs, which were salvaged from the harbour after being attacked & sunk, in an exhibition at the Sydney Maritime Museum on a high school excursion. The music of some others scenes echoed the music that would have been played on the Kalang - eg. the foxtrot and waltz. At the very begining and end of the piece, there was a recording of banjo music from the 1930's. This was an interesting piece, bought to life by the lighting and dancing.

Schoenberg's seminal Pierrot Lunaire was also brought to life by the dancer. I thought that the middle section describing the 'atrocities' was the darkest rendition of this I had ever heard. Perhaps it was because I'm familiar with recordings of it sung by sopranos, but here the voice was deeper and darker, more mysterious (mezzo-soprano). I had listened to the recordings a lot during the past fortnight, so I was so familiar with the piece, that I anticipated most of what happened. The dancer was in a clown outfit, black chequered tights and white painted face, with a black robe that was used to interesting effect. There was one flicker of colour, a red ribbon which appeared and disappeared quickly during the pivotal 'atrocity' scene. There are a lot of references to blood and gore in the text, which was projected in English translation on a screen.

All up this was a very enjoyable evening. Even though I was quite tired after a busy day, I decided to go. These performances aren't repeated, it's just the one night. The friend and I plan to go to their next one next month, which will be a conventional concert of works by Liszt, Richard Meale & Beethoven (the great string quartet Op. 132)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 17, 2011, 04:39:46 PM
Most likely going to this one tonight, at Sydney Conservatorium -

Cocktail Hour - About Sensuality and Freedom (6.00pm)

18 April 2011

Faculty and their guests present a program of chamber music concerts featuring repertoire that ranges from baroque to contemporary music.

Perfomers
Kirstin Williams violin
Susan Blake cello
Gerard Willems piano

Program
Debussy
Violin Sonata in G Minor, L 140
Cello Sonata, L 135
Piano Trio in G Major, L 3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on April 17, 2011, 11:24:23 PM
Quite unexpectedly I came across an advertisement of a staged performance of Handels Theodora by Bergen Opera, and very good indeed it was. Of course not even a middlign performmance can ruin the glories of Handels melodies (for me he is the prime master of glorious melody), but this performance was far better that that, good (international) singers; and the story is convincing and have a fine, dramatic flow.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on April 17, 2011, 11:49:27 PM
Having paid £29 for Maazel's Philharmonia Mahler 2 on Sunday 17th at the Royal Festival Hall, London, SeeFilmFirst has given me a free ticket for the next concert in this series: Mahler 6 on Tuesday 19th. No doubt my seat will be in one of the stranger parts of the hall; last time I had a freebie, I was sat in the very front row, directly behind Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on April 18, 2011, 12:40:02 AM
Quote from: Sid on April 17, 2011, 04:39:46 PM
Most likely going to this one tonight, at Sydney Conservatorium -

Cocktail Hour - About Sensuality and Freedom (6.00pm)

18 April 2011

Faculty and their guests present a program of chamber music concerts featuring repertoire that ranges from baroque to contemporary music.

Perfomers
Kirstin Williams violin
Susan Blake cello
Gerard Willems piano

Program
Debussy
Violin Sonata in G Minor, L 140
Cello Sonata, L 135
Piano Trio in G Major, L 3

Just a note to say this recital has been cancelled due to illness, but it will be rescheduled at some stage. I'll post it again when that happens (after I see it)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 22, 2011, 10:09:34 AM
Looking forward to this concert on Sunday afternoon:

Talea Ensemble
Roger Smith Hotel

Janáček: Piano Sonata 1.X.1905 (1905)
Derek Bermel: Language Instruction (2003)
Drew Baker: Inter (2007)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 23, 2011, 12:54:39 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 01:14:45 PM
Friday 22 April 2011
Britten–Pears Baroque Orchestra and Soloists
Mark Padmore Director/Evangelist
Bach - St John Passion

Attended this sold out concert last night at Snape, probably more out of curiosity than anything else.   I only knew the work/format from various partial listens to the version on the Bach Edition on Brilliant, without ever really connecting with it but thought I'd give it a try with this live version.

I found the Britten-Pears Baroque orchestra played extremely well and some of the young singers were really impressive (especially the 2 bass singers). I do not know how Mark Padmore is regarded here or what his reputation is, but I found his voice/singing outstanding (control, nuances, clarity of the voice). If anything, the youger singers might have unfairly suffered of the comparison. I will definitely seek out some of his recordings.

As for the work itself though, besides 2 or 3 "wow" moments, I still remain unconvinced as a whole. It felt a bit too repetitive and dragging at times.

Too many stage rotations of the performers made it very also "fiddly" and distracting  (e.g. singers walking around the orchestra to come to the other side or front of it ; cello player standing up in the middle of a piece to come to the front of the stage and pick up and tuning another cello and getting ready for the next aria ;  the 2 main violinists standing up during a piece and going at the back to play different violas in the next piece....).

Finally, to stay in line with the intended "Part I / Sermon / Part II" format, a poet/writer made a reading after Part 1 about the context of the work and its relevance in today's world. Whilst an interesting read, that lasted for more than 15 minutes followed by the 20 minutes interval. This made it quite difficult to settle back into the 2nd Part, hence the dragging feeling I guess.

So, overall, impressed by the musical and singing performances, but not moved by work itself.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 24, 2011, 01:46:12 AM
2 concerts at Snape last night :

QuoteLa Nuova Musica / David Bates - director

Lotti - Crucifixus
Gesualdo - Responsary for Holy Saturday
Johann Hermann Schein - Madrigals from Israelisbrünlein (1623)
Allegri - Miserere

Absolutely superb night .

I only knew the Miserere beforehand but was really bowled over by the Gesualdo pieces as well (split either sides of the Schein's). The interweaving of the voices was fascinating. The choir of 13 was split in 3 groups for the Miserere (one center stage, one far left and one right backstage) which added to its great impact. That was heavenly.  :D

They didn't name the encore, but it seemed it was a Purcell song. Nice enough to pick my interest as well, like with the above works.

A highly recommended group of performers if you come across them.

Followed by :

QuoteAleksander Madzar piano
Bach Partita No.5 in G BWV829 Bach Partita No.6 in E minor BWV830

A very intimate concert in the Britten studio (a small 250-300 seat amphitheatre - compared to the 800+ seater concert hall for the above). Great view on the keyboard and the dexterity of the playing, which added to the discovery and enjoyment of those pieces. Another one for the wishlist  :)

Discovering classical music live sure is fun  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 26, 2011, 03:26:24 AM
Tonight!

Alexander Melnikov, piano
Wigmore Hall

Schubert | Fantasy in C D760 'Wanderer'
Brahms | 7 Fantasien Op. 116
Shostakovich | Preludes and Fugues Op. 87 (Nos. 1–12)

This is going to rock.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 26, 2011, 05:17:50 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 26, 2011, 03:26:24 AM
Tonight!

Alexander Melnikov, piano
Wigmore Hall

Schubert | Fantasy in C D760 'Wanderer'
Brahms | 7 Fantasien Op. 116
Shostakovich | Preludes and Fugues Op. 87 (Nos. 1–12)

This is going to rock.

Indeedie.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 26, 2011, 09:19:27 AM
Tomorrow night, at the Met:

Verdi: Il Trovatore - Actually don't know this opera all that well, and this time around they have an excellent cast, so I'm excited.

And on Thursday, another interesting program from Alan Gilbert. I don't know this Messiaen at all.

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, Conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano

Debussy: Selections from Estampes
Messiaen: Couleurs de la Cité Céleste
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 26, 2011, 09:26:37 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 26, 2011, 09:19:27 AM
Debussy: Selections from Estampes

That's a little curious, Bruce . . . Estampes is a set of three piano solo pieces. Is it that they are orchestrations, and not all three pieces were orchestrated?  (And who done 'em?)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 26, 2011, 09:37:26 AM
Ah, you caught that! This is one of the reasons Gilbert is such an interesting programmer. Ax will begin the program by himself--i.e., solo piano in Estampes--then he'll join the musicians for the Messiaen (for piano, wind orchestra and percussion), and then the whole band will come on for the Mahler.

This is not the first time I've seen a soloist inserted into an orchestral context; a few years back during a Ligeti and Beethoven concert with Jonathan Nott, Pierre-Laurent Aimard provided a little break in the program with some of the Ligeti etudes.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 26, 2011, 11:14:16 AM
Not a concert as such...This Friday, still at Snape :


Akram Khan Company - Gnosis

QuoteGnosis is the latest solo work by Akram Khan in which he combines his classical Indian and contemporary dance roots.
Khan revisits the classical motifs of two earlier works, Polaroid Feet and Tarana, on a pathway of transformation. Pursuing the idea of the 'knowledge within', it is an exploration of the inner and outer battles of characters, the human and the godly.
Drawing from sources ancient and modern, Gnosis is also inspired by the Hindu epic Mahabharata, in particular the story of Gandhari, the wife of the blind king who blindfolds herself for life to share his journey. It explores the notion of inner knowledge and clouded vision, seeing darkness and yet being blind to light.
Khan's choreography has been developed in collaboration with internationally renowned kathak masters Sri Pratap Pawar and Gauri Sharma Tripathi. He is accompanied on stage by an ensemble of exceptional musicians from India, the United Kingdom and Pakistan.

(http://www.danceinforma.com/magazine/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/akram_khan_dance_opera_house2.jpg)


A small video here (http://youtu.be/ffyiV14LmDQ)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 26, 2011, 02:08:53 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 26, 2011, 03:26:24 AM
Tonight!

Alexander Melnikov, piano
Wigmore Hall

Schubert | Fantasy in C D760 'Wanderer'
Brahms | 7 Fantasien Op. 116
Shostakovich | Preludes and Fugues Op. 87 (Nos. 1–12)

This is going to rock.

This did, indeed, rock. There was a man in his late 70s behind me, with the sort of classic blown-back hair and round glasses and stoop which made him look like, say, a composer  ;) , who, when the Schubert and Brahms works finished, very dramatically and slowly said, "...My.....GOD!" It wasn't a half-bad response: Alexander Melnikov is as sublime an artist in person as he is on disc, and the concert was fantastic. The Shostakovich was a transcendent experience; hearing the A major fugue flutter its wings and fly up off the keys is one of those musical moments that has no equal.

Wigmore Hall is glorious in springtime: the skylights let in a blue light against the back walls, and the front of the stage was lit by two lamps with candles in them. One of my favorite concerts of the London Year. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on April 27, 2011, 06:46:13 AM
Looking forward to this concert Friday night, the WSO's season finale, which features an all Tchaikovsky program!!  :)


Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin: Polonaise
*Tchaikovsky: Violin concerto in D major
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor


*James Ehnes, violin  The Classical Music Pride of Manitoba   8)

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate, conducting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on April 27, 2011, 06:47:39 AM
What a cool program, Ray! Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bbrip on April 28, 2011, 12:48:39 PM
Looking forward to the premiere of Ildebrando Pizzetti's opera "Murder at the Cathedral" at Frankfurt Opera this cmoing Sunday, 1st May
;D

bbrip
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 04, 2011, 12:08:39 AM
I'm looking forward to this free lecture/recital by pianist Leslie Howard at Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Friday:

(The following taken from SCM website)

QuoteCONtexts: The Alfred Hook Lecture Series - Leslie Howard (4.00pm)

6 May 2011

Dr Leslie Howard Discovering Liszt

Liszt is the only great composer of the nineteenth century to still suffer from detractors, this despite the acknowledged debt of almost every composer who followed him. Many distrusted his fame and wealth. Others accused him of religious posturing and of lacking compositional depth. Dr Howard shares his new insights into Liszt as a complex nineteenth-century artist.

Leslie Howard is a composer, conductor, and scholar, and the only pianist to record (for Hyperion in 97 CDs) the complete piano music of Franz Liszt. He has appeared with many of the world's finest orchestras; as a composer, his works include an opera, a ballet, and numerous orchestral, choral, and solo compositions.

Following this lecture, Leslie Howard will give a piano recital in Verbrugghen Hall at 6.00pm.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2011, 03:06:49 AM
Wow, Sid, that sounds like a really remarkable night!

Mine tonight is only a bit less exciting:

London Philharmonic | Vladimir Jurowski
Christine Brewer, soprano

Wagner | Meistersinger, Act I Prelude
Strauss | Four Last Songs
Tchaikovsky | Symphony No 5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 04, 2011, 10:08:15 AM
Mahlers 2nd with the Bergen Philharmonic under Andrew Litton tomorrow.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on May 04, 2011, 10:09:48 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 04, 2011, 03:06:49 AM
Wow, Sid, that sounds like a really remarkable night!

Mine tonight is only a bit less exciting:

London Philharmonic | Vladimir Jurowski
Christine Brewer, soprano

Wagner | Meistersinger, Act I Prelude
Strauss | Four Last Songs
Tchaikovsky | Symphony No 5

Fascinating program, Bruce Brewski!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 04, 2011, 11:28:12 AM
Havergal Brian - The Gothic Symphony
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Royal Albert Hall


Official ticket sale starts May 7.


The more expensive (but surer) way is here:


http://www.getmein.com/tickets/prom-4-brian-the-gothic-symphony-tickets/london-202377.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2011, 02:01:01 PM
Quote from: Apollon on May 04, 2011, 10:09:48 AM
Fascinating program, Bruce Brewski!

Either this is an amusing mistake or extremely clever.  ;)

A very satisfying concert - Ms Brewer an initially slightly shrieky but over the last three songs lovely soloist, Jurowski painting with watercolors; goodness, as a friend of mine points out, it is a truly glorious thing to hear one of the world's great orchestras play softly! Softly was not, of course, had in the Tchaikovsky, a white-hot account where the big horn solo was a tad too swift for me but everything else moved with an intensity and sweaty fevered passion fully worthy of Mravinsky or Gatti (the latter of whom, by the way, really luxuriates in the slow mvt - my ideal combination). Terrific right up to the last bar... where the final four chords were slowed down in a really mannered way.

Check out Jurowski's timings in the Tchaikovsky
I. 13'00"
II. 11'30"
III. 5'30"
IV. 11'00"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 04, 2011, 02:06:11 PM
Quote from: Brian on May 04, 2011, 02:01:01 PM
Either this is an amusing mistake or extremely clever.  ;)

A very satisfying concert - Ms Brewer an initially slightly shrieky but over the last three songs lovely soloist, Jurowski painting with watercolors; goodness, as a friend of mine points out, it is a truly glorious thing to hear one of the world's great orchestras play softly! Softly was not, of course, had in the Tchaikovsky, a white-hot account where the big horn solo was a tad too swift for me but everything else moved with an intensity and sweaty fevered passion fully worthy of Mravinsky or Gatti. Terrific right up to the last bar... where the final four chords were slowed down in a really mannered way.

Check out Jurowski's timings in the Tchaikovsky
I. 13'00"
II. 11'30"
III. 5'30"
IV. 11'00"

;D  I completely missed that bit of amusement (Karl's comment).

In any case, Jurowski is wonderful; your account sounds like it was a fabulous evening.

Looking forward to this next week:

Marc-André Hamelin, piano

Haydn: Sonata in E Minor, Hob. XVI:34
Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9
Wolpe: Passacaglia
Fauré: Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 63
Liszt: Réminiscences de Norma

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 04, 2011, 02:26:04 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 04, 2011, 02:06:11 PM
In any case, Jurowski is wonderful;

Yes; I may have undersold his account of the Tchaikovsky, as there was an abundance of detail and brilliant phrasing which reminded me what a joy it is to hear an interpretation of a work which feels important and distinct, as opposed to an ordinary-course performance aiming to please.

Hamelin's program demonstrates the kind of eccentricity, eclecticism, and intelligence one would expect - and I'd bet it turns out really satisfying, too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 04, 2011, 02:34:27 PM
Yes, I completely understand what you mean: nothing taken for granted. My favorite Jurowski experiences so far were in 2003 (yikes, that far back), when he conducted Janáček's Jenůfa at the Met. Even with Karita Mattila in the lead, plus a fascinating production, at least one publication called Jurowski the "hero of the evening."

And as for Hamelin, I've not heard him give a bad recital yet. (Of course, anyone can have an off night, but still, talking of artists who don't take things for granted--he's another one.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 06, 2011, 02:50:04 AM
QuoteI'm looking forward to this free lecture/recital by pianist Leslie Howard at Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Friday:

(The following taken from SCM website)


Quote
CONtexts: The Alfred Hook Lecture Series - Leslie Howard (4.00pm)

6 May 2011

Dr Leslie Howard Discovering Liszt

Liszt is the only great composer of the nineteenth century to still suffer from detractors, this despite the acknowledged debt of almost every composer who followed him. Many distrusted his fame and wealth. Others accused him of religious posturing and of lacking compositional depth. Dr Howard shares his new insights into Liszt as a complex nineteenth-century artist.

Leslie Howard is a composer, conductor, and scholar, and the only pianist to record (for Hyperion in 97 CDs) the complete piano music of Franz Liszt. He has appeared with many of the world's finest orchestras; as a composer, his works include an opera, a ballet, and numerous orchestral, choral, and solo compositions.

Following this lecture, Leslie Howard will give a piano recital in Verbrugghen Hall at 6.00pm.

Just came back from the above lecture/recital about Liszt's music by pianist Dr Leslie Howard at Sydney Conservatorium (it was free).

Dr Howard is a pianist specialising in Liszt, who has recently finished recording the composer's entire piano output on 99 discs. He's middle aged with thick greying hair & a neutral British accent. He spoke clearly and engagingly (without notes) for an hour about Liszt's life and work, illustrating his lecture with two pieces. After a break during which the audience had a complimentary drink and some nibblies, Dr Howard treated us to a recital of more of Liszt's works. There were no programs given out, he just announced the pieces & talked about them in depth from the stage. So if the titles I wrote below are incomplete or whatever, please forgive me, because a number of them were announced in languages other than English.

I really enjoyed both the lecture and the recital. Dr Howard was like a limitless fountain of knowledge about this fascinating composer. I took notes during his lecture, and I'll probably put them on my blog by the end of next week. I would describe his playing as quite pumped but restrained at the same time - a bit like the contradictory character of Liszt. Dr Howard knew how to let things rip with a frenzy, but he also made the calmer and more lyrical moments very interesting. He played without music (except the second piece below), and he had a studious gaze, his head looking down at the keyboard during his playing.

Pieces played during lecture:

- A piece composed at age 21, later revised and incorporated into the set of pieces called Harmonies Poétiques Et Religieuses (1850's) (part of this was based on the theme from the slow movement of Beethoven's "Archduke" trio, as Dr Howard demonstrated)

- Piano version of the "Calming of the Storm at Sea" from Part 2 of the oratorio Christus (This was a very dramatic piece, the very vivid storm came first, then the calm which had harmonies not far away from Debussy or even Messiaen)

The recital:

- Grand Concert Solo (1849), composed as a test piece for the Paris Conservatoire (Dr Howard played the 1851 version) (a percursor to the Sonata in B minor, which in some ways it was similar to - Dr Howard described this work as "kind of like a sonata but not a sonata.")

- Variations for piano on a motif from Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen (from J. S. Bach's Cantata BWV 12), written in memory of Liszt's first daughter Blandine who died aged 26 while giving birth (this piece showed Liszt's mastery of counterpoint & his concept of thematic transformation)

- Sarabande and Chaconne on theme from the opera Almira by Handel (1879) (my favourite piece of the set - it was like hearing a work composed by Handel imagining that he was Liszt! A beautifully balanced and imaginative piece. The last half had these rapid rippling figures that reminded me of Debussy's watery pieces allied with a song-like lyricism that sounded similar to Schubert)

- Nocturne on a Polonaise by Chopin (Dr Howard announced this in French, this my attempt of writing the title in English!) (Liszt & Chopin admired eachother immensely - Chopin dedicated his Etudes to LIszt. Liszt's nocturne sounded less melancholic to my ears than those of Chopin, it had a kind of sweetness and lightness)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 06, 2011, 03:13:42 AM
Hey Sid, are you the new favorite of the gods? You seem to live in a permanent state of musical bliss, both live and recorded ...  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 06, 2011, 03:24:43 AM
Quote from: Il Conte Rodolfo on May 06, 2011, 03:13:42 AM
Hey Sid, are you the new favorite of the gods? You seem to live in a permanent state of musical bliss, both live and recorded ...  :)

Yeah, well I probably don't listen to as much music as many of the members here, but I try to get out a few times a month for concerts & try to listen to things new to me on a regular basis, which also makes things interesting. There's a lot going on here in Sydney - we're basically spoilt for choice in not only classical but all types of music. Often, I begin listening to a piece or pieces as I want to familiarise myself with what will be played in concerts. But I didn't know any of the pieces that Dr Howard played in his recital above, so it was kind of interesting...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on May 06, 2011, 03:29:20 AM
Well, I WAS looking forward to a recital by Sergio Tiempo in Beijing on June 3rd. But I have a lecture tour that week and won't be able to come back. I could opt out of part of the tour but, with dad and mother-in-law both in the hospital, I need to complete the tour to pay the hospital bills.

But I do have Berlin Phil under Rattle in Beijing in November on my schedule, playing Mahler 9,
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on May 06, 2011, 08:43:14 AM
I'm looking forward to the third installment of the San Antonio Symphony's Tchaikovsky Festival tonight. They're playing my favorite Tchaikovsky symphony, the 5th. I had a recording by Monteux and the Boston Symphony that I wore out. New music director Sebastian Lang-Lessing is wonderful in this music, the orchestra has never sounded better. Saturday the Festival continues with Freddy Kempf playing the 2nd concerto. His performance of the 1st concerto last Friday was a crowd pleaser, alarmingly loud and blindingly fast. A more sensitive side came through in the encore, Liszt's transcription of Wagner's Liebestod.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2011, 08:55:46 AM
Quote from: vivolin on May 06, 2011, 08:43:14 AM
I'm looking forward to the third installment of the San Antonio Symphony's Tchaikovsky Festival tonight. They're playing my favorite Tchaikovsky symphony, the 5th. I had a recording by Monteux and the Boston Symphony that I wore out. New music director Sebastian Lang-Lessing is wonderful in this music, the orchestra has never sounded better. Saturday the Festival continues with Freddy Kempf playing the 2nd concerto. His performance of the 1st concerto last Friday was a crowd pleaser, alarmingly loud and blindingly fast. A more sensitive side came through in the encore, Liszt's transcription of Wagner's Liebestod.

Sounds like you've had (and will have) some great evenings. And glad to hear the San Antonio Symphony is thriving. (Too many depressing reports lately of orchestras folding...)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bbrip on May 06, 2011, 10:34:24 AM
Mahler Symphonie No. 6 with Mariss Jansons and the Bayrische Rundfunk Orchestra at Alte Oper, Frnakfurt. Tomorrow night  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on May 06, 2011, 11:06:24 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 06, 2011, 08:55:46 AM
Sounds like you've had (and will have) some great evenings. And glad to hear the San Antonio Symphony is thriving. (Too many depressing reports lately of orchestras folding...)

--Bruce
Yes, the San Antonio Symphony came back from bankruptcy in 2004. It is only surviving now thanks to sacrifices from the musicians and financially effective management. For 2012 - 2013 a move to a newly renovated auditorium is planned. I hope that won't be too much of a strain on the budget.

Jerry
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2011, 12:38:57 PM
Tonight, six recent works inspired by the Brandenburg Concertos, all commissioned by Orpheus (the conductor-less chamber ensemble). I've heard the Davies and Theofanidis pieces, but none of the others.

Orpheus
Carnegie Hall

Aaron Jay Kernis: Concerto with Echoes (Inspired by Brandenburg No. 6)
Melinda Wagner: Little Moonhead (Inspired by Brandenburg No. 4)
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies: Sea Orpheus (Inspired by Brandenburg No. 5)
      Christopher Taylor, piano
Christopher Theofanidis: Muse (Inspired by Brandenburg No. 3)
Stephen Hartke: A Brandenburg Autumn (Inspired by Brandenburg No. 1)
     with world premiere fourth movement
Paul Moravec: Brandenburg Gate (Inspired by Brandenburg No. 2)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: nimrod on May 06, 2011, 04:29:50 PM
I am on my way to the Lubbock Symphony to hear guest cellist Gary Hoffman perform Elgar's Cello Concerto.  Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra is also on the program.  Should be a great night of music in Lubbock.   :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on May 06, 2011, 05:00:55 PM
Sounds like a great evening, enjoy Nimrod! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 07, 2011, 05:13:22 AM
HELP! Did The Havergal Brian Gothic Prom concert tickets already sell out?? I'm getting ticket unavailable messages! Today's the first day tickets are on sale!   ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 07, 2011, 05:22:01 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 07, 2011, 05:13:22 AM
HELP! Did The Havergal Brian Gothic Prom concert tickets already sell out?? I'm getting ticket unavailable messages! Today's the first day tickets are on sale!   ???


Alas - here is the only place and it's very expensive (you can add about 40 pounds to the prices you see there):


http://www.getmein.com/tickets/prom-4-brian-the-gothic-symphony-tickets/london-202377.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 07, 2011, 05:25:28 AM
Ack! Is it worth standing for ~2 hours? They're still selling standing passes on the official site.

Or we could get a GMG private box and split the cost?  :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 07, 2011, 05:26:42 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 07, 2011, 05:25:28 AM
Ack! Is it worth standing for ~2 hours? They're still selling standing passes on the official site.

Or we could get a GMG private box and split the cost?  :P


Buy that, if they're still available! It's worth it! You're young!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 07, 2011, 05:35:50 AM
Buying a standing pass that gets me Proms 1 through 4 - I don't know what it's like being in the "Arena" or if I'll be sore and hateful after two hours of it, but I'll get to see the Glagolitic Mass and the Gothic from front and center...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on May 07, 2011, 05:37:18 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 07, 2011, 05:35:50 AM
Buying a standing pass that gets me Proms 1 through 4 - I don't know what it's like being in the "Arena" or if I'll be sore and hateful after two hours of it, but I'll get to see the Glagolitic Mass and the Gothic from front and center...


It's better than nothing! I promise you - you will be very very glad to have been there...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 07, 2011, 07:39:58 PM
I'll go to this at Sydney Conservatorium tomorrow night, if it's not cancelled, as sometimes these things are. I saw this pianist, who is a senior staff member at the Con, last year play Berg's Chamber Concerto but I haven't seen him play a solo program before. I haven't heard any of the items on this program, and I am not familiar at all with Graham Hair's music, so it'll be interesting no doubt: -

Cocktail Hour - Ancient to Modern (6.00pm)

9 May 2011

Faculty and their guests present a program of chamber music concerts featuring repertoire that ranges from baroque to contemporary music.

Perfomer
Daniel Herscovitch piano

Program

Chopin Sonata No. 2 in B flat Minor, op. 35
Hair Three Transcendental Etudes
Carter Two Thoughts and the Piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 09, 2011, 08:52:02 PM
Last night I went to the recital by pianist Daniel Herscovitch in the above post. Here's the full program -

Chopin - Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 (1839)

Stravinsky - Sonata (1924)

Graham Hair (b. 1941) - Three Transcendental Etudes on Themes from Australian Poets (from set of 12)
- Snatched Voices (Poet - Rosemary Dobson)
- Naming the Stars (Poet - Judith Wright)
- Wild Cherries and Honeycomb (Poet - John Shore Nielsen)

E. Carter (b. 1908) - Two Thoughts About the Piano (2005)
- Intermittences
- Catenaires

Encore - A. Webern - Children's Piece (1924)

I'd never heard any of these pieces before, and I hadn't heard any of the music of Graham Hair. The pianist Daniel Herscovitch (a faculty member at Sydney Conservatorium) talked in some depth about the pieces before playing them. His title for the recital "Ancient to Modern," was just a bit of fun, he said. Chopin's music can't really be described as "ancient," although maybe Eliot Carter who is now aged 102 can be!

The Chopin 2nd sonata was a great opener and my favourite piece of the evening. Daniel said that it's still a somewhat controversial work, some leading Chopin pianists refuse to play it. The 3rd movement, the famous Funeral March, was written first in 1837, the rest of the work came in 1839. Daniel outlined some interesting aspects of this work. The second & third movements have no tempo markings. There are three possible places to put repeats in the first movement, but Chopin didn't specify where. Having listened to this work, I can now somewhat understand why Schumann criticised it for lacking cohesion. But at the same time, this can be a "plus" as each of the movements are like worlds within themselves. The 1st movement was really pumped - ideas just tumbled out, one after the other. I'm pretty amazed at how Chopin could get these many ideas down on the page. The first theme of the 2nd movement (scherzo) reminded me a bit of the witche's sabbath part of Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. It was pretty macabre and dark. This was followed by a longer lyrical and calmer section which struck me as being full of hope. Then the first theme reappeared, more intensely, but the quieter theme had the final word. The 3rd movement started with the famous funeral march theme (or intro?), but the other idea was more lyrical and poetic. The finale (4th movt) was over in a flash - it lasted only about 2-3 minutes. Liszt said this made him think of winds blowing over graves, Chopin said he meant it like mourners chatting after the funeral. To me, this sounded like a frenzied and hair-raising take on Bachian counterpoint. Despite there not being any crossing of hands in this work (unlike the other works played later), it still looked and sounded quite difficult to play.

Stravinsky's much shorter sonata (Daniel described it as more like a sonatina) came across to me to be the complete antithesis of the Chopin. This was quite light and bouncy, the world of Les Six was not far away. The counterpoint again sounded like it was influenced by Bach, the piano was played almost as daintily as a harpsichord. But the jerky & more changeable rhythmic patterns could be by no-one else but Stravinsky.

Then the only Australian composer on the program, Graham Hair. He was director of this very institution, the Sydney Con, during the 1980's, but now he is working in academia in Glasgow, Scotland. These three works come from a recent series of studies inspired by Australian poetry. The 1st and 3rd pieces reminded me of the tangled and complex piano works of Ives and Ligeti. They were pretty intense, with runs up and down the keyboard, and they looked devlishly difficult to play. The middle one was slow and calm, it had a kind of celestial quality as Daniel said, and it kind of reminded me of Takemitsu.

Then Carter's Two Thoughts About the Piano, which looked no less difficult than the Hair. They were also inspired by literature - the first one on Marcel Proust. These started off as two seperate pieces, which Carter joined together later. They were composed in 2005 when Carter was 97 years old. These pieces were studies in constantly changing dynamics, rhythm, and harmonics. The first piece was slower overall, it had many silences, and the second one was helter skelter. It was described by the composer as being like "a fast one line piece without any chords." Daniel said that he met Carter a few months ago, and thought that though he looked pretty frail, his mind is "still sharp as a tack." Carter was then writing a song-cycle on the words of T.S. Elliot.

As an encore, Daniel played a short one minute piece by Webern that looked much simpler to play than the other pieces. It was written in the same year as the Stravinsky sonata, but totally different.

I was sitting next to a group of women who, it turns out, were friends of Daniel. I got talking to one of them about American composers in particular, and I mentioned Copland. She said that she showed Copland around Sydney when he visisted (I didn't find out when, but she said it was in his older years). She said he had a liking for French cuisine, so she took him to a French restaurant in Kings Cross. This was an interesting conversation, particularly because I didn't know that Copland had ever come here. We both agreed that the turnout to this brilliant recital was pretty abysmal - the hall seats around 100 and I'd say there were less than 50 audience members in attendance. On a positive note, the women took me backstage to meet Daniel, which I did. I briefly spoke to him thanking him for his performance. I asked him whether the Graham Hair pieces were as difficult to play as something by Ligeti, but he said that Ligeti was much harder. But I told him that I was watching his hands, particularly in the Hair & Carter pieces, and what he was doing looked like it was near impossible to me.

All up, this was one of the best piano recitals I remember going to. Both the playing and the music were excellent and interesting. I look forward to seeing Daniel play at any other time that he does so in the future...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2011, 08:24:36 AM
Tonight at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, an hour-long recital with a world premiere by Magnus Lindberg,who's also playing piano:

Magnus Lindberg, piano
Jennifer Koh, violin
Anssi Karttunen, cello

Lindberg: Sonatas for violin and piano (1979)
Selections from The Mystery Variations on Giuseppe Colombi's "Chiacona" for solo cello:
- Giuseppe Colombi: Chiacona
- Kaija Saariaho: Dreaming Chaconne (US Premiere)
- Steven Stucky: Partite sopra un basso, per Anssi (US Premiere)
- Marc Neikrug: Tiny Colombi for Anssi (US Premiere)
- Magnus Lindberg: Duello (US Premiere)
- Tan Dun: Chiacona - after Colombi (US Premiere)
Schulhoff: Duo for violin and cello
Lindberg: Trio for violin, cello and piano (2009/2011, world premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 14, 2011, 07:35:33 PM
Went to this concert with a friend last night:

AUSTRALIA ENSEMBLE @ University of New South Wales, Sydney
(Incorporating the Goldner String Quartet)
Dene Olding, first violin
Dimity Hall, second violin
Irina Morozova, viola
Julian Smiles, cello
Ian Munro, piano
Geoffrey Collins, flute
Catherine McCorkill, clarinet
Daryl Pratt, percussion; David Stanhope, conductor (both guests, in Incredible Floridas only)
(Prof. Roger Covell, director of programming)

Ferenc (Franz) LISZT (1811-1886)
- At Wagner's Grave (Am Grabe Richard Wagners) S202 for string quartet and piano (1883) – 200th anniversary of Liszt's birth

Richard MEALE (1932-2009)
- String Quartet No. 2 "Cantilena Pacifica" - 5th movement
- Incredible Floridas (Homage to Rimbaud) for flute/alto flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin/viola, cello, piano and percussion (1971)

Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)
- String Quartet in A minor, Opus 132 (1825)

This was a great program which we both enjoyed. I knew the last two works from recordings, the first two were completely unknown to me.

The first two pieces were in memory of friends of the respective composers who had died. Liszt's piece was in memory of his friend and son in law Wagner. It was very brief and had a lightness which reminded both my friend and I of chamber music by Debussy and Ravel. I'm not sure who Australian composer Richard Meale dedicated Cantilena Pacifia to, but the violinist Dene Olding announced it from the stage and talked about it briefly (it wasn't in the program). Olding said that this group played this work at Meale's funeral service in 2009. It had a flowing and sinuous violin solo backed up by gentle repetitive waves from the other strings. It kind of reminded me of Philip Glass' Facades. These two works were poignant for my friend, as the day before was the anniversary of his brother's death in an accident 6 years ago. He said it bought back the memories.

Then a longer half hour piece by Meale, from his earlier avant-garde phase (like Penderecki, Meale went tonal after initially being more experimental). Incredible Floridas is a sextet that was written in 1971 to mark the 100th anniversary of French visionary poet Arthur Rimbaud's poem "The Drunken Boat." This was quite a complex work, requiring a conductor and everyone except the pianist to play multiple instruments. There's quite a bit of fragmentation in this work to begin with, the first movement dominated by a flute solo upon which much of the rest of the work is based. A lot of it was quite intense and percussive. The 4th movement is my favourite part, throughout it the piano plays this chord which kind of comes across to me something like Satie or Rachmaninov slowed down to the nth degree. Everything is suspended in time. In the 5th movement, the two string players each have a solo, the music moving towards their top registers, a bit like in Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time. Funnily enough, these two solos kind of passed me by in the recording, which I'd listened to several times. The flute is always there, but it has a solo in the concluding 6th movement where the earlier fragmentary material is unified and more coherent. Like Rimbaud's poem, which is like both a physical and mental voyage (to where, who knows?), Meale's work has a dreamlike quality to it. It begins with the players quietly reciting sentences from the poem in French, and in the end it dissolves into nothingness. All of the players were soloists in their own right in this work. The music of Varese, Messiaen, Boulez and Takemitsu comes strongly to mind & as my friend pointed out, Balinese gamelan. Incredible Floridas is considered by many pundits to be Meale's masterwork, and I'd recommend it to anyone interested in c20th chamber music. Meale could very well be Australia's finest composer so far, not least because he had such a huge stylistic range. To see this work played live was a real treat. My friend has been familiar with Meale's opera Voss since he got it on disc in the 1980's & I made this composer's acquaintance more recently.

After a nice cuppa & a bit of chocolate during the interval, we headed back to the auditorium to hear Beethoven's String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132. This work is just sublime, from the solemn opening theme that opens it, right through to concluding dance like movement which brings back that theme, totally changing it's mood. This is music at it's very best, it's most sublime and passionate. Words are not really adequate to describe this sort of thing. I was interested to read in the program notes that the harmonies of the pivotal third slow movement, the famous "Hymn of Thanksgiving," may well have been inspired by the music of Renaissance composer Palestrina. I'm not surprised by this, it definitely has the radiance and purity of Palestrina's style. I thought that the Goldner String Quartet played this work slower than what I've heard on recordings, but this was just a hunch (I didn't check the time, listening to music for me isn't a matter of doing things like that). It was a very detailed performance, full of nuance. I loved watching how they played those complex cross rhythms, it looked very very difficult. An odd thing that I noticed was that from left to right, it was the two violins, cello then viola. Usually the viola is before the cello. I don't know why they played in this order?

After the concert, we both headed to the city for a nightcap before calling it a night. We both enjoyed the concert & felt we got a lot out of it, and one couldn't really ask for more...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 15, 2011, 01:01:48 PM
Just booked tickets to, and trains/flights for, this tripleheader. Note: I have never heard ANY of this music. Not a single work on any of the three programs!

-
Friday 10 June - 1:05 pm - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Poulenc Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon
Ibert Cinq Pièces Brèves
Françaix Divertissement for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon

Members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

-
Friday 10 June - 7:30 pm - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Elgar 3 Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands
Guilmant Symphony No.1 for Organ and Orchestra
Elgar Symphony No.2

Vasily Petrenko, conductor
Ian Tracey, organ
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

-
Saturday 11 June - 18:00 - Concert Hall, Warsaw
Mahler Symphony No 3

Antoni Wit, conductor
Ewa Wolak, alto
Warsaw Boys' Choir
Warsaw Philharmonic
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on May 16, 2011, 10:55:34 PM
Not looking forward, but back: a concert I heard in St Martin-in-the-Fields last Friday, May 13, during a short stay in London. Peter G Dyson conducting the Belmont Ensemble of London in a Mozart and Händel programme, with symphonies 10 and 29, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, the Water Music Suite.

A genuine attempt to play them `contemporary', downplaying any possible suggestion of romanticism, even a bit too much to my taste. But the highlight was a gorgeous voice: soprano Elizabeth Weisberg receiving standing ovations for her Händel arias and Mozart's Exultate Jubilate.

So, for the record here: what a voice!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 18, 2011, 01:05:25 PM
Tomorrow:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Christopher Martin, trumpet
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

Dutilleux  Symphony No. 2 (Le double
Jolivet   Concertino for Trumpet
Tomasi  Trumpet Concerto
Roussel  Suite No. 2 from Bacchus and Ariadne

Been looking forward to this one all season.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 18, 2011, 05:24:43 PM
Looking forward to this one on the weekend -

Music In May – Macquarie University Sydney
The Occasional Performing Sinfonia (TOPS)
Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo soprano (from Opera Australia)

Mahler
- Songs of a Wayfarer
- Symphony No. 4 in G major

TOPS is a Sydney-based orchestra that presents large symphonic works rarely tackled by amateur orchestras. TOPS plays in venues such as Sydney Town Hall and occasionally tours regional NSW. Last year they played a program which included Shostakovich's 5th symphony, which was excellent, and I suspect that this year's Mahler 100th anniversary tribute will be no less enjoyable. These are two of my favourite works by Mahler. A good friend of mine is planning to come along as well...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on May 20, 2011, 10:19:41 AM
Tonight:

San Antonio Symphony, Sebastian Lang-Lessing conducting
Alban Gerhardt, Cello

Mozart: Symphony No. 31, "Paris"
Schumann: Cello Concerto
Schumann: Manfred Overture
Beethoven: Symphony No. 8

I'm especially looking forward to the concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bbrip on May 22, 2011, 04:24:53 AM
Tonight at the Semperoper Dresden:

New York Philharmonic / Gilbert Kaplan

Siblius Violin Concerto (with Lisa Bathiasvili)
Beethoven Smyphonie No. 3

Met Alan this morning at brekafast (he's staying at the same hotel has we) and I told him I'm looking forward to the concert. He immediately started chatting around, was amazed he got recognized in such far-away places  :D  What a nice and easy guy  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 22, 2011, 06:31:02 PM
As noted above, I just went to this one on the weekend with a good friend -

Music In May – Macquarie University Sydney
Mahler Tribute (Family Concert)

The Occasional Performing Sinfonia (TOPS)
Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo soprano - in all works (from Opera Australia)
Sarah Berkelman, soprano (in Humperdinck only)
Mal Hewitt, conductor (in Humperdinck & Mahler songs)
Steve Hillinger, conductor (in Mahler symphony)

Humperdinck
- Sandman's song, evening prayer & forest music (Hansel & Gretel, Act 2)
Mahler
- Songs of a Wayfarer
- Symphony No. 4 in G major

TOPS is a Sydney-based orchestra that presents large symphonic works rarely tackled by amateur orchestras. TOPS plays in venues such as Sydney Town Hall and occasionally tours regional NSW. Last year they played a program which included Shostakovich's 5th symphony, which was excellent, and this year's Mahler 100th anniversary tribute was no less enjoyable. These are two of my favourite works by Mahler.

Neither my friend and I are greatly familiar with Humperdinck's music (the "original" Englebert Humperdinck, as conductor Mal Hewitt joked!). He was a major operatic and vocal composer at the end of the c19th, and Hansel & Gretel is his only big hit. He also assisted Wagner in the orchestration of his late operas, and Humperdinck's orchestration was very rich and Wagnerian indeed. The two vocalists sang this lovely song and left the stage, while the orchestra carried on and played a marvellous elaboration of the tunes. Soprano Sarah Berkelman is a high school student who is currently working in the Sydney production of the musical Fame. It was great to hear the blending of the soprano and mezzo soprano's voices.

Next was Mahler's set of four Wayfarer Songs, which is one of my favourite works by him. This work is pure genius and mezzo soprano Sally-Anne Russell gave a knockout performance. All emotions under the sun are encapsulated in this work, both in words and music. I especially like how Mahler wrote for the woodwinds. The last stanza of the final song titled "The Two Blue Eyes of my Beloved" is the part which just floors me every time, and this performance was no exception. The poet is reminiscing about his love and loss, sitting under a linden tree which "snowed its blossoms over me." This is captured by the music with this sense of floating tonality, time is suspended. I kind of hear Schubert in this as well. My words cannot adequately describe the very ending, so I'll simply give you the words "All, love and sorrow and world and dream!"

After a good cuppa at interval (what can be better than that, apart from the music?) we headed back to the 500 packed seater hall to hear Mahler's 4th symphony. This is my favourite of all of his symphonies which I'm familiar with, because for the most part, it is light and happy (though there are dark undertones and shadows there, but they quickly dissipate). I feel that the orchestra didn't get off the ground as much as they could have in the first two movements, but their performance of the last two were basically as good as any I've heard. Like the Wayfarer Songs, the slow movement contains so many emotions and contrasts. The two climaxes put me on the edge of tears, but the optimistic last movement with vocals "The heavenly life" cheered me up a bit. The song upon which the finale was based was written about a decade before Mahler began this symphony. The last movement came first, and formed the thematic basis of the whole work. It's no wonder that some scholars say this is his most unified and holistic symphony. This is a child's view of heaven, which is full of many delights, particularly food. There are the sounds of cattle and oxen, animals which will be sent to slaughter to provide a wholesome feast. As conductor Steve Hillinger said, a lot of the children in Mahler's time were malnourished, and he himself had a childhood of poverty, by today's Western standards anyway.

All in all, this concert was great, we both enjoyed it. The orchestra played with commitment and passion, adding refinement and balance in the last two movements of the symphony. The vocalists were excellent. There were many children at this family concert, who were not always quiet, but I was so absorbed in the music that I hardly noticed them. I may well go to a concert in September at Sydney Town Hall of this orchestra, who will be joined by combined Sydney choirs in a program featuring Carl Jenkins' music (another composer I'm unfamiliar with)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 26, 2011, 11:16:02 PM
A friend & I aim to take in both these concerts on the coming weekend here in Sydney -

Macquarie University Singers
Haydn - The Creation


The 120 strong choristers will be led by the highly talented young conductor Anthony Pasquill and accompanied by a full orchestra and top soloists.

Music in May series - "Orchestra 143"

The Program:

The first Orchestra 143 programme for 2011 presents eight soloists performing a quartet of double concertos. The works encompass the sublime slow movement and invigorating outer movements of the Bach double violin concerto and the classical freshness of the Cimarosa, together with two of Vivaldi's always sparkling and engaging concertos. The Haydn symphony which rounds out the programme has surprises of its own.

* Johann Sebastian Bach, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV1043 (Alastair Duff-Forbes and Tracy Wan, violins).
* Domenico Cimarosa, Concerto for Two Flutes in G major (Meghan
FitzGerald and Angus McPherson, flutes).
* Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, RV531 (Steve
Meyer and Susan Blake, cellos).
* Antonio Vivaldi, Concerto for Two Oboes in D minor, RV535 (Josef
Hanic and Ennes Mehmedbasic, oboes).
* Franz Joseph Haydn, Symphony No.23 in G major.

Devoted to the music of the baroque, classical and early romantic period - specifically, from 1685, Orchestra 143 seeks not only to perform works by the great composers of this period - Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schubert - but also to acquaint its audiences with interesting music by lesser known composers such as C.P.E. Bach, Corelli, Arriaga, Bellini, Boyce, Stamitz and Wassenaer.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 27, 2011, 01:35:29 AM
Quote from: bbrip on May 22, 2011, 04:24:53 AM
Tonight at the Semperoper Dresden:

New York Philharmonic / Gilbert Kaplan

You must mean Alan Gilbert, right?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on May 27, 2011, 08:21:48 AM
Tonight we have Camerata San Antonio playing "Great String Quintets"

Rautavaara: String Quintet "Unknown Heavens"
Schubert: Cello Quintet in C Major, Op. 163

The Schubert has been a favorite from the first time I heard it and hearing it live is a rare treat.

I'll give the Rautavaara a good listen but a recent audition of the recording by the Jean Sibelius SQ on Ondine didn't leave much of an impression. I need to take a good look at the Rautavaara composer thread.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on May 29, 2011, 08:02:34 PM
This weekend, going to the two concerts below, was a revelation to me in bringing me the highest appreciation for music of the classical/baroque realm that I have had so far. It was my "road to Damascus." A few days after, I still feel like I'm in another universe, it's like I've had a massive "head trip." There have been many "signposts" leading to this breakthrough, some of them like hearing my friend's disc of Handel's Messiah a number of years ago and attending a performance last year. Others have been kind of "left field" - I kind of started in more recent eras and went back - even works like Eliot Carter's 1st string quartet made me understand many relevant things about music in general which I applied later. But I think the most important was realising - as this friend has said, who also joined me for these two concerts - that composers are emotional people, they are innovators, they are visionaries. Many years after he first told this to me, these two concerts have made me realise that he was 110 per cent spot on all along.

I'll write about The Creation concert first, then the other one in my following post which I'll do later when given the chance -


Quote from: Sid on May 26, 2011, 11:16:02 PM

Macquarie University Singers & Orchestra
Haydn - The Creation
(Sung in ENGLISH)

The 120 strong choristers will be led by the highly talented young conductor Anthony Pasquill and accompanied by a full orchestra and top soloists.

I think the choir was more like 200, but I'm guessing. Here are the vocal soloists and other important people:

Erika Simons, soprano
Marcus Bortolotti, tenor
Javier Vilarino, bass-baritone
Peter Ellis, assistant conductor (on harpsichord)
Joy Lachlere, rehearsal pianist (accompanist in preparation)
Anthony Pasquill, conductor

Haydn's The Creation is just about the highest level that I've reached into musical appreciation on all levels of the spectrum, but especially in understanding how composers shape emotions from the most basic materials. I have a quirky view - I don't think this is strictly just a sacred choral work. Being an oratorio, I see it as a fusion of many genres - in the opera, concerto, chamber, solo instrumental/vocal, art-song realms. I see it the same way as I see say Monteverdi's Vespers or Mahler's symphonies. They are not restricted to just a small niche, they all "embrace the whole world" as Mahler said. I was able to connect with the "vibe" of this piece on many levels.

Compared to the recorded version I've heard on Naxos under Andreas Spering, the conductor on Saturday night, Anthony Pasquill had a very different take on this masterpiece. One of the big differences, I thought, was having the first two parts - the creation part - come out as more lyrical and kind of gentler - and then leaving more intensity and finality to the final third part, the scene with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Spering kind of did the opposite. But I enjoyed both interpretations.

As I said, this piece seems to encompass so much with much smaller resources than composers would have available later. Unlike Shostakovich's 10th symphony, which I saw last year, which had maybe 3 or 4 percussionists/timpanists and about 8-10 double basses, this work had one of each. But they were really occupied by this piece, what Haydn asked of them was akin to them being soloists at concerto level. That brings me to Haydn's masterful sensitivity to the text. I was reading along to the lyrics provided in the programme, and I could hear that virtually every phrase, especially those with the most prominence in the story, was illustrated that matched up with the words exactly as one would have thought, but it was far from cliched. Eg. take one of the final parts towards the end of part one, which describes God looking over the universe to admire his creation of the planets. The harmonies coming from the small orchestra were out of this world! It was like a mini version or prediction of the vibe of Holst's Planets Suite. Then one of my favourite songs in the second part, for bass-baritone "And God Created Great Whales." The singer's deep and rich tones were perfectly mirrored by the deep strings only - violas, cellos, & particularly the single double bass which kind of took a "star turn" here. The text imaging all of those wonderful, majestic, slow moving creatures of the deep was not only vividly illustrated, it was brought to life in words and music. These are only a few examples, there are countless others.

This was a performance put together with great care, dedication and skill. The soprano sang with coloratura, I'm not sure if this style was Haydn's era, but I'm not a stickler for "authenticity" because it means different things to different people (even the top experts). In any case, the soprano and the two male soloists as well as the choir and orchestra brought this work to life with a sense of drama and flair. They were all highly qualified and sang with great feeling, but I must mention the tenor's diction, which came off to me as perfect. By the end of it, both my friend and I where in the "vibe" or that "special space." My appreciation of Haydn's genius was already at a high level, now it's out there way up in the heavens, which is exactly where the man said that all of his inspiration for this masterpiece came from!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on May 29, 2011, 10:29:03 PM
The Vancouver Symphony gets to Mahler in June:
June 4 6  MAHLER  Das Lied von der Erde  + LIADOV  The Enchanted Lake  BRITTEN Peter Grimes 4 Sea Interludes  (Allyson McHardy msop; John McMaster tenor)
June11, 13  MAHLER  Symphony 1, TCHAIKOWSKY Violin Concerto  (James Ehnes)
Bramwell Tovey conducting both
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 31, 2011, 01:25:46 AM
Kissin playing Liszt in Bergen this evening!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 01, 2011, 08:29:05 AM
Tonight, an interesting chamber music concert by Angela and Jennifer Chun (violins) and Frederic Chiu (piano):

Bartók: selections from 44 Violin Duos (c. 1931)
Ligeti: Ballad and Dance (1950)
Isang Yun: Sonatina for Two Violins (1983)
Prokofiev: Fugitive Visions (1915-1917)
Gao Ping: Two Soviet Love Songs for Vocalizing Pianist (2003, NY Premiere)
Shostakovich: Three Duets for Two Violins and Piano (1955)
Martinů: Sonata for Two Violins and Piano (1932)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 01, 2011, 08:32:21 AM
The Martinů is a charmer, Bruce, and a fine choice to close off the program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 01, 2011, 08:34:21 AM
Great, glad to hear that - I don't think I know that piece at all. (Actually I'm unfamiliar with everything else, too, except the Bartók and Prokofiev.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on June 02, 2011, 12:17:22 AM
Went to this one last Sunday at Macquarie University in Sydney -

Orchestra 143
Concert Master: Emlyn Lewis-Jones
Conductor: David Angell

Program (soloists in brackets)
A. Vivaldi
- Concerto for two cellos in G minor, RV531 (Steve Meyer, Susan Blake)
- Concerto for two oboes in D minor, RV535 (ca 1715) (Josef Hanic, Ennes Mehmedbasic)
J. Haydn, Symphony No.23 in G major, H.I:23 (1764)
-interval-
Domenico Cimarosa, Concerto for two flutes in G major (1793) (Meghan FitzGerald, Angus McPherson)
J.S.Bach, Concerto for two violins in D minor, BWV 1043 (ca 1731) (Alastair Duff, Tracy Wan)

This Sydney-based chamber orchestra specialised in music from the periods 1685 to 1828, the years between the births of J.S. Bach and Handel and the death of Schubert. They seek not only to perform works by the great composers of this period - Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schubert - but also to acquaint its audiences with interesting music by lesser known composers such as C.P.E. Bach, Corelli, Arriaga, Bellini, Boyce, Stamitz and Wassenaer.

A friend and I who went really enjoyed this concert, both in terms of the performances and the unique programs (as conductor David Angell said, this kind of thing is quite rare in his many years in the classical music industry). Anyway, the high points for me were as follows.

The first was the slow movement of the Vivaldi cello concerto, the two soloists playing a duo with continuo accompaniment. It had exactly the kind of depth of emotion and "vibes" as say the famous opening of Elgar's concerto.

Maestro Angell explained the Haydn symphony in depth, and I agreed with the underlying premise of his analysis - Haydn was anything but a "cookie cutter" composer (this opinion is without any logical foundation, at least not according to my experience, which is not even 1 per cent as this conductor's is!). The little known 23rd symphony had many features, the final movement having some of the humour that Prokofiev was to revisit in his 1st symphony. This movement had the strings and winds playing slightly out of sync, in different rhythms, it's as if they were doing their own things, snubbing their noses at, ignoring eachother completely. Many in the audience, including both of us, just laughed at the last note - all the strings plucked at once! I guess you just had to kind of "be there" to get the "joke."

Another friend of mine had seen this same program the previous week, and she thought that the second half of the program was much better than the first. We had not heard any work by Cimarosa before. This flute concerto definitely had a strong Mozartian feel overall, but for me the solo cadenzas for the two flutes were totally unique, like nothing I had heard before. Nothing cookie cutter about this guy's music either, at least in terms of those cadenzas.

The concluding Bach concerto bought tears to my eyes, tears of joy (as I said to my friend at the final applause). An older guy in front of me was also wiping his eyes. After the concert, we went and talked to David, and I told him that their Bach performance touched me more deeply more than any other performance of his music than that I had ever heard. I said that before this, I had sometimes kind of seen Bach as kind of boring. He was so gracious, as they all are. "I'm glad that our performance did that for you" he said...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on June 02, 2011, 03:04:02 AM
Johannes Somary Memorial Concert

The Creation, Franz Joseph Haydn

Stephen Somary, Steven Fox, and Daniel Curtis, Conductors

Chorus includes Singers from

Amor Artis Chamber Choir
Fairfield County Chorale
Great Neck Choral Society
Horace Mann Glee Club
Taghakani Chorale

Orchestra

Professional Colleagues and Friends of Johannes Somary
Sunday, June 5, 2011, at 4:00  p.m.

The Great Hall
The Cooper Union
41 Cooper Square
New York City

Admission is free of charge

Feel Welcome if you are in the NY Metro Area

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 02, 2011, 06:42:21 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 01, 2011, 08:32:21 AM
The Martinů is a charmer, Bruce, and a fine choice to close off the program!

Karl, the Martinů was my favorite thing on the entire program - fantastic piece! - and I was also pleased to see that it's on one of the Chun sisters' recordings, called Fantasy (along with the Shostakovich and Yun pieces from last night).

[asin]B000WPJ5WM[/asin]

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 02, 2011, 06:43:36 AM
Cool!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on June 02, 2011, 04:16:09 PM
Quote from: hildegard on June 02, 2011, 03:04:02 AM
Johannes Somary Memorial Concert

The Creation, Franz Joseph Haydn


Just saw that magnificent work last week here last week in Sydney. It was a huge "high" for me, the friend that came with me, and doubtless all 500 or so people who were there (well it would have done something for them at some level, anyway). I can understand why you list THREE conductors - this is quite a complex work for it's time, and probably for anytime. The performance I saw naturally had  a conductor on the podium and also an asstant conductor on harpsichord. In the big whole ensemble "set pieces" the attention of all musicians would focus on the chief conductor, but in the more small scale chamber-like bits, the guy on the harpsichord would "direct" them while playing.

Anyway, enjoy! No matter that I am here "Down Under" in Sydney & you're up there in New York, Haydn's masterpiece has the capability of speaking to both of us in profound and unique ways. (If you want to read my review of the Sydney concert, it's in one of my posts above on this thread)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on June 04, 2011, 08:06:18 AM
Change of Venue

(http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae30/Isis56/SomaryMemorialConcert--smaller.jpg)


Quote from: hildegard on June 02, 2011, 03:04:02 AM
Johannes Somary Memorial Concert

The Creation, Franz Joseph Haydn

Stephen Somary, Steven Fox, and Daniel Curtis, Conductors

Chorus includes Singers from

Amor Artis Chamber Choir
Fairfield County Chorale
Great Neck Choral Society
Horace Mann Glee Club
Taghakani Chorale

Orchestra

Professional Colleagues and Friends of Johannes Somary
Sunday, June 5, 2011, at 4:00  p.m.

The Great Hall
The Cooper Union
41 Cooper Square
New York City

Admission is free of charge

Feel Welcome if you are in the NY Metro Area
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on June 04, 2011, 08:15:05 AM
Quote from: hildegard on June 02, 2011, 03:04:02 AM
Johannes Somary Memorial Concert

The Creation, Franz Joseph Haydn

Quote from: Sid on June 02, 2011, 04:16:09 PM
Just saw that magnificent work last week here last week in Sydney. It was a huge "high" for me, the friend that came with me, and doubtless all 500 or so people who were there (well it would have done something for them at some level, anyway). I can understand why you list THREE conductors - this is quite a complex work for it's time, and probably for anytime. The performance I saw naturally had  a conductor on the podium and also an asstant conductor on harpsichord. In the big whole ensemble "set pieces" the attention of all musicians would focus on the chief conductor, but in the more small scale chamber-like bits, the guy on the harpsichord would "direct" them while playing.

Anyway, enjoy! No matter that I am here "Down Under" in Sydney & you're up there in New York, Haydn's masterpiece has the capability of speaking to both of us in profound and unique ways. (If you want to read my review of the Sydney concert, it's in one of my posts above on this thread)...

Sid -- thank you so much for posting this. I am very much looking forward to this concert for many reasons. I will think of your comments as I listen and observe this production. As you mentioned, because of the largess of it, the venue has been changed to accommodate the singers and orchestra. You are quite right, it speaks in unique and profound ways. I will be participating as a lover of music and Haydn but also sharing in the experience of a piece so beloved by someone who gave so much to the music world. Will definitely read your review also. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid on June 04, 2011, 05:35:18 PM
@ hildegard -

thanks for replying. i agree 110 per cent with your post. at the performance at the university i attended here in sydney of "the creation" a guy from the uni addresed the audience before it all started. he said that this work has the ability to touch all people deeply no matter what religion they are, or if they are non-religious, what country they come from, or whether they're hearing it for the first or hundredth time. looking around the auditorium, i knew he was right. there were people of all ages there, from kids with there parents, to young students from the university living in the dorms around the hall (many of them asian), all ages up to seniors. my friend saw a japanese couple in the interval with their daughter. there were probably also many academics and lecturers from the university there too. my friend and i had completely different ways of observing the concert - i was following along the sung words with the printed text in the program (although the singers diction was perfect) & my friend was just sitting back, letting it all wash over him. no matter what our unique ways of approaching this work, our religions, philosophies, walks of life, whatever (these are trivial details) we all came together as a whole to be moved and go on a journey with this work. it was a very positive experience and i was on a huge "high" all week - everyone in my life noticed the change. music is more than notes on a page or textbook theories or playing techniques (which i'm not denigrating, they're very important too) - basically music & life can come together as one, and on this occasion, i could tell it was happening to us all in that hall.

anyway, as i said before, enjoy the concert, and please get back to us here about what your experience was of it. that would be very interesting...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on June 06, 2011, 12:52:16 AM
Verdi Requiem: Tewksbury Abbey Bristol Concert Orchestra, Nigel Perrin

Four local choirs had joined together under energetic organisers to put on this piece, which no choir on its own would have had the resources to finance or perform. This is part of a wider push to open choral singing to all comers under the umbrella name of The South Cotswold Choral Group. Two of the choirs have run an A,B,C course to introduce singers with no experience. It is an excellent idea. At one point looking round the men I realised there was almost no one under the age of 50.

I joined a choir at 18 and although at that point I was the youngest bass in what was then the Scottish National Orchestra Chorus; there were plenty of singers in their 20s and 30s, providing a very lively social background to the singing. The demographic of this quite large Cotswold group took me aback. If it holds good, then these choirs are not going to be viable in 15 years time.

The inclusiveness has its drawbacks and there are clear trade offs between working with the abilities of singers who happen to wander through the doors and achieving a uniformly satisfying standard. Some singers were very much on the ball, whilst in front of me a small but stolid section of bases sang the Alto line in a section of the Libera me, not once, but each time we went through it. There are always many more women than men in this kind of set-up as the philosophy is to work with your people rather than trim people out to achieve a balance. But, there is a palpable sense of achievement when the singers rise to the occasion and provide much more than a respectable run through.

The choir masters are excellent musicians, patient and persistent and inspiring. On this occasion the conductor was Nigel Perrin. He is a famous vocal trainer and the very short run of rehearsals included a workshop day where he could size up what he had on his hands and get us into his way of thinking. Masses of laughing as well as the expected hard work. He has remarkable gifts in extracting good results in double quick time.

It is one thing to achieve detail and unity in a dry acoustic with only a piano to overcome and to support. Once we stand in the very reverberant acoustic of the abbey confronted by a full orchestra, the detail becomes very difficult to preserve. In this instance, the orchestra was basically too loud a lot of the time. This is a common issue. Players need to make it safe, part of that is often to play mezzo forte when piano is marked.

One trumpet can blot out an entire choir. Here with one orchestral rehearsal involving the choir, the singers clearly felt that they would not penetrate the orchestral textures. So, likewise, we increased volume and the conductor had to fight this joint tendency. It of course had its knock-on effect to the soloists who were having to ride a substantial wave of sound.

There is also always a time lag, mental and technical rather than caused by physics. The bases, at the rear of the block of performers do get behind the beat. They need to be constantly goaded to both watch and to stick with the point of the beat.

So, how did it all play out?

In the midst, it was impossible to tell what was getting through and what was not. Sometimes, as was once pointed out to me, the grunts in the trenches can't tell how the battle went. There will be a private recording of the performance circulated and it will be interesting to see if my impressions are backed up.

I have sung this probably half a dozen times or so; Gibson, Abbado, Willcocks etc. But no one ever put the effort into expressing the words as Nigel Perrin. I think a lot of the quiet beseeching would have been highly effective. When I got home I listened to the opening by Barbirolli.....muttering and mumbling, the Libera me of Solti, the choir's words are not distinguishable in the ppp passages. In my own score I had masses of consonants scored out and had written in the likes of....NO WORDS....over specific passages. Imprecations from earlier performances that I had to rub out.

The choir provided solid sound and a good blend. Some complex passages were very successful, though I think the Libera me was rather tentative in places. Perrin took it steadily, though had a tendency to keep changing from two in the bar to four in the bar with no seeming reason.

There was genuine excitement and overwhelming sound when the choir and orchestra was going full tilt. The quiet passages where the orchestra were involved were never sufficiently hushed. But there was some beautiful woodwind playing.

I will omit the names of the Bass soloist who proved himself less than reliable and the soprano who was a substitute and who seemed to be substantially sight reading. She tended to adopt the soprano choral line and several times left us stranded without a vital cue. We picked up on that at the rehearsal, so we resorted to counting.

But there were two world beaters; the tenor Philip Holtam had it all, sweetness, strength, ringing top notes and breath control to take long lines in a single arc and there was a fantastic Mezzo, Kate Woolveridge, a true Amneris voice with a burnished chest register and massive top notes. She could fine her voice down to a whisper and she had the drama of the piece in her projection of the words.

There are provisional plans to produce another such joint performance in two years time. I am rooting for the Berlioz Grande Messe, but it will need a larger venue. With even more performers the substantial Abbey will cramp the audience even more so than it did for the Verdi. Perhaps Gloucester Cathedral will be available. Though with a seven second echo, keeping it all together will be even more of a challenge.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 07, 2011, 02:19:48 PM
Tomorrow night, a concert celebrating the restoration of an organ here, in the Church of the Ascension. Have no idea what to expect, but am eager to hear the Kodály, which I don't know at all.

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Conductor
Mark Kruczek, Organist

Kodály: Missa Brevis
Parry: I was glad
Chiayu: "Metal," "Water" and "Wood" from Five Essences for solo organ (World Premiere)
Dobrinka Tabakova: Syng, Hevin Imperiall (World Premiere)
Dorothy VanAndel Frisch: At a Solemn Music (World Premiere)
Marilyn Shrude: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (New York Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sid James on June 08, 2011, 12:31:49 AM
i've decided to return to contribute to this "concerts" thread & also re-boot this older one ("sid's music spot") - http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,17144.msg446131.html#msg446131 . with this "concerts" thread, i basically want to tell you all over the world some things that are going on in sydney, what our great musicians are doing. i know some of you like australian musicians and composers, but i think the issue is also broader than that (not jingoistic, or things like that).

i won't be going on the "what are you listening to" thread, but if you want to know what i have been listening to, as well as my music buff friend & i together on weekends, then please visit the thread above.

i probably won't be here as much as before, but i'll do my best to answer people if they want to chat, more info, things like that. thanks to all who i chatted to in the past, & i hope this can continue well into the future...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 08, 2011, 04:25:35 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 07, 2011, 02:19:48 PM
Tomorrow night, a concert celebrating the restoration of an organ here, in the Church of the Ascension. Have no idea what to expect . . . .

Bruce, you must know the Parry, yes?  If you haven't been in a choir singing that opening blast "I was glad," you haven't lived! : )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 08, 2011, 05:44:37 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 08, 2011, 04:25:35 AM
Bruce, you must know the Parry, yes?  If you haven't been in a choir singing that opening blast "I was glad," you haven't lived! : )

Actually I'm not sure I've heard it. (Will have to check later but I don't think I have but a single Parry recording.) But I like what I've heard of his work.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 08, 2011, 05:48:46 AM
Well, it's a classic staple of Anglican/Episcopalian ceremony.  Almost cannot hear it without wondering if the air is mildly redolent of boiled cabbage . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 08, 2011, 05:59:40 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 08, 2011, 05:48:46 AM
Almost cannot hear it without wondering if the air is mildly redolent of boiled cabbage . . . .

Now Karl, did I really need to have that image implanted before the concert?

;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 08, 2011, 09:20:48 AM
I'll be away from GMG for a while because my next three concerts require a good bit of traveling, even flying:
-
Friday 10 June - 1:05 pm
Poulenc Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon
Ibert Cinq Pièces Brèves
Françaix Divertissement for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon

Members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

-
Friday 10 June - 7:30 pm
Elgar 3 Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands
Guilmant Symphony No.1 for Organ and Orchestra
Elgar Symphony No.2

Vasily Petrenko, conductor / Ian Tracey, organ
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

-
Saturday 11 June - 6:00 pm
Mahler Symphony No 3

Antoni Wit, conductor / Ewa Wolak, alto / Warsaw Boys' Choir
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra


I've never heard any of these 7 works before.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on June 08, 2011, 04:41:24 PM
Quote from: Brian on June 08, 2011, 09:20:48 AM

Saturday 11 June - 6:00 pm
Mahler Symphony No 3

Antoni Wit, conductor / Ewa Wolak, alto / Warsaw Boys' Choir
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra


I've never heard any of these 7 works before.  8)

I hope you enjoy Mahler's 3rd, Brian.  It has one of the best final movement Adagios in the symphonic business.   8)  It is utterly sublime!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on June 10, 2011, 08:43:20 AM
In an hour I'll be off to see Belgrade Phil in really nice romantic program - Mendelssohn Hebrides and Schumann Cello Concerto ans 1st Symphony (can't remember who are soloist and conductor).

They started puting sort of digests of concerts on youtube. Here is last weeks Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto with Gerhard Oppitz. I was there and thought it solid but not really memorable performance.

http://www.youtube.com/v/CSX5LxHIQ88
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on June 10, 2011, 08:47:46 AM
Ah, if only the Schumann Cello Concerto were in the Shostakovich orchestration . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 11, 2011, 02:23:09 PM
Tonight, this program:

New York Philharmonic
David Robertson, conductor
Deborah Voigt, soprano

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1
Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead
Schoenberg: Erwartung

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 12, 2011, 06:27:43 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 08, 2011, 09:20:48 AM
Friday 10 June - 1:05 pm
Poulenc Sonata for Clarinet and Bassoon
Ibert Cinq Pièces Brèves
Françaix Divertissement for Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon
Tomasi Concert champetre

Members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

-
Friday 10 June - 7:30 pm
Elgar 3 Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands
Guilmant Symphony No.1 for Organ and Orchestra
Elgar Symphony No.2

Vasily Petrenko, conductor / Ian Tracey, organ
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

-
Saturday 11 June - 6:00 pm
Mahler Symphony No 3

Antoni Wit, conductor / Ewa Wolak, alto / Warsaw Boys' Choir
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Just completed this trifecta. Now I'm in Krakow for a day and a half before flying back to England early on the 14th. Many, many words about these concerts will be written at some point in the future, but suffice to say that I now have a photograph of Vasily Petrenko drinking beer with his son and the Warsaw Philharmonic is possibly the best orchestra I have ever seen, anywhere.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: westknife on June 12, 2011, 01:37:36 PM
Quote from: Brewski on June 11, 2011, 02:23:09 PM
Tonight, this program:

New York Philharmonic
David Robertson, conductor
Deborah Voigt, soprano

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1
Rachmaninov: The Isle of the Dead
Schoenberg: Erwartung

--Bruce

I was there on Friday. Excellent concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 17, 2011, 07:38:09 AM
On Sunday, at the annual Bang on a Can Marathon, the Talea Ensemble is doing Fausto Romitelli's last piece, An Index of Metals (2003), following their success last year with Romitelli's Professor Bad Trip.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 20, 2011, 10:55:47 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on March 15, 2011, 01:14:45 PM

Sunday 19 June 2011
Aldeburgh Festival
Matthias Goerne baritone
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Schubert Winterreise D911


If this was what someone's of Goerne's calibre does sound like live, then I have nothing more to do than just sit back, take stock of what I've experienced at Snape last night, and just be grateful for that sort of musical blessing. You can forget about the "keep on chewing" Aimard, the creaky seats and the fidgetty audience... Goerne's singing was just mesmerizing and intense and that made for a very special evening indeed. Period.

You can surely expect a longer review of this concert from Brian who was here too yesterday  (Nice to meet you Brian, hope you enjoyed your afternoon trip to Suffolk !  8) what was that Kodaly recommendation again ?  ;D )   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 20, 2011, 01:28:32 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 20, 2011, 10:55:47 AM
If this was what someone's of Goerne's calibre does sound like live, then I have nothing more to do than just sit back, take stock of what I've experienced at Snape last night, and just be grateful for that sort of musical blessing. You can forget about the "keep on chewing" Aimard, the creaky seats and the fidgetty audience... Goerne's singing was just mesmerizing and intense and that made for a very special evening indeed. Period.

You can surely expect a longer review of this concert from Brian who was here too yesterday...

No no I haven't got much more to say than that... Goerne's voice took me a few minutes to get used to - it is not instantly "pretty" or warm like Christian Gerhaher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwJ0qk4tnTE)'s, but Goerne had total emotional commitment, very natural singing, and in Aimard an accompanist who was good if maybe never really noticeably interesting. Often the pauses between songs were minimal, or there weren't any, which led to some very pleasing transitions and also some audience members not knowing when to cough  ;D

Papy Oli is definitely right, Snape Maltings is a wonderful place to take in a concert. A very intimate hall and the sound in the very last rows is as good as it might be halfway to the front of Wigmore Hall.

Very good to meet you too, sir, a delightful evening it was - and the Kodaly you should try are the Dances of Galanta and the Hary Janos Suite. I have a good PentaTone CD with Lawrence Foster and the Gulbenkian Orchestra (Lisbon), and the recordings by Antal Dorati are also superb... extend my apologies to your credit card  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 20, 2011, 02:47:12 PM
I foolishly checked the Concertgebouw website and discovered this upcoming stretch right at a time when I have nothing else brewing...

    Dvořák - Serenade in E, op. 22
    Mozart - Symfonie nr. 38 in D, KV 504 'Praagse'
    Mozart - Sinfonia concertante in Es, KV 364
Radio Chamber Philharmonic, Thomas Zehetmair violin/conductor
8 July

    Mozart - Vioolconcert in G, KV 216
    Schönberg - Kammersymphonie nr. 1, op. 9
    Mozart - Symfonie nr. 41 in C, KV 551 'Jupiter'
Radio Chamber Philharmonic, Thomas Zehetmair violin/conductor
9 July

    Brahms - Hongaarse dansen nrs. 17-21 (ork. Dvořák)
    Brahms - Dubbelconcert in a, op. 102
    Dvořák - Achtste symfonie in G, op. 88
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marek Janowski, James Ehnes, Alisa Weilerstein
12 July

    Sjostakovitsj - Eerste vioolconcert in a, op. 77
    Sibelius - Vierde symfonie in a, op. 63
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marek Janowski, Simone Lamsma
13 July


Now obviously 1. I can't afford to go to all these 2. I probably can't afford to go to any of them 3. I have a thesis to write  ;D so actually the reason I'm posting them here is as a reminder to myself to see if it's feasible after another week or so of thesis-working and penny-pinching. And maybe to check Eurostar's rates... so tempting...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 21, 2011, 09:52:17 AM
(after heaving a large sigh, looking at those Concertgebouw programs...)

On Saturday night (if I don't cave in and go more than once), Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic end the season with Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen. What bodes well is the participation of Doug Fitch, who did such a memorable job last year with Ligeti's Le Grand Macabre - he's staged, costumed and directed the opera.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on June 21, 2011, 07:11:53 PM
The last few summers I've been making a little weekend trip to catch a full afternoon and evening of concerts at the Round Top Festival Institute in rural Texas between Austin and Houston. http://festivalhill.org/ (http://festivalhill.org/) This Saturday afternoon begins with Beethoven's Serenade in D for flute, violin and viola, op. 25 and String Trio No. 2 in D, Op. 8 "Serenade". The festival orchestra conducted by Christoph Campestrini will perform Mahler's 9th Symphony. The 9th is one of my favorite symphonies and I've never heard it live, so I'm eager to hear the young musicians meet the challenge!

Saturday evening we'll hear more chamber music:

Gustav Mahler: Quartet for piano and strings
Arthur Berger: Quartet for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Erwin Schulhoff: Concertino for flute, viola and double bass
Francis Poulenc: Sonata for horn, trumpet and trombone

Always a great musical experience at Round Top!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 21, 2011, 10:29:35 PM
Quote from: vivolin on June 21, 2011, 07:11:53 PM
Erwin Schulhoff: Concertino for flute, viola and double bass

That is a terrific little piece. I never managed to make it to Round Top, so do report back.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 22, 2011, 11:40:19 PM
Got free tickets for tonight's bash at the Royal Festival Hall:


Zoltán Kodály: Dances of Galánta
Béla Bartók: Violin Concerto No.2
Interval
Béla Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Christian Tetzlaff violin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 23, 2011, 01:50:29 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on June 23, 2011, 01:20:07 AM
Well done you!

Had to pay for mine  :'(

Oops. Foot, meet mouth. You'll have a better seat, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 23, 2011, 08:16:47 AM
Quote from: MDL on June 22, 2011, 11:40:19 PM
Got free tickets for tonight's bash at the Royal Festival Hall:


Zoltán Kodály: Dances of Galánta
Béla Bartók: Violin Concerto No.2
Interval
Béla Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor
Christian Tetzlaff violin

Fantastic! Just heard Salonen do Bartók here this spring, and loved it. And love Tetzlaff, but haven't heard him in that particular piece.

Quote from: Soapy Molloy on June 23, 2011, 01:20:07 AM
Well done you!

Had to pay for mine  :'(

Worth paying for! You guys have a great time, and let us know how it went.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on June 23, 2011, 03:23:52 PM
Quote from: Brewski on June 23, 2011, 08:16:47 AM
Fantastic! Just heard Salonen do Bartók here this spring, and loved it. And love Tetzlaff, but haven't heard him in that particular piece.

Worth paying for! You guys have a great time, and let us know how it went.

--Bruce

It was a splendid concert. The Concerto for Orchestra was undoubtedly the highlight; I've heard Salonen and the Philharmonia play this piece before, and a beautiful performance it was that night; lucid and balanced. But tonight, there was a touch more wit in the second movement, a stronger hint of desperation in the third and the fifth went off like a rocket. I don't know the Kodaly that well, but it sounded snappy to me, and the audience loved it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 24, 2011, 12:02:39 PM
Quote from: MDL on June 23, 2011, 03:23:52 PM
It was a splendid concert. The Concerto for Orchestra was undoubtedly the highlight; I've heard Salonen and the Philharmonia play this piece before, and a beautiful performance it was that night; lucid and balanced. But tonight, there was a touch more wit in the second movement, a stronger hint of desperation in the third and the fifth went off like a rocket. I don't know the Kodaly that well, but it sounded snappy to me, and the audience loved it.

Thanks! Very much in line with my impressions of Salonen here. Would have loved to have heard the Kodály, which doesn't seem to show up on concerts all that often.

This weekend looking forward to:

Saturday, June 25
New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Doug Fitch, director

Janáček: The Cunning Llittle Vixen

Sunday, June 26
Talea Ensemble
"On Late Style"

Scelsi: String Quartet No. 4
Beethoven: String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on June 25, 2011, 05:56:15 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 24, 2011, 12:02:39 PM
Beethoven: String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132

--Bruce

Ahh, I am sooooo jealous, Bruce.   :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 25, 2011, 01:10:22 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on June 25, 2011, 05:56:15 AM
Ahh, I am sooooo jealous, Bruce.   :'(

The Beethoven should be quite interesting, since the Talea Ensemble does almost exclusively pieces from the 21st and late 20th centuries. PS, apparently all four members of the quartet have to have two instruments for this concert, since the Scelsi requires some kind of unusual tuning.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on June 29, 2011, 08:11:06 PM
Quote from: Brian on June 21, 2011, 10:29:35 PM
That is a terrific little piece. I never managed to make it to Round Top, so do report back.  :)

The Schulhoff Concertino for flute, viola and double bass was a lot of fun for the musicians and the audience. The flute switches to piccolo for some sections, what extremes of pitch! Violist Nancy Buck was superb in the Schulhoff as well as in Beethoven chamber works heard earlier in the day. She teaches at Arizona State University.

The Festival Orchestra did amazingly well with the Mahler 9th. Here's the 2nd movement posted by the Round Top Festival Institute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMwkjft9jQU&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMwkjft9jQU&feature=player_embedded)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Coco on July 03, 2011, 09:40:20 AM
Last night: Kalmar and the Grant Park Orchestra played Lutosławski's Musique funèbre and Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde. The strings sounded excellent in the Luto — especially during those thick swarming harmonies at the climax of the piece. The Mahler I was not familiar with beforehand and wasn't expecting it to be so subdued. I think a few people were also expecting something else and walked out during the course of the piece. I was slightly bored by the inordinate number of statically pastoral movements until the gloomy "Farewell" movement. I think I would enjoy the piece whilst listening at home more than in a concert setting, but it was an enjoyable show.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on July 05, 2011, 01:02:21 PM
A couple of concerts at Snape to look forward to...  :)

18/08/11
Louis Lortie - piano
Liszt - Années de pèlerinage (complete)

09/09/11
Quatuor Mosaïques
Haydn Quartet Op.20 No.3
Beethoven Quartet Op.135 in F
Mozart Quartet K458 in B flat 'The Hunt'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on July 06, 2011, 04:58:00 AM
My temperature is slowly rising at the prospect of Brian's 'Gothic' at the Royal Albert Hall, July 17th. Still have to pinch myself at the thought I will be there...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 06, 2011, 05:10:29 AM
Zowie!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on July 06, 2011, 10:16:03 AM
Tomorrow:

Rheingau Musikfestival

WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Eliahu Inbal

Richard Wagner
»Siegfried-Idyll«

Anton Bruckner
Sinfonie Nr. 9 d-Moll WAB 109

8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 06, 2011, 10:58:52 AM
Quote from: MishaK on July 06, 2011, 10:16:03 AM
Tomorrow:

Rheingau Musikfestival

WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Eliahu Inbal

Richard Wagner
»Siegfried-Idyll«

Anton Bruckner
Sinfonie Nr. 9 d-Moll WAB 109

8)

I would say "Have a great time" but I doubt you'll need any encouragement.  ;D

Seriously, sounds great. (PS, I'm hearing the Ninth a week from Sunday, with Welser-Möst and Cleveland.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on July 07, 2011, 05:23:42 AM
Tonight: Mozart Under Moonlight

The Colorado Symphony presents Mozart Under Moonlight at the Arvada Center for one-night-only on Thursday, July 7, 2011. Resident conductor Scott O'Neil leads the orchestra, joined by oboist Peter Cooper, in delightful program including the Oboe Concerto in C Major, Overture to Don Giovanni, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, and Symphony No. 29 in A Major.


http://interchangingidioms.blogspot.com/2011/06/mozart-under-moonlight-with-colorado.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 07, 2011, 05:37:12 AM
Sweet, Bill! Up in heaven, Wolferl is wagging his tail . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on July 07, 2011, 06:08:51 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 07, 2011, 05:37:12 AM
Sweet, Bill! Up in heaven, Wolferl is wagging his tail . . . .

It is the Oboe Concerto that has me wagging my tail, Karl.   ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 07, 2011, 08:29:39 AM
Got my BBC Proms Weekend Pass for the weekend of 17 July just now! As Luke is concurrently finding out, the pass comes with a nice little baby-blue card-holder-wallet-sleeve-thingy.

The pass entitles me to a standing arena place at the following concerts, should I choose to attend:
Prom 1: Behlohlavek conducts Janacek's Glagolitic Mass
Prom 2: Pappano conducts Rossini's William Tell (full opera)
Prom 3: afternoon organ recital including half-hour premiere by Judith Bingham
Prom 4: Havergal Brian Gothic Symphony

Probably will skip the Rossini unless everyone here says "go, you fool, go!"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on July 07, 2011, 09:04:32 AM
Very nice, Brian.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 11, 2011, 08:31:42 AM
This week, four Bruckner symphonies at Avery Fisher Hall - three paired with works by John Adams - with Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra:

Wed., July 13 at 8:00
Adams: Guide to Strange Places
Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major

Thu., July 14 at 8:00
Adams: Violin Concerto
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major

Sat., July 16 at 8:00
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor

Sun., July 17 at 2:00
Adams: Doctor Atomic Symphony
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 11, 2011, 08:51:37 AM
Quote from: Brewski on July 11, 2011, 08:31:42 AM
This week, four Bruckner symphonies at Avery Fisher Hall - three paired with works by John Adams - with Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra:

Wed., July 13 at 8:00
Adams: Guide to Strange Places
Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major

Thu., July 14 at 8:00
Adams: Violin Concerto
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major

Sat., July 16 at 8:00
Bruckner: Symphony No. 8 in C Minor

Sun., July 17 at 2:00
Adams: Doctor Atomic Symphony
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor

--Bruce

Who is the violinist performing the Adams VC? Thanks.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 11, 2011, 08:54:02 AM
It's Leila Josefowicz. I've heard her do some Adams chamber music, so she should be a good choice.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 11, 2011, 09:03:45 AM
Quote from: Brewski on July 11, 2011, 08:54:02 AM
It's Leila Josefowicz. I've heard her do some Adams chamber music, so she should be a good choice.

--Bruce

Yes, Josefowicz is excellent in contemporary music. She played the hell out of Salonen's Violin Concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 11, 2011, 02:58:19 PM
Quote from: Brewski on July 11, 2011, 08:31:42 AM

Sun., July 17 at 2:00
Adams: Doctor Atomic Symphony
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor

--Bruce

Zoinks!!  :o :o :o :o
I love the Doctor Atomic Symphony. From the first trumpet solo through to the end of the piece - really shattering experience. Amazing that the same musical material, essentially, repeated three or four times can have such an evolving emotional impact until it's unbearable. Saw Alsop/LPO do it live, a truly incredible concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on July 14, 2011, 01:59:45 PM
Finnish national opera: Ring cycle: Das Rheingold 5.8, Die Walküre 13.8, Siegfried 24.8, and Götterdämmerung 3.9. It has been many years since last live performance of Ring, I'm already having butterflies in the stomach.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 15, 2011, 08:15:59 AM
Quote from: Brewski on July 11, 2011, 08:31:42 AM
This week, four Bruckner symphonies at Avery Fisher Hall - three paired with works by John Adams - with Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra:

Wed., July 13 at 8:00
Adams: Guide to Strange Places
Bruckner: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major

Thu., July 14 at 8:00
Adams: Violin Concerto
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 in E major


These first two concerts were a bit overwhelming, especially last night with the Adams Violin Concerto, beautifully played (from memory) by Leila Josefowicz. But the Bruckner Seventh pretty much blew away everything; I don't expect to hear it done so well for a very long time. Welser-Möst has a keen understanding of Bruckner's architecture and how to make it work. (I overheard the people sitting behind me - clearly not fans of the piece - saying, "If anyone can make sense out of No. 7, he can.")

Plus, the orchestra was playing as if it were the best orchestra in the world. Now I'm really getting a bit over-excited about hearing Nos. 8 and 9.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 15, 2011, 01:56:49 PM
Wow, Bruce, that is a really exciting write-up, especially coming from a listener with as much an ear for Adams and Bruckner as yourself. The only reason I wouldn't kill to see the 8/9/Atomic concerts is that I've got Havergal Brian's "Gothic" in store.  ;D W-M and Cleveland have done a lot of DVDs, maybe I'll get lucky?


It's a great pity Luke was not in Royal Albert Hall for the Glagolitic Mass because Jiri Belohlavek used a performing edition I'd never heard before! The first choral movement had the correct (ie original) rhythmic lilt, the full terrifying heart of "Veruju" was restored, the extra material in "Svet" was present, and the timpani were tuned correctly, but a few phrases - like the trumpet fanfare at the beginning of the orchestral "Veruju" sequence - were lopped in half, with the repeated second parts of the melodies removed. In "Slava" and "Agnece Bozij" a couple of the soprano's repeated lines were reduced to one, with slightly awkward pauses following (for me since I expected more singing). And, sadly, the "Intrada" only got played once.

In terms of performance, this was MILES better than Colin Davis' shambolic account with the LSO last October and I doubt very, very much I'll ever see the "Glagolitic Mass" done so well live again. In fact, I doubt I'll ever see it live again at all. :(

But if that's my last live encounter with the "Mass," I can part with it happily. Belohlavek was in full control of both the method and the madness, the soprano and tenor were stunningly good soloists (soprano especially; she sang her lines without looking at the score, her face up to the heavens, smiling as if she were astonished to find herself speaking in tongues), and organist and timpanist earned themselves extra laurels. I tried to keep air-conducting to a minimum. I also briefly explained the piece to a woman next to me before it started, because she asked if I knew what it would be like, and afterwards she said, "I'm a fan!"

Before the interval, teenager Benjamin Grosvenor, who looks like an ordinary bloke who'd ask me for a cigarette on campus here, turned me green with envy with a virtuoso technique so strong he barely needed to use it and just turned the Liszt Second Concerto into a sort of playground instead. The Chorus made two appearances at the beginning of the program: in Judith Weir's "Stars, Night, Music and Light," a totally lovable three-minute pastiche of Janacek (another reason I wish Luke had been: to hear for himself Weir's winking theft of Janacek's timpani tunings and rhythms, and her imitative brass fanfares, though coupled to a rather plain sung melody and a string section playing the same lines as the voices), and at the end of the Brahms "Academic Festival Overture," when they - surprise! - bolted out of their seats and, from memory, sung us the "Gaudeamus Igitur"!

...A fantastic night. Totally fantastic. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 15, 2011, 06:28:04 PM
Believe me, I would love to hear the Gothic - even though ( :-[) I still haven't even heard it - since I suspect I would like it a lot. And if nothing else, it's definitely a classical music "event."

Enjoyed your account of the Glagolitic Mass, a fascinating piece which I have only discovered in the last say, five years or so. Bělohlávek is so great with this music; I would love to hear him conduct it sometime. But you are right: it's just not played very often. I suspect the main reason is that it requires a chorus to sing in Czech, a language not many singers know beyond the standard German, Italian and French (and maybe Russian).

That's also an interesting-sounding Weir piece - good programming! - to accompany the Mass. I don't know much of her music, but the little I've heard I've liked.

PS, if you are inclined, do check out the Welser-Möst/Cleveland Bruckner DVDs. I have Nos. 5 and 8, and although I haven't watched No. 8 yet, No. 5 is terrific. W-M definitely knows what he's doing, and the orchestral playing is (at the risk of hyperbole) celestial.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on July 22, 2011, 06:34:32 PM
some concerts at the International Harp Congress look interesting:
July 26
<The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, led by acclaimed Canadian conductor Evan Mitchell,
will accompany four pieces for harps and orchestra, featuring world-famous harpists. The
program is as follows: (those are my highlights)

Reinl: Impression et Jou Jou for 2 harps and orchestra, with Merve Kocabeyler and Christoph Bielefeld, prize-winners of the International Reinl Competition

Lutoslawski
: Concerto for Harp, Oboe and Orchestra, Czech harpist Katerina Englichova
(winner of Pro Musicis International Award), oboist Vilem Veverka (winner of 9th International Sony Oboe competition in Japan)

Boieldieu: Harp Concerto, harp soloist Baltazar Juarez (Principal Harp, National Symphony of Mexico)

Kaska: Knights of the Red Branch for 3 harps and orchestra, harp soloists Ann Hobson Pilot (former Principal Harp, Boston Symphony), Paula Page (Houston Symphony), and Susan Pejovich
(Dallas Symphony)

Followed by:
Jazz/Pop – Lizotte: Techno Concerto, Caroline Lizotte and Etienne Ratthe;

Blues: electric pitch-bending harp, Brenda Dor-Groot with Bryan Binnema, Mike Michalkow and Laurence Mollerup

July 29
Gala Concerto Evening
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, led by acclaimed Canadian conductor Evan Mitchell, will
accompany four harp concerti with world-famous harp soloists.
==Kyo-Jin Lee from Korea will be playing the second movement from the Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo, arranged for harp and orchestra by Zabaleta.

Elizabeth Hainen, the Philadelphia Orchestra's Principal Harpist, will play the Parish-Alvars Harp Concerto in G minor.

Australia's Alice Giles, former first prize winner of the Israel Harp Contest and host of the 12th WHC, will perform the Jolivet Concerto.

Kristan Toczko will play the Harp Concerto by Canada's own Michael Conway Baker.

Followed by:
JAZZ / POP – Maria Palatine with Vern Griffiths on percussion
July 30
CHAMBER CONCERTOS: harp soloists with a small orchestra under the direction of acclaimed Canadian conductor Ken Hsieh

Kaori Otake playing Damase: Concertino,

Mieko Inoue playing J. Haydn: Piano Concerto in D+, arr. for harp,

Willy Postma playing Rautavaara: Ballad,

Belgrade Harp Quartet playing Obradinovic: Dream, Light,
Movement for 4 Harps and Orchestra
www.worldharpcongress2011.com/festival/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 26, 2011, 09:11:23 AM
This weekend, as part of the Lincoln Center Festival, the Royal Danish Orchestra:

The Royal Danish Orchestra
Michael Schønwandt, conductor
John Kruse, clarinet
Tuva Semmingsen, mezzo-soprano
Peter Lodahl, tenor
Jochen Kupfer, baritone
Nielsen: Pan and Syrinx
Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto
Stravinsky: Pulcinella

The Royal Danish Opera and Orchestra
Michael Schønwandt, conductor
Kasper Holten, director
Poul Ruders: Selma Jezková

Soloists of the Royal Danish Orchestra
Svendsen: String Octet, Op. 3, for four violins, two violas, and two cellos
Nielsen: Wind Quintet, Op. 43, for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and French horn

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 01, 2011, 04:51:47 AM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 1 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/07/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-1.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/07/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-1.html)


looking forward to:

Wolfgang A. Mozart • Le nozze di Figaro

Robin Ticciati, Musikalische Leitung
Claus Guth, Regie

Simon Keenlyside, Il Conte Almaviva
Genia Kühmeier, La Contessa Almaviva
Marlis Petersen, Susanna
Erwin Schrott, Figaro
Katija Dragojevic, Cherubino


So much that I opted out of the Peter Stein / Riccardo Muti Macbeth:
Camerata Salzburg 1

CHARLES IVES • The Unanswered Question
KARL AMADEUS HARTMANN • Symphonie Nr. 4 für Streichorchester (1948)
GUSTAV MAHLER • Adagietto aus der Symphonie Nr. 5
WOLFGANG A. MOZART • Konzert für Klavier und Orchester B-Dur KV 595

Maria João Pires, Klavier
Camerata Salzburg
Kent Nagano, Dirigent


Nestlé and Salzburg Festival
Young Conductors Award


CLAUDE DEBUSSY • Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
DMITRI SCHOSTAKOWITSCH • Cellokonzert g-Moll op. 126
BENJAMIN BRITTEN • Four Sea Interludes op. 33a aus Peter Grimes
IGOR STRAWINSKY • Suite aus dem Ballett L'Oiseau de feu (Der Feuervogel)

Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester,
Winners of the Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award 2011 conduct
Alisa Weilerstein, Violoncello


ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien

ALBAN BERG • Violinkonzert – Dem Andenken eines Engels
HANS ROTT • Symphonie Nr. 1 E-Dur

Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Violine
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
Cornelius Meister, Dirigent


Chamber Concert 4

LUDWIG V. BEETHOVEN • Streichquartett cis-Moll op. 131
CHARLES IVES • Klaviersonate Nr. 2 – Concord Sonata
LUDWIG V. BEETHOVEN • Streichquartett F-Dur op. 135

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Klavier
Zehetmair Quartett


etc.etc.etc.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on August 03, 2011, 06:06:32 PM
New York Philharmonic 2011 -2012 season announced, includes MAHLER 2, 9, 10,  and STOCKHAUSEN Gruppen
http://www.playbillarts.com/features/article/8533.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 05, 2011, 03:35:56 AM
Tonight:

Sokolov. Bach. Schubert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on August 05, 2011, 06:24:03 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 05, 2011, 03:35:56 AM
Tonight:

Sokolov. Bach. Schubert.


Bach, Schumann more likely. Rameau and Brahms as encores, possibly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 05, 2011, 01:58:33 PM
Quote from: Drasko on August 05, 2011, 06:24:03 AM
Bach, Schumann more likely. Rameau and Brahms as encores, possibly.

Bach. Schumann. Indeed.

Bach (disfigured) and Rameau as encores.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 05, 2011, 02:01:19 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 2 )

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-2.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-2.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on August 05, 2011, 03:04:17 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 05, 2011, 01:58:33 PM
Bach (disfigured)

Bacho discontinuo? Was it some transcription or you think he flat out butchered something?

How did you like Echo from French Overture? Recently was discussing it with friend on fb, he was/is in bewilderment over Sokolov's deliberateness and heavy accents. I kinda liked it, pesante sounding, almost an ox-cart. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 06, 2011, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: Drasko on August 05, 2011, 03:04:17 PM
Bacho discontinuo? Was it some transcription or you think he flat out butchered something?

How did you like Echo from French Overture? Recently was discussing it with friend on fb, he was/is in bewilderment over Sokolov's deliberateness and heavy accents. I kinda liked it, pesante sounding, almost an ox-cart.

Exact same feeling as your FB-acquaintance for the (whole) French Overture, which I found less than ideal due to overt pulling, pushing, rushing and then the portamenti again... not without some appeal... just not the Sokolov-appeal one might expect. Same style worked wonders in Schumann.

Bach 'disfigured' in the sense that the tempo was so insane, that it took me a minute to figure out it was Bach in the first place.

Rameau, on the other hand, sounded appropriately peasant-ish. Downright primitive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 07, 2011, 03:52:27 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 3 )

Mozart * Le nozze di Figaro * Claus Guth * Robin Ticciati * Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-3.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-3.html)


Last night Macbeth * Muti * Peter Stein; earlier this morning Mozart with Ivor Bolton & Julia Fischer. Later tonight: Sasha Waltz-choreographed performance of assorted modern works.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 07, 2011, 12:13:20 PM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 4 )

Sokolov Recital



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-4.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-4.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 08, 2011, 04:30:45 AM
SIBELIUS | Symphony No 6
GRIEG | Piano Concerto
NIELSEN | Symphony No 4, "Inextinguishable"

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Sakari Oramo, conductor | Alice Sara Ott, piano

First time seeing any of these live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 08, 2011, 12:01:18 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 5 )

Perfumed Naphthalene: Riccardo Muti, Peter Stein, Giuseppe Verdi, Mr. & Mrs. Macbeth



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-5.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-5.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2011, 12:15:48 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 08, 2011, 04:30:45 AM
SIBELIUS | Symphony No 6
GRIEG | Piano Concerto
NIELSEN | Symphony No 4, "Inextinguishable"

Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra
Sakari Oramo, conductor | Alice Sara Ott, piano

First time seeing any of these live.

I'm really envious. What a program! And Ott is a babe  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 08, 2011, 02:11:39 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2011, 12:15:48 PM
I'm really envious. What a program! And Ott is a babe  8)

Sarge

Ott was dull. :(  And it could have been so much more. My Facebook summary:

Tonight's prom: Royal Stockholm PO, Sakari Oramo, doing Sibelius Symphony No 6 - a tad too fast all around and merely OK but with some good moments - Grieg Piano Concerto - soloist Alice Sara Ott was dull as dishwater, chose Liszt's 'La campanella' as an annoyingly indulgent encore, but did make the interesting decision to go the whole concert barefoot! [Between each tepid movement she stuck her right foot out toward the audience and stretched her toes. Madness!] - and Nielsen's "Inextinguishable," which was good enough that a friend of mine commented, "so that's where all the rehearsal time went." Very exciting conclusion, although the movement before the timpani duel was the highlight for me. The audience was thrilled enough that the orchestra offered an Alfven dance for an encore.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on August 08, 2011, 02:18:33 PM
This is akin to sending a UK orchestra abroad and only allowing it to play RVW and Elgar. Why I wonder is it felt they HAVE to provide a totally Nordic programme?

Mike

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 08, 2011, 02:29:20 PM
Quote from: knight66 on August 08, 2011, 02:18:33 PM
This is akin to sending a UK orchestra abroad and only allowing it to play RVW and Elgar. Why I wonder is it felt they HAVE to provide a totally Nordic programme?

Mike

In their defense, if the Sibelius had been done well and the Grieg had sported a soloist with fire in their belly, it would have been a terrific program.

I recently heard a story of an English orchestra which was touring to Prague with a program of all Martinu and Dvorak before someone told them that that's what every ensemble plays in Prague, and why not present some English music instead? This seems to be the opposite complaint!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2011, 02:30:12 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 08, 2011, 02:11:39 PM....but did make the interesting decision to go the whole concert barefoot! [Between each tepid movement she stuck her right foot out toward the audience and stretched her toes. Madness!

Well, at least the foot fetishists in the audience had a good evening  :D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2011, 02:33:29 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 08, 2011, 02:11:39 PM
Sakari Oramo, doing Sibelius Symphony No 6 - a tad too fast all around and merely OK but with some good moments

Contrary to my usual taste, the Sibelius Sixth is one of the few works I prefer played fast (like Colin Davis/Boston). I might have enjoyed it more than you.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 08, 2011, 02:40:05 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2011, 02:33:29 PM
Contrary to my usual taste, the Sibelius Sixth is one of the few works I prefer played fast (like Colin Davis/Boston). I might have enjoyed it more than you.

Sarge

Ooh, perhaps you would have. I don't like the second movement to be very slow (or the third of course), but the first movement I do. For the finale, I prefer the middle ground between Colin D. and Paavo B.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 09, 2011, 06:29:45 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 6 )

Mozart Matinee * Ivor Bolton * Julia Fischer



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-6.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-6.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 10, 2011, 11:35:57 AM
An article about it a few days back :

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/news/im-going-it-alone-celebrated-musical-duo-claudio-abbado-and-hlne-grimaud-split-over-solo-2331389.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/news/im-going-it-alone-celebrated-musical-duo-claudio-abbado-and-hlne-grimaud-split-over-solo-2331389.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 10, 2011, 12:00:10 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on August 10, 2011, 11:35:57 AM
An article about it a few days back :

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/news/im-going-it-alone-celebrated-musical-duo-claudio-abbado-and-hlne-grimaud-split-over-solo-2331389.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/news/im-going-it-alone-celebrated-musical-duo-claudio-abbado-and-hlne-grimaud-split-over-solo-2331389.html)

"A source close to the recording of a Mozart piano concerto for Deutsche Grammophon said their differences occurred over the choice of cadenza"

If true, the fault seems to be Abbado's. Choice of cadenza should be up to the soloist. But I suspect there is more to the story.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 10, 2011, 01:09:08 PM
"Hélène Grimaud, an intense but popular French musician"

Hah. I think I would have (sorry, Sarge) used the word "boring" rather than "intense." I've seen Grimaud live at least twice and neither time did she do much to catch my attention. Her post-concert Q&A for Rice students in Houston was more compelling than her playing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 10, 2011, 01:12:05 PM
By the way, I've just come back from this:

Liszt | Mazeppa
Gliere | Concerto for Coloratura Soprano
Rachmaninov | Symphony No 2
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Ailish Tynan, soprano | Kirill Karabits

The Liszt was rip-roaring good fun and the over-the-top ending made me grin; the Gliere was a weird combination of completely bonkers idea and remarkably intelligent execution, well sung except for a final high F (!) which sounded a bit like a cat with a foot on its tail, and the Rachmaninov allowed the Bournemouth SO to strut its very, very formidable stuff. Obviously a great orchestra and a conductor who knows how to be exciting as hell. Sure, nothing on the program is subtle, but being exciting as hell is a rarer trait than you'd think these days. Yannick Nezet-Seguin could use a class in it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on August 10, 2011, 01:23:27 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 10, 2011, 01:12:05 PM
By the way, I've just come back from this:

Liszt | Mazeppa
Gliere | Concerto for Coloratura Soprano
Rachmaninov | Symphony No 2
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Ailish Tynan, soprano | Kirill Karabits

The Liszt was rip-roaring good fun and the over-the-top ending made me grin; the Gliere was a weird combination of completely bonkers idea and remarkably intelligent execution, well sung except for a final high F (!) which sounded a bit like a cat with a foot on its tail, and the Rachmaninov allowed the Bournemouth SO to strut its very, very formidable stuff. Obviously a great orchestra and a conductor who knows how to be exciting as hell. Sure, nothing on the program is subtle, but being exciting as hell is a rarer trait than you'd think these days. Yannick Nezet-Seguin could use a class in it.

Brian, I just finished listening to the Shostakovich 11th (live recording) of Bournemouth SO and Karabits.  It's a BBC Music magazine disc recording, that I actually love and listen to, because the performance is so great!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 10, 2011, 02:34:07 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on August 10, 2011, 08:57:26 AM
Received today from London Southbank Centre, in re the concert in the RFH on 10th October (Abbado+Lucerne Festival Orchestra: Schumann Piano Concerto in Am, Bruckner Symphony No.5) :

I wonder what that's all about?

Who cares. You just got a considerable Mozart upgrade for free!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 10, 2011, 02:39:12 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 10, 2011, 02:34:07 PM
Who cares. You just got a considerable Mozart upgrade for free!!!

Yeah, Uchida in London and Lupu in Lucerne both seem to be upgrades!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 10, 2011, 02:52:41 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 10, 2011, 01:09:08 PM
"Hélène Grimaud, an intense but popular French musician"

Hah. I think I would have (sorry, Sarge) used the word "boring" rather than "intense."

When did you see her? in a concerto or rectial? If in the last few years, you know she was suffering from cancer which had to affect her playing. I haven't seen her in four years but before that her Beethoven PC 4 with P.Järvi and Cinncinati, Beethoven PC 5 with Cambreling and SWR Baden-Baden, and Ravel G Major with Luisi and Dresden, were all memorable. I agree though that hearing Uchida in Mozart, a known quantity, might be the better deal. I'd still rather see Grimaud, though, intense or not  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 10, 2011, 02:55:52 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 10, 2011, 02:52:41 PM
When did you see her? in a concerto or rectial? If in the last few years, you know she was suffering from cancer which had to affect her playing. I haven't seen her in four year but before that her Beethoven PC 4 with P.Järvi and Cinncinati, Beethoven PC 5 with Cambreling and SWR Baden-Baden, and Ravel G Major with Luisi and Dresden, were all memorable. I agree though that hearing Uchida in Mozart, a known quantity, might be the better deal. I'd still rather see Grimaud, though, intense or not  8)

Sarge

Heh, I'll concede the last point! I think the Grimaud showings were in 2008/2009 or 2010 in Houston - once Beethoven PC 4 and once she filled in at the last moment for somebody else with Brahms PC 1, which already slightly prejudiced me against her because - same story as Brahms Symphony No 1 - I really liked that piece as a teenager but now, not so much. And the concerto and symphony were originally something else; they revamped the entire program to accommodate the fact that she was touring Brahms PC 1.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 10, 2011, 03:18:06 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 10, 2011, 01:09:08 PM
"Hélène Grimaud, an intense but popular French musician"

Hah. I think I would have (sorry, Sarge) used the word "boring" rather than "intense." I've seen Grimaud live at least twice and neither time did she do much to catch my attention. Her post-concert Q&A for Rice students in Houston was more compelling than her playing.

The whole article is inane in it's patronizing, nonsensical way... but this line is the kicker. "Intense but popular"... as if that was inherently, or even just suggestively a contradiction. She's popular because she looks good and has a story and occasionally makes interesting CDs. I wouldn't call her intense. (Intensely popular, perhaps.) I've heard her so many times now, in Mozart (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/04/ionarts-at-large-bergens-string.html), Beethoven (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/03/ionarts-at-large-beethoven-between.html), Ravel  (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/ionarts-at-large-helene-grimauds-ravel.html), Bartok (concertos, and pretty much exhausting her painfully limited repertoire), and Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Brahms (recitals) and although I think "boring" is unkind, it pretty much hits the mark. In Munich / Beethoven I might allow for sickness as an explanation (if not excuse; if it had been the reason, she ought to have cancelled)... because it was outright awful. At other times it was pleasant or enjoyable, occasionally impressive, without digging deep, without moving... surprisingly one-dimensional piano playing.

Dame Uchida [not saying that just because she complimented me on my Lederhosen a couple hours ago] in Mozart (Cto (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/03/from-uchida-with-love-mozart-in-new.html). or Sonatas (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2005/11/in-mozart-heaven-two-wings-for-uchida.html)), or for that matter in Schoenberg  (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=514)or Beethoven (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/03/ionarts-at-large-uchidas-beethoven.html), is a whole different ballpark of a musician. And Lupu, although I tend to always expect a little more from him than I get out of his very matter-of-factly playing, is a more sensitive player than Grimaud, too, with much more Mozart  (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/04/mitsuko-uchida-radu-lupu-in-concert.html)experience.

To suggest that Grimaud is somehow all wowzers in Mozart, but Uchida not even worth turning up at the Southbank, betrays curious listening-preferences. Perhaps more (understandable) visual preferences.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 10, 2011, 03:27:50 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on August 10, 2011, 03:19:18 PM
Schumann.  Not Mozart.

That, assuming Grimaud's very best, might be a more even playing field...

Incidentally: One more story on Grimaud (this has nothing to do with her fine work decades ago, but with lazy journalists) that mentions those fucking wolves, and I will hurl.

Quote...Hélène Grimaud's best quality is perhaps the absence of pretentiousness. Last heard in London (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/02/ionarts-at-large-helene-grimauds-ravel.html), she's never really excited me in her painfully limited concerto repertoire, but she's certainly never disappointed me. I find her playing a bit too clunky and too one-dimensional to compare her with the understated no-nonsense greats à la Wilhelm Backhaus (http://amzn.to/g5OzzC) or Clifford Curzon (http://amzn.to/g5OzzC)—but I'd rather hear a Beethoven "Emperor" Concerto played straight than with too much perfume and bells and whistles and ego super-glued to every second bar. [Not that I don't make exceptions... (http://www.weta.org/fmblog/?p=108)] And in Mme. Grimaud there is something—although I can't quite put my finger on what it is—that stands between her monochromatic renditions and the tediousness that a lesser, if similar straight-forward, bland pianist would evoke...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 11, 2011, 05:52:41 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 7 )

The Fifth Continent • Continū, Salzburg Media Productions



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-7.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-7.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 11, 2011, 08:11:09 AM
This will probably be the last concert I see in England this year! And it ends with the most appropriate of all "goodbye, England" music!

Bridge | Rebus overture
Brahms | Violin Concerto - arranged for piano by Dejan Lazic
Holst | Invocation
Elgar | Enigma Variations
Dejan Lazic, piano; Julian Lloyd-Webber, cello
BBC Philharmonic
Vassily Sinaisky
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on August 11, 2011, 08:52:32 AM
Quote from: Brian on August 11, 2011, 08:11:09 AM
This will probably be the last concert I see in England this year! And it ends with the most appropriate of all "goodbye, England" music!


Brahms | Violin Concerto - arranged for piano by Dejan Lazic


I'd so love to hear this live - but the actual Violin Concerto itself.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 11, 2011, 10:08:48 AM
WHERE Jay Pritzker Pavilion
WHO Grant Park Orchestra/Carlos Kalmar, Conductor

WHAT Adams: The Chairman Dances (from the opera Nixon in China) 
          Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Op.93

Just as I always do, I will probably start a thread about this later, but this concert will be streaming live on WFMT 98.7 in Chicago, also available through the WFMT website.


Edit: A date would be nice, Wednesday, August 17. 6:30pm Central, 7:30 Eastern
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 11, 2011, 02:00:23 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 11, 2011, 08:52:32 AM
I'd so love to hear this live - but the actual Violin Concerto itself.

It turned out to work fairly well as a piano concerto. The melody never went to the left hand or below the middle of the instrument, which is a fairly clear bit of fakery, and the very prettiest moments in the slow movement didn't work, but I was genuinely surprised at how not-awful it was. And the finale was genuinely exciting.

That said, the Enigma - with the optional organ included in the finale! - was the undoubted highlight and a totally thrilling way to end my year of concert-going in London.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on August 11, 2011, 02:30:23 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 11, 2011, 02:00:23 PM
That said, the Enigma - with the optional organ included in the finale! - was the undoubted highlight and a totally thrilling way to end my year of concert-going in London.


And what a year it has been for you. Enjoy the sweet melancholy that is sure to come...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 14, 2011, 08:21:10 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 8 )

Mahler Scenes • Mahler, Strauss, Schnittke



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-8.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-8.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 15, 2011, 12:40:13 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 10, 2011, 03:27:50 PM
Incidentally: One more story on Grimaud (this has nothing to do with her fine work decades ago, but with lazy journalists) that mentions those fucking wolves, and I will hurl.

At your err...Service... ;D

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/tomserviceblog/2011/aug/15/lucerne-festival-lupu-brahms (http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/tomserviceblog/2011/aug/15/lucerne-festival-lupu-brahms)

QuoteWhat a difference a day makes. After Hélène Grimaud and Claudio Abbado had a creative falling out before this year's Lucerne festival, Romanian piano-guru Radu Lupu stepped into Grimaud's lupine shoes to take over as the soloist in Brahms' First Piano Concerto with Abbado's Lucerne Festival Orchestra. (Mitsuko Uchida replaces Grimaud in the Schumann Concerto that Abbado and the orchestra will play in London in October, along with Bruckner's Fifth Symphony.

it even gave a link on the word lupine (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/1594482667/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=266239&s=books).... >:D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 17, 2011, 06:22:59 AM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 9 )

Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia • Haydn, Rossini



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-9.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-9.html)


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 10 )

Chamber Concert 3 • Schubert, Schumann, Schoenberg



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-10.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-10.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lethevich on August 17, 2011, 06:58:56 AM
The Smetana Trio might be coming to my town early next year, which I think should be enough to push me out of my social-phobic concert-going embargo ;)

My recent Schubert obsession means that this one in October is looking increasingly likely:

Atrium Quartet - St Petersburg
HAYDN - Quartet in B flat Op.76 No.4 "Sunrise"
SCHUBERT - Quartet in G D.887
TCHAIKOVSKY - Quartet in F Op.22
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 21, 2011, 01:16:32 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 11 )

Recital • Mullova & Bezuidenhout



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-11.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-11.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 22, 2011, 10:23:39 AM
Tonight, this piano recital at Le Poisson Rouge:

Taka Kigawa, Piano

Boulez: Piano Sonata No. 2
Saariaho: Prelude and Ballade
Stockhausen: Klavierstück X

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 22, 2011, 12:22:42 PM
QuoteSNAPE - 18/08/11
Louis Lortie - piano
Liszt - Années de pèlerinage (complete)

This work has probably for a while been my "final frontier" of piano works to date, some beautiful moments but way too many heavy handed passages and unsettled moods for my current liking, meaning I had never really gone through a full listen of an année before. I somehow decided to give it a chance last week at Snape. I turned up at the concert hall pretty stressed out and cranky, after a rubbish day at work, only to be greeted by a Louis Lortie absolutely hammering the first notes, so much so i hardly recognised the intro...add to that his arms twirling, his chair-bouncing and the head-waving mannerisms to put me off the music...and i thought I was in for a never ending evening !  :o   Considering he was playing the 3 années in totality, that was pretty much that as well !!  ;D

and yet....

His playing dragged me well and truly into the works. The contrasts between the heavy moments and the soft sweet melodies had a more impactful "unity" heard live than on CD (Angelich). I rapidly forgot about his  mannerisms too because I genuinely saw those as Lortie being engrossed in the piece and that was pretty much my case too (if you except a couple of lengthy moments along the way). For some reason, he played the 1st année then split the 3rd année either side of the interval and finished by the 2nd année. The latter did stand out overall and i must admit a couple of gentler melodies caught me off guard and my eyes welled up a bit then.   

I would not necessarily classify this concert as one of my top "wow" live experiences but I believe this may be one that will have a more lasting effect on me by having pushed the boundaries of my piano tastes that little bit further that evening  :) Piano works can be a bit more bombastic...and that's ok...  ;D   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on August 22, 2011, 12:26:55 PM
Well, nothing specific yet, but since I will be in SoCal between October 12th and 23rd (or so), I hope to go to a concert there, maybe in Disney Hall which was completed before I left but was not inaugurated until the following season. I will also be in Denver between October 23rd and 29th. A symphonic concert and a chamber concert (or recital) during my US stay would be nice, in addition to a college basketball game and a hockey game...

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 22, 2011, 12:37:27 PM
Quote from: springrite on August 22, 2011, 12:26:55 PM
Well, nothing specific yet, but since I will be in SoCal between October 12th and 23rd (or so), I hope to go to a concert there, maybe in Disney Hall which was completed before I left but was not inaugurated until the following season. I will also be in Denver between October 23rd and 29th. A symphonic concert and a chamber concert (or recital) during my US stay would be nice, in addition to a college basketball game and a hockey game...

Dudamel and the LA Phil are doing two great-looking concerts around that time, with Yefim Bronfman and Jonannes Moser as respective soloists. In between, some of the LA Phil's musicians are doing a chamber music concert with Moser.

http://www.laphil.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=4610
http://www.laphil.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=4613
http://www.laphil.com/tickets/performance-detail.cfm?id=4614

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 24, 2011, 02:36:48 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 12 )

Nestlé Young Conductors Award • Round Table • Winner • Concert



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/kit-kat-conductor-notes-from-2011.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/kit-kat-conductor-notes-from-2011.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 25, 2011, 06:57:39 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 12 )

Guest Orchestra • ORF RSO Vienna • Rott / Berg



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/rottnroll-notes-from-2011-salzburg.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/rottnroll-notes-from-2011-salzburg.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 25, 2011, 08:47:40 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 25, 2011, 06:57:39 AM
Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 12 )
[/size]
Guest Orchestra • ORF RSO Vienna • Rott / Berg[/font]


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/rottnroll-notes-from-2011-salzburg.html[/url]

Sorry I missed that one.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 26, 2011, 07:54:10 AM
Salzburg Highlight
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 14 12 )

Camerata 1 • Mahler Scenes 8
Ives • Hartmann • Mahler • Mozart
Nagano  •  Pires



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-12.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-12.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 30, 2011, 05:43:34 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 15 )

Chamber Concert • Ives & Beethoven
Zehetmair Quartet •  P.L.Aimard



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-15.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-15.html)


Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 16 )

Die Frau ohne Schatten
Thielemann •  Loy



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/phantasmorgastic-but-with-shadows.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/08/phantasmorgastic-but-with-shadows.html)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 30, 2011, 06:52:10 AM
My summer full of BBC Proms is coming close to ending now, but first I shall be seeing Fischer conduct the Budapest Festival Orchestra in Mahler's 1st symphony, much looking forward to this. The highlights of my BBC Proms summer this year were seeing the National Youth Orchestra/Jurowski perform an extended selection from Prokofiev's R+J, Oramo and the Royal Stockholm Phil perform Nielsen 4, the Philharmonia and Salonen perform Shostakovich's 1st violin concerto (with Lisa Batiashvili) alongside Tchaikovsky's Francesca da Rimini, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Volkov in Bruckner 5 and the BBC Symphony Orchestra with Bychkov in Mahler 6.

Soon, I shall be seeing:
Mahler 9. Philharmonia/Maazel
Strauss Don Juan, Mozart Piano Concerto 23, Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances. London Phil/Gaffigan. (Paul Lewis, piano)
Gubaidulina  In Tempus Praesens, Shostakovich 10. LSO/Gergiev. (Mutter, violin)
Mahler 3. LSO/Bychkov
Elgar Dream of Gerontius CBSO/Nelsons (soloists including Sarah Connoly)
Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra, Metamorphosen, Der Rosenkavlier Suite. Royal Concertgebouw/Jansons

and hopefully:
Delius Sea Drift, Elgar Symphony 1. LPO/Elder

Very excited! :)

And also quite a few local amateur orchestra concerts as well, in which one of my own works shall be performed! :)
Best Wishes
Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on August 30, 2011, 07:46:03 AM
Sunday, 15 October, Sava Center, 20.30   
L'ENSEMBLE ORCHESTRAL DE PARIS & CHAMBER CHOIR ACCENTUS
Conductor Laurence Equilbey
Mireille Delunsch, soprano & Matthew Brook, baritone   
Berlioz: Tristia
Berlioz: The Death of Cleopatra
Fauré: Requiem

I hate that hall but the concert is too interesting to pass.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on August 30, 2011, 02:09:08 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 30, 2011, 06:52:10 AM
Gubaidulina  In Tempus Praesens LSO/Gergiev. (Mutter, violin)

Best Wishes
Daniel

This is a wonderful piece, Daniel.  Hope you enjoy the live performance!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on August 30, 2011, 03:20:12 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 30, 2011, 06:52:10 AM

and hopefully:

Delius Sea Drift, Elgar Symphony 1. LPO/Elder

Do you know who will be the baritone in this performance of Delius's Sea Drift?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2011, 08:38:34 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 30, 2011, 02:09:08 PM
This is a wonderful piece, Daniel.  Hope you enjoy the live performance!   :)

It was actually the Shostakovich 10 for which i booked it ( ;) ) but yes, I am sure I will enjoy the Gubaidulina as well! :)

Quote from: Mirror Image on August 30, 2011, 03:20:12 PM
Do you know who will be the baritone in this performance of Delius's Sea Drift?

The baritone will be Roderick Williams  in the Delius. Cannot say I have heard of him... have you?

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 31, 2011, 11:05:14 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2011, 08:38:34 AM
The baritone will be Roderick Williams  in the Delius. Cannot say I have heard of him... have you?

Daniel

I believe he's got a series of Naxos CDs of songs by various English composers (Britten, Vaughan Williams, etc) - haven't heard them, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2011, 12:42:44 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 31, 2011, 11:05:14 AM
I believe he's got a series of Naxos CDs of songs by various English composers (Britten, Vaughan Williams, etc) - haven't heard them, though.

Thank you for telling me of this, I shall take a look.

Best Wishes
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on August 31, 2011, 01:22:03 PM
20.10
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony
Tuija Knihtilä mezzo soprano

Väinö Raitio: Joutsenet (Swans)
Gustav Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
Jean Sibelius: 5th Symphony

3.11.
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony
Franz Liszt: Mephisto Waltz no 1
Sergei Rakhmaninov: Paganini Rhapsody
Franz Liszt: Totentanz
Max Reger: Arnold Böcklin suite

17.11.
Jaakko Kuusisto & Oulu Symphony
Arto Satukangas, piano

Kodály: Summer Evening
Liszt: 1st Piano Concerto
Mozart: 41st Symphony

1.12.
Haydn - The Seasons

Peter Schreier
Oulu Symphony
Oulu Chamber Choir
Tuira Chamber Choir
Piia Komsi, soprano
Mati Turi, tenor
David Wilson-Johnson, baritone


16.12

Aapo Häkkinen & Helsinki Baroque Orchestra
María Cristina Kiehr

Buxtehude – Kirchhoff – Cazzati – Monteverdi
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on August 31, 2011, 06:43:56 PM
Just received my season subscription tickets for the Philadelphia Orchestra. No power so I can't report all the goodies but very much looking forward Brahms' German Requiem in November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 01, 2011, 02:45:25 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC8Vaqn59fc/TjWmN03d2vI/AAAAAAAABlE/8A-kKphVQMs/s400/2011notesfromsalzburgfestiv.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 17 )

Janáček • Věc Makropulous
Salonen •  Denoke



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-17.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-17.html)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 01, 2011, 05:35:15 AM
(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 18 )

Shostakovich SQ4t Cycle • Mandelring Quartett



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-18.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-18.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 01, 2011, 06:31:19 AM
http://www.festivalenescu.ro/ (http://www.festivalenescu.ro/)

Sunday, September 11th

ROYAL LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Conductor : VASILY PETRENKO
Soloist : ALEXEI VOLODIN - piano

I. Stravinsky - Symphony in 3 Movements (1942-5)
S. Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major op. 26
S. Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 3 in A minor op. 44

Sunday, September 25th

ITAMAR GOLAN - piano
ILYA GRINGOLTS - violin
GARY HOFFMAN - cello

G. Enescu - Piano Trio in A minor
D. Shostakovich - Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor op. 67
J. Brahms – Piano Trio în B major op. 8

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 01, 2011, 06:39:42 AM
The Richmond Symphony's schedule doesn't always excite me, but this line up for a 2-concert series in November (12th & 13th) is very intriguing and impressive.

Conductor: Steven Smith
Guest Artists: Anton Nel, Piano

Rossini - Overture to The Barber of Seville
Poulenc - Gloria
Ravel - Concerto for Piano in G Major
Stravinsky - Jeu de Cartes (Game of Cards)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on September 01, 2011, 06:47:17 AM
Nice little program, Greg. The Rossini and that Stravinsky ballet are a natural fit; nice bookends.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on September 06, 2011, 06:04:09 PM
The long, exceedingly hot and exceptionally dry Texas summer is finally beginning to ease a bit (at least it's cooler in the mornings). The local music groups are ready for the new season. This weekend we have concerts by chamber group Camerata San Antonio. I'll be at their performance Friday in Boerne. On the program:

Haydn: Piano Trio No. 39 in G Major, "Gypsy"
Kodaly: Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7
Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25

I'm very familiar with the Haydn and Brahms. The concertmaster and principal cellist of the San Antonio Symphony will be playing the Kodaly, so it should be a memorable performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 07, 2011, 01:17:55 AM

(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 19 )

West-Eastern Divan Orchestra • Great Beethoven, Great Bullshit



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-19.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-19.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 07, 2011, 08:03:36 AM

(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/notesfromthesalzburgfestiva.png)

Notes from the 2011 Salzburg Festival ( 20 )

Vienna Philharmonic • Lang Lang, Liszt, and Jansons



http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-20.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/09/notes-from-2011-salzburg-festival-20.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 07, 2011, 01:10:25 PM
Tomorrow night:

Bernstein: West Side Story - The New York Philharmonic will screen a new print of the film, marking its 50th anniversary, using technology that "erases" the instrumental parts, which the orchestra will play live. David Newman - son of film composer Alfred - will conduct.

And on Saturday night:

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (Dorothea Röschmann / Michelle DeYoung / Alan Gilbert / New York Philharmonic) - A free concert marking the 9/11 anniversary, which will be broadcast Sunday night on PBS and then later released on DVD.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on September 07, 2011, 01:18:42 PM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 2011/2012 Season Opener

Friday, September 23, 2011

Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2

Horacio Gutierrez - piano

Dvorak - Symphony No. 8

Alexander Mickelthwate, conducting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 07, 2011, 01:23:54 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 07, 2011, 01:18:42 PM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 2011/2012 Season Opener

Friday, September 23, 2011

Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2

Horacio Gutierrez - piano

Dvorak - Symphony No. 8

Alexander Mickelthwate, conducting

Now that's a fine-looking concert. I've not heard Gutierrez live, although I like his set of the Prokofiev piano concertos (part of that big series on Chandos). And who could not like the third movement waltz in the Eighth?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on September 07, 2011, 01:25:26 PM
Anyone attending the opening concert tonight in Montreal, in their brand new concert hall L'Adresse symphonique

KENT NAGANO, conductor
ERIN WALL, soprano
MIHOKO FUJIMURA, mezzo-soprano
SIMON O'NEILL, tenor
MIKHAIL PETRENKO, bass
OSM CHORUS
TAFELMUSIK CHAMBER CHOIR
IVARS TAURINS, chorus director
TIMOTHY HUTCHINS, OSM principal flute
ANDRÉE CHAPELLE, récitante
CHLOÉ SAINTE-MARIE, récitante
MARC BÉLAND, récitant
DAVID USHER, récitant

The inaugural concert features:

CLAUDE VIVIER, Jesus erbarme dich, for chorus
JOSÉPHINE BACON, original text (recited by Chloé Sainte-Marie)
YANN MARTEL, original text (recited by David Usher)
GILLES TREMBLAY, Envol : Alléluia for solo flute
MARIE-CLAIRE BLAIS, original text (recited by Andrée Lachelle)
WAJDI MOUAWAD, original text (recited y Marc Béland)
JULIEN BILODEAU, Qu'un cri élève nos chants!, Premiere, OSM commission
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 9


CBC Radio Two will be broadcasting it live, and I believe CBC TV will be airing the concert as well (although not sure if they are airing it live or taped)

Wish I were in Montreal tonight!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on September 07, 2011, 01:28:07 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 07, 2011, 01:23:54 PM
Now that's a fine-looking concert. I've not heard Gutierrez live, although I like his set of the Prokofiev piano concertos (part of that big series on Chandos). And who could not like the third movement waltz in the Eighth?

--Bruce

I've never heard of Gutierrez, to be honest Bruce.   ???  I'm looking forward to Dvorak's 8th (my favorite of his symphonies).  I love the all hell breaks loose theme in the final movement (uncharacteristic of Dvorak).

Can't wait for the 2nd concert in October, Bruce.  It is an all Shostakovich program, conducted by Maxim Shostakovich!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 07, 2011, 01:34:30 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 07, 2011, 01:25:26 PM
CBC Radio Two will be broadcasting it live, and I believe CBC TV will be airing the concert as well (although not sure if they are airing it live or taped)

Wish I were in Montreal tonight!  :)

Thanks for posting this - especially the broadcast information. I knew the hall was opening but hadn't seen the actual first-night program - pretty impressive. Love that they are including a Vivier choral piece, and that's an impressive group of soloists for the Ninth.

Quote from: ChamberNut on September 07, 2011, 01:28:07 PM
I've never heard of Gutierrez, to be honest Bruce.   ???  I'm looking forward to Dvorak's 8th (my favorite of his symphonies).  I love the all hell breaks loose theme in the final movement (uncharacteristic of Dvorak).

Can't wait for the 2nd concert in October, Bruce.  It is an all Shostakovich program, conducted by Maxim Shostakovich!   :)

Gutierrez seems to be slightly off the radar - have no idea why, since he's excellent (at least, on the recordings I've heard). The Eighth might be my favorite, too.

And that Shostakovich concert with Maxim looks super - I'd be excited, too. Actually I just browsed the WSO website and the season is pretty enticing. I see you are getting a Mahler 2 next spring!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on September 07, 2011, 01:42:57 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 07, 2011, 01:34:30 PM
Thanks for posting this - especially the broadcast information. I knew the hall was opening but hadn't seen the actual first-night program - pretty impressive. Love that they are including a Vivier choral piece, and that's an impressive group of soloists for the Ninth.

Gutierrez seems to be slightly off the radar - have no idea why, since he's excellent (at least, on the recordings I've heard). The Eighth might be my favorite, too.

And that Shostakovich concert with Maxim looks super - I'd be excited, too. Actually I just browsed the WSO website and the season is pretty enticing. I see you are getting a Mahler 2 next spring!

--Bruce

Yup, can't wait for that one (Mahler 2nd)!  Also really looking forward to the Dawn Upshaw concert.

Bruce, regarding the Montreal concert hall opener, I think it can also be viewed lived online, either on the CBC Radio Two website or CBC TV website.  Yes, I'm happy to see they included a Vivier piece.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 08, 2011, 07:51:57 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 07, 2011, 01:28:07 PM
Can't wait for the 2nd concert in October, Bruce.  It is an all Shostakovich program, conducted by Maxim Shostakovich!   :)
Which pieces of Shostakovich? I imagine that will be a great concert! :)
Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 08, 2011, 08:07:21 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 08, 2011, 07:51:57 AM
Which pieces of Shostakovich? I imagine that will be a great concert! :)
Daniel

(Speaking as Ray's temporary, undesignated proxy  ;D)

They're doing the Violin Concerto No. 1, incidental music from Hamlet, and the Ninth Symphony.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 08, 2011, 08:23:05 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 08, 2011, 08:07:21 AM
(Speaking as Ray's temporary, undesignated proxy  ;D)

They're doing the Violin Concerto No. 1, incidental music from Hamlet, and the Ninth Symphony.

--Bruce

haha ;)
That sounds excellent, I recently saw the violin concerto no.1 live in concert with the Philharmonia/Salonen with Lisa Batiashvili as soloist, she was outstanding.
Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 08, 2011, 08:29:39 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 08, 2011, 08:23:05 AM
haha ;)
That sounds excellent, I recently saw the violin concerto no.1 live in concert with the Philharmonia/Salonen with Lisa Batiashvili as soloist, she was outstanding.
Daniel

Yes, yes, yes! She plays that piece with enormous authority. I heard her do it here in 2007 (my review (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2007/Jan-Jun07/nypo1404.htm)) and was pretty well bowled over.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 08, 2011, 08:45:08 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 07, 2011, 01:18:42 PM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 2011/2012 Season Opener

Friday, September 23, 2011

Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 2

Horacio Gutierrez - piano

Dvorak - Symphony No. 8

Alexander Mickelthwate, conducting

That's a very good programm, both the pieces are definitely wonderful! :) I'm a bit jealous.....
I've never listened to Gutierrez, but I heard he was a very fine pianist.

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 08, 2011, 10:08:11 AM
This is a concert just held at the Festival Maribor in Slovenia that gave me a chuckle - not one I personally will be attending, but I thought the program was so unusual - and so long! - that it deserved a mention. (A friend attended and will be reviewing it.)

Richard Tognetti curated the evening, called "Nothing," which included Barry Humphries (a.k.a. Dame Edna) doing two pieces from Walton's Façade:

http://www.festivalmaribor.si/en/program/main-programm/concert-no-9/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on September 08, 2011, 10:15:18 AM
tomorrow night at Snape :

Quatuor Mosaïques

Haydn Quartet Op.20 No.3
Beethoven Quartet Op.135 in F
Mozart Quartet K458 in B flat 'The Hunt'

I only have the Op.135 in my collection and i am not really familiar with it. The other 2 works are totally maiden to me. Reading the general impressions on Quatuor Mosaiques here, I think i'll be in for a treat though  :D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Rinaldo on September 09, 2011, 12:00:27 AM
Just a little heads up for those on the vieux continent, three live performances of Zelenka's fabulous Missa votiva coming up in the next week: September 16th in Pontoise (http://www.collegium1704.com/en/calendar/details/52-j-d-zelenka--missa-votiva.html), 17th in Prague (http://www.collegium1704.com/en/calendar/details/58-j-d-zelenka--missa-votiva-zwv-18.html) and 18th in Dresden (http://www.collegium1704.com/en/calendar/details/62-j-d-zelenka--missa-votiva-zwv-18.html).

I can definitely vouch for the quality of the ensemble but judge for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/v/CZQzB5Pb6p0

If you happen to be around, don't miss it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Elgarian on September 09, 2011, 12:54:38 PM
Concert performance of Das Rheingold tomorrow evening, by Opera North at the Lowry, Salford Quays:

http://www.youtube.com/v/Fl9PGS2szp4
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 05:01:04 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 08, 2011, 08:29:39 AM
Yes, yes, yes! She plays that piece with enormous authority. I heard her do it here in 2007 (my review (http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2007/Jan-Jun07/nypo1404.htm)) and was pretty well bowled over.

--Bruce

Certainly, one of the best, most powerful performances of that concerto I have ever heard I think! :) Excellent review, Bruce! :)

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on September 10, 2011, 05:26:46 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on September 08, 2011, 10:15:18 AM
tomorrow night at Snape :

Quatuor Mosaïques

Haydn Quartet Op.20 No.3
Beethoven Quartet Op.135 in F
Mozart Quartet K458 in B flat 'The Hunt'

I only have the Op.135 in my collection and i am not really familiar with it. The other 2 works are totally maiden to me. Reading the general impressions on Quatuor Mosaiques here, I think i'll be in for a treat though  :D

Enjoyed that one last night - was sitting quite close to the stage this time & really liked the sound of the period instruments (which I had not heard live before).

The second mvt of K458 stood out for me (Menuetto, Moderato) and had a good chuckle with the pizzicato passage thrown in the middle of the finale of op.135  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on September 10, 2011, 06:12:25 AM
and more Beethoven SQ in December :

Belcea Quartet - Beethoven Cycle

Quartet Op.95 in F minor
Quartet Op.18 No.6 in B flat
Quartet Op.127 in E flat
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 07:14:57 AM
Next October at La Scala, Milan

16th-19th October

Johannes Brahms : Symphony No.3 in F major Op.90
Philippe Jordan & Filarmonica della Scala

Béla Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
Philippe Jordan & Filarmonica della Scala

22nd October

"Homage to Liszt"
Années de pèlegrinage. Deuxieme Année, Italia S. 161
Pianist: Alain Planès

I'm looking forward to seeing those concerts!  :)

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 07:49:09 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 07:14:57 AM
Next October at La Scala, Milan

16th-19th October

Johannes Brahms : Symphony No.3 in F major Op.90
Philippe Jordan & Filarmonica della Scala

Béla Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
Philippe Jordan & Filarmonica della Scala

22nd October

"Homage to Liszt"
Années de pèlegrinage. Deuxieme Année, Italia S. 161
Pianist: Alain Planès

I'm looking forward to seeing those concerts!  :)

Ilaria

Those look wonderful, Ilaria! :) Enjoy! :)
Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 09:31:33 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 07:49:09 AM
Those look wonderful, Ilaria! :) Enjoy! :)
Daniel

You too with your next concerts!!  ;)

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 10:58:26 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 09:31:33 AM
You too with your next concerts!!  ;)

Ilaria

Thank you, Ilaria! :) Have a few great ones coming up this year, including Mahler 9, Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances, Shostakovich 10 etc. :)

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 10:58:26 AM
Thank you, Ilaria! :) Have a few great ones coming up this year, including Mahler 9, Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances, Shostakovich 10 etc. :)

Daniel

Instead in my case the best concerts are coming just next year, including Mahler No.6, Beethoven Symphonies Cycle, Wagner's Siegfried, etc. :( It's not right, I have still to wait for too much time.

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 11:29:51 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 11:10:16 AM
Instead in my case the best concerts are coming just next year, including Mahler No.6, Beethoven Symphonies Cycle, Wagner's Siegfried, etc. :( It's not right, I have still to wait for too much time.

Ilaria

Quite a few of my best concerts are next year as well, including Mahler 3, Sir Simon Rattle conducting Ravel and Debussy etc. :)
Those sound wonderful. Who is conducting Mahler 6?

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 12:05:42 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 11:29:51 AM
Those sound wonderful. Who is conducting Mahler 6?

Daniel

Claudio Abbado; he is also conducting Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1 in the same concert, with Daniel Barenboim at the piano, I'm absolutely looking forward to seeing it :)

So great that you're going to see Rattle's concert, is he playing with the Berlin Phil or an english orchestra?

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 12:32:27 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 12:05:42 PM
Claudio Abbado; he is also conducting Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1 in the same concert, with Daniel Barenboim at the piano, I'm absolutely looking forward to seeing it :)

So great that you're going to see Rattle's concert, is he playing with the Berlin Phil or an english orchestra?

Ilaria

wow.... I am sure that will be an amazing concert! :) I am very jealous! ;)

Unfortunately it is not the Berlin Phil he is playing with for this concert, it is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. That orchestra normally plays baroque/classical period/early romantic, so it would be interesting to hear them play impressionist music! The programme is Faure's Pelleas et Melisande Suite, Ravel's Left Hand Concerto, Debussy "Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune" and "La Mer". Very excited! :)

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 01:34:11 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 12:32:27 PM
wow.... I am sure that will be an amazing concert! :) I am very jealous! ;)

Unfortunately it is not the Berlin Phil he is playing with for this concert, it is the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. That orchestra normally plays baroque/classical period/early romantic, so it would be interesting to hear them play impressionist music! The programme is Faure's Pelleas et Melisande Suite, Ravel's Left Hand Concerto, Debussy "Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune" and "La Mer". Very excited! :)

Daniel

About Rach's Symphonic Dances and Shostakovich No.10, I'm very jealous too  ;)

I understood......hmm, I'm sure yours will be very exciting as well; pity there's not the Berlin Phil in that concert, but anyway I think it will be really interesting to hear Mahler's music performed by an orchestra which doesn't normally play impressionist music  :)

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 01:49:45 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 01:34:11 PM
About Rach's Symphonic Dances and Shostakovich No.10, I'm very jealous too  ;)

I understood......hmm, I'm sure yours will be very exciting as well; pity there's not the Berlin Phil in that concert, but anyway I think it will be really interesting to hear Mahler's music performed by an orchestra which doesn't normally play impressionist music  :)

Ilaria

:)

It's not Rattle doing the Mahler 3, that will be LSO/Bychkov :)
But I'd love to see the Berlin Phil do anything.... :)

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 02:08:26 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 10, 2011, 01:49:45 PM
:)

It's not Rattle doing the Mahler 3, that will be LSO/Bychkov :)
But I'd love to see the Berlin Phil do anything.... :)

Daniel

I'm deeply sorry for the mistake, you're right! Interesting freudian lapsus, maybe it happened because I'm listening to Mahler No.8 now  ;)

In this case I should replace Mahler with Faure/Ravel/Debussy; wow, Bychkov is an amazing conductor, I'm going to see one of his concerts next year :)

Ilaria

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 11, 2011, 04:24:02 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 10, 2011, 02:08:26 PM
I'm deeply sorry for the mistake, you're right! Interesting freudian lapsus, maybe it happened because I'm listening to Mahler No.8 now  ;)

In this case I should replace Mahler with Faure/Ravel/Debussy; wow, Bychkov is an amazing conductor, I'm going to see one of his concerts next year :)

Ilaria

haha :) No problem :)
Hope you enjoyed Mahler 8, what a masterpiece, I am really desperate to see that one live. However, seeing any Mahler symphony live is an amazing experience! :)

Yes, I do like Bychkov, very interesting technique he has when he beats towards the floor instead of out towards the orchestra! What are you seeing him conduct? A few weeks ago I saw him conduct Mahler 6 at the BBC Proms which was an excellent, thrilling performance! :)

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 11, 2011, 04:31:40 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 11, 2011, 04:24:02 AM

Yes, I do like Bychkov, very interesting technique he has when he beats towards the floor instead of out towards the orchestra! What are you seeing him conduct? A few weeks ago I saw him conduct Mahler 6 at the BBC Proms which was an excellent, thrilling performance! :)

Daniel

The programm is:
Arnold Schönberg      Verklärte Nacht op. 4, version for string orchestra
Johannes Brahms      Symphony No.2 in D major Op. 73

It should surely be an interesting concert ;)

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 11, 2011, 05:11:24 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 11, 2011, 04:31:40 AM
The programm is:
Arnold Schönberg      Verklärte Nacht op. 4, version for string orchestra
Johannes Brahms      Symphony No.2 in D major Op. 73

It should surely be an interesting concert ;)

Ilaria

That sounds like a wonderful concert. The Schoenberg is one of my favourites, what a beautiful piece! To get a taster, Bychkov conducted the piece with the Berliner Philharmoniker a while ago, so you can see a little trailer at the Digital Concert Hall. One of the best interpretations of it I have ever heard actually! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67UwwIer04U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67UwwIer04U)

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on September 11, 2011, 08:48:42 AM
I have second row center tickets to the Arditti Quartet 4/12/12 in San Francisco: Here is their program:

BEETHOVEN: Grosse Fuge, Op. 133
BERG: String Quartet, Op. 3
ADÈS: Four Quarters
BARTÓK: String Quartet No. 4 in C Major

Surprisingly tame for them!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on September 11, 2011, 11:50:30 AM
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 10
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1
LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Lang Lang, piano

My first concert for the season (10/22). Should be a good time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 11, 2011, 11:55:28 AM
Quote from: stingo on September 11, 2011, 11:50:30 AM
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 10
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1
LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Lang Lang, piano

My first concert for the season (10/22). Should be a good time.

Wow, these are some of my favourite pieces ever composed! What a great programm, I'm very jealous  ;)

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on September 11, 2011, 12:03:07 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 11, 2011, 11:55:28 AM
Wow, these are some of my favourite pieces ever composed! What a great programm, I'm very jealous  ;)

Ilaria

Hie thee to Philadelphia then! (We need as many seats filled as we can get.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 13, 2011, 09:18:16 AM
Tomorrow, opening night of Miller Theatre (at Columbia University), the first of three nights of a massive piece by James Dillon. Very much looking forward to this!

Steven Schick, conductor and percussion
International Contemporary Ensemble
red fish blue fish
The Crossing
Ross Karre, video design
Nicholas Houfek, lighting design

James Dillon: Nine Rivers: Leukosis

Friday:
James Dillon: Nine Rivers: Iosis

Saturday:
James Dillon: Nine Rivers: Melanosis

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on September 15, 2011, 02:28:15 AM
This one

5 Beaufort Wind Quintet bei Junge Deutsche Philharmonie

23.09.2011, 7.00 p.m.
Music Academy, TTK Road, Chennai

The Musicians of the wind quintet 5 Beaufort of the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie met first in 2009 during an Exchange programme at London School of Music and Drama. The Junge Deutsche Philharmonie is a talent pool for excellent young musicians and forms them into a musically demanding ensemble, with the help of renowned conductors and soloists.

5 Beaufort will present music of well known composers Haydn, Mozart, Milhaud, Debussy, Beethoven and Berio.

Josefiina Dunder - Flute
Elisabeth Grümmer - Oboe
Hugo Rodriguez - Clarinet
Gala Grauel - Horn
Lukas Wiegert - Bassoon


On a side note: why isn't this thread a sticky?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 19, 2011, 09:10:49 AM
This Wednesday, opening night for the New York Philharmonic:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Deborah Voigt, soprano

Barber: The School for Scandal Overture 
Wagner: "Dich, teure Halle" from Tannhäuser    
Barber: Andromache's Farewell, for Soprano and Orchestra      
Wagner: Overture to Tannhäuser      
R. Strauss: Intermezzo, Dance and Final Scene from Salome 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on September 19, 2011, 09:37:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 19, 2011, 09:10:49 AM
This Wednesday, opening night for the New York Philharmonic:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Deborah Voigt, soprano

Barber: The School for Scandal Overture 
Wagner: "Dich, teure Halle" from Tannhäuser    
Barber: Andromache's Farewell, for Soprano and Orchestra      
Wagner: Overture to Tannhäuser      
R. Strauss: Intermezzo, Dance and Final Scene from Salome 

--Bruce

That is one excellent looking program, Bruce!  Enjoy!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 19, 2011, 10:02:32 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 19, 2011, 09:37:49 AM
That is one excellent looking program, Bruce!  Enjoy!   :)

Yes, that certainly does look like an amazing program, I am rather jealous!

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 19, 2011, 10:08:35 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 19, 2011, 09:37:49 AM
That is one excellent looking program, Bruce!  Enjoy!   :)

Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 19, 2011, 10:02:32 AM
Yes, that certainly does look like an amazing program, I am rather jealous!

Daniel

Yes, quite a good program! I'm not that familiar with Andromache's Farewell, so very much looking forward to that.

On Wednesday, the concert will be broadcast live on public television, and after that, will be available online for a week after the broadcast (audio only?). I'll try to remember to post the link where you can hear it.  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 19, 2011, 10:15:53 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 19, 2011, 10:08:35 AM
Yes, quite a good program! I'm not that familiar with Andromache's Farewell, so very much looking forward to that.

On Wednesday, the concert will be broadcast live on public television, and after that, will be available online for a week after the broadcast (audio only?). I'll try to remember to post the link where you can hear it.  :D

--Bruce

I am not familiar with that Barber piece either! Do let us know what it is like.
Wonderful that it shall be available as a broadcast, I am looking forward to hearing it! I always love hearing the Salome Dance in a live performance, I often find that studio recordings lack excitment.

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 19, 2011, 10:21:03 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 19, 2011, 10:08:35 AM
Yes, quite a good program! I'm not that familiar with Andromache's Lament, so very much looking forward to that.


A minor correction: the name of the work is actually called Andromache's Farewell.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 19, 2011, 10:24:20 AM
Oops, my bad. (Where did I get that? Too much multi-tasking... ;D)

Anyway, fixed, thanks.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 19, 2011, 10:25:43 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 19, 2011, 10:24:20 AM
Oops, my bad. (Where did I get that? Too much multi-tasking... ;D)

Anyway, fixed, thanks.

--Bruce

No problem, Brewski.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 19, 2011, 10:27:26 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 19, 2011, 09:10:49 AM
This Wednesday, opening night for the New York Philharmonic:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Deborah Voigt, soprano

Barber: The School for Scandal Overture 
Wagner: "Dich, teure Halle" from Tannhäuser    
Barber: Andromache's Farewell, for Soprano and Orchestra      
Wagner: Overture to Tannhäuser      
R. Strauss: Intermezzo, Dance and Final Scene from Salome 

--Bruce

It's good to see some Barber on a concert program. Is it me or does his music seem to be not to be performed as much as it used to be?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 19, 2011, 10:35:15 AM
Based on a very casual, non-scientific survey of what comes through New York, there's a lot of Barber but it tends to be the same handful of pieces: the Adagio for Strings, The School for Scandal Overture, and now and then, the Violin Concerto and Knoxville: Summer of 1915. (I suspect the Piano Concerto doesn't show up just because it's so hard.) Dover Beach and a few of the other songs (e.g., Sure on this Shining Night) are also pretty popular on recitals.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on September 20, 2011, 11:32:38 PM
Tomorrow:
Juha Kangas & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Victor & Luis del Valle, piano duo

Nordgren: Rock Score for 19 strings
Mozart: Concerto for two pianos in E-flat major, KV 365
Schubert: Symphony no 5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 21, 2011, 06:24:08 AM
Quote from: North Star on September 20, 2011, 11:32:38 PM
Tomorrow:
Juha Kangas & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Victor & Luis del Valle, piano duo

Nordgren: Rock Score for 19 strings
Mozart: Concerto for two pianos in E-flat major, KV 365
Schubert: Symphony no 5

That Nordgren looks especially interesting - please report back if you like.

In two weeks:

October 4
Talea Ensemble
Mannes Concert Hall

Georges Aperghis: Triangle Carré (1989)
Pierre Boulez: Le marteau sans maître (1955)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 21, 2011, 08:16:42 AM
This Sunday: Borodin String Quartet (the one and only, tho' with none of its original members):

Beethoven Op. 127
Shostakovich: Quartets 11 & 12
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MDL on September 24, 2011, 03:20:04 AM
Going to see Weinberg's The Passenger at the ENO tonight. Not sure what to expect; the reviews have been pretty mixed.

http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1657 (http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1657)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on September 24, 2011, 03:46:59 AM
Europalia Festival: Brasil. See : http://www.europalia.be/europalia/home/?lang=en


This year Belgium and the Netherlands celebrate Brasil : plenty of exhibitions and concerts in Brussels and Amsterdam.
I hope to go to :

October 23rd Concertgebouw at 11.00
Dutch Radio Kamer Filharmonie &  Chorus
Celso Antunes conductor.

All Villa Lobos program

Nonetto
Choro nr 10 "Rasga o coracao"
Oratorio : Vidapura

Peter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Rinaldo on September 24, 2011, 08:19:59 AM
'Radio Autumn' here in Prague, October 9 (http://www.rozhlas.cz/radioautumn/program2011/#rp13):

Weber – Oberon Overture
Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 23
Schubert – Symphony No. 9

Hessischer Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester with Paavo Järvi.

My knowledge of Schubert is limited to lieders so I'm looking forward to be introduced to his symphonic work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on September 25, 2011, 01:21:11 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 21, 2011, 06:24:08 AM
That Nordgren looks especially interesting - please report back if you like.

--Bruce

Well the Nordgren was not my thing exactly- cluster tones mixed with the occasional Finnish folk music tune.
But the orchestra played magnificently, best string playing I've heard from them, probably a lot of it was Kangas's, a guest conductor from Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, which he founded in 1972, and one of the most appreciated conductors in Finland. I wasn't familiar with Schubert's 5th - an excellent symphony in the mold of late Mozart - or the Mozart duo piano concerto, which was pure entertainment, and not bad that. The pianist-brothers played very well, and even the new cadenzas by some modern Spanish composer (I can't recall the name) were acceptable.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on September 25, 2011, 01:33:07 PM
Next Thursday:

Ari Rasilainen & Oulu symphony orchestra
Lasse Joamets, violin (new concertmaster, to join duties with Ismo Sirén)

Tšaikovski (in Finnish it's that transliteration for Pete): Violin Concerto
Kurt Atterberg: Symphony No. 3

Ari Rasilainen has apparently recorded Atterberg's complete (9) symphonies for CPO with four different German orchestras - available on Amazon, with 13 reviews, all 5-star ones. Available for £30 on the UK site.
[asin]B0007ACVDW[/asin]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 26, 2011, 08:33:40 AM
Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2011, 01:33:07 PM
Next Thursday:

Ari Rasilainen & Oulu symphony orchestra
Lasse Joamets, violin (new concertmaster, to join duties with Ismo Sirén)

Tšaikovski (in Finnish it's that transliteration for Pete): Violin Concerto
Kurt Atterberg: Symphony No. 3

Ari Rasilainen has apparently recorded Atterberg's complete (9) symphonies for CPO with four different German orchestras - available on Amazon, with 13 reviews, all 5-star ones. Available for £30 on the UK site.

WHAT. WHAT. WHAAAAAAAAAAT.

If I was anywhere within 1,500 miles of Oulu I would fly to see this. I've successfully ticked two things off my list of Three Things I Will Never See Live*, and the third thing is Atterberg's Third Symphony.

*Smetana's complete Ma Vlast and Janacek's restored Glagolitic Mass, at the BBC Proms 2011
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 26, 2011, 01:19:59 PM
Quote from: MDL on September 24, 2011, 03:20:04 AM
Going to see Weinberg's The Passenger at the ENO tonight. Not sure what to expect; the reviews have been pretty mixed.

http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1657 (http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1657)

Just found out that a friend is screening the new DVD of this opera at the end of October - as a Weinberg fan, I'm very much looking forward to seeing this.

Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2011, 01:21:11 PM
Well the Nordgren was not my thing exactly- cluster tones mixed with the occasional Finnish folk music tune.
But the orchestra played magnificently, best string playing I've heard from them, probably a lot of it was Kangas's, a guest conductor from Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, which he founded in 1972, and one of the most appreciated conductors in Finland. I wasn't familiar with Schubert's 5th - an excellent symphony in the mold of late Mozart - or the Mozart duo piano concerto, which was pure entertainment, and not bad that. The pianist-brothers played very well, and even the new cadenzas by some modern Spanish composer (I can't recall the name) were acceptable.

Thanks for the comments!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on September 26, 2011, 02:01:51 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 26, 2011, 08:33:40 AM
WHAT. WHAT. WHAAAAAAAAAAT.

If I was anywhere within 1,500 miles of Oulu I would fly to see this. I've successfully ticked two things off my list of Three Things I Will Never See Live*, and the third thing is Atterberg's Third Symphony.

*Smetana's complete Ma Vlast and Janacek's restored Glagolitic Mass, at the BBC Proms 2011

:P

Truth be told, I can't say I'm familiar with Atterberg, but from brief Youtube sampling I believe I'm going to like his music very much. I'm sorry you can't come (I'm positive there are plenty of tickets left, people only come to concerts here when there are really big soloists, of course on our very humble standards, Natalia Gutman, Frans Helmerson, Corey Cerovsek, Paavali Jumppanen, Bernd Glemser (coming this season), Sarah Chang, Elina Vähälä, and Jaakko Kuusisto are perhaps the most famous soloists to have played here in the last couple of years).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:35:09 PM
Stuck in Minneapolis for work for the next two weeks. Hoping to hear this if I can get out on Oct 6:

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Simone Dinnerstein, piano

Milhaud La Création du monde
Ravel Piano Concerto in G major
Strauss Ein Heldenleben

When I get back home, this will be the first thing for which I have tickets:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin
Klara Ek, soprano

Berg  Violin Concerto
Mahler  Symphony No. 4

Later, this:

Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Erika Nickrenz, piano
Susie Park, violin
Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello
Fabio Luisi, conductor

Beethoven – Triple Concerto: Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56
Brahms – Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 26, 2011, 02:43:05 PM
Quote from: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:35:09 PM
Later, this:

Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Erika Nickrenz, piano
Susie Park, violin
Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello
Fabio Luisi, conductor

Beethoven – Triple Concerto: Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56
Brahms – Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

Sure that is going to happpen? Hasn't Luisi cancelled a bunch of VSO and Rome Opera appearances so he could take over MET productions when Levine again fell ill. Ther was big fuss about it. Rome Opera wasn't happy at all, threatening with lawsuits. VSO weren't too thrilled either.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:44:42 PM
Quote from: Drasko on September 26, 2011, 02:43:05 PM
Sure that is going to happpen? Hasn't Luisi cancelled a bunch of VSO and Rome Opera appearances so he could take over MET productions when Levine again fell ill. Ther was big fuss about it. Rome Opera wasn't happy at all, threatening with lawsuits. VSO weren't too thrilled either.

As far as I am aware, he made sure that the VSO US tour is still on. The program still shows unchanged on the Harris Theater website.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 26, 2011, 03:02:01 PM
Quote from: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:44:42 PM
As far as I am aware, he made sure that the VSO US tour is still on. The program still shows unchanged on the Harris Theater website.

Yes, the VSO site has the same info. He cancelled for October concerts in Vienna, not American tour in November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Coco on September 27, 2011, 04:49:22 AM
The English Concert Friday, October 14, 2011, 7:30 – 9:30pm
University of Chicago

Purcell: Suite from King Arthur
Vivaldi: Sonata in D minor, op. 1, no. 12, RV 63, "La Follia"
Telemann: Tafelmusik II
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Trumpets in C major, RV 537
Telemann: Concerto for Viola & Strings
Purcell: Suite from Fairy Queen

http://chicagopresents.uchicago.edu/concert-schedule/20102011-season/season-calendar/calendar/#/?i=3

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Coco on September 27, 2011, 04:50:52 AM
Quote from: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:35:09 PM

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin
Klara Ek, soprano

Berg  Violin Concerto
Mahler  Symphony No. 4

I'm going to try to make it to this too. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on September 27, 2011, 07:10:51 AM
A symphony at last!

Quote
Deutsche Philharmonie Merck
CONCERT
04.10.2011, 7.00 p.m.
Music Academy, TTK Road, Chennai
Programme:

    * Ludwig van Beethoven - Leonore Ouverture no 3
    * Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Concerto for flute and orchestra no 2 in D major
    * Johannes Brahms -Symphony no 3 in F major


(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080329191652/uncyclopedia/images/3/31/Dancing_Banana.gif)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 27, 2011, 08:32:44 AM
Quote from: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:35:09 PM
Stuck in Minneapolis for work for the next two weeks. Hoping to hear this if I can get out on Oct 6:

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Simone Dinnerstein, piano

Milhaud La Création du monde
Ravel Piano Concerto in G major
Strauss Ein Heldenleben

When I get back home, this will be the first thing for which I have tickets:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, conductor
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin
Klara Ek, soprano

Berg  Violin Concerto
Mahler  Symphony No. 4

Later, this:

Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Erika Nickrenz, piano
Susie Park, violin
Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello
Fabio Luisi, conductor

Beethoven – Triple Concerto: Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56
Brahms – Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73

I am very very jealous! What excellent concerts!

Seeing Mahler 9 this Saturday at the Southbank, London. Philharmonia/Maazel. Very excited!

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 27, 2011, 08:44:55 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 27, 2011, 08:32:44 AM

Seeing Mahler 9 this Saturday at the Southbank, London. Philharmonia/Maazel. Very excited!

Daniel

Hahaha, it's not right you're seeing so many Mahler's concerts!!  ;) I have to wait for the next year before seeing them too......

Ilaria
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 27, 2011, 08:56:45 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 27, 2011, 08:44:55 AM
Hahaha, it's not right you're seeing so many Mahler's concerts!!  ;) I have to wait for the next year before seeing them too......

Ilaria

hehe ;)

After the concert this Saturday, I won't be seeing another Mahler concert until next May :(

;) A few before May though, so I'll be looking forward to them as well!  ;D

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on September 29, 2011, 12:16:34 PM
Quote from: North Star on September 25, 2011, 01:33:07 PM
Next Thursday:

Ari Rasilainen & Oulu symphony orchestra
Lasse Joamets, violin (new concertmaster, to join duties with Ismo Sirén)

Tšaikovski (in Finnish it's that transliteration for Pete): Violin Concerto
Kurt Atterberg: Symphony No. 3

Ari Rasilainen has apparently recorded Atterberg's complete (9) symphonies for CPO with four different German orchestras - available on Amazon, with 13 reviews, all 5-star ones. Available for £30 on the UK site.

Great playing by the orchestra again, absolutely superb, if they keep up the good work, the orchestra will be among the best in Finland. Joamets played wonderfully, and although his violin is far from being great, he made it sound as good as it ever could sound. The Atterberg was excellent stuff, the sound world was very much in the vein of the late romantics, with even Debussian elements. That Rasilainen's CPO box is certainly tempting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 02, 2011, 05:34:21 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 27, 2011, 08:32:44 AM
Seeing Mahler 9 this Saturday at the Southbank, London. Philharmonia/Maazel. Very excited!

Daniel

Quoting myself! :)

The concert yesterday was amazing. Mahler 9 is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard... I was so emotional during and after the concert! The Philharmonia were absolutely amazing, playing with much passion and beauty! I really underestimated the number of tissues I should have brought to the concert...

Daniel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2011, 07:00:32 AM
Tonight:

Talea Ensemble
Mannes Concert Hall

Aperghis: Triangle Carré (1989)
Boulez: Le Marteau sans maître (1955)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Coco on October 04, 2011, 07:50:51 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2011, 07:00:32 AM
Tonight:

Talea Ensemble
Mannes Concert Hall

Aperghis: Triangle Carré (1989)
Boulez: Le Marteau sans maître (1955)

--Bruce

Jealous! ICE are doing some Aperghis early next year and I want to try and make it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2011, 08:10:04 AM
Quote from: Coco on October 04, 2011, 07:50:51 AM
Jealous! ICE are doing some Aperghis early next year and I want to try and make it.

I wonder if the ICE concert is the same one they're doing here (at Miller Theatre) in May - and it looks like Aperghis will be on the premises, too!

Tony Arnold, soprano
Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Georges Aperghis, composer
International Contemporary Ensemble

A Shot in the Dark (2011, world premiere)
The Iliad and the Odyssey (2009)
Teeter-Totter (2008)
Simulacre II (1994)
Signaux (1978)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on October 04, 2011, 10:24:59 AM
Quote
Deutsche Philharmonie Merck
Heinrik Wiese, flute
Wolfgang Heinzel

CONCERT
    * Ludwig van Beethoven - Leonore Ouverture no 3
    * Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Concerto for flute and orchestra no 2 in D major
    * Johannes Brahms -Symphony no 3 in F major

And I'm back from the performance by the Pharmaceutical Philharmonic (http://www.philharmonie-merck.com/en/deutsche-philharmonie-merck-in-india/orchestra/?PHPSESSID=1660eb7f781a17e67994e890cfc179ba). ;D Despite the odd disinterested person sitting around me, it was an evening to remember, and the best part of it: an announcer, a well-known pianist of the city, who briefly explained to the audience about the pieces and about the movement structure! (Not in a condescending manner of course, but as a suggestion to better appreciate the contrasts between the movements.) It worked to some extent, but as people kept flooding in even after half the concert was over there were some who still clapped awkwardly in the Brahms.

Compared to my last orchestral concert (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,429.msg495117.html#msg495117), this time I felt the orchestra's sound to have more bite in it and were quite loud where required. The venue was the same, although the repertoire entirely different, and add to that a memory seven months old, so it isn't the most objective comparison... but, there it is.

The conductor, once an assistant to Celibidache and thankfully not quite cast in the "same mould" ;), began proceedings with both the Indian and German national anthems (what with this concert being part of a year-long celebration of Indo-German ties). Then came the Beethoven. I thought the beginning was a little higgledy-piggledy, but I must confess that I'm not entirely familiar with the Leonore overtures, but he steered the ship fairly well towards the end. Up next was the delightful Mozart concerto. Wiese, a former principal flautist of the BRSO, I found had a sweet tone and kept the audience (or at least me! ;)) in utter awe and silence during the middle movement. For an encore, he played the opening of Act 3 from Aida, a new piece of music to me.

Finally time came for the pièce de résistance: Brahm's 3rd symphony. Yes, it's not the 4th, but it was one of those works, more specifically a movement within it (III), which made me like Brahms more at a time when I really didn't like any of it. Now that I like so many other moments in the symphony -- the brass, the opening that surges and the little waltz-like section in the first movement, the entire third movement, and the energy in the opening of the fourth, to name a few -- to finally hear them all live was a riveting experience which I'll likely not forget for a long time.

After the Brahms and loud applause and cheer, Herr Heinzel took a few moments to speak appreciatively of the audience. The orchestra, in its third visit to the country, has been city-hopping during the past week, with concerts yesterday and the day before, with the final stop at Chennai today. And after that the encores followed. Brahms 1st Hungarian Dance. He came back to the mic. again and said that he would play another one if we wanted to. I don't know what came over me, but I immediately shouted out "Number five!", as did a few others in support. :D He looked up roughly in the area where I was sitting and said, "Number five? Awesome.", turned around and stirred the crowd into a frenzy with that perennial favourite! Wanting to bring the concert to a close with something "fine" [his word], he followed that with Strauss' Pizzicato Polka. The crowd that had gathered, already overflowing into the aisles, made sure to let the visiting orchestra know that their performance was a thoroughly enjoyable and enriching experience and that another visit would be more than welcome.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2011, 10:30:19 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on October 04, 2011, 10:24:59 AM
And I'm back from the performance by the Pharmaceutical Philharmonic (http://www.philharmonie-merck.com/en/deutsche-philharmonie-merck-in-india/orchestra/?PHPSESSID=1660eb7f781a17e67994e890cfc179ba). ;D

...

I don't know what came over me, but I immediately shouted out "No. 5!", as did a few others in support. :D He looked up roughly in the area where I was sitting and said, "No. 5? Awesome.", turned around and stirred the crowd into a frenzy with that perennial favourite!

;D

Just my two favorite bits of your nice write-up. Sounds like a really fun evening, including your encore shout-out!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on October 04, 2011, 10:37:22 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2011, 10:30:19 AM
;D

Just my two favorite bits of your nice write-up. Sounds like a really fun evening, including your encore shout-out!

--Bruce

Indeed. And it was really nice of them to oblige. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2011, 10:40:10 AM
That reminds me of a very fine Mahler First Symphony performance a few years back. When the cheering died down, the conductor (maybe David Robertson?) asked the audience, "How about an encore?" and someone yelled back, "Mahler 2!"

(Needless to say, that request was not honored.  ;D)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on October 04, 2011, 10:41:06 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2011, 10:40:10 AM
That reminds me of a very fine Mahler First Symphony performance a few years back. When the cheering died down, the conductor (maybe David Robertson?) asked the audience, "How about an encore?" and someone yelled back, "Mahler 2!"

--Bruce

;D ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on October 04, 2011, 11:39:46 AM
Great write-up, Navneeth ! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 04, 2011, 01:51:24 PM
Looks like I'll be leaving Minneapolis sooner than expected, so I'll end up missing this.

Quote from: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:35:09 PM
Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Simone Dinnerstein, piano

Milhaud La Création du monde
Ravel Piano Concerto in G major
Strauss Ein Heldenleben

Oh well...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 04, 2011, 02:33:55 PM
Quote from: MishaK on October 04, 2011, 01:51:24 PM
Looks like I'll be leaving Minneapolis sooner than expected, so I'll end up missing this.

Oh well...

Yeah, I'm kind of unsure how Vanksa would do in this repertoire anyway. He could probably pull off the Milhaud and Strauss, but I doubt he could do much with the Ravel. The central movement to Ravel's Piano Concerto in G is extremely difficult to perform successfully. I can't tell you how many terrible performances I've heard of it. It takes a very special conductor/soloist to make this work swing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 05, 2011, 08:08:37 AM
Quote from: MishaK on September 26, 2011, 02:35:09 PM
Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Simone Dinnerstein, piano

Milhaud La Création du monde
Ravel Piano Concerto in G major
Strauss Ein Heldenleben

Too bad you had to miss this. Vänskä and the ensemble are on a roll these days, turning out some terrific performances. I'm hearing them later this month in this program:

Tchaikovsky: Voyevoda Overture, Op. 3
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 (with Stephen Hough, pianist)
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3, "Sinfonia espansiva"

Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2011, 07:00:32 AM
Tonight:

Talea Ensemble
Mannes Concert Hall

Aperghis: Triangle Carré (1989)
Boulez: Le Marteau sans maître (1955)

--Bruce

Wow, this was some concert! I suspected the Boulez would be excellent (it was) but the Aperghis was the big surprise - and judging from the audience response, I wasn't the only one who found it an arresting piece. It's for a really odd combo - percussion trio and string quartet - and as someone said, it sounds like two different pieces being played simultaneously. The percussionists have quite an array of stuff - including melodicas! - and they also vocalize what sound like nonsense syllables.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Coco on October 05, 2011, 09:07:27 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2011, 08:10:04 AM
I wonder if the ICE concert is the same one they're doing here (at Miller Theatre) in May - and it looks like Aperghis will be on the premises, too!

Tony Arnold, soprano
Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Georges Aperghis, composer
International Contemporary Ensemble

A Shot in the Dark (2011, world premiere)
The Iliad and the Odyssey (2009)
Teeter-Totter (2008)
Simulacre II (1994)
Signaux (1978)

--Bruce

It is (for the most part): http://iceorg.org/events/event/music-of-aperghis-and-french-icelab-composers

Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2011, 08:10:04 AM
the Aperghis was the big surprise - and judging from the audience response, I wasn't the only one who found it an arresting piece. It's for a really odd combo - percussion trio and string quartet - and as someone said, it sounds like two different pieces being played simultaneously. The percussionists have quite an array of stuff - including melodicas! - and they also vocalize what sound like nonsense syllables.

Now I need to finally listen to that Arditti From France disc. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2011, 10:41:22 AM
Tonight:

Vocal Triple Bill
Issue Project Room
Brooklyn

Ascoli Ensemble
Ergodos Musicians
Ekmeles

Medieval vocal music (TBA)

New Irish music (TBA)

Peter Ablinger: Studien nach der Natur
Pascal Dusapin: Two Walking
Johannes Schöllhorn: Madrigali a Dio
James Tenney: Hey when I sing... & Rose Round

Ekmeles:

Mary Mackenzie, soprano
Lucy Shelton, soprano
Eric Brenner, countertenor
Matthew Hensrud, tenor
Jeffrey Gavett, baritone
Steve Hrycelak, bass

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 09, 2011, 12:12:12 AM
On Friday:

Risto Lauriala, piano

Bach-Siloti: Prelude BWV 535 in g minor, Ciaconna
Beethoven: Piano Sonata no. 32 in C minor, Op.111
---------------------------------------------------------------
Liszt: Selections from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses
Chopin: Scherzo No. 3 in C# minor
Waltz No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64/2

Encores:
Schumann-Liszt: Widmung
Schubert: Impromptus, D. 899 (Op. 90), No. 4

Excellent playing apart from a small memory lapse in the sonata, but the acoustics were horrible in the hall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 10, 2011, 12:25:14 AM
 Feb.25 next, the Vanvouver Symphony (or part of it - they're also playing Mozart Sym.41 and a piano concerto elsewhere that night):
Magnus Lindberg : Jubilees
Jose Evangelista : O Bali
Franco Donatoni : Spiri
Louis Andriessen : Workers Union
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 10, 2011, 06:34:56 AM
OK, since I got cheated out of the Minneapolis performance and had little work to do last Friday, I spontaneously went to a matinee performance of this:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Gerhard Oppitz, piano

Sinigaglia  Overture to Le baruffe chiozzotte 
Mendelssohn  Symphony No. 4 (Italian) 
Martucci  Piano Concerto No. 2
Busoni   Berceuse élégiaque 
Bossi  Intermezzi Goldoniani 

This program was Muti's tribute to Mahler. Since it's the centennial of Mahler's death and Muti is not much of a Mahlerian, Muti decided to celebrate Mahler the conductor instead. This program happens to be a recreation of the very last concert Mahler conducted in New York before he boarded a ship to go back to Europe to die. It also just happens to feature a few eclectic, nearly forgotten Italian pieces, which Muti has conducted before and which are totally up his alley. In the vein of the programming of the time, this is by current standards an overlong program (started at 1:30pm and ended at 3:50pm with intermission after the Mendelssohn), and that is even though Muti cut two of the six movements of the Bossi, all of which Mahler originally performed. The Sinigaglia, Busoni and Bossi were fun and all, but to me the highlight was the Martucci. Had never heard this guy's work before and very much liked the Brahmsian vein. Not revolutionary by any means, but superb craftsmanship. I immediately ordered the complete Martucci orchestral works set on Brilliant.  ;D  The Mendelssohn was a big disappointment. Dull as beige sawdust. It was as if the orchestra was trying to soar out of the gates in the outer two movements, but Muti reined them in unnecessarily, resulting in a rather plodding forward motion.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on October 11, 2011, 07:13:10 PM
I'll be at the Majestic Theater Friday night when the San Antonio Symphony begins the classical season:

Barber: The School for Scandal Overture
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1  (Alexander Gravylyuk, piano)
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade


Like so many orchestras, the San Antonio Symphony is having financial troubles again. The musicians could not accept the management's latest contract offer, so the season is starting without a contract.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 11, 2011, 07:27:31 PM
This weekend in Los Angeles:

A work by Vivier
Bartok PC 3
Tchaikovsky Symphony #5

Bronfman/Dudamel/LA Phil

I left LA after 22 years just before Disney Hall opened. So this will be my vey first concert at DH, and my first experience with the music-making of Salonen's handpicked successor!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 12, 2011, 11:35:17 AM
Quote from: listener on October 10, 2011, 12:25:14 AM
Feb.25 next, the Vanvouver Symphony (or part of it - they're also playing Mozart Sym.41 and a piano concerto elsewhere that night):
Magnus Lindberg : Jubilees
Jose Evangelista : O Bali
Franco Donatoni : Spiri
Louis Andriessen : Workers Union

This looks fantastic; I would love to hear a big orchestra play the Andriessen, in particular.

Quote from: MishaK on October 10, 2011, 06:34:56 AM
OK, since I got cheated out of the Minneapolis performance and had little work to do last Friday, I spontaneously went to a matinee performance of this:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Gerhard Oppitz, piano

Sinigaglia  Overture to Le baruffe chiozzotte 
Mendelssohn  Symphony No. 4 (Italian) 
Martucci  Piano Concerto No. 2
Busoni   Berceuse élégiaque 
Bossi  Intermezzi Goldoniani 

This program happens to be a recreation of the very last concert Mahler conducted in New York before he boarded a ship to go back to Europe to die.

And too bad about Minneapolis, but this looks like a great runner-up (or who knows, Fate may have dealt you the more interesting concert). Fab idea to recreate the Mahler concert, and I agree with your comments on Martucci - heard that same piece a few years back, also with Oppitz, and found it fascinating. (And while I didn't spring for a box set, I do recall getting a few Martucci discs shortly after.)

http://www.musicweb-international.com/SandH/2007/Jan-Jun07/martucci2701.htm

Quote from: vivolin on October 11, 2011, 07:13:10 PM
I'll be at the Majestic Theater Friday night when the San Antonio Symphony begins the classical season:

Barber: The School for Scandal Overture
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1  (Alexander Gravylyuk, piano)
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

Thanks for posting this...I have good friends in San Antonio and wonder if they will be there.

Quote from: springrite on October 11, 2011, 07:27:31 PM
This weekend in Los Angeles:

A work by Vivier
Bartok PC 3
Tchaikovsky Symphony #5

Bronfman/Dudamel/LA Phil

I left LA after 22 years just before Disney Hall opened. So this will be my very first concert at DH, and my first experience with the music-making of Salonen's handpicked successor!

Paul, have a fantastic time. That's a great program and should show off what Dudamel can do. And even if the concert doesn't click, you'll enjoy just the experience of being in Disney Hall - it's an extraordinary place.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 12, 2011, 11:44:42 AM
(Got so carried away with that burst of concerts elsewhere that I forgot to post my own.) Tomorrow night, three modern classics by Juilliard's excellent new music ensemble, with one of the best conductors around in this repertoire:

AXIOM
Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor

Grisey: Vortex Temporum (1995)
Lindberg: Action-Situation-Signification (1982)
Birtwistle: Silbury Air (1977)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 12, 2011, 11:51:50 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 11, 2011, 07:27:31 PM
This weekend in Los Angeles:

A work by Vivier
Bartok PC 3
Tchaikovsky Symphony #5

Bronfman/Dudamel/LA Phil

I left LA after 22 years just before Disney Hall opened. So this will be my vey first concert at DH, and my first experience with the music-making of Salonen's handpicked successor!

Bronfman is getting around (and the Bartók Third Concerto is always good live) — he's going to play the Brahms Second Concerto at Symphony Hall a week from Saturday, with guest conductor Kurt Masur (who is always good here in Boston).  And that's a concert I am looking forward to . . . in addition to the concerto there is the Brahms Third, guaranteed to get me on the missus's good side : )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 12, 2011, 12:08:53 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 12, 2011, 11:51:50 AM
Bronfman is getting around (and the Bartók Third Concerto is always good live) — he's going to play the Brahms Second Concerto at Symphony Hall a week from Saturday, with guest conductor Kurt Masur (who is always good here in Boston).  And that's a concert I am looking forward to . . . in addition to the concerto there is the Brahms Third, guaranteed to get me on the missus's good side : )

That should be excellent. Everyone needs an evening of nothing but Brahms now and then - good for the soul.  0:)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 12, 2011, 12:10:27 PM
Right you are, O Brewski!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Amfortas on October 14, 2011, 02:06:34 AM
Boston Philharmonic, Benjamin Zander cond.
(http://bostonphil.org/sites/all/files/bpo/sites/default/themes/zen/STARTERKIT/images/Concert1Slider-outlines_1.gif)

The Nielsen is the highlight for me, never heard it live
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 14, 2011, 09:03:38 AM
Quote from: Amfortas on October 14, 2011, 02:06:34 AM
Boston Philharmonic, Benjamin Zander cond.
(http://bostonphil.org/sites/all/files/bpo/sites/default/themes/zen/STARTERKIT/images/Concert1Slider-outlines_1.gif)

The Nielsen is the highlight for me, never heard it live

Looks like an amazing concert!
The Nielsen will be an amazing experience especially if it is the first time you have seen it live!
I saw it live rather recently and was in the choir seats behind the orchestra, so I was just a few meters behind the timpani for that glorious duel in the finale! A concert I will always remember.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Coco on October 14, 2011, 08:04:41 PM
Quote from: Coco on September 27, 2011, 04:49:22 AM
The English Concert Friday, October 14, 2011, 7:30 – 9:30pm
University of Chicago

Purcell: Suite from King Arthur
Vivaldi: Sonata in D minor, op. 1, no. 12, RV 63, "La Follia"
Telemann: Tafelmusik II
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Trumpets in C major, RV 537
Telemann: Concerto for Viola & Strings
Purcell: Suite from Fairy Queen

http://chicagopresents.uchicago.edu/concert-schedule/20102011-season/season-calendar/calendar/#/?i=3

Just got back from this, excellent show. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2011, 11:49:19 AM
Tomorrow afternoon at Carnegie:

The MET Orchestra
Fabio Luisi, Principal Conductor
Richard Goode, Piano
Christine Rice, Mezzo-Soprano

Mozart: Overture to The Magic Flute
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503
John Harbison / Alice Munro: Closer To My Own Life (World Premiere)
R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Amfortas on October 15, 2011, 12:46:14 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 14, 2011, 09:03:38 AM
Looks like an amazing concert!
The Nielsen will be an amazing experience especially if it is the first time you have seen it live!
I saw it live rather recently and was in the choir seats behind the orchestra, so I was just a few meters behind the timpani for that glorious duel in the finale! A concert I will always remember.

Heading out to it now, looking forward  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 16, 2011, 03:04:35 AM
Quote from: Amfortas on October 15, 2011, 12:46:14 PM
Heading out to it now, looking forward  :)

How was it? Hope you enjoyed it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on October 17, 2011, 06:19:53 AM
Yesterday afternoon - our local Winston-Salem Symphony w/ Robert Moody, conductor & musical director:

Overture to the Wasps by Ralph Vaughan Williams
Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov
Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto by He Zhanhao/Chen Gang w/  Steven Moeckel on violin

Symphony No. 7 by Antonin Dvorak for the second half

The surprise to me was the beautiful 'Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto', a piece that I had not heard before; the music was beautiful, evocative, and w/ engaging
Chinese melodies - neither had I heard of Steven Moeckel (German born but now the concertmaster of the Phoenix SO in Arizona).  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Amfortas on October 17, 2011, 08:14:56 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 16, 2011, 03:04:35 AM
How was it? Hope you enjoyed it!

How was it? I don't know where to begin about the Nielsen.
The Sibelius was a revelation of a piece I know pretty well, hearing it live reveals Sibelius as a genius orchestrator.

The Tchaikovsky concerto was well done, I'm not crazy about the work

The Nielsen 4th had everyone leaning forward, spellbound. A perfect performance. The orchestra sounds world-class to my ears.

I absolutely loved it. I wish you could have been there too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on October 17, 2011, 08:21:55 AM
Quote from: SonicMan46 on October 17, 2011, 06:19:53 AM
The surprise to me was the beautiful 'Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto', a piece that I had not heard before; the music was beautiful, evocative, and w/ engaging
Chinese melodies - neither had I heard of Steven Moeckel (German born but now the concertmaster of the Phoenix SO in Arizona).  :)

I haven't listened to that in years. Think I'll take it down from the shelf. I could use some "easy listening" right now  :)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 17, 2011, 09:33:24 AM
Quote from: Amfortas on October 17, 2011, 08:14:56 AM
How was it? I don't know where to begin about the Nielsen.
The Sibelius was a revelation of a piece I know pretty well, hearing it live reveals Sibelius as a genius orchestrator.

The Tchaikovsky concerto was well done, I'm not crazy about the work

The Nielsen 4th had everyone leaning forward, spellbound. A perfect performance. The orchestra sounds world-class to my ears.

I absolutely loved it. I wish you could have been there too!

Great, I wish I could have been there as well! ;)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 17, 2011, 09:36:47 AM
Quote from: Amfortas on October 17, 2011, 08:14:56 AM
The Tchaikovsky concerto was well done, I'm not crazy about the work

If you're not crazy about the work, then the performance was a disservice ; )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 17, 2011, 08:36:48 PM
Paul aka SpringRite, checking in from the good ole USA!

Attended a concert the Disney Hall for the first time. Bronfman had a hand injury, so th emuch anticipated Bartok PC 3 was replaced by Ravel's Daphnes et Chloe Suite 2.

The concert opens with Vivier's ORION, which I am hearing for the first time. Rather interesting work, but I am not daft enough to make heads or tails. I enjoyed it modestly.

The Daphnes et Chloe Suite 2, as a replacement for Bartok PC, was the highlight of the evening. Maestro Dudamel commanded the orchestral beautifully, bringing out all the colors, and allowed the soloists to shine in a work that for 2?3 of its duration is much like chamber music for a large number of musicians. The final flurry was fast, furious with just the right amount of control. Perfection!

After intermission, the Tchaikovsky 5 was for me the disappintment of the night. There is not an ounce of Russian-ness to Dudamel's interpretation. Beyond that, for a work with recurring themes and motifs, he somehow delivered little or no focus. It actually sounded like one disassociated episode after another. I know Salonen himself was not great with romantic repertoire or Tchaikovsky, but Esa-Pekka did ten times better when he was 24, and 20 times better later. Then again, it should be expected from a young maestro who basically grow up and spend most of his time in South America, with limited exposure to culturals outside of the main stream European (and the Americas). I sure hope he gets better with these. The grey hairs who pay most of the bills wants these stuff.

Overall, a worthwhile experience. On my next trip, I will probably try to get to some of the contemporary concerts and chamber concerts (like the Green Umbrella Series).

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 18, 2011, 11:19:33 AM
Thanks for the write-up, Paul! Sorry that Dudamel seemed to be off his game with the Tchaikovsky, but glad the rest was enjoyable. How did you like the hall itself? I think it's one of the world's most beautiful rooms in which to hear music, and the sound is clear, almost palpable.

Tonight, performances at a benefit for MATA, the organization nourishing young composers:

Maya Beiser (cello) in music by Chinary Ung
Steven Schick (percussion) plays Brian Ferneyhough
Joan LaBarbara (voice) in John Cage
International Contemporary Ensemble plays Philip Glass

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 18, 2011, 11:22:08 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 17, 2011, 08:36:48 PM
Paul aka SpringRite, checking in from the good ole USA!

Attended a concert the Disney Hall for the first time. Bronfman had a hand injury, so th emuch anticipated Bartok PC 3 was replaced by Ravel's Daphnes et Chloe Suite 2.

Bummer that they bagged the Bartók!  We're still getting the Brahms Op.83 here on Saturday, but the soloist will be Nicholas Angelich . . . if anything, I'm even more eager to hear Angelich than I was Bronfman in the piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: karlhenning on October 18, 2011, 11:23:44 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 17, 2011, 08:36:48 PM
After intermission, the Tchaikovsky 5 was for me the disappintment of the night. There is not an ounce of Russian-ness to Dudamel's interpretation.

Yeah, but the salsa in the Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza was hot! ; )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Amfortas on October 18, 2011, 11:55:31 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 17, 2011, 09:36:47 AM
If you're not crazy about the work, then the performance was a disservice ; )

Nah, I have heard the piece many times before
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 19, 2011, 10:05:03 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 18, 2011, 11:19:33 AM
Thanks for the write-up, Paul! Sorry that Dudamel seemed to be off his game with the Tchaikovsky, but glad the rest was enjoyable. How did you like the hall itself? I think it's one of the world's most beautiful rooms in which to hear music, and the sound is clear, almost palpable.

--Bruce

The hall's just wonderful. It is probably the best one that I have been to.

There was a bit of salsa in the Tchaikovsky, but no nachos whatsoever.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 21, 2011, 05:51:16 AM
Yesterday: Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra:
Väinö Raitio: Joutsenet (Swans)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiDT2jQLsIY
Mahler: Kindertotenlieder (with soprano Tuija Knihtilä)
Sibelius: 5th Symphony

A superb concert again, with an excellent program. The Raitio piece I didn't know before, but it's a very nice late romantic / impressionistic tone poem.
Tuija Knihtilä was absolutely superb in the Kindertotenlieder, good voice, technique, and interpretation.
Sibelius' 5th was performed very well, too, but then again Sibelius is usually done well around here.
All in all, the program and performances were absolutely fantastic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 21, 2011, 05:59:58 AM
3.11.
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra,

Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No.1
Rahmaninov: Paganini Rhapsody [Bernd Glemser (piano)]
Liszt: Totentanz
Max Reger: Four tone poems after Arnold Böcklin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 22, 2011, 12:40:52 PM
I'll pass on this week's Mozart S40, Beethoven PC2 and go next week
SHOSTAKOVICH   Cello Concerto 2 (Daniel Müller-Schott) and DVORAK Symphony 8 + e of the Slavonic Dances
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on October 24, 2011, 12:52:39 AM
Yesterday, I made it indeed to the Concertgebouw in A'dam for a Villa Lobos concert ( as part of the Europalia Brasil festival).

Three works:

Vidapura (1919): Heitor calls it a "mass/oratorio", but it actually is a ( ca 35 minutes) setting of the catholic mass for soli, chorus and orchestra. No Brazilian flavour at all. Very traditional in an almost anonymous european/late romantic style. More Gounod/Massenet than Bach/Händel. Conductor Celso Antunes ( leader of the Dutch Radio Chorus) corrected a mass of mistakes in the score and lovingly directed his Dutch radio forces in this "youthful sin" . Still, it apparantly earned Heitor enough credits to help him get a pasport for Europe.

Nonetto( 1923-24): a very strange work! Scored for: 1/flute, 2/oboe, 3/clarinet, 4/saxophone, 5/bassoon, 6/percussion (at least 3 musicians!), 7/harp, 8/celesta, 9/piano ...and a mixed chorus! Villa obos calls it a " "Impressão rapida de todo o Brasil" - "Rapid ( quick) Impression of Brazil".
Nonsense texts on onomatopeias and fragments from children's songs. A brittle, yet original ( ca 20 minutes) score . Villa Lobos :"Nova forma de composicao que exprime o ambiente sonoro e os ritmos mais originais do Brasil."
To me it sounded like a score to an expêrimental Art Deco-cartoon, possibly the soundtrack for a Paul Klee documentary...

Choros nr 10 is better known and can be found in several excellent recordings ( Dorian, BIS..). A great and exciting work in Villa Lobos most exuberant manner.


An original and very welcome concert.
P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AWinter on October 24, 2011, 03:39:13 PM
I'm super excited to catch one of the last shows of Dudamel and Goode at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. This coming weekend is the last weekend of his residency, and tickets are still available.  I sometimes work with the LA Phil and have been lucky enough to see Dudamel a few times and he is quite amazing.

If anyone is in the LA area and hasn't gotten tickets yet, I'd love to see some fellow music-loving Angelenos at the show!

Here is information on the show from the website:

Oct 28 – 30
Dudamel and Goode
http://www.laphil.com/dudamel

The compelling Strauss tone poem best known for its glorious opening fanfare (2001) complements the crystalline perfection of Mozart's most dramatic piano concerto.

Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 has been held in such high regard that Beethoven, Brahms, Hummel, Busoni and Clara Schumann all wrote cadenzas for this D-minor masterpiece. We have the great pleasure of hearing it performed by Grammy winner Richard Goode, who recorded it as part of his highly celebrated series with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

One of the very few pieces inspired by chapters of a philosophical treatise (by Friedrich Nietzsche), Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra is best known for its glorious opening fanfare.

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Gustavo Dudamel conductor
Richard Goode piano
KURTÁG Grabstein für Stephan (except Fri.)
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20
STRAUSS Also sprach Zarathustra

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 24, 2011, 06:22:34 PM
Shostakovich Symphony No. 10
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1
Liszt Liebesraum (encore)
Hill & Hill Happy Birthday in the style of Liszt (encore)
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Lang Lang, piano
October 22nd, 2011

What a fine start to my orchestral season! The band was in fine form for the Shostakovich - and it was a treat to hear all the sections strut their stuff, not just the strings. The somber opening movement portrayed a barren landscape, on which nothing could/should grow, and yet the crescendos were quite surprising (and somewhat welcome). The second movement was frenetic and fast paced, in contrast to the large edifice that had preceded it. The nocturnal third was very much so - and reminded me a lot of Mahler's funeral marches. Thanks to the pre-concert conversation, I found out about the Elmira theme and happy to readily pick it out, along with Shostakovich's musical signature. That signature came back in the resounding triumph in the satisfying conclusion of the work.

Following intermission the 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody provided a fine change of mood, which also served as a warmup piece for the simulcast audience who'd just tuned in for the Liszt's portion of the program. And then there's Lang Lang and his playing of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1. The hype surrounding him is large indeed but I think I avoided a good portion of it, as I was very pleasantly surprised by what I heard. Rather than the piece registering as "that was a lot of notes", Lang Lang brought out the contemplative/spiritual nature of the work, with nuanced attacks and dynamics that compelled listening. Not that I've become a Lang Lang fanboy - but I would buy at least his recent release of Liszt's works with Gergiev/Vienna. As an encore, he played Liszt's Liebesraum, which of course featured more of that soft sell playing that left the hall silent (but for someone's phone's beeping alarm). His second, and last encore was to play Happy Birthday in the style of Liszt and had the audience sing along, while the orchestra joined in to accompany him. All in all a fantastic and memorable concert which I was very lucky to attend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on October 25, 2011, 12:08:46 AM
 :)

  Liszt's  Liebesraum!


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 25, 2011, 12:11:44 AM
Quote from: stingo on October 24, 2011, 06:22:34 PM
Shostakovich Symphony No. 10
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1
Liszt Liebesraum (encore)
Hill & Hill Happy Birthday in the style of Liszt (encore)
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, conductor
Lang Lang, piano
October 22nd, 2011

What a fine start to my orchestral season! The band was in fine form for the Shostakovich - and it was a treat to hear all the sections strut their stuff, not just the strings. The somber opening movement portrayed a barren landscape, on which nothing could/should grow, and yet the crescendos were quite surprising (and somewhat welcome). The second movement was frenetic and fast paced, in contrast to the large edifice that had preceded it. The nocturnal third was very much so - and reminded me a lot of Mahler's funeral marches. Thanks to the pre-concert conversation, I found out about the Elmira theme and happy to readily pick it out, along with Shostakovich's musical signature. That signature came back in the resounding triumph in the satisfying conclusion of the work.

Following intermission the 2nd Hungarian Rhapsody provided a fine change of mood, which also served as a warmup piece for the simulcast audience who'd just tuned in for the Liszt's portion of the program. And then there's Lang Lang and his playing of Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1. The hype surrounding him is large indeed but I think I avoided a good portion of it, as I was very pleasantly surprised by what I heard. Rather than the piece registering as "that was a lot of notes", Lang Lang brought out the contemplative/spiritual nature of the work, with nuanced attacks and dynamics that compelled listening. Not that I've become a Lang Lang fanboy - but I would buy at least his recent release of Liszt's works with Gergiev/Vienna. As an encore, he played Liszt's Liebesraum, which of course featured more of that soft sell playing that left the hall silent (but for someone's phone's beeping alarm). His second, and last encore was to play Happy Birthday in the style of Liszt and had the audience sing along, while the orchestra joined in to accompany him. All in all a fantastic and memorable concert which I was very lucky to attend.

I have attended a recital by Lang Lang that was surprisingly good as well. But I hope you kept your eyes closed the whole time though!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 25, 2011, 07:08:05 AM
Quote from: springrite on October 25, 2011, 12:11:44 AM
I have attended a recital by Lang Lang that was surprisingly good as well. But I hope you kept your eyes closed the whole time though!

I did indeed, which helped because they had the house lights up for the simulcast.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 25, 2011, 07:20:40 AM
I'm hearing Dutoit and Philadelphia in that Shostakovich 10 tonight at Carnegie, but with a little different filler:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Chief Conductor
Lang Lang, Piano

FAURÉ: Pavane in F-sharp Minor
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 10

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 25, 2011, 07:23:40 AM
Two great concerts next December:

21st December:
Daniel Barenboim & Filarmonica della Scala

Ludwig van Beethoven      Symphony No.9 in D minor
Arnold Schönberg               Kammersymphonie Op.9

22nd December:
Gustavo Dudamel & Filarmonica della Scala

Gustav Mahler                   Symphony No.2 "Resurrection"


Can't wait to listen to them!!!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 25, 2011, 07:28:11 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on October 25, 2011, 07:23:40 AM
Two great concert next December:

21st December:
Daniel Barenboim & Filarmonica della Scala

Ludwig van Beethoven      Symphony No.9 in D minor
Arnold Schönberg               Kammersymphonie Op.9

22nd December:
Gustavo Dudamel & Filarmonica della Scala

Gustav Mahler                   Symphony No.2 "Resurrection"


Can't wait to listen to them!!!  :D

I am so very jealous, Ilaria!!!!! ;) Those are two absolutely amazing concerts!

This coming Friday:

R.Strauss Don Juan
Mozart Piano Concerto no.24
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

London Philharmonic
Paul Lewis, piano
James Gaffigan, conductor


Looking forward to it! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 25, 2011, 08:40:50 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 25, 2011, 07:20:40 AM
I'm hearing Dutoit and Philadelphia in that Shostakovich 10 tonight at Carnegie, but with a little different filler:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Chief Conductor
Lang Lang, Piano

FAURÉ: Pavane in F-sharp Minor
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 10

--Bruce

I figured you were going to hit up the Carnegie Hall gig - should be a good time too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 25, 2011, 10:59:41 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 25, 2011, 07:28:11 AM
I am so very jealous, Ilaria!!!!! ;) Those are two absolutely amazing concerts!

This coming Friday:

R.Strauss Don Juan
Mozart Piano Concerto no.24
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

London Philharmonic
Paul Lewis, piano
James Gaffigan, conductor


Looking forward to it! :)

Amazing!! These is certainly a wonderful concert as well, I really love all the pieces in the programme!!
I hope you will enjoy it!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 25, 2011, 01:41:29 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on October 25, 2011, 10:59:41 AM
Amazing!! These is certainly a wonderful concert as well, I really love all the pieces in the programme!!
I hope you will enjoy it!  :)

Thank you Ilaria, I do hope you enjoy your two upcoming ones as well! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 26, 2011, 11:42:26 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 25, 2011, 07:20:40 AM
I'm hearing Dutoit and Philadelphia in that Shostakovich 10 tonight at Carnegie, but with a little different filler:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Chief Conductor
Lang Lang, Piano

FAURÉ: Pavane in F-sharp Minor
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 10

--Bruce

Okay, so I won't write a lot at the moment (review to come), but I was knocked out by Dutoit and the orchestra in the Shostakovich. Not only was the playing at an extraordinarily high level (particularly in the winds, but everywhere), but Dutoit really "gets" the piece - and I wasn't sure that this score was his metier.

Lang Lang gave the quietest performance of the Beethoven I've ever heard, and the Pavane was absolutely lovely.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 26, 2011, 12:39:12 PM
When it rains, it pours - tomorrow night at Carnegie:

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, Music Director and Conductor
Stephen Hough, Piano

Tchaikovsky: Voyevoda Overture, Op. 3
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Nielsen: Symphony No. 3, "Sinfonia espansiva"

Have never heard Hough live, and haven't heard the Tchaikovsky in maybe a decade. And know the Nielsen somewhat, but don't recall hearing it live, either.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 28, 2011, 02:55:22 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 25, 2011, 07:28:11 AM
This coming Friday:

R.Strauss Don Juan
Mozart Piano Concerto no.24
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

London Philharmonic
Paul Lewis, piano
James Gaffigan, conductor


Looking forward to it! :)

This was an absolutely amazing concert! The LPO were on top form, and gave a thrilling, virtuosic performance. And what a brilliant young conductor Gaffigan is, I look forward to seeing more from him in the future. The Mozart concerto was changed to no.17 as Paul Lewis was unable to perform, Jonathan Biss was the pianist instead and gave a delightful performance.
Overall, an amazing concert to remember!

Next one:
Bax: Tintagel
Hogan: Rhapsody for Orchestra
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Holst: The Planets

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin cond.

The piece highlighted is my piece! Very excited as this will be the very first time an orchestral has given a concert performance of my work!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 29, 2011, 02:11:58 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 28, 2011, 02:55:22 PM
Next one:
Bax: Tintagel
Hogan: Rhapsody for Orchestra
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Holst: The Planets

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin cond.


What an enchanting programme, Holst's The Planets and Elgar's Cello Concerto are definitely outstanding, and Bax's Tintagel is very brilliant! I'm rather jealous.....

Hogan.......I've never heard about this composer, who is he?  ;)

Joking aside, I would have liked to see the concert, but coming from Italy would have been very hard  :( Anyway I really hope the concert will be a success and your piece will be appreciated!!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 29, 2011, 05:11:19 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on October 29, 2011, 02:11:58 AM
What an enchanting programme, Holst's The Planets and Elgar's Cello Concerto are definitely outstanding, and Bax's Tintagel is very brilliant! I'm rather jealous.....

Hogan.......I've never heard about this composer, who is he?  ;)

Joking aside, I would have liked to see the concert, but coming from Italy would have been very hard  :( Anyway I really hope the concert will be a success and your piece will be appreciated!!  :)

Certainly is a wonderful programme! :)
haha ;) Yes, I understand Ilaria, shame you can't come, would have been lovely to have you there. I think the concert is being filmed so I should be able to upload a performance of the Rhapsody to youtube for you to hear :) Thank you very much Ilaria, I appreciate your support. Hope you are well - my depression about Mhairi continues, but at least music is going well! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 31, 2011, 10:58:34 AM
On Saturday at Carnegie, hearing the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in a new piece by Salonen - and much looking forward to the rest of the program, too.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano

Esa-Pekka Salonen: Nyx (NY Premiere)
Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstasy
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 31, 2011, 11:10:51 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 31, 2011, 10:58:34 AM
On Saturday at Carnegie, hearing the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in a new piece by Salonen - and much looking forward to the rest of the program, too.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, Conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, Piano

Esa-Pekka Salonen: Nyx (NY Premiere)
Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstasy
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3

--Bruce

Very cool program, Bruce!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 31, 2011, 11:12:40 AM
Yes, it is! I adore the overheated Scriabin, and haven't heard the Rach 3 live in probably...15 years or more.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on October 31, 2011, 11:31:22 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 28, 2011, 02:55:22 PM
Hogan: Rhapsody for Orchestra
Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin cond.

The piece highlighted is my piece! Very excited as this will be the very first time an orchestral has given a concert performance of my work!

Wunderkind! Congratulations  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on October 31, 2011, 11:35:01 AM
on Friday

Stravinsky - Jeu de cartes
Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No.2
Hanson - Symphony No.2

Belgrade Philharmonic
Andrei Gavrilov, piano
Andrew Grams, conductor

Don't think I've heard any of the pieces live before, Hanson live or on disc. Should be interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 31, 2011, 11:37:38 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on October 31, 2011, 11:31:22 AM
Wunderkind! Congratulations  8)

Sarge

Thank you Sarge! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 31, 2011, 11:38:35 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 28, 2011, 02:55:22 PM
Next one:
Bax: Tintagel
Hogan: Rhapsody for Orchestra
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Holst: The Planets

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin cond.

The piece highlighted is my piece! Very excited as this will be the very first time an orchestral has given a concert performance of my work!

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on October 31, 2011, 11:31:22 AM
Wunderkind! Congratulations  8)

Sarge

Congrats as well! (Sorry, I was reading too fast and missed this.) And to be in the company of Bax, Elgar and Holst...you must be very happy.

Quote from: Drasko on October 31, 2011, 11:35:01 AM
on Friday

Stravinsky - Jeu de cartes
Saint-Saens - Piano Concerto No.2
Hanson - Symphony No.2

Belgrade Philharmonic
Andrei Gavrilov, piano
Andrew Grams, conductor

Don't think I've heard any of the pieces live before, Hanson live or on disc. Should be interesting.

And a great program here, for sure. You don't see that Stravinsky show up all that often - or the Hanson, for that matter.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 31, 2011, 11:42:20 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 31, 2011, 11:38:35 AM
Congrats as well! (Sorry, I was reading too fast and missed this.) And to be in the company of Bax, Elgar and Holst...you must be very happy.
--Bruce

Thank you Bruce! :) When I was told that I would be composing a piece for a concert with such well known and loved pieces I was rather nervous! ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 02, 2011, 05:33:41 AM
A bit of DSCH tonight:


Symphonies 1 & 4 (two of my favorites)

Valery Gergiev, Munich Philharmonic
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on November 02, 2011, 06:06:47 AM
Heard Le Sacre du Printemps (Rite of Spring) live today, in Arnhem. For the second time in my life. Still, quite an experience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 02, 2011, 06:25:37 AM
Quote from: Christo on November 02, 2011, 06:06:47 AM
Heard Le Sacre du Printemps (Rite of Spring) live today, in Arnhem. For the second time in my life. Still, quite an experience.

It's a beauty!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: zmic on November 03, 2011, 11:26:19 AM
Last night I heard Victoria's requiem mass by Collegium Vocale/Herreweghe  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 03, 2011, 11:28:02 AM
Quote from: zmic on November 03, 2011, 11:26:19 AM
Last night I heard Victoria's requiem mass by Collegium Vocale/Herreweghe  8)

Great piece, great group, great conductor! Where was it?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: zmic on November 03, 2011, 12:23:20 PM
Quote from: Brewski on November 03, 2011, 11:28:02 AM
Great piece, great group, great conductor! Where was it?

--Bruce

Ghent, Belgium where I live. Home game for Herreweghe.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 03, 2011, 12:46:45 PM
Fantastic...I just heard him and the group live for the first time last year, in a beautiful program of Brahms, Schubert and Cornelius that ended with Bruckner's Mass in E minor.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on November 03, 2011, 03:18:33 PM
November 5th, 2011
Mozart Symphony No. 40
Brahms A German Requiem
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Dorothea Röschmann - Soprano
Matthias Goerne - Baritone
The Westminster Symphonic Choir - Mixed chorus
Verizon Hall

My next concert - can't wait! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 04, 2011, 03:55:17 AM
Quote from: North Star on October 21, 2011, 05:59:58 AM
3.11.
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra,

Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No.1
Max Reger: Four tone poems after Arnold Böcklin
Rahmaninov: Paganini Rhapsody [Bernd Glemser (piano)]
Liszt: Totentanz [Bernd Glemser (piano)]


A great concert yet again, the orchestra has improved quite a bit during this season, and Glemser was fantastic in the Totentanz and Paganini Rhapsody, too. Awesome stuff, especially getting Glemser here.
Helsing, who was awarded the Louis Spohr medal some time ago, is doing a wonderful job with the orchestra. It seems probable, though that she will be leaving Oulu and go to Central Europe, UK or US. Sadly we can't keep all the great Finnish conductors here.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on November 04, 2011, 05:23:19 AM
Quote from: North Star on November 04, 2011, 03:55:17 AM
A great concert yet again, the orchestra has improved quite a bit during this season, and Glemser was fantastic in the Totentanz and Paganini Rhapsody, too. Awesome stuff, especially getting Glemser here.
Helsing, who was awarded the Louis Spohr medal some time ago, is doing a wonderful job with the orchestra, and won the Louis Spohr medal some months ago. It seems probable, though that she will be leaving Oulu and go to Central Europe, UK or US. Sadly we can't keep all the great Finnish conductors here.  8)
Glemser performed the same pair last weekend with the San Antonio Symphony conducted by Sebastian Lang-Lessing. Stupendous playing from Glemser. I've never heard such a thrilling Totentanz.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on November 04, 2011, 05:34:07 AM
The Met HD Live performance of Wagner's Siegfried will begin Saturday, November 5 at 12:00 noon ET. You can check the Met website for participating theaters. I went to the Walkure performance and while I didn't particularly like the staging (the multiple plank "machine") it was musically quite good and the HD experience was the next best thing to being there. My only major complaint concerned the theater next door playing something with LOTS of explosions, which was distracting. I'll be at the Huebner Oaks AMC.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on November 04, 2011, 06:09:59 AM
next Thursday in Antwerp:

War Requiem, opus 66  Benjamin Britten 

Antwerp PhO , childrens choir flemish opera , City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus 
cond.: Martyn Brabbins 
soprano:  Emma Bell 
tenor  Allan Oke 
bas  Florian Boesch 

Looks very promissing.

Peter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on November 05, 2011, 12:04:28 PM
Tonight my wife and I will be enjoying our annual visit to opening night of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra season . The program is: 

Sibelius-Finlandia
Prokofiev-Piano Concerto No. 3
Mussorgsky-Pictures at an Exhibition

I'm unfamiliar with the Prokofiev, so I'm listening to the Gilels/Kondrashin recording now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 09, 2011, 05:40:48 AM
Bought myself a ticket today for a concert by Minguet Quartet (http://www.germany-and-india.com/en/event/306) on the 15th. I have no idea what they will be playing on that day, although if the Bombay programme in anything to go by, it will be "Bach, Mozart and Brahms". But they do have some other interesting composers as well as part of their repertoire.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 11, 2011, 09:20:06 AM
Tommorow:

Bax Tintagel
Hogan Rhapsody for Orchestra (world premiere)
Elgar Cello Concerto
INTERVAL
Holst The Planets

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin.

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/leisure/9357394.Teenager_composer_prepares_for_English_themed_concert/

;D

Will let you know how it goes. So excited for the premiere of my work, and also looking forward to playing the 'organ' in The Planets! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on November 11, 2011, 09:28:19 AM
Tonight's San Antonio Symphony concert:

Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Claudia Barainsky, soprano
Morgan Smith, bass-baritone
University of Texas at San Antonio Concert Choir, John Silantien, director
San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, John Silantien, director

Brahms/Glanert Four Preludes and Serious Songs
Brahms A German Requiem, Op.45

This will be the USA premiere of the Brahms/Glanert work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 11, 2011, 09:33:53 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 11, 2011, 09:20:06 AM
Tommorow:

Bax Tintagel
Hogan Rhapsody for Orchestra (world premiere)
Elgar Cello Concerto
INTERVAL
Holst The Planets

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin.

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/leisure/9357394.Teenager_composer_prepares_for_English_themed_concert/

;D

Will let you know how it goes. So excited for the premiere of my work, and also looking forward to playing the 'organ' in The Planets! :)

That's excellent! Congratulations, Daniel. Any chance that one could listen to it over the Web somehow? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 11, 2011, 09:49:43 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 11, 2011, 09:33:53 AM
That's excellent! Congratulations, Daniel. Any chance that one could listen to it over the Web somehow? :)

Yes, I'd be interested in this, too, if possible. 

For me, tonight:

Olivier Latry, organ
Alice Tully Hall

ALL-MESSIAEN PROGRAM
Apparition de l'église éternelle
Verset pour la Fête de la Dédicace
Selections from Livre du Saint Sacrement, Messe de la Pentecôte, Livre d'orgue, and La Nativité du Seigneur

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 11, 2011, 10:06:40 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 11, 2011, 09:33:53 AM
That's excellent! Congratulations, Daniel. Any chance that one could listen to it over the Web somehow? :)

Thank you Navneeth! :) I believe there will be an audio recording which I will upload to youtube and share on GMG. Thank you again! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 11, 2011, 10:15:17 PM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 09, 2011, 05:40:48 AM
Bought myself a ticket today for a concert by Minguet Quartet (http://www.germany-and-india.com/en/event/306) on the 15th. I have no idea what they will be playing on that day, although if the Bombay programme in anything to go by, it will be "Bach, Mozart and Brahms". But they do have some other interesting composers as well as part of their repertoire.

The programme (http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/ver/en8423760v.htm) has now been put up:


W. A. Mozart - String Quartet in D minor
Wolfgang Rihm (*1952) - 11th String Quartet (1998/2010) - Premiere of the revised version
Johannes Brahms - String Quartet op. 51 No. 1


*Excited* (Despite the fact the I'm not a big fan of Brahms' quartets.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 12, 2011, 05:23:29 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on November 11, 2011, 10:15:17 PM
The programme (http://www.goethe.de/ins/in/che/ver/en8423760v.htm) has now been put up:


W. A. Mozart - String Quartet in D minor
Wolfgang Rihm (*1952) - 11th String Quartet (1998/2010) - Premiere of the revised version
Johannes Brahms - String Quartet op. 51 No. 1


*Excited* (Despite the fact the I'm not a big fan of Brahms' quartets.)

Hey Nav.  Perhaps a live performance of JB's SQ# 1 may change this a bit.  It's worked for me in past for a greater love and appreciation of certain pieces - hearing them performed live.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 12, 2011, 05:49:05 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 12, 2011, 05:23:29 AM
Hey Nav.  Perhaps a live performance of JB's SQ# 1 may change this a bit.  It's worked for me in past for a greater love and appreciation of certain pieces - hearing them performed live.  :)

Perhaps. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 12, 2011, 07:06:32 AM
Attended the Berlin Phil concert in Beijing of Mahler 9 under Simon Rattle.

Difficult to describe my feelings. First of all, nothing sounded like Mahler until the last movement. The first three movements were very rough around the edges, intentionally so I am sure, maybe to make the final movement stand out as the focal point? The second movent sounded nothing like a Viennese, no Landler or Waltz but a Danse Macabre or La Valse like dance with lurking sinister and evil under-current. The third movement sounded much like parts of Tanhauser, Wagnerian rather than Mahlerian sounding. But all these, which took me a long time to get used to, makes the final movement stand out and it was outstanding.

Love it or hate it, what you have to admire about Rattle is how he does not take the usual safe route. His interpretation is unusual, but overall it has its merits and makes sense in its own way. I never liked the Rattle Sound. But maybe that is why the musicians of BPO chose him. His sound is as far away for Herbert von Fluffy as anyone. They have had enough of that and wanted a new route. They do have it now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 12, 2011, 03:19:13 PM
Quote from: springrite on November 12, 2011, 07:06:32 AM
Attended the Berlin Phil concert in Beijing of Mahler 9 under Simon Rattle.


Am very very jealous.....

Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 11, 2011, 09:20:06 AM
Tommorow:

Bax Tintagel
Hogan Rhapsody for Orchestra (world premiere)
Elgar Cello Concerto
INTERVAL
Holst The Planets

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin.

http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/leisure/9357394.Teenager_composer_prepares_for_English_themed_concert/

;D

Will let you know how it goes. So excited for the premiere of my work, and also looking forward to playing the 'organ' in The Planets! :)

Went so so very well! The audience seemed to love my piece! :) Was an absolutely amazing experience.  :)
Will hopefully post a recording soon!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 12, 2011, 03:23:13 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 12, 2011, 03:19:13 PM
Went so so very well! The audience seemed to love my piece! :) Was an absolutely amazing experience.  :)
Will hopefully post a recording soon!

Oooh, please do!!!

Have you got your own thread in the "Composing and Performing" forum? I'm afraid I don't visit that board too often...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 12, 2011, 03:35:59 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 12, 2011, 03:23:13 PM
Oooh, please do!!!

Have you got your own thread in the "Composing and Performing" forum? I'm afraid I don't visit that board too often...

:)

I do not yet, I was thinking about making my own thread, so now you mention it, I will do that soon. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 12, 2011, 04:03:58 PM
We went with a movie director friend. The following is a conversation between him and the producer at a meeting in the after before the concert:

Producer: Why are you always looking at your watch? What can be more important than making our movie???

Director: Mahler 9. Mahler 9 is more important than making any movie.

Producer: (...speechless...)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 14, 2011, 05:57:19 AM
No, I did not go and it wasn't a concert, but I may well report it here. Shakespeare's Richard III has been playing in Beijing, starring Kevin Spacy in the past 3 weeks to sellout performances and several more performances have just been added. That will make it something like 30 shows. I know there will be people in Beijing going to Shakespeare in English language performances, but 30 shows? That is so much better than I expected. I would have gone had I had the time.

Czech Phil in Beijng next month. I will try real hard to... well... IF I am in Beijing then.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on November 14, 2011, 11:03:05 PM
tonight, Vancouver Symphony O.  Carlos Miguel Prieto  guest cond.  Yossif Ivanov, violin
BARBER   Symphony no. 1
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto (the usual)
RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances.
Pre-concert talk by the conductor who seemed quite at ease and enjoying the session (and who should know the works better?).   The Barber must have been a first encounter for the orchestra, although it might have been adventurously  programmed before any of the players were born.  It's a tough one for the players.  Mendelssohn had a reduced orchestra so the soloist could be clearly heard.   The Rachmaninoff was magnificent, it's been played a couple of times previously and sounded like it was a collection of taped bits and pieces.  This was much better.
Rush seats now $20 (from $18.50) = EUR 14.50 approx, for the balcony where the sound is best.
Next on my list: MAHLER Songs of a Wayfarer and BRAHMS German Requiem.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 15, 2011, 11:48:36 AM
Quote from: listener on November 14, 2011, 11:03:05 PM
tonight, Vancouver Symphony O.  Carlos Miguel Prieto  guest cond.  Yossif Ivanov, violin
BARBER   Symphony no. 1
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto (the usual)
RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances.
Pre-concert talk by the conductor who seemed quite at ease and enjoying the session (and who should know the works better?).   The Barber must have been a first encounter for the orchestra, although it might have been adventurously  programmed before any of the players were born.  It's a tough one for the players.  Mendelssohn had a reduced orchestra so the soloist could be clearly heard.   The Rachmaninoff was magnificent, it's been played a couple of times previously and sounded like it was a collection of taped bits and pieces.  This was much better.
Rush seats now $20 (from $18.50) = EUR 14.50 approx, for the balcony where the sound is best.
Next on my list: MAHLER Songs of a Wayfarer and BRAHMS German Requiem.

I've heard mostly great reports about Prieto; he seems like one of the next big stars. In any case, nice program!

This Friday, I'm hearing:

Talea Ensemble
German Consulate General

Carl Christian Bettendorf: Klavierstück IV (2010) *US Premiere
Wolfgang Rihm: Klavierstück IV (1974)
Karlheinz Stockhausen: Kontakte (1960)

Steve Beck, piano
Anthony Cheung, piano
Alex Lipowski, percussion
Sam Pluta, sound projection

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 18, 2011, 08:25:59 AM
Tomorrow night:

New York Philharmonic
Bernard Haitink, conductor

Haydn: Symphony No. 96, Miracle 
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 18, 2011, 03:54:12 PM
Super-duper excited!!!  :)  I will be attending my first ever live opera concert, on Tuesday November 22nd.  The Manitoba Opera performing Richard Strauss' Salome

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Conductor - Tyrone Paterson

Director - Larry Desrochers

Cast

Salome - Mlada Khudoley
Herod - Dennis Peterson
Jokanaan - Gregory Dahl
Herodias - Judith Frost
Narraboth - Michael Colvin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 18, 2011, 03:57:15 PM
Quote from: Brewski on November 18, 2011, 08:25:59 AM
Tomorrow night:

New York Philharmonic
Bernard Haitink, conductor

Haydn: Symphony No. 96, Miracle 
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce

Very nice Bruce!  :)  I heard Bruckner 7th live in Feb 2011, one of the most memorable, incredible concerts I've ever attended.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 21, 2011, 12:29:23 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 18, 2011, 03:54:12 PM
Super-duper excited!!!  :)  I will be attending my first ever live opera concert, on Tuesday November 22nd.  The Manitoba Opera performing Richard Strauss' Salome

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Conductor - Tyrone Paterson

Director - Larry Desrochers

Cast

Salome - Mlada Khudoley
Herod - Dennis Peterson
Jokanaan - Gregory Dahl
Herodias - Judith Frost
Narraboth - Michael Colvin

That's a great one to hear in concert, since it's relatively short (i.e., under two hours). And man, that final scene...the last 25 minutes or so...heaven.

Quote from: ChamberNut on November 18, 2011, 03:57:15 PM
Very nice Bruce!  :)  I heard Bruckner 7th live in Feb 2011, one of the most memorable, incredible concerts I've ever attended.  :)

Haitink was fantastic in both the Haydn and the Bruckner, but particularly the latter. Like most great pieces, it's just great in person.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 26, 2011, 11:03:06 AM
Today, saw a wonderful concert at the RAM, with the Junior Academy Symphony Orchestra. I was amazed at how close to a professional standard the orchestra sounded, and this is some of the most virtuosic repetoire ever written! I love being a part of the academy! :) :)

The programme was:
Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Holst: The Perfect Fool Suite
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on November 28, 2011, 10:05:52 AM
At Snape next year :

In March :

Belcea Quartet
Beethoven Quartet Op.18 No.1 in F; Quartet Op.59 No.3 in C; Quartet Op.132 in A minor


In July :

Aldeburgh World Orchestra * - Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Mahler Adagio from Symphony No.10
Shostakovich Symphony No.5


* Specially created for the London 2012 Festival (the culmination of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad), Aldeburgh World Orchestra brings together acclaimed British conductor, Sir Mark Elder and 124 top-calibre young artists (18–29 years)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 28, 2011, 10:11:37 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 26, 2011, 11:03:06 AM
Shostakovich: Festive Overture

This is a very cool piece, Daniel. I'm sure how often it gets performed, but it's a blast to listen to. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 28, 2011, 11:37:02 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 28, 2011, 10:11:37 AM
This is a very cool piece, Daniel. I'm sure how often it gets performed, but it's a blast to listen to. 8)

Certainly is! I agree John, I love it!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 28, 2011, 01:14:25 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 26, 2011, 11:03:06 AM
Today, saw a wonderful concert at the RAM, with the Junior Academy Symphony Orchestra. I was amazed at how close to a professional standard the orchestra sounded, and this is some of the most virtuosic repetoire ever written! I love being a part of the academy! :) :)

The programme was:
Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Holst: The Perfect Fool Suite
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

Great line-up! You don't see these live very often (at least, the first two).

Quote from: Papy Oli on November 28, 2011, 10:05:52 AM
At Snape next year :

In March :

Belcea Quartet
Beethoven Quartet Op.18 No.1 in F; Quartet Op.59 No.3 in C; Quartet Op.132 in A minor


In July :

Aldeburgh World Orchestra * - Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Mahler Adagio from Symphony No.10
Shostakovich Symphony No.5


* Specially created for the London 2012 Festival (the culmination of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad), Aldeburgh World Orchestra brings together acclaimed British conductor, Sir Mark Elder and 124 top-calibre young artists (18–29 years)

This new orchestra is fantastic news, and that's an appealing program to show what they can do.  I hope they plan to stick around after the Olympiad.

Tonight I'm seeing:

New York New Music Ensemble
Center for Jewish History
Guest artists:
Susan Narucki, soprano
Deborah Wong, violin
Lois Martin, viola

David Glaser: Of Twilight (1999/ rev. 2011, based on Charles Simic's "Dimestore Alchemy" recounting Joseph Cornell's life and box constructions)
Stephen Dembski: The Show (1986, by Donald Barthelme, with projections of Barthelme's steel engravings)
Joan Tower: Rising (2010)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 29, 2011, 10:27:15 AM
Tonight at Zankel Hall:

Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio
    ·· Joseph Kalichstein, Piano
    ·· Jaime Laredo, Violin
    ·· Sharon Robinson, Cello
Michael Tree, Viola
Harold Robinson, Double Bass

Beethoven: Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 11
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Quintet for Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass and Piano (NY Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 50

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on November 29, 2011, 09:29:05 PM
Just noticed a plexiglass advertisement at my workpalce of all places for the concert on Dec. 4th with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra!

http://www.germany-and-india.com/en/event/304
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 30, 2011, 04:06:15 AM
On Friday at the National Art Center by Tiananmen Square:

Czech Philharmonic doing the Mahler 6!


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 30, 2011, 06:56:29 AM
Quote from: springrite on November 30, 2011, 04:06:15 AM
On Friday at the National Art Center by Tiananmen Square:

Czech Philharmonic doing the Mahler 6!

Am jealous! Who's the conductor?
I've seen Mahler 6 twice live this year - and hope to see it many times next year as well. I'd really like to see Fischer do it sometime....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 30, 2011, 07:36:55 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 30, 2011, 06:56:29 AM
Am jealous! Who's the conductor?
I've seen Mahler 6 twice live this year - and hope to see it many times next year as well. I'd really like to see Fischer do it sometime....

The conductor is Klaus Peter Flor.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 30, 2011, 01:27:00 PM
Quote from: springrite on November 30, 2011, 04:06:15 AM
On Friday at the National Art Center by Tiananmen Square:

Czech Philharmonic doing the Mahler 6!

Fantastic!  8)

Tonight, back to Zankel Hall for:

Avanti! Chamber Orchestra
Hannu Lintu, Conductor
Elizabeth Futral, Soprano
Heikki Nikula, Bass Clarinet
Avanti! Quartet

Kaija Saariaho: Nymphéa
Lotta Wennäkoski: Kuule II
Jukka Tiensuu: nemo
Kaija Saariaho: Emilie Suite (World Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on November 30, 2011, 03:47:42 PM
@Bruce - How was the KLR concert? It was talked about on NPR.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 01, 2011, 07:08:17 AM
Quote from: stingo on November 30, 2011, 03:47:42 PM
@Bruce - How was the KLR concert? It was talked about on NPR.

(I'm writing a full review, so I'll keep this short.) It was good, without being "fantastic." They're such excellent players - all three - and have been performing together for decades, and it shows in the way they interact with each other. The Beethoven and Zwilich were very well done - people were standing with "bravo's" for the latter, which is nice to see for a living composer. The Tchaikovsky seems less successful as a piece, with the composer perhaps a little too in love with its themes, which are repeated a few too many times for my taste. And there were some intonation issues, perhaps due to the weird weather that evening: uncharacteristically warm and humid for a late November day. But I enjoyed the evening, and the place was packed; I spotted Emanuel Ax among others.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 01, 2011, 11:02:07 AM
And looking forward to this recital on Saturday night. Campbell is an extraordinary young cellist, whom I heard last spring in the Lutoslawski Cello Concerto - which he performed from memory.  :o

Austrian Cultural Forum
Jay Campbell, cello

Magnus Linberg: Stroke
Morton Feldman: Durations 2
David Hertzberg: Vocalise
J.S. Bach: Suite No.1 for violoncello solo senza basso, BWV 1007
Matthias Pintscher: Figura V: Assonanza
Anton Webern: Drei Kleine Stücke, Op. 11
Charles Wuorinen: An Orbicle of Jasp

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 01, 2011, 11:05:13 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 01, 2011, 11:02:07 AM
Charles Wuorinen: An Orbicle of Jasp

A piece you don't see programmed often enough.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on December 01, 2011, 11:06:18 AM
 16.12.

Aapo Häkkinen & Helsinki Baroque Orchestra
María Cristina Kiehr, soprano

Buxtehude – Kirchhoff – Cazzati – Monteverdi
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 01, 2011, 11:15:19 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on December 01, 2011, 11:05:13 AM
A piece you don't see programmed often enough.

I heard it once, a couple of years ago, and recall liking it. And IIRC it's quite taxing!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 01, 2011, 11:36:36 AM
Aye; and as a rule (for related reasons) Wuorinen is generally a good choice for a concert closer!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on December 01, 2011, 03:50:53 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on December 01, 2011, 11:36:36 AM
Aye; and as a rule (for related reasons) Wuorinen is generally a good choice for a concert closer!

A concert featuring Wuorinen and Henning in October? Hummm...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 01, 2011, 11:59:30 PM
Wednesday, December 7

Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest

Jordi Savall & Hesperion XXI

Istanbul. Dimitrie Cantemir: "La livre de la science de la musique" et les traditions musicales sepharades et armeniennes
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on December 02, 2011, 12:01:41 AM
Quote from: Florestan on December 01, 2011, 11:59:30 PM
Wednesday, December 7

Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest

Jordi Savall & Hesperion XXI

Istanbul. Dimitrie Cantemir: "La livre de la science de la musique" et les traditions musicales sepharades et armeniennes

How I wish I could fly to Budapest Bucharest for the concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 02, 2011, 12:03:31 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on December 02, 2011, 12:01:41 AM
How I wish I could fly to Budapest Bucharest for the concert.

Naughty, naughty, Nav!   ;D :D

I can hardly wait for it. I have the CD but I am eager to hear it live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on December 02, 2011, 12:04:36 AM
Quote from: Florestan on December 02, 2011, 12:03:31 AM
Naughty, naughty, Nav!   ;D :D

;)

Quote
I can hardly wait for it. I have the CD but I am eager to hear it live.

I'm a fan of that CD as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on December 02, 2011, 05:46:36 AM
Quote from: springrite on November 30, 2011, 04:06:15 AM
On Friday at the National Art Center by Tiananmen Square:

Czech Philharmonic doing the Mahler 6!
I just came home from the worst concert performance I have ever experienced, including high school and community orchestras. Claus Peter Flor obviously either did not care or had no clue whatsoever. The orchestra had little or no rehearsal. During the ninety minutes with no focus, purpose, direction, cohesiveness or conviction, the conductor danced around like a buffoon while members of the orchestra played either tentatively or hurriedly, each trying to find their place with varying degrees of success. Sometimes entire sections miss their entrance such as the brass in the coda of the first movement! The beginning of the last movement everyone was so tentative it became bad chamber music with percussion. How can the great name of The Czech Philharmonics be allowed to be ruined like this? It was ridiculous, sickening, disgusting, embarrassing and bordering on criminal!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on December 02, 2011, 05:50:58 AM
Oh, my!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 02, 2011, 05:54:48 AM
Woof!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 02, 2011, 08:14:07 AM
Quote from: springrite on December 02, 2011, 05:46:36 AM
I just came home from the worst concert performance I have ever experienced, including high school and community orchestras. Claus Peter Flor obviously either did not care or had no clue whatsoever. The orchestra had little or no rehearsal. During the ninety minutes with no focus, purpose, direction, cohesiveness or conviction, the conductor danced around like a buffoon while members of the orchestra played either tentatively or hurriedly, each trying to find their place with varying degrees of success. Sometimes entire sections miss their entrance such as the brass in the coda of the first movement! The beginning of the last movement everyone was so tentative it became bad chamber music with percussion. How can the great name of The Czech Philharmonics be allowed to be ruined like this? It was ridiculous, sickening, disgusting, embarrassing and bordering on criminal!

Oh dear....

I imagine if I had been there, hearing my favourite piece of all time being tortured like you describe, I would have jumped onto the stage, grabbed the hammer, and hit every single musician with it.... Nothing beats seeing the hammer live - surely that was ok?!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on December 02, 2011, 08:21:11 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 02, 2011, 08:14:07 AM
Oh dear....

I imagine if I had been there, hearing my favourite piece of all time being tortured like you describe, I would have jumped onto the stage, grabbed the hammer, and hit every single musician with it.... Nothing beats seeing the hammer live - surely that was ok?!
Please just hit the conductor, and do so multiple times.

Btw, the hammer was the only instrument that entered properly each time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 02, 2011, 08:32:37 AM
Quote from: springrite on December 02, 2011, 08:21:11 AM
Please just hit the conductor, and do so multiple times.

Btw, the hammer was the only instrument that entered properly each time.

Shall do.

Quote from: springrite on December 02, 2011, 08:21:11 AM
Btw, the hammer was the only instrument that entered properly each time.

>:(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 02, 2011, 09:48:01 AM
Quote from: springrite on December 02, 2011, 08:21:11 AM
Btw, the hammer was the only instrument that entered properly each time.

The laborers know when to clock in . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 02, 2011, 02:34:38 PM
Alexandre Tharaud: A Case of Perpetual Puppy
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/12/tharaud-case-of-perpetual-puppy.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/12/tharaud-case-of-perpetual-puppy.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 02, 2011, 02:48:19 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on December 02, 2011, 02:34:38 PM
Alexandre Tharaud: A Case of Perpetual Puppy
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/12/tharaud-case-of-perpetual-puppy.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/12/tharaud-case-of-perpetual-puppy.html)

Nice work, Jens! Never heard Tharaud (and I guess unless I get back to the Netherlands or France, it'll be awhile).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ibanezmonster on December 02, 2011, 07:48:35 PM
Quote from: springrite on November 12, 2011, 04:03:58 PM
We went with a movie director friend. The following is a conversation between him and the producer at a meeting in the after before the concert:

Producer: Why are you always looking at your watch? What can be more important than making our movie???

Director: Mahler 9. Mahler 9 is more important than making any movie.

Producer: (...speechless...)
It's the truth.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 04, 2011, 01:12:58 PM
Tonight at Baryshnikov Arts Center, the debut of a new contemporary music group, Ensemble Moto Perpetuo:

Philippe Manoury: Instants Pluriels
Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Hrím
Jason Eckardt: Trespass

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on December 05, 2011, 11:08:44 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on September 10, 2011, 06:12:25 AM
and more Beethoven SQ in December :

Belcea Quartet - Beethoven Cycle

Quartet Op.95 in F minor
Quartet Op.18 No.6 in B flat
Quartet Op.127 in E flat

Bit disappointed by this one. It felt just like a run through the motions and nothing more. I don't know if that's because the performance was recorded for their ongoing SQ cycle and they held back a bit, but it was not very engaging. I have a ticket for another of their concert in March (Op.18/1, Op.59/3, Op.132) - not sure I will take the plunge on tickets for their other concerts next year.

Maybe they have suffered from the great impression Quatuor Mosaiques had on me a couple of months back as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on December 05, 2011, 11:30:26 AM
And a couple more bookings for April :

Britten–Pears Orchestra and Soloists
Aldeburgh Voices · London Voices
Ben Parry music director
Antonello Manacorda conductor

Schoenberg - Friede auf Erden
Beethoven - Symphony No.9


-------------

Elisabeth Leonskaja piano

Beethoven - Piano Sonata in E Op.109; Piano Sonata in A flat Op.110; Piano Sonata in C minor Op.111

------------

English Touring Opera: The Barber of Seville
Thomas Guthrie director
Paul McGrath conductor

Rossini - The Barber of Seville (in English)

1st live Beethoven symphony, 1st live Beethoven sonatas and for good measure 1st live Opera too.... ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on December 06, 2011, 02:03:32 AM
an odd combination for a Mahler festival
A 4-concert festival at the Orpheum culminating in a performance of Mahler's masterpiece Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection' on Monday, January 23rd.

Concert 1: Friday, January 20, 8pm, Orpheum
A chamber music concert featuring Bramwell Tovey, soprano Marquita Lister, and members of the VSO, performing music by Bruckner, Mahler, Strauss and Schonberg.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Concert 2: Saturday, January 21, 8pm, Orpheum
Music from the City of Vienna

Bramwell Tovey, conductor
Melody Yua Yuan, violin

    Von Suppe Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna
    Brahms Hungarian Dances No. 4, 1, 5
    Mahler Symphony No. 1: Blumine
    Sarasate Zigeunerweisen
    Strauss II Roses from the South
    Lehar Gold and Silver Waltz
    Strauss Pizzicato Polka
    E. Strauss Alpine Rose Mazurka
    Strauss II Perpetuum Mobile
    Strauss II Champagne Polka
    Strauss II The Beautiful Blue Danube

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Concert 3: Sunday, January 22, 8pm, Orpheum
A performance of chamber music featuring members of the VSO. This concert also includes a one-act a capella opera by VSO Composer-in-Residence Edward Top.

Mahler Ruckert Lieder
    Sarah Fryer, soprano
    Bramwell Tovey, piano

Brahms Clarinet Quintet
    Jennifer Jonquil, clarinet
    Dale Barltrop, violin
    Nicholas Wright, violin
    Neil Miskey, viola
    Joseph Elworthy, cello

Top Love Thy Neighbour (a capella opera with libretto by Tom Cone)
    Siri Olesen, soprano
    Melanie Adams, mezzo soprano
    CD Saint, tenor
    Joel Klein, bass

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Concert 4: Monday, January 23, 8pm, Orpheum
Mahler Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Resurrection
    Bramwell Tovey, conductor
    Marquita Lister, soprano
    Sarah Fryer, mezzo soprano
    Vancouver Bach Choir
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 07, 2011, 08:30:47 AM


Ionarts-at-Large: Weinberg Lured Me to the Castle

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/12/ionarts-at-large-weinberg-lured-me-to.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2011/12/ionarts-at-large-weinberg-lured-me-to.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 08, 2011, 05:10:04 AM
Quote from: Florestan on December 01, 2011, 11:59:30 PM
Wednesday, December 7

Romanian Athenaeum, Bucharest

Jordi Savall & Hesperion XXI

Istanbul. Dimitrie Cantemir: "La livre de la science de la musique" et les traditions musicales sepharades et armeniennes

That was absolutely fabulous. They performed other pieces than those on the homonymous CD, but with the same infectious enthusiasm and virtuosity.

The most moving moments, though, were at the end of each of the two parts, when two lullabies sang by the late Montserrat Figuerras were played in the loudspeakers, all lights off. Truly heart-wrenching.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 08, 2011, 05:26:30 AM
Lovely!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Willoughby earl of Itacarius on December 08, 2011, 05:31:37 AM
Quote from: Florestan on December 08, 2011, 05:10:04 AM
That was absolutely fabulous. They performed other pieces than those on the homonymous CD, but with the same infectious enthusiasm and virtuosity.

The most moving moments, though, were at the end of each of the two parts, when two lullabies sang by the late Montserrat Figuerras were played in the loudspeakers, all lights off. Truly heart-wrenching.

A homage she thoroughly deserved! :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on December 08, 2011, 12:32:09 PM
Esa-Pekka Salonen and Leila Josefowicz this Friday with the San Francisco SYmphony:

Sibelius: Pohjola's Daughter
Esa-Pekka Salonen: Violin Concerto
Wagner: Excerpts from Götterdämmerung (with soprano Christine Brewer)

I heard the world premiere of Salonen's Violin Concerto in LA, but I had to get seats behind the orchestra; thus, it was sometimes hard to hear the violin! I'm looking forward to hearing it again, as it was one hell of a powerful piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 08, 2011, 12:35:58 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on December 08, 2011, 12:32:09 PM
Esa-Pekka Salonen and Leila Josefowicz this Friday with the San Francisco SYmphony:

Sibelius: Pohjola's Daughter
Esa-Pekka Salonen: Violin Concerto
Wagner: Excerpts from Götterdämmerung (with soprano Christine Brewer)

I heard the world premiere of Salonen's Violin Concerto in LA, but I had to get seats behind the orchestra; thus, it was sometimes hard to hear the violin! I'm looking forward to hearing it again, as it was one hell of a powerful piece.

That looks great! (You probably heard that the Violin Concerto won Salonen the latest Grawemeyer Award, with a $100,000 prize.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 08, 2011, 01:13:01 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on December 08, 2011, 12:32:09 PM
Esa-Pekka Salonen and Leila Josefowicz this Friday with the San Francisco SYmphony:

Sibelius: Pohjola's Daughter
Esa-Pekka Salonen: Violin Concerto
Wagner: Excerpts from Götterdämmerung (with soprano Christine Brewer)

I heard the world premiere of Salonen's Violin Concerto in LA, but I had to get seats behind the orchestra; thus, it was sometimes hard to hear the violin! I'm looking forward to hearing it again, as it was one hell of a powerful piece.

That sounds like an amazing concert.....

Tommorow, I shall be in the percussion section for the Watford Youth Orchestra's season concert:
Grieg Peer Gynt Suites
Mussorgsky Night on a Bald Mountain
Sibelius Finlandia
Borodin Polovstian Dances

Will be great fun :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on December 08, 2011, 01:46:01 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 08, 2011, 01:13:01 PM
Tommorow, I shall be in the percussion section for the Watford Youth Orchestra's season concert:
Grieg Peer Gynt Suites
Mussorgsky Night on a Bald Mountain
Sibelius Finlandia
Borodin Polovstian Dances

Will be great fun :)

How great, I can imagine it will be very funny, good luck! :)

The program sounds amazing, although there are neither Wagner nor Mahler ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on December 08, 2011, 02:15:02 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 08, 2011, 12:35:58 PM
That looks great! (You probably heard that the Violin Concerto won Salonen the latest Grawemeyer Award, with a $100,000 prize.)

--Bruce

Yes, I did. I wish they'd record it. Much like his Piano Concerto, it's obviously contemporary in style, but the visceral energy should be appealing to a wide audience--plus, it has a gorgeous slow movement. This time I have 6th row center seats, so I should have no trouble hearing the violin this time!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 10, 2011, 04:26:33 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on December 08, 2011, 01:46:01 PM
How great, I can imagine it will be very funny, good luck! :)

The program sounds amazing, although there are neither Wagner nor Mahler ;)

haha :) Thank you, Ilaria. It was certainly great fun - I was on tam/tam and bells for the Mussorgsky and bass drum for the Borodin. :D
The conductor wants me to play with the orchestra again, so I look forward to doing that! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on December 11, 2011, 12:19:18 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on December 08, 2011, 12:32:09 PM
Esa-Pekka Salonen and Leila Josefowicz this Friday with the San Francisco SYmphony:

Sibelius: Pohjola's Daughter
Esa-Pekka Salonen: Violin Concerto
Wagner: Excerpts from Götterdämmerung (with soprano Christine Brewer)

I heard the world premiere of Salonen's Violin Concerto in LA, but I had to get seats behind the orchestra; thus, it was sometimes hard to hear the violin! I'm looking forward to hearing it again, as it was one hell of a powerful piece.

I must have jinxed the evening. My mother-in-law had to be rushed to the emergency room after an idiot at the dialysis center punctured an artery about an hour before we were set to leave. Eating $200 worth of tickets (6th row center) was not very tasty, not to mention missing an undoubtedly wonderful concert. (My mother-in-law is doing well and should be released today.)

EDIT: This review just poured salt into my open wounds: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/10/DDD61MAKIK.DTL
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 11, 2011, 12:36:23 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on December 11, 2011, 12:19:18 PM
Eating $200 worth of tickets (6th row center) was not very tasty, not to mention missing an undoubtedly wonderful concert.

Ouch. I feel your pain. We once missed a Boulez Mahler Six in Berlin because I failed to notice the unusual starting time. 200 Euro down the drain. And I feel for your MIL. A few years ago I underwent a heart catheter. After the operation, while removing the pressure bandage, the doctor poked the wound and reopened the artery. I felt hot liquid pouring onto my leg and heard the nurse say,  "Oh, doctor, what have you done!"  I thought I was going to die. Not fun. Glad to hear she'll be okay. Sorry for your musical loss.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on December 11, 2011, 05:49:03 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on December 11, 2011, 12:19:18 PM
I must have jinxed the evening. My mother-in-law had to be rushed to the emergency room after an idiot at the dialysis center punctured an artery about an hour before we were set to leave. Eating $200 worth of tickets (6th row center) was not very tasty, not to mention missing an undoubtedly wonderful concert. (My mother-in-law is doing well and should be released today.)

EDIT: This review just poured salt into my open wounds: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/12/10/DDD61MAKIK.DTL

I am glad that your mother-in-law is alright.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on December 11, 2011, 08:53:42 PM
Quote from: springrite on December 11, 2011, 05:49:03 PM
I am glad that your mother-in-law is alright.

Thank you. She'll be 89 next month--dialysis is hard enough on her--this is the second time an artery has been punctured. They had to give her two units of blood at the hospital and implant a catheter-type device in her collar bone area for dialysis use until her arm heals. At her age, she can't afford to lose that much blood! She is also an ardent music lover (used to be quite a good pianist back in the day), and she just feels awful "for ruining your lovely weekend." It's hardly her fault: the chimp with the needle should have been more careful.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 15, 2011, 06:42:37 AM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on December 11, 2011, 08:53:42 PM
Thank you. She'll be 89 next month--dialysis is hard enough on her--this is the second time an artery has been punctured. They had to give her two units of blood at the hospital and implant a catheter-type device in her collar bone area for dialysis use until her arm heals. At her age, she can't afford to lose that much blood! She is also an ardent music lover (used to be quite a good pianist back in the day), and she just feels awful "for ruining your lovely weekend." It's hardly her fault: the chimp with the needle should have been more careful.

So sorry you missed the concert - an unfortunate convergence of fate and health - but glad your mother-in-law is doing all right. Will hope you get the chance to accompany her to something else wonderful in the future.

Saturday night I'll be hearing some microtonal music by the Talea Ensemble:

Ivan Wyschnegradsky: String Quartet No. 2 (1931)
Dean Drummond: Mars Face (1997)
Toby Twining: 9:11 Blues (2003)
Enno Poppe: Holz (2000) *US Premiere
Tristan Murail: Seven Lakes Drive (2006)
Anthony Cheung: Discrete Infinity (2011) *US Premiere

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on December 16, 2011, 03:37:32 PM
María Cristina Kiehr's concert with Helsinki Baroque Orchestra was yesterday (it's Saturday atm)
Kiehr was absolutely fantastic, but one of the violinists couldn't play in tune. Might be a bad day, but I'd say that she should be replaced.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on December 20, 2011, 06:11:11 AM
To herald a New Year - Tallis Spem in Alium. Good luck with everyone's 'hopes' for 2012 !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on December 20, 2011, 01:35:41 PM
Tomorrow, Teatro Alla Scala, Milan:

Conductor Daniel Barenboim
Pianist: Maurizio Pollini

Ludwig van Beethoven Leonore Overture No.3
Arnold Schoenberg Kammersymphonie Op.9
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5

What a pity they have changed the program (which is amazing anyway), they would have played Beethoven Symphony No.9, my favourite piece ever composed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on December 20, 2011, 11:08:29 PM
I was very much looking forward to Andris Nelsons conducting Bruckner's 7th Symphony in Birmingham. I booked the tickets on the back of hearing him live in Bremen a few months ago. A week before the concert I got an E mail to say he had cancelled on the basis his first child was due to be born close to the date. I was not exactly thrilled for him. The likely date would have been established long before I booked my tickets.

Of course, there was a substitute, the violinist Nikolaj Znaider. I could not find out much at all about his conducting other than that he has been appearing with some famous orchestras and Gergiev has him as his assistant at the Marinsky.

The concert was good, but not great. Znaider very ostentatiously conducted from memory. Just as we thought the music was about to start, he lifted up his music stand and two musicians had to move out of the way so he could place it behind him....empty of music. For me that got him off to a bad start.

The orchestra seemed to like him OK, he was very clear; but to my mind efficient not inspired. The 7th was got through with wonderful playing, but pedestrian. No idea what the newspapers thought of the performance, so I may be disagreeing with consensus. He did get top marks though for being well suited and booted. The bright red piping round his pockets was matched with the bright red flashings on his shoes the soles of which were also vividly red. My wife told me these were a famous designer, nothing available under £1,000.

To compensate myself I have made elaborate arrangements to get to Birmingham on a Thursday in January to see if Nelsons turns up for two Strauss Tone Poems and some Rachmaninoff. The long term forecast is not good for January, so it may again end up as a hope delayed.

Mike

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on December 22, 2011, 02:20:26 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on December 20, 2011, 01:35:41 PM
Tomorrow, Teatro Alla Scala, Milan:

Conductor Daniel Barenboim
Pianist Maurizio Pollini

Ludwig van Beethoven Leonore Overture No.3
Arnold Schoenberg Kammersymphonie Op.9
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5

This evening:

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel

Gustav Mahler Symphony No.2 "Resurrection"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 22, 2011, 02:59:06 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on December 22, 2011, 02:20:26 AM
This evening:

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel

Gustav Mahler Symphony No.2 "Resurrection"

How was the Barenboim concert Ilaria? :)

I am very jealous that you get to see Dudamel conduct Mahler 2... I hope you enjoy it! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on December 22, 2011, 04:51:58 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 22, 2011, 02:59:06 AM
How was the Barenboim concert Ilaria? :)

I am very jealous that you get to see Dudamel conduct Mahler 2... I hope you enjoy it! :)

Thank you Daniel :) I'm really excited,  I look forward to seeing Dudamel performance! :)

The Barenboim  concert was very beautiful and thrilling, I really enjoyed it, all the pieces were very well-played! Luckily, Barenboim had a stroke of genius changing the program and the concert wasn't cancelled, there were many problems becauase of a strike of the chorus singers.

Anyway I'm still a little disappointed because of that change (Beethoven No.9, my favourite piece of all time :'(), it is the second time it happens to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 22, 2011, 06:03:14 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on December 22, 2011, 04:51:58 AM
Thank you Daniel :) I'm really excited,  I look forward to seeing Dudamel performance! :)

The Barenboim  concert was very beautiful and thrilling, I really enjoyed it, all the pieces were very well-played! Luckily, Barenboim had a stroke of genius changing the program and the concert wasn't cancelled, there were many problems becauase of a strike of the chorus singers.

Anyway I'm still a little disappointed because of that change (Beethoven No.9, my favourite piece of all time :'(), it is the second time it happens to me.

Yes, I am sure you must be looking forward to it! Let us know what it was like! :)
Great - glad you enjoyed the Barenboim concert. Is a shame when a certain piece has to be changed.... do you know why there was a strike with the chorus singers? I remember the time when I booked to see Tilson Thomas conduct a piece by Ives, Strauss' Four Last Songs and Strauss' Ein Heldenleben. They had to change the programme, the conductor, and the singer! I am surprised they didn't change the orchestra and venue as well! ;) Tilson Thomas was changed to Sir Colin Davis, instead of the Ives piece, we were given Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements, the soprano was changed for the songs, and instead of Ein Heldenleben, we got Beethoven's 6th symphony.... It was a wonderful concert however, but it does get rather frustrating when the change the programme....
hmmm... I seem to have gone on for quite a while about that... sorry! :D

Again, have a wonderful evening with Mahler 2, Ilaria, let me know how it was! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on December 22, 2011, 06:31:22 AM
Quote from: knight66 on December 20, 2011, 11:08:29 PM
I was very much looking forward to Andris Nelsons conducting Bruckner's 7th Symphony in Birmingham. I booked the tickets on the back of hearing him live in Bremen a few months ago. A week before the concert I got an E mail to say he had cancelled on the basis his first child was due to be born close to the date. I was not exactly thrilled for him. The likely date would have been established long before I booked my tickets.

Whew - so nearly booked for that ! And was due to go to the Strauss/Rach. programme - not heard Rach. 1 live - but now working in Glasgow (well, someone has to) so must exchange the ticket.
You'll love it - I'm an old cynic, but there's something a little hypnotic about Andris' concerts. Charisma in spades.
I'm now going the 'peaceful' route, and hearing Tallis in manchester on the way North.   Have fun - & Happy Christmas.           Clive.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on December 22, 2011, 07:05:40 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 22, 2011, 06:03:14 AM
Yes, I am sure you must be looking forward to it! Let us know what it was like! :)
Great - glad you enjoyed the Barenboim concert. Is a shame when a certain piece has to be changed.... do you know why there was a strike with the chorus singers? I remember the time when I booked to see Tilson Thomas conduct a piece by Ives, Strauss' Four Last Songs and Strauss' Ein Heldenleben. They had to change the programme, the conductor, and the singer! I am surprised they didn't change the orchestra and venue as well! ;) Tilson Thomas was changed to Sir Colin Davis, instead of the Ives piece, we were given Stravinsky's Symphony in Three Movements, the soprano was changed for the songs, and instead of Ein Heldenleben, we got Beethoven's 6th symphony.... It was a wonderful concert however, but it does get rather frustrating when the change the programme....
hmmm... I seem to have gone on for quite a while about that... sorry! :D

Again, have a wonderful evening with Mahler 2, Ilaria, let me know how it was! :)

Thank you Daniel! What could be better than Barenboim and Pollini together? ;D (Karajan and Ashkenazy, if only!). I'm really happy to be able to see Mahler No.2, I've been waiting for it for months! ;) Dudamel is a very fine conductor, I'm sure he will make a wonderful performance.

Well, from what I've heard, the chorus singers protested against the different economic treatment they received compared with the Filarmonica della Scala; not a good situation.....it has already happened more than one time.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 22, 2011, 08:40:25 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on December 22, 2011, 07:05:40 AM
Thank you Daniel! What could be better than Barenboim and Pollini together? ;D (Karajan and Ashkenazy, if only!). I'm really happy to be able to see Mahler No.2, I've been waiting for it for months! ;) Dudamel is a very fine conductor, I'm sure he will make a wonderful performance.

Well, from what I've heard, the chorus singers protested against the different economic treatment they received compared with the Filarmonica della Scala; not a good situation.....it has already happened more than one time.

Karajan and Ashkenazy would certainly be interesting.... :D
Yes, Dudamel is certainly an exciting conductor - and his recent performance of Mahler 2 with the Simon Bolivar orchestra here in London at summer was really brilliant! Enjoy, Ilaria!
Ah, I see - well, hopefully that situation will solve soon! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 22, 2011, 06:43:38 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on December 22, 2011, 07:05:40 AMDudamel is a very fine conductor, I'm sure he will make a wonderful performance.

I disagree. I think Dudamel is extremely overrated by the classical fan base. I don't think he's that knowledgeable about the music he conducts especially when it comes to the Europeans. He certainly doesn't project much depth in his interpretations of their music. I remember watching his Mahler 1 on PBS a few years ago and I actually laughed. He butchered the first movement, but things picked up after that movement. On the other hand, I do think he has a bright future in Latin American music. I wish he would record more of it. I think it is here where he can give the listener some inside knowledge of the composition since he was born in Venezuela and understands Latin culture and it's music.

I don't want to sound so cynical about Dudamel, but I just think he's been built up by the media as some kind of classical savior, which baffles me because guys like Dudamel get all the attention when conductors like Andrew Litton or Ilan Volkov, just two for example, get ignored and I think they're finer conductors than Dudamel.

Anyway, okay....rant over. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on December 22, 2011, 08:41:43 PM
Quote from: cjvinthechair on December 22, 2011, 06:31:22 AM
Quote from: knight66 on December 20, 2011, 11:08:29 PM
Whew - so nearly booked for that ! And was due to go to the Strauss/Rach. programme - not heard Rach. 1 live - but now working in Glasgow (well, someone has to) so must exchange the ticket.
You'll love it - I'm an old cynic, but there's something a little hypnotic about Andris' concerts. Charisma in spades.
I'm now going the 'peaceful' route, and hearing Tallis in manchester on the way North.   Have fun - & Happy Christmas.           Clive.

Now, now then...Glasgow, my home town. Lovely place as long as you can get along with the local behaviours. Mind you, I have no desire to go back to live there, a day or so now and then is fine.

As to Andris' concerts: I can believe it. I work in London a lot, but am travelling from London to Birm to catch him. The Bremen concert was a revelation to me. I then bought a clutch of his discs and they have not been put away, months later they sit on top of the CD player, still being kept handy.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on December 23, 2011, 08:25:18 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on December 22, 2011, 08:40:25 AM
Karajan and Ashkenazy would certainly be interesting.... :D
Yes, Dudamel is certainly an exciting conductor - and his recent performance of Mahler 2 with the Simon Bolivar orchestra here in London at summer was really brilliant! Enjoy, Ilaria!
Ah, I see - well, hopefully that situation will solve soon! :)

The concert I saw yesterday was absolutely amazing, I really enjoyed it! Maybe the tempo was sometimes a bit too slow (for example the Andante Moderato sounded more like an Adagio), but in general the performance was very brilliant....powerful, lyrical and passionate ;D

Sorry for the short explanation, I didn't have much time; I'll explain it better now: as I said before, the chorus singers protested against the different economic treatment they received compared with the Filarmonica della Scala; in fact the Filarmonica, which is a private association founded by Claudio Abbado, usually receives two fees, one from the theatre and other from the Associazione della Filarmonica, of which the chorus singers are not part. That's why they struck.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 23, 2011, 08:39:18 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on December 23, 2011, 08:25:18 AM
The concert I saw yesterday was absolutely amazing, I really enjoyed it! Maybe the tempo was sometimes a bit too slow (for example the Andante Moderato sounded more like an Adagio), but in general the performance was very brilliant....powerful, lyrical and passionate ;D

Sorry for the short explanation, I didn't have much time; I'll explain it better now: as I said before, the chorus singers protested against the different economic treatment they received compared with the Filarmonica della Scala; in fact the Filarmonica, which is a private association founded by Claudio Abbado, usually receives two fees, one from the theatre and other from the Associazione della Filarmonica, of which the chorus singers are not part. That's why they stroke.

Glad that you enjoyed it Ilaria! I can imagine the final few minutes being absolutely breathtaking to see live... I have not seen Mahler 2 live yet.... it is on my concert wishlist! :D I've got Mahler 3 booked for next year though and hopefully 7 as well.

Thank you for the explanation, I hope the situation sorts out soon!

Have a wonderful evening Ilaria!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on December 25, 2011, 11:05:30 PM
I thought the Mahler 2 prom with Dudamel was very disappointing. I think he is ultra talented and have hopes he will grow into the pieces he is conducting. The Mahler was very much: loud = fast, quiet = slow. Lots of gear changes and not the sense of architecture I get from my favourite conductors in the piece.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 05, 2012, 09:53:18 AM
Quote from: knight66 on December 25, 2011, 11:05:30 PM
I thought the Mahler 2 prom with Dudamel was very disappointing. I think he is ultra talented and have hopes he will grow into the pieces he is conducting. The Mahler was very much: loud = fast, quiet = slow. Lots of gear changes and not the sense of architecture I get from my favourite conductors in the piece.

Mike

I can see that...his Mahler 5 a few years ago with the NY Philharmonic was excellent, but I will look forward to hearing him do the piece in say, another ten years.

Meanwhile, speaking of Mahler, I'm hearing this on Saturday night:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Adès: Polaris (New York Philharmonic co-commission)
Mahler: Symphony No. 9

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 05, 2012, 09:57:10 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 05, 2012, 09:53:18 AM
New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Mahler: Symphony No. 9

--Bruce

Am very jealous, Bruce! Always a powerful emotional experience to see Mahler 9 live... I will never forget the time I saw it live... could not speak for almost an hour after the performance had ended!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 05, 2012, 10:14:52 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 05, 2012, 09:57:10 AM
Am very jealous, Bruce! Always a powerful emotional experience to see Mahler 9 live... I will never forget the time I saw it live... could not speak for almost an hour after the performance had ended!

Yes, it is a very intense piece, and a great performance can summon up strong reactions. You will hear it again, I am sure!  :D I don't think I heard it live until I was in my 30's, and you have decades of listening ahead of you.

That said, I like Alan Gilbert's work with the Philharmonic a lot so far, but his Mahler has been getting mixed reviews. Gilbert is a really intelligent musician, and usually elicits lots of commitment from the players, but some seem to think he's a little cool in these symphonies. I don't quite agree; he brings a calmer approach - not as neurotic as some - and there's certainly a place for cooler interpretations of these pieces (e.g., Boulez).

--Bruce 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 05, 2012, 10:18:53 AM
I wanna bust!
— Bust cool.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 05, 2012, 04:29:01 PM
Spring season of the Oulu Symphony Orchestra, looks splendid


12.1.
Diploma concert:
Aino Koskela, cond.
Paula Malmivaara, oboe

von Weber:  Oberon overture
R Strauss: Oboe Concerto in D major
Ibert: Bacchanale
Janáček: Taras Bulba


19.1.
Leo McFall, cond.
Minna Pensola, violin
Tomas Djupsjöbacka, cello    (both from the quartet Meta4)

Brahms: Double Concerto
Dvořak: 6th Symphony


9.2.
Juha Kangas, cond.
Jussi Myllys, tenor

Schnittke: Moz-Art à la Haydn
Vasks: Epifania
Mozart: opera arias
Haydn: Symphony no. 104


16.2.
Jin Wang, cond.
Trey Lee, cello

Mjaskovski: Cello Concerto in C minor
Prokofjev: 5th Symphony


23.2.
Jaakko Kuusisto, cond.
Hansjörg Albrecht, organ

JS Bach: Orchestral Suite no. 3, BWV 1068
Haydn: Organ Concerto in C major
Beethoven: 1st Symphony


22.3., 23.3.
Jaakko Kuusisto conducts

Uuno Klami – Kalevi Aho: Pyörteitä (Vortexes) ballet with coreography by Alpo Aaltokoski, based on the myth of the forging of the Sampo, in Kalevala


29.3.
Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Jörgen van Rijen, trombone

Kalevi Aho: Trombone Concerto (Finland premiere)
Tšaikovski: 4th Symphony


4.4.
Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Anna-Kristiina Kaappola, soprano

Górecki: Symphony no 3, 'Sorrowful Songs'


13.4.
Johannes Gustavsson, cond.
Kristina Hansson, soprano
Jakob Högström, baritone

Grieg: Peer Gynt
Nielsen: Symphony no. 3, "Espansiva"


19.4.
Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Riina Seebeck, cello

Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio: Overture
Lalo: Cello Concerto in Dm
Rimski-Korsakov: Sheherazade
 


18.5.
Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Alina Pogostkina, violin

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: 7th Symphony
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on January 06, 2012, 01:23:20 AM
Bruce, I have never heard the Mahler 9 live. Not sure how this has happened. It is such a magnificant piece. The first movement can literally have me groaning, I don't know any other piece that prompts this reaction. Perhaps I had better stay away from the live experience in case someone calls a doctor!

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on January 06, 2012, 08:05:36 AM
Opening of the San Antonio Beethoven Festival tonight. Cellist Ken Freudigman and pianist Kristin Roach perform the Cello Sonatas Nos. 1, 3, and 4 and the Judas Maccabeus variations. They will complete the Beethoven works for solo cello Sunday afternoon.

Saturday night we have the first installment of the 32 piano sonatas in a concert by Jeffrey Swann. I'm looking forward to hearing the Hammerklavier sonata in Swann's hands!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 06, 2012, 08:12:24 AM
Quote from: knight66 on January 06, 2012, 01:23:20 AM
Bruce, I have never heard the Mahler 9 live. Not sure how this has happened. It is such a magnificant piece. The first movement can literally have me groaning, I don't know any other piece that prompts this reaction. Perhaps I had better stay away from the live experience in case someone calls a doctor!

Mike

Wha--??  :o  That is quite an admission, given your Mahler history. And that sublime first movement...I'm not surprised it causes a physical reaction.

We must fix this straight away! So if you catch a plane within the next few hours, you can arrive here tomorrow in plenty of time for the concert. (I'll make sure we have a large woolen scarf in which to wrap your head, to avoid summoning a doctor.)  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 06, 2012, 09:33:27 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 05, 2012, 10:14:52 AM
Yes, it is a very intense piece, and a great performance can summon up strong reactions. You will hear it again, I am sure!  :D I don't think I heard it live until I was in my 30's, and you have decades of listening ahead of you.

That said, I like Alan Gilbert's work with the Philharmonic a lot so far, but his Mahler has been getting mixed reviews. Gilbert is a really intelligent musician, and usually elicits lots of commitment from the players, but some seem to think he's a little cool in these symphonies. I don't quite agree; he brings a calmer approach - not as neurotic as some - and there's certainly a place for cooler interpretations of these pieces (e.g., Boulez).

--Bruce

I certainly look forward to seeing it again! :) I might try and see it once a year.... or maybe I'll try and see 6 one year, and 9 the next, then continue on a schedule like that. ;)

Yes, I think Gilbert is doing great work with the NYP, and he certainly is brave doing a lot of Mahler with them, considering the orchestra's history - Mahler and Bernstein as conductors etc! I haven't really heard much of Gilbert's Mahler yet, although there is a recording of his 9 that I have my eye on...

Quote from: knight66 on January 06, 2012, 01:23:20 AM
Bruce, I have never heard the Mahler 9 live. Not sure how this has happened. It is such a magnificant piece. The first movement can literally have me groaning, I don't know any other piece that prompts this reaction. Perhaps I had better stay away from the live experience in case someone calls a doctor!

Mike
Quote from: Brewski on January 06, 2012, 08:12:24 AM
Wha--??  :o  That is quite an admission, given your Mahler history. And that sublime first movement...I'm not surprised it causes a physical reaction.

We must fix this straight away! So if you catch a plane within the next few hours, you can arrive here tomorrow in plenty of time for the concert. (I'll make sure we have a large woolen scarf in which to wrap your head, to avoid summoning a doctor.)  ;D

--Bruce

hehe, can I come too? ;) You'd probably have to find a doctor for me as well, the last time I saw Mahler 9 live, I was crying throughout nearly all of the finale!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on January 06, 2012, 01:53:16 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 05, 2012, 09:57:10 AM
Am very jealous, Bruce! Always a powerful emotional experience to see Mahler 9 live... I will never forget the time I saw it live... could not speak for almost an hour after the performance had ended!

Indeed - I heard it played for Keith Lockhart's last concert as music director of the Utah Symphony. Simply amazing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 06, 2012, 02:00:05 PM
Quote from: stingo on January 06, 2012, 01:53:16 PM
Indeed - I heard it played for Keith Lockhart's last concert as music director of the Utah Symphony. Simply amazing.

Now that sounds like a great way to make an exit!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on January 08, 2012, 12:55:46 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 06, 2012, 08:12:24 AM
Wha--??  :o  That is quite an admission, given your Mahler history. And that sublime first movement...I'm not surprised it causes a physical reaction.

We must fix this straight away! So if you catch a plane within the next few hours, you can arrive here tomorrow in plenty of time for the concert. (I'll make sure we have a large woolen scarf in which to wrap your head, to avoid summoning a doctor.)  ;D

--Bruce

Dash it Bruce.....I read this just too late to turn up. We will have to find another opportunity. I am tapping away at this as I listen to the opening movement of the Mahler 9 conducted by Klemperer. The sun is streaming through the window and I can just hear the river outside going down the race.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on January 08, 2012, 01:26:48 PM
Quote from: Brewski on January 06, 2012, 02:00:05 PM
Now that sounds like a great way to make an exit!

--Bruce

It was. It was one of the most incredible and moving concert experiences I've ever had.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on January 09, 2012, 07:23:22 AM
Schoenberg Erwartung (Expectation): monodrama for voice and orchestra, Op.17 (c.32')

Stephen Johnson presenter
Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet soprano
Matthias Pintscher conductor
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra


This is free next Monday in Glasgow City Halls.  I think I will attend.  Schoenberg!  Me going to see Schoenberg performed!  I hope I can make sense of it...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/868 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/868)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 09, 2012, 07:24:09 AM
Très cool, Johnnie!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 09, 2012, 07:30:21 AM
Quote from: John of Clydebank on January 09, 2012, 07:23:22 AM
Schoenberg Erwartung (Expectation): monodrama for voice and orchestra, Op.17 (c.32')

Stephen Johnson presenter
Jeanne-Michèle Charbonnet soprano
Matthias Pintscher conductor
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra


This is free next Monday in Glasgow City Halls.  I think I will attend.  Schoenberg!  Me going to see Schoenberg performed!  I hope I can make sense of it...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/868 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/events/868)

Wow, very cool indeed - and free! Pintscher is a good conductor (and composer); he's done a number of concerts here in the last year or so. He's also going to be one of the three conductors when the NY Philharmonic does Stockhausen's Gruppen in June - with Alan Gilbert and Magnus Lindberg.

Anyway, again...for FREE..amazing.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 09, 2012, 07:54:51 AM
Looking forward to Haydn's Creation later this month.  Bought the tickets yesterday.  Should be entertaining.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 11, 2012, 10:51:46 AM
Tomorrow night:

New York Philharmonic
Zubin Mehta, guest conductor

Bruckner: Symphony No. 8

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 16, 2012, 02:00:03 PM
Another amazing, generous concert at Carnegie Hall yesterday by the MET Orchestra, with not one, but three soloists. Ms. Fleming was marvelous, but the two clarinet concertos might have stolen the show.

The MET Orchestra
Fabio Luisi, Principal Conductor
Stephen Williamson, Clarinet
Renée Fleming, Soprano
Anthony McGill, Clarinet

Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622
Mahler: "Ich atmet' einen linden Duft"
Mahler: "Liebst du um Schönheit"
Mahler: "Um Mitternacht"
Mahler: "Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder"
Mahler: "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen"
Copland: Clarinet Concerto
Barber: "Give Me Some Music" from Antony and Cleopatra
Herrmann: "I Have Dreamt" from Wuthering Heights
Barber: "Do Not Utter a Word, Anatol" from Vanessa

Encore:

Previn: "I can smell the sea air" from A Streetcar Named Desire

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 17, 2012, 05:00:30 AM
On Thursday:

Leo McFall & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Minna Pensola, violin
Tomas Djupsjöbacka, cello    (both soloists from the string quartet Meta4)

Brahms: Double Concerto
Dvořak: 6th Symphony
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 17, 2012, 06:42:12 AM
Chailly was to conduct the BSO this weekend, but he's had to cancel. The Stravinsky is still on, with guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero.  The rest of the program is Plan B, and conductor-free:

COPLAND:
Fanfare for the Common Man
TOMASI: Procession du Vendredi-saint ("Good Friday Procession") from Fanfares liturgiques, for brass and percussion
STRAUSS: Serenade in Eb, Op. 7, for winds
TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade in C for Strings, Op. 48
STRAVINSKY: Le sacre du printemps
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2012, 11:11:32 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on January 17, 2012, 06:42:12 AM
Chailly was to conduct the BSO this weekend, but he's had to cancel. The Stravinsky is still on, with guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero.  The rest of the program is Plan B, and conductor-free:

COPLAND:
Fanfare for the Common Man
TOMASI: Procession du Vendredi-saint ("Good Friday Procession") from Fanfares liturgiques, for brass and percussion
STRAUSS: Serenade in Eb, Op. 7, for winds
TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade in C for Strings, Op. 48
STRAVINSKY: Le sacre du printemps


Great program - please let us know how it goes.

I'm hearing an all-Stravinsky evening tonight, with some genuine rarities - some of these I've never heard, even on recordings

American Symphony Orchestra
Leon Botstein, Conductor
Keith Miller, Bass
Anne-Carolyn Bird, Soprano
Heather Johnson, Mezzo-Soprano
Ann McMahon Quintero, Mezzo-Soprano
Nicholas Phan, Tenor
Jonathan Beyer, Baritone
John Douglas Thompson, Narrator
The Collegiate Chorale Singers

ALL-STRAVINSKY PROGRAM

Zvezdoliki
Mavra
Requiem Canticles
Canticum Sacrum
Babel
Symphony of Psalms


--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 20, 2012, 11:26:07 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 20, 2012, 11:11:32 AM
I'm hearing an all-Stravinsky evening tonight, with some genuine rarities - some of these I've never heard, even on recordings

American Symphony Orchestra
Leon Botstein, Conductor
Keith Miller, Bass
Anne-Carolyn Bird, Soprano
Heather Johnson, Mezzo-Soprano
Ann McMahon Quintero, Mezzo-Soprano
Nicholas Phan, Tenor
Jonathan Beyer, Baritone
John Douglas Thompson, Narrator
The Collegiate Chorale Singers

ALL-STRAVINSKY PROGRAM

Zvezdoliki
Mavra
Requiem Canticles
Canticum Sacrum
Babel
Symphony of Psalms

Speaking as one who has heard recordings of all those, Bruce .  . . that is a terrific program! Serious case of Stravinsky envy here!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2012, 11:37:54 AM
Thanks, Karl! Botstein is a fabulous programmer. Of course I've heard the Symphony of Psalms a number of times, but don't recall any of the other pieces. Botstein also writes very cogent, thoughtful program notes, which are available online:

http://www.americansymphony.org/concerts/stravinsky-outside-russia

Also, apparently they are doing Stravinsky's arrangement of "Song of the Volga Boatmen," for baritone and orchestra, only recently discovered (1996).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 20, 2012, 11:39:19 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 20, 2012, 11:37:54 AM
Also, apparently they are doing Stravinsky's arrangement of "Song of the Volga Boatmen," for baritone and orchestra, only recently discovered (1996).

--Bruce

Hmm, I've known of that for a long time . . . hadn't realized it had gone missing : )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on January 21, 2012, 06:44:31 AM
One of the insufficiently frequent visits to Britain of the Leipzig Gewandhaus, plus the marvellous Thomanerchor, doing the St. Matthew Passion in several locations in March. I'm going to Birmingham, and sitting right at the front for once !
Yes, know doing that's frowned on by the cognoscenti, but I don't qualify, so it'll be great.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 23, 2012, 04:27:53 AM
Hey Mirror Image John, start saving up for a trip to England!!!!

17 October 2012
Beethoven Overture, Leonore No. 3
Carl Vine Piano Concerto No. 2 (UK première)
Shostakovich Symphony No. 10

Vassily Sinaisky conductor
Piers Lane piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 23, 2012, 07:52:15 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 23, 2012, 04:27:53 AM
Hey Mirror Image John, start saving up for a trip to England!!!!

17 October 2012
Beethoven Overture, Leonore No. 3
Carl Vine Piano Concerto No. 2 (UK première)
Shostakovich Symphony No. 10

Vassily Sinaisky conductor
Piers Lane piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra

Appears you are looking at the next seasons! I am just doing that now... starting with the LSO/BBCSO at the Barbican, loads of great ones! Shall start booking tonight, starting off with that Mahler 2 concert...! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on January 23, 2012, 08:18:40 AM
Quote from: cjvinthechair on January 21, 2012, 06:44:31 AM
One of the insufficiently frequent visits to Britain of the Leipzig Gewandhaus, plus the marvellous Thomanerchor, doing the St. Matthew Passion in several locations in March. I'm going to Birmingham, and sitting right at the front for once !
Yes, know doing that's frowned on by the cognoscenti, but I don't qualify, so it'll be great.

I am trying to sort out whether I can get to that concert. Should be a good one. I am in, I think, the second front row for Tristan son; again, not the best place for overall sound, but I ought to be able to hear the soloists properly.


Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 23, 2012, 08:28:11 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 23, 2012, 07:52:15 AM
Appears you are looking at the next seasons! I am just doing that now...

Maybe I should do something similar too, I've already seen all the concertos I was interested in (apart from Die Frau ohne Shatten); the next season at La Scala seems to be absolutely amazing....starting with Siegfried and Mahler No.6/Chopin's PC No.1 in October, then Lohengrin, and the following year Götterdämmerung and the complete Ring Cycle.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 23, 2012, 10:07:14 AM
Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival    15.7  -  28-7:
http://www.kuhmofestival.fi/programme.htm


Pianists: Paavali Jumppanen, Henri Sigfiridsson, &al
Violinists: Ilya Gringolts, Hagai Shaham, &al
Violists: Yuval Gotlibovich, Vladimir Mendelssohn, &al
Cellists: David Cohen, Trey Lee, &al
String Quartets: Danel Quartet, Enesco Quartet, Kronos Quartet, &al
Soprano Soile Isokoski, Tapiola Chamber Choir, Storioni Trio, &al

Composers (most of them)
Handel, Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Boccherini, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Alkan, Berlioz, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Dvorak, Rachmaninoff (All-night Vigil), Janacek, Leaves of My Life (world premiere), R. Strauss, Chausson, Franck, Ysaÿe, Debussy, Ravel's quartet, Scriabin, De Falla, Turina, Chamber arrangements of Mahler,  Zemlinsky, Webern, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Berg, Martinu,Prokofiev, Bartók, DSCH 8th quartet, and piano trio & percussion arr. of 15th symphony, Jolivet, Berio, Gubaidulina
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 25, 2012, 09:22:56 AM
Starting Friday, Juilliard's Focus! Festival celebrates John Cage with six concerts:

FOCUS! FESTIVAL 2012
SOUNDS RE-IMAGINED: JOHN CAGE AT 100
Friday, January 27 – February 3, 2012

Friday, January 27, 8 PM, Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Lara Secord-Haid, soprano
Davone Tines, bass-baritone

59 ½" For a String Player (1953)
Nocturne for Violin and Piano (1947)
Living Room Music (1940)
In a Landscape (1948)
Theater Piece (1960)
Postcard from Heaven (1982)
Imaginary Landscape No. 4 (March No. 2) (1951)
Arias 2 and 2B, from Song Books Vol. 1 (1970) with Solos from Concert for Piano and Orchestra (1958)

Monday, January 30, 8 PM, Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Juilliard Percussion Ensemble
Daniel Druckman, director
Benjamin Sheen, organ
"Launching the Percussion Revolution"

Henry CowellOstinato Pianissimo (1934)
John CageThree2 (1991)
John CageThird Construction (1941)
John CageCredo In Us (1942)
Lou Harrison – Concerto for Organ with Percussion Orchestra (1973)

Tuesday, January 31, 8 PM, Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Music for Wind Instruments (1938)
ear for EAR (1983)
Music Walk (1958)
"44 Harmonies" from Apartment House 1776 (1976, arr. string quartet by Irvine Arditti)
27'10.554" For a Percussionist (1956) with excerpts from 45' for a Speaker (1954)

Wednesday, February 1, 8 PM, Paul Hall
The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs (1942)
Nowth Upon Nacht (1984)
But What About the Noise of Crumpling Paper... (1985)
String Quartet in Four Parts (1950)
Eight Whiskus (1985)
Some of "The Harmony of Maine" (1978)
Sonatas and Interludes, Part III (1946-48)

Thursday, February 2, 8 PM, Paul Hall
Five Songs for Contralto (1938)
Six Melodies for Violin and Keyboard (1950)
Imaginary Landscape No. 1 (1939)
Etudes Boreales, Nos. I and III (1978)
Sonnekus2 (1985) with Satie Cabaret Songs
Child of Tree (1975)
The Perilous Night (1944)

Friday, February 3, 8 PM, Alice Tully Hall
New Juilliard Ensemble
Joel Sachs, director and conductor
Katya Gruzglina, soprano
Lilla Heinrich Szász, soprano
Nathaniel La Nasa, prepared piano
Allegra Chapman, piano

Fourteen (1990) with Litany for the Whale (1980)
The Seasons (1947)
Concerto for Prepared Piano and Chamber Orchestra (1950-51)
Excerpts from Sixteen Dances (1950-51)
Concert for Piano and Orchestra (1957-58) with Aria (1958)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on January 25, 2012, 01:10:48 PM
Wrong thread :-[.

I'm looking backward to a beautiful concert without even any organ involved. :P

The Hagen Quartett played Haydn, Mozart and Brahms.
And, as an encore, Bartók's Allegro pizzicato (from Quartet no. 4).

It was great!

I'm gonna have a good night sleep. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on January 26, 2012, 05:37:06 PM
In NYC

(http://www.amusesingers.org/_art/banner_new.jpg)

Angels & Demons

From Heaven to Hell and Back Again

Robert Isaacs, Conductor

Come on a musical journey from damnation to salvation through the music of Lassus, Palestrina, Praetorius, Aichinger, Victoria, Byrd, Caplet, Montoya, Barber and more.

Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 7:30 pm
St. Ignatius of Antioch
West 87th Street between West End Avenue and Broadway


....delicate balance of just eight incredibly beautiful voices..... feel welcome to stop by if you're around....

http://www.amusesingers.org/mp3s_listen/UnaHora.mp3


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 27, 2012, 12:05:05 PM
The IVES thread seems to be 3 years old, but if I could get to New York  I'd try for this ...

Detroit, (Jan. 23, 2012) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is thrilled to announce it will perform at Carnegie Hall for the first time in 17 years. The DSO is one of six orchestras that will participate in the third annual Spring For Music festival. On May 10, 2013, the DSO will perform all four Charles Ives Symphonies in one extraordinary three-hour program, becoming the first orchestra to do so for New York audiences.

Spring For Music is a six-day festival that features six major American orchestras, all selected based on the imaginative nature of their proposed programming and how it aligns with the philosophy of each orchestra. The affordable, general admission ticket price, just $25, is designed to make adventurous repertoire available to anyone and everyone. In 2013, the DSO will perform along with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Oregon Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Music Director Leonard Slatkin chose an immersion into Ives in pursuit of showcasing the strength, sound, ensemble and style that is uniquely Detroit. Long known for celebrating American repertoire through recordings and commissions, telling Ives' biographical story through the consecutive performances of all his symphonic works serves as a tribute to both Slatkin's affinity for American compositions and Detroit's longtime acquaintance with the American school. Slatkin, who considers Ives to be one of America's most progressive composers of his time, imagined the four-symphony program as a way to acquaint the audience with his style.

"For our first trip together to New York, the DSO and I are proud to present a landmark musical event," said DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin. "To our knowledge this is the first integral performance of the four symphonies by Charles Ives anywhere.  The opportunity to participate in Spring For Music made it possible not only to perform at Carnegie hall, but also to make a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for our own audiences in Detroit."

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: nesf on January 27, 2012, 04:16:50 PM
La Traviata is being run in March in the Opera house here, currently trying to convince my wife to join me at it. There's also some Beethoven recital happening at some point soon which I need to find out some more information about!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on January 27, 2012, 04:19:47 PM
Chabrier's L'Etoile next Saturday!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 28, 2012, 08:56:15 AM
This evening:

Glinka Russlan and Ludmilla overture
Shostakovich Piano concerto no.2 in F
Sibelius Symphony no.2 in D

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin

The first time I will have seen the conductor and orchestra since they premiered my piece last November, so am really looking forward to seeing them all again as I made many friends in the orchestra! The orchestra only gives four concerts a season, so each one of them is a wonderful event. None will be as special as the one last November for me though... remains the greatest day of my life so far! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 28, 2012, 08:59:44 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 28, 2012, 08:56:15 AM
This evening:

Glinka Russlan and Ludmilla overture
Shostakovich Piano concerto no.2 in F
Sibelius Symphony no.2 in D

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin

Oh, I'm a little jealous; what a nice programme, enjoy the concert! :)
Who is the pianist in Shostakovich's PC?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 28, 2012, 09:20:43 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 28, 2012, 08:59:44 AM
Oh, I'm a little jealous; what a nice programme, enjoy the concert! :)
Who is the pianist in Shostakovich's PC?

:) Thank you, Ilaria!

The pianist is Viv McLean. He is a very good pianist, he performed the Chopin 2nd concert with the orchestra a few years ago. I remember seeing it. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 28, 2012, 01:41:25 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 28, 2012, 09:20:43 AM
:) Thank you, Ilaria!

The pianist is Viv McLean. He is a very good pianist, he performed the Chopin 2nd concert with the orchestra a few years ago. I remember seeing it. :)

Sounds excellent :)
At this time I suppose the concert must have already finished, hope it went well!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 28, 2012, 06:18:55 PM
3 weeks to budget for
BEETHOVEN   Piano Concerto 4    (John Lill)
ELGAR  Symphony no. 2
Vancouver SO.  / Bramwell Tovey
*(rush sets at $20. are not that bad a price, and in the area with best sound, but have to be careful)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 29, 2012, 03:49:13 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 28, 2012, 01:41:25 PM
Sounds excellent :)
At this time I suppose the concert must have already finished, hope it went well!

It was a wonderful concert, Ilaria! Thank you! It was so great to see everyone again. I was even recognized by some of the audience members and then referred to as 'the amazing composer'. Made me so happy to hear that!
The next concert they are doing is an all Beethoven concert: the Egmont Overture, Violin Concerto and 6th symphony. Am looking forward to it!

Next time you come to England, or the next time I go to Italy, we must meet! :D

Quote from: listener on January 28, 2012, 06:18:55 PM
3 weeks to budget for
BEETHOVEN   Piano Concerto 4    (John Lill)
ELGAR  Symphony no. 2
Vancouver SO.  / Bramwell Tovey
*(rush sets at $20. are not that bad a price, and in the area with best sound, but have to be careful)

Sounds like a great concert! Enjoy! Elgar's 2nd symphony remains one of my favourite pieces of all time! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 29, 2012, 04:49:50 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 29, 2012, 03:49:13 AM
It was a wonderful concert, Ilaria! Thank you! It was so great to see everyone again. I was even recognized by some of the audience members and then referred to as 'the amazing composer'. Made me so happy to hear that!
The next concert they are doing is an all Beethoven concert: the Egmont Overture, Violin Concerto and 6th symphony. Am looking forward to it!

Next time you come to England, or the next time I go to Italy, we must meet! :D

Glad to hear the concert went well, my congratulations to the orchestra, the pianist and the conductor!
Did really some people say that about you? Haha, it's wonderful, those words must have made you feel so honoured; but as a matter of fact you're a very talented composer ;)
Next concert's programme sounds amazing as well, Beethoven is one of my absolute favourite composers, only beaten by Wagner.

Certainly, it would be great if we met, I hope this will happen soon! ;D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 29, 2012, 04:58:20 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 29, 2012, 04:49:50 AM
Glad to hear the concert went well, my congratulations to the orchestra, the pianist and the conductor!
Did really some people say that about you? Haha, it's wonderful, those words must have made you feel so honoured; but as a matter of fact you're a very talented composer ;)
Next concert's programme sounds amazing as well, Beethoven is one of my absolute favourite composers, only beaten by Mahler and Wagner.

Certainly, it would be great if we met, I hope this will happen soon! ;D

They did! And yes, it made me feel very happy! :) Thank you, Ilaria!

Made a slight correction for you as well ;)

Certainly! I hope it will happen soon as well! :) Have you had the time to get Skype yet? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 29, 2012, 05:18:17 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 29, 2012, 04:58:20 AM
They did! And yes, it made me feel very happy! :) Thank you, Ilaria!

Made a slight correction for you as well ;)

Certainly! I hope it will happen soon as well! :) Have you had the time to get Skype yet? :)

;D

I knew you would make that correction ;) That's rather true though, only Wagner, Beethoven and Liszt come before Mahler for me.

Yes, I got Skype some days ago; I'm afraid I don't think I'll have enough time to use it during the following two weeks since I have the exams of the end of semester.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 29, 2012, 05:35:43 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 29, 2012, 05:18:17 AM
;D

I knew you would make that correction ;) That's rather true though, only Mahler comes before Wagner, Beethoven and Liszt for me.

Yes, I got Skype some days ago; I'm afraid I don't think I'll have enough time to use it during the following two weeks since I have the exams of the end of semester.

;)

That's great - when you get time to go on it, let me know! :) Best of luck for your exams, Ilaria! As you know, my exams finished around 2 weeks ago. I should be getting the results in just over a month. I have more exams in a few months though... but this time, subjects I enjoy, such as the languages and History! :D Again, best of luck!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on January 30, 2012, 09:36:49 AM
Thursday next week:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti

Schubert Entr'acte No.3 Rosamunde
Clyne New Work (CSO Commision)
Schubert Symphony No.9 in C "Great"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 30, 2012, 10:08:52 AM
QuoteThat's rather true though, only Mahler comes before Wagner, Beethoven and Liszt for me.

Very funny ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on January 31, 2012, 02:35:09 AM
Lovely Bruckner concert at London's Royal Festival Hall on Feb. 4th - 9th Symphony and Te Deum; magic !      Anyone else going ?      Clive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on January 31, 2012, 12:07:47 PM
Brochure for the Aldeburgh Festival in June - bookings opening in March.

http://asp-gb.secure-zone.net/v2/indexPop.jsp?id=699/865/4273&lng=en (http://asp-gb.secure-zone.net/v2/indexPop.jsp?id=699/865/4273&lng=en)

already considering easily about 8 or 9 concerts in that fortnight (the various Piano recitals, Herreweghe/Gesualdo, Savall/Hesperion XXI, Aimard/Goerne - again!! they were superb last year.., Monteverdi choir/Gardiner; Brendel Lecture on Liszt...)... I don't know anything about Bartok / Ives / Knussen / Carter / Ligeti so I think i will explore them before March to see how it goes....   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: nesf on January 31, 2012, 02:50:11 PM
La Traviata booked. :) (Ellen Kent Opera if that means anything to people)


Also drooling a bit about over this but it's waaaay off: http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/west-cork-chamber-music-festival-2011/west-cork-chamber-music-festival-2012.651.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: KeithW on January 31, 2012, 02:52:21 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 31, 2012, 04:33:00 AM
I was just about to post the same. ;)  Bruckner fans will of course understand the significance of performing the Te Deum after the (incomplete) 9th.  Though I'm racking my brains to recall when I last heard it done like that.

What I do recall clearly is hearing Nézet-Séguin conduct the CBSO in the 9th a few years ago, and being struck by the resemblance to Giulini.  :D (With whom N-S studied for a while, I only found out afterwards. ::) )

Still a few good seats available, as of this morning.

I'll be there - managed to be in the UK for this!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on February 01, 2012, 01:17:41 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 31, 2012, 04:33:00 AM
I was just about to post the same. ;)  Bruckner fans will of course understand the significance of performing the Te Deum after the (incomplete) 9th.  Though I'm racking my brains to recall when I last heard it done like that.

What I do recall clearly is hearing Nézet-Séguin conduct the CBSO in the 9th a few years ago, and being struck by the resemblance to Giulini.  :D (With whom N-S studied for a while, I only found out afterwards. ::) )

Still a few good seats available, as of this morning.
Readers of my feeble posts will realise I'm clueless, but curious. Thus I had no idea that the 9th was incomplete (was it simply the composer's death, and has someone else tried to/succeeded in scoring any plans for the remainder ?), nor do I know the significance of the running order.
Any enlightenment welcome !
Thanks.                                    Clive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2012, 09:28:19 AM
Speaking of the Bruckner Ninth, I'm hearing it in a few weeks with Rattle and Berlin in the recent completion:

Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle, Music Director and Conductor
Carnegie Hall

Feb. 23
Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Dvorak: The Golden Spinning-Wheel, Op. 109
Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36

Feb. 24
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (completed performance edition by Samale-Phillips-Cohrs-Mazzuca, rev. 2011)

Feb. 25
Camilla Tilling, Soprano
Bernarda Fink, Mezzo-Soprano
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor

Wolf: "Frühlingschor" from Manuel Venegas
Wolf: "Elfenlied"
Wolf: "Der Feuerreiter"
Mahler: Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on February 01, 2012, 09:30:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 01, 2012, 09:28:19 AM
Speaking of the Bruckner Ninth, I'm hearing it in a few weeks with Rattle and Berlin in the recent completion:

Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle, Music Director and Conductor
Carnegie Hall

Feb. 23
Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Dvorak: The Golden Spinning-Wheel, Op. 109
Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36

Feb. 24
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (completed performance edition by Samale-Phillips-Cohrs-Mazzuca, rev. 2011)

Feb. 25
Camilla Tilling, Soprano
Bernarda Fink, Mezzo-Soprano
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor

Wolf: "Frühlingschor" from Manuel Venegas
Wolf: "Elfenlied"
Wolf: "Der Feuerreiter"
Mahler: Symphony No. 2, "Resurrection"

--Bruce

You have no idea how jealous I am!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2012, 09:34:52 AM
Let me see...I bet it's that little piece by that Mahler guy...  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on February 01, 2012, 09:37:04 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 01, 2012, 09:34:52 AM
Let me see...I bet it's that little piece by that Mahler guy...  ;D

--Bruce

Mainly! ;)
But I'd do a lot to see all of those concerts! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 01, 2012, 09:58:29 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on February 01, 2012, 09:37:04 AM
Mainly! ;)
But I'd do a lot to see any of those concerts! :D
Fixed it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on February 01, 2012, 10:38:20 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 01, 2012, 09:28:19 AM
Speaking of the Bruckner Ninth, I'm hearing it in a few weeks with Rattle and Berlin in the recent completion:

Berliner Philharmoniker

Sir Simon Rattle, Music Director and Conductor
Carnegie Hall

Feb. 23
Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Dvorak: The Golden Spinning-Wheel, Op. 109
Schoenberg: Verklärte Nacht
Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36

Feb. 24
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9 (completed performance edition by Samale-Phillips-Cohrs-Mazzuca, rev. 2011)

Watching the Berliner Philharmoniker live must be absolutely amazing, you're very lucky! :o
Enjoy the concerts!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 01, 2012, 10:45:12 AM
I hope Rattle has worked on his Bruckner 9 some more. Last I heard him do the first three movements (ca. 2003 or 2004) with the BPO it was horribly aimless. Great opportunity though to hear the rarely performed last movement completion. I must say I prefer the latest Samale-Cohrs-Philips-Mazzucca to the Carragan version.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2012, 10:51:05 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on February 01, 2012, 10:38:20 AM
Watching the Berliner Philharmoniker live must be absolutely amazing, you're very lucky! :o
Enjoy the concerts!

Yes, it's a treat to hear them, and in general I do like Rattle. Depending on what they play, I don't hear them every time they come, but these concerts are more interesting than usual.

Quote from: MishaK on February 01, 2012, 10:45:12 AM
I hope Rattle has worked on his Bruckner 9 some more. Last I heard him do the first three movements (ca. 2003 or 2004) with the BPO it was horribly aimless. Great opportunity though to hear the rarely performed last movement completion. I must say I prefer the latest Samale-Cohrs-Philips-Mazzucca to the Carragan version.

I've not heard any of the last movement completions (and may not before the concert) so it will be even more interesting on that criterion alone. Without going into too much detail, do you like the final movement as completed?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 01, 2012, 11:34:52 AM
There are a couple of things worth hearing in preparation for the 9th finale completion. I would urge you to hear Harnoncourt's lecture and performance of the original surviving excerpts, which are on the second disc appended to his recording of the first three movements with the VPO. This will give you a good idea of how much is original Bruckner and how much is educated guess/pure fiction. Some earlier versions of the S-C-P-M completion were made before some additional original Bruckner fragments were discovered and are inferior for that reason alone (see e.g. Inbal's recording). The latest Carragan completion exists on a fine recording with Markus Bosch/Aachen. The latest S-C-P-M completion I believe is on Gerd Schaller's recording. I like hearing the finale once in a while. At least the first two thirds of it. Beyond that it starts getting a little sketchy. The downer is the lack of an authentically Brucknerian final fugue and coda, for which there are no sketches at all. But the first part is worth hearing, especially for seeing how one of the secondary themes of the first movement becomes the main theme of the finale. To me the S-C-P-M completion sounds more convincing than the Carragan.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2012, 11:43:19 AM
Thanks, this is all very, very helpful.  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 01, 2012, 11:55:29 AM
BTW, all the recordings mentioned in my post above, including the Harnoncourt lecture, are on Spotify, if you're using that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on February 02, 2012, 01:24:14 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 01, 2012, 07:53:25 AM
This Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_(Bruckner)) is pretty good on the state of the symphony at the time of Bruckner's death and the various attempts subsequently to complete it.

It was Bruckner's suggestion that, if he didn't live to finish it, his Te Deum should be used as a substitute Finale.  Though this may have been for personal reasons as much as musical.  The symphony as a whole is dedicated "to the beloved God" whom he expected, with some trepidation, shortly to meet.  You don't often hear the two works programmed together like this, and my memory of the last time I did is that I didn't feel it worked terribly well.  Though that may have had something to do with the personnel on that occasion.  If I had to bet on somebody to make it work, Nézet-Séguin is probably as good as any.  Not everything that he attempts comes off, but he'll give it a damned good try.

Ah, excellent, thank you !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 02, 2012, 07:17:51 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 02, 2012, 01:27:06 AM
The following week (24th Oct) there is also this:

Mozart Violin Concerto 5
Bruckner Symphony 7
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski / London Philharmonic
Hilary Hahn violin

Availability for this one is slightly better, but still not a whole lot left.  Skrowaczewski is very old now.  I saw him a couple of years ago in St Florian (conducting the Bruckner Orchester Linz in the 5th) and it really wasn't that great. 

I heard him do Bruckner 2 with BRSO maybe two years ago and it was stupendous. Blame the acoustics for your bad experience in St. Florian.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 02, 2012, 12:17:13 PM
Quote from: toucan on February 02, 2012, 12:06:53 PM
June 26, Avery Fisher Hall:

Dutilleux: Metaboles
Dutilleux, String Quartet "Ainsi la Nuit"
Dutilleux: Cello Concerto "Tout un Monde Lontain"

Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Alan Gilbert, Dirigent
New York Philharmonic

Good to see Dutilleux get some play here in the States. I bet Metaboles is going to white hot. I'm not about Yo-Yo Ma in Dutilleux's Tout un Monde Lontain. I haven't heard anything intresting from Yo-Yo Ma since Finzi's Cello Concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: KeithW on February 03, 2012, 09:38:12 AM
Tonight at the Barbican: Andreas Scholl and Kammerorchester Basel performing Bach.  I went to pick up my ticket earlier and saw the BBC external broadcast vans outside.  Not being broadcast live, but they may be capturing it for a later date.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 06, 2012, 04:57:34 AM
Looking back at, in delight:

Mozart Woche Salzburg: "You must hear Ébène!"
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/02/mozart-woche-salzburg-you-must-hear.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/02/mozart-woche-salzburg-you-must-hear.html)

And looking forward to: Das Rheingold, tomorrow.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 06, 2012, 05:09:22 AM
Quote from: toucan on February 02, 2012, 02:25:53 PM
I believe his mother, Yoko Takebe,  still plays the violin for the New York Philharmonic. I can hear from here what will happen during rehearsals if Gilbert says out loud: "hey, Ma, you made a wrong note" - and Yo-Yo answers: "it's not me, it's her..."

:P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: B_cereus on February 06, 2012, 02:54:25 PM
I shall be in Manchester, England next week to see Hilary Hahn play Mozart... travel & hotel booked... Yay :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 07, 2012, 10:11:02 AM
Quote from: B_cereus on February 06, 2012, 02:54:25 PM
I shall be in Manchester, England next week to see Hilary Hahn play Mozart... travel & hotel booked... Yay :)

Lucky! At this point in her career, I'd probably hear her play anything.

Tonight, a short "after work concert" - very informal, in which you can sit onstage next to the players, and...including free beer!  ;D

http://www.millertheatre.com/Events/EventDetails.aspx?nid=1510

Miller Theatre at Columbia University
JACK Quartet
Ensemble Signal

Lachenmann: Pression (for solo cello)
Sciarrino: Caprices for solo violin
Scelsi: String Quartet No. 4
Xenakis: Ittidra for string sextet

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 08, 2012, 12:08:23 PM
A friend in Ohio who is planning to attend the next Cleveland Orchestra concert received this notification today:

We're announcing a change in The Cleveland Orchestra's program at Severance Hall this weekend ... Upon the advice of his physician, Pierre Boulez will conduct three Schubert songs on the first half of The Cleveland Orchestra programs at Severance Hall this weekend. After intermission, David Robertson, the acclaimed Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony, will conduct Mahler's Symphony No. 5. We are grateful to Mr. Robertson for agreeing to share the program with Mr. Boulez on such short notice. It is always a great pleasure for us to have Maestro Boulez on our stage and we hope you will enjoy the exciting and rare experience of seeing two esteemed conductors lead the Orchestra on the same concert!

Weird that Boulez would conduct at all if he can't complete an entire concert...and disturbing (for Boulez fans) that his condition prevents him from conducting Mahler. My friend, naturally, is bummed.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 08, 2012, 12:15:35 PM
The weirdness is underscored in this irrational sentence:

QuoteUpon the advice of his physician, Pierre Boulez will conduct three Schubert songs on the first half of The Cleveland Orchestra programs at Severance Hall this weekend.

Clearly, what my career as a composer needs, is that I become a patient of that doctor!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 09, 2012, 06:20:47 AM
Quote from: toucan on February 08, 2012, 02:23:27 PM
Sent by: The Cleveland Orchestra
Reply to the sender


Upon the advice of his physician, Pierre Boulez will conduct the three Schubert songs on the first half of The Cleveland Orchestra's concerts at Severance Hall this weekend (February 9, 11, and 12). After intermission, David Robertson, acclaimed music director of the Saint Louis Symphony, will conduct Mahler's Symphony No. 5.



That's awesome. Two conductors in one concert... and in any case with Robertson a 'second' conductor that is among my very favorites, too.  Excellent, intelligent, conductor, from whom I've heard the finest M-10 Adagio in concert, so far.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 09, 2012, 08:39:12 AM
So Mahler is dangerous for your health, even without the hammers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 09, 2012, 01:03:55 PM
Next week, Dutoit and Philadelphia will be at Carnegie Hall. I've never heard the Frank Martin piece (AFAIK), never heard James Ehnes, and the Bartók is a favorite.

February 14, 2012
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Chief Conductor
James Ehnes, Violin

Martin: Concerto for Seven Wind Instruments
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 10, 2012, 07:58:35 AM
Quote from: toucan on February 08, 2012, 02:23:27 PMUpon the advice of his physician, Pierre Boulez...

I hope his health improves soon. I have tickets to hear him conduct Das Lied von der Erde with Chicago on March 3 and was thinking of hearing him do Pierrot lunaire the week before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 10, 2012, 11:07:44 AM
Quote from: MishaK on February 10, 2012, 07:58:35 AM
I hope his health improves soon.

Ditto.

Tonight, the opening of the Avant Music Festival (http://avantmedia.org/art/productions/avantmusicfestival2012.html):

Wild Project
Ekmeles, vocals
Oscar Henriquez, video

Randy Gibson: "Circular Trance Surrounding The Second Pillar with The Highest Seventh Primal Cirrus," "The Utmost Fundamental," and "The Ekmeles Ending" from Apparitions Of The Four Pillars, for vocal ensemble and sine wave drones

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 10, 2012, 11:34:48 AM
Apparently Boulez' health issues have to do with his eyes. He recently had surgery on them.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 13, 2012, 06:30:28 AM
According to the latest news, Boulez is withdrawing from this week's concerts as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 13, 2012, 06:41:36 AM
Hope he mends soon!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 13, 2012, 06:43:31 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 10, 2012, 12:08:37 PM
Okay.  I have tickets for him conducting Bartok+Szymanowski in London in May, but I don't want him detaching his retinas just for my sake.  It's a good program whoever's conducting:

Bartok Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta
Bartok Violin Concerto 2
Szymanowski Symphony 3

Would like to hear Boulez' take on these, though, if there's any chance. :-\

I'm so jealous! That's an excellent program. It seems that Gergiev will be conducting a lot of Szymanowski in the new season as well. Szymanowski fans rejoice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 13, 2012, 07:31:17 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 13, 2012, 07:23:26 AM
Yes, mostly coupled with Brahms.  E.g. at the end of March (2013) Gergiev's conducting the LSO+Chorus in Brahms' German Requiem and Szymanowski's Stabat Mater - two all time favourites on the one program. :D  That's the hazard of living in or near London: even limiting concert choices to only those things which you absolutely cannot miss unless you want your entrails gnawed by remorse is still a sure road to bankruptcy. ;D

Yeah, Szymanowski's Stabat Mater is an amazing work. I think he's sadly underrated anyway. If I lived in London, I would would definitely be more of a concert goer especially with programs like that!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on February 13, 2012, 07:44:31 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 13, 2012, 07:31:17 AM
Yeah, Szymanowski's Stabat Mater is an amazing work. I think he's sadly underrated anyway. If I lived in London, I would would definitely be more of a concert goer especially with programs like that!

You should move over, John! ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 13, 2012, 07:47:43 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on February 13, 2012, 07:44:31 AM
You should move over, John! ;)

I wish I could, Daniel, but that's quite a big move. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on February 13, 2012, 07:49:47 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 13, 2012, 07:47:43 AM
I wish I could, Daniel, but that's quite a big move. :)

I suppose... you should take a summer holiday to London, John. And we could meet up to go and see some of the BBC Proms! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 13, 2012, 07:56:53 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on February 13, 2012, 07:49:47 AM
I suppose... you should take a summer holiday to London, John. And we could meet up to go and see some of the BBC Proms! :)

Haha! There's still so much of the United States I need to see first, Daniel. I haven't been to the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington) and I haven't even seen any of the New England states. I would especially like to visit Charles Ives's home in Danbury, Connecticut. I would also like to visit NYC to see all of those wonderful museums and maybe even see the New York Philharmonic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on February 13, 2012, 08:00:32 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 13, 2012, 07:56:53 AM
Haha! There's still so much of the United States I need to see first, Daniel. I haven't been to the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington) and I haven't even seen any of the New England states. I would especially like to visit Charles Ives's home in Danbury, Connecticut. I would also like to visit NYC to see all of those wonderful museums and maybe even see the New York Philharmonic.

Fair enough (especially the part about the NYP) - hopefully one day then John! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 13, 2012, 10:02:11 AM
Quote from: toucan on February 13, 2012, 08:01:57 AM
Boulez injured his eye in Chicago in October 2010, where he had travelled impromptu to replace Muti, who had a stomach ache. It's odd - and such a shame - that the eye in question would cause renewed cause for concern during another trip to the mid-west.

That's not quite right. Boulez traveled to Chicago well ahead of his scheduled fall 2010 concerts to get eye surgery done in Chicago. That's why he happened to be in town and available when Muti had his fall. But he was around for weeks just going to concerts as a patron.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 13, 2012, 11:24:03 AM
He's canceling the two weeks on Chicago too. This just in:

Quote
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
***NOTICE TO TICKET HOLDERS***


= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Helen Regenstein Conductor Emeritus Pierre Boulez has withdrawn from his upcoming CSO appearances on the advice of his ophthalmologist.

Performances that are affected include the Beyond the Score series presentations on February 24 and 26 and the CSO subscription concerts on February 25, 28 and March 1, 2 and 3. There are no changes to the performance programs, cast, or theatrical staging.

Replacing Maestro Boulez and each making their CSO conducting debut are U.S.-based Romanian conductor Cristian Macelaru (February 24, 25, 26 and 28) and British conductor Jonathan Nott (March 1-3).

If you have questions, please contact Patron Services at patronservices@cso.org or call 312-294-3000.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at Symphony Center.

Enjoy the concert!

I was mildly upset at first, but Nott is an excellent replacement for the Mahler Das Lied von der Erde. I just recently heard his scorcher of a recording of Mahler 2. But Boulez will be tough to replace in Pierrot lunaire the week before. Anyone ever heard of Macelaru?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 14, 2012, 06:56:45 AM
This Saturday at Symphony Hall:

RAVEL - Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) Suite
STRAVINSKY - Concerto for Piano and Winds
SHOSTAKOVICH - Symphony № 5

BSO
Peter Serkin, pf
Stéphane Denève, guest conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 14, 2012, 07:07:01 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 14, 2012, 06:56:45 AM
This Saturday at Symphony Hall:

RAVEL - Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) Suite
STRAVINSKY - Concerto for Piano and Winds
SHOSTAKOVICH - Symphony № 5

BSO
Peter Serkin, pf
Stéphane Denève, guest conductor


I heard Serkin do the Stravinsky with the International Contemporary Ensemble at last summer's Mostly Mozart Festival. It was the last piece on the program - and brought down the house.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 14, 2012, 07:11:48 AM
Of the Stravinsky pf-&-orch pieces, that one is my easy favorite, Bruce.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 14, 2012, 07:17:36 AM
Fantastic - between that and the BSO, the hall acoustics and Serkin, you are probably in for a treat.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 14, 2012, 08:01:44 AM
This Friday:

Talea Ensemble
Donatienne Michel-Dansac, soprano
James Baker, conductor
Bohemian National Hall

Clemens Gadenstätter: Streichtrio II: Friktion (1995) *US Premiere
Bernhard Gander: ö (2004) *US Premiere
Bernhard Lang: DW 16: Songbook 1 (2004)

And on Saturday afternoon, the live broadcast from the Teresa Carreño hall in Caracas, Venezuela:

Mahler: Symphony No. 8

Los Angeles Philharmonic and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Manuela Uhl, soprano
Julianna Di Giacomo, soprano
Kiera Duffy, soprano
Anna Larsson, alto
Charlotte Hellekant, alto
Burkhard Fritz, tenor
Brian Mulligan, baritone
Alexander Vinogradov, bass
Los Angeles Master Chorale

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on February 14, 2012, 11:14:47 AM
I don't usually post about the concerts I attend, but this is rather unusual in its combination of repertoire, so here goes:

11.03.2012, Megaron Concert Hall, Athens

Mozart: Andante & Variations, K.501 (Argerich/Kovacevich)
Ravel: Ma mère l'oye (Argerich/Bakopoulou)
Shostakovich: Concertino for 2 pianos, op.94 (Argerich/Bakopoulou)
Schumann: Fantasiestücke, op.73 (Argerich/Maisky)
Mozart: Piano Concerto No.18 in B flat Major, K.456 (Kovacevich/Camerata Orchestra/Korsten)
Kabalevsky: Piano Concerto No.4, op.99 "Prague" (Kapelis/Camerata Orchestra/Korsten)
Haydn: Cello Concerto No.1, Hob.VIIb.1 (Maisky/Camerata Orchestra/Korsten
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: B_cereus on February 14, 2012, 02:28:21 PM
Just back from seeing Hilary Hahn play the Mozart VC 4. It was great! Her sound was sweet. She played one encore which I am not familiar with but I'm pretty sure it's one of the Bach. 

During the intermission she did a signing, she signed my programme & my copy of her Tchaikovsky CD :)  She asked me "Do you come here often?" I said no i flew specially to see her play...i was too starstruck to say anything coherent apart from saying thanks for her performance, & moved on as there was a line behind me. Anyway she seemed a very nice person. Didn't take any pictures of her at the signing as 1) I wasn't sure if it was forbidden 2) I was too shy to ask her whether she mind 3) i didnt want her thinking I was some weird crazed fan.  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 16, 2012, 02:03:40 PM
16.2.
Jin Wang & Oulu Symphony
Trey Lee, cello

Mjaskovski: Cello Concerto in C minor
Encore: Piazzolla: Oblivion

Prokofjev: 5th Symphony

A great concert, the Mjaskovski concerto I hadn't heard before, and it sounded excellent.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on February 25, 2012, 02:03:06 PM
At the academy today, I found out that students are allowed to go and watch the academy orchestra in rehearsal, so that is exactly what I spent my whole lunchtime doing, and what I intend to do probably every week now! They are rehearsing for their next concert next month which consists of:
Adams, Short Ride
Saint Saens, Violin Concerto 3 (with one of my classmates as the soloist)
Barber Adagio
Elgar Symphony no.1

They were rehearsing the Elgar first, all the way through, then the Adams and I had to leave for a class half way through the Saint Saens.
Love watching the rehearsals! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 03, 2012, 11:50:05 PM
some concerts that may be of interest in the next (2012-13) Vancouver season:
Oct. 20, 22  MAHLER 9
Dec. 9. 10  SCHUBERT 8, BRUCKNER 7
Feb. 15,16  BRITTEN Violin Cto, ELGAR "Enigma"
March 9, 11 BERNSTEIN Serenade (Vadim Gluzman)  BEETHOVEN Sym. 3
April 6, 8    BRAHMS Double cto (Christian Poltéra, Karen Gomyo)  SIBELIUS 4 Legends
June 8, 10  TCHAIKOWSKY Vn cto (Baba Skride), STRAVINSKY Firebird
June 15,17  STRAVINSKY  Fireworks, Petrouchka, Sacre
It looks like the audience tired of the Bach and Vivaldi series, it's now mainly Mo«art and Beethoven
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on March 05, 2012, 02:06:35 PM
Over the weekend, I heard the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Choral Arts Society in a performance of Einhorn's Voices of Light, this accompanying the Dreyer movie The Passion of Joan of Arc. I had wondered before the concert how the solo parts would be handled, since this was written for SATB soloists plus Anonymous 4. They had just SATB, all students from Peabody; they were uniformly great! The SA handled the Anon4 lines with a wonderful purity and tone, very similar to Anon4. I even liked the soprano! The chorus and orchestra were great, too; I love the work, and they did it justice.

I went with a friend and my tall child (now 18 and a college junior); the tall child was happy to be home for a short visit not only because of the concert (and good food!), but also because the newly-released Rautavaara CD with Incantations on it, which we'd heard a couple of years ago, had arrived at the house.

I have tickets for a number of piano recitals, am looking forward to all of them, and may post about them after each one.

(Or not. :-D )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on March 06, 2012, 03:14:15 PM
Renée Fleming with the San Antonio Symphony tomorrow (Wednesday) night.

Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
Ravel: Shéhérazade
Gounod: Selections from the Ballet Music from Faust
Gounod: "Ô Dieu! que de bijoux! ... Ah! je ris de me voir si belle" (Jewel Song) from Faust
Gordon: Night Flight to San Francisco
Bernstein: Overture to Candide
Bellamy/Howard/Wolstenholme: Endlessly
Cohen: Hallelujah
Gibbard: Soul Meets Body
Korngold: Overture to Captain Blood
Lehár: "Vilja-Lied" from Die lustige Witwe
Korngold: "Marietta's Lied" from Die tote Stadt

This concert will feature the world premiere of the orchestrated version of Ricky Ian Gordon's Night Flight to San Francisco.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 07, 2012, 11:46:30 AM
A nice first haul of tickets for the Aldeburgh Festival in June - quite a varied bunch, lots of maiden composers / works for me.  ;D

----------------------
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Peter Serkin piano
Oliver Knussen conductor

Ives - Washington's Birthday
Oliver Knussen - New work for piano and orchestra
Stravinsky - Movements for piano and orchestra
Berg - Three Movements from Lyric Suite
-------------------

Peter Serkin piano

Wolpe - Toccata in Three Parts
Takemitsu - For Away;
Alexander Goehr - 'Air', 'Air – Double'
Oliver Knussen -  Variations; Prayer-Bell Sketch;
Beethoven - Diabelli Variations

-------------------

Matthias Goerne baritone
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano

Lieder by Schumann and Brahms

-------------------------

Collegium Vocale Gent / Philippe Herreweghe director

Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Good Friday and Holy Saturday; Benedictus; Miserere Mei.

-----------------------

Menahem Pressler piano

Mozart - Rondo in A minor K511
Beethoven - Sonata No.17 in D minor Op.31, No.2
Chopin - Nocturne in D flat Op.27 No.2; Ballade No.3 in A flat Op.47
György Kurtág - New work
Schubert - Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat D960

----------------------

Dezsö Ránki - piano

Barnabás Dukay - Rondino, that speaks to the heart; ...made of sunlight, stones and water... (UK premiere)
Haydn - Sonata in E flat Hob.XVI/49
Liszt  - Unstern! ; En rêve, Mephisto Waltz No.4, Impromptu, Toccata, Mephisto-Polka, Wiegenlied
Bartók - Romanian Christmas Songs; For Children (selection); Out of Doors

-------------------------

Alfred Brendel - Lecture : Liszt, Genius of Expression: an illustrated lecture

Schumann called him a 'genius of expression' but not only was Liszt the greatest of pianists but also, in Wagner's words, 'the most musical of musicians'.
His compositions are of uneven merit; the most important, however, stand besides those of Chopin and Schumann. Perhaps no other composer has traversed such a wide musical distance in a life that started with his early years of brilliance and exuberance to the ascetic 'bitterness of heart' in the final decade.
With piano illustrations, Alfred Brendel's lecture tries to give an unbiased picture of this many-faceted man.

------------------------

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Birmingham Contemporary Music Group*
Pierre-Laurent Aimard - piano / Dawn Upshaw - soprano* 
EXAUDI / Oliver Knussen - conductor

Harrison Birtwistle - Cantus Iambeus
Bartók - Three Village Scenes
Elliott Carter - Interventions for piano and orchestra (UK premiere)
Oliver Knussen -  Requiem – Songs for Sue*
Ives - The Fourth of July; Three Places in New England

----------------------

Hesperion XXI  / Jordi Savall - director

'Mare nostrum'  - A concert with music from Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions around the Mediterranean

---------------------

Royal Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra  / Musicians from Britten–Pears Orchestra, Aldeburgh Young Musicians
James Sinclair - conductor

Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man
Ives - Universe Symphony (European premiere)

---------------------
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lethevich on March 07, 2012, 12:39:35 PM
I just witnessed a 1st violinist turn Haydn's Mercury symphony into a tapdancing concerto ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: johnshade on March 09, 2012, 08:25:10 AM
Tallahasssee Symphony Orchestra , March 17, at Florida State University: Concert includes Brahms Symphony No. 1 !!
...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 09, 2012, 08:29:13 AM
Quote from: johnshade on March 09, 2012, 08:25:10 AM
Tallahasssee Symphony Orchestra , March 17, at Florida State University: Concert includes Brahms Symphony No. 1 !!
...

So predictable. Why don't they perform some uniquie repertoire?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 09, 2012, 10:45:36 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on March 07, 2012, 11:46:30 AM

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Birmingham Contemporary Music Group*
Pierre-Laurent Aimard - piano / Dawn Upshaw - soprano* 
EXAUDI / Oliver Knussen - conductor

Harrison Birtwistle - Cantus Iambeus
Bartók - Three Village Scenes
Elliott Carter - Interventions for piano and orchestra (UK premiere)
Oliver Knussen -  Requiem – Songs for Sue*
Ives - The Fourth of July; Three Places in New England



Wow. What a group of concerts! The one above looks especially fine, but all of them look very tasty. Just heard Savall live two years ago and he was sensational.

Tonight, hearing the superb Talea Ensemble in a bunch of new pieces:

Victor Adan/ Douglas Repetto: Tractus (2011)
Hans Thomalla: Capriccio (2012) *World Premiere
John Zorn: Bateau Ivre (2011)
Eric Chasalow: New Work (2012) *World Premiere
Ashley Rose Fure: therefore i was (2012) *World Premiere
Eric Wubbels: New Work (2012) *World Premiere

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 10, 2012, 06:12:02 AM
A bit of Late-night Bach this evening:

Klavierübung III with Pieter Van Dijk in the Oslo "Domkirke"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: johnshade on March 11, 2012, 07:04:49 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 09, 2012, 08:29:13 AM
So predictable. Why don't they perform some uniquie repertoire?

Unique (not uniquie) repertoire is performed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on March 13, 2012, 01:55:16 AM
Coming up on the 24th: one of Moscow's numerous orchestras whose names I can't quite get straight (it's named after Svetlanov) in the following program:

Webern: Passacaglia
Berg: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony #3 "Eroica" (in Mahler edition)

Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Renaud Capuçon, violin

Especially looking forward to the Webern and Berg. But what is this "Eroica" edited by Mahler?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2012, 09:14:26 AM
Quote from: Velimir on March 13, 2012, 01:55:16 AM
Coming up on the 24th: one of Moscow's numerous orchestras whose names I can't quite get straight (it's named after Svetlanov) in the following program:

Webern: Passacaglia
Berg: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony #3 "Eroica" (in Mahler edition)

Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Renaud Capuçon, violin

Especially looking forward to the Webern and Berg. But what is this "Eroica" edited by Mahler?

Looks like a fascinating program (and I am not aware of the Mahler version, either).

Tomorrow night, looking forward to another contemporary music group, Hotel Elefant, making its debut:

Hotel Elefant
DiMenna Center
8:00pm

Inaugural Concert with works by
David T. Little
Chinary Ung
Peter Bussigel
Leaha Maria Villarreal
Mary Kouyoumdjian


http://hotelelefant.org/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on March 15, 2012, 01:05:57 PM
Quote from: Velimir on March 13, 2012, 01:55:16 AM
But what is this "Eroica" edited by Mahler?

Four times the usual brass and timpani.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on March 15, 2012, 02:08:48 PM
Our school's spring concert tommorow!
And I am in pretty much every group that will be performing...
On Cello: Orchestra, String Group, 'Sleeping Beauty Strings' (playing a Waltz from the ballet)
Singing: Choir, Men's Choir
Cowbelling: Glee Club  :o  ;)

And also, I am playing the Chopin C Minor Nocturne again. :)

Looking forward to it! :) I love our school's music department, such great, fun, happiness!

And on Saturday, at the Academy the term's concert:
Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Barber Adagio for Strings
Saint Saens Violin Concerto no.3 1st mov. (my colleague and friend, Laure, as the soloist)
Elgar Symphony no.1

Very excited. I have been going to watch the rehearsals every week, luckily the rehearsals take place during my lunch break at the Academy! Good timing! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on March 15, 2012, 02:12:49 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on March 15, 2012, 02:08:48 PM
Cowbelling: Glee Club  :o  ;)

Not in Mahler? :o ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 15, 2012, 02:16:38 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on March 15, 2012, 02:08:48 PM
Cowbelling: Glee Club  :o  ;)

Let's hope Christopher Walken isn't in the audience. You'll never satisfy him  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on March 15, 2012, 02:17:48 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on March 15, 2012, 02:12:49 PM
Not in Mahler? :o ;)

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 15, 2012, 02:16:38 PM
Let's hope Christopher Walken isn't in the audience. You'll never satisfy him  ;D

Sarge

haha ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 15, 2012, 02:35:51 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 10, 2012, 06:12:02 AM
A bit of Late-night Bach this evening:

Klavierübung III with Pieter Van Dijk in the Oslo "Domkirke"



Oslo Internasjonale Kirkemusikkfestival: Bach as Eschatology

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WaBgcn12PwU/T2IVdT8mIoI/AAAAAAAAB4k/NTLoFFjstbI/s1600/bach_logo_png3_ionarts.png)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/03/bach-as.html
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/03/bach-as.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on March 17, 2012, 11:34:09 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on March 15, 2012, 02:08:48 PM
Our school's spring concert tommorow!
And I am in pretty much every group that will be performing...
On Cello: Orchestra, String Group, 'Sleeping Beauty Strings' (playing a Waltz from the ballet)
Singing: Choir, Men's Choir
Cowbelling: Glee Club  :o  ;)

And also, I am playing the Chopin C Minor Nocturne again. :)

Looking forward to it! :) I love our school's music department, such great, fun, happiness!

And on Saturday, at the Academy the term's concert:
Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Barber Adagio for Strings
Saint Saens Violin Concerto no.3 1st mov. (my colleague and friend, Laure, as the soloist)
Elgar Symphony no.1

Very excited. I have been going to watch the rehearsals every week, luckily the rehearsals take place during my lunch break at the Academy! Good timing! :D

School concert went so well! Loved it! Had such a brilliant time. Despite being so nervous before, I was so incredibly happy with how my performance of the Chopin C Minor Nocturne went, I think it may have been my personal favourite performance that I have given of it. I was so happy to also recieve so much praise from the audience, my fellow students and friends and teachers! :) Our school music department is going to have a bit of a rest now, but soon after Easter I shall be starting my chamber orchestra! :)

The concert at the academy today was brilliant. The orchestra did an absolutely amazing job, I loved watching many of my colleagues playing in it! :) Looking forward to seeing what their next programme is... Mahler would be good! ;) Might find out next week when I go along to the rehearsals. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on March 17, 2012, 09:42:52 PM
Tonight, the tall child and I heard:
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Jirí Belohlávek, conductor
Shai Wosner, piano
Dvorák Carnival Overture
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
Kodály Dances of Galánta
Janácek Taras Bulba

And excellent it was, too!

On Sunday, I'll be attending this:
Murray Perahia
Bach French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816
Beethoven Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90
Brahms Klavierstücke, Op. 119
Schubert Sonata in A Major, D.664
Chopin Polonaise in C-sharp minor, Op. 26
Chopin Prelude No. 8 in F-sharp minor, Op. 28
Chopin Mazurka No. 4 C-sharp minor, Op. 30
Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor, Op. 39
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on March 17, 2012, 11:36:17 PM
I'm hoping to see Jurowski conduct Vaughan Williams's Symphony No 6 (with Prokofiev Symphony 5) in London in October this year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 22, 2012, 01:29:27 PM
Tonight:
Uuno Klami, Kalevi Aho - Pyörteitä (Whirls)
Coreography: Alpo Aaltokoski
Jaakko Kuusisto & Oulu Symphony
Premiere performance, with Aho in the audience (my dad chatted with him during an intermission)

Aho's completion of Klami's ballet, which Klami didn't get to finish before his death in 1961. Aho composed much of the last of the three parts, and did some orchestration to the first part.
It is based on Kalevala, and more specifically, the forging of the Sampo.
Excellent music, in a style that is something like a mix of Stravinsky, Ravel & Sibelius.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on March 22, 2012, 01:54:37 PM
Hope you enjoy it, Karlo! Certainly sounds interesting.

Tommorow, I shall be performing in a concert! (I am the percussionist for the orchestra)

It is a concerto evening, where members of the orchestra are invited to perform the solo parts. Only one of the movements though...
Concerto movements by Bruch, Vaughan Williams, Weber and finally, the one I am in, Debussy! (the Saxophone Rhapsody!) Great fun! :)

Really looking forward to it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 22, 2012, 02:31:54 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on March 22, 2012, 01:54:37 PM
Hope you enjoy it, Karlo! Certainly sounds interesting.

Tommorow, I shall be performing in a concert! (I am the percussionist for the orchestra)

It is a concerto evening, where members of the orchestra are invited to perform the solo parts. Only one of the movements though...
Concerto movements by Bruch, Vaughan Williams, Weber and finally, the one I am in, Debussy! (the Saxophone Rhapsody!) Great fun! :)

Really looking forward to it!

I certainly did enjoy it. Hopefully there will be a recording of the completion
(there is a recording of the unfinished work http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whirls-Vanska-Ruuttunen-Uuno-Klami/dp/B000025UTP/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1332454861&sr=1-1)

The concert on Friday sounds fun, indeed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on March 27, 2012, 02:23:56 AM
Excuse for a few concerts on the way up to Glasgow to work over Easter - a wallow in Saint-Saens Organ Symphony in Birmingham on Apr. 1st, (does Oliver count on the 3rd...he could certainly write a tune, that Mr. Bart ?), Part & Tavener in Manchester Cathedral on the 4th, & S'kovitch/Prokofiev in City Halls Glasgow on the 5th.
Should be relaxed & ready to work after that lot, & it breaks up a 400+ mile drive wonderfully !

Sorry, Daniel, no Mahler - did like the sound of your recent (& forthcoming) concerts, though. Just envious really; would love to have been able to make a life in music !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on March 27, 2012, 07:53:03 AM
Quote from: cjvinthechair on March 27, 2012, 02:23:56 AM
Excuse for a few concerts on the way up to Glasgow to work over Easter - a wallow in Saint-Saens Organ Symphony in Birmingham on Apr. 1st, (does Oliver count on the 3rd...he could certainly write a tune, that Mr. Bart ?), Part & Tavener in Manchester Cathedral on the 4th, & S'kovitch/Prokofiev in City Halls Glasgow on the 5th.
Should be relaxed & ready to work after that lot, & it breaks up a 400+ mile drive wonderfully !

Sorry, Daniel, no Mahler - did like the sound of your recent (& forthcoming) concerts, though. Just envious really; would love to have been able to make a life in music !

haha - don't worry! ;) The concerts you saw sounded brilliant too. I have not seen it live myself yet, but I can imagine the Saint Saens Organ Symphony being a great piece to see live.
Thank you! :)

The Watford Youth Orchestra concert went really well last Friday! The Debussy was so much fun to play! I handled all three of the tambourine, triangle and cymbal parts! ;) Next in the orchestra, we will be playing Scheherezade, Smetana Vltava, and a modern trumpet concerto... CAN'T WAIT! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 28, 2012, 01:20:12 PM
In about three hours at Carnegie Hall:

San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director and Conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano

Ruggles: Sun-Treader
Feldman: Piano and Orchestra
Ives: A Concord Symphony (orch. Brant)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 29, 2012, 12:15:40 AM
In 8 hours:

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Jörgen van Rijen trombone

Aho: Trombone concerto (Finland premiere)
Tšaikovski: Symphony no 4
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 30, 2012, 10:41:21 AM
Quote from: North Star on March 29, 2012, 12:15:40 AM
In 8 hours:

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Jörgen van Rijen trombone

Aho: Trombone concerto (Finland premiere)
Tšaikovski: Symphony no 4

How was the concert - especially the Aho? I like what I've heard of his music, but no one in the U.S. really plays him much except Osmo Vänskä (and the Minnesota Orchestra).

Tonight, the final "American Mavericks" concert at Carnegie:

Michael Tilson Thomas, Host
Jeffrey Milarsky, Conductor
Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble, Vocalists
Joan La Barbara, Vocalist
Jeremy Denk, Piano
Jesse Stiles, Electronics
San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director and Conductor

Steve Reich: Music for Pieces of Wood
Meredith Monk: Realm Variations (NY Premiere)
Lukas Foss: Echoi
Morton Subotnick: Jacob's Room: Monodrama (NY Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 30, 2012, 12:45:23 PM
Quote from: Brewski on March 30, 2012, 10:41:21 AM
How was the concert - especially the Aho? I like what I've heard of his music, but no one in the U.S. really plays him much except Osmo Vänskä (and the Minnesota Orchestra).

The Aho concerto was very nice, both the soloist and the orchestra (brass, woodwind, strings, percussion) had good material. Lots of sordinos, though not gimmicky at all, and some complex rhythms.

Decent performance of Pjotr, too.

Vänskä has indeed performed Aho's music often, and recorded some CD's  worth of it with Lahti SO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 31, 2012, 03:19:12 AM
Among a few concerts / operas that I was able to catch on Oslo (http://ionarts.blogspot.de/search/label/ionarts%20from%20Norway), this was probably the most satisfying.


Leif Ove Andsnes - Understatement and Innovation (http://ionarts.blogspot.de/2012/03/ionarts-at-large-leif-ove-andsnes.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 01, 2012, 06:19:24 AM
Two great concerts in the next two weeks! What a wonderful Easter I have! :D

The first one... tonight:

Mahler Symphony no.3
London Symphony Orchestra/Bychkov

at the Barbican.

Very very very very excited! Tonight will be the first time I have seen M3 live, and seeing Mahler live is always absolutely amazing...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on April 01, 2012, 07:04:36 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 01, 2012, 06:19:24 AM
Two great concerts in the next two weeks! What a wonderful Easter I have! :D

The first one... tonight:

Mahler Symphony no.3
London Symphony Orchestra/Bychkov

at the Barbican.

Very very very very excited! Tonight will be the first time I have seen M3 live, and seeing Mahler live is always absolutely amazing...

What a wonderful concert it is! :o :-X I'm very, very jealous!!
Enjoy Mahler, Daniel :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 01, 2012, 07:07:03 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on April 01, 2012, 07:04:36 AM
What a wonderful concert it is! :o :-X I'm very, very jealous!!
Enjoy Mahler, Daniel :)

Thank you, Ilaria! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 02, 2012, 02:30:37 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 01, 2012, 06:19:24 AM
Two great concerts in the next two weeks! What a wonderful Easter I have! :D

The first one... tonight:

Mahler Symphony no.3
London Symphony Orchestra/Bychkov

at the Barbican.

Very very very very excited! Tonight will be the first time I have seen M3 live, and seeing Mahler live is always absolutely amazing...

The concert yesterday was absolutely amazing. A very moving performance from Bychkov and the LSO. And yes, as you can imagine, tears were brought to my eyes in the last movement... it is just so heavenly! Seeing it live is such a spiritual, beautiful experience! :)  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on April 03, 2012, 10:04:27 AM
On Friday, if I can make it:

all Prokofiev night

- The Love for Three Oranges Suite
- Violin Concerto No.2
- Alexander Nevsky Cantata

Boris Belkin (violin)
the name of the mezzo escapes me now
Obilic Chorus, Belgrade Philharmonic
Muhai Tang (conducting)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 04, 2012, 11:14:06 AM
Just confirmed for Janáček's The Makropulos Case at the Met, starring Karita Mattila, with Jiří Bělohlávek conducting--very excited since I don't really know the piece.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 04, 2012, 12:08:47 PM
Tonight:
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu SO
Anna-Kristiina Kaappola, soprano

Henryk Górecki
: Symfonia pieśni żałosnych

An excellent performance, Kaappola and the orchestra were both very good. And the piece is quite nice, too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on April 04, 2012, 09:54:33 PM
Next week, Dream of Gerontius in Birmingham conducted by Andris Nelsons: Into my e mail in-box popps yet again, a cancellation by the conductor. No doubt a good reason, but the second tim eout of the last tfour tickets I have bought to his concerts. So, disappointment right now despite the credentials of the substitute.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 05, 2012, 03:00:05 AM
Quote from: knight66 on April 04, 2012, 09:54:33 PM
Next week, Dream of Gerontius in Birmingham conducted by Andris Nelsons: Into my e mail in-box popps yet again, a cancellation by the conductor. No doubt a good reason, but the second tim eout of the last tfour tickets I have bought to his concerts. So, disappointment right now despite the credentials of the substitute.

Mike

Oh dear.... sorry to hear this, Mike. As far as I know, fortunately, Nelsons has not cancelled out of the London performance I am seeing on the 14th... hoping it will stay that way! Do you know who the other substitute conductor is yet?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 05, 2012, 10:41:26 AM
I posted the below when I bought the tickets 4 months ago...and now it's Tomorrow, Saturday and next Friday.... needless to say I am quite excited !!!  ;D

Quote from: Papy Oli on December 05, 2011, 11:30:26 AM
And a couple more bookings for April :

Britten–Pears Orchestra and Soloists
Aldeburgh Voices · London Voices
Ben Parry music director
Antonello Manacorda conductor

Schoenberg - Friede auf Erden
Beethoven - Symphony No.9


-------------

Elisabeth Leonskaja piano

Beethoven - Piano Sonata in E Op.109; Piano Sonata in A flat Op.110; Piano Sonata in C minor Op.111

------------

English Touring Opera: The Barber of Seville
Thomas Guthrie director
Paul McGrath conductor

Rossini - The Barber of Seville (in English)

1st live Beethoven symphony, 1st live Beethoven sonatas and for good measure 1st live Opera too.... ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 05, 2012, 11:09:06 AM
Quote from: knight66 on April 04, 2012, 09:54:33 PM
Next week, Dream of Gerontius in Birmingham conducted by Andris Nelsons: Into my e mail in-box popps yet again, a cancellation by the conductor. No doubt a good reason, but the second tim eout of the last tfour tickets I have bought to his concerts. So, disappointment right now despite the credentials of the substitute.

Mike

Mike (and Daniel), you may have heard already, but Nelsons' newborn child is apparently having serious health issues:

http://classical-iconoclast.blogspot.com/2012/03/andris-nelsons-baby-crisis.html

Quote from: Papy Oli on April 05, 2012, 10:41:26 AM
I posted the below when I bought the tickets 4 months ago...and now it's Tomorrow, Saturday and next Friday.... needless to say I am quite excited !!!  ;D


And Olivier, have a terrific time. All of those pieces are great live--you probably won't be able to sleep after the Beethoven 9th. ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on April 05, 2012, 11:30:02 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 05, 2012, 03:00:05 AM
Oh dear.... sorry to hear this, Mike. As far as I know, fortunately, Nelsons has not cancelled out of the London performance I am seeing on the 14th... hoping it will stay that way! Do you know who the other substitute conductor is yet?

It is Edward Gardiner, no slouch. They probably would not find a better substitute.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on April 05, 2012, 11:31:14 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 05, 2012, 11:09:06 AM
Mike (and Daniel), you may have heard already, but Nelsons' newborn child is apparently having serious health issues:

http://classical-iconoclast.blogspot.com/2012/03/andris-nelsons-baby-crisis.html

And Olivier, have a terrific time. All of those pieces are great live--you probably won't be able to sleep after the Beethoven 9th. ;D

--Bruce

Yes, the last cancellation was for the impending birth. Fingers crossed.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 05, 2012, 12:57:57 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 05, 2012, 11:09:06 AM
Mike (and Daniel), you may have heard already, but Nelsons' newborn child is apparently having serious health issues:

http://classical-iconoclast.blogspot.com/2012/03/andris-nelsons-baby-crisis.html


Oh dear... this is really upsetting to hear. I'm sure all of us here on GMG will join to send our best wishes to Andris Nelsons and his newborn child.

Quote from: knight66 on April 05, 2012, 11:30:02 AM
It is Edward Gardiner, no slouch. They probably would not find a better substitute.

Mike

Well, it will certainly still be a great concert then, Edward Gardiner is excellent. I have seen him live before, conducting Shosty 5, and was very impressed!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on April 05, 2012, 10:38:09 PM
After posting I mused a bit on a number of great misses in terms of cancellations.

Bryn Terfel: cancelled twice in a row I had booked for and that made me wary of booking him again, though I got over it and did.

Monserrat Caballe: that was an Edinburgh Festival occasion and she cancelled about two hours before the concert. Luckily as there were so many musicians around Emannual Ax and Yo Yo Ma stepped in and provided a really great concert, like friends playing just for the enjoyment.

When in choir a number of near misses occurred over the years. Bernstein died about 10 months before he was due to conduct us, Kubelik was ill Previn had an ear infection, Reginald Goodall was going to do the Beethoven 9th but died about six months or so before the concert.

Then there were the people who ought to have cancelled, but turned up. But that is another story.

Mike

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 06, 2012, 02:13:54 PM
QuoteBritten–Pears Orchestra and Soloists
Aldeburgh Voices · London Voices
Ben Parry music director
Antonello Manacorda conductor

Schoenberg - Friede auf Erden
Beethoven - Symphony No.9

Good heavens. The thunderous first two movements, the gorgeous adagio, the build-up in the Presto, the "O Freunde" entrance, the choir.... Mind blown.   :D

It was "only" the Britten-Pears Orchestra i.e. the students in residence in Snape plus members of other youth orchestras, but the playing was passionate, tight and full of nuances. Heard lots of details I never heard on the recordings or not paid attention to before. Raucous applause and ovation at the end, thoroughly deserved.

i'll need to find a good recording of the Schoenberg's Friede of Erden - the choir parts seemed very intricate - I must explore that one further.

Quote from: Brewski on April 05, 2012, 11:09:06 AM
And Olivier, have a terrific time. All of those pieces are great live--you probably won't be able to sleep after the Beethoven 9th. ;D
--Bruce

see what you meant !!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 07, 2012, 02:53:23 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on December 05, 2011, 11:30:26 AM
Ben Parry music director

Sounds like a great experience, Olivier!
Ben Parry is the principal of the JD of the Royal Academy of Music where I study! He sometimes conducts our morning choir! :D
Very nice person, I had my annual assessment with him a few weeks ago and we ended up talking about Mahler for half the time! ;D

Glad you enjoyed it, Olivier!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 07, 2012, 03:44:49 AM
There was an extra man who joined the conductor and the soloists back on stage at the end, I assume it could have been him. 

There was an article in the East Anglian Daily Times this morning (written before the concert - not showing on their website yet) about the orchestra itself. Not only it was the resident students of the Britten Pears Orchestra, but they were joined also by many music students from youth orchestras across the world (I count at least 25 nationalities from a quick look at the participants list). Many of them are also part the Aldeburgh World Orchestra project that Aldeburgh Music have on for this Olympic year.

http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/bpp/awo (http://www.aldeburgh.co.uk/bpp/awo)

I see them again in July for Mahler's 10th's Adagio and Shosta's 5th. If yesterday's performance is anything to go by, it will be a blast too !!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 07, 2012, 04:53:28 AM



Ionarts-at-Large: David Fray on a Day in D-Minor

(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/04/ionarts-at-large-david-fray-on-day-in-d.html)
Quotecomplauding [kuhm-plawd-ing]
Gerund
1. The contemporaneous grumbling and praise of the presence of Haydn on a concert program, but performed as the first piece, thereby subliminally or overtly suggesting that Haydn is 'nice', but 'not really that important'. When of course he is that important. And more.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I8DS1Vk_SPQ/T3-rtaobp1I/AAAAAAAAB6c/0j9rw6iMFh8/s1600/bach_solopart_BWV1052_PNG.png)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/04/ionarts-at-large-david-fray-on-day-in-d.html[/url]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on April 07, 2012, 08:12:02 AM
The Arditti SQ on April 12th in San Francisco:

BEETHOVEN: Grosse Fuge, Op. 133
BERG: String Quartet, Op. 3
ADÈS: Four Quarters
BARTÓK: String Quartet No. 4 in C Major

A rather tame program for them!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 08, 2012, 11:10:08 AM
Quote from: North Star on March 29, 2012, 12:15:40 AM
In 8 hours:

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Jörgen van Rijen trombone

Aho: Trombone concerto (Finland premiere)
Tšaikovski: Symphony no 4

The concert is available for listening for 21 days here:
http://areena.yle.fi/audio/1333093528213
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 08, 2012, 11:12:20 AM
Quote from: North Star on April 08, 2012, 11:10:08 AM
The concert is available for listening for 21 days here:
http://areena.yle.fi/audio/1333093528213

Can we spot you in the audience, Karlo? ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 08, 2012, 11:13:08 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 08, 2012, 11:12:20 AM
Can we spot you in the audience, Karlo? ;)
Since I didn't cough and it's a radio broadcast, I think not  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 08, 2012, 11:14:51 AM
Quote from: North Star on April 08, 2012, 11:13:08 AM
Since I didn't cough and it's a radio broadcast, I think not  ;D

Oh, haha ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 13, 2012, 11:58:44 PM
QuoteEnglish Touring Opera: The Barber of Seville
Thomas Guthrie director
Paul McGrath conductor

Rossini - The Barber of Seville (in English)

... 1st live Opera too....

What a blast that was !!! the 3 hours just passed by so quickly. The singing in English was a bit bizarre at first but eventually served its purpose for understanding the plot and enjoying it fully. Great singing and acting. Bundles of laughter too !!! My first opera and definitely not the last !!

The ETO presentation video :

http://vimeo.com/40143876 (http://vimeo.com/40143876)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 14, 2012, 07:25:26 AM
Tonight:

Elgar The Dream of Gerontius

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner conductor
Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano
Robert Murray tenor
James Rutherford bass-baritone
CBSO Chorus

As in Mike's concert, Andris Nelsons has had to withdraw....

Am really looking forward to it though. I am sure Gardner will be excellent, he is an amazing conductor!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on April 16, 2012, 12:43:44 PM
Last saturday (april 14) I was in Amsterdam/ Concertgebouw.

The Dutch Radio Philharmonic / Ed Spanjaard and Jorge Luis Prats, piano.

Franz Schreker : Vorspiel zu einer grossen Oper. A 1933 (huge orchestra) extravaganza that is ( at ca 20 mins) more a tone poem than an overture. Schreker put this Vorspiel together from fragments of a never completed opera , Memnon.
Memnon tells the story of a mythical king in Ethiopia who goes forth to Troja with his army. He is defeated and killed by Achilles.
In Schreker's time it was believed that the colossal statues of Amenhotep II in Egypt were effigies of Memnon. More so, one of these statues was thought to be "alive" and would shriek at daybreak...
No wonder this myth inspired Schreker who, apparently was always looking for some new "Ferner Klang".
I loved this extremely opulent score , somewhere between Richard Strauss, Respighi and Dimitri Tiomkin in exotico/biblical mood. It starts softly ( horn solo, distant drums, tambourine, woodwind arabesques), grows into a schmaltsy, very sexy saxophone-lead orgiastic dance, thunders into military battle/ victory/defeat mood, bells ring out...and that is only the first half or so!
Something went wrong during the sax-solo - Spanjaard missed a beat - stopped the performance for a second or two . Great: we got that wonderful sax interlude a second time!
Next: Peter Jan Wagemans 2010 score : Deep blue ocean. Another blockbuster for very large orchestra inspired by water, jellyfish, movement of waves and the documentary "Deep blue ocean", of course.
Six trumpets, a set of tuned gongs , plenty of metal percussion (incl 5 smal beer barrels), and a tempestuoso section that made the Concertgebouw shake. Messiaen, Stravinsky, Varèse.
Wagemans is a composer who still believes in the beauty of orchestral sound. A contemporary "La mer". Fascinating stuff. They should have played it a second time.

After the interval: Brahms second pianoconcerto, played rather brutaly by Cuban Jorge Luis Prats. Not the best part of the concert.
P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 17, 2012, 12:05:45 PM
Tomorrow night, Klangforum Wien in this interesting program:

Agata Zubel: What is the word (World Premiere, 2012)
Roman Haubenstock-Ramati: 1. String Trio (1948/1978 new Version)
Johannes Maria Staud: Celluloid (2011)
Györgi Kurtag: In Nomine - all'ongherese (2001, rev. 2004)
Isang Yun: Quartet for oboe, violin, viola, and  violoncello (1994)
Franco Donatoni Rima: Fili (1981)
Salvatore Sciarrino: Malinconia (1980)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 19, 2012, 12:37:40 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on April 18, 2012, 01:34:02 AM
Interesting all-Stravinsky programme from the LSO Chamber Orchestra on 17th May at St Luke's, London:

Dumbarton Oaks
Concertino
Octet for Wind Instruments
Fanfare for Two Trumpets
Les cinq doigts
Eight Instrumental Miniatures
Tango
Ebony Concerto
Ragtime


Many of these I haven't heard in concert before.  Particularly excited by the prospect of the Octet.  :D

Great-looking concert! And I love the Octet, which reportedly came to Stravinsky in a dream. (We should all have such dreams...) And Dumbarton Oaks is delightful, and doesn't seem to show up that often, for some reason.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 19, 2012, 12:44:42 PM
Tonight, the second concert of the MATA Festival, at Roulette in Brooklyn:

Jacob Cooper: Triptych: II. Black or White
Cecilia Lopez: Mechanical Music for Sheet Metal
Kate Soper: Only the words themselves mean what they say
Lesley Flanigan: from AMPLIFICATIONS
Matt Marks: sneak preview of The Little Death: Vol. 2 (with Mellissa Hughes)
Eli Keszler: Cold Pin (with loadbang)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 19, 2012, 10:59:54 PM
Yesterday:

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu SO, solo cello: Riina Seebeck; leader of the orchestra's cello section (not the solo cellist of the orchestra, though)

Mozart: Overture from Die Entführung aus dem Serail
Lalo: Cello Concerto in D minor
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade concertmaster Lasse Joamets

Excellent performances and music, but both Seebeck's and Joamets's tones were lacking in the low ranges of their instruments - could be either the players or their instruments. The orchestra's solo cellist has no trouble being heard over the orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on April 20, 2012, 05:31:05 AM
Tonight:

P.Glass: Company
P.Schonefield: Four Parables for piano and orchestra
A.Copland: Symphony No. 3

Belgrade Philharmonic
Conductor: Jonathan Schiffman
Soloist: Andreas Boyde, piano

Never heard of Schonefield before, and both Glass and Copland pieces will be hearing for the first time live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on April 20, 2012, 06:13:16 AM
The season 2012/2013 at Teatro alla Scala, Milan, was announced this morning; the programme looks absolutely wonderful, starting with the opera: no less than seven wagnerian works!! In order, from next December, Lohengrin, Der Fliegende Hollander, Gotterdammerung and the complete Ring Cycle, so excited to see them! :D Plus Siegfried, which is being performed in October, but theorically part of the current season.

About the concerts, there will be a Rachmaninov Festival, entirely dedicated to the great russian composer; Gianandrea Noseda conducting Rach's Piano Concerto No.2 and Symphony No.1; Dohnányi conducting Schumann Symphony No.4 and Brahms' Symphony No.1. I have also to include Abbado conducting Mahler No.6 and Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1 (Barenboim at the piano).

And much more, but these are the works I would like to see so far.

Can't wait the next season starts! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 20, 2012, 01:42:58 PM
Quote from: North Star on April 19, 2012, 10:59:54 PM
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade concertmaster Lasse Joamets


Always a treat to see live! The Watford Youth Orchestra, the orchestra I am the percussionist for, is doing this for our next concert. Really great fun, we rehearsed some of it tonight! As in the rehearsals, there is only myself and the timpanist, we have great fun trying to handle all the percussion parts just the two of us!!! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on April 21, 2012, 08:50:34 AM
On my way (in about half an hour) to get seduced (finally!) by Carolyn Sampson! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 27, 2012, 12:37:54 PM
Tonight at the Kitchen (experimental music venue), the excellent group Either/Or, in the following program:

John Cage/Max Neuhaus: Fontana Mix:Feed
George Lewis: Thistledown
Elliott Sharp: Venus & Jupiter (World Premiere)
Rebecca Saunders: stirrings still (NY Premiere)
Gérard Grisey: Périodes

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on April 27, 2012, 02:40:13 PM
Just came in from the concert:

D. Shostakovich: Ballet Suite br.1
                           Piano Concerto No. 2
                           Symphony No. 6
Alexandar Kobrin, piano
Belgrade Philharmonic
Mikhail Jurowski, conducting

Nothing too exotic but well played concert, quite enjoyable. Jurowski senior is very impressive, economic on the podium but excellent ear for orchestral balances and getting the detail heard without disrupting the flow.
Kobrin won Van Cliburn and Busoni competitions few years ago, but haven't made that big a career, certainly not because his pianistic abilities lack anything. In Shostakovich 2nd his gallop in the first movement was crisp and exciting, second movement had all the mozartean grace and both pianist and especially orchestra played with gusto those odd meters of the finale, has to be 7/8 or something, always sounded like Balkan folk music to me. Overall, perhaps nothing revelatory but very enjoyable evening tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 28, 2012, 02:33:51 PM
Just back from:

Beethoven Egmont, Violin Concerto, Symphony no.6

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin (the orchestra and conductor that commissioned and premiered my 'Rhapsody for Orchestra' back in November. :) )

Wonderful concert!

I also was asked to play the percussion part in Brahms' Haydn Variations arranged for brass ensemble which was used as a starter to the concert. Great fun! :)

Also, very much enjoying watching the Academy Orchestra rehearse Gershwin's American in Paris, it's only been two rehearsals and they have it pretty much perfect... :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 30, 2012, 01:25:55 PM
On Wednesday, the New York Philharmonic will be at Carnegie Hall, where it plays 2 or 3 concerts every year. Very much looking forward to this one:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Mahler: Symphony No. 6

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 30, 2012, 01:30:13 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 30, 2012, 01:25:55 PM
On Wednesday, the New York Philharmonic will be at Carnegie Hall, where it plays 2 or 3 concerts every year. Very much looking forward to this one:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Mahler: Symphony No. 6

--Bruce

Let's hope people remember to turn their cell phones off. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on April 30, 2012, 01:40:27 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 30, 2012, 01:25:55 PM
On Wednesday, the New York Philharmonic will be at Carnegie Hall, where it plays 2 or 3 concerts every year. Very much looking forward to this one:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Mahler: Symphony No. 6

--Bruce

What a wonderful concert! I would have really liked to see it, Mahler No.6 is one of my absolute favourite works. :)

Quote from: Mirror Image on April 30, 2012, 01:30:13 PM
Let's hope people remember to turn their cell phones off. :D

:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 30, 2012, 01:42:54 PM
That certainly sounds like a great concert, Bruce! I hope you enjoy it very much!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 30, 2012, 01:58:28 PM
After the last cell phone incident, just seeing Gilbert on the podium will be enough of a reminder--let's hope so (or there might be a riot  ;D).

I heard Gilbert do the piece about two years ago and liked it fine, even though he was criticized for being a trifle bland. We'll see if he has any new thoughts. But whatever the case, the orchestra always sounds terrific in Carnegie Hall.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 30, 2012, 04:11:11 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 30, 2012, 01:30:13 PM
Let's hope people remember to turn their cell phones off. :D

There's a guy with an oversized hammer on stage. That should be all the reminder necessary.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 30, 2012, 04:13:47 PM


Ionarts-at-Large: (Pretty, Boring) Thank God for Dogs!

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iWMCcnZBkk/T57tZwiCDwI/AAAAAAAAB8g/GfNxV9xlR5k/s1600/Kylian-gods-and-dogs-BStOp_600.jpg)

Jerome Robbins' Goldberg Variations,  Jiří Kylián's Gods and Dogs
Bavarian State Ballet
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/04/ionarts-at-large-pretty-boring-thank.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/04/ionarts-at-large-pretty-boring-thank.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 01, 2012, 07:44:05 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on April 30, 2012, 04:11:11 PM
There's a guy with an oversized hammer on stage. That should be all the reminder necessary.

:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 01, 2012, 08:45:47 AM


Ionarts-at-Large: Grieg in Heels, Sibelius in Dire Straits

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l1GElYcG-D8/T6AQPc1wnZI/AAAAAAAAB8w/NyxKU3HaDjs/s400/MPhil_Jarvi_Buniatishvili_Sibelius.png)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/ionarts-at-large-grieg-in-heels.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/ionarts-at-large-grieg-in-heels.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 01, 2012, 11:47:01 AM
Tonight at the Met:

Janáček: The Makropulos Case - w/Karita Mattila, Jiří Behlolávek (conductor)

And on Monday, the first of Carnegie Hall's "Spring for Music" series:

Houston Symphony
Hans Graf, Music Director
Mikhail Svetlov, Bass

Shostakovich: Antiformalist Rayok
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11 in G Minor, Op. 103, "The Year 1905"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on May 01, 2012, 02:13:50 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on April 30, 2012, 04:13:47 PM

Ionarts-at-Large: (Pretty, Boring) Thank God for Dogs!

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iWMCcnZBkk/T57tZwiCDwI/AAAAAAAAB8g/GfNxV9xlR5k/s1600/Kylian-gods-and-dogs-BStOp_600.jpg)

Jerome Robbins' Goldberg Variations,  Jiří Kylián's Gods and Dogs
Bavarian State Ballet
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/04/ionarts-at-large-pretty-boring-thank.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/04/ionarts-at-large-pretty-boring-thank.html)

I've yet to see a bad choreography from Jiri Kylian and I've seen a dozen at least. Definitely my favorite contemporary choreographer. He has uncanny ability to seemingly derive movement directly from music without being obvious. Try DVD titled Black & White Ballets if you haven't seen it before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 02, 2012, 08:31:03 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 01, 2012, 11:47:01 AM
Tonight at the Met:

Janáček: The Makropulos Case - w/Karita Mattila, Jiří Behlolávek (conductor)


Wow, this was quite something. (I'd never heard the opera, despite being a huge Janáček fan.) Karita Mattila has to be one of the world's great Janáček singers at the moment; her work in the challenging third act here was giving me goose bumps. Behlolávek is hard to beat in this repertoire, and the orchestra sounded fantastic--too many marvelous moments to recall them all. The production, by Elijah Moshinsky (from 1996), is just fine--handsome without being controversial--and dominated by a giant backdrop of Emilia Marty's glowering eyes.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 02, 2012, 08:32:04 AM
Très cool, Bruce.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 04, 2012, 01:01:01 PM
Tomorrow night:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano

Dvořák: Carnival Overture
Magnus Lindberg: Piano Concerto No. 2 (World Premiere)         
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on May 07, 2012, 08:20:59 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 04, 2012, 01:01:01 PM
Dvořák: Carnival Overture
Magnus Lindberg: Piano Concerto No. 2 (World Premiere)         
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

Kind of pathetic that they have to embed the Lindberg in some standard-issue Romanticism.

But speakin' of which - me, I'm looking forward to Rozhdestvensky conducts Elgar in a couple of weeks, with the Russian State Symphony Orchestra:

Froissart Overture
Introduction and Allegro
Enigma Variations

Part of a Rozh-led mini-festival of English music: there are also all-Britten and all-Walton programs.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 07, 2012, 12:46:21 PM
Last couple of nights:

Gergiev, Mariinsky Orchestra, Shostakovich, Symphonies 6, 7, 9, and 10.

Next week: More Shostakovich (5th) with BRSO and Skrowaczewski.

A little while ago:



Ionarts-at-Large: Tristan. Oslo. Poppycock!

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_UsuhTOkR9g/T6gKXzKnjTI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/fZ8uKci2Qfc/s1600/Tristan_Oslo_Erik-Berg_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/ionarts-at-large-poppycock-in-oslo.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/ionarts-at-large-poppycock-in-oslo.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 08, 2012, 08:40:27 AM
Tomorrow night, concert 3 in Carnegie Hall's "Spring for Music" series. I've never heard the Busoni live (much less with someone of Hamelin's caliber) and Lacombe is supposed to be excellent.

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Jacques Lacombe, conductor
Hila Plitmann, soprano
Marc-André Hamelin, piano
Men of the Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, director

Varèse: Nocturnal
Weill: Symphony No. 1, "Berliner Symphonie"
Busoni: Piano Concerto

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2012, 10:38:22 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 08, 2012, 08:40:27 AM
Tomorrow night, concert 3 in Carnegie Hall's "Spring for Music" series. I've never heard the Busoni live (much less with someone of Hamelin's caliber) and Lacombe is supposed to be excellent.

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Jacques Lacombe, conductor
Hila Plitmann, soprano
Marc-André Hamelin, piano
Men of the Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, director

Varèse: Nocturnal
Weill: Symphony No. 1, "Berliner Symphonie"
Busoni: Piano Concerto

--Bruce

OK, is there any pianist alive who can top Hamelin? Last night he did the Busoni Piano Concerto--from memory. (For those unfamiliar with the piece, it's not only mindblowingly difficult, but 70+ minutes long.) And while many of us were cheering and applauding at the end, we were joking, "Hey, how about an encore--you know, like the Concord Sonata," he trumped all of us by actually doing an encore: Busoni's Elegy No. 4, which uses the melody from "Greensleeves." I still can't quite believe it all happened.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 10, 2012, 11:10:15 AM
He is certainly an amazing pianist!

This Saturday at the Barbican,

R.Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra
Metamorphosen
interval
Der Rosenkavalier Suite

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Jansons

Very excited! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on May 10, 2012, 11:14:04 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 10, 2012, 11:10:15 AM
He is certainly an amazing pianist!

This Saturday at the Barbican,

R.Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra
Metamorphosen
interval
Der Rosenkavalier Suite

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Jansons

Very excited! :)

Ah, Jansons & Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.......you have no idea about how jealous I am!!!! :o :-X ;D
Moreover, those Strauss' compositions are absolutely brilliant!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 10, 2012, 11:19:59 AM
Very cool program, Daniel!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 10, 2012, 11:27:26 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on May 10, 2012, 11:14:04 AM
Ah, Jansons & Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.......you have no idea about how jealous I am!!!! :o :-X ;D
Moreover, those Strauss' compositions are absolutely brilliant!

Quote from: karlhenning on May 10, 2012, 11:19:59 AM
Very cool program, Daniel!

I thought you would be rather jealous, Ilaria! If only you could come! :) Yes, I love all of those works!

Karl, it certainly is! Am very excited to see it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2012, 11:30:39 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 10, 2012, 11:10:15 AM
He is certainly an amazing pianist!

This Saturday at the Barbican,

R.Strauss Also Sprach Zarathustra
Metamorphosen
interval
Der Rosenkavalier Suite

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/Jansons

Very excited! :)

I would love to hear that program.  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on May 10, 2012, 11:32:30 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 10, 2012, 11:27:26 AM
I thought you would be rather jealous, Ilaria! If only you could come! :)

Yes, what a pity :( Leaving out Karajan, Kleiber and Bernstein, Jansons is my absolute favourite conductor.....

Enjoy the concert anyway, Daniel! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 10, 2012, 11:38:16 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 10, 2012, 11:30:39 AM
I would love to hear that program.  8)

--Bruce
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on May 10, 2012, 11:32:30 AM
Yes, what a pity :( Leaving out Karajan, Kleiber and Bernstein, Jansons is my absolute favourite conductor.....

Enjoy the concert anyway, Daniel! :)


:)

Jansons certainly is a great conductor, I look forward to seeing him live! Thank you! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on May 10, 2012, 11:43:18 AM
18.5.
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Barnabás Kelemen, violin

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony no. 7


21.5.
Helsinki Music Centre
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Chamber Orchestra Wien - Berlin

Mozart: Divertimento in Bb major, Violin Concertos nos 3 & 5
Rihm: Lichtes Spiel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 10, 2012, 12:12:07 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 10, 2012, 11:30:39 AM
I would love to hear that program.  8)

--Bruce

It's being (or was?) broadcast live on the internet, for free.

QuoteStrauss Programme Featuring Mariss Jansons and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Broadcast Live on Mezzo

Mariss Jansons is widely recognised as a Richard Strauss specialist. And so is the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, which the composer himself led a number of times in his own works during the orchestra's early years. This week, the RCO and its chief conductor Maestro Jansons are paying tribute to the composer with concerts on Wednesday, 9 May and Thursday, 10 May at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and on Saturday, 12 May at the Barbican Centre in London, where the orchestra is currently Ensemble in Residence. The programme features Also sprach Zarathustra, Metamorphosen and the Suite from Der Rosenkavalier. The concert on 10 May is also being broadcast live on the international, cultural digital television channel Mezzo.

For some years now, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and French TV channel Mezzo
have been enjoying a fruitful partnership, allowing concerts by the orchestra to be broadcast
in 44 countries and 17 million households around the world. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Mezzo are pleased to announce that they will continue their significant partnership over the next season.
On Friday, March 30th, St Matthews Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach was broadcasted live from the Concertgebouw, conducted by Iván Fischer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2012, 12:22:55 PM
Thanks much, Jens!  8)

And that reminds me, these Carnegie Hall "Spring for Music" concerts are all being broadcast live on WQXR-FM, then archived for later listening.

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/

The Busoni is here:

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/programs/live-broadcasts/2012/may/09/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 10, 2012, 01:10:54 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 10, 2012, 12:22:55 PM
The Busoni is here:

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/programs/live-broadcasts/2012/may/09/

--Bruce

Sweet!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 11, 2012, 06:19:41 AM


Gergiev's Munich Shostakovich - Symphonies 6 & 10


(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8lfTdFUMcVU/T60Y5FAzGjI/AAAAAAAAB-s/UK2Yc3JAXF4/s400/Shostakovich_Cycle_Gergiev_.png)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/gergievs-munich-shostakovich-symphonies.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/gergievs-munich-shostakovich-symphonies.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 11, 2012, 12:21:29 PM
Tonight, the fifth of six concerts in Carnegie Hall's terrific "Spring for Music" series. A few years ago I heard a fascinating recording of some other pieces by Chen Qigang, and around the same time he was appointed Music Director of the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Edo de Waart, Music Director
Xiaoduo Chen, Soprano
Meng Meng, Qingyi, and Soprano II
Wu Man, Pipa
Hong Wang, Erhu
Yang Yi, Zheng

Messiaen: Les offrandes oubliées
Debussy: La mer
Chen Qigang: Iris dévoilée (2001, commissioned by the Koussevitsky Foundation)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 13, 2012, 04:16:22 AM
The RCO/Jansons in Strauss were absolutely marvellous.
Also Sprach Zarathustra was given a brilliant performance, always a treat to see live! The performance of Metamorphosen was absolutely beautiful. The strings, all 23 of them, performed the piece perfectly, without a conductor, with exceptional musicianship. A very moving experience! The Der Rosenkavalier Suite was given a stunning performance which was very very uplifting! I love that piece so much! :)

A great concert! 5 stars from me! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 13, 2012, 04:21:39 AM
Booked these two proms!

Thursday 30 August

Ligeti
Atmosphères
Wagner
Lohengrin – Prelude (Act I)
Sibelius
Symphony No. 4 in A minor
INTERVAL
Debussy
Jeux
Ravel
Daphnis et Chloe – Suite No. 2
Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle conductor

Very lucky to get tickets for this one, apparently it's sold out now after only one day of the tickets being on sale!!!!

and also:

Sunday 2 September
Messiaen
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
INTERVAL
Mahler
Symphony No. 6 in A minor

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly conductor

Very excited for these two!

May be booking one or two more, including the Vaughan Williams 4,5,6 concert.

Anyone else going to these? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on May 13, 2012, 05:02:34 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 13, 2012, 04:16:22 AM
The RCO/Jansons in Strauss were absolutely marvellous.
Also Sprach Zarathustra was given a brilliant performance, always a treat to see live! The performance of Metamorphosen was absolutely beautiful. The strings, all 23 of them, performed the piece perfectly, without a conductor, with exceptional musicianship. A very moving experience! The Der Rosenkavalier Suite was given a stunning performance which was very very uplifting! I love that piece so much! :)

A great concert! 5 stars from me! :)

I was so jealous yesterday evening thinking about that concert! :-X ;) I'm glad to hear that it was a success and you enjoyed it, Daniel!

Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 13, 2012, 04:21:39 AM
Booked these two proms!

Thursday 30 August

Ligeti
Atmosphères
Wagner
Lohengrin – Prelude (Act I)
Sibelius
Symphony No. 4 in A minor
INTERVAL
Debussy
Jeux
Ravel
Daphnis et Chloe – Suite No. 2
Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle conductor

Very lucky to get tickets for this one, apparently it's sold out now after only one day of the tickets being on sale!!!!

and also:

Sunday 2 September
Messiaen
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
INTERVAL
Mahler
Symphony No. 6 in A minor

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly conductor

Very excited for these two!

May be booking one or two more, including the Vaughan Williams 4,5,6 concert.

Anyone else going to these? :)

What excellent programmes, you're so lucky!! :o

Hmmm, I'm still on holiday in September.....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 13, 2012, 11:40:50 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on May 13, 2012, 05:02:34 AM
I was so jealous yesterday evening thinking about that concert! :-X ;) I'm glad to hear that it was a success and you enjoyed it, Daniel!

What excellent programmes, you're so lucky!! :o

Hmmm, I'm still on holiday in September.....

Thank you, Ilaria! I do wish that you could have been there! :)

haha - I certainly am! I cannot wait to see the Berliner Philharmoniker! I was so moved just seeing their concert hall in Berlin, so I can't even begin to imagine what I'll feel when actually seeing them perform live.... :)

If you're still on holiday, you should come over then! Would be wonderful to meet you! ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on May 13, 2012, 12:05:44 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on May 13, 2012, 11:40:50 AM
Thank you, Ilaria! I do wish that you could have been there! :)

haha - I certainly am! I cannot wait to see the Berliner Philharmoniker! I was so moved just seeing their concert hall in Berlin, so I can't even begin to imagine what I'll feel when actually seeing them perform live.... :)

If you're still on holiday, you should come over then! Would be wonderful to meet you! ;)

Thank you, Daniel! :)

I can absolutely share the feeling; the Berliner Philharmoniker is one of the finest orchestras ( my favourite with the VPO) of the world, seeing it perfom live must be definitely amazing! Enjoy the concert for me as well! ;D

It would certainly be, I would really like to go to England and meet you! ;) Let's see if I could come this September....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 13, 2012, 12:13:20 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on May 13, 2012, 12:05:44 PM
Thank you, Daniel! :)

I can absolutely share the feeling; the Berliner Philharmoniker is one of the finest orchestras ( my favourite with the VPO) of the world, seeing it perfom live must be definitely amazing! Enjoy the concert for me as well! ;D

It would certainly be, I would really like to go to England and meet you! ;) Let's see if I could come this September....

Thank you, Ilaria! The Berliner Philharmoniker are just amazing, I really am so excited to see them live! :) Such a wonderful programme too!

It would be so wonderful! Especially if you could come to that Chailly concert too! Make sure to let me know whether you can come or not! :) If you can, we must meet up before!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 15, 2012, 10:06:53 PM


Ionarts-at-Large: The Admirable, Adorable Stanisław Skrowaczewski

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3lQPsfJN8E/T7J9NcOe07I/AAAAAAAAB-8/OdvKBAg6vOo/s400/BRSO_Skrowa_DSCH.png)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/ionarts-at-large-admirable-adorable.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/ionarts-at-large-admirable-adorable.html)

QuoteWhen it rains, it pours. Raining Shostakovich in this case, not the most regularly performed composer in Munich, and now the fifth Symphony in as many days! And incidentally the Fifth Symphony this time – part of the regular Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra season with veteran conductor Polish Stanisław Skrowaczewski on the rostrum.

Stanisław Skrowaczewski is one of those fascinating cases of great, acknowledged, prize-winning, Pulitzer-nominated achievement that yet manages to remain underestimated. The one-time Nadia Boulanger student has worked with the perfectly underestimatable Hallé and Minnesota orchestras. He has recorded superb, but of course underestimated Shostakovich Symphonies (1 & 6, 5 & 10) with the former. And his is by far the best underrated Bruckner Symphony Cycle (with the Saarbrücken RSO on Oehms. Quote Skrowaczewski: "For me, Bruckner is one of the greatest composers, even though I cannot exactly say why." A man after my own heart!)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on May 16, 2012, 03:59:25 AM
I just booked a ticket for Saturday's Louisiana Philharmonic performance of Mahler's 9th.  Well, I think I did:  I got to the end of the process, and clicked the "Buy" button, and it just sits there, saying "Waiting for response".  But I did get a confirmation e-mail, so I guess I'm OK.  We don't get a lot of Mahler down here, so far I've only heard the 1st, 2nd (on a trip to Chicago), 5th, and Das Lied von der Erde live.

Looking into the future, our local chamber music group (Mobile, AL), will be presenting the JACK quartet.  It was fun, during the final concert of the season, watching the guy in charge of programming for the Society making the season announcemnt, and trying to prepare the audience for something out of the ordinary, without scaring them off.   ;D  I've listened to the JACK's Xenakis disc several times since the announcement.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 16, 2012, 08:53:14 AM
Quote from: Wendell_E on May 16, 2012, 03:59:25 AM
I just booked a ticket for Saturday's Louisiana Philharmonic performance of Mahler's 9th.  Well, I think I did:  I got to the end of the process, and clicked the "Buy" button, and it just sits there, saying "Waiting for response".  But I did get a confirmation e-mail, so I guess I'm OK.  We don't get a lot of Mahler down here, so far I've only heard the 1st, 2nd (on a trip to Chicago), 5th, and Das Lied von der Erde live.

Looking into the future, our local chamber music group (Mobile, AL), will be presenting the JACK quartet.  It was fun, during the final concert of the season, watching the guy in charge of programming for the Society making the season announcemnt, and trying to prepare the audience for something out of the ordinary, without scaring them off.   ;D  I've listened to the JACK's Xenakis disc several times since the announcement.

Sounds like two excellent concerts. And the JACK guys are fantastic...do you know what they'll be playing? Just heard them do Xenakis's Tetras again a few months ago--they do it about as confidently as anyone I've heard.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 16, 2012, 09:33:36 AM
Enjoy seeing Mahler 9 live, certainly an extremely moving, spiritual experience...  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 16, 2012, 10:03:43 AM
On Friday at Carnegie Hall...not a huge fan of the Chopin, but will enjoy hearing Pires, and I love the other two pieces.

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Chief Conductor
Maria João Pires, Piano
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Director

Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (complete)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 16, 2012, 10:33:22 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 16, 2012, 10:03:43 AM
On Friday at Carnegie Hall...not a huge fan of the Chopin, but will enjoy hearing Pires, and I love the other two pieces.

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit, Chief Conductor
Maria João Pires, Piano
The Philadelphia Singers Chorale
David Hayes, Director

Glinka: Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé (complete)

--Bruce

Hope you enjoy it, Bruce! Seeing D+C live, especially the full ballet, must be incredibly exciting! I imagine Pires will be wonderful in the Chopin, so I hope you enjoy that too. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on May 16, 2012, 10:33:44 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 16, 2012, 08:53:14 AM
the JACK guys are fantastic...do you know what they'll be playing? Just heard them do Xenakis's Tetras again a few months ago--they do it about as confidently as anyone I've heard.

--Bruce

The program hasn't been announced yet, but the concert isn't until January 27th.  The JACKs seem to be good about posting upcoming programs on their website, but currently the latest concert listed is mid-December, so I'll have to keep an eye out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2012, 01:26:37 PM
On Sunday, an all-Christian Tetzlaff afternoon at Carnegie Hall:

The MET Orchestra
David Robertson, Conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, Violin

Mozart: Adagio in E Major, K. 261
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
Schoenberg: Violin Concerto, Op. 36

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on May 18, 2012, 02:36:12 PM
Quote from: North Star on May 10, 2012, 11:43:18 AM
18.5.
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Barnabás Kelemen, violin

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony no. 7


21.5.
Helsinki Music Centre
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Chamber Orchestra Wien - Berlin

Mozart: Divertimento in Bb major, Violin Concertos nos 3 & 5
Rihm: Lichtes Spiel

Wonderful concert today - the orchestra has gotten a lot better during this season, the playing is on an excellent level. Kelemen's playing was superb, and the tone he got from his Guarneri del Gesu (on loan from Hungarian gvt) was unquestionably the best violin tone I've heard live - the strong, muscular del Gesu's are much more to my taste than Strads.

Really excited about the Mutter, too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on May 18, 2012, 02:55:43 PM
Oulu Symphony's next season's programme has been published today - some interesting pieces among the lot

6.9.
Aarre Merikanto: Olympic fanfare
Søren Hyldgaard: Rhapsody borealis
Jukka-Pekka Lehto: NOX (ke)
Aulis Sallinen: Palatsirapsodia (Palace Rhapsody)
John Mackey: Asphalt cocktail


13.9.    Johannes Gustavsson, cond.
Marcus Jupither, baritone
Wagner: Overture & Monologue Die Frist ist um    (Flügende Hollander)
Sibelius: Kullervos lament
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen, op. 22


20.9.    Atso Almila, cond.
Chloë Hanslip, vln 
Beethoven: Coriolanus ovt op. 62
Weill: Concerto for violin and winds, op. 12
Leevi Madetoja: Small suite, op. 12
Atso Almila: Sinfonia nro 3


4.10.   Markus Lehtinen, cond.
Juhana Ritakorpi, cello
Madetoja: Chess game suit, op. 5 Lyric suite, op. 51
Madetoja: Sinfonia nro 3 A-duuri, op. 55


11.10.   Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Monica Groop, mezzo
Jorma Silvasti, tenor
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde


18.10.    Santtu-Matias Rouvali, cond.
Timo Korhonen, Guitar
Kimmo Hakola: Guitar Concerto 
Toshio Hosokawa: Guitar Concerto  Voyage IX ’Awakening’
Sibelius: Sinfonia nro 7 a-molli, op. 63


1.11.   Luke Dollman, cond.
Miina-Liisa Värelä, soprano
Nicholas Söderlund, bass
Haydn: Sinfonia nro 44 e-molli, Hob. 1:44, “Trauer”
Šostakovitš: Sinfonia nro 14, op. 135


8.11.    Johannes Gustavsson, cond.
Håkan Hardenberger, trumpet
Tobias Broström: Lucernaris (Trumpet concerto)
Sibelius: Sinfonia nro 2 op. 43


15.11.    Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Valeria Resjan, piano
Rahmaninov: PC no. 2
Tšaikovski: Sinfonia no 5


22.11.     Jaakko Kuusisto, cond.
Essi Wuorela,  Hannu Lepola, vocal soloists
Tšaikovski: Orkesterisarja baletista Pähkinänsärkijä
Prokofjev: Romeo ja Julia
Bernstein: parts from West Side Story


17.1.    Jaakko Kuusisto, cond.
Sergei Malov, vln
Mendelssohn: Hebrides, op. 26
Tšaikovski: VC
Mendelssohn: Sinfonia nro 4”Italian”


24.1.    Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
??, vln
Lutoslawski: Little Suite
Wieniawski: VC no. 2 in D minor, op. 22
Tšaikovski: Sinfonia nro 3, D-duuri, op. 29 ”Puolalainen”


14.2.    Ari Rasilainen, cond.
Heini Kärkkäinen, piano
Svendsen: Festival Polonaise
Grieg: Pianokonsertto a-molli, op. 16
Brahms, arr. Schönberg: Piano Quartet no 1 op. 25


21.2.    Juha Kangas, cond.
Bruckner: Adagio (arr. string orch.)
Bach: Orch. suite no. 1 C major, BWV 1066
Mozart Sinfonia no 36, KV 425 "Linz"


4.4.    Johannes Gustavsson, cond.
Torleif Thedéen, cello
Schumann: Träumerei & Abendlied for cello & orch.
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, op. 129
Schumann: Sinfonia no. 4 D minor, op. 120


11.4. Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Petteri Iivonen (2nd place 2010 Sibelius Violin Competition), vln
Vaughan Williams: Tallis Fantasia
Britten: VC, op. 15
Elgar: Enigma variations


25.4.  Philip Pickett, cond.
Telemann: Alster suite
Händel: Watermusic – parts from suites 1, 2 ja 3

8.5.Johannes Gustavsson, cond.
Juho Pohjonen, piano
Beethoven: PC no 4
Beethoven: Symphony no 6

16.5.  Anna-Maria Helsing, cond.
Mari Palo, soprano
Mozart: arias
Wagner: Meistersinger, Preludes from acts 1&3, Dance of the Apprentices, finale
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on May 21, 2012, 04:29:07 AM
This evening, live on the German radio BR-Klassik:

Johannes Brahms
Symphony No.2


Leoš Janáček
Glagolitic Mass


Soloists: Tatyana Monogarova, soprano Marina Prudenskaja, alto; Ludovit Ludha, tenor, Peter Mikulas, bass; Iveta Apkalna, organ.

Conductor: Mariss Jansons
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

I'm really looking forward to listening to the concert! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 21, 2012, 11:05:36 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 16, 2012, 10:03:43 AM
On Friday at Carnegie Hall...

Quote from: Brewski on May 18, 2012, 01:26:37 PM
On Sunday, an all-Christian Tetzlaff afternoon at Carnegie Hall....

Bruce, are you going to see the Cleveland's Salome at Carnegie Hall?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 22, 2012, 07:22:07 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 21, 2012, 11:05:36 AM
Bruce, are you going to see the Cleveland's Salome at Carnegie Hall?

Sarge

Yes, yes, yes--and the first of the two concerts, too! Can't wait for both.

Wednesday

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Yefim Bronfman, Piano

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2
Saariaho: Laterna magica (NY Premiere)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 6 in B Minor

Thursday

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Nina Stemme, Soprano (Salome)
Eric Owens, Bass-Baritone (Jochanaan)
Rudolf Schasching, Tenor (Herod)
Jane Henschel, Mezzo-Soprano (Herodias)
Garrett Sorenson, Tenor (Narraboth)

Cast also includes:
Jennifer Johnson Cano
Rodell Rosel, Tenor
Matthew Plenk, Tenor
Bryan Griffin, Tenor
James Kryshak, Tenor
Brian Keith-Johnson, Baritone
Sam Handley, Bass-Baritone
Darren Stokes, Bass-Baritone
Evan Boyer, Bass

R. Strauss: Salome, Op. 54 (concert performance)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1-DSC06500_panorama.jpg)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.





Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 23, 2012, 05:45:38 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.



Notes from the 2012 Dresden Music Festival ( 2 )
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhbM6rqve4c/T7zgSvojt8I/AAAAAAAACBo/eKAuBE08-Yc/s1600/Silbermann-Orgel-Hofkirche-Dresden-detail.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_23.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_23.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 23, 2012, 08:30:25 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.


Some great concerts there, but am especially envious that you're hearing these two!

Another one coming up here in NYC:

Pocket Opera of New York
http://www.pocketoperany.org/

Poulenc: La voix humaine (with Carrie Hennessey, soprano)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on May 24, 2012, 01:31:05 AM
Quote from: North Star on May 10, 2012, 11:43:18 AM
21.5.
Helsinki Music Centre
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Chamber Orchestra Wien - Berlin

Mozart: Divertimento in Bb major, Violin Concertos nos 3 & 5
Rihm: Lichtes Spiel

+ encores:  the last movement of the 3rd VC & Bach: Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068

The Rihm I didn't enjoy too much, what with the seemingly pointless dissonances thrown into the piece that was otherwise quite traditional.

Absolutely fantastic playing from the orchestra (members of VPO and BPO), and Mutter was superb with her Strad. The acoustics of the hall were awesome; our seats were to the left from the stage, and when Mutter projected the violin towards us, it sounded like the violin was right next to us. Walking in the city, we chatted with one of the orchestra members, and he, too, commented very positively on the acoustics.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 24, 2012, 05:12:40 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.


Sex, Lies, and Mozart Arias
Notes from the 2012 Dresden Music Festival ( 3 )

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vcvOhSmdANs/T74wabyXdcI/AAAAAAAACCI/XNbQBzoopn8/s1600/Staatsschauspiel600_1.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/sex-lies-and-mozart-arias.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/sex-lies-and-mozart-arias.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 25, 2012, 12:33:56 AM
Just bach from a full staged performance of Handels Xerxes by the Berlin Komische Oper under Konrad Junghanel. Handel is such a wonderful composer, I'm a complete groupie. Goosebumps stuff.

Next week: Les Arts Florissants doing madrigals.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 25, 2012, 01:46:24 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1-DSC06500_panorama.jpg)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.


Bach, Death, and Antihistamines
Notes from the 2012 Dresden Music Festival ( 4 )

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zFa690k_n5w/T79MJlO2McI/AAAAAAAACCo/FONvXsu9Tso/s1600/Frauenkirche_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/bach-death-and-antihistamines.html (http://hhttp://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/bach-death-and-antihistamines.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 26, 2012, 03:19:02 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/1-DSC06500_panorama.jpg)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.

edit: links fixed

Notes from the 2012 Dresden Music Festival ( 5 )
Dresden's Bruckner and their Thielemann

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kV7LgERcJg/T8C2k67hSRI/AAAAAAAACHU/1UFHHkbd2Ew/s1600/Semperoper_Dresden_jfl_1.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_26.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_26.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 28, 2012, 02:32:59 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.



Notes from the 2012 Dresden Music Festival ( 7 )
Operatic Repremiere

(In the name of efficiency, I'll try to convey this opera's lack of eloquence by rhyming the synopsis.)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ozQzi5SNhI/T8P71LEmujI/AAAAAAAACKk/go9WZ4rYR1g/s1600/Gro%25C3%259Fer_Garten_Dresden_Palais.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_28.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_28.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 29, 2012, 04:50:54 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.



Notes from the 2012 Dresden Music Festival ( 8 )
Honegger Delight

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SemperOpera_Midday600_2.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_29.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_29.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 29, 2012, 05:13:44 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 22, 2012, 07:51:42 AM
http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522 (http://www.musikfestspiele.com/cms/en/main/program/#20120522)

Tue, 22, May, 20:00, Kathedrale
Organ Recital, Martin Haselböck
The virtuoso on the queen of instruments presents a multifaceted program of Bach's work.

Wed, 23, May, 20:00, Schauspielhaus
John Malkovich – Wiener Akademie – Martin Haselböck
Modern prose and Early Music combined to an »infernal comedy« about an Austrian murderer.

Thu, 24, May, 20:00, Frauenkirche
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Bostridge
A musical sermon: Bostridge impressively walks in the footsteps of Bach at the Frauenkirche.

Fri, 25, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden & Thielemann, Bruckner 8th Symphony
The tradition-steeped orchestra and its designated chief conductor with the »creation of a genius«.

Sat, 26, May, 19:30, Kulturpalast
Dresden Philharmonic
The Dresden Philharmonic and Vadim Repin create a Dionysian evening with Spanish atmosphere.
(Prokofiev, I think... or am I at the Patricia Kopatchinskaja chamber thingy?)

Sun, 27, May, 11:00, Palais im Großen Garten
Baroque Music from Vienna
The French ensemble Café Zimmermann serves up a special Viennese mélange with invigorating Baroque works.

Sun, 27, May, 20:00, Semperoper
Mariinsky – Gergiev – Vogler, Bartok, Honegger, Strauss
Back to Dresden after the great concert in 2010: Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra with Jan Vogler as soloist.

Mon, 28, May, 11:00, Semperoper
Premiere Dresden Festival Orchestra
The best baroque musicians from Europe travel deep into the era of the former court orchestra in Dresden.



Notes from the 2012 Dresden Music Festival ( 6 )
All You Can Hear

Vadim Gluzman, Vadim Repin, and Patricia Kopachinskaja in under six hours.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IUbUdRChWCQ/T7yS92NSuXI/AAAAAAAACA0/DaOD9FI901I/s1600/notes-from-the-dresden-music-festival4.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uQKUKCjAR9U/T8Ip1KUvXFI/AAAAAAAACJI/LI-_zJkIs5k/s1600/Transparent_Factory_Dresden_Music_Festival%2BKopie.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_27.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/05/notes-from-2012-dresden-music-festival_27.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 31, 2012, 02:55:54 PM
Tomorrow night at the DiMenna Center:

Pocket Opera of New York
Paul Peers, production
Carrie Hennessey, soprano
Alan Hamilton, piano

Poulenc: La voix humaine

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on June 01, 2012, 09:23:36 AM
Tonight with the San Antonio Symphony:

Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 with Olga Scheps
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7

It's rare we get to hear ANY Bruckner in this area, but there will be an opportunity to hear the 5th Symphony on June 23 as part of the Round Top Summer Music Festival.

The Liszt Concerto closes out a season which offered five Liszt works, in observance of the Liszt bicentennial.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on June 04, 2012, 03:36:47 AM
On the German Radio BR-Klassik:

Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No.5 "Emperor"


Béla Bartók
Concerto for Orchestra


Pianist: Hélène Grimaud
Andris Nelsons & Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra

Recorded on 22 April 2012 at the Musikvereinssaal, Vienna
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 04, 2012, 04:06:37 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 31, 2012, 02:55:54 PM
Tomorrow night at the DiMenna Center:

Pocket Opera of New York
Paul Peers, production
Carrie Hennessey, soprano
Alan Hamilton, piano

Poulenc: La voix humaine

Bruce, did you by any chance hear the Houston Symphony in Carnegie Hall playing the Shostakovich Eleventh yesterday?  I caught just a bit of it at random in the car radio (and I impressed my mom-in-law by recognizing it just from the muted trumpet duet in the first movement), and it sounded fantastic.  The sort of performance which, if I were in the audience, would probably make it my favorite Shostakovich symphony, at least for a month.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 04, 2012, 10:05:17 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 04, 2012, 04:06:37 AM
Bruce, did you by any chance hear the Houston Symphony in Carnegie Hall playing the Shostakovich Eleventh yesterday?  I caught just a bit of it at random in the car radio (and I impressed my mom-in-law by recognizing it just from the muted trumpet duet in the first movement), and it sounded fantastic.  The sort of performance which, if I were in the audience, would probably make it my favorite Shostakovich symphony, at least for a month.

Hi Karl, I did indeed hear the concert--early last month! (You must have heard a rebroadcast.) It was excellent; here (http://www.seenandheard-international.com/2012/05/24/houston-symphony-kicks-off-carnegies-spring-for-music/) is my review. Most people I talked with thought the ensemble sounded excellent--although slightly more bite in the playing would have been welcome. But otherwise, few complaints. Glad you caught it!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 05, 2012, 12:31:19 PM
Tonight at Park Avenue Christian Church:

The Crossing
Donald Nally, Director

Lewis Spratlan: Hesperus is Phosphorus (New York premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 07, 2012, 10:42:54 AM
Tonight at Eyebeam:

Eli Keszler: L-Carrier (2012)

http://www.issueprojectroom.org/2012/05/10/l-carrier-a-work-by-eli-keszler/

The music will be streamed here:

http://turbulence.org/Works/l-carrier/

From the press release:

Keszler's installations employ piano wires of varying lengths; these are struck, scraped, and vibrated by microprocessor-controlled motorized arms, giving rise to harmonically complex tones that are percussive yet resonant. These installations are heard on their own and with accompanying ensemble scores. Said Keszler in a NPR All Songs Considered interview, "I like to work with raw material, like simple sounds, primitive or very old sounds; sounds that won't get dated in any way. I was thinking of ways I could use strings or acoustic material without using pedals or pre-recordings, so the live aspects appealed to me." In addition, the patterns formed by the overlapping piano wires allow Keszler to create visual components that relate directly to the music, without having to use projections or other electronic equipment.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 08, 2012, 11:21:19 AM
Tonight and tomorrow, another world premiere by that seemingly tireless 103-year-old, Elliott Carter.

New York Philharmonic
David Robertson, conductor

Elliott Carter: Two Controversies and a Conversation (World Premiere)
Michael Jarrell: NACHLESE Vb: Liederzyklus (U.S. Premiere)
Pierre Boulez: ..explosante-fixe... 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 08, 2012, 01:11:20 PM
Start of my Snape musical holiday week (8 concerts in the next 9 days) tomorrow evening with :

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Peter Serkin piano
Oliver Knussen conductor

Charles Ives (1874–1954)
Washington's Birthday (1909)

Alexander Goehr (b.1932) (replacing a Knussen new work initially planned)
Marching to Carcassonne, serenade for piano and chamber orchestra, Op.74a (2002, rev. 2005)
March
Introduction (attacca)
Invention
Chaconne
March (attacca)
Night (attacca)
Burlesque
March (segue)
... marching to Carcassonne. Labyrinth

INTERVAL

Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
Movements, for piano and orchestra (1958–9)

Alban Berg (1885–1935)

Three Movements, from Lyric Suite (1925–6, arr. Berg 1928)
Andante amoroso
Allegro misterioso — Trio estatico
Adagio appassionato


All unknown to me  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 09, 2012, 02:22:45 PM
Just back from Snape. I was ready to be surprised but, to put it nicely, that was just a painful mindfuck. I have no idea what went on in any of the pieces. I can't even think of a single moment that I enjoyed. It all sounded like dissonant unrelated clusters of 3-4 notes glued randomly together....all the way through.

Knussen and the orchestra got an ovation at the end of the Berg and then an award was handed to him by some critics' association for his outstanding contribution to music... It is only reflection on me then  ;D... oh well, I did try  0:)  What's not re-assuring is that I have more of the Goehr / Knussen / Serkin combination in the first half of the concert tomorrow :

--------------------
Sunday 10 June 2012
Aldeburgh Festival

Peter Serkin piano

Oliver Knussen (b.1952)
Variations (1989)

Alexander Goehr (b.1932)
from Symmetry Disorders Reach, Op.73 (2002):
12. Air
13. Air (Double)

Charles Wuorinen (b.1938)
Adagio (2011)

Toru Takemitsu (1930–1996)
For Away (1973)

Knussen
Prayer Bell Sketch (1997)

INTERVAL

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Thirty-three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op.120 (1819–23)



All maiden works again. Hopefully it will fare better than tonight....  :-\
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on June 10, 2012, 02:26:25 AM
Hope that you enjoy it slightly more this time, Oli! ;)

Particularly excited about the concert I am seeing tonight:

Gabriel Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op.80
Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left hand
Claude Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Claude Debussy: La mer

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Sir Simon Rattle conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano

Excellent programme, and am very excited to see Rattle! (I am also seeing him next month as well, but with the BPO :D :) ) Will be very interesting to see how this particular orchestra handles impressionist music... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 10, 2012, 05:07:52 AM
just got a call from Aldeburgh Music advising that Matthias Goerne had to withdraw from the concert at Snape on Tuesday due to illness (he was due to sing some Lieder by Brahms, LvB, Schubert with Pierre-Laurent Aimard). What a bummer  :-\

They'll be replaced by Florian Boesch (baritone) and Justus Zeyen (piano) (any good ?  ???) for some Lieder by Loewe and Schubert, and to my delight, "Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen" by  Uncle Gustav.

;D 8) ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 10, 2012, 12:04:49 PM

Ionarts-at-Large: Magic Salonen. Also Brahms, Schumann


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TdowWh9FcQU/T9T554zuv8I/AAAAAAAACVM/g4kh5QhVHGA/s400/BRSO_Salonen_Salonen_Fima.png)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/06/ionarts-at-large-magic-salonen-also.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/06/ionarts-at-large-magic-salonen-also.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 10, 2012, 12:21:36 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on June 10, 2012, 12:04:49 PM

Ionarts-at-Large: Magic Salonen. Also Brahms, Schumann

(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/06/ionarts-at-large-magic-salonen-also.html)

Great review, Jens. You made me want to hear the Salonen work, and had me chuckling:

"Nyx is a great, great work.... It's music that grabs you by the lapels... possibly lower."

;D :D ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on June 10, 2012, 02:45:02 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on June 10, 2012, 02:26:25 AM
Hope that you enjoy it slightly more this time, Oli! ;)

Particularly excited about the concert I am seeing tonight:

Gabriel Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op.80
Maurice Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left hand
Claude Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Claude Debussy: La mer

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Sir Simon Rattle conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano

Excellent programme, and am very excited to see Rattle! (I am also seeing him next month as well, but with the BPO :D :) ) Will be very interesting to see how this particular orchestra handles impressionist music... :)

Was an absolutely beautiful concert. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment actually adapted well to the impressionist colours and provided a superb performance. I really enjoyed all the performances, Rattle is just so amazing...! Such a great conductor, I was seated at the choir seats, so had a perfect view of him, his connection with the orchestra really is exceptional. Really excited to see him again, conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker this summer! :D

A beautiful evening! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 11, 2012, 01:07:23 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 09, 2012, 02:22:45 PM
--------------------
Sunday 10 June 2012
Aldeburgh Festival

Peter Serkin piano

Oliver Knussen (b.1952)
Variations (1989)

Alexander Goehr (b.1932)
from Symmetry Disorders Reach, Op.73 (2002):
12. Air
13. Air (Double)

Charles Wuorinen (b.1938)
Adagio (2011)

Toru Takemitsu (1930–1996)
For Away (1973)

Knussen
Prayer Bell Sketch (1997)

INTERVAL

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Thirty-three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op.120 (1819–23)


I can't say I enjoyed that one either  ;D  All the works in the first half were too damn right bizarre (with the exception of the Goehr who sounded to me a bit like some Fauré, and that was soothing  in itself). The Diabelli had too much of hammering and banging on the piano for me to appreciate - listening to other samples of the Diabelli on Amazon right now, I get the same feeling - so it is not down to Serkin's approach.

Oh well, at least the chocolate ice cream eaten at the interval under a slight drizzle of rain in a murky June evening reminded that those English summer evenings are worth living  ;D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 11, 2012, 12:50:14 PM
June 29-30 at the Park Avenue Armory, works for multiple ensembles. This is one of Gilbert's most brilliantly devised programs yet.

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Magnus Lindberg, conductor
Matthias Pintscher, conductor

Boulez: Rituel in memoriam Bruno Maderna 
Mozart: Finale of Act I from Don Giovanni
Stockhausen: Gruppen 
Ives: The Unanswered Question

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 11, 2012, 02:14:01 PM
QuoteFlorian Boesch baritone
Justus Zeyen piano

Carl Loewe (1796 - 1869)
Erlkönig
Tom der Reimer
Herr Oluf

Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)
Hoffnung D295
Der Wanderer an den Mond D870

Loewe
Süsses Begräbnis
Wanderers Nachtlied I (Uber allen Gipfeln ist Ruh)
Wanderers Nachtlied II (Der du von dem Himmel bist)

Schubert
Der Kreuzzug D932
An den Mond D259 (Füllest wieder Busch und Tal)

Loewe
Der Pilgrim vor St Just
Edward

INTERVAL

Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856)
Gesänge des harfners 1.2.3

Gustav Mahler (1856 - 1910)
Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen:
Wenn mein Schatz Hochzeit macht
Ging' heut morgen übers Feld
Ich hab ein glühend Messer
Die zwei blauen Augen

This one was a great evening. Beautiful singing and a great discovery with Loewe's Lieder. I will definitely explore this one further. The Gesellen was spot on and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Then an unexpected gem of an encore with "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" which they took really slowly and superbly. One of the rare times where I didn't hear any coughs or squeaky seats in the Concert Hall. Time really stood still. Some might report that a big fella in seat ZF22 was all choked up and tearful by then  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 12, 2012, 04:45:38 AM
This evening :

Collegium Vocale Gent - Philippe Herreweghe director

Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Good Friday and Holy Saturday; Benedictus; Miserere Mei

Looking forward to that one  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 12, 2012, 07:00:08 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 12, 2012, 04:45:38 AM
This evening :

Collegium Vocale Gent - Philippe Herreweghe director

Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Good Friday and Holy Saturday; Benedictus; Miserere Mei

Looking forward to that one  :D

I just heard this group for the first time (live) last year - wow.  They should be fantastic in Gesualdo.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 12, 2012, 07:01:46 AM
And exquisite rep!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 12, 2012, 07:24:33 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 12, 2012, 07:00:08 AM
I just heard this group for the first time (live) last year - wow.  They should be fantastic in Gesualdo.
--Bruce

Quote from: karlhenning on June 12, 2012, 07:01:46 AM
And exquisite rep!

I bought the Herreweghe/Gent CD of that work following a concert last year where I saw La Nuova Musica do extracts of the Responses.  If the quality of the performance on the CD is anything to go by, yes, I should be in for a treat tonight :D

Edit : Ignore that, the CD is with Herreweghe but with Ensemble Vocal Européen  :-X :-[ Still it's a good'un  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 12, 2012, 02:44:34 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 12, 2012, 04:45:38 AM
Collegium Vocale Gent - Philippe Herreweghe director
Gesualdo - Tenebrae Responsories for Good Friday and Holy Saturday; Benedictus; Miserere Mei

Absolutely stunning performance. I spent long lengths of time completely mesmerised also by the conducting of Herreweghe, his control and the response of the singers to hand gestures. The balance of voices within the choir was beautiful.
The concert was recorded so will have to keep an eye out for it in case it makes it to CD.

Tomorrow evening :

Menahem Pressler - piano

Mozart  Rondo in A minor K511
Beethoven  Sonata No.17 in D minor Op.31, No.2
Chopin  Nocturne in D flat Op.27 No.2; Ballade No.3 in A flat Op.47
György Kurtág  New work
Schubert Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat D960
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 13, 2012, 06:19:30 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on June 13, 2012, 02:12:53 AM
Just booked for a couple of operas at Covent Garden in October:

Viktor Ullmann The Emperor of Atlantis

Peter Maxwell Davies The Lighthouse

Each is in the (small) studio theatre, for two nights only, so I'm rather excited to have got tickets for these.  The Ullmann particularly. :)

This really makes me envious; I don't think there have been performances of either of these in New York. And to see them in a small venue sounds great.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 13, 2012, 09:47:51 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on June 13, 2012, 02:12:53 AM
Just booked for a couple of operas at Covent Garden in October:

Viktor Ullmann The Emperor of Atlantis

Peter Maxwell Davies The Lighthouse

Each is in the (small) studio theatre, for two nights only, so I'm rather excited to have got tickets for these.  The Ullmann particularly. :)

FYI re: Ullmann: http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/11/where-death-can-no-longer-cry-and-life.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/11/where-death-can-no-longer-cry-and-life.html)
(Not my favorite Ullmann, I have to admit, but if you know your music history well (better than I do), you will catch several dozens of musical references, as Ullmann is saying 'goodbye' to each of his composer idols.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 14, 2012, 12:49:33 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on June 13, 2012, 10:04:13 AM
  (And Snape Maltings. ;)) 

Thank you for the heads-up, Soapy. I saw the ETO earlier this year in The Barber of Seville. They were a high quality introduction for my first opera !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 14, 2012, 01:16:28 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 12, 2012, 02:44:34 PM
Menahem Pressler - piano

Mozart  Rondo in A minor K511
Beethoven  Sonata No.17 in D minor Op.31, No.2
Chopin  Nocturne in D flat Op.27 No.2; Ballade No.3 in A flat Op.47
György Kurtág  New work
Schubert Piano Sonata No.21 in B flat D960

Am I allowed to say that, despite the respect that such a 87-years-old pianist should deserve, I was terribly disappointed by this concert ? The Tempest was, to my ears, marred by errors, particularly in the 2nd mvt. The Chopin ballad was just mushy and the D.960 was too fast and unengaging.

He did a Chopin mazurka as an encore - so messy, it took me a while to be sure it was indeed what I thought it was. Not enough clarity/contrast in the changes of tempo (compared to my listening experience of those works with Rubinstein and Michelangeli).

The 2nd encore, Brahms' Lullaby, nice as it is, was not enough to save the day.

Considering how my week has gone with modern works, the new piece by Kurtag ("Impromptu Al Ongerese For Menahem Pressler") would probably be the only thing I would salvage from that evening. That says a lot.  ;D

anyway, looking forward to the following this Friday :

Dezsö Ránki - piano

Barnabás Dukay   Rondino, that speaks to the heart; ...made of sunlight, stones and water... (UK premiere)
Haydn - Sonata in E flat Hob.XVI/49
Liszt - Unstern!; En rêve, Mephisto Waltz No.4, Impromptu, Toccata, Mephisto-Polka, Wiegenlied
Bartók - Romanian Christmas Songs; For Children (selection); Out of Doors


...The Haydn being the only work I have heard before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 14, 2012, 01:27:48 AM
A couple more tickets booked for August :

------------------
Leif-Ove Andsnes - piano

Beethoven - Piano Sonata No.21 in C, Op.53; 'Waldstein'; Piano Sonata in F, Op.54
Chopin - 3 Waltzes Op.70; Ballades No.1 in G minor; Op.23 and No.3 in A flat, Op.47; Waltz Op.42 in A flat; Nocturne Op.62, No.1.

Ballade no.1 yeaaaaaahhhhh !!!!  8)  :D

------------------
Steven Isserlis cello
Robert Levin fortepiano

Beethoven
12 Variations on a Theme from Handel's'Judas Maccabeus', WoO 45
Cello Sonata in F, Op.5 No.1
12 Variations in F on 'Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen', Op.66
Horn Sonata Op.17, trans. for cello
Cello Sonata in A, Op.69
-------------------

Anthony Marwood violin
Aleksandar Madzar piano

Ravel - Sonata Op.posth. (1897)
Beethoven - Kreutzer Sonata
Debussy - Violin Sonata
Schubert - Fantasie D934
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on June 14, 2012, 04:51:48 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 14, 2012, 01:27:48 AM
A couple more tickets booked for August :

------------------
Leif-Ove Andsnes - piano

Beethoven - Piano Sonata No.21 in C, Op.53; 'Waldstein'; Piano Sonata in F, Op.54
Chopin - 3 Waltzes Op.70; Ballades No.1 in G minor; Op.23 and No.3 in A flat, Op.47; Waltz Op.42 in A flat; Nocturne Op.62, No.1.

Ballade no.1 yeaaaaaahhhhh !!!!  8)  :D

------------------
Steven Isserlis cello
Robert Levin fortepiano

Beethoven
12 Variations on a Theme from Handel's'Judas Maccabeus', WoO 45
Cello Sonata in F, Op.5 No.1
12 Variations in F on 'Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen', Op.66
Horn Sonata Op.17, trans. for cello
Cello Sonata in A, Op.69
-------------------

Anthony Marwood violin
Aleksandar Madzar piano

Ravel - Sonata Op.posth. (1897)
Beethoven - Kreutzer Sonata
Debussy - Violin Sonata
Schubert - Fantasie D934

Seems to be a wonderful concert, what an amazing programme!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 15, 2012, 12:22:20 PM
Sunday is the annual Bang on a Can Marathon, twelve hours of new or recent music done by a huge array of performers. To end the festival, at around 11:00 p.m., the percussion group Talujon will perform Gérard Grisey's hour-long Le Noir de l'étoile for six percussionists and electronics--very much looking forward to it.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 15, 2012, 02:02:58 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 14, 2012, 01:16:28 AM
This Friday :

Dezsö Ránki - piano

Barnabás Dukay   Rondino, that speaks to the heart; ...made of sunlight, stones and water... (UK premiere)
Haydn - Sonata in E flat Hob.XVI/49
Liszt - Unstern!; En rêve, Mephisto Waltz No.4, Impromptu, Toccata, Mephisto-Polka, Wiegenlied
Bartók - Romanian Christmas Songs; For Children (selection); Out of Doors

...The Haydn being the only work I have heard before.

Good concert this one. Although the Dukay works didn't make much of an impression, the Haydn was very enjoyable, the Liszt works quite impressive. I really enjoyed Bartok's "Romanian christmas songs" and "For Children", I will have to acquire those. "Out of doors" was technically impressive but just a bit, well, out there for my liking  ;D

I have a feeling with Liszt (like I did with Annees de Pelerinage last year) that I enjoy his works in live conditions but I do not react as positively on CD. I am not that eager to seek those maiden works on CD for that reason. Maybe tomorrow's concert/lecture will unlock things for me :

Quote
Saturday 16 June 2012
Aldeburgh Festival
Alfred Brendel

Liszt, Genius of Expression: an illustrated lecture

Schumann called him a 'genius of expression' but not only was Liszt the greatest of pianists but also, in Wagner's words, 'the most musical of musicians'.
His compositions are of uneven merit; the most important, however, stand besides those of Chopin and Schumann. Perhaps no other composer has traversed such a wide musical distance in a life that started with his early years of brilliance and exuberance to the ascetic 'bitterness of heart' in the final decade.
With piano illustrations, Alfred Brendel's lecture tries to give an unbiased picture of this many-faceted man.

Talking of which, when exiting the hall at the interval, I found myself face to face with Alfred Brendel and Pierre-Laurent Aimard who were attending tonight and were chatting along in German. I have seen Aimard 3 or 4 times this week already as he is the director of Music for the Festival...but both of them !!. Yes, I kept my cool, but inside, I'll be honest, I was a wee bit starstruck  ;D 8)




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 16, 2012, 04:09:58 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 15, 2012, 02:02:58 PM
Good concert this one. Although the Dukay works didn't make much of an impression, the Haydn was very enjoyable, the Liszt works quite impressive. I really enjoyed Bartok's "Romanian christmas songs" and "For Children", I will have to acquire those. "Out of doors" was technically impressive but just a bit, well, out there for my liking  ;D

I have a feeling with Liszt (like I did with Annees de Pelerinage last year) that I enjoy his works in live conditions but I do not react as positively on CD. I am not that eager to seek those maiden works on CD for that reason. Maybe tomorrow's concert/lecture will unlock things for me :

For Bartók, get Zoltán Kocsis's set
http://www.amazon.es/Bartok-Intégrale-oeuvres-piano-Coffret/dp/B003Y3MYWW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339847722&sr=8-1

I'm sure you'll come to like the more dissonant stuff after listening to the folk pieces more.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 23, 2012, 03:22:02 AM
This evening at Snape :

Saturday 23 June 2012 - Aldeburgh Festival
Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI
'Mare nostrum'

A concert with music from Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions around the Mediterranean
Jordi Savall is both master musician and multiculturalist, unearthing treasures from all over the ancient world for his own instrument, the viola da gamba, and for the increasingly eclectic line-up of his pan European early music ensemble Hesperion XXI.
The group's multinational heritage and their combined skills as performers, improvisers and multi-instrumentalists bring a vitality and joyous air of celebration to such scholarly research.
Here they mingle music from the Mediterranean fringes from Spain in the west to Turkey and the Middle East bringing their usual charismatic fluidity, elegance and grace in performance to a deeply ingrained understanding of musical styles and cultures.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on June 23, 2012, 11:03:02 AM
Today at the Academy, it was the orchestra's concert:

Chabrier Espana
Dvorak Cello Concerto
Gershwin An American in Paris

The soloist for the Dvorak was Deni Teo, who was very impressive. I have to admit that I do not know her that well at the academy.

It was an incredibly beautiful, emotional concert. The programme is so great, and I just love to watch my friends and colleagues! For a few, including some that I am really good friends with, it is their last year at the Junior Academy and this was their last concert, so it was very moving and emotional for all of us... A concert I shall not forget. Beautiful. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 25, 2012, 05:21:28 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on June 23, 2012, 11:03:02 AM
Today at the Academy, it was the orchestra's concert:

Chabrier Espana
Dvorak Cello Concerto
Gershwin An American in Paris

Excellent! Besides the two warhorses that Chabrier rhapsody is a gem! Wish I were there...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on June 25, 2012, 05:28:31 AM
Quote from: Florestan on June 25, 2012, 05:21:28 AM
Excellent! Besides the two warhorses that Chabrier rhapsody is a gem! Wish I were there...

It certainly was! At the academy, my lunchtimes have coincided with the orchesta's rehearsals perfectly so I could go and watch their full rehearsal (Well, apart from the first 15 minutes) every week. Always a joy to watch! :) Still very emotional about that concert! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 25, 2012, 06:58:43 AM
Quote from: Florestan on June 25, 2012, 05:21:28 AM
Excellent! Besides the two warhorses that Chabrier rhapsody is a gem! Wish I were there...

Yes, ditto. Love the Chabrier...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 25, 2012, 12:02:58 PM
Tomorrow night, this all-Dutilleux concert. I don't know whether he will be attending, but hope so.

New York Philharmonic
Miro Quartet
Yo-Yo Ma, Cello
Alan Gilbert, Conductor

Dutilleux: Métaboles
Dutilleux, String Quartet "Ainsi la Nuit"
Dutilleux: Cello Concerto "Tout un Monde Lontain"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on June 26, 2012, 01:05:31 AM
Messiaen Turangalila, Strauss Alpine, a concert of Cage and Haydn in the Luxembourg Philharmonic's next season.
A comuter-bus from Trier avalable if that makes it more convenient.
http://www.opl.lu/fr/concert/398/
full disclosure: I can't get there, but others nearby might be interested.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on July 01, 2012, 09:01:38 AM
Performing in this one this evening:

Wagner Preludes to Acts 1 and 3 Lohengrin
Strauss Four Last Songs

interval

A variety of opera favourites ranging from Donizetti to Bernstein.

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin
Susanna Hurrell (Soprano), Jaewoo Kim (Tenor)

The last concert of the season, which started with the concert that premiered my 'Rhapsody for Orchestra'. Love this orchestra so much! :)
Am on celesta/piano and percussion. :) Sounding really great, so I am very much looking forward to the concert later this evening! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on July 01, 2012, 01:33:08 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on July 01, 2012, 09:01:38 AM
Performing in this one this evening:

Wagner Preludes to Acts 1 and 3 Lohengrin
Strauss Four Last Songs

interval

A variety of opera favourites ranging from Donizetti to Bernstein.

Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin
Susanna Hurrell (Soprano), Jaewoo Kim (Tenor)

The last concert of the season, which started with the concert that premiered my 'Rhapsody for Orchestra'. Love this orchestra so much! :)
Am on celesta/piano and percussion. :) Sounding really great, so I am very much looking forward to the concert later this evening! :)

That was a really wonderful concert - everyone was smiling by the end, we all had such fun and felt so uplifted afterwards! :)

The next season looks great: Mahler 1, Symphonie Fantastique etc - hoping to be in those too! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on July 01, 2012, 03:20:56 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on July 01, 2012, 01:33:08 PM
That was a really wonderful concert - everyone was smiling by the end, we all had such fun and felt so uplifted afterwards! :)

The next season looks great: Mahler 1, Symphonie Fantastique etc - hoping to be in those too! :)

Hope the orchestra played Wagner's preludes as this music deserves to be performed! ;)

Joking aside, glad to hear the concert went very well, congratulations!! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on July 05, 2012, 02:27:03 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on July 01, 2012, 03:20:56 PM
Hope the orchestra played Wagner's preludes as this music deserves to be performed! ;)

Joking aside, glad to hear the concert went very well, congratulations!! :)

It was great fun to play the tambourine part in the Lohengrin 3rd Prelude! :) Thank you, Ilaria - it was such a wonderful concert!

And tommorow, it's the Watford Youth Orchestra's concert! Really excited! Sounding great, I love this orchestra so much, a joy to play in! :)

Smetana Vltava
Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherezade

:) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on July 06, 2012, 07:23:01 AM
Tonight -- SFO's new production of The Magic Flute. Oboy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on July 06, 2012, 07:25:23 AM
Cool, Dave!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 06, 2012, 08:29:58 AM
Wer ist Walton?
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d5YlLvok024/T_Nyjqh4dLI/AAAAAAAAC38/Nvu9IJBatxI/s400/MPHIL_Bychkov_Walton_Symphony-1_jfl.png)
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/07/wer-ist-walton.html)
QuoteWilliam Walton's symphonies and concertos are relative rarities on concert programs—especially outside English speaking countries. So when his First Symphony, conducted by Semyon Bychkov, popped up on the calendar of the Munich Philharmonic, just two weeks after they performed Walton's Violin Concerto, it was a very pleasant surprise. (Even more surprising might be that the MPhil has performed the same work as recently as seven years ago, with Rumon Gamba and—if one believes the hearsay—to alarming results.)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/07/wer-ist-walton.html[/url]

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AmI4eV1vL8/T_L3KmAYjuI/AAAAAAAAC2g/uJm_MGRbr6Q/s1600/Wer-ist-Walton_jfl.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on July 07, 2012, 11:07:26 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on July 05, 2012, 02:27:03 PM
Smetana Vltava
Arutiunian Trumpet Concerto
Rimsky Korsakov Scheherezade

:) :)

That was such a great great concert to be part of yesterday! Went incredibly well, we were amazing, if I may say so myself! ;) The audience response at the end was absolutely great too. Was such a happy, brilliant evening! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 11, 2012, 10:44:51 AM
Tonight and next Wednesday, some John Cage and a bit of Feldman at Bargemusic (yes, a concert hall floating near the Brooklyn Bridge) with the FLUX Quartet:

John Cage "Centennial Celebration" (Part II)

Cage: String Quartet in Four Parts (1949-50)
Cage: Solos from Concert for Piano and Orchestra
Cage: 30 Pieces for String Quartet (1983)

John Cage "Centennial Celebration" (Part III)

Cage: Music for ____ (1984-87)
Cage: Seven (1988)
Cage: Nocturne for Violin and Piano (1947)
Cage: Cheap Imitation (1977)
Morton Feldman: The Viola in my Life [1] (1970)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on July 18, 2012, 11:24:43 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on November 28, 2011, 10:05:52 AM
At Snape next year :

In July :

Aldeburgh World Orchestra * - Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Mahler Adagio from Symphony No.10
Shostakovich Symphony No.5


* Specially created for the London 2012 Festival (the culmination of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad), Aldeburgh World Orchestra brings together acclaimed British conductor, Sir Mark Elder and 124 top-calibre young artists (18–29 years)

Booked it on 28th Nov last year...and now only 2 days away. I am getting a wee bit excited about this one  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on July 21, 2012, 02:58:13 AM
QuoteAldeburgh World Orchestra - Sir Mark Elder (conductor)
Mahler Adagio from Symphony No.10
Shostakovich Symphony No.5

Well, I never thought I'd actually say this one day this but I did enjoy the 5th more than the 10th last night !!  :o  The Adagio, although well played, did lack some gravitas and impact which dampened my enjoyment. Maybe I was expecting too much.

The Shostakovitch 5th was an absolute ear-opener - As much as I struggle with the Barshai set in my discovery of his symphonies, hearing this work live was mind blowing...just layers of sounds hitting you one after the other...percussions, harps, double bass, flute, clarinet, cymbals, horns...out of nowhere and everywhere...I am still confused with the work structure itself, but god I left the building completely buzzing !!!

As a side-point, Mark Elder did a 10 minutes speech just after the interval to introduce the idea behind the Aldeburgh World Orchestra , the Shostakovitch 5th that would follow, background to the work, his perceptions of it, etc, to give a listening basis, as he said, to people in the audience who might not have heard the work before. I wish this could happened more often (that's maybe the second or third time I see a conductor/performer talk to the audience at Snape in 2 years?), if only to break that stage/audience barrier and involve us more... not just leaving it to an applause/bowing/walk off routine. Elder was witty, passionate, engaging in his explanations. I am sure that helped to the enjoyment of what followed.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on July 23, 2012, 09:30:09 AM
Ah..a whole Proms week to look forward to, Aug. 6-12, including 4 lovely choral works: Bernstein Mass, Elgar Apostles, Berlioz Grande Messe Des Morts & Schoenberg Gurrelieder. Rest of the week's not bad either !!

Anyone else at the Proms, or have I missed you all while away ?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 03, 2012, 12:29:10 PM
Tommorow, two concerts:

The first is a pre-Prom in which my 'String Quintet' and the other winning/highly commended pieces in the BBC Proms Inspire Competition will be performed. Have been rehearsing today, so exicted!

Then, we get free tickets to this one the same evening:

Varèse
Tuning Up

Nico Muhly
Gait
INTERVAL

Messiaen
Turangalîla Symphony

Anna Meredith
HandsFree

Cynthia Millar, ondes martenot
Joanna MacGregor, piano
National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain
Vasily Petrenko, conductor

So excited!! :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ataraxia on August 03, 2012, 12:30:26 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 03, 2012, 12:29:10 PM
The first is a pre-Prom in which my 'String Quintet' and the other winning/highly commended pieces in the BBC Proms Inspire Competition will be performed. Have been rehearsing today, so exicted!

So excited!! :) :)

Excellent!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 03, 2012, 12:32:28 PM
Quote from: MN Dave on August 03, 2012, 12:30:26 PM
Excellent!!
Thank you, Dave! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on August 03, 2012, 01:00:22 PM
Daniel - given a day off from the Olympics; will, I hope, be at both Proms tomorrow, & hopefully at your Inspire event at 5:30. Look forward to hearing the work, and applauding the composer !

Have a great day.             Clive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 03, 2012, 01:30:10 PM
Quote from: cjvinthechair on August 03, 2012, 01:00:22 PM
Daniel - given a day off from the Olympics; will, I hope, be at both Proms tomorrow, & hopefully at your Inspire event at 5:30. Look forward to hearing the work, and applauding the composer !

Have a great day.             Clive.

That's great, Clive! Hope to see you there! :) haha, thank you! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on August 05, 2012, 08:14:44 AM
Yesterday evening, as a part of the yearly Oulunsalo soi - music festival
Lumijoki church (a village about 50 km from here)

VivaldiL'Estro Armonico, Op. 3, No. 11 in d minor
Jousia Ensemble

Nando Russo (1976 - , Italian): Olos
Nando Russo, vibraphone

Verdi: String Quartet
Jousia Ensemble (arr. for 22211 strings)

Pergolesi: Stabat Mater
Elin Rombo (sop), Virpi Räisänen (mzo), Knut Joihannessen (harpsichord) & Jousia Ensemble

Superb performances, the Vivaldi & Pergolesi were lively spirited, and the soloists were superb. Räisänen isn't too well known outside of Finland (and even here, she's more well known near Oulu than in Helsinki, f.i.). Verdi's quartet I haven't heard too many times, but it's a good piece, but I don't think that the larger arrangement does anything favourable to it. Excellent performance, still.

Russo I hadn't heard of before, but the piece was very nice, I guess it qualifies as minimalist. Sounded like it could be on a 70s prog album.

A great concert overall, and very popular, the church was packed full with at least about 500 people. Räisänen, the organizer, was astonished when she saw the crowd waiting for tickets outside church, and assured us that the concert wouldn't start until everyone had gotten their tickets.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The Six on August 06, 2012, 09:52:25 AM
Yuja Wang playing Tchaicovsky PC No.1 this Thursday at the Hollywood Bowl. Dudamel conducting.

I sincerly hope she causes another uproar by wearing another ridiculously revealing dress.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on August 07, 2012, 03:39:50 AM
They just have to be on the same day (today), starting on the same hour. And this isn't London or NYC - it's not wise to compete, especially since there are the Olympics and summer holidays.

organ, harpsichord and vocal concert
Miklós Spányi (organ and harpsichord)
Magdy Mikaelberg (Alto).

OR

Lilli Maijala, viola
Marita Viitasalo, piano
Virpi Räisänen, mezzo
Knut Johannessen, harpsichord
Nando Russo, percussion
Pirjo Yli-Maunula, dance
Hanne Skjelbred, viola
Jussi Vähälä, cello
Jousia SQ

Frank Bridge: Two pieces for viola and piano
Juha T. Koskinen: Lamento di Lusia
Nando Russo: Contacts for Dancer & Ensemble
Arnold Schönberg (1874–1951): Verklärte Nacht (sextet)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PaulR on August 07, 2012, 07:52:20 AM
It isn't for a while, but I just found out that the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is doing Shostakovich's 14th Symphony.  That's something I am going to try to go to, as I doubt I'll have many opportunities to see that live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 08, 2012, 02:13:24 AM
Next up in Salzburg: Tamerlano with Domingo (unnecessarily, though he shan't distract, either).

So far:

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 1 )
Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-1.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-1.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 11, 2012, 06:14:43 AM
Next up in Salzburg: Beethoven Quartets with the Hagen Quartet, Part II

Most recently:

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 2 )
Handel Tamerlano


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-2.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-2.html)


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 3 )
Christian Gerhaher Liederabend


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-3.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-3.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 14, 2012, 12:34:37 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 4 )
Beethoven Cycle • Hagen Quartet


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-4.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-4.html)

Tonight: Georges Bizet • Carmen - with Rattle and the BPh, Magdalena Kožená and Jonas Kaufmann
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 14, 2012, 03:20:55 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_8_fVwTymk/UCojPRKdPcI/AAAAAAAADl0/H0Ssw7jKvaw/s1600/Mirga_Grazinyte-Tyla_II_600.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 5 )
The 2012 Kit-Kat Conductor
Young Conductors Award • Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-5.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-5.html)

Tonight: Georges Bizet • Carmen - with Rattle and the BPh, Magdalena Kožená and Jonas Kaufmann
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 14, 2012, 01:52:38 PM
Just back from :

QuoteTuesday 14 August 2012  - Snape Proms
Leif-Ove Andsnes - piano
Beethoven - Piano Sonata No.21 in C, Op.53; 'Waldstein'; Piano Sonata in F, Op.54
Chopin - 3 Waltzes Op.70; Ballades No.1 in G minor; Op.23 and No.3 in A flat, Op.47; Waltz Op.42 in A flat; Nocturne Op.62, No.1.

Plain mechanical, Cold, Dull, Lifeless... hated it from start to finish... I'd rather only listen to Ives, Knussen, Stockhausen, Xenakis for the rest of my life than having to sit through another recital like this one !!

Ballade No.1 is my favorite piano work bar none, and he made me long for the end of it... Maybe I had an off-day...  :-\  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mountain Goat on August 15, 2012, 11:56:15 AM
Tomorrow night at the Proms:

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5 & 6
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Manze
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 16, 2012, 12:46:17 PM
Quote from: Mountain Goat on August 15, 2012, 11:56:15 AM
Tomorrow night at the Proms:

Vaughan Williams: Symphonies Nos. 4, 5 & 6
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra/Andrew Manze

:o is that one concert?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on August 17, 2012, 01:59:55 AM
It was - & live on the good old BBC !
Putting in a plug for the return to GB, after 10 years I believe, of the Vienna Boys' Choir in late Sept./early Oct.. I'm catching up with them in Birmingham.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 17, 2012, 01:52:01 PM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X60z_D957rw/UC6WUBzC7-I/AAAAAAAADpw/C0D7vnoJH6E/s1600/Contemp8_Zimmermann_Stein_Lelli_600.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 6 )
Salzburg contemporary 8
B.A.Zimmermann | Ecclesiastic Action


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-6.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-6.html)


Next week: Richard Wagner • Dutchman | Tannhaeuser | Lohengrin | Tristan & Isolde | Parsifal - in Bayreuth
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 17, 2012, 02:10:26 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 17, 2012, 01:52:01 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X60z_D957rw/UC6WUBzC7-I/AAAAAAAADpw/C0D7vnoJH6E/s1600/Contemp8_Zimmermann_Stein_Lelli_600.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 6 )
Salzburg contemporary 8
B.A.Zimmermann | Ecclesiastic Action


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-6.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-6.html)

"Now it's a fig leaf of acknowledgement that classical music may be more than a sound-museum and convenient excuse for red-carpet photo ops in fancy dress with age-inappropriate girlfriends."

Nice!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mountain Goat on August 17, 2012, 02:53:22 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 16, 2012, 12:46:17 PM
:o is that one concert?

Yes, and what a fantastic concert it was - best Prom so far. I'm really glad to have made the trek to London for this one. Even the whingers on the Radio 3 forum couldn't find too much to criticise!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 17, 2012, 03:29:07 PM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-II88aKARETE/UC6kbq_0rtI/AAAAAAAADro/oVhw_LlHR2o/s1600/Mozarteum_GS_Laurson_blueprint_600.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 7 )
Salzburg contemporary 9
H.Holliger | E.Carter et al.


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-7.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-7.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Concord on August 20, 2012, 02:05:52 PM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TadDBrTSygo/UDK0YN7H1HI/AAAAAAAAAJU/YD8_pQr7D80/s1600/Schoenberg.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on August 21, 2012, 10:49:00 AM
Tomorrow in the Martinikerk Groningen, on both organs:

(http://i48.tinypic.com/16blj4z.jpg)

Lucky me. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 21, 2012, 12:20:12 PM
On Sunday at Snape :

Beethoven: Music for Cello and Piano

Steven Isserlis (cello) - Robert Levin (fortepiano)

Beethoven
12 Variations on a Theme from Handel's'Judas Maccabeus', WoO 45
Cello Sonata in F, Op.5 No.1
12 Variations in F on 'Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen', Op.66
Horn Sonata Op.17, trans. for cello
Cello Sonata in A, Op.69
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Concord on August 22, 2012, 07:31:24 AM
Quote from: Concord on August 20, 2012, 02:05:52 PM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TadDBrTSygo/UDK0YN7H1HI/AAAAAAAAAJU/YD8_pQr7D80/s1600/Schoenberg.jpg)

The press relase for this concert said they would be performing Part I, which clocks in at 15 minutes. I spoke with the conductor, who said that was a mistake. They will present the whole 40-minute work, which three times as exciting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 22, 2012, 07:43:39 AM
Quote from: Concord on August 20, 2012, 02:05:52 PM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TadDBrTSygo/UDK0YN7H1HI/AAAAAAAAAJU/YD8_pQr7D80/s1600/Schoenberg.jpg)

(Very nice poster aside...)

Pierrot Lunaire is one of those pieces - like Beethoven's Eroica or Stravinsky's Rite of Spring - that should be heard every year if possible, just to be reminded of what a startling, revolutionary thing it is.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Concord on August 22, 2012, 01:09:06 PM
Quote from: Brewski on August 22, 2012, 07:43:39 AM
(Very nice poster aside...)

The German Society sent me one for my cubicle.

This afternoon I interviewed Noel Archambeault, the soprano soloist. A very cheerful person. Don't know if it was nerves or what, but she laughed quite a bit. I should get a good article out of it.

May I quote you on the every year thing?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 22, 2012, 01:16:52 PM
Quote from: Concord on August 22, 2012, 01:09:06 PM
The German Society sent me one for my cubicle.

Fantastic, it's quite lovely - might be the most attractive ad for that piece I've seen.

Quote from: Concord on August 22, 2012, 01:09:06 PM
May I quote you on the every year thing?

Sure, I'd be honored.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 23, 2012, 03:48:27 AM
Just booked the ticket!!! :D

Next November:

Richard Wagner
Der Ring des Nibelungen - Siegfried


Conductor: Daniel Barenboim

Siegfried Lance Ryan   
Mime  Peter Bronder
Der Wanderer  Juha Uusitalo
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Fafner Dean Peterson
Erda  Anna Larsson
Brünnhilde  Nina Stemme
Stimme des Waldvogels
  Rinnat Moriah
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 23, 2012, 06:49:00 AM
That's great, Ilaria! :)

For me, the first of my 4 proms over the next 2 weeks is tonight! Very excited! :)

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
Symphony No.9

Delius
Violin Concerto

INTERVAL
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 10 in E minor

Tasmin Little
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Petrenko

:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 23, 2012, 07:11:12 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 23, 2012, 03:48:27 AM
Just booked the ticket!!! :D

Richard Wagner
Der Ring des Nibelungen - Siegfried


Conductor: Daniel Barenboim

Siegfried Lance Ryan   
Mime  Peter Bronder
Der Wanderer  Juha Uusitalo
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Fafner Dean Peterson
Erda  Anna Larsson
Brünnhilde  Nina Stemme
Stimme des Waldvogels
  Rinnat Moriah


That looks great. I just heard Nina Stemme in the title role of Salome a few months ago. Had never heard her and she is formidable.

Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 23, 2012, 06:49:00 AM
That's great, Ilaria! :)

For me, the first of my 4 proms over the next 2 weeks is tonight! Very excited! :)

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
Symphony No.9

Delius
Violin Concerto

INTERVAL
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 10 in E minor

Tasmin Little
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Petrenko

:D


Wow! Now THAT is a great-sounding concert. Don't know either of the first two, but have heard Tasmin Little doing Ligeti's Violin Concerto - she's marvelous. And the Shostakovich will probably be spectacular.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 23, 2012, 07:40:42 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 23, 2012, 06:49:00 AM
That's great, Ilaria! :)

For me, the first of my 4 proms over the next 2 weeks is tonight! Very excited! :)

Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
Symphony No.9

Delius
Violin Concerto

INTERVAL
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 10 in E minor

Tasmin Little
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Petrenko

:D

Thank you, Daniel! I've been waiting for this opera for months!!! ;D

Wow, the concert you're going to see sounds wonderful, enjoy it! I'm sure Shostakovich No.10 will be an excellent performance, Petrenko is a great interpreter of that music. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 23, 2012, 07:48:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 23, 2012, 07:11:12 AM
That looks great. I just heard Nina Stemme in the title role of Salome a few months ago. Had never heard her and she is formidable.

Thank you, Bruce. :) I saw Nina Stemme as Brünnhilde in Die Walküre two years ago, she was really amazing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 23, 2012, 02:33:07 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MzGmajZK3R4/UDZlO3ASdYI/AAAAAAAADuQ/ZGdZSXw5gCY/s1600/Carmen_Act1_Kaufmann_Luigi-Caputo_600.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 8 )
Georges Bizet • Carmen


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-8.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-8.html)



(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pZNO8-WDVMk/UDaapF0-eII/AAAAAAAADwI/1kGJS0tNB4A/s1600/Fromme_Helene2_Zimmermann_Salzburg.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 9 - 11 )
Wiener Philharmoniker 3 • Riccardo Muti
Salzburg contemporary 10 • Family Concert
Liederabend • Matthias Goerne


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-9-10.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-9-10.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on August 24, 2012, 12:59:19 AM
If you were planning a trip to Vancouver in October to coincide with the Mahler 9th, forget about it.  The programme is now Swan Lake act 2 and a Sleeping Beauty symphonic portrait.   The Mahler 4th is still on later, as is the Bruckner 7th.
Better news, a trio of chamber music concerts featuring orchestra members, the 'modern' one will have Prokofiev  Sonata for two violins in C Major,
Op. 56    Bartók Contrasts +  Shostakovich (Arr. Viktor Derevianko) Symphony No.15 arr. for piano trio, celesta and percussion.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 24, 2012, 05:40:14 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 23, 2012, 07:11:12 AM
Wow! Now THAT is a great-sounding concert. Don't know either of the first two, but have heard Tasmin Little doing Ligeti's Violin Concerto - she's marvelous. And the Shostakovich will probably be spectacular.

--Bruce
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 23, 2012, 07:40:42 AM
Thank you, Daniel! I've been waiting for this opera for months!!! ;D

Wow, the concert you're going to see sounds wonderful, enjoy it! I'm sure Shostakovich No.10 will be an excellent performance, Petrenko is a great interpreter of that music. :)

Yes, it was absolutely amazing. I was particularly excited about Petrenko's Shosty 10, as his recording of it is one of my favourite recordings. And I was not dissapointed at all! Absolutely outstanding performance throughout, utterly captivating from the very opening. Extremely thrilling! It was truly amazing. :) Little gave a really stunning performance of the Delius, what a beautiful work. Her tone is so warm and glowing. The new Maxwell-Davies symphony was very interesting and enjoyable too. It had quite a parodic nature, with some very amusing moments. Many very exciting parts too.

Really was a great concert. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Concord on August 24, 2012, 09:34:06 AM
Yeah, but ... but it's the Shostokovich Tenth. I mean, really. Oh well, back to the unpopular opinions thread ...  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 24, 2012, 03:48:21 PM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slwEMUFsup0/UDeqx3sjCiI/AAAAAAAADzg/VZBoexQFYMU/s1600/Notes%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BBayreuth%2BFestival.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kve3jybL7SQ/UDeq_hfQQXI/AAAAAAAADzs/MvwgWvtVa1g/s1600/bayreuth_hollander2012_i.jpg)
Bayreuth 2012: Dutchman, Faltering Captain of Industry
Flying Dutchman • Thielemann • Gloger


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-dutchman-faltering.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-dutchman-faltering.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 25, 2012, 08:47:22 AM
On BR-Klassik, via internet:

Arnold Schönberg  A Survivor from Warsaw, op.46
Igor Stravinsky  Symphony of Psalm
Samuel Barber  Adagio for Strings
Edgar Varèse  Amériques

Mariss Jansons
Concertgebouw Orchestra


http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung380052.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung380052.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 25, 2012, 09:03:16 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 25, 2012, 08:47:22 AM
On BR-Klassik, via internet:

Arnold Schönberg  A Survivor from Warsaw, op.46
Igor Stravinsky  Symphony of Psalm
Samuel Barber  Adagio for Strings
Edgar Varèse  Amériques

Mariss Jansons
Concertgebouw Orchestra


http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung380052.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung380052.html)

Wow! Now that is one interesting program, and seems unusual for Jansons. I admire his work a great deal, but he seems a bit conservative in his programming.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 25, 2012, 09:26:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 25, 2012, 09:03:16 AM
Wow! Now that is one interesting program, and seems unusual for Jansons. I admire his work a great deal, but he seems a bit conservative in his programming.

--Bruce

Yeah, it sounds an excellent concert, I'm really looking forward to listening to it! I'm a huge fan of Jansons, he has been one of my favourite conductors since I saw him conducting the VPO at the Neujahrskonzert 2006. I don't think he's too much conservative, his repertoire sweeps over the Classical Era, the Romantic Era and the 20th century music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 27, 2012, 08:29:07 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slwEMUFsup0/UDeqx3sjCiI/AAAAAAAADzg/VZBoexQFYMU/s1600/Notes%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BBayreuth%2BFestival.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOMMB2yB1Lk/UDpTZpswxdI/AAAAAAAAD1k/o3-1wBXbNt4/s1600/bayreuth_lohengrin2012_rats.jpg)
Bayreuth 2012: Lohengrin, a Rat's Tale About Humanity
Tristan & Isolde • Nelsons • Marthaler/Mahler


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-lohengrin-rats-tale-about.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-lohengrin-rats-tale-about.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 27, 2012, 10:35:22 AM
Yesterday evening, spent the day in London and went to this Prom with my academy friends:

Wagner
Parsifal – Prelude (Act 3) and Good Friday Music

Berg
Violin Concerto

INTERVAL
R. Strauss
Der Rosenkavalier – suite

Ravel
La valse

Frank Peter Zimmermann violin
Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester/Daniele Gatti

Certainly a highly of my holidays! Had such a great day, and this was really one of the best concerts I think I have ever been to. Obviously, a great programme, and the performances was so enthusiastic, beautiful and thrilling. They played the prelude to Die Meistersinger Act 3 as their encore, absolutely heavenly. Outstanding music-making, amazing to see. :) A day to remember! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 30, 2012, 02:31:40 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slwEMUFsup0/UDeqx3sjCiI/AAAAAAAADzg/VZBoexQFYMU/s1600/Notes%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BBayreuth%2BFestival.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQH_5TePBoc/UD6bvJY-ReI/AAAAAAAAD7A/kN8dJ6JXNEE/s1600/bayreuth_tannhaeuser2012_betty_hubby.jpg)
Bayreuth 2012: Tannhäuser is a Gasser
Tannhäuser • Thielemann • Baumgarten


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-tannhauser-is-gasser.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-tannhauser-is-gasser.html)


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-slwEMUFsup0/UDeqx3sjCiI/AAAAAAAADzg/VZBoexQFYMU/s1600/Notes%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2BBayreuth%2BFestival.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIFSrsUZTmI/UD6nbsTkEZI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/FU2qF6ULk0Q/s1600/bayreuth_parsifal2012_ii.jpg)
Bayreuth 2012: Parsifal, a Gift of Greatness
Parsifal • P.Jordan • Herheim


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-parsifal-gift-of-greatness.html (http://hhttp://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/08/bayreuth-2012-parsifal-gift-of-greatness.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2012, 06:56:54 AM
Yesterday evening, I saw the Berliner Philharmoniker live for the very first time! Was absolutely incredible!

Here was the programme:
Ligeti: Atmospheres (following almost immediately into -)
Wagner: Lohengrin Act 1 Prelude

Sibelius: Symphony no.4
interval
Debussy: Jeux
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe,Suite no.2

The orchestra is absolutely amazing, really out of this world! All the performances were outstanding, really beautiful and emotional. I was very lucky to get such good tickets for this Prom, considering that it sold out within a few hours of the box office opening!!
Absolutely amazing! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 31, 2012, 07:46:31 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2012, 06:56:54 AM
Yesterday evening, I saw the Berliner Philharmoniker live for the very first time! Was absolutely incredible!

Here was the programme:
Ligeti: Atmospheres (following almost immediately into -)
Wagner: Lohengrin Act 1 Prelude

Sibelius: Symphony no.4
interval
Debussy: Jeux
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe,Suite no.2

The orchestra is absolutely amazing, really out of this world! All the performances were outstanding, really beautiful and emotional. I was very lucky to get such good tickets for this Prom, considering that it sold out within a few hours of the box office opening!!
Absolutely amazing! :)

Berliner Philharmoniker, what luck!!! I'm really jealous!!! >:( ;) ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2012, 08:01:59 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 31, 2012, 07:46:31 AM
Berliner Philharmoniker, what luck!!! I'm really jealous!!! >:( ;) ;D

;D

Wish you could have been there too, Ilaria! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 31, 2012, 08:09:16 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2012, 08:01:59 AM
;D

Wish you could have been there too, Ilaria! :)

:)

Very kind of you; it would have certainly been wonderful.....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 31, 2012, 08:13:49 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2012, 06:56:54 AM
Yesterday evening, I saw the Berliner Philharmoniker live for the very first time! Was absolutely incredible!

Here was the programme:
Ligeti: Atmospheres (following almost immediately into -)
Wagner: Lohengrin Act 1 Prelude

Sibelius: Symphony no.4
interval
Debussy: Jeux
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe,Suite no.2

The orchestra is absolutely amazing, really out of this world! All the performances were outstanding, really beautiful and emotional. I was very lucky to get such good tickets for this Prom, considering that it sold out within a few hours of the box office opening!!
Absolutely amazing! :)

That's a very generous evening, and a great line-up. The Ligeti is fabulous live; you can see (for example) the wind and brass players blowing air (no pitch) through their instruments - such a beautiful piece.

Who was conducting - Rattle? I do think he's transformed the group in a good way. As much as I liked Karajan, the sound of the ensemble now seems more versatile, changing from piece to piece. And the group is filled with terrific younger players, too, who seem more excited by some of the newer works Rattle champions.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 31, 2012, 08:55:34 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 31, 2012, 08:13:49 AM

Who was conducting - Rattle? I do think he's transformed the group in a good way. As much as I liked Karajan, the sound of the ensemble now seems more versatile, changing from piece to piece. And the group is filled with terrific younger players, too, who seem more excited by some of the newer works Rattle champions.

--Bruce

The got very young under Abbado... who, esp. in retrospect, was really as good a 'place holder' as one could possibly have gotten, after the ueber-conductor (from a Berliner-p.o.v, not that they didn't dislike a good deal him toward the end) HvK.

The S'burg performance of the Brahms PC (B-flat) with Bronfman was a bit lukewarm (and not as together as one can expect from them), but the Lutoslawski Third Symphony was very well done.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 31, 2012, 09:12:00 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 31, 2012, 08:55:34 AM
The got very young under Abbado... who, esp. in retrospect, was really as good a 'place holder' as one could possibly have gotten, after the ueber-conductor (from a Berliner-p.o.v, not that they didn't dislike a good deal him toward the end) HvK.

Yes, totally agree.

Quote from: jlaurson on August 31, 2012, 08:55:34 AMThe S'burg performance of the Brahms PC (B-flat) with Bronfman was a bit lukewarm (and not as together as one can expect from them), but the Lutoslawski Third Symphony was very well done.

Would have liked that program, too - especially the Luto, which still seems very much off the radar for American orchestras.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on August 31, 2012, 10:05:15 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 31, 2012, 08:13:49 AM
That's a very generous evening, and a great line-up. The Ligeti is fabulous live; you can see (for example) the wind and brass players blowing air (no pitch) through their instruments - such a beautiful piece.

Who was conducting - Rattle? I do think he's transformed the group in a good way. As much as I liked Karajan, the sound of the ensemble now seems more versatile, changing from piece to piece. And the group is filled with terrific younger players, too, who seem more excited by some of the newer works Rattle champions.

--Bruce
Certainly was, Bruce! It was such an incredible concert. :) I completely agree, what a beautiful piece the Ligeti is. And I loved how Rattle decided to allow that to lead straight into the Wagner. Worked extremely well.  0:)
Yes, sorry for not mentioning before, it was Rattle conducting. I agree, I think he is doing wonderful things with the orchestra. I certainly believe it as the greatest in the world! :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 02, 2012, 03:31:30 AM
From the BBC Proms, this evening:

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.6


Riccardo Chailly
Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra


http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mdgy4 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mdgy4)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 02, 2012, 04:06:51 AM
I'll be at that one, Ilaria! It's my last Prom of the season. :)

The programme:
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
interval
Mahler 6

Gewandhaus/Chailly

Am very excited! This will be my 3rd live Mahler 6, last year I saw Maazel and Bychkov, it's always such an amazing piece to see live! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 02, 2012, 04:24:44 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 02, 2012, 04:06:51 AM
I'll be at that one, Ilaria! It's my last Prom of the season. :)

The programme:
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
interval
Mahler 6

Gewandhaus/Chailly

Am very excited! This will be my 3rd live Mahler 6, last year I saw Maazel and Bychkov, it's always such an amazing piece to see live! :)

How great, enjoy the concert, Daniel! :) I've focused the attention on Mahler No.6, but there will be Messiaen's Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum too. Can't wait to listen to them! :)

What a nice coincidence, the ticket for Abbado's Mahler 6 will be finally available tomorrow......
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 02, 2012, 05:11:20 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 02, 2012, 04:24:44 AM
How great, enjoy the concert, Daniel! :) I've focused the attention on Mahler No.6, but there will be Messiaen's Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum too. Can't wait to listen to them! :)

What a nice coincidence, the ticket for Abbado's Mahler 6 will be finally available tomorrow......

Thank you very much, Ilaria! I hope you enjoy listening to it too! Yes - I don't really know the Messiaen but am fascinated with his music. As I may have mentioned, I have become rather obsessed with the Turangulina Symphony recently after seeing our wonderful National Youth Orchestra perform it at the Proms a few weeks ago. So, I am very interested to see more of his music! Apparently this piece is well known for the size of the tam tam used! ;D  8)
That's great! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 02, 2012, 06:27:46 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 02, 2012, 05:11:20 AM
Thank you very much, Ilaria! I hope you enjoy listening to it too! Yes - I don't really know the Messiaen but am fascinated with his music. As I may have mentioned, I have become rather obsessed with the Turangulina Symphony recently after seeing our wonderful National Youth Orchestra perform it at the Proms a few weeks ago. So, I am very interested to see more of his music! Apparently this piece is well known for the size of the tam tam used! ;D  8)
That's great! :)

Thank you, hope it will be a great performance! :)
I'm really keen to listen to more as well, especially because I don't know Messiaen's music very much, apart from Réveil des Oiseaux and Turangulina Symphony. Haha, really? That's excellent, I'm always fascinated by the use of percussion in the orchestration.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 03, 2012, 05:02:15 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 02, 2012, 04:06:51 AM
I'll be at that one, Ilaria! It's my last Prom of the season. :)

The programme:
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum
interval
Mahler 6

Gewandhaus/Chailly

Am very excited! This will be my 3rd live Mahler 6, last year I saw Maazel and Bychkov, it's always such an amazing piece to see live! :)

I'd have to say that this concert was one of the greatest I have ever been to. It really was absolutely outstanding. I really enjoyed the Messiaen, what a fascinating piece! I enjoyed it even more as I was sitting right next to the 3 tam tams!!!!! Chailly's performance of Mahler 6 was absolutely incredible. It couldn't have been more different from his recording with the RCO all those years ago. Chailly employed some of the fastest tempi I have ever heard in this symphony. It was such a powerful, passionate, beautiful and absolutely thrilling performance. I'd say this is one of the greatest Mahler performances I have ever heard. What a concert!!!!! :) :) :) :)

Here is the review that Andrew Clements, the harshest classical reviewer on 'The Guardian', gave it:
Chailly's credentials as one of the greatest of all Mahler conductors were firmly established during his 16 years in charge of the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. In Leipzig, it seems, his readings have become more objective, less expansive than before; the first movement had a tragic intensity that never wavered, the Andante was always kept on the move, while the scherzo had an earthy robustness, fuelled by the gutty string sound and wonderfully characterful wind. Most remarkable of all was the sheer coherence and inevitability he brought to the finale, which seemed conceived in a single, all-embracing span, ending what was one of the most remarkable Mahler performances I've heard.

I completely agree with every single word! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 03, 2012, 05:16:30 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 03, 2012, 05:02:15 AM
I'd have to say that this concert was one of the greatest I have ever been to. It really was absolutely outstanding. I really enjoyed the Messiaen, what a fascinating piece! I enjoyed it even more as I was sitting right next to the 3 tam tams!!!!! Chailly's performance of Mahler 6 was absolutely incredible. It couldn't have been more different from his recording with the RCO all those years ago. Chailly employed some of the fastest tempi I have ever heard in this symphony. It was such a powerful, passionate, beautiful and absolutely thrilling performance. I'd say this is one of the greatest Mahler performances I have ever heard. What a concert!!!!! :) :) :) :)

I totally agree with everything as well, the concert was absolutely amazing!!! I wrote a similar comment on the listening thread after the performance had finished. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 03, 2012, 05:19:20 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 03, 2012, 05:16:30 AM
I totally agree with everything as well, the concert was absolutely amazing!!! I wrote a similar comment on the listening thread after the performance had finished. ;)

Glad you enjoyed it too, Ilaria! It was such an amazing performance! :) Shall go and take a look now! ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 04, 2012, 02:09:36 PM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aI3aXIpMnDY/UEZ7_CxEnNI/AAAAAAAAEIc/gQS7_jfMxxk/s1600/SOLDATEN_4_Ruth-Walz_collage.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 12 )
Bernd Alois Zimmermann • Die Soldaten


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-12.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-12.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 05, 2012, 07:09:22 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r2Vy3_Fo-LM/UEdhePb2TCI/AAAAAAAAEP0/hH2NircLGx4/s1600/Staatskapelle_Dresden_600.png)
Christian Thielemann's Inauguration Concert
Hugo Wolf • Anton Bruckner


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/christian-thielemanns-inauguration.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/christian-thielemanns-inauguration.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 05, 2012, 08:36:39 AM
Tomorrow, on BR-Klassik, via internet:

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.9


Lorin Maazel
Münchner Philharmoniker


http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung385698.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung385698.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 05, 2012, 08:40:24 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 05, 2012, 08:36:39 AM
Tomorrow, on BR-Klassik, via internet:

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.9


Lorin Maazel
Münchner Philharmoniker


http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung385698.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung385698.html)

I'll be there... secretly dreading it like everyone else -- but desperately hoping it'll be something good. Given that I've last heard the MPhil in M9 with Peter Ruzicka (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/07/ionarts-at-large-mahler-ninth-with.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/07/ionarts-at-large-mahler-ninth-with.html)), it can only get a lot better.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 05, 2012, 09:00:40 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on September 05, 2012, 08:40:24 AM
I'll be there... secretly dreading it like everyone else -- but desperately hoping it'll be something good. Given that I've last heard the MPhil in M9 with Peter Ruzicka (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/07/ionarts-at-large-mahler-ninth-with.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/07/ionarts-at-large-mahler-ninth-with.html)), it can only get a lot better.

Really? You're very lucky, Jens! Yeah, I hope the performance will be great too. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 06, 2012, 07:29:52 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A2Hkb1tCQAAGeih.jpg:large)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 13 )
George Frideric Handel • Giulio Cesare in Egitto


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-13.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-13.html)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 06, 2012, 03:30:49 PM
Tomorrow, from the BBC Proms:

Haydn
Symphony No. 104 in D major, 'London'
INTERVAL
R. Strauss
An Alpine Symphony

Bernard Haitink/Wiener Philharmoniker

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 07, 2012, 07:55:07 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 06, 2012, 03:30:49 PM
Tomorrow, from the BBC Proms:

Haydn
Symphony No. 104 in D major, 'London'
INTERVAL
R. Strauss
An Alpine Symphony

Bernard Haitink/Wiener Philharmoniker

These Proms concerts are coming far too thick and fast; I haven't even listened to the ones from last week yet.  :(

Meanwhile, two concerts by the terrific JACK Quartet, tomorrow and next Saturday night:

Sep. 8, Roulette
Ha-Yang Kim: Threadsuns

Sep. 15, Austrian Cultural Forum
Georg Friedrich Haas: String Quartet No. 5
Clemens Gadenstätter: häuten (Paramyth 1) (world premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 07, 2012, 09:10:27 AM

(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Munich_Phil_520_inversion.png)
Maazel's Inauguration Concert in Munich v.1
Mahler 9


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/ionarts-at-large-maazels-inauguration.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/ionarts-at-large-maazels-inauguration.html)

...and in an hour the same thing, but with Wagner & Bruckner 3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 09, 2012, 02:31:20 AM
Wednesday, on BBC Radio3:

Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs
Bartók: Violin Concerto No 1
Mahler: Symphony No 5

Budapest Festival Orchestra
Iván Fischer - conductor
Barnabás Kelemen - violin.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 09, 2012, 05:11:19 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 09, 2012, 02:31:20 AM
Wednesday, on BBC Radio3:

Bartók: Hungarian Peasant Songs
Bartók: Violin Concerto No 1
Mahler: Symphony No 5

Budapest Festival Orchestra
Iván Fischer - conductor
Barnabás Kelemen - violin.

That's one I'll have to make sure to listen to at some point! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 09, 2012, 05:48:28 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 09, 2012, 05:11:19 AM
That's one I'll have to make sure to listen to at some point! :)

;)

It really looks an interesting concert!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on September 11, 2012, 02:35:56 AM
Quote from: Wendell_E on May 16, 2012, 03:59:25 AM
Looking into the future, our local chamber music group (Mobile, AL), will be presenting the JACK quartet [on January 27th].

Quote from: Brewski on May 16, 2012, 08:53:14 AM
.... the JACK guys are fantastic...do you know what they'll be playing?
--Bruce

Anton Webern, Six Bagatelles, Op. 9
Robert Schumann, String Quartet No. 3
Guillaume Dufay, Moribus et genere arr. John Pickford Richards
Helmut Lachenmann, String Quartet No. 3 "Grido"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: J.Z. Herrenberg on September 11, 2012, 04:02:46 AM
 I am going to the Concertgebouw this coming Friday for a concert given by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under Peter Eötvös. On the menu:


Lutoslawski, Jeux vénitiens
Murail, Pianoconcerto 'Le désenchantement du monde'
Ives, Fourth Symphony


The concert is part of a small Amsterdam festival around the theme of Order and Chaos. I have contributed a 200-word piece about it to the program, so I get in for 'nuttin'...  :D


http://www.concertgebouw.nl/concerten-en-tickets/aaa-orde-en-chaos-koninklijk-concertgebouworkest-met-pierre-laurent-aimard?event=26332 (http://www.concertgebouw.nl/concerten-en-tickets/aaa-orde-en-chaos-koninklijk-concertgebouworkest-met-pierre-laurent-aimard?event=26332)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on September 11, 2012, 06:59:57 AM
Coolness, Johan!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 12, 2012, 03:27:15 PM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rp_CNd_ah48/UEtp6iE8G8I/AAAAAAAAEd8/FEEL11MhKS8/s1600/BerlinPh_Rattle_Bronfman_Wolfgang-Lienbacher_600.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 14 )
Berlin Philharmonic • Simon Rattle


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-14.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-14.html)


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6gyUUoTqE_U/UEuZGtGnPII/AAAAAAAAEeQ/04fptxdIojE/s1600/WienerPh_Haitink_B9_Wolfgang-Lienbacher_600.jpg)
Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 15 )
Vienna Philharmonic • Bernard Haitink


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-15.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival-15.html)


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwIFAjsXUW0/UCEyRdJv4rI/AAAAAAAADbM/hiDaGbuNi3M/s1600/Salzburg-Festival-NEU_2012_laurson.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--NlHXjkQqzs/UFEXJwzTV6I/AAAAAAAAEe4/wUFhd3GSbCc/s1600/Cleveland_Welser-Most_Wolfgang-Lienbacher_600.jpg)
Final Notes from the 2012 Salzburg Festival ( 16 )
Cleveland Orchestra • Franz Welser-Möst


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/final-notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/09/final-notes-from-2012-salzburg-festival.html)

PICTURES COURTESY SALZBURG FESTIVAL, © WOLFGANG LIENBACHER
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 13, 2012, 09:36:03 AM
Next week, opening night of the New York Philharmonic (love it that they're opening with Kurtág):

New York Philharmonic
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Kurtág: ...quasi una fantasia...
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 13, 2012, 11:46:25 AM
And tonight:

Mivos Quartet:
Olivia de Prato and Joshua Modney, violins
Victor Lowrie, viola
Mariel Roberts, cello

Carl Christian Bettendorf: Il y a l'Océan for string quartet (2005, rev. 2007)
Reiko Fueting
: tanz.tanz for solo violin (2010), Olivia de Prato, violin
Carl Christian Bettendorf: Souvenir for viola and live electronics (2012, world premiere), Victor Lowrie, viola; Nina Young, electronics
Reiko Fueting: "...und ich bin Dein Spiegel" after Mechtild von Magdeburg for soprano and string quartet (2000), Nani Fueting, soprano


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 18, 2012, 02:18:50 PM
Quote from: Wendell_E on September 11, 2012, 02:35:56 AM
Anton Webern, Six Bagatelles, Op. 9
Robert Schumann, String Quartet No. 3
Guillaume Dufay, Moribus et genere arr. John Pickford Richards
Helmut Lachenmann, String Quartet No. 3 "Grido"

And somehow missed this from Wendell_E, an upcoming concert by the JACK Quartet. Great program; do post some comments if you go. (If I heard correctly, I think they have a recording in the works of the Lachenmann quartets.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on September 18, 2012, 02:34:24 PM
On Thursday:
Atso Almila conducting the Oulu Symphony Orchestra
Chloë Hanslip (violin)

Beethoven: Coriolan Overture op. 62
Weill: Concerto for violin and wind orchestra, Op.12
Madetoja: Small Suite, op. 12
Almila: Symphony No. 3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on September 19, 2012, 09:07:37 AM
Quote from: Wendell_E on September 11, 2012, 02:35:56 AM
[The Jack Quartet in Mobile, AL Jan. 27, 2013]

Anton Webern, Six Bagatelles, Op. 9
Robert Schumann, String Quartet No. 3
Guillaume Dufay, Moribus et genere arr. John Pickford Richards
Helmut Lachenmann, String Quartet No. 3 "Grido"

Ooh, ooh, ooh.  I just found out that the evening before that concert, they'll be doing Xenakis' Tetras in a coffee shop/record store, "resented by Mobile Chamber Music and the Mobile Mathematical Society".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 19, 2012, 09:12:29 AM
Quote from: Wendell_E on September 19, 2012, 09:07:37 AM
Ooh, ooh, ooh.  I just found out that the evening before that concert, they'll be doing Xenakis' Tetras in a coffee shop/record store, "presented by Mobile Chamber Music and the Mobile Mathematical Society".

Wow, a little high-energy preview - how cool. They do Tetras about as well as anyone on the planet.

This Friday, will hear the Talea Ensemble in:

Pierluigi Billone: Dike Wall (2012) *US Premiere
Ondřej Adámek: Ca tourne ca bloque (2008) *US Premiere
James Dillon: New York Triptych (2012) *US Premiere

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 21, 2012, 05:45:33 AM
On BR-Klassik:

W.A. Mozart
"Zauberflöte", Ouvertüre
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No.1
Claude Debussy
La Mer

Herbert von Karajan/Berliner Philharmoniker

http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung399488.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung399488.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 21, 2012, 07:23:28 AM
Looking forward to an upcoming concert at the BASF Feierabendhaus (owned by the chemical giant) in Ludwigshafen; three works I've never heard live.

Dvorak The Wood Dove op.110
Ennio Morricone Concertino for Flute
Suk Asrael Symphony

Prague Symphony, Jiri Malat conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 23, 2012, 10:34:33 AM
Here's a concert next year in May that I'm definitely interesting in hearing:

Messiaen: Les offrandes oubliées
Debussy: La damoiselle élue
Durufle: Requiem

Donald Runnicles: conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

http://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2012-2013/Messiaen-Debussy.aspx
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 23, 2012, 10:36:56 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 23, 2012, 10:34:33 AM
Here's a concert next year in May that I'm definitely interesting in hearing:

http://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2012-2013/Messiaen-Debussy.aspx

John! You have finally found a concert you want to go to! Book it right now, without hesitation!! :) Runnicles is a great conductor, I'm sure he would deliver some very wonderful performances. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 23, 2012, 10:46:10 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 23, 2012, 10:36:56 AM
John! You have finally found a concert you want to go to! Book it right now, without hesitation!! :) Runnicles is a great conductor, I'm sure he would deliver some very wonderful performances. :)

Yeah, Daniel. This looks like a great concert but I don't know if I'll attend or not. It depends on what I have going on during this time. If I do decide to attend then I'll book a month or two in advance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on September 23, 2012, 11:39:50 AM
Rodion Shchedrin: Concerto No.2 for orchestra (The Chimes) (London premiere)
Nicolay Yakovlevich Myaskovsky: Silentium, Op.9 (London premiere)
Interval
Edison Denisov: Bells in the fog (London premiere)
Sergey Rachmaninov: The Bells (Choral Symphony)

Anyone going to this wonderful 'bell-themed' concert at the Royal Festival Hall on Sept. 29th ? For a 'Russian' fan, & a lover of hearing something rarely performed, the first 3 take the cake, & of course the Rach. is just fabulous anyway !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on September 24, 2012, 07:03:17 AM
This:

https://www.sfsymphony.org/About-Us/Press-Room/Press-Releases/MTT-Mahler-5-Adams.aspx (https://www.sfsymphony.org/About-Us/Press-Room/Press-Releases/MTT-Mahler-5-Adams.aspx)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on September 24, 2012, 07:09:30 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 23, 2012, 10:36:56 AM
John! You have finally found a concert you want to go to! Book it right now, without hesitation!! :) Runnicles is a great conductor, I'm sure he would deliver some very wonderful performances. :)
Yep. Looks like a fine program (even though mostly too lyrical to be "avant garde" and "edgy"). I heard Runnicles several times when he led the San Francisco Opera  and always enjoyed the performances. (including a particularly memorable Rake's Progress, more suited to your predispositions than Mozart, I'd wager)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 24, 2012, 08:46:53 AM
First comes this Friday Belgrade Philharmonic in Benjamin Yusupov's Concerto for various flutes and Scriabin's 2nd Symphony, then next Friday Zagreb Philharmonic in Bruch Scottish Fantasy and Brahms' 4th.

But what am I really looking forward to is in three weeks. Les Arts Florissants under Christie in all Marc-Antoine Charpentier concert - two oratorios: Caecilia and Prodigal Son, and one or two Grand Motets.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 24, 2012, 08:52:47 AM
Quote from: DavidRoss on September 24, 2012, 07:09:30 AM
Yep. Looks like a fine program (even though mostly too lyrical to be "avant garde" and "edgy"). I heard Runnicles several times when he led the San Francisco Opera  and always enjoyed the performances. (including a particularly memorable Rake's Progress, more suited to your predispositions than Mozart, I'd wager)

I love lyrically beautiful music. I expect choral music to be beautiful and uplifting. Opera I expect to be edgy in some way. Just personal preferences I'm stating here. I would love to see The Rake's Progress. What a great work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 30, 2012, 04:04:21 AM
Quote from: Drasko on September 24, 2012, 08:46:53 AM
First comes this Friday Belgrade Philharmonic in Benjamin Yusupov's Concerto for various flutes and Scriabin's 2nd Symphony

Scriabin's 2nd Symphony was sheer voluptuous delight, especially with orchestra in very fine form.

But what caught me slightly off guard was Benjamin Yusupov piece - Nola concerto for various flutes and strings. I had no idea what you can do with amplified contrabass flute, like creating a loop on the spot and then use it as rhythm section. Talk about extended technique. Video of the second movement of Nola from Friday's concert has been already posted on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/v/iTnxcdxkcdE
Matthias Ziegler - flute, bass flute and contrabass flute (latter two amplified)
Belgrade Philharmonic strings
Aleksandar Markovic - conducting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on October 01, 2012, 03:07:58 AM
Lovely day at Symphony Hall Birmingham tomorrow(Oct. 2nd) - CBSO afternoon:
Nicholas Collon conductor
Francesco Piemontesi piano

Berlioz    Beatrice and Benedict Overture   
8'
Mozart    Piano Concerto No 20 K466   
30'
Dvorák    Symphony No 9 (From the New World)   
40
........& in the evening:
The St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra
Brass players of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Dmitriev conductor
Peter Donohoe piano

Rachmaninov    Piano Concerto No 3 in D minor   
39'
Shostakovich    Symphony No 7, Leningrad   
69'

                                       Anyone going ?       Would be happy to meet for a drink/bite !



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 01, 2012, 07:50:36 AM
Starting Wednesday, three nights with Riccardo Muti and Chicago Symphony Orchestra:

Orff: Carmina Burana

Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman
Mason Bates: Alternative Energy (NY Premiere)
Franck: Symphony in D Minor

Dvořák: Symphony No. 5
Martucci: Notturno
Respighi: Feste romane


--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on October 01, 2012, 10:16:41 AM
Got my tickets to hear Paul Lewis play Schubert's last three sonatas on the 22nd.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: petrarch on October 01, 2012, 02:05:32 PM
Looking forward to two concerts in about 4-5 weeks:

Oct 30 (NYC): Stockhausen's Cosmic Pulses, Himmels-Tür, Freitags-Gruss and Freitags-Abschied.
http://www.whitelightfestival.org/cosmic-pulses

Nov 2 (Boston): Musical Europe: The Golden Age of Consort Viol Music (1500–1700), Jordi Savall/Hespèrion XXI.
http://www.bemf.org/pages/concerts/12-13_boston/hesperion.htm
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 05, 2012, 05:03:47 AM
This evening, on BR-Klassik:

Joseph Haydn Symphony No.89
Maurice Ravel Shéhérazade
John Adams The chairman dance

Simon Rattle
Berliner Philharmoniker/City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mezzosoprano: Magdalena Kožená

http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung412582.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung412582.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 05, 2012, 07:54:20 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on October 05, 2012, 05:03:47 AM
This evening, on BR-Klassik:

Joseph Haydn Symphony No.89
Maurice Ravel Shéhérazade
John Adams The chairman dance

Simon Rattle
Berliner Philharmoniker/City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Mezzosoprano: Magdalena Kožená

http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung412582.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung412582.html)

This looks like an interesting concert, Ilaria. Haydn, Ravel, and Adams on the same program. Pretty cool. 8) That Adams work is fun romp (I seem to be using this phrase a lot lately :-\) and, of course, the Ravel is a gorgeous song-cycle. The Haydn will be good too I'm sure. I actually enjoy Haydn a good bit. He's my favorite Classical Era composer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 05, 2012, 08:12:52 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 05, 2012, 07:54:20 AM
This looks like an interesting concert, Ilaria. Haydn, Ravel, and Adams on the same program. Pretty cool. 8) That Adams work is fun romp (I seem to be using this phrase a lot lately :-\) and, of course, the Ravel is a gorgeous song-cycle. The Haydn will be good too I'm sure. I actually enjoy Haydn a good bit. He's my favorite Classical Era composer.

It certainly is, Ravel is one of my absolute favourite composers, and I enjoy both Haydn and Adams very much; I'm keen to listen to this concert! I've already listened to an excerpt of the Rattle/BPO Shéhérazade and it was definitely thrilling!

It has started....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 08, 2012, 09:06:33 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 08, 2012, 03:58:49 AM
October 29 at the Assembly Hall Tunbridge Wells, English Touring Opera's production of:

Viktor Ullmann The Emperor of Atlantis, prefaced by a "staged" performance of Bach's cantata Christ lag in Totesbanden

Saw this at Covent Garden last Friday and was blown away by it, came home and immediately booked a repeat viewing.

I may see the Ullmann here next month; a small opera company is doing three performances of it.

And your Vienna line-up is most impressive!

On Thursday:

Ensemble Signal
Brad Lubman, conductor

Jonathan Harvey: Death of Light/Light of Death (1998)
Jonathan Harvey: Bhakti (1982)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: petrarch on October 08, 2012, 09:25:05 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 08, 2012, 09:06:33 AM
Jonathan Harvey: Bhakti (1982)

Essential Harvey! (jealous)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 08, 2012, 09:29:14 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 08, 2012, 04:14:40 AM
Meanwhile I have put together a brief pre-Christmas trip to Vienna, taking in:

Shostakovich Symphony No.6
Weinberg Symphony No.6
Wiener Symphoniker
conductor Vladimir Fedoseyev

Bruckner Mass in D minor
Weber In die solemnitatis
Mendelssohn Allegretto un poco agitato from Lobegesang
Haydn Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes from The Creation
Chor & Orchester von St. Augustin
conductor Robert Rieder

Rachmaninov The Isle of the Dead
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Beethoven Symphony No.5
Wiener Symphoniker
conductor Gianandrea Noseda
piano Khatia Buniatishvili

Brahms Piano Concerto No.2
Shostakovich Symphony No.10
St Petersburg Philharmonic
conductor Yuri Temirkanov
piano Nelson Friere

:D

In Vienna? :o Wonderful, what very beautiful programmes! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 08, 2012, 09:30:10 AM
Quote from: petrarch on October 08, 2012, 09:25:05 AM
Essential Harvey! (jealous)

Great, glad to hear! (Don't know the piece at all.) C'mon down; my guess is they still have tickets...  :D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: petrarch on October 08, 2012, 11:19:16 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 08, 2012, 09:30:10 AM
Great, glad to hear! (Don't know the piece at all.) C'mon down; my guess is they still have tickets...  :D

I would definitely go if I could fit some additional motives for the trip...

Bhakti is essential Harvey, but it is not a piece I turn to that often, although I would still very much like to experience it in concert--there are some extraordinary moments in the piece, especially in the second half, starting with movement VII, a very ritualistic and contemplative section for chimes and bell sounds, which should be positively shimmering live; or the spectral 'deconstructions' of movement IX that remind me of certain passages in Hymnen... If only the composer was more italian than british, then perhaps I would be in the mood for his 'touch' more often ;).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 10, 2012, 08:35:50 AM
Tomorrow:

Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony
Monica Groop, mezzo
Daniel Johansson, tenor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 11, 2012, 12:15:29 PM
Quote from: North Star on October 10, 2012, 08:35:50 AM
Tomorrow:

Mahler - Das Lied von der Erde

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony
Monica Groop, mezzo
Daniel Johansson, tenor

Groop sang exquisitely. Johansson's voice lacked power, but otherwise good. He was a last-minute replacement, anyway. Helsing's conducting was good too. The couple of seasons she's been the principal conductor here are without doubt the best the orchestra has ever had. Johannes Gustavsson, who will replace Helsing next season, has conducted the orchestra some times as a guest, and those concerts have been perhaps even better, though.
It was sad to see so many empty seats.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: petrarch on October 13, 2012, 05:06:25 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 08, 2012, 09:06:33 AM
On Thursday:

Ensemble Signal
Brad Lubman, conductor

Jonathan Harvey: Death of Light/Light of Death (1998)
Jonathan Harvey: Bhakti (1982)

So, how was it?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 14, 2012, 03:43:20 PM
Quote from: petrarch on October 13, 2012, 05:06:25 AM
So, how was it?

Both were excellent, Bhakti shone as something special, though. Still a bit overwhelmed by it. Will be putting further thoughts in a full review, so I'll try to remember to send you the link.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on October 15, 2012, 06:40:25 AM
Sunday afternoon performance of our local Winston-Salem Symphony w/ the associate director conducting - highlight was the guest pianist, Antonio Pompa-Baldi - his playing of Mendelssohn was superb and his encore (Debussy Prelude) delightful - I was unaware that he had put out 11 volumes of Grieg's Piano Music on the Centaur label (an example below)!  I left a post in the Grieg thread for those interested on providing some comments - Dave :)

(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-hggfnGb/0/M/WSSymph101412-M.jpg)  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XipuX-%2BJL._SL500_SS500_.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 15, 2012, 10:06:33 AM
Tomorrow, on BBC Radio 3:

Richard Wagner
Das Rheingold


Woglinde: Nadine Livingston (Soprano)
Wellgunde: Kai Ruutel (Mezzo-Soprano)
Flosshilde: Harriet Williams (Mezzo-Soprano)
Alberich: Wolfgang Koch (Baritone)
Wotan: Bryn Terfel (Bass-Baritone)
Fricka: Sarah Connolly (Mezzo-Soprano)
Freia: Ann Petersen (Soprano)
Fasolt: Iain Paterson (Bass)
Fafner: Eric Halfvarson (Bass)
Froh: Andrew Rees (Tenor)
Donner: Peter Coleman-Wright (Baritone)
Loge: Stig Andersen (Tenor)
Mime: Gerhard Siegel (Tenor)
Erda: Maria Radner (Contralto)

Orchestra of The Royal Opera House
Conductor: Antonio Pappano

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nb1c6 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nb1c6)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Concord on October 16, 2012, 12:46:46 PM
The Philadelphia Singers will present a program of Amiercan choral music in Paoli and Philadelphia the weekend of Oct. 27. Highlight for me will be Carter's two Dickinson settings from the 1930s and '40s. Read my interview (http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2012/10/16/entertainment/doc507d8e6dd5dc3451343395.txt) with choral director David Hayes.
 


In another (for me) exciting development, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra will present an American program Nov. 17, which I will also write about in due course. The concert will include Barber's Adagio for Strings, which is a bit of a snooze at this point, but the other works on tap more than make up for it: Barber's Knoxville, Copland's Clarinet Concerto, and Ives's little Third Symphony. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 18, 2012, 05:49:39 PM
Starting off my concert season with a bang...

VERDI Requiem

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Marina Poplavskaya - Soprano
Christine Rice - Mezzo-soprano
Rolando Villazón - Tenor
Mikhail Petrenko - Bass
The Westminster Symphonic Choir - Mixed chorus
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 19, 2012, 02:56:48 PM
Very much looking forward to being in this one tommorow (percussion) :
Rachmaninov: Isle of the Dead + Piano Concerto no.3
Viv Mclean, piano. Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin.

The concert starts off with some renaissance brass ensemble pieces, one of which I'm playing the tabor in, which should be fun!! :)

Very excited! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 20, 2012, 08:26:26 AM


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UaX7izz5nfY/UILEoV2mK8I/AAAAAAAAEoY/aEwbrW3cLOE/s400/BRSO_Jansons_Beethoven_Schedrin_Bronfman.png)

Ionarts-at-Large: BRSO in Shchedrin, Shostakovich, Beethoven


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/10/ionarts-at-large-brso-in-shchedrin.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/10/ionarts-at-large-brso-in-shchedrin.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 21, 2012, 02:46:54 PM
The Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players (from NYC) performed here in little old Hartsville, and they performed some lesser known works and then finished with a great one.

Beethoven's Piano Quartet in C, WoO 36 No. 3
This piece was introduced by talking about thematic material that Beethoven shared between this and one or two other works.  Forgot which ones though.

Spohr's Two German Songs, Op. 103
This one is scored for clarinet, piano and voice.  The introduction was a description of what the songs are about.

Hummel's Clarinet Quartet in Eb
This one is a marvelous piece that I've never heard before.  The introduction was about how criminally neglected Hummel is, and the clarinetist Vadim Lando talked in detail about how amazing Hummel really is and how admired he was by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Clementi.  The interesting thing about this piece is that each instrument has its own meter (the meter is not the same).

Dvorak's Piano Quartet No. 2 in Eb, Op. 87
This piece needed no introduction, and they performed this piece like they were possessed by the music.  The violist Matthew Lipman was so warmly engaged, the cellist Andrew Janss was furiously attacking the music, and the violinist Stefani Collins was in tears, her mascara running.  And we, the audience were in awe by the tremendous passion of the music and the playing.  The minutes passed like seconds and we were stunned.  And then a standing ovation!

What an incredible concert! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 22, 2012, 05:56:25 AM
On BR-Klassik:

Pyotr Il'ych Tchaikovsky
Ouverture 1912
Béla Bartók
Tanz Suite
Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.6

Georg Solti
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung418442.html (http://www.br.de/radio/br-klassik/programmkalender/sendung418442.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 22, 2012, 08:55:40 AM
Quote from: stingo on October 18, 2012, 05:49:39 PM
Starting off my concert season with a bang...

VERDI Requiem

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Marina Poplavskaya - Soprano
Christine Rice - Mezzo-soprano
Rolando Villazón - Tenor
Mikhail Petrenko - Bass
The Westminster Symphonic Choir - Mixed chorus
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall

Hearing this tomorrow night - very excited, especially since I haven't heard the piece in many years.

Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 19, 2012, 02:56:48 PM
Very much looking forward to being in this one tommorow (percussion) :
Rachmaninov: Isle of the Dead + Piano Concerto no.3
Viv Mclean, piano. Misbourne Symphony Orchestra/Richard Jacklin.

The concert starts off with some renaissance brass ensemble pieces, one of which I'm playing the tabor in, which should be fun!! :)

Very excited! :)

Excellent! Have a great time and give us a report.

Quote from: DavidW on October 21, 2012, 02:46:54 PM
The Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players (from NYC) performed here in little old Hartsville, and they performed some lesser known works and then finished with a great one.

[interesting details snipped]


What an incredible concert! :)

They are good, aren't they! I heard them for the first time only recently, within the last 2-3 years, but they have been around for a long time.

Friday and Saturday, two very interesting evenings at Carnegie by "two ASOs":

American Symphony Orchestra
Leon Botstein, conductor
Blair McMillen, Piano
Rebecca Davis, Abbie Furmansky, and Katherine Whyte, Sopranos
Fredrika Brillembourg and Susan Platts, Mezzo-Sopranos
Clay Hilley, Tenor
Tyler Duncan, Baritone
Denis Sedov, Bass
Brooklyn Youth Chorus
The Collegiate Chorale
John Stafford Smith: The Star Spangled Banner (arr. Stokowski)
Ives: Symphony No. 4
Mahler: Symphony No. 8

(Yes, all that on one concert.)

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano, conductor
John Holiday, Countertenor
Brett Polegato, Baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Norman Mackenzie, Director of Choruses
Copland: Appalachian Spring
Bernstein: Chichester Psalms
Walton: Belshazzar's Feast


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 22, 2012, 09:10:24 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 22, 2012, 08:55:40 AM
Excellent! Have a great time and give us a report.

Went really great, thank you! I was on bass drum for both the Rach pieces which was brilliant! The pianist was certainly pretty amazing. Our next concert is Mahler 1, which I am very much looking forward to! :)

Wow! What a great concert! Enjoy! Mahler 8 must be absolutely incredible to see live. I hope to soon! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 22, 2012, 12:50:41 PM
Hmm, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is coming to Dallas in March armed with Liszt's Second Concerto. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 23, 2012, 09:06:51 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 22, 2012, 08:55:40 AM

They are good, aren't they! I heard them for the first time only recently, within the last 2-3 years, but they have been around for a long time.



You bet!  I wondered if you had heard them before Bruce.  Apparently Coker College music department makes an annual trek to NYC and Jersey and stops to hear them play when they go, so this time they got those players to come down here.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2012, 10:14:13 AM
Quote from: stingo on October 18, 2012, 05:49:39 PM
Starting off my concert season with a bang...

VERDI Requiem

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Marina Poplavskaya - Soprano
Christine Rice - Mezzo-soprano
Rolando Villazón - Tenor
Mikhail Petrenko - Bass
The Westminster Symphonic Choir - Mixed chorus
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall

Heard this at Carnegie Hall last night, and mostly loved it. Nézet-Séguin clearly loves the piece (did it without a score) and the choral portions were sensational.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 24, 2012, 02:03:47 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 24, 2012, 10:14:13 AM
Heard this at Carnegie Hall last night, and mostly loved it. Nézet-Séguin clearly loves the piece (did it without a score) and the choral portions were sensational.

--Bruce

What didn't you love?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 24, 2012, 02:05:46 PM
Quote from: stingo on October 24, 2012, 02:03:47 PM
What didn't you love?
I durst not speak on Bruce's behalf, but the twice I've seen Nézet-Séguin, he's clearly loved those pieces as well (Berlioz fantastique, Franck Symphony, Fauré Requiem) but the kind of love you reserve for something hanging in a museum rather than a living, breathing person. Great playing, not especially alive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 27, 2012, 03:24:45 AM



(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FG4Oto20D5w/UIu4HM1dE5I/AAAAAAAAEsA/WOozYMLGrEA/s400/MPHIL_Dausgaard_Andsnes_Kurtag.png)

Ionarts-at-Large: MPhil and Dausgaard in White, Blue, and Orange


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/10/ionarts-at-large-mphil-and-dausgaard-in.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/10/ionarts-at-large-mphil-and-dausgaard-in.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: KeithW on October 28, 2012, 12:14:14 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 24, 2012, 10:14:13 AM
Heard this at Carnegie Hall last night, and mostly loved it. Nézet-Séguin clearly loves the piece (did it without a score) and the choral portions were sensational.

--Bruce

I saw him do the Bruckner in London earlier this year - same form (no score; he gave a nice address before starting, explained how formulation of the evening).  Actually quite moving.

Thread update - and topical here at GMG - last night the NY Phil doing Mahler 1 and a couple of Mozart pieces. Good, but not great IMHO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 28, 2012, 12:41:11 PM
Quote from: stingo on October 24, 2012, 02:03:47 PM
What didn't you love?

Actually everything was wonderful but some of the soloists. The soprano was very good, and the mezzo and the bass, fine (if not really memorable). But Villazón was not having a good night. It didn't matter: Nézet-Séguin, the orchestra and (especially) the chorus were all in great form. I felt as if I were witnessing the dawn of a new, great age of music-making with the orchestra - especially welcome considering some of the financial uncertainties the group has had in the last few years.

Quote from: Brian on October 24, 2012, 02:05:46 PM
I durst not speak on Bruce's behalf, but the twice I've seen Nézet-Séguin, he's clearly loved those pieces as well (Berlioz fantastique, Franck Symphony, Fauré Requiem) but the kind of love you reserve for something hanging in a museum rather than a living, breathing person. Great playing, not especially alive.

Thanks, interesting observation. (I've only seen him this one time.)

Quote from: KeithW on October 28, 2012, 12:14:14 PM
I saw him do the Bruckner in London earlier this year - same form (no score; he gave a nice address before starting, explained how formulation of the evening).  Actually quite moving.

Thread update - and topical here at GMG - last night the NY Phil doing Mahler 1 and a couple of Mozart pieces. Good, but not great IMHO.

PS, a friend of mine heard that Mahler 1 and Mozart, too - and felt the same way. Said the Mozart was pumped up beyond belief, old-style (as opposed to HIP-influenced).

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 28, 2012, 12:43:46 PM
Next Sunday in Milan, Teatro alla Scala:

Richard Wagner
Siegfried


Siegfried  Lance Ryan
Mime  Peter Bronder
Der Wanderer  Terje Stensvold
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Fafner  Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Erda  Anna Larsson
Brünnhilde  Nina Stemme
Stimme des Waldvogels  Rinnat Moriah

Conductor: Daniel Bareboim

I've been waiting for this opera for weeks, really keen to see it!! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 28, 2012, 12:49:07 PM
Brilliant, Ilaria! I bet you are very excited! :)

My school music teachers gave me quite a substantial voucher for the Southbank Centre, meaning I can buy tickets for around 3 concerts. I have my eye on quite a few, will post them soon! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 28, 2012, 12:52:15 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on October 28, 2012, 12:43:46 PM
Next Sunday in Milan, Teatro alla Scala:

Richard Wagner
Siegfried


Siegfried  Lance Ryan
Mime  Peter Bronder
Der Wanderer  Terje Stensvold
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Fafner  Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Erda  Anna Larsson
Brünnhilde  Nina Stemme
Stimme des Waldvogels  Rinnat Moriah

Conductor: Daniel Bareboim

I've been waiting for this opera for weeks, really keen to see it!! :D

This could be really great. I saw Stemme as the lead in Salome with the Cleveland Orchestra here last spring - my first time hearing her, and she is quite a force.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on October 28, 2012, 01:04:10 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 28, 2012, 12:49:07 PM
Brilliant, Ilaria! I bet you are very excited! :)

My school music teachers gave me quite a substantial voucher for the Southbank Centre, meaning I can buy tickets for around 3 concerts. I have my eye on quite a few, will post them soon! :)

Quite right!! This is the first event of the season I'm going to see, I'm very very happy! And some days later I'll be able to get the ticket for Lohengrin. :)
Amazing, Daniel! Enjoy the concerts you'll choose! :)

Quote from: Brewski on October 28, 2012, 12:52:15 PM
This could be really great. I saw Stemme as the lead in Salome with the Cleveland Orchestra here last spring - my first time hearing her, and she is quite a force.

--Bruce

I saw her in Die Walkure singing Brunnhilde last year, she was absolutely wonderful!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PaulR on October 30, 2012, 03:47:57 AM
On Thursday, I will be seeing the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra do Shostakovich 14th and Strauss Death and Transfiguration.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 30, 2012, 07:23:13 AM
Quote from: PaulR on October 30, 2012, 03:47:57 AM
On Thursday, I will be seeing the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra do Shostakovich 14th and Strauss Death and Transfiguration.  :D
:o  I'll be seeing the Shosty 14 on Thursday as well, in Oulu, with Haydn's 44th (Trauer) and Pärt's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 30, 2012, 12:35:27 PM
Quote from: PaulR on October 30, 2012, 03:47:57 AM
On Thursday, I will be seeing the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra do Shostakovich 14th and Strauss Death and Transfiguration.  :D

Quote from: North Star on October 30, 2012, 07:23:13 AM
:o  I'll be seeing the Shosty 14 on Thursday as well, in Oulu, with Haydn's 44th (Trauer) and Pärt's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten.

This is so cool...the same piece - and a rather rarely done one, at that - being performed in two different places 8245 kilometres (5123 miles) apart.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PaulR on October 30, 2012, 05:29:53 PM
Quote from: North Star on October 30, 2012, 07:23:13 AM
:o  I'll be seeing the Shosty 14 on Thursday as well, in Oulu, with Haydn's 44th (Trauer) and Pärt's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten.
Seems you have the more interesting program though.  hope we both enjoy it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 31, 2012, 12:21:56 AM
Quote from: PaulR on October 30, 2012, 05:29:53 PM
Seems you have the more interesting program though.  hope we both enjoy it!
Can't disagree on that. The concert programs are usually very well designed here, and there isn't too much relying on warhorses (with the exception of Tchaikovsky's violin concerto ad nauseam - twice in two seasons)

Yes, indeed!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 04, 2012, 02:36:30 AM
After several years with no suitable (or affordable) room or hall for concerts, during which time the recitals took place in the living room of a private home, the Chopin Society of Rheinland-Pfalz once again has access to the music room in the baroque Herrnsheimer Schloss (palace) owned by our local aristocracy, the Heyls. Last night Anastasia Belan, winner of several competitions (Gasteig in Munich, Rubinstein in Poland, Calabria in Italy) played Schumann, Czerny, Liszt and Chopin:

(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/sep2012/anastasiabelan.jpg) (http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/sep2012/anastasiabelanprogram.jpg)


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on November 04, 2012, 01:54:36 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on October 28, 2012, 12:43:46 PM
Next Sunday in Milan, Teatro alla Scala:

Richard Wagner
Siegfried


Siegfried  Lance Ryan
Mime  Peter Bronder
Der Wanderer  Terje Stensvold
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Fafner  Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Erda  Anna Larsson
Brünnhilde  Nina Stemme
Stimme des Waldvogels  Rinnat Moriah

Conductor: Daniel Bareboim

I've been waiting for this opera for weeks, really keen to see it!! :D

Just come back from Milan; Barenboim's performance was absolutely beautiful, I extremely enjoyed it!! So, so happy!! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 05, 2012, 04:51:48 PM
Had a five minute walk from my apartment to a free recital.  Here are the details:

Richard Thomas played the cello, Jun Matsuo the piano.  They are both faculty at the local college here (Coker College).  They performed you guessed it music for cello and piano!  The theme was that in each piece the cellist the composer wrote for and was first performed by are one and the same.

Boccherini's Sonata No. 6 in A Major (1772) this is the first great cello sonata and it was played warmly.

Brahms' Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38 (1865) this piece starts with a dark, autumnal quality that gives way to a lovely waltz and a dash of Bach.

Piazzola's Le Grand Tango (1982) tango meets classical, this piece is sumptuous, melodic, passionate, it is by far the highlight of the recital! 8)

Popper's Tarantella, Op. 33 (1880) this was a fun, light, very classical (despite it's time) sounding piece, and a nice way to finish the evening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 08, 2012, 03:24:20 PM
It's a good thing I just bought tickets to this one, as it's almost sold out. Coming up in December:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko, conductor
Robert Chen, violin

Elgar: Cockaigne
Barber: Violin Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony #10

Petrenko's disc of DSCH 10 got raves, so I'm really looking forward to this one. Also, bought seats behind the orchestra, so I'll get the full force of brass and percussion!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: KeithW on November 08, 2012, 03:37:58 PM
Escaping power and petrol shortages in the NE with a few days in Philadelphia.  heading off now to the Philadelhia Orchestra and their Stokowski Legacy series.  Franck, Poulenc and Bach.

http://www.philorch.org/concert/stokowski-legacy?date=2012-11-08_20-00 (http://www.philorch.org/concert/stokowski-legacy?date=2012-11-08_20-00)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 11, 2012, 01:39:22 PM
This afternoon, a free chamber music concert:

Some conservatory students and a cellist from the local symphony orchestra in the Schubert:

Brahms: 4 Serious songs, transcribed for bass trombone & piano
Prokofiev: Sonata for Cello & Piano
---
Schubert: String Quintet


Excellent program, and the pianist and cellist for the Prokofiev were top notch. In the quintet, the second violinist was out of tune at times, and messed up passages. Other than that, very nice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 13, 2012, 11:20:44 AM
Tonight at Carnegie:

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Michael Sachs, Trumpet
Jack Sutte, Trumpet

Beethoven: Symphony No. 4
Matthias Pintscher: Chute d'Étoiles for Two Trumpets and Orchestra (NY Premiere)
Beethoven: Grosse Fuge, Op. 133
Scriabin: The Poem of Ecstasy

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 14, 2012, 12:47:10 AM
Tonight, Munich

Munich Radio Orchestra /
Oscar Strasnoy: "Le Bal"
for six voices and orchestra (said to be very good, indeed, and cleverly staged)
Gaetano Donizetti: "I pazzi per progetto"
Farce in on act
(Strasnoy said to be very clever)


Thursday, November 15th, Munich
Munich Phil:
Wagner, Debussy, Stravinsky
(yawn)

Friday, November 16th, Munich
BRSO: Beethoven, Prenderecki
Jansons, Jansen, Rachlin

Saturday, November 17th, Frankfurt Opera
Charbrier, L'Etoile

Sunday, November 18th, Frankfurt Opera
Debussy, Pelleas & Melisande (w/Gerhaher)

Monday November 19th,
Frankfurt Museum (=Opera) Orchestra
Mahler 3rd



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on November 14, 2012, 01:02:49 PM
Amsterdam/Concertgebouw : January 12th

Jaap Van Zweden / Dutch Radio Phil. /Tetzlav


Brahms - Vioolconcert in D, op. 77
J.S. Bach/Webern - Ricercata
K.A. Hartmann - Seventh symfony!!!!


I'll be there!

Peter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 14, 2012, 01:18:32 PM
Tomorrow in Oulu, the warhorses ride yet again!

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony
Valeria Resjan, piano

Rachmaninoff: 2nd PC
Tchaikovsky: 5th
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on November 14, 2012, 11:11:09 PM
Perhaps off-topic but I'm seeing Ian Andersson with band doing Thick as a Brick part I & II in a couple of weeks. I've had (and admired) the original part I on LP since it was released, and never seen Tull live, so I'm really excited about this.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 19, 2012, 10:23:35 AM
Tonight at Avery Fisher Hall:

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Philharmonia Orchestra

Berg: Wozzeck (concert performance)

Tomorrow night at the Guggenheim Museum:

Salvatore Sciarrino: Il Cerchio Tagliato dei Suoni for 104 flutes (U.S. premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PaulSC on November 19, 2012, 10:32:20 AM
That's a lot of flutes!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 19, 2012, 10:51:48 AM
Quote from: PaulSC on November 19, 2012, 10:32:20 AM
That's a lot of flutes!

;D They must have drafted everyone in town. The piece has four soloists, and the other 100 players migrate around the room. (It's going to be performed in the Guggenheim's rotunda.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 19, 2012, 11:07:08 AM
The Happening is not dead!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 19, 2012, 11:12:18 AM
Quote from: Brewski on November 19, 2012, 10:23:35 AM

Salvatore Sciarrino: Il Cerchio Tagliato dei Suoni for 104 flutes (U.S. premiere)

--Bruce

How gimmicky. Like Ligeti's Poème symphonique.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 19, 2012, 11:17:41 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on November 19, 2012, 11:15:02 AM
There is nothing gimmicky about it.  This orchestration produces a unique sound and was needed in order for Sciarrino to achieve the effect he was going for.

And the spatial effect.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 19, 2012, 11:21:00 AM
Just found a little bit more about the evening via Zara Lawler, the flutist who is coordinating the event. Apparently the flute parts for the "migranti" (those wandering around) are playable by "advanced beginners."

http://zaralawler.com/2011/sciarrino-at-the-guggenheim

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 20, 2012, 11:22:01 AM
Quote from: Brewski on November 19, 2012, 10:23:35 AM
Tonight at Avery Fisher Hall:

Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Philharmonia Orchestra

Berg: Wozzeck (concert performance)

Just like the Mahler Ninth on Sunday afternoon, this Wozzeck was very transparent, and impressive in its "stone-faced-ness" - quite different from the more sensual version James Levine has done at the Met in recent years. Simon Keenlyside and Angela Denoke led an excellent cast, with even the small roles well done. They should consider releasing a recording.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on November 23, 2012, 08:35:19 PM
Schubert's "Unfinished" doesn't thrill me much, having heard Horenstein do it with Bruckner 5  and that Mozart  aria for soprano, piano (a young Brendel) and orch. but this ticket was given so I will go, and the partner will be Bruckner 7
Mark Wigglesworth guest conducting the Vancouver S.O. Dec. 10th.  Nothing else listed on the program.  Bruckner live impresses me a lot more than any recordings.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 26, 2012, 09:38:07 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 26, 2012, 09:28:10 AM
Tomorrow night at the Arnold Schoenberg Center, Vienna:

Cool  8) I visited the Schoenberg Center in January (thanks for the directions), chatted with the manager, looked at the displays and bought 2 Arnold Schoenberg T-shirts. No concerts though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on November 26, 2012, 10:01:51 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 26, 2012, 09:28:10 AM
Tomorrow night at the Arnold Schoenberg Center, Vienna:

Schoenberg String quartet No.3 op.30
Otto Schneider String quartet No.5 op.55
Hanns Eisler String quartet op.75

played by the Aron Quartett

A concert in Vienna, I'm really jealous! :o The programme looks nice, enjoy it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 26, 2012, 10:09:23 AM
A cool program, indeed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 27, 2012, 11:30:22 AM
This Sunday at Carnegie...really looking forward to the Met's concertmaster in the Gubaidulina.

The MET Orchestra
Fabio Luisi, Principal Conductor
David Chan, Violin
Yefim Bronfman, Piano

Gubaidulina: In tempus praesens
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, "Emperor"
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1945 version)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 06, 2012, 11:15:09 AM
Quote from: Brewski on November 27, 2012, 11:30:22 AM
This Sunday at Carnegie...really looking forward to the Met's concertmaster in the Gubaidulina.

The MET Orchestra
Fabio Luisi, Principal Conductor
David Chan, Violin
Yefim Bronfman, Piano

Gubaidulina: In tempus praesens
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5, "Emperor"
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1945 version)

--Bruce

This concert last Sunday was terrific - all of it - and even if the Beethoven concerto is a bit overplayed around here, Bronfman did a beautiful job with it. The Gubaidulina was sensational - if anything, even better than when Anne-Sophie Mutter did it last year. And as much as I've heard the Stravinsky in the last few years, Fabio Luisi still coaxed something special out of it.

Tonight at Miller Theatre:

International Contemporary Ensemble
Cory Smythe, piano
Jayce Ogren, conductor

Olga Neuwirth: "...ce qui arrive..." for two instrumental groups, samples and live electronics (2003-04, New York premiere)
Olga Neuwirth: locus...doublure...solus for piano and ensemble (2001)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SonicMan46 on December 07, 2012, 06:45:57 AM
Well, not a classical music concert, BUT kind of classical period music from the 1950s, I guess!  ;D

Susan & I will be traveling to Durham today and will see the Saturday matinee of the show below - national touring troupe, so except a good show and some excellent performances - several years ago, we were in Memphis, TN and visited Sun Studios (great tour there), so we should be in the moment!  :)

(https://www.browardcenter.org/ArticleMedia/Images/BCPA/Show/BAA_MillionDollarQuartet.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 09, 2012, 02:24:08 PM
The previous week (and a bit) has certainly been very busy with rehearsals and concerts!

Last Saturday was the orchestra concert at the Academy, in which I got the wonderful pleasure of seeing my friends performing Brahms' Academic Festival Overture, Bizet's Carmen Suites, and Tchaikovsky's 2nd symphony. It was fantastic! What a great piece Tchaikovsky 2 is! :)

On Friday, we had our Watford Youth Orchestra concert, in which we performed Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture, Copland's Hoedown from Rodeo, Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre and Brahms' Haydn Variations, and finishing off with a Christmas encore of 'Sleigh Ride' in which I got to play the whip part :D We will be doing Shosty 5 and maybe the Planets next!

And, on Wednesday through to Saturday, we had our school production of 'Guys and Dolls', in which I played the cello. Some of the greatest fun I have ever had, loved it so so so so much and am missing it a lot now! Was so amazing! :)

School Christmas concert coming up now! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on December 10, 2012, 06:26:43 PM
Quote from: listener on November 23, 2012, 08:35:19 PM
Schubert's "Unfinished" doesn't thrill me much, having heard Horenstein do it with Bruckner 5  and that Mozart  aria for soprano, piano (a young Brendel) and orch. but this ticket was given so I will go, and the partner will be Bruckner 7
Mark Wigglesworth guest conducting the Vancouver S.O. Dec. 10th.  Nothing else listed on the program.  Bruckner live impresses me a lot more than any recordings.

Listener, I hope you enjoy the concert this evening.  Hearing Bruckner's 7th performed live was an unbelievable, unforgettable experience.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on December 11, 2012, 01:42:07 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on December 10, 2012, 06:26:43 PM
Listener, I hope you enjoy the concert this evening.  Hearing Bruckner's 7th performed live was an unbelievable, unforgettable experience.  :)
Terrific, with the 4 Wagner tubas (otherwise a very restrained orchestration: only 2 each of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon for woodwinds).  Wigglesworth used the later version with the cymbal and triangle (used only at one point in the entire work) and the full horn section at the ending of the Adagio.  Very, very nice dynamics and tempos.    And similar comments for the Schubert which felt a little quicker than usual but beautifully phrased, almost like Mendelsohn.  He's noted for his Wagner, might have done some extra coaching of the brass section.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 11, 2012, 07:57:31 AM
Last night, another party at Carnegie Hall, courtesy Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela. The whole program was excellent, but the Revueltas sort of brought down the house. And they did three encores - didn't recognize the first two, but the third was the "Mambo" from West Side Story.

Chávez: Sinfonía india
Orbón: Tres versiones sinfónicas
Revueltas: La noche de los Mayas

Tonight's program is has even more rarities:

Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director and Conductor
Idwer Álvarez, Tenor
Gaspar Colón, Baritone
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor

Esteban Benzecry: "Chaac" ("Maya Water God") from Rituales Amerindios
Villa-Lobos: Chôros No. 10
Estévez: Cantata criolla

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 11, 2012, 09:02:25 AM
Just found out that the Monday concert with Dudamel and the SBSOV is available on WQXR online, here (http://www.wqxr.org/#!/programs/carnegie/2012/dec/10/).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 12, 2012, 07:16:13 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 11, 2012, 07:57:31 AM
Tonight's program is has even more rarities:

Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela
Gustavo Dudamel, Music Director and Conductor
Idwer Álvarez, Tenor
Gaspar Colón, Baritone
Westminster Symphonic Choir
Joe Miller, Conductor

Esteban Benzecry: "Chaac" ("Maya Water God") from Rituales Amerindios
Villa-Lobos: Chôros No. 10
Estévez: Cantata criolla

--Bruce

Enjoyed the first half of this program immensely - the second half, not so much. Benzecry's piece, written in 2008, has many fascinating sound effects depicting water. The Villa-Lobos used an enormous choir of around 150 people, which combined with the orchestra made almost 350 people onstage - very impressive. But the Cantata (1954) is very heartfelt but somehow seems a bit dated: a sort of Faustian story about a singing contest between a man and the Devil - had moments, just not enough of them.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 12, 2012, 07:58:48 AM
Recent Istanbul & London impressions:


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LOygFsjYen4/UMe7P6ybqdI/AAAAAAAAE34/LsgyAkXL77s/s1600/LSO_London_EYE_laurson_600.jpg)

London Town: A Sibelius Lover's Frozen Dream
LSO, Leonidas Kavakos, Osmo Vänskä
Sibelius Sys. 6, 7, Violin Concerto
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/london-town-sibelius-lovers-frozen-dream.html)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxMEsoSlFgY/UMeqN5hfjxI/AAAAAAAAE3c/bExJjCZ1jIU/s1600/Philharmonia_London_laurson_600.jpg)

London Town: Too Beautiful Beethoven
Philharmonia, A.Steinbacher, David Afkham
Beethoven, Coriolan Ovt., Violin Concerto, Brahms, Sy.3
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/london-town-too-beautiful-beethoven.html)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-02TiTHvbP9w/UMU5I8Gm9QI/AAAAAAAAE2U/GZWNF6dNqO4/s1600/LSO_London_laurson_600.jpg)

London Town: The LSO, Vengerov, and the Queen
LSO, Maxim Vengerov, Robin Ticciati
Peter Maxwell Davies, Fanfare: Her Majesty's Welcome, Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto, Elgar, Enigma Variations
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/london-town-lso-vengerov-and-queen.html)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFj1faROnZ4/UMSGI1MFKGI/AAAAAAAAE1Q/W6peFKnDHos/s1600/Galata_Tower_PeraSea_Istanbul_laurson_600.jpg)

Notes from Istanbul: Tricontinental Dvořák with Borusan Quartet
Borusan Quartet
Dvorak "American" Quartet, Piano Quintet
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/notes-from-istanbul-tricontinental.html)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N89TF-fMnBI/ULIFykLiA0I/AAAAAAAAEv8/Bpv4M-w_N5Q/s1600/Istanbul_Harbor_laurson_600.jpg)

Notes from Istanbul: Brahms, Dead on Arrival
Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra
Rachmaninoff PC2, Brahms 3
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/11/notes-from-istanbul-brahms-dead-on.html)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G2RPsDFhe3o/UKjkVynLmxI/AAAAAAAAEuo/nvO4WMhhlZI/s1600/Kadikoy_Iskelesi_Istanbul2_laurson_600.png)


Notes from Istanbul: With the Ears of an Ass

İstanbul's State Opera and Ballet
Ferit Tüzün, Midas'ýn Kulaklari
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/11/notes-from-istanbul-with-ears-of-ass.html)

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IsNyXpXuQuc/UKtyQTHCaCI/AAAAAAAAEvA/BoQTKeuYwO4/s1600/Galata_Tower%2B_Istanbul_laurson_600.jpg)

Notes from Istanbul: Saariaho World Premiere
Richard Schmoucler, K.Saariaho,
Bach, Second Partita, Ysaÿe, Second Sonata, Saariaho, Frises
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/11/notes-from-istanbul-saariaho-world.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on December 12, 2012, 11:29:35 AM
Coming Sat DEC 15 in Athens Megaron the Philharmonia Orchestra/Lorin Maazel with Tchaikovsky's Pathétique and Brahms' 2nd. Those guys make for strange concert bedfellows as they didn't like the music of each other as is well known. Three weeks ago St. Petersburg PO made a triple appearance here: the first night Youri Temirkanov led the orchestra in a stirring Shostakovich 10th and in the first part Nelson Freire played immaculately Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto (despite some finger slips in the first two movements). He awarded our enthusiastic applause with a transcription (by whom?) of Gluck's Dance of the Blessed Spirits. The 2nd concert, again with Temirkanov at the helm, opened with a delectable prokofiev Classical Symphony. Elisso Virsaladze played very warmly the Schumann Piano Concerto and a not too Czech Dvořák's 8th closed the program. The 3rd day, this time with Nikolai Alexeev conducting opened with Brahms' 1st Piano Concerto with the very talented George-Emmanouel Lazarides. I found his slow movement a little unbalanced as he slackened further the already very slow second movement but in the finale he unleashed all his powers and stunned the audience. He was very convincing in the treacherously difficult first movement too. He awarded us with a ravishing Schubert D935 No.2 Impromptu. A routinely fine Tchaikovsky 4th closed the program. Unexpected however were the encores chosen by Temirkanov always having in mind that we're talking about a Russian Orchestra (Alexeev gave us-again- the Gavotte of the Prokofiev Classical): Elgar's Nimrod and Salut d'amour! Coming JAN and here comes the King: Arcadi Volodos playing Schubert's D279/346 Sonata, Brahms' Intermezzi op.117 and Schumann's Kinderszenen and Fantasy op.17. Now that's is an event not to be missed!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 17, 2012, 05:34:06 AM



(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvLvxzDkfrQ/UM4QFOcZBNI/AAAAAAAAE9c/U4h-THVB_oY/s1600/Ferruccio_Busoni_laurson_600.jpg)

Ionarts at Large: Marc-André Hamelin at the Herkulessaal
Busoni - Bach - Debussy - Hamelin - Rachmaninoff

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-marc-andre-hamelin-at.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-marc-andre-hamelin-at.html)



(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nwyfD-aGbBY/UM5ERZML41I/AAAAAAAAE-c/SqmAmdNoGjk/s1600/Jansons_Beethoven_laurson_600.jpg)

Ionarts at Large: Mariss Jansons' Beethoven Cycle
Beethoven & World Premiere of Mochizuki's Nirai (Like a friendly giant, happily disoriented, lumbering through the forest.)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-mariss-jansons.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-mariss-jansons.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on December 18, 2012, 03:41:47 AM
Anyway, that program should be very interesting and please post something on how it goes.

Last Sat DEC 15 the promising evening with Philharmonia and Maazel went very well... well... almost... The tempi adopted were rather broad but well balanced with huge dynamic range. The polished, compact, plush and massive sound of the excellent orchestra shined through impressively in the old two warhorses. The Tchaikovsky 6th (as worldwide custom, applause ensued the scherzo) sounded brooding and despairing with a very moving rendition of finale. But exactly at the final ppppp chords of the work the outrageous, horrible, freaking incident happened... yes, you guessed right: mobile ringtone! The modern scourge fed only by huge human idiocy seems definitely unbeatable-despite in our case the bilingual announcement minutes before the concert has commenced. The rather slow tempo of the opening movement of the Brahms 2nd entailed the lack of sufficient contrast between the first and second movements as though the second one was appended to the first. Broadly paced was not only the pastorale-scherzo of the 3rd movement but the second subject of the finale although the final peroration was thrilling. An even mannered 1st Hungarian Dance as an encore rounded out a great concert but had it been recorded I doubt whether I would have thought of buying it for anything more than a good memento
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 19, 2012, 12:15:00 PM



(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxjV2BLeMAY/UNIlc6kbZWI/AAAAAAAAE_w/wRJB9wqwic8/s1600/la_mer_Hokusai_laurson_600.png)

Ionarts at Large: Maazel's Warhorses

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-maazels-warhorses.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-maazels-warhorses.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 12:25:07 PM
Quote from: Obradovic on December 18, 2012, 03:41:47 AMAn even mannered 1st Hungarian Dance as an encore rounded out a great concert....

Sounds delicious. I love a mannered Hungarian dance  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 12:31:27 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on December 19, 2012, 12:15:00 PM


(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxjV2BLeMAY/UNIlc6kbZWI/AAAAAAAAE_w/wRJB9wqwic8/s1600/la_mer_Hokusai_laurson_600.png)

Ionarts at Large: Maazel's Warhorses

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-maazels-warhorses.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-maazels-warhorses.html)

A fair review of your nemesis's latest concert  ;) 

"The rest was surprisingly crude..."  I understand...but I've always enjoyed Maazel's crude Le Sacre, on record and live. But then, I'm a crude kind of guy  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 19, 2012, 12:41:22 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 12:31:27 PM
A fair review of your nemesis's latest concert  ;) 

"The rest was surprisingly crude..."  I understand...but I've always enjoyed Maazel's crude Le Sacre, on record and live. But then, I'm a crude kind of guy  ;D

Sarge

A reliable musician friend of mine went to his Tchaikovsky 6th with the Philharmonia (I skipped that concert since I had too many concerts in London as it was and I wasn't going to suffer through Maazel unnecessarily) -- and he came back enthralled: Best Tchaik 6th he had heard. (The rest was shite, though, apparently.)

One just never knows.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 19, 2012, 12:44:32 PM
"Maazel's Warhorses": sounds like a Sarge Photoshop challenge!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 12:46:48 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on December 19, 2012, 12:41:22 PM

One just never knows.

Exactly. That was the problem with his Cleveland concerts (many of which I heard when I was living in Ohio during the 70s): he ran hot or cold...or rather, inspired or bored.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 12:49:31 PM
Quote from: Brian on December 19, 2012, 12:44:32 PM
"Maazel's Warhorses": sounds like a Sarge Photoshop challenge!

;D :D ;D

Too  late now to respond graphically (a Chianti and Grappa with dinner; a few drams of Jura for nightcaps) but I'll think about it tomorrow...when, hopefully, my brain resumes functioning.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 19, 2012, 01:14:16 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 12:49:31 PM
;D :D ;D

Too  late now to respond graphically (a Chianti and Grappa with dinner; a few drams of Jura for nightcaps) but I'll think about it tomorrow...when, hopefully, my brain resumes functioning.

Sarge
Quote from: Brian on December 19, 2012, 12:44:32 PM
"Maazel's Warhorses": sounds like a Sarge Photoshop challenge!
|

In that case, I'll throw down the glove already:

(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Maazels_Warhorses.jpg)
(click to enlarge)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 01:15:40 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on December 19, 2012, 01:14:16 PM
|

In that case, I'll throw down the glove already:

(http://www.seenandheard-international.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Maazels_Warhorses.jpg)
(click to enlarge)

Excellent!  :D  I doubt I can top that.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on December 19, 2012, 06:42:49 PM
Just bought tickets for an all-Brahms concert in June by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Runnicles with soloist Lars Vogt.

BRAHMS: Tragic Overture 
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 1 
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 19, 2012, 06:44:45 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on December 19, 2012, 06:42:49 PM
Just bought tickets for an all-Brahms concert in June by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Runnicles with soloist Lars Vogt.

BRAHMS: Tragic Overture 
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 1 
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

Now, if we can just get them to do an all-Elgar program. ;) :D Anyway, this should be right up your alley. Who is pianist performing?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on December 19, 2012, 06:52:56 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 19, 2012, 06:44:45 PM
Now, if we can just get them to do an all-Elgar program. ;) :D Anyway, this should be right up your alley. Who is pianist performing?

Lars Vogt is pianist. And yes an all Elgar would be great. I did see the San Antonio SO perform Enigma Variations several years back, such a great work to see in concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on December 20, 2012, 12:51:57 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 19, 2012, 12:25:07 PM
Sounds delicious. I love a mannered Hungarian dance  8)

Sarge

The main opening theme was fairly conventional but in the slower middle section Maazel played with the beat and the shape, now longer, now shorter, rallentando and then accelerando and here we go again. Not bad. But I remember the 4th Hungarian Dance as an encore by the Staatskapelle Dresden under G. Prêtre 2-3 years ago in the same venue. Slow, full but flowing. Ah! that was pure magic!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 20, 2012, 01:06:59 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on December 19, 2012, 06:42:49 PM
Just bought tickets for an all-Brahms concert in June by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conducted by Donald Runnicles with soloist Lars Vogt.

BRAHMS: Tragic Overture 
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 1 
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

This looks excellent, and Runnicles is a terrific conductor. Last heard him in Britten's Peter Grimes at the Met (and heard through the grapevine that the musicians really liked working with him). Vogt is marvelous, too.

I'd say "report back," but by June, you'll probably have to remind us again.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 20, 2012, 01:26:12 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on December 19, 2012, 06:52:56 PM
Lars Vogt is pianist. And yes an all Elgar would be great. I did see the San Antonio SO perform Enigma Variations several years back, such a great work to see in concert.
Hang on... I saw the San Antonio SO perform Enigma Variations several years back...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on December 22, 2012, 03:04:03 AM
Quote from: Brian on December 20, 2012, 01:26:12 PM
Hang on... I saw the San Antonio SO perform Enigma Variations several years back...

Very cool!

I'll have to check the correct year (guessing around 2007) but my brother played one year with SO, saw that along with Rach. Symphonic Dances and DSCH no.15.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 22, 2012, 07:38:09 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on December 22, 2012, 03:04:03 AM
Very cool!

I'll have to check the correct year (guessing around 2007) but my brother played one year with SO, saw that along with Rach. Symphonic Dances and DSCH no.15.

Didn't see the Rach or DsCH, but it would have been around 2007 because that was before I went off to college and spent the concert season in Houston instead of SA.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 22, 2012, 08:20:56 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on December 19, 2012, 06:52:56 PM
Lars Vogt is pianist. And yes an all Elgar would be great. I did see the San Antonio SO perform Enigma Variations several years back, such a great work to see in concert.

Ah, thank you. I'd love to see the Enigma Variations with the LSO and Colin Davis. Having a work like Introduction & Allegro on the program wouldn't hurt either. ;) :D By the way, how are you enjoying this Georgia weather? The 21st (first day of winter) was quite cold. I think it got down to 28 degrees. The wind certainly didn't help matters.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 22, 2012, 08:25:23 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 22, 2012, 08:20:56 PM
Ah, thank you. I'd love to see the Enigma Variations with the LSO and Colin Davis. Having a work like Introduction & Allegro on the program wouldn't hurt either.

I saw the Enigma with the BBCPO and Vassily Sinaisky at the Proms, does that count? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 22, 2012, 08:32:36 PM
Quote from: Brian on December 22, 2012, 08:25:23 PM
I saw the Enigma with the BBCPO and Vassily Sinaisky at the Proms, does that count? :)

Nope, sorry. :) Colin Davis is a living legend and breathes Elgar's music. Not to discount Sinaisky's performance, which I obviously haven't heard, but the Davis/LSO partnership in Elgar is something that isn't on this planet --- figuratively speaking of course. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on December 22, 2012, 09:20:03 PM
Enigma shows up in February in Vancouver, with Delius Brigg Fair and the Britten Violin concerto
http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/12MWD03/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on December 23, 2012, 02:37:08 AM
Quote from: Brian on December 22, 2012, 07:38:09 PM
Didn't see the Rach or DsCH, but it would have been around 2007 because that was before I went off to college and spent the concert season in Houston instead of SA.

Future GMGrs, unknowingly hanging out. SA SO was a good group, well played. I enjoyed these concerts immensely, was also surprised to see DSCH 15th on the program. Although I was a little weirded out by their venue, I was always expecting some Muppets to appear in those Spanish villa looking designs on the walls.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on December 23, 2012, 02:40:16 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 22, 2012, 08:20:56 PM
Ah, thank you. I'd love to see the Enigma Variations with the LSO and Colin Davis. Having a work like Introduction &amp; Allegro on the program wouldn't hurt either. ;) :D By the way, how are you enjoying this Georgia weather? The 21st (first day of winter) was quite cold. I think it got down to 28 degrees. The wind certainly didn't help matters.

I am glad we finally get a little winter-like weather, I need a little variety from the seasons. But I work at a golf club so the times I had to go outside were a wee-bit nippily :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on December 29, 2012, 07:12:57 PM
Looking forward to this event tomorrow. Trinity also provides such a beautiful setting.

Sunday, December 30, 4pm
Twelfth Night Festival: A Russian Christmas 
Trinity Church
Wall Street at Broadway, New York, NY
Clarion Music Society, with Steven Fox, conductor, performs works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Arvo Pärt.


In the Western world, the 30th of December is the middle day of Christmastide, while on that day the Russian Orthodox Church is just approaching the height of Advent. As part of Trinity Wall Street's Twelfth Night Festival, Clarion explores centuries of Russian settings of mystical and celebratory Christmas texts, from the earliest Kievan and Byzantine plain chant through early-Renaissance Kievan polyphony, works for the court of Catherine the Great, and thence to Slavonic motets by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Pärt. Co-presented by Trinity Wall Street, this a cappella concert takes place in the beautiful and historic Trinity Church, with Steven Fox returning to conduct there for the first time since serving as Acting Director of Music in the 2009-10 season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ibanezmonster on December 29, 2012, 07:29:04 PM
The only two concerts I'm looking forward to in 2013 are metal concerts:

Feb.11 Meshuggah, Animals as Leaders, Intronaut
March 7 Between the Buried and Me, Coheed and Cambria

I've been to 3 classical concerts in my life (Orlando Philharmonic) and 0 non-classical concerts (not counting church "concerts", which number in the hundreds). I'm just apathetic about the idea of attending classical concerts. The only ones I think I would definitely attend are Mahler's 9th and my orchestral work, if it were performed. They even played Mahler's 3rd and The Rite of Spring and I ended up not going out of apathy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on December 30, 2012, 04:22:01 PM
Quote from: Hildegard on December 29, 2012, 07:12:57 PM
Looking forward to this event tomorrow. Trinity also provides such a beautiful setting.

Sunday, December 30, 4pm
Twelfth Night Festival: A Russian Christmas 
Trinity Church
Wall Street at Broadway, New York, NY
Clarion Music Society, with Steven Fox, conductor, performs works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Arvo Pärt.


In the Western world, the 30th of December is the middle day of Christmastide, while on that day the Russian Orthodox Church is just approaching the height of Advent. As part of Trinity Wall Street's Twelfth Night Festival, Clarion explores centuries of Russian settings of mystical and celebratory Christmas texts, from the earliest Kievan and Byzantine plain chant through early-Renaissance Kievan polyphony, works for the court of Catherine the Great, and thence to Slavonic motets by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, and Pärt. Co-presented by Trinity Wall Street, this a cappella concert takes place in the beautiful and historic Trinity Church, with Steven Fox returning to conduct there for the first time since serving as Acting Director of Music in the 2009-10 season.

What a beautiful and harmonious experience this was... a packed house and a great job by both Steve Fox and Clarion. Truly elegant Byzantine chant interspersed with selections by Stravinsky, Part, Tavener, Tchaikovsky, Chesnikov, Bortniansky, and Rachmaninoff.

If you are in the NY area, the Twelfth Night Festival is truly something to enjoy. Wish and hope I can make it to the upcoming Bach's Christmas Oratorio and Moteverdi's Vespers of 1610.

Here is link to the complete Twelfth Night Festival program: http://www.gemsny.org/images/2012_12th_Night_Prog_LoRes_Final.pdf (http://www.gemsny.org/images/2012_12th_Night_Prog_LoRes_Final.pdf)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on December 31, 2012, 07:47:18 AM

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3UVLHm8WBbs/UOCV_oTeUHI/AAAAAAAAFL4/CSgxwjKO-gM/s1600/HJ-LIM_laurson_600.png)

Ionarts-at-Large: HJ Lim, Ken Masur, and Hints of Scriabin

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-hj-lim-ken-masur-and.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/12/ionarts-at-large-hj-lim-ken-masur-and.html)

HJ Lim is best known for a marketing blast by EMI, eager to promote the young Korean pianist's recording of the (almost*) complete Beethoven sonatas...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 06, 2013, 08:02:44 PM
If I just try to catch up with end-of-the-year purchases instead of buying more this week, I'll hear WAGNER: Tristan Prelude & Liebestod, SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony 1, and BRAHMS Violin Concerto  (Midori) live next Monday
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 06, 2013, 08:20:37 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on December 23, 2012, 02:40:16 AMI am glad we finally get a little winter-like weather, I need a little variety from the seasons. But I work at a golf club so the times I had to go outside were a wee-bit nippily :)

Winters here in GA are always things of wonder. The weather changes so rapidly that it's hard to predict just what will be in store for us. Up North, however, they don't have to predict anything, they'll receive more snow than they can stand, but that's the price they pay for living in a northern climate. I like it warmer, so I'll stick to GA. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 07, 2013, 08:42:40 AM
Booked a ticket for Das Rheingold, on 24th June at Teatro alla Scala, I'm so so happy!!! :D

Daniel Barenboim

Wotan  Michael Volle
Donner  Ian Buchwald
Froh  Marius Vlad
Loge  Stephan Rügamer
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Mime  Peter Bronder
Fasolt  Iain Paterson
Fafner  Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Fricka  Ekaterina Gubanova
Freia  Anna Samuil
Erda  Anna Larsson
Woglinde  Aga Mikolaj
Wellgunde  Maria Gortsevskaya
Flosshilde Anna Lapkovskaja
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 08, 2013, 11:24:46 AM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z4sQBbj5UV0/UOxkuOnRIbI/AAAAAAAAFhA/1KRCBjoiBEU/s1600/Brahms_Strauss_Quixote_laurson_600.jpg)

Ionarts-at-Large: Ageing Maestros and a Youthful Knight-Errant

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/ionarts-at-large-ageing-maestros-and.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/ionarts-at-large-ageing-maestros-and.html)

Haitink-reviewing by way of Masur-bashing:

...but there's also a point in saying that it is not fair to music; the composers being mistreated. Who would let a decorated but shaky doctor operate on patients, based on past merit?

On the bill: Brahms' First & Strauss' Don Quixote
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 09, 2013, 12:18:35 PM
Cross-post, yo
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 09, 2013, 01:46:39 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on January 09, 2013, 12:18:35 PM
Cross-post, yo

Bravo!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 09, 2013, 02:27:29 PM

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I1KxAKWSnUU/UEc-h4nmLAI/AAAAAAAAEL8/dXXBSc35eFg/s1600/Munich_Phil_600.png)

Ionarts-at-Large: Youthful Bruckner With James Gaffigan

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/ionarts-at-large-youthful-bruckner-with.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/ionarts-at-large-youthful-bruckner-with.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 09, 2013, 03:12:23 PM
Thanks, Greg!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidRoss on January 10, 2013, 08:59:02 AM
Emerson Quartet at the Napa Opera House: The classical quartet, Haydn 20:4, Mozart 499, Beethoven 59:1.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 10, 2013, 09:09:47 AM
Very nice, Dave. Please report afterwards!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 10, 2013, 09:12:42 AM
I'm looking forward to the premiere of Henning's White Nights. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 10, 2013, 11:36:41 AM
Planning a trip to see Chicago Lyric Opera within the next few months, it's between Die Meistersinger (Andrew Davis) and Rigoletto (Evan Rogister)
Wager's requires about 6 hours, if you figure in intermission. The biggest pro for Verdi's is that there is more trombone featured (which actually surprised me). Either way, will be my first Lyric Opera concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 10, 2013, 12:47:34 PM
Tomorrow:

Turangalila -- with Mariss Jansons (of all people) and the BRSO

In the next few months my opera diet will include:

Parsifal + Tristan & Isolde (Konwitschny), Hänsel & Gretel (R.Jones), and Boris Godunow (C.Bieito!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JerryS on January 11, 2013, 07:27:54 AM
I was looking forward to hearing the San Antonio Symphony play Dvorak's 8th Symphony tonight. I checked the website for program notes and found the program has changed considerably since I bought the season in August.

Originally:
Mozart: Symphony in D Major, K. 97
Mozart: Horn Concerto No. 4
Adams: The Chairman Dances
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8

Now:
Adams: Shaker Loops
Mozart: Concerto for Horn No. 4
Elgar: Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, "Enigma Variations

I don't think I've ever seen this many changes to a program.  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 14, 2013, 01:16:13 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-uzjg_5p4I/UPR84Lv9dxI/AAAAAAAAFuY/V0qwjz577SA/s1600/Olivier_Messiaen_laurson_600.jpg)

Ionarts-at-Large: Mariss Jansons' Birthday Turangalîla

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/ionarts-at-large-mariss-jansons.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/01/ionarts-at-large-mariss-jansons.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 16, 2013, 08:58:07 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 07, 2013, 08:42:40 AM
Booked a ticket for Das Rheingold, on 24th June at Teatro alla Scala, I'm so so happy!!! :D

Daniel Barenboim

Wotan  Michael Volle
Donner  Ian Buchwald
Froh  Marius Vlad
Loge  Stephan Rügamer
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Mime  Peter Bronder
Fasolt  Iain Paterson
Fafner  Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Fricka  Ekaterina Gubanova
Freia  Anna Samuil
Erda  Anna Larsson
Woglinde  Aga Mikolaj
Wellgunde  Maria Gortsevskaya
Flosshilde Anna Lapkovskaja

After Das Rheingold, I booked a ticket for Die Walküre too!! ;D I'm looking forward to the other operas of the Ring Cycle!!

Daniel Barenboim

Siegmund  Simon O'Neill
Hunding  Mikhail Petrenko
Wotan  René Pape
Sieglinde  Waltraud Meier
Brünnhilde  Iréne Theorin
Fricka  Ekaterina Gubanova
Gerhilde  Danielle Halbwachs
Orlinde  Carola Höhn
Waltraude  Ivonne Fuchs
Schwertleite  Anaik Morel
Helmwige  Susan Foster
Siegrune  Lean Sandel-Pantaleo
Grimgerde  Nicole Piccolomini
Rossweisse Simone Schröder

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on January 16, 2013, 08:57:45 PM
Pianist Nicholas Hodges in Berkeley 1/27/13:

DEBUSSY
Etudes, Books I and II

CARTER
Two Thoughts About the Piano (2007)

BUSONI
Study after Mozart

BIRTWISTLE
Gigue Machine (West Coast Premiere)

STRAVINSKY
Three Movements from Petroushka
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 21, 2013, 08:49:05 AM
Last Thursday:
Jaakko Kuusisto & Oulu Symphony
Violin soloist: Sergey Malov

Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (cadenzas: Ysaÿe)
encore: Ysaÿe: Solo Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor - III. Danse des ombres; Sarabande
Mendelssohn: Symphony no. 4 'Italian'

Superb playing from Malov, very virtuosic, but entirely musical. Some of the best violin playing I've heard.


Next Thursday:
Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu Symphony
Violin soloist: Nancy Zhou

Lutosławski: Little Suite
Wieniawski: Violin Concerto no. 2 in D minor, Op. 22
Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 3 in D major, Op. 29 'Polish'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 24, 2013, 11:20:06 AM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on January 16, 2013, 08:57:45 PM
Pianist Nicholas Hodges in Berkeley 1/27/13:

DEBUSSY
Etudes, Books I and II

CARTER
Two Thoughts About the Piano (2007)

BUSONI
Study after Mozart

BIRTWISTLE
Gigue Machine (West Coast Premiere)

STRAVINSKY
Three Movements from Petroushka

Just saw Hodges the other night in virtually the same program (everything except the Stravinsky) and he was quite wonderful - expecially in the Carter pieces and the Birtwistle.

Looking forward to this on Saturday:

New York Philharmonic
Jennifer Koh, violin
Lorin Maazel, conductor

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy-Overture after Shakespeare
Lutosławski: Chain II: Dialogue for Violin and Orchestra
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

Looking forward to all of it, but especially the Lutosławski, which I've never heard live.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on January 24, 2013, 05:58:16 PM
Going to Symphony Hall in Boston on Sunday to see:

West-Eastern Divan Orchestra
Daniel Barenboim, conductor

All-Beethoven program:
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 "Eroica"

"In 1999, Edward Said and myself formed the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, composed of musicians from Israel, Palestine, and other Arab countries; countries where the open ear has been too often replaced by the unsheathed sword, to the detriment of all.

Now, over 10 years later, we have hopefully achieved an orchestra that is worthy of your ear. And one which shows that people who listen to each other, both musically and in all other ways, can achieve greater things."
- Daniel Barenboim
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on January 25, 2013, 02:33:35 PM
Tommorow, playing the triangle part in Mahler 1 with a local orchestra, and also possibly conducting the off-stage trumpets in the opening section. Very excited! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 26, 2013, 11:05:25 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 25, 2013, 02:33:35 PM
Tommorow, playing the triangle part in Mahler 1 with a local orchestra, and also possibly conducting the off-stage trumpets in the opening section. Very excited! :D

Good luck with the Triangle Concerto!  ;D

Looking forward to this on Wednesday:

92nd Street Y
Marc-André Hamelin, piano

Bach: Organ Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542 (arr. Theodor Szántó)
Busoni: Sonatina seconda
Debussy: Images, Book I
Debussy: L'Isle joyeuse
Hamelin: Variations on a Theme by Paganini (New York premiere)
Rachmaninoff: Prelude in G major, Op. 32, No. 5
Rachmaninoff: Prelude in G-sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Rachmaninoff: Sonata No. 2, Op. 36

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 26, 2013, 02:06:31 PM
Bruce just informed me that my Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and their fantastic conductor and Musical Director, are making their way down to New York in 2014!  Excellent!!  :)

You may have heard this news already, and even though it's over a year away...c'mon down! The program is beyond fabulous; I love seeing this kind of imagination.

Carnegie Hall "Spring for Music"
Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate, Musical Director
Tanya Tagaq, Throat Singer
Dame Evelyn Glennie, Percussion

DEREK CHARKE 13 Inuit Throat Song Games (NY Premiere)
VINCENT HO The Shaman: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (NY Premiere)
R. MURRAY SCHAFER Symphony No. 1 (NY Premiere)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 28, 2013, 12:52:16 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 26, 2013, 02:06:31 PM
Bruce just informed me that my Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and their fantastic conductor and Musical Director, are making their way down to New York in 2014!  Excellent!!  :)

You may have heard this news already, and even though it's over a year away...c'mon down! The program is beyond fabulous; I love seeing this kind of imagination.

Carnegie Hall "Spring for Music"
Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 7:30 PM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate, Musical Director
Tanya Tagaq, Throat Singer
Dame Evelyn Glennie, Percussion

DEREK CHARKE 13 Inuit Throat Song Games (NY Premiere)
VINCENT HO The Shaman: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (NY Premiere)
R. MURRAY SCHAFER Symphony No. 1 (NY Premiere)

I agree: this is a very creative program. Actually all of those orchestras chosen for the Spring for Music series have interesting programs, and the icing on the cake: all tickets (at Carnegie Hall) are just $25. But the sad part: 2014 will be the series' final year. I'm assuming it's a funding issue, so I hope perhaps an angel can be found.

Looking forward to this in late February:

The Metropolitan Opera
Wagner: Parsifal (new production)

Conductor: Daniele Gatti
Kundry: Katarina Dalayman
Parsifal: Jonas Kaufmann
Amfortas: Peter Mattei
Klingsor: Evgeny Nikitin
Gurnemanz: René Pape

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on January 28, 2013, 08:20:37 PM
Quote from: Brewski on January 24, 2013, 11:20:06 AM
Just saw Hodges the other night in virtually the same program (everything except the Stravinsky) and he was quite wonderful - expecially in the Carter pieces and the Birtwistle.

Actually, the Stravinsky ended up not being on the program. It was still wonderful. I'll need to hear the Birtwistle a few more times to full assess it, but much of it certainly looked terribly difficult to play!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 29, 2013, 07:55:37 AM
I'd go to all of those, Soapy!

Meanwhile some good stuff coming up in Chicago in Feb. and March:

CSO/ Salonen/ Ma:

Sibelius  Pohjola's Daughter 
Sibelius  Symphony No. 7
Lutoslawski  Cello Concerto
Tchaikovsky  Francesca da Rimini

CSO/ Boulez/ Bronfman:

Debussy  Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun 
Messiaen  Chronochromie 
Stravinsky  The Song of a Nightingale 
Bartók  Piano Concerto No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 31, 2013, 10:47:29 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 29, 2013, 01:53:53 AM
Just dropped a whole bundle of cash on tickets for the London Philharmonic's 2013-14 season, including another slab of Bruckner (3rd symphony) from Skrowaczewski, a Balakirev/Khachaturian/Kallinikov evening with Osmo Vänskä and Marc-André Hamelin, and Eschenbach conducting Messiaen's Des canyons aux étoiles.  But the ones most exciting me are, I think:


30 October 2013

Ligeti Lontano
Lutoslawski Cello Concerto
Schnittke Symphony No.1

Michael Jurowski conductor
Johannes Moser cello
        6 November 2013

Gubaidulina Offertorium
Pärt Magnificat
Pärt Cantus in memoriam
         Benjamin Britten

Pärt Berlin Mass

Tõnu Kaljuste conductor
Sergej Krylov violin
          27 November 2013

Penderecki Violin Concerto No.1
Górecki Symphony No.3

Michał Dworzynski conductor
Barnabas Kelemen violin
Allison Bell soprano

:)

Some fab stuff there - all three concerts. And I echo your comments on Salonen; I heard him do the Rite in Los Angeles about 6-7 years ago and it was one of the best readings of the piece I've ever heard.

Meanwhile, tomorrow night:

Juilliard Orchestra
Mark Wigglesworth, conductor
Trevor Nuckols, French horn

Tippett: "Ritual Dances" from The Midsummer Marriage (1947/1952)
Knussen: Horn Concerto in one movement (1994, New York premiere)
Turnage: Ceres (2005, New York premiere)
Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20 (1940)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 31, 2013, 10:50:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 31, 2013, 10:47:29 AM

Meanwhile, tomorrow night:

Juilliard Orchestra
Mark Wigglesworth, conductor
Trevor Nuckols, French horn

Tippett: "Ritual Dances" from The Midsummer Marriage (1947/1952)
Knussen: Horn Concerto in one movement (1994, New York premiere)
Turnage: Ceres (2005, New York premiere)
Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20 (1940)

--Bruce

Man, Tippett and Britten in the same concert? You're so lucky! I'm jealous. Both of those works are fantastic. I'd love to see the Sinfonia da Requiem live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 31, 2013, 10:53:41 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 31, 2013, 10:50:49 AM
Man, Tippett and Britten in the same concert? You're so lucky! I'm jealous. Both of those works are fantastic. I'd love to see the Sinfonia da Requiem live.

It should be an excellent evening; the Britten is the only piece on the program I know. And I've been a fan of Wigglesworth ever since hearing him do the Shostakovich 7th with the Netherlands Radio Orchestra in Amsterdam - at 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning.  ;D

I'm writing up the concert, so will try to remember to post the link here.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 31, 2013, 10:56:39 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 31, 2013, 10:53:41 AM
It should be an excellent evening; the Britten is the only piece on the program I know. And I've been a fan of Wigglesworth ever since hearing him do the Shostakovich 7th with the Netherlands Radio Orchestra in Amsterdam - at 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning.  ;D

I'm writing up the concert, so will try to remember to post the link here.

--Bruce

You've never heard Tippett's Ritual Dances from The Midsummer Marriage? You'll enjoy this work a lot I think, Bruce. It will interesting to read your comments.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 31, 2013, 11:00:36 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 31, 2013, 10:56:39 AM
You've never heard Tippett's Ritual Dances from The Midsummer Marriage? You'll enjoy this work a lot I think, Bruce. It will interesting to read your comments.

I am familiar with other Tippett works but don't recall ever hearing this - and since I like Tippett, am eager to hear it. And the Juilliard players are excellent; the orchestra rivals any group of professional players.

Best of all, the concert is FREE.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 31, 2013, 11:05:26 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 31, 2013, 11:00:36 AM
I am familiar with other Tippett works but don't recall ever hearing this - and since I like Tippett, am eager to hear it. And the Juilliard players are excellent; the orchestra rivals any group of professional players.

Best of all, the concert is FREE.

--Bruce

Oh, how lucky you are to live in NYC. :D Yeah, I've heard the Juilliard Orchestra is really good. Look forward to reading your write-up about the concert. By the way, this Tippett work dates from his early period.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 01, 2013, 12:18:03 AM
tonight:

Bruckner 7

Gubaidulina Fachwerk
(Bayan Concerto)

Geir Draugsvoll

Valery Gergiev

MPhil
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 05, 2013, 12:49:11 PM
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q7cyQy4ZOWs/URF-N_nuwFI/AAAAAAAAGD4/g2EYu04YeQc/s1600/Gubaidulina_laurson_600.jpg)

Ionarts-at-Large: Gergiev's First Time
Gergiev's first concert after officially being announced and presented as the incoming Principal Conductor of the MPhil couldn't have been more symbolic...

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/ionarts-at-large-gergievs-first-time.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/ionarts-at-large-gergievs-first-time.html)

see also:
Quote from: jlaurson on February 03, 2013, 08:24:20 AM
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjsVNJNpvV4/UQ6PNxllW3I/AAAAAAAAGCM/_lfJwlrYbTg/s1600/Gergiev_laurson_600.jpg)

Valery Gergiev Signs Contract With Munich Philharmonic
Valery Gergiev Signs Contract With Munich Philharmonic. Here's why, and what to expect:

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/valery-gergiev-signs-contract-with.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/valery-gergiev-signs-contract-with.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on February 05, 2013, 11:59:09 PM
24 FEB-Athens, Megaron
A. Dvořák: Carnival Overture
F. Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
J. Sibelius: Symphony No.1
Julian Rachlin, violin, Orchestre National de France Vassily Sinaisky
Sinaisky replaces Sir Colin Davis. Hoping the 84 year old Sir Colin is well in his health
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 06, 2013, 01:35:53 PM
CSO just announced its 2013/2014 season. Highlights for me:

- Muti does complete Verdi Macbeth
- Muti does complete Schubert symphony cycle
- MTT Mahler 9
- Denève Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
- Eschenbach Bruckner 9
- Dutoit Saint-Saens Organ Symphony
- a Beyond the Score presentation on Ives No.2!

I must say, I am most stoked about the prospect of hearing Denève do Berlioz!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 06, 2013, 01:37:51 PM
Quote from: MishaK on February 06, 2013, 01:35:53 PM
- Denève Berlioz Symphonie fantastique

!!!!

Hmmm, I might have to visit Chicago for a weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 06, 2013, 01:40:54 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 06, 2013, 01:37:51 PM
!!!!

Hmmm, I might have to visit Chicago for a weekend.

His CSO debut last season was one of the best concerts I have heard in eons. Really took advantage of what that orchestra can do when it's "on".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 06, 2013, 02:31:08 PM
Quote from: MishaK on February 06, 2013, 01:35:53 PM
CSO just announced its 2013/2014 season. Highlights for me:

- Muti does complete Verdi Macbeth
- Muti does complete Schubert symphony cycle

Assuming, of course, he doesn't get sick for half the season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 07, 2013, 06:03:39 AM
Quote from: Velimir on February 06, 2013, 02:31:08 PM
Assuming, of course, he doesn't get sick for half the season.

...and decides that the best "cure" would be to share his germs with his friends in First Class on the next transatlantic flight to Italy.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 07, 2013, 08:16:10 AM
Quote from: MishaK on February 06, 2013, 01:35:53 PM
CSO just announced its 2013/2014 season. Highlights for me:


I just read a brief overview of the season here:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/

At first glance, not much to get me out of the house. But I was pleased to see they're doing Schuman's 6th Symphony (with Slatkin), one of the great criminally neglected American symphonies.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 07, 2013, 08:24:25 AM
Cor, might go to Chicago to hear it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 07, 2013, 10:11:12 AM
Quote from: MishaK on February 06, 2013, 01:35:53 PM
CSO just announced its 2013/2014 season. Highlights for me:

- Muti does complete Verdi Macbeth
- Muti does complete Schubert symphony cycle
- MTT Mahler 9
- Denève Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
- Eschenbach Bruckner 9
- Dutoit Saint-Saens Organ Symphony
- a Beyond the Score presentation on Ives No.2!

I must say, I am most stoked about the prospect of hearing Denève do Berlioz!

Some great stuff! Have to say, Muti's appearances here with Chicago over the last few years have been pretty fantastic. That concert Macbeth should be stunning.

On Feb. 19 here:

Henze: Whispers from Heavenly Death (1948)
Henze: Sonata (1959)
Stockhausen: Mikrophonie I (1964)

German Consulate New York
Talea Ensemble
Sylvie Robert, soprano
Steven Beck, piano
Special guest and percussionist: Robyn Schulkowsky

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 07, 2013, 11:33:53 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 07, 2013, 10:11:12 AM
That concert Macbeth should be stunning.

Or not. So far, Muti has had a track record here in Chicago of picking rather uneven vocalists. Take the new CSO Verdi Requiem recording as a case in point (his only! recording here so far - Haitink was more productive in that respect): superlative orchestral and choral performance, whose potential reference status is scuttled by a soprano past her prime and other soloist who are passable at best.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 08, 2013, 10:37:41 AM
I just won two free tickets to a concert tomorrow night here in Dallas!

Overture on Hebrew Themes for String Quartet, Clarinet, and Piano, Op. 34....Sergei Prokofiev
Piano Quintet in C Minor, Op. 1..........................................................................Ernõ Dohnányi
Piano Trio No. 1 in Bb Major, D. 898...................................................................Franz Schubert

Gregory Allen - Piano
Nai-Yuan Hu - Violin
Philip Lewis - Violin
Che-Yen Chen - Viola
Eugene Osadchy - Cello
John Scott - Clarinet

Now I need to find someone else who wants to go...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 08, 2013, 12:39:17 PM
Quote from: MishaK on February 07, 2013, 11:33:53 AM
Or not. So far, Muti has had a track record here in Chicago of picking rather uneven vocalists. Take the new CSO Verdi Requiem recording as a case in point (his only! recording here so far - Haitink was more productive in that respect): superlative orchestral and choral performance, whose potential reference status is scuttled by a soprano past her prime and other soloist who are passable at best.

Oh, that's a shame (the Verdi Requiem). His cast for the concert Otello here a few years ago was just fine - and he and the orchestra were splendid. And didn't realize he hadn't recorded much yet - hope that changes. I actually wrote a note to Marc Geelhoed (@CSO Resound), asking if they'd consider releasing the Respighi Feste Romane from last year. Doesn't sound like it's in the cards, though...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fafner on February 09, 2013, 01:39:48 PM
It has been a while since I last was in our local concert hall, but I plan to go next week:

Britten - Suite on English Folk Tunes
Martinů - Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
Elgar - Introduction and Allegro for Strings
Elgar - Enigma Variations

Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Petr Vronský
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on February 09, 2013, 02:00:33 PM
ELGAR= Enigma Variations  here next week (seems to be flavour of the month, or  copyright has lapsed), with a sudent orchestra supplementing the Vancouver Symphony +    BRITTEN - Violin Concerto  and DELIUS - Brigg Fair
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 11, 2013, 06:22:19 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 08, 2013, 12:39:17 PM
Oh, that's a shame (the Verdi Requiem). His cast for the concert Otello here a few years ago was just fine - and he and the orchestra were splendid. And didn't realize he hadn't recorded much yet - hope that changes. I actually wrote a note to Marc Geelhoed (@CSO Resound), asking if they'd consider releasing the Respighi Feste Romane from last year. Doesn't sound like it's in the cards, though...

Our dear maestro doesn't like to have to compete with his recently reissued recorded former Philadelphia or London self, it seems. And since he has practically recorded his entire repertoire already that sort of limits things.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 11, 2013, 07:01:13 AM
I will be hearing Marc Andre Hamelin in person on March 3.  He'll be playing an eclectic set: Berg's sonata, Gaspard, some Faure, some Rach, and some Hamelin.  Should be interesting at the very least. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 11, 2013, 09:38:39 AM
Quote from: Todd on February 11, 2013, 07:01:13 AM
I will be hearing Marc Andre Hamelin in person on March 3.  He'll be playing an eclectic set: Berg's sonata, Gaspard, some Faure, some Rach, and some Hamelin.  Should be interesting at the very least.

He'll be in Finland 1st of July, playing Brahms's F minor Sonata, Op. 5 and Ives's Concord Sonata - and I won't be able to go...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 11, 2013, 10:55:49 AM
Quote from: North Star on February 11, 2013, 09:38:39 AM
He'll be in Finland 1st of July, playing Brahms's F majorminor Sonata, Op. 5 and Ives's Concord Sonata - and I won't be able to go...

;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 11, 2013, 11:21:12 AM
Quote from: Velimir on February 07, 2013, 08:16:10 AM
But I was pleased to see they're doing Schuman's 6th Symphony (with Slatkin), one of the great criminally neglected American symphonies.

Oh, and I just saw another must-go: Walton 1st Symphony (under Bychkov). Coupled with Prokofiev PC 2. That'll be a noisy evening!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 11, 2013, 12:20:42 PM
Quote from: MishaK on February 11, 2013, 10:55:49 AM
;)
:-[
A nasty slip there...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 11, 2013, 02:46:47 PM
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvhjsOtwz2E/URUneREDYYI/AAAAAAAAGFc/QTVVyLIq9-Y/s1600/NSO_European_Tour_laurson_600.jpg)
NSO-at-Large: Nuremberg Pranks

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/nso-at-large-nuremberg-pranks.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/nso-at-large-nuremberg-pranks.html)

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvhjsOtwz2E/URUneREDYYI/AAAAAAAAGFc/QTVVyLIq9-Y/s1600/NSO_European_Tour_laurson_600.jpg)
NSO-at-Large: Frankfurt Hijinks

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/nso-at-large-frankfurt-hijinks.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/nso-at-large-frankfurt-hijinks.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on February 12, 2013, 02:43:15 AM
"With stops in Hamburg, Nuremberg, and Frankfurt (but not Berlin, Cologne, and Munich), we assume the tour-planner was either avoiding orchestra-hot-spots or just very, very hungry!" --jfl

;D :D


Sarge

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 12, 2013, 11:42:57 AM
Tomorrow and Thursday nights, two concerts with one of my favorite orchestras:

Carnegie Hall
Feb. 13-14, 2013
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Mariss Jansons, Chief Conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, Violin

Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2
Mahler: Symphony No. 1

R. Strauss: Death and Transfiguration
Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 (Edition Nowak)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 13, 2013, 09:23:24 AM
And next Tuesday at the German Consulate, a FREE concert by the superb Talea Ensemble:

Henze: Whispers from Heavenly Death (1948)
Henze: Sonata (1959)
Stockhausen: Mikrophonie I (1964)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 14, 2013, 04:40:57 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 12, 2013, 02:43:15 AM
"With stops in Hamburg, Nuremberg, and Frankfurt (but not Berlin, Cologne, and Munich), we assume the tour-planner was either avoiding orchestra-hot-spots or just very, very hungry!" --jfl

;D :D


Sarge


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jz1q2KzrvyI/URxGN3j8YpI/AAAAAAAAEbk/YPMe0NqV6Qc/s1600/Washington_Style_Section2_ionarts_600.jpg)
Brushing up on the National Symphony Orchestra Abroad
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/classical-beat/post/eyewitness-nso-reigns-in-germany/2013/02/13/84693050-75a1-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_blog.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/classical-beat/post/eyewitness-nso-reigns-in-germany/2013/02/13/84693050-75a1-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_blog.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 09:45:46 AM
Chicago's Grant Park Orchestra just announced its 2013 season. One of the best lineups I've seen for this summer group. Some highlights...

http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/2013-season

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky
Vaughan-Williams: Symphony No. 5
Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto
Britten: War Requiem
Adams: Harmonium
Luzuriaga: Responsorio
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Bruckner: Symphony No. 2
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 14, 2013, 09:58:47 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 09:45:46 AM
Chicago's Grant Park Orchestra just announced its 2013 season. One of the best lineups I've seen for this summer group.

I'm definitely looking forward to the final concert (The Rite of Spring plus Adams' Harmonium). Unfortunately, most of the other concerts are on Wed. night, which is kind of inconvenient for me. Wish I could hear the VW and the Nielsen especially.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 14, 2013, 09:59:33 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 09:45:46 AM
Chicago's Grant Park Orchestra just announced its 2013 season. One of the best lineups I've seen for this summer group. Some highlights...

http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/2013-season

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky
Vaughan-Williams: Symphony No. 5
Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto
Britten: War Requiem
Adams: Harmonium
Luzuriaga: Responsorio
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Bruckner: Symphony No. 2
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2

Wow, this is pretty eye-opening, and for FREE, even more so. I've never even heard of the Luzuriaga piece. Very impressive!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 10:13:04 AM
Quote from: Velimir on February 14, 2013, 09:58:47 AM
I'm definitely looking forward to the final concert (The Rite of Spring plus Adams' Harmonium). Unfortunately, most of the other concerts are on Wed. night, which is kind of inconvenient for me. Wish I could hear the VW and the Nielsen especially.

Hey, Velimir. I see you're in Chicago. Have you seen GPO much in the past? It's been a few years since I last visited Chicago in the summer, but I love Millennium Park, and the Orchestra is wonderful!



Quote from: Brewski on February 14, 2013, 09:59:33 AM
Wow, this is pretty eye-opening, and for FREE, even more so. I've never even heard of the Luzuriaga piece. Very impressive!

--Bruce

Free is always good, and if you're lucky you get an emergancy vehicle siren in the background for added ambiance.  :D  Which is actually never too big of a distraction.
I haven't heard of Luzuriaga myself, thought I would list it in case someone else here was.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 14, 2013, 11:26:26 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 10:13:04 AM
Hey, Velimir. I see you're in Chicago. Have you seen GPO much in the past? It's been a few years since I last visited Chicago in the summer, but I love Millennium Park, and the Orchestra is wonderful!

I've only heard them a few times in the past. I just recently moved back to the area after several years abroad, but I'm kind of far out on the North Shore, though I have the advantage of sitting right on a Metra line. As I understand it the GPO is mostly composed of Lyric Opera players, is that right?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 12:03:05 PM
Quote from: Velimir on February 14, 2013, 11:26:26 AM
I've only heard them a few times in the past. I just recently moved back to the area after several years abroad, but I'm kind of far out on the North Shore, though I have the advantage of sitting right on a Metra line. As I understand it the GPO is mostly composed of Lyric Opera players, is that right?

Many of them I believe, yes. But they do come from all over, for example the principal Trumpet is the principal in Seattle Symphony and the assistant principal Trumpet is principal of the Met Opera Orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 14, 2013, 12:14:55 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 12:03:05 PM
the principal Trumpet is the principal in Seattle Symphony and the assistant principal Trumpet is principal of the Met Opera Orchestra.

Impressive, I never knew that. The Met orch is of course superb, and the SSO ain't half bad either.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fafner on February 14, 2013, 01:03:05 PM
Quote from: Fafner on February 09, 2013, 01:39:48 PM
It has been a while since I last was in our local concert hall, but I plan to go next week:

Britten - Suite on English Folk Tunes
Martinů - Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra
Elgar - Introduction and Allegro for Strings
Elgar - Enigma Variations

Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Petr Vronský

Soloists for both the Concerto and the Allegro were the Wihan Quartet and they were amazing. It was a really focused performance and I am now thinking of getting their complete Beethoven SQ.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 14, 2013, 02:24:04 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 09:45:46 AM
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky
Vaughan-Williams: Symphony No. 5
Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto NB: + Martinu Thunderbolt P-47
Bruckner: Symphony No. 2

I'm definitely in for these.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 14, 2013, 02:30:59 PM
Meanwhile if I want to go the other direction, the Milwaukee Symphony has some pretty good programming this year. This one's coming up in March:

Edo de Waart, conductor
Ilana Setapen, violin
Swingle Singers, vocals

Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite
Prokofiev Concerto No. 2 in G minor for Violin and Orchestra, Opus 63     
Berio Sinfonia, for Eight Voices and Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 15, 2013, 06:59:44 AM
Quote from: Velimir on February 14, 2013, 02:30:59 PM
Meanwhile if I want to go the other direction, the Milwaukee Symphony has some pretty good programming this year. This one's coming up in March:

Edo de Waart, conductor
Ilana Setapen, violin
Swingle Singers, vocals

Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite
Prokofiev Concerto No. 2 in G minor for Violin and Orchestra, Opus 63     
Berio Sinfonia, for Eight Voices and Orchestra

Wow, great things happening in Milwaukee! That's a terrific program.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 15, 2013, 07:36:01 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 15, 2013, 06:59:44 AM
Wow, great things happening in Milwaukee! That's a terrific program.

Some fascinating stuff in Milwaukee this year, including Bluebeard's Castle, The Dream of Gerontius, and Prokofiev's 6th Symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 15, 2013, 07:46:31 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 09:45:46 AM
Chicago's Grant Park Orchestra just announced its 2013 season. One of the best lineups I've seen for this summer group. Some highlights...

http://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/the-music/2013-season

Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky
Vaughan-Williams: Symphony No. 5
Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto
Britten: War Requiem
Adams: Harmonium
Luzuriaga: Responsorio
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Bruckner: Symphony No. 2
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas Brasileiras No. 7
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2

Wow...looks like a very good season. :) Adams' Harmonium is a work you don't get to hear much. I think, in addition to Harmonielehre and Naive & Sentimental Music, are some of his finest works IMHO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 15, 2013, 07:50:05 AM
Quote from: Velimir on February 15, 2013, 07:36:01 AM
Some fascinating stuff in Milwaukee this year, including Bluebeard's Castle, The Dream of Gerontius, and Prokofiev's 6th Symphony.

I heard Milwaukee here last year, when they came to Carnegie Hall as part of the Spring for Music series. They did a fascinating program of Messiaen, Debussy and Qigang Chen - the latter a Chinese composer little known in the United States - and the audience response was really positive. Glad to hear that their innovative programming doesn't appear to be a random thing, but an ongoing effort.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on February 15, 2013, 07:52:20 AM
Met an impressario last night and now I can get tickets to most concerts in Beijing. Everyone is coming here. Prague Chamber, Czech Phil, Lucerne, Berlin, Abbado, Pogorelich, etc. I just hope I am in town when the concerts I want to attend is scheduled. I am away on most days from late March to the end of October!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 15, 2013, 08:02:46 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 14, 2013, 09:45:46 AMBruckner: Symphony No. 2



Kalmar conducting Bruckner is something I would like to hear.  Perhaps he will conduct some with the Oregon Symphony soon.  He's quite good in Rite.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 22, 2013, 12:55:10 PM

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ls9SAVgK_I/USenSifFpZI/AAAAAAAAGL4/U65BayABBQo/s1600/MAHLER_02_laurson_600.jpg)

Ionarts-at-Large: Mahler With Mehta and Angel Blue
Seriously, "Angel Blue" is not a stripper?

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/ionarts-at-large-mahler-with-mehta-and.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/02/ionarts-at-large-mahler-with-mehta-and.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on February 23, 2013, 09:39:47 AM
Haydn - Symphony No. 1
Hummel - Trumpet Concerto
INTERMISSION
Orff - Carmina burana

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos - Conductor
David Bilger - Trumpet
Erin Morley - Soprano
Nicholas Phan - Tenor
Hugh Russell - Baritone
The Philadelphia Singers - Mixed chorus
The American Boychoir

Heard this wonderful concert last weekend. The Haydn and Hummel were good, but the Orff was outstanding. It says something about an hour plus work when you say to yourself, I'd like to hear this part or that part again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on February 26, 2013, 06:51:37 PM
http://www.laphil.com/tickets/calendar-fullseason

In 2013-14, the LA Phil will perform music by 6 Baroque composers; 3 Classical composers; 15 Romantics; and 41 20th-21st century composers.

Of the 65 composers, 26 are still alive. ~40%.

I will be in Pheonix in October for a conference. I plan to go to one of these two concerts if not both:

1:
October 19
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Anssi Karttunen, cello
Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, music director

CLAUDE DEBUSSY Nocturnes
OLIVER KNUSSEN Cello Concerto (world premiere, LA Phil commission)
BÉLA BARTÓK Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta

2:
October 26
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin

CHARLES IVES The Unanswered Question
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN Violin Concerto
JEAN SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 26, 2013, 06:53:42 PM
Quote from: springrite on February 26, 2013, 06:51:37 PM
http://www.laphil.com/tickets/calendar-fullseason

In 2013-14, the LA Phil will perform music by 6 Baroque composers; 3 Classical composers; 15 Romantics; and 41 20th-21st century composers.

Of the 65 composers, 26 are still alive. ~40%.

I will be in Pheonix in October for a conference. I plan to go to one of these two concerts if not both:

1:
October 19
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Anssi Karttunen, cello
Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, music director

CLAUDE DEBUSSY Nocturnes
OLIVER KNUSSEN Cello Concerto (world premiere, LA Phil commission)
BÉLA BARTÓK Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta

2:
October 26
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin

CHARLES IVES The Unanswered Question
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN Violin Concerto
JEAN SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5

Two great programs, I'm envious.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: huntsman on February 26, 2013, 08:46:51 PM
I remember seeing Pavarotti and friends some 15 years ago, but South Africa doesn't get much in this genre, and the closest I can offer is the Metallica Concert in April!

(Hey, they did play with The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 27, 2013, 07:29:33 AM
March 16th, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Alexander Mickelthwate

Ravel - Le tombeau de Couperin
*Prokofiev - Violin Concerto No. 1 in D
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique

*Karl Stobbe (WSO Assistant Principal violinist and Associate Concertmaster)

This will be a very special evening for me, as I am bringing my sister along for her first WSO concert.  I've heard Symphonie Fantastique performed live before, and it was such a thrilling experience!  Looking forward to sharing that with my sister!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 28, 2013, 06:16:19 AM
9 March, the next Firebrand Concert, featuring pf trios by "Papa" & Dvořák. (http://www.wickedlocal.com/malden/newsnow/x2082696797/Firebrand-Concert-Series-features-folk-tunes-of-Bohemia#axzz2MCs9NF2M)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 28, 2013, 11:23:44 AM
Next month, this extravaganza at the Park Avenue Armory. Audience is dressed in white (supplied by the venue), lying on backs on the floor, and suspended on floating seats.

Stockhausen: Oktophonie (from Act II of Licht)

http://www.armoryonpark.org/programs_events/detail/oktophonie

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 28, 2013, 11:35:15 AM
The air may possibly be redolent of weed . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 08, 2013, 10:01:11 AM
On Sunday afternoon, the Princeton Symphony Orchestra in this program:

Margaret Mezzacappa, mezzo soprano
Zach Borichevsky, tenor
Rossen Milanov, conductor

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 08, 2013, 10:42:04 AM
Tomorrow. Sadly, no longer with Boulez conducting and no longer including Chronochromie.

Debussy Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Bartók Piano Concerto No. 2
Bartók Divertimento for String Orchestra
Stravinsky The Song of the Nightingale

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Yefim Bronfman, piano
Cristian Macelaru, conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on March 08, 2013, 12:06:58 PM
Quote from: MishaK on March 08, 2013, 10:42:04 AM
Tomorrow. Sadly, no longer with Boulez conducting and no longer including Chronochromie.

Yeah, I'll be there for that. Even without Boulez and Messiaen, still looks like a good concert. Review already here:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/03/macelaru-fills-in-again-at-cso-with-largely-successful-results/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 08, 2013, 12:22:26 PM
Quote from: MishaK on March 08, 2013, 10:42:04 AM
Cristian Macelaru, conductor
Oh my goodness! He was a graduate student at Rice, studying with Larry Rachleff, while I was an undergraduate there. Whenever the Rice student orchestra was called on to premiere a faculty or student composition, Macelaru got the assignment. Hope his studies have paid off.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 08, 2013, 12:49:30 PM
Quote from: Velimir on March 08, 2013, 12:06:58 PM
Yeah, I'll be there for that. Even without Boulez and Messiaen, still looks like a good concert. Review already here:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/03/macelaru-fills-in-again-at-cso-with-largely-successful-results/

Yeah, I'm thinking Dufour in the Prelude and Bronfman in the Bartok will be worth the trip, with or without a conductor. ;-)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 08, 2013, 05:58:21 PM
Vancouver Symphony next Monday (11th)
R. STRAUSS  Serenade in Eb    BERNSTEIN Serenade*
BEETHOVEN   Symphony no. 3 "Eroica"
James Gaffigan, guest cond,  *Vadim Gluzman, violin
rehearsal clip at https://twitter.com/VSOrchestra shows energy...
That twitter link will also get you a complete performance of the Bernstein
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 08, 2013, 06:27:26 PM
Quote from: springrite on February 26, 2013, 06:51:37 PM
http://www.laphil.com/tickets/calendar-fullseason

In 2013-14, the LA Phil will perform music by 6 Baroque composers; 3 Classical composers; 15 Romantics; and 41 20th-21st century composers.

Of the 65 composers, 26 are still alive. ~40%.

I will be in Pheonix in October for a conference. I plan to go to one of these two concerts if not both:

1:
October 19
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Anssi Karttunen, cello
Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, music director

CLAUDE DEBUSSY Nocturnes
OLIVER KNUSSEN Cello Concerto (world premiere, LA Phil commission)
BÉLA BARTÓK Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta

2:
October 26
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin

CHARLES IVES The Unanswered Question
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN Violin Concerto
JEAN SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5

Damn! Go to both, Paul! 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 11, 2013, 06:56:59 AM
Quote from: Velimir on March 08, 2013, 12:06:58 PM
Yeah, I'll be there for that. Even without Boulez and Messiaen, still looks like a good concert. Review already here:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/03/macelaru-fills-in-again-at-cso-with-largely-successful-results/

What were your thoughts? Our general consensus was: brilliant solo work (Bronfman, Dufour, Izotov, Martin), meh conducting. Macelaru clearly knew the pieces and didn't really make any mistakes, but there was no chemistry between the orchestra and the conductor and it was more the orchestra leading the conductor (e.g. ritards started before indicated by the conductor) than the other way around.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on March 11, 2013, 07:40:11 AM
Quote from: MishaK on March 11, 2013, 06:56:59 AM
What were your thoughts? Our general consensus was: brilliant solo work (Bronfman, Dufour, Izotov, Martin), meh conducting. Macelaru clearly knew the pieces and didn't really make any mistakes, but there was no chemistry between the orchestra and the conductor and it was more the orchestra leading the conductor (e.g. ritards started before indicated by the conductor) than the other way around.

I think he did a good job considering the circumstances. The playing, both solo and collective, was brilliant enough that I hardly paid attention to the conducting. Still, I wish it had been Boulez instead.

Also I was sitting in my favorite place behind the orchestra (Terrace), which is not the best place for a concerto, balance-wise.

BTW do you know what piece Bronfman played for an encore?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 11, 2013, 08:26:58 AM
Quote from: Velimir on March 11, 2013, 07:40:11 AM
I think he did a good job considering the circumstances. The playing, both solo and collective, was brilliant enough that I hardly paid attention to the conducting. Still, I wish it had been Boulez instead.

Also I was sitting in my favorite place behind the orchestra (Terrace), which is not the best place for a concerto, balance-wise.

BTW do you know what piece Bronfman played for an encore?

Oh, we should have met up. I was in row C of the Terrace behind the percussion. The encore was Paganini-Liszt: Étude in E-flat Major.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on March 11, 2013, 08:42:31 AM
Quote from: MishaK on March 11, 2013, 08:26:58 AM
Oh, we should have met up. I was in row C of the Terrace behind the percussion. The encore was Paganini-Liszt: Étude in E-flat Major.

Thanks for the info. I was on the other side, next to the tuba & trombones (great place to be for visceral impact).

Let's meet up some other time, OK? I'm out in the burbs now, but can get into the city quite easily.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 11, 2013, 09:33:55 AM
Quote from: Velimir on March 11, 2013, 08:42:31 AM
Thanks for the info. I was on the other side, next to the tuba & trombones (great place to be for visceral impact).

Let's meet up some other time, OK? I'm out in the burbs now, but can get into the city quite easily.

Sure thing. The next few concerts I have tickets for is the Emerson SQ and the Aimard recital.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2013, 06:35:54 AM
Tonight at Carnegie, with a pretty spectacular cast:

André Previn: A Streetcar Named Desire (semi-staged performance) (NY Premiere)

Renée Fleming, Soprano (Blanche DuBois)
Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Baritone (Stanley Kowalski)
Susanna Phillips, Soprano (Stella Kowalski)
Anthony Dean Griffey, Tenor (Harold Mitchell, "Mitch")
Victoria Livengood, Mezzo-Soprano (Eunice Hubbell)
Dominic Armstrong, Tenor (Steve Hubbell)
Andrew Bidlack, Tenor (A Young Collector)
Georga Osborne (Nurse)
Bill Nabel (Doctor)
Brad Heikes, Brendan Irving, Kevin Reed, Patrick Stoffer, Brett Zubler (Men of New Orleans)
Orchestra of St. Luke's
Patrick Summers, Conductor
Brad Dalton, Director
Alan Adelman, Lighting Designer
Johann Stegmeir, Costume Designer

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 14, 2013, 06:44:09 AM
Oh, phooey, the Dallas Symphony's live Mahler 6 isn't this weekend, it was last weekend.  >:(

Bruce, that concert looks fantastic - and indeed, a spectacular cast - Fleming, Rhodes, Patrick Summers (longtime Houston Opera director), and the Orchestra of St Luke's I believe gave the first concert I saw when I moved to England. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2013, 07:04:40 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 14, 2013, 06:44:09 AM
Oh, phooey, the Dallas Symphony's live Mahler 6 isn't this weekend, it was last weekend.  >:(

:o Oh noooo....

Dang, and with van Zweden conducting, too. Have only heard him once - in Mahler 1 here - and was quite impressed. But what's with that odd pairing - OK, maybe endearing - with two Vivaldi recorder concertos!?!?  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on March 14, 2013, 08:18:18 PM
I just randomly happened to be lurking and perusing this thread...  8)

I saw the Concertgebouw's video webcast of the above! Or, at least, I saw about 2/3rds of it, around fighting a constantly buffering feed, and having to like, work as well.  ;)

It was impressive, Dallas sounded fantastic.

A few years ago, when we were stuck on hurricane evacuation, I saw them do M5, when Van Zweden had only been there a few months, and was struck by their chemistry. That was a hell of a read, kind of raw hang-on-for-dear-life, and the players were totally there all the way.

(I also happened that week to see their premiere of Stucky's August 4, 1964 - super cool to see that finally got Grammy-nominated.)

I can really tell Van Zweden has settled in more now, he was very in control of the situation, conducting quite far ahead, focusing strongly on musicality. The slow mvmt was gorgeous!

Very solid interpretation and the players showed a lot of musical communication, really first-rate. Proud to see they're doing so well, I need to make it up there to see them again.

I guess I will now post a concert I'm looking forward to - been working so much I haven't made it to much symphony lately, only chamber, but this weekend:

Saturday, March 16

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
Haydn: Symphony No. 98
Walton: Belshazzar's Feast

Hannu Lintu, conductor
Stephen Powell, baritone
Houston Symphony
Houston Symphony Chorus

Never heard the VW or Walton live, very excited...my uncle who is a chorister is coming as well.

I almost feel sorry for Hannu Lintu, he has been to Houston so many times in the last few years, I figured he'd be named to succeed Hans Graf, but instead they chose someone I hadn't heard of.

Andrés Orozco-Estrada? (http://en.orozcoestrada.com/biografie) Anyone know anything of him? Reminds me a bit of Dudamel...apparently they had one or two private rehearsals and the chemistry sealed the deal.

Curious, planning to go to a concert or two of his next season...their centennial season has a killer lineup.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on March 18, 2013, 12:18:24 AM
Just booked a ticket for:

Richard Wagner
Götterdämmerung, Der Ring des Nibelungen


Daniel Barenboim

Siegfried  Ian Storey
Gunther  Gerd Grochowski
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Hagen  Mikhail Petrenko
Brünnhilde  Iréne Theorin
Gutrune  Marina Poplavskaya
               Anna Samuil
Waltraute  Waltraud Meier
Die erste Norn  Margarita Nekrasova
Die zweite Norn  Waltraud Meier
Die dritte Norn  Marina Poplavskaya
                         Anna Samuil
Woglinde  Aga Mikolaj
Wellgunde  Maria Gortsevskaya
Flosshilde  Anna Lapkovska

Next May, at Teatro alla Scala; so so happy!!! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 18, 2013, 06:30:48 AM
Oof! Wish I could hear that!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: dylanesque on March 20, 2013, 12:37:29 AM
I'm looking forward to Mahler 4 tonight at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. I'll be interested to compare with my Maazel and Klemperer versions :)
The warm up is Papa Haydn London Symphony which I have only heard briefly.
I decided on a seat in the Gallery having read good reviews on the venue.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 20, 2013, 01:10:40 AM
Being of 'a certain age' I've heard most of the standard rep live, so the Vancouver Symphony's offerings for next year aren't very exciting.   Yefim Bronfman playing all 5 Beethoven concertos, Alexander Gavrylyuk the 4 Rachmaninoff maybe.  But someone out there may find the concert of April 27, 2014 of interest:  FELDMAN: Madame Press Died Last Week at Ninety, Kurt WEILL Violin Concerto, James ROLFE: Juggle   Edward TOP:Time Passes Like the Wind and STOCKHAUSEN Kontrapunkte.
At least they've taken out The Four Seasons, Beethoven's 9th and Carmina Burana from the subscription series and programmed them as specials for people who want to hear only pieces they already know (or know about).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on March 20, 2013, 07:50:45 AM
Quote from: listener on March 20, 2013, 01:10:40 AM
Being of 'a certain age' I've heard most of the standard rep live, so the Vancouver Symphony's offerings for next year aren't very exciting.   Yefim Bronfman playing all 5 Beethoven concertos, Alexander Gavrylyuk the 4 Rachmaninoff maybe.  But someone out there may find the concert of April 27, 2014 of interest:  FELDMAN: Madame Press Died Last Week at Ninety, Kurt WEILL Violin Concerto, James ROLFE: Juggle   Edward TOP:Time Passes Like the Wind and STOCKHAUSEN Kontrapunkte.
At least they've taken out The Four Seasons, Beethoven's 9th and Carmina Burana from the subscription series and programmed them as specials for people who want to hear only pieces they already know (or know about).

Very cool, Listener!

Quote from: dylanesque on March 20, 2013, 12:37:29 AM
I'm looking forward to Mahler 4 tonight at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. I'll be interested to compare with my Maazel and Klemperer versions :)
The warm up is Papa Haydn London Symphony which I have only heard briefly.
I decided on a seat in the Gallery having read good reviews on the venue.

Awesome, dylanesque.  Enjoy.

If you get a chance to post your thoughts, I'd love to read them.

Thanks.

Tallis Scholars on Friday night for me.  Stoked for this one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 20, 2013, 08:01:35 AM
Quote from: dylanesque on March 20, 2013, 12:37:29 AM
I'm looking forward to Mahler 4 tonight at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. I'll be interested to compare with my Maazel and Klemperer versions :)
The warm up is Papa Haydn London Symphony which I have only heard briefly.
I decided on a seat in the Gallery having read good reviews on the venue.

My kind of concert! I'm envious. Who's conducting? And who is the soloist?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: dylanesque on March 20, 2013, 09:20:18 AM
Cheers Sarge and Peter.

Sir Mark Elder conductor
Ailish Tynan soprano
To be honest don't really know much about the Conductor or Soloist. Ill post my impressions later
Regards Darren
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on March 20, 2013, 09:28:03 AM
Quote from: dylanesque on March 20, 2013, 09:20:18 AM
Cheers Sarge and Peter.

Mahler No.4
Sir Mark Elder conductor
Ailish Tynan soprano
To be honest don't really know much about the Conductor or Soloist. Ill post my impressions later
Regards Darren

I've read about that concert, it shall be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 this evening; I'm looking forward to listening to it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 20, 2013, 09:34:50 AM
Quote from: dylanesque on March 20, 2013, 09:20:18 AM
Cheers Sarge and Peter.

Sir Mark Elder conductor
Ailish Tynan soprano
To be honest don't really know much about the Conductor or Soloist. Ill post my impressions later
Regards Darren

Elder's been a regular guest here in Chicago for some reason. Very solid, but not exactly breathtaking. Nonetheless did a very fine Dvorak here a few seasons ago (they let him do a complete Dvorak cycle for no apparent reason). Since it's Manchester, I assume he's conducting the Hallé which is his band, so they should follow his every whim and not be as lukewarm about him as the CSO.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 21, 2013, 02:13:10 PM

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZutZvyUzcw/UUo03FwQnuI/AAAAAAAAGTc/5_o6IIlUv6s/s1600/Dallas_Symphony_Munich_laurson_600.jpg)

Ionarts-at-Large: Dallas SO and @violincase in Munich

...with their second of two programs: Wagner's Prelude & Liebestod, Steven Stucky's Elegy from August 4, 1964,
and Richard Strauss' Suite from Der Rosenkavalier pivoting around the constant of the two programs, Erich Korn-
gold's Violin Concerto...

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/03/ionarts-at-large-dallas-so-and.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/03/ionarts-at-large-dallas-so-and.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 21, 2013, 03:44:41 PM

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oxDH-7i4kg4/UUuZn1ZxLOI/AAAAAAAAGTs/ppUd6_lUj4w/s1600/Jakobsplatz_Orchestra_Munich_laurson_600.jpg)

The Shtick, Shpil, and Spheres of Daniel Hope

...Then Philip Glass' Echorus, which is the good man at his Glassian best and better yet: a piece originally written for Menuhin which allows Daniel Hope one of his "did you know I studied with Menuhin?!" plugs. No... really? Tell us more. ...

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-shtick-shpil-and-spheres-of-daniel.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-shtick-shpil-and-spheres-of-daniel.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on March 24, 2013, 08:49:02 AM
Quote from: springrite on February 26, 2013, 06:51:37 PM
http://www.laphil.com/tickets/calendar-fullseason

In 2013-14, the LA Phil will perform music by 6 Baroque composers; 3 Classical composers; 15 Romantics; and 41 20th-21st century composers.

Of the 65 composers, 26 are still alive. ~40%.

I will be in Pheonix in October for a conference. I plan to go to one of these two concerts if not both:

1:
October 19
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Anssi Karttunen, cello
Women of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Grant Gershon, music director

CLAUDE DEBUSSY Nocturnes
OLIVER KNUSSEN Cello Concerto (world premiere, LA Phil commission)
BÉLA BARTÓK Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta

2:
October 26
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin

CHARLES IVES The Unanswered Question
ESA-PEKKA SALONEN Violin Concerto
JEAN SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5

Unfortunately, Salonen cancelled and the program is now replaced by:

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Robin Ticciati, conductor
Lars Vogt, piano

ANATOLY LIADOV The Enchanted Lake
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
JEAN SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2

So I will find something else to do those two weekends now. Maybe I will drive up to SF?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 24, 2013, 09:43:47 AM
http://www.wso.ca/wp-content/uploads/WSO_1314_SeasonGuide_71_xLR.pdf (http://www.wso.ca/wp-content/uploads/WSO_1314_SeasonGuide_71_xLR.pdf)

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's 13/14 Season has been released.  Many things I'm looking forward to checking out (hopefully all of the one's listed below):

Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No. 3 (Andre LaPlante)

Khachaturian - Violin Concerto (James Ehnes)

Brahms - Symphony No. 1

*Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4

*Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 6

Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major (Ilya Yakushev)

Schumann - Konzertstuck for 4 horns & orchestra

*Beethoven - Eroica Symphony

Max Richter - Vivaldi Recomposed

Silvestrov - Requiem for Larissa

Bruckner - Symphony No. 8

Mahler - Symphony No. 4

*Mendelssohn - Violin Concert in E minor (Augstin Hadelich)

Verdi - Requiem

*Indicates works I have previously attended live WSO performances of in past years.

Also, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, along Tanya Tagaq, throat singer and Dame Evelyn Glennie (who frequently performs with the WSO), percussion, will be visiting Carnegie Hall in New York on May 2-3, 2014.  Bruce has assured me he will try and attend this concert!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 25, 2013, 06:12:19 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 24, 2013, 09:43:47 AM
Schumann - Konzertstuck for 4 horns & orchestra

Who is soloing in Schumann's horny piece?

My mom just came to visit, so I spontaneously took her to see this yesterday:

Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
Khachaturian: Flute Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Mathieu Dufour, flute
Tugan Sokhiev, conductor

Very, very positive surprise. Dufour was of course exepctedly mindbogglingly brilliant in the concerto and even played an encore after numerous curtain calls. But the real surprise was Sokhiev, whom I have never heard before. The CSO is of course brilliant orchestra, but one that is hard to nudge from its accustomed interpretive habits if they don't buy a guest conductor's idea. It is rare for a guest conductor, let alone a debuting young guest conductor, to so thoroughly imprint his own stamp on the ensemble and produce a very unique and personal interpretation of a standard warhorse as the Tchaik 4. The orchestra had a much darker sound than usual, enabling Sokhiev to give all the dancy motives in the first movement a note of impending doom, preventing them from sounding trivial, and keeping the overall tragic arc in sight. The reintroduction of the opening theme of the first movement in the finale was handled really marvellously, both the buildup to it and leading out of again. There was a great deal of flexibility as well, in tempo and phrasing, that is again very rare for a young guest conductor to achieve on his first appearance. Very, very unique performance. I was very glad I went and will certainly keep an eye on Sokhiev's further career development. Hope to hear him again soon and often.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 25, 2013, 06:15:53 AM
Quote from: MishaK on March 25, 2013, 06:12:19 AM
Who is soloing in Schumann's horny piece?

Members from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra horn section.

Patricia Evans, Principal horn
Kenneth MacDonald, Assistant Principal horn
Caroline Oberheu, horn
Michiko Singh, horn
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 25, 2013, 06:37:35 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on March 25, 2013, 06:15:53 AM
Members from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra horn section.

Patricia Evans, Principal horn
Kenneth MacDonald, Assistant Principal horn
Caroline Oberheu, horn
Michiko Singh, horn

Girl power! Awesome!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 26, 2013, 02:51:27 AM
Quote from: MishaK on March 25, 2013, 06:12:19 AM
Who is soloing in Schumann's horny piece?

My mom just came to visit, so I spontaneously took her to see this yesterday:

Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
Khachaturian: Flute Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Mathieu Dufour, flute
Tugan Sokhiev, conductor

Very, very positive surprise. Dufour was of course exepctedly mindbogglingly brilliant in the concerto and even played an encore after numerous curtain calls. But the real surprise was Sokhiev, whom I have never heard before. The CSO is of course brilliant orchestra, but one that is hard to nudge from its accustomed interpretive habits if they don't buy a guest conductor's idea. It is rare for a guest conductor, let alone a debuting young guest conductor, to so thoroughly imprint his own stamp on the ensemble and produce a very unique and personal interpretation of a standard warhorse as the Tchaik 4. The orchestra had a much darker sound than usual, enabling Sokhiev to give all the dancy motives in the first movement a note of impending doom, preventing them from sounding trivial, and keeping the overall tragic arc in sight. The reintroduction of the opening theme of the first movement in the finale was handled really marvellously, both the buildup to it and leading out of again. There was a great deal of flexibility as well, in tempo and phrasing, that is again very rare for a young guest conductor to achieve on his first appearance. Very, very unique performance. I was very glad I went and will certainly keep an eye on Sokhiev's further career development. Hope to hear him again soon and often.
You should check this recording of Sokhiev & Toulouse doing the Tchaikovsky 4th!
[asin]B000H7I4XG[/asin]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 26, 2013, 06:15:52 AM
Yes, a friend of mine mentioned that. I will definitely check that out if it's on spotify.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on March 27, 2013, 02:47:52 AM
April 2 in The Athens Megaron

The Israel PO/Zubin Mehta with Mozart's Jupiter and Mahler's 5th.
Fingers crossed...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 27, 2013, 09:08:40 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on March 27, 2013, 09:05:04 AM
Tonight at the Barbican Centre, London:

Ryoji Ikeda superposition

Extremely envious! His installation here in 2011 was fascinating - both for his concepts and for the technical expertise on display.

http://monotonousforest.typepad.com/monotonous_forest/2011/05/drowning-by-numbers.html

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on March 29, 2013, 07:53:31 AM
(http://gemsny.org/images/213_454_E.jpg)

As part of its Fifth Anniversary celebrations, GEMS (Gotham Early Music Scene) has inaugurated GEMAS, a new series of early music concerts in collaboration with the Americas Society (AS) featuring the early music of the Americas. The series is co-directed by Nell Snaidas and Americas Society Music Director Sebastian Zubieta.

Codex I, on April 7th at 4 p.m., is the first of two performances inspired by the music of the 18th Century Trujillo del Perú Manuscript and will feature the premieres of four pieces commissioned by AS from internationally known composers written for members of ICE (International Contemporary Ensemble.) 

Americas Society
680 Park Avenue
New York, NY

More here:

http://www.as-coa.org/events/codex-i-international-contemporary-ensemble (http://www.as-coa.org/events/codex-i-international-contemporary-ensemble)

http://gemsny.org/gemas.html (http://gemsny.org/gemas.html)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 03, 2013, 02:49:35 PM
Atlanta Symphony just announced its 2013-2014 season, here are a few highlights...

Program
BARTOK: Violin Concerto No. 2
ORFF: Carmina burana
Artists
Robert Spano, Music Director
Gil Shaham, Violin
Kiera Duffy, Soprano
Marco Panuccio, Tenor
Nmon Ford, Baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Chorus
Gwinnett Young Singers, Vocals, Choral
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra



Program
WAGNER: "Liebestod" from Tristan and Isolde
RAVEL: La valse
STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring
Artists
Donald Runnicles, Principal Guest Conductor
Robert Spano, Music Director
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra




Program
BACH: Violin Concerto No 1
SIBELIUS: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"
Artists
Leonidas Kavakos, Conductor & Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra



Program
BRITTEN: Piano Concerto
BERLIOZ: Symphonie fantastique
Artists
Robert Spano, Music Director
Wu Han, Piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
MENDELSSOHN: Hebrides Overture
NIELSEN: Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5
Artists
Marc Piollet, Conductor
Hilary Hahn, Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
BRAHMS: Gesang der Parzen
BRAHMS: Schicksalslied
BRAHMS: Alto Rhapsody
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4
Artists
Donald Runnicles, Principal Guest Conductor
Kelley O'Connor, Mezzo-Soprano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
RAVEL: Mother Goose Suite
BARBER: Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2
Artists
Susanna Mäikki, Conductor
David Coucheron, Concertmaster
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra



Program
COPLAND: Short Symphony
LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 1
STRAVINSKY: Petrushka
Artists
James Gaffigan, Conductor
Stephen Hough, Piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra



Program
MUSSORGSKY: Prelude toKhovanshchina
SHOSTAKOVICH: Violin Concerto No. 1
RACHMANINOV: Symphonic Dances
Artists
Roberto Abbado, Conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg , Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
R. STRAUSS: Metamorphosen
R. STRAUSS: Oboe Concerto
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 7
Artists
Donald Runnicles, Principal Guest Conductor
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, Principal Oboe
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
CHARLES ZOLL: Violin Concerto
HINDEMITH: Mathis der MalerSymphony
BRAHMS: Violin Concerto
Artists
Robert Spano, Music Director
Joshua Bell, Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
ARVO PÄRT: cantus in memory of benjamin britten
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5
Artists
Thomas Søndergård, Conductor
Baiba Skride, Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
SCHUBERT: Symphony No. 3
PAGANINI: Violin Concerto No. 1
ELGAR: Enigma Variations
Artists
James Feddeck, Conductor
Augustin Hadelich, Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Program
BRITTEN: War Requiem
Artists
Robert Spano, Music Director
Evelina Dobračeva , Soprano
Anthony Dean Griffey, Tenor
Stephen Powell, Bass
Gwinnett Young Singers, Vocals, Choral
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 03, 2013, 03:46:55 PM
Damn, Greg! You and me will have to meet up at one of these concerts! Finally some good programming!

This particular concert looks mighty enticing!

Program
ARVO PÄRT: cantus in memory of benjamin britten
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5
Artists
Thomas Søndergård, Conductor
Baiba Skride, Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 03, 2013, 03:55:59 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 03, 2013, 03:46:55 PM
Damn, Greg! You and me will have to meet up at one of these concerts! Finally some good programming!

This particular concert looks mighty enticing!

Program
ARVO PÄRT: cantus in memory of benjamin britten
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5
Artists
Thomas Søndergård, Conductor
Baiba Skride, Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

For sure, there are definitely more programs next season that interest me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 03, 2013, 03:59:40 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 03, 2013, 03:55:59 PM
For sure, there are definitely more programs next season that interest me.

The best part of the particular program I highlighted was there's no Spano. Always a good thing! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: sound67 on April 04, 2013, 04:12:50 AM
May 3, 2013

Program:
William Walton: Scapino
York Bowen: Viola Concerto
Ralph Vaughan Williams - Five Tudor Portraits

Performers:
Lawrence Power, viola
Rosie Aldridge (mezzo-soprano)
Neal Davies (baritone)
BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
John Wilson (conductor)

Venue:
Barbican Centre
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 04, 2013, 10:43:56 AM
Just came home from tonight's all-Schumann concert, excellent performances (and the music is fabulous, obviously). I don't think that the arrangements worked too well, though.

Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Torleif Thedéen: cello

Schumann: Träumerei & Abendlied (arr. for orchestra: Svendsen)
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, op. 129
Schumann: Symphony no. 4 D minor, op. 120

Really excited about next week's concert, too:

Anna-Maria Helsing & Oulu SO
Petteri Iivonen (violin)

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Britten: Violin Concerto,Op. 15
Elgar: Enigma variations



Looks like a great season, Greg (and John)!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 04, 2013, 11:05:49 AM
Quote from: North Star on April 04, 2013, 10:43:56 AM
Just came home from tonight's all-Schumann concert, excellent performances (and the music is fabulous, obviously). I don't think that the arrangements worked too well, though.

Still, the Cello Concerto and the d minor Symphony!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 04, 2013, 11:06:13 AM
The whole season looks good - a nice mix of the familiar and the new - and many interesting conductors. (I've heard Spano here in New York when the orchestra plays at Carnegie, and he's quite good.) Also, based on her appearance here at Mostly Mozart last summer, I would run, not walk, to hear Susanna Mälkki.

These below look especially tempting.

--Bruce

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 03, 2013, 02:49:35 PM

BARTOK: Violin Concerto No. 2
ORFF: Carmina burana
Artists
Robert Spano, Music Director
Gil Shaham, Violin
Kiera Duffy, Soprano
Marco Panuccio, Tenor
Nmon Ford, Baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Chorus
Gwinnett Young Singers, Vocals, Choral
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

RAVEL: Mother Goose Suite
BARBER: Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2
Artists
Susanna Mäikki, Conductor
David Coucheron, Concertmaster
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Program
MUSSORGSKY: Prelude toKhovanshchina
SHOSTAKOVICH: Violin Concerto No. 1
RACHMANINOV: Symphonic Dances
Artists
Roberto Abbado, Conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg , Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Program
ARVO PÄRT: cantus in memory of benjamin britten
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 5
Artists
Thomas Søndergård, Conductor
Baiba Skride, Violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Program
BRITTEN: War Requiem
Artists
Robert Spano, Music Director
Evelina Dobračeva , Soprano
Anthony Dean Griffey, Tenor
Stephen Powell, Bass
Gwinnett Young Singers, Vocals, Choral
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 04, 2013, 11:11:00 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on April 04, 2013, 11:05:49 AM
Still, the Cello Concerto and the d minor Symphony!
Yes!!!

-----

I have liked what I have heard from Mälkki very much. (some concert recordings from Helsinki - IIRC, Schumann 2nd among them)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 04, 2013, 11:18:09 AM
Mälkki has led the BSO in at least one outstanding program (The Miraculous Mandarin, IIRC).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 04, 2013, 12:03:05 PM
Quote from: North Star on April 04, 2013, 11:11:00 AM
I have liked what I have heard from Mälkki very much. (some concert recordings from Helsinki - IIRC, Schumann 2nd among them)

Would love to hear her in "standard rep" since she does so much contemporary music. She just did a program with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with Debussy and Messiaen - and Richard Strauss, which sounded intriguing (I couldn't go).

Quote from: karlhenning on April 04, 2013, 11:18:09 AM
Mälkki has led the BSO in at least one outstanding program (The Miraculous Mandarin, IIRC).

And that, of course, sounds fantastic!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 08, 2013, 12:03:25 PM
Tomorrow night at the Austrian Cultural Forum:

Minetti Quartet

Haydn: String Quartet in C, Hob.III:77, Op.76, No.3 ('Emperor')
Olga Neuwirth: settori for string quartet (1999)
Beethoven: String Quartet No.9 in C, Op.59, No.3 ('Razumovsky')

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on April 09, 2013, 03:48:17 AM
On Friday, I will be attending a classical guitar (and they say he will play some lute as well) recital by the Italian maestro Carlo Ambrosio. I have never heard of the guy, so I do not know what to expect. But I have not been to a concert since last year's two Mahler symphonies (Czech Phil and Berlin), so this will give me a nice and much needed break from my busy schedule.

No program information available right now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 11, 2013, 06:46:34 AM
Tonight at the Austrian Cultural Forum, the Spring String Quartet combine with saxophonist, composer, and arranger Ohad Talmor to create the ensemble Mass Transformation, in a radical re-writing of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner's 8th Symphony. My curiosity is high, and since I'm hearing the real, unaltered Bruckner Eighth next week, I thought this would be an interesting prelude to that.

Mass Transformation:

Spring String Quartet:
Christian Wirth, violin
Marcus Wall, violin
Julian Gillesberger, viola
Stephan Punderlitschek, violoncello

Ohad Talmor – tenor saxophone, laptop, composition/arrangement
Shane Endsley – trumpet
Pete McCann – guitar
Matt Pavolka – contrabass, e-bass
Mark Ferber – drums/percussion

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on April 11, 2013, 07:00:59 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 11, 2013, 06:46:34 AM
Tonight at the Austrian Cultural Forum, the Spring String Quartet combine with saxophonist, composer, and arranger Ohad Talmor to create the ensemble Mass Transformation, in a radical re-writing of Austrian composer Anton Bruckner's 8th Symphony. My curiosity is high, and since I'm hearing the real, unaltered Bruckner Eighth next week, I thought this would be an interesting prelude to that.

Mass Transformation:

Spring String Quartet:
Christian Wirth, violin
Marcus Wall, violin
Julian Gillesberger, viola
Stephan Punderlitschek, violoncello

Ohad Talmor – tenor saxophone, laptop, composition/arrangement
Shane Endsley – trumpet
Pete McCann – guitar
Matt Pavolka – contrabass, e-bass
Mark Ferber – drums/percussion

--Bruce

Wow!  Looks very cool.  Enjoy and please write your thoughts on this when you get a chance, Brewski.  Thanks.

How was that Minetti Quartet concert?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 11, 2013, 07:14:12 AM
Quote from: HIPster on April 11, 2013, 07:00:59 AM
Wow!  Looks very cool.  Enjoy and please write your thoughts on this when you get a chance, Brewski.  Thanks.

Doesn't it sound wild? Could either be kind of great, or a big mess - of course I'm hoping for the former.

Quote from: HIPster on April 11, 2013, 07:00:59 AMHow was that Minetti Quartet concert?

Wonderful - always happy to discover a quartet new to me (they haven't played in New York in six years). Enjoyed the entire program, but I confess what really drew me was Olga Neuwirth's piece, which I didn't know, and which turned out to be just 7 minutes long. Most people I spoke with afterward thought it could have been much longer; just as we were really getting into Neuwirth's unusual sound world...it was over!

The Haydn was done beautifully, and ditto the Beethoven, neither of which I had heard live in a very long time. The audience brought them out three times, so they did an encore, Webern's Langsamer Satz.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisz on April 14, 2013, 06:44:40 AM
Gil and Orli Shaham tomorrow at the WQXR Green Space, NYC
April 15, 2013

(http://www.wnyc.org/i/620/372/h/80/1/Shahams2.jpg)

For his latest recording project, Gil Shaham returns to his roots with Nigunim: Hebrew Melodies, an album of Jewish and Jewish-themed music for violin and piano recorded with his sister and frequent musical partner Orli Shaham.

Join the Shahams in The Greene Space, in their only New York recital of the season, for an evening of performance and conversation about the rich and vibrant tradition of Jewish music and its universal appeal today. Featuring performances of music by Ernst Bloch; a new piece commissioned by the Shahams from Avner Dorman; and John Williams' "Remembrances" from Schindler's List. WQXR's Elliott Forrest hosts.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 14, 2013, 06:50:37 AM
Nice. Heard them play some Brahms at Johns Hopkins U.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on April 14, 2013, 07:07:58 AM
Quote from: springrite on April 09, 2013, 03:48:17 AM
On Friday, I will be attending a classical guitar (and they say he will play some lute as well) recital by the Italian maestro Carlo Ambrosio. I have never heard of the guy, so I do not know what to expect. But I have not been to a concert since last year's two Mahler symphonies (Czech Phil and Berlin), so this will give me a nice and much needed break from my busy schedule.

No program information available right now.
Wonderful recital!

In the first half, it was all lute music, the highlight of which is a set of John Dowland works. In the second half, he switched to guitar. There were many wonderful pieces exquisitely performed, including:
A Guanieri work and a work by Villa-Lobos, both wonderful. Then the Walton bagatelles. Like the Dowland, you can see that this Italian was musically educated in London. But the best is his own transcription of the Bach Chaccone, where German Baroque style and a touch of Espana intertwined beautifully and seamlessly. Finally, an encore which was the prelude from Bach's Suite #1 for Unaccompanied Cello.

There were no more than 300 people at the recital. Too bad so many people missed this great recital.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 14, 2013, 08:45:49 AM
Yesterday evening, with academy friends:

Korngold Captain Blood
Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements
Schoenberg Concerto for string quartet & orchestra (after Handel's Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.7)
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

National Youth Orchestra/Simone Young
Navarra String Quartet

Was absolutely incredible, such a thrilling orchestra! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 15, 2013, 02:36:36 AM
Quote from: springrite on April 14, 2013, 07:07:58 AM
Wonderful recital!

In the first half, it was all lute music, the highlight of which is a set of John Dowland works. In the second half, he switched to guitar. There were many wonderful pieces exquisitely performed, including:
A Guanieri work and a work by Villa-Lobos, both wonderful. Then the Walton bagatelles. Like the Dowland, you can see that this Italian was musically educated in London. But the best is his own transcription of the Bach Chaccone, where German Baroque style and a touch of Espana intertwined beautifully and seamlessly. Finally, an encore which was the prelude from Bach's Suite #1 for Unaccompanied Cello.

There were no more than 300 people at the recital. Too bad so many people missed this great recital.

Very nice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 15, 2013, 02:38:17 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 14, 2013, 08:45:49 AM
Yesterday evening, with academy friends:

Korngold Captain Blood
Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements
Schoenberg Concerto for string quartet &amp; orchestra (after Handel’s Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.7)
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

National Youth Orchestra/Simone Young
Navarra String Quartet

Was absolutely incredible, such a thrilling orchestra! :D

What a wonderful program, Daniel!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 15, 2013, 01:32:54 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on April 15, 2013, 02:38:17 AM
What a wonderful program, Daniel!

It really was an incredible concert, Karl! For me, not much can beat seeing Symphonic Dances live! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 15, 2013, 04:09:45 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on April 15, 2013, 01:32:54 PM
It really was an incredible concert, Karl! For me, not much can beat seeing Symphonic Dances live! :D

You nailed it, Brother. I've seen Dances twice, an amazing orchestral showpiece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on April 16, 2013, 11:52:50 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 15, 2013, 04:09:45 PM
You nailed it, Brother. I've seen Dances twice, an amazing orchestral showpiece.

:D That was the 3rd time that I had seen it live, and actually 2 of those times were with our youth orchestras. It's a great piece for youth orchestras I think. If we did it in WYO I would be the happiest percussionist alive with that tam tam solo... :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on April 17, 2013, 07:31:57 AM
Just booked the last ticket for the Ring Cycle, at Teatro alla Scala on next June:

Richard Wagner
Siegfried - Der Ring des Nibelungen


Daniel Barenboim

Siegfried  Lance Ryan
Mime  Peter Bronder
Der Wanderer  Terje Stensvold
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Fafner  Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Erda  Anna Larsson
Brünnhilde  Iréne Theorin
Stimme des Waldvogels  Mari Eriksmoen

:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on April 17, 2013, 07:39:30 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on April 17, 2013, 07:31:57 AM
Just booked the last ticket for the Ring Cycle, at Teatro alla Scala on next June:


Now, don't tell that to the first person to be told that it's sold out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on April 17, 2013, 08:03:26 AM
Quote from: springrite on April 17, 2013, 07:39:30 AM
Now, don't tell that to the first person to be told that it's sold out.

Ehehe. :)
Well, there are still several tickets available if someone is interested. I meant that I had already bought the tickets for Das Rheingold, Die Walküre and Götterdämmerung; now I've got that one for Siegfried too. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fafner on April 17, 2013, 08:05:12 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on April 17, 2013, 07:31:57 AM
Just booked the last ticket for the Ring Cycle, at Teatro alla Scala on next June:

Richard Wagner
Siegfried - Der Ring des Nobelungen


Daniel Barenboim

Ooh, so jealous! :)

The last time I saw any Wagner live, it was Der fliegende Hollander at our local opera. I had to leave after the second act, because it was a total disaster.
Prague National Theatre staged the complete Ring in 2005 in coproduction with Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Düsseldorf  (performed twice). It was sold out quickly, but I heard it was a rather flawed production.




I attended Madama Butterfly at the National Theatre Brno last night.  It was a great night. Not perfect, but I was quite satisfied. The star of the evening was the Slovak soprano Adriana Kohútková. Her Cio-Cio San was vocally sure and emotionally engaged.

Here are some clips of her singing Rusalka and Violetta.

http://www.youtube.com/v/IwFlt1m9k5Y
http://www.youtube.com/v/-oU6FN0nMU8
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 17, 2013, 09:55:52 AM
Tonight and Friday:

Staatskapelle Dresden
Christian Thielemann, Principal Conductor

Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Violin Concerto (w/Lisa Batiashvili), Symphony No. 4

Bruckner: Symphony No. 8

In between, Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic:

Christopher Rouse: Prospero's Rooms (World premiere)
Bernstein: Serenade (w/Joshua Bell)
Ives: Symphony No. 4 (w/NY Choral Consortium, Kent Tritle, director)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on April 18, 2013, 04:28:30 PM
BBC Proms 2013 just announced
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 18, 2013, 05:09:51 PM
Quote from: listener on April 18, 2013, 04:28:30 PM
BBC Proms 2013 just announced
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

Very nice programs.

Would love to see this all DOWLAND (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2013/september-02/14726) program and THIS ONE (http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2013/september-04/14592) featuring Gorecki and Tchaikovsky's best symphonies.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on April 19, 2013, 01:28:03 AM
Quote from: listener on April 18, 2013, 04:28:30 PM
BBC Proms 2013 just announced
http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms

How amazing, I saw the programme yesterday; there will be lots of wonderful concerts, lots of Wagner's operas. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on April 27, 2013, 10:47:37 AM
Booked a couple of Snape concerts during the Aldeburgh festival in June :

**********
Sandrine Piau (soprano)
Susan Manoff (piano)


Mendelssohn - Neue Liebe; Nachtlied; Hexenlied (Andres Maienlied)
Chausson - Amour d'antan; Dans la forêt du charme et de l'enchantement; Les heures
Berg - Seven Early Songs
Debussy - Fêtes Galantes Book I
Richard Strauss - Morgen; Die Nacht Op 10 No 3; Ständchen
Schoenberg - Four Songs Op 2
Britten - The Sally Gardens; There's none to soothe; I wonder as I wander

**********

Quatuor Mosaïques

Purcell - Three Fantasias
Haydn Quartet - Op.76 No.6
Schubert - Quartet No.15 in G major

Looking forward to seeing them again - they are one of my best live memories to date.

*********

Christian Zacharias (piano)

Scarlatti - Sonata in B minor K27
Brahms - Rhapsody in B minor op.79 No.1
Mozart - Adagio in B minor KV 540
Haydn - Sonata in B minor Hob.XVI: 32
Schubert - Moments Musicaux; Impromptu No.3 in B-flat major

********
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2013, 07:59:21 AM
This week, going to three of the six "Spring for Music" concerts at Carnegie. The program brings six orchestras from around the country - groups selected for their unusual programs, and all tickets are priced at $25.

Monday
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, music director

John Adams: Shaker Loops
Jennifer Higdon: Concerto 4-3 (Time for Three, string trio, New York Premiere)
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 4 (1947 version)

Friday
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Leonard Slatkin, music director

"IVES IMMERSION"
Charles Ives: Symphony No. 1
Charles Ives: Symphony No. 2
Charles Ives: Symphony No. 3
Charles Ives: Symphony No. 4

Saturday
National Symphony Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach, music director

"A TRIBUTE TO SLAVA"
Shchedrin: Slava, Slava – A Festive ringing of bells
Schnittke: Viola Concerto (David Aaron Carpenter, viola)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on May 06, 2013, 02:24:48 PM
Looks great Bruce!

Have fun.

On Sunday, May 12, I'll be attending a concert by the Oregon Bach Collegium.  Very excited!

A nice PI group.  No fancy stuff at all.  Their concerts are quite relaxed and all about the joy of music: making music and listening to music.  So very "hip."

http://www.oregonbachcollegium.org/

Oregon Bach Collegium presents "Stylus Phantasticus: Music of Biber and Friends"

Sunday, May 12th, 3PM at United Lutheran Church, 22nd & Washington, Eugene.

Oregon Bach Collegium presents its last program of the season with "Stylus Phantasticus: Music of Biber and Friends" performed by the Oregon Bach Collegium strings directed by baroque violinist Michael Sand. The 17th century Austrian school of violin playing/composing went the Italians one further, with the development of polyphonic methods of violin playing, using deliberate mis-tunings (called "scordatura") to render double- and triple-stopping easier. Thus, a piece such as Heinrich von Biber's Partita No. 2 for Two Violins & Basso Continuo (harpsichord & viola da gamba), with the use of multiple stopping, sounds like an entire string band. Other pieces in fact use the string band, such as Johann Heinrich Schmelzer's "Fencing School", and Philip Heinrich Erlebach's Ouverture No. 4.

Georg Gottlieb Muffat's Sonata da Camera No. 5 will feature Michael Sand, as soloist. Michael is one of America's foremost exponents of the baroque violin (called by Isaac Stern "a most convincing exponent" of the instrument). Michael was also founding music director of San Francisco's Philharmonic Baroque Orchestra and is founder/director of Arcangeli Baroque Strings.

Tickets $10, $5 students, at the door or on-line. For more information, (541) 683-6648.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on May 06, 2013, 10:11:32 PM
Should we use this thread for music heard live and leave the other one for recordings?
Live tonight, Vancouver Symphony, Ingrid Fliter, piano    Kazuyoshi Akiyama, cond.
BERLIOZ:  Le Corsair     MENDELSSOHN: Piano Concerto no. 1
BARTOK:  Divertimento for Strings      R. STRAUSS: Til Eulenspiegel
Conservative programming (including the Bartok), very fine performances.  Akiyama kept the dynamics under control so they could always get louder without losing tone.  Splendid playing by Fliter.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on May 08, 2013, 02:12:03 PM
Tonight (actually yesterday by now):

Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO, Juho Pohjonen (piano)

Beethoven 4th Piano Concerto
Beethoven 6th Symphony

Wonderful orchestral playing, their chemistry with Gustavsson has been great every time he has visited, looking forward to future seasons, when he starts his season as the new principal conductor. Pohjonen's playing was superb, too, although his tone in the high range was a bit harsh at times.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 10, 2013, 10:10:16 AM
Something slightly unusual tonight:

Mercury Soul @ Metro
May10
9:00 PM

DJs-Classical Music-Live Electronica

Electronica and classical music collide at Mercury Soul, a hybrid musical event interspersing thrilling performances from Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians between thumping DJ sets. No seats, no program book and plenty to drink: this is a 21st Century "salon" at its best.

Presented in collaboration with illmeasures.

Program
Bartók Allegro molto capriccioso from String Quartet No. 2
Biber Battalia
Stravinsky Three Pieces for Clarinet
Bates The Rise of Exotic Computing

Performers

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
DJ Masonic


Benjamin Shwartz >

conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2013, 10:54:10 AM
Quote from: MishaK on May 10, 2013, 10:10:16 AM
Something slightly unusual tonight:

Mercury Soul @ Metro
May10
9:00 PM

DJs-Classical Music-Live Electronica

Electronica and classical music collide at Mercury Soul, a hybrid musical event interspersing thrilling performances from Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians between thumping DJ sets. No seats, no program book and plenty to drink: this is a 21st Century "salon" at its best.

Presented in collaboration with illmeasures.

Program
Bartók Allegro molto capriccioso from String Quartet No. 2
Biber Battalia
Stravinsky Three Pieces for Clarinet
Bates The Rise of Exotic Computing

Performers

Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
DJ Masonic


Benjamin Shwartz >

conductor

"Slightly unusual," indeed - looks totally fascinating. Do report back if you have time!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mountain Goat on May 12, 2013, 03:58:42 AM
This afternoon in St George's Bristol: Takács Quartet with Lawrence Power (viola) playing both Brahms's string quintets.

23rd May: Lohengrin at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. My first Wagner opera (wish me luck  ;))
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on May 13, 2013, 10:56:54 PM
Tonight:  SCHUBERT Rosamunde Overture,  BRAHMS: Double Concerto (Christian Poltéra, cello  Karen Gomyo, violin)
SIBELIUS: The 4 Legends (Lemmenkäinen Suite)
Vancouver Symphony under Akiyama again.   Excellent.  Interplay between the soloists and between the soloists and orchestra was beautiful; balances perfect,  you could actually hear melodic lines in the basses in the Brahms and Sibelius, and enough drama in the Rosamunde to make one wish the rest had been better.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on May 25, 2013, 06:46:48 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on March 18, 2013, 12:18:24 AM
Just booked a ticket for:

Richard Wagner
Götterdämmerung, Der Ring des Nibelungen


Daniel Barenboim

Siegfried  Ian Storey
Gunther  Gerd Grochowski
Alberich  Johannes Martin Kränzle
Hagen  Mikhail Petrenko
Brünnhilde  Iréne Theorin
Gutrune  Marina Poplavskaya
               Anna Samuil
Waltraute  Waltraud Meier
Die erste Norn  Margarita Nekrasova
Die zweite Norn  Waltraud Meier
Die dritte Norn  Marina Poplavskaya
                         Anna Samuil
Woglinde  Aga Mikolaj
Wellgunde  Maria Gortsevskaya
Flosshilde  Anna Lapkovska

Next May, at Teatro alla Scala; so so happy!!! ;D

Tomorrow afternoon, I'm really looking forward to this performance. ;D Because of severe pain in his right hip and leg, Barenboim won't be the conductor for the opera and he will be replaced by Karl-Heinz Steffens.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on May 29, 2013, 10:06:54 AM
Seeing this one tomorrow with academy friends at Southbank. So incredibly excited, what a thrilling programme! :D

Debussy: Prelude a l'apres midi d'un faune
Varese: Ameriques
-
Stravinsky: Rite of Spring

Philharmonia/Salonen

8)  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 30, 2013, 03:14:37 PM
Coming up, a rare chance to hear Bruckner 1:

Saturday, June 15, 8:00 p.m.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti conductor
Rudolf Buchbinder piano

Wagner Siegfried's Rhine Journey and Funeral March from
  Götterdämmerung
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
Bruckner Symphony No. 1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on May 30, 2013, 03:33:53 PM
Quote from: MishaK on May 30, 2013, 03:14:37 PM
Coming up, a rare chance to hear Bruckner 1:


I'm thinking of going to that, but wary of buying any tickets for No-Show Muti's non-appearances.

Meanwhile, I might go to this on June 8, part of the North Shore Chamber Music Festival. Interesting-looking program:

Béla Bartók Arranged by Arthur Willner - Rumanian Folk Dances
New Generation Ensemble

Michael Daugherty - "Diamond in the Rough" for violin, viola and percussion (2006)
Vadim Gluzman, violin; Rose Arnbrust, viola; Dane Crozier, percussion

Tribute to Oscar Peterson - Selection of Jazz Piano Solos
Andrew Litton, jazz piano

Johannes Brahms - Piano Quartet No.1 in G minor op. 25
Andrew Litton, piano; Vadim Gluzman, violin, Atar Arad, viola, Mark Kosower, cello
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 31, 2013, 05:35:22 AM
Quote from: Velimir on May 30, 2013, 03:33:53 PM
I'm thinking of going to that, but wary of buying any tickets for No-Show Muti's non-appearances.

In this repertoire I'll happily step in for him.  ;)

I think his health issues are beyond him and the chances of flu in June are rather low. I'd buy sooner rather than later as the CSO has started some airline-like ticket pricing policy, where the ticket prices for popular concerts actually go up closer to the date of the performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 02, 2013, 07:09:09 PM
Quote from: MishaK on May 31, 2013, 05:35:22 AM
I think his health issues are beyond him and the chances of flu in June are rather low. I'd buy sooner rather than later as the CSO has started some airline-like ticket pricing policy, where the ticket prices for popular concerts actually go up closer to the date of the performance.

You convinced me. I just bought tickets for this one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 03, 2013, 06:46:26 AM
With the addition of the Siegfried's Rhine Journey (which was not on the original program, IIRC) and with the earlier announcement of Dale Clevenger's retirement at the end of this season, and this being the last regular subscription concert of the season, I have a hunch that this might morph into a retirement farewell for Clevenger, what with all the horn solos in the Wagner.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 06, 2013, 10:29:48 AM
Quote from: MishaK on June 03, 2013, 06:46:26 AM
With the addition of the Siegfried's Rhine Journey (which was not on the original program, IIRC) and with the earlier announcement of Dale Clevenger's retirement at the end of this season, and this being the last regular subscription concert of the season, I have a hunch that this might morph into a retirement farewell for Clevenger, what with all the horn solos in the Wagner.

That looks like a potentially great concert, and I have never seen the Bruckner 1 on a Muti program.

Tonight, this interesting pairing. I've heard Shelton do Pierrot a number of times - she's quite expert at the sprechstimme, and mines the maximum amount of creepiness from the piece.

Merkin Concert Hall
Da Capo Chamber Players
Lucy Shelton, soprano

Schoenberg: Pierrot Lunaire (1912)
Mohammed Fairouz: Pierrot Lunaire (2013)

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on June 06, 2013, 10:58:40 AM
A superb Ravel trio by Vilde Frang, Truls Mørk and Christian Ihle Hadland on Tuesday.

Wednesday the War Requiem with large forces under Andrew Litton. All in Bergen, Norway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 07, 2013, 06:35:10 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 06, 2013, 10:29:48 AM
That looks like a potentially great concert, and I have never seen the Bruckner 1 on a Muti program.

He's done it with VPO recently, I think. He's been doing some of the more rarely performed Bruckner symphonies recently. He did 2 and 6 here with CSO in recent seasons.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 07, 2013, 06:47:53 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 06, 2013, 10:29:48 AM
That looks like a potentially great concert, and I have never seen the Bruckner 1 on a Muti program.


And it's a really underrated symphony in my view. I think it's better than the two symphonies that followed, at least from a structural POV. It's also one of the two symphonies that Bruckner described as keck (impudent, cheeky), the other one being the 6th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 08, 2013, 06:49:41 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on April 27, 2013, 10:47:37 AM
Booked a couple of Snape concerts during the Aldeburgh festival in June :

**********
Sandrine Piau (soprano)
Susan Manoff (piano)


Mendelssohn - Neue Liebe; Nachtlied; Hexenlied (Andres Maienlied)
Chausson - Amour d'antan; Dans la forêt du charme et de l'enchantement; Les heures
Berg - Seven Early Songs
Debussy - Fêtes Galantes Book I
Richard Strauss - Morgen; Die Nacht Op 10 No 3; Ständchen
Schoenberg - Four Songs Op 2
Britten - The Sally Gardens; There's none to soothe; I wonder as I wander


Sandrine Piau has withdrawn from her performance at Snape on Monday. The new performers and programme are :

Sarah Connolly - soprano
Malcolm Martineau - piano

Schumann - Widmung ; Die Lotosblume ; Hochländisches Wiegenlied
Schumann - Frauenliebe und-Leben
Rousel - Le bachelier de Salamanque ; Le jardin mouillé ; Invocation ; Nuit d'Automne
Britten - Corpus Christi Carol ; O Waly Waly
Howells - Come Sing and Dance ; King David
Gurney - Sleep ; By a Bierside
Richard Rodney - Bennett A history of the Thé Dansant

All unknown works to me - an evening of discoveries then !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on June 10, 2013, 07:41:22 AM
I'm not sure if it fits here. Please let me know if there is a thread for webcasts and the like.

QuoteOn Saturday, June 15, Sir Simon Rattle commemmorates Benjamin Britten's 100th anniversary with a performance of the War Requiem. His orchestra is the great Berlin Philharmonic, and they're joined by the Rundfunkchor Berlin and soloists Emily Magee, John Mark Ainsley and Matthias Goerne.

Gramophone's readers and visitors to our website can watch the performance for free, courtesy of the Berlin Philharmonic, both live and then when it is available in the Digital Concert Hall's archive.

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/watch-britten%27s-war-requiem-live-from-berlin-for-free
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 10, 2013, 08:57:46 AM
Quote from: Opus106 on June 10, 2013, 07:41:22 AM
I'm not sure if it fits here. Please let me know if there is a thread for webcasts and the like.

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/watch-britten%27s-war-requiem-live-from-berlin-for-free

Thanks, perfectly fine here, and appreciate knowing about this.

A busy week: Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass (conducted by Philip Brunelle), two nights at the UNPLAY Festival curated by the 18-year-old pianist Conrad Tao, recent works for violin and electronics played by Monica Germino, David Fulmer doing a recital on Mozart's violin (the instrument's first time in the U.S.), the New York Philharmonic led by Lionel Bringuier, and the Talea Ensemble reprising Hans Abrahamsen's Schnee.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 10, 2013, 01:53:09 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 08, 2013, 06:49:41 AM

Sarah Connolly - soprano
Malcolm Martineau - piano

Schumann - Widmung ; Die Lotosblume ; Hochländisches Wiegenlied
Schumann - Frauenliebe und-Leben
Rousel - Le bachelier de Salamanque ; Le jardin mouillé ; Invocation ; Nuit d'Automne
Britten - Corpus Christi Carol ; O Waly Waly
Howells - Come Sing and Dance ; King David
Gurney - Sleep ; By a Bierside
Richard Rodney - Bennett A history of the Thé Dansant

All unknown works to me - an evening of discoveries then !

Just back from Snape. They really should have more withdrawals if that's the quality of the backups  ;D Quite a recital and a singing display !!  From memory, I think I only saw a soprano once before in Snape and that wasn't anything worth writing home about. Sarah Connolly on the other hand...wow... great singing throughout. I did enjoy the various Schumann works, although it felt a bit monotonous at times.

Roussel's Jardin Mouillé was a very evocative discovery, even though I didn't understand all the French words  :P

Corpus Cristi Carol was stunning, I knew that song from Jeff Buckley's album (a corker in his own right) but had never realised it was a Britten song. Add O Waly Waly to the mix and I am now keen to delve into Britten a bit more.

The real standing out work of the evening was Howells' King David. One of those moments where you get completely absorbed by the performance and forget time and everything that surrounds you. Quite a feeling  :)

Here's a link to that work to give you an idea (I am on the fourth replay as I type...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN2Jz1vvlHY&feature=share&list=PL43867EA1DD9C4479 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN2Jz1vvlHY&feature=share&list=PL43867EA1DD9C4479)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 10, 2013, 02:41:54 PM
Excellent Olivier!
Britten is fantastic, try his orchestral songs, the VC, and Sea Interludes from Grimes.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on June 10, 2013, 10:14:24 PM
heard tonight
RIMSKY-KORSAKOFF: Le Coq d'Or  Prelude and Wedding March
TCHAIKOWSKY: Violin Concerto (Baiba Skride, violin)
STRAVINSKY: The Firebird (complete)
Vancouver Symphony      Bramwell Tovey, cond.
Skride takes the quick parts in the rondo of the concerto at a very quick tempo and with a Mendelssonian lightness - it really works.  The Firebird used the second version, one instead of three harps (but a second was added here), a much expanded piano part and the contrabassoons dispensed with.  Some problems with balance when the horns roared.  Good seat upstairs, no visible disco-ordination* heard or observed.
Next week: Petrouchka and Le Sacre de Printemps
*entering the ministry to the music of the B.G.'s?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: londonrich on June 13, 2013, 04:09:02 AM
Last night:
Copland: Inscapes; Britten: Cello Symphony; Shostakovich: 5th Symphony
Yo Yo Ma, LSO, Tilson Thomas. Barbican, London

I find the Britten hard to love, but Ma gave a pretty gripping account of it, and a beautiful encore dedicated to Colin Davis. The real surprise for me was how superb the Shostakovich was, as I don't think of that as MTT's core repertory. But it was biting and thrilling.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on June 13, 2013, 08:56:24 AM
On 18th January 2014, at Teatro alla Scala:

Jean Sibelius
Finlandia
Jean Sibelius
Violin Concerto in D minor
Anton Bruckner
Symphony No.6

Riccardo Chailly/ Wiener Philharmoniker
Leonidas Kavakos


I've just seen this concert on the programme of the new season of the Filarmonica della Scala, and I can't still believe to that.....seeing the Wiener Philharmoniker live, it will be absolutely awesome! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 13, 2013, 09:01:52 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on June 13, 2013, 08:56:24 AM
On 18th January 2014, at Teatro alla Scala:

Jean Sibelius
Finlandia
Jean Sibelius
Violin Concerto in D minor
Anton Bruckner
Symphony No.6

Riccardo Chailly/ Wiener Philharmoniker
Leonidas Kavakos


I've just seen this concert on the programme of the new season of the Filarmonica della Scala, and I can't still believe to that.....seeing the Wiener Philharmoniker live, it will be absolutely awesome! ;D
I can count a few more things that are awesome in that concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 13, 2013, 09:08:50 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on June 13, 2013, 08:56:24 AM
On 18th January 2014, at Teatro alla Scala:

Jean Sibelius
Finlandia
Jean Sibelius
Violin Concerto in D minor
Anton Bruckner
Symphony No.6

Riccardo Chailly/ Wiener Philharmoniker
Leonidas Kavakos


Kavakos was the violinist who finally made me like the Sibelius concerto; I'd never quite warmed up to it until hearing his version.

Looks like a really great evening...

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on June 13, 2013, 09:25:06 AM
Quote from: North Star on June 13, 2013, 09:01:52 AM
I can count a few more things that are awesome in that concert.
Of course it's not only because of the orchestra, all the beautiful compositions included in the programme and the perfomers...that definitely sounds a wonderful combination.  But the WP is one of my favourite orchestras and I haven't seen it live yet, that's why I'm so excited. :)

Quote from: Brewski on June 13, 2013, 09:08:50 AM
Kavakos was the violinist who finally made me like the Sibelius concerto; I'd never quite warmed up to it until hearing his version.

Looks like a really great evening...

--Bruce
Absolutely!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 13, 2013, 11:25:19 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 13, 2013, 09:08:50 AM
Kavakos was the violinist who finally made me like the Sibelius concerto; I'd never quite warmed up to it until hearing his version.

You should try Vilde Frang's recording.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 13, 2013, 11:30:29 AM
Quote from: MishaK on June 13, 2013, 11:25:19 AM
You should try Vilde Frang's recording.

Thank you! Had to look her up; somehow she'd escaped my radar. And the Prokofiev 1 coupling on that disc is very appealing, since I love that piece.

8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 13, 2013, 01:17:20 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on June 13, 2013, 09:25:06 AM
Of course it's not only because of the orchestra, all the beautiful compositions included in the programme and the perfomers...that definitely sounds a wonderful combination.  But the WP is one of my favourite orchestras and I haven't seen it live yet, that's why I'm so excited. :)
Yes, I can guess now that you are very excited about hearing the WP for the first time live. I would like to hear them, too.

Quote from: MishaK on June 13, 2013, 11:25:19 AM
You should try Vilde Frang's recording.

Hm, I must check that one out!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 14, 2013, 01:10:45 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on April 27, 2013, 10:47:37 AM
Quatuor Mosaïques
Purcell - Three Fantasias
Haydn Quartet - Op.76 No.6
Schubert - Quartet No.15 in G major

Tomorrow morning - can't wait  8)

************

and booked a couple of Snape Proms in August :

Christian Blackshaw - piano
Mozart - Fantasie in D minor K397; Sonata in D major K576
Schubert - Sonata in A minor D784
Schumann - Fantasie in C major Op.17


Heard him a couple of years ago with a great D.960 - should be a good one.

Isabelle Faust - violin
Kristian Bezuidenhout - harpsichord
Bach - Sonatas for violin and keyboard No.1 in B minor; No.3 in E major; No.6 in G major; Sonata No.2 for solo violin in A minor; Toccata in D minor


Booked this one on the names alone to be honest (saw Faust once with the Melnikov Trio). Will have to dig up the works from the Bach Brilliant Box to see what the works are like  :-[
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 17, 2013, 06:38:31 AM

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7-_P4hVe1To/Ub8B6od-MZI/AAAAAAAAGfU/Yfbj4RIGNow/s1600/Academy-for-Ancient-Music_Berlin_jens-f-laurson.jpg)

Ionarts-at-Large: AkAMus Rocks Corelli


http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/06/ionarts-at-large-akamus-rocks-corelli.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/06/ionarts-at-large-akamus-rocks-corelli.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 20, 2013, 05:26:30 PM
Hope I can make it to this one - it's free at Grant Park next Wednesday!

Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Martin Fröst, Clarinet

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5

Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto

Martinu: Thunderbolt P47

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 20, 2013, 06:03:47 PM
Quote from: Velimir on June 20, 2013, 05:26:30 PM
Hope I can make it to this one - it's free at Grant Park next Wednesday!

Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Martin Fröst, Clarinet

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5

Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto

Martinu: Thunderbolt P47

If you do, let us know how it is. I'm trying to make a trip up north for a concert or two. May just have to rely on their radio broadcasts this year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 21, 2013, 01:39:20 AM
I'm looking forward to a complete performance of

SAMSTAG aus LICHT

next weekend.

Interspersed with a St.Johns Passion (Ton Koopman) and Mahler's 5th (Valery Gergiev).

As a musician friend astutely pointed out: That sounds like one of those combinations where each one is an antidote for the other.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 04:51:22 AM
Tonight. Atlanta Symphony closes out their season with an all Brahms concert.

Donald Runnicles
Lars Vogt - Piano

BRAHMS: Tragic Overture
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 1
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

This will be my first ASO concert since moving to the ATL area. I wasn't very excited about their programs this season with the exception of Bartok's Ct. for Orc., but I was out of town for that one. The ASO 2013-2014 has more highlights and I plan on purchasing a 4-pack of concerts soon. This will also be my first time seeing or hearing anything from Runnicles, I've heard positive remarks from listeners and performers about him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 22, 2013, 11:25:00 AM
Quote from: Velimir on June 20, 2013, 05:26:30 PM
Hope I can make it to this one - it's free at Grant Park next Wednesday!

Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Martin Fröst, Clarinet

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5

Nielsen: Clarinet Concerto

Martinu: Thunderbolt P47

Wow, very high marks for programming. Never even heard of the last piece. Do report back, please!

Quote from: jlaurson on June 21, 2013, 01:39:20 AM
I'm looking forward to a complete performance of

SAMSTAG aus LICHT

next weekend.

Interspersed with a St.Johns Passion (Ton Koopman) and Mahler's 5th (Valery Gergiev).

As a musician friend astutely pointed out: That sounds like one of those combinations where each one is an antidote for the other.

Your friend is right - quite the array!

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 04:51:22 AM
Tonight. Atlanta Symphony closes out their season with an all Brahms concert.

Donald Runnicles
Lars Vogt - Piano

BRAHMS: Tragic Overture
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 1
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

This will be my first ASO concert since moving to the ATL area. I wasn't very excited about their programs this season with the exception of Bartok's Ct. for Orc., but I was out of town for that one. The ASO 2013-2014 has more highlights and I plan on purchasing a 4-pack of concerts soon. This will also be my first time seeing or hearing anything from Runnicles, I've heard positive remarks from listeners and performers about him.

I try to hear the Atlanta group when they come to New York, and am rarely disappointed. And with Runnicles...that looks like a mighty fine evening.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 11:42:58 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 22, 2013, 11:25:00 AM

I try to hear the Atlanta group when they come to New York, and am rarely disappointed. And with Runnicles...that looks like a mighty fine evening.

--Bruce

Thanks for the comments, Bruce! Should be a romantic evening.  ;D  (thats an era joke)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 22, 2013, 11:55:01 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 11:42:58 AM
Thanks for the comments, Bruce! Should be a romantic evening.  ;D

8) I sometimes take Brahms for granted, only because so many ensembles coming here seem to do one of the symphonies or the piano or violin concertos - at the expense of things that never get played. But then you actually hear the music and think, "So why again, did I hesitate?"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 11:56:56 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 22, 2013, 11:55:01 AM
8) I sometimes take Brahms for granted, only because so many ensembles coming here seem to do one of the symphonies or the piano or violin concertos - at the expense of things that never get played. But then you actually hear the music and think, "So why again, did I hesitate?"

--Bruce

ASO is performing his 3rd symphony next year, I don't think I should hesitate on that one. Especially since the 3rd gets the least amount of exposure, or so it seems.

And it's the best of the 4.  :o  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 22, 2013, 12:02:27 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 11:56:56 AM
ASO is performing his 3rd symphony next year, I don't think I should hesitate on that one. Especially since the 3rd gets the least amount of exposure, or so it seems.

And it's the best of the 4.  :o  8)

Does seem that No. 3 is played the least, for whatever reason. I pretty much like all of them, though No. 4 gets a slight nod, since it was the first Brahms I ever heard. Anyway, do have a good time; the orchestra is sounding excellent these days. PS, re: Runnicles. When he was here doing Peter Grimes, I spoke with some of the Met Orchestra musicians, who said they *loved* working with him (and the results showed). I think he's an excellent conductor - very clear, and with good interpretive instincts.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 22, 2013, 12:53:13 PM


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVkZ4AMutAM/UcR3Hrslc6I/AAAAAAAAGg0/B0_asXrjhjE/s320/MPhil_Currentzis_Melnikov_Prokofiev_Laurson.png)

The Currentzis Dances II & Ravel's Wonderful Rubbish

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-currentzis-dances-ii-ravels.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-currentzis-dances-ii-ravels.html)

Quote
...But don't ever, ever tut-tut or pshaw! Pop songs or techno or down-tempo songs (not that the type to do so would be able to distinguish),
while professing a love for Ravel's confessedly music-devoid Bolero. Like it, by all means. We all do. But then don't thumb your nose at the
popularity of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" (featuring Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers, for good measure), which is exactly the same piece of music,
except that Daft Punk have the decency to stop the joke after 4 minutes...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 08:05:36 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 04:51:22 AM
Tonight. Atlanta Symphony closes out their season with an all Brahms concert.

Donald Runnicles
Lars Vogt - Piano

BRAHMS: Tragic Overture
BRAHMS: Piano Concerto No. 1
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1

This will be my first ASO concert since moving to the ATL area. I wasn't very excited about their programs this season with the exception of Bartok's Ct. for Orc., but I was out of town for that one. The ASO 2013-2014 has more highlights and I plan on purchasing a 4-pack of concerts soon. This will also be my first time seeing or hearing anything from Runnicles, I've heard positive remarks from listeners and performers about him.

Runnicles sets Brahms First Symphony ablaze!
But before the fire, the ASO effortlessly ran through Tragic Overture, not that is was dull, just never felt this piece deserved or required much. But performed well. The 1st Piano Concerto of Brahms is huge, I'm not too familiar with it, it is a piece that I may have listened to once straight through, but it's a lovely concerto that gets better as it continues. The soloist was Lars Vogt, a passionate performer, would end a ferocious run up and down the piano by violently turning to the orchestra as if to say, "Take that! Your turn!". The opening movement didn't quite click, lacking some energy and with a few mistakes by Vogt, even pointed out by my wife. But the gorgeous second movement and the virtuosic finale found the orchestra and pianist in top form. I can't comment too much more on Vogt with accuracy, but he was intense and obviously very attuned to this work.
To the Op.68 now. I'm not sure I've heard a faster timed performance of this piece. Runnicles instilled some real peppiness to the work, and that's just how I like my Brahms symphonies. The opening movement Allegro was fierce with Runnicles putting a lot of emphases on the double basses and really letting the French horns rip through. Again the swiftness carried on throughout the epic finale, very rhythmically alert. And this all made the ritardano leading into the return of the brass choral towards the end even more exceptional. The playing itself was flawless during the Symphony, the oboe in the second movement solo, and the powerful horn solo of the finale rightfully come to mind. Very excited for next year's ASO season, this orchestra has a great sound and balance, and Runnicles really showcased it. You could sense the musicians were into it. Bravo!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 24, 2013, 12:38:20 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 08:05:36 PM
Runnicles sets Brahms First Symphony ablaze!
But before the fire, the ASO effortlessly ran through Tragic Overture, not that is was dull, just never felt this piece deserved or required much. But performed well. The 1st Piano Concerto of Brahms is huge, I'm not too familiar with it, it is a piece that I may have listened to once straight through, but it's a lovely concerto that gets better as it continues. The soloist was Lars Vogt, a passionate performer, would end a ferocious run up and down the piano by violently turning to the orchestra as if to say, "Take that! Your turn!". The opening movement didn't quite click, lacking some energy and with a few mistakes by Vogt, even pointed out by my wife. But the gorgeous second movement and the virtuosic finale found the orchestra and pianist in top form. I can't comment too much more on Vogt with accuracy, but he was intense and obviously very attuned to this work.
To the Op.68 now. I'm not sure I've heard a faster timed performance of this piece. Runnicles instilled some real peppiness to the work, and that's just how I like my Brahms symphonies. The opening movement Allegro was fierce with Runnicles putting a lot of emphases on the double basses and really letting the French horns rip through. Again the swiftness carried on throughout the epic finale, very rhythmically alert. And this all made the ritardano leading into the return of the brass choral towards the end even more exceptional. The playing itself was flawless during the Symphony, the oboe in the second movement solo, and the powerful horn solo of the finale rightfully come to mind. Very excited for next year's ASO season, this orchestra has a great sound and balance, and Runnicles really showcased it. You could sense the musicians were into it. Bravo!

Thanks for putting down a few words - sounds like a very satisfying evening.

This weekend, to end the season the New York Philharmonic collaborates for the third time with Giants Are Small - basically director/designer Doug Fitch, whose team was so successful in Le Grand Macabre and The Cunning Little Vixen - on a pair of Stravinsky ballets.

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Giants Are Small

Stravinsky: The Fairy's Kiss
Stravinsky: Petrouchka

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 25, 2013, 06:39:53 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 22, 2013, 08:05:36 PM
But before the fire, the ASO effortlessly ran through Tragic Overture, not that is was dull, just never felt this piece deserved or required much.

You should listen to Kempe's 1960 BPO Tragic Overture to correct that silly view and see what's possible in that amazing piece.  ;)

[asin]B00008XRT2[/asin]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 25, 2013, 07:49:52 AM
Quote from: MishaK on June 25, 2013, 06:39:53 AM
You should listen to Kempe's 1960 BPO Tragic Overture to correct that silly view and see what's possible in that amazing piece.  ;)

[asin]B00008XRT2[/asin]

Sometimes all it takes is one good recording. And I do like Kempe.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on June 30, 2013, 03:11:02 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on April 17, 2013, 07:31:57 AM
at Teatro alla Scala on next June:

Richard Wagner
Der Ring des Nibelungen


Daniel Barenboim

Come back home today after a week in Milan; I was very happy to have seen the complete Ring Cycle live at Teatro alla Scala, it was definitely a wonderful experience! :D Leaving out the problems with the brass (especially in the first two acts of Götterdämmerung), I incredibly enjoyed all the four operas of the Tetralogy, there were so many magical moments, from the beautiful, stunning prelude of Das Rheingold to the touching, overwhelming finale of Götterdämmerung. Many compliments to the singers who were always great and gave excellent performances (also very kind to give their autographs).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 02, 2013, 04:01:38 PM
July 21 (Sunday) at Ravinia - an interesting program by an up-&-coming young quartet:

Linden String Quartet

Haydn: String Quartet No. 64 in D Major (Op. 76, No. 5)
John Corigliano: Snapshot: Circa 1909; A Black November Turkey 
William Bolcom: Three Rags for String Quartet
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on July 06, 2013, 03:29:38 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on July 06, 2013, 03:22:24 PM
Next Tuesday night, Goldsmith's Hall London (part of the City of London Festival (http://www.colf.org/whats-on/581-alina-ibragimova-steven-osborne)) :

Arvo Pärt Spiegel im Spiegel, Fratres
Prokofiev Cinq Melodies, Violin Sonatas 1 & 2

Alina Ibragimova violin
Steven Osborne piano

Got a spare ticket if anyone is interested.  Mrs Molloy failed to note the date in her diary and has booked a shift at work that evening.
A great program, but I can't make it to the UK :( Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 08, 2013, 11:50:05 AM
Coming up this week and next, at the Lincoln Center Festival:

Lera Auerbach: The Blind (vocal soloists) - Hour-long a cappella opera, in which the entire audience is blindfolded during the performance
Karlheinz Stockhausen: Michaels Reise um die Erde (members of Ensemble musikFabrik)
Toshio Hosokawa: Matsukaze (Talea Ensemble)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 18, 2013, 09:17:10 AM
Purchased a series for the 2013-2014 Season of the Atlanta Symphony, I will trade two in exchange for two from another series.

October 12, 2013
Susanna Mälkki - conductor, David Coucheron - concertmaster
RAVEL Mother Goose Suite
BARBER Violin Concerto 
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2


November 2, 2013
James Gaffigan- conductor, Stephen Hough - piano
COPLAND Short Symphony 
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1
STRAVINSKY Petrushka


Feburary 1, 2014
Roberto Abbado - conductor, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg - violin
MUSSORGSKY Prelude to Khovanshchina
SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1
RACHMANINOV Symphonic Dances


April 5, 2014
Donald Runnicles - conductor, Kelley O'Connor - mezzo-soprano
BRAHMS Gesang der Parzen
BRAHMS Schicksalslied
BRAHMS Alto Rhapsody
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4


April 10, 2014
Donald Runnicles - conductor,  Elizabeth Koch Tiscione - oboe
R. STRAUSS Metamorphosen
R. STRAUSS Oboe Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7


April 26, 2014
Robert Spano - conductor, Evelina Dobračeva - soprano, Anthony Dean Griffey - tenor, Stephen Powell - bass, Gwinnett Young Singers, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
BRITTEN War Requiem
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on July 18, 2013, 09:23:40 AM
Great score, Greg! What magnificent programs!  And you start off with Mälkki — prepare for [the good kind of] butt-kickin'.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 18, 2013, 09:32:57 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 18, 2013, 09:23:40 AM
Great score, Greg! What magnificent programs!  And you start off with Mälkki — prepare for [the good kind of] butt-kickin'.

Thanks, Karl! A few pieces I've never seen live (Petrushka, Metamorphosen, War Requiem...) possibly fourth time to see Rach's Dances, but it's one of the greatest orchestral showpieces, and after seeing Runnicles last month in an all-Brahms concert, I'm stoked for another one, and his Strauss/Beethoven concert, Runnicles is an exciting conductor.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 18, 2013, 10:02:47 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 18, 2013, 09:23:40 AM
Great score, Greg! What magnificent programs!  And you start off with Mälkki — prepare for [the good kind of] butt-kickin'.

What Karl said ^^^. I've only heard Mälkki live once - with the International Contemporary Ensemble - but thought she was one of the most exciting conductors I've heard in years. And I agree with you about Runnicles - he's excellent. Very fine programming.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 18, 2013, 01:54:38 PM
Quote from: Brewski on July 18, 2013, 10:02:47 AM
What Karl said ^^^. I've only heard Mälkki live once - with the International Contemporary Ensemble - but thought she was one of the most exciting conductors I've heard in years. And I agree with you about Runnicles - he's excellent. Very fine programming.

--Bruce

Thanks, Bruce! I do remember you praising both Runnicles and the ASO in the past.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 18, 2013, 01:57:24 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 18, 2013, 09:23:40 AMAnd you start off with Mälkki — prepare for [the good kind of] butt-kickin'.[/font]
Absolutely agree with this - saw her do Sibelius Five in London and it was a fire-breathing account, fantastic. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 18, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
Few things on the itinerary:

Diana Damrau Recital (w/Xavier de Maistre)
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas, Felsenreitschule, Shostakovich I think...
Birtwistle: Gawain, Felsenreitschule
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler III, Grosses Festspielhaus
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 1,   Kollegienkirche (Birtwistle and stuff)
W. Braunfels, Jeanne d'Arc, Felsenreitschule
Mozart, Lucio Silla, Haus für Mozart, Fischer Adam
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler VII, Grosses Festspielhaus
Vienna  Phil • Mahler V • Zubin Mehta, Grosses Festspielhaus
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 22, 2013, 08:52:06 AM
Quote from: Velimir on July 02, 2013, 04:01:38 PM
July 21 (Sunday) at Ravinia - an interesting program by an up-&-coming young quartet:

Linden String Quartet

Haydn: String Quartet No. 64 in D Major (Op. 76, No. 5)
John Corigliano: Snapshot: Circa 1909; A Black November Turkey 
William Bolcom: Three Rags for String Quartet
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A Minor, Op. 132

Well this turned out to be one of the best chamber concerts I've been to in a long time. This is a young quartet (founded 2008), and they crackle with energy and enthusiasm. I think there were a couple of insecure moments in the Beethoven, but playing was mostly superb and the Heiliger Dankgesang was wonderfully done. The American pieces, particularly the Bolcom rags, made for a nice modern detour from the Viennese classics on display.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on July 23, 2013, 06:23:55 AM
Quote from: Velimir on July 22, 2013, 08:52:06 AM
Well this turned out to be one of the best chamber concerts I've been to in a long time. This is a young quartet (founded 2008), and they crackle with energy and enthusiasm. I think there were a couple of insecure moments in the Beethoven, but playing was mostly superb and the Heiliger Dankgesang was wonderfully done. The American pieces, particularly the Bolcom rags, made for a nice modern detour from the Viennese classics on display.

Excellent.

I heard the Grant Park Symphony last Saturday do Berlioz King Lear, Martin Concerto for seven Winds, and Saint-Saens Organ Symphony under Thierry Fischer, which was excellent.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 23, 2013, 06:51:28 AM
Quote from: MishaK on July 23, 2013, 06:23:55 AM
Excellent.

And I'm going to Mahler 7 this Thursday! This will probably be my only CSO concert this summer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 26, 2013, 04:14:23 AM



Preview of the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( Gawain )

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHdSdKeUzHM/UfFySo5ivBI/AAAAAAAAGu8/C89OqR8KPsc/s1600/Salzburg_Gawain_laurson_600.jpg)
(http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/preview-of-2013-salzburg-festival-gawain.html)
QuoteOne of the performances I'm most looking forward to at this year's Salzburg Festival is Harrison Birtwistle's Gawain, in a Alvis Hermanis production, conducted by Ingo Metzmacher, and featuring the ever strapping and striking Christopher Maltman. Here are some photos (below the jump) of the production (courtesy Salzburg Festival, © Ruth Walz) which will premiere today, June 26th.

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/preview-of-2013-salzburg-festival-gawain.html[/url]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on July 26, 2013, 06:53:19 AM
Hey, Jens. Are you still based in Munich? I will be in Munich for a couple of days early next month to visit relatives. Is there something good to hear or is everyone gone on summer break?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 26, 2013, 07:35:11 AM
Quote from: MishaK on July 26, 2013, 06:53:19 AM
Hey, Jens. Are you still based in Munich? I will be in Munich for a couple of days early next month to visit relatives. Is there something good to hear or is everyone gone on summer break?

The opera festival is going on... but everything that's interesting should be sold out. Orchestras are on break... so I'd scan little festivals in the surrounding areas for interesting bits.

I'll be mostly in Salzburg and Schwarzenberg (Schubertiade) for the summer, so that I can get my regular fix... seeing how Bayreuth didn't ask me to see their Ring, stingy buggers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 29, 2013, 03:50:14 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 18, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
Few things on the itinerary:

Diana Damrau Recital (w/Xavier de Maistre)
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas, Felsenreitschule, Shostakovich I think...
Birtwistle: Gawain, Felsenreitschule
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler III, Grosses Festspielhaus
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 1,   Kollegienkirche (Birtwistle and stuff)
W. Braunfels, Jeanne d'Arc, Felsenreitschule
Mozart, Lucio Silla, Haus für Mozart, Fischer Adam
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler VII, Grosses Festspielhaus
Vienna  Phil • Mahler V • Zubin Mehta, Grosses Festspielhaus




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 1 )
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/el-sistema-youth-orchestra-of-caracas.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/el-sistema-youth-orchestra-of-caracas.html)




Ionarts-at-Large: A Damrau Liederabend to Harp On

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-meFOZ9UKT0Q/UfP92sFhZ0I/AAAAAAAAGvs/4EyjHf2h56k/s1600/Damrau_Maistre_laurson_600.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/ionarts-at-large-damrau-liederabend-to.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/ionarts-at-large-damrau-liederabend-to.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 30, 2013, 08:21:04 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 18, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
Few things on the itinerary:

Diana Damrau Recital (w/Xavier de Maistre)
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas, Felsenreitschule, Shostakovich I think...
Birtwistle: Gawain, Felsenreitschule
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler III, Grosses Festspielhaus
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 1,   Kollegienkirche (Birtwistle and stuff)
W. Braunfels, Jeanne d'Arc, Felsenreitschule
Mozart, Lucio Silla, Haus für Mozart, Fischer Adam
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler VII, Grosses Festspielhaus
Vienna  Phil • Mahler V • Zubin Mehta, Grosses Festspielhaus



Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 2 )
Harrison Birtwistle • Gawain

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-2.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-2.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 31, 2013, 07:45:40 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 18, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
Few things on the itinerary:

Diana Damrau Recital (w/Xavier de Maistre)
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas, Felsenreitschule, Shostakovich I think...
Birtwistle: Gawain, Felsenreitschule
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler III, Grosses Festspielhaus
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 1,   Kollegienkirche (Birtwistle and stuff)
W. Braunfels, Jeanne d'Arc, Felsenreitschule
Mozart, Lucio Silla, Haus für Mozart, Fischer Adam
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler VII, Grosses Festspielhaus
Vienna  Phil • Mahler V • Zubin Mehta, Grosses Festspielhaus




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 3 )
El Sistema • Simón Bolívar Orchestra
Glorious Venezuelan Mahler

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-3-el.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/07/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-3-el.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 03, 2013, 07:11:21 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 18, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
Few things on the itinerary:

Diana Damrau Recital (w/Xavier de Maistre)
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas, Felsenreitschule, Shostakovich I think...
Birtwistle: Gawain, Felsenreitschule
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler III, Grosses Festspielhaus
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 1,   Kollegienkirche (Birtwistle and stuff)
W. Braunfels, Jeanne d'Arc, Felsenreitschule
Mozart, Lucio Silla, Haus für Mozart, Fischer Adam
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler VII, Grosses Festspielhaus
Vienna  Phil • Mahler V • Zubin Mehta, Grosses Festspielhaus




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 5 )
Walter Braunfels • Jeanne D'Arc
The Would-Be Future of Opera at Stake

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-5.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-5.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 05, 2013, 06:00:45 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 18, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
Few things on the itinerary:

Diana Damrau Recital (w/Xavier de Maistre)
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas, Felsenreitschule, Shostakovich I think...
Birtwistle: Gawain, Felsenreitschule
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler III, Grosses Festspielhaus
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 1,   Kollegienkirche (Birtwistle and stuff)
W. Braunfels, Jeanne d'Arc, Felsenreitschule
Mozart, Lucio Silla, Haus für Mozart, Fischer Adam
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler VII, Grosses Festspielhaus
Vienna  Phil • Mahler V • Zubin Mehta, Grosses Festspielhaus




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 6 )
Lucio Silla • W.A.Mozart
Pretty to Die for and Deadly Boring

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-6.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-6.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 05, 2013, 07:06:31 AM
The finale of the Grant Park Festival on August 17 should be a good one:


Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Donald Nally, Guest Chorus Director

Adams: Black Gondola
Adams: Harmonium
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 08, 2013, 03:38:03 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on July 18, 2013, 11:47:24 PM
Few things on the itinerary:

Diana Damrau Recital (w/Xavier de Maistre)
El Sistema • Youth Orchestra of Caracas, Felsenreitschule, Shostakovich I think...
Birtwistle: Gawain, Felsenreitschule
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler III, Grosses Festspielhaus
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 1,   Kollegienkirche (Birtwistle and stuff)
W. Braunfels, Jeanne d'Arc, Felsenreitschule
Mozart, Lucio Silla, Haus für Mozart, Fischer Adam
Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra Mahler VII, Grosses Festspielhaus
Vienna  Phil • Mahler V • Zubin Mehta, Grosses Festspielhaus



Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 9 )
Vienna Philharmonic • Zubin Mehta
Mahler in the Morning

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-9.html)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on August 08, 2013, 04:02:44 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 08, 2013, 03:38:03 AM


Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 9 )
Vienna Philharmonic • Zubin Mehta
Mahler in the Morning

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-9.html)

Great review, Jens. And, as always, highly entertaining:

"There are only so many Adorno quotes one can shove into a text (one; preferably fewer) before it gets tedious."

:D ;D :D

I've had Zukerman's Mozart 3 & 5 since the early 90s, when a friend gave me his newly purchased CD...forced it on me actually because he couldn't stand it. I love it. It's just so fascinatingly different. Think I'll give it a spin now.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 10, 2013, 12:54:25 AM


(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a9tH6rOMBdQ/UgU2_2BCi_I/AAAAAAAAG-o/ls6oxZFNdRo/s1600/Russian_Sixes_laurson_600.png)

Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 10 )

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra 1 • Mariss Jansons
A Russian Pair of Sixes

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-10.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-10.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: cjvinthechair on August 10, 2013, 03:47:55 AM
A few(among many I won't see) exciting 'new' works at the Proms in the next few days; Birtwistle - Moth Requiem...Nishat Khan - Sitar Concerto...Gubaidulina - Rider on a White Horse.
The world's greatest music-fest !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 13, 2013, 06:08:23 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 18, 2013, 09:17:10 AM
Purchased a series for the 2013-2014 Season of the Atlanta Symphony, I will trade two in exchange for two from another series.


Received my tickets for the new season, and it looks like the ASO has made a program change in one of the concerts, this may force me to update my selections as I really like this new one, a lot...
Feb. 20 and 22, 2014

Robert Spano
David Coucheron, violin
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Brett Polegato, baritone
ASO Chorus

RVW: The Lark Ascending
RVW: Symphony No. 4
RVW: Dona Nobis Pacem
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on August 13, 2013, 06:15:35 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 13, 2013, 06:08:23 AM
Received my tickets for the new season, and it looks like the ASO has made a program change in one of the concerts, this may force me to update my selections as I really like this new one, a lot...
Feb. 20 and 22, 2014

Robert Spano
David Coucheron, violin
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Brett Polegato, baritone
ASO Chorus

RVW: The Lark Ascending
RVW: Symphony No. 4
RVW: Dona Nobis Pacem

Ooh, nice! I don't suppose John (MI) will be going, though, since it's Spano...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 17, 2013, 10:12:04 AM



Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 11 )
Soloist Recital • Till Fellner

Baroque Brawn and Classical Timidity

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wO2d-EL4UI8/Ug-62BDyPdI/AAAAAAAAHAY/eI8isYLE9hk/s1600/Salzburg_Till-Fellner_c_SilviaLelli_600_jens-f-laurson.JPG)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-11.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-11.html)




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 12 )
El Sistema • White Hands Choir

The Calligraphy of Song

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxPkgMWYXdk/Ug-uQqVVhJI/AAAAAAAAHAA/pauzlDWfBuY/s1600/White_Hands_Choir_Salzburg_ionarts_600.JPG)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-12.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-12.html)




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 13 )
Liederabend • Christian Gerhaher & Gerold Huber

The Art of Darkness

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WK27Kqn-ifA/Ug-nuBPqolI/AAAAAAAAG_w/9F40QA1DNT8/s1600/Gerhaher_Salzburg_ionarts_600.JPG)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-13.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-13.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 18, 2013, 07:17:13 AM
Quote from: Velimir on August 05, 2013, 07:06:31 AM
Grant Park Orchestra And Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, Conductor
Donald Nally, Guest Chorus Director

Adams: Black Gondola
Adams: Harmonium
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

A review, which I largely agree with: http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/08/kalmar-grant-park-orchestra-wrap-the-season-with-adams-and-stravinsky/

It was good to see such a large audience for this non-standard program - there must have been several thousand people there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 18, 2013, 07:25:55 AM
Quote from: Velimir on August 18, 2013, 07:17:13 AM
A review, which I largely agree with: http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/08/kalmar-grant-park-orchestra-wrap-the-season-with-adams-and-stravinsky/

It was good to see such a large audience for this non-standard program - there must have been several thousand people there.

Damn those dominating brass players.  :)

A good review from Chicago Tribune of same concert...

http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-77066025/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 18, 2013, 10:32:01 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 18, 2013, 07:25:55 AM
Damn those dominating brass players.  :)

A good review from Chicago Tribune of same concert...

http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-77066025/

This is nicely put: "If "Rite of Spring" is music of the earth, "Harmonium" is music of the ether."

I do think the Adams was the highlight of the concert. The Stravinsky was OK, but the Adams was something special in this performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 20, 2013, 12:14:33 PM
On Sunday at Snape :

Christian Blackshaw (piano)

Mozart - Fantasie in D minor K397 - Sonata in D major K576
Schubert - Sonata in A minor D784
Schumann - Fantasie in C major Op.17
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on August 30, 2013, 08:06:08 AM
Tonight :

Snape Proms

Isabelle Faust (violin)
Kristian Bezuidenhout (harpsichord)


JS Bach
Sonatas for violin and keyboard No.1 in B minor; No.3 in E major; No.6 in G major
Sonata No.2 for solo violin in A minor
Toccata in D minor

***
The Blackshaw recital from last Sunday was really good. I really need to revisit Schumann Piano music after that one. The Schubert was striking too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 01, 2013, 08:17:43 PM
Coming up Sunday, Sept. 29:

Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra / Alan Heatherington, conductor

Bartók Hungarian Sketches
Brahms Tragic Overture, Op. 81
Bruckner Symphony No. 6 in A

This is a suburban orchestra, but a serious one that includes a number of moonlighting CSO members. This year in Chicago has been a good one for the more obscure Bruckner symphonies, with 1, 2 and now 6.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on September 02, 2013, 04:17:30 AM
Next week I get to hear atonal honking (first time for me to hear atonal music live) in the form of David Diamond plus other American composers.  Should be neat. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: not edward on September 02, 2013, 06:45:35 AM
Talking of atonal honking, this may be over six months in the future, but I think it'll be a highlight of the year for me:

Thursday March 20, 2014 @ Jane Mallet Theatre
An Evening with the Arditti String Quartet
Co-production with Music Toronto - Concert 8:00
Jane Mallett Theatre, 27 Front St. E. (St. Lawrence Centre) [MAP]

Elliott Carter - String Quartet No.5 (1995)

Hilda Paredes - String Quartet No. 2 "Cuerdas del Destino" (2007-2008) (Canadian Premiere)

Brian Ferneyhough - Dum Transisset I-IV (2006-2007)

Helmut Lachenmann - String Quartet No. 3 "Grido" (2000-2001)


Less far in the future, this very nicely thematic program:

Sunday October 6, 2013 @ Betty Oliphant Theatre
New Music Concerts Ensemble | Robert Aitken direction | Accordes
curated by Austin Clarkson
Introduction 7:15 | Concert 8:00
Afternoon Symposium on site at 2:30
Presented with the support of the Mary-Margaret Webb Foundation and the Stefan Wolpe Society
Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis Street [MAP]

Anton Webern - Konzert, Op.24 (1931-34) fl, ob, cl, hn, tpt, trb, va, pf

Morton Feldman - Structures (1951) string quartet

Stefan Wolpe - Concerto for nine Instruments, Op.22 (1933-34) fl, cl, bn, hn, tpt, trb, vn, vc, pf

John Cage - String Quartet in Four Parts (1949-50)

Anton Webern - Konzert, Op.24 (1931-34) (reprise performance)

Morton Feldman - Projection 5 (1951) 3 fl, tpt, pf, vn, vc [graphic score]

Stefan Wolpe - Chamber Piece No.1 (1964) fl, ob, eh, cl, bn, tpt, trb, 2vn, va, vc, cb, pf
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on September 02, 2013, 09:06:56 AM
Impressive concerts!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Opus106 on September 05, 2013, 12:30:34 AM
Mehta's concert with Bavarian State Orcehstra, this weekend, at the Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir. Well, I'm not going to be there, just looking forward to its telecast. Naturally, this concert has achieved a lot of national attention due to the venue, with many groups in the state asking for a boycott and some others organising a parallel concert/event displaying and performing Kashmiri art.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 06, 2013, 12:24:26 AM



Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 14 )
El Sistema • Ntl. Children's Symphony Orchestra & Simon Rattle

Pint-sized Mahler

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nflh0d7ZUak/UhJDKSApnsI/AAAAAAAAHBU/vZysbO3RQK4/s1600/Salzburg_NCOoV_Rattle_600_Laurson.JPG)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-14.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-14-el.html)




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 15 )
Shakespeare/Mendelssohn • Ein Sommernachtstraum

Inspiration for Wagner

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DryV6f04PUI/UhNrGmids4I/AAAAAAAAHCU/oOqUDxqaaps/s1600/Salzburg_Sommernachts_Vocalensemble_Titiana_600_Laurson.JPG)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-15.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-15.html)




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 16 )
Salzburg contemporary • Klangforum Wien 2, Heinz Holliger

Japanese Rain, Confused Owls, Nocturnal Guitar Lessons

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZplIxJ8POY/UhPHADuVQAI/AAAAAAAAHDY/PyjnuSNdLhI/s1600/Salzburg_Klangforum_Holliger_600_Laurson.JPG)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-16.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-16.html)




Notes from the 2013 Salzburg Festival ( 17 )
Die Meistersinger • Richard Wagner

Innocence Regained

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPkrK-57VLU/UfFuIMEi-QI/AAAAAAAAGt8/hWkrJhEEoRs/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2013.jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--i3oDAHBiyQ/UiisfmT1yUI/AAAAAAAAHE8/smZoclgun9Q/s1600/Salzburg_Meistersinger_Krokodil_laurson_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/08/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-17.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-salzburg-festival-17.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 07, 2013, 10:14:09 AM
Tonight!

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Stars of Lyric Opera at Millennium Park
Streaming live HERE (http://www.wfmt.com/) on WFMT.

7:15pm Central/ 8:15pm EA - Or if you're in Chicago, Pritzker Pavilion.

Live from Pritzker Pavilion, Lyric Opera of Chicago welcomes Ana María Martínez, Albina Shagimuratova and singers from the Ryan Opera Center for highlights from Madama Butterfly, Lohengrin, Otello, Il Trovatore, and Lucia di Lammermoor. The operatic extravaganza heralds the coming 2013-14 season at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Albina Shagimuratova made a stunning Lyric debut last season as Gilda in Rigoletto. Ana María Martínez (Mimì last season) will sing her role debut as Desdemona next month, and will return later in the season for Rusalka.

Broadcasts are co-hosted by Peter Van De Graaff and Lyric's Roger Pines. Live broadcasts from the Civic Opera House resume on Saturday, October 5 at 4:45 PM with the season opener, Otello.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 08, 2013, 06:17:23 AM



Notes from the 2013 Schubertiade ( 1 )

Schubert and Rarely Beyond

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHmn1ZpT4s/Uix2vLW20sI/AAAAAAAAHHI/V_37dxqH76I/s1600/Schubertiade_Notes_singlelayer.jpg)
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n1TL3iL_g20/Uix0e86lteI/AAAAAAAAHG8/e3u7LrTrvE0/s1600/Schubertiade_Schwarzenberg_Vista_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-1.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-1.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 09, 2013, 05:28:23 AM



Notes from the 2013 Schubertiade ( 2 ) • Prégardien Père et Fils

A Father & Son Duo of Tenors

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHmn1ZpT4s/Uix2vLW20sI/AAAAAAAAHHI/V_37dxqH76I/s1600/Schubertiade_Notes_singlelayer.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Im5NvBxpoQo/Ui3MMwcao1I/AAAAAAAAHHc/mCkxLgUg_S0/s1600/Schubertiade_Pregardien_father-son_laurson_600.jp)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-2.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-2.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on September 09, 2013, 12:25:33 PM
Now HERE's a Pittsburgh Symphony concert I might very well attend:

February 21-23:

Casella: Suite from La donna serpente
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto no. 5 (Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano)
Schumann: Symphony no. 2

Gianandrea Noseda


Noseda, as the guest conductor of the PSO and a champion of Casella's music, has managed to squeeze in a couple Casella works into his concerts from time to time. Besides world premieres, Casella's music is the only relatively little-known music that has entered the PSO's repertoire. I really hope Noseda programs his Symphony no. 3 at some point! Also, the Prokofiev (which is one of his least-encountered works) will be handled with Bavouzet's magic touch. Being right around my birthday, this concert would serve as a nice present! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on September 11, 2013, 12:25:12 PM


>NOTES FROM THE 2013 SCHUBERTIADE ( 3 ) • BELCEA QUARTET & THOMAS QUASTHOFF

A Father & Son Duo of Tenors

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHmn1ZpT4s/Uix2vLW20sI/AAAAAAAAHHI/V_37dxqH76I/s1600/Schubertiade_Notes_singlelayer.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KLbLv20VYG8/Ui3RGZRkr4I/AAAAAAAAHHw/UMUIYLwD9VI/s1600/Schubertiade_Belcea_Quasthoff_laurson_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-3-belcea.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-3-belcea.html)

Reciting poems like a High School valedictorian at his commencement speech...



>NOTES FROM THE 2013 SCHUBERTIADE ( 4 ) • BELCEA QUARTET & TILL FELLNER

A Father & Son Duo of Tenors

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHmn1ZpT4s/Uix2vLW20sI/AAAAAAAAHHI/V_37dxqH76I/s1600/Schubertiade_Notes_singlelayer.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S298oYXN7Jc/Ui3l3bV0OWI/AAAAAAAAHII/jObPIhhPCV0/s1600/Schubertiade_Belcea_Fellner_laurson_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-4-belcea.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-4-belcea.html)

The Belcea Quartet makes a wonderful Trio...




>NOTES FROM THE 2013 SCHUBERTIADE ( 5 ) • DIANA DAMRAU & XAVIER DE MAISTRE

And tears are heard within the harp I touch.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHmn1ZpT4s/Uix2vLW20sI/AAAAAAAAHHI/V_37dxqH76I/s1600/Schubertiade_Notes_singlelayer.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryYduf70hAg/Ui7ZiSWLVxI/AAAAAAAAHIo/KgDNpbRFcQ8/s1600/Schubertiade_Damrau_Maistre_laurson_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-5-diana.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-5-diana.html)

The harp remains the singularly most tedious instrument, all the same...






>NOTES FROM THE 2013 SCHUBERTIADE ( 6 ) • LEMONY BOSTRIDGE & LASCIVIOUS RÖSCHMANN

St. Anthony and his Funny Fishes

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHmn1ZpT4s/Uix2vLW20sI/AAAAAAAAHHI/V_37dxqH76I/s1600/Schubertiade_Notes_singlelayer.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M735Pcfmwkc/UjDHpRwcI_I/AAAAAAAAHJA/t7RGXZR7r7U/s1600/Schubertiade_Bostridge_Roeschmann_laurson_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-6-lemony.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-6-lemony.html)

With a face that looks like a lemon, squeezed against its will... [link corrected]



>NOTES FROM THE 2013 SCHUBERTIADE ( 7 ) • HAGEN QUARTETT I

Of Serious and Harp-playing Beethoven Cows

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJHmn1ZpT4s/Uix2vLW20sI/AAAAAAAAHHI/V_37dxqH76I/s1600/Schubertiade_Notes_singlelayer.jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJly2fsISvM/UjIsVHRO3aI/AAAAAAAAHKk/TQs8-0dYQSA/s1600/Schubertiade_Hagen_Quartett_laurson_600.jpg)
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-7-hagen.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2013/09/notes-from-2013-schubertiade-7-hagen.htmll)

As hard as it is to trade the countryside, the sun, and the smell of grass and herbs  (essential experiences for anyone attending the Schubertiade) in for a concert hall, it has to be done: Duty calls...


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 12, 2013, 06:32:38 AM
Next month at Carnegie Hall:

October 11
Mariinsky Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, Music Director and Conductor
Denis Matsuev, Piano
Timur Martynov, Trumpet
ALL-SHOSTAKOVICH PROGRAM
Concerto for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings
Symphony No. 8

October 13
The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Joyce DiDonato, Mezzo-Soprano
VERDI Overture to I vespri Siciliani
CARTER Variations for Orchestra
ROSSINI Giovanna d'Arco (orch. Salvatore Sciarrino)
MOZART "Deh, per questo istante solo" from La clemenza di Tito
MOZART "Non più di fiori" from La clemenza di Tito
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

October 15
Mariinsky Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, Music Director and Conductor
Denis Matsuev, Piano
ALL-RACHMANINOFF PROGRAM
Piano Concerto No. 3
Symphonic Dances

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 27, 2013, 06:43:44 AM
Missed Belgrade Philharmonic season opener last week, and annoyingly super rare chance to hear Weill's 2nd Symphony live. :(

Tonight bit more mainstream repertoire:

Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Khachaturian: Flute Concerto (Rampal's transcription of Violin Cto)
Shostakovich: Symphony no.9

Sharon Bezaly - flute
Belgrade Philharmonic
Anu Tali - conducting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NJ Joe on September 27, 2013, 06:55:45 AM
Just got tix for both nights!


PRINCETON UNIVERSITY CONCERTS PRESENTS THE TAKACS STRING QUARTET

The Takacs String Quartet performs all six Bartok String Quartets in Princeton October 10 & 11, 2013 at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall

Thursday and Friday, October 10 and 11, 2013 8 pm

TAKáCS STRING QUARTET

All 6 Bartók string quartets performed in two evenings — Under any circumstance, hearing all six of Bartók's string quartets is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To hear them played by chamber music royalty like the Takács Quartet will be truly memorable.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on September 27, 2013, 07:00:23 AM
Still not sure yet if I will be free on those days, but on October 25, 26 and 27, Salonen will be conducting the LA Phil, playing The Unanswered Question, Salonen Violin Concerto, and Sibelius 5. It will be special for me as one of my first concerts in LA back in the 80's was Salonen's debut there as a guest conductor, conducting Sibelius 5!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on September 27, 2013, 07:40:32 AM
Quote from: NJ Joe on September 27, 2013, 06:55:45 AM
Just got tix for both nights!

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY CONCERTS PRESENTS THE TAKACS STRING QUARTET

The Takacs String Quartet performs all six Bartok String Quartets in Princeton October 10 & 11, 2013 at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall

Thursday and Friday, October 10 and 11, 2013 8 pm

TAKáCS STRING QUARTET

All 6 Bartók string quartets performed in two evenings — Under any circumstance, hearing all six of Bartók's string quartets is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To hear them played by chamber music royalty like the Takács Quartet will be truly memorable.

Quote from: springrite on September 27, 2013, 07:00:23 AM
Still not sure yet if I will be free on those days, but on October 25, 26 and 27, Salonen will be conducting the LA Phil, playing The Unanswered Question, Salonen Violin Concerto, and Sibelius 5. It will be special for me as one of my first concerts in LA back in the 80's was Salonen's debut there as a guest conductor, conducting Sibelius 5!

Très cool, gents!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 27, 2013, 08:29:55 AM
Quote from: NJ Joe on September 27, 2013, 06:55:45 AM
TAKáCS STRING QUARTET

All 6 Bartók string quartets performed in two evenings — Under any circumstance, hearing all six of Bartók's string quartets is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To hear them played by chamber music royalty like the Takács Quartet will be truly memorable.

This looks terrific...

Quote from: springrite on September 27, 2013, 07:00:23 AM
Still not sure yet if I will be free on those days, but on October 25, 26 and 27, Salonen will be conducting the LA Phil, playing The Unanswered Question, Salonen Violin Concerto, and Sibelius 5. It will be special for me as one of my first concerts in LA back in the 80's was Salonen's debut there as a guest conductor, conducting Sibelius 5!

Salonen and Josefowicz will be doing his concerto here with the New York Philharmonic, also at the end of October (after yours) - can't wait to hear it live. He's also adding the Sibelius 5, but instead of the Ives, Ravel's Mother Goose Suite.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on September 27, 2013, 08:40:38 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 27, 2013, 08:29:55 AM
This looks terrific...

Salonen and Josefowicz will be doing his concerto here with the New York Philharmonic, also at the end of October (after yours) - can't wait to hear it live. He's also adding the Sibelius 5, but instead of the Ives, Ravel's Mother Goose Suite.

--Bruce
I have never heard his Ives before, so that would be most interesting. I love much of his work, except anything between Mozart and Bruckner. Bach to Haydn, Mahler to Salonen himself are just wonderful!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 27, 2013, 08:43:15 AM
Quote from: springrite on September 27, 2013, 08:40:38 AM
I have never heard his Ives before, so that would be most interesting. I love much of his work, except anything between Mozart and Bruckner. Bach to Haydn, Mahler to Salonen himself are just wonderful!

Yes, he's quite a superb conductor, and I'll bet he handles the Ives beautifully. (Plus, it should sound great in Disney Hall.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on September 28, 2013, 07:29:33 AM
Caught my first-ever performance of Handel's Dixit Dominus last night, performed by the excellent San Diego Bach Collegium!

A gorgeous evening of music by the sea:

http://www.bachcollegiumsd.org/web/events.aspx

They are also performing tonight and I may catch that one too. . .

Good times for sure!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 30, 2013, 08:13:35 AM
Quote from: NJ Joe on September 27, 2013, 06:55:45 AM

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY CONCERTS PRESENTS THE TAKACS STRING QUARTET

The Takacs String Quartet performs all six Bartok String Quartets in Princeton October 10 & 11, 2013 at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall

I'm envious. I was supposed to hear this at Ravinia this summer, but they had to cancel for medical reasons  >:(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 30, 2013, 08:19:33 AM
Quote from: Velimir on September 01, 2013, 08:17:43 PM
Coming up Sunday, Sept. 29:

Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra / Alan Heatherington, conductor

Bartók Hungarian Sketches
Brahms Tragic Overture, Op. 81
Bruckner Symphony No. 6 in A

This whole concert was good, but the Bruckner 6 was the highlight. Nice to hear it done in an appropriately keck ("cheeky") manner (die Sechste ist die keckste, as Bruckner himself said).

This took place at the North Shore Center for the Arts in Skokie IL, in a rather intimate hall (c. 850 seats) with very nice acoustics. The orchestra includes a sizeable number of moonlighting players from CSO, Lyric Opera and other high-quality ensembles (Milwaukee, Minnesota), so the playing was very good. There was a nice reception afterward, where we got to meet the musicians.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on September 30, 2013, 08:22:52 AM
Quote from: Velimir on September 30, 2013, 08:19:33 AM
This whole concert was good, but the Bruckner 6 was the highlight. Nice to hear it done in an appropriately keck ("cheeky") manner (die Sechste ist die keckste, as Bruckner himself said).

This took place at the North Shore Center for the Arts in Skokie IL, in a rather intimate hall (c. 850 seats) with very nice acoustics. The orchestra includes a sizeable number of moonlighting players from CSO, Lyric Opera and other high-quality ensembles (Milwaukee, Minnesota), so the playing was very good. There was a nice reception afterward, where we got to meet the musicians.

Nice! And in spite of the plain-vanilla-ness of the title, the Hungarian Sketches are first-rate Bartók.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on September 30, 2013, 08:27:20 AM
Britten - Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell
Strauss - Oboe Concerto
Mahler - Symphony No. 4

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Richard Woodhams - Oboe
Christiane Karg - Soprano
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall

My first concert of the season. Should be a good one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 30, 2013, 06:04:24 PM
Quote from: stingo on September 30, 2013, 08:27:20 AM
Britten - Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell
Strauss - Oboe Concerto
Mahler - Symphony No. 4

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Richard Woodhams - Oboe
Christiane Karg - Soprano
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall

My first concert of the season. Should be a good one.

That is a good one, stingo. Let us know how it goes.
I'm seeing the principal oboe of the Atlanta Symphony perform the Strauss with the ASO in April. Such a good concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2013, 01:53:59 AM
Just purchased my ticket for a November performance of Wagner's Parsifal at The Lyric Opera of Chicago. Will be my first time at Lyric, planning to get a tour back stage (will definitely share pics) and hopefully meet Sir Andrew Davis. This will be my first Wagner opera to see live. Here is the info from Lyric's website. (http://www.lyricopera.org/parsifal/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 04, 2013, 01:59:22 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2013, 01:53:59 AM
Just purchased my ticket for a November performance of Wagner's Parsifal at The Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Hey, I might go to that too. Looking at Nov. 17 as a possible date.

First, however, comes this, later this month:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Semyon Bychkov, conductor
Kirill Gerstein, pianist
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2
Walton: Symphony No. 1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 04, 2013, 02:03:05 PM
Yesterday: Wispelwey played Haydn here. A good time to be ill. :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2013, 02:18:46 PM
Quote from: Velimir on October 04, 2013, 01:59:22 PM
Hey, I might go to that too. Looking at Nov. 17 as a possible date.


Cool. That's the date for me, matinee. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 05, 2013, 10:42:19 PM
Quote from: stingo on September 30, 2013, 08:27:20 AM
Britten - Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell
Strauss - Oboe Concerto
Mahler - Symphony No. 4

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor
Richard Woodhams - Oboe
Christiane Karg - Soprano
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall

My first concert of the season. Should be a good one.

A fine start to my concert season. The Britten was quite the crowd pleasure (I enjoyed it a lot as well). The Strauss Concerto was almost like a slow, quiet movement compared to the works that bookended it. Richard Woodhams (the orchestra's principal oboe) was really good - amazing to those who know the instrument. And the Mahler was (for me) the highlight of the evening, especially the third movement. Everything seemed just about right even if the brass drowned out the strings here and there in the Britten but nothing seemed rushed or too slow. I was also able to meet the maestro after the concert as he was signing copies of the orchestra's new Stravinsky/Stokowski CD. All in all - as I said above - an exciting start to my concert season and I'm looking forward to my next one in November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on October 05, 2013, 11:25:47 PM
Honegger Pacific 231
Bernstein Age of Anxiety
Prokofiev Symphony 4

played by the Bergen Philharmonic coming Thursday under Litton.

The Prokofiev I'll guess wil be the next release on BIS, looking forward to it; their no 6 is very fine in superb sound.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 08, 2013, 06:14:04 PM
I wonder if it's financially sound to fly to Europe for a week just to see this concert:

April 22, 2014
Brussels

SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto
SCHUMANN: Violin Concerto
SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto

Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Jean-Guihen Queyras; Isabelle Faust; AND Alexander Melnikov

Just...wow.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 08, 2013, 07:49:54 PM
Quote from: The new erato on October 05, 2013, 11:25:47 PM
Honegger Pacific 231
Bernstein Age of Anxiety
Prokofiev Symphony 4

played by the Bergen Philharmonic coming Thursday under Litton.

The Prokofiev I'll guess wil be the next release on BIS, looking forward to it; their no 6 is very fine in superb sound.

That should be an excellent concert, erato. Hope you enjoy it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 08, 2013, 07:50:50 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 08, 2013, 06:14:04 PM
I wonder if it's financially sound to fly to Europe for a week just to see this concert:

April 22, 2014
Brussels

SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto
SCHUMANN: Violin Concerto
SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto

Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Jean-Guihen Queyras; Isabelle Faust; AND Alexander Melnikov

Just...wow.

Can I come with you? :) That WOULD be an awesome concert. All fine soloists in three fine works.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 09, 2013, 11:19:23 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 08, 2013, 06:14:04 PM
I wonder if it's financially sound to fly to Europe for a week just to see this concert:

April 22, 2014
Brussels

SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto
SCHUMANN: Violin Concerto
SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto

Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Jean-Guihen Queyras; Isabelle Faust; AND Alexander Melnikov

Just...wow.

Yes, I'll hop along with you and John (MI).  Wow is right.  Would love to hear all three of these fine concertos in one evening, and with those top notch artists too!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 09, 2013, 12:08:21 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 08, 2013, 06:14:04 PM
I wonder if it's financially sound to fly to Europe for a week just to see this concert:

April 22, 2014
Brussels

SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto
SCHUMANN: Violin Concerto
SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto

Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Jean-Guihen Queyras; Isabelle Faust; AND Alexander Melnikov

Just...wow.
This would definitely be something
BTW, John, if you're so excited about this, you should get the Herreweghe disc of the PC and CC with Andreas Staier and Christophe Coin.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 09, 2013, 12:09:38 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 09, 2013, 11:14:37 AM
Tomorrow night at the Barbican Centre, London:

Mozart Piano Concerto No 9 K271
Shostakovich Symphony No 4

London Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink conductor
Emanuel Ax piano

Yum.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 09, 2013, 12:17:22 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 09, 2013, 11:14:37 AM
Tomorrow night at the Barbican Centre, London:

Mozart Piano Concerto No 9 K271
Shostakovich Symphony No 4

London Symphony Orchestra
Bernard Haitink conductor
Emanuel Ax piano

Quote from: karlhenning on October 09, 2013, 12:09:38 PM
Yum.

Yum, indeed. Haitink's live 4th with the CSO is a (fairly) recent fave.

In the midst of a very dense few days coming up (Ensemble Signal playing Georg Friedrich Haas, Gergiev/Mariinsky in Shostakovich Eighth, The Nose at the Met, and jazz pianist Jonathan Batiste), I can't wait for this at Carnegie Hall on Sunday:

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Joyce DiDonato, Mezzo-Soprano

Verdi: Overture to I vespri Siciliani
Carter: Variations for Orchestra
Rossini: Giovanna d'Arco (orch. Salvatore Sciarrino)
Mozart: "Deh, per questo istante solo" from La clemenza di Tito
Mozart: "Non più di fiori" from La clemenza di Tito
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 09, 2013, 03:19:13 PM
Also in Euro-news: in June 2014, Anima Eterna and Jos van Immerseel will be presenting Beethoven's nine symphonies live at the Palace in Versailles!

Quote from: Brian on October 08, 2013, 06:14:04 PM
April 22, 2014
Brussels

SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto
SCHUMANN: Violin Concerto
SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto

Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
Jean-Guihen Queyras; Isabelle Faust; AND Alexander Melnikov

Now unhealthily considering making an actual trip of this, since two nights later in Amsterdam you get this:

ROSSINI: Overture, 'La scala di seta'
MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 3
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 5

Concertgebouw
Frank Peter Zimmermann; Krystian Zimerman; Mariss Jansons

And then two nights after that in Paris:

STRAVINSKY: Symphony in E flat
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 5

Orchestre National de France; Daniele Gatti

Although the honest truth is that any given month in Europe there are about 10 amazing concerts happening, compared to here in Texas where I might find 4 a year.

Mirror Image, you can arrive in Europe earlier than the rest of us:

MESSIAEN Les offrandes oubliées
CHOPIN Piano Concerto No 2
SCRIABIN Symphony No 3 ('The Divine Poem')

Valery Gergiev conductor
Daniil Trifonov piano
London Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, April 13, London
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 11, 2013, 07:33:40 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 09, 2013, 04:21:47 PM
The LSO's marketing blurb places great emphasis on the 4th being "one of the loudest symphonies ever written" which I am superficial enough to consider a hopeful sign **.  I have a couple of very good seats right in the firing line. ;D  It's amazing what really quite a small amount of money will still buy these days. :)  Sometimes. :-\

** After the event: optimism fully justified.  Bloody marvelous. :)  Apparently they are repeating this programme at the Lincoln Center NYC on 20th October.

So glad to hear this. And my bad: I will be there, after all. (Wasn't looking far enough ahead in the calendar.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on October 11, 2013, 09:33:25 AM
I just bought tickets to see Hélène Grimaud in Dallas. The program (Brahms PC 2, Dvorak 9th) is unadventurous even for me but I want to see Grimaud.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 06:33:55 PM
Tomorrow night, first of six Atlanta SO concerts for this season.

October 12, 2013
Susanna Mälkki - conductor, David Coucheron - concertmaster
RAVEL Mother Goose Suite
BARBER Violin Concerto 
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 11, 2013, 06:41:41 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 06:33:55 PM
Tomorrow night, first of six Atlanta SO concerts for this season.

October 12, 2013
Susanna Mälkki - conductor, David Coucheron - concertmaster
RAVEL Mother Goose Suite
BARBER Violin Concerto 
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2

Greg, hope you enjoy this concert.  I've had the opportunity to hear both the Ravel Mother Goose Suite and Sibelius 2nd, performed live in concert.  Tremendous experience hearing these pieces performed live.   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 06:49:43 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 11, 2013, 06:41:41 PM
Greg, hope you enjoy this concert.  I've had the opportunity to hear both the Ravel Mother Goose Suite and Sibelius 2nd, performed live in concert.  Tremendous experience hearing these pieces performed live.   :)

Thanks, Ray!
This will be a first for all three pieces, which is what I'm trying to accomplish this year with my ASO concerts. Pick programs containing pieces I've haven't seen live, which means no Rach Symphonic Dances or Berlioz fantastique because I've seen them multiple times, even though those are fantastic live pieces.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 11, 2013, 06:53:15 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 06:49:43 PM
Thanks, Ray!
Berlioz fantastique because I've seen them multiple times, even though those are fantastic live pieces.

I've had the fortune of hearing this performed live too.  Incredible live experience.  There were several high school students in the audience.  One was sitting beside me with his mother.  At the end of the piece, he got up at the same time with me, chanting 'Bravo'.  Could tell by the look on his face that he was completely enthralled and floored by the work, and the performance of the orchestra.  It was such a great thing to see!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 06:55:14 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 11, 2013, 06:53:15 PM
I've had the fortune of hearing this performed live too.  Incredible live experience.  There were several high school students in the audience.  One was sitting beside me with his mother.  At the end of the piece, he got up at the same time with me, chanting 'Bravo'.  Could tell by the look on his face that he was completely enthralled and floored by the work, and the performance of the orchestra.  It was such a great thing to see!  :)

Very cool.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on October 11, 2013, 07:03:24 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 06:33:55 PM
Tomorrow night, first of six Atlanta SO concerts for this season.

October 12, 2013
Susanna Mälkki - conductor, David Coucheron - concertmaster
RAVEL Mother Goose Suite
BARBER Violin Concerto 
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2

That's an awesome program, Greg. I love all three works very much.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 11, 2013, 07:06:00 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 06:33:55 PM
Tomorrow night, first of six Atlanta SO concerts for this season.

October 12, 2013
Susanna Mälkki - conductor, David Coucheron - concertmaster
RAVEL Mother Goose Suite
BARBER Violin Concerto 
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2

Too bad I can't meet up with you, Greg. I've got to work unfortunately. :( I'm definitely looking at the Volkov-led concert in May. Shostakovich's 10th and Bloch on the program. Definitely considering attending this concert. There's also another program I'm interested in with Shostakovich's 5th and Part's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten in November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 11, 2013, 07:13:58 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 11, 2013, 07:06:00 PM
Too bad I can't meet up with you, Greg. I've got to work unfortunately. :( I'm definitely looking at the Volkov-led concert in May. Shostakovich's 10th and Bloch on the program. Definitely considering attending this concert. There's also another program I'm interested in with Shostakovich's 5th and Part's Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten in November.

ASO has a strong brass section, they should rock DSCH's 5th and 10th pretty well. You should definitely check these concerts out, John.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 12, 2013, 11:06:10 PM
tonight: RIMSKY-KORSAKOFF: Dance of the Buffoons
TCHAIKOWSKY: Piano Concerto no.2 (Siloti edition)  - Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
BERNSTEIN: On the Town, West Side Story suites
Vancouver Symphony    Bramwell Tovey, cond.
brilliant, but not profound, good pieces to hear 'live'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dax on October 13, 2013, 03:13:29 AM
A shameless plug for the 1st performance of my solo piano version of Holst's
"The Planets" at 6.30 on Saturday 30th November at Schotts Recital Room, 48
Great Marlborough Street, London W1F 7BB.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on October 18, 2013, 12:21:39 PM
7th November, London. The LSO, Gergiev, Borodina in Berlioz Damnation of Faust.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on October 19, 2013, 08:41:45 AM
Beethoven - Romance No. 1, for violin and orchestra
Beethoven - Romance No. 2, for violin and orchestra
Dvorak - Serenade for Strings
Beethoven - Symphony No. 2
Brahms - Academic Festival Overture
Itzhak Perlman - violin and conductor
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Verizon Hall

My next concert is in November. I am excite!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on October 23, 2013, 02:49:18 PM
Next Monday at the BASF Feierabendhaus in Ludwigshafen, the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Karl-Heinz Steffens, Conductor
Frank Peter Zimmermann, Violin

Dvořák Carnival Overture
Dvořák, Violin Concerto A minor, op. 53
Elgar, Symphony #1 A flat op. 55


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 23, 2013, 10:54:47 PM
It's official. Just got ticket to LA Phil this Sunday:

Salonen: Violin Concerto (Josefowicz)
Sibelius:  Symphony #5

Now, almost thirty years ago, I heard Esa-Pekka's debut in Los Angeles as a 23 year old (I think that was his age then). It was a mesmerising performance of the 5th that I will never forget. Now I am back in Los Angeles for a visit, it's so special to have an opportunity to hear him again in that work, and with his magnificent violin concerto as a bonus, in a far better venue than Dorothy Chandler.

After the concert, a mad run to the Staples Center for KINGS vs. EDMONTON !!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 25, 2013, 08:44:18 AM
Tomorrow night, Gotham Chamber Opera presents a program of four one-act operas titled Baden-Baden 1927, recreating a concert from July 17 of that year. As some have noted, now that New York City Opera is gone ( :(), Gotham is one of the few alternatives to the Met.

Kurt Weill: Mahagonny Songspiel
Paul Hindemith: Hin und zurück (There and Back)
Darius Milhaud: L'enlèvement d'Europe (The Abduction of Europa)
Ernst Toch: Die Prinzessin auf der Erbse (The Princess and the Pea)

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 26, 2013, 09:41:31 PM
Quote from: Velimir on October 04, 2013, 01:59:22 PM
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Semyon Bychkov, conductor
Kirill Gerstein, pianist
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2
Walton: Symphony No. 1

Whoa, this was a scorcher. First we get the Prokofiev with its impossibly difficult piano part ripped thru by Gerstein in superhuman fashion. Then the Walton, which is still ringing in my ears a couple hours after. They really dug into this: I've rarely heard the CSO roaring so loudly and vehemently (and believe me, that is saying something).

Audience loved both pieces; extensive ovations. More of this sort of thing, please.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 27, 2013, 07:22:01 PM
I'll get to this next Monday, DV
Debussy :Marche ecossaise sur un theme populaire (Scottish March on a Popular Theme)
Bruch :Scottish Fantasy*
Mendelssohn :Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Scottish
Nicola Benedetti, violin     Vancouver Symphony     Jun Märkl, cond.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on October 27, 2013, 11:49:39 PM
Quote from: springrite on October 23, 2013, 10:54:47 PM
It's official. Just got ticket to LA Phil this Sunday:

Salonen: Violin Concerto (Josefowicz)
Sibelius:  Symphony #5

Now, almost thirty years ago, I heard Esa-Pekka's debut in Los Angeles as a 23 year old (I think that was his age then). It was a mesmerising performance of the 5th that I will never forget. Now I am back in Los Angeles for a visit, it's so special to have an opportunity to hear him again in that work, and with his magnificent violin concerto as a bonus, in a far better venue than Dorothy Chandler.

After the concert, a mad run to the Staples Center for KINGS vs. EDMONTON !!!

What a day! First of all, an amazing concert with Salonen. In the Unanswered Question, the stage was empty except for Salonen. I think the orchestral part (which was insignificant in a way) is pre-recorded. The flutes were high up behind the stage. The brass soloists were high up behind and above me in the upper balcony opposite the stage. Salonen conducted them from distance on the podium. The effect was amazing.
The concerto and the Sibelius are wonderfully done as expected.

Then, the KINGS beat the OILERS in OT shootout at STAPLES.

A good day for me in my return to LA!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 28, 2013, 04:05:26 AM
I unfortunately didn't attend this concert, partly because there's an ocean in between, but would have loved to...

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/28/a9u6y7um.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 30, 2013, 08:40:16 AM
TONIGHT!
At my local multiplex -
Shostakovich: The Nose (Metropolitan Opera encore broadcast)

John (MI), no excuse for not going to the movies for this one.

FRIDAY!
My first-ever trip to the Dallas Symphony, after a year of living here -

Dvorak: Te Deum
Suk: Fairy Tale (Raduz & Mahulena)
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8

Tomas Netopil, conductor

Dvorak's Te Deum was the first piece I saw live at a London orchestra concert, too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 30, 2013, 08:47:15 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 30, 2013, 08:40:16 AM
TONIGHT!
At my local multiplex -
Shostakovich: The Nose (Metropolitan Opera encore broadcast)

John (MI), no excuse for not going to the movies for this one.

FRIDAY!
My first-ever trip to the Dallas Symphony, after a year of living here -

Dvorak: Te Deum
Suk: Fairy Tale (Raduz & Mahulena)
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8

Tomas Netopil, conductor

Dvorak's Te Deum was the first piece I saw live at a London orchestra concert, too.

Hope you enjoy The Nose - I saw it a couple of weeks ago. (Saw it twice in its original run, since I figured it would never return - happily I was wrong.) It is one of the best meldings of composer and designer that the Met has ever done - not to mention the playing of the Met Orchestra. (I wonder what else William Kentridge might tackle?) And the additional plus is that a DVD should be forthcoming.

And what a nice DSO program! Don't know Netopil, so would be interested in your comments on him, too.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 30, 2013, 09:31:03 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 30, 2013, 08:40:16 AM

FRIDAY!
My first-ever trip to the Dallas Symphony, after a year of living here -

Dvorak: Te Deum
Suk: Fairy Tale (Raduz & Mahulena)
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8

Tomas Netopil, conductor

Dvorak's Te Deum was the first piece I saw live at a London orchestra concert, too.

Cool, Brian. I think you'll be impressed with the Meyerson. The lobby area is beautiful, and the hall itself looks like a spaceship, but a spaceship with great acoustics! I saw the DSO a few times during the Litton era, a very good sounding group.
Hope you enjoy it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Szykneij on October 31, 2013, 04:46:09 PM
From Melrose to Paris and Back
Melrose (Massachusetts) Symphony


Dukas - La Peri Fanfare

Copland - Fanfare for the Common Man

Debussy - La Mer

Gershwin - An American in Paris

Ravel - Boléro
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 31, 2013, 07:09:30 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 30, 2013, 08:40:16 AM
TONIGHT!
At my local multiplex -
Shostakovich: The Nose (Metropolitan Opera encore broadcast)

John (MI), no excuse for not going to the movies for this one.

That's true! Would be nice to see this actually.

Quote from: Brian on October 30, 2013, 08:40:16 AMFRIDAY!
My first-ever trip to the Dallas Symphony, after a year of living here -

Dvorak: Te Deum
Suk: Fairy Tale (Raduz & Mahulena)
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8

Tomas Netopil, conductor

Dvorak's Te Deum was the first piece I saw live at a London orchestra concert, too.

Nice concert, Brian. The Dallas SO are a fine orchestra, or at least they are on record, and Greg's recollection of them is most encouraging. I'll probably be seeing the ASO next year when they have guest Ilan Volkov conduct Shostakovich's 10th. I definitely want to see this!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2013, 06:31:57 AM
November 2, 2013
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
James Gaffigan- conductor, Stephen Hough - piano
COPLAND Short Symphony 
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1
STRAVINSKY Petrushka

Tonight! Excited to finally see Petrushka live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 02, 2013, 06:41:34 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2013, 06:31:57 AM
November 2, 2013
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
James Gaffigan- conductor, Stephen Hough - piano
COPLAND Short Symphony 
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1
STRAVINSKY Petrushka

Tonight! Excited to finally see Petrushka live.

Terrific Greg!  I'm excited for you to hear Petrushka live.  Is it a ballet performance too, or just the music?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2013, 06:46:40 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 02, 2013, 06:41:34 AM
Terrific Greg!  I'm excited for you to hear Petrushka live.  Is it a ballet performance too, or just the music?

Music only, unless I decide to wear my tutu and participate.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 02, 2013, 06:48:52 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2013, 06:46:40 AM
Music only, unless I decide to wear my tutu and participate.  8)

:D  Well, that is my favourite Stravinsky ballet, so hope you enjoy it, Greg!  $:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on November 02, 2013, 06:52:16 AM
Looking forward to hearing Jean Efflam Bavouzet in person the weekend before Thanksgiving.  The holiday meal isn't the only meaty thing I have to look forward to this month.


Beethoven - Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53

Ravel - Gaspard de la nuit

Debussy - Preludes (Book I) - Nos. 1-7

Bartok  - Sonata for Piano (1926)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2013, 07:02:11 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 02, 2013, 06:48:52 AM
:D  Well, that is my favourite Stravinsky ballet, so hope you enjoy it, Greg!  $:)

Mine too. With the wonderful trumpet, piano and percussion parts this should be a fun one to watch.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2013, 06:41:26 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2013, 06:31:57 AM
November 2, 2013
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
James Gaffigan- conductor, Stephen Hough - piano
COPLAND Short Symphony 
LISZT Piano Concerto No. 1
STRAVINSKY Petrushka

Tonight! Excited to finally see Petrushka live.

Very nice concert. Petrushka was fun, but disappointed with the version they performed. Program said 1947 version, but it cut out the final three sections thus omitting the soft ending and the Ghost of Petrushka trumpet call which I love, so I'm guessing it was the concert suite. But fantastic sound all around from the ASO, especially from the brass and winds.
Highlight of the evening was Stephen Hough and his virtuosic playing of Liszt's 1st concerto. I was never fully aware of the soloist's part in this piece only listening to recordings, but seeing Hough's hands in action left me breathless. Beautiful and commanding, definitely a moment I won't forget anytime soon. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on November 03, 2013, 09:10:21 AM
How about one I was looking forward to? I attended Gil Shaham's solo recital, or part of it, Friday night (Nov.1). I left after Sonata No.1--never have I heard such rushed, mechanical playing. His pitch accuracy and tone were fine, but I kept wondering if the music meant nothing to him or if he were double-parked in a red zone.

J.S. Bach Violin Sonata No.1 in G Minor, BWV 1001
J.S. Bach Partita No. 1 for Solo Violin in B Minor, BWV 1002

Intermission

William Bolcom Suite No. 2 for Solo Violin
J.S. Bach Partita No. 3 in E Major, BWV. 1006
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on November 04, 2013, 09:52:35 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 30, 2013, 08:40:16 AM
FRIDAY!
My first-ever trip to the Dallas Symphony, after a year of living here -

Dvorak: Te Deum
Suk: Fairy Tale (Raduz & Mahulena)
Dvorak: Symphony No. 8

Tomas Netopil, conductor

Dvorak's Te Deum was the first piece I saw live at a London orchestra concert, too.

How was that, Brian? As I mentioned earlier I'm going to see the DSO in January.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 05, 2013, 01:05:33 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 05, 2013, 01:51:22 AM
Tomorrow night, another The Rest is Noise concert at London's Southbank:

Sofia Gubaidulina Offertorium (Violin Concerto)
Arvo Pärt Magnificat
Arvo Pärt Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten
Arvo Pärt Berliner Messe

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Tõnu Kaljuste conductor
Sergej Krylov violin
London Philharmonic Choir

Saw Kaljuste conduct the BBCSO in an all-Pärt concert last year (including the Berliner Messe) and was very impressed.

Well, that looks pretty swell!

Next week, seeing Richard Strauss's Die Frau Ohne Schatten at the Met - can't wait for that! - and two nights later, Tilson Thomas and San Francisco in the Mahler Ninth.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 06, 2013, 06:54:20 AM
Quote from: Pat B on November 04, 2013, 09:52:35 AM
How was that, Brian? As I mentioned earlier I'm going to see the DSO in January.
Very good. The Dvorak Te Deum is always a marvel live, and the chorus is very good; the band didn't seem totally convinced by the over-the-top romantic exuberance of Suk's Fairy Tale, but maybe I'm projecting my own emotions onto them. Pretty potent funeral episode. The Dvorak Eighth was a fantastic performance. The cor anglais sounded a little wonky (saxophone?) but the violins are unusually rich and clear-toned for an American orchestra. (Maybe I'm used to San Antonio's fairly puny section.)

All in all, I'm pretty positive that this is the best orchestra in Texas. (Lived in Houston too.) One of my favorite concert halls too - as Monkey Greg indicates the Meyerson is quite a sight. Not sure how to describe the hall's design: it's not traditional, it's not modern in the conventional sense; it's wonderful. Someone in front of me said, "The way the lighting is done up makes it look like the Starship Enterprise." But with rich dark wood surfaces.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on November 07, 2013, 10:03:49 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 06, 2013, 06:54:20 AM
All in all, I'm pretty positive that this is the best orchestra in Texas. (Lived in Houston too.)

Probably true by default. I saw Houston a couple years ago and was not overwhelmed -- Jones Hall may have been part of the problem, but I'm not sure that Hans Graf lived up to the legacy of conductors there. It will be interesting to see what happens there under Orozco-Estrada.

Thanks for the report.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 07, 2013, 10:12:33 AM
Quote from: Pat B on November 07, 2013, 10:03:49 AM
Probably true by default. I saw Houston a couple years ago and was not overwhelmed -- Jones Hall may have been part of the problem, but I'm not sure that Hans Graf lived up to the legacy of conductors there. It will be interesting to see what happens there under Orozco-Estrada.

Thanks for the report.

I agree with you strongly about Hans Graf, who's uninspiring, but Jones Hall is a major problem. I've sat on the orchestra level in the first dozen rows and still thought the orchestra sounded distant.

Orozco-Estrada's debut album was uninspiring (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Aug13/Berlioz_symphonie_OC869.htm) but hopefully he'll grow as a performer. I also hope he'll draw more of the Hispanic crowd who made the Dudamel concert in Houston in '09 so much fun to see.

EDIT: He'll grow as a listener? Weird typo.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 07, 2013, 11:51:48 AM
Countdown to Parsifal at Lyric Opera of Chicago begins! 10 days to go.

Word from the Lyric pit is that the dress rehearsal was great, Act 1 clocked in at 100 minutes! And I received a picture of the production that had a very modern look (I won't post yet since the opening night is not until this Saturday), should be interesting. 

Opening night of Wagner's Parsifal will be streamed live this Saturday night at 7:00 Eastern/6:00 Central at www.wfmt.com

More info can also be found here (http://www.lyricopera.org).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 07, 2013, 12:48:01 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 07, 2013, 11:51:48 AM
Countdown to Parsifal at Lyric Opera of Chicago begins! 10 days to go.

Word from the Lyric pit is that the dress rehearsal was great, Act 1 clocked in at 100 minutes! And I received a picture of the production that had a very modern look (I won't post yet since the opening night is not until this Saturday), should be interesting. 

Opening night of Wagner's Parsifal will be streamed live this Saturday night at 7:00 Eastern/6:00 Central at www.wfmt.com

More info can also be found here (http://www.lyricopera.org).

That sounds absolutely great - I may tune in on Saturday.

Meanwhile, I'll be at this tonight, and just found out they are streaming it live as well. Here's the streaming link:

http://www.chambermusicsociety.org/seasontickets/event/1141/1/

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Romie de Guise-Langlois, clarinet
Gilles Vonsattel, piano
Danish String Quartet
   
Lieberson: Quintet for Piano and Strings (2001)
Abrahamsen: Ten Preludes for String Quartet (1973)
Golijov: The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind for Clarinet and String Quartet (1994)

--Bruce   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 07, 2013, 01:12:00 PM
I should be home by 6:30. I'm in!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 07, 2013, 01:15:19 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 07, 2013, 01:12:00 PM
I should be home by 6:30. I'm in!

Great - about 7:45 I'll yell out, "Brian, how are you liking it?"

8)

PS, though the entire program sounds interesting (and I'm writing it up for The Strad) I confess I'm most interested in the Abrahamsen pieces - and I've never heard the Danish group live.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 08, 2013, 02:20:52 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 08, 2013, 01:26:36 AM
Not strictly a concert, but as part of the Britten centenary, tomorrow night at the Barbican Theatre in London the Richard Alston Dance Company (formerly London Contemporary Dance) will be performing to an all-Britten programme played live by the Britten Sinfonia:

Lachrymae
Sechs Holderlin Fragmente
Phaedra
Les Illuminations 


Very much looking forward to this.  I never miss an opportunity to see this troupe in action, if at all possible. Spellbinding stuff. :)

That is fantastic, let us know if that gets recorded and ends up on the internet somewhere, I would love to see it.
Thanks, Soapy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 08, 2013, 06:14:03 AM
Quote from: Brewski on November 07, 2013, 01:15:19 PM
Great - about 7:45 I'll yell out, "Brian, how are you liking it?"

8)

PS, though the entire program sounds interesting (and I'm writing it up for The Strad) I confess I'm most interested in the Abrahamsen pieces - and I've never heard the Danish group live.

--Bruce

Bruce, I only caught about five minutes - the video was intermittently chopping up so I moved on to writing and dinner. What I heard was the finale of the Lieberson work, which I did find pretty intriguing, especially how he weaves in that quick, stamping dance figure.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 08, 2013, 07:37:37 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 08, 2013, 06:14:03 AM
Bruce, I only caught about five minutes - the video was intermittently chopping up so I moved on to writing and dinner. What I heard was the finale of the Lieberson work, which I did find pretty intriguing, especially how he weaves in that quick, stamping dance figure.

Oh, too bad.  :( I liked the Lieberson a lot, and a big "yes" to the passage you heard. Things got even better with the Abrahamsen Ten Preludes - what a piece. Wrote it when he was around 20, and as host Michael Lawrence put it, it's like a survey of Western classical music smashed into a tiny frame. The last of the ten sounds like Haydn!  :o

The Golijov was sort of like "Klezmer meets Ligeti" (not quite adequate) and the quartet was joined by a fantastic clarinetist. It's quite a piece - around 30+ minutes.

They may post the video later; if I see it I'll put the link here.

Edit: well, what do you know - it's up already:

http://www.chambermusicsociety.org/watchlisten/watchlive/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 08, 2013, 06:59:47 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 07, 2013, 11:51:48 AM
Countdown to Parsifal at Lyric Opera of Chicago begins! 10 days to go.

Word from the Lyric pit is that the dress rehearsal was great, Act 1 clocked in at 100 minutes! And I received a picture of the production that had a very modern look (I won't post yet since the opening night is not until this Saturday), should be interesting. 

Opening night of Wagner's Parsifal will be streamed live this Saturday night at 7:00 Eastern/6:00 Central at www.wfmt.com

More info can also be found here (http://www.lyricopera.org).

A reminder for anyone interested in tuning in...

Lyric Opera of Chicago's performance of Parsifal by Richard Wagner will be streaming live on WFMT this Saturday night (Nov. 9th) at 7:00 Eastern/6:00 Central at www.wfmt.com

More info can also be found here (http://www.lyricopera.org) at Lyric's website including a short video introduction from Sir Andrew Davis, Renee Fleming and Anthony Freud.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 16, 2013, 03:15:38 PM
Britten: War Requiem
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Charles Dutoit

Tonight!!
Just arrived in Chicago earlier today and my brother and I decided to catch this performance this evening. First time seeing War Requiem live. Ill post soloists later as i really have no idea as of now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 16, 2013, 04:57:43 PM

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 16, 2013, 03:15:38 PM
Britten: War Requiem
Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Charles Dutoit

Tonight!!
Just arrived in Chicago earlier today and my brother and I decided to catch this performance this evening. First time seeing War Requiem live. Ill post soloists later as i really have no idea as of now.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/17/hy8e6u6y.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 18, 2013, 09:33:41 AM
After seeing Britten War Requiem and Wagner's Parsifal in the same weekend I realized that it's Britten's 100th birth anniversary and Wagner's 200th birth anniversary this year.


Also had the wonderful pleasure of meeting fellow GMG'r velimir and his wife at the opera. Lovely folk.
Hope to get the opportunity to meet some more members one day...or perhaps when we have the first GMG convention in Boston, which is where I believe we decided on for a location.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 18, 2013, 09:43:52 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 16, 2013, 04:57:43 PM
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/17/hy8e6u6y.jpg)

Must have been fabulous, Greg.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 18, 2013, 09:50:51 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on November 18, 2013, 09:43:52 AM
Must have been fabulous, Greg.

It was, Karl. Especially Goerne, such a captivating voice, brought so much more drama to an already dramatic piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on November 18, 2013, 10:05:12 AM
Planning for this in a couple of days:

Johann Sebastian Bach
Jesu, meine Freude, motett

Karl Amadeus Hartmann
Concerto funebre, fiolinkonsert

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Requiem

Masaaki Suzuki, dirigent
Bergen Philharmonic
Carolyn Sampson, sopran
Marianne Beate Kielland, alt
Thomas Walker, tenor
Christian Immler, bass
David Stewart, fiolin

+ various choirs.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on November 18, 2013, 11:34:18 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 16, 2013, 04:57:43 PM
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/17/hy8e6u6y.jpg)
Interesting that the soprano is Russian, the tenor English, and the baritone German--just as in the first recording. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 18, 2013, 09:05:21 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 18, 2013, 09:33:41 AM

Also had the wonderful pleasure of meeting fellow GMG'r velimir and his wife at the opera. Lovely folk.


Yes, nice meeting you too. A shame I missed half the opera, but I expect it won't be either my last opera or even my last Wagner there...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 19, 2013, 09:32:38 AM
Tonight, the JACK Quartet in this, c. 1 hour, 20 minutes - performed in total darkness:

Georg Friedrich Haas: In iij. Noct., String Quartet No. 3

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 19, 2013, 09:54:32 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on November 19, 2013, 09:45:12 AM
Wish I could be there - G. F. Haas is a composer I am very interested in, and the JACK Quartet should do a superb job with the music.

Have just heard it once before - also with the JACK guys - and yes, quite an astonishing experience (and not the least of it was imagining how they play together without any visual cues). But this time I am reviewing it, so will try to remember to post the link here.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on November 20, 2013, 02:44:02 AM
Today, in Milan:

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.8 'Symphony of a Thousand'


Riccardo Chailly
Orchestra sinfonia di Milano Giuseppe Verdi


So so excited to listen to this performance, I'm really looking forward! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 20, 2013, 07:40:59 AM
Tomorrow:
Leo McFall & Oulu Symphony
Henri Sigfridsson (piano)

Smetana: Sárka (from Má Vlast)
Liszt: PC no. 2
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 20, 2013, 07:55:01 AM
Nice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 20, 2013, 08:00:43 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on November 20, 2013, 02:44:02 AM
Today, in Milan:

Gustav Mahler
Symphony No.8 'Symphony of a Thousand'


Riccardo Chailly
Orchestra sinfonia di Milano Giuseppe Verdi


So so excited to listen to this performance, I'm really looking forward! :D

I'd look forward to that one exciting moment when you couldn't help but to sing along.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 20, 2013, 08:01:03 AM
Quote from: North Star on November 20, 2013, 07:40:59 AM
Tomorrow:
Leo McFall & Oulu Symphony
Henri Sigfridsson (piano)

Smetana: Sárka (from Má Vlast)
Liszt: PC no. 2
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8

Yes, very nice. I could see Dvorak's 8th over and over in concert and never tire of it. Hope you enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 20, 2013, 08:15:46 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on November 20, 2013, 07:55:01 AM
Nice!
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 20, 2013, 08:01:03 AM
Yes, very nice. I could see Dvorak's 8th over and over in concert and never tire of it. Hope you enjoy!
Thanks, Karl & Greg! Yes, Dvorak's 8th is definitely the most interesting piece in the program for me, although Sigfridsson ought to be brilliant in the Liszt.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 22, 2013, 04:40:15 AM
Hey MIRROR IMAGE, this is just further evidence that you need to move to England:

VIOLIN James Dickenson
PIANO Adam Johnson
Northern Lights Symphony Orchestra
B. BRITTEN Matinées Musicales Op. 24 (Excerpts)
F. DELIUS Intermezzo From Fennimore And Gerda
R. MILFORD Violin Concerto
W. ALWYN Symphony No. 4 (1959)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 22, 2013, 04:57:25 AM
Quote from: North Star on November 20, 2013, 07:40:59 AM
Tomorrow:
Leo McFall & Oulu Symphony
Henri Sigfridsson (piano)

Smetana: Sárka (from Má Vlast)
Liszt: PC no. 2
Dvořák: Symphony no. 8

Very enjoyable concert indeed. Excellent playing from the orchestra (strings in the Smetana in particular), and Sigfriddson, who played Sibelius's Spruce as an encore. I enjoyed the Dvořák most, but then, I don't know the other pieces as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: milk on November 23, 2013, 06:26:12 AM
I see that Andreas Staier is coming to Osaka next week to play some Mozart. Perhaps I shouldn't miss this opportunity!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 24, 2013, 05:18:10 AM
Was playing percussion in a brilliant programme yesterday:
Holst Perfect Fool Suite
Britten Sinfonia da Requiem
Saint Saens Organ Symphony

:D
Was on cymbals/tam tam for the Holst, snare drum/whip/tambourine for the Britten, and bass drum for the Saint Saens. Had a blast of a time! :D

Last week, also played percussion in the Britten St Nicholas cantata, lovely piece. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 24, 2013, 05:37:50 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 24, 2013, 05:18:10 AM
Was playing percussion in a brilliant programme yesterday:
Holst Perfect Fool Suite
Britten Sinfonia da Requiem
Saint Saens Organ Symphony

:D
Was on cymbals/tam tam for the Holst, snare drum/whip/tambourine for the Britten, and bass drum for the Saint Saens. Had a blast of a time! :D

Last week, also played percussion in the Britten St Nicholas cantata, lovely piece. :)

Sounds like fun, Daniel. Glad to hear you're having so much fun performing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 24, 2013, 05:40:38 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 24, 2013, 05:37:50 AM
Sounds like fun, Daniel. Glad to hear you're having so much fun performing.

Thanks, Greg! The Dies Irae from the Britten was challenge, but one of the most exciting things to do! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on November 24, 2013, 09:37:18 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 24, 2013, 05:18:10 AM
Was playing percussion in a brilliant programme yesterday:
Holst Perfect Fool Suite
Britten Sinfonia da Requiem
Saint Saens Organ Symphony

:D
Was on cymbals/tam tam for the Holst, snare drum/whip/tambourine for the Britten, and bass drum for the Saint Saens. Had a blast of a time! :D

Last week, also played percussion in the Britten St Nicholas cantata, lovely piece. :)

That does indeed sound like a blast! Glad you're able to perform such great repertoire! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on November 24, 2013, 09:40:44 AM
Got a concert in two weeks from today. We're playing:

Bernstein: Candide Overture
Schubert: Unfinished Symphony, 1st movement only
Smetana: The Moldau
Khachaturian: Gayaneh: Suite no. 3
Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 24, 2013, 09:43:15 AM
Quote from: kyjo on November 24, 2013, 09:40:44 AM
Got a concert in two weeks from today. We're playing:

Bernstein: Candide Overture
Schubert: Unfinished Symphony, 1st movement only
Smetana: The Moldau
Khachaturian: Gayaneh: Suite no. 3
Wagner: Prelude to Die Meistersinger

That is a great, varied programme!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on November 24, 2013, 09:46:43 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on November 24, 2013, 09:43:15 AM
That is a great, varied programme!  :)

Indeed! Only the cello parts for the Smetana and Khachaturian pieces aren't the most eventful out there. They're still great pieces, though! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on November 24, 2013, 11:05:07 AM
Quote from: milk on November 23, 2013, 06:26:12 AM
I see that Andreas Staier is coming to Osaka next week to play some Mozart. Perhaps I shouldn't miss this opportunity!

I expect a full report!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 26, 2013, 04:57:47 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 26, 2013, 02:05:19 AM
Tomorrow night at London's Southbank:

Penderecki Violin Concerto No.1
Górecki Symphony No.3 (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs)

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Michal Dworzynski conductor
Barnabas Kelemen violin
Allison Bell soprano

Another from the yearlong The Rest is Noise festival, although (like many of these concerts) the programme is not that unusual for here.

That's a nice program, the Górecki is on my list of pieces I need to see live at some point. Hope it's a good one, Soapy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on November 26, 2013, 06:45:12 AM
Upcoming these next few weeks for me:

Angelika Kirchschlager & Konstantin Wecker
"Die Begegnung" - a concept art evening, with every chance of being dreadful... but thanks to Kirchschlager also a reasonable chance of being delightful.

DREADFUL it was! Oh, boy.

Hugo Wolf Quartett et al.
LvB op. 131
Julia Purgina: Streichquartett (Premiere)
Richard Wagner: Vorspiel zu Tristan und Isolde, Richard Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder for String Sextet & Soprano


Liederabend Keenlyside
Schoenberg, Eisler, Britten
Strauss, Schubert, Brahms


Fischer Ivan, Budapest FO
Mahler 9


Sokolov Recital
Schubert / Chopin


Unfortunately that's not happening.


Quatuor Mosaïques
Boccherini, Mozart, Dvorak


Ullmann: Der Kaiser von Atlantis


Olivier Vernier, Organ Recital


Vienna Piano Trio
Casella, Mozart, Torres



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 26, 2013, 06:50:02 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on November 26, 2013, 06:45:12 AM
Fischer Ivan, Budapest FO
Mahler 9


Sokolov Recital
Schubert / Chopin


Quatuor Mosaïques
Boccherini, Mozart, Dvorak


Ullmann: Der Kaiser von Atlantis
Show-off ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 29, 2013, 07:07:40 AM
Bruckner 9 at Symphony Hall in January
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 29, 2013, 07:13:55 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on November 29, 2013, 07:07:40 AM
Bruckner 9 at Symphony Hall in January

*pounds the table!

Bruckner 8, along with Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 2, in February.  Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on November 29, 2013, 07:19:48 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on November 29, 2013, 07:07:40 AM
Bruckner 9 at Symphony Hall in January

Will it have the completed final movement by Team Samale?  I am wondering if the tradition to use only the first 3 movements will continue.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 29, 2013, 07:30:39 AM
I suspect just the three authentic movements, judging by Steve Ledbetter's notes:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 29, 2013, 02:10:58 PM
Next Wednesday:
Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Michael Weinius, tenor
Jukka Harju, horn

Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik, KV 525
Britten: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings
Mozart: Gran Partita in Bb major, KV 361
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 29, 2013, 02:12:43 PM
Quote from: North Star on November 29, 2013, 02:10:58 PM
Next Wednesday:
Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Michael Weinius, tenor
Jukka Harju, horn

Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik, KV 525
Britten: Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings
Mozart: Gran Partita in Bb major, KV 361

An effing brilliant concert! Enjoy!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 29, 2013, 02:27:19 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 29, 2013, 02:12:43 PM
An effing brilliant concert! Enjoy!  8)
Thanks - my thoughts exactly :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on December 06, 2013, 02:39:46 PM
Going to see the National Symphony tomorrow.  Eschenbach conducting Brahms 1 and Nurit Bar-Josef (the concertmaster) playing Mozart 4.  Zauberflote for the opener. 

For various reasons, first live classical music I've seen in a long time.  I know it seems like a stogy program, but I'm really looking forward to it! I hope it gets played well.

A
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on December 08, 2013, 07:20:26 AM
Well,  I enjoyed going to the concert and listening to the orchestra, but was not convinced at all by Eschenbach's interpretation.  I find that the orchestra is a much better ensemble than I previously thought.  I also found the hall to be worse than I thought. 

I couldn't connect at all to the Zauberflote overture.  First chords were unsturdy, fuzzy and lacking direction.  That encapsulated the whole performance of the overture...too contained and somehow lacking propulsion. Throughout, the bass notes while played well in time and never dragging anything down also never did anything to point the direction of the phrase or act as the motor of the ensemble.  Overall it really lacked the exuberance and spirit that I'm used to hearing in Mozart performances.

I enjoyed Bar-Josef's playing very much.  Very welcoming, even tone to listen to along with super tight intonation, thought sometimes too much vibrato.  A pleasing, clean interpretation and a beautiful bow arm to watch.  The Mozart came off well. 

Brahms was strange.  Again during the intro, I couldn't help but feel the whole thing seemed contained.  The orchestra played with a nice round tone,  but never seemed to let that sound blossom or even hush to a whisper, or go beyond a big beautiful sound into something a little raw sounding.  At least in dynamic it did open up as the piece moved along, increasing my enjoyment while a few sloppy entrances detracted. 

The interpretation and general thoughts on sound production seemed an almost Brucknarian line of though applied to a Brahms symphony, which didn't work for me.  Sometimes Eschenbach's tempi become so slow that the line loses all tension, which became frustrating.   The general focus on clean pristine tone, while losing some of the drama of what is happening rhythmically underlying the melody was frustrating for me.  Nice playing by the brass,  timpani,  first oboe and clarinet as well as Bar-Josef again. 

I'm glad to hear the level of the orchestra, and while it's the first Eschenbach performance I've attended and I don't know much of what Eschenbach has recorded, I left the hall scratching my head.   

A

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on December 08, 2013, 07:33:36 AM
Quote from: toledobass on December 08, 2013, 07:20:26 AM
I'm glad to hear the level of the orchestra, and while it's the first Eschenbach performance I've attended and I don't know much of what Eschenbach has recorded, I left the hall scratching my head.   

I don't know what's the problem with Eschenbach lately. I heard him lead many good performances at Ravinia in the 90s, but in recent years he's been getting some of the most devastating reviews of any conductor I know of. See this, for example:

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/12/back-in-washington-christoph-eschenbach-is-hit-by-sour-acidulous-review.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 08, 2013, 07:41:03 AM
Quote from: Velimir on December 08, 2013, 07:33:36 AM
I don't know what's the problem with Eschenbach lately. I heard him lead many good performances at Ravinia in the 90s, but in recent years he's been getting some of the most devastating reviews of any conductor I know of. See this, for example:

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/12/back-in-washington-christoph-eschenbach-is-hit-by-sour-acidulous-review.html

Eschenbach is a fine conductor and I think there's some animosity towards him for no good reason, especially here in the US. Whatever these reviewers problems may be, it must be said that these kinds of things must be taken with a grain of salt. This said, all conductors and musicians alike have off-nights.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on December 08, 2013, 07:44:25 AM
Quote from: Velimir on December 08, 2013, 07:33:36 AM
I don't know what's the problem with Eschenbach lately. I heard him lead many good performances at Ravinia in the 90s, but in recent years he's been getting some of the most devastating reviews of any conductor I know of. See this, for example:

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/12/back-in-washington-christoph-eschenbach-is-hit-by-sour-acidulous-review.html

Whoa...booed?  I don't find it even close to offensive. I just didn't find it worked all that well. I agree with a lot of the reviewer is saying for Eschenbach, especially about the program feeling all the same.  I think that is what I mean by it all feeling 'contained'.  Though I thought the concerto was played well enough to be very enjoyable and pleasurable to listen to, if not astounding and also didn't think anything in the program was bombastic or 'sound and the fury' in the least.   Different night though.

Thanks for posting that.
A




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on December 08, 2013, 07:45:53 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 08, 2013, 07:41:03 AM
Eschenbach is a fine conductor and I think there's some animosity towards him for no good reason, especially here in the US. Whatever these reviewers problems may be, it must be said that these kinds of things must be taken with a grain of salt.

Well, for me he has mostly been hit and miss. Fine conductor of course, but not what you would call "reliable" in the sense that you know he'd deliver a performance you'd enjoy most times. However, he has never been boring for me. Scratchy my head sometimes? Definitely. I do not count that against him though. But I can see where much of the criticism is coming from and I can certainly understand and even sympathise.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on December 08, 2013, 07:47:39 AM
I still can't get over that he's getting booed.  crazy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 08, 2013, 07:48:42 AM
Quote from: springrite on December 08, 2013, 07:45:53 AM
Well, for me he has mostly been hit and miss. Fine conductor of course, but not what you would call "reliable" in the sense that you know he'd deliver a performance you'd enjoy most times. However, he has never been boring for me. Scratchy my head sometimes? Definitely. I do not count that against him though. But I can see where much of the criticism is coming from and I can certainly understand and even sympathise.

All conductors are hit and miss, because there's not one conductor who is always 'on' or completely inspired. It's like me with the guitar, for example, one day I'm playing well and then the next day I can't seem to do anything right. Music performance is such a mysterious thing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on December 08, 2013, 08:05:35 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 08, 2013, 07:48:42 AM
All conductors are hit and miss, because there's not one conductor who is always 'on' or completely inspired. It's like me with the guitar, for example, one day I'm playing well and then the next day I can't seem to do anything right. Music performance is such a mysterious thing.

You are far more a hit and miss proposition than Esa-Pekka Salonen, I'd reckon.

I know what you are trying to say, but I'd appreciate it if you'd also give due consideration of what other people are saying. No one ever said that any conductor is a hit every time. We are not that far apart but when you see someone's position is different from yours somewhat, you always make it seems to be miles apart and almost confrontational. There really is no need for that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on December 11, 2013, 03:19:27 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 08, 2013, 07:48:42 AM
All conductors are hit and miss, because there's not one conductor who is always 'on' or completely inspired. It's like me with the guitar, for example, one day I'm playing well and then the next day I can't seem to do anything right. Music performance is such a mysterious thing.
But at the world-class level, in which Eschenbach is supposed to be, one expects at least a total dedication to the music and the moment at every concert.  It sounds like Eschenbach's main mission, at least on that night, was to make sure the orchestra played beautifully--at the expense of dynamics and urgency.  That's not the best way to approach Brahms or even Mozart.  Both composers' music needs intensity along with the beauty.  That's why some musicians and even critics say that a certain ugliness is necessary for a good performance; if that raw edge isn't there (however hidden), the music won't be magic.

As for the slow tempos, you can make those work--witness Celibidache--but not without dynamic intensity and a sense of structure.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 12, 2013, 03:04:46 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on December 11, 2013, 03:19:27 PM
But at the world-class level, in which Eschenbach is supposed to be, one expects at least a total dedication to the music and the moment at every concert.  It sounds like Eschenbach's main mission, at least on that night, was to make sure the orchestra played beautifully--at the expense of dynamics and urgency.  That's not the best way to approach Brahms or even Mozart.  Both composers' music needs intensity along with the beauty.  That's why some musicians and even critics say that a certain ugliness is necessary for a good performance; if that raw edge isn't there (however hidden), the music won't be magic.

As for the slow tempos, you can make those work--witness Celibidache--but not without dynamic intensity and a sense of structure.

Even world-class musicians make mistakes and have off-nights which is my whole point. There's inspired playing and there's just going through the motions. I never denied that Eschenbach wasn't prone to many bad nights nor did I deny that he lacked consistency, but when he's 'on' and inspired, the result is always one of excellence. Of course, I'm not familiar with a lot of his recent work as a conductor, but I was quite impressed with a number of his recordings back when he was principal conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fafner on December 12, 2013, 03:09:40 AM
I was looking forward to tonight's concert at the local symphony hall (all Tchaikovsky program, Violin Concerto & Symphony No. 6), but sadly, I cannot go.  It was the one concert I was most interested in from the entire season.  :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 18, 2013, 09:05:24 AM
This Sunday afternoon at Carnegie, an all-Mahler program with the MET Orchestra and Levine. I haven't heard Levine do the 7th live, so excited about that.

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Peter Mattei, Baritone

Mahler
: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Mahler: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on December 19, 2013, 04:31:52 AM
Let us know what you think Bruce.  I heard some of the Falstaff broadcast and thought highly of the little portion that I heard. 

A
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on December 19, 2013, 04:33:54 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 18, 2013, 09:05:24 AM
This Sunday afternoon at Carnegie, an all-Mahler program with the MET Orchestra and Levine. I haven't heard Levine do the 7th live, so excited about that.

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Peter Mattei, Baritone

Mahler
: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Mahler: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce

Now, that's a concert my family would appreciate! I will have to remind Kimi not to sing along Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen! But I will be there for the 7th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on December 19, 2013, 06:35:13 AM
In 90 minutes:
Heinrich Schütz: Christmas Oratorio

Helsinki Baroque Orchestra
Kajsa Dahlbäck, Anna Immonen (sop)
Teppo Lampela (countertenor)
Jussi Salonen (tenor)
Herman Wallén, Sampo Haapaniemi (baritones)
Gustav Eriksson (bass)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 20, 2013, 01:36:08 AM
Tomorrow, in Antwerp:

Dazu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, BWV40    Johann Sebastian Bach


Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ, BWV91    Johann Sebastian Bach


Jauchzet, frohlocket! Auf, preiset die Tage, BWV248I    Johann Sebastian Bach

Ricercar Consort
Philippe Pierlot
soprano    Hannah Morrison
altus    Pascal Bertin
tenor    Hans Jörg Mammel
bas    Matthias Vieweg
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 23, 2013, 09:50:33 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 12, 2013, 03:04:46 AM
Even world-class musicians make mistakes and have off-nights which is my whole point. There's inspired playing and there's just going through the motions. I never denied that Eschenbach wasn't prone to many bad nights nor did I deny that he lacked consistency, but when he's 'on' and inspired, the result is always one of excellence. Of course, I'm not familiar with a lot of his recent work as a conductor, but I was quite impressed with a number of his recordings back when he was principal conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

Well, I'm pleased to report that Eschenbach did a very fine Bruckner 9 here in Chicago this past weekend. A few slightly odd ritardandos, but nothing terribly jarring or crazy. And the orchestra sounded glorious.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on December 24, 2013, 06:25:06 AM
Over the last week, I have been on orchestral courses with our county youth orchestra and schools symphony orchestra.

With the youth orchestra/Peter Stark (!): Brahms Academic Festival, Wagner Lohengrin Act 1/3 Preludes and Siegfried Murmurs, Dvorak 8. Was on cymbals for Brahms and Wagner. Playing this part in the Lohengrin Act 1 prelude was particularly emotional.. an honour to play in such heavenly music.

With the Schools Symphony Orchestra/Ben Gernon: Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Dvorak 5, Ginastera Estancia Suite. Was on antique cymbals, tambourine and tam tam for the Adams, triangle for the Dvorak and tambourine for the Ginastera. Soooo much fun! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 24, 2013, 06:42:19 AM
Quote from: MishaK on December 23, 2013, 09:50:33 AM
Well, I'm pleased to report that Eschenbach did a very fine Bruckner 9 here in Chicago this past weekend. A few slightly odd ritardandos, but nothing terribly jarring or crazy. And the orchestra sounded glorious.

Good to hear. I knew he had it in him for a great performance. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on December 26, 2013, 08:30:50 AM
Btw, I haven't been here in a while, but why is my avatar gone?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 27, 2013, 01:10:43 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 18, 2013, 09:05:24 AM
This Sunday afternoon at Carnegie, an all-Mahler program with the MET Orchestra and Levine. I haven't heard Levine do the 7th live, so excited about that.

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor
Peter Mattei, Baritone

Mahler
: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Mahler: Symphony No. 7

--Bruce

Quote from: toledobass on December 19, 2013, 04:31:52 AM
Let us know what you think Bruce.  I heard some of the Falstaff broadcast and thought highly of the little portion that I heard. 

A

This concert was so good that - with one exception - I haven't listened to any music since last Sunday, being content to let the strains of both Mahler works run pleasantly through my head. (On Christmas Eve I went over to some friends and brought Richard Strauss's Rosenkavalier for a spin - the DVD conducted by Christian Thielemann. We only had time to watch a portion, but it was mightily impressive.)

Anyway, back to the concert: Peter Mattei was extraordinary in the song cycle. It seemed the near-ideal match of work and artist (and there are many fine singers who have done these over the years), and the Met ensemble was luminous.

In the Seventh, I just loved it, though some found a number of glitches here and there (probably due to the sheer exhaustion of the group at midway during the season) but I didn't notice many. Levine's concept perhaps veered away from the nightmarish and more toward the comfortably upholstered side, but I'll take it, when delivered with such passion. One friend who knows his Mahler thought it the best live 7th he had ever heard. (Not agreeing, just repeating the news.) If anything, Levine seemed to have even more energy than in his two previous appearances this year.

Anyway, an unforgettable afternoon. IMHO, these Levine/MET Orchestra concerts are occasions to be savored, no matter what is on the menu.

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 27, 2013, 01:20:58 PM
Quote from: MishaK on December 26, 2013, 08:30:50 AM
Btw, I haven't been here in a while, but why is my avatar gone?

I see it. And good to see you posting again  :)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: toledobass on December 28, 2013, 02:40:04 PM
Thanks Bruce!!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 10, 2014, 12:34:42 PM
Don't know if I'll be able to make it (it's down at the U of C, quite a trek for me), but this looks interesting. Notably a rare chance to hear Wally Piston's excellent Piano 5tet:

Chicago Ensemble
Bach: Cantata Aria
Chausson: Chanson Perpetuelle
Piston: Piano Quintet
DeFalla: Seven Popular Spanish Songs
Bridge: Quintet in D Minor
3 p.m. International House, Hyde Park
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 10, 2014, 01:41:40 PM
On next 18th January, Teatro alla Scala:

Jean Sibelius
Finlandia
Jean Sibelius
Concerto per violino in re min.
Anton Bruckner
Sinfonia no.6

Violin Leonidas Kavakos
Conductor Riccardo Chailly
Wiener Philharmoniker
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 10, 2014, 01:48:14 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 10, 2014, 01:41:40 PM
On next 18th January, Teatro alla Scala:

Jean Sibelius
Finlandia
Jean Sibelius
Concerto per violino in re min.
Anton Bruckner
Sinfonia no.6

Violin Leonidas Kavakos
Conductor Riccardo Chailly
Wiener Philharmoniker

Damn! A fine program, Ilaria. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on January 10, 2014, 02:22:30 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 10, 2014, 01:48:14 PM
Damn! A fine program, Ilaria. Enjoy!

Thank you, John; that's a gorgeous programme indeed, I'm looking forward to it! But I'll listen to everything, maybe even Verdi, to see the Wiener Philharmoniker live. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 10, 2014, 02:24:41 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on January 10, 2014, 02:22:30 PM
Thank you, John; that's a gorgeous programme indeed, I'm looking forward to it! But I'll listen to everything, maybe even Verdi, to see the Wiener Philharmoniker live. ;)

Yeah, I'm jealous, because Bruckner's 6th remains, for me, one of the most incredible symphonies I know. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on January 11, 2014, 07:55:30 AM
Helen Grimaud playing the Brahms Concerto No.1 and  Khatia Buniatishvili's solo recital, both in San Francisco. Buniatishvili is playing an especially demanding program:

LISZT Sonata in B minor

RAVEL La Valse

CHOPIN Sonata No. 2

STRAVINSKY Petrushka
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on January 11, 2014, 07:02:48 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on January 11, 2014, 07:55:30 AM
... Buniatishvili is playing an especially demanding program:

LISZT Sonata in B minor

RAVEL La Valse

CHOPIN Sonata No. 2

STRAVINSKY Petrushka
*jaw drop* I hope she avoids tendinitis!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on January 12, 2014, 08:17:20 PM
Quote from: jochanaan on January 11, 2014, 07:02:48 PM
*jaw drop* I hope she avoids tendinitis!!!

Haha, yeah, but I'll be disappointed if she doesn't play "Islamey" or "Gaspard de la nuit" for an encore! ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 12, 2014, 09:16:23 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on January 12, 2014, 08:17:20 PM
Haha, yeah, but I'll be disappointed if she doesn't play "Islamey" or "Gaspard de la nuit" for an encore! ;)
Nah.... Alkan's Le Preux is my guess :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fafner on January 16, 2014, 11:40:54 AM
Just got back from tonight's concert:

Smetana - The Bartered Bride Overture
Suk - Fairy Tale
Dvořák - In Nature's Realm
Janáček - Taras Bulba

Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, Petr Vronský


Not quite in the same league as Khatia Buniatishvili, Riccardo Chailly, and Wiener Philharmoniker, but it was definitely a highly enjoyable evening. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 19, 2014, 09:15:32 AM
Just ordered my tickets to hear Hilary Hahn play Nielsen in March.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 21, 2014, 09:56:16 AM
Just traded in my Atlanta Symphony tickets for Feb 1st's concert of DSCH: Violin Ct. No.1 and Rach: Symphonic Dances, can't attend concert unfortunately, but I think I win in the end by attending this one on Feb. 22nd...

Robert Spano, Cond.
David Coucheron, Violin
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Brett Polegato, baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

RVW: The Lark Ascending
RVW: Symphony No. 4
RVW: Dona Nobis Pacem

Not big on one composer/three works type of programming, but these three pieces by RVW are diverse enough when next to each other. First time seeing these pieces performed live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 21, 2014, 10:00:43 AM
That's a beautiful program, Greg. Pity you cannot attend the Shostakovich Op.77 date!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 21, 2014, 10:01:08 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 21, 2014, 09:56:16 AM
Just traded in my Atlanta Symphony tickets for Feb 1st's concert of DSCH: Violin Ct. No.1 and Rach: Symphonic Dances, can't attend concert unfortunately, but I think I win in the end by attending this one on Feb. 22nd...

Robert Spano, Cond.
David Coucheron, Violin
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Brett Polegato, baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

RVW: The Lark Ascending
RVW: Symphony No. 4
RVW: Dona Nobis Pacem

Not big on one composer/three works type of programming, but these three pieces by RVW are diverse enough when next to each other. First time seeing these pieces performed live.

Damn! I might buy tickets for this one, Greg. Will mark Feb. 22nd on my calender. We could meet up for sure.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 21, 2014, 01:13:51 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on January 21, 2014, 10:00:43 AM
That's a beautiful program, Greg. Pity you cannot attend the Shostakovich Op.77 date!

Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is the soloist for the Shostakovich so it is a bummer.

But, seeing RVW's 4th should make up for that.  ;)


Quote from: Mirror Image on January 21, 2014, 10:01:08 AM
Damn! I might buy tickets for this one, Greg. Will mark Feb. 22nd on my calender. We could meet up for sure.

You're not going to boo and hiss at Spano are you?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TwoPi on January 21, 2014, 02:44:55 PM
Hi everyone. I'm a newbie. Here's a couple of upcoming concerts I have tickets for in Munich:

01.25.14
Sibelius Violin Concerto, Julia Fischer (have to hear this)
Brahms 4
Dresdner Phil, Michael Sanderling

02.13.14
Brahms Hayden Variations,
Brahms Double  (local talent, judgement reserved)
Sibelius Symphony 2
Muenchner Phil, Loren Maazel

No prizes for guessing two of my favorite composers, but how about the others? (Hint: I was really pi**ed to miss out on Gil Shaham playing the Berg with Mariss Jansons and the Bayerischer Rundfunk last week.)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 21, 2014, 03:36:45 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 21, 2014, 01:13:51 PMYou're not going to boo and hiss at Spano are you?

Why sure I am because what kind of anti-Spano megalomanic do you take me for? ;) :D But, seriously, no I'm not going to boo or hiss at Spano. RVW is actually a composer I think he actually does well in believe it or not which is why I'm considering that concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 21, 2014, 03:57:25 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 21, 2014, 09:56:16 AM
RVW: The Lark Ascending
RVW: Symphony No. 4
RVW: Dona Nobis Pacem

That's great. And further evidence for my contention that VW is being played more often in this country - there's been a lot of him in the Chicago area in the last couple of years, too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 23, 2014, 12:56:24 AM
Tonight, in Salzburg

Orfeo ed Euridice (Gluck)

with Marc Minkowski, Les Musiciens du Louvre  et al.

Tomorrow, same place

''Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu'' Wq 240 (C.P.E.Bach)

René Jacobs, Freiburger Barockorchester, Rias Kammerchor
Miah Persson, Maximilian Schmitt, Michael Nagy



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 23, 2014, 11:18:48 AM
Some great stuff in the next few days:

Tonight:

New York Philharmonic
Gautier Capuçon, cello
Andrey Boreyko, conductor
Tcherepnin: The Enchanted Kingdom
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 3

Friday:

Joel Sachs, conductor
New Juilliard Ensemble
Pärt: La Sindone (2005, rev. 2013)
Kancheli: "Midday Prayers" ("Tagesgebete") from Life Without Christmas (1990)
Schnittke: Symphony No. 4 (1984)

Monday:

Marc-André Hamelin, piano
Hamelin: Barcarolle (New York premiere)
Medtner: Piano Sonata in E minor, "Night Wind" Op. 25 No. 2
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D. 935

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on January 23, 2014, 12:17:51 PM
Hélène Grimaud playing Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 with the San Francisco Symphony on February 5th. Her new CD of both Concertos is fantastic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 24, 2014, 10:18:51 AM
13.2.
Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Alina Pogostkina (vln)

Nielsen: VC
Sibelius: Symphony No. 3


16.3
Wendy Chen (pno) & Elina Vähälä (vln)
Paavali Jumppanen (pno) & Jaakko Kuusisto (vln)

Beethoven Violin Sonatas opp. 30/3, 47, & 96



27.03.
I'm not really a fan of an all-Brahms event, but Jumppanen ought to be brilliant.

Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Paavali Jumppanen, piano

Brahms: PC  No. 2
Brahms: Symphony No. 1


03.04.
Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Reka Szilvay (vln)

Stravinsky: Symphonies d'instruments à vent
Hartmann: Concerto Funebre
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on January 24, 2014, 10:40:36 AM
I have tickets to see the Montreal Symphony with Kent Nagano performing Mahler's Seventh next month.  However, a commitment to drive a friend home from surgery in another city may prevent me from attending.  I hope things will work out in such a way that I can end up doing both. The first movement of the seventh may be my favorite single movement in Mahler's oeuvre thus far (though I am relatively new to Mahler, so that may just mean that it is the most immediately engaging); the rest of the movements have yet to "click" with me, so I'm very curious as to how I would experience the entire work in a live setting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on January 25, 2014, 07:38:22 AM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on January 24, 2014, 10:40:36 AM
I have tickets to see the Montreal Symphony with Kent Nagano performing Mahler's Seventh next month.  However, a commitment to drive a friend home from surgery in another city may prevent me from attending.  I hope things will work out in such a way that I can end up doing both. The first movement of the seventh may be my favorite single movement in Mahler's oeuvre thus far (though I am relatively new to Mahler, so that may just mean that it is the most immediately engaging); the rest of the movements have yet to "click" with me, so I'm very curious as to how I would experience the entire work in a live setting.

I too hope that things work out for you and that you can attend the performance NorthNYMark!  All the best to your friend too.

Sunday, January 26th - that's tomorrow, wow! - I'm going to see The English Concert.  Stoked beyond words for this show!   :)

http://www.sdems.org/international-series.html


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wakefield on January 25, 2014, 08:06:12 AM
Quote from: HIPster on January 25, 2014, 07:38:22 AM
Sunday, January 26th - that's tomorrow, wow! - I'm going to see The English Concert.  Stoked beyond words for this show!   :)

http://www.sdems.org/international-series.html

This program looks great!

These days they are performing Handel's Theodora in USA, but the SDEMS got a purely instrumental concert. Cool.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on January 25, 2014, 09:36:30 AM
Quote from: Gordo on January 25, 2014, 08:06:12 AM
This program looks great!

These days they are performing Handel's Theodora in USA, but the SDEMS got a purely instrumental concert. Cool.  :)

Thanks Gordo!

I'll let you know how it goes. . .

Has the Richter set shown up yet?  Clerk told me that it could take up to 45 days for it to arrive.   :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on January 25, 2014, 09:47:15 AM
Quote from: TwoPi on January 21, 2014, 02:44:55 PM
Hi everyone. I'm a newbie. Here's a couple of upcoming concerts I have tickets for in Munich:

01.25.14
Sibelius Violin Concerto, Julia Fischer (have to hear this)
Brahms 4
Dresdner Phil, Michael Sanderling

02.13.14
Brahms Hayden Variations,
Brahms Double  (local talent, judgement reserved)
Sibelius Symphony 2
Muenchner Phil, Loren Maazel

No prizes for guessing two of my favorite composers, but how about the others? (Hint: I was really pi**ed to miss out on Gil Shaham playing the Berg with Mariss Jansons and the Bayerischer Rundfunk last week.)

What a great set of performances this sounds to be!  I guess the first concert will be starting quite soon now--hope you'll give us a report.  I had a chance to hear the Brahms 4 with Nagano and the Montreal Symphony last year, and it was incredible--even my partner, who is not much of a classical music fan and didn't particularly enjoy the other works on the program, was moved.  And to combine that with one of the finest violin concertos (IMO)--wow.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on January 25, 2014, 09:54:35 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 23, 2014, 11:18:48 AM
Some great stuff in the next few days:

Tonight:

New York Philharmonic
Gautier Capuçon, cello
Andrey Boreyko, conductor
Tcherepnin: The Enchanted Kingdom
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 3

Friday:

Joel Sachs, conductor
New Juilliard Ensemble
Pärt: La Sindone (2005, rev. 2013)
Kancheli: "Midday Prayers" ("Tagesgebete") from Life Without Christmas (1990)
Schnittke: Symphony No. 4 (1984)

Monday:

Marc-André Hamelin, piano
Hamelin: Barcarolle (New York premiere)
Medtner: Piano Sonata in E minor, "Night Wind" Op. 25 No. 2
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D. 935

--Bruce

What an intriguing set of combinations!  I guess this kind of variety is one of the many advantages to living in a metropolis!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on January 25, 2014, 09:57:03 AM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on January 23, 2014, 12:17:51 PM
Hélène Grimaud playing Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1 with the San Francisco Symphony on February 5th. Her new CD of both Concertos is fantastic.

Again, I am envious--that concerto was the first classical work about which I became obsessed as I began exploring the genre, but i have yet to experience it in a live setting.  I've only heard the new Grimaud album once (via MOG), but I remember being pretty impressed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wakefield on January 25, 2014, 10:06:29 AM
Quote from: HIPster on January 25, 2014, 09:36:30 AM
Thanks Gordo!

I'll let you know how it goes. . .

Has the Richter set shown up yet?  Clerk told me that it could take up to 45 days for it to arrive.   :o

It will be great to know your impressions of this lineup of the English Concert.  :)

No, it hasn't still arrived, but (living in this so distant part of the globe) I'm quite accustomed to this kind of delays.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 28, 2014, 07:38:43 AM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on January 24, 2014, 10:40:36 AM
I have tickets to see the Montreal Symphony with Kent Nagano performing Mahler's Seventh next month.  However, a commitment to drive a friend home from surgery in another city may prevent me from attending.  I hope things will work out in such a way that I can end up doing both. The first movement of the seventh may be my favorite single movement in Mahler's oeuvre thus far (though I am relatively new to Mahler, so that may just mean that it is the most immediately engaging); the rest of the movements have yet to "click" with me, so I'm very curious as to how I would experience the entire work in a live setting.

Hope you get to go - sounds fantastic. I'm a huge fan of the Seventh, too. Just heard it in December with James Levine and the Met Orchestra, and while it may not have been the most perfect performance, it was hugely exciting - there's nothing like hearing it live.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 28, 2014, 07:44:36 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 23, 2014, 11:18:48 AM
Some great stuff in the next few days:

Tonight:

New York Philharmonic
Gautier Capuçon, cello
Andrey Boreyko, conductor
Tcherepnin: The Enchanted Kingdom
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 3

Friday:

Joel Sachs, conductor
New Juilliard Ensemble
Pärt: La Sindone (2005, rev. 2013)
Kancheli: "Midday Prayers" ("Tagesgebete") from Life Without Christmas (1990)
Schnittke: Symphony No. 4 (1984)

Monday:

Marc-André Hamelin, piano
Hamelin: Barcarolle (New York premiere)
Medtner: Piano Sonata in E minor, "Night Wind" Op. 25 No. 2
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D. 935

--Bruce

Of these three, Hamelin's recital last night took the prize, just in terms of sheer musicality and virtuosity. Of the three works, I enjoyed the sprawling (30+ minutes) Medtner the most, perhaps because of its rarity, but everything was enjoyable. He did three encores: the first movement "Reflets dans l'eau" from Debussy's Images, Hamelin's own hilarious take on Chopin's "Minute" Waltz, and a rarely done etude by Paul de Schlözer.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: otare on January 29, 2014, 12:00:44 PM
The Pavel Haas Quartet is playing in my home town on Friday. Beethoven, Haydn and Haas. Not too badly priced - 40 US$. They are playing in a small, intimate hall in the old shipyard (turned shopping mall and concert venue) here in Trondheim.
We will also get Steven Isserlis playing Prokofievs Cello Symphony and Truls Mørk playing Elgars cello concerto in february. Not too bad for a small town far up to the north.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 29, 2014, 12:20:45 PM
Quote from: otare on January 29, 2014, 12:00:44 PM
The Pavel Haas Quartet is playing in my home town on Friday. Beethoven, Haydn and Haas. Not too badly priced - 40 US$. They are playing in a small, intimate hall in the old shipyard (turned shopping mall and concert venue) here in Trondheim.
We will also get Steven Isserlis playing Prokofievs Cello Symphony and Truls Mørk playing Elgars cello concerto in february. Not too bad for a small town far up to the north.
Very nice! Can't go wrong with any combination of quartets from those three. :)
Andreas Brantelid will play the Proky Cello Symphony here in May.

By the way, I hadn't realized that Trondheim is 'far up to the north' - I guess it's a matter of perspective.  ;)

(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/9009886833_6484395092_n.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: otare on January 29, 2014, 12:27:36 PM
Compared to the rest of the world it is. Same approximate latitude as Reykjavik, Nome and Oulu (well - Oulu is slightly further north). It is not that far from the Arctic circle.
But the Pavel Haas quartet also plays in Bodø (3 stops in Norway this time - Oslo, Trondheim and Bodø). I'll try to persuade my friend Michael Kanka in the Prazak quartet to get the quartet to come to Trondheim soon. Crossing my fingers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 29, 2014, 12:29:19 PM
Quote from: otare on January 29, 2014, 12:27:36 PMI'll try to persuade my friend Michael Kanka in the Prazak quartet
How are you friends with Michal Kanka?!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: otare on January 29, 2014, 12:31:56 PM
He is married to the daughter of the composer Jindrich Feld - Pavlina Feldova. She went to school with my wife - they were best friends. We visit them every time we go to Prague, which is 3-4 times a year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 29, 2014, 12:49:06 PM
Quote from: otare on January 29, 2014, 12:27:36 PM
Compared to the rest of the world it is. Same approximate latitude as Reykjavik, Nome and Oulu (well - Oulu is slightly further north). It is not that far from the Arctic circle.
But the Pavel Haas quartet also plays in Bodø (3 stops in Norway this time - Oslo, Trondheim and Bodø). I'll try to persuade my friend Michael Kanka in the Prazak quartet to get the quartet to come to Trondheim soon. Crossing my fingers.
Yep, it's in the north, of course :) (midway between Helsinki & Oulu).

Must be nice to know Kanka - and to visit Prague regularly. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: londonrich on January 31, 2014, 11:08:43 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 29, 2014, 03:36:22 AM
Booking opened this week for the 2014/15 season at the Barbican Centre, London.  Lots of good stuff.
I'm looking forward to Haitink's Bruckner 8 (although the LSO are also doing the same work under Fabio Luisi this summer, which could be fantastic). Plumped for the MTT concert too - his Tchaik 5 before Christmas was great. Also grabbed a ticket for Previn conducting the Rach 2, a sentimental booking as his EMI recording of that piece has long been a favourite CD.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 03, 2014, 07:42:54 AM
The Oregon Symphony announced its 2014/2015 season, and in addition to standard rep, Carlos Kalmar has scheduled some mighty interesting looking, lesser heard or never heard fare.  Below is the list of relative and absolute rarities I have the chance to hear next season.  The Dutilleux and Messiaen Oiseaux exotiques are in the same concert, along with Liszt's Totentanz and Ravel's Bolero.  The pianist?  Marc Andre Hamelin.  I do indeed look forward to that concert.  An all standard rep concert that caught my was was Tapiola, Bartok's Third PC with Jean-Philippe Collard (!), and Dvorak's entire Op 72.  Another sure thing.


Torke: Charcoal
Barber: Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Gabriela Lena Frank: Three Latin-American Dances
Gershwin: Concerto in F
MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 2
Dutilleux: Symphony No. 1
Messiaen: Oiseaux exotiques
Messiaen: Hymne
Glazunov: Violin Concerto
Lutosławski: Partita for Violin and Orchestra
Hosokawa: Blossoming II
Sierra: Concerto for Saxophones (this was premiered at the Grant Park Music Festival last year.  Kalmar directs that festival as well.)
Rouse: Concerto for Orchestra
Widman: Con brio


Who says classical music is dead?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 03, 2014, 07:53:13 AM
Quote from: Todd on February 03, 2014, 07:42:54 AM
The Oregon Symphony announced its 2014/2015 season, and in addition to standard rep, Carlos Kalmar has scheduled some mighty interesting looking, lesser heard or never heard fare. 

In other words, Kalmar is doing in Oregon the same thing he does in Grant Park, where he has had great success. Cool schedule.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 03, 2014, 08:17:11 AM
Quote from: Velimir on February 03, 2014, 07:53:13 AMIn other words, Kalmar is doing in Oregon the same thing he does in Grant Park, where he has had great success. Cool schedule.



It appears so.  He has also really improved the level of playing of the orchestra quite a lot in the last decade.  When I first started attending concerts, they couldn't play, say, Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra very well, but now they can play almost anything well, with perhaps just a little more work needed in the brass.  He ruffled some feathers getting to that point - including some public complaining by a flutist he fired because her playing didn't meet his standards - but the results have been worth it.  Hell, their Carnegie Hall appearance even earned high praise from some New Yorkers used to world class playing.  I hope he stays on past 2015.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 03, 2014, 08:22:17 AM
Yeah, it's not just the scheduling, it's the performing. I've been impressed by the results whenever I've heard him live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 03, 2014, 08:26:57 AM
Quote from: Todd on February 03, 2014, 07:42:54 AM
The Oregon Symphony announced its 2014/2015 season, and in addition to standard rep, Carlos Kalmar has scheduled some mighty interesting looking, lesser heard or never heard fare.  Below is the list of relative and absolute rarities I have the chance to hear next season.  The Dutilleux and Messiaen Oiseaux exotiques are in the same concert, along with Liszt's Totentanz and Ravel's Bolero.  The pianist?  Marc Andre Hamelin.  I do indeed look forward to that concert.  An all standard rep concert that caught my was was Tapiola, Bartok's Third PC with Jean-Philippe Collard (!), and Dvorak's entire Op 72.  Another sure thing.


Torke: Charcoal
Barber: Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Gabriela Lena Frank: Three Latin-American Dances
Gershwin: Concerto in F
MacDowell: Piano Concerto No. 2
Dutilleux: Symphony No. 1
Messiaen: Oiseaux exotiques
Messiaen: Hymne
Glazunov: Violin Concerto
Lutosławski: Partita for Violin and Orchestra
Hosokawa: Blossoming II
Sierra: Concerto for Saxophones (this was premiered at the Grant Park Music Festival last year.  Kalmar directs that festival as well.)
Rouse: Concerto for Orchestra
Widman: Con brio


Who says classical music is dead?

What fabulous programming. That might be the best list to emerge from any orchestral season announcement this year.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 03, 2014, 09:35:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 03, 2014, 08:26:57 AM
What fabulous programming. That might be the best list to emerge from any orchestral season announcement this year.

--Bruce

I agree. Let's hope Atlanta SO's 14-15 can bring out a similar variety.
I like how Oregon SO mixes genres and eras within each concert. For example...

Mozart: Symphony No. 32
Stravinsky: Orpheus
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

Rachmaninoff: Isle of the Dead
Lutosławski: Partita for Violin and Orchestra
Dvořák: Romance for Violin and Orchestra
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5

..these two shows offer such diversity in sound.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 03, 2014, 11:46:14 PM
I know this isn't classical, but.....

Television is coming to bergen this spring and will do Marquee Moon complete.

I think I just p..d myself!!!  ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 04, 2014, 11:14:58 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 03, 2014, 08:26:57 AM
What fabulous programming. That might be the best list to emerge from any orchestral season announcement this year.

And on the other side of the coin, CSO has announced a boringly traditional season:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2014/02/cso-to-spotlight-tchaikovsky-scriabin-and-french-music-in-2014-15-season/

I blame Muti. Although I have nothing against him as a conductor (and the players seem to love him), he seems to have scant interest in music outside of the standard German-Italian rep.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 04, 2014, 11:52:25 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on February 04, 2014, 11:32:51 AM
Still, there is quite a bit of nice programming,

Yeah, I shouldn't complain too much. I miss the Barenboim-Boulez regime, when programming choices were bolder. (Elliott Carter in 10 out of 14 seasons - can you beat that?)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 04, 2014, 12:14:00 PM
Quote from: Velimir on February 04, 2014, 11:52:25 AM
Yeah, I shouldn't complain too much. I miss the Barenboim-Boulez regime, when programming choices were bolder. (Elliott Carter in 10 out of 14 seasons - can you beat that?)

+1

Also, ticket prices under Muti seem to have gone waaaay up. I think the Salonen set of three concerts of 20th century French music with L'enfant and Turangalila will be the highlight for me next season. I also want to hear Honeck do Don Juan and LvB 7 and Dutoit. But that's it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mountain Goat on February 07, 2014, 06:44:30 AM
Tonight in St David's Hall, Cardiff: Mahler's 9th symphony (BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Thomas Søndergård)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 07, 2014, 08:50:24 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on February 04, 2014, 12:28:50 PM
Actually there is at least one concert by the Nashville Symphony that I will try to attend:

Nov. 20-22: Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor; Nashville Symphony Chorus — Kelly Corcoran, chorus director; Jonathan Biss, piano

Duruflé — Requiem
Brahms — Piano Concerto No. 2

The Duruflé work is a special favorite of mine, and I have liked Biss's Beethoven series quite a lot and will probably enjoy his Brahms 2nd.

That looks excellent; the Duruflé has many recordings but it doesn't seem to show up live that often. And I like Biss, too.

Quote from: Mountain Goat on February 07, 2014, 06:44:30 AM
Tonight in St David's Hall, Cardiff: Mahler's 9th symphony (BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Thomas Søndergård)

Have a great time!

Tonight I'm hearing:

eighth blackbird: Still in Motion

Bryce Dessner: Murder Ballades Suite (2013)
Tom Johnson: Counting Duets (1982)
György Ligeti: Études arr. sextet (1985-2001)
Nico Muhly: Doublespeak (2011) NEW YORK PREMIERE
Steve Mackey: Suite: Slide (2012) NEW YORK PREMIERE
Brett Dean: Sextet: Old Kings in Exile (2010) NEW YORK PREMIERE

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 07, 2014, 09:22:05 AM
Wondering whether to go to this one tomorrow. I'd like to know the actual pieces to be performed, but can't find a more detailed listing:

Newberry Consort
Feast of the Pheasant
Music of Dufay, Binchois, others
8 p.m. Lutkin Hall, Northwestern University
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 09, 2014, 12:41:27 PM
Quote from: Velimir on February 07, 2014, 09:22:05 AM
Newberry Consort
Feast of the Pheasant
Music of Dufay, Binchois, others
8 p.m. Lutkin Hall, Northwestern University

Well I'm glad I went to this, even though it meant driving thru the snow. This concert reproduced (as far as is possible, given the incomplete source material) a lavish banquet thrown by Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy in 1454. Dufay was the dominant figure, but other composers of the day provided music as well. A nice mix of sacred and secular, singing and instrumental. The violinist Rachel Barton Pine played the rebec (wow she's versatile). Kudos for both performance and imaginative presentation.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 09, 2014, 01:42:13 PM
Quote from: Velimir on February 09, 2014, 12:41:27 PM
Well I'm glad I went to this, even though it meant driving thru the snow. This concert reproduced (as far as is possible, given the incomplete source material) a lavish banquet thrown by Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy in 1454. Dufay was the dominant figure, but other composers of the day provided music as well. A nice mix of sacred and secular, singing and instrumental. The violinist Rachel Barton Pine played the rebec (wow she's versatile). Kudos for both performance and imaginative presentation.

What is with you and traveling in bad weather to see concerts?  ;D
Did you see next years Lyric schedule? Some good ones, I'm trying to make early plans for which 2014-15 opera to see.
Also, they haven't released the Grant Park schedule yet, but I'm trying to make a Chicago trip over the summer as well.
Hope you and your family are doing well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 09, 2014, 02:56:54 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 09, 2014, 01:42:13 PM
What is with you and traveling in bad weather to see concerts?  ;D
Did you see next years Lyric schedule? Some good ones, I'm trying to make early plans for which 2014-15 opera to see.
Also, they haven't released the Grant Park schedule yet, but I'm trying to make a Chicago trip over the summer as well.
Hope you and your family are doing well.

The worst winter ever keeps getting in the way...I'm tempted to hit Tannhauser, tho' Wagner 2 years in a row might be excessive.  :)

Yeah, looking forward to Grant Park too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 11, 2014, 06:58:16 PM
Quote from: Velimir on February 03, 2014, 07:53:13 AM
In other words, Kalmar is doing in Oregon the same thing he does in Grant Park, where he has had great success. Cool schedule.

And the beat goes on! Grant Park 2014 schedule was just released. Lots of cool stuff:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2014/02/grant-park-music-festival-to-mark-80th-anniversary-with-two-premieres-old-friends-and-much-american-music/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 11, 2014, 07:06:35 PM
Quote from: Velimir on February 11, 2014, 06:58:16 PM
And the beat goes on! Grant Park 2014 schedule was just released. Lots of cool stuff:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2014/02/grant-park-music-festival-to-mark-80th-anniversary-with-two-premieres-old-friends-and-much-american-music/

Just got the email earlier today, some great programming with some great guest conductors and soloists. And Bravo to them for scheduling a Haydn symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 12, 2014, 03:35:09 AM
A few concerts from Grant Park Symphony's 2014 season that really interest me...


Barber: Fadograph of a Yestern Scene
Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B Flat
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass


Weill: Seven Deadly Sins
Schubert: Symphony No. 8 Unfinished
R. Strauss: Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome


Adams: Tromba Lontana
Bolcom: World premiere concerto for orchestra
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 13, 2014, 01:20:12 PM
This was tonight, very enjoyable indeed! The Nielsen VC I hadn't heard before, apart  from the first movement on Youtube earlier today. An excellent piece!

Oulu Symphony & Johannes Gustaffson
Sibelius 3rd
Nielsen's VC (Alina Pogostkina, vln)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 13, 2014, 01:31:21 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 12, 2014, 03:35:09 AM
Barber: Fadograph of a Yestern Scene
Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B Flat
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass

Adams: Tromba Lontana
Bolcom: World premiere concerto for orchestra
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé

You didn't mention Dvorak's Third Symphony is on the docket, too!!

*thinks about plane tickets*
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 13, 2014, 02:02:44 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 12, 2014, 03:35:09 AM
Barber: Fadograph of a Yestern Scene
Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B Flat
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass



I'd be all over this concert; I'd love to hear the Janacek in person.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 13, 2014, 03:34:41 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 13, 2014, 01:31:21 PM
You didn't mention Dvorak's Third Symphony is on the docket, too!!

*thinks about plane tickets*

Quote from: Todd on February 13, 2014, 02:02:44 PM

I'd be all over this concert; I'd love to hear the Janacek in person.

Great thing about Grant Park is if you time your Chicago visit right you can catch several free concerts within a few days. Also, sit on he lawn and bring along your favorite bottle of wine!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on February 13, 2014, 08:03:09 PM
It looks like I may be able to go to the Mahler Seventh performance Saturday night in Montreal--can't wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 13, 2014, 08:13:32 PM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on February 13, 2014, 08:03:09 PM
It looks like I may be able to go to the Mahler Seventh performance Saturday night in Montreal--can't wait!

Who's conducting? Nagano?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 14, 2014, 07:01:48 AM
Quote from: Todd on February 13, 2014, 02:02:44 PM
I'd be all over this concert; I'd love to hear the Janacek in person.

I got to see the Janacek live twice in London. Once with Colin Davis and LSO - very fast, but thrilling; hated the Barbican acoustic. Then on the First Night of Proms with Belohlavek and the original, uncut score with the wacky timpani duel in "Veruju" - now that was a hell of a concert. Pretty great live experience.

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 13, 2014, 03:34:41 PM
Great thing about Grant Park is if you time your Chicago visit right you can catch several free concerts within a few days. Also, sit on he lawn and bring along your favorite bottle of wine!

I wonder what it says about me that I just actually looked up air fares to see the Ravel + Bolcom world premiere on August 16. $321 round trip...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 14, 2014, 11:27:13 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 13, 2014, 03:34:41 PM
Great thing about Grant Park is if you time your Chicago visit right you can catch several free concerts within a few days. Also, sit on he lawn and bring along your favorite bottle of wine!

You can also hit Ravinia at the same time. Their schedule's not out yet, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on February 14, 2014, 11:50:44 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 13, 2014, 08:13:32 PM
Who's conducting? Nagano?

Yep.  Since most of the performances I've seen with him conducting were of works with which I wasn't very familiar, I don't really have a strong sense of his personal style.  Since I am relatively familiar with this work, I may be a bit more conscious of his interpretation.  In any event, I always enjoy experiencing the sheer sonority of the orchestra in the beautiful new Symphony Hall. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 14, 2014, 12:48:55 PM
Next Wednesday at the Morgan Library, to coincide with their new recording:

JACK Quartet

Lachenmann: Gran Torso (1972/1988)
Lachenmann: String Quartet No. 2 "Reigen seliger Geister" (1989)
Lachenmann: String Quartet No. 3 "Grido" (2001)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 14, 2014, 02:12:03 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 14, 2014, 07:01:48 AM
the original, uncut score with the wacky timpani duel in "Veruju".

That's the only acceptable version.  ;) Hopefully that's what Kalmar will be conducting. Boulez did that with the CSO a few seasons ago and it was mindbogglingly awesome (with Paul Jacobs on organ who went nuts with the solo).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 16, 2014, 06:21:29 AM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on February 13, 2014, 08:03:09 PM
It looks like I may be able to go to the Mahler Seventh performance Saturday night in Montreal--can't wait!

I'll hear it when they perform it at the Wiener Konzerthaus, a few days later. That will be live-streamed on Medici, to boot!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 16, 2014, 08:23:02 AM
Man, do I wish I could just pop over to Europe for a weekend next month. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet doing all five Beethoven concertos in two nights with Warsaw PO/Antoni Wit. If we're lucky there might be a radio broadcast showing up in one of the concert archive groups...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 17, 2014, 07:02:16 AM
John/MI could move to Dallas and be happy with the 2014-15 DSO season. Highlights:

- Shostakovich Symphony No. 8
- Mahler Symphonies Nos. 3 (season finale) and 9 (season premiere)
- Michelle DeYoung and Matthias Goerne sing in "Bluebeard's Castle"
- Alisa Weilerstein plays the Elgar concerto, coupled with Faure's Requiem
- a night of Bach, Mozart, and Rachmaninov ends with Carlos Chavez's Sinfonia india
- Christopher Rouse's Iscariot (along with Garrick Ohlsson playing Beethoven)
- Gil Shaham presents both Bach concertos
- the USA premiere of Wolfgang Rihm's Triple Concerto
- Bernstein's Serenade and Kaddish
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 17, 2014, 09:11:35 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 17, 2014, 07:02:16 AM
John/MI could move to Dallas and be happy with the 2014-15 DSO season. Highlights:

- Shostakovich Symphony No. 8
- Mahler Symphonies Nos. 3 (season finale) and 9 (season premiere)
- Michelle DeYoung and Matthias Goerne sing in "Bluebeard's Castle"
- Alisa Weilerstein plays the Elgar concerto, coupled with Faure's Requiem
- a night of Bach, Mozart, and Rachmaninov ends with Carlos Chavez's Sinfonia india
- Christopher Rouse's Iscariot (along with Garrick Ohlsson playing Beethoven)
- Gil Shaham presents both Bach concertos
- the USA premiere of Wolfgang Rihm's Triple Concerto
- Bernstein's Serenade and Kaddish

Damn! Maybe I should move to Dallas. 8) Very nice, Brian. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on February 17, 2014, 03:43:34 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on February 16, 2014, 06:21:29 AM
I'll hear it when they perform it at the Wiener Konzerthaus, a few days later. That will be live-streamed on Medici, to boot!

I hope you'll do a review, or at least share your thoughts with us here.  If I have some time later this week, I'll share my own impressions, which were somewhat mixed (though it was an enjoyable experience overall).
Title: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 22, 2014, 07:06:01 PM

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 21, 2014, 09:56:16 AM
Just traded in my Atlanta Symphony tickets for Feb 1st's concert of DSCH: Violin Ct. No.1 and Rach: Symphonic Dances, can't attend concert unfortunately, but I think I win in the end by attending this one on Feb. 22nd...

Robert Spano, Cond.
David Coucheron, Violin
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Brett Polegato, baritone
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

RVW: The Lark Ascending
RVW: Symphony No. 4
RVW: Dona Nobis Pacem

Not big on one composer/three works type of programming, but these three pieces by RVW are diverse enough when next to each other. First time seeing these pieces performed live.

Enjoyable concert. Highlight of the evening for me was the 4th Symphony, the ASO played it with incredible intensity.

Next ASO concert will be mid-March with The Rite of Spring, need to trade in my next subscription tickets for that one if there is space available.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on February 24, 2014, 07:05:52 AM
Caught this performance last night  :) ~

Fabio Biondi, violin and Kenneth Weiss, harpsichord:
"Music of Bach and Locatelli for Violin and Keyboard"

http://sdems.org/index.html

Fabio Biondi has performed in the great concert halls both as a solo violinist and as the founding director of Europa Galante, one of Europe's finest baroque ensembles. He is joined for this performance of works of Bach and Locatelli by American harpsichordist Kenneth Weiss. Weiss, who studied with Gustav Leonhardt, is active both as a soloist and as an opera director. He is on the faculty at the Paris Conservatory and the Juilliard School. Three of Bach's sonatas for violin and harpsichord feature on this concert, along with the Concerto Italiano (performed by Kenneth Weiss), and a sonata for violin and continuo by Bach's contemporary, Pietro Locatelli.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 25, 2014, 10:05:40 AM
On March 15th, pianist-composer Michaël Levinas will be giving a recital here in Madrid, with the following program:

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata n. 2 op. 2
Sonata n. 4 op. 7

Michaël Levinas
Études

Tristan Murail
Territoire de l'oubli

Admission is free (the concert is sponsored by the BBVA Foundation). I look forward to seeing Levinas live :) (after having heard his own music on Cd, and received his set of the complete Beethoven sonatas yesterday--nice coincidence  ;) )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 25, 2014, 10:15:49 AM
March 15th

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles - Conductors

WAGNER: "Liebestod" from Tristan and Isolde
RAVEL: La valse
STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring

Both Spano and Runnicles are listed as conductor and pianists, it will be interesting to see how this is executed. I am hoping that Runnicles is conducting the Stravinsky, either way is fine though as the ASO should shine with this program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 25, 2014, 10:20:51 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 25, 2014, 10:15:49 AM
March 15th

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles - Conductors

WAGNER: "Liebestod" from Tristan and Isolde
RAVEL: La valse
STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring

Both Spano and Runnicles are listed as conductor and pianists, it will be interesting to see how this is executed. I am hoping that Runnicles is conducting the Stravinsky, either way is fine though as the ASO should shine with this program.
Or perhaps they play one piece as a piano duo :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 25, 2014, 10:23:40 AM
Quote from: North Star on February 25, 2014, 10:20:51 AM
Or perhaps they play one piece as a piano duo :D
Hey, "La valse" exists in a double piano version.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 25, 2014, 10:24:04 AM
Quote from: North Star on February 25, 2014, 10:20:51 AM
Or perhaps they play one piece as a piano duo :D

I actually thought of that, but the website is advertising three orchestral masterworks.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 25, 2014, 10:24:49 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 25, 2014, 10:23:40 AM
Hey, "La valse" exists in a double piano version.

So does Spring.


http://www.youtube.com/v/y5OGUrJmvXU
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 25, 2014, 10:30:23 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 25, 2014, 10:23:40 AM
Hey, "La valse" exists in a double piano version.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 25, 2014, 10:24:49 AM
So does Spring.

And there's this, too (and a solo piano version of La Valse)

http://www.youtube.com/v/x9BO-YzSvLs
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on February 25, 2014, 01:13:01 PM
Quote from: HIPster on February 24, 2014, 07:05:52 AM
Caught this performance last night  :) ~

Fabio Biondi, violin and Kenneth Weiss, harpsichord:
"Music of Bach and Locatelli for Violin and Keyboard"

Nice. I like Biondi's recordings and would like to see a live performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on February 25, 2014, 01:31:43 PM
Quote from: Pat B on February 25, 2014, 01:13:01 PM
Nice. I like Biondi's recordings and would like to see a live performance.

I hope you can, Pat B.

Great show!   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 25, 2014, 01:47:49 PM
I've just received word that Janacek's Glagolitic Mass will be performed at the Arizona MusicFest 2015, in mid-February. It will be on a Sunday afternoon, but dates aren't set in stone. The chorister who told me says that her ensemble actually has already been trained to sing in Old Church Slavonic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 28, 2014, 11:14:33 AM
Tonight and tomorrow, part of Carnegie Hall's massive Vienna celebration:

Berg: Wozzeck (in concert) - Wiener Staatsoper
R. Strauss: Salome (in concert) - Wiener Staatsoper

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 28, 2014, 11:24:18 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 28, 2014, 11:14:33 AM
Tonight and tomorrow, part of Carnegie Hall's massive Vienna celebration:

Berg: Wozzeck (in concert) - Wiener Staatsoper
R. Strauss: Salome (in concert) - Wiener Staatsoper

--Bruce

That is massive indeed, spectacularly massive.
drool...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 28, 2014, 11:31:42 AM
Our Bruce in a state of bliss . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 28, 2014, 11:45:39 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 28, 2014, 11:24:18 AM
That is massive indeed, spectacularly massive.
drool...

Quote from: karlhenning on February 28, 2014, 11:31:42 AM
Our Bruce in a state of bliss . . . .

I cannot tell a lie: MUCH looking forward to both.  8)

PS, in tonight's concert, Matthias Goerne is Wozzeck and Franz Welser-Möst is conducting. Tomorrow night Andris Nelsons is the conductor, with Gun-Brit Barkmin (new to me) as Salome.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 01, 2014, 01:46:52 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 25, 2014, 10:05:40 AM
On March 15th, pianist-composer Michaël Levinas will be giving a recital here in Madrid, with the following program:

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata n. 2 op. 2
Sonata n. 4 op. 7

Michaël Levinas
Études

Tristan Murail
Territoire de l'oubli

...
Levinas appaently has changed the first part of his program to this:

Ludwig van Beethoven:
Sonata Nr. 14 in C-sharp minor, op. 27 Nr. 2
Sonata Nr. 32 in C minor, op. 111

Even better!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on March 01, 2014, 10:26:39 PM
I saw some of the Menuhin Competition last week. I saw juniors -- 12-15 year olds. Very high level of playing both technically and musically. Surprisingly so on the latter.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NJ Joe on March 04, 2014, 02:52:43 PM
Zappa Plays Zappa, in about 1 hour.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 05, 2014, 07:08:26 AM
Saw that show in New Bedford a summer or two ago; cracking!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NJ Joe on March 05, 2014, 03:31:35 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on March 05, 2014, 07:08:26 AM
Saw that show in New Bedford a summer or two ago; cracking!

They played, among other things, the album Roxy and Elsewhere in it's entirety.  Outstanding.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 05, 2014, 06:39:00 PM
http://issuu.com/vancouversymphony/docs/vso_brochure1415_high
Vancouver Symphony next season
Not much that we haven't heard before.  There's undoubtedly a talent search for a Tovey's replacement so a lot of young 'uns for guest conductors and soloists (keeping the budget in line).  Like a lot of other orchestras some first desks doing concertos (Bartok vn1, Elgar cello).
Frübeck de Burgos doing Haydn and Berlioz Fantastique. other programs include Britten War Requiem, Candide, Mahler 5 and Buckner 4.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jut1972 on March 06, 2014, 01:56:40 AM
Off to see a the Royal Philharmonic with John Lill do the Egmont,  Emperor and Eroica next week.
And then in October she who must be praised has got me tickets for Dohnanyi conducting Beethoven's 5th.

;D

As a newbie to classical concert going I'm really looking forward to this.   I'm listening to Dohnanyi conducting the 5th now and it's good stuff.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 13, 2014, 02:51:43 PM
 Unexplained replacement for John Storgårds  is Perry So ( not the cellist), conductor for this weekend Vancouver Symphony
Dorothy CHANG Strange Air
CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor with Louis Lortie - usually plays a Fazioli instead of the house Steinway
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 1 in E minor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 15, 2014, 03:54:06 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 25, 2014, 10:15:49 AM
March 15th

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Robert Spano and Donald Runnicles - Conductors

WAGNER: "Liebestod" from Tristan and Isolde
RAVEL: La valse
STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring

Both Spano and Runnicles are listed as conductor and pianists, it will be interesting to see how this is executed. I am hoping that Runnicles is conducting the Stravinsky, either way is fine though as the ASO should shine with this program.

Tonight is the night for this, and I just read the structure of the concert. Both Spano and Runnicles will be performing the piano transcriptions of the Ravel and Stravinsky works, followed by their full orchestral versions performed by the ASO. The article I read didn't mention the Wagner so perhaps that was scrapped.
Anyway, this will be a first for me, and possibly for most of the concert goers this evening, in seeing this unusual program. I have seen La Valse performed live before but not Rite of Spring, not stoked about my seats, lower orchestra, which will be nice for the piano performances but prefer a higher seating for orchestral pieces, but had to switch my subscription tickets at last moment so took what was available.
I'm wondering if this means there will be two riots this evening?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 15, 2014, 04:20:52 AM
Very cool, Greg!


Tomorrow: Beethoven Sonatas for piano & violin, op. 30/3, op. 47 & op. 96

Wendy Chen pno
Elina Vähälä vln

Paavali Jumppanen pno
Jaakko Kuusisto vln
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 15, 2014, 07:03:23 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 15, 2014, 03:54:06 AM
Tonight is the night for this, and I just read the structure of the concert. Both Spano and Runnicles will be performing the piano transcriptions of the Ravel and Stravinsky works, followed by their full orchestral versions performed by the ASO. The article I read didn't mention the Wagner so perhaps that was scrapped.
Anyway, this will be a first for me, and possibly for most of the concert goers this evening, in seeing this unusual program. I have seen La Valse performed live before but not Rite of Spring, not stoked about my seats, lower orchestra, which will be nice for the piano performances but prefer a higher seating for orchestral pieces, but had to switch my subscription tickets at last moment so took what was available.
I'm wondering if this means there will be two riots this evening?  :)

An incredibly fulfilling experience.
The night began with a touching tribute of one the ASO bassists who just recently passed away. The orchestra performed Nimrod by Elgar and asked the audience in lieu of applause to hold a moment of silence when the music had finished. The ASO performed a similar classy move earlier in year with the passing of another orchestra member, playing a piece by Bach in tribute.
Then came Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde with Runnicles conducting the ASO. This was followed by two pianos ascending from a mechanical rise beneath the stage with Spano and Runnicles meeting at them. With microphones in hand, both Spano and Runnicles said brief words about their past and present collaborations together with the ASO, as this being Runnicles first appearance in Atlanta this year. They then began to explain the concept of the program, the relationship between the orchestra and piano transcriptions. I'm not normally into conductors speaking during concerts as this is what pre-concert discussions are good for. But these two know each other well and made a great duo both in conversation and playing. They performed a dynamite version of Ravel's La Valse for 2 pianos followed by an equally thrilling account from the ASO. I must say, the piano version was more exciting to watch, and this is coming from a brass player!
The second half of the concert focused on The Rite of Spring. Again the pianos were out, and the two conductors discussed the piece and its history. But this time only played a condensed version of the piano score, all from the first part,Adoration of the Earth. Spano then conducted the ASO in Stravinsky's riot-inducing ballet, although the only riot tonight was in the form of applause from the very energetic crowd. All amazingly played, from both the orchestra and pianists.
Truly an evening to remember, a nice collection of genres with a little history.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 17, 2014, 07:49:07 AM
Quote from: ritter on March 01, 2014, 01:46:52 AM
Levinas apparently has changed the first part of his program to this:

Ludwig van Beethoven:
Sonata Nr. 14 in C-sharp minor, op. 27 Nr. 2
Sonata Nr. 32 in C minor, op. 111

Even better!  :)

Levinas recital last Saturday here in Madrid was extraordinary...what a great musician! The program was demanding, both for the performer as for the audience: the two Beethoven sonatas mentioned above, plus Levinas's own Three Études and Tristan Murail's Térritoires de l'oubli (a work dedicated to, and first performed by, Levinas some 35 years ago).

The miraculous progression from the initial adagio to the concluding presto of the Beethoven PS Nr. 14 ("Mondschein") was performed with virtuosity and poetry. As fro the Sonata Nr. 32 (what an astonishing work!--it never ceases to surprise me  :) ) , Levinas stressed the modern aspects of the music (those proto-jazzy sections in the second movement). I'm very much a layman in this territory, but the impressions I got of Levinas's' Beethoven from his recordings was confirmed by this live experience. I think his playing is rather intriguing: he seems to favor a very incisive, percussive attack to the music, but also uses the pedal very generously. The result is a sound that is simultaneously very penetrating but full of reverberation. In any case, very convincing.

His Études require all sorts of "unorthodox" techniques: direct plucking (or dampening) of the strings, clusters with the palm of the hand, etc., and are very interesting. Although they require extreme virtuosity, they also transmit a sense of haunting and serene beauty. Murail's Territores is a lengthy (but never tiresome) work, imbued of impressionistic soundscape, and with a very French attention to timbre. Quite enjoyable.

Warm applause by the full hall (admission was free). At the end, I got the chance to thank Levinas for his performance, and he is a very nice and polite person (he also signed my copy of his album Double Face that covers his artistry both as pianist and as composer).

(http://images.systemrecords.co.uk/large/4764269.jpg)

A great evening!  :)



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 17, 2014, 08:09:53 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 15, 2014, 07:03:23 PM
An incredibly fulfilling experience.
The night began with a touching tribute of one the ASO bassists who just recently passed away. The orchestra performed Nimrod by Elgar and asked the audience in lieu of applause to hold a moment of silence when the music had finished. The ASO performed a similar classy move earlier in year with the passing of another orchestra member, playing a piece by Bach in tribute.
Then came Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde with Runnicles conducting the ASO. This was followed by two pianos ascending from a mechanical rise beneath the stage with Spano and Runnicles meeting at them. With microphones in hand, both Spano and Runnicles said brief words about their past and present collaborations together with the ASO, as this being Runnicles first appearance in Atlanta this year. They then began to explain the concept of the program, the relationship between the orchestra and piano transcriptions. I'm not normally into conductors speaking during concerts as this is what pre-concert discussions are good for. But these two know each other well and made a great duo both in conversation and playing. They performed a dynamite version of Ravel's La Valse for 2 pianos followed by an equally thrilling account from the ASO. I must say, the piano version was more exciting to watch, and this is coming from a brass player!
The second half of the concert focused on The Rite of Spring. Again the pianos were out, and the two conductors discussed the piece and its history. But this time only played a condensed version of the piano score, all from the first part,Adoration of the Earth. Spano then conducted the ASO in Stravinsky's riot-inducing ballet, although the only riot tonight was in the form of applause from the very energetic crowd. All amazingly played, from both the orchestra and pianists.
Truly an evening to remember, a nice collection of genres with a little history.
Sounds like a great evening, GSMoeller!  :) Having La Valse in the two piano and  orchestral versions back-to-back must have been fantastic. It's one of the few works I know that are just as good in both incarnations!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on March 21, 2014, 11:32:37 AM
Sunday, March 23, 2014  :)

ARTEK and Les Sacqueboutiers : "The Missing Link - A Celebration of Johan Rosenmuller"

Between Monteverdi and Bach lies an entire repertoire of glorious sacred music.  Johan Rosenmüller (1619-1684) was equally a genius, and was one of the most important links between the early and later baroque styles.  ARTEK, Les Sacqueboutiers, and violinist Enrico Gatti feature several of Rosenmüller's outstanding solo cantatas for alto or soprano, along with virtuoso instrumental music by Biber, Schmelzer, and Weckmann.  This concert is a celebration of the flowering of German baroque in the second half of the 17th century.


http://sdems.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=590519

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 21, 2014, 12:02:42 PM
Off to La Coruña in northwest Spain to see the venerable Stanisław Skrowaczewski conduct the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia in the Emperor concerto and Bruckner's Fourth tomorrow night  :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: milk on March 21, 2014, 06:18:17 PM
If you had a choice of seeing Evgeny Kissin playing Scriabin or Zinman/Kremer/Tonhalle playing Beethoven's violin concerto which would you choose?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on March 22, 2014, 02:46:56 AM
April 10, 2014. Avery Fisher Hall, NYC.
NY Pilharmonic. Christoph von Dohnanyi, conductor
Paul Lewis, piano
Brahms Piano Concerto no. 1
Schumann Symphony no. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on March 22, 2014, 03:36:38 AM
In May, the Toledo Symphony plays the Bruckner Symphony #0 at the Roman Catholic Cathedral.

And then one week later, at the Toledo Museum of Art's Peristyle Concert Hall, the orchestra will play the Mahler Symphony #5.

And Mrs. Cato and I will be there for both concerts!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on March 22, 2014, 07:50:19 AM
Quote from: milk on March 21, 2014, 06:18:17 PM
If you had a choice of seeing Evgeny Kissin playing Scriabin or Zinman/Kremer/Tonhalle playing Beethoven's violin concerto which would you choose?

Beethoven   8)

Enjoy, whichever you choose, milk!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: milk on March 22, 2014, 08:26:07 AM
Quote from: HIPster on March 22, 2014, 07:50:19 AM
Beethoven   8)

Enjoy, whichever you choose, milk!
Thanks for the opinion.
Price may end up being a factor (here in Japan). I wanted to see Chailly/Gewandhausorchester last week, but the cheapest tickets were about 120$ - and those were sold out by the time I made the call. I have to check again about the comparative prices of these two concerts. It isn't that expensive in the States or Europe is it?

Here are the upcoming concerts I'm considering (I know the Demus recitals are 50$):
14.3.26 (Wed)19:00  Phoenix Hall Piano Quartet (non-famous Japanese musicians): Dvorak Mozart
14.4.7 (Mon) 19:00 Phoenix Hall Maximilian Hornung (cello) + piano (Naoko Kawamura): Beethoven, etc.
14.4.8 (Tue) 19:00 Izumi Hall Sayaka Shoji (violin) and Menahem Pressler (piano): Mozart, Schumann, etc.
14.4.12 (Sat) 14:00 Doshisha Imadegawa Jorge Demus: Bach, etc. 
14.4.13 (Sun) 15:00 Symphony Hall Evgeny Kissin piano: Scriabin
14.4.13 (Sun) 14:00 Festival Hall Zinman/Kremer: Violin Concerto Beethoven
14.4.18 (Fri) 19:00 Ashiya Jorge Demus Beethoven, Chopin
14.4.26 (Sat) 14:00 Hyogo Performing Arts Center Small Hall: Tabea Zimmermann solo viola Bach
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on March 22, 2014, 04:22:15 PM
Quote from: milk on March 22, 2014, 08:26:07 AM
Thanks for the opinion.
Price may end up being a factor (here in Japan). I wanted to see Chailly/Gewandhausorchester last week, but the cheapest tickets were about 120$ - and those were sold out by the time I made the call. I have to check again about the comparative prices of these two concerts. It isn't that expensive in the States or Europe is it?



No!  I once heard the Berlin Philharmonic under Claudio Abbado play Schoenberg's Pelleas und Melisande and Beethoven's Fourth Symphony on tour here in the U.S. for under $50.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 22, 2014, 04:32:03 PM
Quote from: milk on March 22, 2014, 08:26:07 AM
Thanks for the opinion.
Price may end up being a factor (here in Japan). I wanted to see Chailly/Gewandhausorchester last week, but the cheapest tickets were about 120$ - and those were sold out by the time I made the call. I have to check again about the comparative prices of these two concerts. It isn't that expensive in the States or Europe is it?

Here are the upcoming concerts I'm considering (I know the Demus recitals are 50$):
14.3.26 (Wed)19:00  Phoenix Hall Piano Quartet (non-famous Japanese musicians): Dvorak Mozart
14.4.7 (Mon) 19:00 Phoenix Hall Maximilian Hornung (cello) + piano (Naoko Kawamura): Beethoven, etc.
14.4.8 (Tue) 19:00 Izumi Hall Sayaka Shoji (violin) and Menahem Pressler (piano): Mozart, Schumann, etc.
14.4.12 (Sat) 14:00 Doshisha Imadegawa Jorge Demus: Bach, etc. 
14.4.13 (Sun) 15:00 Symphony Hall Evgeny Kissin piano: Scriabin
14.4.13 (Sun) 14:00 Festival Hall Zinman/Kremer: Violin Concerto Beethoven
14.4.18 (Fri) 19:00 Ashiya Jorge Demus Beethoven, Chopin
14.4.26 (Sat) 14:00 Hyogo Performing Arts Center Small Hall: Tabea Zimmermann solo viola Bach
It varies quite a bit. Tickets to our local symphony are rather cheap, but in Helsinki especially the ones with some famous soloists/conductors can be expensive, although students, pensioners, etc do get discounts.
The Demus and Zimmermann concerts look particularly nice out of those. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: milk on March 22, 2014, 05:22:28 PM
Quote from: North Star on March 22, 2014, 04:32:03 PM
It varies quite a bit. Tickets to our local symphony are rather cheap, but in Helsinki especially the ones with some famous soloists/conductors can be expensive, although students, pensioners, etc do get discounts.
The Demus and Zimmermann concerts look particularly nice out of those. :)
I believe Zimmermann is playing Hindemith as well. It does look interesting. I saw Demus play WTC here last year and I thought it was a really daring, masterful, performance. They had a recording of it but they wanted more than 100$ for it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 22, 2014, 05:44:27 PM
Quote from: milk on March 22, 2014, 05:22:28 PM
I believe Zimmermann is playing Hindemith as well. It does look interesting. I saw Demus play WTC here last year and I thought it was a really daring, masterful, performance. They had a recording of it but they wanted more than 100$ for it.
She has indeed been endorsing Hindemith's music quite a bit; recording all of it and performing it just about as much as possible.
That is some outrageous pricing!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: milk on March 22, 2014, 06:12:03 PM
Quote from: North Star on March 22, 2014, 05:44:27 PM
She has indeed been endorsing Hindemith's music quite a bit; recording all of it and performing it just about as much as possible.
That is some outrageous pricing!
The recording and concerts are organized by his students here. The concerts are maybe reasonably priced (I think it was about 50$) but I don't know what they're thinking with the recording. Maybe they expect that his students will dutifully pay the price (as they probably will).

I just noticed that Sigiswald Kuijken will perform Bach on the viola da spalla here in June! Mikhail Pletnev is coming in May. Some nice stuff to break up the usually boring and extremely uncreative programing here in Osaka.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 25, 2014, 06:56:07 AM
Quote from: ritter on March 21, 2014, 12:02:42 PM
Off to La Coruña in northwest Spain to see the venerable Stanisław Skrowaczewski conduct the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia in the Emperor concerto and Bruckner's Fourth tomorrow night  :) :)

The concert in La Coruña last Saturday was memorable...Skrowaczewski, pianist Francesco Piemontesi and the local Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia all received a well-deserved standing ovation.

The Beethoven concerto offered was the First, and not the "Emperor" as I wrongly expected (with the benefit of hindsight, the Fifth concerto and Bruckner's Fourth would have been a bit too much for one evening  ;) ). 30-year old Piemontesi (whom I had never heard) is an outstanding artist: his clean but sweet tone, superb phrasing, virtuosity and infectious joy (so important in the last movement's scherzando sections) are clearly out of the ordinary, and made me want to hear more of him soon. He gave us Debussy's Spanish-inflected La Sérénade interrompue (from book one of the Preludes) as an encore; here perhaps his style (with much use of pedal) was  not so close as to what I most enjoy in Debussy, but in any case, it was very well played.

Bruckner's Fourth (never my favourite of his symphonies  :-[ ) was a wonderful experience under 90-year old maestro Skrowaczewski (who, in any case, looks fit and dynamic  :) ). Highlights of the performance were, IMO, the contrast in the scherzo between the "hunting" passages of the horns and the Ländler of the trio, and also the alternation between the phrases of the brass and the strings' ostinati in the finale. The crowning re-apparition of the symphony's opening theme at the very end of the last movement (deftly defined as "blinding light" by the author of the program notes) was breathtaking.

As mentioned, huge success and standing ovation. You could see Skrowaczewski and Piemontesi very happy with the outcome... Me and my local hosts could shake hands with both of them backstage after the concert, and I felt privilgeged to have been able to thank them in person.

A great concert by all accounts  :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 25, 2014, 07:30:41 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on March 25, 2014, 06:15:10 AM
Looking forward to the "Concord Symphony" tonight, with MTT & SFS at the WKH.

apropos:

The following interview with Kent Nagano, exclusively on Charles Ives.

In English... (but also in German, for those who prefer it)

The Profound Existentialism of Charles Ives: Kent Nagano in Conversation

(http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Portals/0/blog_data/Magazine%202014/Kent_Nagano_(c)Felix-Broede_560_KonzerthausMagazin.png)


http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/343/The-Profound-Existentialism-of-Charles-Ives-Kent-Nagano-in-Conversation.aspx (http://"http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/343/The-Profound-Existentialism-of-Charles-Ives-Kent-Nagano-in-Conversation.aspx")

Kent Nagano über Charles Ives

(http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Portals/0/blog_data/Magazine%202014/Charles_Ives_1893_Baseball_560.jpg)


http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/344/Kent-Nagano-uber-Charles-Ives.aspx (http://"http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/344/Kent-Nagano-uber-Charles-Ives.aspx")

Links aren't working, Jens.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on March 25, 2014, 08:04:27 AM
Quote from: milk on March 22, 2014, 08:26:07 AM
Thanks for the opinion.
Price may end up being a factor (here in Japan). I wanted to see Chailly/Gewandhausorchester last week, but the cheapest tickets were about 120$ - and those were sold out by the time I made the call. I have to check again about the comparative prices of these two concerts. It isn't that expensive in the States or Europe is it?

The cheapest seats to see the orchestra on their home turf in Leipzig are 6 Euro. Almost twenty times more expensive in Japan ???  The premium seats at the Gewandhaus are 57.50 Euro. Mrs. Rock and I saw Chailly conduct Mahler 3 there a few years ago. Our seats were, I think, around 30 Euro each.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 25, 2014, 08:29:52 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 25, 2014, 07:30:41 AM
Links aren't working, Jens.
Try now:
Quote from: jlaurson on March 25, 2014, 06:15:10 AM
Looking forward to the "Concord Symphony" tonight, with MTT & SFS at the WKH.

apropos:

The following interview with Kent Nagano, exclusively on Charles Ives.

In English... (but also in German, for those who prefer it)

The Profound Existentialism of Charles Ives: Kent Nagano in Conversation

(http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Portals/0/blog_data/Magazine%202014/Kent_Nagano_(c)Felix-Broede_560_KonzerthausMagazin.png)


http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/343/The-Profound-Existentialism-of-Charles-Ives-Kent-Nagano-in-Conversation.aspx (http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/343/The-Profound-Existentialism-of-Charles-Ives-Kent-Nagano-in-Conversation.aspx)

Kent Nagano über Charles Ives

(http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Portals/0/blog_data/Magazine%202014/Charles_Ives_1893_Baseball_560.jpg)


http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/344/Kent-Nagano-uber-Charles-Ives.aspx (http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/344/Kent-Nagano-uber-Charles-Ives.aspx)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 25, 2014, 09:22:04 AM
Friday night!

Brahms | Tragic Overture
Chopin | Piano Concerto No 2
Dvorak | The Water Goblin
Janacek | Sinfonietta

Jan Lisiecki, piano
Dallas Symphony Orchestra and All Their Trumpet-Playing Friends
Jakub Hrusa

I've seen Jakub Hrusa before, and he's pretty good. I could take or leave the entire first half of the program, but the Janacek is such a great piece to see live that I forced my parents to come up to Dallas to see it with me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 25, 2014, 09:25:49 AM
Quote
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 25, 2014, 07:30:41 AM
Links aren't working, Jens.
Thanks! Fixed.

Oh, and also many thanks to North Star, for also fixing it!!!!!

Looking forward to the "Concord Symphony" tonight, with MTT & SFS at the WKH.

apropos:

The following interview with Kent Nagano, exclusively on Charles Ives.

In English... (but also in German, for those who prefer it)

The Profound Existentialism of Charles Ives: Kent Nagano in Conversation

(http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Portals/0/blog_data/Magazine%202014/Kent_Nagano_(c)Felix-Broede_560_KonzerthausMagazin.png)


http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/343/The-Profound-Existentialism-of-Charles-Ives-Kent-Nagano-in-Conversation.aspx (http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/343/The-Profound-Existentialism-of-Charles-Ives-Kent-Nagano-in-Conversation.aspx)

Kent Nagano über Charles Ives

(http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Portals/0/blog_data/Magazine%202014/Charles_Ives_1893_Baseball_560.jpg)


http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/344/Kent-Nagano-uber-Charles-Ives.aspx (http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/344/Kent-Nagano-uber-Charles-Ives.aspx)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: milk on March 25, 2014, 05:37:34 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on March 25, 2014, 08:04:27 AM
The cheapest seats to see the orchestra on their home turf in Leipzig are 6 Euro. Almost twenty times more expensive in Japan ???  The premium seats at the Gewandhaus are 57.50 Euro. Mrs. Rock and I saw Chailly conduct Mahler 3 there a few years ago. Our seats were, I think, around 30 Euro each.

Sarge
This confirms what I thought. Well, I guess it is expensive to fly everyone over here. Still, prices are inflated in Japan. The new rise in consumption tax doesn't help either. Nor does the recent weakening of the yen. It's a shame that classical music in Japan is generally accepted as being for the rich, old, and well-connected. Maybe that contributes to the programming being so boring. 
On another note, I found at that Sigiswald Kuijken's Viola da spalla concert in Kansai is sold out three months in advance! So it's impossible to get tickets for that. That really upset me. I was even thinking of trying to contact him or waylay him at his hotel to beg for a ticket. I doubt it would be successful. But I have a friend who got tickets to a rock show that way.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on March 26, 2014, 01:40:09 AM
M3 with MTT & SFS tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 26, 2014, 06:56:32 PM
For anyone with the inclination, time, and money to get to Victoria BC for Saturday evening:
György Ligeti : Poeme Symphonique for 100 Metronomes
György Ligeti : Ramifications
Ana Sokolovic : Nine Proverbs
Paul Frehner : Ochus Bochus
György Ligeti : Concerto for Piano and Orchestra

Tania Miller : conductor
Roger Admiral : pianist - Website
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 27, 2014, 01:02:25 AM
Quote from: listener on March 26, 2014, 06:56:32 PM
For anyone with the inclination, time, and money to get to Victoria BC for Saturday evening:
György Ligeti : Poeme Symphonique for 100 Metronomes
György Ligeti : Ramifications
...
György Ligeti : Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
Now there's a cool program!

Tonight:

Brahms: PC no. 2 & Symphony No. 1
Paavali Jumppanen (piano), Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on March 27, 2014, 02:16:01 AM
Actually I'm off-topic here, but last night me and a friend went to a concert with organ & vocal works of Ernst Křenek, the 'main course' being his Lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae, Opus 93.

Walking back to the bus after the concert, we ran across a group of choristers and I thanked them, saying it was a beautiful concert. One of the sopranos looked at me rather suspicious and asked Are you a 12-tone freak?

;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 27, 2014, 02:47:14 AM
Quote from: Marc on March 27, 2014, 02:16:01 AM
Actually I'm off-topic here, but last night me and a friend went to a concert with organ & vocal works of Ernst Křenek, the 'main course' being his Lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae, Opus 93.

Walking back to the bus after the concert, we ran across a group of choristers and I thanked them, saying it was a beautiful concert. One of the sopranos looked at me rather suspicious and asked Are you a 12-tone freak?

;D
Wow! Hearing the Lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae live is a rare treat, Marc, and must have been a great experience  :). Where was the concert, if I may ask?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on March 27, 2014, 03:00:41 AM
Quote from: ritter on March 27, 2014, 02:47:14 AM
Wow! Hearing the Lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae live is a rare treat, Marc, and must have been a great experience  :). Where was the concert, if I may ask?

Groningen, NL, Der Aa Kerk.
Cappella Amsterdam, conducted by Daniel Reuss (a great choir conductor!).
Organ: Geerten van de Wetering (Sonata op. 92/1 & Four Winds Suite, op. 223).

This evening they will be in Amsterdam (Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ), tomorrow in Utrecht (Pieterskerk) and Saturday in Kampen (Burgwalkerk).
Anyone who's in the Netherlands with time and money left: check it out!

http://www.cappellaamsterdam.nl/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 27, 2014, 05:02:27 AM
Quote from: Marc on March 27, 2014, 02:16:01 AM
Actually I'm off-topic here, but last night me and a friend went to a concert with organ & vocal works of Ernst Křenek, the 'main course' being his Lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae, Opus 93.

Walking back to the bus after the concert, we ran across a group of choristers and I thanked them, saying it was a beautiful concert. One of the sopranos looked at me rather suspicious and asked Are you a 12-tone freak?

;D
Thanks for sharing this lovely story on the power of music  :laugh:
Hmm, perhaps this 12-tone thing should be added to the communication thread..
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on March 27, 2014, 08:16:43 AM
For my next two CSO concerts, I'll be patriotically attending performances of two great American symphonies (among other things):

April 19

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Anne Akiko Meyers, violinist
Barber: School for Scandal Overture
Schuman: Symphony No. 6
Bates: Violin Concerto
Gershwin: An American in Paris

April 26

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Richard Goode, pianist
Ives: Symphony No. 2
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23
Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

The Ives gets played fairly often, but this is the first time I've seen the Schuman on a concert program. A shame, cuz it's a great piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 27, 2014, 12:51:28 PM
Quote from: North Star on March 27, 2014, 01:02:25 AM
Tonight:

Brahms: PC no. 2 & Symphony No. 1
Paavali Jumppanen (piano), Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Wonderful performance of the concerto in particular. Jumppanen was splendid, and the orchestra always shines with Gustavsson.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 29, 2014, 12:06:48 AM
Well, it's still several months into the future, but I (unexpectedly) managed to get tickets for the second Ring cycle at Bayreuth this summer...quite excited about what would be my third visit to the Green Hill.

The conductor is Kyrill Petrenko, who got excellent reviews in his debut in the festival last year. Th production, by Frank Castorf, was almost unanimously booed  by the audience and condemned by most critics  ::) ...

Here one of the scenes from Siegfried (sets by Aleksandar Denić):

(http://www.cicero.de/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/siegfried.png.jpg?itok=2HKqDmdU)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on March 29, 2014, 03:57:38 AM
Quote from: ritter on March 29, 2014, 12:06:48 AM
Well, it's still several months into the future, but I (unexpectedly) managed to get tickets for the second Ring cycle at Bayreuth this summer...quite excited about what would be my third visit to the Green Hill.

The conductor is Kyrill Petrenko, who got excellent reviews in his debut in the festival last year. Th production, by Frank Castorf, was almost unanimously booed  by the audience and condemned by most critics  ::) ...

Here one of the scenes from Siegfried (sets by Aleksandar Denić):

(http://www.cicero.de/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/siegfried.png.jpg?itok=2HKqDmdU)

You got the tickets for the Bayreuth Ring?!? :o That's great, I hope you will enjoy the performance! I listened to the Festival on the radio last summer, Petrenko was absolutely impressive as conductor, the orchestral playing was excellent in all the operas of the Ring (apart from a wrong note of brass just in the finale of Das Rheingold). It would be better not to say anything about Castorf's production.

Out of curiosity, how do you manage to buy a ticket for Bayreuth? I've often looked for information to attend the Festival, but I only find contradictory things.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 29, 2014, 10:00:03 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on March 29, 2014, 03:57:38 AM
Out of curiosity, how do you manage to buy a ticket for Bayreuth? I've often looked for information to attend the Festival, but I only find contradictory things.
I've sent you a private message with some details...  ;) ....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on March 29, 2014, 11:56:58 AM
Quote from: ritter on March 29, 2014, 10:00:03 AM
I've sent you a private message with some details...  ;) ....

I saw it, thanks a lot for explaining, Rafael. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NJ Joe on March 31, 2014, 02:13:42 PM
Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 8PM 
Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall
Princeton University

NASH ENSEMBLE OF LONDON

PROGRAM:

SMETANA Overture to The Bartered Bride
VIET CUONG Trains of Thought (World Premiere)
SCHUMANN Fairy Tales, Op. 132
SHOSTAKOVICH Four Waltzes
DVORAK Piano Quintet in A Major
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 31, 2014, 05:56:22 PM
Quote from: NJ Joe on March 31, 2014, 02:13:42 PM
Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 8PM 
Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall
Princeton University

NASH ENSEMBLE OF LONDON

PROGRAM:

SMETANA Overture to The Bartered Bride
VIET CUONG Trains of Thought (World Premiere)
SCHUMANN Fairy Tales, Op. 132
SHOSTAKOVICH Four Waltzes
DVORAK Piano Quintet in A Major

That's a beautiful little hall, had the chance to play there once in high school. Hope you enjoy the concert, Joe!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NJ Joe on April 01, 2014, 03:41:33 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 31, 2014, 05:56:22 PM
That's a beautiful little hall, had the chance to play there once in high school. Hope you enjoy the concert, Joe!

Thanks Greg, I'm looking forward to it.  Agree with you about the venue.  I've seen many concerts there over the years.  Great (improved) acoustics and wonderfully intimate.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 01, 2014, 04:43:52 AM
Quote from: NJ Joe on April 01, 2014, 03:41:33 AM
Thanks Greg, I'm looking forward to it.  Agree with you about the venue.  I've seen many concerts there over the years.  Great (improved) acoustics and wonderfully intimate.

I was going over some of the gallery pics from their website, some noticeable changes for sure since last time I was there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on April 02, 2014, 01:10:55 AM
Next week, at Flagey/Brussels .
rather an odd combination:

Messiaen : Trois petites liturgies ( possibly my favorite Messiaen work) - Chamayou, piano, ondes Martenot NN
Richard Strauss: Burleske
Richard Strauss : Rosenkavalier-suite

Chorus and orchestra of de Munt / La Monnaie / Ludovic Morlot.

See:
http://www.demunt.be/nl/concerts/347/Ludovic-Morlot
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 02, 2014, 01:21:56 AM
Tomorrow:    8)

Johannes Gustavsson & Oulu SO
Réka Szilvay (violin)

Stravinsky: Symphonies d'instruments à vent
Hartmann: Concerto funebre
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 'Eroica'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 04, 2014, 07:14:06 AM
Kinda considering visiting my little brother in Pittsburgh a year from now and catching this:

Mozart:   Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra, K.320d [364]       
Rautavaara:   Cantus Arcticus, Opus 61    
Stravinsky:   Suite from The Firebird (1919 revision)

Soloists from the Pittsburgh SO
The Pittsburgh SO
Manfred Honeck

March 6-8, 2015

EDIT: Or Mahler's First in June 2015 there, with a world premiere oboe concerto by Alan Fletcher.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 12:58:58 PM
Tonight!

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles - Conductor
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione - Oboe

R. STRAUSS Metamorphosen
R. STRAUSS Oboe Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 11, 2014, 02:33:17 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 12:58:58 PM
Tonight!

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles - Conductor
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione - Oboe

R. STRAUSS Metamorphosen
R. STRAUSS Oboe Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

Hm, doesn't look like the kind of thing you'd enjoy, Greg, but try to make the most of it - oh, and say hi to John!

0:)  8)  :laugh:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 03:17:10 PM
Quote from: North Star on April 11, 2014, 02:33:17 PM
Hm, doesn't look like the kind of thing you'd enjoy, Greg, but try to make the most of it - oh, and say hi to John!

0:)  8)  :laugh:

Definitely not John-approved programming.  8)
Title: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 03:54:37 PM

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 12:58:58 PM
Tonight!

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles - Conductor
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione - Oboe

R. STRAUSS Metamorphosen
R. STRAUSS Oboe Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

Set up for Metamorphosen (don't be alarmed, hasn't started yet)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/12/dy5etepe.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on April 11, 2014, 05:40:47 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 03:17:10 PM
Definitely not John-approved programming.  8)
Especially as John has forsaken classical!  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 07:46:05 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 12:58:58 PM
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles - Conductor

R. STRAUSS Metamorphosen

Heartbreaking, gut wrenching, gorgeously serene. The ASO string players and Runnicles perfectly captured everything about this piece that makes it so great, an incredibly passionate experience. I'm very anxious to get my hands on a score, there was some intricate counterpoint that was more noticeable in concert than on record.


Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 12:58:58 PM
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles - Conductor
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione - Oboe

R. STRAUSS Oboe Concerto

A beautiful work and amazingly played. I love how Strauss musically places the solo oboe as still a part of the ensemble, communicating within the other players, especially the solo violin and clarinet.


Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 11, 2014, 12:58:58 PM
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles - Conductor

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 7

First and final movement were dynamic firecrackers, they danced and pulsed. Must say the 2nd and 3rd mvt. fell a little flat compared to their strong bookends. I'm also not a big fan of the 3rd mvt. Presto – Assai meno presto (trio) to begin with, not that they were played poorly just that they didn't keep the momentum. Also the hall the ASO play in is not the best, and the horns (who are normally placed on risers but not this time) seemed to always be a slight behind due to the acoustics, maybe it's because of where I was sitting or where they were placed, but the loud horn licks in the final mvt. came across as behind.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 17, 2014, 11:46:16 AM
Greg, would have loved to hear that Metamorphosen - great heard live.

So just saw the Atlanta Symphony's big season finale in June - how exciting! Are you going to this? Two terrific singers: Stuart Skelton was the Drum Major in Wozzeck at the Met (when they did it in 2011) and Stephanie Blythe is just a marvel, with a really powerful voice. (After seeing her a friend once said, "Have that woman hail me a cab.") She did Baba the Turk in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress (again at the Met) - not only can she sing, but she's a hilarious actress.

http://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2014-2015/Samson-and-Dalila.aspx#.U062KTqdtlM.twitter

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 17, 2014, 12:50:01 PM
And looking forward to this concert tonight:

AXIOM
Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor

Stockhausen: Funf Sternzeichen (2004)
Stockhausen: Refrain (1959)
Boulez: Derive 2 (1988/2006)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 17, 2014, 12:59:25 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 17, 2014, 12:50:01 PM
And looking forward to this concert tonight:

AXIOM
Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor

Stockhausen: Funf Sternzeichen (2004)
Stockhausen: Refrain (1959)
Boulez: Derive 2 (1988/2006)

--Bruce
I don't know the performers, but the program is very, very, very appealing!  :)  I had the chance to hear Derive II live here in Madrid some three years ago with the Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain under Daniel Kawka (who also recorded the piece for Naïve), and found it utterly compelling; actually, I now think it's one of Boulez's major compositions (of his late--or any--period). Hope you enjoy it, Bruce!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 17, 2014, 01:19:56 PM
Quote from: ritter on April 17, 2014, 12:59:25 PM
I don't know the performers, but the program is very, very, very appealing!  :)  I had the chance to hear Derive II live here in Madrid some three years ago with the Ensemble Orchestral Contemporain under Daniel Kawka (who also recorded the piece for Naïve), and found it utterly compelling; actually, I now think it's one of Boulez's major compositions (of his late--or any--period). Hope you enjoy it, Bruce!  8)

Very cool - especially getting to hear it with those forces. I have heard it just once, a live performance a few years back, and enjoyed it quite a bit. (And even after one hearing, I might agree with your comment about it being one of Boulez's best.)

Milarsky is one of the most exciting (and somewhat under-publicized) conductors of new music in New York, and the ensemble, AXIOM, is composed of Juilliard students who enjoy doing contemporary works, so I expect this will be very good.

(Also, I'm reviewing it, so I'll try to remember to post the link here.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 17, 2014, 01:25:47 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 17, 2014, 01:19:56 PM
....(Also, I'm reviewing it, so I'll try to remember to post the link here.)
Please do! I'd love to read it...

And yes, from what you tell me about the performers, this should be a great concert!  :)

Regards,

Rafael
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2014, 06:28:44 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 17, 2014, 11:46:16 AM
Greg, would have loved to hear that Metamorphosen - great heard live.

So just saw the Atlanta Symphony's big season finale in June - how exciting! Are you going to this? Two terrific singers: Stuart Skelton was the Drum Major in Wozzeck at the Met (when they did it in 2011) and Stephanie Blythe is just a marvel, with a really powerful voice. (After seeing her a friend once said, "Have that woman hail me a cab.") She did Baba the Turk in Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress (again at the Met) - not only can she sing, but she's a hilarious actress.

http://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2014-2015/Samson-and-Dalila.aspx#.U062KTqdtlM.twitter

--Bruce

Hey, Bruce,

I've been revisiting a lot of my Metamorphosen recordings since last weekend, although some are (slightly) better performed than the ASO, there's nothing quite like seeing it live. Runnicles really stressed the Eroica funeral march melody at the end, very dramatic.

I don't know about the Samson and Dalila, they just announced the 14/15 season the other day and I haven't purchased my tickets for next year yet. A decent 14/15 season, excited to see more Strauss programmed (Till, Don Juan & Heldenleben) and I always love to see Heldenleben live so that one is a no-brainer.

My final ASO concert is next month, traded in my Joshua Bell performing Brahms VC for scheduling reasons, kinda bummed. But will be seeing this instead...

May 24th, 2014
Ilan Volkov - Conductor
Christopher Rex - cello

VERDI Overture to I vespri siciliani
BLOCH Schelomo
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 10

Not familiar with Schelomo, will be fun to explore that. Saw Cincinnati SO perform Shostakovich's 10th under Paavo Jarvi about six years ago, definitely a good live piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2014, 06:38:45 PM
Will share of few concerts of interest from Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's 14/15 season.

SEP 25/27
R. STRAUSS: Don Juan
MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 20
MOZART: Symphony No. 35,  "Haffner"
R. STRAUSS: Till Eulenspiegel
Robert Spano, conductor
Jeremy Denk, piano

OCT 2/4
BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 1
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 9, "Choral"
Donald Runnicles, conductor
Jonathan Biss, piano
Angela Meade, soprano
Jamie Barton, mezzo-soprano
Russell Thomas, tenor
ASO Chorus

OCT 16/18
DEBUSSY: Prelude to Afternoon of a Faun
AVNER DORMAN: Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!
DEBUSSY: La mer
RAVEL: Bolero
Robert Spano, conductor
Thomas Sherwood, percussion
Charles Settle, percussion

NOV 13/15
JONATHAN LESHNOFF: Symphony No. 2, "Innerspace" - World Premiere
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: A Sea Symphony
Robert Spano, conductor
Twyla Robinson, soprano
Stephen Powell, baritone
ASO Chorus

JAN 8/10
LISZT: Les Préludes
RACHMANINOV: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini
R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben   8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) ;D
Asher Fisch, conductor
Daniil Trifonov, piano

JAN 29/31
MESSIAEN: L'Ascension
POULENC: Organ Concerto
SAINT-SAËNS: Symphony No. 3, "Organ"
Jun Märkl, conductor
Cameron Carpenter, organ

APR 30/MAY 2
MICHAEL GANDOLFI: Sinfonia Concertante World Premiere
STRAVINSKY: Suite from The Firebird
RAVEL: Piano Concerto
GERSHWIN: An American in Paris
Robert Spano, conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Elizabeth Koch Tiscione, oboe
Laura Ardan, clarinet
Keith Buncke, bassoon
Brice Andrus, horn

MAY 7/9
LIADOV: The Enchanted Lake
JOHN ADAMS: Scheherazade.2 (Symphony for Violin and Orchestra)
RAVEL: Pavane
RESPIGHI: Pines of Rome
John Adams, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 17, 2014, 06:45:16 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2014, 06:38:45 PM
AVNER DORMAN: Spices, Perfumes, Toxins!

This piece is AWESOME.

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2014, 06:38:45 PM
MAY 7/9
LIADOV: The Enchanted Lake
JOHN ADAMS: Scheherazade.2 (Symphony for Violin and Orchestra)
RAVEL: Pavane
RESPIGHI: Pines of Rome
John Adams, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin
John Adams is conducting the whole concert? Hmm. I do want to hear Scheherazade 2; maybe I'll have to visit for a weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2014, 06:52:57 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 17, 2014, 06:45:16 PM
This piece is AWESOME.

I have the Dorman disc of concertos on Naxos, love it. Don't know this piece but included in a good program so it's enticing.


Quote from: Brian on April 17, 2014, 06:45:16 PM
John Adams is conducting the whole concert? Hmm. I do want to hear Scheherazade 2; maybe I'll have to visit for a weekend.

Come on down!
Or up!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on April 18, 2014, 05:36:57 AM
About one year 'till Meistersinger is performed in Finnish national opera. I have never seen it live, only dvd productions (and of course recordings).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 21, 2014, 05:27:46 AM
On Tuesday April 29th, Spain's PluralEnsemble, under guest conductor Peter Eötvös will perform this very interesting program in the Chamber Hall of the National Auditorium in Madrid:

- Karlheinz Stockhausen: Kontra-Punkte
- Pierre Boulez: Improvisation I & Improvisation II from Pli selon pli (w. Kristina Szabó--ms--)
- Peter Eötvös: Steine & Sonata per sei

As this is presented under the auspices of the BBVA Foundation, admission is free.  :)





Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on April 21, 2014, 05:40:30 AM
The American Symphony Orchestra will be performing Ligeti's horrific and astonishing "Requiem" this coming December (2014) in NYC. I'd like to make it up there to see it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on April 21, 2014, 11:41:04 AM
Tomorrow I am going to see Nabucco. A promoter called Ellen Kent used to bring over Eastern European companies and the supposed selling point was along the lines of:

See Bizet's Carmen with flamenco dancers and a beautiful white stallion live on stage.

Her name is not on the tour of this company, but the publicity is sort of reminiscent.  They are presenting:

Verdi's La Traviata with fireworks
Puccini's La Boheme with Musetta's little dog
And
Verdi's Nabucco with the famous chorus of the Hebrew slaves.

I feel slightly cheated, a python would not have gone amiss, as in Gypsy.....Ya gotta have a gimmick!

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 21, 2014, 12:17:29 PM
Quote from: ritter on April 21, 2014, 05:27:46 AM
On Tuesday April 29th, Spain's PluralEnsemble, under guest conductor Peter Eötvös will perform this very interesting program in the Chamber Hall of the National Auditorium in Madrid:

- Karlheinz Stockhausen: Kontra-Punkte
- Pierre Boulez: Improvisation I & Improvisation II from Pli selon pli (w. Kristina Szabó--ms--)
- Peter Eötvös: Steine & Sonata per sei

As this is presented under the auspices of the BBVA Foundation, admission is free.  :)

This looks fantastic. And for free, too (in the "classical music is too expensive" vein).

Quote from: EigenUser on April 21, 2014, 05:40:30 AM
The American Symphony Orchestra will be performing Ligeti's horrific and astonishing "Requiem" this coming December (2014) in NYC. I'd like to make it up there to see it.

Great programming, as usual, but I've given up going when Botstein conducts. When he either (A) learns how to conduct or (B) decides to let some other talented people take a crack at it, I'll return.

Quote from: knight66 on April 21, 2014, 11:41:04 AM
Tomorrow I am going to see Nabucco. ...

I feel slightly cheated, a python would not have gone amiss, as in Gypsy.....Ya gotta have a gimmick!

Mike

Hoping a python makes an appearance.  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on April 24, 2014, 07:06:44 AM
RUNNICLES Conducts MAHLER SYMPHONY 9 TONIGHT AT GLASGOW CITY HALLS.

Simultaneous broadcast on BBC Radio 3 (UK).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/enb38g (http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/enb38g)

I am so looking forward to this...got a cheap seat just in time!   8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 24, 2014, 07:07:09 AM
Quote from: Scots John on April 24, 2014, 07:06:44 AM
RUNNICLES Conducts MAHLER SYMPHONY 9 TONIGHT AT GLASGOW CITY HALLS.

Simultaneous broadcast on BBC Radio 3 (UK).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/enb38g (http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/enb38g)

I am so looking forward to this...got a cheap seat just in time!   8)

Excellent!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on April 24, 2014, 03:00:18 PM
RUNNICLES Conducts MAHLER SYMPHONY 9 TONIGHT AT GLASGOW CITY HALLS.
Simultaneous broadcast on BBC Radio 3 (UK).

What a FANTASTIC performance.
Tears everywhere.
Staggering.
We are so lucky here in Scotland to have a legend conductor, also native to Scotland, and the BBC SSO, perhaps the finest Orchestra in the UK.  What's more, the Glasgow City Halls have acoustics which rank among the best in Europe.  Add on Mahlers 9th, and BINGO!!
Fabulous.

https://www.facebook.com/bbcsso?hc_location=timeline (https://www.facebook.com/bbcsso?hc_location=timeline)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 24, 2014, 04:55:58 PM
Quote from: Scots John on April 24, 2014, 03:00:18 PM
RUNNICLES Conducts MAHLER SYMPHONY 9 TONIGHT AT GLASGOW CITY HALLS.
Simultaneous broadcast on BBC Radio 3 (UK).

What a FANTASTIC performance.
Tears everywhere.
Staggering.
We are so lucky here in Scotland to have a legend conductor, also native to Scotland, and the BBC SSO, perhaps the finest Orchestra in the UK.  What's more, the Glasgow City Halls have acoustics which rank among the best in Europe.  Add on Mahlers 9th, and BINGO!!
Fabulous.

https://www.facebook.com/bbcsso?hc_location=timeline (https://www.facebook.com/bbcsso?hc_location=timeline)

Sounds lovely, John. Thanks for sharing.
I've seen Runnicles three times now with the Atlanta Symphony and he is nothing short of amazing. A true passion and infectious energy is constant with his performances. Can't wait to get my tickets for next season to see him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on April 29, 2014, 01:51:21 PM
    Janáček
    The Cunning Little Vixen (suite)
    Dvořák
    Cello Concerto in B minor
    Bartók
    Concerto for Orchestra

    BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
    Joshua Roman cello
    Ilan Volkov Conductor


Thursday 1 May - Glasgow City Halls.
Immense.  Great line up.

The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 (UK)


http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/exhp5v (http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/exhp5v)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 29, 2014, 02:01:38 PM
Quote from: Scots John on April 29, 2014, 01:51:21 PM
    Janáček
    The Cunning Little Vixen (suite)
    Dvořák
    Cello Concerto in B minor
    Bartók
    Concerto for Orchestra
Nice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 30, 2014, 12:01:06 AM
Quote from: ritter on April 21, 2014, 05:27:46 AM
On Tuesday April 29th, Spain's PluralEnsemble, under guest conductor Peter Eötvös will perform this very interesting program in the Chamber Hall of the National Auditorium in Madrid:

- Karlheinz Stockhausen: Kontra-Punkte
- Pierre Boulez: Improvisation I & Improvisation II from Pli selon pli (w. Kristina Szabó--ms--)
- Peter Eötvös: Steine & Sonata per sei

As this is presented under the auspices of the BBVA Foundation, admission is free.  :)
The concert last night of Peter Eötvös conducting the (excellent) PluralEnsemble was quite an event.

To see this man conduct two classics of the "Darmstadt avantgarde" by composers with whom he has collaborated closely was wonderful. Stockhausen's Kontra-Punkte is even more beautiful heard live than on record, and the superb craftsmanship of the scoring (e.g. the interplay of the clarinet and the flute towards the end) is astonishing. As for Boulez's Improvisations I and II sur Mallarmé, the shimmering sound world of these pieces and the exquisite vocal writing was very well delivered, and it is clear why this music (a personal favourite of mine) holds such a prominent position in the music of the second half of the 20th century. Pity we did not get Pli selon pli in its entirety, but that would have required a full orchestra and made for too long an evening  :(.

The second half was devoted to Eötvös's own music. The playful Steine, starting out on an improvisatory fashion, and then becoming more through-composed, is a very fun  piece to watch live (for the performers and the audience ;) ), and the only piece I didn't know beforehand, the Sonata per sei, is very impressive. It's a sort of Sonata for two pianos and percussion by Bartók but with no holds barred  :D, adding a third percussionist and a synthesizer. Really breathtaking (also visually--well, two pianos and all those gongs on the stage always impress me  ;) ).

Warm applause at the end for a concert that I enjoyed very, very much!  :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: some guy on April 30, 2014, 09:43:10 AM
Echofluxx14.

In Prague, from 6 to 10 May.

I've been to Echofluxx12 and 13. Excellent good fun. Entirely music that I've never heard before. Indeed, it is mostly world premieres.

Echofluxx11 I have a DVD of as I was a donor to that. (I decided to donate rather than attend. I don't remember why, now. But that's what I did. And so I missed what was by all reports a mind-alteringly glorious evening of music by Phill Niblock.

Oh well.

Anyway, I can't wait for the 2014 version. Great to be in Prague, too, of course. (I don't need no stinking festival to enjoy being in Prague.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 30, 2014, 09:44:20 AM
Groovy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on May 01, 2014, 10:24:34 AM
Quote from: ritter on April 30, 2014, 12:01:06 AM
The concert last night of Peter Eötvös conducting the (excellent) PluralEnsemble was quite an event.

To see this man conduct two classics of the "Darmstadt avantgarde" by composers with whom he has collaborated closely was wonderful. Stockhausen's Kontra-Punkte is even more beautiful heard live than on record, and the superb craftsmanship of the scoring (e.g. the interplay of the clarinet and the flute towards the end) is astonishing. As for Boulez's Improvisations I and II sur Mallarmé, the shimmering sound world of these pieces and the exquisite vocal writing was very well delivered, and it is clear why this music (a personal favourite of mine) holds such a prominent position in the music of the second half of the 20th century. Pity we did not get Pli selon pli in its entirety, but that would have required a full orchestra and made for too long an evening  :(.

The second half was devoted to Eötvös's own music. The playful Steine, starting out on an improvisatory fashion, and then becoming more through-composed, is a very fun  piece to watch live (for the performers and the audience ;) ), and the only piece I didn't know beforehand, the Sonata per sei, is very impressive. It's a sort of Sonata for two pianos and percussion by Bartók but with no holds barred  :D, adding a third percussionist and a synthesizer. Really breathtaking (also visually--well, two pianos and all those gongs on the stage always impress me  ;) ).

Warm applause at the end for a concert that I enjoyed very, very much!  :) :) :)
I envy you!  It sounds like a great evening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on May 01, 2014, 10:25:39 AM
Quote from: Scots John on April 29, 2014, 01:51:21 PM
    Janáček
    The Cunning Little Vixen (suite)
    Dvořák
    Cello Concerto in B minor
    Bartók
    Concerto for Orchestra

    BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
    Joshua Roman cello
    Ilan Volkov Conductor


Thursday 1 May - Glasgow City Halls.
Immense.  Great line up.

The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 (UK)


http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/exhp5v (http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/exhp5v)
I've played the Janacek and the Dvorak in orchestras.  And the Bartok is a can't-miss--as long as the orchestra can play it, and I'm sure the Scots can!  Let us know how it goes, of course. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on May 02, 2014, 08:39:48 PM
I drove to Dallas yesterday and saw the DSO play Beethoven 9 last night -- my first time to hear it live. It was glorious!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 08, 2014, 05:51:48 AM
Tomorrow night the Toledo Symphony Orchestra plays at Rosary Cathedral:

Bruckner: Symphony #0.  ???    Probably a rarity to hear the work live!  I expect GMG member Allan will be there sweating over his bass fiddle!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 08, 2014, 06:04:44 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 08, 2014, 05:51:48 AM
Tomorrow night the Toledo Symphony Orchestra plays at Rosary Cathedral:

Bruckner: Symphony #0.  ???    Probably a rarity to hear the work live!  I expect GMG member Allan will be there sweating over his bass fiddle!

Cheers!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on May 08, 2014, 06:58:50 AM
This saturday in the Philharmonie, Berlin.
Berliner Philharmoniker, Myung-Whun Chung conductor, Alban Gerhardt cello
Carl Maria von Weber - Der Freischütz Overture
Unsuk Chin - Cello Concerto
Johannes Brahms -  Symphony no. 2

And on sunday, in the same venue
Elīna Garanča Mezzo-Soprano
Roger Vignoles Piano
Songs by Robert Schumann, Alban Berg and Richard Strauss

Very much looking forward to both concerts.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 13, 2014, 11:48:45 AM
June 11th

Concert Hall of Romanian Broadcasting Society, Bucharest

Alexandru Tomescu (http://www.turneulstradivarius.ro/), violin
Eduard Kunz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eduard_Kunz), piano

Sergey Prokofiev

5 Melodies op. 35
Sonata #1 in f minor op. 80
Sonata #2 in D major op. 94a



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on May 13, 2014, 01:34:21 PM
I long for a tragic near miss. A few years ago the better half and I spent 10 days in Florence, right opposite the Pitti. We saw a sign for a free concert, in the duomo, of Josquin and Ockeghem, by The Tallis Scholars, the night after we were flying out.  :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: liuzerus87 on May 17, 2014, 07:07:39 PM
Just saw at Carnegie Hall:

Performers
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Mariss Jansons, Chief Conductor
Mitsuko Uchida, Piano

Program
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5

Never heard Janson's Shostakovich before, live or on disc.  For a live performance, very enjoyable.  Carnegie is definitely my favorite part of living in the NYC area.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 19, 2014, 08:59:45 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 08, 2014, 05:51:48 AM
Tomorrow night the Toledo Symphony Orchestra plays at Rosary Cathedral:

Bruckner: Symphony #0.  ???    Probably a rarity to hear the work live!

Well, that was not last weekend, but the previous one: the performance was exquisite!  The acoustics of the cathedral worked marvelously with the atmosphere of the music!

Earlier I was writing to a fellow GMG member about the concert this past Saturday: the Toledo Symphony was in its concert hall, the Peristyle, next to the Toledo Museum of Art, and played the Mahler Fifth Symphony with the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto as an appetizer.

The performance of both works was excellent: the Mendelssohn had a 28-year old soloist (Stefan Jackiw) who kept assuming a kind of ninja-stance: knees bent and bouncing, with one leg sticking forward as if he were Bruce Lee about to leap into the air for a flying drop kick!  Not a member of the Heifetz school!   0:)

The Mahler was played quite well: one or two wobbly cellos here and there in an exposed line in the second movement, but otherwise technically most excellent!  And when is the last time you took notice of the Tuba player?!   :o   0:)   I kept thinking: "THAT is some of the smoothest, most liquid playing from a tuba I have ever heard!"  And I was not the only one who noticed: when the conductor waved to him for a bow, the crowd erupted with a louder burst and even some rowdy hoots!  (Possibly from his students!)

For those who do not know the Peristyle:

(http://www.organsociety.org/2009/instruments/2009_gfx/ToledoMuseum-01.jpg)



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 28, 2014, 07:34:44 AM
Today, I purchased tickets for June 18 and 19 for the Israel PO & Zubin Mehta in Athens, Greece with Bruckner 8th and Mahler 2nd. Thrilled at the prospect of a live 8th (not too frequently encountered) despite some not very enthusiastic reviews from Boston audiences earlier this year. Was anybody present there? Yes, yes, I know, neither orchestra nor conductor are top Bruckner names but... I can't wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 29, 2014, 03:15:04 PM
Quote from: Obradovic on May 28, 2014, 07:34:44 AM
Today, I purchased tickets for June 18 and 19 for the Israel PO & Zubin Mehta in Athens, Greece with Bruckner 8th and Mahler 2nd. Thrilled at the prospect of a live 8th (not too frequently encountered) despite some not very enthusiastic reviews from Boston audiences earlier this year. Was anybody present there? Yes, yes, I know, neither orchestra nor conductor are top Bruckner names but... I can't wait!

I wasn't at their Chicago performance but heard from reliable sources who were that it was a most forgettable performance of the B8 by a conductor who seems to have nothing more to say and an orchestra that needs about 2/3 of its members replaced. Sorry.

Mehta was a somewhat interesting Bruckner conductor circa 30-40 years ago. See his B9 recording with Vienna and his B8 with LAPO. Seems to have burnt out shortly after. Have heard nothing interesting from him since, live or on record.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on May 29, 2014, 06:04:51 PM
God willing,I think I will go to at least one of the Ludwig and Dmitri shows, and the M6.  Much more interesting than this past season.http://www.clevelandorchestramiami.com
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 31, 2014, 04:33:48 AM
Quote from: MishaK on May 29, 2014, 03:15:04 PM
I wasn't at their Chicago performance but heard from reliable sources who were that it was a most forgettable performance of the B8 by a conductor who seems to have nothing more to say and an orchestra that needs about 2/3 of its members replaced. Sorry
Last year though they played here Mozart's Jupiter and Mahler's 5th rather good... And we had to make our way in the main concert hall through X-Ray (or something like that) gates, for safety reasons... as if we were to embark on a plane
Title: Gurrelieder: 2014-2015 Season Anywhere?
Post by: Cato on May 31, 2014, 01:48:01 PM
Does anyone know if Arnold Schoenberg's Gurrelieder is scheduled for a performance anywhere?

I have gone to Universal Edition and some individual websites for orchestras, but the former is never reliable (I have discovered), and the latter can be maddeningly unfriendly to discovering what an orchestra is playing without "registering" first.
Title: Re: Gurrelieder: 2014-2015 Season Anywhere?
Post by: EigenUser on May 31, 2014, 01:52:14 PM
Quote from: Cato on May 31, 2014, 01:48:01 PM
Does anyone know if Arnold Schoenberg's Gurrelieder is scheduled for a performance anywhere?

I have gone to Universal Edition and some individual websites for orchestras, but the former is never reliable (I have discovered), and the latter can be maddeningly unfriendly to discovering what an orchestra is playing without "registering" first.
Yes, tomorrow in Koln. Better get your plane tickets now! ;D
http://bachtrack.com/find-concerts/composer=96

I think that performances on Universal Edition (or any publisher) show up only if the performance material is being rented. Schoenberg is PD in parts of the world by now (and since "Gurrelieder" was published before 1923, including the US), so it isn't rental-only anymore. I'm not positive of this, but it is a theory I have.
Title: Re: Gurrelieder: 2014-2015 Season Anywhere?
Post by: Cato on June 02, 2014, 06:08:01 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on May 31, 2014, 01:52:14 PM
Yes, tomorrow in Koln. Better get your plane tickets now! ;D
http://bachtrack.com/find-concerts/composer=96

I think that performances on Universal Edition (or any publisher) show up only if the performance material is being rented. Schoenberg is PD in parts of the world by now (and since "Gurrelieder" was published before 1923, including the US), so it isn't rental-only anymore. I'm not positive of this, but it is a theory I have.

Thank you! 

I thought this was probably the explanation, because the Cologne performance did not show up on the Universal Edition list.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 02, 2014, 07:10:43 AM
I'll be in Paris for about half of the Chopin Festival in the orangerie at the Bois de Boulogne. I will still be on the airplane during Jean-Marc Luisada's recital, but could see the recitals by Abdel Rahman El Bacha and/or Laurent Wagschal.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on June 02, 2014, 07:15:38 AM
On Saturday, I will be taking Kimi to her first concert:

Vienna Symphony conducted by Simone Young (? phonetic translation from Chinese, and I don't know what her English name is!)

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony #2

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 02, 2014, 07:34:33 AM
Quote from: Obradovic on May 31, 2014, 04:33:48 AM
Last year though they played here Mozart's Jupiter and Mahler's 5th rather good... And we had to make our way in the main concert hall through X-Ray (or something like that) gates, for safety reasons... as if we were to embark on a plane

Where was this?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 02, 2014, 07:42:11 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 02, 2014, 07:15:38 AM
On Saturday, I will be taking Kimi to her first concert:

Vienna Symphony conducted by Simone Young (? phonetic translation from Chinese, and I don't know what her English name is!)

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony #2
Simone Young is her name, yes!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on June 02, 2014, 07:50:07 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 02, 2014, 07:42:11 AM
Simone Young is her name, yes!

Thanks! I hope Kimi can sit through the whole thing!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on June 02, 2014, 07:58:55 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 02, 2014, 07:15:38 AM
On Saturday, I will be taking Kimi to her first concert:

Vienna Symphony conducted by Simone Young (? phonetic translation from Chinese, and I don't know what her English name is!)

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony #2
Who's playing the Violin Concerto? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on June 02, 2014, 08:39:48 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on June 02, 2014, 07:58:55 AM
Who's playing the Violin Concerto? :)

A Chinese violinist.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on June 02, 2014, 09:08:15 AM
Quote from: MishaK on June 02, 2014, 07:34:33 AM
Where was this?
Athens, Greece!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on June 05, 2014, 10:11:17 PM
West Coast Orchestra, a mixture of professional and non-professional players on June 6th
Benjamin Britten: Violin Concerto No.1
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No.10 in E minor
in an acoustically challenging church.  I think this kind of programming deserves my support.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on June 08, 2014, 08:33:41 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 02, 2014, 07:15:38 AM
On Saturday, I will be taking Kimi to her first concert:

Vienna Symphony conducted by Simone Young (? phonetic translation from Chinese, and I don't know what her English name is!)

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony #2

Took Kimi to her first concert.

But because she'd under 120cm, she was refused entry. So I sold our $80 tickets for $20, total, and took her to a tour to Tiananmen Square, which was closed! So we went to KFC instead.

End of report.

I will take her to the museum for some Monet next week to make up for it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 08, 2014, 11:59:46 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 08, 2014, 08:33:41 AM
Took Kimi to her first concert.

But because she'd under 120cm, she was refused entry. So I sold our $80 tickets for $20, total, and took her to a tour to Tiananmen Square, which was closed! So we went to KFC instead.

End of report.

I will take her to the museum for some Monet next week to make up for it.
Sorry to read that, Paul. Oh well, I wish I'd be seeing Monet's next week. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on June 08, 2014, 03:45:24 PM
Quote from: springrite on June 08, 2014, 08:33:41 AM
...But because she'd under 120cm, she was refused entry...
What?  Like an amusement park ride?  How unfair! >:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 13, 2014, 01:02:37 PM
Tonight:

Stockhausen: Stimmung (Ekmeles) - This a cappella vocal ensemble has been rising fast on the NY scene the last few years, doing outstanding concerts of repertoire no one else in town will touch. This should be a great evening.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 14, 2014, 04:56:21 AM
Not been to Snape since last summer, needed to remedy to that, so tonight :

Richard Goode (piano)

Janáček - On an Overgrown Path (excerpts)
Schumann - Davidsbündlertänze
Debussy - Préludes Book I

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 14, 2014, 05:49:00 AM
I'll be in Paris July 3-20, anybody know of a must-hear concert there next month? Probably seeing Abdel Rahman El Bacha play Chopin in candlelight, for one thing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 14, 2014, 08:07:17 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 14, 2014, 05:49:00 AM
I'll be in Paris July 3-20, anybody know of a must-hear concert there next month? Probably seeing Abdel Rahman El Bacha play Chopin in candlelight, for one thing.

Hmmm, my planned Alsace weekend coincides with...

Samedi 12 Juillet   - Colmar
Quatuor Talich
Alexander Kniazev, violoncelle   
F. Mendelssohn : Quatuor à cordes en fa mineur op.80
F. Schubert : Quintette à cordes avec deux violoncelles en ut majeur op.163 D956   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 14, 2014, 02:58:51 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 14, 2014, 04:56:21 AM
Not been to Snape since last summer, needed to remedy to that, so tonight :

Richard Goode (piano)

Janáček - On an Overgrown Path (excerpts)
Schumann - Davidsbündlertänze
Debussy - Préludes Book I

:)
How was it, Olivier? The underlined part is something I don't like, but of course I'd love to hear that recital.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 15, 2014, 04:23:35 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 14, 2014, 08:07:17 AM
Hmmm, my planned Alsace weekend coincides with...

Samedi 12 Juillet   - Colmar
Quatuor Talich
Alexander Kniazev, violoncelle   
F. Mendelssohn : Quatuor à cordes en fa mineur op.80
F. Schubert : Quintette à cordes avec deux violoncelles en ut majeur op.163 D956

Even without the concert Colmar is worth a visit. Go for it.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 15, 2014, 05:21:03 AM
Quote from: North Star on June 14, 2014, 02:58:51 PM
How was it, Olivier? The underlined part is something I don't like, but of course I'd love to hear that recital.

Overall, it came across as quite a heavy-handed recital and with a mechanical impression. Enjoyed the Janacek and Schumann only in parts. Debussy, I still can't get into. I had never heard the Preludes Book 1 in full but I did know "La fille aux cheveux de lin" when it came up, and that was a hatched job.

Goode had a loud ovation at the end, it just wasn't a night for me.

Replaying nearly the same program this afternoon (with Crossley / Kempff / Michelangeli in book 2 instead) to get over the disappointment.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 15, 2014, 07:09:14 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 15, 2014, 05:21:03 AM
Overall, it came across as quite a heavy-handed recital and with a mechanical impression. Enjoyed the Janacek and Schumann only in parts. Debussy, I still can't get into. I had never heard the Preludes Book 1 in full but I did know "La fille aux cheveux de lin" when it came up, and that was a hatched job.

Goode had a loud ovation at the end, it just wasn't a night for me.

Replaying nearly the same program this afternoon (with Crossley / Kempff / Michelangeli in book 2 instead) to get over the disappointment.
Ouch, sorry to read you didn't enjoy it more. When you say you only enjoyed parts of the Janáček and Schumann, has that anything to do with the music, or just Goode's playing in the recital?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on June 15, 2014, 07:17:55 AM
Quote from: North Star on June 15, 2014, 07:09:14 AM
Ouch, sorry to read you didn't enjoy it more. When you say you only enjoyed parts of the Janáček and Schumann, has that anything to do with the music, or just Goode's playing in the recital?

Definitely last night's playing.
I listened to the Janacek again earlier and just finished the Schumann and enjoyed them as much as previous listenings. Much more finesse in the playing on the recordings I have.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 15, 2014, 07:31:33 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on June 15, 2014, 07:17:55 AM
Definitely last night's playing.
Whew!  ;)
QuoteI listened to the Janacek again earlier and just finished the Schumann and enjoyed them as much as previous listenings. Much more finesse in the playing on the recordings I have.
Excellent!
I had always thought Goode was more a Bach / Haydn / Mozart / Beethoven / Schubert pianist, so the program looks very much unsuitable for him. I'll listen to these works myself today (Le Sage's Schumann, Crossley in the others).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on June 19, 2014, 03:22:15 AM
Quote from: MishaK on May 29, 2014, 03:15:04 PM
I wasn't at their Chicago performance but heard from reliable sources who were that it was a most forgettable performance of the B8 by a conductor who seems to have nothing more to say and an orchestra that needs about 2/3 of its members replaced. Sorry.

Mehta was a somewhat interesting Bruckner conductor circa 30-40 years ago. See his B9 recording with Vienna and his B8 with LAPO. Seems to have burnt out shortly after. Have heard nothing interesting from him since, live or on record.
The Israel PO/Mehta Bruckner 8th last night in Athens was too lightweight for my taste... very carefully played and lacking drive, polish and that so difficult to achieve 'inner Bruckner pulse'... decently but unexceptionally played as Mehta's LAPO recording. Tonight Mahler's 2nd is a more obvious choice for the orchestra's staple repertory and tradition. And no need to pass through X-Ray gates this year!  :) Has anyone any recommendations regarding the orchestra's Helicon label? Are there any really noteworthy recordings? Sound they good-as they are all probably live recordings?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on June 19, 2014, 11:08:52 AM
I have one, BenHaim's overblown bloated oratorio, Joram.  No complaints about the sdound but you can infer my view of the music from the adjectives I used.  I have seen Amazon comments about Levine's M2 on Helicon which complained about the sonics, so maybe each recording needs to be sampled before buying.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 20, 2014, 12:07:47 PM
Monday at Ravinia:

Juilliard String Quartet

Bach:   Contrapuncti I–IV from The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080
Berg:   Lyric Suite
Beethoven:   String Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59, No. 3 ("Razumovsky") 

Pretty awesome program, eh?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mountain Goat on June 21, 2014, 01:57:13 AM
Tonight at the Barbican, London:
Mozart: Symphony No 41
Haydn: Symphony No 104
Beethoven: Symphony No 9
Academy of Ancient Music/Richard Egarr

Tomorrow, same venue:
Strauss: Ein Heldenleben
Beethoven: Mass in C
LSO/Fabio Luisi
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on June 21, 2014, 03:33:12 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on June 19, 2014, 11:08:52 AM
I have one, BenHaim's overblown bloated oratorio, Joram.  No complaints about the sdound but you can infer my view of the music from the adjectives I used.  I have seen Amazon comments about Levine's M2 on Helicon which complained about the sonics, so maybe each recording needs to be sampled before buying.
Many thanks!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 21, 2014, 03:29:46 PM
OK, follow-up: here are the two concerts I shall see in France in July! Going to the first one with my friends, the second one is solo. There may be a third concert if I find out about an organ recital at St. Etienne-du-Mont or another church in Paris.


7 July - Orangerie, Parc de Bagatelle, Paris (candlelight only)
Abdel Rahman El Bacha
Chopin: Sonata No 3
Chopin: Waltzes
Schubert: Impromptus D899
Schubert: Valses nobles et sentimentales
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales


Samedi 12 Juillet - Chapelle St Pierre, Colmar
Quatuor Talich
Alexander Kniazev, violoncelle   
F. Mendelssohn : Quatuor à cordes en fa mineur op.80 (No. 6)
F. Schubert : Quintette à cordes avec deux violoncelles en ut majeur op.163 D956
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on June 22, 2014, 09:33:55 PM
Brian, I am quite jealous about the Schubert Quintet despite not having any idea who's in the Talich Quartet these days.

On the plus side, I just bought tickets to see Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI play their "Istanbul" program in February.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 23, 2014, 04:19:27 AM
Quote from: Pat B on June 22, 2014, 09:33:55 PM
Brian, I am quite jealous about the Schubert Quintet despite not having any idea who's in the Talich Quartet these days.

On the plus side, I just bought tickets to see Jordi Savall and Hesperion XXI play their "Istanbul" program in February.
Whoa. Shall we form a Mutual Envy Society?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on June 23, 2014, 06:41:37 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 23, 2014, 04:19:27 AM
Whoa. Shall we form a Mutual Envy Society?

Sure! Or, you could come down (http://texasperformingarts.org/season/jordi-savall-hesperion-xxi-austin).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 25, 2014, 07:15:45 PM
At the Grant Park Festival this Saturday:

Grant Park Orchestra
Grant Park Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, conductor

Barber: Fadograph of a Yestern Scene
Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B Flat
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass

Can't pass up the chance to hear the Glagolitic Mass!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 28, 2014, 04:29:26 AM
Going to catch the Purcell programme by L'Arpeggiata/Pluhar with Jaroussky, Raquel Andueza, Vincenzo Capezzuto and jazzers Gianluigi Trovesi (love his music!) and Wolfgang Muthspiel next week:
http://www.schlossfestspiele.de/de/veranstaltungen/music_for_a_while_l_arpeggiata_philippe_jaroussky.htm/date_id:465
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 30, 2014, 01:11:16 PM
Quote from: Velimir on June 25, 2014, 07:15:45 PM
At the Grant Park Festival this Saturday:

Grant Park Orchestra
Grant Park Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, conductor

Barber: Fadograph of a Yestern Scene
Haydn: Symphony No. 98 in B Flat
Janáček: Glagolitic Mass

This turned out to be a good one:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-06-28/entertainment/ct-glagolitic-review-20140629_1_glagolitic-mass-concert-review-old-church-Slavonic
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 30, 2014, 01:25:29 PM
Quote from: Velimir on June 30, 2014, 01:11:16 PM
This turned out to be a good one:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-06-28/entertainment/ct-glagolitic-review-20140629_1_glagolitic-mass-concert-review-old-church-Slavonic

Great! Thanks for sharing!
This was one I was hoping to attend, or at least make the radio.
The female vocalist is who will be performing Brunnhilde in Lyric's Ring Cycle in a few years.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 30, 2014, 02:58:15 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 30, 2014, 01:25:29 PM
Great! Thanks for sharing!

Yeah, fun stuff, and it was good seeing 1000s of people come out for music most of them had probably never heard before.

Kalmar's doing an excellent job at Grant Park, both conducting- and programming-wise. Do the folks in Oregon feel lucky to have him?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 30, 2014, 03:26:32 PM
Quote from: Velimir on June 30, 2014, 02:58:15 PM
Kalmar's doing an excellent job at Grant Park, both conducting- and programming-wise. Do the folks in Oregon feel lucky to have him?

I continuously hear great things about Kalmar and the job he's doing, the musicians really respond well to him

I was worried about the weather, I was thinking you would suffer the same issue you did with Lyric's Parsifal and get stuck!  ;D I know Grant Park has had to push back the time and even cancelled a concert because of bad weather.

Do you think you'll make anymore shows this summer?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 30, 2014, 04:44:55 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 30, 2014, 03:26:32 PM
Do you think you'll make anymore shows this summer?

At this moment, it doesn't look likely  :( since it's kind of a trek for us. That could easily change though, depending.

We had a 5-minute downpour before the concert. All it did was leave my seat wet, no further problems. This summer has been weird though, with these sudden intense rainstorms almost every day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on July 25, 2014, 06:36:20 AM



Notes from the 2014 Salzburg Festival ( 1 )
Bach Recital • Pierre-Laurent Aimard

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbBJMf2qoKg/U85r_6z2dcI/AAAAAAAAHeM/BDnyUcuWMIM/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2014.gif)


(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00KXJD3FC.01.L.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/07/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-2.html)

QuoteA Happy Spiritual Vortex

For a couple years, the Salzburg Festival has opened its doors a week earlier than traditionally, dubbing the prequel to the Festival—officially part of it, but taking place before the official opening ceremony— "Ouverture spirituelle". It began on the 18th with the BRSO and Haitink in Haydn's Creation. On Saturday came the first highlight—which, paraphrasing everyone I know who was there, was "a concert to remember for years, if not decades": Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine with John Elliot Gardiner and his bands, that used the Salzburg cathedral to ingenious acoustic effect. I missed that, but Monday I had my own Ouverture spirituelle in the form of Pierre-Laurent Aimard's recital of Bach's Well Tempered Clavier...


Notes from the 2014 Salzburg Festival ( 2 )
Bruckner Cycle IV • Barenboim, WPh


(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbBJMf2qoKg/U85r_6z2dcI/AAAAAAAAHeM/BDnyUcuWMIM/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2014.gif)

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SZ6aBaB4KTw/U9GbiBHD6fI/AAAAAAAAHgI/tREuO1rNtO4/s1600/Salzburg_Barenboim_Domingo_Reger_WPh_laurson_600.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/07/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-2.html)

QuoteLorin Maazel was a fixture at the Salzburg Festival, leading 119 performances between 1963 and 2013.
It made sense, therefore, to slap an "in Memoriam" label onto one of this summer's performances and even more so
to make it one of the concerts in which a requiem featured... and furthermore with an orchestra that had a history with
Lorin Maazel. The first such concert happened to be the Vienna Philharmonic's opening shot under Daniel Barenboim—
the beginning of this year's Bruckner Cycle at the Salzburg Festival...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on July 27, 2014, 02:53:18 AM
Walton's First Symphony at the Proms on London next Friday 1st August. Don't think I have heard it live before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on July 27, 2014, 10:55:36 AM
The Pacifica Quartet's opening our local (Mobile, AL) chamber music series in October.  No idea what they're playing yet.  Dare I hope for Carter?  Probably not, but maybe.  The JACK quartet were here a year or two ago and we did get Xenakis' Tetras, not in the regular concert, but in an evening-before free concert/talk at a local coffee house.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on July 27, 2014, 01:00:39 PM
Some upcoming concerts that I may or may not go to. Green means that I almost certainly plan on it. Thoughts/recommendations?

Philadelphia Orchestra, November 2014
-Mahler, Symphony No. 2 ;D

National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, November 2014
-Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring

American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, December 2014
-Ligeti, Requiem  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-Schnittke, Nagasaki
-Vaughn-Williams, Symphony No. 6

Philadelphia Orchestra, February 2015 ;D ;D ;D
-Wagner, Prelude to Act I of "Lohengrin"
-Berg, Violin Concerto
-Ligeti, Atmosphères ;D ;D ;D ;D
-Debussy, La Mer ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, February 2015
-Faure, Pelléas et Mélisande, Suite, Op. 80 ;D ;D
-Pintscher Mar'eh
-Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé (complete) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Philadelphia Orchestra, February 2015
-Stravinsky, Symphony in C
-Shostakovich, Symphony No. 9 ;D ;D
-Prokofiev, Symphony No. 5

New York Philharmonic Orchestra, March 2015
-Esa-Pekka Salonen, Nyx
-Ravel, Piano Concerto in G major ;D ;D ;D
-Debussy, Jeux ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-R. Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier Suite
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on July 27, 2014, 02:05:54 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on July 27, 2014, 01:00:39 PM
Some upcoming concerts that I may or may not go to. Green means that I almost certainly plan on it. Thoughts/recommendations?


American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, December 2014
-Ligeti, Requiem  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-Schnittke, Nagasaki

Philadelphia Orchestra, February 2015 ;D ;D ;D

-Ligeti, Atmosphères ;D ;D ;D ;D
-Debussy, La Mer ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


New York Philharmonic Orchestra, March 2015

-Debussy, Jeux ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-R. Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier Suite
[asin]B0011865IQ[/asin]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on July 27, 2014, 02:59:19 PM
Quote from: Ken B on July 27, 2014, 02:05:54 PM

[asin]B0011865IQ[/asin]
Yes, I do agree that the works you quoted are akin to caffeine, Ken!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on July 27, 2014, 06:26:25 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on July 27, 2014, 01:00:39 PM
Some upcoming concerts that I may or may not go to. Green means that I almost certainly plan on it. Thoughts/recommendations?

Philadelphia Orchestra, November 2014
-Mahler, Symphony No. 2 ;D

National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, November 2014
-Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring

American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, December 2014
-Ligeti, Requiem  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-Schnittke, Nagasaki
-Vaughn-Williams, Symphony No. 6

Philadelphia Orchestra, February 2015 ;D ;D ;D
-Wagner, Prelude to Act I of "Lohengrin"
-Berg, Violin Concerto
-Ligeti, Atmosphères ;D ;D ;D ;D
-Debussy, La Mer ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, February 2015
-Faure, Pelléas et Mélisande, Suite, Op. 80 ;D ;D
-Pintscher Mar'eh
-Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé (complete) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Philadelphia Orchestra, February 2015
-Stravinsky, Symphony in C
-Shostakovich, Symphony No. 9 ;D ;D
-Prokofiev, Symphony No. 5

New York Philharmonic Orchestra, March 2015
-Esa-Pekka Salonen, Nyx
-Ravel, Piano Concerto in G major ;D ;D ;D
-Debussy, Jeux ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
-R. Strauss, Der Rosenkavalier Suite

I would make room for the Mahler 2....you may not have a chance to hear it live for years.  I would boot out the last one if need be on the grounds that at least half of it is stuff you can hear live many times, and I am not sure that the same can not be said of tge Ravel.  Only Nyx is something from that concert you may never have a chance to hear live again.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on July 28, 2014, 03:20:43 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 27, 2014, 06:26:25 PM
I would make room for the Mahler 2....you may not have a chance to hear it live for years.  I would boot out the last one if need be on the grounds that at least half of it is stuff you can hear live many times, and I am not sure that the same can not be said of tge Ravel.  Only Nyx is something from that concert you may never have a chance to hear live again.
Thanks!

I love the Ravel PC, but that isn't the reason for the concert (though it sweetens the deal). Debussy's Jeux is probably difficult to find performances of and it is one of my favorite pieces ever.

Actually, Thibaudet and the NSO performed the Ravel PC two weeks ago at an outdoor amphitheater about five minutes from my house, but I decided not to see it. For fun, I play the two-piano version of the piece with a friend and I would have gone if he was interested, but he seemed pretty indifferent.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on July 28, 2014, 03:31:58 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on July 28, 2014, 03:20:43 AMActually, Thibaudet and the NSO performed the Ravel PC two weeks ago at an outdoor amphitheater about five minutes from my house, but I decided not to see it. For fun, I play the two-piano version of the piece with a friend and I would have gone if he was interested, but he seemed pretty indifferent.
We can still be friends, perhaps.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on July 28, 2014, 04:08:26 AM
Of those seven concerts, personally I should find this one nigh obligatory:

QuotePhiladelphia Orchestra, February 2015
- Stravinsky, Symphony in C
- Shostakovich, Symphony No. 9
- Prokofiev, Symphony No. 5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on July 28, 2014, 06:29:36 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 28, 2014, 04:08:26 AM
Of those seven concerts, personally I should find this one nigh obligatory:
{Igor, Dmitri, Sergei}
Yes, that's the one I'd go to.  Three great symphonies, widely varied in character yet with a unifying theme. Great programming.
Plus C beats the hell out of anything Ravebussy even dreamed of  :)

Nate should certainly go to Jeux. Don't even think of missing that one, because you love the piece so much. Otherwise Jeffrey's advice is sage.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on July 28, 2014, 01:46:06 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 27, 2014, 06:26:25 PM
I would make room for the Mahler 2....you may not have a chance to hear it live for years.  I would boot out the last one if need be on the grounds that at least half of it is stuff you can hear live many times, and I am not sure that the same can not be said of tge Ravel.  Only Nyx is something from that concert you may never have a chance to hear live again.

Very true. I learned my lesson the last time Philly played M2. I've rectified my mistake this year as my subscription already has it, or I added the performance on when I re-subscribed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on July 31, 2014, 11:30:51 PM
Just bought a ticket for the concert of the Wiener Philharmoniker with Georges Pretre at Teatro alla Scala, next October; I'm really really happy!! ;D

Franz Schubert   Symphony N° 2 in B flat major D 125
Johann Strauss, father and son  Waltzes and Polkas

Georges Pretre
Wiener Philharmoniker

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on August 01, 2014, 05:00:15 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on July 31, 2014, 11:30:51 PM


Franz Schubert   Symphony N° 2 in B flat major D 125
                                for soloists, chorus and orchestra


I think something went missing there.  Unless M. Pretre has made the Schubert discovery of the decade.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on August 01, 2014, 05:36:19 AM
Sing along mit Franz!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on August 01, 2014, 05:58:16 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on August 01, 2014, 05:00:15 AM
I think something went missing there.  Unless M. Pretre has made the Schubert discovery of the decade.

Yes, thanks for warning; they must have made a mistake on the website of the theatre.......
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on August 02, 2014, 06:34:06 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on August 01, 2014, 05:58:16 AM
Yes, thanks for warning; they must have made a mistake on the website of the theatre.......
My first guess is that they actually meant the Mendelssohn Lobgesang...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 04, 2014, 04:04:07 AM

Notes from the 2014 Salzburg Festival ( 3 )
Ouverture spirituelle • William Christie & Les Arts Florissant: Rameau and Mondonville: Motets

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbBJMf2qoKg/U85r_6z2dcI/AAAAAAAAHeM/BDnyUcuWMIM/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2014.gif)


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEhoguS6VeM/U95jLpqWTTI/AAAAAAAAHg8/VURey1zozgs/s1600/Salzburg_William-Christie_Motets_(c)_Denis-Rouvre_laurson_600.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/08/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-3.html)

QuoteJolly Grand Motets

William Christie, the American gentleman early music pioneer, dapper and smiling like Michael Caine on a good day, led his band of splendid musicians, Les Arts Florissant, in a quartet of Grand Motets by Jean-Philippe Rameau and Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville in the Salzburg University's Collegiate Church. After having missed the apparently beyond-spectacular Gardiner/mco_London Monteverdi performance at the Salzburg cathedral, I wasn't going to take any chances missing another Overture spirituelle concert of early music in sacred setting... not that I would have missed...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on August 22, 2014, 12:22:00 AM
Tonight:
http://www.amuz.be/en/node/2399

Concerto Palatino

Il giovane Claudio

In what kind of world did Monteverdi live as a youngster? Who were his musical models, colleagues and competitors? Which ideas were imparted to him as the enabling condition to grow from a young pharmacist's son into the great Claudio Monteverdi whom we know from the Vespers and Orfeo? Concerto Palatino will sort this out for you. A festive festival opener with international, vocal and instrumental top soloists!

This tailor-made programme includes music by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, Monteverdi's teacher in Cremona, and by Benedetto Pallavicino, one of his conductors at the court of Mantua. Other composers passing in review are Adrian Willaert, the Gabrieli brothers, and evidently young Claudio himself! The singers and the wind instrument players of Concerto Palatino will get their act together for a splendid homage to Monteverdi's young genius and its breeding ground: grandeur assured!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 22, 2014, 07:12:59 AM


(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbBJMf2qoKg/U85r_6z2dcI/AAAAAAAAHeM/BDnyUcuWMIM/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2014.gif)


Notes from the 2014 Salzburg Festival ( 10 )
Beethoven Sonata Cycle III • Buchbinder


(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-801o0kfhY/U_c6J8pVoHI/AAAAAAAAHnQ/sqldc2dCoCk/s1600/Salzburg_Buchbinder-1_Beethoven_(c)_Silvia_Lelli_laurson_ionarts_600.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/08/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-10_22.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/08/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-10_22.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on August 24, 2014, 03:12:46 PM
Oh. my. god.

February 25th, 2015. Juilliard. All-Ligeti program. I'd especially like to see the Chamber Concerto.

Quote
AXIOM's  2014-15 season concludes on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 8 PM in Alice Tully Hall with a portrait of the groundbreaking Hungarian composer György Ligeti (1923-2006). AXIOM performs Ligeti's Síppal, dobbal, nádihegedüvel (With Pipes, Drums, Fiddles) (2000) for percussion ensemble and mezzo-soprano (singer to be announced) with the Juilliard Percussion Ensemble (Daniel Druckman – Director); Six Bagatelles; the Concerto for Cello (1966) with Juilliard Artist Diploma cellist, Jay Campbell; and Kammerkonzert (1970). Mr. Campbell, who graduates this month from Juilliard with a bachelor of music degree, will be continuing in Juilliard's Artist Diploma program. He has been performing with AXIOM since the beginning of his undergraduate studies, developing an affinity for and expertise in the performance of Ligeti's works.


Also, I'd like to see this for the Messiaen Oiseaux Exotiques:

Quote
The three-concert series opens on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 8 PM in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater, with the concept of color at its thematic core. Harrison Birtwistle's 3 Settings of Celan (1989-1994) for soprano, two clarinets, viola, violoncello, and double bass is set to the moving poems of Holocaust survivor Paul Celan (1920-1970), commissioned and originally performed by The Composers Ensemble. Two colorful and joyful works complete the opening program:  Olivier Messiaen's splashy depiction of birdsong, Oiseaux exotiques (1955-6), commissioned by Messiaen's star pupil Pierre Boulez and scored for 19 players; and John Adams' Son of Chamber Symphony (2007), a commission by Stanford University, Carnegie Hall, and the San Francisco Ballet and dedicated to Ara Guzelimian, current Provost and Dean of Juilliard. Its first performance took place on November 30, 2007 at Stanford, performed by Alarm Will Sound and conducted by Alan Pierson. A choreographed version of the work titled Joyride by Mark Morris was first performed by the San Francisco Ballet on April 23, 2008.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 28, 2014, 09:50:34 AM


(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbBJMf2qoKg/U85r_6z2dcI/AAAAAAAAHeM/BDnyUcuWMIM/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2014.gif)


Notes from the 2014 Salzburg Festival ( 15 )
Charlotte Salomon • Marc-André Dalbavie


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bKOv1WHLQ3g/U_9UkD2TPbI/AAAAAAAAHpI/MkxYH-wNSkA/s1600/Salzburg_Charlotte-Salomon_Crebassa_Komponist_(c)Ruth-Walz_laurson_ionarts_600.jpg)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/08/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-14.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/08/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-14.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on August 28, 2014, 11:46:00 AM
Thanks for the reviews, Jens!  That Christie looks delicious.   ;)

Quote from: pjme on August 22, 2014, 12:22:00 AM
Tonight:
http://www.amuz.be/en/node/2399

Concerto Palatino

Il giovane Claudio

In what kind of world did Monteverdi live as a youngster? Who were his musical models, colleagues and competitors? Which ideas were imparted to him as the enabling condition to grow from a young pharmacist's son into the great Claudio Monteverdi whom we know from the Vespers and Orfeo? Concerto Palatino will sort this out for you. A festive festival opener with international, vocal and instrumental top soloists!

This tailor-made programme includes music by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, Monteverdi's teacher in Cremona, and by Benedetto Pallavicino, one of his conductors at the court of Mantua. Other composers passing in review are Adrian Willaert, the Gabrieli brothers, and evidently young Claudio himself! The singers and the wind instrument players of Concerto Palatino will get their act together for a splendid homage to Monteverdi's young genius and its breeding ground: grandeur assured!

Wowie!  How was this concert, pjme?  I'd love a review whenever you get the chance.  Thanks.   ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Phrygian on August 28, 2014, 03:09:44 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on August 04, 2014, 04:04:07 AM

Notes from the 2014 Salzburg Festival ( 3 )
Ouverture spirituelle • William Christie & Les Arts Florissant: Rameau and Mondonville: Motets

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbBJMf2qoKg/U85r_6z2dcI/AAAAAAAAHeM/BDnyUcuWMIM/s1600/notesfromthesalzburgfestival2014.gif)


(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEhoguS6VeM/U95jLpqWTTI/AAAAAAAAHg8/VURey1zozgs/s1600/Salzburg_William-Christie_Motets_(c)_Denis-Rouvre_laurson_600.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2014/08/notes-from-2014-salzburg-festival-3.html)

That would have been absolutely superb!!  Hopefully, I'll catch up with the amazing Les Arts Florissants from January next year in Europe.  Meanwhile, I'm going to have to be content with this:

http://www.musikverein.at/konzerte/konzerte.php

And this:

http://www.theater-wien.at/index.php/en/17383

And this:

http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/Startseite-Content.en.php

And this:

http://konzerthaus.at/abo

What's not to love?




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on August 29, 2014, 03:39:51 AM
Quote from: Phrygian on August 28, 2014, 03:09:44 PM
That would have been absolutely superb!!  Hopefully, I'll catch up with the amazing Les Arts Florissants from January next year in Europe.  Meanwhile, I'm going to have to be content with this:


And this:

http://konzerthaus.at/abo

What's not to love?

Excellent. Which Abo (or concerts) will you be having/seeing in the Konzerthaus? The "Resonanzen Festival"? Will you see Gardiner (http://konzerthaus.at/events/000000e9-000dd514) on the last Sunday in September?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on September 24, 2014, 08:16:24 AM
The proms I went to over the summer, most standing in the arena! Best season, going with many great friends :)

Strauss Der Rosenkav LPO/Ticciati
Mahler 9 BBCSSO/Runnicles

Petrushka/Prokofiev PC1/Lutoslawski CforO NYO/Gardner (was interviewed on BBC Radio 3 at this one!)
Elgar Sea Pictures/Beethoven 3 Halle/Coote/Elder
Dvorak Cello Concerto/Dvorak 7 Czech Phil/Weilerstein/Behlovalek
Brahms 3/4 BFO/Fischer
Holst Planets/Scriabin Prometheus LPO/Jurowski
Mahler 2 Swedish RSO/Harding
Respighi Roman Trilogy RPO/Dutoit
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances/Stravinsky Firebird BPO/Rattle!
Mahler 3 Gewandhaus/Gilbert


Highlights are in bold! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 24, 2014, 09:36:41 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on July 31, 2014, 11:30:51 PM
Franz Schubert   Symphony N° 2 in B flat major D 125
Johann Strauss, father and son  Waltzes and Polkas

Georges Pretre
Wiener Philharmoniker


Unfortunately Prêtre has cancelled both this and the following concert in Vienna, due to health reasons; I'm deeply sad not to see the Wiener Philharmoniker at La Scala. :( A quick recovery to the Master! Thank goodness there's a lot of Mahler in the programme of the season, plus Bruckner No.7 with Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 25, 2014, 04:49:07 AM
New Year's Concert 2015 will be conducted by Zubin Mehta.

The program looks most interesting.

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/concerts/concert-detail/event-id/585 (https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/concerts/concert-detail/event-id/585)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on September 25, 2014, 06:58:44 AM
Quote from: Florestan on September 25, 2014, 04:49:07 AM
New Year's Concert 2015 will be conducted by Zubin Mehta.

The program looks most interesting.

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/concerts/concert-detail/event-id/585 (https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/concerts/concert-detail/event-id/585)

Wow, have they decided the programme yet? It looks wonderful, I'm very pleased to see they have included Perpetuum mobile, Accelerationen, Elektro-magnetische Polka and An der Elbe, they are amazing pieces! Also Lumbye's Champagner-Galopp! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on September 26, 2014, 12:23:06 AM
Coming Sunday 9/28 in Athens Megaron

Denis Matsuev, piano London SO Valery Gergiev

Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.2
Prokofiev Symphonies 1 & 5

No bad idea for an encounter with the much neglected Tchaik 2nd
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 26, 2014, 04:33:35 PM
Coming to Orchestra Hall on Oct. 18:

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, pianist
Lindberg: Chorale
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8

Chances to hear DSCH 8 don't come along that often, and the Lindberg is an interesting appetizer. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 29, 2014, 06:36:44 AM
Quote from: Velimir on September 26, 2014, 04:33:35 PM
Chances to hear DSCH 8 don't come along that often

I just scored a free ticket to see DSCH 8! I have never heard it before - thought this was the kind of piece where a live First Listen would be a hell of an experience. And a live First Listen I shall have.  8) 8)

Mozart | Piano Concerto No 14
Shostakovich | Symphony No 8

Emanuel Ax
Dallas SO/Jaap van Zweden
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on September 29, 2014, 06:47:27 AM
Quote from: Velimir on September 26, 2014, 04:33:35 PM
Coming to Orchestra Hall on Oct. 18:

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, pianist
Lindberg: Chorale
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8

Chances to hear DSCH 8 don't come along that often, and the Lindberg is an interesting appetizer. 

Très cool!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on September 29, 2014, 06:48:13 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 29, 2014, 06:36:44 AM
I just scored a free ticket to see DSCH 8! I have never heard it before - thought this was the kind of piece where a live First Listen would be a hell of an experience. And a live First Listen I shall have.  8) 8)

Mozart | Piano Concerto No 14
Shostakovich | Symphony No 8

Emanuel Ax
Dallas SO/Jaap van Zweden

Nice, too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 29, 2014, 06:57:11 AM
Quote from: Velimir on September 26, 2014, 04:33:35 PM
Coming to Orchestra Hall on Oct. 18:

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, pianist
Lindberg: Chorale
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8

Chances to hear DSCH 8 don't come along that often, and the Lindberg is an interesting appetizer.

That's certainly true. Shostakovich's 8th isn't performed very often, but that should be a great performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 29, 2014, 06:57:34 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 29, 2014, 06:36:44 AM
I just scored a free ticket to see DSCH 8! I have never heard it before - thought this was the kind of piece where a live First Listen would be a hell of an experience. And a live First Listen I shall have.  8) 8)

Mozart | Piano Concerto No 14
Shostakovich | Symphony No 8

Emanuel Ax
Dallas SO/Jaap van Zweden

Excellent, Brian! Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on September 29, 2014, 07:17:18 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 29, 2014, 06:36:44 AM
I just scored a free ticket to see DSCH 8! I have never heard it before - thought this was the kind of piece where a live First Listen would be a hell of an experience. And a live First Listen I shall have.  8) 8)

Mozart | Piano Concerto No 14
Shostakovich | Symphony No 8

Emanuel Ax
Dallas SO/Jaap van Zweden

Excellent, Brian!   Hope it is an amazing first listen experience!  I love the 8th Symphony, probably my favourite of Shosty's.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on September 29, 2014, 07:24:49 AM
Mine, too (when I'm not listening to the Op.43 or Op.93  8) )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on September 29, 2014, 07:53:15 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on September 29, 2014, 07:24:49 AM
Mine, too (when I'm not listening to the Op.43 or Op.93  8) )

It is a fine line, Karl.  I could substitute for thus Opuses, as well.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on September 29, 2014, 09:39:54 AM
coming Satirday not quite what one would expect on a rather folksy titled 'Music from the Old Country' on a series that's a bit pops oriented
Walton Façade: Suite No. 2
Butterworth The Banks of Green Willow
Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor*
Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 4 in F minor
Vancouver S.O.     Tovey conducting  *with our new principal cello
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 04:36:17 AM
In two weeks I'll be seeing the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Raminta Serksnyta Eisbergas
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto E minor
Bruckner Symphony No.4

Augustin Hadelich, violin
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conducting

(http://www.stuttgarter-philharmoniker.de/assets/images/spielzeit_14_15/grazinyte_mirga_400.jpg)
(http://magazin.salzburgerland.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pressefoto11.jpg)


Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 04:48:20 AM
Quote from: listener on September 29, 2014, 09:39:54 AM
coming Satirday not quite what one would expect on a rather folksy titled 'Music from the Old Country' on a series that's a bit pops oriented
Walton Façade: Suite No. 2
Butterworth The Banks of Green Willow
Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor*
Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 4 in F minor
Vancouver S.O.     Tovey conducting  *with our new principal cello

What a great (perfect) program!

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 30, 2014, 04:50:21 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 04:36:17 AM
In two weeks I'll be seeing the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Liar! You'll be watching the conductor and the conductor only.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 05:17:15 AM
Quote from: Florestan on September 30, 2014, 04:50:21 AM
Liar! You'll be watching the conductor and the conductor only.  ;D

I ordered front row seats of course  8)

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 30, 2014, 05:18:23 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 05:17:15 AM
I ordered front row seats of course  8)

And yet you'll mostly see the back...  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 05:22:55 AM
Quote from: Florestan on September 30, 2014, 05:18:23 AM
And yet you'll mostly see the back...  ;D

No, our usual seats are on the end of the row next to one of the exists (which means we are first in line at the bar at intermission  8) ) Those seats provide a nice view of the conductor in profile actually.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 30, 2014, 05:25:57 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 05:22:55 AM
we are first in line at the bar at intermission 

C'mon, man! That's a lame pretext!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 05:27:36 AM
Quote from: Florestan on September 30, 2014, 05:25:57 AM
C'mon, man! That's a lame pretext!  ;D

You don't know Mrs. Rock  :laugh:

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 30, 2014, 05:31:47 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 05:27:36 AM
You don't know Mrs. Rock  :laugh:

That's ambiguous. Do you mean that accepting those seats which allow you to profile (pun intended) the conductresses was her pretext for being closer to the bar than anyone else?  ;D

(Sorry, couldn't resist.  :P )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 30, 2014, 06:31:12 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 04:36:17 AM
In two weeks I'll be seeing the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz

Raminta Serksnyta Eisbergas
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto E minor
Bruckner Symphony No.4

Augustin Hadelich, violin
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conducting

(http://www.stuttgarter-philharmoniker.de/assets/images/spielzeit_14_15/grazinyte_mirga_400.jpg)
(http://magazin.salzburgerland.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/pressefoto11.jpg)


Sarge

Just did a google search for Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and this video surfaced. A must see!!!

https://www.youtube.com/v/wUXv6uTsIfI
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on October 04, 2014, 10:34:00 AM
That's where this belongs, you silly Konzerthaus you.

Quote from: WienerKonzerthaus on October 03, 2014, 07:38:21 AM
Bravo! If you haven't read about it in the other thread where the solution has been posted, can you give it to me in no more than six letters/numerals?  ::)


#SpotifyPlaylist (http://instagram.com/wienerkonzerthaus) @WienerKonzerthaus (https://twitter.com/Konzerthauswien?lang=en)

Every month we intend to publish two Playlists: One with all the classical pieces in the concerts we present the following month -- and one with the World & Jazz bits.

Here's the classical list for the Month of October. Where possible, the artists actually playing the works are chosen, but usually that's not the case. What recordings might you have chosen to present a given work from its best side??

Is this thing useful or confusing?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bys5naOIgAAu2u5.jpg:large) (http://konzerthaus.at/magazin/Home/tabid/41/entryid/369/Spotify-Playlist-October-2014-Classical.aspx)

>>> direct HTML Spotify Link (http://open.spotify.com/user/wienerkonzerthaus/playlist/1fa7KZQH0yOzX4r3oj1K1t)

Tumblr (http://www.tumblr.com/blog/wienerkonzerthaus) | Instagram (http://instagram.com/wienerkonzerthaus) | Twitter (https://twitter.com/Konzerthauswien?lang=en) | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/konzerthaus)

Not the worst lineup, though:
Yuja Wang,
Australian Chamber Orchestra / Bezuidenhout / Tognetti,
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra / Tetzlaff / Harding,
Ian Bostridge / Thomas Adès,
Hans Rott Quartett / Meister,
Wiener KammerOrchester / Garanca / Chichon,
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien / Midori / Quasthoff / Meister,
Hugo Wolf Quartet,
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra / Frang / Stenz,
Quatuor Ardeo,
Mariinsky Orchestra / Kozhukhin / Volodin / Abduraimov / Babayan / GergievGergiev (All Prokofiev Piano Concertos in two concerts),
Matthias Goerne / Martin Helmchen,
...and lots of. G.F.Haas as part of "Wien Modern"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 05, 2014, 12:14:02 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 30, 2014, 04:48:20 AM
What a great (perfect) program!

Sarge
It met my hopes.  The Walton was the orchestra version with no horns or timpani but with a drum kit and sax, the concerto came off very well, cellist gave it an extra level of feeling we discovered as he had cut a finger slicing veggies for a light supper and had two stitches in his right hand.   And the VW 4th made sense even in its unorthodox harmonies.   An attentive audience too (the blue rinse/Q-tip crowd will be at tomorrow's afternoon show,)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 06, 2014, 07:36:13 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 29, 2014, 06:36:44 AM
I just scored a free ticket to see DSCH 8! I have never heard it before - thought this was the kind of piece where a live First Listen would be a hell of an experience. And a live First Listen I shall have.  8) 8)

Mozart | Piano Concerto No 14
Shostakovich | Symphony No 8

Emanuel Ax
Dallas SO/Jaap van Zweden

How was the concert, Brian?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 06, 2014, 07:46:08 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on October 06, 2014, 07:36:13 AM
How was the concert, Brian?  :)
Awesome!

Jaap van Zweden aggravated a shoulder injury and was replaced by Karina Canellakis (hope I'm spelling that right), DSO's assistant conducting babe (http://www.karinacanellakis.com/Site/Karina_Canellakis_conductor_violinist_CONTACT_files/Karina.outside.smile.jpg). Not being familiar with Shosty's Eighth, I can't tell you how she did, but the nerdy dude in front of me said it was "pretty good for stepping in at the last minute," though he clearly had reservations.

The piece is pretty awesome live, and the 100+ college students I saw it with LOVED it. (I work for a community college which secured free tickets for several music classes and 15 faculty members, including yours truly.) I asked a lot of them afterwards how they liked the symphony, and every sex, ethnicity, nationality, and level of music knowledge agreed: "awesome," "so amazing," "beautiful," "intense," "loved it." Seeing that enthusiasm was just as cool as seeing the music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on October 06, 2014, 07:51:17 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 06, 2014, 07:46:08 AM
Awesome!

Jaap van Zweden aggravated a shoulder injury and was replaced by Karina Canellakis (hope I'm spelling that right), DSO's assistant conducting babe (http://www.karinacanellakis.com/Site/Karina_Canellakis_conductor_violinist_CONTACT_files/Karina.outside.smile.jpg). Not being familiar with Shosty's Eighth, I can't tell you how she did, but the nerdy dude in front of me said it was "pretty good for stepping in at the last minute," though he clearly had reservations.

The piece is pretty awesome live, and the 100+ college students I saw it with LOVED it. (I work for a community college which secured free tickets for several music classes and 15 faculty members, including yours truly.) I asked a lot of them afterwards how they liked the symphony, and every sex, ethnicity, nationality, and level of music knowledge agreed: "awesome," "so amazing," "beautiful," "intense," "loved it." Seeing that enthusiasm was just as cool as seeing the music.

Excellent, Brian.  I am glad it was a great experience for so many young people.  It is an amazing work, and incredibly intense.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 07, 2014, 12:48:52 AM
Haven't bought a ticket yet ... not sure if I should shelve out a lot of money for a good one, the hall in wonderful and it might well be worth it ...

Natalie Dessay & Le Concert d'Astrée performing parts of "Giulio Cesare in Egitto" (with countertenor Christophe Dumaux - unknown to me so far) in Lucerne, Nov. 18:
http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/events/event-282733848.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on October 08, 2014, 02:11:23 AM
Not too many folks hit southern Taiwan on their tours.  Ingolf Wunder is coming in about 10 days. I actually have a 3 hour graduate class at that time (I'm the teacher), but went ahead and cancelled so I could go to the concert.  Saw Boris Berezovsky two years ago, and Michael Lewis last year.  Those are the only two non-university classical performances I've ever seen...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 08, 2014, 04:48:27 AM
Ingolf Wunder is very good with Scarlatti, Mozart, and similar composers. I got to review his most recent CD (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/June13/Wunder_300_4790084.htm).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on October 08, 2014, 04:49:40 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 08, 2014, 04:48:27 AM
Ingolf Wunder is very good with Scarlatti, Mozart, and similar composers. I got to review his most recent CD (http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/June13/Wunder_300_4790084.htm).

  I think the whole evening is Chopin and Liszt.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on October 08, 2014, 06:17:05 AM
Soon I'll be entering into magical world of Debussy's Pelleas and Melisande...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on October 16, 2014, 11:23:34 AM
Week-end after next at Snape :

The Cardinall's Musick

William Byrd
Christe qui lux es et dies
Ad Dominum cum tribularer

Benjamin Britten - From Sacred and Profane, Op.91 (1975)
  St Godric's Hymn
  Yif ic of luve can
  Ye that pasen by

Tomas Luis de Victoria (Tenebrae Responsories)
  Amicus meus
  Eram quasi agnus innocens
  Animam meam

Britten - Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac, Op.51

Francis Poulenc - Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
  O magnum mysterium
  Quem vidistis pastores
  Videntes stellam
  Hodie Christus natus est

Byrd - Mass Propers for the Epiphany
  Ecce advenit
  Surge illuminare
  Reges Tharsis
  Vidimus stellam

Britten Canticle IV: The Journey of the Magi, Op.86

Byrd - Descendit de caelis

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Surge illuminare / Et ambulabant gentes
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on October 17, 2014, 01:35:31 AM
Tonight! Messiaen's Oiseaux Exotiques at Juilliard in NYC! Then drinks* with Bruce afterward! Should be fun.

*For me, cranberry juice, or bitters and club soda (I don't drink...)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on October 17, 2014, 03:06:25 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 17, 2014, 02:22:34 AM

Went to the premiere of Glass's new opera The Trial (based on the Kafka story) last week.  Enjoyed the production but was especially impressed by the music: attractive and well-crafted to suit the drama.
Mr. Glass is producing operas at a surprisingly quick rate: The Perfect American (Madrid 2013), Spuren der Verirrtten (Linz 2013) and now this The Trial (London 2014)  ???. Glad you enjoyed it, Soapy Molloy  :)

The next concert I myself am looking forward to is in late November (21, 22 and 23), with Schoenberg's Gurrelieder at the Auditorio Nacional here in Madrid. The lineup is as follows:

Christine Brewer (sop)
Catherine Wyn-Rogers (ms)
José Ferrero & Andreas Conrad, tenors
Albert Dohmen, bass and speaker
Spanish National Chorus & Spanish radio-Television Chorus
Spanish National Orchestra
Eliahu Inbal, conductor.


Must be great to experiemnce this mammoth composition live, and Inbal should be great at it! :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on October 18, 2014, 02:16:27 AM
Will stay two days in Dublin for a conference, next week. Booked:
National Concert Hall, Friday 24 October 2014, 8pm
SIBELIUS Karelia Suite
LINDBERG Helikon Wasp [20'] Irish premiere
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5 in E minor

RTÉ NSO, CHRISTIAN LINDBERG trombone & conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 18, 2014, 05:35:55 AM
Quote from: Christo on October 18, 2014, 02:16:27 AM
Will stay two days in Dublin for a conference, next week. Booked:
National Concert Hall, Friday 24 October 2014, 8pm
SIBELIUS Karelia Suite
LINDBERG Helikon Wasp [20'] Irish premiere
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5 in E minor

RTÉ NSO, CHRISTIAN LINDBERG trombone & conductor

What a treat! Christian Lindberg has become a talented conductor, and his first-ever professional performance as a trombonist was doing Tchaikovsky's Fifth under the baton of Evgeny Svetlanov. He admitted last year (with the release of his recording of the symphony) that that experience had a profound effect on how he interprets the piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on October 18, 2014, 06:02:55 AM
Saw the Ingolf Wonder tonight and an enthusiastic thumbs up.  You can tell he is happy to be there and enjoys playing, which is a big plus.  And the playing was glorious.  He brought out the poetry in Liszt, which may not be what everybody wants to see, but for me it was a revelation. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on October 18, 2014, 08:01:46 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 18, 2014, 05:35:55 AM
What a treat! Christian Lindberg has become a talented conductor, and his first-ever professional performance as a trombonist was doing Tchaikovsky's Fifth under the baton of Evgeny Svetlanov. He admitted last year (with the release of his recording of the symphony) that that experience had a profound effect on how he interprets the piece.

Great to learn! So far, I only knew him as a trombonist, thanks to BIS mostly, I suppose. Your story of his personal quest with Tchaikovsky's Fifth adds more to the experience than I could have hoped. It happens to be my only free evening, so yes, I was already happy to book this concert. And now even more. :-)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on October 18, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
I'm looking forward to the Alexander String Quartet's annual residency at my university this coming week.  On Thursday, they will be giving a presentation for my Modern European Art class, demonstrating how different ideas associated with modernism can be manifested in music. That night, they will be performing their main public concert, and the program looks very interesting:Webern's Langsamer Satz and Five Pieces, Bartok's Second Quartet, a new work by a visiting music faculty member, Mozart's Adagio and Fugue in C minor, and Beethoven's first Rasumowsky quartet. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 18, 2014, 02:43:38 PM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on October 18, 2014, 02:29:17 PM
I'm looking forward to the Alexander String Quartet's annual residency at my university this coming week.  On Thursday, they will be giving a presentation for my Modern European Art class, demonstrating how different ideas associated with modernism can be manifested in music. That night, they will be performing their main public concert, and the program looks very interesting:Webern's Langsamer Satz and Five Pieces, Bartok's Second Quartet, a new work by a visiting music faculty member, Mozart's Adagio and Fugue in C minor, and Beethoven's first Rasumowsky quartet.

Wow, you're a lucky so-and-so! They're not just great musicians, they're nice guys too. That program is mouthwatering (expect High Romantic scope in the Beethoven; the new [Foghorn] recording is sheer bliss). If you get a chance to chat with Sandy (cellist), tell him that Brian from MusicWeb ordered their earlier Beethoven box set to compare to the new one, and is now happily drowning in all their Beethoven quartet albums.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on October 18, 2014, 03:49:33 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 18, 2014, 02:43:38 PM
Wow, you're a lucky so-and-so! They're not just great musicians, they're nice guys too. That program is mouthwatering (expect High Romantic scope in the Beethoven; the new [Foghorn] recording is sheer bliss). If you get a chance to chat with Sandy (cellist), tell him that Brian from MusicWeb ordered their earlier Beethoven box set to compare to the new one, and is now happily drowning in all their Beethoven quartet albums.

I will definitely let him know!  As it so happens, I listened to that Foghorn performance for the first time last night, and I agree with you--it is stunning. A few years ago, they performed Op. 130 with the Grosse Fuge as the ending, and it practically blew the roof off of the place (it was also my first time hearing the work, which tells you what a classical newbie I am).  I had just begun my relative obsession with the string quartet literature just before their visit last year (too late to schedule a class visit); they played Haydn, Britten (which was particularly wonderful), and Ravel.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on October 18, 2014, 04:15:27 PM
The Juilliard concert was great! My friend and I greatly enjoyed the Adams Son of Chamber Symphony and loved the Messiaen Oiseaux Exotiques. The gong/tam-tam crescendos before the prairie-chicken calls were so loud and intense that the lady in front of us kept ducking her head each time! That piece is much, much louder than it seems on recordings! We met with Bruce afterward and had a really wonderful time! I'll be back for the Ligeti concert for sure!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 20, 2014, 10:40:31 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on October 18, 2014, 04:15:27 PM
The Juilliard concert was great! My friend and I greatly enjoyed the Adams Son of Chamber Symphony and loved the Messiaen Oiseaux Exotiques. The gong/tam-tam crescendos before the prairie-chicken calls were so loud and intense that the lady in front of us kept ducking her head each time! That piece is much, much louder than it seems on recordings! We met with Bruce afterward and had a really wonderful time! I'll be back for the Ligeti concert for sure!

Wish I could have heard this concert, but had to cover another one (Bartok Nos. 1, 3 and 5 by the Chiara String Quartet). But great to meet you and your friend afterward - enjoyed the conversation a lot.

Juilliard has a ton of great stuff every month, and much of it is free. I will likely be at that Ligeti concert, too.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on October 20, 2014, 10:47:48 AM
I started the season late with Vasily Petrenko's Mahler 7th (with the Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France), last friday.

Now looking forward to Chicago & Muti this saturday (but a little annoyed that Scriabin's 3rd symphony was changed to Tchaikovsky's 4th actually... Well at least he kept La Mer...).

And then only a few weeks before Grigory Sokolov : Bach Partita 1, Beethoven op. 10/3, Chopin 3rd sonata :o :-\ :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on October 20, 2014, 11:02:34 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 20, 2014, 10:40:31 AM
Wish I could have heard this concert, but had to cover another one (Bartok Nos. 1, 3 and 5 by the Chiara String Quartet). But great to meet you and your friend afterward - enjoyed the conversation a lot.

Juilliard has a ton of great stuff every month, and much of it is free. I will likely be at that Ligeti concert, too.

--Bruce

I posted this in the concert announcement thread just now, but may as well repeat the link here.
https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=4750&id=2884
Samuel Rhodes with players from the Juilliard School this Wednesday at the Jewish Theological Seminary
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 20, 2014, 11:13:20 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on October 20, 2014, 11:02:34 AM
I posted this in the concert announcement thread just now, but may as well repeat the link here.
https://www.wizevents.com/register/register_add.php?sessid=4750&id=2884
Samuel Rhodes with players from the Juilliard School this Wednesday at the Jewish Theological Seminary

Thanks, that looks great (though I'm unable to go). In addition to Rhodes, I can also vouch for the Israeli Chamber Project, an excellent group with terrific players.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 21, 2014, 02:10:06 AM
Tuesday, October 28
Athenaeum Concert Hall, Bucharest

Andrei Gavrilov plays Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Prokofiev (works tba)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on October 26, 2014, 07:11:39 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on October 16, 2014, 11:23:34 AM
Week-end after next at Snape :

The Cardinall's Musick

William Byrd
Christe qui lux es et dies
Ad Dominum cum tribularer

Benjamin Britten - From Sacred and Profane, Op.91 (1975)
  St Godric's Hymn
  Yif ic of luve can
  Ye that pasen by

Tomas Luis de Victoria (Tenebrae Responsories)
  Amicus meus
  Eram quasi agnus innocens
  Animam meam

Britten - Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac, Op.51
***********
Britten Canticle IV: The Journey of the Magi, Op.86

Francis Poulenc - Quatre motets pour le temps de Noël
  O magnum mysterium
  Quem vidistis pastores
  Videntes stellam
  Hodie Christus natus est

Byrd - Mass Propers for the Epiphany
  Ecce advenit
  Surge illuminare
  Reges Tharsis
  Vidimus stellam

Byrd - Descendit de caelis

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - Surge illuminare / Et ambulabant gentes

Superb singing last night. Really enjoyed the Byrd and Victoria, and the Poulenc was a nice discovery.

I just can't get into Britten though...  I was sitting in Britten's temple, surrounded by Britten worshippers who applauded his 2 canticles louder that all the other works put together...and there I was, just painfully waiting for these 2 works to finish....Thankfully they were either side of the interval....  :blank:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on October 26, 2014, 11:20:33 AM
Salle Pleyel
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Muti

Felix Mendelssohn: Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt
Claude Debussy: La Mer
Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski: Symphony no. 4


This concert yesterday left me quite the same impression than the last one I had seen by the CSO, at the beginning of Muti's tenure (I believe it was 3 years ago). Same impression, but slightly aggravated.
The CSO is still magnificent, the best orchestra I've ever heard in  a concert, with the Berliner Philharmoniker (but I haven't heard the BP with such perfection for around 15 years, even if I've attended great performances by them), and the Concertgebouw. Technical perfection all the way, a brass section with no equivalent that just give you chills at each entry, great solos (except surprising little imperfections by the oboe, and 1st flute but I've heard about their recent trouble in this section...).
But Muti ? Really, what is he up to ? He has always been an excellent conductor but with the tendency of being a little superficial, and to conduct everything like a Verdi opera (you know, with him, on any fortissimo you believe Otello is going to come out on stage). But I think the problem is quite deeper today. The last time, he already had given a frankly boring Shostakovich's 5th (one of my favourite scores, and it is really difficult for me not to enjoy it performed). And this time, it was worse. La Mer was soooo slow... and you couldn't see any kind of picture behind all those details. The only possible comparison would be with recordings like Davis's (with Boston), or Baudo's (with the LPO) : a magnificent orchestra but absolutely not a wave, not a breeze on this sea. More like a Dead Sea to me.
It was not really better in Tchaikovsky's 4th. Again, one of the slowest interpretations I've heard. But in itself it's not a problem. Bernstein's vision in his DG live recording is objectionable, but still very personal, passionate, full of contrasts. Nothing like that here : Muti takes it slow and doesn't change this tempo one bit during each movement. And everything with him is, again, so neat but superficial, so... deprived of any life, really. The only comparison I could make is with the late Maazel.
I really hope all Muti/CSO concerts are not like that. Because if it is the case, I really feel sorry for the audience there...
I'm happy I didn't decide to take tickets for their second concert today. And just being able to say that really is a pity :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 27, 2014, 07:11:35 AM
Quote from: Cosi bel do on October 26, 2014, 11:20:33 AM
Salle Pleyel
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Muti

Felix Mendelssohn: Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt
Claude Debussy: La Mer
Piotr Ilitch Tchaïkovski: Symphony no. 4

[snip]

I really hope all Muti/CSO concerts are not like that. Because if it is the case, I really feel sorry for the audience there...
I'm happy I didn't decide to take tickets for their second concert today. And just being able to say that really is a pity :(

Thanks for the review. No, they're not all like that. While I think Muti is a pretty good conductor (and the orchestra seems to love him), my problem with him is the overly conservative programming. He doesn't go outside the standard rep very often, and when he does, it's usually to conduct some piece of operatic fluff, like the overture to Indigo and the Forty Thieves. Luckily we have guest conductors to do more innovative programs, but I still miss the programming of the Barenboim/Boulez years.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on October 27, 2014, 07:18:15 AM
Yes that's another issue. I'm not sure I would have attended this concert if I had known the program would be that. When it was announced, the second part was Scriabin's 3rd symphony, not Tchaikovsky's 4th...
It's good to hear a little about your feeling, because it is hard to know much about the CSO's actuality (except, as I said, it is one of the most impressive orchestras when on tour). I just have a chance to hear it live every 3 or 4 years... There are not even many new recordings on the market.
Yes Muti was always loved by orchestras and by the audience everywhere (a little mystery for me, even if he's an excellent musician for sure, and a great opera conductor).

Barenboim/Boulez rulezzzzz :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 27, 2014, 07:20:34 AM
I love the Tchaikovsky, but I certainly understand the quarrel, when one was expecting a comparative rarity like the Skryabin!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 27, 2014, 07:30:41 AM
I defy you all to find a more conservative stance than that of Romanian SOs. I have long ceased to subscribe to their concerts, or even to buy occasional tickets: besides the fact that raising a child leaves me not much spare time, whatever they play I have on CD or LP, in a much better performance. Heck, they don´t even play Enescu besides one of the two Rhapsodies once in a blue moon.  ;D

That being said, i will certainly attend to the Romanian National RSO´s most adventurous concert this season:

Vineri, 19 decembrie 2014, ora 19

Dirijor: TIBERIU SOARE

A. Berg: Concertul pentru vioară şi orchestră În memoria unui înger
                        Solist: ALEXANDRU TOMESCU – vioară

G. Mahler:  Simfonia a IV-a în sol major
                      MĂDĂLINA BARBU – soprană
                      VIRGIL ZVORIŞTEANU – vioară


It´s Romanian but I can safely bet you all got the idea all right.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: milk on October 29, 2014, 01:55:59 AM
I'm thinking of attending a performance of Reich's Different Trains (by musicians who do not appear to be especially famous) here in Osaka, Japan. I'm not sure what I think of this particular composition but performances of modern music are extremely rare here so I think I'll give it a shot.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on October 29, 2014, 01:59:19 AM
Quote from: Florestan on October 27, 2014, 07:30:41 AMIt´s Romanian but I can safely bet you all got the idea all right.  :)
Love to see it in Romanian!  :) looks like a fine concert indeed!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 29, 2014, 02:01:31 AM
Quote from: Florestan on October 21, 2014, 02:10:06 AM
Tuesday, October 28
Athenaeum Concert Hall, Bucharest

Andrei Gavrilov plays Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Prokofiev (works tba)

That was a once-in-a-lifetime concert.

He eventually played 8 Nocturnes by Chopin and after the break Prokofiev, Piano Sonata no. 8 and 3 pieces from op. 75

I have never ever heard the Nocturnes played like that. Pure poetry, but not for the fainthearted and much less for the purists. Gavrilov played them manly, even muscular; dreams and passions, yes, but those of a man; Romanticism, yes, but not the academy-for-young-ladies type. Genuine Romanticism meant struggle, conflict and restlessness - and this is exactly what Gavrilov delivered.

The Prokofiev Sonata he played in the same vein. After an Andante dolce which he took rather Allegro but all the more disturbing and ominous, the Andante sognando was like a remembrance of things past, a vivid and ipso facto painful recollection of more tranquil times irretrievably lost. And then bang!, the raw energy of the final Vivace had me - and not only me - on the edge of my seat.

A Rachmaninoff prelude as an encore ended a most memorable concert. Gavrilov is the best pianist I have ever seen live, Nikolai Demidenko coming to a close second and Evgeny Kissin and Boris Berezovsky tied on third.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 29, 2014, 04:51:22 AM
Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Puccini's Tosca.
I have a ticket voucher to redeem so will probably go in March. I will miss Tatiana Serjan in the leading role, but instead get Hui He, who supposedly amazed in Lyric's Aida a few years back.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on October 29, 2014, 04:58:56 AM
Wow, just saw on my calendar I have less than a month to go before going to Berlin for the newest production of Britten's Turn of the Screw, by Ivor Bolton and Claus Guth :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on October 29, 2014, 10:12:05 AM
The most incredible Mahler 9 last Sunday. LSO/Harding. Absolutely out of this world in the final pages, such an intensity but spiritual release in the final bars.. Harding kept the silence for at least a minute after the final fade away. Simply outstanding.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 29, 2014, 11:33:12 AM
In November:

Stockhausen: Originale (1961) - This appears to be only the 5th production (including the 1961 premiere), and the musicians and cast assembled for this version look excellent.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Originale

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on October 29, 2014, 12:17:18 PM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on October 29, 2014, 10:12:05 AM
The most incredible Mahler 9 last Sunday. LSO/Harding. Absolutely out of this world in the final pages, such an intensity but spiritual release in the final bars.. Harding kept the silence for at least a minute after the final fade away. Simply outstanding.

Good to know, I hope the LSO will be on top of its form the next time I see them (it's not been the case each time I've seen them in Paris for quite some time now). It should be in June in Mahler 1st this time (with Haitink, in the new Philharmonie in Paris).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on November 01, 2014, 09:44:59 PM
Must be the night for it. Just in from hearing Mahler's 2nd in Philadelphia with Nézet-Séguin conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on November 02, 2014, 07:12:41 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 02, 2014, 01:39:15 AM
Funnily enough, last night I was imagining how it might sound conducted by N-S (whom I have seen in a few things, but not that one.)  So how was it in reality? ;D

I very much enjoyed it. The band was excellent as always, but the soloists were really good and the choir was fantastic. That ending... wow...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 02, 2014, 07:58:02 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 01, 2014, 03:15:47 AM
Tonight at the Festival Hall in London:

Mahler Symphony No.2
London Philharmonic
Andrés Orozco-Estrada conductor, substituting for Jaap van Zweden

Been a long time since I heard a really great Resurrection.  Don't know if the change of conductor increases or decreases the chances of that. :-\

Was going to go to that but forgot it was soon, didn't know about the change of conductor either. How was it?
Saw Harding in the Resurrection at the Proms this summer which was pretty sensational, but not the extent of his 9th I saw last week!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 02, 2014, 08:49:25 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 01, 2014, 03:15:47 AM
Tonight at the Festival Hall in London:

Mahler Symphony No.2
London Philharmonic
Andrés Orozco-Estrada conductor, substituting for Jaap van Zweden

Been a long time since I heard a really great Resurrection.  Don't know if the change of conductor increases or decreases the chances of that. :-\
One "Texan" to another. Dallas leader Jaap van Zweden has recently had surgery (I think for his shoulder); Orozco-Estrada is the new director in Houston.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 02, 2014, 12:20:12 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 02, 2014, 08:50:44 AM
Yes, I was always intending to go to the Harding 9th, but, like you, somehow I managed to forget about it until reminded (too late) by your earlier post-concert posting.  Stupid. ::)  And then this morning I read a review in the Sunday Times, the gist of which was: this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  I cannot express adequately how pissed off I am to have missed that. >:(

Last night's Resurrection was not in the same league.  It was pretty good - and any pretty good performance makes for a stirring experience - but not one of those that leave you feeling: this is as good as it gets.  I thought the conductor did well, I doubt van Zweden would have done better.  Choir and soloists were good also.  If there was a deficiency anywhere, it had to be the orchestra.  This may be an unreasonable thing to say, but I hardly ever get much sense of cohesion about the LPO, they always seem more like a bunch of people gathered together as if by chance.  Particularly the strings - and last night I thought the violas noticeably weak.  Which is how I came to be speculating about how different it might have been with different performers.  Nézet-Séguin with the Philadelphia Orchestra sounds like a good combination, I'm rather jealous of that one too. >:( ;D
Sorry you missed the Harding 9th! I really hope they pair up for more Mahler in the near future as yes, it was out of this world.
I see what you mean about the LPO sadly.. I have been left slightly disappointed by recent performances of theirs I have heard.. to be honest, in my opinion, that may be partially down to Jurowski, their principal conductor, who seems to restrain them quite a lot. What an orchestra it used to be, making some of my favourite Mahler recordings of all time with Tennstedt, but nowadays it just can't compare with the LSO, or the Philharmonia.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: madaboutmahler on November 03, 2014, 07:26:16 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 02, 2014, 02:32:33 PM
Exactly my view also.  In fact, the last time I heard the Royal Philharmonic (playing Shostakovich) I was struck by how together they were, and I thought at the time, does this mean the LPO are now the 4th rank orchestra in London?? :o  I don't know about Jurowski: while I applaud the imaginative programming, there is definitely something going on with that orchestra... :-\ ???
The RPO are certainly very good at the moment! Hmmm... don't forget the BBC orchestras too! It's fascinating to compare the London orchestras.. they are remarkably different from each other!
Concerning Jurowski - I saw the LPO twice over the BBC Proms this season. The first was with the young Robin Ticciati doing Der Rosenkav, it was absolutely fantastic, so much excitement and conviction from the orchestra. But later in the season, with Jurowski at the helm for The Planets/Schoenberg 5 pieces/Scriabin Prometheus, the orchestra just felt so much more restrained and that must have been the conductor.. I know players in the orchestra who tell me that Jurowski doesn't seem to place enough trust in the players, holding them back..
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on November 07, 2014, 01:45:33 AM
I'm going to Philadelphia tonight with a friend to see the NCPA Orchestra (from China) and Yuja Wang. The program is:

Qigang Chen - Wu Xing ("The Five Elements")
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G major
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5

Should be fun. We were going to see Mahler 2 last week, but all reasonably-priced tickets were sold out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 07, 2014, 06:33:17 AM
Quote from: madaboutmahler on November 02, 2014, 12:20:12 PM
I see what you mean about the LPO sadly.. I have been left slightly disappointed by recent performances of theirs I have heard.. to be honest, in my opinion, that may be partially down to Jurowski, their principal conductor, who seems to restrain them quite a lot. What an orchestra it used to be, making some of my favourite Mahler recordings of all time with Tennstedt, but nowadays it just can't compare with the LSO, or the Philharmonia.

I just heard the LPO/Jurowski in Chicago last month, doing DSCH 8 among others, and was really impressed. No sense of "restraint" certainly. Also from what I've read Jurowski has been quite good with them, especially with regard to innovative and unusual programming.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 07, 2014, 06:57:33 AM
Quote from: Velimir on November 07, 2014, 06:33:17 AM
I just heard the LPO/Jurowski in Chicago last month, doing DSCH 8 among others, and was really impressed. No sense of "restraint" certainly. Also from what I've read Jurowski has been quite good with them, especially with regard to innovative and unusual programming.
I side with you here. Jurowski's ongoing Tchaikovsky cycle is one of the best ever recorded. (Check out the warm glow on the strings in the First.) I was in the concert hall for the Fifth and it just about burned the house down - wild thrill ride, the exact opposite of restraint. Also got to see him do a magnificent Zemlinsky Lyric Symphony which should be released on CD next year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on November 07, 2014, 07:01:18 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on November 07, 2014, 01:45:33 AM
We were going to see Mahler 2 last week, but all reasonably-priced tickets were sold out.

A pity. M2 is thrilling live.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on November 07, 2014, 07:08:01 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 07, 2014, 07:01:18 AM
A pity. M2 is thrilling live.

Sarge

It is indeed. The performance was amazing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on November 07, 2014, 10:03:48 AM
19 November, at the Megaron in Athens:

Robert Schumann:
- Arabesque, opus 18
- Études symphoniques, opus 13

Frédéric Chopin:
- Barcarolle in f sharp major, opus 60
- Sonata no 3 in b minor, opus 58

Nelson Freire piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on November 08, 2014, 02:28:09 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on November 07, 2014, 01:45:33 AM
I'm going to Philadelphia tonight with a friend to see the NCPA Orchestra (from China) and Yuja Wang. The program is:

Qigang Chen - Wu Xing ("The Five Elements")
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G major
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5
Really a great concert! The Ravel was done very nicely (1st movement maybe a bit too fast, though) and the Tchaikovsky left me wondering "why the hell haven't I ever heard this piece before?! What is wrong with me?!" The orchestra played the Tchaik so passionately and with such vigor.

The one I enjoyed the most, though, was Chen's Wu Xing. It consists of five movements, totaling about 10 minutes and it is scored for a large orchestra. Any fans of Ligeti and/or Takemitsu ought to check it out. According to the program, Chen was Messiaen's last student.

While I hate to describe it using the merits of another piece, all I could think of during the performance was "variations on Ligeti's Atmospheres". I was entranced for the entire ten minutes and I was even disappointed when it was finished because it was so fascinating to hear. All sorts of beautiful sounds floating around the orchestra with a distinctly Eastern sound. Even my friend, who is so-so on 20th-century music, really seemed to enjoy it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on November 09, 2014, 07:12:29 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on November 08, 2014, 02:28:09 AM
...According to the program, Chen was Messiaen's last student...
That's enough to make me start looking for his music.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on November 12, 2014, 06:46:00 AM
Copied from the Kimi thread:
Now 120cm tall, Kimi finally went to her first concert!!!

Israel Symphony (essentially the Tel Aviv Opera Orchestra)
Conductor: James Judd

Beethoven: Leonora Overture #3
Shemesh: Running to Return for Kantor and Shofar and Orchestra
Verdi: Overture to Nabucco
Brahms: Symphony #2
Strauss Jr: Die Fledermaus Overture

Kimi's review:
Beethoven: Great piece but played very badly! Maybe they did not even rehearse this one as they played without that Beethoven spirit and power. Every seemed timid and afraid to make a mistake and just played the notes!

Shemesh: The best thing on the program! The music is imaginative, the players all applied themselves fully, and the singing, even though unfamiliar to Kimi (in Hebrew and sang in a non-classical manner), was beautiful, and the odd sound of the Shofar was provocative and added so much colour and imagination.

Verdi: Exciting!

Brahms: Maybe they only rehearsed the second movement. That was played beautifully. The other three movements were like run-throughs.

Strauss Jr: Very enjoyable but still played too much like an exercise.

Overall: Good, but would be less than good without the second work!!!

There!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on November 12, 2014, 06:50:40 AM
It looks like I am going to travel to Chicago and see the CSO play Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie in May 2015! I'm so excited!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 12, 2014, 09:27:15 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on November 12, 2014, 06:50:40 AM
It looks like I am going to travel to Chicago and see the CSO play Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie in May 2015! I'm so excited!

Thanks for the reminder, I'll certainly consider going to that concert when the time comes. I did hear the CSO do this once under Eschenbach, but that was back in the 90s.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on November 12, 2014, 05:37:39 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on November 12, 2014, 06:50:40 AM
It looks like I am going to travel to Chicago and see the CSO play Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie in May 2015! I'm so excited!
Oooooh, that'll be a great one to hear live! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on November 15, 2014, 01:31:29 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on November 07, 2014, 10:03:48 AM
19 November, at the Megaron in Athens:

Robert Schumann:
- Arabesque, opus 18
- Études symphoniques, opus 13

Frédéric Chopin:
- Barcarolle in f sharp major, opus 60
- Sonata no 3 in b minor, opus 58

Nelson Freire piano


See you there ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on November 16, 2014, 06:39:36 PM
Realized courtesy of a friend's Facebook post that there is a high probability I will be in Boston during part of the Boston Early Music Festival,  although exact dates will not be set until March or April for my travel plans.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on November 21, 2014, 04:03:20 PM
Grigory Sokolov was on top form tonight at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. I might not have been entirely convinced by everything (and I'm also a little annoyed by the very excessive and superficial Sokolov-mania in the audience) but such concerts can't be remembered as anything else than great moments.

Bach : Partita no. 1
Beethoven : Sonata no. 7 op. 10/3

Chopin : Sonata no. 3
Encores :
- Schubert : Impromptu op. 90/2
- Schubert : Impromptu op. 90/4
- Schubert : Klavierstück D.946 no. 2
- Chopin : Mazurka op. 50 no. 3
- Chopin : Mazurka op. 67 no. 2
- Griboedov : Waltz in E minor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on November 21, 2014, 04:17:20 PM
As long as they didn't use cigarette lighters to call for encores...
Speaking of encores, it seems from the listing they lasted as long as the formal part of the concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on November 21, 2014, 04:33:58 PM
Yes they almost did ! Only slow tempos avoided the encores to last longer than the rest :)

If lighters were allowed maybe there would have been some. Really, how can one, when the pianist starts playing an encore, shout "merciiiii" ? One did and he was followed by a dozen of others with other "mercis" or even badly pronounced "spasiba". Just ridiculous.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 22, 2014, 05:53:36 AM
Well, the members of Spanish National Chorus have called off their strike, so I'm off to see Gurrelieder tonight at Madrid's National Auditorium, conducted by Elaihu Inbal...yipeee!   :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 23, 2014, 03:59:21 AM
Quote from: ritter on November 22, 2014, 05:53:36 AM
Well, the members of Spanish National Chorus have called off their strike, so I'm off to see Gurrelieder tonight at Madrid's National Auditorium, conducted by Elaihu Inbal...yipeee!   :) :) :)
Gurrelieder last night in Madrid were very enjoyable! Inbal is a master in this repertoire, and brought out the best of the Spanish National Orchestra and Chorus (the latter reinforced by the Chorus of Spanish Radio and Television). All soloists were up to the task (the weekest link being José Ferrero as Waldemar, but even he was fine), and Catherine Wyn-Rogers  was moving in the Lied der Waldtaube. Albert Dohmen was also very, very convincing (particularly as narrator, where his Sprechgesang struck the perfect middle-point between sprechen and singen!). Gurrelieder is a wonderful piece to experience live!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on November 25, 2014, 03:17:57 PM
I just saw that Alina Ibragimova will be playing the complete Bach sonatas and partitas this Sunday in an impossible place in the countryside around Paris. I'm quite sure I won't be able to go. That's really frustrating :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on December 02, 2014, 11:50:14 PM
Tomorrow at the Oslo Concert Hall.
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.  Rafael Payare conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Program
Kodály: Dances of Galanta
Liszt: Piano concerto no. 2
Brahms: Symphony no. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on December 03, 2014, 12:45:09 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on November 27, 2014, 12:31:10 AM
Tomorrow night at the Barbican Centre in London (also broadcast live, and streamed, by BBC R3) :

Schubert Symphony No.4
Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Hans Rott Symphony No.1

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Marc Minkowski conductor
Katarina Karnéus mezzo-soprano

The Rott symphony being the great draw on this occasion.  I have a good feeling about this, having seen Minkowski deliver an imaginative and well thought out Bruckner Nullte with the Staatskapelle Dresden in the challenging environment of the Frauenkirche.

That must have been a nice concert, do you know if one can hear it somewhere ?
By the way I see Minkowski will conduct Rott's symphony again in Toulouse, next March, with the Capitole orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on December 03, 2014, 02:06:53 AM
10 DEC, Athens Megaron

Pierre-Laurent Aimard/Athens State Orchestra/Stefanos Tsialis
B. Smetana: Vltava
A. Dvořák: Piano Concerto op.33
P.I. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.1 op.13 'Winter Day Dreams'

Aimard playing the rarely heard Dvořák Piano Concerto!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on December 04, 2014, 04:50:19 PM
December 4, Salle Pleyel (Paris)
Orchestre de Paris
Riccardo Chailly
Martha Argerich

     
Felix Mendelssohn
    Ruy Blas Overture

Robert Schumann
    Piano Concerto

-------

Sergei Rachmaninov
    Symphony no. 1

Of course, you always expect a great moment when going to hear Martha Argerich. I had never seen her live in Schumann's concerto (her recording with Harnoncourt has been among my very favourites for a long time). And it was, I think, the best performance of her I have attended... Tremendous power, freedom, tension (and Chailly was the man to patch things up when the lady decided for the most abrupt changes in tempo), and an irresistible sens of style and of rythmic exuberance... Everything I could think after this fascinating performance was that only an artist in his (her) prime or in his late years can be so carefree and audacious. A very unique performance, not all perfect but exhilarating.

But this was not all. Frankly, I've never liked the Orchestre de Paris, even if I had already heard better things in the recent seasons, since Paavo Järvi became its musical director (Shostakovich concerts with Rozhdestvensky, for instance). But tonight was a true great orchestral performance. Except slight (mostly unavoidable) mishaps in the concerto, it was an almost perfect orchestral night. The Mendelssohn was precise, full, flowing with dramatic intensity. And the Rachmaninov symphony was so good I wished (vainly, apparently) it was recorded. I don't know who should be thanked first, Järvi for his long term work, or Chailly for his efficient principles (efficient tonight anyway, I didn't think the same thing AT ALL the last time I heard the Gewandhaus Orchestra). So, the symphony was really a magnificent moment of instrumental precision, detail, dynamic range, with a quality of sound (and even of silence) I hadn't heard from a French orchestra for a very long time (even with the Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France). Or maybe ever. This is the first concert of the Orchestre de Paris I really, completely liked, the first that was at the level of the orchestra one could hear on old records under Martinon or Barenboim !

This was also probably the last concert I'll attend in Pleyel. The Philharmonie de Paris opens in little more than a month, and this very dear (and superb) venue will close for an unknown time. And if this spectacular improvement in the quality of the Orchestre de Paris continues, then maybe one of the many challenges associated with this new concert hall will be a success... I haven't planned another Orchestre de Paris concert this season, I might change that...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on December 04, 2014, 04:53:15 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on December 03, 2014, 01:43:12 AM
A recording is available on the BBC Radio3 website here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04ps0l7) (click on the picture to start the iPlayer).  I am not sure if there may be licence issues which restrict access outside the UK, I guess the only way to find out is try it.

All three pieces were performed very well.  I hadn't heard the Rott in concert before, but I thought this compared favourably with the recordings that I have.  Only disappointment was to see the hall once again only half full.  Don't know what has got into London audiences lately.  The city seems packed with people, but wherever they're going, it's not to classical concerts, apparently.  The premiere of Shchedrin's new opera last month was even more poorly attended.  You could see the orchestra on that occasion (the Mariinsky) looking around all the empty spaces, as if thinking "We came all this way, for this?? ???"

It does work and I was even able to download the stream ;) I'll listen to that soon, I hope anyway...

This issue with attendance is a European problem I think. You can't get a 7 years crisis without a few consequences...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on December 05, 2014, 04:03:46 AM
Isn't there a thread for concert announcements ?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on December 05, 2014, 04:44:36 AM
Quote from: Discobolus on December 05, 2014, 04:03:46 AM
Isn't there a thread for concert announcements ?

Is there? (In any case, I *am* looking forward to those concerts.   :( ;) )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on December 05, 2014, 04:50:55 AM
It seems to me you're advertising for these concerts more than anything.

Here is the concert announcements section : http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/board,18.0.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on December 05, 2014, 04:58:53 AM
Quote from: Discobolus on December 05, 2014, 04:50:55 AM
It seems to me you're advertising for these concerts more than anything.

Here is the concert announcements section : http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/board,18.0.html

Fair enough... that's not a perception I would want to feed, even if that wasn't quite my intent. Thanks for the link... where I've opened a preview section for anything of interest that happens in Vienna (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,23804.0.html), should anyone wish to visit it or contribute. (Musikverein isn't half shabby, either, and there's an opera company or two or three in town, I hear. And and and. Not to forget the fabulous Theater an der Wien.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cosi bel do on December 05, 2014, 05:18:55 AM
Quote from: WienerKonzerthaus on December 05, 2014, 04:58:53 AM
Fair enough... that's not a perception I would want to feed, even if that wasn't quite my intent. Thanks for the link... where I've opened a preview section for anything of interest that happens in Vienna (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,23804.0.html), should anyone wish to visit it or contribute. (Musikverein isn't half shabby, either, and there's an opera company or two or three in town, I hear. And and and. Not to forget the fabulous Theater an der Wien.

That's a brilliant idea, it's sometimes hard to follow all that happens in Vienna !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 08, 2014, 11:52:28 AM
This week, two fascinating piano recitals at Carnegie - just two days apart:

Tuesday 9 December
Daniil Trifonov, Piano

BACH Fantasy and Fugue for Organ in G Minor, BWV 542 (trans. for piano by Franz Liszt, S. 463)
BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111
LISZT Transcendental Etudes, S. 139

Thursday 11 December
Yuja Wang, Piano

SCHUBERT / LISZT "Liebesbotschaft" from Schwanengesang, D. 957 / S. 560
SCHUBERT / LISZT "Aufenthalt" from Schwanengesang, D. 957 / S. 560
SCHUBERT / LISZT "Der Müller und der Bach" from Die schöne Müllerin, D. 795 / S. 565
SCHUBERT Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959
SCRIABIN Prelude for the Left Hand, Op. 9, No. 1
SCRIABIN Prelude in F-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 8
SCRIABIN Fantasy in B Minor, Op. 28
SCRIABIN Prelude in B-flat Minor, Op. 37, No. 1
SCRIABIN Two Poems, Op. 63
SCRIABIN Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 68, "Black Mass"
BALAKIREV Islamey

I have now heard Wang perhaps 4 or 5 times - mostly very impressive - but this will be my first encounter with Trifonov.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on December 08, 2014, 04:01:01 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 08, 2014, 11:52:28 AM
This week, two fascinating piano recitals at Carnegie - just two days apart:

Tuesday 9 December
Daniil Trifonov, Piano

BACH Fantasy and Fugue for Organ in G Minor, BWV 542 (trans. for piano by Franz Liszt, S. 463)
BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111
LISZT Transcendental Etudes, S. 139

Thursday 11 December
Yuja Wang, Piano

SCHUBERT / LISZT "Liebesbotschaft" from Schwanengesang, D. 957 / S. 560
SCHUBERT / LISZT "Aufenthalt" from Schwanengesang, D. 957 / S. 560
SCHUBERT / LISZT "Der Müller und der Bach" from Die schöne Müllerin, D. 795 / S. 565
SCHUBERT Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959
SCRIABIN Prelude for the Left Hand, Op. 9, No. 1
SCRIABIN Prelude in F-sharp Minor, Op. 11, No. 8
SCRIABIN Fantasy in B Minor, Op. 28
SCRIABIN Prelude in B-flat Minor, Op. 37, No. 1
SCRIABIN Two Poems, Op. 63
SCRIABIN Piano Sonata No. 9, Op. 68, "Black Mass"
BALAKIREV Islamey

I have now heard Wang perhaps 4 or 5 times - mostly very impressive - but this will be my first encounter with Trifonov.

--Bruce
I just saw Wang play the Ravel (two-handed) PC with the Chinese NCPA orchestra last month in Philadelphia. Not only was she outstanding, but the orchestra was amazing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on December 09, 2014, 02:08:48 AM
Going to Nutcracker performance today. Wish me luck.

I like listening to ballets but unlike with opera, watching ballet usually makes me bored.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on December 18, 2014, 11:52:22 AM
Baritone Christian Gerhaher and pianist Gerold Huber are presenting an all-Mahler program in Madrid's Teatro de la Zarzuela on Sunday Dec. 21. They'll perform the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, a selection from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, and the Rückert-Lieder...

(http://i58.tinypic.com/2hnm9ag.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on December 21, 2014, 01:27:40 PM
Quote from: ritter on December 18, 2014, 11:52:22 AM
Baritone Christian Gerhaher and pianist Gerold Huber are presenting an all-Mahler program in Madrid's Teatro de la Zarzuela on Sunday Dec. 21. They'll perform the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, a selection from Des Knaben Wunderhorn, and the Rückert-Lieder...
I'm just back home from Gerhaher's all-Mahler recital, and it was extraordinary!!!  :) At the intermission, they announced through the PA system that instead of the Rückerts, Gerhaher would perform the Kindertotenlieder...This was a bit of a letdown, initially (I'm very partial to Ich bin der Welt...) but, boy, was I mistaken...Gerhaher's Kindertotenlieder were superb, and the highlight of a great concert (as was his only encore, a very poignant Urlicht)... this man is a lieder singer of the highest calibre... :) (and Gerold Huber on the piano was a first-rate accompanist)...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on December 21, 2014, 05:17:38 PM
Quote from: ritter on December 21, 2014, 01:27:40 PM
I'm just back home from Gerhaher's all-Mahler recital, and it was extraordinary!!!  :) At the intermission, they announced through the PA system that instead of the Rückerts, Gerhaher would perform the Kindertotenlieder...This was a bit of a letdown, initially (I'm very partial to Ich bin der Welt...) but, boy, was I mistaken...Gerhaher's Kindertotenlieder were superb, and the highlight of a great concert (as was his only encore, a very poignant Urlicht)... this man is a lieder singer of the highest calibre... :) (and Gerold Huber on the piano was a first-rate accompanist)...

I expected little less. Do you have his Mahler CDs? Spread out between Arte Nova and Sony; do not know what part of it is in the Gerhaher box set.

The only recording of his that left me unenthused was his Wolf CD, and I think tge composer may be at fault there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 21, 2014, 06:54:41 PM
I have a Gerhaher Schumann album and it is stunning. My father and I had tickets to see him do "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" with the London Philharmonic and Vladimir Jurowski in 2011, but unfortunately he fell ill and was replaced by the perfectly-fine Hanno Müller-Brachmann.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on December 29, 2014, 12:20:45 PM
Man, I hope I can make it to this one. January 25, and it's a bit of a trek down to Hyde Park:

University of Chicago Presents
Pacifica Quartet
Puccini: Crisantemi
Carter: Quartet No.1
Beethoven: Quartet Op. 59 No. 1 ("Razumovsky")
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on January 06, 2015, 01:47:41 PM
21 JAN, Athens Megaron

RICHARD WAGNER: Tristan und Isolde (from the Greek National Opera)

Worried about my persistent coughing... :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fagotterdämmerung on January 06, 2015, 01:58:55 PM
  I wound up getting tickets to the local new music festival:

  http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/festivals/14NMF/ (http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/festivals/14NMF/)

  Some composers I like, some I don't, some I'm curious about, some I know not at all.

  A toast to expanded horizons.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 20, 2015, 10:16:47 AM
Ringing in my 26th birthday this August with my first-ever live Weird Al Yankovic concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 20, 2015, 10:22:35 AM
Party!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fagotterdämmerung on January 20, 2015, 09:36:06 PM
  As a follow-up, the new music festival was something of a mixed bag.

  The highlight for me was Birtwistle's Night's Black Bird. I've enjoyed his music before but it was always a bit boisterous for me: this one is all atmosphere. "Darkest music ever written for piccolo" said the conductor, and as ludicrous as that sounds, he was right.

  Claude Vivier was programmed a lot into these concerts, and I'm not sold on his output, personally. Which is strange, as stylistically, it's everything I should like - lots of Boulez-ian, mid-period Messiaen-esque noises, colorful ( and very French ) orchestration style, and the pace rarely drags in his works - but I end up feeling much of it is aimless. Orion was the strongest and one I think is worth seeing more of on concert programs.

  Though all of the newer Canadian composers were good in the sense of knowing how to write music and orchestrate, nothing really caught me.

   Kelly-Marie Murphy's stood out as having the most potential, but I wound up either wanting it to show more restraint and indulge in fewer film music cliches... or alternately just give in to that side of the work entirely and play with it more in an eccentric vein. The strongest of her works was the Violin Concerto, a premier.

   Jocelyn Morlock also had a number of works premiered. I did not like her style, but one caught my attention: the second movement of Theft, titled "Insomnia". It is a perfect musical portrait of that phenomena.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Fagotterdämmerung on January 22, 2015, 10:09:50 AM
  I went to the Jean Coulthard readings put on yesterday by the VSO. Though not proper concerts in some sense, it is a concert / composer feedback hybrid that actually felt a lot more lively and less forced than the new music festival itself. I can't easily explain why. Perhaps the musicians were more relaxed.

  It seems today's crop of Canadian composers are exceedingly conservative, but they're not at all bad per se, it's just that this could just have easily been a concert program from 1915-1935 or so rather than something new. On the other hand, I love that period in classical music, so it's far from a hardship to listen to music emulating a mix of late Romantic, Impressionist, and Neo-Classical styles.

  The strongest, in my opinion my opinion, was Lucas Oickle's Lunar Mansions, a very frenetically-orchestrated work that seems to bounce around different orchestral colors; sort of a "concerto for orchestra" texture. Adam Hill's Five To Nine To Five was quality music as well, and a bit more adventurous than the rest.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 22, 2015, 07:12:51 PM
As much as I enjoy a good opera, I've never actually attended one in person.  After some dillying and dallying, I decided to take the plunge, and with a bigun.  I decided to see Les Troyens this June at the San Francisco Opera.  It is hard to imagine how it will be a bad summer now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on January 22, 2015, 07:15:42 PM
Quote from: Todd on January 22, 2015, 07:12:51 PM
As much as I enjoy a good opera, I've never actually attended one in person.  After some dillying and dallying, I decided to take the plunge, and with a bigun.  I decided to see Les Troyens this June at the San Francisco Opera.  It is hard to imagine how it will be a bad summer now.

That's a good one to go to. I went to the same opera in the early 90's in LA. Even with a weak Gary Lakes, the opera was a magnificent! I did bring a first timer to it, which led to someone eventually becoming my ... uh ... ex-wife!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 23, 2015, 05:26:14 AM
Quote from: Todd on January 22, 2015, 07:12:51 PM
As much as I enjoy a good opera, I've never actually attended one in person.  After some dillying and dallying, I decided to take the plunge, and with a bigun.  I decided to see Les Troyens this June at the San Francisco Opera.  It is hard to imagine how it will be a bad summer now.

Nice!  For the bicentenary we made the pilgrimage to the Met to see Les Troyens, a magnificent spectacle.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 23, 2015, 08:37:02 AM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on January 23, 2015, 08:33:08 AM
But guess who they've got this time?  Leif Segerstam!!!. :o :o :o  Yes, that's right: Santa Klaus himself, in person.  An inspired choice, whoever thought of it.  I've heard him before, with Nielsen and Sibelius, and other Scandinavians such as Rautavaara.  But Bruckner's 8th Symphony ?!?!  The brain reels at the very idea.  I'd go a long way and pay a lot of money for the chance to hear this.  And it turns out I've already got prime seats.

VERY happy bunny today.  ;D 0:)

Nice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 26, 2015, 09:52:18 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on December 29, 2014, 12:20:45 PM
University of Chicago Presents
Pacifica Quartet
Puccini: Crisantemi
Carter: Quartet No.1
Beethoven: Quartet Op. 59 No. 1 ("Razumovsky")

Well this turned out to be every bit as good as I expected. I don't know what that bit of Puccini fluff was doing among the monstrous peaks of LvB and Carter, but all the performances were magnificent. It was especially revelatory to see the Carter live. I mean, you can read all you want about Carter's techniques and rhythmic innovations and the like, but when you see the players executing them in front of you, it's a different, more transparent experience than just listening to a recording.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 26, 2015, 09:53:39 AM
Of course!  That must have been a blast.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 27, 2015, 05:02:40 AM
Hmmm...during my vacation to San Francisco, Rachel Podger will be leading the Philharmonia Baroque through a program of 9 Vivaldi concertos...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on February 06, 2015, 06:20:04 AM
Tonight, Athens Megaron
Apostolos Palios, piano, Athens State Orchestra/Stefanos Tsialis

L.v. Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 C min. op.37
R. Strauss Ein Heldenleben op.40

Fingers crossed...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on February 10, 2015, 02:33:24 AM
FEB 15 & 16, at the Athens Megaron

Wiener Philharmoniker-Daniele Gatti
J. Brahms: The four symphonies (3&1/2&4)

My thoughts are with the poor fella who will be on tour away from home for about 2 weeks only to jingle the triangle for a few seconds...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on February 13, 2015, 04:55:15 AM
Tonight, here in Belgrade:

Mussorgsky: Procession of the Nobles (from Mlada)
Ravel: Concerto for the left hand
Shostakovich: Symphony No.11

Elisso Virsaladze (piano)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Fabrice Bollon (conductor)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 16, 2015, 08:49:27 AM
Stockhausen's Mantra is being played at the Library of Congress in DC on April 24th, 2015 (thanks James). One of the few works of his that I enjoy, so I think I'll go see it. Why not?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Phrygian on February 16, 2015, 11:36:57 PM
The following are planned, with many already booked and paid for:

27/2 Berliner Philharmoniker/Gergiev/Helene Grimaud (Philharmonie, Berlin) – Beethoven #4, Prokofiev #6.
12/3 Oslo Philharmonic/Jukka-Pekka Saraste/Renaud Capucon (Oslo);  Dusapin, Violin Concerto; Bruckner #3
19/3 Leipzig Gewandhaus/Chailly (in Leipzig) – Sibelius:  'Finlandia', Violin Concerto; Kodaly;  Dances of Galanta; Stravinsky;  Firebird Suite (1919).
31/3 Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam – "Late Rembrandt" (newly refurbished Rijksmuseum)
2/4 Royal Concertgebouw Amsterdam/Gergiev (in Amsterdam); Shostakovich Violin Concerto; Wagner excerpts 'Parsifal', 'Gotterdammerung', and 'Meistersingers' (OK, hardly radical programming but it is the Concertgebouw in their own home!  There seems to be no escape from Gergiev these days.)

Theatre an der Wien:
11/4 "The Marriage of Figaro", Musiciens de Louvre (Grenoble) Marc Minkowski (a fabulous ensemble I've seen before at the same venue, playing Rameau and Handel)

Musikverein:
19/4 Bavarian Radio Symphony Orch/Jansons/F.P. Zimmermann:  Brahms Violin Concerto;  Stravinsky "Petrushka"
24/4 Wiener Philharmoniker/Muti:  Haydn "Maria Theresia" symphony;  Schubert #8 (hardly generous programming)
3/5 Berliner Philharmoniker/Rattle:  Janacek, "Sinfonietta", Bruckner #7 (dear oh dear, no escape from Bruckner this season.  Not a fan.  Will have to do what the Pope once recommended - grin and bear it!!)
5/5 Barenboim recital:  Schubert
10/5 Concentus Musicus/Harnoncourt:  Beethoven #4 and #8 Symphonies
21/5 Dresden Staatskapelle/Thielemann:  Schubert and Wagner (various arias);  Bruckner #4

Wiener Konzerthaus:
9/5 Wiener Philharmoniker/Harding – Mahler "Das Lied von der Erde" (I am unfamiliar with Harding)
12/5 New London Consort/Pickett:  Purcell "Faerie Queen" (joy!!!)
19/5 Rudolf Buchbinder recital:  Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on February 18, 2015, 02:43:42 AM
For my short two days trip to London next week,  I was lucky that there are interesting concerts happening at the RFH on both nights.

Tuesday 24 February:
Ivo Pogorelich, piano
Liszt: Après une lecture de Dante - Fantasia quasi sonata from Années de pèlerinage
Schumann: Fantasie in C, Op.17
Stravinsky: 3 Movements from Petrushka transc. for piano
Brahms: 28 Variations on a theme by Paganini for piano, Op.35

Wednesday 25 February:
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Christoph Eschenbach
Ray Chen, violin
Beethoven: Overture, Egmont
Schumann: Overture, Scherzo & Finale
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No.5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 19, 2015, 12:29:01 AM
Big week coming up:

National Symphony Orchestra (Friday 2/20)
-Pintscher Mar'eh
-Faure Pelleas et Melisande
-Ravel Daphnis and Chloe (entire piece)

Philadelphia Orchestra (Sunday 2/22)
-Wagner Lohengrin: Act I Prelude
-Berg Violin Concerto (with Gil Shaham)
-Ligeti Atmospheres
-Debussy La Mer

Axiom Ensemble, Juilliard (Wednesday 2/25)
-Ligeti Sippal, Dobbal, Nadihegeduval
-Ligeti Six Bagatelles
-Ligeti Cello Concerto
-Ligeti Chamber Concerto
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on February 19, 2015, 04:16:22 PM
I will accept all invitations from Phrygian.

Don't either bother offering Nate.  >:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 22, 2015, 02:18:51 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 19, 2015, 12:29:01 AM
National Symphony Orchestra (Friday 2/20)
-Pintscher Mar'eh
-Faure Pelleas et Melisande
-Ravel Daphnis and Chloe (entire piece)
Great concert. The Faure and Ravel were really nicely done. The only negative was Mar'eh (composed by the conductor). It was the most boring thing I have ever sat through in my entire life and it went on for 25 minutes. When it first started I thought "Oh, these are cool sounds." That wore off after about a minute. An elderly man a few seats down fell asleep and started snoring quietly. I almost did the same.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on February 22, 2015, 06:15:04 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 22, 2015, 02:18:51 AM
Great concert. The Faure and Ravel were really nicely done. The only negative was Mar'eh (composed by the conductor). It was the most boring thing I have ever sat through in my entire life and it went on for 25 minutes. When it first started I thought "Oh, these are cool sounds." That wore off after about a minute. An elderly man a few seats down fell asleep and started snoring quietly. I almost did the same.

Mar'eh did not impress Jens's blogmate...
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2015/02/pintscher-debuts-at-nso.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 22, 2015, 03:54:18 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on February 22, 2015, 06:15:04 AM
Mar'eh did not impress Jens's blogmate...
http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2015/02/pintscher-debuts-at-nso.html
Interesting. He seemed to have the same reaction that I did.

The Philadelphia Orchestra concert earlier this afternoon was amazing. I still struggle with parts of the Berg VC, but the last five minutes are beautiful. Ligeti Atmospheres sounds different live. On a recording, it seems to sound almost electronic. Today, though, it was surprisingly expressive. Large and powerful at times, but also gentle and ethereal. La Mer was thrilling.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on February 23, 2015, 06:40:01 AM
Braunschweig, Germany, May 10, 11:00 hrs: Havergal Brian's First Symphony 'Gothic': http://staatstheater-braunschweig.de/staatsorchester/produktion/details/9-sinfoniekonzert. The conductor is apparently Péter Halász, but the Brianites in the Havergal Brian thread here are eagerly waiting for more details. 

Brian's Gothic Symphony, without any warning or signals in advance. Twice even. In Germany. Miracles happen.  ???  ::)

There's a second performance on the following day, Monday, May 11, 20:00 hrs, the first time this dino will be played twice at the same occasion. I know of a few, mostly from the Netherlands and one GMG member from Belgium, who plan to go there too, for the Sunday concert. What about the UBW, United Brianites Worldwide? Any other enthusiasts?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on February 23, 2015, 11:16:40 PM
Just booked, next May in Milan, Teatro alla Scala:

Leoš Janáček Sinfonietta
Anton Bruckner Symphony No.7

Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 23, 2015, 11:52:05 PM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on February 23, 2015, 11:16:40 PM
Just booked, next May in Milan, Teatro alla Scala:

Leoš Janáček Sinfonietta
Anton Bruckner Symphony No.7

Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker
A bit lightweight, the program, don't you think?  :D

No, looks fantastic, Ilaria. Hope you enjoy it!!!  :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on February 24, 2015, 05:32:17 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 23, 2015, 11:52:05 PM
A bit lightweight, the program, don't you think?  :D

No, looks fantastic, Ilaria. Hope you enjoy it!!!  :) :)

Indeed, less than two hours.
The programme is great anyway, listening to Rattle and the BPO live will be a wonderful experience!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 24, 2015, 06:12:53 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on February 23, 2015, 11:16:40 PM
Just booked, next May in Milan, Teatro alla Scala:

Leoš Janáček Sinfonietta
Anton Bruckner Symphony No.7

Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker

They should have included Janáček's Violin Concerto in that program. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 24, 2015, 07:13:43 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on February 23, 2015, 11:16:40 PM
Just booked, next May in Milan, Teatro alla Scala:

Leoš Janáček Sinfonietta
Anton Bruckner Symphony No.7

Simon Rattle/Berliner Philharmoniker

This should be excellent. Both works are masterpieces.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on February 24, 2015, 07:31:11 AM
Quote from: North Star on February 24, 2015, 06:12:53 AM
They should have included Janáček's Violin Concerto in that program. :)
Maybe. It is a very nice contrast, Bruckner and Janáček. :)
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 24, 2015, 07:13:43 AM
This should be excellent. Both works are masterpieces.
Indeed!

One of the positive sides of the World Exposition 2015 is that the event will bring to Teatro alla Scala a lot of wonderful orchestras and conductors.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 24, 2015, 07:33:41 AM
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on February 24, 2015, 07:31:11 AM
One of the positive sides of the World Exposition 2015 is that the event will bring to Teatro alla Scala a lot of wonderful orchestras and conductors.
And the venue, IMHO, is probably one of the msot beautiful theatres in the world!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on February 25, 2015, 10:30:19 PM
after struggling with booking-by-internet, on Saturday an entire evening of new-to-me music
Vancouver Symphony   Perry So conductor (not to be confuse with the cellist)

Guilian Liu pipa~ Li Bo Horse Headed Lute*   Claire Huangci piano+
Zheng Lu Good News from Beijing   Zhao Jiping Pipa Concerto~
Li Bo The Tale of Matou Qin*   Xian The Yellow River Piano Concerto+

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 25, 2015, 11:09:25 PM
Not looking forward to; but Shostakovich 4 with the Bergen Philharmonic and Andrew Litton last week was an outstanding experience!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 26, 2015, 07:24:22 AM
Going to go hear Johan Botha sing Tannhäuser at the Lyric Opera Chicago tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 26, 2015, 07:26:54 AM
Quote from: The new erato on February 25, 2015, 11:09:25 PM
Not looking forward to; but Shostakovich 4 with the Bergen Philharmonic and Andrew Litton last week was an outstanding experience!

Excellent!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on February 26, 2015, 07:59:16 AM
Tomorrow night:

Shostakovich - October
Barber - Cello Concerto
Vaughan Williams - Symphony No.3

Christian Poltera (cello)
Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Kulenovic (cond.)

This will be for me first time ever hearing Shostakovich and Barber pieces and first time hearing a Vaughan Williams symphony live, and I believe first VW symphony live in Belgrade in at least 10 years if not more.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 26, 2015, 09:01:36 AM
The Shostakovich is a strong piece;  heck, that is an entirely wonderful program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 26, 2015, 09:19:16 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 26, 2015, 09:01:36 AM
The Shostakovich is a strong piece;  heck, that is an entirely wonderful program.

I've only seen RVw's 4th in concert. But the 1st and 3rd are the ones I would really like to see live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 26, 2015, 09:27:45 AM
t's a crime that that damned fool lock-out robbed us of A Sea Symphony!  There!  I said it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 26, 2015, 10:30:39 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on February 26, 2015, 09:27:45 AM
t's a crime that that damned fool lock-out robbed us of A Sea Symphony!  There!  I said it!

You're right. I was excited for that. Bummer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 27, 2015, 06:42:58 AM
Quote from: MishaK on February 26, 2015, 07:24:22 AM
Going to go hear Johan Botha sing Tannhäuser at the Lyric Opera Chicago tonight.

Sadly, Botha was out with a throat infection, so we got Richard Decker instead, who sang the first two acts like someone forgot to plug in his amp. Finley, Amber Wagner were excellent tho.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on February 27, 2015, 07:17:21 AM
Quote from: Drasko on February 26, 2015, 07:59:16 AM
Tomorrow night:

Shostakovich - October
Barber - Cello Concerto
Vaughan Williams - Symphony No.3

Christian Poltera (cello)
Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Kulenovic (cond.)

This will be for me first time ever hearing Shostakovich and Barber pieces and first time hearing a Vaughan Williams symphony live, and I believe first VW symphony live in Belgrade in at least 10 years if not more.

Great program~! The only time, AFAIK, the Pastoral Symphony was played in my country, in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in 2004 under Norrington  - I managed to miss it. The performance is still on Youtube, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v228NtwOvTI

I did, however, hear the Fifth and Seventh 'Antartica' on other occasions. Yet never the Barber Cello Concerto; and BTW very little Barber at all. Hope to hear more about your concert!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 27, 2015, 10:08:38 AM
Some great concert programs mentioned here! I don't often have time to comment on every one, but enjoy reading what events people are going to - many quite stimulating, at least on paper.

Recent concerts I've enjoyed:

* Music of Stefano Gervasoni (new to me) with Yarn/Wire, Ekmeles, Mivos Quartet (three excellent new music groups)
* Recital of John Field, Debussy, and Liszt by Marc-André Hamelin (who also did one of his own works, a Chaconne)
* Four Haydn string quartets by the Orion String Quartet

Tomorrow night:

*Ekmeles (6-member group that does contemporary vocal music) in works by John Cage

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 28, 2015, 03:23:51 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 27, 2015, 10:08:38 AM
Some great concert programs mentioned here! I don't often have time to comment on every one, but enjoy reading what events people are going to - many quite stimulating, at least on paper.

Recent concerts I've enjoyed:

* Music of Stefano Gervasoni (new to me) with Yarn/Wire, Ekmeles, Mivos Quartet (three excellent new music groups)
* Recital of John Field, Debussy, and Liszt by Marc-André Hamelin (who also did one of his own works, a Chaconne)
* Four Haydn string quartets by the Orion String Quartet

Tomorrow night:

*Ekmeles (6-member group that does contemporary vocal music) in works by John Cage

--Bruce
*Ahem* Aren't you forgetting something, Bruce? :D

Saw the Juilliard/Ligeti concert on Wednesday with Bruce and a college friend of mine. I still don't like the cello concerto, but I've figured out why (which is slightly satisfying, at least).

Sippal, Dobbal, Nadihegeduval was probably what I had the most fun listening to. I liked hearing the laughter in the audience in response to the amusing syllables and sounds being thrown at them. The piece is written for mezzo-soprano, but it was sung by a countertenor. He did a great job (as did the four percussionists with their bells and whistles -- literally!) but I still prefer the mezzo-soprano voice. My only complaint was that the singer didn't sound "rough" enough and he tried to smooth out rough edges (especially in the 4th song Kuli, where he should have sounded like a raggedy social outcast instead of an opera singer).

Even though I don't like the Cello Concerto, I think that the soloist could have done a better job with the flutter-cadenza at the end by exaggerating its improvisatory quality. The way he played it sounded like he could have been reading an exactly-notated cadenza. Other than that, he did an incredible job.

The Chamber Concerto was great, though some parts weren't exaggerated enough. For instance, where Ligeti writes 'hammering like a madman' for the piano in the climax of the finale, the pianist certainly hammered like a madman -- but not long enough to build sufficient tension before immediately handing off the sixteenth notes to the bassist. Okay, I'm being nit-picky.

Often, subtlety is good in performances, but I don't think this is the case with Ligeti. This is the guy who doesn't think twice before writing dynamic levels like pppppppp and ffffffff. In fact, here is a quote from Ligeti himself:
"When you are disgusted, you must be more disgusted; when you are hysterical, you must be more hysterical; when you are miserable, you must be more so. Everything must be more, more, more!"

Here is Jeremy Denk's take on it (talking about the piano etudes):
"How would 8 [fortes] be different from 7? Both must be so searingly loud as to be painful, a distinction between degrees of agony: if 7 fortes is like being disemboweled by a wolf, then 8 is like being disemboweled by a bear."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pim on February 28, 2015, 08:33:09 AM
Tonight: Paris, Opera Bastille, Debussy, Pelleas et Melisande
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on February 28, 2015, 08:53:22 AM
Quote from: Christo on February 27, 2015, 07:17:21 AM
Great program~! The only time, AFAIK, the Pastoral Symphony was played in my country, in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in 2004 under Norrington  - I managed to miss it. The performance is still on Youtube, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v228NtwOvTI

I did, however, hear the Fifth and Seventh 'Antartica' on other occasions. Yet never the Barber Cello Concerto; and BTW very little Barber at all. Hope to hear more about your concert!  :)

It was a very fine evening. Shostakovich piece is excellent if you want to hear some big orchestral DSCH and yet don't have time for any of the symphonies, instantly recognizable and conveniently compressed in 12 minutes. Barber was fine as well, what stuck mostly in my memory afterwards is that lovely slow movement, particularly duet between cello and oboe. Barber is similarly not that often played here, what I heard live is I think only the Adagio and that Medea piece. Vaughan Williams 3rd is wonderful piece and few thoughts that came to mind are: that it really comes to life live, that I'm bewildered why it took me quite a while to come to like it on record especially since I really like (and prefer) VW's pastoral side and I've decided to blame it on Slatkin's deadly dull recording which was my introduction to it, that I was amazed how idiomatic Belgrade orchestra sounded given that most of them probably haven't ever played any VW in their lives which probably should be attributed most to VW's clear and precise writing. Excellent evening all in all.

Quote from: Soapy Molloy on February 28, 2015, 06:35:57 AM
Tonight at the Barbican Centre, London:

Bach Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 227*
Bruckner Selected motets*
Bruckner Symphony No 8

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Leif Segerstam conductor
James O’Donnell* conductor
BBC Singers

Segerstam conducting Bruckner.  Still can't quite get my head around the concept. :o  Very much looking forward to this experience. ;D

Concert is also being broadcast (and streamed) live by BBC R3 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b053zrl1)

Thanks for heads-up on streaming!   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 28, 2015, 10:35:00 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 28, 2015, 03:23:51 AM
*Ahem* Aren't you forgetting something, Bruce? :D


Erm, uh... ;D ;D ;D...because I knew you would weigh in - yeah, that's it! (Note to self: do not post when tired.  :-[)

It was an excellent evening, and part of it was seeing the Juilliard players do such great work with such difficult music.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on February 28, 2015, 12:19:37 PM
Quote from: Drasko on February 28, 2015, 08:53:22 AM
It was a very fine evening. Shostakovich piece is excellent if you want to hear some big orchestral DSCH and yet don't have time for any of the symphonies, instantly recognizable and conveniently compressed in 12 minutes. Barber was fine as well, what stuck mostly in my memory afterwards is that lovely slow movement, particularly duet between cello and oboe. Barber is similarly not that often played here, what I heard live is I think only the Adagio and that Medea piece. Vaughan Williams 3rd is wonderful piece and few thoughts that came to mind are: that it really comes to life live, that I'm bewildered why it took me quite a while to come to like it on record especially since I really like (and prefer) VW's pastoral side and I've decided to blame it on Slatkin's deadly dull recording which was my introduction to it, that I was amazed how idiomatic Belgrade orchestra sounded given that most of them probably haven't ever played any VW in their lives which probably should be attributed most to VW's clear and precise writing. Excellent evening all in all.

Thanks for heads-up on streaming!

Great to hear, many thanks! I love all three pieces too, making me really envious. :-) You are right: Slatkin's cycle isn't bad overall and I like his more 'abstract' approach in some of the more abstract symphonies, but the Pastoral is served much better by other conductors. Absolutely great to learn that the Belgrade PO is able to play it so idiomatically. As for Barber**: his lyricism is almost unsurpassed and quite unique; good to hear it live (I never did). Please don't hesitate to report more from Belgrade.

**Edit: I now remember that a leading Dutch music critic and also composer, Otto Ketting, wrote about Barber in 1972: "He wrote two symphonies whose principal merit is that they were not written by Tchaikovsky. A piano concerto that would earn the price of the most boring concerto ever, were it not that this award had already been earned by his cello concerto" etc. His circle, the 1968 generation to which e.g. composer Louis Andriessen also belonged, was influential enough to virtually exclude composers like Barber, and almost any composer that didn't comply with their idea of Modernism, from places like the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Shostakovich was only grudginly allowed in in the 1980s because principal conductor Bernhard Haitink championed him. Many others were less lucky and had to wait till more recent years. For example, Haitink also championed Vaughan Williams and recorded all the symphonies, as you will know. But AFAIK he never conducted any Vaughan Williams in Amsterdam; strictly prohibited.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on February 28, 2015, 04:21:23 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 28, 2015, 03:23:51 AM
*Ahem* Aren't you forgetting something, Bruce? :D

Saw the Juilliard/Ligeti concert on Wednesday with Bruce and a college friend of mine. I still don't like the cello concerto, but I've figured out why (which is slightly satisfying, at least).

Sippal, Dobbal, Nadihegeduval was probably what I had the most fun listening to. I liked hearing the laughter in the audience in response to the amusing syllables and sounds being thrown at them. The piece is written for mezzo-soprano, but it was sung by a countertenor. He did a great job (as did the four percussionists with their bells and whistles -- literally!) but I still prefer the mezzo-soprano voice. My only complaint was that the singer didn't sound "rough" enough and he tried to smooth out rough edges (especially in the 4th song Kuli, where he should have sounded like a raggedy social outcast instead of an opera singer).

Even though I don't like the Cello Concerto, I think that the soloist could have done a better job with the flutter-cadenza at the end by exaggerating its improvisatory quality. The way he played it sounded like he could have been reading an exactly-notated cadenza. Other than that, he did an incredible job.

The Chamber Concerto was great, though some parts weren't exaggerated enough. For instance, where Ligeti writes 'hammering like a madman' for the piano in the climax of the finale, the pianist certainly hammered like a madman -- but not long enough to build sufficient tension before immediately handing off the sixteenth notes to the bassist. Okay, I'm being nit-picky.

Often, subtlety is good in performances, but I don't think this is the case with Ligeti. This is the guy who doesn't think twice before writing dynamic levels like pppppppp and ffffffff. In fact, here is a quote from Ligeti himself:
"When you are disgusted, you must be more disgusted; when you are hysterical, you must be more hysterical; when you are miserable, you must be more so. Everything must be more, more, more!"

Here is Jeremy Denk's take on it (talking about the piano etudes):
"How would 8 [fortes] be different from 7? Both must be so searingly loud as to be painful, a distinction between degrees of agony: if 7 fortes is like being disemboweled by a wolf, then 8 is like being disemboweled by a bear."

Nicht so schnell!  Why don't you like the Cello Concerto?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 28, 2015, 04:51:37 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on February 28, 2015, 04:21:23 PM
Nicht so schnell!  Why don't you like the Cello Concerto?
After hearing the Chamber Concerto and the Cello Concerto next to each other, I realized that they both have some similar sounds which got me thinking "Why do I love the ChC but not the CC?" I came to the conclusion that the CC is very fragmented (I'm talking about the 2nd movement -- the 1st movement I actually have always liked). The ChC has many things that sound similar, but they are grouped into four movements that are each held together by a similar mood/atmosphere (i.e. the flowing first movement, the static 2nd, the granulated 3rd, and the scurrying 4th). Now I'm not saying that one thing is better than the other, but I think the idea that the ChC is a 'defragmented' CC gives some insight as to why I don't like it. It also explains why I like the 1st movement reasonably well -- it is held together by a similar mood.

I think someone on here has a quote by Copland about how he feels the need to know why he doesn't like something. I can definitely relate. I still enjoyed watching/experiencing the performance of the CC, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on March 01, 2015, 03:32:54 PM
Thursday 12 March. I am really looking forward to this concert.
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Renaud Capucon, violin

Dusapin - Violin Concerto
Bruckner - Symphony no. 3

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on March 02, 2015, 01:19:05 AM
Quote from: Christo on February 28, 2015, 12:19:37 PM
Please don't hesitate to report more from Belgrade.

Unfortunately my concertgoing has been greatly reduced these days. Used to be subscribed to entire BP season, plus opera, ballet and guesting artist amounted to probably more than 40 concerts a season. Nowdays maybe 10 a season, so much less to report.

Quote**Edit: I now remember that a leading Dutch music critic and also composer, Otto Ketting, wrote about Barber in 1972: "He wrote two symphonies whose principal merit is that they were not written by Tchaikovsky. A piano concerto that would earn the price of the most boring concerto ever, were it not that this award had already been earned by his cello concerto" etc. His circle, the 1968 generation to which e.g. composer Louis Andriessen also belonged, was influential enough to virtually exclude composers like Barber, and almost any composer that didn't comply with their idea of Modernism, from places like the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Shostakovich was only grudginly allowed in in the 1980s because principal conductor Bernhard Haitink championed him. Many others were less lucky and had to wait till more recent years. For example, Haitink also championed Vaughan Williams and recorded all the symphonies, as you will know. But AFAIK he never conducted any Vaughan Williams in Amsterdam; strictly prohibited.

Programming at Belgrade Philharmonic is polar opposite. Less known, obscure, bizarre is ok as long as it's at least partially tonal. For instance the high point of last season for me was Revueltas' Las Noches de las Mayas also Turangalila, season before that we had Leifs and Myaskovsky, and so on ... There is couple of seasons running cycle of concerts for odd instruments like water percussions, alpine horn, amplified flutes even assorted garbage. But high modernism is absolute no-go, nothing past more mellow pieces of second Viennesse circle, the only exception I can remember during last 10 years or so was Berio's Sinfonia but that is pretty peculiar piece. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on March 11, 2015, 04:43:44 AM
Athens Megaron, 18 MAR

S.Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet op.64

MusicAeterna/Teodor Courrentzis

A 2,5 hours concert with the complete ballet music
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on March 13, 2015, 11:59:37 AM
Heard yesterday:

DePaul University combined orchestras/Michael Lewanski

Sibelius Tapiola (which I missed)
Spahlinger morendo (which was repeated after some explanation of the goings on)
Spahlinger doppelt bejaht (which was pretty freaking amazing)

For those interested and in or near Chicago, there is a bit of a Spahlinger festival going on. A few more concerts at UChicago this weekend. The dude was in the audience yesterday.

https://arts.uchicago.edu/article/there-no-repetition-mathias-spahlinger-70

On Sunday I'm going to this:

Boulez Notations, for Piano
Boulez Piano Sonata No. 1
Boulez Piano Sonata No. 2
Boulez Movements from Piano Sonata No. 3
Boulez Incises
Boulez une page d'éphéméride
Boulez Structures, Book II

Performers

Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano 
Tamara Stefanovich piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 14, 2015, 04:37:05 AM
Tomorrow in Rotterdam: the first time I'll be able to hear A Pastoral Symphony (1916-21) by Vaughan Williams live. By the 'Codarts SO' consisting of music students and young professionals. Nevertheless: http://www.dedoelen.nl/nl/concerten/agenda/4829/codarts_symphony_orchestra/bovennatuurlijke_muziek
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 14, 2015, 04:59:07 AM
A couple of concerts at Snape later this month and in June :

Woodbridge Choral Society & Kingfisher Sinfonia
Mozart: Requiem
Beethoven: Symphony No.9 (Choral)

Quatuor Mosaiques
Beethoven - Quartet in E-flat Op.127 40'
Beethoven - Quartet in C-sharp minor Op.131 39'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 14, 2015, 05:13:22 AM
Tomorrow:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 14, 2015, 05:30:10 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on March 14, 2015, 05:13:22 AM
Tomorrow:

Must be a cool feeling to see your name along side Britten, because it's pretty cool to see it.
Bravo, Karl!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 14, 2015, 05:31:59 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 14, 2015, 05:30:10 AMMust be a cool feeling to see your name along side Britten, because it's pretty cool to see it.
Bravo, Karl!

Who'se this Britten guy?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 14, 2015, 08:29:15 AM
Hah!  Thanks, lads!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on March 23, 2015, 12:42:37 AM
FINALLY (!) I'll get to see the Ligeti PC! August 16th, 2015, Avery-Fischer Hall, with PLA as soloist and George Benjamin conducting. I'll be there!

http://www.schott-music.com/composers_authors/calendar/performances/show,73231,153614.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Phrygian on March 24, 2015, 12:09:58 PM
I've just left Leipzig and have arrived in Strasbourg today.  Finally some decent internet reception, though I was able to use the computer from the Arctic Circle in Kirkenes (the top of Norway - and while viewing the Aurora Borealis!) three weeks ago.  (My sister quipped that I got better internet reception near the North Pole than she did near Sydney for $60 per month.  I replied that I had "unlimited for just over $A11,500!!!)

The Thomaskirche at Leipzig - what can I say?  A quite overwhelming experience and, quite co-incidentally, a musician was practicing some Bach Preludes & Fugues as we entered the church.  Looking upon that plaque, knowing the remains of the great Bach lay beneath it, meant a great deal to me.  Also, the statue of Mendelssohn out front and the visit to both the Mendelssohn and Schumann houses made the visit to Leipzig a musicological dream!  The Gewandhaus concert was last Friday night;  this orchestra was on fire!!  They played an all 20th century repertoire - Stravinsky Feuervogel (1919), Kodaly Tanzen aus Galanta and a Greek violinist played the Sibelius Concerto.  With his long dark mane, constantly needing to be brushed from his face, this commanding musician (who was unfamiliar to me before this concert) gave an intense and virtuosic account of the Sibelius.  There was a logic and structure to it which appears to have eluded me in recorded versions.  There is no substitute for a live concert performance.

Lots more places to visit and concerts to attend.  If I get the time (and inclination) I'll report again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on March 24, 2015, 02:21:14 PM
Quote from: Phrygian on March 24, 2015, 12:09:58 PM
a Greek violinist played the Sibelius Concerto.  With his long dark mane, constantly needing to be brushed from his face, this commanding musician (who was unfamiliar to me before this concert) gave an intense and virtuosic account of the Sibelius.  There was a logic and structure to it which appears to have eluded me in recorded versions.  There is no substitute for a live concert performance.

Leonidas Kavakos. His Sibelius recording is rather controversial around here (which probably does not mean anything about a live performance 20 years later). I haven't heard it but I liked what I have heard by him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 25, 2015, 04:43:22 AM
FREE LIVE CONCERT being streamed on Thursday March 26th 7.15pm Central Europe Time

Use this link (http://www.gsoplay.se/en/content/hillborg-sibelius-brahms)

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Kent Nagano and Ray Chen

Hillborg Beast Sampler
Sibelius Violin Concerto
Brahms Symphony No 1

Free HD video of a previous performance of Anders Hillborg's "Beast Sampler" (http://www.gsoplay.se/en/video/hillborgs-beast-sampler-kent-nagano)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Phrygian on March 26, 2015, 08:55:30 AM
Quote from: Pat B on March 24, 2015, 02:21:14 PM
Leonidas Kavakos. His Sibelius recording is rather controversial around here (which probably does not mean anything about a live performance 20 years later). I haven't heard it but I liked what I have heard by him.

Thank you for reminding me!!  Here he is with Gergiev playing the Brahms Concerto.  It always amuses me to watch Gergiev's conducting style with those little finger flutters!!  And the orchestra gives a big, muscular sound in response!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuP32MmOTyw

Last night I watched a U-Tube performance of Joshua Bell playing the Sibelius with the Oslo Philharmonic (all hail Norway!) and it was a fine account.  What a musician!! 

Next week I'll be at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.  It's Gergiev - again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 31, 2015, 10:43:33 AM
May 1st, at the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens:

Europakonzert of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin

Giocchino Rossini: Semiramide Overture

Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor       

Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, "Rhenish"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on April 03, 2015, 07:22:41 AM
Tonight:

Beethoven - Coriolan Ov.
Haydn - Symphony No.100
Beethoven - Symphony No.4

Belgrade Philharmonic
Michail Jurowski (cond.)

Pretty classic evening, but I quite like both Beethoven pieces, and Haydn might be a first time hearing (live at least).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on April 05, 2015, 11:05:35 PM
Steven Isserliss is coming here in a about 3 weeks. I expect I'll go--although I haven't bought tickets yet...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: sabrina on April 07, 2015, 04:59:56 AM
Sleeping Beauty ballet at Scala theatre in Milan, on September 26th!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 08, 2015, 12:59:03 PM
Next week, two concerts with Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall:

16 April
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, Music Director and Conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, Violin

Shostakovich: Passacaglia from Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

17 April
Mahler: Symphony No. 6

8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Phrygian on April 09, 2015, 03:48:24 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 08, 2015, 12:59:03 PM
Next week, two concerts with Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall:

16 April
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, Music Director and Conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, Violin

Shostakovich: Passacaglia from Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

17 April
Mahler: Symphony No. 6

8)

--Bruce

Andris Nelsons is excellent;  I saw him in Vienna in 2011 conducting the Royal Concertgebouw of Amsterdam.

Tuesday night I'm going to see this jazz pianist at the Wiener Konzerthaus:

http://www.fredhersch.com/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 10, 2015, 07:36:42 AM
Sunday:

Hilary Hahn, violin
Cory Smythe, piano

Cage Six Melodies
Lang light moving
Bach Partita No. 3 for Violin
Debussy Sonata for Violin and Piano
Auerbach Speak, Memory
Schumann Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 10, 2015, 09:15:21 AM
Quote from: MishaK on April 10, 2015, 07:36:42 AM
Sunday:

Hilary Hahn, violin
Cory Smythe, piano

Cage Six Melodies
Lang light moving
Bach Partita No. 3 for Violin
Debussy Sonata for Violin and Piano
Auerbach Speak, Memory
Schumann Sonata No. 1 for Violin and Piano

Looks like an interesting and intelligent mix of things on that program. (Too bad I can't go to it myself.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 10, 2015, 12:35:52 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 08, 2015, 12:59:03 PM
Shostakovich: Passacaglia from Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

FYI the two Shosty pieces are being recorded for Deutsche Grammophon.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 14, 2015, 06:31:16 AM
Well, I WAS planning to see the Dallas Symphony do Mahler's Third Symphony live, but tickets are now $368.00. Three hundred sixty-eight. Even the back row of the highest balcony is over $120.

Pardon my French, but fuck that shit.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 14, 2015, 06:34:36 AM
That's appalling.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 14, 2015, 07:05:07 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on April 14, 2015, 06:34:36 AM
That's appalling.
To say the least.

It's certainly not the land of the free concerts.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 14, 2015, 07:14:40 AM
So the Houston Symphony is doing Mahler's Third the weekend before Dallas, ALSO as their season finale, and the tickets are much more reasonable. In fact, driving down to Houston and back, and attending a baseball game while I'm there, will still come out cheaper.

So that decision's made!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 14, 2015, 09:35:18 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 14, 2015, 06:31:16 AM
Well, I WAS planning to see the Dallas Symphony do Mahler's Third Symphony live, but tickets are now $368.00. Three hundred sixty-eight. Even the back row of the highest balcony is over $120.

Pardon my French, but fuck that shit.

Reminds me of Dallas, always pretending to be worth more than it really is.  $:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 14, 2015, 09:42:16 AM
I haven't been to one Atlanta Symphony concert this year, mostly because two of the programs I really wanted to see were cancelled due to the lockout and because nothing else really interested me, and they have yet to release next year's schedule which I find very troubling.

Anyway, concerts for the future are looking like Grant Park Symphony performing  Bruckner 6th, and perhaps getting in town early enough to see Dvorak's 6th as well. And Next fall seeing Lyric Opera's production of Berg's Wozzeck with Music Director Sir Andrew Davis conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on April 14, 2015, 10:13:57 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 14, 2015, 07:14:40 AM
So the Houston Symphony is doing Mahler's Third the weekend before Dallas, ALSO as their season finale, and the tickets are much more reasonable. In fact, driving down to Houston and back, and attending a baseball game while I'm there, will still come out cheaper.

So that decision's made!
I'm traveling to Chicago to see Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie next month (using flight/hotel points)... Then I will see it again when the NY Phil plays it in March 2016.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 14, 2015, 10:21:16 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 14, 2015, 09:42:16 AM
And Next fall seeing Lyric Opera's production of Berg's Wozzeck with Music Director Sir Andrew Davis conducting.

I'm planning to go to that one...

Quote from: EigenUser on April 14, 2015, 10:13:57 AM
I'm traveling to Chicago to see Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie next month

...and that one!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 14, 2015, 10:23:31 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on April 14, 2015, 10:13:57 AM
I'm traveling to Chicago to see Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie next month (using flight/hotel points)... Then I will see it again when the NY Phil plays it in March 2016.
Farthest I've ever traveled is 1,000 miles (to Warsaw from London to see Warsaw/Wit do Mahler's Third). No regrets at all, it was the best concert of my life. So - enjoy!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 14, 2015, 11:21:45 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 14, 2015, 10:21:16 AM
...and that one!

I'm going to the Turangalila as well. Which performances are you guys attending? I'm going to the Saturday performance. GMG-mini-reunion? Also going to the other two Salonen programs in May, Saturdays again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 14, 2015, 11:30:34 AM
Quote from: MishaK on April 14, 2015, 11:21:45 AM
I'm going to the Turangalila as well. Which performances are you guys attending? I'm going to the Saturday performance. GMG-mini-reunion? Also going to the other two Salonen programs in May, Saturdays again.

Gotta be Saturday, since it's the only day that works for me. Yeah, a reunion would be nice. How about you, EigenUser?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on April 14, 2015, 02:30:46 PM
Quote from: MishaK on April 14, 2015, 11:21:45 AM
I'm going to the Turangalila as well. Which performances are you guys attending? I'm going to the Saturday performance. GMG-mini-reunion? Also going to the other two Salonen programs in May, Saturdays again.
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 14, 2015, 11:30:34 AM
Gotta be Saturday, since it's the only day that works for me. Yeah, a reunion would be nice. How about you, EigenUser?
I think it will have to be a Friday (I'm leaving on Sunday morning, so I don't know if I'll want to be up late the night before), but I'll still be around on Saturday if you guys want to meet up before your concert. I'll keep you guys posted when the time gets closer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 14, 2015, 03:07:18 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on April 14, 2015, 02:30:46 PM
I think it will have to be a Friday (I'm leaving on Sunday morning, so I don't know if I'll want to be up late the night before), but I'll still be around on Saturday if you guys want to meet up before your concert. I'll keep you guys posted when the time gets closer.

The Friday performance is a 1:30 pm matinee, FYI.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on April 14, 2015, 04:18:49 PM
Will be in Eugene, OR for this upcoming performance - very excited!   :)

http://www.oregonbachcollegium.org/music-at-the-concert-spirituel/

Music At The Concert Spirituel

From the Dresden court to Les Tuileries central pavilion, concerts featuring the traverso became venues for the highest level of artistry. In Paris Michael Blavet brought the flute into a place of prominence at the Concert Spirituel, the first public concert series in France. Our program features Kim Pineda, traverso, in one quartet by each of the composers celebrated in this program. Johann Joachim Quantz was also a flute virtuoso and composer. As instructor for Frederick the Great, Quantz was called upon to produce a prodigious number of compositions for his master, but his quartets contradict any association with the gallant "Berlin Style." They are instead masterpieces of counterpoint for four independent voices. Telemann's "Paris" quartets were written at the invitation of Blavet and other virtuosi at the Concert Sprituel, and were regarded as some of Telemann's most frequently performed works.

Our program opens with Telemann's A Minor 'Paris' quartet, followed by sonatas by Blavet (Op. 3 #5), LeClair (Op 3 #7), and Barrière (Op4 #1), a trio sonata by LeClair (Op 8) and concludes with Telemann's A Major 'Paris' quartet. Performers are Kim Pineda, traverso, Michael Sand, baroque violin, Marc Vanscheeuwijck, 'cello, Ann Shaffer, viola da gamba, Sarah Pyle, traverso and Margret Gries, harpsichord.


[edit] love the  8)!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on April 15, 2015, 02:38:53 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 14, 2015, 10:23:31 AM
Farthest I've ever traveled is 1,000 miles (to Warsaw from London to see Warsaw/Wit do Mahler's Third). No regrets at all, it was the best concert of my life. So - enjoy!!
Brian, did you really just travel for that concert? That's pretty cool! I've only heard parts of M3... I should change that, but I'm intimidated by its length.

Quote from: MishaK on April 14, 2015, 03:07:18 PM
The Friday performance is a 1:30 pm matinee, FYI.
So I guess I'll be going to the Saturday one. I got the dates mixed up. Thanks for the tip.

But why a Friday matinee?! I thought that was a Sunday thing...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 15, 2015, 03:55:47 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on April 15, 2015, 02:38:53 PM
But why a Friday matinee?! I thought that was a Sunday thing...

Most of the Friday subscription concerts are matinees and always have been. Beats me why. Guest acts, international orchestras, the Civic orchestra and jazz get the Friday nights. Sunday matinees are not CSO concerts, but usually chamber music or solo recitals. CSO subscription concerts are usually Thurdsay night, Friday matinee (occasionally Friday night instead), Saturday night and (not always but usually) Tuesday night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Phrygian on April 16, 2015, 04:38:48 AM
Tomorrow night, Donizetti's "Anne Boleyn" with Anna Netrebko.  Wiener Staatsoper Live am Platz - where the whole opera is projected onto a large screen at the side of the opera house showing what's going on inside.  And it's free!  I'll be there at 6.15pm to ensure I get a good seat. 

Then there are the remaining 8 of my Vienna concerts, starting on Sunday with Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Mariss Jansons.  Spoilt for choice!!  And the weather here is glorious.
Title: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 17, 2015, 04:02:41 PM
Concert about to begin ... Ryu Goto, violin, & Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, piano; Franck, Saariaho, Wieniawski

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/04/17/e29c1e3de929cf7ab22bd4bef8b2c889.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Phrygian on April 19, 2015, 08:18:08 AM
I remember seeing Alan Gilbert conduct the New York Philharmonic at the Musikverein in 2011.  He was really very good and that orchestra was first rate (only trumped slightly by the Chicago band).  Gilbert is leaving the NYPO, I understand.

The program at the Barbican looks really good;  Stravinsky and Bartok - wunderbah!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 21, 2015, 11:25:40 PM
Tomorrow night, Geertekerk Utrecht (Netherlands): Pieter Wispelwey cello and the Bellitoni SO under Jurjen Hempel:

Ravel, Une barque sur l' ocean
Prokofiev, Sinfonia Concertante in e
Vaughan Williams, A London Symphony

(First time to hear A London live; have heard the other pieces before).  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 22, 2015, 02:05:24 AM
Quote from: Christo on April 21, 2015, 11:25:40 PM
Tomorrow night, Geertekerk Utrecht (Netherlands): Pieter Wispelwey cello and the Bellitoni SO under Jurjen Hempel:

Ravel, Une barque sur l' ocean
Prokofiev, Sinfonia Concertante in e
Vaughan Williams, A London Symphony

(First time to hear A London live; have heard the other pieces before).  :)

That's a well programmed show, Christo. Hope you enjoy it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 22, 2015, 10:36:47 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 22, 2015, 02:05:24 AMThat's a well programmed show, Christo. Hope you enjoy it!

Glad that you like it! I know it's more convenient to boast the 'Great Performances Attended' here - as I sometimes do myself. In my case, all within a one hour travelling distance from my home, e.g. the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra, or Gergiev conducting the Rotterdam PO, or the same high standards in the main concert venue of The Hague.
But I confess that I often like this type of semi-professional performances (though Wispelwey is well-known cellist) just as much. In medieval churches (as tonight) and other concert halls. Because of the enthusiasm invested & the more adventurous repertoire offered. Last week I heard a similar semi-professional orchestra do a great Mahler and tonight will be my first A London Symphony ever.   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on April 22, 2015, 11:02:00 PM
Quote from: Christo on April 21, 2015, 11:25:40 PM
Pieter Wispelwey cello

I'm very fond of his Beethoven sonatas recording and I'd love to see him perform someday. Enjoy the concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 23, 2015, 01:34:33 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on April 22, 2015, 11:02:00 PMI'm very fond of his Beethoven sonatas recording and I'd love to see him perform someday. Enjoy the concert!

Well, he DID a great job. Playing the Prokofiev Sinfonia concertante - actually a Second Cello Concerto, but indeed of symphonic proportions - by head and with gusto. Sat within a few yards distance and enjoyed it tremendously. (Though I came for A London Symphony especially).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on April 23, 2015, 01:59:46 PM
This Saturday on the BPO's Digital Concert Hall:

Gruber: Aerial
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Andriss Nelsons
Hakan Hardenberger, trumpet
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on April 26, 2015, 12:00:47 AM
May 1st, The Megaron Concert Hall, Athens
Giocchino Rossini: Semiramide Overture
Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor       
Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E flat maj. "Rhenish"

Leonidas Kavakos
Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle

European Concert of the Berlin Philharmonic

I had to wake up at 05.00  :D to make sure I'd get a ticket and it paid off   :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on April 27, 2015, 12:57:49 AM
On 25th June, Teatro alla Scala:

Gustav Mahler Symphony No.3

Mariss Jansons/Wiener Philharmoniker


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 27, 2015, 02:55:47 AM
11 May in Harvard Square, our Triad endeavor.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on April 27, 2015, 11:16:55 AM
Yesterday in Antwerp: sir Edward Elgar: The kingdom / Martyn Brabbins replaced Edo de Waart who cancelled most(all?) concerts for the next month(s).

Excellent performance by the Royal Flemish PhO , Dutch Radio and Flemish Radio Choirs . Good soloists: Italian soprano Edith Haller, american mezzo Elisabeth Deshong ( she was outstanding), baritone Jeremy Carpenter and tenor John Daszak ( rather unpleasant, metallic sounding...), both British.
Still, in a live performance this is a truly great work, "great seas of sound" (dixit mrs.Elgar). Its message still actual in these "earth shaken", hostile,cruel times...

Next thursday, in Bruges: Orchestra ex machina, a whole week end of old and new futurisms. The Brussels PHO perform Varèse: Amériques, Ravel, left hand concerto with Severin von Eckhardstein and Prokofiev's second Symphony. conductor: Nicholas Collon! The same program goes also to Brussels/BOZAR. Von Eckhardstein performs Prokofiev 2.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: dr.daysleeper on April 28, 2015, 04:42:27 AM
There is an awesome thing coming up in London, May 2015. Szymanowski's King Roger will be staged at Covent Garden. Can't wait to see that:

http://culture.pl/en/article/a-mortals-guide-to-king-roger

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on April 28, 2015, 06:12:52 AM
Mahler's 1st and Saint-Saens 3rd violin concerto tomorrow night.  It is a University production, but I'm sure I will have a very nice time.  There is a guest violinist...Christophe Boulier. 
    This is in Tainan, Taiwan.  If anyone is in the neighborhood, I have an extra ticket ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 02, 2015, 11:13:16 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on March 31, 2015, 10:43:33 AM
May 1st, at the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens:

Europakonzert of the Berliner Philharmoniker
Berliner Philharmoniker
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin

Giocchino Rossini: Semiramide Overture

Jean Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor       

Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, "Rhenish"

An electrifying concert. Kavakos gave an impassioned and exhilarating rendition of the Sibelius and the "Rhenish" was among the best I've heard, live or otherwise.

The (non-HD) feed from Greek National TV will be up until the end of May. (http://webtv.nerit.gr/katigories/politismos/01mai2015-europakonzert-2015/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2015, 06:45:53 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 02, 2015, 11:13:16 PM
An electrifying concert. Kavakos gave an impassioned and exhilarating rendition of the Sibelius and the "Rhenish" was among the best I've heard, live or otherwise.

The (non-HD) feed from Greek National TV will be up until the end of May. (http://webtv.nerit.gr/katigories/politismos/01mai2015-europakonzert-2015/)

Thanks for the report - and the link! Sounds like a great evening.

When I heard Kavakos do the Sibelius a few years ago, it was the first time I really liked the piece. Something in the phrasing and pacing just clicked...coupled with everything else he does so well.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 06, 2015, 07:11:31 AM
This one
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 06, 2015, 08:34:13 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 06, 2015, 06:45:53 AM
Sounds like a great evening.


In fact it was noon (12.00 local)  :)

Yes, it was a brilliant concert and Kavakos gave his best self, playing the 3rd movement as if possessed
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 06, 2015, 09:01:44 AM
Tomorrow:

Munich Philharmonic, Yuja Wang, Michał Nesterowicz (subbing for Maazel)
Prokofiev PC#2
Brahms Sy.2

Friday:

Munich [sic] Radio SO, Ulf Schirmer
Braunfels [!!!] "Das Spiel von der Auferstehung des Herrn"

next Thursday:

Bavarian RSO, Igor Levit, Lionel Bringuier
Anton Webern Passacaglia D-minor, op. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven PC#3
Florent Schmitt "La tragédie de Salomé"
Maurice Ravel Boléro (uck)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2015, 11:58:16 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 06, 2015, 07:11:31 AM
This one

Congrats, and good luck!  8)

Meanwhile, tomorrow and Friday, two concerts of music by Klaus Lang, with the composer on organ, and the group Yarn/Wire (2 pianists/2 percussionists). A few years ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Lang, who rarely comes to the United States, so it will be nice to see him again (and hear his music, of course).

http://www.klang.mur.at/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 06, 2015, 01:37:01 PM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 06, 2015, 09:01:44 AM
Munich [sic] Radio SO, Ulf Schirmer

Why the "[sic]"? That's the correct spelling and you're not quoting. How is Schirmer doing these days? I've never seen anyone give so many wrong cues in a short standard rep piece as that guy when I saw him conduct the Vienna Symphony some 15 years ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 08, 2015, 02:47:58 AM
Semyon Bychkov will conduct Mahler's Sixth Symphony with the Spanish National Orchestra at the end of this month. Friends from out of town will be coming to Madrid specifically for the concert (and the après-concert dinner  ;)), so this promises to be a very intense mahlerian-culinary weekend  :)

Cheers
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 08, 2015, 03:11:45 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 08, 2015, 02:47:58 AM
Semyon Bychkov will conduct Mahler's Sixth Symphony with the Spanish National Orchestra at the end of this month. Friends from out of town will be coming to Madrid specifically for the concert (and the après-concert dinner  ;)), so this promises to be a very intense mahlerian-culinary weekend  :)

Cheers

Nice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on May 08, 2015, 05:10:28 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 08, 2015, 02:47:58 AM
Semyon Bychkov will conduct Mahler's Sixth Symphony with the Spanish National Orchestra at the end of this month. Friends from out of town will be coming to Madrid specifically for the concert (and the après-concert dinner  ;)), so this promises to be a very intense mahlerian-culinary weekend  :)

Cheers
Have a good time, Rafael!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 08, 2015, 07:04:55 AM
Quote from: MishaK on May 06, 2015, 01:37:01 PM
Why the "[sic]"? That's the correct spelling and you're not quoting. How is Schirmer doing these days? I've never seen anyone give so many wrong cues in a short standard rep piece as that guy when I saw him conduct the Vienna Symphony some 15 years ago.


Schirmer seems to be doing fine with playing second and fifth fiddle in Leipzig and Munich...

the "[sic]" to indicate that I do indeed mean the Munich RSO and not the Bavarian RSO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 08, 2015, 07:07:33 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 08, 2015, 07:04:55 AM
the "[sic]" to indicate that I do indeed mean the Munich RSO and not the Bavarian RSO.
Sic means something is a mistake. What you're after is the exact opposite of [sic]...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 08, 2015, 07:14:08 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 08, 2015, 07:07:33 AM
Sic means something is a mistake. What you're after is the exact opposite of [sic]...

No, Brian, that's not what [sic!] means. It simply means: Written as intended and/or quoted thus. It happens to usually indicate a mistake in quoted material, in order to shift the blame... therefore attaining the connotation which you cite. But my usage is perfectly fine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on May 08, 2015, 07:17:04 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 08, 2015, 07:14:08 AM
No, Brian, that's not what [sic!] means. It simply means: Written as intended and/or quoted thus. It happens to usually indicate a mistake in quoted material, in order to shift the blame... therefore attaining the connotation which you cite. But my usage is perfectly fine.
Yes, really. [sic]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 08, 2015, 08:27:01 AM
On Saturday, the first of three installments of the EPK/CSO French Music combo:

Ravel Mother Goose Suite
Debussy La damoiselle élue
Ravel L'enfant et les sortilèges

Performers

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor 
Chloé Briot soprano (Child) 
Kate Royal soprano (Shepherdess/Bat/Owl) 
Marie-Eve Munger coloratura soprano (Fire/Nightingale/Princess) 
Marianne Crebassa mezzo-soprano (Louis XV Chair/Shepherd/Squirrel/Female Cat) 
Manuel Núñez Camelino tenor (Teapot/Little Old Man (Arithmetic)/Frog) 
Elodie Méchain contralto (Mother/Chinese Cup/Dragonfly) 
Stéphane Degout  baritone (Clock/Tomcat) 
Eric Owens  bass-baritone (Armchair/Tree) 
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Duain Wolfe  chorus director 
Anima: Young Singers of Greater Chicago 
Emily Ellsworth
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on May 08, 2015, 09:04:30 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 08, 2015, 07:14:08 AM
No, Brian, that's not what [sic!] means. It simply means: Written as intended and/or quoted thus. It happens to usually indicate a mistake in quoted material, in order to shift the blame... therefore attaining the connotation which you cite. But my usage is perfectly fine.

Oh! It's so typically used to denote a mistake, I wasn't aware of the broader meaning.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 08, 2015, 09:09:24 AM
Quote from: Pat B on May 08, 2015, 09:04:30 AM
Oh! It's so typically used to denote a mistake, I wasn't aware of the broader meaning.

It has happened to me more than once, that I was misled by usage always being thus when I encountered a word/phrase, into taking other uses as mistaken.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 08, 2015, 09:11:45 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on May 08, 2015, 07:04:55 AM
the "[sic]" to indicate that I do indeed mean the Munich RSO and not the Bavarian RSO.

Well, since that is his band and not the BRSO it would have been more surprising the other way around, I suppose.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 08, 2015, 01:44:54 PM
Quote from: MishaK on May 08, 2015, 09:11:45 AM
Well, since that is his band and not the BRSO it would have been more surprising the other way around, I suppose.  ;)

In the context of the musically erudite GMG CMF, yes, maybe that wasn't necessary. I was starting from the presumption that most people don't even know that there IS a Munich RSO that's distinct from the BRSO.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 09, 2015, 09:35:53 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on May 08, 2015, 03:11:45 AM
Nice!
Quote from: North Star on May 08, 2015, 05:10:28 AM
Have a good time, Rafael!
Thanks guys! The only time I've seen Bychkov live (Elektra in Madrid's Teatro Real), he was outstanding, so I'm really looking frward to this one ...

But, in the meantime, I've bought tickets for tomorrow evening to see Luigi Boccherini's Clementina (the composer's only work for the stage), conducted by Andrea Marcon and staged by Mario Gas at the Teatro de la Zarzuela... :) :) :)

(http://teatrodelazarzuela.mcu.es/media/k2/items/cache/269b36e876e375e05083f78293992209_S.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on May 10, 2015, 11:13:45 AM
(http://www.bcocolorado.org/images/shared/logo-bcoc.png)

Friends and Rivals
Cynthia Miller Freivogel, violinist-leader

(http://www.bcocolorado.org/images/pagepics/concert-friends.png)

Handel, Telemann, and J.S. Bach: were they friends or rivals . . . or a little of both? Our season finale features superb works by these contrasting 18th-century masters, interwoven with stories of their intriguing interactions. Handel's Concerto Grosso in F major; Telemann's Concerto for Recorder and Flute; and Bach's Orchestral Suite No. 2 (version for strings and continuo). David Rutherford from CPR Classical joins us as host, providing stories and commentary.

Saturday, May 16, 2015 at 7:30 pm
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on May 14, 2015, 06:42:13 AM
Tomorrow night:

Bax - Tintagel
Grieg - Piano Concerto
Suk - Fairy Tale

Nelson Freire (piano)
Belgrade Philharmonic
JoAnn Falletta (cond.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 14, 2015, 07:58:27 AM
Quote from: Draško on May 14, 2015, 06:42:13 AM
Tomorrow night:

Bax - Tintagel
Grieg - Piano Concerto
Suk - Fairy Tale

Nelson Freire (piano)
Belgrade Philharmonic
JoAnn Falletta (cond.)

Wow. Any chance to hear Nelson Freire is special. Enjoy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on May 14, 2015, 01:18:28 PM
Quote from: MishaK on May 14, 2015, 07:58:27 AM
Wow. Any chance to hear Nelson Freire is special. Enjoy.

Yes, wonderful pianist. This will be my fourth time hearing him live. He was superb on all three previous occasions: Brahms' 1st with Belgrade Phil, Franck Sym.Variations with Toulouse/Sokhiev and Waldstein/Franck PC&F/Debussy/Albeniz recital.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 20, 2015, 12:25:45 AM
I have tickets for

1. Leonardo Vinci's Catone in Utica with Pomo d'Oro
2. Monteverdi Madrigals withe les Arts Florisante
3. Monteverdi's Orfeo with the Freiburgers

at the Bergen Festival, all in early June. I'm a happy camper.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 20, 2015, 12:27:03 AM
Quote from: The new erato on May 20, 2015, 12:25:45 AM
I have tickets for

1. Leonardo Vinci's Catone in Utica with Pomo d'Oro
2. Monteverdi Madrigals withe les Arts Florisante
3. Monteverdi's Orfeo with the Freiburgers

at the Bergen Festival, all in early June. I'm a happy camper.

YUmmy, yummy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 20, 2015, 01:24:50 AM
Quote from: Florestan on May 20, 2015, 12:27:03 AM
YUmmy, yummy.

Yummy, yummy?? Come on Florestan, post the schedule of this year's ENESCU FESTIVAL in Bucharest for us to salivate
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 20, 2015, 02:04:02 AM
Quote from: Obradovic on May 20, 2015, 01:24:50 AM
Yummy, yummy?? Come on Florestan, post the schedule of this year's ENESCU FESTIVAL in Bucharest for us to salivate

At your service, sir!

http://festivalenescu.ro/en/events/2015-festival/ (http://festivalenescu.ro/en/events/2015-festival/)

Don´t envy me, though: due to dire financial straits mixed with other priorities I´ll salivate as much as you, particularly over the Yuja Wang / Michael Tilson Thomas / SFSO concert. :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 20, 2015, 02:56:39 AM
Quote from: Florestan on May 20, 2015, 02:04:02 AM
Don´t envy me, though: due to dire financial straits mixed with other priorities I´ll salivate as much as you, particularly over the Yuja Wang / Michael Tilson Thomas / SFSO concert. :(

Really sorry to hear that  :-[ :-[ The SFSO/MTT is indeed a winning combination, I've heard them some years ago in Athens in 2 concerts with Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet, Sibelius' 2nd and Copland's Orchestral Variations. Try not to miss them
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 20, 2015, 03:01:49 AM
Quote from: Obradovic on May 20, 2015, 02:56:39 AM
Really sorry to hear that  :-[ :-[ The SFSO/MTT is indeed a winning combination, I've heard them some years ago in Athens in 2 concerts with Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet, Sibelius' 2nd and Copland's Orchestral Variations. Try not to miss them

If I win the lottery I´ll go.  :D

Seriously now, I might go eventually, it´s too good to be missed after all.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 20, 2015, 04:55:31 AM
Quote from: Florestan on May 20, 2015, 03:01:49 AM
If I win the lottery I´ll go.  :D

Seriously now, I might go eventually, it´s too good to be missed after all.
And they aren't coming too often in Europe after all  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on May 20, 2015, 11:34:11 AM
Tomorrow: Bruges / Concertgebouw.
Budapest Festival O. / Fischer : Brahms 1st & 2 nd symphony.

Should be good...

P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 20, 2015, 11:35:25 AM
Quote from: pjme on May 20, 2015, 11:34:11 AM
Tomorrow: Bruges / Concertgebouw.
Budapest Festival O. / Fischer : Brahms 1st & 2 nd symphony.

Should be good...

P.

Please report. BFO and Fischer are really good.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: johnshade on May 21, 2015, 09:31:23 AM

October 16, 2015

Renee Fleming
Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra

Ruby Diamond Auditorium
Florida State University
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: johnshade on May 21, 2015, 10:09:59 AM
Quote from: johnshade on May 21, 2015, 09:31:23 AM
October 16, 2015
Renee Fleming
Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra

Ruby Diamond Auditorium
Florida State University

Florida State University College of Music is one of the largest music programs in higher education, the College's comprehensive curricula embrace all traditional areas of music and world music study from the baccalaureate to the doctoral level. As one of the leading music institutions in the world, the College enjoys an international reputation. 

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the quality of the College of Music at 12th in the nation and fifth among programs at public universities. The Opera program in the College of Music ranks fifth in the nation and third among programs at public universities according to the same report.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on May 22, 2015, 06:14:26 AM
Tomorrow!!!

Debussy Syrinx
Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major
Messiaen Turangalîla-symphonie

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor 
Samuel Coles flute 
Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano 
Valérie Hartmann-Claverie ondes martenot
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on May 24, 2015, 08:29:34 AM
A couple of exciting bookings for August in Snape :

Thursday 6 August
National Youth Orchestra / Mark Elder (conductor)

Tansy Davies  - Re-greening (world premiere)
Mahler - Symphony No.9
*****

Sunday 9 August
Borodin String Quartet

Tchaikovsky
String Quartets no.1 and no.3
Quartet movement in B-flat 13'
****

Sunday 16 August
Apollo's Fire and Alina Ibragimova (violin)
Jeannette Sorrell (harpsichord/director)

Bach - Brandenburg Concerto no.3
Concerto for Violin in E major
Brandenburg Concerto no.5 
Vivaldi - Concerto 'Inquietudine' 
Telemann - Don Quixote (selection)
Vivaldi arr. Sorrell - Concerto Grosso 'La Folia'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bruckner is God on May 26, 2015, 02:26:23 PM
30 June 2015, Konzerthaus  Berlin
Staatskapelle Berlin
Zubin Mehta Leitung
Okka von der Damerau Alt
Damen des Staatsopernchores
Kinderchor der Staatsoper

Gustav Mahler
Sinfonie Nr. 3 d-Moll

2 July 2015, Barbican Hall London
London symphony Orchestra
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
Krystian Zimerman, piano

Brahms Piano Concerto No 1
Dvorák The Wild Dove
Dvorák Slavonic Dance No 4 in D
Dvorák The Golden Spinning-Wheel

3 July 2015, Queen Elisabeth Hall London
Chelsea Opera Group Orchestra
Robin Newton conductor
Gwyn Hughes Jones tenor, Ernani
Helena Dix soprano, Elvira
Chelsea Opera Group Chorus

Verdi Ernani, concert performance

5 July 2015, Wigmore Hall London (Lunch Concert)
John O'Conor, piano

Beethoven Bagatelles, op. 33
Schubert Piano Sonata no. 21 D960
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 29, 2015, 02:27:33 AM
Off to see Vinci's Catone in Utica with the Pomo d'Oro ensemble on Sunday. I haven't even received the recording yet after having it on backorder for a couple of months. I'm a very happy camper!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 05, 2015, 12:04:08 PM
After having missed (I finally spent the weekend in Belgium) Mahler's Sixth with the Spanish National Orchestra under Bychkov--my Mahlerian friends tell me it was great, "the best they've ever seen in a concert hall"--, I'm looking forward to Fidelio this coming Sunday at the Teatro Real, conducted by Hartmut Haenchen and staged by Pier'Alli... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 08, 2015, 02:19:35 PM
Well, yesterday's performance of Fidelio was solid and enjoyable. The cast included Adrienne Piezconka in the title rôle, Michael König as Floretsan, Anett Fritsch as Marzelline and Franz-Josef Selig as Rocco. The latter two were superb IMHO. Hartmut Haenchen conducted with brio (more so as the work progressed from the "domestic" initial scenes to the "heroic" finale).

One interesting feature of this production is that instead of interpolating the Leonore III overture between scenes 1 and 2 of the Act II (as is often done), Haenchen made the experiment of interpolating the last two movements of the Fifth symphony. It appears odd, but the musical arch created, starting with the O namenlose Freude duet, followed by the scherzo and allegro from the symphony, and culminating in the final tableau (all played attaccca, with no interruptions) was rather convincing...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 15, 2015, 05:19:03 AM
George Enescu Festival 2015

Tuesday 01.09 20:00
Grand Palace Hall

ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
CHOIR OF THE "GEORGE ENESCU" PHILHARMONIC
Conductor: ZUBIN MEHTA
Conductor of the Choir: ION IOSIF PRUNNER

Program:
Enescu – "Vox Maris" op. 31
Soloist: MARIUS VLAD BUDOIU (tenor)
Mahler – Symphony no. 9 in D Major

and

Sunday 06.09 19:30
Grand Palace Hall

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY

Conductor: MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS
Soloist: YUJA WANG – piano

Program:
C. Ives – Decoration Day
Bartók – Concerto for piano and orchestra no. 2 in G Major Sz.95, BB 101
Mahler – Symphony no. 1 in D Major



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 15, 2015, 05:46:12 AM
Quote from: Florestan on June 15, 2015, 05:19:03 AM
George Enescu Festival 2015

Tuesday 01.09 20:00
Grand Palace Hall

ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
CHOIR OF THE "GEORGE ENESCU" PHILHARMONIC
Conductor: ZUBIN MEHTA
Conductor of the Choir: ION IOSIF PRUNNER

Program:
Enescu – "Vox Maris" op. 31
Soloist: MARIUS VLAD BUDOIU (tenor)
Mahler – Symphony no. 9 in D Major

and

Sunday 06.09 19:30
Grand Palace Hall

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY

Conductor: MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS
Soloist: YUJA WANG – piano

Program:
C. Ives – Decoration Day
Bartók – Concerto for piano and orchestra no. 2 in G Major Sz.95, BB 101
Mahler – Symphony no. 1 in D Major
Very, very appealing programs, Florestan...both of them! Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 15, 2015, 05:47:49 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 15, 2015, 05:46:12 AM
Very, very appealing programs, Florestan...both of them! Enjoy!

Thanks, I surely will.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 15, 2015, 05:53:13 AM
Sweet!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on June 15, 2015, 09:32:19 AM
Quote from: Florestan on June 15, 2015, 05:19:03 AM
George Enescu Festival 2015

Tuesday 01.09 20:00
Grand Palace Hall

ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
CHOIR OF THE "GEORGE ENESCU" PHILHARMONIC
Conductor: ZUBIN MEHTA
Conductor of the Choir: ION IOSIF PRUNNER

Program:
Enescu – "Vox Maris" op. 31
Soloist: MARIUS VLAD BUDOIU (tenor)
Mahler – Symphony no. 9 in D Major

and

Sunday 06.09 19:30
Grand Palace Hall

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY

Conductor: MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS
Soloist: YUJA WANG – piano

Program:
C. Ives – Decoration Day
Bartók – Concerto for piano and orchestra no. 2 in G Major Sz.95, BB 101
Mahler – Symphony no. 1 in D Major

You made it then!!! So goooooooooooood!!!!! ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: lovinglife on June 16, 2015, 03:54:04 AM
Because she's pretty big in northern Europe, Gunilla Süssmann (http://gunillasussmann.no) will be playing Malmö this summer. And yes, I'm pretty stoked!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on June 23, 2015, 11:08:41 AM
This should be interesting, in two weeks:


Jay Pritzker Pavilion
Concert: Wednesday, July 8, 2015, 8:00pm – 10:00pm 
Club 615—A Pre-Concert Lecture: Wednesday, July 8, 2015, 7:00pm – 7:45pm
Open Rehearsal: Tuesday, July 7, 2015, 11:00am – 1:30pm
Open Rehearsal: Wednesday, July 8, 2015, 11:00am – 1:30pm

Grant Park Orchestra
Karina Canellakis, Guest Conductor

Adams: Lollapalooza
Bernstein: Suite from Fancy Free
Franck: Symphony in D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 29, 2015, 10:42:32 AM
Looks like I will be in Montreal this August for the OSM's festival of short 30-40 minute concerts. They're doing 30 different programs in 2 days, some of them solo, some chamber, some using the full orchestra. Each concert is under $10 and lasts under 45 minutes.

A few examples:
- Benjamin Grosvenor solo recital of Mendelssohn preludes & fugues + Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin
- an organist improvising accompaniment to a Buster Keaton movie
- James Ehnes joining OSM & Kent Nagano for a Frank Zappa piece and Barber's Violin Concerto
- Nikolai Lugansky, James Ehnes, and others playing Cesar Franck's piano quintet
- OSM/Nagano doing Respighi's Pines of Rome

There is also an OSM/Nagano Beethoven Fifth, but it's already sold out.

Very cool concept for a festival.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 29, 2015, 10:55:40 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 29, 2015, 10:42:32 AM
Looks like I will be in Montreal this August for the OSM's festival of short 30-40 minute concerts. They're doing 30 different programs in 2 days, some of them solo, some chamber, some using the full orchestra. Each concert is under $10 and lasts under 45 minutes.

A few examples:
- Benjamin Grosvenor solo recital of Mendelssohn preludes & fugues + Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin
- an organist improvising accompaniment to a Buster Keaton movie
- James Ehnes joining OSM & Kent Nagano for a Frank Zappa piece and Barber's Violin Concerto
- Nikolai Lugansky, James Ehnes, and others playing Cesar Franck's piano quintet
- OSM/Nagano doing Respighi's Pines of Rome

There is also an OSM/Nagano Beethoven Fifth, but it's already sold out.

Very cool concept for a festival.

I've got to ask: which Zappa piece?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on June 29, 2015, 11:47:31 AM
On Wednesday:

Bach

Organ Concerto in D minor BWV 596 (after Vivaldi Op. 3/11)
Choral Preludes Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 659, 660, 661 
Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor BWV 582

Jörg Halubek will be playing organ at Belgrade Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary. It's modern Italian instrument by Francesco Zanin (three manuals, 49 registers).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 29, 2015, 06:15:18 PM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 29, 2015, 10:55:40 AM
I've got to ask: which Zappa piece?
"Envelopes" (I've never heard it?)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 06, 2015, 05:19:39 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 14, 2015, 09:42:16 AM
Grant Park Symphony performing  Bruckner 6th,

It's confirmed, I will be seeing Bruckner's 6th for the first time live, and twice in two days, Friday, July 31, 2015, 6:30pm, Saturday, August 1, 2015, 7:30pm.
I'm unfamiliar with conductor Christoph König, but his bio is extensive, and it's a little exciting not knowing what to expect from his interpretation.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on July 07, 2015, 01:53:48 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 06, 2015, 05:19:39 PM
It's confirmed, I will be seeing Bruckner's 6th for the first time live, and twice in two days, Friday, July 31, 2015, 6:30pm, Saturday, August 1, 2015, 7:30pm.
I'm unfamiliar with conductor Christoph König, but his bio is extensive, and it's a little exciting not knowing what to expect from his interpretation.
So you are traveling to Chicago just for a concert, too? I made my journey this past May to see the CSO in Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie, which was epic.

I love Bruckner's 6th (thanks to you, in part!). Should be exciting to see live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 07, 2015, 03:01:02 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on July 07, 2015, 01:53:48 AM
So you are traveling to Chicago just for a concert, too? I made my journey this past May to see the CSO in Messiaen's Turangalila-Symphonie, which was epic.

I love Bruckner's 6th (thanks to you, in part!). Should be exciting to see live.

Yes and no, my brother lives in Chicago and also plays in Grant Park Symphony and Lyric Opera, so every once in a while ill fly up for a two day trip if there's a concert/opera I really want to see. And to also hang out and eat some good food.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on July 07, 2015, 03:17:35 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 07, 2015, 03:01:02 AM
Yes and no, my brother lives in Chicago and also plays in Grant Park Symphony and Lyric Opera, so every once in a while ill fly up for a two day trip if there's a concert/opera I really want to see. And to also hang out and eat some good food.

Where else you gonna find Chicago dogs?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 07, 2015, 03:24:38 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on July 07, 2015, 03:17:35 AM
Where else you gonna find Chicago dogs?

This is true, and continue to search for the answer of which is better, NY style pizza or Chicago style. Which honestly I don't eat much pizza so Ill leave that one alone.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 07, 2015, 07:18:39 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 07, 2015, 03:01:02 AM
Yes and no, my brother lives in Chicago and also plays in Grant Park Symphony and Lyric Opera, so every once in a while ill fly up for a two day trip if there's a concert/opera I really want to see. And to also hang out and eat some good food.

You got any opera plans for the upcoming? I'm looking at Marriage of Figaro and Wozzeck.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 07, 2015, 07:24:14 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 07, 2015, 07:18:39 AM
You got any opera plans for the upcoming? I'm looking at Marriage of Figaro and Wozzeck.

Right now just Wozzeck. Can't miss an opportunity to see it (again that is, Dallas Opera in 2002, but I expect a better production this time).
I'll keep you informed on the dates for that, if it matches up we could always meet up again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on July 07, 2015, 07:25:37 AM
Quote from: MishaK on May 22, 2015, 06:14:26 AM
Tomorrow!!!

Debussy Syrinx
Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major
Messiaen Turangalîla-symphonie

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen conductor 
Samuel Coles flute 
Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano 
Valérie Hartmann-Claverie ondes martenot
Well?!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 07, 2015, 07:37:50 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 07, 2015, 07:24:14 AM
Right now just Wozzeck. Can't miss an opportunity to see it (again that is, Dallas Opera in 2002, but I expect a better production this time).
I'll keep you informed on the dates for that, if it matches up we could always meet up again.

OK, keep in touch, it would be fun to meet again. I'm also working out my CSO schedule for this season in the next few weeks.

Quote from: jochanaan on July 07, 2015, 07:25:37 AM
Well?!  ;D

It was great! (I was there too)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on July 07, 2015, 07:46:35 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 07, 2015, 07:37:50 AM
It was great! (I was there too)

+1

The ondeniste played from memory! (I suppose with 30+ years experience she might as well have learned the entire ondes repertoire from memory at this point ;-) ) Thibaudet was fantastic in the concerto as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on July 07, 2015, 07:54:26 AM
Quote from: MishaK on July 07, 2015, 07:46:35 AM
+1

The ondeniste played from memory! (I suppose with 30+ years experience she might as well have learned the entire ondes repertoire from memory at this point ;-) ) Thibaudet was fantastic in the concerto as well.
;D ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 11, 2015, 11:34:07 AM
Another fascinating Hamelin evening coming up. (Noting all the Liszt that's been floating around here lately!)

International Keyboard Institute and Festival
July 19
Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College, New York

Marc-André Hamelin

Liszt: Apparition No. 1 in F-sharp major. S. 155
Liszt: Waldesrauschen, S. 145
Liszt: Un Sospiro, S. 144
Liszt: "Ernani" de Verdi - Première paraphrase de concert, S. 431a
Liszt: Réminiscences de Norma, S. 394
---
Yehudi Wyner: Toward the Center (1988)
Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 26, 2015, 02:52:46 PM
I finally pulled the trigger, and am off to see Verdi's Don Carlo "on location" in El Escorial tomorrow evening. It's staged by Albert Boadella, a highly regarded Spanish director for whom this will be his first foray into opera, an conducted by Maximiniano Valdés. Reviews of the opening night (on Saturday) were positive...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 27, 2015, 08:39:59 AM
Confirmed for this bonanza of awesome in Montreal!!

AUGUST 7
Concert #1
Mendelssohn - Preludes & Fugues
Ravel - Le Tombeau de Couperin
Liszt - Tarantella, from Venezia e Napoli
Benjamin Grosvenor, piano

Concert #2
Shostakovich - Suite No. 1 for Variety Orchestra
Zappa - Envelopes
Barber - Violin Concerto
James Ehnes, violin
Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Kent Nagano


AUGUST 8
Concert #1
Dominique Lafortune - Un canard de Brôme qui avait voulu jouer au cygne (new work, OSM commission)
Tchaikovsky - Suite from Swan Lake
Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Kent Nagano

Concert #2
JS Bach - Violin Concerto in A minor
Respighi - Pines of Rome
Shunske Sato, violin
Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Kent Nagano


There were 4-5 other super tempting concerts - like Nikolai Lugansky playing Schubert - but one must eat and sight-see at some point!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 31, 2015, 05:26:46 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 27, 2015, 08:39:59 AM
Confirmed for this bonanza of awesome in Montreal!!

AUGUST 7
Concert #1
Mendelssohn - Preludes & Fugues
Ravel - Le Tombeau de Couperin
Liszt - Tarantella, from Venezia e Napoli
Benjamin Grosvenor, piano

Concert #2
Shostakovich - Suite No. 1 for Variety Orchestra
Zappa - Envelopes
Barber - Violin Concerto
James Ehnes, violin
Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Kent Nagano


AUGUST 8
Concert #1
Dominique Lafortune - Un canard de Brôme qui avait voulu jouer au cygne (new work, OSM commission)
Tchaikovsky - Suite from Swan Lake
Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Kent Nagano

Concert #2
JS Bach - Violin Concerto in A minor
Respighi - Pines of Rome
Shunske Sato, violin
Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Kent Nagano


There were 4-5 other super tempting concerts - like Nikolai Lugansky playing Schubert - but one must eat and sight-see at some point!

This looks like an excellent few days - a nice mix of the old, not-so-old, and the new. (Don't know Lafortune's music at all.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 31, 2015, 07:50:00 AM
Tonight and tomorrow night, two in a row! The Grant Park Symphony in Chicago...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on July 31, 2015, 10:43:30 PM
Later this month I am going to hear Barber's Essay No.2 and Shostakovich's Symphony 10 at the Proms in London. Never heard the Barber live before - it is like a mini symphony in itself.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on August 05, 2015, 07:52:05 PM
Taking Kimi to a recital by the Chinese American pianist Haotian Zhang tomorrow night. Kimi is really looking forward to it!

Not sure about the program but I know Liszt's Don Juan Paraphrase is one of the pieces. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 07, 2015, 11:25:37 AM
Tomorrow:

Grant Park Orchestra
Grant Park Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, conductor

Haydn: Mass in B-flat Major, Harmoniemesse
Adams: Harmonielehre

Forget the silliness of pairing these works because they both have Harmonie in the title. This should be a good one. I'll have another chance to hear Harmonielehre in November when the CSO does it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on August 07, 2015, 11:29:54 AM
Quote from: springrite on August 05, 2015, 07:52:05 PM
Taking Kimi to a recital by the Chinese American pianist Haotian Zhang tomorrow night. Kimi is really looking forward to it!

Not sure about the program but I know Liszt's Don Juan Paraphrase is one of the pieces. 

Kimi rawks!  How'd she like it?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 09, 2015, 08:54:31 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 07, 2015, 11:25:37 AM
Tomorrow:

Grant Park Orchestra
Grant Park Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, conductor

Haydn: Mass in B-flat Major, Harmoniemesse
Adams: Harmonielehre

Forget the silliness of pairing these works because they both have Harmonie in the title. This should be a good one. I'll have another chance to hear Harmonielehre in November when the CSO does it.

And it was a good one. A review:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2015/08/music-of-adams-and-haydn-make-a-lakefront-summer-highlight/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on August 09, 2015, 09:13:23 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on August 07, 2015, 11:29:54 AM
Kimi rawks!  How'd she like it?

She especially loved Don Juan Paraphrase. "This is so good! I love it! He played it almost as good as I would play it when I grow up!"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 09, 2015, 09:42:12 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 09, 2015, 08:54:31 AM
And it was a good one. A review:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2015/08/music-of-adams-and-haydn-make-a-lakefront-summer-highlight/

Thanks for the link!
Not bad for one full rehearsal and the dress rehearsal, in which in the dress they didn't even get a chance to run through the Adams completely.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 09, 2015, 10:01:16 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 09, 2015, 09:42:12 AM
Not bad for one full rehearsal and the dress rehearsal, in which in the dress they didn't even get a chance to run through the Adams completely.

Funny, but we were talking about this on the way home, i.e. how much rehearsal time do they get for complex contemporary scores? This one is pretty well known, so I'm sure some of them had played it before. But the result was still really impressive.

Also impressive was the huge crowd on the lawn. Kalmar's doing some great things at Grant Park, both in terms of performance and programming, and proving that unusual and modern works can bring out the audience. (It helps, of course, that it's free.)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on August 09, 2015, 10:20:31 AM
I was just this weekend at an opening concert for the Edinburgh Festival; it included Adams Harmonium; what a piece of twatting. Last night, Chilly Gonzalas, jazz and rap with a string quartet, exhilarating.

I am now going on holiday for ten days, but when we return there will be Max Richter in concert, Rite of Spring and Bartok, Missa Solemnis, Grande Messe des Morte and Magic Flute; all exciting prospects.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on August 09, 2015, 10:24:09 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 09, 2015, 10:01:16 AM
Funny, but we were talking about this on the way home, i.e. how much rehearsal time do they get for complex contemporary scores? This one is pretty well known, so I'm sure some of them had played it before. But the result was still really impressive.

Also impressive was the huge crowd on the lawn. Kalmar's doing some great things at Grant Park, both in terms of performance and programming, and proving that unusual and modern works can bring out the audience. (It helps, of course, that it's free.)

Harmonielehre is probably my favorite Adams work. I bet this Kalmar performance of Harmonielehre was quite good. He's a pretty impressive conductor. I only wish he would release more recordings with the Grant Park Orchestra, especially for people like me who can't make the trip to see them in concert. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 09, 2015, 10:30:05 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 09, 2015, 10:01:16 AM
Funny, but we were talking about this on the way home, i.e. how much rehearsal time do they get for complex contemporary scores? This one is pretty well known, so I'm sure some of them had played it before. But the result was still really impressive.

Also impressive was the huge crowd on the lawn. Kalmar's doing some great things at Grant Park, both in terms of performance and programming, and proving that unusual and modern works can bring out the audience. (It helps, of course, that it's free.)

The GPO get two to three rehearsals in, but what's interesting is that they are preparing for two concerts each week with some Tuesday's spent rehearsing two different concerts with two different conductors.

The Adams seems to be more of a counting challenge than anything else. I took a pic of the opening page for trombone...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on August 15, 2015, 01:32:59 AM
Tomorrow in NYC (with Bruce 8)):
MESSIAEN Oiseaux Exotiques (2nd time seeing this one live)
LIGETI Piano Concerto (finally we meet!)
BENJAMIN Into the Little Hill (looks really interesting)

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Piano
George Benjamin, Conductor

Program/performers couldn't be better. Aimard was friends with Ligeti and made two recordings of the PC. Benjamin was a student of Messiaen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on August 15, 2015, 07:36:12 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on July 31, 2015, 10:43:30 PM
Later this month I am going to hear Barber's Essay No.2 a [...] at the Proms in London. Never heard the Barber live before - it is like a mini symphony in itself.

Exactly, that's what it is, an extremely dense and concise symphony in one movement. And I know that both of us share a special liking for David Measham's recording of it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 01, 2015, 07:29:46 PM
IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR ALL READERS, BUT ESPECIALLY NEW-YORK-BASED ONES

I am going to be in New York on Wednesday, February 10, and will leave the morning of Thursday, February 11.

The NY Philharmonic is having an open rehearsal of Mahler's Sixth on Thursday, the 11th, at 9:45 a.m., with conductor Semyon Bychkov. They perform the Sixth in concert that night, but the open rehearsal is a "working rehearsal."

I have never heard Mahler's Sixth before.

Should I go to the rehearsal and fly home after lunch? Or will seeing a rehearsal as my first encounter with the work be a bad idea?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: amw on September 01, 2015, 07:43:49 PM
I typically prefer rehearsals to concerts, and love going to rehearsals of pieces I've never heard before. (And then maybe listening to the piece afterwards on record, if I have time/inclination.) But that's an acquired taste for sure.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 01, 2015, 07:54:27 PM
I say go to the rehearsal, it's such an important part of the music making process, and for someone like yourself, Brian, I believe will get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing this.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 01, 2015, 08:57:36 PM
I second the advice from the two gents above, and would add that most "working rehearsals" I've attended are pretty much "final dress rehearsals," in that the conductor doesn't stop unless absolutely necessary. (They can't guarantee this, of course.) You would no doubt find it quite interesting. I would actually go to the rehearsal in the morning, and then the concert at night, but your schedule sounds like that won't be possible.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: amw on September 01, 2015, 11:20:28 PM
The concert's never as good as the final rehearsal—skip it unless they don't bother with the whole piece in the rehearsal and just practice excerpts (which is rare and usually either a bad omen—they're not prepared—or a sign of the supreme quality of the orchestra; you'll soon be able to tell which).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on September 16, 2015, 12:45:54 AM
Quite interesting concerts coming up for me in quick succession:

On Friday this week, the young and rising Busch Ensemble plays Beethoven's "Archduke Trio" and Dvořák's Trio Op. 65 at Westerlo Castle in Belgium.

Then, on the following evening, the Spanish National Orchestra's new chief conductor David Afkham opens the season with Mahler's Second symphony (the soloists are soprano Kate Royal and mezzo Christianne Stotijn). The venue is Madrid's National Auditorium.

And finally, on Wednesday next week, again at the National Auditorium, the Madrid Symphony Orchestra under Pedro Halffter gives the world première of Cristóbal Hallfter's Imágenes (according to Universal Edition's webpage, a 26' piece for large orchestra). The program is completed with a symphonic traversal of Wagner's Tannhäuser.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on September 19, 2015, 09:39:06 AM
Just got some front row tickets for Lise de la Salle playing some LvB (2/3), Ravel (Gaspard), some Debussy selections, and Brahms' Handel Variations on October 24th.  Hoping for the best.  This will the fourth live performance of Gaspard I've heard in around the same number of years, the other pianists being Hamelin, Bavouzet, and Grosvenor. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Scion7 on September 19, 2015, 04:13:19 PM
Just the five or six chamber music recitals coming up in this small part of America, starting with Thursday's Brahms recital.  I didn't make it to the Tchaikovsky/Sibelius show in Columbia.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 22, 2015, 01:45:56 PM
I just booked my trip to go hear this next month:

Oct 15/16/17

Minnesota Orchestra
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor
Anthony Ross, cello

SCHUMANN
Cello Concerto

BRUCKNER
Symphony No. 7

>:D  :laugh:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on September 22, 2015, 01:58:41 PM
Quote from: MishaK on September 22, 2015, 01:45:56 PM
I just booked my trip to go hear this next month:

Oct 15/16/17

Minnesota Orchestra
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor
Anthony Ross, cello

SCHUMANN
Cello Concerto

BRUCKNER
Symphony No. 7

>:D  :laugh:

They on tour? The NYPO is in my neighborhood, but I am out of town those days.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 22, 2015, 02:52:14 PM
Quote from: Ken B on September 22, 2015, 01:58:41 PM
They on tour? The NYPO is in my neighborhood, but I am out of town those days.
Misha lives in the midwest, I think he means he's taking a weekend to go to Minneapolis.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on September 23, 2015, 09:51:02 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 22, 2015, 02:52:14 PM
Misha lives in the midwest, I think he means he's taking a weekend to go to Minneapolis.

Correct.  ;)  I don't think Skrowaczewski at 92 (!!!) tours much these days though he did guest conduct in Berlin and Frankfurt in the last two seasons (there is a great Brahms 1 and Bruckner 9 with the Frankfurt RSO, complete concerts available on the Frankfurt RSO's youtube channel for free!). He lives in Minneapolis and is their conductor laureate. I missed the opportunity to hear him do Bruckner 4 that he conducted during the orchestra's strike.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 25, 2015, 11:15:17 AM
Tonight (assuming I get there, with the Pope in town  8)), the first NY Philharmonic concert of the season (not counting last night's gala with Lang Lang), and featuring the new concertmaster, Frank Huang, formerly with the Houston Symphony Orchestra:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Frank Huang, violin
Salonen: LA Variations
R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 25, 2015, 12:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 25, 2015, 11:15:17 AM
Tonight (assuming I get there, with the Pope in town  8)), the first NY Philharmonic concert of the season (not counting last night's gala with Lang Lang), and featuring the new concertmaster, Frank Huang, formerly with the Houston Symphony Orchestra:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Frank Huang, violin
Salonen: LA Variations
R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

--Bruce
Frank Huang has a fun solo CD, if you want to get to know him. Schubert, Schoenberg, and more.

[asin]B0000TAPT2[/asin]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 25, 2015, 12:22:32 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 25, 2015, 12:00:18 PM
Frank Huang has a fun solo CD, if you want to get to know him. Schubert, Schoenberg, and more.

[asin]B0000TAPT2[/asin]

Thanks for putting this on my radar! And his sound/technique aside, that's a very interesting program - shows more creativity than say, three Beethoven sonatas. Will definitely get to this recording soon.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 25, 2015, 05:46:07 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 25, 2015, 11:15:17 AM
Tonight (assuming I get there, with the Pope in town  8)), the first NY Philharmonic concert of the season (not counting last night's gala with Lang Lang), and featuring the new concertmaster, Frank Huang, formerly with the Houston Symphony Orchestra:

New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor
Frank Huang, violin
Salonen: LA Variations
R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

--Bruce

Can't think of a better intro to a new concermaster than Heldenleben.
Hope you enjoy it, Bruce. If you get there.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 26, 2015, 12:16:26 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 25, 2015, 05:46:07 PM
Can't think of a better intro to a new concertmaster than Heldenleben.
Hope you enjoy it, Bruce. If you get there.  ;D

Thanks, and got there just fine. (The subways were mobbed with people trying to get a glimpse of the Pope as he drove through Central Park.)

Huang did a beautiful job with the solos in Heldenleben. The violinist friend with me thought he might have projected more, but as usual, it's hard to tell in Avery Fisher Hall, which often doesn't help musicians. But he has a lovely, sweet tone, with spot-on intonation. Everything else in the piece was good (not "incredible"), with particularly fine work from the orchestra's horns. I also liked Salonen's LA Variations - perhaps the piece more than this performance - and realized I haven't heard Salonen's recording with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

In any case, you're right: the Strauss makes a fine intro for a new violinist, and Huang seems to be off to an excellent start.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on September 27, 2015, 04:30:46 PM
next week: Vancouver S.O. Carlos Miguel Prieto conductor (he's been here before, this is a replacement booking that he cancelled a couple of dates in Mexico City for.  The orch is looking for a new conductor so he may have found the area one he liked and worth some extra effort).  Tianwa Yang violin* (her Naxos Sarasate sound like she'll do well in the concerto).    Rather "pops" selections: Bach/Stokowski: Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor, Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor* (not no.1 for a change!), Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F Major       -  should be crowd pleasers.
It looks like yesterday's season opener was heavily papered for full house pictures for the press.  Season ticket sales look awfully soft. (Individual dates can be accessed on their website).  The 'charity' special, Perlman doing Bruch 1, Beethoven 5 has brought out all the big spenders for their once-a-year classic support appearance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on September 29, 2015, 07:59:25 AM
19 OCT at Athens Megaron

A. Schoenberg: Kammersinfonie No.1 op.9
G. Mahler: Kindertotenlieder
A. Dvořák: Symphony No.9 in E min. op.95 'From the New World'

Aris Argyris, baritone
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on October 04, 2015, 01:24:31 AM
La Scala, Milan, November 6: Wozzeck, Alban Berg. Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala  & Treble Voices Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala Academy, conductor Ingo Metzmacher (I don't care that much for the star soloists :-))
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2015, 12:46:22 PM
Quote from: Christo on October 04, 2015, 01:24:31 AM
La Scala, Milan, November 6: Wozzeck, Alban Berg. Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala  & Treble Voices Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala Academy, conductor Ingo Metzmacher (I don't care that much for the star soloists :-))

Soloists aside for the moment, I love Metzmacher's recording. Hope the performance is good.

[asin]B00001SVLT[/asin]

Tonight looking forward to the final of four concerts by the Momenta Quartet - the first three were terrific, AND...they partnered with a local brewery, which offered free beer, a different kind each night.  8) On tonight's concert, the quartet by Arthur Kampela (on their new recording) is reportedly so difficult that it took the group two years to learn it.

OCTOBER 4, 2015: All Blade
Stephanie Griffin, curator
Guest flutist/composer: Wilfrido Terrazas (Mexico)
Guest pianist/composer: Gordon Beeferman (USA)

Borey Shin: Trio for Bass Flute, Viola and Cello (2014) NYC PREMIERE
Wilfrido Terrazas: The Life in My Viola (2014) US PREMIERE
Gordon Beeferman: Tunnel Visions (2015) WORLD PREMIERE
Yusef Lateef: String Quartet no. 3 (2013) WORLD PREMIERE
(No composer): Viola / Flute Improvisation
Arthur Kampela: Uma Faca Só Lâmina ('A Knife All Blade,' 1998)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2015, 05:08:07 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2015, 12:46:22 PM
Soloists aside for the moment, I love Metzmacher's recording. Hope the performance is good.

[asin]B00001SVLT[/asin]



I agree, fantastic recording. I'm in the process of booking flight/concert tickets for Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Wozzeck in November with Andrew Davis conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on October 05, 2015, 06:26:17 AM
On Friday, the first concert in my Belgrade Phil. subscription series for this season.

C. М. von Weber: Der Freischütz, overture
Ј. N. Hummel: Trumpet Concerto
Ј. Brahms/A. Schönberg: Piano Quartet Op. 25, orchestral arrangement

Tine Thing Helseth, trumpet
Belgrade Philharmonic
Marc Piollet, conducting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 05, 2015, 08:23:59 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2015, 05:08:07 PM
I'm in the process of booking flight/concert tickets for Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Wozzeck in November with Andrew Davis conducting.

I'm still considering that one. Meanwhile I have tickets for Figaro on Oct. 18. I'm intrigued because of the reviews I've read, one was very positive and the other hugely negative:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/vonrhein/ct-classical-lyric-figaro-review-ent-0928-20150927-column.html

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2015/09/pleasures-are-few-in-lyric-operas-garish-charmless-figaro/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 06, 2015, 11:49:07 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 05, 2015, 08:23:59 AM
I'm still considering that one. Meanwhile I have tickets for Figaro on Oct. 18. I'm intrigued because of the reviews I've read, one was very positive and the other hugely negative:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/vonrhein/ct-classical-lyric-figaro-review-ent-0928-20150927-column.html

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2015/09/pleasures-are-few-in-lyric-operas-garish-charmless-figaro/

Neither von Rhein* nor Johnson are reliable reporters on these things. Make up your own mind! ;-)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 06, 2015, 12:39:14 PM
Quote from: MishaK on October 06, 2015, 11:49:07 AM
Neither von Rhein* nor Johnson are reliable reporters on these things. Make up your own mind! ;-)

I figure I can tolerate crazy staging as long as the music is done well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on October 06, 2015, 01:00:54 PM
Not until November, but we'll be through in Glasgow for -
Liszt: Les Préludes, symphonic poem no. 3, S 97   
Poulenc:   Organ concerto in G minor   
Saint-Saëns: Symphony no. 3 in C minor
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Jun Märkl
Organ/Thierry Escaich
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 06, 2015, 01:05:33 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 01, 2015, 07:29:46 PM
IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR ALL READERS, BUT ESPECIALLY NEW-YORK-BASED ONES

I am going to be in New York on Wednesday, February 10, and will leave the morning of Thursday, February 11.

The NY Philharmonic is having an open rehearsal of Mahler's Sixth on Thursday, the 11th, at 9:45 a.m., with conductor Semyon Bychkov. They perform the Sixth in concert that night, but the open rehearsal is a "working rehearsal."

I have never heard Mahler's Sixth before.

Should I go to the rehearsal and fly home after lunch? Or will seeing a rehearsal as my first encounter with the work be a bad idea?

Hey New Yorkers!! Another question.

I might be able to stay through that weekend (Feb. 10-14) and make a real trip of it. So:
1. Anybody want to go see Mahler's Sixth the night of Thurs., Feb. 11? Possibly Friday or Saturday night but I might have to make arrangements with my travel companions. (Not sure yet.)
2. What are some good chamber music or alternative music calendars to look at for other weekend possibilities? I already checked the calendars at the 92nd Street Y and Juilliard.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2015, 01:52:01 PM
(Just sent you a message...)

Depending on what you're interested in, you might check out calendars for Merkin Concert Hall (near Lincoln Center), Austrian Cultural Forum, and these in Brooklyn:

Roulette
Issue Project Room
National Sawdust (new venue)
The Firehouse

Some presenters probably won't have February schedules in place for another month or two - so good to check back say, in early January. (Many of these won't sell out, anyway, so you shouldn't have problems getting tickets.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: lisa needs braces on October 09, 2015, 10:48:13 PM
Mahler's 3rd with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in about a month! Bought my ticket yesterday!

Ever since going to the kennedy center here and there over the years they always call me up at the beginning of a season to sell me a season pass or some such which is beyond my means. I've oscillated between being mildly annoyed at such calls to mildly appreciative as they remind me that Kennedy Center continues to exist and the NSO features decent performances there every year. When they mentioned Mahler this time, i was sold!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 12, 2015, 12:37:55 AM
None. This year´s season in Bucharest is a disaster, probably the dullest I´ve ever witnessed. Not a single interesting concert, not a single exciting guest, be it conductor, soloist or singer --- neither with the Bucharest PO, nor with the Bucharest RSO, nor with the Bucharest Opera Company. The spectacular Enescu Festival was like a splendid fireworks illuminating at night a baren, desolated landscape: when it´s over, cold and darkness reigns supreme again.

It breaks my heart to think that there was a time when Bucharest was one of the brightest spots on Europe´s musical map. For instance, have a look at who played, or conducted, in Bucharest in the ´30s of the last century.

1930: Arthur Rubinstein (15, 17 Ianuarie), Marcelle Meyer (19 Ianuarie), Paul Robeson (20 Ianuarie), Casimir Wilkomirski (9 Februarie), Igor Stravinski (12, 17 Februarie), Erich Kleiber (6, 9 Martie), Ernst Kunwald (6, 13 Aprilie), Claudio Arrau (30 Martie), Lubka Kolessa (6, 9 Aprilie), Arnold Földesy (13 Aprilie), Joseph Szigeti (27, 30 Aprilie), Boleslav Jirák (4 Mai), Tito Schipa (11 Noiembrie), Gaspar Cassado (16, 19 Noiembrie), Nathan Milstein (18, 22 Noiembrie), Jacques Thibaud, Alfred Cortot (21, 24 Noiembrie), Georg Kulenkampff (23 Noiembrie), Bronisław Huberman (6 Decembrie), Emil von Sauer (7, 10 Decembrie), Karl Elmendorff (14, 21 Decembrie), Ernő Dohnányi (19 Decembrie).

1931: Anna-Maria Guglielmetti (16 Ianuarie), Váša Příhoda (20 Ianuarie), Lotte Lehman (28 Ianuarie), Marcelle Meyer (1 Februarie), Felix Galimir (7 Februarie), Frederic Lamond (13, 15 Februarie), Jeanne-Marie Darré (16 Februarie), Alma Moodie (22, 26 Februarie), Claudio Arrau (1 Martie, 22 Noiembrie), Ninon Valin (6 Martie), Leopold Muenzer (15, 22 Martie), Wilhelm Backhaus (24, 29 Martie), Serghei Prokofiev (25, 27 Martie), Alice Viardot-Garcia (30 Martie), Clemens Krauss (5 Aprilie), Robert Casadesus (1, 4 Noiembrie), Karl Elmendorff (29 Noiembrie, 6 Decembrie), Adele Kern (13, 15 Decembrie), Robert Shilton (18 Decembrie).

1935: Váša Příhoda (15 Ianuarie), Bernardino Molinari (25 Ianuarie), Adele Kern (11 Februarie), Carmen Studer-Weingartner (22 Februarie), Elisabeth Schumann (3 Aprilie), Gaspar Cassado (5 Aprilie, 7 Noiembrie), Erika Morini (5, 13 Octombrie), Kedroff Quartet (15, 19 Octombrie), Henryk Szeryng (24 Octombrie), Gregor Piatigorsky (28 Octombrie, 1 Noiembrie), Wilhelm Kempff (31 Octombrie, 3 Noiembrie), Claudio Arrau (14 Noiembrie), Wanda Luzzato (21 Noiembrie), Nathan Milstein (24 Noiembrie), Alfred Cortot (28, 30 Noiembrie), Rudolf Serkin (5 Decembrie), Adolf Busch (12, 15 Decembrie), Ornella Puliti Santoliquido (19 Decembrie).

1937: Arthur Rubinstein (15, 19, 22 Ianuarie, 11, 13, 16 Decembrie), Zino Francescatti (20 Februarie), Clemens Krauss (27 Februarie), Jacques Thibaud (7, 9 Martie), Ricardo Odnoposoff (19 Martie), Alexander Uninsky (2 Aprilie), Jodler Sextett (17 Aprilie), Vittorio Gui (23 Aprilie), Irena Dubiska (30 Aprilie), Berliner Philharmoniker, Hermann Abendroth (22, 23 Mai), Nathan Milstein, Paul Breisach (11 Octombrie), Karel Šejna, Pia Igy (28 Octombrie), Bronislaw Hubermann (9, 13 Noiembrie), Pierre Fournier (19, 22 Noiembrie), Alexander Brailowsky (20, 23 Noiembrie), Bernardino Molinari, Ornella Puliti Santoliquido (26 Noiembrie), Wilhelm Kempff (17, 20 Decembrie).

1938: Germaine Leroux (13 Ianuarie), Emil von Sauer (17, 19 Ianuarie), Erik Then-Bergh (20 Ianuarie), Albert Coates, Vera de Villiers (26 Ianuarie), Adolf Steiner (10 Februarie), T. B. Lawrence & Fleet Street Chorus (14 Februarie), Antonio Janigro (17 Februarie), Václav Talich (24 Februarie), Leopold Wininger & Wiener Sängerknaben (28 Februarie), Yvonne Lefébure (3 Martie), Imre Ungár (10, 12 Martie), Hans von Benda & Berliner Philharmoniker (17, 19 Martie), Wilhelm Kempff (24, 26 Martie), Ginette Neveu (31 Martie), Wilhelm Backhaus (7, 9 Aprilie), Oswald Kabasta (14 Aprilie), Franz Konwitschny, Frankfurt Opera (2 Mai, 7 Noiembrie), Albert Wolff (5 Mai), Claudio Arrau (26 Octombrie), Toti dal Monte (6, 9 Noiembrie), Annie Fischer (10 Noiembrie), Pablo Casals (19 Noiembrie), Gioconda de Vito (24 Noiembrie), Pia Igy (1 Decembrie), Jacques Thibaud (7 Decembrie), Alfred Hoehn (8 Decembrie).

Today we have Marin Panteleyev, Juan Barahona and Akiko Kamata...







Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2015, 07:04:01 AM
Next week, three concerts with Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra:

Oct. 20
Sebastian Currier: Divisions
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 (with Lars Vogt)
Brahms: Symphony No. 2

Oct. 21
R. Strauss: Elektra (opera in concert, starring Christine Goerke)

Oct. 22
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (w/mezzo-soprano Nadezhda Serdyuk and Tanglewood Festival Chorus)
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 15, 2015, 07:14:41 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 15, 2015, 07:04:01 AM
Next week, three concerts with Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra:

Oct. 20
Sebastian Currier: Divisions
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 (with Lars Vogt)
Brahms: Symphony No. 2

Oct. 21
R. Strauss: Elektra (opera in concert, starring Christine Goerke)

Oct. 22
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (w/mezzo-soprano Nadezhda Serdyuk and Tanglewood Festival Chorus)
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

--Bruce

Nice to see them continuing with Jimmy's idea of the concert performance of opera!  I envy you for that concert, alone!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 15, 2015, 07:43:08 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 15, 2015, 07:04:01 AM
Next week, three concerts with Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra:

Oct. 22
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (w/mezzo-soprano Nadezhda Serdyuk and Tanglewood Festival Chorus)
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

--Bruce

That's A+ programming right there. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 15, 2015, 10:29:16 AM
Cannot help feeling that there was an Opportunity Missed, by not also programming Ives on the 20th. (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,429.msg926071.html#msg926071)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2015, 11:41:57 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on October 15, 2015, 07:14:41 AM
Nice to see them continuing with Jimmy's idea of the concert performance of opera!  I envy you for that concert, alone!

Yes, that one seems to be perhaps the biggest draw of the three.

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 15, 2015, 07:43:08 AM
That's A+ programming right there. Enjoy!

Yes, indeed!

Quote from: karlhenning on October 15, 2015, 10:29:16 AM
Cannot help feeling that there was an Opportunity Missed, by not also programming Ives on the 20th. (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,429.msg926071.html#msg926071)

I wouldn't have minded replacing either the Beethoven or the Brahms with Three Places in New England. But since our brains won't be able to cope with Sebastian Currier's piece ( 8)), Nelsons had to play it safe.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on October 15, 2015, 12:46:43 PM
Tonight, the Jerusalem Quartet.  I posted about buying  the ticket a few weeks ago in the Purchases thread.  Actually a front row seat
Program is.
Haydn 77/1
Bartok 5
Dvorak "American"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 15, 2015, 01:00:56 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on October 15, 2015, 12:46:43 PM
Tonight, the Jerusalem Quartet.  I posted about buying  the ticket a few weeks ago in the Purchases thread.  Actually a front row seat
Program is.
Haydn 77/1
Bartok 5
Dvorak "American"

Doesn't get any better than that. Have a great evening, Jeffrey.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2015, 01:13:44 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 15, 2015, 01:00:56 PM
Doesn't get any better than that. Have a great evening, Jeffrey.

Agreed, a terrific program. And front row is fun!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on October 15, 2015, 06:57:28 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 15, 2015, 01:13:44 PM
Agreed, a terrific program. And front row is fun!

--Bruce

Something you will be interested in:  they will be doing a four night series at Carnegie Hall during which they will do all of Bartok's quartets in tandem with all six of Beethoven Op. 18.  They will also do the same series of concerts in Portland (paging Todd.

I am of two minds about the Bartok.  They did the Fifth tonight.  It was good, but not quite as good as the Haydn or Dvorak.  I have the feeling they haven't lived with Bela as long as the other two, both of which they recorded early on.
(The three original members, that is.  The current violist came on board c. 2011).  Whatever the case, they have recorded at least some of the Bartok quartets, and that is scheduled for release in early winter, according to the  program for the concert.

The real shame was that they played in a small hall that was less than half filled, probably less than a 100 people in the audience.  I have the impression that this was a quickly arranged stop. It certainly was not advertised; I found out about it from a stray newspaper article, yet managed the best seat in the house without a hitch.  Perhaps some other place cancelled on them.

Best moments were the fun they had in the Haydn (the violinists were rocking and toe tapping in their seats), the intense last movement of the Bartok, the emotional song of the cello in the Lento of the Dvorak, and the precision of ensemble playing in the last movement of the Dvorak.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on October 15, 2015, 07:17:13 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on October 15, 2015, 06:57:28 PMThey will also do the same series of concerts in Portland (paging Todd.



Page received.  More than tempting, but two of the gigs overlap with Benjamin Grosvenor.  He plays on Monday, but that would be three concert nights in a row.  What to do?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2015, 08:33:23 PM
Quote from: Todd on October 15, 2015, 07:17:13 PM


Page received.  More than tempting, but two of the gigs overlap with Benjamin Grosvenor.  He plays on Monday, but that would be three concert nights in a row.  What to do?

Nothing against the quartet - or the chance to hear them in (so much) Bartok - but having just returned from hearing Grosvenor for the first time, do not let ANYTHING interfere with hearing him.

8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 15, 2015, 08:39:04 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on October 15, 2015, 06:57:28 PM
Something you will be interested in:  they will be doing a four night series at Carnegie Hall during which they will do all of Bartok's quartets in tandem with all six of Beethoven Op. 18.

Will definitely check out the dates for this - hopefully Grosvenor-free  ;D - especially since I have never heard the quartet live.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 16, 2015, 03:56:49 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on October 15, 2015, 06:57:28 PM
Something you will be interested in:  they will be doing a four night series at Carnegie Hall during which they will do all of Bartok's quartets in tandem with all six of Beethoven Op. 18.  They will also do the same series of concerts in Portland (paging Todd.

I am of two minds about the Bartok.  They did the Fifth tonight.  It was good, but not quite as good as the Haydn or Dvorak.  I have the feeling they haven't lived with Bela as long as the other two, both of which they recorded early on.
(The three original members, that is.  The current violist came on board c. 2011).  Whatever the case, they have recorded at least some of the Bartok quartets, and that is scheduled for release in early winter, according to the  program for the concert.

The real shame was that they played in a small hall that was less than half filled, probably less than a 100 people in the audience.  I have the impression that this was a quickly arranged stop. It certainly was not advertised; I found out about it from a stray newspaper article, yet managed the best seat in the house without a hitch.  Perhaps some other place cancelled on them.

Best moments were the fun they had in the Haydn (the violinists were rocking and toe tapping in their seats), the intense last movement of the Bartok, the emotional song of the cello in the Lento of the Dvorak, and the precision of ensemble playing in the last movement of the Dvorak.

Most interesting, thanks.  Too bad the audience was so light!  OTOH, it's almost like Command Performance for Jeffrey.  (I know you would not begrudge sharing the experience with many others.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on October 16, 2015, 06:41:18 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 15, 2015, 08:33:23 PMNothing against the quartet - or the chance to hear them in (so much) Bartok - but having just returned from hearing Grosvenor for the first time, do not let ANYTHING interfere with hearing him.



I heard him in recital earlier this year, and when I learned he was returning in January for a concerto performance, I knew I'd have to attend.  I hope he returns yearly. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on October 16, 2015, 07:11:39 AM
Steven Lin is going to play at the local concert hall.  I know he is Taiwanese and won 3rd place in some competition in 2012, but that is about it.  Anyone know anything that could help me decide whether or not to go? Thanks in advance...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 16, 2015, 07:18:51 AM
Quote from: Todd on October 16, 2015, 06:41:18 AM


I heard him in recital earlier this year, and when I learned he was returning in January for a concerto performance, I knew I'd have to attend.  I hope he returns yearly.

Here is Grosvenor's program from last night:

MENDELSSOHN Prelude and Fugue E Minor, Op. 35, No. 1
MENDELSSOHN Prelude and Fugue in F Minor, Op. 35, No. 5
BACH Chaconne in D Minor (arr. Busoni, from Violin Partita No. 2, BWV 1004)
FRANCK Prelude, Chorale, and Fugue, Op. 21
RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin
LISZT Venezia e Napoli

Encores:
GERSHWIN "Love Walked In" (arr. Percy Grainger)
DOHNÁNYI Concert Etude, Op. 28, No. 6 ("Capriccio") from Six Concert Etudes
MOMPOU "La Fuente y la Campana" from Paisajes

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 16, 2015, 07:21:03 AM
Quote from: Mookalafalas on October 16, 2015, 07:11:39 AM
Steven Lin is going to play at the local concert hall.  I know he is Taiwanese and won 3rd place in some competition in 2012, but that is about it.  Anyone no anything that could help me decide whether or not to go? Thanks in advance...

I haven't heard Lin yet, but I will say that the winners of the Concert Artists Guild competition (the one he won in 2012) are generally excellent musicians - at least, the ones I have heard.

http://www.concertartists.org/artist/steven-lin

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 16, 2015, 07:28:57 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 16, 2015, 07:18:51 AM
Here is Grosvenor's program from last night:

MENDELSSOHN Prelude and Fugue E Minor, Op. 35, No. 1
MENDELSSOHN Prelude and Fugue in F Minor, Op. 35, No. 5
RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin
LISZT Venezia e Napoli - Tarantella only

Encores:
GERSHWIN "Love Walked In" (arr. Percy Grainger)

--Bruce

I saw a compressed version of this! In Montreal Grosvenor played a 45 minute concert with the above pieces only. He played it on a goddamn staircase outside the recital hall in an awful acoustic with these annoying people in motorized wheelchairs whirring back and forth constantly because they couldn't decide where to sit. We were all stationed around the bottom of the staircase and the piano was on a landing. (Poor movers.) And it was STILL riveting. Still extraordinary.

I would love, love, love to hear him do the Franck Prelude Chorale et Fugue.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 16, 2015, 07:30:36 AM
Quote from: Todd on October 16, 2015, 06:41:18 AM


I heard him in recital earlier this year, and when I learned he was returning in January for a concerto performance, I knew I'd have to attend.  I hope he returns yearly.
When I lived in London I had at least two weeks of 4 concerts each. That's a busy town.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 16, 2015, 07:40:19 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 16, 2015, 07:28:57 AM
I saw a compressed version of this! In Montreal Grosvenor played a 45 minute concert with the above pieces only. He played it on a goddamn staircase outside the recital hall in an awful acoustic with these annoying people in motorized wheelchairs whirring back and forth constantly because they couldn't decide where to sit. We were all stationed around the bottom of the staircase and the piano was on a landing. (Poor movers.) And it was STILL riveting. Still extraordinary.

I would love, love, love to hear him do the Franck Prelude Chorale et Fugue.

I can well believe it ("extraordinary" despite the really weird site). And yikes, the Franck was terrific, with some incredible overlapping hands work.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 16, 2015, 07:55:40 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 16, 2015, 07:18:51 AM
Here is Grosvenor's program from last night:

MENDELSSOHN Prelude and Fugue E Minor, Op. 35, No. 1
MENDELSSOHN Prelude and Fugue in F Minor, Op. 35, No. 5
BACH Chaconne in D Minor (arr. Busoni, from Violin Partita No. 2, BWV 1004)
FRANCK Prelude, Chorale, and Fugue, Op. 21
RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin
LISZT Venezia e Napoli

Encores:
GERSHWIN "Love Walked In" (arr. Percy Grainger)
DOHNÁNYI Concert Etude, Op. 28, No. 6 ("Capriccio") from Six Concert Etudes
MOMPOU "La Fuente y la Campana" from Paisajes

What a groovy program, Bruce!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 16, 2015, 08:06:05 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on October 16, 2015, 07:55:40 AM
What a groovy program, Bruce!

Isn't it, though! And as the friend with me remarked, the three encores made a beautiful little arc, all on their own.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 16, 2015, 08:58:25 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 16, 2015, 07:40:19 AM
I can well believe it ("extraordinary" despite the really weird site). And yikes, the Franck was terrific, with some incredible overlapping hands work.

--Bruce
I'm a little bit obsessed with that Franck piece this fall.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 16, 2015, 08:59:29 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 16, 2015, 08:58:25 AM
I'm a little bit obsessed with that Franck piece this fall.  8)

There are far worse things which might obsess thee  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 16, 2015, 10:31:03 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on October 16, 2015, 08:59:29 AM
There are far worse things which might obsess thee  8)

Erm, like the Dionysian vs. Apollonian aspects of Franck?

>:D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 16, 2015, 10:33:43 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 16, 2015, 10:31:03 AM
Erm, like the Dionysian vs. Apollonian aspects of Franck?

>:D

--Bruce

Bite your tongue, boy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 19, 2015, 06:28:50 AM
Quote from: MishaK on September 22, 2015, 01:45:56 PM
I just booked my trip to go hear this next month:

Oct 15/16/17

Minnesota Orchestra
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor
Anthony Ross, cello

SCHUMANN
Cello Concerto

BRUCKNER
Symphony No. 7

>:D  :laugh:

Just back from MSP. This was an amazing concert. A truly earth shaking, gripping B7. Skrowaczewski at 92 conducts standing. No stool for him!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 20, 2015, 04:37:25 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2015, 05:08:07 PM
I agree, fantastic recording. I'm in the process of booking flight/concert tickets for Lyric Opera of Chicago's production of Wozzeck in November with Andrew Davis conducting.

Will be seeing The Lyric Opera of Chicago's (https://www.lyricopera.org/) production of Wozzeck on November 15th. Will be my second time seeing Wozzeck, first was with the Dallas Opera about 15 years ago, in a not so good hall, and I was fairly new to the work so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Here is a list of the singers and production team (https://www.lyricopera.org/concertstickets/calendar/2015-2016/productions/lyricopera/wozzeck#./Meet%20the%20Artists?&_suid=144538733458308175169436726719).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 20, 2015, 07:23:52 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 20, 2015, 04:37:25 PM
Will be seeing The Lyric Opera of Chicago's (https://www.lyricopera.org/) production of Wozzeck on November 15th. Will be my second time seeing Wozzeck, first was with the Dallas Opera about 15 years ago, in a not so good hall, and I was fairly new to the work so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Here is a list of the singers and production team (https://www.lyricopera.org/concertstickets/calendar/2015-2016/productions/lyricopera/wozzeck#./Meet%20the%20Artists?&_suid=144538733458308175169436726719).

Awesome! Enjoy my friend. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 21, 2015, 06:03:38 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 20, 2015, 07:23:52 PM
Awesome! Enjoy my friend. 8)

Thanks, John.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 22, 2015, 08:39:11 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 15, 2015, 07:04:01 AM
Next week, three concerts with Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra:

Oct. 20
Sebastian Currier: Divisions
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 (with Lars Vogt)
Brahms: Symphony No. 2

Oct. 21
R. Strauss: Elektra (opera in concert, starring Christine Goerke)

Oct. 22
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky (w/mezzo-soprano Nadezhda Serdyuk and Tanglewood Festival Chorus)
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances

--Bruce

Though I enjoyed the first of these much more than I anticipated - Currier's piece was quite good, and the Beethoven and Brahms produced some little surprises - but last night's Elektra was one for the ages. Excellent soloists, especially Christine Goerke, but above all, Nelsons and the BSO did incredible work with the complicated score. The ovation - quite loud, with virtually everyone in the hall standing - lasted for a good 10 minutes, at least. I haven't seen a reaction like this to a concert in awhile.

So needless to say, much looking forward to tonight's Prokofiev and Rachmaninov!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 26, 2015, 01:02:56 PM
I just scored a free ticket to this one:

Ravel | Rapsodie espagnole
Rodrigo | Concierto de Aranjuez
Franck | Symphony in D minor

Pepe Romero, guitar
Yan-Pascal Tortelier
Dallas Symphony

Sure, it's not the most exciting or adventurous program, but
1. free
2. I saw Y-P Tortelier conduct the Franck symphony in 2010 and it was absolutely smashing.

This will be probably my third (!) or fourth (!?!) time seeing Pepe Romero do Aranjuez. Does the poor guy ever play anything else?

It's also a good reminder to buy tickets for the DSO's concert presentation of Berlioz's Damnation de Faust later in the month, led by David Zinman. That sounds really cool.

The Houston Symphony is doing Saint-Saens Concerto No. 5 "Egyptian" with Stephen Hough, coupled with 45 minutes from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, but they're doing it on Thanksgiving weekend so I can't go see it. Bastards  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 26, 2015, 05:47:35 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 26, 2015, 01:02:56 PM
I just scored a free ticket to this one:

Ravel | Rapsodie espagnole
Rodrigo | Concierto de Aranjuez
Franck | Symphony in D minor

Pepe Romero, guitar
Yan-Pascal Tortelier
Dallas Symphony

Sure, it's not the most exciting or adventurous program, but
1. free
2. I saw Y-P Tortelier conduct the Franck symphony in 2010 and it was absolutely smashing.

This will be probably my third (!) or fourth (!?!) time seeing Pepe Romero do Aranjuez. Does the poor guy ever play anything else?

It's also a good reminder to buy tickets for the DSO's concert presentation of Berlioz's Damnation de Faust later in the month, led by David Zinman. That sounds really cool.

The Houston Symphony is doing Saint-Saens Concerto No. 5 "Egyptian" with Stephen Hough, coupled with 45 minutes from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, but they're doing it on Thanksgiving weekend so I can't go see it. Bastards  :(

I saw Hough perform Liszt PC1, absolutely hairaising. Dynamite.
Go see him, Brian!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 26, 2015, 05:52:42 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 26, 2015, 05:47:35 PM
I saw Hough perform Liszt PC1, absolutely hairaising. Dynamite.
Go see him, Brian!
I'd have to ditch my family for the weekend to drive 200 miles...worth it?  ;D ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 26, 2015, 05:58:47 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 26, 2015, 05:52:42 PM
I'd have to ditch my family for the weekend to drive 200 miles...worth it?  ;D ;D

I've never met your family, but it all depends on their cooking abilities.   ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 26, 2015, 06:25:41 PM
Tomorrow! The Op.129!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on October 26, 2015, 09:56:55 PM
Seeing Yo Yo Ma this Saturday and a Steven Lin solo recital the following Saturday.  Big week for me :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 27, 2015, 04:40:34 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 26, 2015, 05:58:47 PM
I've never met your family, but it all depends on their cooking abilities.   ;D
In that case, decisively NOT worth it!

Last year we had 8 kinds of delicious dessert food to split between 5 people!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 27, 2015, 05:00:17 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 27, 2015, 04:40:34 AM
In that case, decisively NOT worth it!

Last year we had 8 kinds of delicious dessert food to split between 5 people!
That sounds horrendous! 8 is not divisible by 5!  :o  0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 27, 2015, 05:08:07 AM
Quote from: North Star on October 27, 2015, 05:00:17 AM
That sounds horrendous! 8 is not divisible by 5!  :o 0:)

From the forthcoming book, Paleo Problems  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on October 28, 2015, 09:47:21 AM
Ordered some tickets for a November 22 concert conducted by Stanisław Skrowaczewski.  On the program, Lutoslawki's Concerto for Orchestra, Mozart's 27th PC, and Brahms' 3rd.  I figure I probably won't get too many chances to hear Skrowaczewski in person, so I'm going for it. 

Also ordered my ticket for Benjamin Grosvenor playing Chopin's PC 1.  The concert also has Honegger's Rugby and Dvorak's 6th.  I made sure to pick the Monday show in case I want to hear the Jerusalem Quartet play all of Bartok's quartets.  Thing is, doing that would result in five shows in six nights.  I do love live music, but that might be too much.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 28, 2015, 09:52:08 AM
What a great way to overdo things, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 28, 2015, 10:16:20 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on October 28, 2015, 09:52:08 AM
What a great way to overdo things, though.
Yes indeed. And it's a bit like eating unhealthily - the effect of each occasion will linger.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 28, 2015, 10:34:34 AM
Quote from: Todd on October 28, 2015, 09:47:21 AM
Ordered some tickets for a November 22 concert conducted by Stanisław Skrowaczewski.  On the program, Lutoslawki's Concerto for Orchestra, Mozart's 27th PC, and Brahms' 3rd.  I figure I probably won't get too many chances to hear Skrowaczewski in person, so I'm going for it. 
I almost built a weekend getaway trip around that concert.

Tried to buy a bunch of Dallas Symphony tickets today but their website is broken :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 29, 2015, 01:48:51 AM
Just bought for  next  April 9th Vancouver  Symphony
Wagner:  Lohengrin: Prelude Act III,  Brahms (orch. Berio):  Clarinet Sonata No.1 in F minor    Beethoven (arr. Mahler):  Symphony No. 9 in D minor
The  Brahms/Berio is to me the more interesting, the Beethoven a rare curiosity.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on October 29, 2015, 02:36:16 PM
on Wednesday:

Ravel - Ma Mere l'Oye
Boulez - Structures, book II
Messiaen - Visions de l'Amen

Pierre-Laurent Aimard / Tamara Stefanovic (piano duo)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 29, 2015, 03:25:18 PM
Quote from: Todd on October 28, 2015, 09:47:21 AM
Ordered some tickets for a November 22 concert conducted by Stanisław Skrowaczewski.  On the program, Lutoslawki's Concerto for Orchestra, Mozart's 27th PC, and Brahms' 3rd.  I figure I probably won't get too many chances to hear Skrowaczewski in person, so I'm going for it. 

Also ordered my ticket for Benjamin Grosvenor playing Chopin's PC 1.  The concert also has Honegger's Rugby and Dvorak's 6th.  I made sure to pick the Monday show in case I want to hear the Jerusalem Quartet play all of Bartok's quartets.  Thing is, doing that would result in five shows in six nights.  I do love live music, but that might be too much.

I vote for overdoing it, especially with programs of this caliber. The Jerusalem show sounds fantastic.

Quote from: listener on October 29, 2015, 01:48:51 AM
Just bought for  next  April 9th Vancouver  Symphony
Wagner:  Lohengrin: Prelude Act III,  Brahms (orch. Berio):  Clarinet Sonata No.1 in F minor    Beethoven (arr. Mahler):  Symphony No. 9 in D minor
The  Brahms/Berio is to me the more interesting, the Beethoven a rare curiosity.

The Brahms/Berio is definitely something I'd want to hear, too - with the Beethoven not far behind. (I don't recall seeing Mahler's arrangement on a concert anywhere here.) Do report back!

Quote from: Draško on October 29, 2015, 02:36:16 PM
on Wednesday:

Ravel - Ma Mere l'Oye
Boulez - Structures, book II
Messiaen - Visions de l'Amen

Pierre-Laurent Aimard / Tamara Stefanovic (piano duo)

Potential blockbuster! I heard them last year in a different program, including the Boulez. Would love to hear them in the Messiaen, especially, which could be extraordinary.

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 30, 2015, 07:43:39 AM
This evening, the Carlisle Chamber Orchestra (http://www.ccorch.org/index.html) . . . my chum Aaron Larget-Caplan (http://www.alcguitar.com/index.php) will play the Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez, and as a bonus, I get to hear some "Papa" live, the "Clock".
Title: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 30, 2015, 05:10:55 PM
Haydn in Carlisle

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/30/5f95e666adac3f8626772de47fa257c7.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Klaze on November 02, 2015, 10:18:13 AM
Curious about this one on friday, part of the November Music festival here:

Jan van de Putte - new composition
Claude Vivier - Et je reverrai cette ville étrange
Kaija Saariaho - Graal Théâtre (violin: Joseph Puglia)

Asko|Schönberg Ensemble - Reinbert de Leeuw
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 03, 2015, 04:11:00 PM
If you're in the Chicago area don't miss Lyric Opera of Chicago's Wozzeck, only 5 performances left!

https://www.youtube.com/v/lWKkjihtRDo

A few of the positive reviews...

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2015/11/konieczny-denoke-make-powerful-lyric-debuts-in-bergs-harrowing-wozzeck/

http://entertainment.suntimes.com/music/machinery-death-looms-large-lyric-operas-wozzeck/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/dance/ct-lyric-wozzeck-review-ent-1103-20151102-column.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 04, 2015, 03:01:53 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 03, 2015, 04:11:00 PM
If you're in the Chicago area don't miss Lyric Opera of Chicago's Wozzeck, only 5 performances left!

https://www.youtube.com/v/lWKkjihtRDo

A few of the positive reviews...

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2015/11/konieczny-denoke-make-powerful-lyric-debuts-in-bergs-harrowing-wozzeck/

http://entertainment.suntimes.com/music/machinery-death-looms-large-lyric-operas-wozzeck/

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/dance/ct-lyric-wozzeck-review-ent-1103-20151102-column.html

Excellent!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 04, 2015, 03:32:27 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 20, 2015, 04:37:25 PM
Will be seeing The Lyric Opera of Chicago's (https://www.lyricopera.org/) production of Wozzeck on November 15th.

Just got my own tickets to this, but for the upcoming Saturday (7th). Lyric is having a promo today, $39 per ticket for this performance! Glad I grabbed 'em when I could!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 04, 2015, 03:54:26 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 04, 2015, 03:32:27 PM
Just got my own tickets to this, but for the upcoming Saturday (7th). Lyric is having a promo today, $39 per ticket for this performance! Glad I grabbed 'em when I could!

Sweet!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 06, 2015, 04:41:08 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 04, 2015, 03:32:27 PM
Just got my own tickets to this, but for the upcoming Saturday (7th). Lyric is having a promo today, $39 per ticket for this performance! Glad I grabbed 'em when I could!

Great catch! Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 07, 2015, 11:53:21 PM
Richard Goode.
Brahms: Four Pieces, Op 119
Brahms: Sechs Klavierstucke, Op. 118
Mozart: Sonata No.15 in F major, K.533/494
Mozart: Sonata No.8 in A minor, K.310/300dd

This will be the first solo recital I've attended.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on November 08, 2015, 10:26:28 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2015, 12:46:22 PMSoloists aside for the moment, I love Metzmacher's recording. Hope the performance is good.

[asin]B00001SVLT[/asin]

Heard & saw Metzmacher's performance of Wozzeck in La Scala, Milan, last Friday night. And have to confess that I enjoyed it a lot, to my honest surprise. Think it was really good, thanks for the support.  :)
Title: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 08, 2015, 11:01:51 AM
This afternoon, a voice recital, music by Schumann, Weill, and James Hotchkiss Rogers, sung by tenor Thos Gregg, accompanied by Triad's own Thos Stumpf.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 08, 2015, 11:49:56 AM
Man, the Schumann Opus 35 songs are absolutely exquisite!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 09, 2015, 08:17:45 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on November 08, 2015, 11:49:56 AM
Man, the Schumann Opus 35 songs are absolutely exquisite!
Having just revisited a number of his other song opera, I don't doubt that..
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 09, 2015, 11:17:32 AM
I'd love to go to the Dallas Symphony this weekend (David Zinman conducts Berlioz' Faust, complete) and next weekend (Simone Young conducts Pfitzner, Glass Violin Concerto No. 1, and Planets) but their website has been broken for weeks and returns server errors every time I try to buy a ticket.  :( :(

Will no doubt have to give them a call.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 09, 2015, 11:19:17 AM
Boo! That Berlioz is one of my favorite scores.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on November 09, 2015, 11:57:36 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 09, 2015, 11:17:32 AM
I'd love to go to the Dallas Symphony this weekend (David Zinman conducts Berlioz' Faust, complete) and next weekend (Simone Young conducts Pfitzner, Glass Violin Concerto No. 1, and Planets) but their website has been broken for weeks and returns server errors every time I try to buy a ticket.  :( :(

Will no doubt have to give them a call.

I went through a similar thing with them last year. Good luck!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on November 10, 2015, 12:26:21 PM
At the Athens Megaron :
15 NOV
J. Brahms: Piano Concerto No.1 op.15 (sol: Dimitris Sgouros)
L.v.Beethoven: Symphony No.3 op.55 'Eroica'
16 NOV
S.Prokofiev: Overture on Hebrew Themes op.34b
                     Violin Concerto No.2 op.63 (sol: Thomas Zehetmair)
I. Stravinsky: Jeu de cartes
                      Firebird-Suite

BUDAPEST FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
IVAN FISCHER
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 21, 2015, 05:16:05 AM
Triad concerts, tonight and Monday!

https://soundcloud.com/triad-boston/11-rubinstein-preview-for-concert (https://soundcloud.com/triad-boston/11-rubinstein-preview-for-concert)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on November 22, 2015, 07:30:19 AM
Next Wednesday, in Finnish National Opera, The Nose, by Shostakovich. My first viewing of the piece.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on November 22, 2015, 08:38:59 AM
Quote from: Alberich on November 22, 2015, 07:30:19 AM
Next Wednesday, in Finnish National Opera, The Nose, by Shostakovich. My first viewing of the piece.

Excellent!  A unique opera.  That should be an entertaining one!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on December 11, 2015, 06:28:13 AM
I can't say I am looking forward to this any more because I just saw it....but for the last few days I was certainly looking forward to seeing the NHK Symphony Orchestra perform Mahler's 3rd with women's and children's choirs and Charles Dutoit conducting. Second Mahler concert I've ever seen in my life. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 11, 2015, 08:16:32 AM
Quote from: Alberich on November 22, 2015, 07:30:19 AM
Next Wednesday, in Finnish National Opera, The Nose, by Shostakovich. My first viewing of the piece.

Just saw this post now - hope it was a fun evening! (I saw the Met Opera's production several times.) Not sure it's Shostakovich's "greatest work ever" (I mean, he was only 21 when he wrote it!) but it has lots of excellent music, and the whole premise is very funny/sad/surreal/political. Definitely shows the young composer has enormous promise - which of course, was fulfilled later, many times over.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 11, 2015, 08:17:37 AM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on December 11, 2015, 06:28:13 AM
I can't say I am looking forward to this any more because I just saw it....but for the last few days I was certainly looking forward to seeing the NHK Symphony Orchestra perform Mahler's 3rd with women's and children's choirs and Charles Dutoit conducting. Second Mahler concert I've ever seen in my life. 8)

Beautiful! The Third is so wonderful...how did you like it? (And what was the other Mahler you heard?)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on December 11, 2015, 01:20:30 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 11, 2015, 08:17:37 AM
Beautiful! The Third is so wonderful...how did you like it? (And what was the other Mahler you heard?)

--Bruce
I had only heard it a couple of times prior to today, and I never really clicked into the piece back then...but seeing it live made all the difference!

I have seen no. 7 several years ago (my favourite Mahler work).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on December 12, 2015, 01:39:32 AM
I have tickets to

the Freiburgers with Esfahami
Savall and Le Concerts des Nations
Janine Jansen with Andsnes

at the Bergen festival in May/June

Still considering a couple of other concerts, but I cannot pack them too tightly due to other obligations.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on December 12, 2015, 07:46:58 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 11, 2015, 08:16:32 AM
Just saw this post now - hope it was a fun evening! (I saw the Met Opera's production several times.) Not sure it's Shostakovich's "greatest work ever" (I mean, he was only 21 when he wrote it!) but it has lots of excellent music, and the whole premise is very funny/sad/surreal/political. Definitely shows the young composer has enormous promise - which of course, was fulfilled later, many times over.

--Bruce

Thanks, sorry to inform that I had to leave the opera house on the first intermission. While there was much great music in what I heard, I was too tired for this kind of work to sit all the way through it, those dissonances hurt my ears (and I usually like dissonances as much as anyone!). Shostakovich is one of those composers whose music I like when I'm in the right mood, unfortunately this time I was not. But next week I'm going to see Massenet's Thaïs and since I have heard this work beforehand, I think I'm going to enjoy it.

The first half of The Nose, that I heard, certainly had excellent music, don't get me wrong. I probably merely chose the wrong day to hear it. I really should have listened to this on CD before I went to see it live (as I usually do). That way I usually enjoy the operas more, strangely enough.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 12, 2015, 07:54:56 AM
Quote from: Alberich on December 12, 2015, 07:46:58 AM
Thanks, sorry to inform that I had to leave the opera house on the first intermission. While there was much great music in what I heard, I was too tired for this kind of work to sit all the way through it, those dissonances hurt my ears (and I usually like dissonances as much as anyone!). Shostakovich is one of those composers whose music I like when I'm in the right mood, unfortunately this time I was not. But next week I'm going to see Massenet's Thaïs and since I have heard this work beforehand, I think I'm going to enjoy it.

The first half of The Nose, that I heard, certainly had excellent music, don't get me wrong. I probably merely chose the wrong day to hear it. I really should have listened to this on CD before I went to see it live (as I usually do). That way I usually enjoy the operas more, strangely enough.

Oh well, that happens sometimes. I can definitely identify with "choosing the wrong day to hear something." And fatigue has a lot to do with it: I've done the same thing occasionally, when it's clear that I'm just too tired to respond to whatever is on tap.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on December 19, 2015, 11:05:34 AM
Saw Thaïs yesterday and enjoyed it immensely.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 19, 2015, 11:08:19 AM
Quote from: Alberich on December 19, 2015, 11:05:34 AM
Saw Thaïs yesterday and enjoyed it immensely.

Is there more to it than the Meditation?  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on December 19, 2015, 11:19:02 AM
Quote from: Florestan on December 19, 2015, 11:08:19 AM
Is there more to it than the Meditation?  :D

Yes!  >:D It is one of my favorite French operas of all time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 19, 2015, 11:21:18 AM
Quote from: Alberich on December 19, 2015, 11:19:02 AM
Yes!  >:D It is one of my favorite French operas of all time.

You love both Wagner and Massenet! Rara avis in terris...  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on December 20, 2015, 01:08:18 AM
The Teatro Real in Madrid announced some days ago what it will be offering in the next couple of seasons, to celebrate an alleged "bicentennial" of the house. It's all rather contrived, as what happened in 1817 is that they decided to build the theatre, then in 1818 the first stone was laid. The house did not open until.....1850!

In any case, as far as 20th-century or contemporary stuff is concerned, we'll be getting--among other things-- Bomarzo (already commented in the Alberto Ginastera thread), B.-A. Zimmermann's Die Soldaten (conducted by Pablo Heras-Casado), Heitor Villa-Lobos's Lorca-based Yerma (now that's a rarity), Honegger's Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher (with Marion Cotillard in the title rôle), a Kaija Saariaho nôh-inspired double bill titled Only the sound remains (which will receive its world première in Amsterdam next year), and the world premières of Fabián Panisello's Le Malentendu (based on Camus, and with librtto by my friend Juan Lucas) and of an opera by Luis de Pablo (El Abrecartas).

Later on this current season, we'll have Semyon Bychkov conducting Parsifal, and Romeo Castellucci's acclaimed production of Schoenberg's Moses und Aron (which opened in Paris last month).

I think I'll be spending quite a few nights at the opera over the next couple of years!  :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 29, 2015, 02:06:15 PM
Just bought a ticket for the 10th, Julia Fischer/Igor Levit, part three of a Beethoven violin sonatas cycle - the "Kreutzer" and my beloved Op. 96.  ;D

Also, a few days later, will catch Haitink conducting the Tonhalle forces in Brahms' requiem, soloists are Camilla Tilling and Christian Gerhaher. Looking forward a lot! Saw Haitink perform Beethoven's "Missa solemnis" in 2014 (different soloists, of course), and it was a bit too massive here and there, but impressive.

Forgot to mention in due time that I also had a ticket for Gardiner's debut at the Zurich Tonhalle (a couple of weeks back) - part two was the "Missa glagolitica" by Janácek, part 1 had tone poems by Janácek and Dvorák that served as a fun warm-up ... and the mass, holy holy, an amazing concert (with a terrific Luba Orgonasová among the soloists and some mighty good use of the rarely played organ).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on December 30, 2015, 01:30:29 PM
Dukas - The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
Unsuk Chin - Clarinet Concerto.
Koechlin - Seven Stars' Symphony.

Ilan Volkov/Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Kari Kriikku (Clarinet)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 30, 2015, 01:32:43 PM
Quote from: NikF on December 30, 2015, 01:30:29 PM
Koechlin - Seven Stars' Symphony.

There's a concert rarity! Will Toots be joining you?

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 30, 2015, 01:41:14 PM
Quote from: NikF on December 30, 2015, 01:30:29 PM
Dukas - The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
Unsuk Chin - Clarinet Concerto.
Koechlin - Seven Stars' Symphony.

Ilan Volkov/Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Kari Kriikku (Clarinet)

Yes, agree with Sarge about the Koechlin. The entire concert looks great, though. Chin's Concerto is marvelous, and Kriikku is an incredible player. And I even like the Dukas, as familiar as it is to many (e.g., through Disney's Fantasia), it's a masterful bit of orchestration and lots of fun when played well.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on December 30, 2015, 02:03:56 PM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 30, 2015, 01:32:43 PM
There's a concert rarity! Will Toots be joining you?

Sarge

I hope so, because we bought two tickets. ;D But yes, hearing the Koechlin is a rare opportunity.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on December 30, 2015, 02:13:25 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 30, 2015, 01:41:14 PM
Yes, agree with Sarge about the Koechlin. The entire concert looks great, though. Chin's Concerto is marvelous, and Kriikku is an incredible player. And I even like the Dukas, as familiar as it is to many (e.g., through Disney's Fantasia), it's a masterful bit of orchestration and lots of fun when played well.

--Bruce

I haven't heard the clarinet concerto before. In the past when I've been attending a concert featuring an unfamiliar work I'd first try to listen to it online - usually via YouTube - to give myself some idea of what to expect. However I stopped doing that because I discovered a simple pleasure in an unknown piece of music almost taking me on an adventure, heightened by it being a live performance. And even if I eventually don't find that it's to my taste, it's still a nice journey to embark on.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 30, 2015, 02:25:04 PM
Quote from: NikF on December 30, 2015, 02:13:25 PM
I haven't heard the clarinet concerto before. In the past when I've been attending a concert featuring an unfamiliar work I'd first try to listen to it online - usually via YouTube - to give myself some idea of what to expect. However I stopped doing that because I discovered a simple pleasure in an unknown piece of music almost taking me on an adventure, heightened by it being a live performance. And even if I eventually don't find that it's to my taste, it's still a nice journey to embark on.

I affirm that strategy! Why not have your first encounter with the piece LIVE? You can always go to recordings later - after the glow of live performance has faded - and get to know the piece better.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 04, 2016, 03:21:10 AM
Glinka - Valse-Fantasie in B minor 

Shostakovich - Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor 

Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Boris Brovtsyn, violin
Alexander Vedernikov, conductor

Just got my ticket (I'll be attending this concert alone) and I'm looking forward to the Shostakovich, because I've never heard it performed live. However, although it was unplanned I also bought tickets for two other concerts. They're part of a series taking place in the afternoons which the BBC record for broadcast. This is ideal for me because being self-employed I can afford to be a little flexible with my time, and I've promised myself that I'll increase the amount of live music I hear this year. Anyway, the two programmes are -

Weber - Der Freischütz – overture

Hindemith- Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber

Schubert - Symphony No. 8 in B minor, Unfinished

Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 (arr. Franz Doppler)

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Christoph König, conductor

------

Ravel - Mother Goose, suite (selected Harth-Bedoya) 

Saint‐Saëns - Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor

Chausson - Symphony in B flat major, Op 20

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Vadym Kholodenko, piano
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor

The other notable aspect of these are that there's a flat rate for tickets - 10 GBP (14 Euros/15 USD?)  - and I'll be interesting to see if that helps the attendance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on January 07, 2016, 04:05:55 PM
January 31st, 2016
BERIO: Sinfonia
MAHLER: Symphony No. 1
Curtis Institute of Music (Philadelphia)

February 13th, 2016
MAHLER: Symphony No. 6
New York Philharmonic, Seymon Bychkov

March 12th, 2016
MESSIAEN: Turangalila-Symphonie
New York Philharmonic, Esa-Pekka Salonen

April 9th, 2016
RAVEL: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
GERSHWIN: An American in Paris
Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nezet-Seguin

June 3rd, 2016
LIGETI: Piano Concerto
Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art

June 5th, 2016
LIGETI: Violin Concerto
Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 07, 2016, 04:55:33 PM
Those concerts looks like they will be really awesome! especially the Messiaen and Ligeti. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on January 08, 2016, 01:58:22 AM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 07, 2016, 04:55:33 PM
Those concerts looks like they will be really awesome! especially the Messiaen and Ligeti. 8)
I know! I'm really looking forward to them. I saw the Messiaen Turangalila-Symphonie this past May with the CSO. As I just mentioned to Bruce (GMG mod) in an email yesterday, I feel like a kid getting back in line to go on the same roller coaster a second time.

I also saw Aimard do the Ligeti PC this past August in NYC, which was great. Messiaen's Oiseaux Exotiques and Benjamin's chamber opera Into the Little Hill were also on the program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 08, 2016, 02:27:25 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on January 08, 2016, 01:58:22 AM
I know! I'm really looking forward to them. I saw the Messiaen Turangalila-Symphonie this past May with the CSO. As I just mentioned to Bruce (GMG mod) in an email yesterday, I feel like a kid getting back in line to go on the same roller coaster a second time.

I also saw Aimard do the Ligeti PC this past August in NYC, which was great. Messiaen's Oiseaux Exotiques and Benjamin's chamber opera Into the Little Hill were also on the program.
Man....I live in a cultural desert.....but this year Aimard will be in here in Melbourne performing Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus, something I really want to see. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 08, 2016, 12:12:19 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 08, 2016, 02:27:25 AM
Man....I live in a cultural desert.....but this year Aimard will be in here in Melbourne performing Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus, something I really want to see. :)

Yes, yes, YES. If "quality over quantity," Aimard in Messiaen should be a great one.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on January 08, 2016, 12:32:15 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 08, 2016, 02:27:25 AM
Man....I live in a cultural desert.....but this year Aimard will be in here in Melbourne performing Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus, something I really want to see. :)
Go see it! It's a great piece. I admit that I don't care for all 20 pieces, but there are a few that I am crazy about (1, 2, 6, 10, 20, off the top of my head).

I'm actually finishing up an orchestration of the 10th one right now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 08, 2016, 02:23:49 PM
Quote from: Brewski on January 08, 2016, 12:12:19 PM
Yes, yes, YES. If "quality over quantity," Aimard in Messiaen should be a great one.

--Bruce
Quote from: EigenUser on January 08, 2016, 12:32:15 PM
Go see it! It's a great piece. I admit that I don't care for all 20 pieces, but there are a few that I am crazy about (1, 2, 6, 10, 20, off the top of my head).

I'm actually finishing up an orchestration of the 10th one right now.
I better hurry up and get a job so I can make some $$$ to see this! 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Monsieur Croche on January 08, 2016, 03:46:54 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 08, 2016, 02:23:49 PM
I better hurry up and get a job so I can make some $$$ to see this! 8)

I recommend begging on the street, using a sign that says, "Need money to buy ticket to hear Aimard play Messiaen's Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus live, or I will die of musical starvation."

If you look at the ads and season programs of what is available in a handful of the truly major classical music centers of this world, almost all very large cities with populations in the millions, with Amsterdam and San Francisco being two notable exceptions of metropolitan areas with a high consumption and sophistication in the arts while being under a population of one million, one could get a severe case of longing to move to one of those places. Not only is there a much higher number of modern / contemporary done in those, but there is too, often a much wider spectrum of the old repertoire being regularly performed as well.

You are young, so I suggest that if later what you need in the way of higher training and later career possibilities as well points to any one of those places, I urge you to consider the adventure of then leaving 'all you know of home' behind and sallying forth. [Besides, places you leave do not tend to roll up the pavements and disappear off the face of the earth, even if you move away and stay away for decades.]  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on January 08, 2016, 03:56:09 PM
I think I mentioned it on another thread, but in July - if I can afford it and can make the trip to Wellington - I'll be able to see and hear Andrew Davis conducting Messiaen's Éclairs sur l'Au-delà.

Can't imagine when i'll have another chance to hear this work live again. In fact it'll be my first chance of hearing anything of Messiaen performed locally.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Monsieur Croche on January 08, 2016, 04:15:51 PM
Quote from: SimonNZ on January 08, 2016, 03:56:09 PM
I think I mentioned it on another thread, but in July - if I can afford it and can make the trip to Wellington - I'll be able to see and hear Andrew Davis conducting Messiaen's Éclairs sur l'Au-delà.

Can't imagine when i'll have another chance to hear this work live again. In fact it'll be my first chance of hearing anything of Messiaen performed locally.

Even in those more hive-busy major music centers, some repertoire just does not come up that often. Having lived in three such places, over many decades, the opportunity to hear Stravinsky's Oedipus Rex, either in concert or staged, came up exactly once....

The sales pitch then, is this:
Once you've obtained the ticket, planned the journey, attended that concert, you will afterwards remember the concert forever, while the cost and juggle to make the trip will soon fade and not much after be long-forgotten.

Many things in life, even if you are at the younger end of it, end up being that thing of "Now, Or Never."


Best regards.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 08, 2016, 10:09:55 PM
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on January 08, 2016, 03:46:54 PM
I recommend begging on the street, using a sign that says, "Need money to buy ticket to hear Aimard play Messiaen's Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus live, or I will die of musical starvation."

If you look at the ads and season programs of what is available in a handful of the truly major classical music centers of this world, almost all very large cities with populations in the millions, with Amsterdam and San Francisco being two notable exceptions of metropolitan areas with a high consumption and sophistication in the arts while being under a population of one million, one could get a severe case of longing to move to one of those places. Not only is there a much higher number of modern / contemporary done in those, but there is too, often a much wider spectrum of the old repertoire being regularly performed as well.

You are young, so I suggest that if later what you need in the way of higher training and later career possibilities as well points to any one of those places, I urge you to consider the adventure of then leaving 'all you know of home' behind and sallying forth. [Besides, places you leave do not tend to roll up the pavements and disappear off the face of the earth, even if you move away and stay away for decades.]  :)
Ah, well my Life Plan in its current state reminds me to use the local ensembles to their full extent so I can become known in Australia as a composer before trying my luck overseas. The smaller population here makes it easier, of course. Plus there are some great ensembles like Plexus, Syzygy ensemble, Speak Percussion and Elision, which all specialise in new classical music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 10:57:49 AM
A ton of really great concerts coming up in 2016.


Mahler's 1st, 8th and 9th.

Ligeti and Kurtag Double Concertos and Lindberg's Kraft.

Murail complete solo piano music and Sciarrino complete solo flute.

Arditti Quartet playing Schoenberg and Ferneyhough, with Ferneyhough in attendance.

The new Dusapin Cello Concerto (in a programme with Poulenc's 2 pianos concerto with Jean-Philippe Collard and Ravel's La Valse).

Dallapiccola's Il Prigioniero and Volo di notte.

Saariaho's The Tempest Songbook.

Argerich and Barenboim piano duet.

Tons of Ginastera of  course, including the Violin Concerto and Beatrix Cenci.

...Begging on the street looks like a plan.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on January 09, 2016, 11:25:07 AM
Quote from: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 10:57:49 AM
A ton of really great concerts coming up in 2016.


Mahler's 1st, 8th and 9th.

Ligeti and Kurtag Double Concertos and Lindberg's Kraft.

Murail complete solo piano music and Sciarrino complete solo flute.

Arditti Quartet playing Schoenberg and Ferneyhough, with Ferneyhough in attendance.

The new Dusapin Cello Concerto (in a programme with Poulenc's 2 pianos concerto with Jean-Philippe Collard and Ravel's La Valse).

Dallapiccola's Il Prigioniero and Volo di notte.

Saariaho's The Tempest Songbook.

Argerich and Barenboim piano duet.

Tons of Ginastera of  course, including the Violin Concerto and Beatrix Cenci.

...Begging on the street looks like a plan.  ;D
Cool name! I'm a huge fan of Messiaen (although I will admit that Chronochromie is one of his few orchestral works that I can't seem to figure out).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 12:20:32 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on January 09, 2016, 11:25:07 AM
Cool name! I'm a huge fan of Messiaen (although I will admit that Chronochromie is one of his few orchestral works that I can't seem to figure out).

Thanks! Have you heard the recording by Cambreling and the SWR Symphony Orchestra? It's the one that made me love the work, although he does go a bit too fast in the Epode...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on January 09, 2016, 12:37:37 PM
What city are you in, Chronochromie?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 12:47:52 PM
Quote from: SimonNZ on January 09, 2016, 12:37:37 PM
What city are you in, Chronochromie?

Buenos Aires.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on January 09, 2016, 01:19:24 PM
Quote from: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 12:20:32 PM
Thanks! Have you heard the recording by Cambreling and the SWR Symphony Orchestra? It's the one that made me love the work, although he does go a bit too fast in the Epode...
I'll give it a try sometime soon. I've heard SWR do a bunch of Messiaen, but I don't think I've listened to their recording of Chronochromie.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 09, 2016, 01:31:50 PM
Welcome, Chronochromie! Cambreling & SWR's recording of Chronochromie is indeed quite good as far as I recall. And the work is certainly beautiful.

Buenos Aires, you say? Love Piazzolla!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 01:39:42 PM
Quote from: North Star on January 09, 2016, 01:31:50 PM

Buenos Aires, you say? Love Piazzolla!
and Kagel ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 09, 2016, 01:42:02 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 01:39:42 PM
and Kagel ;)
And Ginastera.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 01:42:42 PM
Quote from: North Star on January 09, 2016, 01:31:50 PM
Welcome, Chronochromie! Cambreling & SWR's recording of Chronochromie is indeed quite good as far as I recall. And the work is certainly beautiful.

Buenos Aires, you say? Love Piazzolla!

Oddly enough I haven't heard much by him (and I have no real interest in his music atm) except the old classics everyone knows.

Give me Ginastera any day.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on January 09, 2016, 01:43:29 PM
Probably a good time to give the Boulez recording of Chronochromie another play when I get home...

Those are some amazing concerts coming up in Buenos Aires. Who will be conducting the Ligeti / Kurtag concertos?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 01:50:52 PM
Quote from: SimonNZ on January 09, 2016, 01:43:29 PM
Probably a good time to give the Boulez recording of Chronochromie another play when I get home...

Those are some amazing concerts coming up in Buenos Aires. Who will be conducting the Ligeti / Kurtag concertos?

Pablo Rus Broseta will conduct the Ensemble Modern and the OFBA.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 01:50:55 PM
Wasn't Beat Furrer doing a performance of his piano concerto in Buenos Aires recently?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 01:57:34 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 01:50:55 PM
Wasn't Beat Furrer doing a performance of his piano concerto in Buenos Aires recently?

Yes, but according to a member of TC who went, it was cancelled for whatever reason.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 01:59:29 PM
Quote from: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 01:57:34 PM
Yes, but according to a member of TC who went, it was cancelled for whatever reason.
Ah yeah that's right, couldn't remember if it was that concert or another one I was thinking of which he (are we talking about the same person?) was excited about.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 02:02:34 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 01:59:29 PM
Ah yeah that's right, couldn't remember if it was that concert or another one I was thinking of which he (are we talking about the same person?) was excited about.

Yep, aleazk.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 02:40:07 PM
Quote from: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 02:02:34 PM
Yep, aleazk.
I'm trying to convince him to join GMG
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Chronochromie on January 09, 2016, 02:47:07 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 09, 2016, 02:40:07 PM
I'm trying to convince him to join GMG

Good luck with that. I come here occasionally to escape the endless modernist-traditionalist debates that made many people leave TC. Plus the composer guestbooks here are much nicer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 11, 2016, 09:02:44 AM
Just bought a ticket (they're almost sold out now) for the second of two concert perfromances (on Friday and Sunday this week ) of Wagner's Der Fliegende Holländer, with principal conductor David Afkham leading the Spanish National Orchestra and Chorus. The soloists include Bryn Terfel in the title rôle, Ricarda Merbeth as Senta, Peter Rose as Daland and Torsten Kerl as Erik.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 12, 2016, 10:50:18 AM
The Grant Park Festival schedule has been announced for Summer 2016. Some highlights:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2016/01/grant-park-music-festival-to-offer-a-deftly-balanced-summer-season/

Looks like an awesome season! Never in 100 years did I think I'd have a chance to hear Martinu's oratorio The Epic of Gilgamesh, but they're doing it. Thank you, Carlos Kalmar!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 12, 2016, 10:56:58 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 12, 2016, 10:50:18 AM
Never in 100 years did I think I'd have a chance to hear Martinu's oratorio The Epic of Gilgamesh, but they're doing it. Thank you, Carlos Kalmar!

GMG ROAD TRIP! July 1-2.

I will do my best to be there!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 12, 2016, 11:11:58 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 12, 2016, 10:56:58 AM
GMG ROAD TRIP! July 1-2.

I will do my best to be there!

And it's free (the concert, that is - your plane ticket probably not).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 12, 2016, 11:15:49 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 12, 2016, 11:11:58 AM
And it's free (the concert, that is - your plane ticket probably not).
Drat.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 12, 2016, 11:18:24 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 12, 2016, 10:56:58 AM
GMG ROAD TRIP! July 1-2.

I will do my best to be there!

Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 12, 2016, 11:11:58 AM
And it's free (the concert, that is - your plane ticket probably not).

Hmmm . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on January 15, 2016, 05:20:20 PM
Headed out the door to see the early music group Quicksilver tonight!  :)

http://www.sdems.org/

Quicksilver: "Fantasticus: Extravagant and Virtuosic Music from 17th-century Germany"

Led by violinists Robert Mealy and Julie Andrijeski, Quicksilver brings together some of the leading historically informed performers in America today. The chamber music of 17th century Germany reflects the upheavals of the time: from wars of religion and politics, to famine and plague, it was a time of ongoing crisis. Inspired by the experimental works of Italian composers, those writing in the "stylus Fantasticus" explored the sonata as an abstract form of wordless conversation, giving free reign to whatever their imagination suggested. Quicksilver's recording of this program was one of New Yorker's top ten CDs in 2014; come and hear it for yourself.

Music by Weckmann, Rosenmüller, Vierdanck, Bertali, Kerll, and Schmeltzer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on January 16, 2016, 04:17:53 AM


Ionarts-at-Large: National Youth Orchestra of Germany rocks Viktor Ullmann


(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DX4_ve7EuZ4/UqB-_O57r4I/AAAAAAAAHWI/4SfdDkEziXY/s1600/KonzerthausGrosserSaal.png) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2016/01/ionarts-at-large-national-youth.html)

When I saw an e-mail with the following program advertised to go down on Thursday, January 14th, at Vienna's premiere concert venue, the Konzerthaus (not to be mistaken with its premiere musical museum, the Musikverein)—

Markus Hechtle Fresko. Eine Zuflucht ("Fresco: A refuge"). (2015, Austrian premiere)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Fantasia in C minor, K.475
Viktor Ullmann, Piano Concerto op.25
* * *
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony Nr.3 "Eroica"

—I reasoned that attendance would be seemly for the following reasons, in order:

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2016/01/ionarts-at-large-national-youth.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2016/01/ionarts-at-large-national-youth.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 18, 2016, 12:53:16 PM
A quite marvelous evening last night, especially since the orchestra was in sensational shape. Hans Abrahamsen (Schnee) has written a gorgeous piece, using words from Paul Griffiths, and Barbara Hannigan is just one of the best new music singers alive. The Shostakovich was terrific: perhaps slightly restrained, but never mind, Welser-Möst and the orchestra still achieved some chilling results.

The Cleveland Orchestra
Barbara Hannigan, soprano
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor

Hans Abrahamsen: let me tell you (NY premiere)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 20, 2016, 05:13:23 AM
Got tickets for -

Dvorák Terzetto in C major
Dvorák String Quartet No12 in F major American
Franck Piano Quintet in F minor
Boris Giltburg - Piano
Members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

I posted in this thread of how we were going to a performance of 'The Seven Stars Symphony' by Koechlin. Well, we went and it was great to hear and experience in a live setting. Not everyone felt the same way, though... http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/14207559.Music_review__BBC_SSO_Ilan_Volkov_at_City_Halls__Glasgow/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2016, 12:10:52 PM
Tonight at Carnegie:

Marc-André Hamelin, Piano

MOZART Piano Sonata in C Major, K. 545
BUSONI Giga, bolero e variazione (after Mozart) from An die Jugend
RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit
MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN Pavane Variée (NY Premiere)
LISZT Piano Sonata in B Minor

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 20, 2016, 12:17:59 PM
That ought to be one heck of a recital, Bruce! His Liszt sonata recording on Hyperion s superb, and there's an older live recording that's certainly not any less exciting. And Gaspard - well, again that technique and tone ought to suit it to perfection. I don't know the Busoni work but I can have a guess. All in all, with the Mozart and Hamelin, that looks like a perfect program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 20, 2016, 12:20:57 PM
Quote from: Brewski on January 20, 2016, 12:10:52 PM
Tonight at Carnegie:

Marc-André Hamelin, Piano

MOZART Piano Sonata in C Major, K. 545
BUSONI Giga, bolero e variazione (after Mozart) from An die Jugend
RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit
MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN Pavane Variée (NY Premiere)
LISZT Piano Sonata in B Minor

--Bruce
Well THIS sounds awesome!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 20, 2016, 12:30:45 PM
Quote from: North Star on January 20, 2016, 12:17:59 PM
That ought to be one heck of a recital, Bruce! His Liszt sonata recording on Hyperion s superb, and there's an older live recording that's certainly not any less exciting. And Gaspard - well, again that technique and tone ought to suit it to perfection. I don't know the Busoni work but I can have a guess. All in all, with the Mozart and Hamelin, that looks like a perfect program.

Quote from: Brian on January 20, 2016, 12:20:57 PM
Well THIS sounds awesome!

To me, a Hamelin night is like a national holiday!  8) I have a pianist friend who now refers to him as "The Pianist Whose Name Must Not Be Uttered"; for one sold-out concert, he was going to disguise himself as a potted tree to try and sneak into the room.

I mean, no one is perfect, and even the best people can have off nights, but Hamelin seems to have fewer than most.

Does look like a very appealing program, especially with so many all-Chopin evenings running around.  ::) 8) ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 22, 2016, 05:09:47 AM
When you get an email from a friend in California saying she has the chance for discount tickets to a Murray Perahia recital, and asking if she should go...

SO JEALOUS.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 22, 2016, 05:10:51 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 22, 2016, 05:09:47 AM
SO JEALOUS.
Solution: tell her not to bother.  0:)  >:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 22, 2016, 05:14:31 AM
Going to Symphony Hall tomorrow evening, weather permitting:

Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Johannes Moser, cello

SMETANA  The Moldau
MARTINŮ  Fantaisies symphoniques (Symphony № 6)
DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on January 22, 2016, 07:53:31 PM
Quote from: NikF on January 20, 2016, 05:13:23 AM
Got tickets for -

Dvorák Terzetto in C major
Dvorák String Quartet No12 in F major American
Franck Piano Quintet in F minor
Boris Giltburg - Piano
Members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

I posted in this thread of how we were going to a performance of 'The Seven Stars Symphony' by Koechlin. Well, we went and it was great to hear and experience in a live setting. Not everyone felt the same way, though... http://www.heraldscotland.com/arts_ents/14207559.Music_review__BBC_SSO_Ilan_Volkov_at_City_Halls__Glasgow/

Interesting 3-4-5 program. The violinists will work 3x as much as Giltburg! :)

The Terzetto is one of my favorite Dvořák pieces. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 23, 2016, 01:49:29 AM
Off to see William Christie and Les Arts Florissants tonight in the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord production of the Molière / Lully comédie-ballet Monsieur de Pourceaugnac. It's being shown at the Teatros del Canal here in Madrid (some 10 minutes walkong distance from home  :) )....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 24, 2016, 09:00:56 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on January 22, 2016, 05:14:31 AM
Going to Symphony Hall tomorrow evening, weather permitting:

Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Johannes Moser, cello

SMETANA  The Moldau
MARTINŮ  Fantaisies symphoniques (Symphony № 6)
DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto


Awesome to see the Martinu on there! (played by the orchestra that premiered it)

Coming up over here: the alpha and omega of DSCH as a symphonist on one program:

Feb. 5 & 6

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Gennady Rozhdestvensky conductor

Shostakovich Symphony No. 1
Shostakovich Symphony No. 15
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 28, 2016, 06:54:55 AM
Tonight at Carnegie:

Orchestre National de France
Daniele Gatti, Music Director and Conductor
Julian Rachlin, Violin

DEBUSSY Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5

PS, the program will be broadcast live - audio and video - on Medici.tv:

http://www.medici.tv/#!/daniele-gatti-conducts-debussy-shostakovich-tchaikovsky-with-julian-rachlin-and-the-orchestre-national-de-france

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 28, 2016, 09:57:27 PM
I'm looking forward to the following free concert of local new music

http://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2016-season/cybecconcert/

Particularly to hear what Harry Sdraulig is up to these days. I had the pleasure of meeting him only once before and hearing his second piano trio when he was still in high school. A truly remarkable composer!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 29, 2016, 09:31:25 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 28, 2016, 06:54:55 AM
Tonight at Carnegie:

Orchestre National de France
Daniele Gatti, Music Director and Conductor
Julian Rachlin, Violin

DEBUSSY Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5

PS, the program will be broadcast live - audio and video - on Medici.tv:

http://www.medici.tv/#!/daniele-gatti-conducts-debussy-shostakovich-tchaikovsky-with-julian-rachlin-and-the-orchestre-national-de-france

--Bruce

This incredibly generous concert - almost 3 hours - began with an unannounced tribute to Kurt Masur, who led the orchestra from 2002 to 2008: the Prelude from Act III of Wagner's Die Meistersinger. The Debussy was lovely, and Rachlin did an impressive job with the Shostakovich - so involving that the audience gave him a huge ovation, prompting an unusual encore, Ysaÿe's Sonata No. 3. The Tchaikovsky, which I hadn't heard in years, was appropriately stirring, again with some excellent work from the orchestra, and here too, Gatti had an offbeat encore: the Prélude from Fauré's Pelléas et Mélisande.

The concert is available free on Medici.tv for 90 days - highly recommended, if the program is appealing.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 29, 2016, 09:36:17 AM
And tonight, this fascinating line-up, the final night of Juilliard's Focus! Festival - this year a tribute to Milton Babbitt. The Piano Concerto has not been performed since its premiere.

Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor
Conor Hanick, piano
Juilliard Orchestra

Brahms: (arr. Leinsdorf) Chorale-Prelude, Op. 122, No. 8, Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (Behold a Rose is Blooming, ca. 1896)
Schoenberg: Five Pieces for Orchestra (1909/49)
Stravinsky: Variations (Aldous Huxley in Memoriam) (1963-64)
Babbitt: Piano Concerto No. 2 (1998)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on January 31, 2016, 05:54:46 AM
Τonight 31 JAN
M. Ravel: La Valse
                Daphnis et Chloë-Suite No.2
C. Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3 in C maj. op.78 'Organ'

Tomorrow 1 FEB
C.M. von Weber: Oberon: Overture
W.A. Mozart: Die Zauberflöte: 'Der Hölle Rache'
G.Verdi: Rigoletto: 'Caro nome'
G. Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia: 'Una voce poco fa'
P.I. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 in B min. op.72 'Pathétique'

Christina Poulitsi, soprano

ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
ZUBIN MEHTA

A friend told me that the orchestra's reward for these two concerts will be $500,000 and Mehta's $100,000! Can this be true? Just note that the orchestra isn't on tour (if that says something at all)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on January 31, 2016, 06:29:34 AM
I would have thought that the orchestra would be on contract with a salary. It sounds very unlikely that they would have such dosh thrown at them. No idea about Mehta, but although that sounds a great deal, it may be possible.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 31, 2016, 06:53:14 AM
Tomorrow night, hearing students from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia:

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

Berio: Sinfonia
Mahler: Symphony No. 1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 31, 2016, 07:16:27 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 31, 2016, 06:53:14 AM
Tomorrow night, hearing students from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia:

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

Berio: Sinfonia
Mahler: Symphony No. 1

--Bruce
Looks very enticing!  :) Hope you enjoy it....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 31, 2016, 07:19:51 AM
Got my tickets for a March recital by Joseph Moog.  Should be a fun evening.

Johann Sebastian Bach: Italian Concerto BWV 921
Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 58
Liszt: Deux Légendes, Hexameron
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on January 31, 2016, 04:16:28 PM
Just saw this in Philly. It was great!

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

BERIO: Sinfonia
MAHLER: Symphony No. 1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 31, 2016, 04:17:20 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on January 31, 2016, 04:16:28 PM
Just saw this in Philly. It was great!

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

BERIO: Sinfonia
MAHLER: Symphony No. 1

I bet that Berio was cool. I'd love to see that work performed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 31, 2016, 04:18:59 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on January 31, 2016, 04:16:28 PM
Just saw this in Philly. It was great!

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

BERIO: Sinfonia
MAHLER: Symphony No. 1

Happy to hear this! Looking forward to seeing it at Carnegie tomorrow night.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on January 31, 2016, 04:28:49 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 31, 2016, 04:17:20 PM
I bet that Berio was cool. I'd love to see that work performed.
Well, here it is after it was performed :D:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/tmbkrrs2a5y7wo0/Photo%20Jan%2031%2C%203%2056%2015%20PM.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 31, 2016, 04:31:49 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on January 31, 2016, 04:28:49 PM
Well, here it is after it was performed :D:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/tmbkrrs2a5y7wo0/Photo%20Jan%2031%2C%203%2056%2015%20PM.jpg)

Cool, but you always have the craziest shots. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2016, 09:35:19 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on January 31, 2016, 04:16:28 PM
Just saw this in Philly. It was great!

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Ludovic Morlot, conductor

BERIO: Sinfonia
MAHLER: Symphony No. 1

This was a fantastic concert (at Carnegie Hall). We got a lovely bonus, too, which I had never heard: Busoni's Berceuse élégiaque (conducted by Conner Gray Covington, studying at Curtis since 2015).

Sinfonia is so much fun to hear live, and there is much more to the piece than the famous central movement, in which Berio takes the middle Scherzo from Mahler's Second Symphony and grafts on all sorts of other musical references. (My favorite quote might be the brief appearance of Ravel's La Valse.)

Hard to believe a student orchestra can tackle these, as well as Mahler's First, with such confidence, and they did a beautiful job with all three. 

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 04, 2016, 09:09:05 AM
V-W 9 and Job with Andrew Davis and the Bergen Phils tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 04, 2016, 10:39:09 AM
Quote from: The new erato on February 04, 2016, 09:09:05 AM
V-W 9 and Job with Andrew Davis and the Bergen Phils tonight.

Looks great. Davis conducted VW 9 with the CSO a few years ago, but I missed it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 08, 2016, 01:04:57 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 24, 2016, 09:00:56 AM
Coming up over here: the alpha and omega of DSCH as a symphonist on one program:

Feb. 5 & 6

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Gennady Rozhdestvensky conductor

Shostakovich Symphony No. 1
Shostakovich Symphony No. 15

I went to the Friday performance. What did you think?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on February 08, 2016, 01:40:35 PM
Quote from: Brewski on February 01, 2016, 09:35:19 PM
This was a fantastic concert (at Carnegie Hall). We got a lovely bonus, too, which I had never heard: Busoni's Berceuse élégiaque (conducted by Conner Gray Covington, studying at Curtis since 2015).

Sinfonia is so much fun to hear live, and there is much more to the piece than the famous central movement, in which Berio takes the middle Scherzo from Mahler's Second Symphony and grafts on all sorts of other musical references. (My favorite quote might be the brief appearance of Ravel's La Valse.)

Hard to believe a student orchestra can tackle these, as well as Mahler's First, with such confidence, and they did a beautiful job with all three. 

--Bruce

Wish I had known about this. Sometimes these student orchestras outdo the majors - as was also the case when Levine did the Carter Symphonia with the Juilliard. Bruce, did you hear the Berio under Maazel at the NYP (somewhat incongruously coupled with the Brahms 4th)?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 08, 2016, 02:09:53 PM
Quote from: MishaK on February 08, 2016, 01:04:57 PM
I went to the Friday performance. What did you think?

Liked it - the idea of putting the first and last DSCH symphonies on one concert was interesting, and Rozhdestvensky is great to watch from the front (I saw him several times in Moscow, but always from the back).

Some good solo work too, especially in the 15th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 09, 2016, 07:34:32 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 08, 2016, 02:09:53 PM
Liked it - the idea of putting the first and last DSCH symphonies on one concert was interesting, and Rozhdestvensky is great to watch from the front (I saw him several times in Moscow, but always from the back).

Some good solo work too, especially in the 15th.

Yeah. I thought the middle two movements of 15 didn't hang together so well. Some friends of mine went to both performances and thought Saturday's was the better one. I sat in the lower balcony, but a friend of mine also sat in the terrace and reported the same as you did, that Rozh's face (and especially eyebrows) are really expressive and you don't get that sitting behind him. ;-)

Btw, if you want another helping, Rozh is subbing for Muti this week (Mozart/Kurtag/Tchaikovsky program) as Muti is recovering from an emergency hip surgery.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 09, 2016, 07:55:51 AM
Quote from: MishaK on February 09, 2016, 07:34:32 AM
Yeah. I thought the middle two movements of 15 didn't hang together so well.

Actually I was thinking during the second mvt. that Shostakovich's tendency to write really long, bleak slow movements as he got older maybe wasn't always the best aesthetic judgment and could use some trimming here and there. But I don't know if my reaction is the composer's fault or the conductor's.

While the scherzo didn't provide sufficient contrast, it was interesting to hear it slowed down a bit, bringing out the grotesque instrumental effects more.

QuoteBtw, if you want another helping, Rozh is subbing for Muti this week (Mozart/Kurtag/Tchaikovsky program) as Muti is recovering from an emergency hip surgery.

I wasn't planning to go to any of those, but it's sad that Muti is having health problems again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on February 09, 2016, 08:07:41 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 09, 2016, 07:55:51 AM
I wasn't planning to go to any of those, but it's sad that Muti is having health problems again.

Well, falling down and needing hip surgery is more an accident than "health problems". That said, it's odd that he insisted on first going home to Italy (where he fell) right after an exhausting Asian tour only to then return to Chicago, when he could have just gone straight to Chicago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 09, 2016, 04:39:32 PM
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on February 08, 2016, 01:40:35 PM
Wish I had known about this. Sometimes these student orchestras outdo the majors - as was also the case when Levine did the Carter Symphonia with the Juilliard. Bruce, did you hear the Berio under Maazel at the NYP (somewhat incongruously coupled with the Brahms 4th)?

The Curtis ensemble is every bit as good as say, the Juilliard Orchestra. There were a few - very few - indications that this is a "student group," but not many. My only quibble with the Berio was that the vocalists, despite being miked (which they should be) were still a bit far back in the mix. I know Berio's instructions are that they should be "half-heard" or something like that (unfortunately I don't have a score), but still, the sound mixer could have turned up the volume j-u-s-t a little bit more. But this feels like carping when overall, the performance was so robust and entertaining.

I did hear the Berio with Maazel - remember it as a positive experience, and a somewhat surprising one, since Sinfonia doesn't seem like something Maazel would have liked, but there you go.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 09, 2016, 04:47:01 PM
Today heard the final dress rehearsal for Puccini's Manon Lescaut at the Met - an opera I had never heard before, but for excerpts here and there. Liked it quite a bit, including the handsome new production by Sir Richard Eyre. (The updating to 1941 generally works well, but with a few casualties in the suspension of disbelief that I will not reveal here.)

The leads were Kristine Opolais and Roberto Alagna - both quite good, and I was surprised by Alagna, since his voice is not what it once was. Never mind: he can still sing, and with beautiful resonance, too.

An equal draw was the fabulous Met Orchestra, led by Fabio Luisi. He is one of the Met's "regulars" (at least now, before he starts his new appointment in Florence), and the ensemble sounded wonderful, with lots of shading and drama.

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on February 11, 2016, 02:05:51 AM
Fresh from Forbes:

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GS9pLMtbk04/VIB7VKbHqeI/AAAAAAAAHvs/QnxWx_SUGxc/s1600/Forbes_SOUND_ADVICE_laurson_2_600.jpg)


JAN 5, 2015
Washington's National Symphony And Lang Lang In Vienna

...In such proximity to the Super Bowl, a football analogy will have to fit the bill: The National Symphony
Orchestra is to American orchestras what the...

...BA-Dam!! Christopher Rouse rips the score of his 1986 8- or 9-minute symphonic overture open with a loud,
butts-from-seats-jolting chord before plinking and plonging away, harp-supported, and moving on with great
gaiety in the woodwind section. The tuba engages in sounds that would make juveniles giggle; the neglected
strings are allowed a word in, edgewise, here and there. Eventually the music works up an appetite and goes
through more notes than the Cookie Monster through Oreos. Me want demisemiquaver!...

...And the antics? Even trying to look away, the occasional glance at the pianist is impossible and whenever it
occurs, it is met by the spectacle of a young man looking like a self-satisfied juvenile hamster who does the slow
face-pan to the audience – ecstatic stop – very-moved head-swivel – slow semi-circle back to the music – briefly
arrested movement along with transfixed-by-beauty-of-his-own-playing stare. Lang Lang's gestures and
mimicking during a concert would make for primo live-blogging, if mobile phones weren't so taboo during
classical concerts...

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca4oIUVWwAASb3E.jpg)
(Image courtesy [= stolen from] American Ambassador to Austria, Alexa Wesner)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/02/10/washingtons-national-symphony-and-lang-lang-in-vienna/#149124a71520
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/02/10/washingtons-national-symphony-and-lang-lang-in-vienna/#149124a71520)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 12, 2016, 08:22:02 AM
Tomorrow night, when the temperature here is going to be close to EFFING ZERO:

New York Philharmonic
Semyon Bychkov, conductor

Mahler: Symphony No. 6

But to paraphrase the U.S. Post Office: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night - nor subzero temperatures that should have all decent people at home with a glass of whiskey - stays these couriers idiots Mahler nuts dedicated listeners from the swift completion of their appointed rounds hearing the Mahler Sixth live."

8) ;D 8)

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 13, 2016, 01:32:11 AM
TONIGHT!
(http://i.imgur.com/bZcRPFL.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on February 13, 2016, 02:23:13 PM
Quote from: Brewski on February 12, 2016, 08:22:02 AM
Tomorrow night, when the temperature here is going to be close to EFFING ZERO:

New York Philharmonic
Semyon Bychkov, conductor

Mahler: Symphony No. 6

But to paraphrase the U.S. Post Office: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night - nor subzero temperatures that should have all decent people at home with a glass of whiskey - stays these couriers idiots Mahler nuts dedicated listeners from the swift completion of their appointed rounds hearing the Mahler Sixth live."

8) ;D 8)

--Bruce

That's EFFING ZERO actual, not counting wind chill. Stay safe, you guys. I don't want to read about Frozen Posters in tomorrow's Times.

--Sfz
(sitting at 6:30 in his warm home, after just coming back from the NYC Ballet where the temperature outside is already 10 degrees F.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 13, 2016, 02:32:18 PM
Don't know if I can make it to this one, coming up in a couple of weeks, but I will certainly try:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cellist
Beethoven: Overture to King Stephen
Lutoslawski: Symphony No. 3
Salonen: Foreign Bodies
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1

I've heard the Lutoslawski live once, but that was years ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 14, 2016, 03:06:50 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 13, 2016, 01:32:11 AM
TONIGHT!
(http://i.imgur.com/bZcRPFL.jpg)
Ha! I beat Bruce to this thread.

It was awesome! Even that accidental "double hammer" at the first strike was forgivable. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 14, 2016, 04:07:01 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 14, 2016, 03:06:50 AM
Ha! I beat Bruce to this thread.

It was awesome! Even that accidental "double hammer" at the first strike was forgivable. ;)
Must have been great, EigenUser and Bruce...so you got the three hammer blow version, then  ;)? Bychkov conducted the Sixth here in Madrid last year, but sadly I was out of town those days   :( ... but he's doing Parsifal in April. That I won't miss!

THREAD DUTY:

Next weekend, the Spanish National Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, are offering Ferruccio Busoni's mammoth and rarely heard Piano concerto, with Vadym Kholodenko as soloist. The concert starts with Aaron Copland's suite from Appalachian Spring...(I've never even heard of conductor or soloist before, btw).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 14, 2016, 08:59:41 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 14, 2016, 03:06:50 AM
Ha! I beat Bruce to this thread.

It was awesome! Even that accidental "double hammer" at the first strike was forgivable. ;)

;D 8) :D

Quote from: ritter on February 14, 2016, 04:07:01 AM
Must have been great, EigenUser and Bruce...so you got the three hammer blow version, then  ;)? Bychkov conducted the Sixth here in Madrid last year, but sadly I was out of town those days   :( ... but he's doing Parsifal in April. That I won't miss!

What Nate meant (I think) was that the first hammer strike somehow came out as a "th-thud," sort of like a "hammer grace-note," if you will. The second one was just fine.

All in all, one of the most engrossing performances of this piece I have ever heard.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 15, 2016, 02:00:59 PM
2016/2017 seasons in the Pacific Northwest are looking intriguing.

Among other goodies, the Oregon Symphony is teaming a concert production of Bluebeard's Castle with Mozart's Paris Symphony and an as yet untitled commissioned work by (I assume) whipper-snapper composer Chris Rogerson; Wagner's Prelude and Liebestod is paired with the Turangalîla-Symphonie, with Steven Osborne on piano; and Dvorak's 9th is mixed with Yefim Bronfman playing LvB's G Major PC and Sebastian Currier's Microsymph.  Now those are programs.

Seattle Opera is putting on Kat'a Kabanova in March 2017, too, so looks like a short road trip is in order. 

San Francisco Opera is putting on The Makropoulos Case this October, so I could hit two Janacek operas in one season, but I'm not sure it would be worth the necessary outlay.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 16, 2016, 03:54:10 AM
Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2

Mahler - Symphony No. 1
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Denis Kozhukhin  piano
Donald Runnicles  conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 16, 2016, 07:32:08 AM
Quote from: Todd on February 15, 2016, 02:00:59 PM
Seattle Opera is putting on Kat'a Kabanova in March 2017, too, so looks like a short road trip is in order. 
Looks like I picked the wrong March (2016) to visit Seattle!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on February 16, 2016, 07:44:41 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 16, 2016, 07:32:08 AM
Looks like I picked the wrong March (2016) to visit Seattle!

If it helps, the Met is doing Jenufa in 2016-17. They tend to do a Janacek once every 3-4 years, so Kat'a is not likely until 2020 at best. (I remember it from 2004-05, when it was fabulous.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 19, 2016, 02:33:04 PM
Tonight I'm seeing one of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's summer free concerts with some friends. The program for tonight is

Dvorak: Carnival
Barber: Violin Concerto

Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 19, 2016, 02:36:29 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 19, 2016, 02:33:04 PM
Tonight I'm seeing one of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's summer free concerts with some friends. The program for tonight is

Dvorak: Carnival
Barber: Violin Concerto

Tchaikovsky: Symphony no. 5

Worth it for the Barber VC alone. Who's the soloist and conductor?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 19, 2016, 02:52:50 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 19, 2016, 02:36:29 PM
Worth it for the Barber VC alone. Who's the soloist and conductor?
Joshua Weilerstein is the conductor and the concertmaster Dale Barltrop is playing the solo part. The following week they have a terrific Australian guitar duo Slava and Leonard Grigiryan with them in a performance of Rodrigo's Concierto Madrigal which I'm really really really looking forward to! 8) in the free summer concerts there's often a focus on local musicians, the imports are coming later in the year...............Aimard playing Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand on the same program as Mahler's 5th (my least favourite of Mahler, but maybe this concert will open my ears up!) conducted by the current principal conductor Sir Andrew Davis will certainly be a highlight later this year!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 20, 2016, 05:00:54 AM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 19, 2016, 02:52:50 PM
Joshua Weilerstein is the conductor and the concertmaster Dale Barltrop is playing the solo part.

Joshua Weilerstein is a young American conductor who is a potential candidate to take over my hometown Dallas Symphony in 2018, so I'd really appreciate any comments on his readings & podium presence. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 21, 2016, 12:58:15 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 14, 2016, 04:07:01 AM
Next weekend, the Spanish National Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya, are offering Ferruccio Busoni's mammoth and rarely heard Piano concerto, with Vadym Kholodenko as soloist. The concert starts with Aaron Copland's suite from Appalachian Spring...(I've never even heard of conductor or soloist before, btw).
Well, listening to the Busoni Piano concerto live last night was great. After the hors d'oeuvre of Appalachian Spring (music that is miles way from my aesthetic sesibility, so I'll not comment on it), Harth-Bedoya and Khodolenko gave a stunning perfromance of the Busoni, with excellent support of the Spanish National Orchestra and Chorus.

I have long enjoyed the Piano concerto (excesses and all  ;) ) on disc, but hearing it live gives a whole new perspective on the piece. Imbued by the spirit of Liszt, it's very rhapsodic, but there is a subtle thematic coeherence to it. Its 70 minutes (the longest concerto in the repertoire?) went by in a flash! Also, it prefigures much music that came after it: Bartók at times and, surprisingly, Shostakovich in the relentless march of the All'Italiana fourth movement. But still, the most magical moment for me remains the start of the fifth movement, with the orchestra meandering as if not knowing where to go, and the soloist playing filigrees and octaves that make the music acquire a mysterious quality (in the vein of Busoni's Berceuse élégiaque), and then everything starts to "make sense" with the entrance of the choir. Magical!

Wow, and what a pianist Vadym Kholodenko is! Dazzling in his virtousity, with a beauty of tone and cleanness of attack that are out of the ordinary....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 24, 2016, 07:55:29 AM
Some rather Wagnerian couple of months ahead for me  :) :) :)

On Tuesday March 1, the early, rarely heard (deservedly so  ;)) Das Liebesverbot here in Madrid, conducted by Ivor Bolton and staged by Kasper Holten (it's a co-prodcution between the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires and the Teatro Real). Then, on Saturday April 9th, Parsifal again here in Madrid, conducted by Semyon Bychkov and produced by Claus Guth. And finally, on Sunday April 17th, Tristan und Isolde in Hamburg conducted by Kent Nagano, in a revival of an old staging by the late (and legendary) Ruth Berghaus. Ricarda Merbeth (whom I've seen several times live, and made a strong impresssion as Senta in concert under David Afkham last month) sings the role of Isolde for the first time in her career.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 25, 2016, 03:38:20 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 20, 2016, 05:00:54 AM
Joshua Weilerstein is a young American conductor who is a potential candidate to take over my hometown Dallas Symphony in 2018, so I'd really appreciate any comments on his readings & podium presence. :)

Well, I was rather far away with 10 other friends and acquaintances on the grass (well over 10,000 watched the concert)....however what I could see and hear was very convincing. A real sense of togetherness I felt. Unfortunately I am quite unfamiliar with the repertoire at that concert so I can't say I'm going to be very reliable on reviewing his interpretation.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 25, 2016, 03:46:18 PM
Tomorrow:

Saturday 27 February
Benjamin Northey conductor
Slava Grigoryan guitar
Leonard Grigoryan guitar

Falla The Three-Cornered Hat: Suite No.2
Rodrigo Concierto madrigal
Gershwin Cuban Overture
Piazzolla Selected tangos
Ginastera Estancia: Four Dances

The brothers Grigoryan — Slava and Leonard — join Benjamin Northey and the MSO in a Spanish-South American program that includes tangos by Astor Piazzolla, a Concerto for two guitars by Joaquin Rodrigo, and works by Ginastera, Falla and Gershwin. The perfect summery way to conclude the Sidney Myer Free Concerts for 2016.

Dianne Heywood-Smith and David Backler from Sidewalk Tango, specialists in Tango Argentino, are joining the MSO to dance to Piazzolla's Oblivion and Libertango onstage.


http://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2016-season/myerfree/

Seeing this concert with a friend of mine, although I would expect to bump into other people I know as well as that tends to happen at these concerts
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 25, 2016, 03:57:45 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 25, 2016, 03:46:18 PM
Tomorrow:

Saturday 27 February
Benjamin Northey conductor
Slava Grigoryan guitar
Leonard Grigoryan guitar

Falla The Three-Cornered Hat: Suite No.2
Rodrigo Concierto madrigal
Gershwin Cuban Overture
Piazzolla Selected tangos
Ginastera Estancia: Four Dances

The brothers Grigoryan — Slava and Leonard — join Benjamin Northey and the MSO in a Spanish-South American program that includes tangos by Astor Piazzolla, a Concerto for two guitars by Joaquin Rodrigo, and works by Ginastera, Falla and Gershwin. The perfect summery way to conclude the Sidney Myer Free Concerts for 2016.

Dianne Heywood-Smith and David Backler from Sidewalk Tango, specialists in Tango Argentino, are joining the MSO to dance to Piazzolla's Oblivion and Libertango onstage.


http://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2016-season/myerfree/

Seeing this concert with a friend of mine, although I would expect to bump into other people I know as well as that tends to happen at these concerts

Spanish and Latin American repertoire sweet! Kind of wish they would have done the complete ballet of The Three-Cornered Hat, though. Should be an excellent concert I would imagine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 25, 2016, 06:14:37 PM
Thursday, March 31st & Saturday, April 2nd

Thomas Søndergård - conductor
Alexandre Tharaud - piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Berlioz: Overture, Le corsaire
Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left-hand
Debussy: La Mer

This is definitely a program I'm going to see and hopefully bring a special woman to accompany me (if things tip over in my favor).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 25, 2016, 07:28:42 PM
Next week, after a long and rocky few years, the triumphant return to Carnegie Hall of the Minnesota Orchestra. I have already heard from people in Minneapolis who heard the same concert a few days ago, and said it was terrific. It doesn't hurt, either, that Hahn is one of my favorite violinists.

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, Music Director and Conductor
Hilary Hahn, Violin

All-Sibelius Program

Symphony No. 3
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on February 26, 2016, 12:06:22 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 25, 2016, 06:14:37 PM
Thursday, March 31st & Saturday, April 2nd

Thomas Søndergård - conductor
Alexandre Tharaud - piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Berlioz: Overture, Le corsaire
Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left-hand
Debussy: La Mer

This is definitely a program I'm going to see and hopefully bring a special woman to accompany me (if things tip over in my favor).

That is a great program -- all-French music. When I went to see Chicago last May to see Turangalila-Symphonie it was during a series of French music concerts. They did Debussy's opera, Ravel's L'Enfant, and the left-handed PC (among others). I only got to see the Messiaen, but I would have loved to see the Ravel, too.

I'm going to see the Philadelphia Orchestra do Ravel's LH-PC in April. I've seen the two-handed one twice before, but never the LH.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 26, 2016, 04:53:46 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 25, 2016, 06:14:37 PM
Thursday, March 31st & Saturday, April 2nd

Thomas Søndergård - conductor
Alexandre Tharaud - piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Berlioz: Overture, Le corsaire
Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left-hand
Debussy: La Mer

This is definitely a program I'm going to see and hopefully bring a special woman to accompany me (if things tip over in my favor).

A wonderful program indeed, John.  Do report back on this!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 26, 2016, 04:54:58 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 25, 2016, 07:28:42 PM
Next week, after a long and rocky few years, the triumphant return to Carnegie Hall of the Minnesota Orchestra. I have already heard from people in Minneapolis who heard the same concert a few days ago, and said it was terrific. It doesn't hurt, either, that Hahn is one of my favorite violinists.

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, Music Director and Conductor
Hilary Hahn, Violin

All-Sibelius Program

Symphony No. 3
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 1

--Bruce

Very nice, Bruce!  I kind of wish this was in Minneapolis.  I would take the 6 hour drive to attend this concert!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 26, 2016, 07:02:31 AM
Planning to go to this one on March 5:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Vaughan Williams: Overture to The Wasps
Vaughan Williams: Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus"
Elgar: Symphony No.1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on February 26, 2016, 07:32:13 AM
21 March 2016
Philharmonie de Paris

Joseph Haydn
Variations en fa mineur Hob.XVII:6

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonate pour piano n° 8 en la mineur, KV 310

Johannes Brahms
Vier Klavierstücke op. 119

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonate n°29 Op.106 "Hammerklavier"

Murray Perahia, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 26, 2016, 09:25:25 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on February 26, 2016, 07:32:13 AM
21 March 2016
Philharmonie de Paris

Joseph Haydn
Variations en fa mineur Hob.XVII:6

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonate pour piano n° 8 en la mineur, KV 310

Johannes Brahms
Vier Klavierstücke op. 119

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonate n°29 Op.106 "Hammerklavier"

Murray Perahia, piano

Very nice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on February 26, 2016, 11:46:57 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on January 22, 2016, 05:14:31 AM
Going to Symphony Hall tomorrow evening, weather permitting:

Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Johannes Moser, cello

SMETANA  The Moldau
MARTINŮ  Fantaisies symphoniques (Symphony № 6)
DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto

I just heard Johannes Moser in Lisbon during my holiday vacation.  The program had 2 sonatas (Debussy, Shostakovich), Haydn Cello concerto (C), Tchaikovsky Roccoco variations and his Serenade.  Here is a photo I took there which you may enjoy.  I have more photos.  If you want to see the hires versions just ask.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 26, 2016, 12:37:55 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 26, 2016, 07:02:31 AM
Planning to go to this one on March 5:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder, conductor
Vaughan Williams: Overture to The Wasps
Vaughan Williams: Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus"
Elgar: Symphony No.1

If I were nearby I'd go to this, too. Not that he's near death (he'll be 70 in 2017), but any chance to hear Elder should be savored, especially in this repertoire. And the Vaughan Williams pieces don't show up in the concert hall that often, especially the Overture to The Wasps.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on February 26, 2016, 12:43:43 PM
Quote from: Brewski on February 26, 2016, 12:37:55 PM
If I were nearby I'd go to this, too. Not that he's near death (he'll be 70 in 2017), but any chance to hear Elder should be savored, especially in this repertoire. And the Vaughan Williams pieces don't show up in the concert hall that often, especially the Overture to The Wasps.

--Bruce

But being an elder, he's no spring chicken either. I think though that it's Elder's Elgar that's the most unusual thing on an American program, seeing that other than the Enigmas and the Cello Concerto, hardly any Elgar gets performed in this country at all, either by Elder, Jünger, or anyone in between.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 26, 2016, 12:52:13 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on February 26, 2016, 07:32:13 AM
21 March 2016
Philharmonie de Paris

Joseph Haydn
Variations en fa mineur Hob.XVII:6

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sonate pour piano n° 8 en la mineur, KV 310

Johannes Brahms
Vier Klavierstücke op. 119

Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonate n°29 Op.106 "Hammerklavier"

Murray Perahia, piano



I'm seeing Perahia on April 10th.  The program merely says Haydn, Brahms, Beethoven.  I certainly would not be disappointed if it is this program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 26, 2016, 01:05:24 PM
Quote from: Brewski on February 26, 2016, 12:37:55 PM
If I were nearby I'd go to this, too. Not that he's near death (he'll be 70 in 2017), but any chance to hear Elder should be savored, especially in this repertoire. And the Vaughan Williams pieces don't show up in the concert hall that often, especially the Overture to The Wasps.

I heard Elder conduct the Ives 2nd a couple of years ago, and that was really good. We need a regular conductor around here to do British and American music, since Muti seems to have no interest in it.

Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on February 26, 2016, 12:43:43 PM
But being an elder, he's no spring chicken either. I think though that it's Elder's Elgar that's the most unusual thing on an American program, seeing that other than the Enigmas and the Cello Concerto, hardly any Elgar gets performed in this country at all, either by Elder, Jünger, or anyone in between.

Depends on the conductor/performer. Carlos Kalmar did this exact same symphony at Grant Park recently, as well as a couple of the big oratorios. Somebody (I forget who) did the Violin Cto. not long ago. From where I sit, Elgar gets played quite often.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on February 26, 2016, 01:27:42 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 26, 2016, 01:05:24 PM
Depends on the conductor/performer. Carlos Kalmar did this exact same symphony at Grant Park recently, as well as a couple of the big oratorios. Somebody (I forget who) did the Violin Cto. not long ago. From where I sit, Elgar gets played quite often.

Then things have changed at least in Chicago from last time I checked performance statistics. I still doubt much of his work is done in New York, that cultural backwater.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 26, 2016, 02:06:53 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on February 26, 2016, 12:06:22 AM
That is a great program -- all-French music. When I went to see Chicago last May to see Turangalila-Symphonie it was during a series of French music concerts. They did Debussy's opera, Ravel's L'Enfant, and the left-handed PC (among others). I only got to see the Messiaen, but I would have loved to see the Ravel, too.

I'm going to see the Philadelphia Orchestra do Ravel's LH-PC in April. I've seen the two-handed one twice before, but never the LH.

Yeah, it should be an excellent concert. I'd kill to see L'enfant. One of my favorite pieces of music of all-time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 26, 2016, 03:13:11 PM
Quote from: Todd on February 26, 2016, 12:52:13 PM


I'm seeing Perahia on April 10th.  The program merely says Haydn, Brahms, Beethoven.  I certainly would not be disappointed if it is this program.
For what it's worth, that exact program minus the Mozart is what Perahia is doing in Berkeley a week later.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on February 26, 2016, 03:31:06 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 26, 2016, 02:06:53 PM
Yeah, it should be an excellent concert. I'd kill to see L'enfant. One of my favorite pieces of music of all-time.

I think I said this before, MI, but to make you totally green with envy, I heard Maazel conduct L'Enfant live in a semi-staged concert with the NY Phil about five years ago, in a program that also included the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony. (New York's then-called Avery Fisher Hall didn't have its own organ, so they used a portable.) I was seated front-row center and could have leaned over to shake his hand. It was probably the best live program I heard Maazel conduct.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 27, 2016, 08:18:20 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 26, 2016, 03:13:11 PM
For what it's worth, that exact program minus the Mozart is what Perahia is doing in Berkeley a week later.


I guess I know what I'll be hearing then.  Given Perahia's age and musical temperament, I suspect Op 106 will be on the broad side, but that's quite alright.  I saw him last time he was in Portland, and he delivered a splendid 31/1, so at the very least it should be a good show. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 28, 2016, 12:44:18 PM
Not an upcoming concert, but one last night that I will recall for a long time. Olga Neuwirth's new piece is fantastic - I hope a recording is in the works - and held its own between the Mussorgsky and Wagner, both excellent, too.

Carnegie Hall
Feb. 27, 2016
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, Conductor
Heidi Melton, Soprano

Mussorgsky: Prelude to Khovanshchina
Neuwirth: Masaot / Clocks Without Hands (NY Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
Wagner: Selections from Götterdämmerung
    ·· Dawn and Siegfried's Rhine Journey
    ·· Siegfried's Death and Funeral March
    ·· Brünnhilde's Immolation Scene

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 01, 2016, 03:46:06 AM
yowzah!

March 17 at Lucerne's Easter festival:

The English Baroque Soloists 
The Monteverdi Choir 
Lucerne Boys' Choir 
(Eberhard Rex chorus master)
Sir John Eliot Gardiner  conductor
Mark Padmore  tenor (Evangelist)
Stefan Loges  bass (Jesus)
Hannah Morrison  soprano
Eleanor Minney  mezzo-soprano
Reginald Mobley  countertenor
Nicholas Mogg  bass
Ashley Riches  baritone
Jonathan Sells  baritone

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
St Matthew Passion BWV 244
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 03, 2016, 08:45:01 PM
Quote from: Brewski on February 25, 2016, 07:28:42 PM
Next week, after a long and rocky few years, the triumphant return to Carnegie Hall of the Minnesota Orchestra. I have already heard from people in Minneapolis who heard the same concert a few days ago, and said it was terrific. It doesn't hurt, either, that Hahn is one of my favorite violinists.

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, Music Director and Conductor
Hilary Hahn, Violin

All-Sibelius Program

Symphony No. 3
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 1

--Bruce

What a terrific - and generous - evening. Hahn was superb in the Violin Concerto, and did a Bach encore. The rest of the program was also excellent, and they did not one, but three encores. (I think the first one was more Sibelius, but will know tomorrow about the other two.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 04, 2016, 05:14:05 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 03, 2016, 08:45:01 PM
What a terrific - and generous - evening. Hahn was superb in the Violin Concerto, and did a Bach encore. The rest of the program was also excellent, and they did not one, but three encores. (I think the first one was more Sibelius, but will know tomorrow about the other two.)

--Bruce

Excellent, Bruce!  I love Hahn's recording of the concerto.  No surprise to hear she was superb at the concert.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 09, 2016, 07:21:00 AM
Stravinsky. The problem is, I don't know if we'll be in Glasgow on those dates. But I'm tempted to buy tickets anyway.

(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag92/NikF65/IMG_20160309_161648_zpsoyxevizv.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 09, 2016, 07:29:16 AM
Quote from: NikF on March 09, 2016, 07:21:00 AM
Stravinsky. The problem is, I don't know if we'll be in Glasgow on those dates. But I'm tempted to buy tickets anyway.

(http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/ag92/NikF65/IMG_20160309_161648_zpsoyxevizv.jpg)

Great-looking programs, all of them. Haven't heard Søndergård yet, but just heard Stefan Jackiw recently and he's terrific.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 10, 2016, 03:06:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 09, 2016, 07:29:16 AM
Great-looking programs, all of them. Haven't heard Søndergård yet, but just heard Stefan Jackiw recently and he's terrific.

--Bruce

And this is the type of comment that nudges me ever closer to the box office, regardless.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 10, 2016, 07:54:46 AM
Tomorrow night, at Bargemusic, a fascinating program by this terrific group, based in Chicago.

Spektral Quartet

Hans Thomalla: Bagatellen (NY premiere)
Beat Furrer: String Quartet No. 3

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on March 10, 2016, 08:50:08 AM
Frustration

I was told today that I would be lucky to get tickets for 2017 Bayreuth Season and I should rather make plans for 2018 !!!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on March 10, 2016, 09:06:28 AM
Quote from: Spineur on March 10, 2016, 08:50:08 AM
Frustration

I was told today that I would be lucky to get tickets for 2017 Bayreuth Season and I should rather make plans for 2018 !!!

If it makes you feel any better, I've always heard there is a 10-year waiting list and I never expect to get in during my lifetime.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on March 12, 2016, 05:59:25 AM
TONIGHT:

Olivier Messiaen: Turangalila-Symphonie
New York Philharmonic
Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting
Yuja Wang on solo piano
Valerie Hartmann-Claverie on ondes-Martinot

This will be my second time in less than a year seeing this piece performed live. It is also being done in the Fall at Carnegie Hall and I plan to see that, too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 12, 2016, 11:15:43 AM
Quote from: Spineur on March 10, 2016, 08:50:08 AM
Frustration

I was told today that I would be lucky to get tickets for 2017 Bayreuth Season and I should rather make plans for 2018 !!!
There's always the "direct sale" on the internet starting sometime in February, usually. And you should check the site every now and then, as tickets "resurface" without prior notice. I was lucky enough to get a complete Ring for my two children and myself in 2014, and I know of a fellow GMGer who got to see Tristan this last summer that way.

And then, there's the odd chance of getting last-minute tickets at the box-office the same day of the performance. I got to see the Herheim Parsifal staging in its last year (2012), conducted by Philippe Jordan, that way. I showed up at 12:45 (I happened to be in the area for business  ;)), there were three people queuing in front of me, and I got the fourth of five tickets they sold when the box-office opened at 1 pm. At 4 pm I was in my seat in the stalls, to witness an absolute marvel of a performance.

Of course, 2017 is a very special year, as only the "big" works are being given: last outing for the Frank Castorf Ring, the  Parsifal that will be premiered this summer (i.e. 2016), Katharina Wagner's Tristan and a new Meistersinger from Barry Kosky...


THREAD DUTY:
Just bought a ticket for a matinee concert tomorrow by the Spanish National Orchestra here in Madrid : Juanjo Mena conducts Alberto Ginastera's Violin concerto (soloist: Michael Barenboim) and Beethoven's Seventh symphony... Really looking forward to hear the infrequent Ginastera piece live  :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on March 13, 2016, 07:32:19 AM
Portland Piano International published its 2016/2017 season, though only in the concert brochures for this weekend's recitals by Joseph Moog and not online, and Nelson Goerner is coming in December and Paavali Jumppanen is coming in May of 2017.  Can't wait for those.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 13, 2016, 01:45:48 PM
This afternoon, fresh after a terrific performance of Messiaen's Turangalîla-symphonie with Salonen and the NY Philharmonic, something quite different (fortunately):

Apple Hill String Quartet
Purcell: Three Fantasias (1680)
Glass: String Quartet No. 4, "Buczak" (1989)
Pavel Haas: String Quartet No. 2, "From the Monkey Mountains" (1925)

The Haas was a revelation. Why it isn't performed more often - a mystery. But the group itself is excellent: more evidence that we live in a great time for string quartets.

--Bruce


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EigenUser on March 13, 2016, 02:01:53 PM
Quote from: Brewski on March 13, 2016, 01:45:48 PM
This afternoon, fresh after a terrific performance of Messiaen's Turangalîla-symphonie with Salonen and the NY Philharmonic, something quite different (fortunately):

Apple Hill String Quartet
Purcell: Three Fantasias (1680)
Glass: String Quartet No. 4, "Buczak" (1989)
Pavel Haas: String Quartet No. 2, "From the Monkey Mountains" (1925)

The Haas was a revelation. Why it isn't performed more often - a mystery. But the group itself is excellent: more evidence that we live in a great time for string quartets.

--Bruce

Do you like Glass, Bruce? I don't think we've ever discussed him before. I haven't had a moment with his music yet (I prefer Reich, I guess), but I return to it from time to time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 13, 2016, 02:18:47 PM
I'm generally not much of a Glass-ite, but in the last few years I've heard a good sampling of his chamber music, and have enjoyed it, as well as some of his piano etudes. (I also much prefer Reich.) This quartet was written in memory of the artist Brian Buczak, and was quite moving.

(But still have the "Joie du Sang des Étoiles" racing in my head from Turangalîla- also the "Statue theme," with that outstanding work from the NY Philharmonic brass.  8))

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on March 13, 2016, 02:58:14 PM
Quote from: Todd on March 13, 2016, 07:32:19 AM
Portland Piano International published its 2016/2017 season, though only in the concert brochures for this weekend's recitals by Joseph Moog and not online, and Nelson Goerner is coming in December and Paavali Jumppanen is coming in May of 2017.  Can't wait for those.

Todd, as an Oregonian, are you familiar with the name Mark Westcott? He was a pianist who was in my class at Oberlin and who is still resident in his native Portland, and he has had an interesting and in some ways very unfortunate career. I started a thread on him a couple of years ago that aroused no interest:
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,16838.msg433280.html#msg433280

He also wrote a memoir called "Playing with Love" that I would call total self-serving drivel, but there you are.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on March 13, 2016, 03:56:21 PM
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on March 13, 2016, 02:58:14 PMTodd, as an Oregonian, are you familiar with the name Mark Westcott?


I will confess that I am not.  I may have to investigate him after reading your other thread.

(On a very tangentially related note, it is technically possible to hear the acoustics of the great room of my home in a few piano recordings that were made before I owned it.  They are new age piano recordings, and the former homeowner goes by the name ''Chip'', so they are not worth hearing - the two facts are related.  And yes, I actually did hear one.  Trust me on this one.)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 14, 2016, 01:00:19 AM
One local Johannes Passion and an Amsterdam Matthäus Passion - next week. Out of dozens of options again, this year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 14, 2016, 08:16:06 PM
An unexpectedly great evening from Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The fantastic pianist in the Ginastera was Sergio Tiempo, an Argerich protege.

John Williams: Soundings (2003, New York premiere)
Ginastera: Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 28 (1961)
Andrew Norman: Play: Level 1 (2013, New York premiere)
Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite (1943-44)

Encore:
Bernard Herrmann:  "Scène d'amour" from Vertigo

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 18, 2016, 03:01:21 PM
I'm hoping we'll be in Glasgow so I can attend this -

(http://i.imgur.com/YwygfNR.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on March 20, 2016, 02:10:40 PM
April 2. Never heard this one live, really looking forward to it:

Music of the Baroque
Jane Glover, conductor
Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610

Conveniently taking place in a church in Northbrook (a suburb), quite close to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bogey on March 21, 2016, 04:54:52 AM
(http://www.ringostarr.com/files/2016/01/ringo-new-tour-photo.jpg)

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band – featuring Todd Rundgren, Gregg Rolie, Steve Lukather, Richard Page, Warren Ham and Gregg Bissonette – announce another string of North American shows.

June 28, in Denver at the Paramount Theater.

(http://www.rmcatos.org/images/Paramount_June_2004_frm%20stg.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on March 21, 2016, 07:05:24 PM
Tomorrow, Louis Andriessen's De Materie in New York. It will a busy week in Sforzandoland, as on Friday and Saturday I will be hearing parts of Stockhausen's Klang at the three branches of the Metropolitan Museum, and I've got local theater on Long Island this Thursday and a play in the city with Robert Sean Leonard on Easter Sunday. Four trips to the city in one week - I think that's a personal record.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 29, 2016, 01:00:58 AM
bought tickets for these, all at Zurich Tonhalle:

SO 17.04.16
EINGESPIELT
19:30 - ca. 22:00 Uhr, Kleiner Saal
Kammermusik-Soiree

Isabelle Faust Violine
Jean-Guihen Queyras Violoncello
Alexander Melnikov Klavier

Robert Schumann: Klaviertrio Nr. 1 d-Moll op. 63
Salvatore Sciarrino: Trio Nr. 2 (1987)
César Franck: Trio concertant fis-Moll op. 1 Nr. 1
____________________

MO 09.05.16
19:30 - ca. 22:00 Uhr, Grosser Saal
Neue Konzertreihe Zürich

Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Vladimir Jurowski Leitung
Patricia Kopatchinskaja Violine

Mieczyslaw Weinberg: Sinfonie Nr. 10 a-Moll op. 98 "Transcendence" für Streicher
Sergej Prokofjew: Violinkonzert Nr. 2 g-Moll op. 63
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sinfonie Nr. 7 A-Dur op. 92
____________________

SO 12.06.16
L'ÊTAT C'EST MOI - FRANKREICH ZUR ZEIT DES SONNENKÖNIGS
11:15 - ca. 13:30 Uhr, Kleiner Saal
Kammermusik-Matinee

Annette Labusch Sopran
Esther Pitschen Amekhchoune Flöte
Noémie Rufer Zumstein Violine
Cornelia Angerhofer Violine
Andreas Sami Violoncello
Margarete Kopelent Cembalo
Emanuele Forni Laute

Michel Pignolet de Montéclair: "La Mort de Didon"
François Couperin: "La Françoise" Triosonate aus "Les Nations"
Michel Pignolet de Montéclair: "Europe"


excited about all three, but most about finally catching PatKop in concert ... also considering this here:

DI 19.04.16
FAZIL SAY
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Fazil Say Klavier

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Klaviersonate Nr. 12 F-Dur KV 332
Klaviersonate Nr. 18 D-Dur KV 576
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne b-Moll op. 9 Nr. 1
Nocturne Es-Dur op. 9 Nr. 2
Nocturne H-Dur op. 9 Nr. 3
Nocturne Nr. 20 cis-Moll op. posthum
Nocturne fis-Moll op. 48 Nr. 2
Nocturne g-Moll op. 37 Nr. 1
Nocturne H-Dur op. 32 Nr. 1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on March 29, 2016, 11:33:01 AM
3 concerts in 4 days at the Athens Megaron. Αs in the good old days...

1 APR
A. Ginastera: Estancia op.8-Suite
G. Gershwin: Rhapsody in blue
S. Revueltas: Sensemayá
L. Bernstein: West Side Story-Symphonic Dances

ATHENS STATE ORCHESTRA
MILTOS LOGIADIS

3 APR
H. Dutilleux:Métaboles
B. Bartok: Violin Concerto No.1
L.v. Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C min. op.67
&
4 APR (a program=bet for diasaster regarding the attention)
G. Ligeti: Lontano
B. Bartok: Violin Concerto No.2
                 Music for strings, percussion and celesta

Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin
GUSTAV MAHLER JUGENDORCHESTER
DAVID AFKHAM
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 29, 2016, 12:27:35 PM
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on March 21, 2016, 07:05:24 PM
Tomorrow, Louis Andriessen's De Materie in New York. It will a busy week in Sforzandoland, as on Friday and Saturday I will be hearing parts of Stockhausen's Klang at the three branches of the Metropolitan Museum, and I've got local theater on Long Island this Thursday and a play in the city with Robert Sean Leonard on Easter Sunday. Four trips to the city in one week - I think that's a personal record.
So, how were the sheep?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on April 07, 2016, 01:59:52 AM
Familiar but rare on Saturday, BRAHMS Clarinet Sonata 1 arr, by BERIO with orchestra. and BEETHOVEN Symphony 9 in the MAHLER edition.  Vancouver S.O./Tovey cond.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 07, 2016, 08:57:39 AM
I've just walked into the Saxon State Opera in Dresden to attend a performance of an unusual work, Albert Lortzing's Der Wildschütz , a work I've never seen before. ...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on April 07, 2016, 10:30:09 AM
I've got tickets for Paul McCartney on the 24th of June in Bergen. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on April 09, 2016, 12:25:58 PM
Quote from: listener on April 07, 2016, 01:59:52 AM
Familiar but rare on Saturday, BRAHMS Clarinet Sonata 1 arr, by BERIO with orchestra. and BEETHOVEN Symphony 9 in the MAHLER edition.  Vancouver S.O./Tovey cond.
neat picture from the VSO facebook website of the expanded orchestra for the MAHLER /BEETHOVEN rehearsal
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on April 10, 2016, 01:18:00 AM
And for King Crimson in Oslo in September. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 10, 2016, 05:29:24 PM
Last night, the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) in experimental works from the 1960s - unexpectedly fantastic. The Byrd pieces were quite beautiful, and my introduction to his work.

Steve Reich: Violin Phase (1967)
Philip Glass: Piece in the Shape of a Square (1967)
Joseph Byrd: Water Music for amplified percussion and tape (1963)
Joseph Byrd: Animals for prepared piano and ensemble (1961)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 12, 2016, 05:12:05 AM
I got free tickets to a Melbourne symphony orchestra concert coming up in a month's time featuring some Chin, Higdon and Reich.......I haven't yet warmed up to Higdon's music but I find myself enjoying her stuff more than I did a few years ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on April 12, 2016, 10:26:28 AM
So I got to see next season's programs for Nelson Goerner and Pavaali Jumppanen.

Goerner is playing two diverse programs: Handel's Chaconne in G Major, Schumann's DBT, and Op 106 one day, and Bach's BWV989, three Chopin works, three pieces from two suites of Iberia, some Granados and Ravel's La Valse the next.  I generally only see one performance in these cases, but here I might see both.  I just heard Perahia play 106 this last Sunday, so in the course of one year I'd hear it live twice.  Am I up to it?  (Well, yes, of course.)

Paavali Jumppanen designed his programs so that I must attend both.  Recital one is Debussy's Preludes Book I and LvB Opp 27/2 and 81a, recital two is Debussy's Preludes Book II and LvB Opp 54 & 57.  Two recitals devoted to my two favorite piano composers.  I do hope this means that he records the Preludes. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 12, 2016, 10:51:32 AM
Here's something to look forward to:


Latest on Forbes.com:


In Search Of A Home, Abroad: The Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra In North America (http://bit.ly/BRSO-does-America)

Forbes: The Bavarian RSO hits N.America today, starting @kencen & finishing @carnegiehall

(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2016/04/BRSO_in_New_York_Mariss-Janoson_jens-f-laurson_Forbes_-1200x749.jpg)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/04/12/in-search-of-a-home-abroad-the-bavarian-radio-symphony-orchestra-in-north-america/ (http://bit.ly/BRSO-does-America)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on April 15, 2016, 12:45:00 AM
In Vienna for a week.

Tomorrow at Musikverein's Gläserner Saal:

Beethoven: Streichquartett B-Dur, op. 130
Haydn: Divertimento F-Dur, Hob. III:17
Dvořák: Quintett für zwei Violinen, Viola, Violoncello und Kontrabass G-Dur, op. 77

Renaud Capuçon, Violine
Guillaume Chilemme, Violine
Adrien La Marca, Viola
Edgar Moreau, Violoncello
Alois Posch, Kontrabass


Wednesday at the Staatsoper:

Janáček: Jenůfa

Christian Franz | Laca Klemen
Marian Talaba | Stewa Buryjia
Angela Denoke | Die Küsterin Buryja
Dorothea Röschmann | Jenufa

Ingo Metzmacher | Dirigent


Friday at the Konzerthaus:

Tüür: Sow the Wind ... (2015) (EA)
Mozart: Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Es-Dur K 271 «Jeunehomme»
R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra

Wiener Symphoniker
Lars Vogt, Klavier
Paavo Järvi, Dirigent
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 15, 2016, 08:39:35 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on April 15, 2016, 12:45:00 AM
In Vienna for a week.

Tomorrow at Musikverein's Gläserner Saal:

Beethoven: Streichquartett B-Dur, op. 130
Haydn: Divertimento F-Dur, Hob. III:17
Dvořák: Quintett für zwei Violinen, Viola, Violoncello und Kontrabass G-Dur, op. 77

Renaud Capuçon, Violine
Guillaume Chilemme, Violine
Adrien La Marca, Viola
Edgar Moreau, Violoncello
Alois Posch, Kontrabass


Wednesday at the Staatsoper:

Janáček: Jenůfa

Christian Franz | Laca Klemen
Marian Talaba | Stewa Buryjia
Angela Denoke | Die Küsterin Buryja
Dorothea Röschmann | Jenufa

Ingo Metzmacher | Dirigent


Friday at the Konzerthaus:

Tüür: Sow the Wind ... (2015) (EA)
Mozart: Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Es-Dur K 271 «Jeunehomme»
R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra

Wiener Symphoniker
Lars Vogt, Klavier
Paavo Järvi, Dirigent

Good stuff! I'm at the Konzerthaus tonight, for some Bach Collegium Japan & Suzuki!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 15, 2016, 09:30:39 AM
Seeing  Tristan und Isolde at the Hamburg State Opera on Sunday.  The old  Ruth Berghaus production will be conducted by  Kent Nagano, and Ricarda Merbeth will sing her first Isolde.

My partner will be running the Hamburg marathon that same morning. Let's see how he endures 42 km  and 5 hours of Wagner on the same day ... :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 15, 2016, 12:34:59 PM
Quote from: ritter on April 15, 2016, 09:30:39 AM
Seeing  Tristan und Isolde at the Hamburg State Opera on Sunday.  The old  Ruth Berghaus production will be conducted by  Kent Nagano, and Ricarda Merbeth will sing her first Isolde.

My partner will be running the Hamburg marathon that same morning. Let's see how he endures 42 km  and 5 hours of Wagner on the same day ... :D

;D Excellent. You can compare states of exhaustion.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 17, 2016, 11:26:43 AM
Last night, my first encounter with the Boston-based string chamber ensemble, A Far Cry. The program included Mozart's Divertimento in B-flat major (K. 137), Golijov's Tenebrae (done in remembrance of Seymour Lipkin, the pianist and educator), and best of all, a string orchestra arrangement by the ensemble of the Sibelius string quartet, "Voces intimae."

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on April 17, 2016, 09:00:46 PM
Tomorrow night!  Really stoked for this one ~

http://www.sdems.org/

COLLEGIUM VOCALE GENT
PHILIPPE HERREWEGHE, director
"The Tears of St. Peter"

ORLANDE DE LASSUS
Lagrime di San Pietro 

MONDAY, APR 18, 7:30 PM
ST. JAMES BY-THE-SEA, LA JOLLA
Don't miss the last concert, one of the highlights of our 2015-2016 season, and an unique opportunity to hear the Collegium Vocale Gent, directed by Philippe Herreweghe, performing the Lagrime di San Pietro by Orlande de Lassus.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on April 18, 2016, 02:48:22 AM
Quote from: jlaurson on April 15, 2016, 08:39:35 AM
Good stuff! I'm at the Konzerthaus tonight, for some Bach Collegium Japan & Suzuki!
FYI:
Latest on Forbes.com:
Bach At Home In Japan (http://onforb.es/1r9rDZy)

Where resides the best Bach Orchestra and Chorus in the world? Leipzig? Berlin?
Germany at least? Amsterdam – where the great Bach tradition still lives on vibrantly?
London, where the early music movement attained its first heights? Maybe, but for
my money try Kobe, Japan[1]. Forgive for a second the hyperbole of "best": there
are other really, really fine ensembles that do Bach extremely proud. But the Bach
Collegium Japan (BCJ) and its founding director Masaaki Suzuki are are part of the
exclusive high-end of interpreters of the Leipzig's Master and need yield to no one in
the quality of their Bach performances....

(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NuvBriUsKs/VxSqdCipdHI/AAAAAAAAJEE/p28PSI4ZR98DnRAd6Mw3DqUGRWxCCnktACLcB/s1600/BACH_Collegium_Japan_Logo_laurson_Forbes-600.jpg)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/04/17/bach-at-home-in-japan (http://bit.ly/Bach-Collegium-Japan_Konzerthaus)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on April 20, 2016, 11:42:08 AM
Denis Matsuev in Berkeley next season:

BEETHOVEN: Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110

SCHUMANN: Symphonic Études

LISZT: Mephisto Waltz No. 1

TCHAIKOVSKY: Méditation, Op. 72, No. 5

PROKOFIEV: Sonata No. 7
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 21, 2016, 07:58:34 PM
Not a concert in my neck of the woods (it's in Miami, Florida), but an example of great programming. Plus, it's going to be WallCast, available for people to watch on the giant wall, outside of the hall.

Saturday, April 23 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, April 24 at 2:00 PM

New World Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano
Simon O'Neill, tenor

Cage: The Seasons
Mahler: The Song of the Earth

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 27, 2016, 04:18:36 AM
Bought a ticket for "Aida" in Verona, June 30 ... an unnumbered one at the back - no idea if it's worth it, but as I'm spending close to two weeks in northern Italy in June and it fits my schedule I figured I'll give it a try :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 27, 2016, 08:48:06 AM
Looking at the 2016-17 seasons of Finnish RSO and Helsinki Philharmonic (where Susanna Mälkki will be the new chief conductor), I do see there would be some benefits to living in (or close to) Helsinki. Mälkki is bringing an awful lot of French modernists to her programs: Ravel, Boulez, Messiaen (Et exspecto, Ascencion, Turangaîla), Dutilleux, Debussy, Maresz, Attahir, Francesconi-Duende, Murail, and Grisey's Les espaces acoustiques. And then there's gobs of Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Szymanowski, and Ligeti, Gubaidulina, Lindberg, Saariaho.

As for the FRSO, there's an all-Stravinsky program with Salonen, Currentzis and Kopatchinskaja's Ligeti VC and Mahler 1st, Kavakos' LvB VC and Dvorak 7 ( he conducts, too), Holliger and Faust's Berg VC, Trifonov's Ravel G major, Nagano's Bruckner 8, Oramo's Elgar 2nd. Oh, and Glitburg plays Proky PC2 with Vassily Sinaisky & HPO, and Mustonen with Lintu & FRSO.

There's some Mahler, Sibelius (Vänskä conducts The Tempest - the whole thing, and numerous other works), Haydn (2 symphonies and The Seasons), Mozart (lots) too.

http://helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/en/concerts
http://yle.fi/aihe/rso/konsertit-kausi-2016-2017
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 27, 2016, 09:04:23 AM
Quote from: North Star on April 27, 2016, 08:48:06 AM
Looking at the 2016-17 seasons of Finnish RSO and Helsinki Philharmonic (where Susanna Mälkki will be the new chief conductor), I do see there would be some benefits to living in (or close to) Helsinki. Mälkki is bringing an awful lot of French modernists to her programs: Ravel, Boulez, Messiaen (Et exspecto, Ascencion, Turangaîla), Dutilleux, Debussy, Maresz, Attahir, Francesconi-Duende, Murail, and Grisey's Les espaces acoustiques. And then there's gobs of Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Szymanowski, and Ligeti, Gubaidulina, Lindberg, Saariaho.

As for the FRSO, there's an all-Stravinsky program with Salonen, Currentzis and Kopatchinskaja's Ligeti VC and Mahler 1st, Kavakos' LvB VC and Dvorak 7 ( he conducts, too), Holliger and Faust's Berg VC, Trifonov's Ravel G major, Nagano's Bruckner 8, Oramo's Elgar 2nd. Oh, and Glitburg plays Proky PC2 with Vassily Sinaisky & HPO, and Mustonen with Lintu & FRSO.

There's some Mahler, Sibelius (Vänskä conducts The Tempest - the whole thing, and numerous other works), Haydn (2 symphonies and The Seasons), Mozart (lots) too.

http://helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/en/concerts
http://yle.fi/aihe/rso/konsertit-kausi-2016-2017

Nice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on April 27, 2016, 10:15:20 AM
next month:

Hummel - Bassoon Concerto
Bruckner - Symphony No.6

principal bassoonist of the orchestra
Belgrade Philharmonic
Hans Graf
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 27, 2016, 05:19:38 PM
Quote from: North Star on April 27, 2016, 08:48:06 AM
Looking at the 2016-17 seasons of Finnish RSO and Helsinki Philharmonic (where Susanna Mälkki will be the new chief conductor), I do see there would be some benefits to living in (or close to) Helsinki. Mälkki is bringing an awful lot of French modernists to her programs: Ravel, Boulez, Messiaen (Et exspecto, Ascencion, Turangaîla), Dutilleux, Debussy, Maresz, Attahir, Francesconi-Duende, Murail, and Grisey's Les espaces acoustiques. And then there's gobs of Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Szymanowski, and Ligeti, Gubaidulina, Lindberg, Saariaho.

As for the FRSO, there's an all-Stravinsky program with Salonen, Currentzis and Kopatchinskaja's Ligeti VC and Mahler 1st, Kavakos' LvB VC and Dvorak 7 ( he conducts, too), Holliger and Faust's Berg VC, Trifonov's Ravel G major, Nagano's Bruckner 8, Oramo's Elgar 2nd. Oh, and Glitburg plays Proky PC2 with Vassily Sinaisky & HPO, and Mustonen with Lintu & FRSO.

There's some Mahler, Sibelius (Vänskä conducts The Tempest - the whole thing, and numerous other works), Haydn (2 symphonies and The Seasons), Mozart (lots) too.

http://helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/en/concerts
http://yle.fi/aihe/rso/konsertit-kausi-2016-2017

You guys are SO lucky. (I highlighted some faves, but really, you mention so much, it's hard to know where to start.) Mälkki is marvelous - have heard her live several times, in contemporary repertoire - and it's eye-opening to see her given so much programming freedom.

The other night I heard pianist Irina Kataeva-Aimard (yes, his ex-wife) in this program, utterly fascinating. This was like a seminar in Russian piano music from the early 20th century.

Scriabin: Five Preludes, Op. 74 (1914)
Prokofiev: Sarcasms, Op. 17 (1912)
Boris Pasternak: Two Preludes (1906)
Vladimir Shcherbachev: Six Inventions (1921-22)
Nikolai Roslavets: Five Preludes (1919-22)
Alexander Raskatov: Consolation (1989)
Shostakovich: Ten Aphorisms, Op. 13 (1927)
Shostakovich: Prelude and Fugue No. 24 in d minor, Op. 87 (1951)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 01, 2016, 11:06:18 AM
12 MAY, Athens Megaron

W.A. Mozart: Violin Concerto No.3
F. Busoni: Berceuse élégiaque
M. Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch: Ravel)

Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra
Leonidas Kavakos, violinist & conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on May 02, 2016, 01:02:19 AM
just bought tickets for:

13 June 2016 - Tonhalle, Zurich
Rudolf Buchbinder

Johann Sebastian Bach: Englische Suite Nr. 3 g-Moll BWV 808
Franz Schubert: Vier Impromptus D 899
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonate Nr. 6 F-Dur op. 10 Nr. 2
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonate Nr. 23 f-Moll op. 57 «Appassionata»


15 June 2016 - Theater Rigiblick, Zurich
Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart    

Johanna Zimmer    Hoher Sopran
Susanne Leitz-Lorey    Lyrischer Sopran
Truike van der Poel    Mezzosopran
Daniel Gloger    Countertenor
Martin Nagy    Tenor
Guillermo Anzorena    Bariton
Andreas Fischer    Bass

Georges Aperghis: Vittriool für sechs Stimmen (2001)
Friedrich Cerha: Zwei Szenen für sieben Stimmen (2010/11)
Mischa Käser: Präludien III für sechs Stimmen (Uraufführung)
Gabriel Dharmoo: Notre meute für fünf Stimmen (2012)
Carola Bauckholt: Nein allein (2000)
Christoph Ogiermann: Parole für vier Stimmen und Elektronik (2012)


yay!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on May 04, 2016, 07:09:05 PM
We have tickets for this -

Malcolm Martineau (piano) and Anne Schwanewilms.

(http://i.imgur.com/p5OGfqV.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 05, 2016, 12:30:12 AM
I see Bergen opens with Mahler 5 under Gardner, and then this under Mark Elder:

Benjamin Britten Sinfonia da Requiem
Gustav Mahler Rückert-Lieder
Dmitri Sjostakovitsj Symfoni nr. 15

But overall yoo many chestnut for me this autumn.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 05, 2016, 03:45:09 AM
Quote from: The new erato on May 05, 2016, 12:30:12 AM
I see Bergen opens with Mahler 5 under Gardner, and then this under Mark Elder:

Benjamin Britten Sinfonia da Requiem
Gustav Mahler Rückert-Lieder
Dmitri Sjostakovitsj Symfoni nr. 15

But overall yoo many chestnut for me this autumn.

Very nice! That should be an excellent concert. How is Gardner doing in Bergen?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 05, 2016, 04:30:29 AM
He did a really outstanding Dream of Gerontius at least. And a very fine Glagolithic Mass. But I'm not enough of a regular to make a general judgement.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on May 06, 2016, 06:24:39 AM
Brahms D minor/Beethoven 7th.

We've got tickets for this next week in Edinburgh.

(http://i.imgur.com/BzTRzkY.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on May 10, 2016, 12:44:27 PM
Just back from the BSO / M9 / Nelsons at the Musikverein. Expectations met, at last, and exceeded.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CiHtjl_WwAEAd_R.jpg:large)


Latest on Forbes.com:

Boston Symphony's Gift To Mahler In Vienna (http://bit.ly/BSO-in-Vienna)

...And that was achieved, and with perfectly hushed tones in the bargain, interrupted only by the
marimba ringtone of a goddamned iPhone, the owner of which was undoubtedly tarred and
feathered and thrown into the Danube Canal immediately following the concert...

(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2016/05/BostonSO_Musikverein_Marco-Borggreve_Andris-Nelsons-1200x798.jpg)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/05/10/boston-symphonys-gift-to-mahler-in-vienna/ (http://bit.ly/BSO-in-Vienna)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 13, 2016, 06:17:51 PM
Tomorrow night's recital by Yuja Wang at Carnegie Hall is being live-streamed on medici.tv - free.

BRAHMS Ballade in D Minor, Op. 10, No. 1
BRAHMS Ballade in D Major, Op. 10, No. 2
SCHUMANN Kreisleriana, Op. 16
BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 16, 2016, 08:22:01 PM
Quote from: king ubu on May 02, 2016, 01:02:19 AM
15 June 2016 - Theater Rigiblick, Zurich
Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart    

Johanna Zimmer    Hoher Sopran
Susanne Leitz-Lorey    Lyrischer Sopran
Truike van der Poel    Mezzosopran
Daniel Gloger    Countertenor
Martin Nagy    Tenor
Guillermo Anzorena    Bariton
Andreas Fischer    Bass

Georges Aperghis: Vittriool für sechs Stimmen (2001)
Friedrich Cerha: Zwei Szenen für sieben Stimmen (2010/11)
Mischa Käser: Präludien III für sechs Stimmen (Uraufführung)
Gabriel Dharmoo: Notre meute für fünf Stimmen (2012)
Carola Bauckholt: Nein allein (2000)
Christoph Ogiermann: Parole für vier Stimmen und Elektronik (2012)


yay!

"Yay," indeed. I heard the Neue Vocalsolisten in New York in 2014 - one of the best concerts of the year. Of the two composers on your program, the only two I've heard of are Aperghis and Cerha - wonderful that they explore so many unusual composers.

Tonight I heard the East Coast Chamber Orchestra (ECCO) in this wonderful - and FREE - program:

Elgar: Serenade for Strings
Mozart: Adagio and Fugue in C minor, K. 546
Pierre Jalbert: String Theory (2016)
Britten: String Quartet No. 2 (arr. ECCO)

The Elgar and Mozart were very impressive, the Jalbert was marvelous (PS, tonal), and the arrangement of the Britten quartet made me think that he had written a follow-up to his Simple Symphony.

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on May 16, 2016, 10:37:04 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 16, 2016, 08:22:01 PM
"Yay," indeed. I heard the Neue Vocalsolisten in New York in 2014 - one of the best concerts of the year. Of the two composers on your program, the only two I've heard of are Aperghis and Cerha - wonderful that they explore so many unusual composers.

Yes, that's the major draw for me, other than just seing them live - I haven't started exploring their discography yet (though some Hänssler discs just arrived lately), but heard of their reputation. This is one of the concerts that runs as part of the dada centennial (most of them have no relation to dada at all, they don't even do Satie ... it's all just marketing, Zurich's way too organized and economized to have any real room for something such as dada these days).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 17, 2016, 07:04:52 AM
Quote from: king ubu on May 16, 2016, 10:37:04 PM
Yes, that's the major draw for me, other than just seing them live - I haven't started exploring their discography yet (though some Hänssler discs just arrived lately), but heard of their reputation. This is one of the concerts that runs as part of the dada centennial (most of them have no relation to dada at all, they don't even do Satie ... it's all just marketing, Zurich's way too organized and economized to have any real room for something such as dada these days).

This recording is the only one I've heard, but it's quite interesting.

[asin]B000028D35[/asin]

Chuckling at your comments about Zurich (haven't been there yet), which sort of confirm reactions of others.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 19, 2016, 02:15:09 AM
This Saturday evening, I'm singing with the Cantata Singers for the first time (just off in the bass section, nothing outstanding).

http://www.cantatasingers.org/ (http://www.cantatasingers.org/)

Bach motet, Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229
Bach Mass in A, BWV 234
Pärt, Adam's Lament
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on May 22, 2016, 01:30:16 PM
We got tickets for this  -

(http://i.imgur.com/cU2iyXL.jpg)

Haven't heard Bavouzet playing before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 24, 2016, 01:00:28 AM
Programme of the 2017 George Enescu Festival.

http://festivalenescu.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/EN-update-18-februarie_2.pdf (http://festivalenescu.ro/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/EN-update-18-februarie_2.pdf)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 26, 2016, 08:36:03 AM
Looking forward to this one, a program called "Young Americans" and part of the NY Philharmonic Biennial, now underway:

Sunday, June 5
Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra
Christopher Rountree, conductor

Jennifer Higdon: Machine (New York Premiere)
Nico Muhly: So Far So Good (New York Premiere)
Hannah Lash: Chaconnes (World Premiere)
Ashley Fure: Bound to the Bow (World Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 27, 2016, 10:51:18 AM
Got a ticket for a performance of Arnold Schoenberg's Moses und Aron at the Teatro Real here in Madrid tomorrow evening. Lothar Koenigs conducts, Albert Dohmen is Moses and John Graham-Rogers is Aaron.

Romeo Castelucci's staging, a co-production between the Teatro Real and the Paris Opéra, is receiving rave reviews (even if the appearance onstage of a live bull as the golden calf has created some controversy--both in Paris and here).

(http://www.beckmesser.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/MosesAaron-0599-1024x728.jpg)

(http://www.beckmesser.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Moises-y-Aaron-1-1-1024x748.jpg)

Really looking forward to this one.... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on May 29, 2016, 03:38:14 AM
Went to the Amsterdam Concertgebouw last night (for the first time, this year; my kids joining and they were about the only kids in the audience  ;)).  The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO) under Marc Albrecht joined by soloist Gordan Nikolić in a delightful (even my kids enjoying it) performance of:

Ravel - Tzigane, rapsodie de concert
Saint-Saëns - Introduction et rondo capriccioso
Dutilleux - Métaboles
Bizet - Both 'L'Arlésienne' Suites
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 29, 2016, 01:04:04 PM
En route to this evenings concert with Jordi Savall I took some pictures walking through Bergen centre:

(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/oddryd/IMG_0603.jpg)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/oddryd/IMG_0599.jpg)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/oddryd/IMG_0609.jpg)
(http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa264/oddryd/IMG_0602.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on May 29, 2016, 01:07:19 PM
Quote from: The new erato on May 29, 2016, 01:04:04 PM
En route to this evenings concert with Jordi Savall I took some pictures walking through Bergen centre:

Beautiful. For a large city, it certainly has a small-town atmosphere...at least according to these fine shots.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on May 29, 2016, 05:51:48 PM
Very nice new erato!

Great shots - how was the concert?   ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 29, 2016, 08:33:41 PM
Very interesting, burt perhaps not great; Jordi Savall alone in a small theatre playing an assortment of pieces for solo gamba:

«Invocation»
KARL FRIEDRICH ABEL (1723–1787) 
Prélude in d minor
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750) 
Allemande in d minor (BWV 1011)
JOHANNES SCHENCK (1660–ca.1712) 
Aria Burlesca

«Les Rêgrets»
Mr de SAINTE-COLOMBE, le fils (fl.1700) 
Fantaisie en Rondeau
Mr de SAINTE-COLOMBE, le père (ca.1640–ca.1700)
Les Pleurs
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750) 
(& Improvisations)  Bourrée (BWV 1010)

«Les Voix Humaines»
Mr DE MACHY (fl.1665–92)
Prélude in d minor
MARIN MARAIS (1656–1728)
Les Voix Humaines (II Livre, 63)
Muzettes I – II (IV Livre, 28-29)

TOBIAS HUME (ca.1569–1645)
«Musicall Humors, 1605»
A Souldiers March
Harke, harke – Woope doe me no harme
A Souldiers Resolution

«Lessons for the Lyra-Viol»
ALFONSO FERRABOSCO (ca.1575–1628)
Coranto
THOMAS FORD (ca.1580–1648)
Why not here
JOHN PLAYFORD (1623–1686)
La Cloche-Sarabande

«The Lancashire Pipes»
ANONYMOUS (The Manchester Gamba Book, ca. 1630)
A Pointe or Preludium - The Lancashire Pipes
The Pigges of Rumsey - Kate of Bardie
The Cup of Tea (Irish traditional) - A Toye
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on June 03, 2016, 05:42:51 AM
Picked up season tickets for Belgrade Philharmonic next season (2016/17). Decent programming I think, if bit on conservative side, they've been getting more and more conservative last couple of years, unfortunately.

Eric - ?? (Bgf commision)
Shostakovich - Cello Concerto No.2
Prokofiev - Symphony No. 3
Alexander Ramm (cello)
Michail Jurowski (con.)

Adzic - ?? (Bgf commision)
Mozart - Piano Concerto No.24
Beethoven - Symphony No.5
Stephen Kovacevich (piano)
Eiji Oue (cond.)

Bruckner - Symphony No.7
Cristian Mandeal (con.)

Mozart - Symphony No.32
Walton - Violin Concerto
Brahms - Symphony No.1
Akiko Suwanai (violin)
Daniel Raiskin (cond.)

Liszt - Prometheus
Haydn - Bassoon Concerto
Vivaldi - Bassoon Concerto
Beethoven - Prometheus (ballet)
Sergio Azzolini (basson)
Gabriel Feltz (cond.)

Szymanowski - Concert Overture
Sollima - Folk Tales for Cello and Orchestra
Smetana - Ma Vlast (excerpts)
Giovanni Sollima (cello)
Gabriel Feltz (cond.)

Mahler - Symphony No.7
John Axelrod (cond.)

Prokofiev - The Love for Three Oranges Suite
Bartok - Piano Concerto No.3
Shostakovich - The Gadfly Suite
Andrea Lucchesini (piano)
Howard Griffiths (cond.)

Webern - Passacaglia
Berg - Violin Concerto
Brahms - Symphony No.4
Itamar Zorman (violin)
Vladimir Kulenovic (cond.)

Adams - Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Nyman - Piano Concerto (arrangement for two pianos)
Debussy - Jeux
Scriabin - La Poeme de l'Extase
Sonja Loncar and Andrija Pavlovic (piano duo)
Fabrice Bollon (cond.)

   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: PerfectWagnerite on June 03, 2016, 07:38:44 AM
That's a pretty impressive list of conductors and soloists as well as quite an eclectic selection of works. I see no reason for your complaint ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on June 03, 2016, 09:09:28 PM
I bought tickets to see Ingrid Fliter tomorrow night but I no longer live in that state. :-[
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 05, 2016, 02:35:43 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 26, 2016, 08:36:03 AM
Looking forward to this one, a program called "Young Americans" and part of the NY Philharmonic Biennial, now underway:

Sunday, June 5
Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra
Christopher Rountree, conductor

Jennifer Higdon: Machine (New York Premiere)
Nico Muhly: So Far So Good (New York Premiere)
Hannah Lash: Chaconnes (World Premiere)
Ashley Fure: Bound to the Bow (World Premiere)

--Bruce

This was quite an inspiring concert, with high school-age musicians (let that sink in for a minute) playing fairly difficult pieces, including one with electronics (Ashley Fure's Bound to the Bow). Granted, these students are quite musically talented, but still, to hear them in four works composed since 2000 - three by women - was heartening, to say the least.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jlaurson on June 06, 2016, 04:41:57 AM
Latest on Forbes:

The Rebirth of Contemporary Classical Music?
The Vienna Philharmonic Plays Larcher
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/06/06/the-rebirth-of-contemporary-classical-music-the-vienna-philharmonic-plays-larcher/)

A balmy, sunny Sunday morning. A full house – twice now, counting the previous night –
at the venerable Musikverein's Golden Hall. The Vienna Philharmonic performs under top-tier
conductor Semyon Bychkov. And on the program – prominently, not hidden! – is a world
premiere: A living composer's work and the ink barely dry on it. Kenotaph, by Thomas
Larcher – his Second Symphony...

(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2016/06/Thomas-Larcher_c_Richard-Haughton_laurson_1800-1200x446.jpg)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/06/06/the-rebirth-of-contemporary-classical-music-the-vienna-philharmonic-plays-larcher/ (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/06/06/the-rebirth-of-contemporary-classical-music-the-vienna-philharmonic-plays-larcher/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 06, 2016, 06:07:37 AM
Quote from: Draško on June 03, 2016, 05:42:51 AM


Webern - Passacaglia
Berg - Violin Concerto
Brahms - Symphony No.4
Itamar Zorman (violin)
Vladimir Kulenovic (cond.)

Interesting - this guy conducts my local (suburban) orchestra. He's pretty good. He also holds some position with the Utah Symphony, I think. I would definitely go to that concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 08, 2016, 08:07:23 PM
Quote from: Draško on June 03, 2016, 05:42:51 AM
Webern - Passacaglia
Berg - Violin Concerto
Brahms - Symphony No.4
Itamar Zorman (violin)
Vladimir Kulenovic (cond.)


And echoing Archaic's post - for a different reason! In the last two years or so I have heard Itamar Zorman a number of times, both in recital and with the Israeli Chamber Project, with which he regularly performs. He is an outstanding violinist, and I would love to hear what he does with the Berg.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 09, 2016, 04:38:54 AM
Tonight, violinist Mari Kimura at my new favorite venue, National Sawdust. Kimura is at the forefront of music and technology, and has developed a new "wearable motion sensor," which she uses in both her own compositions and those of others. She'll be playing Kaze (The Wind), which she wrote for string quartet (with the Cassatt String Quartet) and interactive computer, and then Harmonic Constellations by Michael Harrison, for violin and computer-generated sine waves.

http://nationalsawdust.org/event/multi-in-situ-mari-kimura/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 09, 2016, 08:00:46 AM
Quote from: Draško on June 03, 2016, 05:42:51 AM
Picked up season tickets for Belgrade Philharmonic next season (2016/17). Decent programming I think, if bit on conservative side, they've been getting more and more conservative last couple of years, unfortunately.

Conservative??? Such programming would be in-your-face revolutionary for the Romanian RSO in Bucharest..  :laugh:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 10, 2016, 11:04:22 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 09, 2016, 04:38:54 AM
Tonight, violinist Mari Kimura at my new favorite venue, National Sawdust. Kimura is at the forefront of music and technology, and has developed a new "wearable motion sensor," which she uses in both her own compositions and those of others. She'll be playing Kaze (The Wind), which she wrote for string quartet (with the Cassatt String Quartet) and interactive computer, and then Harmonic Constellations by Michael Harrison, for violin and computer-generated sine waves.

http://nationalsawdust.org/event/multi-in-situ-mari-kimura/

--Bruce

Last night's concert was fascinating, and here's a tweet from Kimura, showing her motion sensor - basically a glove with a wireless connection that allows her bow movements to trigger other functions. Next week, I'm going to find out more details about exactly what the device does.

https://twitter.com/marikimura/status/738482163935498244

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on June 20, 2016, 03:32:04 AM
Philarmonie de Paris; Légendes Wed. June 22nd.
Program:
    Franz Liszt
    Du berceau jusqu'à la tombe
    La Légende de sainte Cécile
    Charles Gounod
    Hymne à Sainte Cécile
    Entracte
    Charles Gounod
    Saint François d'Assise

    Orchestre de chambre de Paris, Accentus, Laurence Equilbey, direction
    Karine Deshayes, mezzo-soprano
    Stanislas De Barbeyrac, ténor
    Florian Sempey, baryton
    Deborah Nemtanu, violon
    Nicolaï Maslenko, chef de chant

Charles Gounod, Saint Francois d'Assise has been rediscovered in 2011, so its virtually unknown to the public.
Similarly, Franz Liszt, Légende de Sainte Cécile has never been recorded in its original form (Its ocasianally performed on the organ)
This concert is supposed to be broadcast on Radio Classique.  Maybe on can catch this concert with their web-radio



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 26, 2016, 09:00:04 AM
Next Saturday, July 2:

Grant Park Music Festival
Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, conductor

Dvořák: The Golden Spinning Wheel
Martinů: The Epic of Gilgamesh
7:30 p.m. Pritzker Pavilion

As this is probably the only time in my life I get to hear Gilgamesh live, this is the one real "must-hear" concert of the summer. (It's also being done the preceding night.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on June 26, 2016, 10:21:44 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 06, 2016, 06:07:37 AM
Quote from: Draško on June 03, 2016, 05:42:51 AM
Webern - Passacaglia
Berg - Violin Concerto
Brahms - Symphony No.4
Itamar Zorman (violin)
Vladimir Kulenovic (cond.)
Interesting - this guy conducts my local (suburban) orchestra. He's pretty good. He also holds some position with the Utah Symphony, I think. I would definitely go to that concert.

Decent conductor. He's been holding here the position of resident guest conductor (or some such) for last few years so I've heard him couple of times, including a very fine Vaughan Williams Pastoral.

Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 26, 2016, 09:00:04 AM
As this is probably the only time in my life I get to hear Gilgamesh live, this is the one real "must-hear" concert of the summer.

I had the same feeling when I got to hear live Martinu's 1st Symphony, with Prague Radio Symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on June 26, 2016, 10:39:11 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 08, 2016, 08:07:23 PM
And echoing Archaic's post - for a different reason! In the last two years or so I have heard Itamar Zorman a number of times, both in recital and with the Israeli Chamber Project, with which he regularly performs. He is an outstanding violinist, and I would love to hear what he does with the Berg.

--Bruce

That's great to hear, I've known nothing about him so far.

Quote from: Florestan on June 09, 2016, 08:00:46 AM
Conservative??? Such programming would be in-your-face revolutionary for the Romanian RSO in Bucharest.. 

Could be, but they used to program likes of Berio, Varese or Leifs ...

On the other hand you have the Enescu Festival, which is on another planet compared with anything that goes here currently. We haven't had a single foreign symphony orchestra play in Belgrade in last 3-4 years. To say that BEMUS (Belgrade Music Festival) which used to host the likes of VPO, Karajan or Bolshoi in the 60s and 70s is reduced to shadow of what it once was would be massive understatement, its budget is now about 45 times smaller than that of Enescu Festival, if my info is correct. :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 26, 2016, 10:42:32 AM
Quote from: Draško on June 26, 2016, 10:39:11 AM
On the other hand you have the Enescu Festival, which is on another planet compared with anything that goes here currently. We haven't had a single foreign symphony orchestra play in Belgrade in last 3-4 years. To say that BEMUS (Belgrade Music Festival) which used to host the likes of VPO, Karajan or Bolshoi in the 60s and 70s is reduced to shadow of what it once was would be massive understatement, its budget is now about 45 times smaller than that of Enescu Festival, if my info is correct. :'(

Yes, the Enescu Festival is great.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 06, 2016, 02:58:35 AM
Not everything in life is Kontra-Punkte  :D: Just got tickets for Vincenzo Bellini's I Puritani at the Teatro Real for the last perfomance of the run (on July 24) The soloists are Diana Damrau, Javier Camarena and Ludovic Tézier, condicted by Evelino Pidò. Looking forwrad to this most melodious of bel canto operas.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 09, 2016, 03:04:36 PM
Not a concert I'm able to attend, but very proud that my sister is singing tonight and tomorrow at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival, in a concert conducted by the great Dale Warland (an outstanding choral music specialist). Here's the program:

Allegri: Miserere mei, Deus
MacMillan: Data est mihi omnis potestas
Tavener: Funeral Ikos
Paulus: Evensong
Paulus: Nunc dimittis
Pärt: Te Deum

http://www.mnbeethovenfestival.org/dale-warland-and-festival-chorale-2/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 12, 2016, 06:43:46 AM
Mom is killin' me with her concert reports (N.B. she had never heard any of this music):

"The opener was two Scarlatti sonatas which were very ably performed and nice.  Then there was a brand new piece by a guy who was born in 1990. He won the Cactus Pear composition award (Thomas Dougherty).  It was intense and challenging but very modern.  There was an Armenian piece by Arno Babadjanian which had a few good moments of lovely Armenian folk melodies.  Then there was the Brahms quintet in F minor which I felt was not memorable.  I guess for me overall "not memorable" were the key words.  I don't know.  I'm probably not much of a chamber music sort of person."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 12, 2016, 08:04:28 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 12, 2016, 06:43:46 AM
Mom is killin' me with her concert reports (N.B. she had never heard any of this music):

"The opener was two Scarlatti sonatas which were very ably performed and nice.  Then there was a brand new piece by a guy who was born in 1990. He won the Cactus Pear composition award (Thomas Dougherty).  It was intense and challenging but very modern.  There was an Armenian piece by Arno Babadjanian which had a few good moments of lovely Armenian folk melodies.  Then there was the Brahms quintet in F minor which I felt was not memorable.  I guess for me overall "not memorable" were the key words.  I don't know.  I'm probably not much of a chamber music sort of person."

;D

On Thursday (and speaking of Bruckner), this concert at Carnegie Hall:

National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America
Christoph Eschenbach, Conductor
Emanuel Ax, Piano

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482
BRUCKNER Symphony No. 6 in A Major

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 12, 2016, 07:32:36 PM
Since I hadn't posted in a while I thought I'd share an important concert I attended. Important for me at least. My birthday present last month to myself was...

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian - Conductor

Robert McDuffie - Violin

Glass: Violin Concerto No.2 "American Four Seasons"
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

This was the third time I've seen fantastique live, but it's such an amazing work that I'd be willing to see a dozen more times. The real treat was Philip Glass' VC No. 2, which I was a little nervous about how the Atlanta crowd would react to this. I personally love the piece, and own the McDuffie recording of the work, released about 5 years ago. McDuffie's performance at the concert was flawless, and he's a real physical performer which added to the spectacle of the music. To my delight the rest of the crowd was just as mesmerized, they sprung to their feet in excitement the very second the music ended. I was so gitty I actually went to meet McDuffie and have him sign a copy of the CD. Yes, I bought a second copy there at the hall just for the autograph. <----Nerd Alert.   :o

More exciting Glass news from me...
I just purchased tickets to attend the 80th Birthday Celebration of Philip Glass at Carnegie Hall in January! It will also be the world premiere of his 11th Symphony performed by Dennis Russell Davies and the Bruckner Orchestra of Linz. I'm beyond thrilled to be going to this event!!!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on July 13, 2016, 12:55:44 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 12, 2016, 07:32:36 PM
Since I hadn't posted in a while I thought I'd share an important concert I attended. Important for me at least. My birthday present last month to myself was...

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian - Conductor

Robert McDuffie - Violin

Glass: Violin Concerto No.2 "American Four Seasons"
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique

This was the third time I've seen fantastique live, but it's such an amazing work that I'd be willing to see a dozen more times. The real treat was Philip Glass' VC No. 2, which I was a little nervous about how the Atlanta crowd would react to this. I personally love the piece, and own the McDuffie recording of the work, released about 5 years ago. McDuffie's performance at the concert was flawless, and he's a real physical performer which added to the spectacle of the music. To my delight the rest of the crowd was just as mesmerized, they sprung to their feet in excitement the very second the music ended. I was so gitty I actually went to meet McDuffie and have him sign a copy of the CD. Yes, I bought a second copy there at the hall just for the autograph. <----Nerd Alert.   :o

More exciting Glass news from me...
I just purchased tickets to attend the 80th Birthday Celebration of Philip Glass at Carnegie Hall in January! It will also be the world premiere of his 11th Symphony performed by Dennis Russell Davies and the Bruckner Orchestra of Linz. I'm beyond thrilled to be going to this event!!!



I would love to see some Glass symphonies performed live sooner or later...they don't get much attention down here in Australia. However, noticing that the 11th symphony is due for a world premiere it begs the question as to why his symphonies up to number 10 have already been released in a lovely cardboard box? Perhaps the recently released box will just become an historical peculiarity down the track.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 07, 2016, 01:57:24 PM
I may not get to this one, but I sure want to...next Wednesday (August 10):

Grant Park Music Festival
Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Christian Poltéra, cellist
Harris: Symphony No. 3
Piston: Symphony No. 2
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1
6:30 p.m. Pritzker Pavilion

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on August 07, 2016, 07:54:08 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 07, 2016, 01:57:24 PM
I may not get to this one, but I sure want to...next Wednesday (August 10):

Grant Park Music Festival
Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Christian Poltéra, cellist
Harris: Symphony No. 3
Piston: Symphony No. 2
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1
6:30 p.m. Pritzker Pavilion

Wow, what a concert! Harris and Piston on the same program is fantastic. I'd definitely be seeing that concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 08, 2016, 09:52:16 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 12, 2016, 07:32:36 PM
I just purchased tickets to attend the 80th Birthday Celebration of Philip Glass at Carnegie Hall in January! It will also be the world premiere of his 11th Symphony performed by Dennis Russell Davies and the Bruckner Orchestra of Linz. I'm beyond thrilled to be going to this event!!!
Wow! When in January is this? I mean, my opinion of the 10th was pretty low, but that is a very cool event, and I miiiight be able to sneak away to NYC for the Barenboim Bruckner series...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 08, 2016, 11:22:10 AM
Quote from: Brian on August 08, 2016, 09:52:16 AM
Wow! When in January is this? I mean, my opinion of the 10th was pretty low, but that is a very cool event, and I miiiight be able to sneak away to NYC for the Barenboim Bruckner series...

Jan 30th. And even if his 11th is not a monumental masterpiece it will be a once in a lifetime event, and I couldn't be more excited! Sneak away, Brian !
And I wouldn't argue with the assessment that the 10th is the weakest of his symphonies, it certainly feels more like separate, smaller works with little connection being fused together. Maybe that should be the title of the work, maybe it would be recieved better?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 16, 2016, 06:27:05 AM
Just want to send a personal alert to (poco) Sforzando that Leon Botstein and the American SO are doing Harold Shapero's Symphony at Carnegie Hall in mid-November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on August 23, 2016, 12:59:58 PM
This sunday at the Berlioz Festival (La cote st André).

DIMANCHE 28 AOÛT   19:00   COUR DU CHÂTEAU LOUIS XI 
BENVENUTO CELLINI

Orchestre du Gürzenich de Cologne
Chœur de l'Opéra de Cologne
François-Xavier Roth, direction
Andrew Ollivant, direction de chœur

Ferdinand von Bothmer, ténor 
Vincent Le Texier, baryton-basse 
Miljenko Turk, baryton 
Nikolay Didenko, basse 
John Heuzenroeder, ténor 
Lucas Singer, basse 
Alexander Fedin, ténor
Wolfgang Stefan Schwaiger, baryton 
Emily Hindrichs, soprano 
Katrin Wundsam, mezzo-soprano

H. Berlioz, Benvenuto Cellini (opéra version concert)

19:00 Acte I
20:45 Entracte-repas : « Le marmiton de la sorcière » (15 €)
21:45 Acte II
Title: Vänskä/Minnesota, live today from Amsterdam
Post by: bhodges on August 23, 2016, 09:15:14 PM
http://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2016/08/22/listen-to-the-minnesota-orchestra-live-from-amsterdam-on-aug-24

STUCKY: Rhapsodies for Orchestra
PROKOFIEV: Violin Concerto No. 1 (w/Pekka Kuusisto, violin)
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on August 23, 2016, 11:55:10 PM
Thursday 27 October in Paris, Auditorium of the Maison de la radio, Orchestre National de France conducted by Jean-Claude Casadesus, with Sarah Nemtanu, violin:

Eduard Lalo - Le Roi d'Ys
Maurice Ravel - Tzigane
Camille Saint-Saëns - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
Modest Mussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition (orchestration by Maurice Ravel)

Friday 31 March in Rotterdam: the Rotterdam PhO with conductor Sir Mark Elder and Marieke Blankestijn, violin:

Debussy - Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Debussy - La mer
Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending
Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 4

(Heard all pieces live before, except Vaughan Williams'  Fourth.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on August 24, 2016, 06:12:05 AM
Milan, Teatro alla Scala, Monday 5 September

Wagner: Prelude 1st Act  from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
R. Strauss: Vier letzte Lieder (Diana Damrau, Soprano)
R. Strauss: Symphonia Domestica

Bayerisches Staatsorchester conducted by Kirill Petrenko

I've heard Symphonia Domestica very few times, I've never been impressed too much. Quite curious to see if my opinion will change after this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on August 24, 2016, 12:50:26 PM
The tickets for my selection of Vancouver Symphony concerts arrived today
Oct.  1  BRAHMS Violin Concerto     ENESCU Symphony 1  DVOŘÁK  Carnival Overture
   Arnaud Sussman, violin    Cristian Marcelaru, cond.
Oct.. 17 BERG Violin Concerto   RACHMANINOFF Symphony 2  MOZART: Magic Flute Ov
   Karen Gomyo, violin    Karina Kanellakis
Feb. 18  BRAHMS Piano Concerto 1   SCHOENBERG Pelleas and Melisande
   Kirill Gerstein, piano    Lahav Shani
March 4 SHOSTAKOVICH Festive Ov., Symphony 12 MOZART Piano Cto 19 in F
   Jeremy Denk piano     David Danzmayr
March 11 BERNSTEIN Prelude Fugue and Riffs, MORAWETZ The Railway Station
             COPLAND Symphony 3   MacDOWELL:  Piano Concerto 2
   Alessio Bax, piano     Jeanette Jonquil, clarinet    Bramwell Tovey

maybe: Jan. 14 RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Conc.1   WAGNER: Flying Dutchman Overture
   Simone Lansma / Otto Tausk
Oct. 22   DEBUSSY Images   MENDELSSOHN Violin Conc. HOSOKAWA Blossoming II
     Stefan Jackiw/Jun Märkl
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on August 24, 2016, 02:41:18 PM
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will be playing Mahler's Symphony #5 with the Bach-Schoenberg St. Anne Prelude and Fugue   
and the Bach  Motet No. 1, Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied .  The concert, however, is in February, and since it is a 90-mile round trip, we will 0:) need to check weather forecasts!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on August 24, 2016, 04:03:28 PM
Quote from: Cato on August 24, 2016, 02:41:18 PM
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will be playing Mahler's Symphony #5 with the Bach-Schoenberg St. Anne Prelude and Fugue   
and the Bach  Motet No. 1, Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied .  The concert, however, is in February, and since it is a 90-mile round trip, we will 0:) need to check weather forecasts!
Very nice program!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on August 26, 2016, 10:34:02 AM
Beamish Piano Concerto No3 The Makers
Beethoven Piano Concerto No1
Brahms Symphony No4

Peter Oundjian/RSNO/Jonathan Biss

Got the tickets today, although I'm not sure who I'm going with. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on August 26, 2016, 12:53:13 PM
Quote from: NikF on August 26, 2016, 10:34:02 AM
Beamish Piano Concerto No3 The Makers
Beethoven Piano Concerto No1
Brahms Symphony No4

Peter Oundjian/RSNO/Jonathan Biss

Got the tickets today, although I'm not sure who I'm going with.

Beamish is a name?
And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
  Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
  He chortled in his joy.


Goes to Google and Wikipedia....a town and museum named Beamish... several people named Beamish...but the only composer is Sally Beamish, and she seems to have no piano concertos to her credit.  Could you elucidate?
Title: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on August 26, 2016, 01:24:14 PM
Boy Beamish

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on August 26, 2016, 01:43:32 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on August 26, 2016, 12:53:13 PM
Beamish is a name?
And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
  Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
  He chortled in his joy.


Goes to Google and Wikipedia....a town and museum named Beamish... several people named Beamish...but the only composer is Sally Beamish, and she seems to have no piano concertos to her credit.  Could you elucidate?

Sorry, I think you've got as much info as there is available. And her website doesn't appear to have been updated in almost a year.
The listings on the RSNO website aren't often much help in these matters. All I can find to add is that the work is 'Piano Concerto No3 The Makers (RSNO Commission)'.
I'll bookmark this thread and when I'm next at a concert featuring the RSNO I'll ask questions. Failing that, I'll definitely grab a printed programme and maybe we can find more information then.

fake edit: I've just found mention of a piano concerto here http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/members/?member_id=1920
And the website of her publisher (Edition Peters) lists a piano concerto from 2015.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 26, 2016, 02:13:56 PM
Looking forward to this concert broadcast (on the Internet) on 14 September:

Orchestra of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY 
Susanna Mälkki  conductor
Victor Hanna  percussion

Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951)
Accompaniment to a Film Scene, Op. 34

Olga Neuwirth (*1968)
Trurliade – Zone Zero for percussion and orchestra
world premiere | commissioned by Roche Commissions

Anton Webern (1883–1945)
Six Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 6

Helmut Lachenmann (*1935)
Schreiben for Orchestra

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/orchestra-of-the-lucerne-festival-academy-susanna-malkki-victor-hanna/53

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on August 26, 2016, 03:20:49 PM
Quote from: NikF on August 26, 2016, 01:43:32 PM
Sorry, I think you've got as much info as there is available. And her website doesn't appear to have been updated in almost a year.
The listings on the RSNO website aren't often much help in these matters. All I can find to add is that the work is 'Piano Concerto No3 The Makers (RSNO Commission)'.
I'll bookmark this thread and when I'm next at a concert featuring the RSNO I'll ask questions. Failing that, I'll definitely grab a printed programme and maybe we can find more information then.

fake edit: I've just found mention of a piano concerto here http://www.scottishmusiccentre.com/members/?member_id=1920
And the website of her publisher (Edition Peters) lists a piano concerto from 2015.

That explains things.  The 2015 concerto was for Brautigam and premiered this year.  The 2016 concerto is for Biss, and the actual premiere will be (was?) in Minnesota.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 26, 2016, 06:29:10 PM
Quote from: NikF on August 26, 2016, 10:34:02 AM
Beamish Piano Concerto No3 The Makers
Beethoven Piano Concerto No1
Brahms Symphony No4

Peter Oundjian/RSNO/Jonathan Biss

Got the tickets today, although I'm not sure who I'm going with.

Nik, I just saw Oundjian conduct the Atlanta S.O. through symphonie fantastique, this was my first experience with the conductor and I was impressed. He seemed to have a good feel for the Romantic era.
Hope you enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 28, 2016, 06:36:37 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 26, 2016, 06:29:10 PM
Nik, I just saw Oundjian conduct the Atlanta S.O. through symphonie fantastique, this was my first experience with the conductor and I was impressed. He seemed to have a good feel for the Romantic era.
Hope you enjoy!

Another vote for Oundjian, whom I heard with the Toronto SO a few years back in Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins (with Ute Lemper) and a fantastic Shostakovich 11th Symphony.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 28, 2016, 09:39:25 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 28, 2016, 06:36:37 AM
Another vote for Oundjian, whom I heard with the Toronto SO a few years back in Kurt Weill's The Seven Deadly Sins (with Ute Lemper) and a fantastic Shostakovich 11th Symphony.

--Bruce

Wow, Bruce! That's some killer programming. And with Lemper, I would spend good money for that one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on August 28, 2016, 09:59:05 AM
Quote from: Brian on August 08, 2016, 09:52:16 AMI mean, my opinion of the 10th was pretty low
Really? It hadn't occurred to me that your description of it in rather objective terms like "dubious parodies", "pastiche, "a shocking dose of treacly sentimentality", "inept orchestration", "prankster",  "wincingly cloying harmonic progressions",  "made me think of Tom Cruise scaling a skyscraper to escape enemy agents", "merciless assault on Philip Glass's orchestration skills", "annoying pinched trumpet solos", "woodwinds that jag out at odd angles", "brass instruments stepping on each other's metaphorical feet", "too much percussion", "just the same junk over and over again" &c. might be slightly critical in tone.  8)

For those who like to see the full verdict: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2015/Aug/Glass_sy10_OMM0101.htm
Title: Banff International String Quartet Competition being live-streamed
Post by: bhodges on August 29, 2016, 03:15:59 PM
As if there weren't enough live music to hear online, selected events from the Banff International String Quartet Competition are being live-streamed. This year's group is quite impressive.

Watch here (on right now, the Argus Quartet from the USA, in Haydn and Bartok):

https://www.banffcentre.ca/bisqc-watch-and-listen

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 30, 2016, 01:39:55 PM
Next week, dipping into the Resonant Bodies Festival, three nights of experimental vocal music, with some of the best musicians around. (Last year's opening night featured Tony Arnold, Lucy Shelton, and Dawn Upshaw.)

In the past couple of years, the founder/curator Lucy Dhegrae has come up with some fascinating evenings, using a very simple structure: for each concert, she invites 3 vocalists to do a 45-minute set of whatever they choose.

http://www.resonantbodiesfestival.org/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on September 01, 2016, 03:02:21 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 26, 2016, 06:29:10 PM
Nik, I just saw Oundjian conduct the Atlanta S.O. through symphonie fantastique, this was my first experience with the conductor and I was impressed. He seemed to have a good feel for the Romantic era.
Hope you enjoy!

That's good to know. And it'll be my first time hearing the Brahms 4 performed live.
Thanks!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 07, 2016, 07:54:04 AM
Later this week, Ónix Ensamble from Mexico City, in works by contemporary Latin American composers. Program looks fascinating:

https://nationalsawdust.org/event/americas-society-and-the-mexican-cultural-institute-ny-present-onix-ensamble-furia-y-silencio/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on September 09, 2016, 06:22:06 PM
Any New Yorkers here going to this all-Saariaho concert next month?:

http://www.armoryonpark.org/programs_events/detail/circle_map

Lumière et Pesanteur (2009, NY Premiere)
D'om le Vrai Sens (2010, NY Premiere)
Lonh (1996)
Circle Map (2012, NY Premiere)

Conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 09, 2016, 07:48:11 PM
Quote from: SimonNZ on September 09, 2016, 06:22:06 PM
Any New Yorkers here going to this all-Saariaho concert next month?:

http://www.armoryonpark.org/programs_events/detail/circle_map

Lumière et Pesanteur (2009, NY Premiere)
D'om le Vrai Sens (2010, NY Premiere)
Lonh (1996)
Circle Map (2012, NY Premiere)

Conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen

Yes, planning to go -- haven't worked out the date yet, since the fall is pretty dense. But I like her music a lot, and Salonen is doing excellent work lately.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on September 16, 2016, 11:23:44 PM
A school concert I didn't post about here which I attended last night absolutely blew my socks off at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall of the Melbourne Recital Centre.

Copland: Appalachian Spring suite for orchestra (orchestra conducted by Warwick Stengårds)
Rheinberger: Abendlied
Faure: Cantique de Jean Racine
Barber: Sure on this Shining Night
Gershwin: Clap Yo' Hands (choir and associate artists conducted by Dermot Tutty)

Interval

Monteverdi: selections from L'Orfeo (chamber choir, soloists and ensemble on period instruments with guest artists Ludovico's Band)
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (one of the year 12 pianists with orchestra conducted by Stengårds again)

This was a concert which my old school put on, but it took a different format from the usual 3 or 4 concert works including a rather more substantial work for choir and orchestra by Mozart or Haydn or something like that, probably so as not to have so much emphasis on large scale orchestral works.

I can't say what was the best item in the concert, but the final piece received a standing ovation. The soloist, Sung Won Choi, captured the lighthearted quirkiness better than most recordings I've heard just as well as the more subdued sections.

Appalachian Spring has such an exposed opening, and even though the strings were made up mostly of the younger, less experienced students, there were nothing audibly problematic in intonation or timing, and as soon as the piece picked up pace the rhythmic accuracy, synchronicity, the oneness of the whole orchestra in interpretation, the balance and the sound were easily on par or better than other performances I've seen and heard. The brass section in particular was spectacular, as most of the students are now in the older years.

The four short choral works were an interesting venture and absolutely lovely to hear. I had no idea the choir would actually sound as good as they did due to most of the students not having had vocal training. A general oneness in the performance again, as well as some of the most beautiful choral decrescendos and pianissimos I've ever heard. The Gershwin song, from 'Oh Kay' was a fun piece and was accompanied by one of the Jazz ensembles at the school.

The escerpts from L'Orfeo was totally different but didn't sound too out of place next to the final piece on the program. The chamber choir was made up mostly of the vocal students in the school (two of them playing on tambourines in some of the songs), and were positioned in a semicircle around the period instrument ensemble of students and guest artists. The solo singers had obviously taken training in historically informed performance practice and the singing style just seemed second nature to all of them.

I used to go to this school, and this was the first time I have been able to see a complete concert from an audience perspective. I was expecting it to be quite good because they have a great music program there, but it really went above and beyond even my own high expectations. I certainly must go to more of these!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on September 17, 2016, 12:20:10 AM
At the Athens Megaron

Tonight

P.I. Tchaikovsky: Andante cantabile for cello and orchestra
R. Schumann: Concert Piece for 4 horns and orchestra op.86
F. Schubert: Symphony No.9 D944

and tomorrow

R. Strauss
Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche op.28
Vier letzte Lieder
Ein Heldenleben op.40

Kristin Lewis, soprano
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Zubin Mehta

An all-Richard Strauss program right from Israel, bon dieu!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on September 17, 2016, 01:20:44 AM
Can't be there tonight but I'm watching a live stream of some of my friends playing the music of Gerard Grisey http://mcm.unimelb.edu.au/community-engagement/concerts
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on September 17, 2016, 01:24:12 AM
The streaming option doesn't seem to appear for me. Which Grisey are they playing?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on September 17, 2016, 01:27:05 AM
Quote from: SimonNZ on September 17, 2016, 01:24:12 AM
The streaming option doesn't seem to appear for me. Which Grisey are they playing?

Hmm that's a bit of a shame. Thatfabalien in NZ seems to be able to view it so I don't think viewing is limited only to Australia..........

Details here: http://www.forestcollective.com.au/threshold

Concert starts in a couple of minutes!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on September 17, 2016, 01:30:44 AM
Quote from: jessop on September 17, 2016, 01:27:05 AM
Hmm that's a bit of a shame. Thatfabalien in NZ seems to be able to view it so I don't think viewing is limited only to Australia..........

Details here: http://www.forestcollective.com.au/threshold

Concert starts in a couple of minutes!

Oh my again!. An all-Grisey program! Including Quatre Chants! And just today I played two live concerts of it on YT from 2015 and next month GioCar says he will be seeing it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on September 17, 2016, 02:39:44 AM
^Excellent job. Well done all. I'm really glad I was online to catch that. Thanks, Jessop!

And to think that was a free concert...!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on September 17, 2016, 02:42:06 AM
Quote from: SimonNZ on September 17, 2016, 02:39:44 AM
^Excellent job. Well done all. I'm really glad I was online to catch that. Thanks, Jessop!

No worries, Simon! Glad you enjoyed it ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 23, 2016, 08:21:55 AM
Wish I had been able to catch that Grisey, but I just saw these messages now, and in any case, it's moot: I wasn't around during the broadcast time, anyway.  :(

This weekend, two concerts at Bargemusic, "the floating concert hall." (Yes, it's actually a barge.)

Tonight:

Don Byron Piano Quartet (*Premiere)
Messiaen Quartet for the End of Time
Cornelius Dufallo, violin
Wendy Sutter, cello
Don Byron, clarinet
Blair McMillen, piano

Sunday:

All-Shostakovich
Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op. 8
Sonata for Violin and Piano in G Major, Op. 134
Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67
Ilya Gringolds, violin
Dmitri Kouzov, cello
Gilles Vonsattel, piano

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on September 23, 2016, 09:16:10 AM
Gounod's "Faust", Sunday night at Zurich Opera
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on September 26, 2016, 12:42:15 PM
Igor Levit in recital in Hamburg in a couple of weeks - yowzah!

https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/whats-on/piano-recital-igor-levit/6916
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on September 28, 2016, 02:46:24 AM
Not classical but still pretty classic; King Crimson in Oslo on Monday With Mel Collins, Tony Levin,, Robert Fripp and some fresh faces in the lineup (not that fresh actualy, I see that some of them have been with band since the 90-ies).

The setlist covered the first 7 albums, including (not complete by any means): Red, Starless, 21st Century, Pictures of a City, Circus, Larks Tongues (Part II),  Easy Money, Epitaph, In The Court and The Letters.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on September 28, 2016, 05:12:50 AM
Tomorrow night:

Andreas Scholl / Edin Karamazov (lute)

Handel, Bach, Dowland, English folk songs
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 28, 2016, 05:35:14 AM
Quote from: Draško on September 28, 2016, 05:12:50 AM
Tomorrow night:

Andreas Scholl / Edin Karamazov (lute)

Handel, Bach, Dowland, English folk songs

That´s a very fine line up and programme.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 28, 2016, 05:36:06 AM
Quote from: The new erato on September 28, 2016, 02:46:24 AM
Not classical but still pretty classic; King Crimson in Oslo on Monday With Mel Collins, Tony Levin,, Robert Fripp and some fresh faces in the lineup (not that fresh actualy, I see that some of them have been with band since the 90-ies).

The setlist covered the first 7 albums, including (not complete by any means): Red, Starless, 21st Century, Pictures of a City, Circus, Larks Tongues (Part II),  Easy Money, Epitaph, In The Court and The Letters.

I had no idea King Crimson are still in business.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on September 28, 2016, 03:57:11 PM
I've been thinking about it and decided I'm going to attend as many concerts as possible. Or more exactly, if there's a work or composer I want to hear - especially if it's one that's new to me - I'm just going to buy a ticket. What have I got to lose? Also, I'm on my own most of the time now and so that means I can be more flexible in my choices. As an example, this one is part of the afternoon series of concerts.

Tippett - Ritual Dances from The Midsummer Marriage
Britten - Violin Concerto
Antonin Dvorak - Symphony No. 6 in D major, Op 60

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Daniel Hope  violin
Thomas Dausgaard  conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on September 28, 2016, 09:45:59 PM
Today I got to hear the Alexander string quartet play Webern, Bartok  Shostakovich, and a newly commissioned work--in my art history classroom! It was incredible. Sitting just a few feet away as they played Shostakovich's 13th Quartet gave me chills. Tomorrow night they do their full public concert, which will include Haydn, Beethoven (the 2nd Razumovsky Quartet), and a repeat performance of Shosty's 13th. Can't wait!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Crudblud on September 30, 2016, 06:12:36 PM
A friend and I have plans to see the Ligeti Quartet at Sheffield University's Firth Hall on the 15th of November, they'll be playing a selection of Ligeti, Bartók, Webern, and Kurtág.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on September 30, 2016, 07:59:08 PM
Quote from: Crudblud on September 30, 2016, 06:12:36 PM
A friend and I have plans to see the Ligeti Quartet at Sheffield University's Firth Hall on the 15th of November, they'll be playing a selection of Ligeti, Bartók, Webern, and Kurtág.

That sounds incredible!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 30, 2016, 08:09:50 PM
Quote from: Crudblud on September 30, 2016, 06:12:36 PM
A friend and I have plans to see the Ligeti Quartet at Sheffield University's Firth Hall on the 15th of November, they'll be playing a selection of Ligeti, Bartók, Webern, and Kurtág.

Awesome! Wish I could go. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on October 01, 2016, 07:17:10 AM
Quote from: The new erato on September 28, 2016, 02:46:24 AM
Not classical but still pretty classic; King Crimson in Oslo on Monday With Mel Collins, Tony Levin,, Robert Fripp and some fresh faces in the lineup (not that fresh actualy, I see that some of them have been with band since the 90-ies).

The setlist covered the first 7 albums, including (not complete by any means): Red, Starless, 21st Century, Pictures of a City, Circus, Larks Tongues (Part II),  Easy Money, Epitaph, In The Court and The Letters.

Awesome, erato!  :)

Have you picked up this recording?
[asin]B01CIXVWU8[/asin]

Captures this current iteration very well (especially the three drummers).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on October 03, 2016, 02:25:44 PM
Quote from: Draško on September 28, 2016, 05:12:50 AM
Tomorrow night:

Andreas Scholl / Edin Karamazov (lute)

Handel, Bach, Dowland, English folk songs
Amazing lutenist! Wish I could see this!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Crudblud on October 03, 2016, 05:32:58 PM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on September 30, 2016, 07:59:08 PM
That sounds incredible!!!

Quote from: Mirror Image on September 30, 2016, 08:09:50 PM
Awesome! Wish I could go. Enjoy!

I'm looking forward to it. Do you think there would be much interest in me writing a review for the forum?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on October 03, 2016, 05:38:59 PM
Yes.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on October 03, 2016, 05:47:39 PM
Definitely.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on October 03, 2016, 06:46:46 PM
Yep!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 03, 2016, 07:57:49 PM
Quote from: Crudblud on October 03, 2016, 05:32:58 PM
I'm looking forward to it. Do you think there would be much interest in me writing a review for the forum?

Another "yes, please." Looks like a terrific concert.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 03, 2016, 08:01:20 PM
Quote from: Crudblud on October 03, 2016, 05:32:58 PM
I'm looking forward to it. Do you think there would be much interest in me writing a review for the forum?

Absolutely! Would love to read about your experience and the performances.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Crudblud on October 03, 2016, 08:11:41 PM
Message received, folks. Should I make a new thread for it or is there a place here specifically for concert reviews?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 04, 2016, 01:26:14 AM
I think concert reviews too have usually been posted in this thread. Looking forward to reading yours, Crudblud.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on October 04, 2016, 10:27:27 AM
Quote from: Crudblud on October 03, 2016, 08:11:41 PM
Message received, folks. Should I make a new thread for it or is there a place here specifically for concert reviews?

This is a good place. It's not too busy a thread to take reviews as well as anticipatory posts, and they are very apropos.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on October 05, 2016, 02:52:30 AM
Αt the Athens Megaron

16 OCT
C. Franck: Le chasseur maudit
S. Rachmaninov: Paganini Rhapsody op.43
N. Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade op.35

Nikolai Lugansky, piano
Berliner Philharmoniker
Tugan Sokhiev

26 OCT
R. Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Act 3 Prelude
                   Götterdämmerung: Morgendämmerung und Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
                                                  Siegfrieds Tod und Trauermarsch
G. Mahler: Symphony No.10: Adagio
A. Berg: Drei Orchesterstücke op.6

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Daniele Gatti
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Reckoner on October 05, 2016, 03:12:32 AM
https://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=19445

Oct 21, London

Gibbons The Silver Swan
Strauss Four Last Songs
Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem

Crouch End Festival Chorus
David Temple conductor
Erica Eloff soprano
Benjamin Appl baritone
London Mozart Players
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2016, 08:18:07 AM
Quote from: Obradovic on October 05, 2016, 02:52:30 AM
Αt the Athens Megaron

16 OCT
C. Franck: Le chasseur maudit
S. Rachmaninov: Paganini Rhapsody op.43
N. Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade op.35

Nikolai Lugansky, piano
Berliner Philharmoniker
Tugan Sokhiev

26 OCT
R. Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Act 3 Prelude
                   Götterdämmerung: Morgendämmerung und Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
                                                  Siegfrieds Tod und Trauermarsch
G. Mahler: Symphony No.10: Adagio
A. Berg: Drei Orchesterstücke op.6

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Daniele Gatti

These look wonderful, especially the second one. I'm hearing Gatti and the Concertgebouw in a few weeks in Mahler 5.

Quote from: Reckoner on October 05, 2016, 03:12:32 AM
https://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=19445

Oct 21, London

Gibbons The Silver Swan
Strauss Four Last Songs
Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem

Crouch End Festival Chorus
David Temple conductor
Erica Eloff soprano
Benjamin Appl baritone
London Mozart Players

And another great program. I don't know Gibbons at all - don't think I've ever seen anything by him on a concert program, at least here in the U.S.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 06, 2016, 08:30:23 AM
Quote from: Obradovic on October 05, 2016, 02:52:30 AM

26 OCT
R. Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Act 3 Prelude
                   Götterdämmerung: Morgendämmerung und Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
                                                  Siegfrieds Tod und Trauermarsch
G. Mahler: Symphony No.10: Adagio
A. Berg: Drei Orchesterstücke op.6

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Daniele Gatti

This looks like an outstanding concert. So jealous!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 06, 2016, 08:49:42 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 06, 2016, 08:18:07 AM
These look wonderful, especially the second one. I'm hearing Gatti and the Concertgebouw in a few weeks in Mahler 5.

And another great program. I don't know Gibbons at all - don't think I've ever seen anything by him on a concert program, at least here in the U.S.

--Bruce
You'll hear Gibbons in early music concerts more often, Bruce. ;)
Orlando Gibbons  (baptised 25 December 1583 – 5 June 1625)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Silver_Swan_(song)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2016, 09:08:10 AM
Oh DOH - that Gibbons.  :-[  Somehow in context, I was thinking he was a mid-20th century Brit.

Thanks, and as they say, "never mind!"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 06, 2016, 10:49:49 AM
Quote from: Obradovic on October 05, 2016, 02:52:30 AM
Αt the Athens Megaron

26 OCT
R. Wagner: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Act 3 Prelude
                   Götterdämmerung: Morgendämmerung und Siegfrieds Rheinfahrt
                                                  Siegfrieds Tod und Trauermarsch
G. Mahler: Symphony No.10: Adagio
A. Berg: Drei Orchesterstücke op.6

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Daniele Gatti

I'm also going to this.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on October 06, 2016, 11:16:28 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 06, 2016, 09:08:10 AM
Oh DOH - that Gibbons.  :-[  Somehow in context, I was thinking he was a mid-20th century Brit.

Thanks, and as they say, "never mind!"

--Bruce
Yeah, I had to check that out too, in that context.

Speaking of Renaissance and 20th C Brits, I'm sure John Taverner and John Tavener get mixed up often enough...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 06, 2016, 01:36:28 PM
Bought a ticket for the final show in Lucerne Saturday next week ... will be on vacation next week, but returning Friday evening. Looking forward a lot!

Luigi Nono - Prometeo

Musikalische Leitung: Clemens Heil
Szenische Einrichtung: Benedikt von Peter
Bühne: Natascha von Steiger
Kostüme: Ulrike Scheiderer
Kostüme: Andrea Pillen
Video: Bert Zander
Licht: David Hedinger
Einstudierung Chor: Mark Daver
Dramaturgie: Brigitte Heusinger
Dirigent II: Matilda Hofmann
Dirigent II: Joachim Enders

Mit: Aki Hashimoto (Sopran I), Diana Schnürpel (Sopran II), Susanne Otto (Alt I), Karin Torbjörnsdóttir (Alt II), Denzil Delaere (Tenor), Caroline Vitale (Sprecherin), Robert Maszl (Sprecher), Roberto Fabbriciani (Flöte) (09.09. / 11.09. / 12.09.), Maruta Staravoitava (Flöte) (15.09. / 18.09. / 24.09. / 30.09. / 29.09. / 08.10. / 09.10. / 15.10.) , Andrea Nagy (Klarinette / Kontrabassklarinette), Jean-Philippe Duay (Posaune), Jozsef Bazsinka (Tuba / Euphonium)

Chor des Luzerner Theaters, Experimentalstudio des SWR, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, Statisterie des Luzerner Theaters

http://www.luzernertheater.ch/prometeo


Review (in German):
http://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/buehne/saisoneroeffnung-am-luzerner-theater-hoerend-ins-offene-ld.116155
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on October 06, 2016, 05:10:52 PM
^^^^ looks like something not to miss!!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 07, 2016, 01:30:15 AM
Quote from: jessop on October 06, 2016, 05:10:52 PM
^^^^ looks like something not to miss!!!!
Yes indeed! It was actually performed in Zurich Tonhalle last year, I think, but only one or maybe two or three times (and I missed it) - in Lucerne, there are only 250 people admitted per show, they built a sort of shakesperean "globe theatre"-like wooden structure inside the theatre and the audience sits in the centre, while the music is going on all around it ... sounds pretty intriguing. Actually I just ordered a copy of the col legno recording, but I will likely not be able to listen to it before (will be on vacation next week, pick up my mail on the same Saturday that I'm going to hear it).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Reckoner on October 07, 2016, 02:34:26 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 06, 2016, 09:08:10 AM
Oh DOH - that Gibbons.  :-[  Somehow in context, I was thinking he was a mid-20th century Brit.

Yep! That madrigal is only 90 seconds long or so. But on the program nonetheless. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on October 07, 2016, 01:40:57 PM

The Castle Is Alive With Music: The Herrenchiemsee Festival
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2016/10/Herrenchiemsee_View_front_Gardens_Laurson_Festival_Forbes-1200x1480.jpg?width=960)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/10/07/the-castle-is-alive-with-music-the-herrenchiemsee-festival/#7d83cee9640a (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/10/07/the-castle-is-alive-with-music-the-herrenchiemsee-festival/#7d83cee9640a)

QuoteThe Herrenchiemsee Festival is a royal treat for music, musicians, and especially audiences. Music doesn't, in times where there are few kings and still fewer royalty that actively stoke the flames of high culture, enjoy surroundings like this anymore. Imagine, if you are familiar with it, the Versailles Hall of Mirrors. Now add six feet by which this hall beats out Versailles', think the mirrors clear rather than dull, the arches of the windows higher and wider... and then sunlight flooding the floor, reaching through the white chiffon curtains as the evening sun goes down over Lake Chiemsee and the Herreninsel where Ludwig II's castle sits like a golden Bird of Paradise (actually made of brick but clad with stone and marble) on an isolated nest of green, amid the sky-blue lake. Just behind the lake, the Alps begin to rise. On a sunny day, the setting is not just breathtaking, it is surreal.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on October 07, 2016, 08:39:39 PM
Quote from: king ubu on October 07, 2016, 01:30:15 AM
Yes indeed! It was actually performed in Zurich Tonhalle last year, I think, but only one or maybe two or three times (and I missed it) - in Lucerne, there are only 250 people admitted per show, they built a sort of shakesperean "globe theatre"-like wooden structure inside the theatre and the audience sits in the centre, while the music is going on all around it ... sounds pretty intriguing. Actually I just ordered a copy of the col legno recording, but I will likely not be able to listen to it before (will be on vacation next week, pick up my mail on the same Saturday that I'm going to hear it).

Better for you, imo. You won't be biased. Very few listening experiences are comparable to a live performance of Prometeo.
Oh, I really wish I could be there as well...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on October 07, 2016, 09:00:07 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 06, 2016, 09:08:10 AM
Oh DOH - that Gibbons.  :-[  Somehow in context, I was thinking he was a mid-20th century Brit.

Thanks, and as they say, "never mind!"

--Bruce
Or ZZ top.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on October 07, 2016, 09:04:51 PM
Quote from: HIPster on October 01, 2016, 07:17:10 AM
Awesome, erato!  :)

Have you picked up this recording?
[asin]B01CIXVWU8[/asin]

Captures this current iteration very well (especially the three drummers).
No, but now I may have to! 😃
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 08, 2016, 02:23:31 AM
Quote from: GioCar on October 07, 2016, 08:39:39 PM
Better for you, imo. You won't be biased. Very few listening experiences are comparable to a live performance of Prometeo.
Oh, I really wish I could be there as well...
Oh yes, I reckon as much ... but I can usually deal with that "gap" quite well (though after a great live experience may not feel like listening to that artist or piece at home for several weeks).

Anyway, yesterday picked up tickets for these, both at Tonhalle Zürich

FR 28.10.16
ORCHESTERMAGIE
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Donald Runnicles Leitung
Anja Harteros Sopran

Anton Webern: "Im Sommerwind" Idylle für grosses Orchester
Richard Strauss: Ausgewählte Orchesterlieder
Richard Wagner: Auszüge aus "Götterdämmerung"


MO 14.11.16
ORCHESTERMAGIE
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal
KONZERT-Gastorch/Ens. TGZ

Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
Sir John Eliot Gardiner Leitung
Kristian Bezuidenhout Hammerflügel

Johannes Brahms: Serenade Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 16
Ludwig van Beethoven: Klavierkonzert Nr. 4 G-Dur op. 58
Franz Schubert: Sinfonie Nr. 5 B-Dur D 485
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on October 08, 2016, 05:39:00 AM
I got tickets for Owen Wingrave (Paris Opera), a 2 acts opera of Benjamin Britten, based on Henry James novel.
Owen, the heir of a military family refuses to embrace the military carrier his parents had planned for him.
This Britten opera (next to last) was composed during Vietnam war and reflects Britten conviction in a statment about pacifism.

https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-16-17/opera/owen-wingrave (https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-16-17/opera/owen-wingrave)

I am looking forward to this opera and will make a detailed recension, in GMG opera section.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on October 10, 2016, 04:44:13 AM
At the end of this month I'll be spending an afternoon in the company of -

Maurice Ravel - Le tombeau de Couperin
Samuel Barber - Violin Concerto
Ralph Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 5 in D major

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Valeriy Sokolov violin
Nicholas Carter conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on October 10, 2016, 02:10:48 PM
Quote from: NikF on October 10, 2016, 04:44:13 AM
At the end of this month I'll be spending an afternoon in the company of -

Maurice Ravel - Le tombeau de Couperin
Samuel Barber - Violin Concerto
Ralph Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 5 in D major

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
Valeriy Sokolov violin
Nicholas Carter conductor
Nicholas Carter? The Aussie conductor?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on October 10, 2016, 04:26:41 PM
Hello dear GMG friends! My goodness it's been an age since I posted :o

We just got back from a long trip enjoying SF/Napa/Big Sur etc and fit in two spectacular Stravinsky concerts while there, just had to drop in and share!

The last I'll write about first, which took place Saturday at UC Berkeley -

As part of the Cal Performances series, they hosted the Philarmonia Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen for a weekend residency at Zellerbach Hall - the first program Friday was Sibelius/Beethoven, for Saturday and Sunday, both all Stravinsky.

It's so fitting of course to travel to CA and hear Stravinsky - in the program notes there is a wonderful image from the opening of the hall in 1968, which Stravinsky was in attendance for (he was supposed to conduct but was too frail, so Robert Craft conducted), they actually recreated this historical program of Oedipus Rex/Symphony of Psalms for Sunday:
http://www.berkeleyside.com/2016/10/05/londons-philharmonia-recreates-original-zellerbach-concert-as-part-of-three-day-cal-performances-residency/

For Saturday's concert, this was the bang-up program though (also done as part of their Rituals series earlier this year)-

Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor


STRAVINSKY:
Fanfare for three trumpets (1953)
Symphonies of Wind Instruments (1920, rev. 1947)
Agon (1953-57)
The Rite of Spring (1911-13)


It's tough to properly describe how phenomenal this was, but I will say it is an absolute privilege to experience them in this repertoire - this is their bread and butter, and it was so brilliantly evident!

The short inventive Fanfare (originally an opening for Agon) led directly into Symphonies of Wind Instruments, which sparkled with wit and clarity, just gorgeous sound from all winds, exceptional precision and intonation, to me virtually flawless - as excellent as their recording.

But then, the revelation - the spectacular Agon, what a score! What color and writing -- and mandolin! I must grab a recording of that ballet soon. So full of detail, awesome solos, great interaction between sections, a perfect reading for anyone not familiar with the piece.

And then (after an intermission to catch our breath from a stifling hall), the piece de resistance - an absolutely freaking mindblowing The Rite of Spring.

First of all, the playing...my gosh, the playing. I have a ton of Philharmonia recordings from various decades, with different conductors, many live broadcast recordings - consistently they are technically amazing, and the same live. Unreal, true sync inside each section. As a whole, they produce a beautifully massive and balanced sound - muscular, vibrant, elegant are words that come to mind.

But also...there is that indescribable something, this electric chemistry and fire-in-the-belly rawness that Salonen totally ignites...pure magic to witness, the kind of musicmaking I wish I got to experience more. The whole place was enveloped in this spell they cast, as if time stopped - from Danse Sacrale to the last note, my heartrate was mired in a relentless emotional crescendo along with the music, barreling full throttle to the sacrifice.

It's incredible to note that they recorded this together back in 1990 - 26 years ago!! As good as that one is, his interpretation has certainly matured with the years, now more restraint with the abandon, less podium airtime, more specific gestures, and quiet moments in which no conducting is even necessary. Better with age, like some of the fine wines we tasted in Napa..

Needless to say, after the last note the audience exploded - there were about five curtain calls, at the last when Salonen gestured for the orchestra to stand, they demurred and motioned him to turn around for the ovation, he became flushed at the enormous reception from the mostly Californian audience...whisking away the concertmaster after the bow with a smile like okay, we're leaving the building! ;)

Couple of other fun random notes:

- They brought along their newest digital foray, Virtual Orchestra - which is actual 360 virtual reality via headset, they were showing the final 4 min. of Sibelius 5th (great choice btw). The viewpoint is that of center first row in the orchestra, pretty nifty for sure - no substitute for live but they are using this a lot for outreach to school kids, which is awesome.

- Berkeley is quite the lively campus, many of the college kids were in attendance, though one seemed to have snuck in at intermission who was obviously on...a substance...no real disturbance but he was quietly escorted away..

- We stayed that night in town and actually were at the same hotel as the Philharmonia! Talked to a few players before and a couple after at the hotel bar...they were really lovely, seemed to be greatly enjoying the US visit and the Stravinsky programs...amusingly the orchestra's call sheet for each day was posted on a large easel in the lobby, and I spied other hotel patrons looking at it in a perplexed fashion :)

*I'll return to write about the other Stravinsky concert we heard later, must rustle up dinner now!*
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on October 10, 2016, 04:53:39 PM
Quote from: jessop on October 10, 2016, 02:10:48 PM
Nicholas Carter? The Aussie conductor?

Yeah, that one. http://www.askonasholt.co.uk/artists/conductors/nicholas-carter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 10, 2016, 04:59:12 PM
Quote from: Senta on October 10, 2016, 04:26:41 PM
Hello dear GMG friends! My goodness it's been an age since I posted :o

We just got back from a long trip enjoying SF/Napa/Big Sur etc and fit in two spectacular Stravinsky concerts while there, just had to drop in and share!

The last I'll write about first, which took place Saturday at UC Berkeley -

As part of the Cal Performances series, they hosted the Philarmonia Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen for a weekend residency at Zellerbach Hall - the first program Friday was Sibelius/Beethoven, for Saturday and Sunday, both all Stravinsky.

It's so fitting of course to travel to CA and hear Stravinsky - in the program notes there is a wonderful image from the opening of the hall in 1968, which Stravinsky was in attendance for (he was supposed to conduct but was too frail, so Robert Craft conducted), they actually recreated this historical program of Oedipus Rex/Symphony of Psalms for Sunday:
http://www.berkeleyside.com/2016/10/05/londons-philharmonia-recreates-original-zellerbach-concert-as-part-of-three-day-cal-performances-residency/

For Saturday's concert, this was the bang-up program though (also done as part of their Rituals series earlier this year)-

Philharmonia Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor


STRAVINSKY:
Fanfare for three trumpets (1953)
Symphonies of Wind Instruments (1920, rev. 1947)
Agon (1953-57)
The Rite of Spring (1911-13)


It's tough to properly describe how phenomenal this was, but I will say it is an absolute privilege to experience them in this repertoire - this is their bread and butter, and it was so brilliantly evident!

The short inventive Fanfare (originally an opening for Agon) led directly into Symphonies of Wind Instruments, which sparkled with wit and clarity, just gorgeous sound from all winds, exceptional precision and intonation, to me virtually flawless - as excellent as their recording.

But then, the revelation - the spectacular Agon, what a score! What color and writing -- and mandolin! I must grab a recording of that ballet soon. So full of detail, awesome solos, great interaction between sections, a perfect reading for anyone not familiar with the piece.

And then (after an intermission to catch our breath from a stifling hall), the piece de resistance - an absolutely freaking mindblowing The Rite of Spring.

First of all, the playing...my gosh, the playing. I have a ton of Philharmonia recordings from various decades, with different conductors, many live broadcast recordings - consistently they are technically amazing, and the same live. Unreal, true sync inside each section. As a whole, they produce a beautifully massive and balanced sound - muscular, vibrant, elegant are words that come to mind.

But also...there is that indescribable something, this electric chemistry and fire-in-the-belly rawness that Salonen totally ignites...pure magic to witness, the kind of musicmaking I wish I got to experience more. The whole place was enveloped in this spell they cast, as if time stopped - from Danse Sacrale to the last note, my heartrate was mired in a relentless emotional crescendo along with the music, barreling full throttle to the sacrifice.

It's incredible to note that they recorded this together back in 1990 - 26 years ago!! As good as that one is, his interpretation has certainly matured with the years, now more restraint with the abandon, less podium airtime, more specific gestures, and quiet moments in which no conducting is even necessary. Better with age, like some of the fine wines we tasted in Napa..

Needless to say, after the last note the audience exploded - there were about five curtain calls, at the last when Salonen gestured for the orchestra to stand, they demurred and motioned him to turn around for the ovation, he became flushed at the enormous reception from the mostly Californian audience...whisking away the concertmaster after the bow with a smile like okay, we're leaving the building! ;)

Couple of other fun random notes:

- They brought along their newest digital foray, Virtual Orchestra - which is actual 360 virtual reality via headset, they were showing the final 4 min. of Sibelius 5th (great choice btw). The viewpoint is that of center first row in the orchestra, pretty nifty for sure - no substitute for live but they are using this a lot for outreach to school kids, which is awesome.

- Berkeley is quite the lively campus, many of the college kids were in attendance, though one seemed to have snuck in at intermission who was obviously on...a substance...no real disturbance but he was quietly escorted away..

- We stayed that night in town and actually were at the same hotel as the Philharmonia! Talked to a few players before and a couple after at the hotel bar...they were really lovely, seemed to be greatly enjoying the US visit and the Stravinsky programs...amusingly the orchestra's call sheet for each day was posted on a large easel in the lobby, and I spied other hotel patrons looking at it in a perplexed fashion :)

*I'll return to write about the other Stravinsky concert we heard later, must rustle up dinner now!*

Welcome back! I'm so jealous! That all-Stravinsky program looks absolutely amazing. Looking forward to reading about your other Stravinsky concert experience and, yes, Salonen really knows his Stravinsky. Seems to be one of his favorite composers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 11, 2016, 11:24:36 AM
It's really good to see you back here! Stick around a while, after you tell us about that next concert, will ya ;)

(Most may not know this, but Senta is the first GMGer I ever met.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 13, 2016, 07:00:18 AM
Last night!

LECLAIR - Sonata for 2 violins No. 5 in E minor
MOZART - Duo no. 1 for violin and viola
HALVORSEN - Passacaglia on a Theme by Handel

Alexander Kerr, violin (concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony)
Lydia Umlauf, violin (violinist in the Dallas Symphony)

This concert was 1. FREE, and 2. in a COCKTAIL BAR. Did I have four cocktails? Maaaaybe. Was it a terrific performance in a fantastic atmosphere with drinkers who were really interested & excited? Yes!

Tonight!

ROUSE - Rapture
BRUCH - "Violin Concerto" (I assume this means No. 1)
TCHAIKOVSKY - Symphony No. 4

Augustin Hadelich, violin
Dallas Symphony / Jaap van Zweden

This isn't the most adventurous program, but then, I have tickets to most of the most adventurous programs this year (premieres of Rouse symphony and Kernis concerto; Lutoslawski; skipping "Dream of Gerontius", though). And you need some comfort food music sometimes, too. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on October 13, 2016, 09:03:02 PM
Aww hi Brian!! Miss you my friend! We had some great concertgoing times! We totally have to get together if you're ever down here or I'm up there ;)

I'm jealous of that cocktail bar concert, what fun...and tonight's too! I love Rouse's Rapture and of course the rest is awesome as well.

So yes I'm finally back to write about the other Stravinsky we saw on our trip - it was this:

Thursday, Sept. 29 2016
Davies Hall

San Francisco Symphony
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano
Mark Inouye, trumpet

BRIGHT SHENG
Dream of the Red Chamber Overture (world premiere, SFS Commission)

SHOSTAKOVICH
Piano Concerto No. 1

STRAVINSKY
Le Chant du rossignol

STRAVINSKY
The Firebird Suite (1919 rev)


And this concert too was fabulous!! Another orchestra/conductor I've wanted to see live for ages.

The first premiere piece is from Bright Sheng's new opera which actually has been currently playing at SF Opera. It was a very pretty, straightforward short piece incorporating Chinese folk themes, lush classic orchestration - made an enjoyable opening and composer was in attendance.

The Shostakovich PC 1..ahhh...this is one of my very, very favorite Shostakovich pieces! :) Yuja Wang sailed out to a huge reception, in a brilliant one-shoulder turquoise gown with a precarious slit up one side, and even more precarious platform shoes. I don't know how she pedaled in those!! She must have practiced in them! Their performance was so much fun - MTT and Yuja had excellent communication, nice chemistry all-around, Yuja tore into the part with fervor, and wow...Mark Inouye is incredible. Just gorgeous trumpet work. Many curtain calls for this one!

Then, the much anticipated Stravinsky - with Le Chant du Rossignol, first time to hear it live! Fascinating, magical...so much beautiful detail and color, meticulously prepared and played. I really appreciated the programming of this concert in all...perfect bedfellows.

And finally of course, the Firebird Suite - it's always nice to hear an old friend you know by heart!  MTT is quite matter-of-fact in expression, even in this passionate music, but he was extremely clear in gesture and there was a wealth of detail, again beautifully polished playing and phrasing. Amazing dynamic range too - at the beginning it took a second to realize the basses were even playing, really nice..and the final chords were incandescent.

The only thing was, in the Finale I did wish he took slightly slower tempi, just so we could savor the orchestra's sound and the release of reaching that final radiance! In all, it was a really top-notch performance, and if we had not heard the Philharmonia a week later, I would still be just as awestruck..

Interestingly, MTT seemed to be most enjoying himself in the Shostakovich, and indeed you could really hear and feel the chemistry take off with all musicians, it was such a treat! For their Stravinsky, namely Firebird, sensitive focus came most to the fore, but the emotion stopped just a bit short of truly becoming one with the music and giving yourself over to it.

Hearing the Philharmonia, we frankly walked away overwhelmed (and slightly out of breath), that's how absolutely exhilarating and devastating Rite was. From beginning to end of the concert, the orchestra and Salonen were just so incredibly committed and locked in for every moment, playing as if there were no tomorrow.

I know, it's not really fair to compare - for one, you have an orchestra on a Thursday night in their home hall, and an orchestra on a Saturday night at the end of an overseas tour, and very different programs but..just interesting to observe.

In all, both concerts would absolutely rank top among the best orchestral performances I've ever heard in my life, and I'm so glad it worked out for us to see them...hopefully someday we will get to hear both groups again in other repertoire too!

And yes I promise I will stick around for a bit this time - was just perusing some interesting threads! And I will post back when we decide on a few other upcoming concerts we may attend ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on October 16, 2016, 10:03:33 AM
Tomorrow evening at La Scala:

Benjamin Britten: The Turn of the Screw
Teatro alla Scala Orchestra
Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach
Staging: Kasper Holten
Sets and costumes: Steffen Aarfing
Lights: Ellen Ruge
Dramaturge: Gary Kahn

The Prologue/Peter Quint: Ian Bostridge
The Governess: Miah Persson
Miles: Sebastian Exall
Flora: Louise Moseley
Mrs Grose: Jennifer Johnston
Miss Jessel: Allison Cook


Can't wait!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on October 18, 2016, 03:12:52 PM
October 27, Maison de la Radio, Paris: http://www.maisondelaradio.fr/evenement/concerts-du-soir/lalo-ravel-saint-saens
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 18, 2016, 05:56:27 PM
November 5th
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Robert Spano


ELGAR - Sea Pictures*
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - A Sea Symphony

Jamie Barton - Mezzo-Soprano*
Tamara Wilson - Soprano
Brian Mulligan - Baritone

I am so excited for this concert, Sea Symphony has been a personal favorite of mine for many years. ASO had scheduled this a few years ago but had a musician strike which resulted in the cancellation of that concert, so I'm glad to see they re-programmed it this year. This will be my first time seeing both pieces performed live in concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Reckoner on October 19, 2016, 01:26:57 AM
From last week!

13 Oct, London
Sitkovetsky Piano Trio

Mozart: Fantasy in D minor, K379
Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 19, 2016, 03:13:33 AM
Quote from: king ubu on October 06, 2016, 01:36:28 PM
Bought a ticket for the final show in Lucerne Saturday next week ... will be on vacation next week, but returning Friday evening. Looking forward a lot!

Luigi Nono - Prometeo

Musikalische Leitung: Clemens Heil
Szenische Einrichtung: Benedikt von Peter
Bühne: Natascha von Steiger
Kostüme: Ulrike Scheiderer
Kostüme: Andrea Pillen
Video: Bert Zander
Licht: David Hedinger
Einstudierung Chor: Mark Daver
Dramaturgie: Brigitte Heusinger
Dirigent II: Matilda Hofmann
Dirigent II: Joachim Enders

Mit: Aki Hashimoto (Sopran I), Diana Schnürpel (Sopran II), Susanne Otto (Alt I), Karin Torbjörnsdóttir (Alt II), Denzil Delaere (Tenor), Caroline Vitale (Sprecherin), Robert Maszl (Sprecher), Roberto Fabbriciani (Flöte) (09.09. / 11.09. / 12.09.), Maruta Staravoitava (Flöte) (15.09. / 18.09. / 24.09. / 30.09. / 29.09. / 08.10. / 09.10. / 15.10.) , Andrea Nagy (Klarinette / Kontrabassklarinette), Jean-Philippe Duay (Posaune), Jozsef Bazsinka (Tuba / Euphonium)

Chor des Luzerner Theaters, Experimentalstudio des SWR, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, Statisterie des Luzerner Theaters

http://www.luzernertheater.ch/prometeo


Review (in German):
http://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/buehne/saisoneroeffnung-am-luzerner-theater-hoerend-ins-offene-ld.116155

This was plain amazing! You keep hearing how low-volume "Prometeo" is and how much silence and stuff ... true that, but in this very intimate set-up, it also got really loud and intense, again and again. The set-up with the audience in the middle (free-seating, and there were two short breaks where you could change your position) and the orchestras, soloists and choir on two galleries all around, was really good. For the first two thirds I was just under the solo singers (some of them, at least), then I changed to the opposite end and instead of seeing conductor Clemens Heil from opposite, I was just next to him (and could hear him take deep breaths on some of the ... what's the word, "starts"? "Auftakt" in German). The electonics guys sat in the middle on a lengthy table with two huge scores on their mixing desk and some computers etc, I had a good sight on them in the first two thirds, as well. The texts were pojected onto the ceiling and the wooden planks around the audience - the set-up was resembling a Shakespearean type of "globe theatre" with the musicians and singers on the first and second tiers. Lights were switched off for those sections of the orchestra(s) and voices that were not playing (and for the second conductor, too).

Best concert/event/stage show of the year for sure!



Also, last week, in Hamburg (Laeiszhalle, 12 October):

Johann Sebastian Bach
Partita Nr. 1 B-Dur BWV 825

Frederic Rzewski
Dreams II

Ludwig van Beethoven
33 Veränderungen C-Dur über einen Walzer von Diabelli op. 120 »Diabelli-Variationen«

Igor Levit, piano

A great concert, too (but nothing compares to the Nono, actually nothing I ever witnessed does - a once-in-a-lifetime thing really, too bad I was at the closing show, would love to see it once more, maybe positioned differently) - the Bach was wonderful as a kick-off, the Rzewski (which Levit announced in a very likeable short address to the audience) a mixture of somewhat boring/bland and really good, I found (I think it was the third part I liked best), and I did occasionally find it a bit difficult to remain focused. He didn't have a page turner for a tablet slider for this.

Then after the break, the main beef ... and wow, was it great to hear the Diabelli variations live! He added a short encore, the "Für Elise" bagatelle ... and I guess he thoroughly wowed the audience once more by the sheer beauty and tenderness of his performance.

I'm not 100% sure he's a great interpreter yet, but his playing is on such a high level and his musicianship not far behind ... definitely will keep watching him and listen to his upcoming releases!



Finally, while roaming through Hamburg, I saw that every Thursday at 4.30 p.m. there's half an hour of organ music on the Arp Schnitger organ in St. Jacobi. This is what we heard Gerhard Löffler (cantor of St. Jacobi) play:

Donnerstag 13. Oktober 36.

Matthias Weckmann, 1616–1674
Praeambulum primi toni

Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685–1750
An Wasserflüssen Babylon BWV 653
Von Gott will ich nicht lassen BWV 658
Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit BWV 668

Nicolaus Bruhns, 1665–1697
Praeludium e-moll


The Bruhns was clearly the highlight to my ears, the Bach being all rather quiet and slow (and me being rather tired) ... and wow does this organ sound gorgeous. Warm, full-bodied, soft ... I didn't read up the entire history, but there's a long German wiki entry on this organ and it's reconstruction:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orgel_der_Hauptkirche_Sankt_Jacobi_%28Hamburg%29
The english entry alas is much shorter.


No concerts now for a week (considering a jazz concert on Sunday though, definitely attending another one next week on Thursday and then Anja Harteros on Friday next week).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on October 19, 2016, 08:42:56 AM
Quote from: king ubu on October 19, 2016, 03:13:33 AM
This was plain amazing! You keep hearing how low-volume "Prometeo" is and how much silence and stuff ... true that, but in this very intimate set-up, it also got really loud and intense, again and again. The set-up with the audience in the middle (free-seating, and there were two short breaks where you could change your position) and the orchestras, soloists and choir on two galleries all around, was really good. For the first two thirds I was just under the solo singers (some of them, at least), then I changed to the opposite end and instead of seeing conductor Clemens Heil from opposite, I was just next to him (and could hear him take deep breaths on some of the ... what's the word, "starts"? "Auftakt" in German). The electonics guys sat in the middle on a lengthy table with two huge scores on their mixing desk and some computers etc, I had a good sight on them in the first two thirds, as well. The texts were pojected onto the ceiling and the wooden planks around the audience - the set-up was resembling a Shakespearean type of "globe theatre" with the musicians and singers on the first and second tiers. Lights were switched off for those sections of the orchestra(s) and voices that were not playing (and for the second conductor, too).

Best concert/event/stage show of the year for sure!


....
Thanks for this great review, king ubu! I haven't listened to Prometeo for ages (I own the Metzmacher recording) and have never experienced it live. I'm sure the effcect of the work in the flesh must be completely different (and much more gripping) thnt on record. I envy you!  :)

Cheers,
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 19, 2016, 01:00:13 PM
Quote from: ritter on October 19, 2016, 08:42:56 AM
Thanks for this great review, king ubu! I haven't listened to Prometeo for ages (I own the Metzmacher recording) and have never experienced it live. I'm sure the effcect of the work in the flesh must be completely different (and much more gripping) thnt on record. I envy you!  :)

Cheers,
Thanks!

Actually, I forgot to mention that already when getting off the train in Lucerne I bumped into an old acquaintance (he was the flute teacher of my sister at the high school I went to and part of a small reading circle which I began attending around the time I finished high school - and even before that he had quite an influence on my musical tastes ... I fondly remember a concert of Cage's "Branches" we all attended a few years back, I also have the CD that ensemble made back then, somewhere) ... anyway, he was at the Zurich Tonhalle staging of "Prometeo" a couple of years back (2014 I think, part of the "Festspiele", the high-brow-even-more-expensive-crappity-concerts that close the annual season in June) ... and he was initially hesitant thus to go to Lucerne and hear "Prometeo" again. He was just as flashed as I was and said the Zurich version was nowhere near as good (the location being so much bigger, it probably was as quiet as they say ...)

Also, on the way home today, I could finally pick up the col legno recording of "Prometeo" - glad I could snatch it up (a new/sealed copy, and for a really good price too, around 15€, including shipping). Quite sure it will take me ages to listen to it, the live experience is too good to fool with it ...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on October 19, 2016, 11:40:20 PM
^^^
When I was in my twenties I had the opportunity to attend the premiere of Prometeo - the revised/final version - in Milan, but unfortunately I don't remember a lot of that. I was with my girlfriend who had almost no interest in classical/contemporary music so that evening turned out to be quite a problematic one...What a mistake to take her to that performance...

I really wish I had the chance to see it live again.

Anyway, back to a traditional "bourgeois"  ;) concert:
Next Saturday at La Scala
Johannes Brahms: Tragische Ouverture
Franz Liszt: Concerto No. 1 in for piano & orchestra (Benjamin Grosvenor at the piano)
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No.2
Riccardo Chailly conducting La Filarmonica della Scala

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on October 19, 2016, 11:55:41 PM
How was the Britten Turn Of The Screw with Bostridge, GioCar?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 20, 2016, 12:02:41 AM
Quote from: GioCar on October 19, 2016, 11:40:20 PM
^^^
When I was in my twenties I had the opportunity to attend the premiere of Prometeo - the revised/final version - in Milan, but unfortunately I don't remember a lot of that. I was with my girlfriend who had almost no interest in classical/contemporary music so that evening turned out to be quite a problematic one...What a mistake to take her to that performance...
Ha ha, I know that feeling ... it's more about jazz concerts though. I only started exploring classical in 2012 and have been with my girlfriend for much longer ... and she did quite enjoy Levit last week but I would not drag her to any classical concert at home, but I do try now and then with jazz concerts, and I find it quite impossible to tell in advance what she might enjoy and what not.

Quote from: GioCar on October 19, 2016, 11:40:20 PM... Scala
You're in Milan, right? I'll be there (for a jazz concert) end of January and will stay for a few days, most likely ... and I see they have "Don Carlo" at La Scala then. Sales start in November - need I be online the second sales start to get a ticket at a sane rate (like, less than 100€)?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 20, 2016, 12:41:59 AM
Last evening, at the Radio Concert Hall, Bucharest, a traditional "aristocratic" concert.  :)

ORCHESTRA  DE  CAMERĂ RADIO
Dirijor:CRISTIAN BRÂNCUŞI

CORUL ACADEMIC RADIO
Dirijor:CIPRIAN ȚUȚU

Soliști:
          ADRIAN JOJATU– fagot
          EMIL LANCEA – clarinet
          CRISTINA OLTEAN – soprană
          GEANINA MUNTEANU – alto
          TONY BARDON – tenor
          CRISTIAN HODREA – bas

C. M. von Weber: Andante şi Rondo ungarese în do minor, op. 35, J.158 pentru fagot şi orchestră
Franz Danzi:  Concertino în Si bemol major pentru clarinet, fagot şi orchestră, op. 47
J. Haydn: Missa nr. 9 în Do major ,,In Tempore Belli – Paukenmesse", Hob. XXII:9


It´s in Romanian but I´m sure you´ll understand everything except "dirijor" which means "conductor" and "fagot" which means "bassoon".

My first listen to Paukenmesse and I am quite impressed, particularly by the "Miserere nobis" for bass and cello obbligato, the "Benedictus" quartet and the final choral supplication "Dona nobis pacem", which in the context of the premiere must have been especially moving. And the timpani were indeed prominent. I loved it.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on October 20, 2016, 12:57:59 AM
Quote from: SimonNZ on October 19, 2016, 11:55:41 PM
How was the Britten Turn Of The Screw with Bostridge, GioCar?

Hi Simon
Well I think he was just perfect for Quint's part. I mean, not only vocally.
I have his recording in the role, with Daniel Harding conducting the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, but I'd say that seeing him live makes the difference. A truly disturbing Peter Quint
Generally speaking I enjoyed that performance very much. I've never seen The Turn of the Screw live before. Maybe a smaller theatre would have suited better (the few instrumentalists were a bit lost in the large orchestra pit) but the singing, the staging and the few elements of the orchestra were all outstanding.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on October 20, 2016, 01:20:41 AM
Quote from: king ubu on October 20, 2016, 12:02:41 AM
You're in Milan, right? I'll be there (for a jazz concert) end of January and will stay for a few days, most likely ... and I see they have "Don Carlo" at La Scala then. Sales start in November - need I be online the second sales start to get a ticket at a sane rate (like, less than 100€)?

Oh yes, you have to be faster than lightning to get one of those Gallery tickets  :D,
Anyway, have you checked if a ScalAperta date for Don Carlo has been programmed in that period? Tickets for the ScalAperta performances are sold at half their nominal prices.

Will your jazz concert be at the Blue Note? My office is just around the corner... 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 20, 2016, 02:46:12 AM
Quote from: GioCar on October 20, 2016, 01:20:41 AM
Oh yes, you have to be faster than lightning to get one of those Gallery tickets  :D,
Anyway, have you checked if a ScalAperta date for Don Carlo has been programmed in that period? Tickets for the ScalAperta performances are sold at half their nominal prices.

Will your jazz concert be at the Blue Note? My office is just around the corner... 8)

The jazz concert is this here - special enough for making the trip:
http://www.aperitivoinconcerto.it/evento/2017-01-29/roscoe-mitchell-sextet
They have some other good concerts this season (Alexander Hawkins, Wadada Leo Smith/Vijay Iyer Trio, Joe Daley) - too bad there's no train connection from Zurich that I can get there in time without staying over night.

Alas, there's just one date where "Don Carlo" would suit my plans (Feb 1) - will try and be ready to book online then, on the day the sales start (no "Don Carlo" show on the entire ScalAperta list, btw, but thanks for letting me know, was unaware of this). They also have "Don Carlo" in Zurich, even with Anja Harteros, but I reckon it would be cool to go to La Scala if I'm there already ... and I don't need to see it twice (they have a four act version here, alas ...)

My plan is then to spend the full week in Milano/Torino and on Saturday on to Novara, to catch another concert by Bobby Bradford there:
http://www.novarajazz.org/eventi/bobby-bradford-quartet
And then back home on Sunday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on October 27, 2016, 02:04:10 PM
Mahler 9th with the LA Phil and Dudamel in my town next week (11/2), then I go to LA on 12/1 to hear them play Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.3 with Daniil Trifonov plus Prokofiev's Scythian Suite and Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy. On December 8th, pianist  Konstantin Lifschitz plays all six of Bach's Partitas in Menlo Park, CA. Good times await!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 29, 2016, 04:31:16 AM
Quote from: king ubu on October 08, 2016, 02:23:31 AM
...

FR 28.10.16
ORCHESTERMAGIE
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Donald Runnicles Leitung
Anja Harteros Sopran

Anton Webern: "Im Sommerwind" Idylle für grosses Orchester
Richard Strauss: Ausgewählte Orchesterlieder
Richard Wagner: Auszüge aus "Götterdämmerung"

This was last night ... Harteros was as wonderful as I had hoped, repeating "Morgen" as an encore and performing an even more haunting take of it than before. The songs she performed, in order (I think, hope memory doesn't play tricks on me - it wasn't the order given in the printed programme):

Die heiligen drei Könige aus dem Morgenland Op. 56/6
Meinem Kinde Op. 37/3
Waldseligkeit Op. 49/1
Ruhe, meine Seele Op. 27/1
Morgen! Op. 27/4
Zueignung Op. 10/1

encore: Morgen! Op. 27/4

The Webern was a nice opener, catchy and easy on the ears, the Wagner was heavier of course - wonderful music, I guess, but a bit on the ponderous side, not performed with the depth and cold-blooded decision it was given by the likes of Szell (in order, it was Siegfried's rhine journey, then his death seguing into the final scene of the third act).

Glad I went to catch Harteros, though I should have invested more and got a good seat front/center ... alas Tonhalle wasn't nearly full, no idea why the people of Zurich don't want to hear her. Acoustically, the room is perfect for stuff like that, but hearing the soloist from the gallery on the side isn't always that easy ... either way, the low passages were of such tenderness, it was amazing. On "Meinem Kinde", I think, she was accompanied just by a string quartet, Andreas Janke on solo violin was a perfect musical partner.

Btw, in the newspaper review (NZZ) it is being mentioned that they did a false start with Webern on the first night (I went on the second night) and had to re-start - guess it would have been fun to be there, never saw that happen in a concert, I think.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 29, 2016, 02:47:21 PM
I'm hoping to hear Vaughan Williams's Five Mystical Songs on 12th November locally at a church in Eastbourne.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 29, 2016, 05:19:14 PM
... and I just bought tickets for pretty decent seats (cost a pretty indecent amount, will invite my mother) to catch Harteros again in early December, singing Elisabetta in "Don Carlo" - they do the 1884 4 act Milan version, with Ramon Vargas in the title role, René Pape as Filippo II, cond. Fabio Luisi ... not too big on what I saw (only on TV) so far by Sven-Erik Bechtolf, but after the gorgeous Strauss lieder, I just feel like catching Harteros in person again.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jochanaan on November 01, 2016, 08:12:43 AM
Quote from: king ubu on October 19, 2016, 03:13:33 AM
...(and could hear him take deep breaths on some of the ... what's the word, "starts"? "Auftakt" in German)....
In English the word is "upbeat."  And I wish I could have been there! ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on November 02, 2016, 12:29:52 PM
Tomorrow night @ City Halls, Glasgow...     

Donald Runnicles - Conductor Emeritus  BBCSSO
Carolyn Sampson - Soprano

Works
    Mozart: Voi avete un cor fedele* (c.7 mins)
    Mahler: Symphony No.4* (c.57 mins)
    Mozart: Exsultate jubilate* (c.17 mins)
    Mozart: Symphony in D major (c.9 mins)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on November 02, 2016, 12:43:09 PM
@jochanaan: belated thanks for the language help ... had seen that as a suggested translation but as I never heard/read it in context, wasn't sure.

@Scots John: Runnicles was somewhat bland here in Zurich a few days ago, I found ... but he provided good accompaniment to the great Anja Harteros. I hope he'll do the same for Sampson - envious, would love to hear her in concert, with the Mozart's wonderful Exsultate, jubilate, at that!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on November 02, 2016, 01:00:50 PM
Quote from: king ubu on November 02, 2016, 12:43:09 PM
@Scots John: Runnicles was somewhat bland here in Zurich a few days ago, I found ... but he provided good accompaniment to the great Anja Harteros. I hope he'll do the same for Sampson - envious, would love to hear her in concert, with the Mozart's wonderful Exsultate, jubilate, at that!

I'll report back.  I hope he isn't bland tomorrow - he did Mahler 9 a couple of years ago here, which was a bit blary here and there, but that was probably because I was in the cheap seats...behind the Orchestra.  It wasn't bland at all.  I am not too hot on Mahler 4 because there are no Trombones, and it's my least listened to Mahler piece, so it's principally the Mozart I'm going for, and I hope the live Mahler 4 will change my mind aboot it.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on November 03, 2016, 04:05:40 AM
Tonight:

D.Adzic - Thallus (premiere, Bgf comission)
W.A.Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 24 in c-minor K491
L.v.Beethoven - Symphony No.5 in c-minor op.67

Stephen Kovacevich (piano)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Eiji Oue (cond.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: John Copeland on November 03, 2016, 05:01:38 PM
Quote from: Scots John on November 02, 2016, 01:00:50 PM
I'll report back.  I hope he isn't bland tomorrow - he did Mahler 9 a couple of years ago here, which was a bit blary here and there, but that was probably because I was in the cheap seats...behind the Orchestra.  It wasn't bland at all.  I am not too hot on Mahler 4 because there are no Trombones, and it's my least listened to Mahler piece, so it's principally the Mozart I'm going for, and I hope the live Mahler 4 will change my mind aboot it.  :)

Well, it was OK, but to be honest I was a bit disappointed.  No wonder I rarely listen to Mahler 4.  Runnicles did do a few good things, but on the whole the performance was uneven, uninspiring, and only saved in the end by Carolyn Sampsons fabulous singing.  It was broadcast live on Radio 3, so I will listen to it again to figure out why it did not hit home with me.  This is the first concert I ever attended where I've felt there was so much more could have been done, and so much better.  Still, it was beautiful from a radiant Sampson, who was the only saving grace.  Disappointed me, though the audience around me seemed to love it... :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on November 09, 2016, 10:19:11 PM
San Fran Sym with Michael Tilson Thomas are coming to Southern Taiwan.  Bought tickets naturally--and then found Yujia Wang will be the pianist.  What a delightful surprise!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on November 10, 2016, 12:02:28 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 29, 2016, 02:47:21 PMI'm hoping to hear Vaughan Williams's Five Mystical Songs on 12th November locally at a church in Eastbourne.

I heard them once, live, though they're not my favourite RVW. Will hear the Fourth - coupled with the Lark and Debussy's La Mer and Faune - in Rotterdam in March, In Windsor Forest in a local church in April and the Tallis Fantasia somewhat later in Spring.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 11, 2016, 10:46:00 AM
Der Ring des Nibelungen  (dress rehearsals happening this week)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on November 11, 2016, 08:17:08 PM
Quote from: jessop on November 11, 2016, 10:46:00 AM
Der Ring des Nibelungen  (dress rehearsals happening this week)

The Melbourne ring cycle of 2013?
I heard quite a few good things about that production.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on November 11, 2016, 08:42:49 PM
Did you end up getting to any of the Grisey concerts, GioCar?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 11, 2016, 09:35:36 PM
Quote from: GioCar on November 11, 2016, 08:17:08 PM
The Melbourne ring cycle of 2013?
I heard quite a few good things about that production.

Yep that production. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on November 11, 2016, 09:41:56 PM
Quote from: SimonNZ on November 11, 2016, 08:42:49 PM
Did you end up getting to any of the Grisey concerts, GioCar?

Yes, to Espace acoustiques and Quatre chants. And tonight I have Le noir de l'etoile waiting for me  :)
But as you may have seen, I'm a terrible reviewer ;) expecially if I have to write in English...but I will improve, I promise  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 11, 2016, 09:49:25 PM
Quote from: GioCar on November 11, 2016, 09:41:56 PM
Yes, to Espace acoustiques and Quatre chants. And tonight I have Le noir de l'etoile waiting for me  :)
But as you may have seen, I'm a terrible reviewer ;) expecially if I have to write in English...but I will improve, I promise  ;D


Sounds amazing!!! :o
Wish I could see more live Grisey!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on November 13, 2016, 12:19:33 AM
Quote from: jessop on November 11, 2016, 09:35:36 PM
Yep that production. :)
I'd love to see it, but I am not aware of any DVD or commercially available video for the Melbourne Ring  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on November 13, 2016, 12:40:14 AM
Quote from: jessop on November 11, 2016, 09:49:25 PM
Sounds amazing!!! :o
Wish I could see more live Grisey!
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on November 11, 2016, 10:07:07 PM
Fuck yes!!! (excuse my french). That'd be a highlight of my year!  ;D 
I'd love to get a chance to catch one of Grisey's ensemble or orchestral works live!!!  :'(
Last night concert was really amazing!
Attending "Le noir de l'etoile" with the six percussionists all around me/the audience was a blown-away experience indeed  :)
And this was the venue where the concert took place. Wow!

(http://www.masedomani.com/wp-content/gallery/hangar-bicocca/hangar-bicocca-6.jpg)
http://www.hangarbicocca.org/en/

Anyway I'd say that all the 3 concerts I went to were exceptionally good! Now I'm looking forward to going to the last concert of the Grisey series, that one at La Scala, programming L'Icône paradoxale  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on November 15, 2016, 10:55:14 AM
4 DEC
At the Athens Megaron

L.v. Beethoven

Coriolan op.62
Piano Concertos No.2 op.19 & No.4 op.58

Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Murray Perahia, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 15, 2016, 10:57:45 AM
Saturday:

Lutoslawski - Concerto for Orchestra
Mozart - Piano Concerto No 27
Brahms - Symphony No 4

Francesco Piemontesi, piano
Ruth Reinhardt, conductor

Stanislaw Skrowaczewski was originally scheduled to conduct this program, but has dropped out due to health concerns - he's 93 years old.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 15, 2016, 11:58:46 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 15, 2016, 10:57:45 AM
Stanislaw Skrowaczewski was originally scheduled to conduct this program, but has dropped out due to health concerns - he's 93 years old.

Oh, no! Where was this concert supposed to happen? What orchestra? I just heard Skrowaczewski in Minneapolis conduct the most incandescent Bruckner 8 I have ever heard, just a month ago. It was one of the most unforgettable musical experiences. I did notice that compared to the year before when I heard him last (Bruckner 7, same band), his scoliosis seems to be getting worse and his left shoulder is permanently drooped. I dearly hope this is just a temporary health setback that kept him from appearing at your concert. He's opbviously mentally still fullt alert. There were no slow tempos in that Bruckner 8!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 15, 2016, 12:00:18 PM
Quote from: MishaK on November 15, 2016, 11:58:46 AM
Oh, no! Where was this concert supposed to happen? What orchestra? I just heard Skrowaczewski in Minneapolis conduct the most incandescent Bruckner 8 I have ever heard, just a month ago. It was one of the most unforgettable musical experiences. I did notice that compared to the year before when I heard him last (Bruckner 7, same band), his scoliosis seems to be getting worse and his left shoulder is permanently drooped. I dearly hope this is just a temporary health setback that kept him from appearing at your concert. He's opbviously mentally still fullt alert. There were no slow tempos in that Bruckner 8!
Oops, forgot to add that, Dallas Symphony.

Was very, very excited to see him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on November 15, 2016, 01:25:43 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 15, 2016, 10:57:45 AM
Saturday:

Lutoslawski - Concerto for Orchestra
Mozart - Piano Concerto No 27
Brahms - Symphony No 4

Francesco Piemontesi, piano
Ruth Reinhardt, conductor

Stanislaw Skrowaczewski was originally scheduled to conduct this program, but has dropped out due to health concerns - he's 93 years old.


That's close to the same program and soloist I saw last season, though I got to hear Skrowaczewski conduct it.  And it was the Third instead of the Fourth.  I enjoyed Piemontesi quite a bit.  Skrowaczewski's conducting was just right for all three pieces, and he was quite forceful on the podium for the Lutoslawski.  I'm glad I saw him when I did.

My next concert is the Turangalila Symphonie with Steven Osborne on piano in December.  It will have an accompanying light and art show.  I saw the Oregon Symphony opener with Bluebeard's Castle with the light and art show, and it worked fantastically well, so I have high hopes for Messiaen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 16, 2016, 04:02:19 AM
Tonight at Radio Concert Hall, Bucharest

RĂZVAN SUMA – cello
HORIA MIHAIL – piano

F. Schubert:    Sonata in A minor for Arpeggione and Piano, D. 821
R. Schumann:  Adagio and Allegro, op. 70
R. Schumann:  Fantasiestücke, op. 73
R. Schumann:  Fünf Stücke im Volkston, op. 102
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 16, 2016, 05:21:53 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 15, 2016, 10:57:45 AM
Saturday:

Lutoslawski - Concerto for Orchestra
Mozart - Piano Concerto No 27
Brahms - Symphony No 4

Francesco Piemontesi, piano
Ruth Reinhardt, conductor

Stanislaw Skrowaczewski was originally scheduled to conduct this program, but has dropped out due to health concerns - he's 93 years old.
Pity about Skrowaczewski. I hope he recovers quickly.

I saw Skrowaczewski and Piemontesi with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia a couple of years ago doing Beethoven's PC No.1 and Bruckner's Fourth, and it was a memorable concert by all acounts. Music-making of the highest calibre IMHO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on November 17, 2016, 06:16:30 AM
Skrowaczewski seems to have suffered a stroke.  :(

https://www.facebook.com/minnesotaorchestra/photos/a.489872228044.263644.54292558044/10154030731588045/?type=3&theater
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 17, 2016, 09:50:46 AM
Quote from: Florestan on November 16, 2016, 04:02:19 AM
Tonight at Radio Concert Hall, Bucharest

RĂZVAN SUMA – cello
HORIA MIHAIL – piano

F. Schubert:    Sonata in A minor for Arpeggione and Piano, D. 821
R. Schumann:  Adagio and Allegro, op. 70
R. Schumann:  Fantasiestücke, op. 73
R. Schumann:  Fünf Stücke im Volkston, op. 102

That was wonderful but they should have played Schubert last. After such an emotional roller coaster as the Arpeggione, the Schumann pieces sounded like salon entertainment.

Schubert is the man on the way to the gallows, unable to stop telling his friends how incomparably beautiful life is -- and how simple. - Anner Bylsma

Indeed, and this feeling is almost physical in the Arpeggione sonata.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on November 17, 2016, 06:10:38 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 16, 2016, 06:27:05 AM
Just want to send a personal alert to (poco) Sforzando that Leon Botstein and the American SO are doing Harold Shapero's Symphony at Carnegie Hall in mid-November.

Noted and will be there tomorrow. Followed by Shakespeare's Coriolanus in NYC on Saturday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 18, 2016, 04:10:42 PM
In a few hours I'll be heading off to see Götterdämmerung. Once this is over I'll post some thoughts on the third ever performance of the complete Ring cycle in my city.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on November 20, 2016, 05:34:09 AM
Just saw Paavo Jarvi conducting LvB PC5 and Brahms 1st Sym
  Aimard on piano.

   Very impressed.  Saw Tilson Thomas with Yujia Wang last week.  Completely eclipsed by Jarvi/Aimard.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on November 20, 2016, 07:56:07 AM
I was at this concert last week, and enjoyed the sh*t out of it:

MO 14.11.16 – Tonhalle Zürich, Grosser Saal

Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
Sir John Eliot Gardiner Leitung
Kristian Bezuidenhout Hammerflügel

Johannes Brahms: Serenade Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 16
Ludwig van Beethoven: Klavierkonzert Nr. 4 G-Dur op. 58
Franz Schubert: Sinfonie Nr. 5 B-Dur D 485

The Brahms was interesting for sure, loved the effect the placement of the horns had (in pairs behind each other, and on rather steep podests) at the central back of the stage) ... but all in all I have to confess my thoughts did wander a few times during the Brahms. Then lengthy break to re-build the stage and move the fortepiano into its center (an instrument built after a Graf piano like Beethoven used to play one), and on we went with what was the main attraction, I guess: Kristian Bezuidenhout and his heroic fight against the orchestra ... he was prone to lose it quite a few times in the first movement, though the strings were relatively few (i.e. ten first violins). The Tonhalle is just too large for this kind of instrument, I'm afraid, though overall sound was pretty good and transparent that night. Anyway, Bezuidenhout played a marvelous cadenza and both he and Gardiner had me on the edge of my seat quite often. I found myself picturing Beethoven fighting with his silly little keyboard with almost no body and resonance, imagining how in the future there would be instruments suited to actually play his music ... (I know, I know). In the second movement, Bezuidenhout of course had less problems, the dialogue with the orchestra was wonderfully shaped, and they went into the final movement with lots of verve and actually to the point of exhaustion. He returned several times and then played an encore (the Largo from Beethoven's Op. 10/3 as I read below ... recognized it as LvB but couldn't place it myself). Then, after a good 90 minutes, it was high time for a break indeed. After that, the orchestra was back, all but basses and celli without chairs (and the two leads of the celli playing without an endpin, most of the others used one, I think, but I couldn't see them all), to play a highly energetic Schubert fifth that was indeed, another - unexpected - main event. Quite great a night, indeed!

There's a (german) newspaper review that's online here:
http://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/musik/john-eliot-gardiner-und-kristian-bezuidenhout-in-zuerich-stimmig-und-schockierend-ld.128595

And then I found this, via musicweb, which mentions the encore:
http://seenandheard-international.com/2016/11/gardiner-has-his-orchestra-stand-for-schuberts-fifth/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 20, 2016, 03:23:41 PM
Ruth Reinhardt was an inadequate replacement for Skrowaczewski, who is reportedly stable after having a stroke. (Sad news, there.) But who would be a sufficient replacement? The Lutoslawski's first movement was a little cautious and under-tempo, and the finale contained a horrendous cut!! I don't know who approved this - Reinhardt, is my guess? - but the cut was inexcusable. In this video, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXQ1fgmUIPY) the section the Dallas Symphony omitted runs from 26:27 to 27:37.

Piemontesi was excellent in the Mozart, though the woodwinds had balance issues (conducting hint: the melody should usually be louder than the accompanying harmony!), the Brahms 4 mediocre (much too fast, especially in the scherzo, but well-played at least). But there was a silver lining - the girlfriend, who made her first Lutoslawski encounter with trepidation about its reported dissonance, decided it was her favorite thing the DSO has played this year. Good taste!

Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on November 17, 2016, 06:10:38 PM
Noted and will be there tomorrow. Followed by Shakespeare's Coriolanus in NYC on Saturday.
Hope you enjoyed both of these!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on November 20, 2016, 06:17:44 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 20, 2016, 03:23:41 PMI don't know who approved this - Reinhardt, is my guess?

But not Reinhart.

Quote from: Brian on November 20, 2016, 03:23:41 PM
Hope you enjoyed both of these!

The concert was all right. Unfortunately the well-meaning Leon Botstein is not a great conductor, and the Shapero's outer movements in particular were by no means up in tempo or energy to the classic Bernstein recording. Bot is no Bern, in other words, just as -hardt is no -hart.

The weekend's revelation was the performance of Coriolanus at the Barrow Street Theater in Greenwich Village. A great play, much good and some great acting, thrilling direction, no stupid updating of the language, and for once a production of Shakespeare that was altogether modern but never at odds with the spirit of the play.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 20, 2016, 06:25:07 PM
Quote from: Brian on November 20, 2016, 03:23:41 PMBut there was a silver lining - the girlfriend, who made her first Lutoslawski encounter with trepidation about its reported dissonance, decided it was her favorite thing the DSO has played this year. Good taste!

You better hang onto her, Brian. She definitely sounds like a keeper. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on November 21, 2016, 01:13:22 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 20, 2016, 03:23:41 PM

Piemontesi was excellent in the Mozart, though the woodwinds had balance issues (conducting hint: the melody should usually be louder than the accompanying harmony!),

...I'm not entirely sure I agree with that. A total equivalence in balance would presumably lead to a situation where, especially with known works, the ears would still pick out the melody as dominant, while wandering ears could pick up details they otherwise miss, when buried under the 'obvious lede.' That can be overdone and become gimmicky, and I wouldn't want to make it an iron-clad rule either way...

Meanwhile looking forward to:

Krenek Violin Concerto & Mahler, Das Klagende Lied (ORF RSO)

and St.Paul CO w/Kopatchinskaja in this:

QuoteGideon Klein
Partita. Streichtrio (Bearbeitung für Streichorchester: Vojtěch Saudek) (1944/1990)

Tigran Mansurjan
Konzert für Violine und Streicher Nr. 2. Vier ernste Gesänge (2006)

***
Anonymus
Psalm 140. Byzantinischer Kirchengesang (Bearbeitung für Streichorchester: Patricia Kopatchinskaja)

Franz Schubert
Streichquartett d-moll D 810 «Der Tod und das Mädchen» (1. Satz: Allegro in Bearbeitung für Streicherensemble von Patricia Kopatchinskaja) (1824)

Der Tod und das Mädchen D 531 (Bearbeitung für Streichorchester: Michi Wiancko) (1817)
Streichquartett d-moll D 810 «Der Tod und das Mädchen» (2. Satz: Andante con moto in Bearbeitung für Streicherensemble von Patricia Kopatchinskaja) (1824)

John Dowland
Lachrimae Antiquae Novae Pavan (Lachrimae or Seven Teares) (1604))

Franz Schubert
Streichquartett d-moll D 810 «Der Tod und das Mädchen» (3. Satz: Scherzo. Allegro molto in Bearbeitung für Streicherensemble von Patricia Kopatchinskaja) (1824)

György Kurtág
The Answered Unanswered Question op. 31b «Ligatura – Message-Hommage à Frances Marie Uitti» (1989)
Kafka-Fragmente op. 24 für Sopran und Violine (Ruhelos) (1985-1986)

Franz Schubert
Streichquartett d-moll D 810 «Der Tod und das Mädchen» (4. Satz: Presto in Bearbeitung für Streicherensemble von Patricia Kopatchinskaja) (1824)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 27, 2016, 06:12:03 PM
Upcoming concert (6/12/16) presented by Plexus, a local ensemble for new music.

'Propulsion'

Hue Blanes
New work

Ross Irwin
New work

Stephen Magnusson
New work

James Mustafa
New work

Niko Schauble
New work

Also hopefully going to a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concert a few days before that:

Wagner Parsifal: Excerpts from Act II
Bruckner Symphony No.9

Simone Young conductor
Michelle de Young mezzo-soprano
Stuart Skelton tenor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 27, 2016, 06:13:53 PM
Quote from: jessop on November 27, 2016, 06:12:03 PMAlso hopefully going to a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concert a few days before that:

Wagner Parsifal: Excerpts from Act II
Bruckner Symphony No.9

Simone Young conductor
Michelle de Young mezzo-soprano
Stuart Skelton tenor

This looks like an excellent program. Michelle DeYoung is an excellent vocalist. Simon Young is an excellent Brucknerian. It's a win/win for everybody. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 27, 2016, 06:25:56 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 27, 2016, 06:13:53 PM
This looks like an excellent program. Michelle DeYoung is an excellent vocalist. Simon Young is an excellent Brucknerian. It's a win/win for everybody. :)
Tickets are so expensive.....I will see if i can get a last minute 'student rush' ticket cheap if they have any available
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on November 28, 2016, 09:43:48 AM
Next Monday, Wagner's Holländer in Finnish National Opera. Never seen it live before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 28, 2016, 12:51:10 PM
Quote from: Alberich on November 28, 2016, 09:43:48 AM
Next Monday, Wagner's Holländer in Finnish National Opera. Never seen it live before.
"Mit Gewitter und Sturm aus fernem Meer..."  :) Hope you enjoy it, Alberich. I'll be seeing it here in Madrid in December...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 28, 2016, 03:26:30 PM
Quote from: Alberich on November 28, 2016, 09:43:48 AM
Next Monday, Wagner's Holländer in Finnish National Opera. Never seen it live before.
oooo what's the cast like and who is the conductor? In Melbourne our Ring was conducted by Inkinen, one of my favourite Finnish conductors. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 29, 2016, 05:36:26 AM
Confirmed...just bought tickets (for me and my children) for the Dutchman at the Teatro Real here in Madrid for January 2. The conductor is Pablo Heras-Casado, and the director Alex Olié (form La Fura dels Baus). I'll have Samuel Yuon in the title rôle (which he performed several years in Bayreuth) and Ricarda Merbeth will be Senta (she was a superb one at the beginning of this year--in concert with the Spanish National Orchestra under David Afkham).  :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 29, 2016, 09:16:48 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 18, 2016, 05:56:27 PM
November 5th
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Robert Spano


ELGAR - Sea Pictures*
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS - A Sea Symphony

Jamie Barton - Mezzo-Soprano*
Tamara Wilson - Soprano
Brian Mulligan - Baritone

I am so excited for this concert, Sea Symphony has been a personal favorite of mine for many years. ASO had scheduled this a few years ago but had a musician strike which resulted in the cancellation of that concert, so I'm glad to see they re-programmed it this year. This will be my first time seeing both pieces performed live in concert.

A very good concert, although I can't seem to get over the Hall the ASO perform in. My wife has likened it to being inside a large white cinder block, which is what it seems like to me too. And I've never thought the voices carry very well in the hall. The Sea Symphony performance was very well done, perhaps a little too light on the dramatics that I've come to prefer, but the orchestra sounded tight and lively, and the chorus was powerfully pristine. Spano did a fine job of pacing the movements and keeping a proper balance between the orchestra and chorus. Exciting to finally experience this large work live in concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 30, 2016, 08:33:23 AM
More Wagner in ritter's calendar.  :)

As I have to be in Berlin next Monday morning, I've just bought tickets for Lohengrin at the Deutsche Oper on Sunday evening (Dec. 4). The conducter is Axel Kober, the producer Kaspar Holten, and Peter Seiffert, Annette Dasch, Wolfgang Koch and Elisabete Matos are the vocal leads...

(https://imgtoolkit.culturebase.org/?color=000000&ar_method=rescaleIn&ar_ratio=1.4&file=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.culturebase.org%2F5%2F6%2Fb%2Ff%2F7%2Fec_56bf7230e4d66856226fb772c4c4e4f9.jpg&do=cropOut&width=1240&height=694)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on December 01, 2016, 10:23:22 PM
Quote from: jessop on November 27, 2016, 06:12:03 PM
Upcoming concert (6/12/16) presented by Plexus, a local ensemble for new music.

'Propulsion'

Hue Blanes
New work

Ross Irwin
New work

Stephen Magnusson
New work

James Mustafa
New work

Niko Schauble
New work

Also hopefully going to a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra concert a few days before that:

Wagner Parsifal: Excerpts from Act II
Bruckner Symphony No.9

Simone Young conductor
Michelle de Young mezzo-soprano
Stuart Skelton tenor

Yep, definitely going to see this Simone Young concert. After reading this review  (http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/melbourne-symphony-orchestra-review-simone-young-triumphs-with-bruckner-and-wagner-20161201-gt2cz7.html) in the paper it confirmed my choice to pay extra for good seats.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on December 02, 2016, 08:06:10 AM
Quote from: jessop on November 28, 2016, 03:26:30 PM
oooo what's the cast like and who is the conductor?

The conductor is John Fiore. Holländer is sung either by Olafur Sigurdarson or Johan Reuter, Senta by Pauliina Linnosaari or Camilla Nylund, Daland is Jyrki Korhonen or Gregory Frank, Erik is Mika Pohjonen or Christian Juslin, Mary by Sari Nordqvist or Anu Ontronen and Steersman is Tuomas Katajala.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on December 02, 2016, 08:08:11 AM
Quote from: ritter on November 28, 2016, 12:51:10 PM
"Mit Gewitter und Sturm aus fernem Meer..."  :) Hope you enjoy it, Alberich. I'll be seeing it here in Madrid in December...

Thank you! I hope you'll enjoy your Holländer and Lohengrin. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on December 04, 2016, 01:16:48 PM
Quote from: SurprisedByBeauty on November 21, 2016, 01:13:22 AM

Meanwhile looking forward to:

Krenek Violin Concerto & Mahler, Das Klagende Lied (ORF RSO)


Krenek, Mahler Rarity, Knock-Out Trebles And Velvet Suits
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2016/12/ORF_Radio_Symphony-Orchestra-1200x469.jpg?width=960)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/12/04/krenek-mahler-rarity-knock-out-trebles-and-velvet-suits/#5c7746fb62f5 (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2016/12/04/krenek-mahler-rarity-knock-out-trebles-and-velvet-suits/#5c7746fb62f5)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy3TQ0BWQAAKmcK.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on December 06, 2016, 11:16:32 PM
(http://bolshoi.ru.images.1c-bitrix-cdn.ru/bitrix/templates/gabt_inside/images/bt_logo_1_ru.png?14551125465613)

Петр Чайковский: Щелкунчик

with Mrs GioCar, on the 3rd of January.

What else?
8)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 07, 2016, 11:28:30 PM
Yesterday at Zurich Opera:

Don Carlo
Oper von Giuseppe Verdi (Mailänder Fassung in vier Akten von 1884)

Musikalische Leitung    Fabio Luisi
Inszenierung    Sven-Eric Bechtolf
Bühne    Rolf Glittenberg
Kostüme    Marianne Glittenberg
Lichtgestaltung    Jürgen Hoffmann
Choreinstudierung    Ernst Raffelsberger
Janko Kastelic

Elisabetta di Valois    Anja Harteros
Filippo II    René Pape
Don Carlo    Ramon Vargas
Rodrigo, marchese di Posa    Peter Mattei
La principessa d'Eboli    Marina Prudenskaya
Il grande inquisitore    Rafal Siwek
Un frate    Ildo Song
Tebaldo    Soyoung Lee
Voce dal cielo    Sen Guo
Il conte di Lerma    Otar Jorjikia
Deputati fiamminghi    Andrzej Filonczyk
Dmytro Kalmuchyn
Huw Montague Rendall
Dimitri Pkhaladze
Stanislav Vorobyov
Ildo Song

   Philharmonia Zürich
   Chor der Oper Zürich
Zusatzchor der Oper Zürich
SoprAlti
   Statistenverein am Opernhaus Zürich
Solo-Cello    Bruno Weinmeister

Yowzah! Wonderful indeed, though the stage direction wasn't there at all (the setting and costumes though were pretty sharp indeed). The only - somewhat - weaker spot was Vargas as Carlo, everyone else was amazing to outstanding - what a joy to hear so many exceptional voices on the same stage, and add to that an orchestra playing with guts and fire (the brass!) - Prudenskaya was wonderful as Eboli (though in the terzetto - in the second act of this version, I think - she went under in the two male voices - in the quartet with Elisabetta later on, she was perfectly fine again, and her arias and other solo stuff, wow!), Mattei's Posa was amazing as well, and obviously it doesn't get any better than Harteros - her range, her pianissimo, her sustain ... Pape was wonderful, his opening of act three was great. And Siwek as inquisitor was just as good. And Song's frate too ... plenty of outstanding singing from everyone, and I guess Vargas was fine, just not quite up to the others here and there.

Too bad the first act was missing, it's muscally wonderful and helps making the plot understandable ... either way, a dark, dark opera - but I guess amongst my top five by now.

Now looking forward to catch it again - in its five act version that time - at La Scala in a few weeks! But before that, will hear the (probably) botched new staging of "Die Entführung aus dem Serail", as well as catching Bartoli and Jaroussky in "Alcina" ...


As far as concerts go, these are the next ones coming up for which I have tickets - both at Tonhalle Zürich:

FR 09.12.16 - ORCHESTERMAGIE - 19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Bernard Haitink Leitung
Sir András Schiff Klavier

Ludwig van Beethoven: Klavierkonzert Nr. 5 Es-Dur op. 73
Anton Bruckner: Sinfonie Nr. 9 d-Moll


FR 16.12.16 - ORCHESTERMAGIE - 19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Paavo Järvi Leitung
Steven Isserlis Violoncello

Sergej Prokofjew: Cellokonzert e-Moll op. 58
György Kurtág: Aus: "Signs, Games and Messages" für Violoncello solo
Robert Schumann: Sinfonie Nr. 3 Es-Dur op. 97 "Rheinische"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 09, 2016, 06:50:22 AM
Having my own private Opera festival, it seems ... got tickets for the controversely discussed "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" (had a ticket in October but fell ill), for "Alcina" (with no less than Bartoli and Jaroussky!), and my mom just phoned me to ask if she should get me a ticket for Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk" (first category seat for comparatively little money - in between the two cheapest categories, which are otherwise the only two I'll ever consider anyway - they call that "Volksvorstellung" and they usually sell out very fast). So, with "Don Carlo" on Wednesday and at La Scala in a few weeks, that makes five operas in two months, add "Anna Karenina" to that, Christoph Spuck's ballet after Tolstoi (music by Rachmaninov and Lutoslawski, as well as by two unknown to me composers: Sulkhan Tsintsadze und Josef Bardanashvili).

But tonight will be my very first encounter with Bruckner, ever, the ninth by Tonhalle/Haitink, preceded by Schiff playing Beethoven's "emperor" concerto. Looking forward quite some - in fact got the Beethoven sonatas box by Schiff yesterday and was pretty pleased by Vol. I. (Not familiar with Schiff much, so far.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on December 09, 2016, 10:22:40 PM
Quote from: king ubu on December 09, 2016, 06:50:22 AM
...
But tonight will be my very first encounter with Bruckner, ever, the ninth by Tonhalle/Haitink,...

and...did you enjoyed it? Was it love at first sight?  :D
I had a very hot Brucknerian phase in my life - Haitink was to blame...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bob_cart on December 10, 2016, 01:22:03 AM
Well, this concert was a month or two ago, but I listened to Jordi Savall in Varaždin, Croatia. It was a solo recital on the viola da gamba. In a word; it was magical.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 10, 2016, 01:36:39 AM
Quote from: GioCar on December 09, 2016, 10:22:40 PM
and...did you enjoyed it? Was it love at first sight?  :D
I had a very hot Brucknerian phase in my life - Haitink was to blame...

Well, let's say I was pretty flashed at the end ... one of the guys working at the CD store I frequented most often (despite their sometimes hilarious pricing policy) and that will close after x-mas (they will keep selling vinyl, but that's for hipsters with beards and fixies, not for classical listeners, and even in jazz there's so much that those silly high-end boutique labels will never, ever bother about) ... anyway, that guy was on the same tram as me, and I had told him a few days ago (when buying my own x-mas present, the "Great Moments at Carnegie Hall" box) that this will be my first Bruckner ever ... I was at a total loss of words when he asked me how I found it.

Let's start at the beginning though, as it really pieced itself together neatly in my head, at the end - which does not imply I understood much of what went on in Bruckner - the programm was this:

FR 09.12.16 - ORCHESTERMAGIE - 19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Bernard Haitink Leitung
Sir András Schiff Klavier

Ludwig van Beethoven: Klavierkonzert Nr. 5 Es-Dur op. 73
Anton Bruckner: Sinfonie Nr. 9 d-Moll

Schiff played a Bösendorfer (as usual from the Bachmann piano house in Wetzikon, near Zurich, where I went to high school) that was somewhat shrill in the high and somewhat dull in the low register. The effect this had on the opening took a moment to get used to, but it proved a contrast to the orchestra, turning the entire concerto into more of a dialogue between, rather than a gathering of piano and orchestra. I must have mentioned it before that so far I don't really know Schiff all that much, have had his "Diabelli" double disc on ECM and just happened to receive the new box of his ECM sonatas cycle (nice presentation btw, and spending around 50€ on another Beethoven cycle wasn't all that bad, I guess, after all I love these sonatas and am curious to hear yet another stab at them). I have played the first volume (spread onto two discs) on Thursday evening and enjoyed it a lot, so I was in positive moods about Schiff. What I found most interesting, beyond the flash of his virtuoso performance, was how freely he treated the piano part, almost dissolving it into pieces at various moments - having notes and whole runs that would usually be played synchronously expanded and fanned out to stay next to each other, by just split seconds of course. The slow movement was treated pretty freely as well, sometimes you got the impression it was all a casual improvisation. It really all came together for me in the final movement, where I kind of got a grasp of what Schiff was aiming at (at least I thought so) and where in hindsight, the opening and all that followed really fell in place and made sense.

Similarly with the Bruckner: it starts with a bang (at least to my perception), and it was intensely loud in the Tonhalle which I guess is somewhat too small for this kind of huge orchestra (60 strings the newspaper said - I counted 8 basses and 12 celli for starters, then I think there were 14 violas, which would leave us with 26 violins, not sure these numbers make sense, maybe it was 62 in the end but I couldn't see all violins and the newspaper said 60), and plenty of woodwinds and brass of course ... and the timpani was fun, for Beethoven it looked as if they had two "baby timpanis" on stage, for Brucker they had prepared the real deal already in the corner of the stage. This all sounded like waves to me, waves of attack, waves of sonic beauty and of harsh overwhelming intensity interchanging. I found it pretty overwhelming to say the least, but interesting as well. And how Haitink was able to conjure all of this with merely more than a few gestures of the left, while the right was more or less just giving the beat ... amazing! But the Tonhalle Orchestra are his boys, I saw them do Brahms' Requiem about a year ago, and there it was even more impressive, seems his sheer presence already lets everything drop into its proper place. Anyway, I was of course anticipating the Adagio, even more so as the Scherzo was one more rollercoaster ride. And that Adagio then totally grabbed me, and as with Schiff before, things seemed to fell into place, it seemed to me that everything made sense now (though frankly I don't understand a bit why, this was just my spontaneous reaction).

So yeah, great night - and for those that get the joke, I guess for my "Entbrucknerung", I couldn't have wished any better than experienced maestro Haitink to take care of it!

Now I started lined up my Bruckner recordings, including some single ones by Haitink. Guess I'll go with Jochum/Dresden for starters, just playing Jochum's Brahms (a first, too - all from his EMI Icon box) now to warm up  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 10, 2016, 07:42:00 AM
Quote from: king ubu on December 09, 2016, 06:50:22 AM
Having my own private Opera festival, it seems ... got tickets for the controversely discussed "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" (had a ticket in October but fell ill), for "Alcina" (with no less than Bartoli and Jaroussky!), and my mom just phoned me to ask if she should get me a ticket for Shostakovich's "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk" (first category seat for comparatively little money - in between the two cheapest categories, which are otherwise the only two I'll ever consider anyway - they call that "Volksvorstellung" and they usually sell out very fast). So, with "Don Carlo" on Wednesday and at La Scala in a few weeks, that makes five operas in two months, add "Anna Karenina" to that, Christoph Spuck's ballet after Tolstoi (music by Rachmaninov and Lutoslawski, as well as by two unknown to me composers: Sulkhan Tsintsadze und Josef Bardanashvili).

Add to that "Medée" by Charpentier, conducted by Christie, at Zurich opera ... can't leave out that one, got a cheap ticket again this time, but I hope it's a decent seat, should be.
And as I was nosing around the Zurich Opera calendar, I also bought a ticket for two days before, Julie Fuchs singing, La Scintilla playing, Rafaël Pichon conducting works by Rameau and Gluck. Fuchs is also part of the cast for "Alcina".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 10, 2016, 02:02:21 PM
King ubu, loved the Bruckner report, thank you, and you are right: Haitink is about as good as it gets for Bruckner these days. And though he seems in good health, at his age, his performances should be treasured. It's going to make me very sad when he leaves us.

Looking forward to this in October, at the enormous Park Avenue Armory:

Boulez: Répons

Ensemble intercontemporain
Matthias Pintscher, Conductor
Samuel Favre, Gilles Durot, Percussion
Dmitri Vassilakis, Hidéki Nagano, Piano
Frédérique Cambreling, Harp
Luigi Gaggero, Cymbalum
Andrew Gerzso, IRCAM Computer Music Design
Gilbert Nouno,IRCAM Computer Music Production
Jérémie Henrot,IRCAM Computer Engineer
Pierre Audi, mise-en-space
Urs Schönebaum, lighting designer

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 10, 2016, 02:15:10 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 10, 2016, 02:02:21 PM
King ubu, loved the Bruckner report, thank you, and you are right: Haitink is about as good as it gets for Bruckner these days. And though he seems in good health, at his age, his performances should be treasured. It's going to make me very sad when he leaves us.

Thanks! I've started delving into my (pretty large by now - I've been building my own private library for over four years by now) Bruckner collection, checking out his first symphony all day long ... fascinating, and from what I heard of the ninth, a pretty long trip to go, too. Looking forward to exploring it!

As for Haitink, saw him in January already, conducting the Tonhalle forces in Brahms Requiem - and that was easily one of the most impressive concerts of this, and of every other year (though Christian Gerhaher had a large part in that, next to Haitink). I will go and catch him again if he returns. Seems his agreement with Tonhalle is that he will come whenever they call him, so there's hope he will be back in the 2017/18 season ... and there's hope music will keep him young ... I have a ticket for Blomstedt conducting at Tonhalle as well, and he's two years Haitink's senior, guess music does work wonders sometimes.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on December 10, 2016, 02:54:26 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 10, 2016, 02:02:21 PM
Boulez: Répons

Ensemble intercontemporain
Matthias Pintscher, Conductor


Green with envy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on December 10, 2016, 08:05:27 PM
^^^
The same here.

Quote from: Brewski on December 10, 2016, 02:02:21 PM
Pierre Audi, mise-en-space
Looks very intriguing indeed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on December 10, 2016, 10:59:44 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 10, 2016, 02:02:21 PM
Looking forward to this in October, at the enormous Park Avenue Armory:

Boulez: Répons

Ensemble intercontemporain
Matthias Pintscher, Conductor
Samuel Favre, Gilles Durot, Percussion
Dmitri Vassilakis, Hidéki Nagano, Piano
Frédérique Cambreling, Harp
Luigi Gaggero, Cymbalum
Andrew Gerzso, IRCAM Computer Music Design
Gilbert Nouno,IRCAM Computer Music Production
Jérémie Henrot,IRCAM Computer Engineer
Pierre Audi, mise-en-space
Urs Schönebaum, lighting designer

--Bruce
Fantastic! Seeing Répons live here at the Palacio de los Deportes here in Madrid in 1992, conducted by the composer, is one of the highligts of my conecrtgoing life...experiencing the piece live is simply breathtaking...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 11, 2016, 09:23:10 AM
I'm definitely considering this upcoming Atlanta SO concert:

https://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2016-2017/CS10-Tchaikovsky-Shostakovich

This concert will occur while on vacation, so it'd be a perfect opportunity to see one of my favorite pieces of music live. Runnicles is a pretty good conductor the best I can remember.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on December 11, 2016, 05:07:04 PM
Quote from: SimonNZ on December 10, 2016, 02:54:26 PM
Green with envy.
I seem to have also developed these chromatophores!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on December 15, 2016, 05:31:29 PM
Programme:
Daugherty, Michael (b. 1954) Diamond in the Rough
Sibelius, Jean (1865-1957) Piano quartet in D minor
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949) Piano quartet in C minor, Op.13
Performers:
Members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 17, 2016, 03:08:09 AM
Quote from: king ubu on December 07, 2016, 11:28:30 PM
FR 16.12.16 - ORCHESTERMAGIE - 19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Paavo Järvi Leitung
Steven Isserlis Violoncello

Sergej Prokofjew: Cellokonzert e-Moll op. 58
György Kurtág: Aus: "Signs, Games and Messages" für Violoncello solo

Robert Schumann: Sinfonie Nr. 3 Es-Dur op. 97 "Rheinische"

This was last night ... loved the Schumann, played with loads of fire and energy. The Prokofiev was a first (I just received my so far only recording, part of the Starker Icon box), and I can't really say I understood what happens in that piece. Seems like a huge pasticchio, glueing together a thousand small fragments and idea, without much sense for a larger whole, and without real consequence. Also, I wasn't quite sure the orchestra was up to its task ... Isserlis also once stopped, mid-flight "sorry!" - a quick moment of tuning his instrument followed, and on they went - the whole concerto otherwise played without pauses after movements (with the Schumann after the break, there were two interruptions I think, so half of it was again played seemlessly).

Any advocates of the Prok cello concerto around here that can try and explain what I'm missing? I was fascinated enough (also by Isserlis' decidedly pathos-lacking, scratchy yet intense delivery), but I really didn't understand it at any level.

The Kurtág, btw, was wonderful indeed, but some of it at too low volume for the large hall. Props to Isserlis for playing ten minutes of this in concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 27, 2016, 01:04:32 AM
Caught the final evening of the new staging of Die Entführung aus dem Serail at Zurich Opera last week - and enjoyed it very much. Thought the approach was pretty interesting, and musically it was wonderful. First time I heard opera in HIP (with La Scintilla, Zurich opera's in-house HIP ensemble) and Maxim Emelyanychev (who jumped in for Currentzis) did a fine job. Seems the orchestra was a bit rough on earlier nights, but I heard none of that. The singing was fine, hearing (and seeing) Olga Peretyatko (as Konstanze) on stage was pretty great, but the others were just as good, Pavol Breslik (Belmonte), Claire de Sévigné (Blonde), and Spencer Lang (Pedrillo). Nahuel Di Pierro lacked some of the immense depth and volume that Osmin part requires (I think ... Gottlob Frick sang the part as it should be, to me all others are rather a letdown by comparison, I'm afraid).

The central idea of the setting was to stage the whole play from Belmonte's view, as a drama of jealousy, with Pedrillo/Blonde being "doppelgänger" out of Belmonte's imagination, rather than real characters. The opening scene was recurring as kind of a nightmarish loop, in between you kinda got into Belmonte's mind and witnessed his feverish dreams and fears (of his wife giving herself to Bassa Selim etc.) - no spoken dialogue between the numbers, but some ambience noise (blood pulsing through Belmonte's head, I guess, and such) in between some of the numbers. Worked nicely I found, and theatrically speaking, none of this is really new at all, I'm sure. But the main thing was that I loved it musically.

Now, on tonight: Lady Macbeth Mtsensk - none of the singers familiar, but it seems to be a great production that they are bringing back one last time for four shows only. Details:
http://www.opernhaus.ch/en/activity/detail/lady-macbeth-von-mzensk-27-12-2016-18547/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 27, 2016, 03:23:49 PM
Quote from: king ubu on December 27, 2016, 01:04:32 AM
Now, on tonight: Lady Macbeth Mtsensk - none of the singers familiar, but it seems to be a great production that they are bringing back one last time for four shows only. Details:
http://www.opernhaus.ch/en/activity/detail/lady-macbeth-von-mzensk-27-12-2016-18547/

Wow! I'm pretty wowed indeed. That was a great night at the opera ... Vasily Petrenko and the orchestra were amazing, and so was the cast, headed by Gun-Brit Barkmin (who sang the part when this production was initially played in 2013 under Currentzis' baton). Loved every bit of it - and I'm not sure I'll ever listen to the recording I have (Rostropovich on EMI) as it will never, ever be able to compete with what I witnessed tonight in flesh and blood.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on January 06, 2017, 07:37:19 AM
Just got tickets to
1) Jeanne d'arc au Bucher, Arthur Honegger Oratorio, Opera de Lyon
2) Lohengrin, Richard Wagner, Opera de Paris in February.

I am going to buy some recordings of these works to do my preparation.

 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 06, 2017, 02:28:50 PM
I am very much looking forward to the next concert (http://www.plexuscollective.com/concerts/) in Melbourne of world premieres given by the wonderful Plexus ensemble, this time featuring new compositions by Australian composers including Stefan Cassomenos (http://www.plexuscollective.com/stefan-cassomenos-2) (the pianist of the ensemble), Gordon Kerry (http://www.plexuscollective.com/gordon-kerry-2) and myself (http://www.plexuscollective.com/jessop-maticevskishumack). The soprano Merlyn Quaife (http://www.plexuscollective.com/merlyn-quaifel) is a guest artist with the usual lineup of clarinet, violin and piano. It's on the 9th of February if there is anyone in this part of the world who could come along too! 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on January 06, 2017, 10:20:40 PM
Quote from: jessop on January 06, 2017, 02:28:50 PM
I am very much looking forward to the next concert (http://www.plexuscollective.com/concerts/) in Melbourne of world premieres given by the wonderful Plexus ensemble, this time featuring new compositions by Australian composers including Stefan Cassomenos (http://www.plexuscollective.com/stefan-cassomenos-2) (the pianist of the ensemble), Gordon Kerry (http://www.plexuscollective.com/gordon-kerry-2) and myself. The soprano Merlyn Quaife (http://www.plexuscollective.com/merlyn-quaifel) is a guest artist with the usual lineup of clarinet, violin and piano. It's on the 9th of February if there is anyone in this part of the world who could come along too! 8)

Any chance it will be broadcast?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 07, 2017, 01:22:55 AM
Quote from: SimonNZ on January 06, 2017, 10:20:40 PM
Any chance it will be broadcast?
I doubt it, but if I will see if I can get hold of some kind of recording.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 11, 2017, 04:26:30 PM
Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor
Elgar - Symphony No 1 in A flat major
 
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Steven Isserlis cello
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 11, 2017, 04:43:47 PM
I'll be around, but maybe not able to attend: time the wife will tell  :laugh::

http://www.koelner-philharmonie.de/veranstaltung/116894/ (http://www.koelner-philharmonie.de/veranstaltung/116894/)

Obviously, Trifonov and Gergiev in Rach 3  will be big attractions. If last minute tickets and transportation are available, I'll be there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 11, 2017, 04:58:42 PM
Seattle Opera has released its 2017/2018 season, and included is Béatrice et Bénédict in February and March 2018.  Why, that's one of my three favorite completed Berlioz operas.  It may be hard to resist attending.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on January 14, 2017, 10:54:52 AM
Looking backward to, granted, but still:

Elbphilharmonie
Review: Hamburg Elbphilharmonie Opening And G.F.Haas World Premiere
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2017/01/161221_elbphilharmonie_foto_thies_raetzke_0009-1200x800.jpg?width=960)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2J8uvRWQAANC2W.jpg)
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/01/14/review-hamburg-elbphilharmonie-opening-and-g-f-haas-world-premiere/#2fe593262217)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 14, 2017, 02:50:40 PM
Heard Pablo Heras-Casado with the Tonhalle Orchestra on Friday - he stepped in for Christoph von Dohnányi, who was the reason I had bought a ticket ... on the programme were Schubert 3 and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra. The former was attacked with lots of verve, resulting in a performance of great clarity, but also a performance that seemed to make Schubert sound like Beethoven, at least in the opening and closing movement, while the middle parts had lots of that Viennese charm of Schubert's. The Bartók was awesome, I found, though a short review I read in a daily paper (of the first concert on Thursday, I think, otherwise it wouldn't have been in the Saturday issue was much more favourable of the Schubert and thought Heras-Casado lacked sense for the larger arcs in the Bartók. My experience with Bartók so far is rather limited, so I wouldn't know, but it was fun for sure, if just to hear the huge number of musicians sitting on the edge of their stools performing this piece that really demands all their attention. (For Schubert, the orchestra was reasonably small, but it was Heras-Casado's interpretation that attempted to make it sound like a titanic Beethoven piece - or at least so I though, as did an elderly guy whom I'd met in a concert in December, guess he prefers the same back-row seats where you can stand up and even wander around if there's not too many people in those seats.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on January 15, 2017, 04:18:17 AM
For the Europeans, ARTE TV broadcast Sunday Jan 15th at 17:35 the inaugural concert of ElbPhilarmonie of Hamburg. It will be available for streaming later on for one week.
This is the program:

Ludwig van Beethoven
Ouverture des Créatures de Prométhée op. 43
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

Ouverture de Ruy Blas op. 95
Johannes Brahms

Symphonie n° 2 op. 73, 4e mouvement

Benjamin Britten
"Pan" extrait de Six métamorphoses d'après Ovide op. 49

Henri Dutilleux
Mystère de l'instant

Emilio de Cavalieri / Antonio Archilei
"Dalle più alte sfere" extrait de La Pellegrina

Bernd Alois Zimmermann
Photoptosis, Prélude pour grand orchestre

Jakob Praetorius
Motet "Quam pulchra es"

Rolf Liebermann
Furioso

Giulio Caccini
"Amarilli mia bella", extrait de Le nuove musiche

Olivier Messiaen
Turangalîla-Symphonie, Finale

Richard Wagner
Prélude de Parsifal

Wolfgang Rihm
Reminiszenz, Triptychon und Spruch in memoriam Hans Henny Jahnn
(création)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphonie n° 9 op. 125, Finale
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 15, 2017, 07:18:32 AM
Talk about eclecticism !  ;D . Actually I think it will serve the sound engineers and musicians most. Very clever programming to showcase or pinpoint all the acoustic characteristics of the new hall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on January 15, 2017, 07:58:25 AM
Quote from: André on January 15, 2017, 07:18:32 AM
Talk about eclecticism !  ;D . Actually I think it will serve the sound engineers and musicians most. Very clever programming to showcase or pinpoint all the acoustic characteristics of the new hall.

That was the idea. To showcase what all worked. (Incidentally, not everything worked.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on January 15, 2017, 09:01:15 AM
Just listened to the Elbphilarmonie concert.  Not everything was broadcasted as the concert started with the Britten and the Rihm was skipped as well.  They did a very strange thing in the Britten and the Baroque pieces: the soloist and some of the accompanying instrument were on the balconies and staircases.  In the Britten, the sound of the lone hoboe sitting on a staircase was downright awful on my sound system.  For the baroque pieces it was slightly better but still this was an unnatural sound.
On the orchestral pieces (especially the Dutilleux & Messian) the sound felt highly detailled, which is how I like it.
Another aweful thing in the program were the light and stroboscopic effects on the outside of the building in sync to the music: nighrclub feeling.  No better way to stress the ostentatious look of the place.
I dont know who will be the chef in residence nor its orchestra.  Probably not the NDR which played in this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on January 15, 2017, 11:15:04 AM
Quote from: Spineur on January 15, 2017, 09:01:15 AM
Just listened to the Elbphilarmonie concert.  Not everything was broadcasted as the concert started with the Britten and the Rihm was skipped as well.  They did a very strange thing in the Britten and the Baroque pieces: the soloist and some of the accompanying instrument were on the balconies and staircases.  In the Britten, the sound of the lone hoboe sitting on a staircase was downright awful on my sound system.  For the baroque pieces it was slightly better but still this was an unnatural sound.
On the orchestral pieces (especially the Dutilleux & Messian) the sound felt highly detailled, which is how I like it.
Another aweful thing in the program were the light and stroboscopic effects on the outside of the building in sync to the music: nighrclub feeling.  No better way to stress the ostentatious look of the place.
I dont know who will be the chef in residence nor its orchestra.  Probably not the NDR which played in this concert.

Your last question: Yes, the NDR band and Hengelbrock. The orchestra has even been re-named "NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester". Live, it was the reverse: All chamber/early stuff sounded GREAT, the rest rather 'meh'.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 15, 2017, 01:30:04 PM
Blacher - Concertante Musik

Haydn - Cello Concerto No 1 in C major 

Brahms - Symphony No 1 in C minor

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Johannes Moser cello
Christoph König conductor

One piece I've never heard performed live but very much want to (Brahms) along with one I haven't heard at all (Haydn) and beginning with a composer completely unknown to me (Blacher) and so all in all, something to look forward to. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 15, 2017, 07:49:42 PM
I will go to the Vancouver S.O. tomorrow (Otto Tausk cond. Simone Lamsma violin)
SHOSTAKOVICH  Violin Concerto 1, RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances   WAGNER: Flying Dutchman Overture
in spite of the comment on the VSO's facebook page :
Just like to point out that the fine gentleman who I believe was trying out for the position of concertmaster on the evening of January 14, 2017 was not wearing shiny dress shoes. He also missed the opportunities to execute a proper flip of the tail of his coat. Nicholas (apart from that one time), and Dale perform it excellently."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 16, 2017, 05:38:55 AM
Next month we'll be in Europe. There is that one concert that looks interesting at the Kölner Philharmonie:

http://www.koelner-philharmonie.de/veranstaltung/116894/ (http://www.koelner-philharmonie.de/veranstaltung/116894/)

Daniil Tifonov in Rach 3 should be fun to watch and hear!

Unfortunately I can't book in advance. Since we'll be visiting family, time will be short and I expect the wife to oppose a 2 day stay in Cologne. We'll see.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 16, 2017, 03:03:54 PM
Starting Thursday, Daniel Barenboim and Staatskapelle Berlin are doing all 9 Bruckner symphonies (sorry, fans of Nos. 0 and 00) in chronological order at Carnegie Hall. Almost all of the concerts -- except for No. 8 -- are paired with Mozart.

I'm going to all nine. (Yes, I'm a nut. 8))

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on January 17, 2017, 05:10:14 AM
On Thursday:

Mozart - Symphony No.32
Walton - Violin Concerto
Brahms - Symphony No.1

Akiko Suwanai (violin)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Daniel Raiskin (cond.)

I'll be hearing Walton piece for the first time ever.

Then in two weeks time Gergiev with Mariinsky Orchestra will be in town, but the program is yet undisclosed, so I'll wait a bit more before getting the tickets. Two days before in Barcelona they play Shostakovich 4th, if same that'd be nice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 17, 2017, 11:25:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 16, 2017, 03:03:54 PM
Starting Thursday, Daniel Barenboim and Staatskapelle Berlin are doing all 9 Bruckner symphonies (sorry, fans of Nos. 0 and 00) in chronological order at Carnegie Hall. Almost all of the concerts -- except for No. 8 -- are paired with Mozart.

I'm going to all nine. (Yes, I'm a nut. 8))

--Bruce
Such envy! I wanted to come and at least see 6 & 7 but it didn't work out  :(

On the other hand, my next Dallas Symphony appointment is our man Jaap (your new man Jaap) do the Bruckner Seventh, after Alisa Weilerstein plays the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 17, 2017, 11:51:07 AM
Going to the ballet for the first time in nearly 20 years tomorrow night ... exhausted by winter, hope I won't fall asleep, but I'm actually looking forward a lot!

This is what I'll be seeing: http://www.opernhaus.ch/en/activity/detail/anna-karenina-18-01-2017-18568/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 23, 2017, 04:03:50 AM
Brahms: Hungarian Dances (orchestrated Brahms and Dausgaard)

Schubert: An Schwager Kronos, D.369 (orchestrated Brahms) (c.3') Geheimes, D.719 (orchestrated Brahms) (c.4') Memnon, D.541 (orchestrated Brahms) (c.4') Gruppe aus dem Tartarus, D.583 (orchestrated Brahms) (c.3')

Brahms: Symphony No 2 in D major

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Budapest Bár
Benjamin Appl - baritone
Thomas Dausgaard - conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on January 24, 2017, 07:42:04 AM
For once there are decent concerts in Grenoble around a special Beethoven week-end
-> Prazak quartet
-> Abdel Rahman el Bacha
and a few more.  I bought tickets for those two.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 24, 2017, 10:33:23 PM
A week of vacation ahead ... mostly in Milano, where I'm planning to catch:

- Roscoe Mitchell Sextet (plays John Coltrane)
- Lucas Debargue (the Liszt sonata, Ravel's "Garspard" and some Scarlatti)
- Takács Quartet (Haydn 70/2, Ravel and Beethoven Op. 131)
- Verdi's "Don Carlo" at La Scala

Should be a fun four days ... and GioCar will be there for the middle, too  :)

The vacation will be continued in Torino and Novara, where things will end with Bobby Bradford, the wonderful trumpet player (regular Ornette Coleman sideman and co-leader of an amazing band with the late John Carter, among other things, lately he made a few wonderful albums with Frode Gjerstad, the tour is with Vinnie Golia).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on January 24, 2017, 11:42:54 PM
Quote from: king ubu on January 24, 2017, 10:33:23 PM
A week of vacation ahead ... mostly in Milano, where I'm planning to catch:

- Roscoe Mitchell Sextet (plays John Coltrane)
- Lucas Debargue (the Liszt sonata, Ravel's "Garspard" and some Scarlatti)
- Takács Quartet (Haydn 70/2, Ravel and Beethoven Op. 131)
- Verdi's "Don Carlo" at La Scala

Should be a fun four days ... and GioCar will be there for the middle, too  :)

The vacation will be continued in Torino and Novara, where things will end with Bobby Bradford, the wonderful trumpet player (regular Ornette Coleman sideman and co-leader of an amazing band with the late John Carter, among other things, lately he made a few wonderful albums with Frode Gjerstad, the tour is with Vinnie Golia).

Yeah, I can confirm  8)

and with Mrs GioCar and friends, tonight at La Scala:
Zubin Mehta conducting the Filarmonica:
Anton Webern: Sechs Stücke für Orchester op. 6
Franz Joseph Haydn: Sinfonia in re magg. Hob. 96 "The Miracle"
Franz Schubert: Sinfonia n. 8 in do magg. D. 944 "Die Grosse"

Busy with concerts... :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 24, 2017, 11:47:30 PM
Enjoy! Sounds like a good programme, too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on January 25, 2017, 12:00:26 AM
Quote from: king ubu on January 24, 2017, 11:47:30 PM
Enjoy! Sounds like a good programme, too!

Thanks!  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 25, 2017, 01:15:39 AM
Quote from: jessop on January 06, 2017, 02:28:50 PM
I am very much looking forward to the next concert (http://www.plexuscollective.com/concerts/) in Melbourne of world premieres given by the wonderful Plexus ensemble, this time featuring new compositions by Australian composers including Stefan Cassomenos (http://www.plexuscollective.com/stefan-cassomenos-2) (the pianist of the ensemble), Gordon Kerry (http://www.plexuscollective.com/gordon-kerry-2) and myself (http://www.plexuscollective.com/jessop-maticevskishumack). The soprano Merlyn Quaife (http://www.plexuscollective.com/merlyn-quaifel) is a guest artist with the usual lineup of clarinet, violin and piano. It's on the 9th of February if there is anyone in this part of the world who could come along too! 8)
Just confirming that I can get a recording of this. Super excited, rehearsals are coming up soon! :)

Also, there will be quite a bit of Russian music in the upcoming free concerts the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are giving. Might go along and watch it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 25, 2017, 01:21:58 AM
Quote from: jessop on January 06, 2017, 02:28:50 PM
I am very much looking forward to the next concert (http://www.plexuscollective.com/concerts/) in Melbourne of world premieres given by the wonderful Plexus ensemble, this time featuring new compositions by Australian composers including Stefan Cassomenos (http://www.plexuscollective.com/stefan-cassomenos-2) (the pianist of the ensemble), Gordon Kerry (http://www.plexuscollective.com/gordon-kerry-2) and myself (http://www.plexuscollective.com/jessop-maticevskishumack).

Quote from: jessop on January 25, 2017, 01:15:39 AM
Just confirming that I can get a recording of this. Super excited, rehearsals are coming up soon! :)


That's most likely the coolest thing I'll read all week. 8) Congrats. Good stuff, man.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 26, 2017, 06:29:52 AM
In case Todd feels like a New York trip next year:

Thursday, March 1, 2018 | 7:30 PM
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC

SCHUMANN Andante and Variations in B-flat Major, Op. 46
MAURO LANZA New Work for Two Pianos (NY Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
SCHUBERT Fantasie in F Minor for Piano Four Hands, D. 940
RACHMANINOFF Suite No. 1 for Two Pianos
RACHMANINOFF Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos

Daniil Trifonov, Piano
Sergei Babayan, Piano


October 28, 2017, sees Trifonov playing his own piano concerto at Carnegie with Mariinsky and Gergiev (who add Don Juan and Prokofiev 6).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 26, 2017, 06:40:37 AM
My planned trip to Cologne next month (Trifonov playing Rach 3) will not materialize, I'm afraid. Too many visits, too little time  :-X
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 26, 2017, 07:02:58 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 26, 2017, 06:29:52 AM
In case Todd feels like a New York trip next year:

Thursday, March 1, 2018 | 7:30 PM
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC

SCHUMANN Andante and Variations in B-flat Major, Op. 46
MAURO LANZA New Work for Two Pianos (NY Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
SCHUBERT Fantasie in F Minor for Piano Four Hands, D. 940
RACHMANINOFF Suite No. 1 for Two Pianos
RACHMANINOFF Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos

Daniil Trifonov, Piano
Sergei Babayan, Piano


Tempting.  My conundrum is that Beatrice et Benedict is being put on around the same time out west.  Too much travel in too short a period of time to do both.  Decisions.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 31, 2017, 09:13:56 AM
http://www.rsno.org.uk/sibelius-family-grants-permission-to-rsno-musicians/

Michael Daugherty: Diamond in the Rough
Sibelius: Piano Quartet in D minor
R. Strauss: Piano Quartet in C minor

I'm taking a violin playing redhead to this as our first date.   8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 31, 2017, 12:30:12 PM
Quote from: Todd on January 26, 2017, 07:02:58 AM

Tempting.  My conundrum is that Beatrice et Benedict is being put on around the same time out west.  Too much travel in too short a period of time to do both.  Decisions.
It appears that Trifonov and Babayan perform together every few months - they did Princeton in October and London before that. The only reliable place for Babayan concert dates seems to be his Facebook page, which posts concerts a week before. Dude needs better PR.

He has been taking the Goldbergs on tour, including a Vera Gornostaeva memorial concert in Russia.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 31, 2017, 12:54:32 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 31, 2017, 12:30:12 PM
It appears that Trifonov and Babayan perform together every few months - they did Princeton in October and London before that. The only reliable place for Babayan concert dates seems to be his Facebook page, which posts concerts a week before. Dude needs better PR.


He also needs a recording contract.

Good to know about Trifonov and Babayan performing together regularly.  I'm sure I'll be able to see Trifonov at some point, and I really want to, but Babayan is more obscure and may be harder to see on his own.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 04, 2017, 10:49:41 AM
Carlos Kalmar is a very bad man.  The Oregon Symphony released its 2017/18 season schedule, and I have never seen such a diverse mix of works.  Three world premieres, two of them commissions, are scheduled, along with works by composers I've never heard of.  In addition to the below concerts of great interest, there will be one with Detlev Glanert's Concertgeblaas (?), a Yuja Wang special concert, and the season closer of Mahler 7.  Kalmar ends each season with a Mahler symphony.  A friend of mine and I saw Mahler 7 in 2007, and there were some notable flubs in the brass, but Kalmar has whipped the band into shape, so I may have to hear it again.  A person could go broke next season.

Concerts of interest (soloist/info in parentheses):

Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Takemitsu: Twill by Twilight
R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks
Joan Tower: Fanfare for the Uncommon Women No. 1
Copland: Lincoln Portrait (George Takai as speaker!)
Liszt: Les Preludes


Beethoven: Violin Concerto (Augustin Hadelich)
Gould: Stringmusic
Balakirev/Casella: Islamey


Angela da Ponte: The Rising Sea
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5


Mark-Anthony Turnage: Symphonic Movements (World premiere)
Barber: Piano Concerto (Garrick Ohlsson)
Schubert (arr. Gülke): Andante from Symphony No. 10
Mozart: Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter"


Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (Kirill Gerstein)
Chris Rogerson: Unnamed Commission/World premiere
Schoenberg: Piano Concerto (Kirill Gerstein)
(With stage setting by Luis Alfaro)


Beethoven: Symphony No. 2
John Adams: Absolute Jest (St. Lawrence String Quartet)
Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes of Carl Maria von Weber


Piston: Symphony No. 7
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2 (Natasha Paremski)
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, "Pathetique"


Barber: Essay No. 2
Franck: Symphonic Variations (Francesco Piemontesi)
R. Strauss: Burleske (Francesco Piemontesi)
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5


Dvořák: The Water Goblin
Hanson: Symphony No. 4 (Requiem)
Brahms: Violin Concerto (Vadim Gluzman)


Andy Akiho: Percussion Concerto (Colin Currie; Commission/World premiere)
Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe (complete)


Guillaume Connesson: Supernova (Cosmic Trilogy, Part III)
Szymanowski: Violin Concerto No. 1 (Sarah Kwak, OSO concertmaster)
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3


Hindemith: News of the Day Overture
Bernstein: Serenade (Joshua Bell)
Gabriel Kahane: Unnamed Commission/World premiere (Measha Brueggergosman)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 04, 2017, 12:43:46 PM
That concert schedule looks AWESOME!!!! It would almost convince me to move to Oregon!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on February 05, 2017, 03:40:24 AM
February 10, Concertgebouw Amsterdam: NedPhO under Karl-Heinz Steffens playing Frank's Symphony and Falla Noches in los jardines de Espana (Roberto Cominati, piano)

March 10, Wageningen SO and choir under Stef Collignon, Elgar's Enigma Variations and Vaughan Williams In Windsor Forest

March 31, Rotterdam: RPhO under Mark Elder, Debussy L'après-midi d'un faune and La Mer, coupled with Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending and Symphony No. 4 in F minor.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on February 05, 2017, 04:12:37 PM
A couple of interesting concerts coming up here within a couple of days of each other:

March 18th: Gubaidulina's Offertorium and Schoenberg's arrangement of Brahms' Piano Quartet No.1

March 20th: L'Arpeggiata with Christina Pluhar focusing on 17th Century England

and I see that in June Masaaki Suzuki will be in town doing an all-Bach concert including Ich Habe Genug

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 06, 2017, 02:46:12 AM
Tonight at Tonhalle Zurich:

Il Giardino Armonico
Giovanni Antonini Dirigent
Sandrine Piau Sopran

Joseph Haydn
Sinfonie D-Dur Hob. I: 6 «Le matin»
«Berenice, che fai»

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Rezitativ «Giunse al fin il momento» und Arie «Deh vieni non tardar», aus: Nozze di Figaro
Arie «Non mi dir», aus: Don Giovanni

Joseph Haydn
Sinfonie A-Dur Hob. I: 64 «Tempora Mutantur»

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Rezitativ «Grazie ai numi parti» und Arie «Nel grave tormento», aus: Mitridate re di Ponto

Really looking forward ... I actually spent quite something for a front row seat (means I get a semi-good view and can stretch my legs ... the best seats start in row 4 or 5, but those beyond my price range usually).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on February 08, 2017, 09:50:40 AM

Review: Hamburg Elbphilharmonie Opening And First Impressions Of The Great Hall
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2017/02/grosser-saal_pausenapplaus_c_michael_zapf_1-1200x800.jpg?width=960)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/02/08/review-hamburg-elbphilharmonie-opening-and-first-impressions-of-the-great-hall/#474bf13b3cd2 (http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/02/08/review-hamburg-elbphilharmonie-opening-and-first-impressions-of-the-great-hall/#474bf13b3cd2)

QuotePaddington Bear/Falstaff/Bryn Terfel (hard to tell) lumbered onto the stage and roared and howled away like a drunken sailor on shore leave.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 08, 2017, 12:03:35 PM
I've been going to these concerts with friends http://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/sidney-myer-free-concerts/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 08, 2017, 10:50:08 PM
Quote from: king ubu on February 06, 2017, 02:46:12 AM
Tonight at Tonhalle Zurich:

Il Giardino Armonico
Giovanni Antonini Dirigent
Sandrine Piau Sopran

Joseph Haydn
Sinfonie D-Dur Hob. I: 6 «Le matin»
«Berenice, che fai»

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Rezitativ «Giunse al fin il momento» und Arie «Deh vieni non tardar», aus: Nozze di Figaro
Arie «Non mi dir», aus: Don Giovanni

Joseph Haydn
Sinfonie A-Dur Hob. I: 64 «Tempora Mutantur»

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Rezitativ «Grazie ai numi parti» und Arie «Nel grave tormento», aus: Mitridate re di Ponto

Really looking forward ... I actually spent quite something for a front row seat (means I get a semi-good view and can stretch my legs ... the best seats start in row 4 or 5, but those beyond my price range usually).

This was so amazing ... actually the orchestra was rather small of course (I guess for the Mozart towards their largest line-up, which I think is 35, in Zurich it was probably between 20 and 30, depending on if additional winds were added or not), so sitting front row was great to hear it all in fairly loud volume in the hall that's too big for such an ensemble ... and having Sandrine Piau just in front of me was a wonderful experience, never sat so close to a singer in a classical concert yet. The Haydn was really coming alive, breathing and stomping (I could hear Antonini hum and breathe and sometimes stamp his foot), with perfect attention to detail and an extremely transparent sound.

Piau changed from one character to another with ease (actually "Mitridate" I don't know yet), and her singing was as great as I was hoping from from hearing her on disc. She got a huge applause and sang two encores ... I was hoping for a review to mention them as I failed to take notice of the opening line of the first one, which was sung German. The second was the wonderful short aria "L'ho perduta, me meschina" by Barbarina from "Le nozze de Figaro", and again Piau was stunning!

Next up tomorrow (should have been - finally - my first time seeing Bringuier conduct, but that seems to be difficult ... actually the concerts he usually conducts are not the ones high on my list):

ORCHESTERMAGIE
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal
Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Michel Tabachnik Leitung
Katia und Marielle Labèque Klavierduo
Clara Mouriz Mezzosopran

Philip Glass: "Four movements for two pianos"
Francis Poulenc: Konzert d-Moll für zwei Klaviere und Orchester
Manuel de Falla: "El sombrero de tres picos" ("Der Dreispitz")
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 09, 2017, 03:32:50 AM
Just came home from a concert given by fabulous local ensemble called Plexus (with guest artist, soprano Merlyn Quaife) who specialise in performing a lot of new music. Tonight the program was

Me: 'Evolve' for clarinet, violin and piano (world premiere)
Malcolm Arnold: Sonatine for clarinet and piano
Gordon Kerry: Drei Jahreszeitenlieder' (settings of poems by Friedrich Hölderin, Rainer Maria Rilke and Georg Trakl) for soprano, clarinet, violin and piano (world premiere)

Barbara Heller: 'In Bewegung' for piano
Beethoven: Sonata for piano and violin, op. 12,1
Stefan Cassomenos: 'Three Australian Songs' (settings of poems by Weston Bate) for soprano, clarinet, violin and piano (world premiere)


An extremely varied program of chamber and vocal works! I was particularly blown away by the Malcolm Arnold piece :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 09, 2017, 06:46:36 PM
This Saturday:

CHRISTOPHER ROUSE | Symphony No. 5 (world premiere performances)
BEETHOVEN | Piano Concerto No. 2
RESPIGHI | Pines of Rome

Emanuel Ax, piano
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Jaap van Zweden

Mostly for the Rouse, to be honest; this is one of my least favorite Beethoven works. After the girlfriend reacted very favorably to Rouse's "Rapture" in the first concert of the season, she's happy to go along.

Then, we're seizing this extremely rare opportunity to see the Taneyev Piano Quintet and five rising young stars:

SHOSTAKOVICH | String Quartet No. 9
TANEYEV | Piano Quintet

Alessio Bax, piano
Escher Quartet

Tues., Feb 21 in Dallas
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 09, 2017, 07:20:54 PM
Never really listened to any Rouse before but I may have heard a bit of a flute concerto i think? Not sure. Very cool to see world premieres of orchestral music! Are there recordings of his other symphonies?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 10, 2017, 06:22:47 AM
Quote from: jessop on February 09, 2017, 07:20:54 PM
Never really listened to any Rouse before but I may have heard a bit of a flute concerto i think? Not sure. Very cool to see world premieres of orchestral music! Are there recordings of his other symphonies?
Yes! Rouse's Symphonies 3 & 4 just came out on Dacapo, with the New York Philharmonic and Alan Gilbert - really interesting CD. His flute concerto is magnificent; BIS Records CEO Robert von Bahr chose it as the last thing he heard before a life-threatening surgery. (Spoiler alert: he lived to hear more music.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 10, 2017, 12:59:35 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 10, 2017, 06:22:47 AM
Yes! Rouse's Symphonies 3 & 4 just came out on Dacapo, with the New York Philharmonic and Alan Gilbert - really interesting CD. His flute concerto is magnificent; BIS Records CEO Robert von Bahr chose it as the last thing he heard before a life-threatening surgery. (Spoiler alert: he lived to hear more music.)
Thank you very much for enlightening me on this. I will check his music out soonish I hope. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on February 10, 2017, 06:03:02 PM
Quote from: jessop on February 09, 2017, 03:32:50 AM

Me: 'Evolve' for clarinet, violin and piano (world premiere)


Congratulations! Was the concert recorded?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 10, 2017, 06:04:39 PM
Quote from: SimonNZ on February 10, 2017, 06:03:02 PM
Congratulations! Was the concert recorded?
Thanks! The audio was. They will send me a recording. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on February 11, 2017, 04:54:21 AM
Coming Monday 13 FEB at the Athens Megaron

J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos BWV1046-51

Armonia Atenea
George Petrou
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on February 11, 2017, 01:16:47 PM
Quote from: Spineur on January 24, 2017, 07:42:04 AM
For once there are decent concerts in Grenoble around a special Beethoven week-end
-> Prazak quartet
-> Abdel Rahman el Bacha
and a few more.  I bought tickets for those two.
Goethe said of Beethoven

"I have never met an artist more powerfully concentrated, more energetic, more interior ... But unfortunately his personality is quite untamed"

It is precisely this unbridled side that I love in Beethoven's music, and the Prazak quartet transmits it exactly as it is by setting it on fire. On the program of the first concert, they played the quartets
Op18 no5
Op 135 no16
Op 131 no13
In these last two quartets, there are fortissimos fff, and it must be heard "live" to realize what this means. I'm not just talking about the reduction of the dynamics unavoidable with the CD, but of the sensation that the instrumentalists give: they push madly with their bows on the strings to the point of breaking some of the bow hairs during the attack. We say to ourselves "Beethoven is indeed an untamed creature".

I really like this quartet because they really set Beethoven on fire (the Italiano is the opposite).

El Bacha played Opus 87 and Op 90, and then with Prazak a wind quintet transcribed for string quartet and piano (Op. 16). What is interesting in a live piano concert is the palette of touches (the color of the pianists) that recordings only partially render (their phrasing goes through much better). It is this touch that I found interesting in El Basha playing. But when he teamed up with the Prazak, the concert took on a whole new dimension: his natural reserve flew away and he followed in Prazak's footsteps with the 'con fuoco' approach.

This was very good. El Bacha gives a master class tomorrow open to the public, but unfortunately I cant go.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on February 13, 2017, 03:41:00 PM
How about one I was looking forward to and attended yesterday?  :)

Words fail when trying to describe Lukas Debargue's recital in Berkeley yesterday. He combines mind-blowing technique with the sense that he a co-creator of the music. This is easily one of the most amazing recitals I have yet heard.

Program:

Scarlatti: Sonata K. 132
Chopin: Ballade No.4
Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit

Intermission

Medtner: Sonata in F Op.5

Encores
Scarlatti K.208 and K.24

Curtain call after the Medtner:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JySA2lXDGOR9Ld-IQa4bDGRQtIk6NHtDthtNuMSRlTga-lAoTP7ZfjbpM2JuwzLpRR1pTPLklXHJ4SiQgPExAnwXLQ_AgJBNOQ2_6VIHGSqfYed0cRC0AYZCVoycz64p-CEmPWDAMIm1tyQbsMb7-PR8MUDJC5YcO-qV44hEKxXWjEGerpcSmHr7fPZAPksnIw0oDOVsfyIicdNXAPf6oyhh1quC4Nudcl4e1GX-1EKNv3twTL7ymF2c_p_JXnpxtLWnF8B1Mf4w_6Pqr_gaIaD_XNr2SkaJVqfZ_FcerRS-ghYLmNCz_O1_oWPyXzQbRuiROvoDe-um2hom7abpSEXE1v2PxfK4I2H16-BzrdhnwQ3acKEwGLXmmK3XVo1o66dMavr9WTIyC-oX6e7BIZje__dWdrE0JE0QJQOAKn-2riz4TI2YFYfZusCLgG852xl_ka8NGVuZ-QRM-MCW9Q20NwyEA7ar75TXmxqgSPPMoHfubgOnt5xy7_Fu2DOsmE_8p8VCWP8Kig5XGmRO830tFSQEoawxaPYfVLklvVO1-ACdaLXTtiBEt_ZHT9n0ZMrJuo5siExZwzVy429pMNRM2S3q4w3V4FZZDhk1vekJ07te4Bx2=w1267-h950-no)

Chatting with him backstage:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7FDK6B30iugWdFQwawGxx-q3FZnQWJATIS68kOy3Iu6hIGwWm2M1ZWhwoZhYMDO37VkAtwaM_fZUTM3qW7oaFFAcOwdnbCQEvXFPeG_m5V0A34Xd4TE2VWj2NsAqNyMjY-I7zZOYEOOqLyOsL7J6WcTnrfUxqFWuGGfLjkVkV19DZ-FeffVYtKe7xvvfB4ii0x7G1m5E1p39Iiav5F2clydEujhBBYdmOZHS9UedXySgXdXat70rmMwFZKx086VyaRByvwpHhynBeGbHOF5baT1p6YlwcJlG17pG9EP9Qj6Syh8JuMUHFSZOlLYx2YH3Y1gbvkqoeIntUjKLMvXQKynqB0Ozb2pMT8COfyzBFKJMlGFQ6LQ40H6576vYrrEiM1XfQ3STzhQiM-PvbNr2ilWfouTV0GO7wTZo7JhUflO8HvsCi9qp0-wPCYGZQROp14Xcm2frx66FGDqEBs3hefM0t0v31tb-n1Vhq1mD6CatWwPKBBsnqPHMpUT8IHpHXe0p_zysgMPeA1EyUWe1vDIYDeDA8tJj2kdG-Y6Py_eY2W4L1JFoh_BsqWHpLcjjboENpEVbvLmXChJChwW2cjHRYKlIrUTOSscCNxDCNMT_mF8c24MD=w1267-h950-no)

His "autograph"!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ywpl2_RLb3ns-c1XDHVBChGvT_Q2tCmenIf0HYg5IUnyAKoDQwz1JXjGH7fzgQDWE9wvjiGJ6UMp7-xhf_ZqxYf2jv0QypFrJGA91tLS0hj3aYFwm0m6MLCC1pQn6Rm22Ztu3UUtRvMyo8cD64Bf-VnscoYlVivIO_sDD6n0qW9lWJGdjqv-gdoJIgWwmCxj5tDrgNWTUkMCVhIWvaZWsykrBfKmQvo5PhePtmsJBniyro7x_T3S1tWp_pcNcBu9F4VQ0IrHhAsPx8hHCVPEwFGngezlBQ7QVd5JDqkjQJN-urHAidYZHzsffZoC_asiowPJIUD0kh8tAWqKlu7F7NN83zZ9NNCVgERwdxy3ebaHprBoq2sEPZdLwAAyLUucdlJOsafqIplaqdnGhAXxTL1HzJBFmIktV4zZqtwbuppFKR-6UZSqqCgpvrQm9jyD_Yun09MNHZR8QHV9taItz8Q5QqX3ZhdN9OOwm-YwcMK41nJEeTawlKhyEw5MJd7n14yJko2boDvkVQ5RfAEoOGJiQHq1m8A-DY0u_8BmZYHhIziCBN5gvBXc-4BFJSB4S-_dawt3EE8n6dLJUq_OfO9ut2Q9nvGzCKTGvmStZcFnu969=w713-h951-no)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on February 13, 2017, 11:23:51 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on February 13, 2017, 03:41:00 PM
How about one I was looking forward to and attended yesterday?  :)

Words fail when trying to describe Lukas Debargue's recital in Berkeley yesterday. He combines mind-blowing technique with the sense that he a co-creator of the music. This is easily one of the most amazing recitals I have yet heard.

Program:

Scarlatti: Sonata K. 132
Chopin: Ballade No.4
Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit

Intermission

Medtner: Sonata in F Op.5

Encores
Scarlatti K.208 and K.24

Curtain call after the Medtner:
Chatting with him backstage:
His "autograph"!

How very neat! His programs do look interesting by all means, and anyone who so strategically plans and programs Scarlatti seems bound to be worth lending special ears to.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 14, 2017, 12:42:54 AM
... 'cept that at his Milan concert, which he opened with four Scarlatti sonatas, those didn't work for me very well at all. Romanticised rubato Scarlatti, just the way I don't feel like hearing it. He went on with Gaspard and after the break topped things with a pretty adventurous Liszt sonata that was, I found, the best part of the concert. First encore sounded familiar but I couldn't pin it down, second was a horrible take on Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight", which he totally ignored as a composition and mood piece, instead just taking as starting-point for a rambling, crowd-pleasing bit of show-offery. But the Liszt was very interesting (if not really outstanding), I found.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on February 14, 2017, 10:17:56 AM
His Berkeley performance of Gaspard was the most hair-raising I have ever heard. The only other Medtner Op.5 I have heard is Hamelin's, and Debargue's was infinitely more interesting and gripping!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 15, 2017, 10:17:23 PM
Join presenter Stephen Johnson, the BBC SSO and Chief Conductor Thomas Dausgaard for an introduction to Langgaard's music, exploring the composer's unique sound-world, through a number of his works, including a complete performance of the intensely dramatic and taut Fourth Symphony. 

Langgaard: Prelude to Antichrist (c.8 mins) (UK Premiere)
Langgaard: Symphony No.4 'Løvfald' ('Leaf-fall') (c.22 mins)

I've no idea who Langgaard is or what his music sounds like - and I don't intend to remedy that before the concert - but the opportunity to hear something new on a Sunday afternoon (perhaps after some lunch?) is too good an opportunity to miss.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on February 16, 2017, 08:58:27 AM
Quote from: NikF on February 15, 2017, 10:17:23 PM
Join presenter Stephen Johnson, the BBC SSO and Chief Conductor Thomas Dausgaard for an introduction to Langgaard's music, exploring the composer's unique sound-world, through a number of his works, including a complete performance of the intensely dramatic and taut Fourth Symphony.

Langgaard: Prelude to Antichrist (c.8 mins) (UK Premiere)
Langgaard: Symphony No.4 'Løvfald' ('Leaf-fall') (c.22 mins)

I've no idea who Langgaard is or what his music sounds like - and I don't intend to remedy that before the concert - but the opportunity to hear something new on a Sunday afternoon (perhaps after some lunch?) is too good an opportunity to miss.
Wow wow wow!
You will NOT regret that, methinks... and every GMG-Langgaardian is surely ready to second that notion. Awesome program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 16, 2017, 09:21:13 AM
Quote from: SurprisedByBeauty on February 16, 2017, 08:58:27 AM
Wow wow wow!
You will NOT regret that, methinks... and every GMG-Langgaardian is surely ready to second that notion. Awesome program.

Well, that's good to know. I'm certainly looking forward to it. :)
And now I'm even more tempted to have a listen beforehand. But I won't.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on February 16, 2017, 09:55:06 AM
Quote from: NikF on February 16, 2017, 09:21:13 AM
Well, that's good to know. I'm certainly looking forward to it. :)
And now I'm even more tempted to have a listen beforehand. But I won't.

Absolutely. Be surprised. Langgaard doesn't need pre-studying to work his magic. Don't even listen to short, very different chamber pieces like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aav2wCZF12A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aav2wCZF12A).
But do, eventually, add this disc to your collection, for it is muhvelous! http://amzn.to/2lmvjI1 (http://amzn.to/2lmvjI1)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 16, 2017, 10:18:27 AM
Quote from: SurprisedByBeauty on February 16, 2017, 09:55:06 AM
Absolutely. Be surprised. Langgaard doesn't need pre-studying to work his magic. Don't even listen to short, very different chamber pieces like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aav2wCZF12A (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aav2wCZF12A).
But do, eventually, add this disc to your collection, for it is muhvelous! http://amzn.to/2lmvjI1 (http://amzn.to/2lmvjI1)

Thanks. Suggestions and insights are always appreciated. I've ordered that CD and it can sit in the unplayed shelves until after the concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 16, 2017, 10:51:26 AM
Quote from: NikF on February 15, 2017, 10:17:23 PM
Join presenter Stephen Johnson, the BBC SSO and Chief Conductor Thomas Dausgaard for an introduction to Langgaard's music, exploring the composer's unique sound-world, through a number of his works, including a complete performance of the intensely dramatic and taut Fourth Symphony.

Langgaard: Prelude to Antichrist (c.8 mins) (UK Premiere)
Langgaard: Symphony No.4 'Løvfald' ('Leaf-fall') (c.22 mins)

I've no idea who Langgaard is or what his music sounds like - and I don't intend to remedy that before the concert - but the opportunity to hear something new on a Sunday afternoon (perhaps after some lunch?) is too good an opportunity to miss.
Whoa!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 16, 2017, 10:53:19 AM
Quote from: SurprisedByBeauty on February 16, 2017, 08:58:27 AM

Quote from: NikF on February 15, 2017, 10:17:23 PM
Join presenter Stephen Johnson, the BBC SSO and Chief Conductor Thomas Dausgaard for an introduction to Langgaard's music, exploring the composer's unique sound-world, through a number of his works, including a complete performance of the intensely dramatic and taut Fourth Symphony.

Langgaard: Prelude to Antichrist (c.8 mins) (UK Premiere)
Langgaard: Symphony No.4 'Løvfald' ('Leaf-fall') (c.22 mins)

I've no idea who Langgaard is or what his music sounds like - and I don't intend to remedy that before the concert - but the opportunity to hear something new on a Sunday afternoon (perhaps after some lunch?) is too good an opportunity to miss.

Wow wow wow!
You will NOT regret that, methinks... and every GMG-Langgaardian is surely ready to second that notion. Awesome program.

Duly seconded.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 16, 2017, 11:28:07 AM
I should have posted this from the outset -

'During the interval (c.30 minutes), members of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will give a short chamber music recital in the Recital Room which will include the Sextet for flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, bassoon and military drum, which Langgaard composed in 1922-23 (free to ticket-holders – limited seating availability).

The two works in the BBC SSO's concert will be recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.'


http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/evbhn3

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 16, 2017, 11:36:50 AM
That looks like a thoroughly awesome afternoon indeed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 17, 2017, 01:52:56 AM
Tomorrow night: Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Médée" at Zurich opera - final performance, William Christie conducting, Stéphanie d'Oustrac and Reinoud Van Mechelen singing ... looking forward very, very much!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on February 17, 2017, 10:33:07 PM
Quote from: king ubu on February 17, 2017, 01:52:56 AM
Tomorrow night: Marc-Antoine Charpentier's "Médée" at Zurich opera - final performance, William Christie conducting, Stéphanie d'Oustrac and Reinoud Van Mechelen singing ... looking forward very, very much!

Enjoy it tonight, my friend - looking forward to reading your review... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 18, 2017, 03:52:46 AM
Quote from: GioCar on February 17, 2017, 10:33:07 PM
Enjoy it tonight, my friend - looking forward to reading your review... :)

Thanks, I sure will! Queued 40 minutes earlier to buy the programme ... so many weirdos and complicated folks there, amazing. You have to draw a number when it's crowded, and there were two desks open. To tend to ca. 15 customers in line before me took them so long ... I went out to buy a newspaper in the meantime, and in the end when it was my turn, I was given the programme for free, "since you had to wait that long"  :)

Anyway, I wanted to write more about the concerts in Milan, but the first week back in the office was crazy (and of course I had two more concerts and some other evening appointments, too) ... for those that read German, my write-ups can be found over here (first one on jazz and food, second on classical and art):
http://forum.rollingstone.de/foren/topic/2017-jazzgigs-konzerte-festivals/page/2/#post-10085501
http://forum.rollingstone.de/foren/topic/konzertimpressionen-und-rezensionen/page/3/#post-10088767

Also over there is my German write-up on the Giardino Armonico/Sandrine Piau and Labèque sisters concerts:
http://forum.rollingstone.de/foren/topic/konzertimpressionen-und-rezensionen/page/3/#post-10088919

But I will make it a point to report about "Médée" in English, too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on February 19, 2017, 02:17:19 AM
SCHOENBERG Pelléas and Mélsande  on Monday with the Vancouver S.O. and guest conductor Lahav Shani.
First half will be BRAHMS Piano Concerto 1 with Kyril Gerstein
Shani has re-sat the orchestra with 1st and 2nd violins divided.   Picture from Saturday attached
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 19, 2017, 03:55:28 AM
Zurich Opera, 18 February 2017

MÉDÉE
Marc-Antoine Charpentier


Conductor: William Christie
Producer: Andreas Homoki
Stage design: Hartmut Meyer
Costumes: Mechthild Seipel
Light design: Franck Evin
Choreographische Beratung: Katrin Kolo
Chorus master: Jürg Hämmerli
Dramaturgy: Werner Hintze, Fabio Dietsche

Médée: Stéphanie D'Oustrac
Jason: Reinoud Van Mechelen
Créon: Nahuel Di Pierro
Créuse: Mélissa Petit
Oronte: Ivan Thirion
L'Amour, Captif de l'Amour, Premier Fantôme: Florie Valiquette
Nérine: Carmen Seibel
Arcas, Second Corinthien, La Jalousie: Spencer Lang
Un Argien, La Vengeance: Roberto Lorenzi
Une Italienne: Sandrine Droin
Premier Corinthien, Un Argien, Un Démon: Nicholas Scott
Cleone: Gemma Ni Bhriain
Deuxième Fantôme: Francisca Montiel

Harpsichord: Paolo Zanzu
Lute: Brian Feehan, Juan Sebastian Lima
Cello: Claudius Herrmann
Gamba: Martin Zeller
Violone: Dieter Lange

Orchestra La Scintilla
Chor der Oper Zürich
Members of Les Arts Florissants

Phenomenal in every respect, one of the best opera nights ever, and quite likely to be the highlight of this still young year. How amazing to witness a cast that is really at home in the language in question - not that I actually understood it word by word, but none of the minor to major diction and pronounciation and accent problems that we usually just have to accept when watching opera (and in that respect: what a huge difference to the Milan "Don Carlo"). I've become tolerant long ago about this, but what a huge different to have a fully idiomatic cast! William Christie strictly insists on this, as he mentioned during the matinee in presentation of this new production a few weeks back - the show last night was actually the final one again already - and I fully endorse this, now that I have been able to witness the wonderful results.

So many great things, it's really hard to find words.

Let's start with the play itself. What a wonderful opera, finding a perfect balance between words and music. There's no fat to it, it's just perfect. No vocal girlands, no show-offery, no nothing, just a perfect synchronisation between what is sung and how it is sung (and played). This is not a sequence of numbers with star arias and all that, but really a play. And Homoki's production and stage direction actually made it work in a way that even the Divertissements were quite perfectly integrated into the whole, sort of echo chambers of the main plot.

The choir, enlarged by an haute-contre section from Les Arts florissants, did a wonderful job (as I've come to expect by now - Zurich opera can be really proud of such a fine choir). So did La Scintilla, the HIP orchestra of Zurich opera. They were enlarged by several guests as well, mainly in the winds section, which had a lot of work to do and did just fine. Christie had a harpsichord to play and conduct from, but to his right there was another harpsichord, as well as a small organ. As I could not see much of the orchestra during the play (I could see the recorders and that was pretty cool, too), I don't know how much of the harpsichord continuo was played by Christie himself. The continuo section was really good anyway, bleding into a wonderful and varied sound, using different combinations of the instruments at hand (including the organ I mentioned).

The stage itself was set up very simple, using a second floor that could be lifted to disappear and was often lowered so it was merely a step up from the ground level. On top you would have different colours than downstairs, the lower area was also opened up to the back a few times, but mostly just to let people (or devils) appear and disappear - very effective, and very nice to look at, too. There was hardly any furniture or other stuff on the stage, which fit the unfolding tragedy perfectly well, I found.

And as the tragedy has been mentioned, it really sempt to be the tragedy of Stéphanie d'Oustrac. She was outstanding in the title role, both as a singer as well as an actress - she really became Medea. Yet at the same time it got pretty clear how much love Charpentier must have had for that character, so far beyond any moral categories mankind is used to - not to say a monster. The melodies Chapentier wrote for his Médée are truly beguiling, again and again. Van Mechelen did an outstanding job as well. Most beautiful where the - quite many - moments when they sang at a very low volume. Those pianissimo moments, a few soft harpsichord tones added ... what tension, what vibrancy! At some moments I felt as if I were watching a forbidden scene - the intimacy generated by those very quiet moments was amazing. Of course this again was made possible by the fact that d'Oustrac really filled that role perfectly well, vibrant and intense. The other roles, both larger and smaller, were all cast very well, too. What I found interesting, and it was certainly determined only in part by my own preferences, is how much this is about Medea, the monster, and how relatively little sympathy came up for Créuse (Mélissa Petit was excellent, not her fault at all!) by comparison. Créuse, at least as far as the play seems to tell us, is not the one to blame really for the events that are to unfold - yet it's Medea, the independent and strong character that captures the attention, that is front and center, albeit her doings are horrible beyond belief. This of course creates tension as well, which again is held back or counterbalanced ingeniously by Charpentier's music.

So yeah, great night at the opera!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on February 19, 2017, 04:12:27 AM
The Luxury of Excellence | The Sound of Broken Hearts | Beethovenian Seething | Desperate Dissonance | To Hell and Back:

(https://scontent-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16807218_10154480288957989_3466438273017092737_n.jpg?oh=0bbdb4c923e8560b81b7e336c74211c3&oe=593896DC)

Review: Mahler 10 With Yannick Nézet-Séguin
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2017/02/Yannick-Nezet-Seguin_BRSO_Mahler10_Berg-VC_jens-f-laurson_Forbes_photocredit_c-to-be-determined_narrowband-1200x600.jpg?width=960)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/02/19/review-mahler-10-with-yannick-nezet-seguin/#454f33724fe7 (//http://Review:%20Mahler%2010%20With%20Yannick%20N%C3%A9zet-S%C3%A9guin)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on February 19, 2017, 10:27:23 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 18, 2017, 03:52:46 AM
Thanks, I sure will! Queued 40 minutes earlier to buy the programme ... so many weirdos and complicated folks there, amazing. You have to draw a number when it's crowded, and there were two desks open. To tend to ca. 15 customers in line before me took them so long ... I went out to buy a newspaper in the meantime, and in the end when it was my turn, I was given the programme for free, "since you had to wait that long"  :)

Anyway, I wanted to write more about the concerts in Milan, but the first week back in the office was crazy (and of course I had two more concerts and some other evening appointments, too) ... for those that read German, my write-ups can be found over here (first one on jazz and food, second on classical and art):
http://forum.rollingstone.de/foren/topic/2017-jazzgigs-konzerte-festivals/page/2/#post-10085501
http://forum.rollingstone.de/foren/topic/konzertimpressionen-und-rezensionen/page/3/#post-10088767

Also over there is my German write-up on the Giardino Armonico/Sandrine Piau and Labèque sisters concerts:
http://forum.rollingstone.de/foren/topic/konzertimpressionen-und-rezensionen/page/3/#post-10088919

But I will make it a point to report about "Médée" in English, too!

Hi king ubu!

Wonderful, just wonderful.  :)

I loved your review of the opera.  Are you familiar with this recording:

[asin]B0012BT1BU[/asin]

I dig this group in general.  This is a nice release.

Any chance you could post the review of Roscoe Mitchell plays Coltrane in the Jazz section?  In English of course. ;D

That show looked awesome as well.

Cheers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 19, 2017, 12:09:57 PM
Quote from: HIPster on February 19, 2017, 10:27:23 AM
Hi king ubu!

Wonderful, just wonderful.  :)

I loved your review of the opera.  Are you familiar with this recording:

[asin]B0012BT1BU[/asin]

I dig this group in general.  This is a nice release.

Any chance you could post the review of Roscoe Mitchell plays Coltrane in the Jazz section?  In English of course. ;D

That show looked awesome as well.

Cheers.

Thank you kindly, sir! I have no recordings of d'Oustrac's so far but have an eye on several, including that disc you mention (I have a few discs by/with Amarillis though). EDITED to add: none of her solo discs ... as for the opera recordings (a few CDs, a few DVD/BDs) they're all of repertoire I've not come around to thoroughly explore (Lully, Rameau, the Destouches on Glossa ...)

Re: Roscoe Mitchell, as I have typed a few sentences into one of my mobile devices while still on vacation (and as the German report isn't substantially different), allow me to just give the link right here (http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?/topic/14653-what-live-music-are-you-going-to-see-tonight/&do=findComment&comment=1527303). This was written in response to the Paris report quoted there (I know the guy, we were both at Météo festival in Mulhouse last summer, where Mitchell played the festival's great closing set).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on February 19, 2017, 12:52:31 PM
Excellent king ubu!  :)

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on these shows.

Cheers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 19, 2017, 03:12:11 PM
Thanks for your interest, HIPster!

Next up, tomorrow night, again at Zurich opera:

Raphaël Pichon, Dirigent
Julie Fuchs, Sopran
Orchestra La Scintilla

Programm

Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Zaïs: Ouverture
Platée: Récit et air de la Folie «Formons les plus brillants concerts... Aux langueurs d'Apollon»
Les Boréades: Entrée de Polymnie

Castor et Pollux: Prélude de tambour voilé et scène funèbre
Castor et Pollux: Air de Télaïre «Tristes apprêts, pâles flambeaux»

Les Paladins: Entrée très gaye de troubadours
Les Boréades: Contredanse en rondeau
Les Boréades: Ariette d'Alphise «Un horizon serein»

Pause

Jean-Philippe Rameau
Zoroastre: Air tendre en rondeau
Les Indes galantes: Air de Phani «Viens, hymen»

Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)
Orphée et Eurydice: Introduction au second acte/ Danse des furies
Orphée et Eurydice: Danse des Ombres heureuses
Orphée et Eurydice: Récit, Air et Duo (Eurydice) «Mais d'où vient qu'il persiste à garder le silence.../ «Fortune ennemie, quelle barbarie»

Jean-Philippe Rameau
Les Fêtes d'Hébé: Tambourin en rondeau
Dardanus: Chaconne
Les Indes galantes: «Régnez, plaisirs et jeux» (Zima)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 20, 2017, 02:31:10 AM
Just got tickets for Alberto Ginastera's Bomarzo at the Teatro Real here in Madrid (on 5 May), staged by Pierre Audi and conducted by David Afkham...  :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on February 20, 2017, 04:58:44 AM
Quote from: Spineur on January 06, 2017, 07:37:19 AM
Just got tickets to
1) Jeanne d'arc au Bucher, Arthur Honegger Oratorio, Opera de Lyon
2) Lohengrin, Richard Wagner, Opera de Paris in February.

I am going to buy some recordings of these works to do my preparation.

I attended Lohengrin at the Paris Opera under the direction of Philippe Jordan ( :D).  The staging (Claus Guth) was the same as the one shown in La Scala last year.
Altogether it was quite wonderful, especially the orchestra part.  With Philippe Jordan, you get to hear everything (including flutes, clarinets and hoboe), not just the the string and the brass as in a number of recordings.

The sets were quite nice, and there were some interesting ideas in Claus Guth staging (Elsa and his brother as children/ the black and white dresses for Ortrud and Elsa referring to the black and white swans), but not everything worked.  His portrait of Lohengrin as a fragile man, trying to find his own path, goes so much against Wagner music and the libretto, that you end up lost.  What were his real intentions ?  Was it a reference to Wagner ?  I wish he would have been more explicit.

Probably one of Wagner most tragic opera, where he introduced the leitmotivs and wrote some truly innovative and beautiful music

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 20, 2017, 05:15:59 AM
Thanks for the impressions on the Paris Lohengrin, Spineur. It seems to have been a nice evening at the opera... :) My last Lohengrin (in Berlin last December) was only so-so, with a rather poor staging (IMHO) by Kaspar Holten, but ably conducted by Axel Kober. I've seen Philippe Jordan live twice (Ariadne auf Naxos at the Bastille some years ago now, and Parsifal in Bayreuth in 2012) and was very favourably impressed both times,

Now, one work I really want to sse fully satged is Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher. What a wonderful piece! It's announced in Madrid for the 2017-18 season, I believe.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: eljr on February 20, 2017, 05:57:29 AM
Looking forward to: Benefit Concert Celebrating Philip Glass's 80th Birthday, March 16 at Carnegie Hall

https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2017/3/16/0730/PM/Tibet-House-US-30th-Anniversary-Benefit-Concert-Celebrating-Philip-Glasss-80th-Birthday/ (https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2017/3/16/0730/PM/Tibet-House-US-30th-Anniversary-Benefit-Concert-Celebrating-Philip-Glasss-80th-Birthday/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on February 20, 2017, 06:34:40 AM
Yesterday I saw an undergrad senior at the local university play the second half of Philip Glass's Etudes. (She played the first half last fall, which I missed.) I enjoyed both the music — with only #12 really sounding like a lot of other Glass — and the performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on February 21, 2017, 09:32:37 AM
The Venice Baroque Orchestra with violin soloist Nicola Benedetti this Saturday:

Galuppi: Concerto a Quattro No. 2 in G Major

Avison: Concerto Grosso No. 8 in E Minor, after D. Scarlatti

Geminiani: Concerto Grosso for strings in D Minor, "La Follia"

Vivaldi: Concerto in D Major for violin, strings and basso continuo, RV 212a, "Per la solennità della S. lingua di S. Antonio in Padua"

Vivaldi: The Four Seasons
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 22, 2017, 09:39:29 AM
I don't know if this is gonna be recorded, or not, but...

Mahler 2
Pittsburgh
Honeck
June 2-4, 2017

Might be time to visit my brother!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 23, 2017, 03:21:29 PM
Prelude: 6.45pm in the Recital Room Thomas Dausgaard introduces the Sixth Symphony by Langgaard.

Strauss: Four Last Songs
Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde
Wagner: Prelude to Act I of Parsifal 
Langgaard: Symphony No.6 'Heaven-Storming'

Coda - Members of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in a short recital of chamber music by Langgaard.

Thomas Dausgaard - Conductor
RSNO
Erin Wall - Soprano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 23, 2017, 03:31:02 PM
Looks like some great programming, Nik!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 23, 2017, 03:38:47 PM
Yeah, it is. :) And if you keep in mind some of this is still relatively new to me in different ways then it's going to be a good and cool evening indeed -
Strauss - although I like them I've never attended a live performance of the four last songs.
Wagner - I've only the most passing familiarity with these pieces.
Langgaard - completely unknown.

Good stuff.  8)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on February 23, 2017, 03:54:34 PM
Quote from: NikF on February 23, 2017, 03:38:47 PM
Good stuff.  8)
Rather like all those diagonals in that avatar  8) The blue coat/dress brings to mind Mark Knopfler's Long Cool Girl. . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 23, 2017, 04:20:03 PM
Quote from: North Star on February 23, 2017, 03:54:34 PM
Rather like all those diagonals in that avatar  8) The blue coat/dress brings to mind Mark Knopfler's Long Cool Girl. . .

It does, yes. She has legs for days. For days.
It's not my photo though. Another photographer covering that show sent it to me without realising she and I had split up.

Anyway, to keep this on topic...
...there are a number of other concerts I haven't listed (because I don't know how many tickets I should buy yet) that I'm looking forward to. One features Korngold's Symphony in F sharp which I haven't heard and there's a Sibelius 5 programmed with 'Canzonetta, Scene with Cranes, Valse triste from Kuolema'. And the season closes with Mahler 7 and then the following week Mahler 3 - both of which I haven't attended live performances of. All in all I think there's something almost every week. And although I'm not seriously considering it, there's a nice apartment for sale overlooking and within metres of the concert hall. Serendipity? ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 24, 2017, 06:04:37 AM
Quote from: NikF on February 23, 2017, 03:38:47 PM
Strauss - although I like them I've never attended a live performance of the four last songs.
I once snuck into a $1,000 fundraiser gala of Renee Fleming singing the Strauss. Shhh, don't tell!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 24, 2017, 06:09:58 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2017, 06:04:37 AM
I once snuck into a $1,000 fundraiser gala of Renee Fleming singing the Strauss. Shhh, don't tell!

Forwards this message to Renee Fleming's inbox. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on February 24, 2017, 06:15:27 AM
I am sorry to say that I will not be attending this performance of Classical Guitar/Jazz and Early Music.  My lute teacher, David Rogers, will be performing on a 19th century guitar.

A heads-up, to those in the Bay Area:

Saturday, Feb. 25, The Back Room, Berkeley, CA

http://backroommusic.com/events-1/2017/2/25/david-rogers-with-special-guests-frances-feldon-and-susanna-porte

David Rogers will play Spanish music, original compositions, Rolling Stones, Beatles and J. S. Bach for the first half of this performance. In the second half, he will be joined by Frances Feldon and Susanna Porte playing improvised jazz and early music.

Termed "a prominent guitarist" by the New York Times, David Rogers fuses classical, jazz, early, and world music elements into powerful, moving and virtuosic performances based on both original compositions and traditional repertoire.

The Washington Post has praised his "astonishingly florid" improvisations, and he has been called a "modern master of the classical guitar" by 20th Century Guitar. ClassicsToday.com has praised his "first rate instrumental artistry," and the Lute Society of America Quarterly has called his technique "formidable."

He is an endorsing artist for GHS Strings and his music has been featured in major guitar magazines such as Fingerstyle Guitar in the United States and Akustic Gitarre in Germany. His performances have been broadcast on NPR and Bayrische Rundfunk, including both the nationally syndicated Performance Today and Harmonia programs. David has recorded for Dorian, Callisto and Focus Recordings. He has given recitals and conducted master classes throughout North America, including performances and classes at the San Francisco Conservatory and the University of Southern California and The Interlochen National Arts Camp.

David has studied historical plucked strings with Hopkinson Smith and Eugen Dombois at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland, with Thomas Binkley at Indiana University, and with Lyle Nordstrom at Oakland University. He has also studied guitar with Joseph Fava at Wayne State University. David was a musician with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for 18 years and taught at Southern Oregon University for 13 years.

"...Playing the vihuela (a stringed instrument), David Rogers held everything together with a few poignant plucks, vigorous strumming and the occasional astonishingly florid solo..."
The Washington Post

Frances Feldon is quite sure she was a troubadour in a former life; in her present existence, she performs on baroque flute and recorder, and is a conductor, educator, and arranger. She has performed with American Bach Soloists, California Bach Society, Sonoma Bach, Ensemble Mirabile, in conjunction with the Berkeley Early Music Festival, and at the California Jazz Conservatory.

Born and raised near Boston, cellist Susanna Porte earned a B.Mus. in Violoncello Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, a B.A. with Honors in Russian from Oberlin College, an M.A. in Russian literature from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Teaching Certificate in Music from Carnegie Mellon University. She has performed extensively as a classical cellist in orchestras and chamber groups in Eastern Massachusetts and the Bay Area. Susanna was a founding member of the Cello Chix, an electric-cello-and-drums band featuring her arrangements of classic rock and Latin tunes. The Cello Chix played to critical acclaim in the Boston area from 2002 to 2011 and in 2008 produced a CD, Under the Covers. Better weather and food lured Susanna to Berkeley in 2011, and since then she has freelanced there as a cellist, music arranger, Russian tutor, and proofreader. Susanna is currently pursuing a B.A. in Jazz Studies at the California Jazz Conservatory. Recently, she has studied with Mads Tolling and Mark Summer of the Turtle Island Quartet, Eugene Friesen of Berklee College of Music, and Paul Mehling of the Hot Club of San Francisco, and has made frequent guest appearances with Mehling's gypsy jazz trio, Le Jazz Hot.

Tickets for this show are $15 and are available in advance at the link below, or at the door the night of the show. Doors open one half hour before show time. The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (21+) space. Please call us if you have any questions or need more information: #510-654-3808.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on February 26, 2017, 08:47:37 PM
Made my first investment in 2017.

Bought 2 tickets for Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at La Scala, the 2012 Zurich production with Daniele Gatti/Harry Kupfer.

A ScalAperta performance on the 26 March, where tickets are sold at half their face value.

€ 275.00 total  :o

Well, those seats I bought are really good, so my wife won't complain...

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on February 27, 2017, 07:04:33 AM
The third 2017 investment  :D

Mother Spring, be good, and give me a little burning flame and sunshine to finally warm my poor heart!

Rimsky Korsakov Snow maiden Paris opera April 2017



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 27, 2017, 08:28:40 AM
Quote from: GioCar on February 26, 2017, 08:47:37 PM
Made my first investment in 2017.

Bought 2 tickets for Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg at La Scala, the 2012 Zurich production with Daniele Gatti/Harry Kupfer.

A ScalAperta performance on the 26 March, where tickets are sold at half their face value.

€ 275.00 total  :o

Well, those seats I bought are really good, so my wife won't complain...

Ouch. But at least you'll have proper stools then  :)

Went to hear Grigory Sokolov last night, invited my parents ... and wow, it was magic! He played KV 545 and KV 475/457 in the first half, with nary a break (just one for the coughers before KV 475 actually, and then Op. 90 and Op. 111 in the second part, again without any real interruption. How he built tension throughout these entire "sets" was magic, it felt as if he and the grand piano were one. In the end, he did six encores, among them, I think, some Schubert, some Chopin (certainly so), and I think one piece by Rameau. No review out so far, but I just saw that the one really good Zurich reviewer has an article on Florian Vogt at the Opera house (Feb 23rd, a Liederabend) in tomorrow's paper, so likely no Sokolov review this time, which would be a shame (the reviewed all the recent recitals of his, which I all missed).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 01, 2017, 10:19:18 PM
Mahler 6 with Zinman conducting the Tonhalle Zurich forces on Saturday ... not exactly my first exposure to Mahler, but my very first encounter with Mahler's symphonies  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 03, 2017, 01:47:42 PM
I await your report in triplicate on my desk by Monday morning !

You lucky devil !  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 03, 2017, 01:51:50 PM
Quote from: André on March 03, 2017, 01:47:42 PM
I await your report in triplicate on my desk by Monday morning !

You lucky devil !  ;)

C'est à moi qu'tu parles? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQJPUTQMqA)

;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 03, 2017, 03:46:07 PM
Ben oui, tiens !  ;)

Vincent Cassel, c'est un "acquired taste", comme disent les anglais.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on March 03, 2017, 06:38:09 PM
Considering these two local events

March 9
Itzchak Perlman a recital program that apparently includes a Vivaldi sonatina, Beethoven's Spring Sonata, a Fantasiestucke by Schumann, Stravinsky's Suite Italienne

March 13
Nicola Benedetti violin Royal Scottish National Orchestra Peter Oudjian conductor. Program : Borodin Prince Igor Overture Brahms VC Tchaikovsky Fourth Symphony

About $50 for a rear balcony ticket and parking for each.  My budget says no, my heart says both...

Also looming over the horizon, if my work schedule permits, on  March 28, the Palm Beach Symphony with Shostakovich 11 and a new work by Andre Previn
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 05, 2017, 03:57:46 AM
Quote from: André on March 03, 2017, 03:46:07 PM
Ben oui, tiens !  ;)

Vincent Cassel, c'est un "acquired taste", comme disent les anglais.  ;)

Cassel was a taste it took about five seconds for me to acquire! "La Haïne" was big when I was in my impressable years, though I only came to appreciate Cassel more broadly (and "La Haïne" more deeply, if you want) in more recent years.

Anyway, so Mahler 6 it was, with Tonhalle Orchestra/David Zinman - and impressive it was, mightily so! I was pretty dumbfounded in the end, and probably had a stupid *what the fegh is going on here?!? is this real?!?" look on my face for those 82 or 85 or so minutes ... the mixture of classical form (well, kind of) and the modernity of the sounds, the endless variety of shades and colours, was most intriguing to witness in concert. Actually as a comparative newbie, seing works played live often helps me figure out better which section contributes what - no way when listening at home that I could tell apart contributions by first and second violins, or make out the various combinations of woodwinds used (actually I don't think I ever saw such a big woodwinds section ... I saw the same or even larger numbers of brass - the guy on tuba had a lot of work to do!). All in all, it was pretty tremendous, though I have no clear grasp of what I actually heard (that feeling was much stronger still than when I first heard a Bruckner symphony a few months back). I don't think I'll dip into Mahler very soon, but I am looking forward to exploring my own private Mahler library that I have been building for a few years for that day (it includes the mixed EMI complete works box, some Barbirolli, the Mitropolous M&A set, cycles/boxes by Boulez, Tennstedt, Inbal, Bertini, Bernstein, Haitink, Kubelík, Levine, Abbado, and of course the Zinman cycle by my homies).
Title: Inaugural concert of the Pierre Boulez Saal from 3/4
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2017, 03:17:25 PM
Yesterday was the first concert of the new Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin (designed for chamber music), and Arte broadcast the event live. Interesting mix of works by Boulez, Schubert, Mozart, Berg, and Widmann, with excellent performers. The live-stream will be available for 90 days.

http://concert.arte.tv/de/eroeffnungskonzert-pierre-boulez-saal-berlin

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on March 06, 2017, 05:53:56 PM
I really should visit this thread more - fun catching up just now!

Brian - I'm curious how that Rouse Symphony No. 5 premiere was!

We are smack in the middle of Adams at 70 celebrations:

Kicked it off with Houston Grand Opera's Nixon in China on Jan. 22 - fabulous! 30 years ago premiered in the very same theater.

Wanted to see it live for so long and was truly satisfied ;) All roles were great but special mention to Tracy Dahl as Madame Mao, my goodness she is a tiny force!!

Next over the last few weeks were two Adams concerts with Houston Symphony, featuring the Doctor Atomic Symphony and Saxophone Concerto, both excellent programs. Doctor Atomic under Orozco-Estrada was particularly awesome - and just reminded me how very badly I want to see that opera too..

Now - we're off to the Chicago Symphony (first timer) this week for these two beauties of programs, which I'm ridiculously excited for, it's like - when I was 5, that night before I was about to go to an amusement park for the first time? Yeah, same feeling.

Tuesday, March 7
Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
John Adams Scheherazade.2
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin

And the piece de resistance -

Thursday, March 9
John Adams Slonimsky's Earbox
Salonen Cello Concerto [World Premiere, CSO Co-commission]
Stravinsky Petrushka
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

So freaking EXCITED. I can't wait to hear this dang concerto. The whole program, both. 8) I mean these tickets have been sitting in my email tantalizing me for almost 5 months!! Yay finally!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 07, 2017, 05:30:51 PM
Tonight at the Melbourne Recital Centre:

Kate Moore Velvet
Tatjana Kozlova-Johannes Horizontals
Liza Lim Turning Dance of the Bee
Melody Eötvös New work
Cassie To Avialae
Kaija Saariaho Cendres

Performed by Ensemble Offspring (http://ensembleoffspring.com/about-us/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on March 07, 2017, 06:05:50 PM
Quote from: jessop on March 07, 2017, 05:30:51 PM
Tonight at the Melbourne Recital Centre:

Melody Eötvös New work


The famous conductor/composer's...daughter?  Sister?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on March 07, 2017, 06:17:23 PM
Last weekend, this, live.

[asin]B01EU0GZ2W[/asin]

I cannot say I loved it, but I did enjoy it. Looking back, most of the concerts I have attended in the past 7 or 8 years have been renaissance vocal music!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 07, 2017, 07:11:09 PM
Quote from: Mahlerian on March 07, 2017, 06:05:50 PM
The famous conductor/composer's...daughter?  Sister?
Not sure what the relation is, if there is one. She's Australian born but based in the USA.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 07, 2017, 10:49:51 PM
"Orest" by Manfred Trojahn on Sunday at Zurich opera:
http://www.opernhaus.ch/en/activity/detail/orest-02-03-2017-18624/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on March 08, 2017, 08:21:19 AM
Quote from: jessop on March 07, 2017, 07:11:09 PM
Not sure what the relation is, if there is one. She's Australian born but based in the USA.

Looks like a great program at any rate.  Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 08, 2017, 10:10:25 PM
Quote from: king ubu on March 05, 2017, 03:57:46 AM
Anyway, so Mahler 6 it was, with Tonhalle Orchestra/David Zinman - and impressive it was, mightily so! I was pretty dumbfounded in the end, and probably had a stupid *what the fegh is going on here?!? is this real?!?" look on my face for those 82 or 85 or so minutes ... the mixture of classical form (well, kind of) and the modernity of the sounds, the endless variety of shades and colours, was most intriguing to witness in concert. Actually as a comparative newbie, seing works played live often helps me figure out better which section contributes what - no way when listening at home that I could tell apart contributions by first and second violins, or make out the various combinations of woodwinds used (actually I don't think I ever saw such a big woodwinds section ... I saw the same or even larger numbers of brass - the guy on tuba had a lot of work to do!). All in all, it was pretty tremendous, though I have no clear grasp of what I actually heard (that feeling was much stronger still than when I first heard a Bruckner symphony a few months back). I don't think I'll dip into Mahler very soon, but I am looking forward to exploring my own private Mahler library that I have been building for a few years for that day (it includes the mixed EMI complete works box, some Barbirolli, the Mitropolous M&A set, cycles/boxes by Boulez, Tennstedt, Inbal, Bertini, Bernstein, Haitink, Kubelík, Levine, Abbado, and of course the Zinman cycle by my homies).

Here's a review of the first (of three) nights (I was at the second):
http://seenandheard-international.com/2017/03/zinman-welcomed-back-to-the-tonhalle-for-stirring-mahler-sixth/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: eljr on March 09, 2017, 02:22:31 AM
Tonight at Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, NYC

Alan Gilbert
Conductor

New York Philharmonic String Quartet


Program
John Adams
Absolute Jest

John Adams
Harmonielehre

Alan Gilbert marks the 70th birthday of the great American composer John Adams with Absolute Jest, a riff on Beethoven (especially some notable "scherzos," the "jest" of the title), and the exhilarating and popular Harmonielehre. This compelling fusion of minimalism and late Romanticism — pulsing rhythms, big chords, and shimmering textures — creates an unforgettable musical journey.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 09, 2017, 07:15:32 AM
making plans for my summer Chicago trip. Hopefully in time to see this concert by the Grant Park Symphony with Simone Young conducting. Plus I never seen domestica live and always wanted to, but have rarely seen it programmed in the US.

Grant Park Orchestra
Simone Young, Guest Conductor
Andrew Tyson, Piano

Hindson: Headbanger
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2
Strauss: Symphonia domestica
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on March 09, 2017, 09:46:28 AM
Quote from: eljr on March 09, 2017, 02:22:31 AM
Tonight at Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall, NYC

Alan Gilbert
Conductor

New York Philharmonic String Quartet


Program
John Adams
Absolute Jest

John Adams
Harmonielehre

Alan Gilbert marks the 70th birthday of the great American composer John Adams with Absolute Jest, a riff on Beethoven (especially some notable "scherzos," the "jest" of the title), and the exhilarating and popular Harmonielehre. This compelling fusion of minimalism and late Romanticism — pulsing rhythms, big chords, and shimmering textures — creates an unforgettable musical journey.

Enjoy.  I mentioned Absolute Jest the other day as a fine example of a concerto for string quartet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 09, 2017, 02:00:29 PM
Just got the new brochure for the RSNO 2017/2018 season. There's a lot I want to attend and the first I've bought tickets for is one of those lovely Sunday afternoon chamber recitals -

Vanhal: Divertimento in G for Violin, Viola and Double Bass.
Christopher Gough: RSNO Commission for Quintet.
Prokofiev: Quintet in G minor.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 09, 2017, 03:18:15 PM
I might go see Andrew Davis conduct Mahler 7 and a new piece for choir and orchestra by Paul Stanhope on Saturday but idk yet. Stanhope gave a lecture about the piece yesterday afternoon and we got to hear a recording of the most recent rehearsal with orchestra which was very cool!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 09, 2017, 04:18:48 PM
Quote from: jessop on March 09, 2017, 03:18:15 PM
I might go see Andrew Davis conduct Mahler 7 and a new piece for choir and orchestra by Paul Stanhope on Saturday but idk yet. Stanhope gave a lecture about the piece yesterday afternoon and we got to hear a recording of the most recent rehearsal with orchestra which was very cool!

Last year I decided that if I found myself in two minds about attending a concert or not, I should choose to go. I enjoy concerts and I like the small part my money might play in ensuring more performances are forthcoming.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on March 09, 2017, 05:46:51 PM
Looking forward to the closing night performance of Kát'a Kabanová at Seattle Opera on Saturday. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 09, 2017, 10:33:05 PM
Quote from: NikF on March 09, 2017, 04:18:48 PM
Last year I decided that if I found myself in two minds about attending a concert or not, I should choose to go. I enjoy concerts and I like the small part my money might play in ensuring more performances are forthcoming.

Hm, my commission money came through so why not then :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 10, 2017, 02:09:13 AM
Quote from: jessop on March 09, 2017, 10:33:05 PM
Hm, my commission money came through so why not then :)

Good stuff.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 10, 2017, 02:21:25 AM
Another of the Sunday afternoon chamber recitals.

Bottesini: Grand Duo Concertante
Mozart: String Duo No2 K424
Martinů: Duo No1, 3 Madrigals
Sperger: Duo for Viola and Double Bass
Haydn: Baryton Trio in D major

In the course of a short chat with Gurn Blanston we discussed how little I'd heard of Haydn. And that's a fine example illustrating one of the ways in which I benefit from this forum; sometimes recommendations are made directly, while others are the result of a simple comment on the passing combining with what I might have already heard. Then my interest is usually piqued enough to follow it up. That's happened so many times now and led me to some good stuff. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 12, 2017, 12:46:37 AM
Just got tickets for the opera Le Malentendu, with music by Argentine-Spanish Fabián Panisello and libretto (after Camus) by my friend Juan Lucas. The work was premiered last year in Buenos Aires, and has since been given in Vienna and Warsaw. At the Teatros del Canal here in Madrid (just a 5 minute walk from my home), on March 23rd.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: eljr on March 12, 2017, 05:39:21 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on March 09, 2017, 09:46:28 AM
Enjoy.  I mentioned Absolute Jest the other day as a fine example of a concerto for string quartet.

I did enjoy, thanks!

It was great to see Mr Adams so happy with the presentation of his works.
Very heart warming.

Next up, Philip Glass' 80th birthday benefit concert just a few blocks away at Carnegie Hall.

How special is that, seeing two of the greatest living American composer in the same week on such wonderful occasions?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: eljr on March 12, 2017, 05:42:04 AM
Quote from: NikF on March 09, 2017, 04:18:48 PM
Last year I decided that if I found myself in two minds about attending a concert or not, I should choose to go.

great advise!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on March 12, 2017, 05:47:19 AM
A couple of concerts I might be attending:

March 19th
Horn Quartet Puijon Torvi:

Soila Häkkinen, violin
Peter Gospodinov, cello
Anna Immonen, soprano

Nikolai Tcherepnin: 6 Pieces for horn quartet (1910)
Vaughan Williams: Along the Field (1927)
--------
Ravel: Sonata for violin & cello (1920-1922)
Hindemith: Sonata for horn quartet  (1952)



April 23rd

Paavali Jumppanen

Jaakko Kuusisto: Jurmo op. 31
John Adams: Phrygian Gates
Liszt: Au bord d’une Source
Liszt: La Lugubre Gondola
Liszt: Nuages Gris
Liszt:  Sonata in B minor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 12, 2017, 07:35:15 AM
Quote from: North Star on March 12, 2017, 05:47:19 AM
A couple of concerts I might be attending:

March 19th
Horn Quartet Puijon Torvi:

Soila Häkkinen, violin
Peter Gospodinov, cello
Anna Immonen, soprano

Nikolai Tcherepnin: 6 Pieces for horn quartet (1910)
Vaughan Williams: Along the Field (1927)
--------
Ravel: Sonata for violin & cello (1920-1922)
Hindemith: Sonata for horn quartet  (1952)




April 23rd

Paavali Jumppanen

Jaakko Kuusisto: Jurmo op. 31
John Adams: Phrygian Gates
Liszt: Au bord d'une Source
Liszt: La Lugubre Gondola
Liszt: Nuages Gris
Liszt: Sonata

Most interesting throughout. And I don't know why I bothered to highlight those, because I'm getting to the stage where I'd attend almost any concert with pleasure. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 13, 2017, 04:58:53 AM
Lucerne Summer Festival:

Sun, Aug 20, 10:30

Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY 
Heinz Holliger  Dirigent
Patricia Kopatchinskaja  Violine

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
Khamma (orchestriert von Charles Koechlin)

Charles Koechlin (1867–1950)
Les Bandar-log (Scherzo de singes) op. 176

Heinz Holliger (*1939)
Violinkonzert Hommage à Louis Soutter


Sun, 20 Aug, 16:00

Camerata Zürich  (Igor Karsko Musikalische Leitung)
Thomas Demenga  Violoncello
Thomas Sarbacher  Sprecher

Josef Suk (1874–1935)
Meditation über den altböhmischen St.-Wenzels-Choral op. 35a

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Waldesruhe op. 68 Nr. 5
Rondo g-Moll für Violoncello und Orchester op. 94
Slawischer Tanz g-Moll op. 46 Nr. 8 (bearbeitet für Violoncello und Orchester)

Leoos Janáček (1854–1928)
Auf verwachsenem Pfade
bearbeitet für Streichorchester von Daniel Rumler
Texte von Maïa Brami  Texte von Maïa Brami 



Tue, 22 Aug, 19:30

English Baroque Soloists 
Monteverdi Choir 
Sir John Eliot Gardiner  Dirigent und Regie
Elsa Rooke  Regie

Krystian Adam  Orfeo
Hana Blažiková  La Musica, Euridice
Kangmin Justin Kim  Speranza
Anna Dennis  Ninfa
Lucile Richardot  Messaggiera
Francesca Boncompagni  Proserpina
Gianluca Buratto  Caronte, Plutone
Furio Zanasi  Apollo
und weitere Solisten 

Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)
L'Orfeo
Favola in musica in einem Prolog und fünf Akten


Sun, Aug 27, 13:00

Patricia Kopatchinskaja  Violine
Jay Campbell  Violoncello
Polina Leschenko  Klavier

George Enescu (1881–1955)
Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 3 a-Moll op. 25 Dans le caractère populaire roumain

Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967)
Duo für Violine und Violoncello op. 7

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
Tzigane. Konzertrhapsodie für Violine und Klavier


Sun, Aug 27, 15:00

Ensemble der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY 
Frédérique Cambreling  Harfe

Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
Ausgewählte Duos für zwei Violinen

Heinz Holliger (*1939)
Partita für Harfe
Uraufführung

Sándor Veress (1813–1992)
Diptychon für Bläserquintett 


Sun, Aug 27, 17:00 (free entrance ... I may have to skip the Veress if I want to go there)

Pascal Mayer  Dirigent
Vokalensemble und Orchester des Collegium Musicum Luzern 
Solisten 

Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643–1704)
Messe à 8 voix et 8 violons et flûtes H3



Looking forward a lot ... would have loved to catch the other two Monteverdi operas with Gardiner as well, but they'll do "Poppea" at Zurich opera next season an from Aug 22 to 26, I'll likely end up at Météo in Mulhouse (skipping opening night again, as last year, to catch "L'Orfeo") ... not sure how much music I'll be able to take in, but no way I'll be missing out on PatKop doing Enescu's third sonata! The concert two hours later doesn't cost much, so depending on my mood, I may skip it in favour of the Charpentier mass ... or I may just call it a - very intense - week and go home to sleep ... just making sure I won't have to work on Monday right now  :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 13, 2017, 10:59:14 AM
Yannick Nézet-Séguin's Orchestre Métropolitain has unveiled its concert season for 2017-18.

Apart from a concert featuring the Strauss Burleske and Bruckner's 5th symphony, I look forward to this one, with a trio of great soloists:

http://orchestremetropolitain.com/en/concert/the-french-touch/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on March 13, 2017, 11:12:28 AM
Quote from: André on March 13, 2017, 10:59:14 AM
Yannick Nézet-Séguin's Orchestre Métropolitain has unveiled its concert season for 2017-18.

Apart from a concert featuring the Strauss Burleske and Bruckner's 5th symphony, I look forward to this one, with a trio of great soloists:

http://orchestremetropolitain.com/en/concert/the-french-touch/
Yes ! This should be a knockout ! Les nuits d'été and the left hand concerto in the same concert that is already a treat.  And Lemieux, Tharaud and Queyras together whaouh !  I am particularly fond of Tharaud and Queyras, who have extremely interesting personalities. Give us some feedback about this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on March 13, 2017, 11:31:27 AM
Mahler 6th on Friday. Belgrade Philharmonic with John Axelrod conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on March 13, 2017, 09:58:46 PM
Quote from: Senta on March 06, 2017, 05:53:56 PM
Tuesday, March 7
Debussy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
John Adams Scheherazade.2
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin

And the piece de resistance -

Thursday, March 9
John Adams Slonimsky's Earbox
Salonen Cello Concerto [World Premiere, CSO Co-commission]
Stravinsky Petrushka
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

Back from Chicago! Gonna be hard to not write a book here.

Incredible experiences. Absolutely exquisite playing.

As I said to our dear GMG friend MishaK (so much fun hanging out!) - if you really love orchestral music, it should be on your list to make the pilgrimage at least once to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra live in Orchestra Hall!

The hall is so beautiful, historic and intimate, and the atmosphere was quite unique to me - intermission feels almost familial, much enjoyed the lively congregation around the cozy Grainger Ballroom for drinks and conversation.

Stream-of-conciousness observations:

Tuesday concert -
Thursday concert -
I am so very glad we got to go to Chicago!! Such a fun trip! (Still pretty cold though for me!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: eljr on March 14, 2017, 05:21:07 AM
Quote from: Senta on March 13, 2017, 09:58:46 PM
Back from Chicago! Gonna be hard to not write a book here.

Incredible experiences. Absolutely exquisite playing.

As I said to our dear GMG friend MishaK (so much fun hanging out!) - if you really love orchestral music, it should be on your list to make the pilgrimage at least once to hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra live in Orchestra Hall!

The hall is so beautiful, historic and intimate, and the atmosphere was quite unique to me - intermission feels almost familial, much enjoyed the lively congregation around the cozy Grainger Ballroom for drinks and conversation.

Stream-of-conciousness observations:

Tuesday concert -

  • Leila Josefowicz is a FORCE! My fav violinist in contemporary music right now. She totally slayed John Adams' Scheherazade.2, staying in character the whole piece from beginning to end in the manner of an opera singer. White-hot intensity and chemistry with CSO/EPS, hearing the piece live really made me love it more.

  • CSO made Le Sacre sound effortless - reference quality. I do know more of their older recordings rather than new, so I'll confess I was expecting blow-your-hair-back-brass - that was not the case at all. The balance was superb up and down the orchestra, just right - the playing very sensitive, musical, controlled yet still passionate and punchy. Oh and, the Debussy was perfection - their principal flute sounds like warm melted butter.

  • After the Tuesday concert Artist Q&A, I got to meet Esa-Pekka and Leila!! They were both super cool. She is very fun and friendly. He is so sweet and humble. Got a pic together and he signed my Wing On Wing CD, I mentioned how much I loved his compositions and how happy I was he was getting to compose more and he actually blushed. ;)

  • (They have these Q&As after every Tuesday concert it seems - this kind of thing, much less any chance to meet the artists, would be gated behind $$$ donor levels at some orchestras (at least in the US) - so I heartily applaud the CSO for their inclusivity. Bravo!)
Thursday concert -

  • This was the first time CSO had performed Slonimsky's Earbox which surprised me, it's not a new piece. It is a complex piece though, handled beautifully. Totally amazing to hear live for any Adams fan for sure.
  • Salonen's Cello Concerto was gorgeous, as expected! Reviews etc. here (http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/vonrhein/ct-yo-yo-ma-cso-salonen-20170310-column.html), here (http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2017/03/ma-cso-give-salonens-cello-concerto-a-rousing-premiere/), and here (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/13/arts/music/yo-yo-ma-esa-pekka-salonen-concerto.html). It's an extremely ethereal piece in the first two movements, the first being quite French-influenced - the last is a soloist tour-de-force with nods to his Karawane (and lots of love for bongos.) Live looping of the solo cello is used throughout the latter half to create an otherworldly beautiful effect.
    • The 2nd movement features, as EPS described, "music to sit on your patio and watch the stars and drink wine to". Yo-Yo Ma had the audience hanging on his every note, lovingly relishing these lines, teasing out the softest, most delicate tones amid this filmy cloud of soft summery sound - you could have heard a pin drop and it was the most magical moment I've experienced in a concert hall. It was like the air had been sucked out of the room, I almost couldn't find breath until the end of the movement. Phenomenal.
    • For the curtain calls, after the first bow as they walked back to the stage door, Yo-Yo got there first and promptly shut the door on Esa-Pekka, forcing him to go back alone to thunderous applause ;) After the solo bow, Yo-Yo bounded back out to give him a bear hug, then moved on to the cello section and much of the orchestra, thought he might hug every player for a minute there!
  • Of everything I heard them play over two concerts, the Petrushka is the thing I still can't get out of my head. It was absolutely ecstatic, so richly colorful and incandescent, just felt like a huge release for all told after the concerto premiere. Brimming with wit and rhythmic groove, they were truly "on" in every way. I had this big cheesy grin on my face during the whole piece, so did not want it to end!
I am so very glad we got to go to Chicago!! Such a fun trip! (Still pretty cold though for me!)

Nice write up!

Glad you enjoyed.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 14, 2017, 09:50:04 AM
Squeezing in one more ... the schedule for March and April is somewhat more relaxed (other than six consecutive nights of - rather free jazz at Vortex for "Intakt in London" starting Easter Sunday  ;D), so I just snatched up the very last cheap ticket for this - have another one for Faust with Tonhalle doing the Schumann in June ... and somehow almost missed out on this, which I can't, of course, after all it's the Freiburger Barockers and I've never saw them live yet:

SO 26.03.17
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal
Neue Konzertreihe Zürich

Freiburger Barockorchester
Pablo Heras-Casado Leitung
Isabelle Faust Violine

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Ouvertüre "Die Hebriden" op. 26
Violinkonzert e-Moll op. 64
Sinfonie Nr. 5 d-Moll op. 107 "Reformations-Sinfonie"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 14, 2017, 01:18:13 PM
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra announced their 2017-18 season. A few notable ones...

https://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/2017-18-Season

BERNSTEIN: Symphony No. 2, "The Age of Anxiety"
MICHAEL KURTH: A Thousand Words
GERSHWIN: An American in Paris
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Piano
Robert Spano, Music Director

GANDOLFI: Four New Gardens of Cosmic Speculation
LAZIĆ: Piano Concerto "In Istrian Style"
RACHMANINOV: Symphony No. 3
Dejan Lazić, Piano
Robert Spano, Music Director

SHOSTAKOVICH: Violin Concerto No. 1
RACHMANINOV: Symphony No. 2
Augustin Hadelich, Violin
Edo de Waart, Conductor

KODÁLY: Dances of Galánta
PROKOFIEV: Piano Concerto No. 3
R. STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben
Behzod Abduraimov, Piano
Henrik Nánási, Conductor

MICHAEL KURTH: May Cause Dizziness
BERNSTEIN: Serenade (after Plato's "Symposium")
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"
Robert McDuffie, Violin
Robert Spano, Music Director

ENESCU: Romanian Rhapsody No. 1
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 1
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto
Hilary Hahn, Violin
Cristian Măcelaru, Conductor

SCHUMANN: Cello Concerto
MAHLER: Symphony No. 7
Steven Isserlis, Cello
Robert Spano, Music Director
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 15, 2017, 01:24:42 PM
March 22, an all-Messiaen concert at Montréal's Salle symphonique. Kent Nagano will be conducting the Turangalilâ Symphonie (Pierre-Laurent Aimard in the piano part).

Before intermission, L'Ascension will be played by the excellent organist, Hans-Ola Ericsson. Well, that's what I suppose. The web site is not clear about it. They provide a clip of the "organ and orchestra versions". Messiaen wrote L'Ascension for orchestra, and rewrote it for organ. I suppose a renowned soloist like Ericsson will not play just a couple of movements out 4, the whole thing playing for a meagre 25 minutes). I have Ericsson's BIS recording, so that will serve as a good preparation! I will be going with a cousin of mine. Should be a colourful evening.

Turangalilâ is a favourite of Montréal audiences. Dutoit conducted it in 2000 (I was there), then Nagano in 2011, and the McGill Symphony played it in 2015. I hope they give it a rest for some time. I like the thing (that's how I would describe it), but it may easily lapse into garishness. But then again, so can all of Messiaen's orchestral works.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 15, 2017, 11:24:45 PM
Now if this here won't be cool, I don't know  ;D

Would have enjoyed attending the symposium on Isaac as well, but alas can't make it.



Fr 24. März 19.30 h Kirche St. Peter
EXTRAKONZERT HEINRICH ISAAC

WELTLICHE WERKE


Guillaume Dufay Le serviteur hault guerdonné a3 (Rondeau)
(ca. 1400–1474) Porto, Biblioteca Municipal, Cod. 714

Heinrich Isaac
Le serviteur a3 (instrumental)
Florenz, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, ms. Banco Rari 229

Anonym
Tart ara mon cuer sa plaisance a3
Paris Bibliothèque Nationale nouv. Acq. Fr. 4379

Heinrich Isaac
Tartara a3 (instrumental)
Canti C numero cento cinquanta, Ottaviano dei Petrucci, Venedig 1504
La morra a3 (instrumental)
Harmonice Musices Odhecaton A, Ottaviano dei Petrucci, Venedig 1503
De tous biens playne / Et qui lui dira a2
Segovia, Archivo Capitular de la Catedral, Ms s.s.
Fortuna in mi (Intabulierung)
Hans Kotter: «Deutsche Orgeltabulatur» 1532, Basel, Universitätsbibliothek F. IX. 22
Fammi una gratia, amore a3
Florenz, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Ms. Magliabecchi XIX 59
Sempre giro piangendo a3 (instrumental)
Florenz Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Ms. Magliabecchi XIX 59
Ach, was will doch mein Hertz a4
Johannes Ott, Hundert und fünfftzehen guter newer Liedlein, Nürnberg 1544
In meinem Sinn a4 (instrumental)
München, Universitätsbibliothek der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, SS 80 328-331
Mein Freud allein a4
Johannes Ott, Hundert und fünfftzehn guter newer Liedlein, Nürnberg 1544
Der Hundt: Das Kind lag in der Wiegen a3 (instrumental)
Hieronymus Formenschneyer, Trium vocum carmina, Nürnberg 1539
Es wollt ein Meydlein grasen gan a4
Liederbuch, Peter Schöffer, Mainz 1513

Els Janssens-Vanmunster Gesang
LES FLAMBOYANTS
Silvia Tecardi Viola d'arco
Elizabeth Rumsey Viola da gamba
Marc Lewon Plektrumlaute und Viola d'arco
Michael Form Flöte und Leitung

–Pause –

GEISTLICHE WERKE

Heinrich Isaac
Sub tuum praesidium

Josquin Desprez (1540/45–1521)
Salve regina

Heinrich Isaac
Ave regina caelorum
Rogamus te
O praeclarissima

Costanzo Festa (ca. 1490–1545)
In illo tempore

Heinrich Isaac
Tota pulchra
O decus ecclesiae

CANTICA SYMPHONIA
Laura Fabris Sopran
Giuseppe Maletto Tenor und Leitung
Gianluca Ferrarini Tenor
Marco Scavazza Bariton
Mauro Morini Posaune


more info here:
http://www.altemusik.ch/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on March 18, 2017, 11:54:04 PM
Just cack from a performance of Rimsky's "The legend of Kitezh" with Opera Bergen last night. Strange story, not much drama, but: the score of this opera is so mindnumbingly beautiful. This simply must be the most wonderful orchestral score of any opera ever.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on March 18, 2017, 11:59:58 PM
Quote from: The new erato on March 18, 2017, 11:54:04 PM
This simply must be the most wonderful orchestral score of any opera ever.
IT IS !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 20, 2017, 04:44:32 PM
Widmann: Con Brio (2013 version) 
Brahms: Double Concerto               
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Robin Ticciati - Conductor
Tanja Tetzlaff - Cello
Christian Tetzlaff - Violin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on March 21, 2017, 05:55:46 AM
Tonight:

Alban Berg Ensemble Wien*

Program

Joseph Haydn
Sy. No.104, ,,Salomon"

Amy Beach
Theme & Variations, op. 80

—  —

Antonín Dvořák
Quintet G, op. 18



* the Alban Berg Ensemble Wien is really the pimped-up Hugo Wolf Quartet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: eljr on March 24, 2017, 03:21:12 AM
Tonight,
Friday, March 24, 2017
C.P.E. Bach's Saint John Passion
7:30 pm   – 9:30 pm, Saint Thomas Church
Opening with Haydn's Passion Symphony, this evening of Baroque music for Lent highlights two works by of one of Bach's talented sons, Carl Philipp Emanuel: Klopstock's Morning Song of Creation and the Saint John Passion (1772). New York Baroque Incorporated performs with the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys under the baton of Daniel Hyde.

The space is beautiful. Just across from Trump's home in TRump Tower on Fifth ave.

(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17201376_1413602545353042_4342695182213399928_n.jpg?oh=09b1bf04ce94661282b4158edd76a2f8&oe=596DA440) (https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17265170_1413602625353034_5091584114009460853_n.jpg?oh=477ea3fe0300e7df0437b3cd8ef290bc&oe=595DB92F)

(https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17264612_1413602855353011_1620801220561796007_n.jpg?oh=0da60277a29126b3b2addb4060bd16e7&oe=59698ED2)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 24, 2017, 03:44:11 AM
Henningmusick in Somerville tonight. (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,92.msg1045758.html#msg1045758)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 25, 2017, 09:43:41 AM
Quote from: king ubu on March 15, 2017, 11:24:45 PM
Now if this here won't be cool, I don't know  ;D

Would have enjoyed attending the symposium on Isaac as well, but alas can't make it.



Fr 24. März 19.30 h Kirche St. Peter
EXTRAKONZERT HEINRICH ISAAC

WELTLICHE WERKE


Guillaume Dufay Le serviteur hault guerdonné a3 (Rondeau)
(ca. 1400–1474) Porto, Biblioteca Municipal, Cod. 714

Heinrich Isaac
Le serviteur a3 (instrumental)
Florenz, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, ms. Banco Rari 229

Anonym
Tart ara mon cuer sa plaisance a3
Paris Bibliothèque Nationale nouv. Acq. Fr. 4379

Heinrich Isaac
Tartara a3 (instrumental)
Canti C numero cento cinquanta, Ottaviano dei Petrucci, Venedig 1504
La morra a3 (instrumental)
Harmonice Musices Odhecaton A, Ottaviano dei Petrucci, Venedig 1503
De tous biens playne / Et qui lui dira a2
Segovia, Archivo Capitular de la Catedral, Ms s.s.
Fortuna in mi (Intabulierung)
Hans Kotter: «Deutsche Orgeltabulatur» 1532, Basel, Universitätsbibliothek F. IX. 22
Fammi una gratia, amore a3
Florenz, Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Ms. Magliabecchi XIX 59
Sempre giro piangendo a3 (instrumental)
Florenz Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Ms. Magliabecchi XIX 59
Ach, was will doch mein Hertz a4
Johannes Ott, Hundert und fünfftzehen guter newer Liedlein, Nürnberg 1544
In meinem Sinn a4 (instrumental)
München, Universitätsbibliothek der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, SS 80 328-331
Mein Freud allein a4
Johannes Ott, Hundert und fünfftzehn guter newer Liedlein, Nürnberg 1544
Der Hundt: Das Kind lag in der Wiegen a3 (instrumental)
Hieronymus Formenschneyer, Trium vocum carmina, Nürnberg 1539
Es wollt ein Meydlein grasen gan a4
Liederbuch, Peter Schöffer, Mainz 1513

Els Janssens-Vanmunster Gesang
LES FLAMBOYANTS
Silvia Tecardi Viola d'arco
Elizabeth Rumsey Viola da gamba
Marc Lewon Plektrumlaute und Viola d'arco
Michael Form Flöte und Leitung

–Pause –

GEISTLICHE WERKE

Heinrich Isaac
Sub tuum praesidium

Josquin Desprez (1540/45–1521)
Salve regina

Heinrich Isaac
Ave regina caelorum
Rogamus te
O praeclarissima

Costanzo Festa (ca. 1490–1545)
In illo tempore

Heinrich Isaac
Tota pulchra
O decus ecclesiae

CANTICA SYMPHONIA
Laura Fabris Sopran
Giuseppe Maletto Tenor und Leitung
Gianluca Ferrarini Tenor
Marco Scavazza Bariton
Mauro Morini Posaune


more info here:
http://www.altemusik.ch/
Some thoughts about this ... first of all, it was wonderful to hear early music in concert, and hear it played well and sung outstandingly well! I never had the chance so far to hear any early vocal music in concert and Cantica Symphonia were excellent indeed.

My German write-up on which the following is based found here:
http://forum.rollingstone.de/foren/topic/konzertimpressionen-und-rezensionen/page/3/#post-10127669

Extrakonzert Heinrich Isaac
Festival Alte Musik Zürich – Kirche St. Peter – 24.3.

Part 1 - Les Flamboyants & Els Janssens-Vanmunster


This was my first visit to Festival Alte Musik in Zürich, running for fifteen years it seems (that's how far the festivals listed - or and more recently two per year - in the programme go back), without me having heard of it. This year's festival was mostly dedicated to Claudio Monteverdi, but the most interesting concerts took and will take (tomorrow) place on evenings I can't make it: there was a long afternoon/evening/night with excerpts from the Madrigal books by Voces Suaves last saturday, a "Vespro Veneziano" with La Cetra (cond. Andrea Marcon) last Sunday, and tomorrow La Venexiana will do "Scene and ballets", but I have a ticket for Isabelle Faust and the Freiburger Barockorchester, cond. Pablo Heras-Casado ... can't have it all). I also missed out on the symposium held on Isaac on Friday afternoon and this morning, as I had to work last Friday, exceptionally (Friday is my day off, otherwise - exceptionally bad timing but beyond my influencing, alas). The Isaac concert though, the fourth item on the programme that looked really enticing to me, I was able to attend, after a long day and week, but I was luckily able to stay awake throughout.

In the first half, secular works were presented by Les Flamboyans (Silvia Tecardi on viola d'arco, Elizabeth Rumsey on viola da gamba, Marc Lewon on plectrum lute and viola d'arco as well, and leader Michael Form on recorder) and singer Els Janssens-Vanmunster. This was interesting, pretty, nice, sometimes funny – but it failed to really grab me  by the balls (uhm), which was then kinda achieved by the final song (preceding the encore), "Es wollt ein Meydlein", the words of which I added as my signature already, as some may have noted:

Es wollt ein meydlein grasen gan:
Fick mich, lieber Peter!
Und do die roten röslein stan:
Fick mich, lieber Peter!
Fick mich mehr, du hast dein ehr.
Kannstu nit, ich wills dich lern.
Fick mich, lieber Peter!

(A maid went grazing:
Fuck me, dear Peter!
And where the red roses rise:
Fuck me, dear Peter!
Fuck me, more, you have your hon'r.
Can you not, I will teach you.
Fuck me, dear Peter!
- my own lacking translation, the rhyme more/honour doesn't work really, sorry 'bout that - but we all had um, a ball, as did Ms Janssens-Vanmunster  ;D)

What exactly was played before I can't tell with 100% accuracy, as the sheet with sung words that was handed out was announced to present the correct sequence, but there was one set of lyrics on it that weren't sung (and some stanzas were sung that weren't on the sheet, but I think they belonged to songs listed), while the instrumentals listed in between weren't quite in that sequence I think ... it didn't really ad up anyway. A pity they couldn't present proper information, as Isaac's music isn't exactly common place.

The encore of the first half was "Innsbruck, ich muss dich lassen", before that the pieces presented were: Dufay's "Le Serviteur" as opener, after that I think "Le Serviteur" and/or "La Morra" (instrumentals by Isaac), after that the chanson "Et qui lui dira" (not sure what this is ... there was a set of lyrics under the title "De tous biens plaine/Et qui lui dira" that wasn't sung, then there was another set under the heading "Et qui lui dir" with a note stating that the "lines of text are fragments from chansons of the time" - what does that mean? was this a pasticchio put together by Les Flamboyans? by Isaac? by somebody else?). The other songs were "Fammi una gratia" (wonderful!), "Ach, was will doch mein Herz" and "Mein Freund allein", as well as the funny little ditty quoted above on prepotent Dona..., uhm, Peter I mean (which had a great vocal part, with lots of melismas and stuff - who would do all that, was this noted in detail or does the singer do it on her own? Either way: chapeau!). In between, there were more instrumentals, including "Der Hundt: Das Kind lag in der Wiegen" – about this piece, Michael Form, the leader of the ensemble, is quoted at some length in the programme: "verarbeitet Isaac im Tenor jeweils die Melodie Das Kind lag in der Wiegen / do bissen es die Fliegen. Gut möglich, dass das arme Kind im weiteren Verlauf des Textes, den ich bis jetzt nicht zur Gänze ausfindig machen konnte, auch noch vom Hundt gebissen wird ..." (the rhyme doesn't work, but: in the tenor voice Isaac works in the melody of the song "The child lay in the cradle, it was itched by the flies" ... and Form goes on speculating, that it may have been bit by the dog (Hundt) later on in the so far not recovered lyrics of that song). In addition to that, I assume they played "Fortuna in mi" and "Sempre giro piangendo" and probably one more ("In meinem Sinn" or "Mein Freund allein"?) – as I said, a pity that the exact proceedings weren't communicated.

Part 2 Cantica Symphonia/Giuseppe Maletto

The second half was dedicated to sacral music presented by Cantica Symphonia (Laura Fabris, soprano; Giuseppe Maletto, tenor & director; Gianluca Ferrarini, tenor; Marco Scavazza, baritone; Mauro Morini, trombones) – and this then was truly outstanding! For starters, they did Isaac's "Ave regina caelorum" followed by a wonderful "Salve regina" by Josquin, then again Isaac with "Sub tuum praesidium", "Rogamus te" and "O praeclarissima", followed by Costanzo Festa's "In illo tempore" and then by "Tota Pulchra", again by Isaaac. Other than the last piece and "O praeclarissima", they're all on the on the Isaac disc by the groupe (on Glossa), which was my first encounter with both Isaac and Cantica Symphonia. Didn't find the time (and the mood) to re-listen before the concert, but it groups various sacred motets around the "Missa Misericordias Domini".

Either way, this was the first time I witnessed polyphonic vocal music in concert, partly sung a cappella, partly with a trombone (also a kind of slide trumpet sometimes, but I guess this is also called trombone? at least so it was announced both in the concert and in the printed programme) providing a Cantus firmus. This was sung extremely well, and I was mightily impressed indeed!

Closing the proceedings was a premiere, an arrangement of "O decus ecclesiae" (also found on the CD) by Maletto, combining his group's voices (and trombone) with the vour instrumentalists of Les Flamboyants. This was nice, but to me it proved mostly that I will likely always prefer this kind of music in a capella (or very, very sparsely accompanied - the trombone worked perfectly well) versions. It was a bit as if the instrumentalists were switched on and off several times, a cappella parts followed after accompanied ones, and it didn't really add up to all that much, I found.

As a final encore, Cantica Symphonia did Isaac's ,,Greatest Hits" – which is, I guess, one short motet titled "La mi la sol", composed 1502 in what has turned out to be my "Sehnsuchtsort" last June (that word cannot be translated adequately into English, it will just sound silly), the wonderful city of Ferrara.

I would have loved to hear more of Cantica Symphonia's art, but I assume presenting such music in concert is extremely demanding. Planning to play CD again in the next few days ... and actually, with Presto's running a Glossa sale, I have several of the ensemble's discs on order right now (including the three Dufay ones). There was, to be precise, absolutely nothing wrong with Les Flamboyans, it's just that I have been fascinated by polyphonic early music for a long time and enjoy it much more than any kind of instrumental music from the Renaissance period I've so far heard (and more than most chansons or single voice w/accompaniment pieces, though there must be exceptions there, but I guess those would be from somewhat later periods going into early Baroque, mostly).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 25, 2017, 10:23:48 AM
March 31, De Doelen, Rotterdam: Rotterdam PhO under Sir Mark Elder, Marieke Blankestijn violin

Debussy - Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Debussy - La mer
Vaughan Williams - The Lark Ascending
Vaughan Williams - Symphony No. 4
:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 25, 2017, 01:48:43 PM
Really looking forward to a concert coming up in June. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Davis in Haydn's Creation. Will be lots of fun! I'm in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus now so there'll be quite a few concerts this year I'll participate in. :)   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on March 27, 2017, 11:23:49 PM
I'm trying to convince Mrs GioCar to join me tonight:

Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini direttore

Monteverdi – Notte. Storie di guerrieri e d'amanti

Sinfonia (da Orfeo, atto terzo)
Hor che'l ciel e la terra
Così sol d'una chiara fonte viva (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Sinfonia (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Vivrò fra i miei tormenti, Lamento di Tancredi
Ma dove, oh lasso me!, dove restaro
Io pur verrò là dove sète, e voi (Terzo Libro de' Madrigali)
Sinfonia (da Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria, atto secondo)
Non havea Febo ancora recato al mondo il dì
Amor – dicea, Lamento della Ninfa
Sì tra sdegnosi pianti (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Al lume delle stelle (da Concerto. Settimo Libro de' Madrigali)
Sinfonia (da Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria, atto primo)
A dio, Florida bella, il cor piagato (da Sesto Libro de' Madrigali)
Sinfonia (da Concerto. Settimo Libro de' Madrigali)
Ecco mormorar l'onde (da Secondo Libro de' Madrigali)
Quando l'alba in oriente (da Scherzi Musicali)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on March 28, 2017, 06:44:49 AM
Decided on short notice to go to the Irish Chamber Orchestra's performance of Mozart and Mendelssohn (flavored) on Friday (I think), and how good that I did.

If Igor Levit is the least of the ingredients on a night, it can't have been that bad.


Review: Irish Chamber Orchestra On Tour With A Mendelssohn Revelation
(http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2017/03/Irish-Chamber-Orchestra-Widmann-Forbes_Laurson_-1200x700.jpg) (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/03/28/review-irish-chamber-orchestra-on-tour-with-a-mendelssohn-revelation/#1556572718e8)
The Irish Chamber Orchestra may not be much of an established brand in the international orchestra-world,
but they are on their best way of getting there. Currently on a on-and-off tour of continental Europe, they
are spreading their excellence in places like Brussels, Freiburg, Vienna and Heidelberg. It helps that they
surround themselves with interesting and good musicians. Among them "Principal Artistic Partner" (a bit
labored, their titles) Gábor Tákacs Nagy, that old-school continental musician with semi-quavers running in
his veins, "Principal [Guest] Conductor and Artistic Partner" composer-clarinetist-conductor Jörg Widmann,
and, on this tour, Igor Levit, one of a hot new generation of musicians; a young-ish, nicely severe pianists...
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/03/28/review-irish-chamber-orchestra-on-tour-with-a-mendelssohn-revelation/ (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/03/28/review-irish-chamber-orchestra-on-tour-with-a-mendelssohn-revelation/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 28, 2017, 07:26:04 AM
The Messiaen concert was fabulous. Pierre-Laurent Aimard and Nagano played the hell out of Turangalilâ.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 28, 2017, 09:15:08 PM
I'm going to give this a try -

Jaehyuck Choi - New Work

Toshio Hosokawa - Im Nebel*

Toru Takemitsu - Twill by Twilight (In memory of Morton Feldman)

Claude Vivier - Siddhartha

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Simon Höfele  trumpet*
Matthias Pintscher  conductor


e: I've heard Takemitsu, but the others are new to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 28, 2017, 09:20:20 PM
Quote from: NikF on March 28, 2017, 09:15:08 PM
I'm going to give this a try -

Jaehyuck Choi - New Work

Toshio Hosokawa - Im Nebel*

Toru Takemitsu - Twill by Twilight (In memory of Morton Feldman)

Claude Vivier - Siddhartha


BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Simon Höfele  trumpet*
Matthias Pintscher  conductor

Interesting program, Nik. The Takemitsu work I enjoy a lot, unfortunately I don't know the Vivier or Hosokawa work and I've never heard of Jaehyuck Choi before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 28, 2017, 09:31:38 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 28, 2017, 09:20:20 PM
Interesting program, Nik. The Takemitsu work I enjoy a lot, unfortunately I don't know the Vivier or Hosokawa work and I've never heard of Jaehyuck Choi before.

I like to listen to stuff that's new (to me) whenever I can, particularly if it means attending a live performance. In the past I've perhaps not followed through on that as much as I've intended to, but in the upcoming season I'm going to make a more concerted effort. And I hope you find there's cool and good stuff available to attend down your way too.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 28, 2017, 10:09:34 PM
Quote from: GioCar on March 27, 2017, 11:23:49 PM
I'm trying to convince Mrs GioCar to join me tonight:

Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini direttore

Monteverdi – Notte. Storie di guerrieri e d'amanti

Sinfonia (da Orfeo, atto terzo)
Hor che'l ciel e la terra
Così sol d'una chiara fonte viva (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Sinfonia (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Vivrò fra i miei tormenti, Lamento di Tancredi
Ma dove, oh lasso me!, dove restaro
Io pur verrò là dove sète, e voi (Terzo Libro de' Madrigali)
Sinfonia (da Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria, atto secondo)
Non havea Febo ancora recato al mondo il dì
Amor – dicea, Lamento della Ninfa
Sì tra sdegnosi pianti (da Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi)
Al lume delle stelle (da Concerto. Settimo Libro de' Madrigali)
Sinfonia (da Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria, atto primo)
A dio, Florida bella, il cor piagato (da Sesto Libro de' Madrigali)
Sinfonia (da Concerto. Settimo Libro de' Madrigali)
Ecco mormorar l'onde (da Secondo Libro de' Madrigali)
Quando l'alba in oriente (da Scherzi Musicali)

That looks nice! Did you attend?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 28, 2017, 10:52:07 PM
Quote from: NikF on March 28, 2017, 09:15:08 PM
I'm going to give this a try -

Jaehyuck Choi - New Work

Toshio Hosokawa - Im Nebel*

Toru Takemitsu - Twill by Twilight (In memory of Morton Feldman)

Claude Vivier - Siddhartha

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Simon Höfele  trumpet*
Matthias Pintscher  conductor


e: I've heard Takemitsu, but the others are new to me.

Fantastic! Are you an obsessed fan of Pintscher yet.....? ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 28, 2017, 11:10:59 PM
Quote from: jessop on March 28, 2017, 10:52:07 PM
Fantastic! Are you an obsessed fan of Pintscher yet.....? ;D

No, not yet. ;D However, it's becoming clear that he's consistently involved in interesting and varied programming - and long may it continue! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 29, 2017, 12:13:01 AM
Quote from: NikF on March 28, 2017, 11:10:59 PM
No, not yet. ;D However, it's becoming clear that he's consistently involved in interesting and varied programming - and long may it continue! :)
Indeed! Also, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the concert. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on March 29, 2017, 12:14:09 AM
Quote from: king ubu on March 28, 2017, 10:09:34 PM
That looks nice! Did you attend?
Nope.
We had a small emergency with my mother-in-law.
As usual.
:(

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 29, 2017, 12:23:08 AM
Quote from: GioCar on March 29, 2017, 12:14:09 AM
Nope.
We had a small emergency with my mother-in-law.
As usual.
:(
Sorry about that!

Next up here:

Tonhalle, Zurich - SA 01.04.17
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Barbara Hannigan Leitung und Sopran

György Ligeti: "Atmosphères" für grosses Orchester
Alban Berg: Sinfonische Stücke aus der Oper "Lulu"
Claude Debussy: "Nuages" aus Nocturnes
Igor Strawinsky: "Symphony in Three Movements"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 29, 2017, 12:50:36 AM
Quote from: jessop on March 29, 2017, 12:13:01 AM
Indeed! Also, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the concert. :)

You got it.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on April 01, 2017, 12:02:01 PM
Following through on my promise to hear more chamber music after an all-out orchestral bingefest in 2017 so far -

Took in an excellent performance couple of weeks ago by the young new music group Loop38 at the Turrell Skyspace at Rice University, notable for Saariaho's Lichtbogen accompanied by the gorgeous light sequence!

Tonight, seeing the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra for the first time, heard lots of good things about them:

5:00 pm
Church of St. John the Divine
Houston, TX

River Oaks Chamber Orchestra
Steven Jarvi, conductor

Alexander Miller, composer
Scott St. John, concertmaster
Brooke Ferguson, flute soloist

Alexander Miller, Concerto Grosso (ROCO Commission/World Premiere)
Saverio Mercadante, Concerto for Flute in E minor
Gustav Holst, Green Brook Suite
Arnold Schoenberg, Verklärte Nacht


They make use of a new smartphone app Octava  (http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/artsmash/bs-ae-octava-20150619-story.html) on some pieces to deliver info real time during the performance...interested to see how this actually works.

Also, my first time to hear Verklarte Nacht live too :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on April 01, 2017, 03:31:27 PM
Yuja Wang is coming to town in May 2018.  Repertoire isn't announced yet, but I think I'll be attending irrespective of what she plays.  Gotta hear her in person.  I wonder if she'll wear a snazzy dress.

Also, I've never heard a note from him, but Lukáš Vondráček is putting on my type of recital: the four Chopin Scherzi, Brahms' First Piano Sonata, and Scriabin's Fourth Sonata.  The alternate program is Novak, Suk, Smetana, Liszt and Beethoven.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on April 02, 2017, 05:06:42 PM

Review: Eternal Youth -- Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra At 30
(https://blogs-images.forbes.com/jenslaurson/files/2017/04/Gustav-Mahler-Jugendorchester_cCosimo-Filippini_Excerpt2_laurson_1800-1200x446.jpg?width=960)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/04/02/review-eternal-youth-gustav-mahler-youth-orchestra-at-30/#6fa07f6e5720 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2017/04/02/review-eternal-youth-gustav-mahler-youth-orchestra-at-30/#6fa07f6e5720)

Blowsy Bruckner, Gerhaher Gorgeousness

QuoteThe best youth orchestras – and this may well not be a secret anymore – are among the most enjoyable orchestras you can listen to: Technically at the top of the game and motivated from ponytail to pinky; ability and willingness in ready harmony at a level and consistency that cannot be expected from all but a handful of top-notch orchestras. The only thing that can possibly derail them is music that works primarily off a arcane emotional response to life – and a conductor who lacks profundity and the natural authority that comes from musical and personal authenticity. In those cases youth orchestras are prone to have a more difficult time. Incidentally Bruckner – to move from the general to the particular – is one of those composers. And the conductor on this occasion, namely the Vienna stop of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra's 30th Anniversary Easter Tour, was Daniel Harding...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on April 04, 2017, 04:43:17 AM
Vancouver Symphony,  Tovey conducting     James Ehnes, viola  in a fortnight
Gavin HIGGINS: Velocity    WALTON  Viola Concerto     HOLST The Planets (with NASA space film)
I'm going to listen, not watch, sound is great in the cheap seats in the balcony
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on April 04, 2017, 05:03:04 AM
On Thursday night, I will be taking Kimi to her first symphony concert. Last time I tried to take her, she was denied entry because she had not reached 130 cm.

Beethoven: Symphony #6
Beethoven: Symphony #7

Vienna Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Philippe Jordan (Armin Jordan's son)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 04, 2017, 09:58:54 AM
Quote from: NikF on March 28, 2017, 09:15:08 PM
I'm going to give this a try -

Jaehyuck Choi - New Work

Toshio Hosokawa - Im Nebel*

Toru Takemitsu - Twill by Twilight (In memory of Morton Feldman)

Claude Vivier - Siddhartha

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra 
Simon Höfele  trumpet*
Matthias Pintscher  conductor


e: I've heard Takemitsu, but the others are new to me.

Wow, what a fantastic-looking concert (and another fan of Pintscher here). The Hosokawa works I've heard for orchestra are marvelous. (You can find Circulating Ocean on YouTube.)

Quote from: king ubu on March 29, 2017, 12:23:08 AM
Sorry about that!

Next up here:

Tonhalle, Zurich - SA 01.04.17
19:30 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Barbara Hannigan Leitung und Sopran

György Ligeti: "Atmosphères" für grosses Orchester
Alban Berg: Sinfonische Stücke aus der Oper "Lulu"
Claude Debussy: "Nuages" aus Nocturnes
Igor Strawinsky: "Symphony in Three Movements"

And heavens, what a treat this looks to be. Barbara Hannigan is a wonder.

Quote from: Todd on April 01, 2017, 03:31:27 PM
Yuja Wang is coming to town in May 2018.  Repertoire isn't announced yet, but I think I'll be attending irrespective of what she plays.  Gotta hear her in person.  I wonder if she'll wear a snazzy dress.


Wang is terrific. (And I love that she dresses like a rock star, since, well, she IS one, figuratively speaking.) And unlike some other super-talented pianists -- let's face it, there are a lot of technical wonders out there -- she has excellent musical instincts, and shows thought in her interpretations. It will be interesting to see how she ages, and how her playing and ideas mature.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on April 04, 2017, 10:03:30 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 04, 2017, 09:58:54 AMAnd unlike some other super-talented pianists -- let's face it, there are a lot of technical wonders out there -- she has excellent musical instincts, and shows thought in her interpretations.


That's not a veiled swipe at Lang Lang is it?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 04, 2017, 10:29:50 AM
Quote from: Todd on April 04, 2017, 10:03:30 AM

That's not a veiled swipe at Lang Lang is it?

Busted!  8)

FWIW, I have heard him four or five times live, and have tried, TRIED to give him every opportunity to move, to impress -- and it just isn't happening. (He doesn't need my imprimatur anyway, given the throngs of fans.) My theory, which I've put in writing: he needs to be commissioning things from some of today's most interesting composers, things that are way too difficult for anyone else to play. That said, he seems to have little interest in any kind of contemporary music, which makes me a little sad. The closest he's come: an encore, his own extravagantly florid arrangement of a traditional Chinese folk melody -- it was terrific. But made me think, he really should be challenging himself more.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 06, 2017, 01:51:52 PM
Lang who?

Barbara Hannigan at Tonhalle, alas, wasn't that thrilling ... her Ligeti and Debussy were pretty good, her singing in the Berg was gorgeous, but neither the Berg nor the Stravinsky were shaped in a stringent, meaningful way, I felt. Still, I have never heard either in concert and the orchestra was in good shape and trying to do as good as it could. I think as a conductor, she's not quite there yet, though her style of conducting was interesting to watch.

Tomorrow night, catching Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore" with Nello Santi conducting. This is the opening night of the reneval of an older production, and Nemorino won't be sung by Pavol Breslik ... not familiar really with any of the singers other than Breslik and Molnár:
http://www.opernhaus.ch/en/activity/detail/lelisir-damore-07-04-2017-18672/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on April 06, 2017, 03:19:49 PM
Quote from: king ubu on April 06, 2017, 01:51:52 PM
Lang who?

Barbara Hannigan at Tonhalle, alas, wasn't that thrilling ... her Ligeti and Debussy were pretty good, her singing in the Berg was gorgeous, but neither the Berg nor the Stravinsky were shaped in a stringent, meaningful way, I felt. Still, I have never heard either in concert and the orchestra was in good shape and trying to do as good as it could. I think as a conductor, she's not quite there yet, though her style of conducting was interesting to watch.

Tomorrow night, catching Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore" with Nello Santi conducting. This is the opening night of the reneval of an older production, and Nemorino won't be sung by Pavol Breslik ... not familiar really with any of the singers other than Breslik and Molnár:
http://www.opernhaus.ch/en/activity/detail/lelisir-damore-07-04-2017-18672/

My eyes chortled, so to speak, on seeing that supertitles for the opera will be provided in German and English.  Perhaps this ties in to your description in the other thread of the use of mangled English at work...but it does seem odd that the impresario gnomes of Zurich favor English over Switzerland's other big language (French).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 07, 2017, 03:22:52 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on April 06, 2017, 03:19:49 PM
My eyes chortled, so to speak, on seeing that supertitles for the opera will be provided in German and English.  Perhaps this ties in to your description in the other thread of the use of mangled English at work...but it does seem odd that the impresario gnomes of Zurich favor English over Switzerland's other big language (French).

Oh, it's always German/English - Zurich is an international town, and I think in almost 20 years of work, I have written three or four mails in French (to colleagues in Paris that don't speak but a - most mangled version indeed! - of French), while English is most common. So there's that. It starts in school, kids hate French but love English (it's easy, ya know). We would expect people from the French-speaking part to understand German, but not really accept that they would expect us to speak French with them. The easy solution if none wants to try: switch to English.

But at the opera, that's fine, since there will be many more expats and tourists visiting the Zurich opera than people from the French-speaking part. For them, they have a new production of Massenet's "Werther" anyway (which I'll catch on Tuesday, just bought a ticket) - sounds very good indeed and Juan Diego Floréz seems to be outsanding!

Review in German:
https://www.nzz.ch/feuilleton/opernhaus-zuerich-die-leiden-der-jungen-charlotte-ld.155159
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on April 08, 2017, 10:18:34 AM
Another new music chamber concert tonight by Musiqa - inspired by nature:

Karim Al-Zand     Studies in Nature
Fred Lerdah        Three Diatonic Studies
Andrew Norman  Light Screen
Kaija Saariaho     Fall

All of these pieces new to me!

Last weekend - greatly enjoyed the concert by River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, very fun and interactive, wonderful group, neat programming.

Verklarte Nacht knocked my socks off (pun!) - tears rolled down my face the whole last half, totally took me by surprise. Had forgotten how much I adore that piece.

Very impressed with guest conductor Steven Jarvi (no relation to the other Jarvis), great chemistry and audience rapport, beautifully structured performances - cool guy too, got to chat a bit at the reception after. Apparently he's with SLSO right now but doesn't have an orchestra of his own yet, would be a fantastic MD catch for some lucky ensemble.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on April 12, 2017, 10:28:55 AM
Boris Blacher- Concertante Musik
Joseph Haydn - Cello Concerto No 1 in C major
Johannes Brahms - Symphony No 1 in C minor

SSO
Cello - Johannes Moser
Conductor - Christoph König
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 12, 2017, 02:24:59 PM
Tomorrow (Friday) I'm going to see Melbourne Bach Choir and Orchestra perform St John Passion. It was a choir I considered joining but ultimately didn't.......maybe one day in the future I might consider it again. This is my favourite Bach work, so I'm rather excited!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 13, 2017, 02:28:03 AM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on April 12, 2017, 02:28:26 PM
I'm going to a jazz festival next week, which will be fun  ;)

Me too!  :)

And just bought a ticket for Martin's Golgotha at Zurich Tonhalle for tomorrow!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on April 17, 2017, 03:56:56 PM
Headed out to Walt Disney Hall in a few hours for this:

http://www.laphil.com/tickets/reykjavik-festival-johann-johannsson/2017-04-17

I am a fan of Johansson's and in particular, really enjoy his recent soundtrack to the film The Arrival.

Also, I note that Nico Muhly will be performing as well; big thanks to Monsieur Croche for bringing him to my attention.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2017, 04:23:09 PM
Quote from: HIPster on April 17, 2017, 03:56:56 PM
Headed out to Walt Disney Hall in a few hours for this:

http://www.laphil.com/tickets/reykjavik-festival-johann-johannsson/2017-04-17

I am a fan of Johansson's and in particular, really enjoy his recent soundtrack to the film The Arrival.

Also, I note that Nico Muhly will be performing as well; big thanks to Monsieur Croche for bringing him to my attention.  ;)

That's really cool, HIPster, I am also a fan of Johansson. I quite often listen to the opening track of Fordlandia and the ending piece from The Miner's Hymns...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNFAyNMkgt0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_Rfkhg7s_M
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on April 17, 2017, 04:55:35 PM
Vienna Academy Orchestra, Martin Haselboeck, Beethoven Symphonies 5, 6
Izumi Hall, Osaka



Beethoven visits Japan: On Tour with the Vienna Academy Orchestra (Part 1)

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RahZ-LjvHTA/WPU6A63LyjI/AAAAAAAAJXM/7ehEd50G8_QX0jWxR-0Olnr5J05D7aGAACPcB/s640/DSC00115-1200.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2017/04/beethoven-visits-japan-on-tour-with.html)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2017/04/beethoven-visits-japan-on-tour-with.html (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2017/04/beethoven-visits-japan-on-tour-with.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 17, 2017, 05:25:11 PM
Seeing Król Roger next month, here's a trailer for the production they are doing https://youtu.be/ifCCPa8j5ss
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 17, 2017, 08:34:54 PM
Quote from: jessop on April 17, 2017, 05:25:11 PM
Seeing Król Roger month, here's a trailer for the production they are doing https://youtu.be/ifCCPa8j5ss

Wow, that's awesome! I hope you enjoy this masterpiece as much as I do.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 18, 2017, 12:55:07 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 17, 2017, 08:34:54 PM
Wow, that's awesome! I hope you enjoy this masterpiece as much as I do.
I think I will! I don't often have the money to see anything by Opera Australia but they are always impressive. However, they tend to be a bit conservative in their programming apart from putting on something a bit left of field like this! I guess since Victorian Opera have been putting on operas which are more and more obscure lately there has been an interest in productions which are slightly more original, interesting and less commonly performed than the umpteenth Traviata in all dressed up in a typical 19th century design.

Also, going to see Melbourne Opera's production of Lohengrin in August with someone ;D
This company is definitely less professional than the other two major opera companies in Melbourne, but they also put on a very good show!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on April 18, 2017, 07:53:43 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2017, 04:23:09 PM
That's really cool, HIPster, I am also a fan of Johansson. I quite often listen to the opening track of Fordlandia and the ending piece from The Miner's Hymns...


Right on, Greg.  ;)

Had a blast last night at Disney Hall.  The show was good, not great.  Hard to disagree with the NYT critic's take (and an interesting article in any event) ~

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/18/arts/music/los-angeles-has-americas-most-important-orchestra-period.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 18, 2017, 07:58:05 PM
Quote from: HIPster on April 18, 2017, 07:53:43 PM
Right on, Greg.  ;)

Had a blast last night at Disney Hall.  The show was good, not great.  Hard to disagree with the NYT critic's take (and an interesting article in any event) ~

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/18/arts/music/los-angeles-has-americas-most-important-orchestra-period.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0



This stuff I have been reading about on my little news app (Flipboard).....I must say LA Phil is doing admirable things! :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 19, 2017, 10:55:43 AM
I'm back from an utterly delightful recital performed without score or intermission by the guy in my avatar.

Fr. Schubert: 4 Landler, D. 366 
J. Brahms: 16 Valsuri, op. 39       
A. Dvořák: 4 Valsuri, op. 54, caietul 2 
Fr. Chopin:  2 Valsuri, op. 69     
M. Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales
Cl. Debussy: Valse Romantique   
                   La plus que lente       

My wife was particularly impressed by the two Debussy works.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on April 19, 2017, 05:40:24 PM
Diary of a trip with a Viennese HIP Band to Japan

...and the review of the first concert...
Beethoven visits Japan: On Tour with the Vienna Academy Orchestra (Part 2)

(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKVp93WrGXQ/WPc_DgeeoRI/AAAAAAAAJZc/p3p4iyg-mq4KbHDENUdXUDnbHDxuB1fsgCPcB/s640/DSC00176-1200_BRIDGE-museum-park.jpg) (http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2017/04/beethoven-visits-japan-on-tour-with_19.html)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 20, 2017, 12:09:14 AM
Got tickets for the Ballet Béjart Lausanne, which will be visiting the Teatros del Canal (just down the street from where I live in Madrid) on April 29th. On the program, Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin , Tombées de la dernère pluie (on music by Schubert), Bhakti III (traditional Indian muisc), and Maurice Béjart's legendary take on Ravel's Boléro . I suppose the music will be pre-recorded, but I really am looking forward to seeing this wonderful and extremely  sensual choreagraphy of Boléro in the flesh.

Here it is, in a rather clever montage of two performances (one with a female soloist, and one with a man):

https://www.youtube.com/v/A4H7Gp0CAH4&index=11&list=PLuNl4Qq2OOmskfw9B6FS_2WW2PN50crF4
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on April 20, 2017, 01:23:27 AM
Quote from: ritter on April 20, 2017, 12:09:14 AM
Got tickets for the Ballet Béjart Lausanne, which will be visiting the Teatros del Canal (just down the street from where I live in Madrid) on April 29th. On the program, Bartók's The Miraculous Mandarin , Tombées de la dernère pluie (on music by Schubert), Bhakti III (traditional Indian muisc), and Maurice Béjart's legendary take on Ravel's Boléro . I suppose the music will be pre-recorded, but I really am looking forward to seeing this wonderful and extremely  sensual choreagraphy of Boléro in the flesh.

Here it is, in a rather clever montage of two performances (one with a female soloist, and one with a man):

https://www.youtube.com/v/A4H7Gp0CAH4&index=11&list=PLuNl4Qq2OOmskfw9B6FS_2WW2PN50crF4
I did see the live performance with Jorge Donn some 15 years ago.  A very emotional experience.  You should really enjoy the show.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 20, 2017, 01:33:13 AM
Quote from: Spineur on April 20, 2017, 01:23:27 AM
I did see the live performance with Jorge Donn some 15 years ago.  A very emotional experience.  You should really enjoy the show.
Jorge Donn was probably the dancer most associated with this choreography, helped of course by his appearance in Claude Lelouche's Les uns et les autres (where the ballet, unfortunaletly, is distorted by the addition of vocals to Ravel's score  ::) ). Great that you could catch him on stage.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 27, 2017, 12:40:57 AM
next up:
__

MON 01.05.17
07:30 pm , Grosser Saal
Neue Konzertreihe Zürich

Kammerorchester Basel
Julia Schröder Konzertmeisterin
Julia Lezhneva Sopran

Georg Friedrich Händel
Concerto grosso F-Dur op. 3 Nr. 4

Carl Heinrich Graun
Arien aus der Oper "Armida" und "Coriolano"

Georg Friedrich Händel
Concerto grosso G-Dur op. 3 Nr. 3

Carl Heinrich Graun
Sinfonia zur Oper "Coriolano"
Arien aus der Oper "Armida" und "Silla"

Georg Friedrich Händel
Concerto grosso B-Dur op. 3 Nr. 2
Arie aus der Oper "Alessandro"
__

Looking forward a lot! Just got Lezhneva's Graun CD and it's pretty cool indeed.

Debating with myself if I should attend this ... have a full schedule already (jazz concerts on 4th and 6th and possibly on 5th of May) and am not really into "Lobgesang" much (the Scottish and the Italian, yes), but ...

SO 07.05.17
GROSSE CHORSINFONIK
17:00 Uhr, Grosser Saal

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Lionel Bringuier Leitung
Xavier de Maistre Harfe
Mojca Erdmann Sopran
Katharina Konradi Sopran
Christian Elsner Tenor
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
Andreas Felber Einstudierung

Kaija Saariaho
"Trans" für Harfe und Orchester, Schweizer Erstaufführung

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
"Lobgesang" op. 52
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 28, 2017, 12:11:02 PM
Bump

Saariaho + harp ... anyone feels like pushing me to go?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 28, 2017, 12:19:32 PM
Quote from: king ubu on April 28, 2017, 12:11:02 PM
Bump

Saariaho + harp ... anyone feels like pushing me to go?
I'd go for the Saariaho (I don't know that particular piece, but very much like many works of this great but irregular composer). But...I saw Mendelssohn's Lobgesang many years ago conducted by Peter Maag here in Madrid, and said to myself "never again!"..I find it an very unattractive work... ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on April 28, 2017, 01:09:45 PM
Not one that I'm looking forward to anymore, but last night I just had a wonderful time hearing Messiaen's Quatuor pour le fin de temps by members of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. It was my first time experiencing the work in a live setting, and it was magical. The highlights for me were the section for solo clarinet (somehow, the sonority of those single, long-held notes seemed almost unreal) and the final, achingly beautiful violin note, which the audience allowed to hang in the air for an appropriately long time before beginning their applause.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 28, 2017, 01:34:51 PM
Last evening, I attended a splendid concert in Bucharest:

ORCHESTRA NAŢIONALĂ RADIO
Dirijor:  CRISTIAN MANDEAL
Solistă: OXANA CORJOS – pian

M. Ravel: Ma mère l'Oye
R. Strauss: Burleske
S. Rachmaninov: Simfonia nr. 2 în mi minor, op. 27

(the first two, first listening live)

Goosebumps from start to finish, including the Burleske which the original dedicatee Hans von Buelow described as "a complicated piece of nonsense".  :)

And having recently heard live as well the original two-piano versions of Ma mère l'Oye I can attest to the fact that, pace Franz Liszt, there is no way the piano (even two of them) can replace a whole orchestra.  ;D

The Rachmaninoff was epic.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 28, 2017, 08:42:13 PM
Quote from: king ubu on April 28, 2017, 12:11:02 PM
Bump

Saariaho + harp ... anyone feels like pushing me to go?

Probably one of the most well known living composers for very good reason! I think youtuber Tim Poulus might actually have this piece up on YouTube if you'd like to give it a sample to see if you'd be interested in hearing it or not. But I guess any experiences you already have with her music would be enough reason to decide if you'd like to hear it live or not.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on April 28, 2017, 10:35:06 PM
Quote from: king ubu on April 28, 2017, 12:11:02 PM
Bump

Saariaho + harp ... anyone feels like pushing me to go?

Definitely. Any opportunity to hear a Saariaho work live, and that work has many subtle and unflashy charms.

I don't think there's a studio recording of Trans yet, but there is a broadcast from a Helsinki concert recently posted on the Tim Poulus YT chanel if you want to get a sense of it first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8V-FSeewlw

edit: whoops - jessop already said this
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 28, 2017, 10:53:22 PM
Apparently I'm getting a free ticket to this along with other composition students who attend a seminar hosted by the featured living composer in this concert https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2017/classical-music/hong-kong-philharmonic
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 29, 2017, 12:33:54 AM
Quote from: ritter on April 28, 2017, 12:19:32 PM
I'd go for the Saariaho (I don't know that particular piece, but very much like many works of this great but irregular composer). But...I saw Mendelssohn's Lobgesang many years ago conducted by Peter Maag here in Madrid, and said to myself "never again!"..I find it an very unattractive work... ::)

Quote from: jessop on April 28, 2017, 08:42:13 PM
Probably one of the most well known living composers for very good reason! I think youtuber Tim Poulus might actually have this piece up on YouTube if you'd like to give it a sample to see if you'd be interested in hearing it or not. But I guess any experiences you already have with her music would be enough reason to decide if you'd like to hear it live or not.

Quote from: SimonNZ on April 28, 2017, 10:35:06 PM
Definitely. Any opportunity to hear a Saariaho work live, and that work has many subtle and unflashy charms.

I don't think there's a studio recording of Trans yet, but there is a broadcast from a Helsinki concert recently posted on the Tim Poulus YT chanel if you want to get a sense of it first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8V-FSeewlw

edit: whoops - jessop already said this

Thanks all for chiming in  :)

Never heard a note by Saariaho yet, but am somewhat hesitant about it being a harp concerto ... plus even more hesitant about "Lobgesang", but ... if I'm not asleep from the exhausting week coming up, I'll do my best to be there Sunday evening!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on April 29, 2017, 09:41:44 AM
My opinions are somewhat reversed from Ritter's in reference to the music itself..but given that neither piece shows up in concert halls that often, I would say go.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on May 01, 2017, 12:49:25 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on April 29, 2017, 09:41:44 AM
My opinions are somewhat reversed from Ritter's in reference to the music itself..but given that neither piece shows up in concert halls that often, I would say go.

Thanks again - thing is, this week starts with a concert tonight (Julia Lezhneva and the Basel Kammerorchester doing Händel and Graun) and continues with other concerts Thursday and Saturday (jazz/improv festival nights, two/three bands per night), there's possibly a concert on Friday (either that same jazz festival, or more likely a different jazz concert). Just not sure I'll be in the mood for more on Sunday, but I shall see (otherwise I would have just bought a ticket and not asked here in the first place).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on May 01, 2017, 08:39:29 PM
Tuesday evening - will hear Georg Friedrich Haas's in vain (with full darkness as specified) in Rothko Chapel with the ensemble Loop38!

Saw London Sinfonietta just did a performance of this last week, anyone here go?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: eljr on May 08, 2017, 06:39:23 AM
Quote from: Senta on May 01, 2017, 08:39:29 PM
Tuesday evening - will hear Georg Friedrich Haas's in vain (with full darkness as specified) in Rothko Chapel with the ensemble Loop38!

Saw London Sinfonietta just did a performance of this last week, anyone here go?

(http://rothkochapel.org/assets/gallery/BD1_9731.jpg)

(https://s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/qsHX7JshZvwwUX5Hb4hYnQ/348s.jpg)

looks very very cool
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on May 08, 2017, 06:41:24 AM
Next weekend, I will be seeing Paavali Jumppanen on both Saturday and Sunday, and he will be presenting Debussy's complete Preludes and four Beethoven sonatas.  These are the best possible types of solo piano recitals I can think of.  The weekend after that, I will be heading down to a local abbey to hear three works I've never heard before: Ralph Vaughan Williams' Mass in G minor for double choir, Arvo Part's Magnificat, and Maurice Durufle's Lord's Prayer.  It's a first time hearing anything from any of those composers in person.  May's a good month for live music this year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 08, 2017, 01:51:30 PM
The perks if being in a choir is getting free tickets to the orchestra we are associated with.

On Thursday I'm going with a friend to see a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Concert conducted by Benjamin Northey and with soloist Stefan Cassomenos, who actually premiered a work of mine back in February.

Beethoven: Coriolan overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto no. 5

Sibelius: Symphony no. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 08, 2017, 01:58:48 PM
Quote from: jessop on April 28, 2017, 10:53:22 PM
Apparently I'm getting a free ticket to this along with other composition students who attend a seminar hosted by the featured living composer in this concert https://www.artscentremelbourne.com.au/whats-on/2017/classical-music/hong-kong-philharmonic

This concert was amazing btw. The composer Fung Lam, who had his work Quintessence performed in the first half, is a very friendly person and I got to speak to him a little bit during interval. I've never sat in premium reserve before so I had no idea how incredible it really is to feel the finale of Mahler's first symphony vibrating through one's body. Jaap van Zweden is an   a m a z i n g   conductor. After Mahler 1 there was an extensive applause and Zweden came back on stage after leaving and gave a very cheeky looking grin to the orchestra and audience as he brought out the score of the encore hidden behind the Mahler still on the stand. A quick upbeat and then the orchestra launched into Ride of the Valkyries! Absolutely perfect. The only thing in the concert which was forgettable was Mozart's 4th violin concerto. They played it safe and brought nothing new or interesting to the music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on May 15, 2017, 06:06:25 AM
Kemal Gekic recital in a fortnight. He'll be playing Liszt and Bach: eight of the Transcendental Etudes interspersed with seven Preludes & Fugues from WTC.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on May 15, 2017, 07:32:06 AM
June 1st Salle Gaveau, Paris

Dame Felicity Lott, soprano
Mathilde Borsarello Herrmann, violon
Cécile Grassi, alto
Gauthier Herrmann, violoncelle
Jean-Michel Dayez, piano

H. Berlioz : La Captive
E. Chausson : Le temps des lilas
R. Hahn : La dernière valse
G. Fauré : quatuor avec piano n°1 op15 (instrumental)
G. Fauré : Après un rêve (instrumental)
M. Ravel : Shéhérazade
J. Massenet : Élégie

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on May 17, 2017, 11:02:55 PM
Tonight

Mahler: Symphony No.7
Paavo Järvi conducting the Filarmonica della Scala

I've never heard him with Mahler, I'm quite intrigued. And the 7th is high on my list.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 21, 2017, 08:38:17 PM
It is likely that I see Król Roger tomorrow night as well as next weekend. Got another free ticket! Looking forward to it. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 22, 2017, 02:21:09 PM
Last Friday heard one of Alan Gilbert's final concerts with the New York Philharmonic, and my review is below. The best part was the order, exactly as you see below: started with Brahms, ended with the two newer works after intermission. A few people left, but most stayed for the whole thing.

Brahms: Violin Concerto (w/Leonidas Kavakos)
Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Aeriality (2010-11)
Esa-Pekka Salonen: Wing on Wing (2003-04)

http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2017/05/gilbert-creatively-disrupts-concert-tradition-with-the-philharmonic/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 22, 2017, 02:28:34 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 22, 2017, 02:21:09 PM
Last Friday heard one of Alan Gilbert's final concerts with the New York Philharmonic, and my review is below. The best part was the order, exactly as you see below: started with Brahms, ended with the two newer works after intermission. A few people left, but most stayed for the whole thing.

Brahms: Violin Concerto (w/Leonidas Kavakos)
Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Aeriality (2010-11)
Esa-Pekka Salonen: Wing on Wing (2003-04)

http://newyorkclassicalreview.com/2017/05/gilbert-creatively-disrupts-concert-tradition-with-the-philharmonic/

--Bruce

Often the newer works are performed at the start, but it seems to make perfect sense to begin with a concerto and end with something that includes voices....only because I guess that's what people would be used to anyway. :) I love the middle work especially.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 22, 2017, 02:46:19 PM
Quote from: jessop on May 21, 2017, 08:38:17 PM
It is likely that I see Król Roger tomorrow night as well as next weekend. Got another free ticket! Looking forward to it. :)

Great! Let us know what you thought of the opera.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: aleazk on May 22, 2017, 02:49:17 PM
KMN BERLIN at Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires:

Georg Friedrich Haas - In Vain

But only in November...

---

A few days ago I saw, in the same place, Slagwerk Den Haag playing:

Tenney - Having never written a note (but they did it with five spatialized tam-tams)

Xenakis - Pléiades

It was amazing! (both pieces!) the best concert I saw in recent times.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 22, 2017, 03:53:45 PM
Quote from: aleazk on May 22, 2017, 02:49:17 PM
KMN BERLIN at Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires:

Georg Friedrich Haas - In Vain

But only in November...

---

A few days ago I saw, in the same place, Slagwerk Den Haag playing:

Tenney - Having never written a note (but they did it with five spatialized tam-tams)

Xenakis - Pléiades

It was amazing! (both pieces!) the best concert I saw in recent times.


Glad to see you here again! That concert featuring Tenney and Xenakis must have been wonderful. Certainly a bit jealous haha. :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 22, 2017, 04:00:14 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 22, 2017, 02:46:19 PM
Great! Let us know what you thought of the opera.
I will! In the meantime here is a trailer.......

https://www.youtube.com/v/ifCCPa8j5ss

I believe it is a production taken from some other opera company again, as Opera Australia tends to import a lot of productions rather than focus on primarily local talent. Bit of a shame that this is their main approach, but the production looks marvellous from the trailer anyway so it should be a real treat for the eyes and ears.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 23, 2017, 05:04:21 AM
Well, the opera was certainly a wonderful and unique experience. Awful acting. The dancers were particularly good during he second act! Somehow the giant head reminded me of how humanity's ego and sense of self importance above other forms of life and ways of life inflates exponentially the more we obsess over religion. Can't wait to see it again on Saturday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 02, 2017, 11:44:26 AM
Quote from: jessop on May 22, 2017, 02:28:34 PM
Often the newer works are performed at the start, but it seems to make perfect sense to begin with a concerto and end with something that includes voices....only because I guess that's what people would be used to anyway. :) I love the middle work especially.

After that Brahms Violin Concerto, there were a few defectors at intermission, but not many. And those who remained for the Thorvaldsdottir and Salonen were quite vocal in their appreciation at the end. The Salonen piece is so over-the-top that it almost couldn't be anywhere else BUT the end. I'm full of admiration for Alan Gilbert, giving the new pieces this kind of positive platform.

Quote from: aleazk on May 22, 2017, 02:49:17 PM
KMN BERLIN at Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires:

Georg Friedrich Haas - In Vain

But only in November...

---

A few days ago I saw, in the same place, Slagwerk Den Haag playing:

Tenney - Having never written a note (but they did it with five spatialized tam-tams)

Xenakis - Pléiades

It was amazing! (both pieces!) the best concert I saw in recent times.

And these two concerts look incredible. I've heard the Haas once -- it's a fun ride, well worth it, with the orchestra plunging into darkness at times, indicated in the score. And the Xenakis is terrific live.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 02, 2017, 11:46:42 AM
Tomorrow afternoon:

The MET Orchestra
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Karen Cargill, mezzo-soprano
Stuart Skelton, tenor

Schumann: Symphony No. 3 "Rhenish"
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 02, 2017, 06:06:16 PM
Mahler Symphony No.3

Peter Oundjian
RSNO
Susan Platts - Mezzo-Soprano
Ladies of the RSNO Chorus
RSNO Junior Chorus

On Saturday night -
I've had tickets for months but more recently been undecided about attending. Right now all my classical music CDs are in storage (in anticipation of me moving house) and I've mostly been listening to jazz. Then again, it's Mahler 3, it's the season finale, and an evening at a concert would probably do me good.

e: anyway, it's being broadcast via BBC Radio 3 if anyone has access and is interested.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 02, 2017, 08:03:46 PM
Quote from: NikF on June 02, 2017, 06:06:16 PM
Mahler Symphony No.3

Peter Oundjian
RSNO
Susan Platts - Mezzo-Soprano
Ladies of the RSNO Chorus
RSNO Junior Chorus

On Saturday night -
I've had tickets for months but more recently been undecided about attending. Right now all my classical music CDs are in storage (in anticipation of me moving house) and I've mostly been listening to jazz. Then again, it's Mahler 3, it's the season finale, and an evening at a concert would probably do me good.

e: anyway, it's being broadcast via BBC Radio 3 if anyone has access and is interested.

Wish I could hear this, but at broadcast time will be elsewhere. But hope you go -- looks like it could be quite a good evening.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on June 02, 2017, 10:33:21 PM
Next season, with the Filarmonica della Scala

A mini Mahler-marathon:

Symphony No. 2 - Daniele Gatti
Symphony No. 3 - Riccardo Chailly
Symphony No. 6 - Franz Welser-Möst
Symphony No. 9 - Herbert Blomstedt


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 02, 2017, 11:41:43 PM
Quote from: Brewski on June 02, 2017, 08:03:46 PM
Wish I could hear this, but at broadcast time will be elsewhere. But hope you go -- looks like it could be quite a good evening.

--Bruce

In the light of the day I've decided to have dinner in a restaurant not too far away followed by a casual stroll along the river to the venue. It's Mahler 3 - come Sunday if I didn't go I'd be kicking myself.
And hopefully Radio 3 will arranged a repeat and you'll have opportunity to listen. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: nodogen on June 05, 2017, 06:53:47 AM
Martin Bartlett is the pianist who recently won the BBC Young Musician award. He is giving a performance at my local theatre in November (!) and I am already looking forward to it ; as well as works by Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Bach and Liszt he is playing a sonata by my favourite of favourites: Scriabin. Yay.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 05, 2017, 07:57:42 AM
Hopefully, never this again.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-dallas-symphony-orchestra-screwed-up-saturday-night-9533196
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 05, 2017, 08:42:10 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 05, 2017, 07:57:42 AM
Hopefully, never this again.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-dallas-symphony-orchestra-screwed-up-saturday-night-9533196 (http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-dallas-symphony-orchestra-screwed-up-saturday-night-9533196)

Oof.  In a specialized sense which I am sure you will understand, Brian, I enjoyed your article.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on June 05, 2017, 11:54:59 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 05, 2017, 08:42:10 AM
Oof.  In a specialized sense which I am sure you will understand, Brian, I enjoyed your article.

Ouch ouch.  I would have gone out, found a bar, and come back sloshed to hear the symphony.

I was a mite surprised to see you at the bottom, and not Daffy Duck.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 06, 2017, 11:19:20 PM
Quote from: Brian on June 05, 2017, 07:57:42 AM
Hopefully, never this again.
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-dallas-symphony-orchestra-screwed-up-saturday-night-9533196
I am curious as to why there was a mixture of fact and fiction......was it an attempt to make the actual content of the lecture more interesting for an audience? To give them something to connect to in the lecture itself? It is certainly possible to make a really interesting lecture about a piece of music without forcing a programmatic reinterpretation on the audience, isn't it?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 14, 2017, 09:30:12 AM
Any fans of British music who happen to be in the Chicago area should take note of this. Coming up Friday and Saturday:

Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Sara Jakubiak, soprano
David John Pike, baritone
Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia
Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony

This is not one of my fave VW works, but it should make for great outdoor music. Also, Kalmar has a good track record with this kind of material.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 14, 2017, 02:58:09 PM
Tonight, tomorrow and the next day: Haydn's Creation oratorio conducted by Andrew Davis.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on June 14, 2017, 03:21:46 PM
Quote from: jessop on June 14, 2017, 02:58:09 PM
Tonight, tomorrow and the next day: Haydn's Creation oratorio conducted by Andrew Davis.

Best of luck with the performances!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 14, 2017, 03:40:14 PM
Quote from: Mahlerian on June 14, 2017, 03:21:46 PM
Best of luck with the performances!
Thanks! First time I've sung with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus so this is rather exciting for me. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on June 15, 2017, 04:37:48 AM
Saturday, June 17, Amsterdam Concertgebouw:

Debussy - Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Vasks - Flute Concerto
Saint-Saëns - Symphony in c Op. 78 'Organ'

NedPhO, directed by Mei-Ann Chen with Leon Berendse, flute
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 21, 2017, 12:48:43 PM
This evening I attended a splendid concert:

ORCHESTRA  DE  CAMERĂ RADIO (Bucharest Radio Chamber Orchestra)
Dirijor (Conductor): JANKÓ FERENC - ZSOLT
Solist (Solist): SABIN PENEA – vioară (violin)

F. Mendelssohn:  Uvertura la Visul unei nopți de vară, op. 21 (AMSND Overture)
W.A. Mozart: Concertul nr. 3 în Sol major pentru vioară şi orchestră, KV 216 (Violin Concerto No. 3)
J. Haydn: Simfonia nr. 104 în Re major Hob. I:104 (Symphony 104)

The Mozart VC3 is not my favorite (4 and 5 are) but it's a mighty fine work, and this young Romanian violinist performed it with commitment and he obviously emjoyed playing it. He offered as encore Enescu's The Country Fiddler (from op. 28) and literally electrified the audience, which responded enthusiastically.

(https://media.dcnews.ro/image/201706/w670/1_sabin_penea_72161500.JPG)

The Mendelssohn and the Haydn were very finely performed, as well.

I enjoyed this concert enormously, and so did my wife. I can hardly wait for the time when our son will join us, too.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 21, 2017, 12:58:27 PM
Nice program. Glad to read you enjoyed it, Andrei!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 21, 2017, 01:22:29 PM
Quote from: ritter on June 21, 2017, 12:58:27 PM
Nice program. Glad to read you enjoyed it, Andrei!

Thanks, I really did, and you would probably have enjoyed it as well, especially the VC: the violinist's relaxed, joyful and genial demeanor suited it perfectly. And btw, that "theme-and-variations" section which pops up out of the blue in the middle of the final rondo is magical --- it reminded me of the magical "ballet" section that pops up out of the blue in the middle of the final rondo of PC 9, or the magical "Turkish march" that pops up out of the blue in the middle of the final ronod of VC5. Mozart at his best in all cases.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 21, 2017, 02:31:20 PM
Going to see Victorian Opera do The Cunning Little Vixen on Saturday with some friends.

Next month, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is doing a 'Mozart festival' with most concerts conducted by Richard Egarr. I am singing in the Requiem in the penultimate concert, and then the orchestra and chorus will be performing live music to the film Amadeus on the final weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on June 21, 2017, 10:48:01 PM
Quote from: jessop on June 21, 2017, 02:31:20 PM
Going to see Victorian Opera do The Cunning Little Vixen on Saturday with some friends.

Next month, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is doing a 'Mozart festival' with most concerts conducted by Richard Egarr. I am singing in the Requiem in the penultimate concert, and then the orchestra and chorus will be performing live music to the film Amadeus on the final weekend.

Cool!  8)
I sang in the Requiem (bass) when I was part of an amateur choir, quite a few years ago. Don't ask me about the final outcome, yours will be better, surely  :D


Next Monday: closing concert of the season at La Scala.

Beethoven's Missa Solemnis
Soprano: Camilla Tilling
Mezzosoprano: Gerhild Romberger
Tenore: Peter Sonn
Basso: Hanno Müller-Brachmann
Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala
Bernard Haitink

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 21, 2017, 11:01:40 PM
Quote from: GioCar on June 21, 2017, 10:48:01 PM
Cool!  8)
I sang in the Requiem (bass) when I was part of an amateur choir, quite a few years ago. Don't ask me about the final outcome, yours will be better, surely  :D


Next Monday: closing concert of the season at La Scala.

Beethoven's Missa Solemnis
Soprano: Camilla Tilling
Mezzosoprano: Gerhild Romberger
Tenore: Peter Sonn
Basso: Hanno Müller-Brachmann
Coro e Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala
Bernard Haitink

:)

Choirs are good fun! I am singing tenor, but I am an amateur as are many of the other choristers (very experienced amateurs, that is), and I am dreading the consistently high and loud tenor parts in the Dies Irae :o my upper register is not as reliable as people who have trained voices!

That Missa Solemnis concert looks good; I am sure you will have a great time. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on June 22, 2017, 07:03:55 AM
Quote from: jessop on June 21, 2017, 11:01:40 PM
Choirs are good fun! I am singing tenor, but I am an amateur as are many of the other choristers (very experienced amateurs, that is), and I am dreading the consistently high and loud tenor parts in the Dies Irae :o my upper register is not as reliable as people who have trained voices!

That Missa Solemnis concert looks good; I am sure you will have a great time. :)

Just be glad you're not singing the Beethoven.  If you have a score of the Missa Solemnis available, look at the choral passages in the Credo, especially the et resurrexit...et ascendit. The Mozart will seem a breeze after that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 22, 2017, 07:19:41 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on June 22, 2017, 07:03:55 AM
Just be glad you're not singing the Beethoven.  If you have a score of the Missa Solemnis available, look at the choral passages in the Credo, especially the et resurrexit...et ascendit. The Mozart will seem a breeze after that.

A friend of mine who sings with the Cantata Singers is declining the honor to sing the Missa solemnis this season.  He has already endured that experience had the pleasure, and feels no need to put himself through that again finds that he other engagements those evenings.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 22, 2017, 02:08:10 PM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on June 22, 2017, 07:03:55 AM
Just be glad you're not singing the Beethoven.  If you have a score of the Missa Solemnis available, look at the choral passages in the Credo, especially the et resurrexit...et ascendit. The Mozart will seem a breeze after that.
Haha! Our choir performed it last year I believe, but I wasn't in it then! I wil have a look at the score....it does strike me as a very difficult work anyway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 22, 2017, 02:08:29 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 22, 2017, 07:19:41 AM
A friend of mine who sings with the Cantata Singers is declining the honor to sing the Missa solemnis this season.  He has already endured that experience had the pleasure, and feels no need to put himself through that again finds that he other engagements those evenings.

:laugh:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 22, 2017, 02:54:25 PM
Telemann Ensemble 40th Anniversary Concert.

"The 40th Anniversary concert in St Mary's will include music by Telemann, Vivaldi, Bach and Handel." - and that's all I know.

It's not the sort of concert I'd usually attend, but that's why I'm thinking of going, because I've always tried to see (hear) beyond my frame of reference. Also, it doesn't hurt that I was given tickets for it! At the very least it'll stop me hanging around street corners on a Saturday night. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 23, 2017, 03:38:36 AM
Not too active here in the past few weeks (busy times), so there have been several concerts since my latest post here ...

Anyway, tonight is the last concert I have a ticket for (I may spontaneously attend one (http://www.tonhalle-orchester.ch/en/concerts/concert-schedule/detail/?tx_tozevents_pi_mainlist%5BeventId%5D=9768) or two (http://www.tonhalle-orchester.ch/en/concerts/concert-schedule/detail/?tx_tozevents_pi_mainlist%5BeventId%5D=9771) or three (http://www.tonhalle-orchester.ch/en/concerts/concert-schedule/detail/?tx_tozevents_pi_mainlist%5BeventId%5D=9775) more in the next days, before season closes):

Tonhalle, Zürich - 23.06.17

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Jakub Hruša Leitung
Isabelle Faust Violine

Béla Bartók
Konzertsuite aus "Der wunderbare Mandarin" op. 19

Robert Schumann
Violinkonzert d-Moll WoO 1

Leoš Janáček
Sinfonietta für grosses Orchester

Faust is the main reason I'll be going, and I surely hope she'll do better with the Schumann than with the Mendelssohn recently. There, she was accompanied by the Freiburger Barockorchester, and they were not to blame ... but playing the Reformation instead of the Italian or the Scottish was still a decision of doubtful value ... ordered the Nezet-Séguin Mendelssohn though, I'll keep listening for sure, even though I only "get" those two symphonies ... funny enough I've not just heard the Reformation but also the cantata in concert this season ... but none of the "good" ones. The Bartók and Mendelssohn will be premieres for me ... which applies to the conductor as well. But I guess if Faust plays with him, he oughta be alright.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 28, 2017, 12:01:24 AM
^ the Faust/Hrusa concert was pretty great indeed! Though the one work they did together didn't gel really. The Bartók and Janácek had the Tonhalle dudes and dudettes on their toes (and seventy guest trumpet players in uniform ... I guess they came from the local police music or something ... it was just 12 trumpets, 2 bass trumpets and 2 euphoniums, or rather the smaller ones in e-flat, no idea what they're called in english, those that everyone in harmony bands makes fun of, in German "Es-Horn", in Switzerland always used in diminutive ... anyway, they sounded like seventy fersure!) The orchestra was outstanding and Hrusa had control, even though it got blaringly loud (in some rare moments probably too loud for the 19c shoebox hall), you could always hear everything, the soundscape remained clear and penetrable.

For the Schumann, Faust came on (she did the obigatory Bach solo encore, too - just as Barati did, recently, after playing Shosty 1, she chose a slow movement, don't know which one). She was in full control of the violin part, in fact it semppt as if she's inhabiting it! However, the orchestra sounded mushy, often pretty uninteresting really, and Hrusa didn't seem to have much of a plan what to do about that. So, after a so-so Mendelssohn (where the fault was Faust's, not the Freiburg Barocker's, mind me!), I got an okay/good (but not great) Schumann ... but it was still interesting to be there and hear it. I remain unconvinced about the concerto for now and have decided to revisit the four recent recordings I have of it (Faust, Zehetmair, Widmann, Kopatchinskaja) soon, trying to figure it out ...

--

Then, Monday, I caught a *great* one, all new Hungarian music:

MON 26.06.17
PETER EÖTVÖS CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FOUNDATION@TONHALLE
07:30 pm , Kleiner Saal
Kammermusik Extra

THReNSeMBle
Péter Eötvös Leitung Creative Chair
Balázs Horváth Leitung
Anton Mecht Spronk Violoncello
Roland Szentpáli Tuba
Miklós Lukács Cimbalom

Péter Tornyai
"QuatreQuatuors" für Ensemble (2010), Schweizer Erstaufführung
György Kurtág
"Brefs messages" op. 47 für Kammerensemble (2011)
Máté Bella
"Chuang Tzu's Dream" für Violoncello und Ensemble (2008), Schweizer Erstaufführung

Máté Balogh
"Jam Quartet" für Kammerensemble (2016), Schweizer Erstaufführung
Balázs Horváth
"pikokosmos = millikosmos" für Tuba und Ensemble (2015), Uraufführung
Péter Eötvös
"da capo" für Cimbalom und Ensemble (2014), Schweizer Erstaufführung

First time I went to the introduction before the concert. This turned out to be a lengthy discussion led by a lady from the Paul Sacher Institute in Basel with Eötvös, and it was pretty interesting indeed.

As for the music, I absolutely loved the Bella cello concerto (terrific job by the soloist, Anton Mecht Spronk), the Kurtág and the Horváth tuba pieces.

The Balogh piece didn't catch me right away, it's set for cello as main voice, pluse flute, piano, percussion (just three triangles) and a fifth guy operating a musical box at one point. It grew on me as it went on, and the cello player did a great job.

The Tornyai was fine, but the four groups should really not be mixed up on stage but spread in a room ... and having no harp but a synthesizer didn't help much (Tonhalle would have been able to organize a harp I'm sure, but the THReNSeMBle probably had no one at hand to play it).

The Eötvös to close proceedings was the longest work (they were mostly in the 10-15 minutes range, the final one around 20, I think), and it was a blast. However, it also seemed a bit too pastiche for me here and there, as if there was too much well-calculated fun in it, and some parts sounded like a film soundtrack and failed to hold up my interest.

Cimbalom was present in several of the other pieces too (there's a traditional Swiss variant of it, but I've never seen it used outside of traditional music, I know of one jazz musician that played it in the 80s though and maybe still does play).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on July 02, 2017, 03:30:31 AM
Thank you King Ubu for your very interesting live music recensions.  Short of attending the concerts myself they convey perfectly your experiences
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on July 02, 2017, 11:12:38 AM
I went to Brussels last Thursday/ BOZAR for

Maurice Ravel Rapsodie Espagnole pour orchestre seul (1907-1908)
Ravel Tzigane (1924)
Ravel Daphnis et Chloé, symphonie chorégraphique (1909-1912)

ConductorALAIN ALTINOGLU

Chorus masterMARTINO FAGGIANI

Violin SATÉNIK KHOURDOIAN

La Monnaie Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
La Monnaie Chorus Academy led by Benoît Giaux

Excellent and exiting evening. Altinoglu did a very good job. Daphnis et Chloé was very impressive - very large orchestra and chorus! I understand why this complete version is done so rarely.
One could say that - once in a while - one could detect that this massive score is not "usual fare", nor for the conductor , nor for the musicians.  Rythmically difficult, quicksilver, complex music. Plenty of magical moments and the melodies are still in my head after 3 days. The woodwinds were exquisite.

SATÉNIK KHOURDOIAN gave a burning hot performance of Tzigane!

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dEPSpHyz0wE/maxresdefault.jpg)

Wonderful concert! Look forward to season 2017-2018. The BOZAR organ ( built in 1930) has been restored.

In september :

Francis Poulenc Litanies à la Vierge Noire (Notre-Dame de Rocamadour), FP 82 (1936/1947)
Claude Bebussy Trois Nocturnes (1897–1899)
Samuel Barber Toccata Festiva, op. 36 (1960)
Benoît Mernier Dickinson Songs (World Premiere, commission of La Monnaie)

Peter




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on July 02, 2017, 01:45:18 PM
Quote from: Spineur on July 02, 2017, 03:30:31 AM
Thank you King Ubu for your very interesting live music recensions.  Short of attending the concerts myself they convey perfectly your experiences

Thanks a lot for this feedback! I tend to write somewhat longer in German, but if I get a reaction such as this, that may indeed push me to report more regularly in English as well :-)

However, this season is closing now - I have one more ticket for the final concert at Tonhalle ... had to get one, as I'm starting to miss the weekly concerts already even before season ends! This will feature Antonini conducting two of Haydn's last symphonies (101 and 103), and Mozart's KV 218, featuring the concertmaster of the orchestra, Julia Becker. This will be the very final concert before the hall is shutting down for refurbishing bigtime ... the orchestra will move into a temporary hall for three seasons. Hopefully, this will turn out well and not do too much damage to its sound ... and it's cool that Paavo Järvi is not waiting to take on his position as chief conductor until they can move back in, but he will actually start while they're still in exile at the other end of town.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on July 06, 2017, 12:54:36 AM
Season closing concert tonight:

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Giovanni Antonini Leitung
Julia Becker Violine

Joseph Haydn
Sinfonie D-Dur Hob. I:101 "Die Uhr"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Violinkonzert Nr. 3 G-Dur KV 216

Joseph Haydn
Sinfonie Es-Dur Hob. I:103 "Mit dem Paukenwirbel"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on July 06, 2017, 02:27:34 AM
Tonight, closing concert of the local organ festival. Played by the group of mostly local musicians consisting of two trumpets, tuba, two violins and the Zanin organ of Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic cathedral here in Belgrade. Program:

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
Sonata tam aris quam aulis servientes, no .7

Vincent Persichetti
The Hollow Men, for trumpet & string orchestra (arr. for trumpet & organ), Op. 25

Alan Hovhaness
Prayer of St. Gregory, for trumpet & string orchestra (arr. for trumpet & organ)

Oliver Messiaen
Dieu est Saint (Meditations sur le mystère de la Sainte Trinité, 2)

Teodor Hloušek
Baroque Concerto for Tuba & Organ

Petronio Franceschini
Sonata in D for two trumpets, strings and continuo

I also got the subscription tickets for the next season of the Belgrade Philharmonic. Will type that out later.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 10, 2017, 05:54:30 AM
Schumann: Overture, Scherzo and Finale.
Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1
Schumann: Symphony No. 1

Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington
Piano: Roman Rabinovich
RSNO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on July 10, 2017, 05:59:00 AM
Cool.  I think the piano concerti are more consistent than the symphonies, for Mendelssohn.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 10, 2017, 06:24:56 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 10, 2017, 05:59:00 AM
Cool.  I think the piano concerti are more consistent than the symphonies, for Mendelssohn.

It'll be my first time hearing a live performance of a Mendelssohn piano concerto. I'm looking forward to it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2017, 01:22:58 PM
July 25 at Ravinia:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Kent Nagano, conductor
Nikolai Lugansky, pianist
John Adams: Harmonielehre
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor")

More evidence that Harmonielehre is becoming standard rep: they did it at Grant Park a couple years ago, then the CSO did it downtown, now they're doing it at Ravinia.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 17, 2017, 05:31:35 AM
Just got tickets to see the Spanish National Ballet next Saturday in the Teatros del Canal here in Madrid. The program includes Ernesto Halffter's Fantasía galaica and Manuel de Falla's The Three-Cornered Hat (the latter with a recreation of Picasso's original sets and costumes).

The National Ballet is actually sort of borderline between "classical" ballet and Spanish folk dancing, but the choreographies are all by the late and legendary dancer Antonio Ruiz Soler. Fortunately (as opposed to what usually is the case with ballet evenings at this venue), on this occasion the music will be performed live by a symphony orchestra.

Here a still from Falla's El sombrero de tres picos:

(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b8fe64_23ab2d0bdff84ac5911264597e048395~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_627,h_391/b8fe64_23ab2d0bdff84ac5911264597e048395~mv2.jpg)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 17, 2017, 06:00:29 AM
Quote from: ritter on July 17, 2017, 05:31:35 AM
Just got tickets to see the Spanish National Ballet next saturday in the Teatros del Canal here in Madrid. The program includes Ernesto Halffter's Fantasía galaica and Manuel de Falla's The Three-Cornered Hat (the latter with a recreation of Picasso's original sets and costumes).

The National Ballet is actually sort of borderline between "classical" ballet and Spanish folk dancing, but the choreographies are all by the late and legendary dancer Antonio Ruiz Soler. Fortunately (as opposed to what usually is the case with ballet evenings at this venue), on this occasion the music is performed live by a symphony orchestra.

Here a still from Falla's El sombrero de tres picos:

(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b8fe64_23ab2d0bdff84ac5911264597e048395~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_627,h_391/b8fe64_23ab2d0bdff84ac5911264597e048395~mv2.jpg)

How wonderful. :)
I hope you enjoy it greatly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 17, 2017, 06:42:34 AM
Quote from: NikF on July 17, 2017, 06:00:29 AM
How wonderful. :)
I hope you enjoy it greatly.
Thanks, NikF. Yep, I'm looking forward to this. My 22 year old daughter  (who''s tourned out to be quite the balletomane) and my partner  (who''s more sceptical, let's say) are both coming along, so I hope it turns into a nice night out.   :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 17, 2017, 08:45:05 AM
Quote from: ritter on July 17, 2017, 06:42:34 AM
Thanks, NikF. Yep, I'm looking forward to this. My 22 year old daughter  (who''s tourned out to be quite the balletomane) and my partner  (who''s more sceptical, let's say) are both coming along, so I hope it turns into a nice night out.   :)

Cool. And if you're so inclined and when the time comes there's perhaps even inspiration for a new profile photo. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 18, 2017, 04:20:28 AM
Rachmaninov: Vocalise.
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 12.

Cristian Macelaru - Conductor.
Winner of the 2017 Van Cliburn Int. Piano Competition.
RSNO

---

Britten: An American Overture
Schumann: Cello Concerto
Elgar: Symphony No. 1

Karl-Heinz Steffens - Conductor
Jan Vogler - Cello
RSNO

(I bought two tickets for each of these concerts, but I can usually find someone cool to accompany me)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 21, 2017, 07:42:21 PM
Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
André Watts, piano

PROGRAM
Debussy – Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
MacDowell – Piano Concerto No. 2
C.F. Kip Winger – Conversations with Nijinsky
Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite (1919 version)


Along with this concert I'm deciding on a 3-concert subscription, one I will definitely be attending is Haydn's The Creation with Nicholas McGegan conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 23, 2017, 02:16:17 AM
Quote from: NikF on July 17, 2017, 08:45:05 AM
Cool. And if you're so inclined and when the time comes there's perhaps even inspiration for a new profile photo. :)
Well, the Spanish National Ballet last night was quite fantastic, and the performance of the music by the Verum Symphony Orchestra (a hitherto unkown to me ensemble sponsored by a wine cellar--also unkown to me  :-[) under Manuel Coves was very accomplished. The program started with a rather dated (IMO) take on Albéniz's Eritaña (too many castanets!), followed by a "pure" flamenco piece with a cantaor, three guitarists and a bailaora (but this kind of thing really only works for me in the apprpriate tablao setting), and an impressive display of footwork by a male dancer, to the tune of Sarasate's Zapateado (not music I really care for, I must confess). The "big" pieces then arrived, first with Ernesto Halffter's Fantasía galaica. It was a rare treat to hear this music performed live (and it turns out it is actually quite a bit longer than the only recording available), particulary when played with such gusto and panache as last night. Highly indebted to the "spirit" of Falla's Three-cornered Hat, even if dealing with folk material from a completely different part of Spain (Galicia for Halffer vs. Anadalusia for Falla).

The pièce de resistance, of course, was El sombrero de tres picos after the break. And it was simply fantastic. Antonio Ruiz Soler's choreograhy strikes the perfect balance between "canonical" ballet and Spanish folk dancing, and seeing this great ballet so well danced, played and with the sets and costumes by Picasso was wonderful. Standing ovations at the end from full house. I'm actually tempted to return next weekend.

And, as you foresaw, NikF  , I am inclined to change my Avatar ;). Here is Picasso's set design for The Three-cornered Hat:

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzTJyLyyufg/VNZczw-8U7I/AAAAAAAAEaU/RRmWvcSRmuU/s1600/Picasso%2BEscenario%2BEl%2Bsombrero%2Bde%2Btres%2Bpicos.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Drasko on July 23, 2017, 03:09:35 AM
Quote from: ritter on July 23, 2017, 02:16:17 AM
The pièce de resistance, of course, was El sombrero de tres picos after the break. And it was simply fantastic. Antonio Ruiz Soler's choreograhy strikes the perfect balance between "canonical" ballet and Spanish folk dancing, and seeing this great ballet so well danced, played and with the sets and costumes by Picasso was wonderful.

There's a DVD from Paris Opera Ballet of reconstruction of the original production of El sombrero de tres picos with Massine choreography and Picasso sets. It's very good, definitely worth seeing if you haven't. The companion piece on the DVD is a personal favorite of mine, Milhaud's Le Train Bleu, also a reconstruction of the original production with Nijinska choreography, Coco Chanel costumes, Picasso curtain.   

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71e5FKcLuJL._SL1024_.jpg)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Picasso-Dance-Paris-Opera-Ballet/dp/B000E1KKM8
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 23, 2017, 03:20:25 AM
Quote from: Draško on July 23, 2017, 03:09:35 AM
There's a DVD from Paris Opera Ballet of reconstruction of the original production of El sombrero de tres picos with Massine choreography and Picasso sets. It's very good, definitely worth seeing if you haven't. The companion piece on the DVD is a personal favorite of mine, Milhaud's Le Train Bleu, also a reconstruction of the original production with Nijinska choreography, Coco Chanel costumes, Picasso curtain.   

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71e5FKcLuJL._SL1024_.jpg)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Picasso-Dance-Paris-Opera-Ballet/dp/B000E1KKM8
Thanks for that, Draško! Looks very appealing... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on July 23, 2017, 04:37:24 AM
I have this DVD of the ballet with the reconstructed Picasso sets.  For me, it is mostly of historical interest.  Massine may have been a fantastic dancer but I dont find his choregraphy so inspiring.  If you want to see Paris opera ballet in is glory go for some Nureev choregraphies.  I just saw this spring the Paris ballet class perform the third part of Raymonda in Nureev choregraphy.  That was awesome.  There are short except on this video

https://www.youtube.com/v/Rz4flq9dH9A
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 26, 2017, 08:41:32 AM
Quote from: ritter on July 23, 2017, 02:16:17 AM
Well, the Spanish National Ballet last night was quite fantastic, and the performance of the music by the Verum Symphony Orchestra (a hitherto unkown to me ensemble sponsored by a wine cellar--also unkown to me  :-[) under Manuel Coves was very accomplished. The program started with a rather dated (IMO) take on Albéniz's Eritaña (too many castanets!), followed by a "pure" flamenco piece with a cantaor, three guitarists and a bailaora (but this kind of thing really only works for me in the apprpriate tablao setting), and an impressive display of footwork by a male dancer, to the tune of Sarasate's Zapateado (not music I really care for, I must confess). The "big" pieces then arrived, first with Ernesto Halffter's Fantasía galaica. It was a rare treat to hear this music performed live (and it turns out it is actually quite a bit longer than the only recording available), particulary when played with such gusto and panache as last night. Highly indebted to the "spirit" of Falla's Three-cornered Hat, even if dealing with folk material from a completely different part of Spain (Galicia for Halffer vs. Anadalusia for Falla).

The pièce de resistance, of course, was El sombrero de tres picos after the break. And it was simply fantastic. Antonio Ruiz Soler's choreograhy strikes the perfect balance between "canonical" ballet and Spanish folk dancing, and seeing this great ballet so well danced, played and with the sets and costumes by Picasso was wonderful. Standing ovations at the end from full house. I'm actually tempted to return next weekend.

And, as you foresaw, NikF  , I am inclined to change my Avatar ;). Here is Picasso's set design for The Three-cornered Hat:

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xzTJyLyyufg/VNZczw-8U7I/AAAAAAAAEaU/RRmWvcSRmuU/s1600/Picasso%2BEscenario%2BEl%2Bsombrero%2Bde%2Btres%2Bpicos.jpg)

Thanks for posting your thoughts on it. I enjoyed reading it. It certainly sounds wonderful.:)
And yeah, cool avatar. 8)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 26, 2017, 08:43:00 AM
Quote from: Draško on July 23, 2017, 03:09:35 AM
There's a DVD from Paris Opera Ballet of reconstruction of the original production of El sombrero de tres picos with Massine choreography and Picasso sets. It's very good, definitely worth seeing if you haven't. The companion piece on the DVD is a personal favorite of mine, Milhaud's Le Train Bleu, also a reconstruction of the original production with Nijinska choreography, Coco Chanel costumes, Picasso curtain.   

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71e5FKcLuJL._SL1024_.jpg)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Picasso-Dance-Paris-Opera-Ballet/dp/B000E1KKM8

I think I have that DVD. But if I don't, I soon will. ;D

Quote from: Spineur on July 23, 2017, 04:37:24 AM
I have this DVD of the ballet with the reconstructed Picasso sets.  For me, it is mostly of historical interest.  Massine may have been a fantastic dancer but I dont find his choregraphy so inspiring.  If you want to see Paris opera ballet in is glory go for some Nureev choregraphies.  I just saw this spring the Paris ballet class perform the third part of Raymonda in Nureev choregraphy.  That was awesome.  There are short except on this video

https://www.youtube.com/v/Rz4flq9dH9A

That was an interesting watch. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 29, 2017, 06:03:33 PM
August 8 at Ravinia:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
James Levine, conductor
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Nadine Sierra, soprano
Matthew Polenzani, tenor
John Relyea, bass
Haydn: The Creation

This should be special (provided his health holds up) - the return of Levine, who was Ravinia's director for over 20 years.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on July 30, 2017, 02:13:14 AM
No longer looking forward to it as it is now over, but last night I saw Simone Young conduct the Australian World Orchestra performing Turangalîla-Symphonie. Had 2 free tickets so I invited a friend of mine who loves Messiaen. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on July 31, 2017, 07:11:25 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2017, 01:22:58 PM
July 25 at Ravinia:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Kent Nagano, conductor
Nikolai Lugansky, pianist
John Adams: Harmonielehre
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 ("Emperor")

More evidence that Harmonielehre is becoming standard rep: they did it at Grant Park a couple years ago, then the CSO did it downtown, now they're doing it at Ravinia.

Standard rep in Chicago maybe! :laugh: Harmonielehre has been on my "must hear live" bucket list for a long while...will likely have to plan a trip to get a chance. St. Louis is doing it again in January which is really tempting, but may be taking another concert trip around that time...

Locally - just got tickets to see Mahler 4 with Houston in September, def excited for that, but otherwise all my other upcoming concerts are new music related or "other" (ie. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Hall & Oates, Spyro Gyra, Delbert McClinton etc!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on August 01, 2017, 05:09:33 AM
Not standard rep, but it's making inroads. I heard it in Cologne a few years ago. The concert was well attended, but the hall was far from full. The work definitely holds up well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 01, 2017, 05:47:55 AM
Quote from: André on August 01, 2017, 05:09:33 AM
Not standard rep, but it's making inroads. I heard it in Cologne a few years ago. The concert was well attended, but the hall was far from full. The work definitely holds up well.

Apparently Nagano is going to record it in Montreal this year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on August 01, 2017, 05:49:35 AM
Quote from: Senta on July 31, 2017, 07:11:25 PM
Standard rep in Chicago maybe! :laugh: Harmonielehre has been on my "must hear live" bucket list for a long while...will likely have to plan a trip to get a chance. St. Louis is doing it again in January which is really tempting, but may be taking another concert trip around that time...

Well, yoo-hoo!  Hain't heard from you in a dog's age, dear!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on August 01, 2017, 05:50:05 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 01, 2017, 05:47:55 AM
Apparently Nagano is going to record it in Montreal this year.

Nagano needs to do some Henning.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on August 01, 2017, 05:52:19 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 01, 2017, 05:47:55 AM
Apparently Nagano is going to record it in Montreal this year.

They did it 3 years ago, a "sight and sound" multimedia experience


http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique/musique-classique/201402/21/01-4741095-harmonielehre-experience-deroutante.php (http://www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique/musique-classique/201402/21/01-4741095-harmonielehre-experience-deroutante.php)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on August 02, 2017, 04:56:51 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 01, 2017, 05:49:35 AM
Well, yoo-hoo!  Hain't heard from you in a dog's age, dear!

Yoo-hoo! I'm around! Just lurking. May have time to forum again the next couple months :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 02, 2017, 05:08:40 PM
Senta sighting! Hope you are well!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on August 02, 2017, 10:45:52 PM
Pianist/composer Lera Auerbach in San Francisco on 3/27/2018:

AUERBACH: 21st Century Pictures (World Premiere)
MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on August 08, 2017, 03:13:04 PM
Going with my girlfriend to see Bartók violin concerto no. 2 (Alina Ibragimova) and Shostakovich Symphony no. 5 on Thursday evening. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jakub Hrůša.

https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/shostakovich-5/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 08, 2017, 03:22:50 PM
Quote from: jessop on August 08, 2017, 03:13:04 PM
Going with my girlfriend to see Bartók violin concerto no. 2 (Alina Ibragimova) and Shostakovich Symphony no. 5 on Thursday evening. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jakub Hrůša.

https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/shostakovich-5/

Wow, this looks fab all around: program, soloist, conductor, orchestra. Have a great time!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on August 08, 2017, 09:15:32 PM
Quote from: jessop on August 08, 2017, 03:13:04 PM
Going with my girlfriend to see Bartók violin concerto no. 2 (Alina Ibragimova) and Shostakovich Symphony no. 5 on Thursday evening. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jakub Hrůša.

https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/shostakovich-5/

Good stuff.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on August 10, 2017, 02:46:48 PM
Going to see Melbourne Opera's new production of Lohengrin with her on Saturday night. The MSO concert was really fantastic and we shared our opinions afterwards; she preferred the Shostakovich for its broader emotional scope and I preferred the Bartók for its orchestration unique treatment of theme and variation form. Ibragimova played an amazing encore and I have no idea what it was.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on August 11, 2017, 02:53:56 PM
Looks like one side benefit of buying a download directly from the Berlin Philharmonic is that the purchaser gets a one week free pass to the Digital Concert Hall, which includes both live-streamed concerts and access to prior concerts (1400+ works).  I will be using this.  I also received a 10% voucher for the standard package, but I'm not sure about that, though for $17/month, I could listen to Berlin concerts until I've had my fill.  It's not the real thing, but it's cheap.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on August 11, 2017, 03:57:27 PM
One of only 2 concerts I bought for this coming season: in 3 weeks, Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct the Orchestre Métropolitain in Bruckner's 5th. Angela Cheng will be the soloist in the Strauss Burleske, a work I do not much care for. I think the symphony will be recorded by the ATMA team. YNS' Bruckner series lacks only the 1st, also to be recorded this year. It has had its ups and downs. Hopefully he'll raise the roof in the 5th !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on August 12, 2017, 04:54:34 PM
Next concert I'm seeing with her

https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/schumann-3/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on August 13, 2017, 07:22:53 AM
Quote from: jessop on August 12, 2017, 04:54:34 PM
Next concert I'm seeing with her

https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/schumann-3/

Have a great time!  Who's Trojahn, though?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on August 13, 2017, 07:33:09 AM
Probably Manfred Trojahn, also known as a conductor (CPO Pettersson symphony no 6). I don't know his output as a composer, but it seems quite vast.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 13, 2017, 11:30:23 AM
Saw Trojahn's opera "Orest" during last season here and was mightily impressed!

But make sure the girlfriend still thinks you're into her and not just into Ibragimova, dude!  ;)

One more week to wait, in the midst of the endless summer break ... but then I'll have a week full, like, full to the brim or even beyond:

------

Symphony Concert 9
Orchestra of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY | Heinz Holliger | Patricia Kopatchinskaja
Debussy | Koechlin | Holliger


SUN, 20.08. | 10.30 | Nr. 17315
KKL Luzern, Concert Hall

Orchestra of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY   
Heinz Holliger  conductor
Patricia Kopatchinskaja  violin

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
Khamma (orchestrated by Charles Koechlin)
Charles Koechlin (1867–1950)
Les Bandar-log (Scherzo des singes), Op. 176
Heinz Holliger (*1939)
Violin Concerto Hommage à Louis Soutter

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/orchestra-of-the-lucerne-festival-academy-heinz-holliger-patricia-kopatchinskaja/417

------

Identities 3
Camerata Zürich | Thomas Demenga | Thomas Sarbacher
Suk | Dvořák | Janáček


SUN, 20.08. | 16.00 | Nr. 17316
Kirchensaal MaiHof

Josef Suk (1874–1935)
Meditation on the Old Czech Chorale "St. Wenceslas," Op. 35a
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Silent Woods, Op. 68, no. 5
Rondo in G minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 94
Slavonic Dance in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8 (arranged for cello and orchestra)
Leošs Janáček (1854–1928)
On an Overgrown Path
arranged for string orchestra by Daniel Rumler
performance with texts by Maïa Brami 

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/camerata-zurich-thomas-demenga-thomas-sarbacher/451

------

Symphony Concert 11 – Monteverdi
English Baroque Soloists | Monteverdi Choir | Sir John Eliot Gardiner | soloists
Monteverdi


TUE, 22.08. | 19.30 | Nr. 17321
KKL Luzern, Concert Hall

English Baroque Soloists   
Monteverdi Choir   
Sir John Eliot Gardiner  conductor and staging
Elsa Rooke  director
Krystian Adam  Orfeo
Hana Blažiková  La Musica, Euridice
Kangmin Justin Kim  Speranza
Anna Dennis  Ninfa
Lucile Richardot  Messaggiera
Francesca Boncompagni  Proserpina
Gianluca Buratto  Caronte, Plutone
Furio Zanasi  Apollo
and additional soloists   

Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)
L'Orfeo
Favola in musica in a prologue and five acts

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/english-baroque-soloists-monteverdi-choir-sir-john-eliot-gardiner-soloists/419

------

Wednesday to Saturday then a change of pace ... missing opening night alas, but if it hadn't been all in the same week I'd have bought tickets for all three Monteverdi operas ... anyway, Festival Météo in Mulhouse it shall be:
http://www.festival-meteo.fr/spip.php?mot1538

Mighty cool programme again (went there for the first time last year) - some names: Peter Brötzmann, Toshinori Kondo, The Necks, Pere Ubu, Hamid Drake, Frederic Rzweksi (in trio with Alvin Curran and Richard Teitelbaum, no less! Curran also does a solo set), Franz Hautzinger, Isabelle Duthoit, Mette Rasmussen, Eve Risser ...

------

call me crazy (really, I do so, too), but Sunday I'll be heading straight from Mulhouse to Lucerne again to close off celebrations with two more concerts (and again, were it not for Météo being in the same week, there'd have been one more concert with Kopatchinskaja):

Special Event Day – Museum Concert 3
Patricia Kopatchinskaja | Jay Campbell | Polina Leschenko
Enescu | Kodály | Ravel


SUN, 27.08. | 13.00 | Nr. 17333
KKL Luzern Kunstmuseum

George Enescu (1881–1955)
Sonata No. 3 for Violin and Piano in A minor, Op. 25 Dans le caractère populaire roumain
Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967)
Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7
Maurice Ravel (1875–1937)
“Tzigane”. Concert Rhapsody for Violin and Piano

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/patricia-kopatchinskaja-jay-campbell-polina-leschenko/468

------

Special Event Day – Museum Concert 4
Ensemble of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY | Frédérique Cambreling
Bartók | Holliger | Veress


SUN, 27.08. | 15.00 | Nr. 17452
KKL Luzern Kunstmuseum

Béla Bartók (1881–1945)
Selected Duos for two violins
Heinz Holliger (*1939)
Partita for harp
world premiere
Sándor Veress (1813–1992)
Diptychon for wind quintet 

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/ensemble-of-the-lucerne-festival-academy-frederique-cambreling/493

------

Yowzah!  ;D

This will be balm for the tired soul ... after that, I'm considering a short visit to Willisau Jazz Festival on Sep 2nd, just for the morning and afternoon concerts, but I may still be too exhausted by then  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 14, 2017, 10:16:24 AM
My next Ravinia date is this Thursday - indoors this time:

The Knights
Susan Graham
, Mezzo-soprano

Purcell:   Fantasia Upon One Note
John Adams:   Common Tones in Simple Time
Canteloube:   Selections from Chants d'Auvergne
John Adams:   Chamber Symphony
Mozart:   Symphony No. 40

The Knights are new to me - apparently a "hip" (not HIP) NY-based chamber orchestra that likes to balance old and new music. Anyway, the programming sure is interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on August 14, 2017, 11:53:32 AM
Just bought tickets to Daniil Trifonov's recital in San Francisco on October 20th!

Mompou :Variaciones sobre un tema di Chopin
Tchaikovsky: Un poco di Chopin, Opus 72, no.15
Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Opus 22

Chopin: Selected Mazurkas
Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 14, 2017, 07:12:33 PM
Quote from: Toccata&Fugue on August 14, 2017, 11:53:32 AM
Just bought tickets to Daniil Trifonov's recital in San Francisco on October 20th!

Mompou :Variaciones sobre un tema di Chopin
Tchaikovsky: Un poco di Chopin, Opus 72, no.15
Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Chopin, Opus 22

Chopin: Selected Mazurkas
Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 2

ooooooooooooohhh

So jealous.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on August 14, 2017, 07:40:13 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 14, 2017, 10:16:24 AM
My next Ravinia date is this Thursday - indoors this time:

The Knights
Susan Graham
, Mezzo-soprano

Purcell:   Fantasia Upon One Note
John Adams:   Common Tones in Simple Time
Canteloube:   Selections from Chants d'Auvergne
John Adams:   Chamber Symphony
Mozart:   Symphony No. 40

The Knights are new to me - apparently a "hip" (not HIP) NY-based chamber orchestra that likes to balance old and new music. Anyway, the programming sure is interesting.
I have one of their recordings. I think your expectations will be met
Title: Stauton Music Festival 2017
Post by: arpeggio on August 15, 2017, 02:28:47 PM
My wife and I are leaving to attend the Staunton Music Festival tomorrow.

The festival is in Staunton, Virginia, the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on August 15, 2017, 03:21:51 PM
Quote from: arpeggio on August 15, 2017, 02:28:47 PM
My wife and I are leaving to attend the Staunton Music Festival tomorrow.

The festival is in Staunton, Virginia, the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson.

I hope you have a great time. What's being performed? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: arpeggio on August 15, 2017, 05:02:47 PM
A little bit of everything from performances on period instruments to contemporary avant-garde.

Link to website: http://stauntonmusicfestival.org/ (http://stauntonmusicfestival.org/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on August 17, 2017, 11:04:36 PM
Next week: Laus Polyphoniae in Antwerp.

This year:

The 24th edition of Laus Polyphoniae explores the unique world of adoration. Worshipping God, venerating the saints and paying homage  to the Virgin Mary are intrinsic aspects of the Catholic religion.  However adoration can also have a secular meaning, when two lovers worship and adore each other.

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, adoration was a great source of inspiration for artists. They transformed their worship and veneration  into unforgettable words, images and sounds. This led to prayers to saints and martyrs, poetry expressing one's intimate feelings for a lover – often an unattainable object of adoration – paintings as signs of devotion to the Virgin Mary, and of course magnificent pieces of music by composers both famous and unknown.

Explore the fascinating aspects of adoration this summer at dozens of concerts. Listen to music from different religious traditions in honour of  God, saints and relics. Compositions in adoration of the Virgin Mary are typical of the Low Countries. Passionate love songs and madrigals will take you to Southern Europe. And, last but certainly not least, discover a symbiosis of religious and secular adoration in the concerts dedicated to the Song of Songs.


I'm especially drawn to this concert of Vox luminis, next Thursday:

Vox Luminis, now an established international name in the world of early music, has immersed itself in the German music of Luthers time and the period that followed, with works by composers including Heinrich Scheidemann, Michael Altenburg, Andreas Hammerschmidt, Paul Siefert, Michael Praetorius, Samuel Scheidt and Thomas Selle. The concert is constructed to reflect the Protestant ecclesiastical calendar, and includes the famous melody Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.

https://www.voxluminis.com/


P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 21, 2017, 01:23:41 AM
Quote from: king ubu on August 13, 2017, 11:30:23 AM
Symphony Concert 9
Orchestra of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY | Heinz Holliger | Patricia Kopatchinskaja
Debussy | Koechlin | Holliger


SUN, 20.08. | 10.30 | Nr. 17315
KKL Luzern, Concert Hall

Orchestra of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY   
Heinz Holliger  conductor
Patricia Kopatchinskaja  violin

Claude Debussy (1862–1918)
Khamma (orchestrated by Charles Koechlin)
Charles Koechlin (1867–1950)
Les Bandar-log (Scherzo des singes), Op. 176
Heinz Holliger (*1939)
Violin Concerto Hommage à Louis Soutter

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/orchestra-of-the-lucerne-festival-academy-heinz-holliger-patricia-kopatchinskaja/417

------

Identities 3
Camerata Zürich | Thomas Demenga | Thomas Sarbacher
Suk | Dvořák | Janáček


SUN, 20.08. | 16.00 | Nr. 17316
Kirchensaal MaiHof

Josef Suk (1874–1935)
Meditation on the Old Czech Chorale "St. Wenceslas," Op. 35a
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Silent Woods, Op. 68, no. 5
Rondo in G minor for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 94
Slavonic Dance in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8 (arranged for cello and orchestra)
Leoš Janáček (1854–1928)
On an Overgrown Path
arranged for string orchestra by Daniel Rumler
performance with texts by Maïa Brami 

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/camerata-zurich-thomas-demenga-thomas-sarbacher/451

So I spent my very first day at the oh so posh Lucerne Festival yesterday ... and guess what? It's mostly not so very posh, at least not beyond what you usually get when you attend classical concerts. Either way, the first concert with the Lucerne Festival Academy Orchestra cond. Heinz Holliger, was plain amazing. I had a seat on the upper gallery (first one, second/third wasn't on sale for that concert and that was good since like this it was almost sold out) on the height of the conductor and could ogle down into the orchestra (I love doing that) - and the phantastic thing at the big hall of KKL is that you get perfect sound even in such a seat. Heinz Holliger certainly is no charismatic dictuctor, but he made the music come alive with the rather large orchestra of the academy, which played excellently at that. Never heard "Khamma" yet, and never heard any Koechlin live (I've got lots of the Hänssler discs stacked up for discovery ... the orchestral I've got there is all Holliger, too), and it was indeed great! But the big attraction was Holliger's own violin concerto, expertly conducted and intensely played by the one and only Patricia Kopatchinskaja. I had pre-listened (for the first time) to the Zehetmair/Holliger recording on ECM, read Holliger's evocative notes on Louis Soutter and more - and I guess I'm really in sync with him about those "beiseit" artists (most obviously in the case of Robert Walser) - will take this as motivation to really check out Soutter, who's present with a painting here and there in Swiss museums, but I never really got into his oeuvre so far.

Then, to bridge the time, my plan was to visit the Kunstmuseum Lucerne, which is located on the top floor of the KKL building. Nothing much too exciting in their collection that is currently on display, but a few nice ones still (including a pair by Hodler, alas the one Valloton still mentioned in the guide was part of a previous set), and then a pretty interesting confrontation of 19c landscape paintings by Robert Zünd (paintings that make Switzerland look the way I kinda had "ideal Switzerland" in my head as a kid ... that type of imagery was still around in the 80s, in children's books etc - I guess when I painted rural scenes as a kid, it was that stuff I had in mind, without being able to tell where I got to know it from exactly) and large-format photographs by Tobias Madörin - and for those photos alone the visit was wortwhile (though the ticket was darn expensive I found). The photographs are made with a large format analogue camera and offer an amazing wealth of details and in many cases the most incredible light and shade effects - they indeed in some cases appear to be paintings until you get really close to check out details.

At 2 p.m., inside the museum, there was one more bit of the Lucerne Festival: a "Dekoloration" of Koechlin's "Les Bandar-log" by artist/performer Strotter Inst. (Inst.rument and Inst.allation, that is, and as for "strotter", here's the relevant bit from his website: "The ,,Strotter" in the decade before World War II were fishing in the canalisation for stocked fat to sell it to soapcompanies. As they were standing on the edge of society today Strotter Inst. stands on the edge of art and music, working with stuff thrown away by others."). He took the Koechlin apart and pieced it together again with loops and stuff - quite fascinating indeed, though with my rather superficial knowledge of both Koechlin and DJ culture, the concept did not actually materialize much in the music itself (not that it mattered, I enjoyed the performance a lot as it was).
Some more about it: https://www.kunstmuseumluzern.ch/en/ausstellungen/soundzz/

When I went down from the musuem to have a little snack at the nice self service restaurant inside KKL, and taking my stuff to sit outside, I passed Holliger and had the chance to quickly tell him how much I had enjoyed the concert. Having finished, I left only to see Kopatchinskaja arrive (they were waiting for her and went over to the railway station together to catch the train back home ... so much for stars and all that b-s) - and of course I had to quickly say thanks to her as well - it was really tremendous, and sound in the hall is amazing (this was only my second classical concert in there, up to that I'd seen half a dozen jazz concerts and for that, the hall is far from great - but then that has to do with very few jazz players nowadays being able to play without amplification, too - lamentable).

Then, I took a stroll through the historic centre of Lucerne, together with a few thousand tourists (though they're really glued to the Kapellbrücke (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapellbr%C3%BCcke), the replica of the wooden bridge that burnt down a few years ago), quickly went into the Jesuit church (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesuit_Church,_Lucerne), which is indeed pretty interesting (and I'd never been into it before of course - you don't often visit sights in your neighbourhood, do you?), and then walked out to the MaiHof, a church complex whose main hall is used for concerts and hots some Lucerne Festival events, too.

Camerata Zurich led by concertmaster Igor Karsko opened with Suk's mediation on the St Wenzel's chorale Op. 35a, a bohemian nationalist sentimental piece that kind of provided the tone of the entire concert. Thomas Demenga then joined in for the three pieces by Dvorák, "Silent Woods", the Rondo in g minor, and one of the slavonic dances (in his own arrangement) - the old ladies in the row in front of me started nodding their heads and stomping their feet ... guess this is their rock'n'roll - as far as rebellion went ... either way, I found it all a bit too pleasing and too easy, but performed with gusto, no question about that. Then, the main attraction, with Thomas Sarbacher, a German actor who made Zurich his base a while ago, speaking texts written by French author Maïa Brami (the programme fails to mention who did the translations - lousy), and those texts, while delivered with panache, were the main issue I had, while Daniel Rumler's arrangement of the pieces for string orchestra were quite nice indeed. The texts relate to old Janáček's love for a wonderful rose (yup, I guess it was supposed to be kind of a fairy tale) and relate the episode (not sure it's actually confirmed by any source?) of her (that is Kamila Stösslová, 37 years his junior) son Otto being lost in the woods, and Janáček being haunted by memories of his daugher Olga who died young, while trying to find said Otto, and doing so possibly (so that story goes) catching the pneumonia that ended his life then ... the texts - commissioned by Demenga who is the artistic director of Camerata Zurich - were pretty straight I found - not laconic and naive enough to achieve a fairy tale effect, nor were they cryptic enough to stand on their own. So the attempt to concretise the story behind Janáček's music was, in my eyes, a big loss for that music. I guess if you wrote some Celan type of obscure and to-the-point lines to it, it might work just fine, but like that it was just more "playing it to the people". And that, alas, was the main impression I got from this concert. Fair enough, as the Camerata is one of the many larger ensembles playing the Zurich market and has to create and fill its own niche to survive, but from this impression, that niche isn't really one I belong in.


next up - and I'm most excited (Hana Blažiková  :-* ):

Quote from: king ubu on August 13, 2017, 11:30:23 AM
Symphony Concert 11 – Monteverdi
English Baroque Soloists | Monteverdi Choir | Sir John Eliot Gardiner | soloists
Monteverdi


TUE, 22.08. | 19.30 | Nr. 17321
KKL Luzern, Concert Hall

English Baroque Soloists   
Monteverdi Choir   
Sir John Eliot Gardiner  conductor and staging
Elsa Rooke  director
Krystian Adam  Orfeo
Hana Blažiková  La Musica, Euridice
Kangmin Justin Kim  Speranza
Anna Dennis  Ninfa
Lucile Richardot  Messaggiera
Francesca Boncompagni  Proserpina
Gianluca Buratto  Caronte, Plutone
Furio Zanasi  Apollo
and additional soloists   

Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)
L'Orfeo
Favola in musica in a prologue and five acts

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/program/english-baroque-soloists-monteverdi-choir-sir-john-eliot-gardiner-soloists/419
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on August 21, 2017, 02:20:31 AM
Just got tickets for Debussy's Pelleas et Melissande at the Paris Opera in the mythical and poetic staging of Robert Wilson

https://www.youtube.com/v/F0OB_wMt658

Pretty excited to see this !!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 21, 2017, 03:49:47 AM
Quote from: Spineur on August 21, 2017, 02:20:31 AM
Just got tickets for Debussy's Pelleas et Melissande at the Paris Opera in the mythical and poetic staging of Robert Wilson

https://www.youtube.com/v/F0OB_wMt658

Pretty excited to see this !!

Congrats! Would be exited, too! Saw a fantastic production in Zurich last year - easily one of my greatest opera experiences so far!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on August 22, 2017, 11:46:03 PM
I went to Antwerp's Sint Jacobs yesterday, for a concert by "Vox luminis" .

The grandeur of the monumental building (it houses P.P. Rubens' grave) added to the basically tranquil atmosphere.

Lionel Meunier and his superb singers presented a program exploring Lutheran repertoire.
Some names were familiar ( Hammerschmidt, Praetorius, Schütz), others were completely new to me: Christoph Bernhard, Joachim a Burck, Caspar Othmayr, Thomas Selle.

I was deeply impressed by the wide stylistic diversity - from more archaic polyphony to Italianate polychorality and madrigal-like features. Thomas Selles "Veni sancte spiritus" was an overwhelmingly glorious example and Sint Jacob suddenly became San Marco.

Schütz' "Selig sind die Toten" brought the evening to a moving end.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Church_of_St._James_%28Sint-Jacob%29%2C_Antwerp%2C_Belgium%2C_aerial_view.jpg/1280px-Church_of_St._James_%28Sint-Jacob%29%2C_Antwerp%2C_Belgium%2C_aerial_view.jpg)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Sint-Jacobskerk%2C_Antwerpen.jpg)

https://www.youtube.com/v/g6dJkbQUiLk

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 23, 2017, 12:38:03 AM
If Rubens' paintings are an indication he must have been at least 25 ft tall, so there better be grandeur where they buried him  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on August 27, 2017, 09:41:03 AM
John Adams: Shaker Loops.
Shostakovich (Arr. Barshai): String Quartet No. 8 arranged for String Orchestra.
Andre Previn: Nonet.

I thought I'd already made purchases for all the Sunday afternoon chamber series performances by the RSNO that I want to attend this season, but after discussion I've now bought tickets for this one too.
I know the Adams piece and have seen it danced at the ballet. There's not much Shostakovich I can think of that I won't like to hear in concert. The Previn is completely unknown to me, but I usually welcome the opportunity to hear something that's new to my ears, especially when it's a live performance. Finally, I'll be there with someone who is a musician and charming.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on August 28, 2017, 05:58:44 AM
I ordered my tickets for Yuja Wang's performance next May.  Tickets are already going fast.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on August 28, 2017, 09:54:15 PM
I really enjoyed seeing the Cincinnati SO two nights ago in London (Bernstein, Copland and Tchaikovsky) and am looking forward to Shostakovich's Symphony 11 at the Proms on 6th September.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on September 07, 2017, 11:20:26 AM
This is coming up in a couple weeks. Not planning to go, just wanted to point out a certain oddity here:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violinist
Penderecki: The Awakening of Jacob
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Schumann: Symphony No. 2

Yeah, Muti of all people conducts Penderecki. The Awakening [or Dream] of Jacob is a little gem of a piece, which achieved some notoriety when it was used in the "Room 237" scene of The Shining. However, for me it's not worth the trek and the price to hear Muti conduct 10 minutes of Penderecki in the company of two warhorses.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 07, 2017, 12:16:04 PM
Tomorrow night:

Enescu Festival 2017, Bucharest

Grand Palace Hall

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Conductor: MANFRED HONECK
Soloist: ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER – violin


Programme:

Enescu – Concert Overture on Popular Romanian Themes in A Major op. 32
Dvořák – Concerto for violin and orchestra in a minor op. 53
Mahler – Symphony no. 1 in D major

Will report.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on September 08, 2017, 09:40:39 AM
Heard yesterday: Orchestre métropolitain de Montréal in Bruckner's 5th symphony, and Strauss' Burleske, played by Angela Cheng. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted.

Very well-played and soundly conceived Bruckner. The problem is that the symphony was taped for commercial release on ATMA. As is too often the case, both orchestra and conductor play the work safe to make sure no mistakes make their way in the final product. A degree of tension and daring is thus left aside. Orchestral playing and conducting by consensus: unimpeachable, but ultimately unmemorable.

The Strauss (an agreeable but minor work) was more lively, indeed quite excellent. It was not recorded.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 09, 2017, 08:01:05 AM
Quote from: Florestan on September 07, 2017, 12:16:04 PM
Enescu Festival 2017, Bucharest

Grand Palace Hall

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Conductor: MANFRED HONECK
Soloist: ANNE-SOPHIE MUTTER – violin

Will report.

As promised, here's my review.

QuoteEnescu – Concert Overture on Popular Romanian Themes in A Major op. 32

First listen.

The title is misleading. I was expecting a folkloric romp in the vein of the First Romanian Rhapsody and I was hugely disappointed absolutely taken by surprise. It starts indeed as in the middle of a peasantly merriment, then it turns into an ethereal, poetic, nocturnal idyll magically preluded and punctuated by nightingales and blackbirds, and then all is quiet and sleepy for a while --- and suddenly, boom and bang, lo and behold!, the history marches on and the only things it has in stock for Romanian peasants and lovers is bad omens and forebodings... and the whole thing ends unambiguously bleak.

And no wonder about it: the 1st Romanian Rhapsody is from 1901, the heydays of the Kingdom of Romania; the Concert Overture is from 1948, the first year of the Communist Republic.

A masterpiece, but one of whose full relevance is lost on non-Romanian listeners, I'm afraid.

QuoteDvořák – Concerto for violin and orchestra in a minor op. 53

Anne-Sophie Mutter is a glamorous diva who is all about showwomanship, pyrotechnics and domineering, right?

Wrong! She played in a poised, unassuming, intimate and inward-looking manner. The Allegro ma non troppo was exactly that, a fine mixture of energy and tenderness. The Adagio ma non troppo was to die for, a miracle of poetry and lyricism, with just the right dose of disturbance, while the giocoso in the final Allegro was perfectly balanced by a sentimental nostalgia particularly appealing to my romantic self.

Pure bliss.

Now, an encore by Anne-Sophie Mutter is either a flashy Paganini Capriccio or an over-Romanticized Kreisler miniature, right?

Wrong again! A tender, half-ruminating half-floating Bach gavotte capped off a memorable performance of Ms. Mutter.

Hands down the best violinist I've ever heard live.

QuoteMahler – Symphony no. 1 in D major

I'll be short and state it bluntly: of all the three M1s I've ever heard live, this was by far the best. (The other two have been Horia Andreescu / Romanian NRSO a few years ago, and Zubin Mehta / Israel PO two years ago also during the Enescu Festival).

Suffice it to say that, when the eight hornists stood up for the final apotheosis I almost stood up with them...

The most interesting thing for me, though, was to watch the reaction of nearby people who were obviously not familiar with Mahler: awe, jaw-dropping and utmost excitement --- reenforcing my firm conviction that Mahler is best experienced live.

After some long standign ovations, Mr. Honeck came back on stage and started conducting...

... a Joseph Lanner Ländler, which sounded just about right, underscoring one of the main influences on Mahler,  popular, even vulgar, Vienna.

More standing ovations followed, and just when my wife was whispering to my right ear "That's it, it's over!", Mr. Honeck came back on stage and started conducting...

...a Brahms Hungarian Dance.

Thus capping off the best, most exhilarating Enescu Festival concert I've ever attended.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on September 09, 2017, 08:18:40 AM
Quote from: Florestan on September 09, 2017, 08:01:05 AM
As promised, here's my review.

First listen.

The title is misleading. I was expecting a folkloric romp in the vein of the First Romanian Rhapsody and I was hugely disappointed absolutely taken by surprise. It starts indeed as in the middle of a peasantly merriment, then it turns into an ethereal, poetic, nocturnal idyll magically preluded and punctuated by nightingales and blackbirds, and then all is quiet and sleepy for a while --- and suddenly, boom and bang, lo and behold!, the history marches on and the only things it has in stock for Romanian peasants and lovers is bad omens and forebodings... and the whole thing ends unambiguously bleak.

And no wonder about it: the 1st Romanian Rhapsody is from 1901, the heydays of the Kingdom of Romania; the Concert Overture is from 1948, the first year of the Communist Republic.

A masterpiece, but one of whose full relevance is lost on non-Romanian listeners, I'm afraid.
Coincidentally I listened to this work, also for the first time, quite recently. I must say I didn't think of the dates or what was happening in the world, but enjoyed it enormously regardless. Enescu's music ought to be much better known than it is.

QuoteAnne-Sophie Mutter is a glamorous diva who is all about showwomanship, pyrotechnics and domineering, right?

Wrong! She played in a poised, unassuming, intimate and inward-looking manner. The Allegro ma non troppo was exactly that, a fine mixture of energy and tenderness. The Adagio ma non troppo was to die for, a miracle of poetry and lyricism, with just the right dose of disturbance, while the giocoso in the final Allegro was perfectly balanced by a sentimental nostalgia particularly appealing to my romantic self.

Pure bliss.

Now, an encore by Anne-Sophie Mutter is either a flashy Paganini Capriccio or an over-Romanticized Kreisler miniature, right?

Wrong again! A tender, half-ruminating half-floating Bach gavotte capped off a memorable performance of Ms. Mutter.

Hands down the best violinist I've ever heard live.
Hearing Mutter play some Mozart concertos and a Rihm work a few years ago with a pickup band of Berliner Phil & Wiener Phil musicians was quite wonderful, too.  8)

Quotereenforcing my firm conviction that Mahler is best experienced live.
I'll definitely agree with that. All in all, that sounds like quite a concert, Andrei!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 09, 2017, 08:29:34 AM
Quote from: North Star on September 09, 2017, 08:18:40 AM
Enescu's music ought to be much better known than it is.

First and foremost by me.  ;D

Quote
All in all, that sounds like quite a concert, Andrei!

It certainly was!

My best indicator is my wife: she can't tell Beethoven from Bartok or Boccherini from Brahms but everytime she tells me "This was great, I want more!" I agree 1000%.  :laugh:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 15, 2017, 09:18:56 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 21, 2017, 07:42:21 PM
Saturday, September 15 16, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
André Watts, piano

PROGRAM
Debussy – Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
MacDowell – Piano Concerto No. 2
C.F. Kip Winger – Conversations with Nijinsky
Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite (1919 version)


Along with this concert I'm deciding on a 3-concert subscription, one I will definitely be attending is Haydn's The Creation with Nicholas McGegan conducting.

Was tonight, and I'm very happy to report that my new hometown orchestra is great! Also, one of the most beautiful concert halls I've been to in the US. And the acoustics were very fine, the opening flute of Debussy's Faun sang throughout the hall with a lovely clarity.


(http://divmedia.us/img/?f=_media/DivProject/613ab5d0ed780a0e960960c2aa20504094b5e5fd.jpg&w=903&h=623) (http://www.grandinhood.com/books/symphony/symphony2.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: aleazk on September 17, 2017, 01:12:41 PM
Next week, tuesday 21, I'm flying to Buenos Aires to see Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine on period instruments. Very excited!

The concert will take place in a new concert hall here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Néstor_Kirchner_Cultural_Centre .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jay F on September 17, 2017, 01:29:14 PM
Tonight I will hear the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic doing mostly Dvorak.

http://www.music.cmu.edu/events/789
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 18, 2017, 02:19:05 PM
Really looking forward to this concert:

https://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2017-2018/CS13-Shostakovich-Rachmaninov

Two of my favorite works by two of my favorite composers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2017, 05:52:55 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 18, 2017, 02:19:05 PM
Really looking forward to this concert:

https://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2017-2018/CS13-Shostakovich-Rachmaninov

Two of my favorite works by two of my favorite composers.

You forgot to mention great conductor and soloist.  ;)
That was a concert I was definitely interested in if I had stayed in Atlanta.
Enjoy, John!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 19, 2017, 06:13:11 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2017, 05:52:55 PM
You forgot to mention great conductor and soloist.  ;)
That was a concert I was definitely interested in if I had stayed in Atlanta.
Enjoy, John!

Yes, of course. It does look like a fine program indeed. Thanks.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on September 20, 2017, 09:09:49 PM
Really looking forward to a free concert tomorrow night at my university featuring the chamber music of Italian composer Franco Alfano (1875-1954), who is most famous for completing Puccini's Turandot (the title of the concert is Transcending Turandot). The artists, Elmira Darvarova (violin), Samuel Magill (cello), and Blair McMillen (piano), have recorded two discs of Alfano's chamber music for Naxos (which I haven't heard yet, but I've read some very positive reviews). I'll be sure to report back :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 21, 2017, 08:52:43 AM
Tonight, Blank Out, the 3-D opera by Michel van der Aa. Yes, we will be wearing special glasses.  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: nodogen on September 22, 2017, 01:52:09 PM
Solo piano is probably my favourite oevre currently. Next week I'm going to hear Benjamin Grosvenor perform the following:

Bach
French Suite no.5

Brahms
Four pieces for solo piano, op.119

Dean
Hommage a Brahms

Debussy
Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune

Berg
Sonata, op.1

Ravel
Gaspard de la Nuit

On paper I think I'm looking forward to the Ravel most but then I don't know one or two of the others.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on September 23, 2017, 06:28:51 AM
Tomorrow night in Cardiff -

Glinka: Ruslan and Lyudmila overture
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No 1 in E flat major
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

Conductor: Michael Seal
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Cello: Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Senta on September 23, 2017, 03:39:56 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 21, 2017, 08:52:43 AM
Tonight, Blank Out, the 3-D opera by Michel van der Aa. Yes, we will be wearing special glasses.  8)

--Bruce

Would like to hear how this was, Bruce! Sounds very cool!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 23, 2017, 05:21:18 PM
Quote from: Senta on September 23, 2017, 03:39:56 PM
Would like to hear how this was, Bruce! Sounds very cool!

Since I'm doing a formal review for Musical America, I don't want to spill too many details, but yes, it was quite cool. Most of the show, soprano Miah Persson was singing in front of a giant screen, with baritone Roderick Williams recorded, appearing onscreen behind her. The tech work was often quite marvelous, but in a subtle way. Would love to see it again, and in the best of all worlds, a DVD would be in the works. (Have no idea whether that is planned or not.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 27, 2017, 09:16:48 AM
I don't often post my reviews here, since lately many of them are behind paywalls (e.g., Musical America and The Strad). But here's one on Seen and Heard, of a most interesting festival called Resonant Bodies, focusing on new vocal music.

http://seenandheard-international.com/2017/09/singers-curate-themselves-in-a-vocal-wonderland/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 30, 2017, 12:44:34 PM
Tonight!

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 5
Beethoven: Symphony No 3

Rudolf Buchbinder, piano
Dallas Symphony
James Feddeck (originally intended as a "Jaap Conducts Beethoven" part of Jaap van Zweden's farewell season, but Jaap is attending a family emergency in Amsterdam. I've never heard of James Feddeck)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on October 09, 2017, 07:33:13 AM
Two operas are coming

Attila (Verdi) at the Opera de Lyon.  They are making a serie of Operas and concerts related to war.  They just did the war requiem (Britten) and they are also doing Janacek The Diary of the one who disappeared next january.

La Clemenza di Tito; Opera de Paris.  This is the teaser video

https://www.youtube.com/v/j1XHtXeHT08



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on October 13, 2017, 06:51:56 AM
31 OCT in the brand new spectacular National Opera Theatre-Stavros Niarchos Foundation

Richard Strauss: Elektra
Agnes Baltsa, Sabine Hofgreve, Dimitris Tiliakos
Conductor: Vassilis Christopoulos
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on October 14, 2017, 07:24:43 AM
Royal Festival Hall, London.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrés Orozco-Estrada - conductor
Inon Barnatan - piano

(The following evening I'll be at the Royal Ballet to see 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on October 14, 2017, 09:39:52 PM
Next Thursday:

Teatro alla Scala Chorus and Orchestra
Conductor   Daniele Gatti
Chorus Master   Bruno Casoni
Soprano   Miah Persson
Contralto   Christianne Stotijn

Gustav Mahler   Symphony No 2 in C min "Resurrection"
for soprano, contralto, mixed chorus and orchestra, from Klopstock's hymn "Resurrection"


Always a big fun seeing Mahler 2 live  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on October 14, 2017, 10:33:50 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 30, 2017, 12:44:34 PMpart of Jaap van Zweden's farewell season, but Jaap is attending a family emergency in Amsterdam
Jaap van Zweden's private live is often affected by that of one of their sons, who suffers from a heavy form of autism. 'In 1997 Jaap van Zweden and his wife, Aaltje, established the Papageno Foundation with the objective of supporting families of children with autism. Over the years, the support from Papageno has taken shape through a number of programs in which professional music therapists and musicians receive additional training in using music as a major tool for working with autistic children. Papageno House, a new home for autistic young adults and children, was opened in Laren, the Netherlands, in August 2015, with Her Majesty Queen Maxima in attendance.'
But this might well be about the older generation.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 15, 2017, 01:09:49 AM
30 October at the Megaron Concert Hall, Athens

Beethoven - Leonore

Freiburger Barockorchester

Zürcher Sing-Akademie

René Jacobs - conductor

Tareq Nazmi - bass, Don Fernando

Johannes Weisser - baritone, Don Pizarro

Maximilian Schmitt - tenor, Florestan

Marlis Petersen - soprano, Leonore

Dimitry Ivashchenko - bass, Rocco

Robin Johannsen - soprano, Marzelline

n.t.b.


Quote from: Obradovic on October 13, 2017, 06:51:56 AM
31 OCT in the brand new spectacular National Opera Theatre-Stavros Niarchos Foundation

Richard Strauss: Elektra
Agnes Baltsa, Sabine Hofgreve, Dimitris Tiliakos
Conductor: Vassilis Christopoulos

I have tickets for 26 October.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on October 15, 2017, 03:08:35 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on October 15, 2017, 01:09:49 AM

I have tickets for 26 October.  8)

And 1 NOV Rigoletto  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 12:22:01 PM
So far November is looking good, with two works I'm seeing performed live for the first time.

Nov. 4th,

Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Haydn: The Creation
Nicholas McGegan - conductor
Ashley Valentine - soprano | Isaiah Bell - tenor | Anthony Reed - bass


Nov. 18th,

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Wagner: Die Walküre
Sir Andrew Davis - conductor
Christine Goerke - Brünnhilde
Elisabet Strid - Sieglinde
Brandon Jovanovich - Siegmund
Eric Owens - Wotan
Ain Anger - Hunding


https://www.youtube.com/v/j5f8eQmaBwY
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 01, 2017, 02:34:39 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 12:22:01 PM



Nov. 18th,

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Wagner: Die Walküre
Sir Andrew Davis - conductor
Christine Goerke - Brünnhilde
Elisabet Strid - Sieglinde
Brandon Jovanovich - Siegmund
Eric Owens - Wotan
Ain Anger - Hunding


https://www.youtube.com/v/j5f8eQmaBwY

OOoooooh who is the stage director/production designer of this one and what do you think of their ideas here? Certainly looks interesting, somewhat like a circus? I would like to see how it complements the themes/libretto. Hope you have fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 01, 2017, 02:36:23 PM
Dang, I have lost count of the concerts I have attended recently.  :(
However there is one tonight and tomorrow night where I am performing Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (preceded by Absolute Jest by John Adams) and I think this will be pretty good!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 02:43:51 PM
Quote from: jessop on November 01, 2017, 02:34:39 PM
OOoooooh who is the stage director/production designer of this one and what do you think of their ideas here? Certainly looks interesting, somewhat like a circus? I would like to see how it complements the themes/libretto. Hope you have fun.

Hi, Jessop.
David Pountney is the director... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Pountney ...who also was in charge of last years Das Rheingold production at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Not sure if David's doing the other two from the Ring in 2018/2019, but I would guess he is. He's a promo video of Rheingold...

https://www.youtube.com/v/9LnxBT4JoPc
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 02:49:18 PM
Quote from: jessop on November 01, 2017, 02:36:23 PM
Dang, I have lost count of the concerts I have attended recently.  :(
However there is one tonight and tomorrow night where I am performing Beethoven's Symphony no. 9 with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (preceded by Absolute Jest by John Adams) and I think this will be pretty good!

Are you in the MSO?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 01, 2017, 02:54:09 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 02:49:18 PM
Are you in the MSO?
In the chorus, so I am not in the John Adams piece
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 01, 2017, 02:55:53 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 02:43:51 PM
Hi, Jessop.
David Pountney is the director... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Pountney ...who also was in charge of last years Das Rheingold production at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Not sure if David's doing the other two from the Ring in 2018/2019, but I would guess he is. He's a promo video of Rheingold...

https://www.youtube.com/v/9LnxBT4JoPc

This looks interesting. Not so much a fan of the costumes but the sets looks wonderful.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 02:57:29 PM
Quote from: jessop on November 01, 2017, 02:54:09 PM
In the chorus, so I am not in the John Adams piece

That's cool. Andrew Davis is still the music director there right? He's also the MD for Lyric Opera of Chicago, I've seen him conduct Wozzeck, and Parsifal there so far, but my brother, who plays in Lyric, always speaks highly of Davis.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 01, 2017, 03:02:33 PM
For comparison here is our Ring production which I enjoyed very much when I saw it last year (a slightly different cast for the 2016 version)

https://www.youtube.com/v/5q99nFls7Yg
https://www.youtube.com/v/hhn-rtSQNRU
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 01, 2017, 03:04:59 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 02:57:29 PM
That's cool. Andrew Davis is still the music director there right? He's also the MD for Lyric Opera of Chicago, I've seen him conduct Wozzeck, and Parsifal there so far, but my brother, who plays in Lyric, always speaks highly of Davis.

Yep he is and he is really fun (always a very bubbly and delightful character in rehearsals). Next year looks particularly good for him conducting music he is particularly passionate about: Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and Berlioz's L'Enfance du Christ with us.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 03:06:29 PM
Quote from: jessop on November 01, 2017, 03:04:59 PM
Yep he is and he is really fun (always a very bubbly and delightful character in rehearsals). Next year looks particularly good for him conducting music he is particularly passionate about: Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and Berlioz's L'Enfance du Christ with us.

Wow, two great works I would love to see. Good luck with them, jessop!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 01, 2017, 03:08:10 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 03:06:29 PM
Wow, two great works I would love to see. Good luck with them, jessop!
Thanks. I will keep you posted about the recording of the latter on the Chandos label.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 02, 2017, 06:13:28 AM
Greg, I have heard great things about that Chicago production (and on Facebook I follow Christine Goerke, who has had some fun comments on it). It looks quite entertaining.

And jessop, congrats on the Beethoven 9! That's an interesting coupling, with the Adams.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 02, 2017, 06:39:36 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 02:43:51 PM
Hi, Jessop.
David Pountney is the director... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Pountney ...who also was in charge of last years Das Rheingold production at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Not sure if David's doing the other two from the Ring in 2018/2019, but I would guess he is. He's a promo video of Rheingold...

https://www.youtube.com/v/9LnxBT4JoPc
At his request, as a birthday present for my son (who's in law school in Bloomington, IN and will drive up to Chicago for this), I bought tickets for him and his girlfriend for that same performance on Nov. 18th. He already saw Das Rheingold a couple of seasons ago, and liked it. It turns out this production of the Ring is shared between the Lyric Opera and the Teatro Real here in Madrid. I still haven't seen any dates for performances this side of the Atlantic (I suppose we'll get Rheingold in the 2018/2019 season, or the following one).

My son is turning out to be quite a wagnerian  ::), and this'll be his fourth live Walküre IIRC (the Willy Decker production--co-produced with the Dresden Opera--here in Madrid when he was still a young boy (Peter Schneider at the helm of the orchestra), Sven-Eric Bechtolf's staging, conducted by F. Welser-Möst in Vienna some time later, then the complete Castorf-K. Petrenko Ring in Bayreuth in 2014, and now this)...

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 02, 2017, 07:38:19 AM
Quote from: ritter on November 02, 2017, 06:39:36 AM
At his request, as a birthday present for my son (who's in law school in Bloomington, IN and will drive up to Chicago for this), I bought tickets for him and his girlfriend for that same performance on Nov. 18th. He already saw Das Rheingold a couple of seasons ago, and liked it. It turns out this production of the Ring is shared between the Lyric Opera and the Teatro Real here in Madrid. I still haven't seen any dates for performances this side of the Atlantic (I suppose we'll get Rheingold in the 2018/2019 season, or the following one).


Very cool, ritter! I may unknowingly bump into your son that night  ;D Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 02, 2017, 07:42:13 AM
Quote from: ritter on November 02, 2017, 06:39:36 AM
At his request, as a birthday present for my son (who's in law school in Bloomington, IN and will drive up to Chicago for this), I bought tickets for him and his girlfriend for that same performance on Nov. 18th. He already saw Das Rheingold a couple of seasons ago, and liked it. It turns out this production of the Ring is shared between the Lyric Opera and the Teatro Real here in Madrid. I still haven't seen any dates for performances this side of the Atlantic (I suppose we'll get Rheingold in the 2018/2019 season, or the following one).

My son is turning out to be quite a wagnerian  ::), and this'll be his fourth live Walküre IIRC (the Willy Decker production--co-produced with the Dresden Opera--here in Madrid when he was still a young boy--, Sven-Eric Bechtolf's staging, conducted by F W-M in Vienna some time later, then the complete Castorf-K. Petrenko Ring in Bayreuth in 2014, and now this)...

That was very generous of you, Rafael. Your son is lucky to have a father like you.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 03, 2017, 04:51:43 AM


Quote from: Brewski on November 02, 2017, 06:13:28 AM
And jessop, congrats on the Beethoven 9! That's an interesting coupling, with the Adams.

--Bruce

Quite an un-adventurous coupling probably, but fun music nonetheless and a good way to get Beethoven in the audience's mind in a different kind of way.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Monsieur Croche on November 04, 2017, 02:41:34 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 12:22:01 PM

Nov. 18th,

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Wagner: Die Walküre
Sir Andrew Davis - conductor
Christine Goerke - Brünnhilde
Elisabet Strid - Sieglinde
Brandon Jovanovich - Siegmund
Eric Owens - Wotan
Ain Anger - Hunding

https://www.youtube.com/v/j5f8eQmaBwY

Great Odin on toast!  Wouldn't the Valkyrie on flying horses without the visible mechanics by that much more magical than a post-modern 'see all the machinery' approach?  I don't need the thing looking like a historic reproduction of the original production (look up some pictures, the most devoted Wagnerites would not be able to keep their selves from laughing in derision.) But this stage business is like explaining a magic trick, thereby ruining any sense of magic!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on November 04, 2017, 01:47:05 PM
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on November 04, 2017, 02:41:34 AM
Great Odin on toast!  Wouldn't the Valkyrie on flying horses without the visible mechanics by that much more magical than a post-modern 'see all the machinery' approach?  I don't need the thing looking like a historic reproduction of the original production (look up some pictures, the most devoted Wagnerites would not be able to keep their selves from laughing in derision.) But this stage business is like explaining a magic trick, thereby ruining any sense of magic!

If the mechanics are visible, then it is to make some kind of symbolic point. Perhaps to highlight the fact that it all fake, staged in that post-modern sense. Obviously it would have to be in line with the themes of the libretto and what the director interprets from it. It just gives us something to think about really. The director's interpretation is just as important as everything else.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 04, 2017, 08:36:48 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 12:22:01 PM

Nov. 4th,

Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Haydn: The Creation
Nicholas McGegan - conductor
Ashley Valentine - soprano | Isaiah Bell - tenor | Anthony Reed - bass



Just back from this concert. A thumbs up from me, beautifully played and sung. Although it could've used a little more strength, and played with more authority in areas. Perhaps that was McGegan's intention, but I've gotten used to Bernstein, and most recently McCreesh/Gabrieli Consort & Players, displaying a level of vigor that was lacking tonight. However, it was extremely lovely, and I was very pleased to see The Creation programmed.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 11, 2017, 11:43:16 PM
Last night before one concert I bought tickets for a couple of concerts, with this perhaps being the most interesting -

Trad.:Finnish Folk Music
Sibelius: Kullervo

Cond. - Dausgaard
Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Helena Juntunen - soprano
Benjamin Appl - baritone
Lunds Studentsångare - choir

Directly afterwards there's an end of season party, which I might force my shy and retiring self to attend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on November 12, 2017, 08:01:49 AM
Friday my first concert at the new interim Tonhalle at Maag hall ... Franz Welser-Möst will conduct Bruckner 8 - this wil be my first listen. Saturday, same place, Nicolas Altstaedt and Alexander Lonquich will play all five Beethoven cello sonatas.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on November 12, 2017, 10:48:31 AM
Wednesday, November 15. An exciting evening.

At La Scala, the Messa per Rossini, for soloists, chorus and orchestra.
Quoting wikipedia: The Messa per Rossini is a Requiem Mass composed to commemorate the first anniversary of Gioachino Rossini's death. It was a collaboration among 13 Italian composers, initiated by Giuseppe Verdi.

Here's the structure of the work:

Antonio Buzzola: Requiem e Kyrie

Antonio Bazzini: Dies irae
Carlo Pedrotti: Tuba mirum
Antonio Cagnoni: Quid sum miser
Federico Ricci: Recordare Jesu pie
Alessandro Nini: Ingemisco
Raimondo Boucheron: Confutatis maledictis
Carlo Coccia: Lacrimosa e Amen
   
Gaetano Gaspari: Offertorio

Pietro Platania: Sanctus

Lauro Rossi: Agnus Dei

Teodulo Mabellini: Lux aeterna

Giuseppe Verdi: Libera me, Domine


Teatro alla Scala Chorus and Orchestra
Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
Chorus Master: Bruno Casoni
Soprano: Maria José Siri
Mezzo-soprano: Veronica Simeoni
Tenor: Giorgio Berrugi
Baritone: Simone Piazzola
Bass: Riccardo Zanellato

Discovered only in 1986 in the Ricordi archives, had its premiere in Stuttgard two years later but, AFAIK, it has never been performed at La Scala before.
Wiki mention one recording I have never heard of.
Surely I'll be liking Verdi's contribution - which was the basis for the same section of his Messa da Requiem - but for the rest I don't know what to expect.
Very intriguing anyway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on November 12, 2017, 02:23:30 PM
actually heard these last night
MENDELSSOHN  Ruy Blas Overture      BRUCH: Scottish Fantasy     BEETHOVEN: Symphony no.5
Blake Pouliot violin     Alexandre Bloch cond. (guest)    Vancouver S.O.
may look like an old-fashioned "pops" concert but delivered the best
Orchestra split the violins, and I think they moved a back desk of the firsts over to boost the sound of the seconds, harp was moved in closer so to help coordinate with the soloist in the Bruch so it was less of a second soloist that when she's in a position giving more reverb.
Both the conductor and soloist were new to the Bruch but it was one of the best performances I've heard.
Nice use of dynamics to point out the phrasing in the Bruch and Beethoven.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 15, 2017, 10:42:16 AM
Quote from: king ubu on November 12, 2017, 08:01:49 AM
Friday my first concert at the new interim Tonhalle at Maag hall ... Franz Welser-Möst will conduct Bruckner 8 - this wil be my first listen. Saturday, same place, Nicolas Altstaedt and Alexander Lonquich will play all five Beethoven cello sonatas.

First listen to the Bruckner 8? If so, hope it's a great experience -- it really is marvelous heard live. And I have heard Altstaedt here in NYC -- he's terrific.

Last night, the Swedish Radio Choir with Peter Dijkstra conducting, in this fantastic program. Two encores: short works by Stenhammar and Alfven.

Maija Einfelde: Lux Aeterna (1992)
Sven-David Sandström: En ny himmel och en my jord (1980)
Anders Hillborg: Mouyayoum (1983-85)
Schnittke: Concerto for Choir (1984-85)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 16, 2017, 11:19:42 AM
Hoping to hear RVW's 'Riders to the Sea' along with Walton's 'Henry V' (A Shakespeare Scenario) in London tomorrow night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 20, 2017, 06:50:07 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2017, 12:22:01 PM

Nov. 18th,

Lyric Opera of Chicago
Wagner: Die Walküre
Sir Andrew Davis - conductor
Christine Goerke - Brünnhilde
Elisabet Strid - Sieglinde
Brandon Jovanovich - Siegmund
Eric Owens - Wotan
Ain Anger - Hunding


Amazing evening! Great performance, and cast. Even got a chance to meet and chat with Sir Andrew Davis after the show. That is me on the right, and my brother, Jeremy on the left, who is the principal trombonist for Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on November 20, 2017, 08:10:09 AM
Great memories, great pic, GS !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on November 21, 2017, 09:21:01 AM
Quote from: Brewski on November 15, 2017, 10:42:16 AM
First listen to the Bruckner 8? If so, hope it's a great experience -- it really is marvelous heard live. And I have heard Altstaedt here in NYC -- he's terrific.

Yes, first listen to Bruckner 8 - and wow it was great! Lonquich/Altstaedt the following night were amazing, too. Just on smartphone, thus unwilling to type more, apologies.

And now on vacation in Italy - catching this tomorrow night:

(http://www.ricercareensemble.com/thumbs/manifesto_2017-667c7c3ba622df6cf2815498ad6edc8d.jpg)
http://www.ricercareensemble.com/concerti/cori-palazzo/2017
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on November 21, 2017, 01:05:17 PM
Tomorrow night, a concert with the Orchestre métropolitain, cond. by Yannick Nézet-Séguin:

- Berlioz: Les nuits d'été, with Marie-Nicole Lemieux
- Ravel: Left Hand Concerto, with Alexandre Tharaud
- Saint-Saens: cello concerto no 1, with Jean-Guihen Queyras
- Debussy: La Mer

[Edit the day after the concert]: it was truly amazing. 3 world class soloists in the same concert. The performance of Les nuits d'été was magical, with Lemieux in great form. She is an imposing presence (not just big and very tall, but commanding by her very composure), with a voice that recalls Maureen Forrester's in its largeness, command of a wide tessitura and ability to go from a whisper to a ringing, dramatic outpouring.

Alexandre Tharaud, as lanky as ever was a thoughtful and imaginative interpreter of this magnificent score, my number one choice for best XXth century concerto. What a piece !

Cellist Queyras is known more for solo and chamber music playing than concerto appearances. He is a cerebral, unflashy performer, perfectly attuned to the tasteful romantic rhetoric of the Saint-Sens concerto.

The concert concluded with La mer, my favourite work by Debussy. Nézet-Séguin was a master painter of the score's infinite nuances and summoned a storm of colours in the last movement, Dialogue du vent et de la mer. The concluding furious unleashing of the elements was dramatic in the extreme (with a perfectly weighted and timed last chord). I don't expect to hear this bettered any time soon.

All three soloists, conductor and orchestra are embarking today for a european tour. If ever a record is made, I wish it will contain Lemieux' stunning Nuits d'été.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on November 23, 2017, 01:55:07 AM
Tonight at La Scala, with my wife and friends

Filarmonica della Scala
Conductor: Christoph Eschenbach
Piano: Tzimon Barto

Antonín Dvořák: Carnival op. 92 Overture
George Gershwin: Concerto in F for piano and orchestra
Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No 9 in E min. op. 95

The ladies are already excited for the pianist.

(https://img.discogs.com/Y66XPQYHoHgS7e9XPq_q45cD2JY=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/A-2144801-1317919393.jpeg.jpg)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: nodogen on December 03, 2017, 05:59:32 AM
This coming week I'm going to a piano recital by Pavel Kolesnikov. It includes a couple of pieces by Lachenmann who is relatively unknown to me, aside from some YouTubing. Also Chopin, Debussy and Couperin.

:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 04, 2017, 04:35:40 AM
In Quebec City tonight, at Carnegie Hall on the 7th:

Janine Jensen, Lucas Debargue, Torleif Thedéen, Martin Fröst:

Bartok: Contrasts
Szymanowski: Mythen
Messiaen: quartet For the End of Time

I wish I could be there... :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 04, 2017, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: André on December 04, 2017, 04:35:40 AM
In Quebec City tonight, at Carnegie Hall on the 7th:

Janine Jensen, Lucas Debargue, Torleif Thedéen, Martin Fröst:

Bartok: Contrasts
Szymanowski: Mythen
Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time

I wish I could be there... :'(

Wow, what a great program. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 08, 2017, 08:06:48 AM
Getting ready for this at Tonhalle Maag in Zurich tonight:

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Pablo Heras-Casado Leitung
Camilla Tilling Sopran

Henri Dutilleux "Correspondances" für Sopran und Orchester
Claude Debussy "La Mer"
Johannes Brahms Sinfonie Nr. 4 e-Moll op. 98
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: flyingdutchman on December 08, 2017, 09:08:40 AM
Just for a bit of fun tomorrow afternoon, at the Oregon Ballet in Portland, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on December 08, 2017, 02:57:42 PM
Tonight and tomorrow will be singing in:

Handel Messiah

Rinaldo Alessandrini conductor
Sara Macliver soprano
Joslyn Rechter mezzo-soprano
Ed Lyon tenor
Salvo Vitale bass
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus




https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/handels-messiah/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 08, 2017, 04:08:31 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 04, 2017, 12:11:35 PM
Wow, what a great program. 8)

Superior artistry was at work yesterday in NY's Carnegie Hall:


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/arts/music/carnegie-hall-janine-jansen-perspectives.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Fclassical-music-reviews (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/arts/music/carnegie-hall-janine-jansen-perspectives.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Fclassical-music-reviews)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 08, 2017, 04:13:51 PM
Quote from: André on December 08, 2017, 04:08:31 PM
Superior artistry was at work yesterday in NY's Carnegie Hall:


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/arts/music/carnegie-hall-janine-jansen-perspectives.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Fclassical-music-reviews (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/arts/music/carnegie-hall-janine-jansen-perspectives.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Fclassical-music-reviews)

So jealous!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 08, 2017, 04:32:31 PM
Well, I wasn't there, you know. But if I had checked before booking a southern vacation this week I would definitely have attended the group's Montreal concert on the 4th :(. I guess this one is to be classified in the « great concerts I managed to miss » category... ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 08, 2017, 04:52:14 PM
Quote from: André on December 08, 2017, 04:32:31 PM
Well, I wasn't there, you know. But if I had checked before booking a southern vacation this week I would definitely have attended the group's Montreal concert on the 4th :(. I guess this one is to be classified in the « great concerts I managed to miss » category... ::)

I'm still jealous of anyone who was able to see this concert. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on December 08, 2017, 09:05:49 PM
Quote from: jessop on December 08, 2017, 02:57:42 PM
Tonight and tomorrow will be singing in:

Handel Messiah

Rinaldo Alessandrini conductor
Sara Macliver soprano
Joslyn Rechter mezzo-soprano
Ed Lyon tenor
Salvo Vitale bass
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus




https://www.mso.com.au/whats-on/2017/handels-messiah/

Surely it always is a great fun singing in the Messiah, even more under the baton on Alessandrini. Good luck  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 10, 2017, 01:56:34 AM
Quote from: GioCar on December 08, 2017, 09:05:49 PM
...

So you did NOT attend the glorious notorious Scala opening with Netrebko and her little dude? Got terrific reviews around here - again, glad we got rid of Pereira :laugh:

Though they wrote that Chailly and the orchestra actually were excellent ... will be difficult to replace the frontline though, I reckon.

---

As for this:

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Pablo Heras-Casado Leitung
Camilla Tilling Sopran

Henri Dutilleux "Correspondances" für Sopran und Orchester
Claude Debussy "La Mer"
Johannes Brahms Sinfonie Nr. 4 e-Moll op. 98

Tilling was amazing in Dutilleux - and that piece is amazing. It was my first listen, although I have the Hannigan/Salonen recording around somewhere ... unplayed yet. The orchestra again was open for Heras-Casado's ways, which were a bit too harsh and loud in Debussy maybe, but somehow it worked well for me. Same in Brahms, it was all in all a good performance, although Heras-Casado is definitely not paying too much attention to details, inner voicings, structures ... it was hands on and it was fun, but it was in the end a good, definitely not a great take on Brahms' last symphony. Still much better than the new Herreweghe recording, that one lacks structure and on top of that has no punch either - and that, punch, is what Heras-Casado certainly has, and the orchestra was totally willing to give it to him, too - which is cool. Sounded almost like a different band, compared to the Currentzis concert a few days ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: HIPster on December 17, 2017, 06:52:38 AM
On Friday, December 15th, I caught an excellent performance of Bruckner's 7th Symphony, performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by Michael Tilson Thomas.

This was my first ever Bruckner concert.  :)

Here's a review of the prior evening's performance:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-mtt-la-phil-review-20171216-story.html

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on December 17, 2017, 10:53:49 AM
An unmissable concert on Feb. 17, bringing together two of my favorite things - craft beer and chamber music:

http://spektralquartet.com/concerts/2018/2/11/close-encounters-sipping-a-glass-of-1908-vienna
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Alek Hidell on December 17, 2017, 02:17:33 PM
The Philharmonic here in Oklahoma City doesn't draw me in too often - they tend to play the usual Beethoven/Brahms/Dvořák stuff (not that any of those are bad, mind you - in fact I attended their performance of Dvořák's 9th a couple of years ago cuz it's me favorite symphony).

But this year's schedule is a bit more imaginative, and I'm considering buying a ticket for this interesting program next month:

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 18, 2017, 10:30:02 PM
Dec 21st:
Maria João Pires, Tonhalle Orchestra, Bernard Haitink: KV 595, Bruckner 4 (sold out since a few weeks at least)

Dec 22nd:
Donizetti: La Fille du régiment (Zurich Opera, w/Sabine Devieilhe, cond: Speranza Scappucci, )

Dec 30th:
Puccini: La fanciulla del West (Zurich Opera, w/Catherine Naglestad, cond: Marco Armiliato, prod: Barrie Kosky)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on December 20, 2017, 04:55:13 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 08, 2017, 04:13:51 PMSo jealous!
Not so many years ago, she would be performing in the Dome church in Utrecht (Netherlands) with a local ensemble, both of her parents including. Free saturday afternoon concerts that I frequented (still do).  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 22, 2017, 05:51:35 AM
Last night, the JACK Quartet at National Sawdust, in Georg Friedrich Haas String Quartet No. 9. (Heard it twice, with a dinner break in between.) Like his Third quartet, the Ninth is to be performed in total darkness -- and I mean TOTAL. Every light source, including the exit signs, was extinguished. How the musicians were able to communicate with each other was pretty astounding.

Here's the group doing the piece from last November -- likely the premiere, in Vienna:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk_2bg3utv8

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 22, 2017, 01:51:10 PM
Quote from: king ubu on December 18, 2017, 10:30:02 PM
Dec 21st:
Maria João Pires, Tonhalle Orchestra, Bernard Haitink: KV 595, Bruckner 4 (sold out since a few weeks at least)

Fantastic concert last night ... it was announced as Ms Pires' very last live appearance in Europe - whatever that means (I think she has done as many "final" tours as any aging rock act, right?) ... she was presented with a lovely artwork of a cake in the shape of a piano at the end, and how she and Haitink worked together in that wonderful concerto was just amazing. I sat front row, centre, about 2 metres from Ms Pires, so it was quite an experience - they did two nights, both sold out.

For those that read German, here's a review of the first night by Peter Hagmann, seasoned (and trusted) music critic:
http://www.peterhagmann.com/?p=1463

His comment on Bruckner and the trombones does not relate much though, from where I was (right behind Haitink after the piano was shifted to the back of the stage), there were no such problems. But while it was a great performance, it still failed to really convince me that Bruckner 4 is a great coherent piece (it still sounds like a bit of a pastiche to my ears, or rather like in some spots he didn't find ways to move from one idea to the next and used lotsa duckt tape to fix that, instead of fixing it with musical means ... but then what do I know).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on December 22, 2017, 03:05:51 PM
Quote from: king ubu on December 22, 2017, 01:51:10 PM
Fantastic concert last night ... it was announced as Ms Pires' very last live appearance in Europe - whatever that means (I think she has done as many "final" tours as any aging rock act, right?) ... she was presented with a lovely artwork of a cake in the shape of a piano at the end, and how she and Haitink worked together in that wonderful concerto was just amazing. I sat front row, centre, about 2 metres from Ms Pires, so it was quite an experience - they did two nights, both sold out.

For those that read German, here's a review of the first night by Peter Hagmann, seasoned (and trusted) music critic:
http://www.peterhagmann.com/?p=1463

His comment on Bruckner and the trombones does not relate much though, from where I was (right behind Haitink after the piano was shifted to the back of the stage), there were no such problems. But while it was a great performance, it still failed to really convince me that Bruckner 4 is a great coherent piece (it still sounds like a bit of a pastiche to my ears, or rather like in some spots he didn't find ways to move from one idea to the next and used lotsa duckt tape to fix that, instead of fixing it with musical means ... but then what do I know).

Great report, and fantastic that you got to see Pires play one last time.  I disagree about the Bruckner Fourth, but I can understand where the impression comes from (for this or any of his other works).  Bruckner's Fourth is really based on a pretty small group of ideas, and that one from the beginning of the symphony plays a role in all of the other movements (well, except for the scherzo, really, but that's because he rewrote the original).

I'm probably too accustomed to Bruckner's logic to understand other perspectives, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on December 22, 2017, 11:03:13 PM
M.-A. CHARPENTIER: Messe de minuit
as part of the Christmas Eve mass at the "bells and smells" high Anglican church here, with chorus, strings and organ.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 23, 2017, 07:17:17 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on December 22, 2017, 03:05:51 PM
Great report, and fantastic that you got to see Pires play one last time.  I disagree about the Bruckner Fourth, but I can understand where the impression comes from (for this or any of his other works).  Bruckner's Fourth is really based on a pretty small group of ideas, and that one from the beginning of the symphony plays a role in all of the other movements (well, except for the scherzo, really, but that's because he rewrote the original).

I'm probably too accustomed to Bruckner's logic to understand other perspectives, though.

Thanks - and actually I was a bit puzzled myself about my reaction to Bruckner. I guess there's hardly anyone better to explore him than Haitink these days (last season he did 9 with Tonhalle and it was amazing - again coupled with a mighty piano concerto then, the emperor w/Schiff, Haitink seems to love these monstrous programmes). Also I have listened to 4 probably about 20 times since last summer, and had the impression that I eventually started to figure it out. But I was exhausted during the concert and probably lacked some of the alertness to really get it all. Too bad, but real life (which is just fine but quite exhilarating - started a new job in December, a week off for x-mas now, luckily) cannot be shut out all the time, alas.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on December 31, 2017, 07:29:59 AM
Seeing Joshua Bell with ASMF in three weeks.  Its like a "dream come true" for me. 
They will be performing
Vivaldi   Four Seasons
Guest Edgar Meyer  TBA
Beethoven 2nd symphony

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on January 01, 2018, 08:35:13 AM
Pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk in San Francisco May 20th. Looks like quite a finger-twisting program!

BACH/BUSONI Toccata and Fugue in D minor
HAYDN Sonata No. 47 in B minor, Hob. XV1:32
CHOPIN Etudes, Op. 10 (selections)
SCRIABIN Sonata No. 5
RACHMANINOV Preludes, Op. 23 (selections)
RACHMANINOV Sonata No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 02, 2018, 12:38:53 PM
It's several months away, but I've just received confirmation that I've been awarded the tickets I requested for Bayreuth this summer!  Parsifal (Semyon Bychkov - Uwe Eric Laufenberg), Tristan und Isolde (Christian Thielemann - Katharina Wagner)  and Die Meistersinger (Philippe Jordan - Barrie Kosky) on three successive nights (August 18 to 20).

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on January 02, 2018, 04:16:37 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 02, 2018, 12:38:53 PM
It's several months away, but I've just received confirmation that I've been awarded the tickets I requested for Bayreuth this summer!  Parsifal (Semyon Bychkov - Uwe Eric Laufenberg), Tristan und Isolde (Christian Thielemann - Katharina Wagner)  and Die Meistersinger (Philippe Jordan - Barrie Kosky) on three successive nights (August 18 to 20).

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Congratulations!
At least you have time to prepare your survival kit.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on January 04, 2018, 07:30:25 AM
Musée de Grenoble  January 21th 2018

Nathalia Milstein, piano
SchumannFantasiestücke op. 12
Nicolas Baldeyrou, clarinette et le Quatuor Ardeo
Brahms : Quintette pour clarinette et cordes en si mineur op. 115

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on January 04, 2018, 07:45:41 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 02, 2018, 12:38:53 PM
It's several months away, but I've just received confirmation that I've been awarded the tickets I requested for Bayreuth this summer!  Parsifal (Semyon Bychkov - Uwe Eric Laufenberg), Tristan und Isolde (Christian Thielemann - Katharina Wagner)  and Die Meistersinger (Philippe Jordan - Barrie Kosky) on three successive nights (August 18 to 20).

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Parsifal is coming to Finnish National opera at Spring season, Rafael (was it Rafael?), and I very much would like to see it, even though I have seen this production before (in fact, Parsifal was the first Wagner opera which I saw live.)

I hope you enjoy your Bayreuth trip!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on January 04, 2018, 09:30:02 PM
Quote from: Judith on December 31, 2017, 07:29:59 AM
Seeing Joshua Bell with ASMF in three weeks.  Its like a "dream come true" for me. 
They will be performing
Vivaldi   Four Seasons
Guest Edgar Meyer  TBA
Beethoven 2nd symphony

Nice. I have seen Bell twice. Once playing Mendelssohn early in his career (around 1990) and then playing Glazunov in 2011.

TD: I was gifted tickets to see Gil Shaham play Tchaikovsky, plus Rachmaninov's 3rd Symphony, later this month.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 05, 2018, 06:05:40 AM
Quote from: Pat B on January 04, 2018, 09:30:02 PM
TD: I was gifted tickets to see Gil Shaham play Tchaikovsky, plus Rachmaninov's 3rd Symphony, later this month.

Conductor? Orchestra?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on January 05, 2018, 07:37:00 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 05, 2018, 06:05:40 AMConductor? Orchestra?
Yes. #allofthem  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on January 05, 2018, 11:44:25 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 05, 2018, 06:05:40 AM
Conductor? Orchestra?

John DeMain. Madison Symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 08, 2018, 05:22:10 AM
On Jan. 12th: Neue Konzertreihe Zürich

Kammerorchester Basel/Mario Venzago
Khatia Buniatishvili piano

Robert Schumann Ouvertüre zur Oper "Genoveva" c-Moll op. 81
Robert Schumann Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54
Robert Schumann Sinfonie Nr. 3 Es-Dur op. 97 "Rheinische"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on January 10, 2018, 09:50:52 AM
Bought some tickets for some exciting new productions at Paris Opera

Hector Berlioz Benvenuto Cellini, with a exciting staging by Terry Gilliam

https://www.youtube.com/v/MQykzRi7CfE

A new production of Parsifal with Philippe Jordan conducting

https://www.youtube.com/v/UV1EeQUMKH8

and a new production of Boris Godunov with Vladimir Jurowski conducting

https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-17-18/opera/boris-godounov (https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-17-18/opera/boris-godounov)

This cleaned the wallet but I am delighted to the prospect of these live performances
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 10, 2018, 10:06:57 AM
Quote from: Spineur on January 10, 2018, 09:50:52 AM
Bought some tickets for some exciting new productions at Paris Opera

Hector Berlioz Benvenuto Cellini, with a exciting staging by Terry Gilliam

https://www.youtube.com/v/MQykzRi7CfE

A new production of Parsifal with Philippe Jordan conducting

https://www.youtube.com/v/UV1EeQUMKH8

and a new production of Boris Godunov with Vladimir Jurowski conducting

https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-17-18/opera/boris-godounov (https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-17-18/opera/boris-godounov)

This cleaned the wallet but I am delighted to the prospect of these live performances
These all look very exciting, Spineur! I'm glad for you  :) (and a little bit envíous as well  ;) )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 10, 2018, 10:39:20 PM
Quote from: Spineur on January 10, 2018, 09:50:52 AM
Bought some tickets for some exciting new productions at Paris Opera

Hector Berlioz Benvenuto Cellini, with a exciting staging by Terry Gilliam

A new production of Parsifal with Philippe Jordan conducting

and a new production of Boris Godunov with Vladimir Jurowski conducting
https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-17-18/opera/boris-godounov (https://www.operadeparis.fr/saison-17-18/opera/boris-godounov)

This cleaned the wallet but I am delighted to the prospect of these live performances

Nice indeed! Bought some opera tickets recently, too ... amonst others for "Parsifal", re re-run with Simone Young conducting and Nina Stemme (Kundry) among the cast!

https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/parsifal/season_11232/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 10, 2018, 10:52:25 PM
Quote from: king ubu on January 10, 2018, 10:39:20 PM
Nice indeed! Bought some opera tickets recently, too ... amonst others for "Parsifal", re re-run with Simone Young conducting and Nina Stemme (Kundry) among the cast!

https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/parsifal/season_11232/
Great, king ubu! That's the Claus Guth production I saw in Madrid a couple of years ago... Lot's of Parsifal for GMGers over the coming months  :) (you in Zurich, Alberich in Helsinki, Spineur in paris and me in Bayreuth) ...

Regards,
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 10, 2018, 11:00:43 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 10, 2018, 10:52:25 PM
Great, king ubu! That's the Claus Guth production I saw in Madrid a couple of years ago... Lot's of Parsifal for GMGers over the coming months  :) (you in Zurich, Alberich in Helsinki, Spineur in paris and me in Bayreuth) ...

Regards,

I didn't even read up about the production yet ... same for "Der fliegende Holländer" (Homoki there, Markus Poschner conducting, Bryn Terfel doing the title part, Camilla Nylund as Senta). I'm sure I'll find reviews in "my" daily paper, but so far GioCar just told me to get tickets and I obeyed  ;D

https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/der-fliegende-hollaender/season_11232/

The other ones I got in the recent buying spree:

L'Heure espagnole/L'Enfant et les sortilèges:
https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/lheure_espagnole_lenfant_et_les_sortileges/season_11232/

Idomeneo:
https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/idomeneo/season_11232/

La scala di seta:
https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/la-scala-di-seta/season_11232/

Maria Stuarda (with Diana Damrau!):
https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/maria-stuarda/season_11232/

L'incoronazione di Poppea (Dantone ... and what a cast!):
https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/lincoronazione-di-poppea/season_11232/

also, earlier, got me a ticket for Lunea, the new one by Heinz Holliger (with Christian Gerhaher):
https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/lunea/season_11232/

Guess that'll be the rest of my opera season until summer, hopefully in fall there'll be Kurtág in Milan, when all other houses are in their new season already.

Will have to check Lucerne festival in summer, but not sure I'll go there again this year, heavily depends on the programme - it's not a festival I feel like visiting regularly just because, only when there's concerts I really want to catch.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 12, 2018, 08:39:08 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 02, 2018, 12:38:53 PM
It's several months away, but I've just received confirmation that I've been awarded the tickets I requested for Bayreuth this summer!  Parsifal (Semyon Bychkov - Uwe Eric Laufenberg), Tristan und Isolde (Christian Thielemann - Katharina Wagner)  and Die Meistersinger (Philippe Jordan - Barrie Kosky) on three successive nights (August 18 to 20).

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)



Lucky! My girlfriend and her family has been trying for years and I think are taking a break from applications at the moment. Hopefully one day I can get in too but I feel it might be more likely that I conduct something there before I see something for the pleasure of it. :-\

Actually I bought myself a copy of Laufenberg's production on DVD of the Parsifal because I have heard so much about it and also because I am a fan of KF Vogt. The trailers certainly make it look very fascinating.

The only Wagner coming up for me soon is a rather more cheap and accessible production of Tristan und Isolde my Melbourne Opera (first performance here in 17 years—outrageous imo), but Opera Australia is doing Meistersinger later on which I might go see with a friend of mine if not on my own. In the meantime I am thinking of getting some freebies to see Stuart Skelton as Siegmund in a concert performance of Act 1 of Walküre (a satisfying story even on its own) with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in March. Around March I also get to sing in the chorus for Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Skelton in the title role and Sir Andrew Davis conducting, so at least I definitely have some Skelton in the near future!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 12, 2018, 08:41:45 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 02, 2018, 12:38:53 PM
.......Christian Thielemann............

Well at least this makes me feel a little less jealous anyway. To be blunt, I never found him particularly interesting in any repertoire. :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 13, 2018, 01:08:27 AM
Quote from: jessop on January 12, 2018, 08:39:08 PM
Lucky! My girlfriend and her family has been trying for years and I think are taking a break from applications at the moment. Hopefully one day I can get in too but I feel it might be more likely that I conduct something there before I see something for the pleasure of it. :-\

Actually I bought myself a copy of Laufenberg's production on DVD of the Parsifal because I have heard so much about it and also because I am a fan of KF Vogt. The trailers certainly make it look very fascinating.

The only Wagner coming up for me soon is a rather more cheap and accessible production of Tristan und Isolde my Melbourne Opera (first performance here in 17 years—outrageous imo), but Opera Australia is doing Meistersinger later on which I might go see with a friend of mine if not on my own. In the meantime I am thinking of getting some freebies to see Stuart Skelton as Siegmund in a concert performance of Act 1 of Walküre (a satisfying story even on its own) with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in March. Around March I also get to sing in the chorus for Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, Skelton in the title role and Sir Andrew Davis conducting, so at least I definitely have some Skelton in the near future!
Long time no see, jessop! Hope your doing well...You"ve been missed!

This will be my fourth visit to Bayreuth, but my first Meistersinger and Tristan on the Green Hill. Am looking forward to it...

You're upcoming Wagner calendar in Australia looks very enticing as well. I hope you enjoy it. We do get Tristan  relatively often here in Madrid, but Meistersinger has only been given once in the past 30 years (when Barenboim came with his Berlin forces).

Quote from: jessop on January 12, 2018, 08:41:45 PM
Well at least this makes me feel a little less jealous anyway. To be blunt, I never found him particularly interesting in any repertoire. :P
I'm not particularly keen on Thielemann either, but did find things to admire in his Tristan when the premiere of the current Bayreuth production was broadcast over the radio three years ago...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Spineur on January 13, 2018, 02:51:03 AM
Giuseppe Verdi, MacBeth Opéra de Lyon

https://www.youtube.com/v/oridfGvebRk

Snatched some of the last tickets.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 13, 2018, 12:48:46 PM
RSNO Chamber Series - 'Nordic Viola'

http://www.rsno.org.uk/concert-listing/concert-information/?c_id=744&action=Read+More

"When it comes to music, the North speaks its own language. Today, led by Katherine Wren, RSNO players take an extraordinary journey: contemporary tales of the Faroes, Shetland, Iceland and the Arctic sit side by side with music from the father of Faroese classical music (Heinesen) and new reflections by Katherine Wren and Composers' Hub alumni Lillie Harris. Folk roots, personal testimonies, melodies shaped by the elements and new sounds from vast landscapes: it all adds up to something that's simultaneously timeless, modern and utterly compelling."

I've just bought tickets for this.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on January 13, 2018, 03:20:51 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 13, 2018, 01:08:27 AM
I'm not particularly keen on Thielemann either, but did find things to admire in his Tristan when the premiere of the current Bayreuth production was broadcast over the radio three years ago...

Oh well that is good! Will it be the same Tristan as a 2015 production from Bayreuth? That one looks very nice on stage.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 15, 2018, 12:16:42 AM
Quote from: king ubu on January 08, 2018, 05:22:10 AM
On Jan. 12th: Neue Konzertreihe Zürich

Kammerorchester Basel/Mario Venzago
Khatia Buniatishvili piano

Robert Schumann Ouvertüre zur Oper "Genoveva" c-Moll op. 81
Robert Schumann Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54
Robert Schumann Sinfonie Nr. 3 Es-Dur op. 97 "Rheinische"

Somewhat ambiguous about that ... the Ouverture was great, punchy, ambiguous, effective, Venzago is quite energetic indeed. Then on comes the star, she does her thing - a mix between pensive moments and wild outbursts - the public is wild about her, of course (many old men, young lady with the looks on the podium) ... there was this dude click-clacking away with a camera nearby, the old dudes (and their dudettes) nearby probably can't hear that frequency any longer, but effin' can and I couldn't do much about it (it would have been a major disturbance of the concert) and after all wanted to listen, too ... either way, after the break, the obnoxious dude was gone, and they tackled the "Rhenish" with verve again. However, somehow to me it felt a bit as if the band wasn't quite up to deliver the punchy stuff that Venzago was trying to get from them. It was nice, for sure, but even though the group was smaller, I think the version I heard with Paavo Järvi and the Tonhalle last season had more punch and more precision and was maybe even more chamber-music-like.

So, good it was, great it wasn't - that goes for all components, I think, group, conductor and soloist.

--

Next up, this week, Friday and Saturday:

Luba Orgonášová sopran o
Marianna Pizzolato mezzo-sopran o
Michael Spyres tenor
Gianluca Buratto bass
Monteverdi Choir
Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Giuseppe Verdi "Messa da Requiem"


Estonian Festival Orchestra
Paavo Järvi
Viktoria Mullova violin

Arvo Pärt "Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten"
Jean Sibelius Violinkonzert d-Moll op. 47
Arvo Pärt "Fratres" für Streichorchester und Schlagzeug
Dmitri Schostakowitsch Sinfonie Nr. 6 h-Moll op. 54
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on January 15, 2018, 05:53:36 PM
The Verdi looks unusually tasty.  My favorite recording happens to be
[asin]B00000418W[/asin]
The same soprano, too, twenty two years later! That may be good or bad, I suppose.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 16, 2018, 04:15:12 AM
Well, less than a week till I see Joshua Bell live with ASMF.  Hair done,beautician done, dentist and chiropodist.  Well, have to look nice for him just in case lol
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on January 16, 2018, 05:07:31 AM
If everything goes well, next week's Wednesday I'm going to see La Traviata for the first time live (surprisingly long it took, considering it is one of the most often performed operas in the world) in Finnish National Opera. Among with La forza del destino, this is one of the very few mature Verdi operas I haven't warmed to that much, apart from a few catchy numbers here and there. Let's see if seeing it live makes a difference!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 16, 2018, 09:04:16 AM
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on January 15, 2018, 05:53:36 PM
The Verdi looks unusually tasty.  My favorite recording happens to be
[asin]B00000418W[/asin]
The same soprano, too, twenty two years later! That may be good or bad, I suppose.

I will not pre-listen this time ... it's been years since I heard the Verdi requiem. However, in December 2015 I heard Orgonasova as a soloist with Gardiner, the Monteverdi choir and Tonhalle orchestra in Janácek's Glagolitic mass, and she was fantastic. Some singers know how to take care of their voices AND are allowed by all the agents and impresarios and bookers to still make a living as a singer ... rare thing, I guess.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on January 16, 2018, 10:31:37 AM
Quote from: Judith on January 16, 2018, 04:15:12 AM
Well, less than a week till I see Joshua Bell live with ASMF.  Hair done,beautician done, dentist and chiropodist.
Mr Bell was definitely prepared the last time I saw him play. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 16, 2018, 10:42:51 AM
Quote from: king ubu on January 15, 2018, 12:16:42 AM
Next up, this week, Friday and Saturday:

Luba Orgonášová sopran o
Marianna Pizzolato mezzo-sopran o
Michael Spyres tenor
Gianluca Buratto bass
Monteverdi Choir
Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Sir John Eliot Gardiner

Ha, checking again, two of the soloists, including Orgonasova, have changed - both nights (Thu/Fri) sold out. Now it is:

Corinne Winters soprano
Marianna Pizzolato mezzo-soprano
Michael Spyres tenor
François Lis bass
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 18, 2018, 03:08:28 PM
In Edinburgh, got a couple of tickets for -

Scriabin - Piano Concerto

Shostakovich - Symphony No7. Leningrad

Oundjian
Xiayin Wang
RSNO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 20, 2018, 06:08:33 AM
Quote from: king ubu on January 16, 2018, 10:42:51 AM
Ha, checking again, two of the soloists, including Orgonasova, have changed - both nights (Thu/Fri) sold out. Now it is:

Corinne Winters soprano
Marianna Pizzolato mezzo-soprano
Michael Spyres tenor
François Lis bass

It was shattering ... devastating. Truly outstanding! And it wasn't Lis who sang the bass part but Tareq Nazmi. The choir is almost frighteningly good, and the orchestra was there, giving Gardiner what he wanted - bleak, no vibrato and stuff, playing the gamut from true pianissimo (sitting front row I could actually hear some of the violins struggle here and there, losing their tone, so low they went) to a screaming fff (the choir, btw., did the same: from whisper to scream) ... the four soloists where stunning, all of them, and it was at the same hard to bear and almost unbelievable that this was really happening. Could easily end up as concert of the year, I think!

Corinne Winters, I found out later, is singing Violetta Valéry in Basel and I just bought one of the few remaining tickets for sometime in February ... gotta hear that, too! Never saw "La Traviata" yet and the production got fine reviews, so I'm looking forward to that!

But first, it will be Paavo Järvi and Viktoria Mullova with the Estonian Chamber Orchestra tonight! Pärt, Shosti #6 and Sibelius ... should be good, and it's the third consecutive night that Tonhalle is sold-out - a rather rare thing to happen, and a great success in the light of the acceptance of the interim hall (which offers less seats than the old hall that is being renovated during this and the two following seasons, thus including 2019/20, when Järvi will take over from Lionel Bringuier), which is actually located in a part of Zurich that probably 90% of the Tonhalle visitors never went to before (there's some theatres, music clubs - including the town's best jazz club - and more there, but little high-brow and stiff-upper-lip stuff).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 21, 2018, 12:52:50 AM
Quote from: king ubu on January 15, 2018, 12:16:42 AM
Estonian Festival Orchestra
Paavo Järvi
Viktoria Mullova violin

Arvo Pärt "Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten"
Jean Sibelius Violinkonzert d-Moll op. 47
--
Arvo Pärt "Fratres" für Streichorchester und Schlagzeug
Dmitri Schostakowitsch Sinfonie Nr. 6 h-Moll op. 54

Again totally wowed from last night's concert! You may make fun of Paavo with no end, but what he made the Estonian Festival Orchestra deliver last night was simply outstanding. They had all the dynamics and punch that you could wish for, going from a ppp to fff and playing with conviction all the time. As this is the 100 years of Estonia tour, there was some secretary who held a short speech after Ilona Schmiel, the director of Tonhalle, said a few words ... could have been much worse.

Pärt's Cantus that started the procedures was very nice in the way it set the mood - I totally lost any sense of time and the seven minutes mentioned in the printed programme went by in a whim. Then they had to reshuffle chairs, fifes and drums had to get onto the stage ... and Mullova, too, of course. The way she started the Sibelius made it sound like one of the grand romantic concertos - which irritated me more than just a bit, regardless of her excellent playing. This changed a bit as the second movement came on and I guess all notions of romanticism were wiped away in the final movement, latest, so maybe that was the concept? Didn't convince me entirely, but still quite thrilling to see Mullova play in concert. Mullova did the usual Bach encore, didn't try to track down what movement of which sonata (or partita) it was, but one of the quiet/melodic/slow ones it was, guess Sibelius' danse macabre was enough show-offery.

After a much too long break (there were many international guests in the audience, including what looked like official delegations and stuff - obviously with the secretary being in da house - so they had to drink bubbly stuff and all that and chit-chat, I guess ...) - either way, eventually they did com back, and this time - good idea! - the full orchestra was up on stage, although the second Pärt again was for strings and one drummer (the first was for strings and a bell). Again, the roughly 12 minutes went over in a whim ... obviously this is pleasant stuff anyway, so you do wonder why it doesn't get performed regularly. Then they geared up for the Shostakovich, and that was just outstanding! As with the fifth that I recently heard with Currentzis and the Tonhalle Orchestra, it was my first listen, so I'm really not too deeply into Shostakovich's music yet, but this was an amazing, gripping and most intense performance. Järvi tried to not have people cough and just go on with tiny breaks, but you can't really do that in winter (plus one of the first violins was sneezing her nose audibly during the Pärt, too ... ouch - that's the bad part about sitting front row, you hear shoes shuffling on the podium and stuff, but then mostly you are amongst people there for the music, not for the socialite crap). Either way, huge applause, standing ovation eventually, and two charming encores (I think the first one - heavily featuring the clarinet again, that dude had been busy in the final movement of the symphony already - from one of the Jazz Suites, second probably - so someone said when we left the hall - a piece by Grieg).

Now two days without live music - how will I survive?  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 21, 2018, 07:37:09 AM
Great concert, Ubu ! Wish I had been there... The Tonhalle's acoustics are quite famous, I hear.

Next Tuesday I will meet with friends and we'll compare versions of the 6th. Paavo's version will be on the playlist. Sure doesn't beat attending the concert, of course  :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 21, 2018, 08:37:14 AM
Quote from: André on January 21, 2018, 07:37:09 AM
Great concert, Ubu ! Wish I had been there... The Tonhalle's acoustics are quite famous, I hear.

Next Tuesday I will meet with friends and we'll compare versions of the 6th. Paavo's version will be on the playlist. Sure doesn't beat attending the concert, of course  :).
I think I won't get the alpha disc ... the concert will be unbeatable I bet!  ;D

The Tonhalle is being re-built ... it's famous for a warm "Mischklang" were everything melds together nicely (and thus it's horrible for the dreadfully expensive jazz concerts also taking part there, if you a drum kit on stage and someone working them cymbals, then forget it ...) ... so for this and the two following seasons (this is the final with Bringuier, I think, next one they'll be without chief conductor then, and 2019/20 will be Järvi's first, knocking on wood) they're playing at Tonhalle-Maag in a different part of the town that usually attracts young people and urban hipsters, not elderly people dressing up in their best (but often outdated) clothes ... the acoustic of this new hall was done by Müller-BBM and is very different: it's crystal clear, you hear even the slightest disharmony or sloppiness in phrasing (with some chamber/HIP ensembles I think I could actually tell which of the three first violins flubbed a note - sitting front row as there aren't too many cheap seats, it's either first four rows or at the very back behind the stage, so front row was the obvious choice, and I've been through Bruckner's eighth there and even that sounded pretty good).

This hall was built into an old industrial building in an area that will probably be re-built, it seems there are some plans and stuff (it'll be either offices or apartments for the rich, who tend to love the fancy trend parts of cities until they realize they've driven away all the others ... ha!), so the hall will possibly not survive the three years, which is a real pity.

There are two pics on the website, and the concert hall is wonderful indeed - but the entrance, wardrobe, facilities are a mess (I bring my jacket inside by now as the queuing at the wardrobe goes forever and there's so little space there, it's a complete nuisance - yet even to just get out they won't let you use one of the emergency exits placed elsewhere) - anyway, click to enlarge:

(http://tonhalle-maag.ch/site/assets/files/13019/blick-in-saal-c-hannes-henz.780x0.jpg)(http://tonhalle-maag.ch/site/assets/files/13048/blick-von-saal-c-hannes-henz.780x0.jpg)

Photos by Hannes Henz, taken from the website: http://tonhalle-maag.ch/home-tm/veranstalter/der-saal/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 21, 2018, 11:31:26 AM
Seems beautiful - love the light wood colour. But the ceiling hangs quite low, I would have thought it would make for a reverberant sound, but you mention it's crystal clear instead. The proportions remind me of Munich's Herkulessaal.

Montreal's hall looks somewhat similar - with a higher ceiling:

(http://atelierduboisdavidgilbert.com/wp-content/uploads/revetement-bois-interieur-maison-orchestre-symphonique-montreal-3.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 21, 2018, 12:24:02 PM
Quote from: André on January 21, 2018, 11:31:26 AM
Seems beautiful - love the light wood colour. But the ceiling hangs quite low, I would have thought it would make for a reverberant sound, but you mention it's crystal clear instead.

It's indeed not that hight - the specifics are listed on the website, too:

Breite (width): 22,5 m
Länge (length): 43,2 m
Höhe (height): 11,2 m
Fläche (surface area): 946 m2

Sitze Parkett (seats on floor): 784
Sitze Galerie (seats on gallery): 440
Bestuhlung total (seats total): 1224

Grosse Bühne/Bühnenmasse (size/volume of stage area): 18,4 x 10,8 m = 185 m2

This makes it several hundred seats smaller than the actual Tonhalle hall ... they still haven't sold out before I think (other than twice Gardiner and now Järvi), but as I mentioned, many of the regulars would not frequent the part of Zurich it's located now and I guess they lost plenty of subscribers (they won me as a new subscribers as the fewer seats meant higher ticket prices, and as a subscriber you get some deductions, so ...)

I've not heard classical concerts in many halls, so I can't really make too many comparisons. The ones beyond Zurich that I've been to are the fabulous one in Lucerne, which has a brilliant acoustic too, where it doesn't matter too much where you sit ... or actually - I guess that's quite often the case when singing is involved, you're better off on a cheaper seat on a high balcony near the stage than downstairs on the floor ...) - then I was at the auditorio of the Milan conservatory with GioCar a couple of times, about a year ago, and around the same time at the concert hall of the RAI building in Torino ... and I've been to some theaters other than Zurich opera as well, but that's a different topic, I guess).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 21, 2018, 12:31:34 PM
Sunday, January 28, 2018

Nashville Symphony
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, conductor/violin
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor

PROGRAM
Ellen Taffe Zwilich ­– Prologue and Variations
Philip Glass – Symphony No. 3
Michael Daugherty – Strut
Piazzolla/Desyatnikov – Winter from The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Vivaldi – Winter from The Four Seasons

An interesting program, and a nice mix of genres. Of course the Glass is a highlight for me, and I'm a fan of this work from Daugherty. It just so happens that Winter is my favorite from Vivaldi's Seasons, and my favorite movement from Piazzolla's. Not to mention getting a chance to see Salerno-Sonnenberg perform is exciting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on January 21, 2018, 06:18:58 PM
Gil Shaham was fantastic.  If you (anyone) get a chance to see him perform, I urge you to do so — unless you prefer violinists who stand still.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 21, 2018, 06:39:36 PM
Quote from: Pat B on January 21, 2018, 06:18:58 PMGil Shaham was fantastic.  If you (anyone) get a chance to see him perform, I urge you to do so — unless you prefer violinists who stand still.

Gil Shaham's tone is absolutely exquisite. I've always admired his playing. You're fortunate to have been able to see him in concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on January 21, 2018, 07:31:10 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 21, 2018, 06:39:36 PM
Gil Shaham's tone is absolutely exquisite. I've always admired his playing. You're fortunate to have been able to see him in concert.

Yes. I think the whole audience was appreciative, based on the long standing ovation they gave him... after the first movement. (He took it completely in stride.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 22, 2018, 06:16:49 PM
Tomorrow and Wednesday, two concerts with Franz Welser-Möst and the Cleveland Orchestra. I don't know the Haydn at all.

Johannes Maria Staud: Stromab ("Downstream")
Mahler: Symphony No. 9

Haydn: The Seasons

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 23, 2018, 02:36:09 AM
Just been to an amazing concert last night with Joshua Bell and ASMF.

Vivaldi Four Seasons
Edgar Meyer Overture for Violin& Orchestra
Beethoven Symphony no 2.

Met Joshua afterwards. Got two autographs and  a photo taken with him.  He was really nice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on January 25, 2018, 07:44:39 AM
Well, I saw La Traviata last night and it was just the experience I needed. The opera had much more beautiful parts now than I had before noticed. I had forgotten how great the prelude was.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: arpeggio on January 25, 2018, 07:52:52 PM
Today is my wife's and mine 48th wedding anniversary.  As a anniversary gift she got tickets for the March 6th concert of the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Strathmore.  They will be performing the Shostakovitch Seventh Symphony.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on January 26, 2018, 08:09:12 AM
Quote from: arpeggio on January 25, 2018, 07:52:52 PM
Today is my wife's and mine 48th wedding anniversary.  As a anniversary gift she got tickets for the March 6th concert of the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Strathmore.  They will be performing the Shostakovitch Seventh Symphony.

Happy anniversary / congratulations!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 26, 2018, 09:44:37 AM
Quote from: Pat B on January 26, 2018, 08:09:12 AM
Happy anniversary / congratulations!

+1.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 26, 2018, 05:51:30 PM
tomorrow (continued from another thread)  BERLIOZ "Fantastic", R. STRAUSS Oboe Concerto
Vancouver S.O. and Youth Orchestra  160 players, some off-stage  -  here's a picture from today's rehearsal
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 26, 2018, 07:11:03 PM
Gorecki: Three Pieces in Olden Style
Sibelius: Violin Concerto
Brahms: Symphony No.1

Michał Nesterowicz: Conductor
Esther Yoo: Violin
Royal Philharmonic

I haven't heard the Gorecki. Or in fact, any Gorecki, I think.

The following evening it's the Royal ballet, with Sarah Lamb dancing Manon. Osipova is in the role for a couple of performances, but I won't be in London then and don't want to make two trips. Having said that, the tickets aren't on sale until next(?) week so there's every chance I'll change my mind.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 26, 2018, 07:25:47 PM
Quote from: NikF on January 26, 2018, 07:11:03 PM
Gorecki: Three Pieces in Olden Style
Sibelius: Violin Concerto
Brahms: Symphony No.1

Michał Nesterowicz: Conductor
Esther Yoo: Violin
Royal Philharmonic

I haven't heard the Gorecki. Or in fact, any Gorecki, I think.

The following evening it's the Royal ballet, with Sarah Lamb dancing Manon. Osipova is in the role for a couple of performances, but I won't be in London then and don't want to make two trips. Having said that, the tickets aren't on sale until next(?) week so there's every chance I'll change my mind.

That Gorecki work is quite nice indeed. Of course, the Brahms and Sibelius are well-known masterpieces.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 26, 2018, 07:50:16 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 26, 2018, 07:25:47 PM
That Gorecki work is quite nice indeed. Of course, the Brahms and Sibelius are well-known masterpieces.

That's good to know.

When there's a concert featuring a work or composer I'm unfamiliar with I'm usually in two minds about how to approach it. Have a listen beforehand? Or leave it until the performance and be surprised? Most often it's the latter. I remember one concert that featured Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' (which I knew) and Mozart's oboe concerto, but the first piece was Matthias Pintscher's 'Idyll' - and surprise doesn't really cover that!

In any case, I'll look forward to the Gorecki.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on January 27, 2018, 09:35:13 AM
Quote from: NikF on January 26, 2018, 07:50:16 PMIn any case, I'll look forward to the Gorecki.
Heard it a couple of times in a concert, always a joy to the heart; take e.g. these young Polish string players:
https://www.youtube.com/v/2X6C6C6093Y
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 27, 2018, 01:28:06 PM
Quote from: Christo on January 27, 2018, 09:35:13 AM
Heard it a couple of times in a concert, always a joy to the heart; take e.g. these young Polish string players:
https://www.youtube.com/v/2X6C6C6093Y

I'm tempted to listen...but think I'll wait. And I'll bookmark the video. Cheers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 27, 2018, 05:24:23 PM
Quote from: NikF on January 26, 2018, 07:50:16 PM
That's good to know.

When there's a concert featuring a work or composer I'm unfamiliar with I'm usually in two minds about how to approach it. Have a listen beforehand? Or leave it until the performance and be surprised? Most often it's the latter. I remember one concert that featured Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' (which I knew) and Mozart's oboe concerto, but the first piece was Matthias Pintscher's 'Idyll' - and surprise doesn't really cover that!

In any case, I'll look forward to the Gorecki.

That's awesome, Nik. Yeah, I would just wait to hear and you can always familiarize yourself with it again later on. I'd LOVE to see Mahler Das Lied von der Erde in concert. One of my favorite works from anyone. Can't say I know that Pintscher work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 28, 2018, 11:40:59 PM
Coming up this week:

Camerata Bern
Meesun Hong Coleman Konzertmeisterin
Kit Armstrong Klavier

Johann Sebastian Bach Ouvertüre Nr. 1 C-Dur BWV 1066
Johann Sebastian Bach Klavierkonzert Nr. 6 F-Dur BWV 1057
Joseph Martin Kraus Sinfonie C-Dur VB 138
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Klavierkonzert Nr. 22 Es-Dur KV 482

----

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Andrés Orozco-Estrada Leitung
Hilary Hahn Violine

Leos Janácek "Taras Bulba"
Sergej Prokofjew Violinkonzert Nr. 1 D-Dur op. 19
Antonín Dvorák Sinfonie Nr. 7 d-Moll op. 70


Looking foward very much to hearing Hahn in concert, finally! The first one is part of a series I've got a subscription for, and is the one I'm least interested in there ... but the repertoire looks nice enough (at least for somebody still pretty new to going to concerts and having not yet heard all the standard stuff up and down - and Kraus certainly goes beyond that).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 29, 2018, 02:45:14 AM
Like to support local orchestras, so this weekend going to see
Sinfonia of Leeds performing

Mozart. Overture to Magic Flute
Shostakovich. Symphony no 9
Brahms. Piano Concerto no 2

Soloist is Danny Driver. Anyone come across him?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 29, 2018, 11:50:47 AM
Quote from: king ubu on January 28, 2018, 11:40:59 PMTonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Andrés Orozco-Estrada Leitung
Hilary Hahn Violine

Leos Janácek "Taras Bulba"
Sergej Prokofjew Violinkonzert Nr. 1 D-Dur op. 19
Antonín Dvorák Sinfonie Nr. 7 d-Moll op. 70


Looking foward very much to hearing Hahn in concert, finally! The first one is part of a series I've got a subscription for, and is the one I'm least interested in there ... but the repertoire looks nice enough (at least for somebody still pretty new to going to concerts and having not yet heard all the standard stuff up and down - and Kraus certainly goes beyond that).

Hahn performing Prokofiev's VC1 should be riveting. Also, the Janáček and Dvořák should be awesome.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 29, 2018, 12:33:51 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 29, 2018, 11:50:47 AM
Hahn performing Prokofiev's VC1 should be riveting. Also, the Janáček and Dvořák should be awesome.

That's what I'm hoping for! All that's less than outstanding will be a let-down ...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 29, 2018, 12:36:03 PM
Quote from: king ubu on January 29, 2018, 12:33:51 PM
That's what I'm hoping for! All that's less than outstanding will be a let-down ...

All I can say now is enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 29, 2018, 12:39:27 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 29, 2018, 12:36:03 PM
All I can say now is enjoy!

Will be in front row as usual (since this season that is) ... so Ms. Hahn will be prob. 2 metres from me. I love being close, even if it means the sound will suffer some (the stage is not so high, no hurting neck, and sound, I guess quite similar from what the conductor is hearing, though he's 2 metres further up of course, but the hall - see pics one page back - is really clear and transparent, so sound is quite good even up front, and even when the line-up is huge).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kishnevi on January 29, 2018, 05:28:50 PM
Quote from: Judith on January 29, 2018, 02:45:14 AM
Like to support local orchestras, so this weekend going to see
Sinfonia of Leeds performing

Mozart. Overture to Magic Flute
Shostakovich. Symphony no 9
Brahms. Piano Concerto no 2

Soloist is Danny Driver. Anyone come across him?

I have him in completely different music (York Bowen sonatas, also on Hyperion).  He's good there, but Brahms PCs are quite different.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 30, 2018, 03:48:39 AM
Gusztáv Fenyő plays the complete Preludes & Fugues of Bach and Shostakovich (1/5)

Bach (Book I):  Nos. 1-12
Shostakovich:  Nos. 1-4

I bought tickets for all five concerts in the series. They're interspersed throughout the next few months, with that same period including performances of the Shosty Piano Trio No.2 in E minor and his Leningrad Symphony, both of which I'll also be attending. It should be cool.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 30, 2018, 04:11:17 AM
Quote from: king ubu on January 29, 2018, 12:39:27 PM
Will be in front row as usual (since this season that is) ... so Ms. Hahn will be prob. 2 metres from me. I love being close, even if it means the sound will suffer some (the stage is not so high, no hurting neck, and sound, I guess quite similar from what the conductor is hearing, though he's 2 metres further up of course, but the hall - see pics one page back - is really clear and transparent, so sound is quite good even up front, and even when the line-up is huge).

I was in front row for Joshua Bell and ASMF. Was a bit worried at first as heard horror stories about it but ended up loving it  there. Felt really close and could even hear him breathing. Acoustics weren't even too bad. Even smiled at me when he first walked on stage  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AnthonyAthletic on January 30, 2018, 07:55:39 AM
Friday 16 March 2018 - 1:30pm (Day off Work)  :D

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall : Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

J S Bach : Canon and Fugue (from The Art of Fugue) (arr. George Benjamin)
Schumann : Piano Concerto
Mahler : Symphony No. 1

Joshua Weilerstein (conductor); Anna Tsybuleva (piano) winner of the Prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2015

Should be a good afternoon, make a day of it, and evening too....ie concert, food, ale.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 30, 2018, 11:23:30 PM
Friday, 2 February 2018
Auditorium Parco della Musica - Roma
Orchestra e Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Daniele Gatti

Schumann: Symphony No. 2
Schumann: Nachtlied
Schumann: Symphony No. 4

First time at the Santa Cecilia Hall (http://www.santacecilia.it/en/auditorium/sala_santa_cecilia.html). The all-wood interior looks more than a bit like the Megaron concert hall in Athens. And an all-Schumann program. Bring it!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on January 31, 2018, 05:47:48 AM
Next Thursday:

Ligeti - Atmospheres
Rodrigo - Concierto de Aranjuez (harp transcription)
Tchaikovsky - Manfred Symphony

Xavier de Maistre (harp)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Uros Lajovic (cond.)

I'll be hearing all three pieces for the first time live, Rodrigo transcription the first time ever.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 31, 2018, 10:20:53 AM
February in Dallas features big number twos (heh):

10 Feb
Haydn | Cello Concerto No 1
Rachmaninov | Symphony No 2

Harriet Krijgh, cello
Dallas SO | Jaap van Zweden

24 Feb
Mahler | Symphony No 2

Dallas SO | Jaap van Zweden

Jaap leaves in May and no replacement has been announced yet  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DaveF on February 01, 2018, 01:04:17 AM
Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra's annual Workshop, this Sunday 4th Feb.  This year's sacrificial victim is Mahler 5.  I've already managed to bring a preliminary rehearsal to a standstill with my fff tam-tam crash at the end of the 2nd movement, and aim to take the volume up to 11 on the day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 01, 2018, 07:25:47 AM
Quote from: AnthonyAthletic on January 30, 2018, 07:55:39 AM
Friday 16 March 2018 - 1:30pm (Day off Work)  :D

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall : Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

J S Bach : Canon and Fugue (from The Art of Fugue) (arr. George Benjamin)
Schumann : Piano Concerto
Mahler : Symphony No. 1

Joshua Weilerstein (conductor); Anna Tsybuleva (piano) winner of the Prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2015

Should be a good afternoon, make a day of it, and evening too....ie concert, food, ale.
Going to same concert at Leeds Town Hall a few days before. Looking forward☺
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 01, 2018, 01:47:31 PM
Quote from: Draško on January 31, 2018, 05:47:48 AM
Next Thursday:

Ligeti - Atmospheres
Rodrigo - Concierto de Aranjuez (harp transcription)
Tchaikovsky - Manfred Symphony

Xavier de Maistre (harp)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Uros Lajovic (cond.)

I'll be hearing all three pieces for the first time live, Rodrigo transcription the first time ever.

Harp transcription? I am curious as to this choice as there is already the Concierto Serenata one can play, unless this was specifically the choice of the harp soloist. Concierto de Aranjuez seems too idiomatic for the guitar to work effectively on harp, but I could be wrong.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 01, 2018, 01:50:04 PM
Quote from: jessop on February 01, 2018, 01:47:31 PM
Harp transcription? I am curious as to this choice as there is already the Concierto Serenata one can play, unless this was specifically the choice of the harp soloist. Concierto de Aranjuez seems too idiomatic for the guitar to work effectively on harp, but I could be wrong.
You can hear the transcription - done by Rodrigo himself - on a Naxos recording with Gwyneth Wentink. I actually prefer it to the guitar version! But for the composer, it's not just about pleasing harpists, it also helps address the balance issues where you have to calibrate your orchestration so carefully to make sure a guitar can be heard at all times. Orchestras can get a little rowdier when the soloist is playing a harp  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 01, 2018, 01:53:14 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 01, 2018, 01:50:04 PM
You can hear the transcription - done by Rodrigo himself - on a Naxos recording with Gwyneth Wentink. I actually prefer it to the guitar version! But for the composer, it's not just about pleasing harpists, it also helps address the balance issues where you have to calibrate your orchestration so carefully to make sure a guitar can be heard at all times. Orchestras can get a little rowdier when the soloist is playing a harp  ;D

Ooh that is quite interesting, thanks.


............but I will always be more biased towards guitar versions even if it is a concerto I would never wish to play myself anyway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AnthonyAthletic on February 02, 2018, 05:34:54 AM
Quote from: Judith on February 01, 2018, 07:25:47 AM
Going to same concert at Leeds Town Hall a few days before. Looking forward☺

Super!, please drop a line on this thread after your concert and ditto  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mandryka on February 02, 2018, 07:08:38 AM
Marc Mauillon Machaut Salle Cortot Paris next Tuesday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on February 02, 2018, 11:23:04 AM
Just bought a ticket to this concert next Sunday:

Marc-André Hamelin and the Pacifica Quartet

- Hamelin: piano quintet
- Schumann: piano quintet op 44
- Beethoven: string quartet op 74
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 04, 2018, 04:07:09 AM
Just been  yesterday evening

Sinfonia of Leeds

They performed

Mozart  Overture The Magic Flute
Shostakovich  Symphony no 9
Brahms Piano Concerto no 2

Soloist  Danny Driver
Conductor Anthony Kraus

Very impressed by Drivers performance of Brahms.  He gave it his "all" :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 04, 2018, 05:17:47 AM
Quote from: Judith on February 04, 2018, 04:07:09 AM
Just been  yesterday evening

Sinfonia of Leeds

They performed

Mozart  Overture The Magic Flute
Shostakovich  Symphony no 9
Brahms Piano Concerto no 2

Soloist  Danny Driver
Conductor Anthony Kraus

Very impressed by Drivers performance of Brahms.  He gave it his "all" :)
Cool. And that was the right order—the Brahms being higher-calorie than the Shostakovich 8)

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 04, 2018, 07:39:34 AM
Quote from: Judith on February 04, 2018, 04:07:09 AM
Just been  yesterday evening

Sinfonia of Leeds

They performed

Mozart  Overture The Magic Flute
Shostakovich  Symphony no 9
Brahms Piano Concerto no 2

Soloist  Danny Driver
Conductor Anthony Kraus

Very impressed by Drivers performance of Brahms.  He gave it his "all" :)

How was the performance of the Shostakovich 9th?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 04, 2018, 08:06:07 AM
I continue to be impressed with the Nashville Symphony, and their 2018-19 schedule is big time. Here are a few I'm considering for my subscription.

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Midori, violin
Beethoven – Violin Concerto
John Adams – Harmonielehre  Live Recording


Hans Graf, conductor | Nashville Symphony Chorus
R.Strauss – Serenade in E-flat Major
Stravinsky – Symphony of Psalms
Ravel – Daphnis et Chloé


Robert Spano, conductor | Simon Trpčeski, piano
Michael Gandolfi – Selections from The Garden of Cosmic Speculation
Sibelius – Symphony No. 5
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 3


Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano | Cynthia Millar, ondes Martenot
Messiaen – Turangalîla-symphonie
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 04, 2018, 12:18:25 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 04, 2018, 08:06:07 AM
I continue to be impressed with the Nashville Symphony, and their 2018-19 schedule is big time. Here are a few I'm considering for my subscription.
[snipped]

Looks excellent. So you're not in Atlanta anymore?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 04, 2018, 01:12:46 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 04, 2018, 07:39:34 AM
How was the performance of the Shostakovich 9th?

That was very good to say it was a local orchestra. Made me realise, very much like Prokofiev.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on February 04, 2018, 06:13:19 PM
Tomorrow, LALO Symphonie Espagnole,  SCHUMANN Symphony no.4  Vancouver Symphony
Guest conductor Perry So using violins separated right and left, photo of yesterday's concert from VSO's page.
Alexandra Soumm, violin
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 05, 2018, 03:49:43 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on February 04, 2018, 12:18:25 PM
Looks excellent. So you're not in Atlanta anymore?

My family and I moved to the Nashville area last June. We love it here.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on February 05, 2018, 07:01:05 AM
The Pacifica Quartet concert was excellent. Maybe yesterday's snowstorm is to blame, but it was poorly attended (maybe 350-400 max).

I'm glad they chose op. 74 among the Beethoven quartets. It's one of my favourites. Marc-André Hamelin's newest composition (2016), a piano quintet, was interesting to hear. The writing for strings appears quite basic, but it meshed well with the fascinating piano part. Hamelin's idiom is post-Rachmaninov/ornsteinian. There are some harsh chromaticisms but they are organic to the work's progression. An interesting discovery. The Schumann was all I hoped it would be: generous, passionate, tightly coiled.

The Pacificas are an excellent group. If I'm to judge by this concert and choice of works, the first violin or the cellist are not the leaders of the group. That role seems to belong to the violist, whose personality dominated the music-making.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 05, 2018, 02:39:18 PM
Just saw Tristan und Isolde (Melbourne Opera) last night, conducted by Anthony Negus with a mostly excellent Australian cast.

I have to say, as one of the smaller opera companies in Melbourne (the other larger ones being Victorian Opera and Opera Australia) they are doing remarkably well. In comparison to their production of Lohengrin I saw last year, T&I was just on another level in terms of musicianship. Negus brought a fast paced reading to the score and was sensitive to the needs of the singers in the rather strange acoustic of the 2,896 seat Palais Theatre (formerly used by the old Victorian State Opera before their merger with Opera Australia in the 1990s). The theatre itself probably needs some work on its interior, particularly adjustment of acoustics. I am glad that Victorian Opera and Melbourne Opera have begun to use this venue as their home theatre rather than trying to cram into the smaller theatres in the city, which have unsuitably sized orchestra pits for 19th century repertoire.

The production design was overall great but I felt sometimes bordered on the ugly in Act 2 with a kaleidoscopic video projection backdrop hinting at the use (abuse?) of the Love Potion as a hallucinogenic substance. A great idea really, but my personal taste is something more minimalist in this opera where the audience's attention is drawn directly towards the singers. Acts 1 and (especailly) act 3 were marvellous. The use of light and the sun as a visual symbol was extremely good and I really felt Tristan (with a generous splattering of stage blood oozing from his abdomen) was almost being scorched by the sun's harsh light during his anxious wait for Isolde in act 3. Also, the harsh rays of the sun almost smothering the characters at the end of act 2 were a great addition. Act 1 was pretty straightforward and unambiguous in the staging. I enjoyed that the production avoided setting it in any particular time or place, as time and place as a sense of 'home' are ultimately unimportant to Tristan and Isolde; the home they seek is in each other.

Being able to seat nearly 3,000 people was useful as the former opening night was cancelled due to no replacements available for the role of Isolde as the usual soprano had a virus. She sounded splendid on the night though, albeit with an overall austerity and lack of character in contrast to the other singers. Some of the people who had booked for opening night fortunately did fit in the theatre, but they did bring out an extra row of chairs at the very back.

Images from the web of the auditoriums of the current two main opera houses in Melbourne, Australia.

Palais Theatre (2,896 seats) but it was difficult to find an adequate image of it set out as an opera theatre with the orchestra pit visible. So here is the closest thing I could find where the upper balcony is unfortunately hidden on the other side of the camera:

(https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14039941_1421306024551366_2245580596188961280_n.jpg?oh=42ed28d310a7635e659596419e82792b&oe=5ADB686E)

State Theatre (2,079 seats) where Opera Australia is based in the more modern Arts Centre complex. The orchestra pit here is indeed a bit bigger and more suitable to the Ring production we have every few years. Going to see Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg here later on.

(https://www.gtaust.com/news/archive/vac/vac6.jpg)

Wagner productions tend to be the ones where I bump into almost everyone I know and often people I haven't seen in years as well as quite a few well known musicians in my area. I could barely walk five metres during the intermissions without ending up saying hello to someone. (It is always nice, but sometimes it can get a bit much!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 05, 2018, 02:42:05 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 04, 2018, 08:06:07 AM
I continue to be impressed with the Nashville Symphony, and their 2018-19 schedule is big time. Here are a few I'm considering for my subscription.

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Midori, violin
Beethoven – Violin Concerto
John Adams – Harmonielehre  Live Recording


Hans Graf, conductor | Nashville Symphony Chorus
R.Strauss – Serenade in E-flat Major
Stravinsky – Symphony of Psalms
Ravel – Daphnis et Chloé


Robert Spano, conductor | Simon Trpčeski, piano
Michael Gandolfi – Selections from The Garden of Cosmic Speculation
Sibelius – Symphony No. 5
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 3


Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano | Cynthia Millar, ondes Martenot
Messiaen – Turangalîla-symphonie

Those look like wonderful programmes! I hope you manage to see all of them. The last two look particularly attractive to me. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 05, 2018, 03:12:00 PM
Grrrr just bought tickets to Meistersinger and it is bloody expensive
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on February 05, 2018, 06:43:28 PM
The Hamilton Philharmonic is doing a Classical Era concert

Haydn: Overture to L'anima del filosofo: Orfeo ed Euridice
Clementi: Symphony in B-flat major
Mozart: Chaconne and Pas seul from Idomeneo
Pleyel: Bassoon Concerto
Haydn: Symphony No. 88

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 05, 2018, 10:32:46 PM
Quote from: king ubu on January 28, 2018, 11:40:59 PM
Coming up this week:

Camerata Bern
Meesun Hong Coleman Konzertmeisterin
Kit Armstrong Klavier

Johann Sebastian Bach Ouvertüre Nr. 1 C-Dur BWV 1066
Johann Sebastian Bach Klavierkonzert Nr. 6 F-Dur BWV 1057
--
Joseph Martin Kraus Sinfonie C-Dur VB 138
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Klavierkonzert Nr. 22 Es-Dur KV 482
Couple of sentences ... this one was better than I was hoping for actually ... or maybe less good. Sound balance with the harpsichord that Armstrong played in the Bach concerto was difficult: small ensemble, strings HAD to play SOME to at least kind of fill the hall with sound. I was front row so I did hear the harpsichord. Got two free tickets for this after complaining about an obnoxious photographer present during the recent Buniatishvili Schumann concert, and my mom and girlfriend sat somewhere at the back of the hall, seats of the most expensive category ... they didn't really hear that harpsichord. Armstrong however seems to be a really thoughtful young man, not into flashy stuff and hype and all that crap, but really into the music. The harpsichord was part of the band for the Bach overture (very nice!) and for the Kraus (very Mozartean in spots, but easily the highlight of the concert, Meesun Hong played wonderfully there).

For the Kraus and Mozart I moved to one of those expensive seats as my gf was tired and left for home already ... sound is somewhat better, but you get so much more distraction from people compared to front row, it took me a whilte to get used to that (even though it was the Kraus they played and I really enjoyed it ... gotta explore those Naxos discs now! And the most recent Antonini/Haydn, too).

For the Mozart then, they placed the concert grand in the center ... sound balance was no more an issue (it really was in the Bach concerto only), the touch and sound of Armstrong's playing was wonderful indeed - there were many spots where I thought: yes, this is it, this is just how Mozart ought to played - but he and the ensemble failed to shape a coherent whole out of the long (35 min?) concerto. With Armstrong really into the playing and not into having the overview of all things going on, I felt they would have needed a conductor here, Meesun Hong was obviously not able to really shape this, either. Anyway, huge applause and then a wonderful encore (a Bach choral prelude).

Quote from: king ubu on January 28, 2018, 11:40:59 PM
Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Andrés Orozco-Estrada Leitung
Hilary Hahn Violine

Leos Janácek "Taras Bulba"
Sergej Prokofjew Violinkonzert Nr. 1 D-Dur op. 19
--
Antonín Dvorák Sinfonie Nr. 7 d-Moll op. 70

And then, Hilary Hahn - and wow, that was wonderful! The wealth of sounds she got from her violin ... this goes way beyond the perfection usually associated with her playing, she even had the sound go ugly several times, that concerto quite bowled me over. Hahn and Oroczo-Estrada did shape that thing, and she did communicate with the orchestra (sometimes with looks, sometimes just with music) ...

The Janácek will probably not become a favourite in this house, but the start the orchestra took - wow! Out of the nothing, the audience hadn't quite settled yet, Orozco-Estrada just seemed to turn a switch and there they were, BANG in your face! Belying all the rumours and bad-mouthing (what's that obnoxious dude with his silly blog where the Swiss in general are put down in the most simplistic/fake manner?) of the quality of the orchestra, as of now, they are in absolutely splendid shape! They proved that with Haitink, with Currentzis, with Gardiner lately, just to mention a few ... the insecurity of the Bringuier era and the open succession seems blown away (also I read that Järvi was in the audience to check out one of the Verdi Requiem performances with Gardiner). Either way, they did mighty good in the Janácek and they excelled in the Dvorák. Wonderful playing of two pieces that are not my favourites, but quite alright, that for sure.

---

Tonight:

Zürcher Kammerorchester
Sir Roger Norrington
(Ehrendirigent) Leitung
Isabelle Faust Violine

Robert Schumann Ouvertüre, Scherzo und Finale E-Dur op. 52
Robert Schumann Violinkonzert d-Moll op. posth.
Franz Schubert Sinfonie Nr. 6 C-Dur D 589

--

Tomorrow night:

Baritone Christian Gerhaher
Piano Gerold Huber

In a concert on the Studiobühne, the world-famous baritone Christian Gerhaher introduces himself to the audience. Gerhaher plays the lead role in Holliger's new opera Lunea, which deals with the fascinating romantic poet Nikolaus Lenau. Accompanied by his well-known piano partner Gerold Huber, he sings Robert Schumann's Lieder op. 90 on poems by Nikolaus Lenau, and then talks about his artistic work in an interview with Claus Spahn.

https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/gespraechskonzert-christian-gerhaher/season_11232/

--

Thursday night:

David Murray Infinity Quartet feat. Saul Williams
Saul Williams poetry/rap, David Murray sax, Orrin Evans p, Jahibu Shahid b, Nasheet Waits dr


Yowzah!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 06, 2018, 05:55:38 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 31, 2018, 10:20:53 AM
February in Dallas features big number twos (heh):

10 Feb
Haydn | Cello Concerto No 1
Rachmaninov | Symphony No 2

Harriet Krijgh, cello
Dallas SO | Jaap van Zweden

24 Feb
Mahler | Symphony No 2

Dallas SO | Jaap van Zweden

Jaap leaves in May and no replacement has been announced yet  :o
Update: Harriet Krijgh is ill so the Haydn this Saturday has been changed to his Sinfonia concertante for violin, cello, oboe, and bassoon, which I've certainly never seen live before, featuring members of the DSO.

Not too late to come visit, Gurn!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 07, 2018, 12:09:15 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 05, 2018, 10:32:46 PM
Zürcher Kammerorchester
Sir Roger Norrington
(Ehrendirigent) Leitung
Isabelle Faust Violine

Robert Schumann Ouvertüre, Scherzo und Finale E-Dur op. 52
Robert Schumann Violinkonzert d-Moll op. posth.
Franz Schubert Sinfonie Nr. 6 C-Dur D 589

That was wonderful last night! Schumann's Op. 52 proved a really nice opener for the main act. The orchestra loves playing with Norrington (he was their principal conductor from 2011 to 2016) and he loves working with them, quite obviously. His conducting at times was just a few gestures to shape the performance, they're a chamber orchestra and know how to play together without any conductor after all ... I understand they're fully using modern instruments, but in direct comparison, they seem a much livelier bunch than the Basler Kammerorchester to me (and I'm considering catching they're C.P.E. Bach/Amadée programme w/Bezuidenhout, albeit it's the night before I'm leaving for a short jazz festival in March ... Bezuidenhout will play Wq 20/H. 423 and KV 271 "Jeunehomme", the orchestra will also play J.C. Bach's symphony Op. 3 No. 6 and C.P.E. Bach's symphony Wq 183 no. 3/H. 665 - no conductor then).

Faust was terrific in the Schumann, and again she has played with ZKO many times and they (and Norrington) were fully in sync, which was a real pleasure to witness. Her performance of the concerto at Tonhalle last June was already excellent, but suffered from rather clueless orchestral playing - conductor Jakob Hrusa did a great Bartók Mandarin suite and Janácek Sinfonietta before and after, but he seemed to not have much of an idea what to do with the Schumann. This time, it all fell together perfectly well, and in fact the smaller sources worked very well for me, too.

The final Schubert was delightful - and I guess a good pick. Anything more substantial would have been an overkill after the exhilarating violin concerto (maybe this would have been a case where programming the concerto at the end would have made sense though? Zinman did that at Tonhalle a few years ago when he played a late Mozart symphony and the Brahms concerto with FP Zimmermann, and that made perfect sense).

Either way, great concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 07, 2018, 12:34:48 AM
Quote from: jessop on February 05, 2018, 03:12:00 PM
Grrrr just bought tickets to Meistersinger and it is bloody expensive
Great you'll get to see Meistersinger live, jessop! It's not that often one gets the chance. As for the price, if you consider the quality and the sheer quantity of the music  (5 hours of glory!), it really won't have been that expensive.. .  ;) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 07, 2018, 12:52:45 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 07, 2018, 12:09:15 AM
That was wonderful last night! Schumann's Op. 52 proved a really nice opener for the main act. The orchestra loves playing with Norrington (he was their principal conductor from 2011 to 2016) and he loves working with them, quite obviously. His conducting at times was just a few gestures to shape the performance, they're a chamber orchestra and know how to play together without any conductor after all ... I understand they're fully using modern instruments, but in direct comparison, they seem a much livelier bunch than the Basler Kammerorchester to me (and I'm considering catching they're C.P.E. Bach/Amadée programme w/Bezuidenhout, albeit it's the night before I'm leaving for a short jazz festival in March ... Bezuidenhout will play Wq 20/H. 423 and KV 271 "Jeunehomme", the orchestra will also play J.C. Bach's symphony Op. 3 No. 6 and C.P.E. Bach's symphony Wq 183 no. 3/H. 665 - no conductor then).

Faust was terrific in the Schumann, and again she has played with ZKO many times and they (and Norrington) were fully in sync, which was a real pleasure to witness. Her performance of the concerto at Tonhalle last June was already excellent, but suffered from rather clueless orchestral playing - conductor Jakob Hrusa did a great Bartók Mandarin suite and Janácek Sinfonietta before and after, but he seemed to not have much of an idea what to do with the Schumann. This time, it all fell together perfectly well, and in fact the smaller sources worked very well for me, too.

The final Schubert was delightful - and I guess a good pick. Anything more substantial would have been an overkill after the exhilarating violin concerto (maybe this would have been a case where programming the concerto at the end would have made sense though? Zinman did that at Tonhalle a few years ago when he played a late Mozart symphony and the Brahms concerto with FP Zimmermann, and that made perfect sense).

Either way, great concert!

Nice review! I like Norrington in this repertoire.......anything chronologically later than these compositions can begin to get a bit controversial, but it is always interesting to hear. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 07, 2018, 01:04:03 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 07, 2018, 12:34:48 AM
Great you'll get to see Meistersinger live, jessop! It's not that often one gets the chance. As for the price, if you consider the quality and the sheer quantity of the music  (5 hours of glory!), it really won't have been that expensive.. .  ;) :)

I know I won't regret it! Stefan Vinke and Warwick Fyfe (Walther and Beckmesser, respectively) are two singers I am excited to see again in some Wagner since their performances in our Ring cycle production I saw in 2016 as Siegfried and Alberich. Fyfe was certainly an impressive Alberich. The guy lives and breathes Wagner. I hope he does more performances overseas as well at some point because it is remarkable to see him on the stage. (found a video of him singing as Alberich with piano accompaniment, probably for some sponsors for the production https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93lBS06B5mU )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 10, 2018, 06:52:55 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 05, 2018, 10:32:46 PM
Baritone Christian Gerhaher
Piano Gerold Huber

In a concert on the Studiobühne, the world-famous baritone Christian Gerhaher introduces himself to the audience. Gerhaher plays the lead role in Holliger's new opera Lunea, which deals with the fascinating romantic poet Nikolaus Lenau. Accompanied by his well-known piano partner Gerold Huber, he sings Robert Schumann's Lieder op. 90 on poems by Nikolaus Lenau, and then talks about his artistic work in an interview with Claus Spahn.

https://opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/gespraechskonzert-christian-gerhaher/season_11232/

That again was most fascinating ... and having heard the Schumann violin concerto the night before was perfect, as they were discussing late Schumann for quite a while, the inherent modernity, the way in which he has piano and voice not fall into one into the late lieder but has them complement and interlock etc. Holliger was in the audience, they played some of the initial voice+piano version of his "Luena", which has then been reworked into voice+orchestra and is now being rehearsed in its (final?) version as an opera, with Gerhaher singing the main part (it seems Holliger only started composing once he was sure Gerhaher would sing - no one else can do it, he seems to think).

The programme was thus shaped among the common thread and comprised all of Schumann's lieder based on words by Nikolaus Lenau (Lunea-Lenau, get it?) - including one (WoO 26/2) that they reckoned may actually never have been performed in concert before (it is part of the Hyperion complete lieder edition of course - that one's on its way from jpc now ...):

Heinz Holliger – ELIS. Drei Nachtstücke für Klavier nach Georg Trakl
Robert Schumann – Sechs Gedichte (Nikolaus Lenau) und Requiem (Lebrecht Dreves) op. 90
Robert Schumann – Frühlingsgrüsse (Nikolaus Lenau) WoO 26/2
Robert Schumann – Vier Husarenlieder (Nikolaus Lenau) op. 117
Heinz Holliger – LUNEA. 23 Sätze von Nikolaus Lenau (Auszüge, genauer: 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18 & 22

encore: Robert Schumann – Die Grenadiere (Heinrich Heine)

--

next up, Monday night:

Rezital Maurizio Pollini
Carte blanche für den Grand Seigneur
Maurizio Pollini Klavier

Robert Schumann Arabeske op. 18
Robert Schumann Allegro h-Moll op. 8 für Klavier
Robert Schumann Konzert ohne Orchester f-Moll
Frédéric Chopin Nocturnes op. 55
Frédéric Chopin Klaviersonate Nr. 3 h-Moll op. 58
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on February 10, 2018, 08:53:41 AM
Quote from: Draško on January 31, 2018, 05:47:48 AM
Next Thursday:

Ligeti - Atmospheres
Rodrigo - Concierto de Aranjuez (harp transcription)
Tchaikovsky - Manfred Symphony

Xavier de Maistre (harp)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Uros Lajovic (cond.)

I'll be hearing all three pieces for the first time live, Rodrigo transcription the first time ever.

In reverse order: Manfred was boring. It was one of the slowest I heard at over an hour and there was too much stop-and-go. I couldn't quite figure out what was the conductor's conception. The orchestra played well, maybe some spark missing in the winds. Aranjuez transcription ... I don't know, it was quite impressive technically, but even if harp carries better, especially in high registers, it's more muted instrument lacking the vibrancy of the guitar. It was interesting to hear once. The audience loved de Maistre so he played two encores: Falla's Danza from La Vida Breve and Tarrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra, both impressive, both I still prefer in their respective original forms. Highlight of the concert for me came early: Atmospheres ... that moment around the middle when winds go almost unbearably intense and shrill ... and then basses enter fortissimo :o hair-raising. Didn't know until now that hushed sound at the very end of piece is a soft cloth being rustled over piano strings, awesome.

Next concert is (not sure I'll be able to go) Zemlinsky Die Seejungfrau / Brahms Piano Concerto No.1. Fabrice Bollon conducting, Tamara Stefanovic the pianist.

Next one after that is Gliere's Il'ya Murometz conducted by Belgrade Phil. current MD Gabriel Feltz. That concert should be recorded for CD release. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 11, 2018, 08:36:21 AM
Was back at the Leeds Town Hall last night and saw

Dvořák      Two Slavonic Dances, Nos 14&16
Dvořák      Violin Concerto
Dvořák      Symphony No 9 (from New World)

Soloist    Josef Špaček
Conductor  Tomáš Netopil

Tomáš Netopil was in place of Jiří Bělohlávek who sadly passed away last May.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 14, 2018, 12:13:05 AM
Was at "The Venue" Leeds College of Music yesterday evening and saw

Navarra String Quartet with Peter Donohoe

performing

Shostakovich String Quartet no 5
found this had elements of Cello Concerto at the beginning

Tchaikovsky String Quartet no 1 in D Major
my favourite String Quartet

Taneyev Piano Quintet in G Minor
performed with Peter Donohoe

Lovely performances by all
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on February 14, 2018, 07:49:25 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on January 30, 2018, 11:23:30 PM
Friday, 2 February 2018
Auditorium Parco della Musica - Roma
Orchestra e Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
Daniele Gatti

Schumann: Symphony No. 2
Schumann: Nachtlied
Schumann: Symphony No. 4

First time at the Santa Cecilia Hall (http://www.santacecilia.it/en/auditorium/sala_santa_cecilia.html). The all-wood interior looks more than a bit like the Megaron concert hall in Athens. And an all-Schumann program. Bring it!  8)

The concert was a huge success. Gatti had obviously given a lot of thought and attention into the things he wanted to coax from the orchestra and the results were both brilliant and felt fresh and personal. Tempi were lively and the first two movements of the Second Symphony, in particular, had a Schubertian vibe (the vibe of the Ninth Symphony), which was very suitable to the fabric of the music. Schumann's spirit was reistated for the remainder of the program and the orchestra's excellent playing was able to put to rest ridiculous notions I've read in the past of Schumann's symphonies being works that are somehow lacking in orchestration. Phrasing was suberb throughout both symphonies, with lots of individual touches and excellent balance between sections; antiphonal effects abounded -and delighted. Despite the ensemble's efforts, however, I was not much impressed by the Nachtlied, its only memorable moment for me being the delightful Mendelssohnian flourish of an ending, which could very well belong to a lost number from "A Midsummer Night's Dream". At the end of the concert, the audience was enthusiastic and rightly so. If a recording comes out of these concerts (February 1-3), I'd gladly buy it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 17, 2018, 08:01:44 AM
RSNO 2017/18 - 'Under the skin of Brahms.'

Brahms struggled for ten years to complete his First Symphony – yet when you hear it, it's like the passionate outpouring of a broken heart. Conductor Thomas Søndergård, presenter Ursula Heidecker Allen and the full RSNO go under its skin to uncover a story of tragedy, triumph and the power of art. With anecdotes, illustrations and live musical examples, it's a fascinating way to get inside the world of a great symphony – and discover things you've never heard before.

Despite not being sure about this I've bought tickets for it anyway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 23, 2018, 06:02:10 AM
Last night, the avant-garde vocal group, Ekmeles, in their second appearance at the Crypt -- an actual crypt at a church here. The stone surfaces really flattered the program, a quartet of microtonal works. Hard to choose a favorite, but I really liked Rebecca Saunders' piece -- extremely difficult to sing, as was the entire program.

Catherine Lambpulse/shade (2014) 
Rebecca SaundersSoliloquy (2007)
Erin GeeThree Scenes from SLEEP (2008)
Marc SabatSeeds of Skies, Alibis (2017, world premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 23, 2018, 05:23:20 PM
Quote from: Brewski on February 23, 2018, 06:02:10 AM
Last night, the avant-garde vocal group, Ekmeles, in their second appearance at the Crypt -- an actual crypt at a church here. The stone surfaces really flattered the program, a quartet of microtonal works. Hard to choose a favorite, but I really liked Rebecca Saunders' piece -- extremely difficult to sing, as was the entire program.

Catherine Lambpulse/shade (2014) 
Rebecca SaundersSoliloquy (2007)
Erin GeeThree Scenes from SLEEP (2008)
Marc SabatSeeds of Skies, Alibis (2017, world premiere)

--Bruce


Looks like a great programme! I love the work of Lamb and Saunders. Haven't heard the other pieces though. Contemporary vocal music of this kind is so satisfying to see performed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 23, 2018, 10:36:12 PM
Goerne and Andsnes in an intimate all Scumann recital at Grieg's villa yesterday. What a fabulous singer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on February 24, 2018, 08:35:03 PM
With this concert, I was looking forward to the Cantata by von Einem. And a fine work, well performed it was. But it turned out that the Bruckner Zeroth was a show-stealer!

(https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/960x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fblogs-images.forbes.com%2Fjenslaurson%2Ffiles%2F2018%2F02%2FAnton_Bruckner_II_ORF-RSO__laurson_960.jpg%3Fwidth%3D960)

Review: Anton Bruckner's Zeroth Symphony, A Viennese Miracle

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2018/02/24/review-anton-bruckners-zeroth-symphony-a-viennese-miracle/#6b44363c14a1 (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2018/02/24/review-anton-bruckners-zeroth-symphony-a-viennese-miracle/#6b44363c14a1)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 26, 2018, 03:41:53 AM
Just saw my amazing friends Ziggy and Miles Johnston play this programme of Australian works at the Melbourne Recital Centre

Phillip Houghton
Wave Radiance

Richard Charlton
Refractions
Romanza
Spiral Eclipse

Phillip Houghton (Performed by Miles)
Stélé movement 1

Phillip Houghton (Performed by Ziggy)
God of the Northern Forest

Jessop Maticevski Shumack
Bergträume (world premiere)

Nigel Westlake
Songs from the Forest

https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2018/australian-impressions/

There will also be a video uploaded of the concert later. Probably none of these composers are familiar to anyone here as they are pretty only well known in the community of classical guitarists and their fans here in Australia, but I reckon they deserve to be better known elsewhere too. The world premiere wasn't as structurally good as a composition as a piece I wrote for the duo five years ago, but they played it so so well that I think the piece came off better than I expected. I am glad to say it was the most controversial thing on the programme, with audience opinion quite divided between fans of the work and non-fans. Man, I love that kind of engagement with new music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 26, 2018, 04:16:44 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 10, 2018, 06:52:55 AM
next up, Monday night:

Rezital Maurizio Pollini
Carte blanche für den Grand Seigneur
Maurizio Pollini Klavier

Robert Schumann Arabeske op. 18
Robert Schumann Allegro h-Moll op. 8 für Klavier
Robert Schumann Konzert ohne Orchester f-Moll
Frédéric Chopin Nocturnes op. 55
Frédéric Chopin Klaviersonate Nr. 3 h-Moll op. 58

That was a great experience for sure ... but also somewhat ambiguous. I found the second half, and there the Chopin third sonata, the best part, I guess, although he repeatedly missed a note - or rather: hit a wrong one - in the opening part ... he really worked his way back and that performance was so "loaded", it was just breathtaking, towards the end he started spreading . The Schumann, well ... I'm afraid the huge sonata (concerto without orchestra) is not a piece I can relate all that much yet, and Pollini didn't change that substantially. The opening pieces, most of all the arabesque, were just warm-ups. The Nocturnes were nice indeed. He played three hefty Chopin encores, starting with a dazzling - and technically perfect - third scherzo ... the concert was a rollercoaster in all respects, and I was exhausted at the end - bet the elderly gentleman was so, too.

---

Now, considering (some of) these at the Lucerne festival this year, ticket sale starts next Monday:


Sa 18.8., 18:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal

Chamber Orchestra of Europe   
Bernard Haitink  Dirigent
Alina Ibragimova  Violine

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847)
Ouvertüre Zum Märchen von der schönen Melusine op. 32
Konzert für Violine und Orchester e-Moll op. 64
Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
Sinfonie Nr. 8 C-Dur D 944 Grosse C-Dur-Sinfonie

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/chamber-orchestra-of-europe-bernard-haitink-alina-ibragimova/794


Do. 30.8., 19:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal


Berliner Philharmoniker   
Kirill Petrenko  Dirigent
Yuja Wang  Klavier

60. Luzerner Bühnenjubiläum der Berliner Philharmoniker

Paul Dukas (1865–1935)
La Péri ou La Fleur d'immortalité
Sergej Prokofjew (1891–1953)
Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 3 C-Dur op. 26
Franz Schmidt (1874–1939)
Sinfonie Nr. 4 C-Dur

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/berliner-philharmoniker-kirill-petrenko-yuja-wang/752


So 9.9., 19:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal

Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY   
Matthias Pintscher  Dirigent
(Nono)
London Symphony Orchestra   
Sir Simon Rattle  Dirigent
(Messiaen)

Luigi Nono (1924–1990)
No hay caminos, hay que caminar ... Andrej Tarkowskij für sieben Orchestergruppen
Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum für Bläser und Schlagzeug

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/orchester-der-lucerne-festival-academy-pintscher-london-symphony-orchestra-rattle/775


So 9.9., 21:00 – KKL, Konzertsaal


London Symphony Orchestra   
Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY   
Sir Simon Rattle  Dirigent
Matthias Pintscher  Dirigent
Duncan Ward  Dirigent

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–2007)
Gruppen für drei Orchester

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/london-symphony-orchestra-orchester-der-lucerne-festival-academy-rattle-pintscher-ward/793


Sa 15.9., 16:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra   
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla  Dirigentin
Gidon Kremer  Violine

Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Konzertouvertüre Othello op. 93
Mieczysław Weinberg (1919–1996)
Violinkonzert g-Moll op. 67
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904)
Sinfonie Nr. 9 e-Moll op. 95 Aus der Neuen Welt

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/city-of-birmingham-symphony-orchestra-mirga-grazinyte-tyla-gidon-kremer/883


---

Quite sure about Haitink/COE/Ibragimova, Petrenko/Berlin Phil/Wang and the Nono/Messiaen/Stockhausen combo (two concerts in a row) ... less sure about the final one, would actually go for Kremer/Weinberg only, I guess.

There are also these ... Vienna Phil/Welser-Möst doing Bruckner could be quite amazing, I think ... and the Berlin Phil/Petrenko might be a worthy alternative to the one above (but then that one looks more enticing to me, plus it's not on a working day):

Fr 7.9., 1930 – KKL, Konzertsaal

Wiener Philharmoniker   
Franz Welser-Möst  Dirigent
Sol Gabetta  Violoncello

Joseph Haydn (1732–1809)
Konzert für Violoncello und Orchester C-Dur Hob. VIIb:1
Anton Bruckner (1824–1896)
Sinfonie Nr. 5 B-Dur WAB 105

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/wiener-philharmoniker-franz-welser-most-sol-gabetta/771


Mi 29.8., 19:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal

Berliner Philharmoniker   
Kirill Petrenko  Dirigent

60. Luzerner Bühnenjubiläum der Berliner Philharmoniker

Richard Strauss (1864–1949)
Don Juan op. 20
Tod und Verklärung op. 24
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Sinfonie Nr. 7 A-Dur op. 92

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/berliner-philharmoniker-kirill-petrenko/750


opinions, anyone?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on February 26, 2018, 07:28:34 AM
Quote from: jessop on February 26, 2018, 03:41:53 AM
Just saw my amazing friends Ziggy and Miles Johnston play this programme of Australian works at the Melbourne Recital Centre

Phillip Houghton
Wave Radiance

Richard Charlton
Refractions
Romanza
Spiral Eclipse

Phillip Houghton (Performed by Miles)
Stélé movement 1

Phillip Houghton (Performed by Ziggy)
God of the Northern Forest

Jessop Maticevski Shumack
Bergträume (world premiere)

Nigel Westlake
Songs from the Forest

https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/events/2018/australian-impressions/

There will also be a video uploaded of the concert later. Probably none of these composers are familiar to anyone here as they are pretty only well known in the community of classical guitarists and their fans here in Australia, but I reckon they deserve to be better known elsewhere too. The world premiere wasn't as structurally good as a composition as a piece I wrote for the duo five years ago, but they played it so so well that I think the piece came off better than I expected. I am glad to say it was the most controversial thing on the programme, with audience opinion quite divided between fans of the work and non-fans. Man, I love that kind of engagement with new music.

I'm familiar with one of them!   ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 26, 2018, 07:36:20 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 31, 2018, 10:20:53 AM
24 Feb
Mahler | Symphony No 2

Dallas SO | Jaap van Zweden
My first time seeing Mahler 2 live. Jaap leads an account that starts out feeling like it will be a slow burn...but slow burns still burn, after all. :) The finale is as visceral and heart-pounding as it should be. Dorothea Röschmann and Michelle DeYoung were luxury casting for the solo parts. Girlfriend's reaction: "Well that was melodramatic!" She later said she enjoyed all of it except "the cuckoo part, I thought a bird was going to attack me."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on February 26, 2018, 10:39:31 AM
Quote from: jessop on February 26, 2018, 03:41:53 AM
There will also be a video uploaded of the concert later. Probably none of these composers are familiar to anyone here as they are pretty only well known in the community of classical guitarists and their fans here in Australia, but I reckon they deserve to be better known elsewhere too. The world premiere wasn't as structurally good as a composition as a piece I wrote for the duo five years ago, but they played it so so well that I think the piece came off better than I expected. I am glad to say it was the most controversial thing on the programme, with audience opinion quite divided between fans of the work and non-fans. Man, I love that kind of engagement with new music.

:)

Please link us the video when available.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on February 26, 2018, 11:28:50 AM
Quote from: Draško on February 10, 2018, 08:53:41 AM
Next concert is (not sure I'll be able to go) Zemlinsky Die Seejungfrau / Brahms Piano Concerto No.1. Fabrice Bollon conducting, Tamara Stefanovic the pianist.

Next one after that is Gliere's Il'ya Murometz conducted by Belgrade Phil. current MD Gabriel Feltz. That concert should be recorded for CD release.

As predicted I missed the top one, but should be hearing Ilya Murometz on Friday, it'll serve as first listen Friday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on February 26, 2018, 11:45:20 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 26, 2018, 04:16:44 AM
opinions, anyone?

My line of reasoning is pretty similar to yours.

Wang/Petrenko, Nono/Messiaen and Stockhausen definitely. I'm bit weary of Schubert's C-Major with chamber orchestra, could sound malnourished...and then it's a long piece.

Strauss/Beethoven one is warhorses but Petrenko is such a huge talent that personally I'd love to hear his take on those. And Don Juan and Beethoven's 7th are so beautiful pieces.

Bruckner/Welser-Most will probably be much more upholstered affair but hearing the VPO in Bruckner would be worth it for me.

The Kremer one doesn't look particularly enticing to me, but Gražinytė-Tyla is pretty hyped in British press these days so if you have time and ticket money maybe it's worth seeing if the hype is true.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 26, 2018, 11:31:58 PM
Quote from: Draško on February 26, 2018, 11:45:20 AM
My line of reasoning is pretty similar to yours.

Wang/Petrenko, Nono/Messiaen and Stockhausen definitely. I'm bit weary of Schubert's C-Major with chamber orchestra, could sound malnourished...and then it's a long piece.

Strauss/Beethoven one is warhorses but Petrenko is such a huge talent that personally I'd love to hear his take on those. And Don Juan and Beethoven's 7th are so beautiful pieces.

Bruckner/Welser-Most will probably be much more upholstered affair but hearing the VPO in Bruckner would be worth it for me.

The Kremer one doesn't look particularly enticing to me, but Gražinytė-Tyla is pretty hyped in British press these days so if you have time and ticket money maybe it's worth seeing if the hype is true.

Thanks! I saw Welser-Möst do Bruckner w/Tonhalle recently and that was amazing ... but I guess a reason to skip this, although its Vienna Phil and I've never caught them. I also saw Blomstedt do Beethoven 7 (and 8!) w/Tonhalle last season and am somewhat unwilling to travel to Lucerne (train fare is about the same as the cheapest tickets) ... so I guess ultimately I'll stick to the three you mentioned with COE/Haitink the next addition (and rather skipping Kremer). Will have to check my calendar. Last year, for some concerts I failed catching cheap tickets even though I was online the minute the sale started. But I don't think Nono/Messiaen/Stockhausen will sell out fast, Haitink and Berlin Phil will be the more "critical" ones.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on March 04, 2018, 04:28:56 PM
Saw the Parker Quartet at Harvard this afternoon playing music by Harvard faculty.

Tutschku: behind the light
Czernowin: String Quartet
Iyer: Time, Place, Action

Relatively well attended (it was free, after all), though at least the two old ladies in front of me were not prepared for or interested in listening to avant-garde music for string quartet (and electronics or piano), and left at the intermission.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 04, 2018, 06:39:39 PM
This coming Wednesday, a recital by David Fray:

- Mozart c minor Fantasia and sonata, K 475/457
- Mozart a minor Rondo, K. 511
- Schubert sonata in A major D. 959

It's nice that he'll play my favourite Mozart and Schubert piano works. What more could I ask?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 05, 2018, 04:19:20 AM
Zürich, Tonhalle-Maag – 04.03.2018
 
Julia Fischer
Violine
Yulianna Avdeeva Klavier
 
Johannes Brahms Violinsonate Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100 ,,Thuner Sonate"
Karol Szymanowski ,,Mythen" op. 30 für Violine und Klavier

Dmitri Schostakowitsch Violinsonate G-Dur op. 134
encore: Johannes Brahms  F-A-E-Sonate: Scherzo

Julia Fischer/Yulianna Avdeeva last night: Brahms 2, Szymanowski's "Mythes" (all three of 'em) and after the break the Shostakovich sonata ... and then the F-A-E Scherzo by Brahms as an encore. Very, very good this was! And a nice closer to three days of intensive live music (Friday: "Idomeneo" w/Antonini, Saturday: "Parsifal" w/Simone Young and an outstanding Nina Stemme) ...

The Brahms was very romantic, a full-blooded performance that had lots of body, at least as far as Fischer was concerned, very physical. The Szymanowski then was terrific ... Avdeeva was only able to put a smile on her face once it was over (after the Brahms, she had a look so stern I was worried if she was annoyed at something, though she played well). Then break, and then Shostakokvich ... holy holy! They kinda got into it without you really noticing, and by the second movement, it was extremely intense. The final Passacaglia just about gave me the rest. Playing the Brahms scherzo was quite a genial idea - it sounded like Brahms à la russe after that rollercoaster ride, very intense, at times harsh and almost ugly.

I have revised my judgement of Fischer (the "nice" and "polite" player of earlier years) a while ago (when I saw her do Bartók 2 w/Dutoit the latest), and this reconfirmed it. That Shostakovitch was at the same time cold to the point of freezing, and yet it was so hot it almost burned you up.

--

Re Lucerne Festival, here's what I've just bought tickets for (overpaying for the Wang/Berlin/Petrenko, I was online the second it started and got #160 in the online queue  :'( ) - so I'm skipping the Mendelssohn concerto/Schubert "grosse" w/COE/Haitink as well as the other Petrenko concerts (and Chailly doing Bruckner, as I'll be at Météo Festival in Mulhouse listening to improvised music and free jazz at that time, I presume), but I've added this most enticing concert with Holliger, Schiff et al. (first one):


Mo. 30.8., 19:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal

Chamber Orchestra of Europe     
LUCERNE FESTIVAL ALUMNI     
Heinz Holliger    Dirigent
Sir András Schiff    Klavier
Miklós Perényi    Violoncello

Arnold Schönberg (1874–1951)
Kammersinfonie Nr. 1 E-Dur für fünfzehn Soloinstrumente op. 9 
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Klaviersonate Es-Dur op. 27 Nr. 1 Sonata quasi una fantasia 
Klaviersonate cis-Moll op. 27 Nr. 2 Sonata quasi una fantasia
György Kurtág  (*1926)
... quasi una fantasia ... für Klavier und im Raum verteilte Instrumentalgruppen op. 27 Nr. 1 
Doppelkonzert für Klavier, Violoncello und zwei im Raum verteilte Kammerensembles op. 27 Nr. 2 
Heinz Holliger (*1939)
COncErto? Certo! cOn soli pEr tutti (... perduti? ...)! für Orchester

---

Do. 30.8., 19:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal

Berliner Philharmoniker   
Kirill Petrenko  Dirigent
Yuja Wang  Klavier

60. Luzerner Bühnenjubiläum der Berliner Philharmoniker

Paul Dukas (1865–1935)
La Péri ou La Fleur d'immortalité
Sergej Prokofjew (1891–1953)
Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 3 C-Dur op. 26
Franz Schmidt (1874–1939)
Sinfonie Nr. 4 C-Dur

---

So 9.9., 11:00 – Kirchensaal MaiHof

Pierre-Laurent Aimard    Klavier

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–2007)
Klavierstücke I-XI

So 9.9., 19:30 – KKL, Konzertsaal

Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY   
Matthias Pintscher  Dirigent
(Nono)
London Symphony Orchestra   
Sir Simon Rattle  Dirigent
(Messiaen)

Luigi Nono (1924–1990)
No hay caminos, hay que caminar ... Andrej Tarkowskij für sieben Orchestergruppen
Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum für Bläser und Schlagzeug

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/orchester-der-lucerne-festival-academy-pintscher-london-symphony-orchestra-rattle/775


So 9.9., 21:00 – KKL, Konzertsaal

London Symphony Orchestra   
Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY   
Sir Simon Rattle  Dirigent
Matthias Pintscher  Dirigent
Duncan Ward  Dirigent

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–2007)
Gruppen für drei Orchester

https://www.lucernefestival.ch/de/programm/london-symphony-orchestra-orchester-der-lucerne-festival-academy-rattle-pintscher-ward/793

---

Actually, "Gruppen" will be performed twice and I've got tickets for both. 18:30 and 21:00 ... sandwiching the Messiaen/Nono concert - very cool! So that Sunday will be a looong day of 20c music. Never had so much of it in concert, and Stockhausen is almost entirely new to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on March 05, 2018, 06:05:19 AM
Αt the Athens Megaron

7 MAR
C. Debussy: Symphony in  B min.
S. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.2 in C min. op.18
J. Sibelius: Symphony No.3 in C maj. op.52
Soloist: Khatia Buniatishvili

8 MAR
H. Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict: Overture
M. Ravel: Piano Concerto for the left hand
C. Franck: Symphony in D min.
Soloist: George-Emmanuel Lazaridis

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Mikko Franck

16 MAR
W.A. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A maj. KV622
D. Shostakovich: Symphony No.10 in E min. op.93
Soloist: Spyros Mourikis

Athens State Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenzy

Busy schedule but my record is 5 concerts in 6 days  $:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on March 05, 2018, 09:49:41 AM
Friday March 16th / Brussels / BOZAR / "Mysterium" by Scriabin/Nemtin.

Stanislav Kochanovsky, conductor – The Hungarian Radio Choir – Alexander Ghindin piano – Nadezhda Gulitskaya soprano and the Belgian National Orchestra (incl. the restaured concert organ  of the Salle Henri Leboeuf !.).

Almost 3 hours...of extasy?

(http://theosophy.wiki/w/images/a/ae/The_Love_of_Souls.jpg)

P.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 07, 2018, 07:23:06 PM
Quote from: André on March 04, 2018, 06:39:39 PM
This coming Wednesday, a recital by David Fray:

- Mozart c minor Fantasia and sonata, K 475/457
- Mozart a minor Rondo, K. 511
- Schubert sonata in A major D. 959

It's nice that he'll play my favourite Mozart and Schubert piano works. What more could I ask?

......................................

Back from the concert. Deeply felt performances, a program entirely made up of extremely 'serious' works. After the concert Fray signed programs and discs. He was in good spirits,  generous of his time and posed with his fans (young ladies mostly).  Fray made his debut in Montreal almost 20 years ago and obviously likes coming back here. I bought this disc, which includes some of my favourite Schubert works, the G major sonata (D. 894) as well as the famous f minor Fantaisie and Lebensstürme for piano, 4 hands.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71tusJFiCFL._SX522_.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 08, 2018, 02:45:27 PM
Last night was opening night of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius. Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (with the Choir of Trinity College, Melbourne) were conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. The soloists were Stuart Skelton, Nathan Berg and Catherine Wyn-Rogers.

I would say it was a bit more passionate and interesting than Davis' CD release from a few years ago. The semi-chorus had a very blended, pure sound that contrasted wonderfully with the rest of the choir. The orchestra was magnificent. I was singing a couple of rows behind the horns and percussion, so some of those fortissimo moments I could really feel shake me up. ;D

The soloists were great. The best Gerontius and Angel I have heard. Nathan Berg somehow seemed a bit more operatic (imagine a very emotional Wotan) than I expected from his role, but it was good fun and made his entrance towards the end of part 1 all the more thrilling.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 08, 2018, 05:34:20 PM
What an experience !   :o :o :o :o :o.

Maybe a recording will be made of these performances ?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 08, 2018, 06:48:28 PM
Quote from: André on March 08, 2018, 05:34:20 PM
What an experience !   :o :o :o :o :o.

Maybe a recording will be made of these performances ?
Not sure. Maybe Saturday afternoon's concert will be recorded for radio broadcast. If so, someone might be able to get a copy of it I guess.....

However there will be a CD release of a concert in June of L'enfance du Christ by Berlioz. Release on Chandos at some point in the future.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 08, 2018, 06:48:35 PM
Quote from: André on March 08, 2018, 05:34:20 PM
What an experience !   :o :o :o :o :o.

Maybe a recording will be made of these performances ?
Not sure. Maybe Saturday afternoon's concert will be recorded for radio broadcast. If so, someone might be able to get a copy of it I guess.....

However there will be a CD release of a concert in June of L'enfance du Christ by Berlioz. Release on Chandos at some point in the future.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 08, 2018, 06:48:58 PM
Quote from: André on March 08, 2018, 05:34:20 PM
What an experience !   :o :o :o :o :o.

Maybe a recording will be made of these performances ?
Not sure. Maybe Saturday afternoon's concert will be recorded for radio broadcast. If so, someone might be able to get a copy of it I guess.....

However there will be a CD release of a concert in June of L'enfance du Christ by Berlioz. Release on Chandos at some point in the future.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: EddieRUKiddingVarese on March 08, 2018, 07:10:52 PM
Cool good to hear
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 09, 2018, 01:33:20 PM
Quote from: jessop on March 08, 2018, 06:48:58 PM
Not sure. Maybe Saturday afternoon's concert will be recorded for radio broadcast. If so, someone might be able to get a copy of it I guess.....

However there will be a CD release of a concert in June of L'enfance du Christ by Berlioz. Release on Chandos at some point in the future.

If a broadcast of the Elgar surfaces I hope I can catch it !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 09, 2018, 10:15:04 PM
Quote from: André on March 09, 2018, 01:33:20 PM
If a broadcast of the Elgar surfaces I hope I can catch it !

There will be one, and I can provide the link to hear it when it is broadcast on Sunday week at 12pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. In Quebec that would be 9pm on Saturday.

In the meantime here is a tweet with photos from opening night. Andrew Davis is in the way but in the first photo you can see my left half (dark curly hair) just next to the maestro's left shoulder.

https://twitter.com/OperaChaser/status/971731355280203776

On Friday we went down to Geelong (about 75 kilometres southeast of Melbourne) to do our second performance and our third one was this Saturday afternoon. The Saturday one was definitely the best.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 10, 2018, 12:33:58 AM
Friday, 16 March 2018

Semperoper Dresden

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Le nozze di Figaro

Il Conte d'Almaviva Sebastian Wartig
La Contessa d'Almaviva Gabriela Scherer
Susanna Carolina Ullrich
Figaro Zachary Nelson
Cherubino Christina Bock
Marcellina Sabine Brohm
Bartolo Martin-Jan Nijhof
Don Basilio Dan Karlström
Barbarina Tuuli Takala
Don Curzio Gerald Hupach
Antonio Alexandros Stavrakakis

Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden
Staatskapelle Dresden
Ido Arad




Saturday, 17 March 2018

Grosser Saal, Konzerthaus Berlin

Franz Schreker "Vorspiel zu einem Drama"
Richard Strauss Burleske für Klavier und Orchester d-Moll
Ferruccio Busoni "Berceuse élegiaque" op. 42
Alexander Skrjabin ,,Poème de l'extase" op. 54

Konzerthausorchester Berlin
Markus Stenz Conductor
Herbert Schuch Piano



Sunday, 18 March 2018

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Erich Wolfgang Korngold Das Wunder der Heliane

Sara Jakubiak
Josef Wagner
Brian Jagde

Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin
Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Marc Albrecht
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 11, 2018, 12:14:48 PM
Quote from: pjme on March 05, 2018, 09:49:41 AM
Friday March 16th / Brussels / BOZAR / "Mysterium" by Scriabin/Nemtin.

Stanislav Kochanovsky, conductor – The Hungarian Radio Choir – Alexander Ghindin piano – Nadezhda Gulitskaya soprano and the Belgian National Orchestra (incl. the restaured concert organ  of the Salle Henri Leboeuf !.).

Almost 3 hours...of extasy?

(http://theosophy.wiki/w/images/a/ae/The_Love_of_Souls.jpg)

P.
Please report us back!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mandryka on March 12, 2018, 04:52:12 AM
I've just bought a ticket to hear Obrecht's Missa Maria Zart in Antwerp in August. Capella Pratensis singing.  I'm very much looking forward to going to Antwerp, which I haven't seen for years and which I used to love, partly because of people I knew there of course. -- I saw a French TV program last month about contemporary artists and designers working there, and it seems to be a very happening place.

I'm also tempted to hear it in Leipzig in May -- I'll be in Berlin at the time of the concert and Leipzig is only an hour away. I've never been to Leipzig, and it is, of course, covered with mystique for me.

I really thought I'd never get the chance to hear this mass played in my lifetime, and this year two opportunities present themselves.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 13, 2018, 04:48:26 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on March 04, 2018, 04:28:56 PM
Saw the Parker Quartet at Harvard this afternoon playing music by Harvard faculty.

Tutschku: behind the light
Czernowin: String Quartet
Iyer: Time, Place, Action

Relatively well attended (it was free, after all), though at least the two old ladies in front of me were not prepared for or interested in listening to avant-garde music for string quartet (and electronics or piano), and left at the intermission.

I saw the announcement for this, and would have loved to hear this. Sorry the two ladies weren't impressed, but how did you like it? (I know some of Czernowin and Iyer, but the first name is new to me.)

Tonight at Carnegie:

Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Janine Jansen, violin

Michel van der Aa: Violin Concerto (2014, NY premiere)
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on March 13, 2018, 05:13:39 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 13, 2018, 04:48:26 AM
I saw the announcement for this, and would have loved to hear this. Sorry the two ladies weren't impressed, but how did you like it? (I know some of Czernowin and Iyer, but the first name is new to me.)

I enjoyed it a good bit.  The Parker Quartet played like a finely-tuned machine, with the proper ferocity and precision (and restraint, when required).  The composers each provided very brief introductions to their works from the stage.  Although I had checked out each of the pieces beforehand to know what to expect, it was still quite unfamiliar to me overall, and it was good to experience something different from the normal concert.

I should mention that the majority of the audience seemed quite appreciative.

Hans Tutschku is a German composer who works extensively in electroacoustic music; he heads Harvard's electronic music department.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 13, 2018, 05:17:44 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on March 13, 2018, 05:13:39 AM
I enjoyed it a good bit.  The Parker Quartet played like a finely-tuned machine, with the proper ferocity and precision (and restraint, when required).  The composers each provided very brief introductions to their works from the stage.  Although I had checked out each of the pieces beforehand to know what to expect, it was still quite unfamiliar to me overall, and it was good to experience something different from the normal concert.

I should mention that the majority of the audience seemed quite appreciative.

Hans Tutschku is a German composer who works extensively in electroacoustic music; he heads Harvard's electronic music department.

Many thanks! (And adding the Parker to the apparently-inexhaustible list of string quartets today.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 13, 2018, 05:22:37 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on March 13, 2018, 05:13:39 AM
Hans Tutschku is a German composer who works extensively in electroacoustic music; he heads Harvard's electronic music department.

Somehow, I had missed that! Hans managed the "effects" at the Nono concert in which Triad participated a few years ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 13, 2018, 05:26:28 AM
Thread Duty:  In Symphony Hall this Saturday:


(Obviously, the first I shall ever have heard the Bernstein live.)

TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, Pathétique
BERNSTEIN Symphony No. 3, Kaddish

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Tamara Willson, soprano
Laila Robins, narrator
Tanglewood Festival Chorus,
    James Burton, conductor
The Choir of St. Paul's Harvard Square,
    John Robinson, conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 18, 2018, 02:11:39 PM
Picked up the programme for the RSNO new season. Two tickets for the opening night have already been purchased, but I'm considering buying a season ticket.

Wennäkoski: Flounce
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Cond. - Thomas Søndergård
Piano - Francesco Piemontesi
RSNO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on March 19, 2018, 04:16:23 AM
Quote from: Christo on March 11, 2018, 12:14:48 PM
Please report us back!  :)

Last Friday, in Brussels / BOZAR: Alexander Nemtin's go at The "Prefatory action" to Mysterium - based on sketches by Scriabin.

First of all: I was happy to witness the performance, even if this "Prefatory action / Acte préalable" raises a lot of questions.
Belgian musicologist Francis Maes writes in the program notes: "Nemtin's composition has a double meaning. It is both a tribute to and a respectful treachery against Scriabin's project. An homage because it pays tribute to an exceptional composer, treachery because Scriabin never thought of the Prefatory action as a concert piece proper."
Undoubtedly, Nemtin's efforts and devotion are more than just a "labour of love". He gave almost 30 years of his life studying and (re)working (on) Scriabin's sketches.
In 1996 the cycle was complete:

Universe (1972 - this part apparently uses most of the original material - lasts ca. 40 mins.)
Mankind (1976-1980) ca. 50 mins.
Transfiguration (1996) ca. 65 mins.

It is unclear to me how Nemtin managed to expand those ca 50-60 pages of sketches into a mammoth composition lasting ca. 2hrs40. He used some piano works, but most of it surely must be of his own invention.

General impression: almost three hours of mostly very densely orchestrated music, shifting restlesly from climax to climax makes for a very long sit. There was an interval after part two - many people did not return for Transfiguration...

"Prefatory action" sounds most of the time as a vastly enlarged, pumped up version & combination of Poème de l'extase and Promethée, poème du feu. But it remains, IMHO, amorphous.
Alexander Gindhin effortlessly worked his way through a myriad of scintillating notes, arpeggios and trills, soprano Nadezhda Gulitskaya was a superhuman onde Martenot / Theremin and the Hungarian Radio Chorus was able to switch in a split second from silky "Sirènes" to growling Maenads or Scythian warriors on a killing raid.

Brass and heavy percussion (tam tam and bass drum) had a field day. The poor guy at the triangle surely has RSI in his wrists today, fighting an uneven battle against the thundering timpany and the cymbals. Even the prominent/important tubular bells part was often drowned out. Compliments must go to the first trumpet : many dangerously exposed, high lying motifs and not one false note (I think!). I was underwhelmed by the organ contributions. I only heard a lot of deep booming pedal-sounds .

Stanislav Kochanovsky was impressive: cool and assured. Yet it may have been the first time he conducted this work.
The Belgian National Orchestra "au grand complet" was definitely on a high. I have no idea how many rehearsals the musicians were offered, but they seemed to cope well with instructions as :
"de plus en plus triomphant", "écroulement formidable", grandiose et énigmatique", "giubiloso", "joie sublime extatique", "quasi niente", "terrifiant", "doux, frémissant", "dans un vertige" and other "épanouissements de forces mystérieuses"...!! (from the score - Messiaen and Miklos Rozsa, eat your heart out!).

Scriabin spent ten years dreaming of an impossible, utopian project : Mysterium. He dreamed of a week long mystery play, to be performed at a sacred site in India. Not only would both artists and audience "merge" and be emotionally drawn into the rite, it would initiate a process, culminating in some sort of apocalyps and usher in a new era for humanity.... on a different spiritual level! Scriabin self would be more than just a composer. He would become a priest, a godlike creature using art that had the power to change the world. And, yes, Scriabin was serious about this all.

Scriabin's sources of inspiration are fascinating : symbolism, Nietsche, Wagner, Debussy...and Helena Blavatsky's (guru and charlatan!) theosophy:

"In Blavatsky's views, the consciousness of the material body evolved to the universal spirit, or from rupa to atma, in the terminology of Hinduism. This movement
runs parallel with the development of the cosmos, from the material to the divine plane. This occurs in cycles of seven planes. That is why Scriabin originally conceived his Mysterium as an event that would take place for seven days and nights. Blavatsky predicted that mankind would achieve the level of astral body (linga sharira) but that the higher levels  would only occur in a distant future. Scriabin hoped to correct her. His Mysterium would accelerate the entire cosmic transformation and abolish the
material existence. Was there no resistance against Scriabin's rather idiosyncratic theories? From 1909, he was in regular contact with mystical symbolists. His closest friend was the poet Vyacheslav Ivanov. Like Scriabin, Ivanov believed in the transformative power of art. He did not agree with his premise that one single artwork could cause a cosmic upheaval, however. Ivanov started to doubt Scriabin's mental well-being. "Scriabin is unstable... there is something wrong with him, he has a serious spiritual condition."

Anyway, Scriabin was sufficiently lucid enough to realise that Mysterium would remain an utopia. He started thinking about a work - The Prefatory Action - that would guide, would ease in mankind to the next level. Alas, since he died in 1915, he wasn't able to finish this Gesamtkunstwerk

I almost forget to mention the "light design". The program notes of the concert do not clearly indicate who worked on this version of the "tastiera per luce". Nor is it clear if Scriabin mentioned a "luce" in his sketches for the Prefatory action. In order to prevent "a collective epileptic attack", the (Belgian?)designers opted for a "slow luce". They tried "to make a light plan that was almost fully justified on a musicological level, as well as being aesthetically satisfying and having a logical structure."
Large spots of coloured light were projected onto the walls of the hall (red for "life and will", blue for "eternity" etc.). Not bad or annoying, but the intensity of the music managed, for me at last, to swallow everything else....

Still, an interesting experience - a strange and intriguing composition that invites to read more about an important period in the history of art and philosophy. And I will listen again to more and real Scriabin.
P.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 19, 2018, 06:02:21 AM
Very interesting article, pjme, you should submit it for publication !

Listening to « real » Scriabin is indeed all that's feasible for us mere mortals... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 20, 2018, 10:45:22 AM
My season ticket enquiry revealed that it doesn't cover the chamber music series of the RSNO, so these are purchased separately.


Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1
Schubert: Piano Quintet in A major

Piano - Benjamin Grosvenor
Members of the RSNO

---

Beethoven: Trio in C major
Françaix: Divertissement for Wind Trio
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas brasilerias No.6 for Flute and Bassoon
Devienne: Trio in B flat, Op. 61 No. 5
Ibert: Cinq pieces en trio

Flute - Katherine Bryan
Members of the RSNO

---

Bartok: Contrasts
Milhaud: Suite for Clarinet, Violin and Piano
Khachaturian: Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano

Violin - Tamás Fejes
Members of the RSNO

The makings of some pleasant Sunday afternoons. I'm especially looking forward to my first time hearing the Op.25 performed live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on March 20, 2018, 02:47:55 PM
That clarinet, violin, piano trio concert looks like good fun, NikF! It's a great little ensemble to compose for and very satisfying to hear in performance. I hope you enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on March 20, 2018, 03:02:03 PM
Quote from: jessop on March 20, 2018, 02:47:55 PM
That clarinet, violin, piano trio concert looks like good fun, NikF! It's a great little ensemble to compose for and very satisfying to hear in performance. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks, jessop. I get a lot from live performances, and that one is something I'm certainly looking forward to.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on March 21, 2018, 08:29:27 AM
This Saturday:

Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "Age of Anxiety" (Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4
Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond. Nelsons
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ainsi la nuit on March 21, 2018, 05:19:11 PM
I'm hearing Bruckner's 5th symphony live for the first time next week, played by the Helsinki Philharmonic under the direction of John Storgårds, the orchestra's previous chief conductor. It's going to be a real treat, since it's one of the few remaining Bruckner symphonies I haven't been able to catch in a concert yet - and to add some more frustration into that, I already had a ticket some time ago to a concert with it in the programme, only to miss it because of some silly, but important, real life obligation. Sigh! Anyhow, I'm looking forward to that a lot. Bruckner always shakes me to my very core, especially in a concert setting.

I'm a bit jealous about Mahlerian's concert in the post above this one; both items are works that I enjoy tremendously. Shostakovich's 4th is - in my humble opinion, obviously - his most directly expressive work, a stunning statement by a still-young composer. I don't think he ever wrote a finer symphony, even though the 14th and the 15th are very strong contenders in my eyes. As for the Bernstein, I've only recently gotten to know it but it's a fascinating work, if not quite as brilliant as the Serenade for violin and orchestra. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 23, 2018, 05:41:36 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on March 21, 2018, 08:29:27 AM
This Saturday:

Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "Age of Anxiety" (Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4
Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond. Nelsons

Well . . . ditto  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 23, 2018, 05:42:58 AM
Quote from: Ainsi la nuit on March 21, 2018, 05:19:11 PM
As for the Bernstein, I've only recently gotten to know it but it's a fascinating work, if not quite as brilliant as the Serenade for violin and orchestra. Enjoy!

Interesting; I am inclined to prefer The Age of Anxiety slightly.  But I am in complete agreement that these are two of my very favorite Bernstein scores.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 25, 2018, 01:58:48 AM
last night, Vancouver Symphony, Bramwell Tovey cond.
BERNSTEIN: West Side Story - Symphonic Dances
MAHLER: Symphony no.4   Tracey Dahl soprano
  -  a lot of contrasts this evening
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on March 25, 2018, 08:10:23 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on March 21, 2018, 08:29:27 AM
This Saturday:

Bernstein: Symphony No. 2 "Age of Anxiety" (Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4
Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond. Nelsons

Fantastic concert.  Based on both the number of people in the audience and the wide swath of demographics represented therein, one would never imagine that some consider the symphony moribund.  Nelsons provided alert and nuanced interpretations, especially of his beloved Shostakovich, and stayed away from the podium dancing of his earlier days in Boston.

I had not realized before attending the concert how well the two works were paired, and they did truly seem to complement each other.  Forgetting the obligation to program Bernstein's music as frequently as possible during this centenary year, it truly was an appropriate and meaningful choice that placed these two specific works, of all others in their respective composers' oeuvres, in dialogue.

The Bernstein proceeded through its pensive introduction at a deliberate pace.  Nothing was to be rushed, and the beautiful tone of the Boston Symphony's clarinets provided an apt emotional response to both score and (in spite of the composer's protestations) program.  The entry of Thibaudet's piano seemed to promise an answer to the questions posed by the opening, but it too was searching through the composer's variations without a theme (shades of Shostakovich's finale).  The dirge that followed the opening part built up gradually to a fearsome climax (on a 12-note chord like Shostakovich's in the first movement) before launching into forced merriment.  Finally, an offstage upright piano, in dialogue with a trumpet onstage, ushered in the final section, where an affirmation of faith concluded the work in a grand manner.

When the Shostakovich Fourth began, its opening was attacked with relentless brutality.  Nelsons began the symphony at a quick pace, and the fearsome machinery of the work came to life, sometimes seeming to grind to halt, sometimes lurching back into motion from near-stasis.  Many of the subtle touches in the development of the movement were given loving attention, from the bass clarinet solo to those few celesta chords presaging the coda of the finale.  Naturally, the fierce string fugato coming near (but, teasingly, not at) the end of the development was given particular attention and played with frightening precision here, and the 12-note chord that prepared for the return of the opening (followed by the second theme, not the first) was equally terrifying.  And in spite of the violent writhing which characterized portions of the movement, and which Nelsons attacked with abandon, the architecture of the whole was both solid and clearly articulated; no other composer save Alban Berg responded to the Mahler's Sixth as intelligently as Shostakovich in this movement.

The clarity and relative simplicity of the scherzo provides the clearest anchor in this work for those who have yet to come to terms with its "difficult" outer movements, and yet even here the counterpoint twists the simple diatonic motifs into dense thickets, and the often grotesque, shrill instrumentation that was one of Shostakovich's hallmarks and a crucial part of his inheritance from Mahler meant that even this movement could not be respite for those looking to escape the work's relentless drive.  The Boston Symphony's percussion and harps closed the movement with the eerie and obsessive repetition of a pattern that sounds like nothing so much as a clock winding down.

If socialist realism can be said to have any actual content as a doctrine rather than exist as an excuse for condemning works of art simply because this or that individual dislikes them, then it consists in forthrightness, optimism, and accessibility.  Shostakovich's finale provides all of these things before subverting them just as rapidly.  Nelsons began the movement at a slow trudge, its dirge coming as the other side of the opening movement's march.  The upwards-rising motif that would dominate the outer portions of the movement outlines the so-called Viennese trichord, a perfect fourth followed by an augmented fourth, and I have to wonder whether this symbol of the Second Viennese School was used with an awareness of this heritage.

Fanfares of affirmation rang out all too insistently, and the relatively benign searching continuation that followed did not yet intimate anything of the madness to come, but soon enough the lower strings began to repeat a vehemently attacked minor third, and the stream-of-consciousness that forms the interior part of the finale began.  Like the Bernstein variations earlier, there is no primary theme forming the backbone of this section; Shostakovich takes up some element of the immediately preceding music and continues to develop from there.  Here we encounter a sequence of popular forms of all kinds, their apparent cheerfulness at odds not only with the music that preceded them but also with the harmony and the instrumentation which distorted their visage.

Gradually a simple, wistful theme develops out of the waltz material and the relentless onslaught of moods and characters comes to a standstill.  The low strings repeat an ostinato taken from the scherzo of Mahler's Second (signifying the drudgery of life, remember), and the timpani lead to a peroration that seems to imply a C major conclusion to the work.  Nelsons and the Boston Symphony played out to the fullest here, letting the clashes come to the fore when the march theme from the beginning of the movement collides with the fanfares.  Then the music died down and the long, agonizing coda began.  It had never felt so long in any recording as it did here in performance, as the last scraps of the march in the trumpet echoed in the immobile static texture, as did the waltz in the strings.  When the celesta entered, one was sure that there would be no final resurgence of the triumphal material, no final affirmation as Bernstein hands to us directly.  The silence that followed the question at the ending was remarkable, and the audience sat rapt with attention until Nelsons finally put down his hands.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on March 25, 2018, 11:53:35 PM
Been to. (Don't know if there is a separate thread. Please let me know if there is and feel free to move)

Yesterday evening
Leeds Town Hall

City of Leeds Youth Orchestra
Conducted by Dougie Scarfe

Britten Symphonic Suite Gloriana
Puccini Fantasy on themes from La Boheme
Holst The Planets

The whole performance was amazing. Lovely to support knowing that they will be tomorrows musicians:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 26, 2018, 11:21:52 PM
tonight  Vancouver Symphony
MOZART: Violin Concerto #5 in A 'Turkish"
Pinkas Zukerman violin and conductor       first of the only two Mozart works being played this season
R. STRAUSS: Don Quixote
Amanda Forsyth cello  Zukerman, viola    Bramwell Tovey cond.
presented with subtitles - very effective.     Tenor tuba and bass clarinet seated together as they share similar lines
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on March 31, 2018, 02:55:05 PM
On the 4th April I am off to catch the cinema live broadcast of the Royal Opera House Macbeth, iy is getting rave reviews, so I am looking forward to real drama.

The following night it is live Strauss Ariadne from Scottish Opera in Edinburgh.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on April 01, 2018, 06:10:23 PM
Flying into chicago later in the month, will take in 3 concerts: Muti conducting Ravel and Tchaikovsky, Pollini playing Chopin, and a vocal ensemble doing Orff and LvB.  REALLY looking forward to these.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 08, 2018, 01:54:07 AM
Quote from: Mookalafalas on April 01, 2018, 06:10:23 PM
... Pollini playing Chopin ...

Just Chopin, or Schumann/Chopin - he was on tour in Europe with a Schumann/Chopin programme, it was quite amazing actually (although he didn't pull it all off in the manner he expected).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on April 08, 2018, 03:37:05 AM
Quote from: king ubu on April 08, 2018, 01:54:07 AM
Just Chopin, or Schumann/Chopin - he was on tour in Europe with a Schumann/Chopin programme, it was quite amazing actually (although he didn't pull it all off in the manner he expected).

Chopin and Debussy, Preludes Book II (supporting his new album ;)).  I didn't notice the Debussy initially, and just since I bought the tickets I've become obsessed with Debussy's preludes.  What a pleasant coincidence is that?!! :D 8) If there is a God, I think she likes me!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on April 08, 2018, 05:22:55 AM
Got the schedule for Portland Piano International for 2018/2019, and for these parts, it's pretty darned good.

- Olga Kern doing two mixed recitals, one with Carnaval, the other with a world premiere of a work by James Lee (A maybe.)

- Angela Hewitt doing two different all-Bach programs (A maybe.)

- Rachel Cheung, whom I've never heard, is doing a program with Chopin's Preludes and Schubert's D960.  (Hard to say no.)

- Boris Giltburg is doing mixed recital and then one that includes all of Rachmaninoff's Preludes.  (Very hard to say no.)

- Benjamin Grosvenor is back in town for the third time.  He's an automatic must see, but the big news here is that he's doing two Schumann works, including Kreisleriana, which hopefully means he will record it.  He's also doing Janacek's sonata, which means that with Cheung's alternate program, including In the Mists, I could hear two of Janacek's main piano works in one season.

- Behzod Abduraimov is doing the Liszt sonata.  Abduraimov doing anything is a front row and center type thing; him playing Liszt is a musical do or die event.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 08, 2018, 12:10:45 PM
Quote from: Mookalafalas on April 08, 2018, 03:37:05 AM
Chopin and Debussy, Preludes Book II (supporting his new album ;)).  I didn't notice the Debussy initially, and just since I bought the tickets I've become obsessed with Debussy's preludes.  What a pleasant coincidence is that?!! :D 8) If there is a God, I think she likes me!

Cool!

(Though I think I'd need a time machine and catch Marcelle Meyer to *really* enjoy Debussy's piano music in concert...)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on April 11, 2018, 01:00:27 PM
Pianist Igor Levit in my town on November 2!

Bach (arr. Brahms) Chaconne in D Minor
Busoni Fantasia after J.S. Bach
Schumann Geistervariationen (Ghost Variations)
Wagner (arr. Liszt) Parsifal: Solemn March to the Holy Grail
Liszt (arr. Busoni) Fantasy and Fugue on the Chorale "Ad nos, ad salutarem undam"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on April 11, 2018, 01:35:53 PM
While through tonight for part two of five of the Bach/Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues, I bought tickets for a number of concerts in the Scottish Symphony Orchestra's new season. This one looks cool -

Zappa: The Perfect Stranger.
Julian Anderson: The Imaginary Museum - concerto for piano and orchestra.
Ives: A Symphony New England Holidays.

Piano - Steven Osborne
Conductor - Ilan Volkov
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 11, 2018, 02:07:43 PM
Quote from: NikF on April 11, 2018, 01:35:53 PM
While through tonight for part two of five of the Bach/Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues, I bought tickets for a number of concerts in the Scottish Symphony Orchestra's new season. This one looks cool -

Zappa: The Perfect Stranger.
Julian Anderson: The Imaginary Museum - concerto for piano and orchestra.
Ives: A Symphony New England Holidays.

Piano - Steven Osborne
Conductor - Ilan Volkov

It looks very cool! I hope one day to see The Perfect Stranger performed live. Looks like a fun programme!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on April 11, 2018, 02:21:25 PM
Quote from: jessop on April 11, 2018, 02:07:43 PM
It looks very cool! I hope one day to see The Perfect Stranger performed live. Looks like a fun programme!

Hey jessop. I didn't buy tickets for this one on account of it being in November and I might be elsewhere, but if possible I'll be attending -

Maurice Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Matthias Pintscher: Un despertar (An awakening)(Second Cello Concerto)
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartSymphony No 39 in E flat major, K543

Bruno Delepelaire - cello

Matthias Pintscher -conductor

Hope you get to hear the Zappa performed live one day. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 11, 2018, 02:28:30 PM
Quote from: NikF on April 11, 2018, 02:21:25 PM
Hey jessop. I didn't buy tickets for this one on account of it being in November and I might be elsewhere, but if possible I'll be attending -

Maurice Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Matthias Pintscher: Un despertar (An awakening)(Second Cello Concerto)
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartSymphony No 39 in E flat major, K543

Bruno Delepelaire - cello

Matthias Pintscher -conductor

Hope you get to hear the Zappa performed live one day. :)

Ooooooh this programme looks even better! Pintscher and Mozart! And his conducting is so well suited to Ravel so this looks like a must see. 8)

Coming up, I might be seeing this concert on the 19th:

Ligeti: String Quartet No.1 Métamorphoses nocturnes
Chin: Šu – Australian Premiere
Ade Vincent: Hood Yourself In Stars (world premiere)
Chin: ParaMETAString

It is the first of two concerts from a new music festival hosted each year by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Recital Centre. The second programme looks good too.

https://www.mso.com.au/subscription-series/metropolis-new-music-festival/

There will be some more concerts featuring chamber music as part of the festival throughout the week that I hope to attend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 11, 2018, 02:37:50 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on December 17, 2017, 10:53:49 AM
An unmissable concert on Feb. 17, bringing together two of my favorite things - craft beer and chamber music:

http://spektralquartet.com/concerts/2018/2/11/close-encounters-sipping-a-glass-of-1908-vienna

We liked this last Spektral Quartet concert enough that we're going to the next one, this Sunday:

http://spektralquartet.com/concerts/2018/4/15/close-encounters-concert-and-cocktails-at-lang-house

Schoenberg again, this time in the company of Ruth Crawford Seeger and Frank Lloyd Wright. Taking place at the Emil Bach House, a 1915 Wright design:

http://cdn.peoplevine.com/files/138/13824b54337-1919-40fb-a517-eae4fbf48a02.jpg

Who'd think a concert of 12-tone Schoenberg and American avant-gardist Crawford Seeger would sell out? This one did!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on April 11, 2018, 02:50:10 PM
Quote from: jessop on April 11, 2018, 02:28:30 PM
Ooooooh this programme looks even better! Pintscher and Mozart! And his conducting is so well suited to Ravel so this looks like a must see. 8)


Yeah, I've seen/heard him conduct a couple of times now and his programmes are always interesting.


Quote
Coming up, I might be seeing this concert on the 19th:

Ligeti: String Quartet No.1 Métamorphoses nocturnes
Chin: Šu – Australian Premiere
Ade Vincent: Hood Yourself In Stars (world premiere)
Chin: ParaMETAString

It is the first of two concerts from a new music festival hosted each year by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Melbourne Recital Centre. The second programme looks good too.

https://www.mso.com.au/subscription-series/metropolis-new-music-festival/

There will be some more concerts featuring chamber music as part of the festival throughout the week that I hope to attend.

That festival looks good - you'll be spoiled for choice if you find the time. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on April 11, 2018, 03:04:04 PM
Quote from: jessop on April 11, 2018, 02:28:30 PM
Ooooooh this programme looks even better! Pintscher and Mozart! And his conducting is so well suited to Ravel so this looks like a must see. 8)

Coming up, I might be seeing this concert on the 19th:

Ligeti: String Quartet No.1 Métamorphoses nocturnes
Chin: Šu – Australian Premiere
Ade Vincent: Hood Yourself In Stars (world premiere)
Chin: ParaMETAString

Oh, nice indeed.  I haven't heard ParaMETAString, though I've read through the score.

My next concert is going to be this Sunday at the New England Conservatory:

Bax: Trio for flute, viola, and harp "Elegiac"
Bach: Partita for flute solo BWV 1013
Ravel: Sonatine en trio for flute, viola, and harp
Falla: Suite populaire espagnole
Hosokawa: Arabesque for flute, viola, and harp (world premiere)
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet Suite 2 (arr. for flute, viola, and harp)

Kim Kashkashian, Marina Piccinini, Siven Magen
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 12, 2018, 06:10:18 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on April 11, 2018, 03:04:04 PMBax: Trio for flute, viola, and harp "Elegiac"
Bach: Partita for flute solo BWV 1013
Ravel: Sonatine en trio for flute, viola, and harp
Falla: Suite populaire espagnole
Hosokawa: Arabesque for flute, viola, and harp (world premiere)
Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet Suite 2 (arr. for flute, viola, and harp)

Kim Kashkashian, Marina Piccinini, Siven Magen

Fascinating program. I'm confused about the Ravel work though. Is this an arrangement of the Piano Trio or did you mean Debussy and not Ravel?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 12, 2018, 06:39:34 AM
Cross-post from the HQs:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on April 12, 2018, 07:32:47 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 12, 2018, 06:10:18 AM
Fascinating program. I'm confused about the Ravel work though. Is this an arrangement of the Piano Trio or did you mean Debussy and not Ravel?

I'm copying from the program listed on the website.  It could be either, but it says Ravel.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 12, 2018, 08:05:03 AM
I think it rather unlikely that there's an arrangement of the Ravel Trio for that group of instruments using the title of the Debussy work. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on April 12, 2018, 09:51:31 AM
I don't usually post concerts I haven't bought tickets for yet (although I think these are on sale next week) nor do I like to plan too far ahead, but this one will be a cert for me -

Takemitsu: A flock descends into the pentagonal garden
Takemitsu: Requiem for Strings
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Kelley O'Connor - mezzo-soprano

Paul Groves - tenor

Donald Runnicles - conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 12, 2018, 10:34:39 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 12, 2018, 06:10:18 AM
Fascinating program. I'm confused about the Ravel work though. Is this an arrangement of the Piano Trio or did you mean Debussy and not Ravel?

Quote from: Mahlerian on April 12, 2018, 07:32:47 AM
I'm copying from the program listed on the website.  It could be either, but it says Ravel.

It is an arrangement of the Ravel piano Sonatine for the "Debussy trio."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on April 12, 2018, 10:38:12 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on April 12, 2018, 10:34:39 AM
It is an arrangement of the Ravel piano Sonatine for the "Debussy trio."

Thanks for the clarification.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 12, 2018, 10:42:08 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on April 12, 2018, 10:38:12 AM
Thanks for the clarification.

The Bax (which he wrote at about the same time as the Debussy, though apparently neither knew of the other — one of those fascinating coincidences) is an exquisite score.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 13, 2018, 04:10:48 AM
Quote from: NikF on April 12, 2018, 09:51:31 AM
I don't usually post concerts I haven't bought tickets for yet (although I think these are on sale next week) nor do I like to plan too far ahead, but this one will be a cert for me -

Takemitsu: A flock descends into the pentagonal garden
Takemitsu: Requiem for Strings
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Kelley O'Connor - mezzo-soprano

Paul Groves - tenor

Donald Runnicles - conductor

This looks fantastic (as do the other two you posted). Takemitsu's orchestral works are rarely performed in the U.S. -- I heard A flock live maybe 20 years ago? -- and the lineup for Das Lied looks wonderful.

Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 11, 2018, 02:37:50 PM
We liked this last Spektral Quartet concert enough that we're going to the next one, this Sunday:

http://spektralquartet.com/concerts/2018/4/15/close-encounters-concert-and-cocktails-at-lang-house

Schoenberg again, this time in the company of Ruth Crawford Seeger and Frank Lloyd Wright. Taking place at the Emil Bach House, a 1915 Wright design:

http://cdn.peoplevine.com/files/138/13824b54337-1919-40fb-a517-eae4fbf48a02.jpg

Who'd think a concert of 12-tone Schoenberg and American avant-gardist Crawford Seeger would sell out? This one did!

I love the Spektral Quartet! They come to NYC now and then, but hearing them more often would be a good reason to be in Chicago.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on April 13, 2018, 05:42:28 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 13, 2018, 04:10:48 AM

I love the Spektral Quartet! They come to NYC now and then, but hearing them more often would be a good reason to be in Chicago.


I still have a bottle of "The Emancipator" beer from their last concert, which was brewed in honor of Arnold Schoenberg, the "emancipator of the dissonance."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 13, 2018, 06:25:29 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on April 12, 2018, 10:34:39 AM
It is an arrangement of the Ravel piano Sonatine for the "Debussy trio."

Thanks for clarifying things, Karl. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ainsi la nuit on April 14, 2018, 06:53:03 AM
I'm hearing Mahler's 9th symphony next week, played by the Helsinki Philharmonic under the direction of its chief conductor Susanna Mälkki. It is bound to be one of the highlights of this season for me, as I've never heard it live before. It's one the two Mahler symphonies (the other being the elusive 7th) that took me the longest to grasp. I love it deeply already, but a good live performance is bound to deepen my appreciation of the work even further - and I thoroughly trust Mälkki with Mahler, since I adored her Das Lied von der Erde and especially her 6th, which I heard two nights in a row and left me completely shattered. She's a fantastic artist.

The two big orchestras in Helsinki are also revealing their programmes for the season 18-19 in a few weeks, and I honestly can't wait - it's so exciting!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on April 14, 2018, 09:52:43 AM
Quote from: Ainsi la nuit on April 14, 2018, 06:53:03 AM
I'm hearing Mahler's 9th symphony next week, played by the Helsinki Philharmonic under the direction of its chief conductor Susanna Mälkki. It is bound to be one of the highlights of this season for me, as I've never heard it live before. It's one the two Mahler symphonies (the other being the elusive 7th) that took me the longest to grasp. I love it deeply already, but a good live performance is bound to deepen my appreciation of the work even further - and I thoroughly trust Mälkki with Mahler, since I adored her Das Lied von der Erde and especially her 6th, which I heard two nights in a row and left me completely shattered. She's a fantastic artist.

The two big orchestras in Helsinki are also revealing their programmes for the season 18-19 in a few weeks, and I honestly can't wait - it's so exciting!

Sounds like a great concert.  I look forward to your report!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 14, 2018, 02:32:59 PM
Tonight!!:

Haydn - 83
Prokofiev - Piano Concerto 3
Beethoven - 2

Beatrice Rana
Nicholas McGegan
Dallas Symphony
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 14, 2018, 03:37:05 PM
Quote from: Ainsi la nuit on April 14, 2018, 06:53:03 AM
I'm hearing Mahler's 9th symphony next week, played by the Helsinki Philharmonic under the direction of its chief conductor Susanna Mälkki. It is bound to be one of the highlights of this season for me, as I've never heard it live before. It's one the two Mahler symphonies (the other being the elusive 7th) that took me the longest to grasp. I love it deeply already, but a good live performance is bound to deepen my appreciation of the work even further - and I thoroughly trust Mälkki with Mahler, since I adored her Das Lied von der Erde and especially her 6th, which I heard two nights in a row and left me completely shattered. She's a fantastic artist.

The two big orchestras in Helsinki are also revealing their programmes for the season 18-19 in a few weeks, and I honestly can't wait - it's so exciting!

I love reading the enthusiasm in all your posts and I look forward to reading your thoughts next week after the concert. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on April 15, 2018, 05:22:19 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 14, 2018, 02:32:59 PM
Prokofiev - Piano Concerto 3

Beatrice Rana

Nice! This could mean that she'll record it. Her rendition of the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.2 is sensational.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 15, 2018, 04:09:16 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on April 15, 2018, 05:22:19 AM
Nice! This could mean that she'll record it. Her rendition of the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No.2 is sensational.
It was an exceptional performance and she took great care to underline bits of the piano writing which echoed or "talked" with the orchestra - in some of the virtuoso runs and cascades of notes, there were many details I had never heard anyone live or on CD give credit to, which give the piece more of a chamber-like feel and a light, outdoors, but still highly virtuosic quality. McGegan being an 18th century specialist he tended to flatten tempos a bit (i.e. the beginning clarinet solo was just as fast as the music following) but the central variations were very well characterized.

I don't know if she will record it - I would like her to!! - because she is touring North America with a number of pieces. The week before, she was doing Brahms 1 in Canada.

Amazingly, this program was also the Dallas premiere performance of Haydn's 83rd!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 18, 2018, 09:51:36 AM
Tomorrow:

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet in an all Debussy concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on April 18, 2018, 10:19:03 AM
I might — keyword might — be going to hear the National Youth Orchestra do VW 3 this summer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 20, 2018, 06:12:45 AM
Jean Efflam Bavouzet's all-Debussy concert was incredible. Not just the music (sublime of course) but Bavouzet's comments on the pieces, the style, the influences (Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky), Debussy vs Ravel, etc. Bavouzet was generous with his time, giving 3 mini lectures, a good 30 minutes in all. He is an excellent raconteur, establishing an immediate rapport with his audience. This concert was part of a Centenary year tour of all Debussy's solo piano oeuvre that the pianist gives in Montréal, London and Perth (Australia, not Scotland).

Program:

- 3 early pieces (1890)
- 3 Images
- 3 Préludes from the 1st Book
- Préludes, Book II (complete)

Highlight of the evening: Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest, a terrific and terrifying piece, violent and dissonant, the exact opposite of the debussyan stereotype. And the 1st Étude, Pour les cinq doigts, the evening's encore, a spiffing nose-thumbing at Czerny. Bavouzet's talk on the piece was longer than the work itself!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on April 20, 2018, 07:15:52 AM
A classic evening, later tonight:

Stravinsky - Fireworks
Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No.3
Stravinsky - The Firebird (full ballet 1910)

Alexander Gavrylyuk (piano)
Daniel Raiskin (conducting)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ainsi la nuit on April 20, 2018, 01:27:05 PM
Quote from: Ainsi la nuit on April 14, 2018, 06:53:03 AM
I'm hearing Mahler's 9th symphony next week, played by the Helsinki Philharmonic under the direction of its chief conductor Susanna Mälkki.

The concert took place today, and I'm happy to report that I enjoyed it very much! I was unfortunately feeling a bit unwell for various reasons, so my concentration levels weren't at their best; however, the stunning work managed to impress me anyway. It really is a strange work! The Rondo-Burleske is one of my favourite Mahler movements overall, it's keeps revealing more and more with each listen. The ending was appropriately shattering, even though I dislike the Bernstein-y impressions of "goodbyes to life" and all that.

I'm afraid I'm not familiar enough with the work to describe the details of Mälkki's interpretation, but I'd say that overall her take was characterized by a sense of clarity and purpose. In that she somewhat reminds me of Boulez, who is of course quite a controversial Mahler conductor - something that I've never really understood, he's one of my very favourites in this repertoire. Anyhow, the live experience deepened my appreciation of the symphony and allowed to me to hear new details in all of the movements - what else could I ask for?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 22, 2018, 06:43:16 AM
Next Wednesday, at the Montreal Symphony:

John Storgärds, Hilary Hahn

- Jon Leifs: Geysir  :o
- Tchaikovsky: concerto
- Uuno Klami: Aurora Borealis
- Sibelius: symphony no 7

I didn't think I'd have a chance to hear Geysir live in my lifetime. Having a nordic music specialist conduct it adds to the prospect ! The concert's theme is « Immensity of Nordic Landscapes » . For I don't know what bad reason, it fails to include a « nordic » violin concerto. ! I'd have settled for the Nielsen or even Sibelius, let alone one of the lesser-known ones (there's so many of them !). Anyhow, 3 good works out of 4 ain't bad.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 22, 2018, 08:48:54 AM
Quote from: André on April 22, 2018, 06:43:16 AM
Next Wednesday, at the Montreal Symphony:

John Storgärds, Hilary Hahn

- Jon Leifs: Geysir  :o
- Tchaikovsky: concerto
- Uuno Klami: Aurora Borealis
- Sibelius: symphony no 7

I didn't think I'd have a chance to hear Geysir live in my lifetime. Having a nordic music specialist conduct it adds to the prospect ! The concert's theme is « Immensity of Nordic Landscapes » . For I don't know what bad reason, it fails to include a « nordic » violin concerto. ! I'd have settled for the Nielsen or even Sibelius, let alone one of the lesser-known ones (there's so many of them !). Anyhow, 3 good works out of 4 ain't bad.

Yep, the Tchaikovsky VC is certainly out-of-place in that program. The Sibelius would have been the most appropriate given the program's title. The Nielsen less so given that, while it is a fantastic concerto, doesn't really conjure up images of Nordic landscapes for me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 22, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
Quote from: André on April 20, 2018, 06:12:45 AM
Jean Efflam Bavouzet's all-Debussy concert was incredible. Not just the music (sublime of course) but Bavouzet's comments on the pieces, the style, the influences (Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky), Debussy vs Ravel, etc. Bavouzet was generous with his time, giving 3 mini lectures, a good 30 minutes in all. He is an excellent raconteur, establishing an immediate rapport with his audience. This concert was part of a Centenary year tour of all Debussy's solo piano oeuvre that the pianist gives in Montréal, London and Perth (Australia, not Scotland).

Program:

- 3 early pieces (1890)
- 3 Images
- 3 Préludes from the 1st Book
- Préludes, Book II (complete)

Highlight of the evening: Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest, a terrific and terrifying piece, violent and dissonant, the exact opposite of the debussyan stereotype. And the 1st Étude, Pour les cinq doigts, the evening's encore, a spiffing nose-thumbing at Czerny. Bavouzet's talk on the piece was longer than the work itself!

Sounds like an incredible night! I'd love to have been there!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 22, 2018, 11:43:34 AM
It sure was ! Maybe I should have mentioned the titles of the pieces:

- Ballade slave
- Prélude in D Flat
- Danse (tarantelle styrienne)
- 3 Images: Reflets dans l'eau / Hommage à Rameau / Mouvement
- 3 Préludes from Book I: La fille aux cheveux de lin / La cathédrale engloutie / Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest
- 12 Préludes (Book II)

The high point of the evening for me was the closing group of the first part (preludes from Book I).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 22, 2018, 11:51:40 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 22, 2018, 08:48:54 AM
Yep, the Tchaikovsky VC is certainly out-of-place in that program. The Sibelius would have been the most appropriate given the program's title. The Nielsen less so given that, while it is a fantastic concerto, doesn't really conjure up images of Nordic landscapes for me.

Verily. I think the concert programmers must have had an eye on audience expectations. 20th century 'nordic' music may be a tough sell, so a crowd pleaser had to be thrown in to attract ticket buyers. I was able to get a seat in a great spot a mere 5 days before the concert date, an indication that it won't be a sellout event.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 22, 2018, 05:59:19 PM
Quote from: André on April 22, 2018, 11:43:34 AM
It sure was ! Maybe I should have mentioned the titles of the pieces:

- Ballade slave
- Prélude in D Flat
- Danse (tarantelle styrienne)
- 3 Images: Reflets dans l'eau / Hommage à Rameau / Mouvement
- 3 Préludes from Book I: La fille aux cheveux de lin / La cathédrale engloutie / Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest
- 12 Préludes (Book II)

The high point of the evening for me was the closing group of the first part (preludes from Book I).

[Wipes drool from mouth.] :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 22, 2018, 06:01:00 PM
Quote from: André on April 22, 2018, 11:51:40 AM
Verily. I think the concert programmers must have had an eye on audience expectations. 20th century 'nordic' music may be a tough sell, so a crowd pleaser had to be thrown in to attract ticket buyers. I was able to get a seat in a great spot a mere 5 days before the concert date, an indication that it won't be a sellout event.

Certainly something from Grieg could have pleased a lot of people than Tchaikovsky? I'm thinking of excerpts from Peer Gynt or something along these lines.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on April 24, 2018, 11:40:58 PM
Yesterday evening went to see

Endellion String Quartet

Performing

Haydn
String Quartet in B Flat major no 4 (sunrise) opus 76

Tippett
String Quartet no 2 in F sharp

Beethoven
String Quartet in E minor no 2 (Razumovsky

Second time I have seen this wonderful Quartet live and they gave a lovely performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ainsi la nuit on April 25, 2018, 07:58:38 AM
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra announced their season 2018-19 today, and there are quite a lot of interesting concerts coming up!

The main theme of next season is Mahler, and the orchestra is playing all of his symphonies. A part of me feels a bit conflicted, because I do sometimes think that orchestras overplay Mahler these days a little bit; however, he's my favourite composer, so I wont complain any further. I'm very sad to say that, despite claiming to play all of the symphonies, the orchestra is going to present only the first movement of the tenth. While I can understand the decision, I still think that it's silly to leave a very substantial score out of the survey. Besides, they're doing Bartók's viola concerto as well, and that work is much more unfinished than Mahler's 10th... Oh well, at least I'll get to hear the magnificent 8th live for the first time! Das Lied von der Erde didn't make the programme either, but I heard it this season so I can live with that.

Apart from Mahler I'm very excited to hear a lot of Lutosławski: 2nd and third symphonies plus the piano concerto. What fun! I heard the 1st and 4th symphonies (with the Jeux vénitiens and the Partita for violin and orchestra) this season and have been enjoying hearing the composer's work - one of my very favourites! - a lot.

I'm also hearing works like Prokofiev 2nd symphony, Dutilleux L'arbre des songes and Webern's Symphony - all of which I love dearly. András Schiff is making an appearance, which is always fun. From the piano superstar side, it'll be quite interesting to witness Evgeni Kissin and Yuja Wang live for the first time. The season is finished with quite an extreme stunt: Stephen Hough plays all five of Beethoven's piano concertos in two consecutive nights and records them as well.

On Friday I will find out what the Helsinki Philharmonic - the other "big" orchestra in Helsinki - is up to next season...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on April 25, 2018, 08:44:22 AM
This week, Tuesday I was rehearsing the Mahler 8th for the Edinburgh Festiva in August. On Saturday I am joining in on a come sing Carmina Burana, afternoon rehearsal and evening performance. I should think it will be rough and ready, but intended to be fun and allow anyone who wants to to sing in the event.

Sunday is a Mahler 2, attending, not performing. The performers are Symphony with Bruckner Orchester Linz, Leeds Philharmonicl Chorus and Markus Poschner as conductor.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on April 26, 2018, 04:04:02 AM
Later tonight, another very classic night (but actually neither of the pieces I've heard live in years):

Borodin - Polovtsian Dances
Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto
Stravinsky - Rite of Spring

Benjamin Schmid (violin)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Gabriel Feltz (cond.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 26, 2018, 05:48:47 AM


Last night Augustin Hadelich played that same Tchaikovsky concerto. He was standing in for Hilary Hahn who, being with child (no 2) could not be in town. Hadelich has been named 2018 Instrumentalist of the Year by Musical America. Our own Bruce penned an article on him earlier this year  ;). The Tchaikovsky concerto was the odd man out among the woks programmed, and it was probably a good decision considering the other works' difficulty. Hadelich's intensity was startling. This is the first time I witness a standing ovation after the first movement of a concerto. Frankly, it was well-deserved. Hadelich is a champion of new, modern works, but choosing one would have been quite a gamble.

Jon Leif's Geysir was the concert opener. It was a splendid affair. I noticed that, compared to the Iceland Symphony in the BIS recording, the balances were quite different. Lots more strings, a more 'symphonic' sound altogether. Two side rooms offstage accomodated some of the huge percussion contingent. Klami's Aurora borealis is said to be the composer's favourite work. I prefer the Karelian Rhapsody or the Kalevala Suite. Ravelian and stravinskian influences can be detected, but it's a bona fide 'nordic' work. The Sibelius symphony was given an intense, rhapsodic but swift interpretation. No dawdling or underlining à la Lenny here. I last heard the work in concert 40 years ago, and it was a different experience. Huge ovation for the conductor, who was visibly touched by the marks of appreciation.

Conductor John Storgårds is a Finn. I had always thought he was swedish  ::). He cuts a very businesslike figure and conducts with energy, but with no extraneous gestures. Much to my surprise, the house was packed to the rafters. I was under the impression that the unusual programme would have kept some from choosing this concert, but no.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 26, 2018, 05:51:18 AM
Quote from: Draško on April 26, 2018, 04:04:02 AM
Later tonight, another very classic night (but actually neither of the pieces I've heard live in years):

Borodin - Polovtsian Dances
Tchaikovsky - Violin Concerto
Stravinsky - Rite of Spring

Benjamin Schmid (violin)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Gabriel Feltz (cond.)

I love Schmid. A musician's musician. Please report on the concert !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 26, 2018, 06:11:19 AM
Quote from: André on April 26, 2018, 05:48:47 AM

Last night Augustin Hadelich played that same Tchaikovsky concerto. He was standing in for Hilary Hahn who, being with child (no 2) could not be in town. Hadelich has been named 2018 Instrumentalist of the Year by Musical America. Our own Bruce penned an article on him earlier this year  ;). The Tchaikovsky concerto was the odd man out among the woks programmed, and it was probably a good decision considering the other works' difficulty. Hadelich's intensity was startling. This is the first time I witness a standing ovation after the first movement of a concerto. Frankly, it was well-deserved. Hadelich is a champion of new, modern works, but choosing one would have been quite a gamble.

Jon Leif's Geysir was the concert opener. It was a splendid affair. I noticed that, compared to the Iceland Symphony in the BIS recording, the balances were quite different. Lots more strings, a more 'symphonic' sound altogether. Two side rooms offstage accomodated some of the huge percussion contingent. Klami's Aurora borealis is said to be the composer's favourite work. I prefer the Karelian Rhapsody or the Kalevala Suite. Ravelian and stravinskian influences can be detected, but it's a bona fide 'nordic' work. The Sibelius symphony was given an intense, rhapsodic but swift interpretation. No dawdling or underlining à la Lenny here. I last heard the work in concert 40 years ago, and it was a different experience. Huge ovation for the conductor, who was visibly touched by the marks of appreciation.

Conductor John Storgårds is a Finn. I had always thought he was swedish  ::). He cuts a very businesslike figure and conducts with energy, but with no extraneous gestures. Much to my surprise, the house was packed to the rafters. I was under the impression that the unusual programme would have kept some from choosing this concert, but no.

Thanks for the report! (And for the kind citation, too -- I was really happy to have the chance to interview and write about him.) At this point, I would hear Hadelich in even the most mundane, overplayed repertoire. Last December he played the Beethoven Violin Concerto at Carnegie, which I felt compelled to hear, despite the fact that simultaneously, in nearby Zankel Hall (Carnegie's mid-sized venue, underground), Janine Jansen was with three stellar colleagues in Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time. (Insert exasperated sigh here.) Well, I have never heard the Beethoven yield so much pleasure. It's not one of my favorites, but I was floored by his performance.

The rest of the concert sounds fantastic, too! Again, Leifs is just unknown here. I haven't heard the recording yet, but am prompted to give it a listen after your report -- acknowledging that it sounds like the concert was even better. PS, found this short 2009 article on Leifs by Alex Ross, which I had missed when it came out:

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/alex-ross/the-life-of-leifs

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ainsi la nuit on April 27, 2018, 03:46:06 AM
And now for the Helsinki Philharmonic!

A lot of interesting stuff coming up: both symphonies by Elgar - a big thing here, they're very seldom played. I think the Helsinki Philharmonic has never played the second before! Vaughan Williams' 2nd symphony, Ives' 2nd, Barber's first - I'm happy that the orchestra is embracing Anglo-American symphonic repertoire! It's a shame though that there's no Carter or Birtwistle... There are also no less than four Shostakovich symphonies coming up, and I'm particularly excited about the 4th.

From a concerto point of view, Unsuk Chin's piano concerto is certainly going to be a highlight. Isabelle Faust, my favourite violinist, is coming back to play a concerto called Follow Me by the Czech composer Ondřej Adámek - it's bound to be interesting. But the biggest cause of celebration for me is the fact that the season's opening concert will include Schoenberg's piano concerto. I've been waiting to hear that live for so long, and now it's finally happening!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 27, 2018, 05:03:08 AM
Last Wednesday I attended a splendid piano recital by probably the best contemporary Romanian pianist, Horia Mihail (b. 1971, slightly older than me...)

(http://static.srr.ro/images/articles/48/art-img1-1815421-pian2.jpg)

W. A. Mozart - Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, KV 331/300i

Thw way he played it it sounded almost Schubertian in the first two movements while the alla turca final was a relentless romp toward the inexorable climax. My romantic self was delighted.

L. van Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, op. 27/2,  "Moonlight"

Mournful and resigned first movement (if you ask me, the music works both for *lament* and *moonlight on lake* just as fine), fresh and youthfully innocent Allegretto and then, bang --- a Presto agitato which was exactly fast and agitated, and it suddenly occured to me (in a sort of Rellstab-like epiphany...  :laugh: ) that this movement is a kind of Beethoven's Erlkönig: galopping away from eventually turns out to be galopping toward an inescapable fate. Am I mad?

R. Schumann - Kinderszenen, op. 15

As poetic as it gets all throughout, with a particularly charming Träumerei, a terrifying, devilish Fürchtenmachen and a resplendent, ecstatic Der Dichter spricht. (final notes spoiled by some coughs --- the culprits should have been hanged on the spot).

And then he almost literally brought down the house with

G. Enescu - Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 in A major, op. 11/1  (piano transcription by the composer himself)

First time I heard this version live and, my oh my, what a showstopper it is! Some nuances and colors are inevitably lost in transcription but they are more than compensated for by the fiendishly difficult execution, and to watch Horia Mihail negotiating the most complex passages with committment and passion was absolutely exhilarating. (He played all works in the program without scores.)

Three standing ovations followed and despite the obvious physical exhaustion, he was kind enough to play an encore: Chopin's Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, Op. posth.

Superb. One of the best piano recitals I've ever attended.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 27, 2018, 05:16:29 AM
Quote from: André on April 26, 2018, 05:48:47 AM
This is the first time I witness a standing ovation after the first movement of a concerto.

That's actually very much what one would have routinely witnessed some 200 years ago.  :D

Otoh, it's unthinkable here in Bucharest, where the most timid (and admittedly uninformed) applause after the first movement is shhh-shhh-shhh-ed immediately.  :D

I myself have mixed feelings about it: it annoys me, but then again if it's a genuine expression of enjoyment, why not?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on April 27, 2018, 07:28:47 AM
Quote from: André on April 26, 2018, 05:51:18 AM
I love Schmid. A musician's musician. Please report on the concert !

I haven't heard him before. Really an exquisite violinist. Not the biggest sound and not pyrotechnically inclined, but fantastic technique, seamless, flawless intonation. Silky, sweet-toned, very Viennese, Kreisler comes to mind, but less emotional. I would have thought that the Tchaikovsky wouldn't be his natural forte, but first two movements were fantastic: on the swift flowing side, with elegant, seamless (again) articulation. The finale was maybe more proficient than electric, but logically fitted what came before. I see he had recorded the Korngold, now that seems like match made in heaven, I'll have to get that.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on April 28, 2018, 08:36:27 PM
Not really classical, but over the last few days I have been performing with Joe Hisaishi in his first concerts in Australia of his music for films by Hayao Miyazaki (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Chorus). It has been absolutely wonderful. I have never seen the choir and orchestra so bubbly and excited in this way!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on April 29, 2018, 03:20:59 AM
Yesterday evening went to see local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds conducted by Anthony Kraus

They did a wonderful performance of

Dvorak Carnival Overture
Sibelius The Swan of Tuonela
Janacek arr Mackerass Suite from The Cunning Little Vixen
Sibelius Symphony no 5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on April 29, 2018, 05:21:26 PM
I attended quite a nice concert last night:

Les Violons du Roy
Bernard Labadie, Founding Conductor
Isabelle Faust, Violin


BACH: Three Leipzig Chorales, BWV 651/660/655 (arr Labadie)

BACH: Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582 (arr Labadie)

BACH: Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042

BACH: Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041

BACH: Contrapunctus XIV from The Art of the Fugue, BWV 1080 (completed by Davitt Moroney, arr by Labadie)

BACH: Double Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV 1043 (2nd violinist was the concertmaster)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on April 30, 2018, 09:48:34 PM
Haydn: Symphony No. 99

R. Strauss: Ich wollt ein Sträußlein binden; Säusle, liebe Myrte!; Amor; Morgen

Langgaard: Sfærernes Musik

Rowan Pierce - soprano
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Voices'
Thomas Dausgaard - conductor
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Initially I hadn't planned to attend this, but looking at it now and then ahead in my calendar there's no reason not to go. So two tickets have been bought.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on April 30, 2018, 10:19:03 PM
Next Saturday:

Filarmonica della Scala
Direttore   Christoph von Dohnányi
Pianoforte   Rudolf Buchbinder

PROGRAMMA

Ludwig van Beethoven: Egmont, ouverture in fa min. op. 84
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Concerto n. 22 in mi bem. magg. KV 482 per pianoforte e orchestra
(cadenze del primo e terzo movimento di Rudolf Buchbinder)

Johannes Brahms: Sinfonia n.3 in fa magg. op. 90


::)

Not that I'm complaining, but I'd really like to see more adventurous programs at La Scala, at least just a bit...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Roasted Swan on April 30, 2018, 11:04:18 PM
Quote from: Draško on April 27, 2018, 07:28:47 AM
I haven't heard him before...... I see he had recorded the Korngold, now that seems like match made in heaven, I'll have to get that.

The Schmid/live Korngold is excellent - you are exactly right his tone and musical temperament suit the music very well.  And good to have the VPO on hand to accompany.  Never been that crazy about Ozawa but here he seems on the button too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on May 03, 2018, 02:57:35 PM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on April 30, 2018, 11:04:18 PM
The Schmid/live Korngold is excellent - you are exactly right his tone and musical temperament suit the music very well.  And good to have the VPO on hand to accompany.  Never been that crazy about Ozawa but here he seems on the button too.

It's on my shopping list.  :)

Next Friday, if I can make it.

Sibelius - The Oceanides
Martinu - Cello Concerto No.1
Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (excerpts)

Alban Gerhardt (cello)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Uros Lajovic (cond)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 07, 2018, 07:46:18 AM
Yesterday, the Toronto Symphony was in town (Montreal), under their Music Director Peter Oundjian. The program was slightly unbalanced, but there was no way to avoid it since the main offering was Anton Bruckner's mammoth 8th symphony in its original version (80+ minutes). The opening work was one of Mozart's slighter, simpler concertos (no 12), played by the nonagenarian Leon Fleisher. Oundjian addressed the audience (mostly in French) and told us that in the morning rehearsal Fleisher reminisced about his Montreal debut in 1942 (!!!) under Pierre Monteux. How's that for a pedigree !

It turns out that both works made a very big impression. The 12th concerto is quite deceptive in its intimate, low-key character. The piano part is probably not very difficult to play, but is still of substantial musical import. Fleisher is a master stroryteller, playing in a totally unflashy, almost deceptive way. Curiously, it's the pauses in the piano discourse that were the most telling feature of Fleisher's interpretation. The timing for each pause, silence, hesitation made me hang out to his every discreet gesture. An unexpected lesson in great artistry.

The 8th symphony was presented in the original version, the one with the loud ending in the first movement. Other salient departures from the more familiar definitive version include a totally different Trio in the second movement, a differently scored and gauged climax in the Adagio (6 cymbal clashes !) and a more diffuse ending to the Finale (a single C major chord instead of the peremptory downward arpeggio which 'nails' the coda so magnificently.

Oundjian is convinced that, had Bruckner not suffered from chronic self-doubt, he would have not changed a note to the symphony as he first composed it. It's the second time I hear it in concert, and I have half a dozen interpretations of that version on hand. It's certainly a very mighty and interesting score, but also a rambling and disconnected one. Ideas and paragraphs are strung together rather than growing organically from what has gone before, a collection of symphonic moments and gestures that never quite gels into a cohesive, satisfying symphonic form. Oundjian and the TSO made the most of it. It's certainly the best case I can dream of for the original version.

A word about the orchestra: Oundjian has shaped the string section into one of the most beautiful, pliant, cohesive ones I've heard. Absolutely wonderful. The trumpets and trombones too are immensely impressive: powerful yet mellifluous, assured, sonorous, unanimous in attack. Splendid. The percussions are quite good. Winds and horns are clearly not on the same level. Whether in quality of tone or decibels they made very little impression. The Montreal Symphony shines where the Toronto orchestra is weakest, and it offers a bolder, tighter sound too. I have a feeling that the Toronto string section clearly wins the day. I will certainly wait their next visit with high expectations.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on May 07, 2018, 09:33:03 AM
Claude Debussy - Ibéria

Lili Boulanger - D'un matin de printemps

Cecil Coles - Behind the Lines

Claude Debussy - La mer

National Youth Symphony Orchestra - Part of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Summer Tour.

I've heard of Boulanger without (I think) having heard any of her work. Cecil Coles is a new name to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Baron Scarpia on May 07, 2018, 09:42:40 AM
Quote from: André on May 07, 2018, 07:46:18 AMThe 8th symphony was presented in the original version, the one with the loud ending in the first movement. Other salient departures from the more familiar definitive version include a totally different Trio in the second movement, a differently scored and gauged climax in the Adagio (6 cymbal clashes !) and a more diffuse ending to the Finale (a single C major chord instead of the peremptory downward arpeggio which 'nails' the coda so magnificently.

I know the original version of the 8th through the Imbal recording, and if, I recall correctly, a passage in the coda which is perhaps my favorite passage in all of classical music is not there. It is a tumultuous passage that ends with the orchestra going silent, leaving trumpets barking in unison, which which halt abruptly, followed by the quiet ending. So I, for one, am glad that Bruckner revised the 8th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 07, 2018, 01:08:19 PM
That's the ending of the first movement. That change is a major improvement over the original version, probably the most noticeable too. The coda of the finale is tauter and better orchestrated, too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 07, 2018, 01:09:53 PM
Next in line will be May 23, in Amsterdam: the London Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas will play an all Sibelius program: violin concerto (Janine Jansen) and symphonies 6 and 7.

Will anybody from the Netherlands attend ?  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 07, 2018, 01:27:06 PM
Quote from: André on May 07, 2018, 01:09:53 PM
Next in line will be May 23, in Amsterdam: the London Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas will play an all Sibelius program: violin concerto (Janine Jansen) and symphonies 6 and 7.

Will anybody from the Netherlands attend ?  ;)

I would if I could. Sibelius is one of those composers whose music I'd love to see in concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on May 08, 2018, 10:03:12 AM
Quote from: André on April 26, 2018, 05:48:47 AM
Last night Augustin Hadelich played that same Tchaikovsky concerto. He was standing in for Hilary Hahn who, being with child (no 2) could not be in town. Hadelich has been named 2018 Instrumentalist of the Year by Musical America. Our own Bruce penned an article on him earlier this year  ;). The Tchaikovsky concerto was the odd man out among the woks programmed, and it was probably a good decision considering the other works' difficulty. Hadelich's intensity was startling. This is the first time I witness a standing ovation after the first movement of a concerto. Frankly, it was well-deserved. Hadelich is a champion of new, modern works, but choosing one would have been quite a gamble.

Hadelich played the Dvořák here earlier this year. Unfortunately I missed it. But I did see a standing ovation after the first movement of the Tchaikovsky when Gil Shaham came to town. Shaham's youtube videos suggest he gets that a lot.

Friday I saw the local orchestra do Janáček's Glagolitic Mass. The music doesn't have a Mass vibe, so the surtitles were a bit of a distraction. Otherwise it was an awesome experience (though my companion was not enthusiastic). Also, Christopher O'Reilly did Mozart's PC 22, which was fine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 08, 2018, 12:03:02 PM
Wowie ! The Glagolitic Mass must be quite something, esp if there is a good organ in the hall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on May 08, 2018, 08:11:27 PM
Quote from: André on May 08, 2018, 12:03:02 PM
Wowie ! The Glagolitic Mass must be quite something, esp if there is a good organ in the hall.

I don't have much basis for comparison on the organ, but it sounds good to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 09, 2018, 05:26:49 AM
Just checked opera performances at Milan's La Scala for the time I will be there: tickets start at 240€  ??? :'(.

I think I'll visit their store instead  :laugh:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on May 09, 2018, 10:55:21 PM
Quote from: André on May 09, 2018, 05:26:49 AM
Just checked opera performances at Milan's La Scala for the time I will be there: tickets start at 240€  ??? :'(.

I think I'll visit their store instead  :laugh:

Some seats at lower prices might be released at the very last minute - the same day or so. If you haven't planned anything else in advance, I'd suggest to pay a visit to their ticket office. BTW which performances are you interested in?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 10, 2018, 01:16:29 AM
Does La Scala have standing room tickets? They'd probably be very cheap if you can get a hold of them the day before or the day of a performance—depending on the availability of course.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 10, 2018, 04:29:50 AM
I'll be in Milan May 23-26. The only opera performance running for these dates is Aida  :P (my favorite grand opera). I'm not familiar with last minute tickets business  :(.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 10, 2018, 05:23:48 AM
Just bought tickets for Bernd-Alois Zimmerman's Die Soldaten at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. It's fot June 3 (the last performance of the run—the Spanish premiere will be on May 16.)

The conductor will be Pablo Heras-Casado, and the producer Calixto Bieito. I'm really looking forward to this rare opportunities of seeing one of the seminal operas of the 20th century fully staged. It might be a shattering (but also, I hope, very fulfilling)  experience.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on May 10, 2018, 06:13:47 AM
Quote from: André on May 10, 2018, 04:29:50 AM
I'll be in Milan May 23-26. The only opera performance running for these dates is Aida  :P (my favorite grand opera). I'm not familiar with last minute tickets business  :(.
Quote from: jessop on May 10, 2018, 01:16:29 AM
Does La Scala have standing room tickets? They'd probably be very cheap if you can get a hold of them the day before or the day of a performance—depending on the availability of course.

@ André
The May 23 performance looks like to be fully booked...anyway, if you are lucky enough, you still might find some returned (seat) tickets the same day at the ticket counter, beside the 140 standing-room tickets (in answer to Jessop) which are on sale two hours and a half before each performance. Yes, those tickets are quite cheap (10-15€) but with very limited view, and you have to be there many hours before to have some chances to get in...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on May 10, 2018, 06:42:31 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 10, 2018, 05:23:48 AM
Just bought tickets for Bernd-Alois Zimmerman's Die Soldaten at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. It's fot June 3 (the last performance of the run—the Spanish premiere will be on May 16.)

The conductor will be Pablo Heras-Casado, and the producer Calixto Bieito. I'm really looking forward to this rare opportunities of seeing one of the seminal operas of the 20th century fully staged. It might be a shattering (but also, I hope, very fulfilling)  experience.  :)

Extremely jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on May 10, 2018, 06:46:45 AM
Yep, it's confirmed, Parsifal in Finnish National Opera on 24th of May. I saw the same production at the very same place in April 2011 but Parsifal is always Parsifal. It deserves a second run (at least!).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 10, 2018, 07:13:17 AM
Quote from: GioCar on May 10, 2018, 06:13:47 AM
@ André
The May 23 performance looks like to be fully booked...anyway, if you are lucky enough, you still might find some returned (seat) tickets the same day at the ticket counter, beside the 140 standing-room tickets (in answer to Jessop) which are on sale two hours and a half before each performance. Yes, those tickets are quite cheap (10-15€) but with very limited view, and you have to be there many hours before to have some chances to get in...

We arrive in PM, book at the youth hostel at 7:30pm... just too tight for any last minute arrangement. I'll have to settle with the LSO in Amsterdam  :P

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 18, 2018, 05:27:43 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 10, 2018, 05:23:48 AM
Just bought tickets for Bernd-Alois Zimmerman's Die Soldaten at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. It's fot June 3 (the last performance of the run—the Spanish premiere will be on May 16.)

The conductor will be Pablo Heras-Casado, and the producer Calixto Bieito. I'm really looking forward to this rare opportunities of seeing one of the seminal operas of the 20th century fully staged. It might be a shattering (but also, I hope, very fulfilling)  experience.  :)

Adding my envy, too! Do report back. I was lucky to see the huge Ruhr Triennale production when it came here in 2008. (Hard to believe it's been ten years -- my memory of it is still pretty vivid.)

Tonight at Carnegie Hall, my first experience with Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla -- based on reports, I am quite excited. Don't know the mezzo-soprano, either.

The MET Orchestra
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, Conductor
Anita Rachvelishvili, Mezzo-Soprano

DEBUSSY Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
MUSSORGSKY Songs and Dances of Death (orch. Shostakovich)
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on May 18, 2018, 12:31:15 PM
Tonight:

Dvorak - Noonday Witch
Dvorak - Piano Concerto
Schubert - Symphony No.3

Yeol Eum Son (piano)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Howard Griffiths (cond.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on May 21, 2018, 01:04:07 AM
Last Saturday at Leeds Town Hall

Dresden Philharmonic
Michael Sanderling
Soloist Jennifer Pike

Performing
Weber Overture Euryanthe
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony no 5

Wasn't the best concert I had been to.
The overture wasn't too bad and the violin concerto was performed well even though she wasn't Joshua, but when it came to Beethoven, noticed in the first movement that some of the notes were stopped abruptly and in the quieter parts of the symphony, was so quiet that it couldn't be heard.

Be interested to know if anyone else has come across this orchestra and conductor >:(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ainsi la nuit on May 21, 2018, 01:25:41 AM
On the assumption that I can secure a ticket - which costs only 20 euros for students when bought on the day of the performance - I'm seeing my first-ever Parsifal today. Needless to say, I'm bursting with excitement.

On Wednesday I'm seeing Leila Josefowicz in a performance of Bernd Alois Zimmermann's Violin Concerto, with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hannu Lintu. They will also perform Schumann's 1st symphony, which is always a treat to a die-hard Schumann-lover like me. That concert will also be the last of this season, and I'll have to wait until August for my concert activities to resume. But I've heard like 35 concerts this season, so I can't really complain... And the season 2018-19 in Helsinki is absolutely bursting with treats of all kinds.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on May 23, 2018, 01:01:10 AM
Quote from: André on May 10, 2018, 04:29:50 AMI'll be in Milan May 23-26. The only opera performance running for these dates is Aida  :P (my favorite grand opera). I'm not familiar with last minute tickets business  :(.
I was lucky, two years ago, that they staged Wozzeck - much easier to secure a ticket.  :D (Performance was terrific though).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on May 24, 2018, 02:55:21 AM
Claude Debussy: Images
Manuel de Falla: The Three-Cornered Hat, Suite No. 1; Nights in the Gardens of Spain
Maurice Ravel: Alborada del gracioso (for Orchestra); Rapsodie espagnole

BBC SSO
Conductor: Thomas Dausgaard
Piano: Javier Perianes

Again, planning further ahead than I'd prefer to. But a nice problem to have.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 24, 2018, 03:10:26 AM
Quote from: NikF on May 24, 2018, 02:55:21 AM
Claude Debussy: Images
Manuel de Falla: The Three-Cornered Hat, Suite No. 1; Nights in the Gardens of Spain
Maurice Ravel: Alborada del gracioso (for Orchestra); Rapsodie espagnole

BBC SSO
Conductor: Thomas Dausgaard
Piano: Javier Perianes

Again, planning further ahead than I'd prefer to. But a nice problem to have.

Exquisite program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 24, 2018, 03:10:58 AM
Thread Duty:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 24, 2018, 05:38:47 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 24, 2018, 03:10:26 AM
Exquisite program.

I agree, very attractive!

Next week:

The MET Orchestra
Gianandrea Noseda, Conductor
James Ehnes, Violin

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5, "Turkish"
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 24, 2018, 01:26:50 PM
Quote from: NikF on May 24, 2018, 02:55:21 AM
Claude Debussy: Images
Manuel de Falla: The Three-Cornered Hat, Suite No. 1; Nights in the Gardens of Spain
Maurice Ravel: Alborada del gracioso (for Orchestra); Rapsodie espagnole

BBC SSO
Conductor: Thomas Dausgaard
Piano: Javier Perianes

Again, planning further ahead than I'd prefer to. But a nice problem to have.
Exquisite (and very Spanish) program. Looks very enticing, NikF.  :)

THREAD DUTY:

Not 100% sure yet, but I might show up tomorrow evening at the concert of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife at the Auditorium here in Santa Cruz. Edmon Colomer will conduct Stravinsky's Symphonies d'instruments à vent, Bartók's Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion, and then Le sacre du printemps.

This is the venue where the concert will take place (designed by Santiago Calatrava):

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/9f/a6/df9fa6d8c4d2c0e5e120baa9e770f9cb.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 24, 2018, 02:43:54 PM
Quote from: ritter on May 24, 2018, 01:26:50 PM
Exquisite (and very Spanish) program. Looks very enticing, NikF.  :)

THREAD DUTY:

Not 100% sure yet, but I might show up tomorrow evening at the concert of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife at the Auditorium here in Santa Cruz. Edmon Colomer will conduct Stravinsky's Symphonies d'instruments à vent, Bartók's Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion, and then Le sacre du printemps.

This is the venue where the concert will take place (designed by Santiago Calatrava):

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/9f/a6/df9fa6d8c4d2c0e5e120baa9e770f9cb.jpg)

Another fantastic program! And I have admired the Calatrava building from afar, ever since it was built. Do report, please, if you go.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on May 25, 2018, 04:08:28 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 24, 2018, 01:26:50 PM
Exquisite (and very Spanish) program. Looks very enticing, NikF.  :)

THREAD DUTY:

Not 100% sure yet, but I might show up tomorrow evening at the concert of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife at the Auditorium here in Santa Cruz. Edmon Colomer will conduct Stravinsky's Symphonies d'instruments à vent, Bartók's Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion, and then Le sacre du printemps.

This is the venue where the concert will take place (designed by Santiago Calatrava):

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/df/9f/a6/df9fa6d8c4d2c0e5e120baa9e770f9cb.jpg)

To echo Bruce, please do report back.

Have you been to Tenerife Auditorium before? It's incredibly gorgeous building, but I'm curious about the acoustics. The roof and the space of the hall more resembles a church than a concert hall.

I've heard myself Rite of Spring live couple of weeks ago, after a long time, and almost forgot just how viscerally exciting that piece is when heard live.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 25, 2018, 04:45:00 AM
Quote from: Draško on May 25, 2018, 04:08:28 AM
I've heard myself Rite of Spring live couple of weeks ago, after a long time, and almost forgot just how viscerally exciting that piece is when heard live.

Still sounds incredibly modern after all these years! I think it's a piece everyone should try to hear live now and then -- like say, Beethoven's Eroica or Mahler 9 -- just to be reminded of its greatness.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 26, 2018, 06:08:46 AM
In about a month, my wife and I will splurge for one of the few times in our married lives and visit London and (we hope) a few areas outside of London (e.g. Bath, which is featured in my Latin textbooks (the Cambridge Latin Program), where it is called Aquae Sulis).

One of the attractions will be the Philharmonia Orchestra's performance on June 28th of...

Arnold Schoenberg's GURRELIEDER

Although...if you check the website, you would think that Mister Esa Pekka-Salonen had composed a Gurrelieder of his own!   ;)

https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1770/esa-pekka_salonen_gurrelieder (https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1770/esa-pekka_salonen_gurrelieder)

Many thanks to our members in England who gave me advice back in the autumn on traveling in London!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 26, 2018, 07:42:04 AM
The all-Sibelius LSO concert in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw was quite special. It has more to do with the high dosage of live Sibelius in one sitting than any particular interpretational revelations. Hearing symphonies 6 and 7 in succession is simply overwhelming.

The LSO boasts a powerful brass section, and its contribution was probably heard across the Museumplein. For some reason Tilson-Thomas had reduced the string section almost by half in the concerto. The imbalance with the brass was made all the more obvious. Nevertheless it was a very good performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on May 26, 2018, 09:02:45 AM
Parsifal I saw on 24th was mostly meh. Act 2 was quite good, especially the singer of Klingsor. But the conductor was not good, on most parts the music felt weak. If this would have been my first listening to Parsifal, I'm not sure if I would have liked it that much. Luckily, I know that Parsifal is a masterpiece through recordings ( and interestingly, I recall liking the very same production I saw years ago). The production felt a bit uninteresting, with little too much attention given to singers laying on the floor or on different platforms (maybe the characters suffered from epilepsy?). In act 2 prelude this worked rather well with Klingsor crawling upwards maybe in hopeless pursuit of that divinity which he in vain tried to achieve through self-mutilation. And it must have been even more difficult to crawl with spear in his hand. Tommi Hakala as Amfortas was wonderful, as always. Other than Klingsor and Amfortas, the cast was a disappointment.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on May 26, 2018, 12:21:23 PM
Tomorrow evening, Masaaki Suzuki's Bach Collegium Japan playing Haydn (symphony 48 in C Major "Maria Theresia") and Mozart's unfinished C minor Mass ("Große Messe").

This evening, Suzuki, together with a buch of musicians of his band, was attending an organ concert by Erwin Wiersinga in the Martinikerk, Groningen... ending with a brillliant performance of Bach's Fantasia in G Major BWV 572 "Pièce d'orgue".

So... half of a great music weekend behind me.
Looking forward to the next half.

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 27, 2018, 05:56:43 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 24, 2018, 02:43:54 PM
Another fantastic program! And I have admired the Calatrava building from afar, ever since it was built. Do report, please, if you go.

--Bruce

Quote from: Draško on May 25, 2018, 04:08:28 AM
To echo Bruce, please do report back.

Have you been to Tenerife Auditorium before? It's incredibly gorgeous building, but I'm curious about the acoustics. The roof and the space of the hall more resembles a church than a concert hall.

I've heard myself Rite of Spring live couple of weeks ago, after a long time, and almost forgot just how viscerally exciting that piece is when heard live.

well, I finally did make it on Friday to the concert in Tenerife, and the superb program was most enjoyable. They altered the initially announced order of the pieces, offering Bartók's Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion first, and then (after the intermission) the two Stravinsky works.

Even if the Tenerife orchestra is not enjoying its best moments (it's been without a principal conductor for two years now), it is still a solid formation (under the 20 year tenure of Victor Pablo Pérez—which ended in 2006–, it was widely lauded as one of the top orchestras in Spain). Edmon Colomer (who had led the orchestra for a short time before Víctor Pablo Pérez and was known to me from many recordings, particularly an excellent Falla series on the Valois label) seemed very attuned to the program on offer, and gave incisive, passionate and nuanced accounts of all three works. As I've said before, Bartók is a composer I admire more than I love, but seeing the not-so-often performed orchestral version of the Sonata for two pianos and percussion was a treat, in any event. The orchestral clothing smoothens some of the angularity of the (essentially unchanged) chamber version, and there are some extraordinary moments in this seminal score (such a as the fugato segment towards the end of the first movement, or the ebullient last movement, so imbued with folk dance rhythms and tunes). The work is very much of its time, and sounds very close in intention to much of what was being composed in Italy in those years (even if the Sonata is from 1937–and the Concerto from as late as 1940–, it seems clear that it was Bartók who exerted an influence on the likes of Malipiero, Casella et al.). Local soloists Gustavo Díaz Jerez and Javier Negrín (pianos), and brothers Francisco and Emilio Díaz Martín (percussion) were very good.

As for Stravinsky, my love for (most of) this man's music knows no bounds, and the Symphonies d'intruments à vent is surely one of Igor Fyodorvich's most stunning compositions IMO. This time around, I was struck of how this piece is essential Stravinsky, and how (in its short duration) it's a sort of distillation of everything that makes its composer's music so unique: the Russianness, the playfulness, the rhythmic incisiveness, the juxtaposition of different sound planes (for lack of a better term), the melodic development based on short, fragmented themes (cubism in music?), the budding (at the time) neoclassicism...

And then, of course, Le sacre. As Draško and Brewski have pointed out, seeing this live is always refreshing, and Colomer managed to balance a nuanced reading with the necessary raw passion. The audience was very appreciative at the end.

The Tenerife Auditorium is a stunning building, for sure (the common knowledge is that Calatrava was instructed to outshine by any available means the Auditorium in Santa Cruz's eternal rival city Las Palmas, on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria). As a result, it' a striking but slightly awkward feature in the city, and has rightly become a landmark. From the outside, it's main merit IMHO is that, when seen from the north, the arch that covers the building seems to embrace the tall buildings of the old town. Yet, it is by no means a perfect concert hall. To start, accessing it is not easy, as the imposing staircases on the outside are cumbersome and even dangerous for the elderly (more so as the building is set next to the sea in a very windy area). Once inside, the foyer and cafeteria area is very cold and unwelcoming, and has the bizarre feature of a slanted floor. The symphonic hall (I did not see the chamber music room) does remind one of a church, and all that space up high appears useless. Despite that, the acoustics seemed right to me (I was sitting in the front rows, so cannot tell how things may sound further back). The innovative distribution of the organ pipes on the sides of the hall caught my attention. Still, perhaps too much the creation of a star architect who needs to make a statement IMO.

(https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0a/44/b9/ce/the-symphony-hall.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on May 27, 2018, 08:00:09 AM
Thanks for the report, Ritter!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Marc on May 27, 2018, 01:04:41 PM
Quote from: Marc on May 26, 2018, 12:21:23 PM
Tomorrow evening, Masaaki Suzuki's Bach Collegium Japan playing Haydn (symphony 48 in C Major "Maria Theresia") and Mozart's unfinished C minor Mass ("Große Messe").

This evening, Suzuki, together with a buch of musicians of his band, was attending an organ concert by Erwin Wiersinga in the Martinikerk, Groningen... ending with a brillliant performance of Bach's Fantasia in G Major BWV 572 "Pièce d'orgue".

So... half of a great music weekend behind me.
Looking forward to the next half.

:)

Suzuki in Haydn & Mozart was bl**dy marvellous. Great soloists, too, among them mezzo Olivia Vermeulen and my personal favourite Carolyn Sampson (because she's such a gorgeous woman got such a beautiful voice).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on May 28, 2018, 03:43:06 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 27, 2018, 05:56:43 AM
well, I finally did make it on Friday to the concert in Tenerife ...

Thank you for the review!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 30, 2018, 03:27:37 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 27, 2018, 05:56:43 AM
well, I finally did make it on Friday to the concert in Tenerife, and the superb program was most enjoyable.

Thanks, and adding my appreciative voice to the chorus! Even with the caveats (i.e., orchestral execution), it still sounds like a fun evening. And thanks for including the shot of the interior of the hall.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 30, 2018, 06:23:15 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 26, 2018, 06:08:46 AM
In about a month, my wife and I will splurge for one of the few times in our married lives and visit London and (we hope) a few areas outside of London (e.g. Bath, which is featured in my Latin textbooks (the Cambridge Latin Program), where it is called Aquae Sulis).

One of the attractions will be the Philharmonia Orchestra's performance on June 28th of...

Arnold Schoenberg's GURRELIEDER

Although...if you check the website, you would think that Mister Esa Pekka-Salonen had composed a Gurrelieder of his own!   ;)

https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1770/esa-pekka_salonen_gurrelieder (https://www.philharmonia.co.uk/concerts/1770/esa-pekka_salonen_gurrelieder)

Many thanks to our members in England who gave me advice back in the autumn on traveling in London!

Cracking!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 31, 2018, 12:39:33 PM
Next week, Tilson Thomas makes his debut with this group. Will be my first time hearing Yende, and much looking forward to that, but I'm really looking forward to hearing the orchestra play Carl Ruggles for the first time.

The MET Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor
Pretty Yende, Soprano

Ruggles Evocations
Mozart Exsultate, jubilate
Mahler Symphony No. 4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on June 03, 2018, 12:52:42 AM
The Proms.

Going to see Joshua Bell and ASMF

Looking forward :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 03, 2018, 02:52:32 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 31, 2018, 12:39:33 PM
Next week, Tilson Thomas makes his debut with this group. Will be my first time hearing Yende, and much looking forward to that, but I'm really looking forward to hearing the orchestra play Carl Ruggles for the first time.

The MET Orchestra
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor
Pretty Yende, Soprano

Ruggles Evocations
Mozart Exsultate, jubilate
Mahler Symphony No. 4

--Bruce


Carl Ruggles is such a big name in American music! Have they not played his music simply because they are more of an opera orchestra or has there been some ongoing problem with not playing music from their own country? I am surprised!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 03, 2018, 05:58:07 AM
Quote from: jessop on June 03, 2018, 02:52:32 AM
Carl Ruggles is such a big name in American music! Have they not played his music simply because they are more of an opera orchestra or has there been some ongoing problem with not playing music from their own country? I am surprised!

Your first point is part of the reason. As an opera orchestra, they basically play only at the Met for 99% of the year. But every year for the last few decades, usually in the spring, they do three concerts at Carnegie Hall, where they play mostly non-operatic repertoire.

My hunch is that James Levine was not much of a Ruggles fan (though he did like other American composers such as Babbitt and Wuorinen), and he conducted most of these concerts in previous years. But Tilson Thomas is very much committed to mid-20th century composers whom he has dubbed "American mavericks." Should be an interesting evening.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 03, 2018, 12:18:43 PM
Quote from: ritter on May 10, 2018, 05:23:48 AM
Just bought tickets for Bernd-Alois Zimmerman's Die Soldaten at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. It's fot June 3 (the last performance of the run—the Spanish premiere will be on May 16.)

The conductor will be Pablo Heras-Casado, and the producer Calixto Bieito. I'm really looking forward to this rare opportunities of seeing one of the seminal operas of the 20th century fully staged. It might be a shattering (but also, I hope, very fulfilling)  experience.  :)
Well, I've just arrived home after seeing Die Soldaten in the Teatro Real, and am overwhelmed. I've generally been ambivalent about Bernd-Alois Zimmerman, but after tonight, I am convinced Die Soldaten is an operatic masterpiece, and contains some extraordinary music (both in the huge climatic scenes—the prelude, the apocalyptic finale—and in the more intimate, nocturnal moments). The spate of recent, major productions of this opera (the Ruhrtriennale one that travelled to New York and our fellow GMGer Brewski mentioned, the coproduction between Salzburg and La Scala, the one in Munich under Kirill Petrenko, and this one—which has also been given in Zurich and Berlin), is a clear sign that Die Soldaten's time "has come"  ;), and that the work is receiving the appreciation it deserves.  :)

Calixto Bieito's staging was imposing (the huge orchestra was onstage—on a scaffold-like structure, and dressed in army fatigues—while the platform that covered the pit was where most of the action was enacted). Typical Bieito, with high doses of violence and explicit sex, very much in line (and fittingly so) with his staging of Wozzeck some years ago—although in this occasion his trademark nudity was absent. The weak point of the production was the use of a single set (the aforementioned  scaffolding) for a work with so many scenes (some of them simultaneous), which could lead—even those familiar with the plot—to confusion. Pablo Heras-Casado led a taut and vigorous performance (it's uncanny how this man's conducting gestures remind me of those of his teacher Pierre Boulez :o). The cast was uniformly strong, with Susanne Elmark outstanding—vocally and theatrically—as Marie. It was a pleasure to see two veterans like Hanna Schwarz (whom I had seen as Fricka in the "Jahrhundertring" in Bayreuth almost 39 years ago now!) and Iris Vermilion onstage.

(http://www.periodistadigital.com/imagenes/2018/05/17/diesoldaten-5260_560x280.jpg)

A great, great evening at the opera... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 03, 2018, 06:32:21 PM
Quote from: ritter on June 03, 2018, 12:18:43 PM
Well, I've just arrived home after seeing Die Soldaten in the Teatro Real, and am overwhelmed. I've generally been ambivalent about Bernd-Alois Zimmerman, but after tonight, I am convinced Die Soldaten is an operatic masterpiece, and contains some extraordinary music (both in the huge climatic scenes—the prelude, the apocalyptic finale—and in the more intimate, nocturnal moments). The spate of recent, major productions of this opera (the Ruhrtriennale one that travelled to New York and our fellow GMGer Brewski mentioned, the coproduction between Salzburg and La Scala, the one in Munich under Kirill Petrenko, and this one—which has also been given in Zurich and Berlin), is a clear sign that Die Soldaten's time "has come"  ;), and that the work is receiving the appreciation it deserves.  :)

Calixto Bieito's staging was imposing (the huge orchestra was onstage—on a scaffold-like structure, and dressed in army fatigues—while the platform that covered the pit was where most of the action was enacted). Typical Bieito, with high doses of violence and explicit sex, very much in line (and fittingly so) with his staging of Wozzeck some years ago—although in this occasion his trademark nudity was absent. The weak point of the production was the use of a single set (the aforementioned  scaffolding) for a work with so many scenes (some of them simultaneous), which could lead—even those familiar with the plot—to confusion. Pablo Heras-Casado led a taut and vigorous performance (it's uncanny how this man's conducting gestures remind me of those of his teacher Pierre Boulez :o). The cast was uniformly strong, with Susanne Elmark outstanding—vocally and theatrically—as Marie. It was a pleasure to see two veterans like Hanna Schwarz (whom I had seen as Fricka in the "Jahrhundertring" in Bayreuth almost 39 years ago now!) and Iris Vermilion onstage.

(http://www.periodistadigital.com/imagenes/2018/05/17/diesoldaten-5260_560x280.jpg)

A great, great evening at the opera... :)


Fantastic reading your thoughts! For such a significant opera it is interesting to hear that directors are doing more unusual stagings. Sounds very effective, in this case! (although the Munich production is certainly visually stunning and very emotionally impacting)

I am interested in hearing Heras-Casado in more recent repertoire......I have only really heard some Mendelssohn and Bartok recordings he has made.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 03, 2018, 06:34:27 PM
Going to see this with a friend of mine on Thursday evening

Andrea Molino conductor
Thomas Hampson baritone
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Mahler Totenfeier
Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Messiaen Le Tombeau Resplendissant
R. Strauss Tod und Verklärung
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 03, 2018, 08:26:03 PM
Treitler Kvartetten: String Quartet Recital

'One of Sweden's most sought after young string quartets to perform works by Valborg, Dutilleux, Bartok and Dvorak.'

I've no idea of the exact programme, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on June 04, 2018, 01:00:27 AM
Hearing just the Dutilleux Ainsi la nuit (his only string quartet) live is worth it. A very atmospheric work, and one of my favourite string quartets.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 04, 2018, 05:17:59 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 03, 2018, 12:18:43 PM
Well, I've just arrived home after seeing Die Soldaten in the Teatro Real, and am overwhelmed. I've generally been ambivalent about Bernd-Alois Zimmerman, but after tonight, I am convinced Die Soldaten is an operatic masterpiece, and contains some extraordinary music (both in the huge climatic scenes—the prelude, the apocalyptic finale—and in the more intimate, nocturnal moments). The spate of recent, major productions of this opera (the Ruhrtriennale one that travelled to New York and our fellow GMGer Brewski mentioned, the coproduction between Salzburg and La Scala, the one in Munich under Kirill Petrenko, and this one—which has also been given in Zurich and Berlin), is a clear sign that Die Soldaten's time "has come"  ;), and that the work is receiving the appreciation it deserves.  :)

Calixto Bieito's staging was imposing (the huge orchestra was onstage—on a scaffold-like structure, and dressed in army fatigues—while the platform that covered the pit was where most of the action was enacted). Typical Bieito, with high doses of violence and explicit sex, very much in line (and fittingly so) with his staging of Wozzeck some years ago—although in this occasion his trademark nudity was absent. The weak point of the production was the use of a single set (the aforementioned  scaffolding) for a work with so many scenes (some of them simultaneous), which could lead—even those familiar with the plot—to confusion. Pablo Heras-Casado led a taut and vigorous performance (it's uncanny how this man's conducting gestures remind me of those of his teacher Pierre Boulez :o). The cast was uniformly strong, with Susanne Elmark outstanding—vocally and theatrically—as Marie. It was a pleasure to see two veterans like Hanna Schwarz (whom I had seen as Fricka in the "Jahrhundertring" in Bayreuth almost 39 years ago now!) and Iris Vermilion onstage.

(http://www.periodistadigital.com/imagenes/2018/05/17/diesoldaten-5260_560x280.jpg)

A great, great evening at the opera... :)

Wow! Even with your hesitation about the set, this looks fantastic. If there's any justice, a DVD would be in the works. (PS, I have heard Heras-Casado just once, conducting the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), and he was terrific.)

Thanks for this fascinating report.

Quote from: jessop on June 03, 2018, 06:34:27 PM
Going to see this with a friend of mine on Thursday evening

Andrea Molino conductor
Thomas Hampson baritone
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Mahler Totenfeier
Mahler Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen
Messiaen Le Tombeau Resplendissant
R. Strauss Tod und Verklärung

Quote from: NikF on June 03, 2018, 08:26:03 PM
Treitler Kvartetten: String Quartet Recital

'One of Sweden's most sought after young string quartets to perform works by Valborg, Dutilleux, Bartok and Dvorak.'

I've no idea of the exact programme, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Two great-looking concerts, and I agree with North Star about the Dutilleux.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 04, 2018, 08:52:19 AM
Thanks for that report, ritter - really scolding myself for not catching it in Zurich!  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on June 04, 2018, 06:38:17 PM
Kent Nagano will be conducting the St Luke Passion by Penderecki next month. I'm considering going with some friends, but it's out of town (the summer festival venue some 60 km away), so maybe yes, maybe no...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on June 06, 2018, 03:10:13 AM
Tomorrow night:

Takemitsu: Requiem for Strings
Dorman: Frozen in Time
Holst: The Planets

Simone Rubino, percussion
Academic Choir Collegium Musicum
Belgrade Philharmonic
Eiji Oue, conducting
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 08, 2018, 01:23:48 AM
Ordering tickets for the next season ... crazy, ain't it? But I just bought two for a recital by Krystian Zimerman at Lucerne's great KKL, June 18, 2019  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 09, 2018, 02:43:54 AM
phew, just overspent on opera tickets for the 2018/19 season at Zurich opera ... all cheapest seats, but over a dozen tickets (so I don't end up - like in the season ending soon - buying single tickets for 200$ because there's no other decent ones left :) ) - (personal) highlights include:

- a new production (Barrie Kosky) of Schreker's "Die Gezeichneten" (cond. by Vladimir Jurowski, line-up incl. Catherine Naglestad)
- a new production (Jetske Mijnssen, cond. Emmanuelle Haïm) of Rameau's "Hippolyte et Aricie" (Stéphanie d'Oustrac and Cyrille Dubois in the title roles and Mélissa Petit also in the cast)
- a new production (Jan Philipp Gloger, cond. Enrique Mazzola) of Rossini's "Il turco in Italia" (with Julie Fuchs)
- Ottavio Dantone conducting Vivaldi's "La verità in cimento" (Gloger production repeat), with Delphine Galou, Julie Fuchs and Christophe Dumaux in the line-up (and also favourite ensemble member Deniz Uzun)
- William Christie conducting Händel's "Semele" (prod. Robert Carsen, a repeat) with Cecilia Bartoli in the title role (and Dumaux and Uzun again)
- Strauss' "Der Rosenkavalier" (boring - I expect - Bechtolf production repeat, Luisi conducting) with Krassimira Stoynova, Anna Stéphany and Sabine Devieilhe  :-*
- Diana Damrau singing Lucia di Lammermoor and Nello Santi conducting (and playing the piano)
- Anja Harteros singing Donna Leonora in the Homoki production of "La forza del destino" (cond. Luisi) that has just had its premier (sans Harteros, which is why I am waiting...)
- Evelyn Herlitzius singing Elektra, Simone Young conducting (Kusej production repeat)
- Ottavio Dantone conducting (another - boring? - Bechtolf repeat of) "Le nozze di Figaro" (again, never saw a production of it) with Regula Mühlemann as Susanna (got to see here in a stage production now, after two concerts w/chamber orchestras)
- a new production (Floris Visser, cond. Marco Armiliato) of Massenet's "Manon" (with Piotr Beczala)
- Bizet's "Les Pêcheurs de perles" (a repeat)
- lieder recitals by Anja Harteros and Julie Fuchs what was I thinking? actually by Anna Stéphany
- finally, a new production of "Così fan tutte" (never saw it live yet) by Kirill Serebrennikov, provided evil Vlad will not run his next war after the soccer propaganda event is over, and will let Serebrennikov travel to Switzerland ... I'm sceptical though, but they'll have a plan B I'm sure and I want to see this best of all operas in a real production!

whew!  ;D

ah, yes, in case anyone wonders: will be skipping Ligeti's "Le grand macabre", not expecting this to be better than the recent Lucerne production - I guess it's really a planning accident that Zurich is running that - besides Schreker - as this season's 20c opera - and frankly, it's nowhere near a match to Holliger's astonishing "Lunea" ... I'll get another fix of 20c opera in Milan in November, I hope, with Kurtág's "Fin de partie"!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 09, 2018, 04:13:22 AM
king ubu, despite not going to Le grand macabre this time around it looks like you are up for many incredible performances! (and man, seeing both Simone Young and Barrie Kosky up there is generating a bit of pride within me for my otherwise insignificant nation when it comes to opera......) ;D

I would love to see Anja Harteros perform one day. I watched her in a livestream of Tannhäuser which was wonderful, but I hear she rarely performs outside of Europe, which is a shame for me!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 09, 2018, 04:41:57 AM
Quote from: jessop on June 09, 2018, 04:13:22 AM
king ubu, despite not going to Le grand macabre this time around it looks like you are up for many incredible performances! (and man, seeing both Simone Young and Barrie Kosky up there is generating a bit of pride within me for my otherwise insignificant nation when it comes to opera......) ;D

I would love to see Anja Harteros perform one day. I watched her in a livestream of Tannhäuser which was wonderful, but I hear she rarely performs outside of Europe, which is a shame for me!

I'm excited indeed! Harteros (as Lizzy in "Don Carlo" and in a concert with orchestral songs by Strauss - missed her Tosca last fall) and Damrau (the soprano parts other than "Olimpia" in "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" in Munich and the title role in "Maria Stuarda" just recently in Zurich), for me, have been the most exciting and amazing opera experiences ... Bartoli would probably be up there if I'd seen her a few years earlier, she's still amazing of course, but ... also d'Oustrac was amazing (in "Médée" under Christie's baton), and Stéphany (it's actually her doing the second lieder programme, not Fuchs - Fuchs did an orchestral Rameau/Gluck programme a while ago, the only occasion I so far had to see her in person), Devieilhe (her Rameau disc!), Fuchs and Petit have all become dear to me in the past couple of seasons (only saw Devieilhe - and Fuchs - on stage once so far but am also enjoying them on disc).

As for Kosky, I saw the repeat of his "Macbeth" last season and it was quite amazing indeed!

Young left me a bit ambiguous - saw her conduct "Parsifal" just a few months ago ... and I'm afraid I might never come to terms with Wagner for too many intellectual/historical reasons, but she did a fine job conducting, all things considered (and the production by Claus Guth was interesting, too ... it's really the music, the "play", the (non-existing/silly-to-the-utmost) "plot", all the underlying murmur that has me protest to the hypnotizing force that the music definitely has, nonethelss)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 09, 2018, 09:41:09 AM
Quote from: king ubu on June 09, 2018, 02:43:54 AM
- a new production (Barrie Kosky) of Schreker's "Die Gezeichneten" (cond. by Vladimir Jurowski, line-up incl. Catherine Naglestad)

This held my attention, as well, when perusing the Zurich season and I would've considered it had it been scheduled for 2019 rather than this autumn. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 09, 2018, 10:21:52 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on June 09, 2018, 09:41:09 AM
This held my attention, as well, when perusing the Zurich season and I would've considered it had it been scheduled for 2019 rather than this autumn. Enjoy!

Thanks - new season starts in September here, old one closes in June (Tonhalle, jazz clubs) or July (opera).

I still have what I hope to be a great "Incoronazione di Poppea" coming up, again with Dantone conducting - look at that line-up:
https://www.opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/lincoronazione-di-poppea/season_11232/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 09, 2018, 10:53:37 AM
Quote from: king ubu on June 09, 2018, 10:21:52 AM
Thanks - new season starts in September here, old one closes in June (Tonhalle, jazz clubs) or July (opera).

I still have what I hope to be a great "Incoronazione di Poppea" coming up, again with Dantone conducting - look at that line-up:
https://www.opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/lincoronazione-di-poppea/season_11232/

It does look very promising! My last opera-going of the season was an excellently performed and superbly sung Věc Makropulos in our new opera house a couple of weeks ago. There will be more Janáček next season, namely Jenůfa in October, which I'm certainly going to attend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 09, 2018, 12:07:39 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on June 09, 2018, 10:53:37 AM
It does look very promising! My last opera-going of the season was an excellently performed and superbly sung Věc Makropulos in our new opera house a couple of weeks ago. There will be more Janáček next season, namely Jenůfa in October, which I'm certainly going to attend.

A (jazz) musician friend just raved about Janácek's operas recently ... have seen the old production of Jenufa in Zurich (around 2000, don't know exactly, they had another one later I think) and loved it back then. Need to explore those Mackerras (and Neuman and Gregor) recordings one day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 11, 2018, 01:09:55 AM
Quote from: king ubu on June 09, 2018, 12:07:39 PM
A (jazz) musician friend just raved about Janácek's operas recently ... have seen the old production of Jenufa in Zurich (around 2000, don't know exactly, they had another one later I think) and loved it back then. Need to explore those Mackerras (and Neuman and Gregor) recordings one day.

Jenůfa is one of my all time favourite operas; after many years of listening to recordings, I first attended a performance at the Wiener Staatsoper in 2016, with Dorothea Röschmann and a superb (both vocally and theatrically) Angela Denoke as Kostelnička. I'm curious to see what our own opera company will do with it, their recent Věc Makropulos was very satisfying.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 11, 2018, 02:05:23 AM
Actually I am hoping to see Jenůfa in Munich this November. I saw The Cunning Little Vixen performed by one of my local opera companies here in Melbourne last year. I really loved that opera.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 11, 2018, 10:18:48 PM
RCS Concerto Concert

Liszt: Piano Concerto No2
Horovitz: Trumpet Concerto
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No1
Gregson: Saxophone Concerto

A concert by students from the Royal Conservatoire, accompanied by the RSNO and conducted by Holly Mathieson.
A new venue for me (and my first visit to Perth since city status was reinstated, I think) for a programme of which I've only heard the Shostakovich.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on June 14, 2018, 02:32:41 AM
On Sunday:

Francois Couperin - Lecons de Tenebres
Radoslava Varagic, Zorica Pavlovic (sopranos)
New Trinity Baroque Ensemble

Then next Friday La Bayadere at National Theatre.

And maybe on 26th Christian Schmitt organ recital (Bach, Part, Gustav Merkel).

That pretty much ends this concert season.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on June 14, 2018, 06:05:48 AM
these look promising:   next Monday MAHLER Symphony no.2 "Resurrection"
Vancouver S.O. - Bramwell Tovey's last concert here.
and Friday next   Bohuslav Martinů: Concerto for Flute and Violin  Aaron Copland: Symphony No. 3
West Coast Orchestra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 14, 2018, 12:23:31 PM
Bernard Haitink fell during (after?) a concert last week and while he's luckily alright, it seems, he's cancelling same gigs, including the upcoming one next week at Tonhalle (with FP Zimmermann playing the Beethoven VC). Now Manfred Honneck is jumping in, playing Brahms 4 instead of Schumann 2 in the second half ...

Haitink is scheduled to appear again in September (with Till Fellner, whom I don't know at all yet, playing KV 482, and then Bruckner 7) - I've pre-ordered a ticket for that already but haven't yet received confirmation.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 15, 2018, 10:56:18 AM
If I had a few thousand dollars to spare, I would definitely head to this July's Colmar festival in the Alsace, featuring a Sokolov recital, Argerich with orchestra and chamber music, Seong-Jin Cho, Romain Descharmes, the Quatuor Sine Nomine, and a recital of Evgeny Kissin playing his own compositions with various guests.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 15, 2018, 11:38:30 PM
Currently doing a series of performances (plus a recording for Chandos) of L'enfance du Christ by Berlioz. Andrew Davis is conducting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 17, 2018, 04:23:00 AM
I'll be attending a concert performance of Hans Werner Henze's opera The Bassarids (to a libretto by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman) at the National Auditorium here in Madrid this evening. Kent Nagano conducts the Spanish National Orchestra and Chorus. Among the soloists, only the names of Marisol Montalvo (whose enthralling performance of Pli selon pli under Matthias Pintscher in Paris is available on YouTube) and Mihoko Fujimura (who was a distinguished Kundry in Bayreuth some years ago) are known to me.

I already saw The.Bassarids fully staged (under Arturo Tamayo) at the Teatro Real some twenty years ago, but it'll be nice to listen to it live again (of course, the OOP recording by Gerd Albrecht is in my collection). It'll also be great to encounter Nagano again, whom I've seen conducting a double bill of Wolfgang Rihm's Das Gehege and R. Strauss's Salome in Munich, and Tristan und Isolde in Hamburg, and is really great conductor IMHO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on June 17, 2018, 04:58:26 AM
The clock has ticked!

On June 28th I will be hearing (along with the gracious and fetching Mrs. Cato  8)  ) the Gurrelieder by Arnold Schoenberg in London, England, with Esa Pekka-Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Actress Barbara Sukowa will be the Sprecherin for the section Des Sommerwindes Wilde Jagd: her wild, shouting interpretation on a DGG recording  from the early '90's was something else!   ???    I will be interested to hear if she repeats the interpretation!

[asin]B000025WWW[/asin]
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 17, 2018, 05:05:39 AM
Quote from: Cato on June 17, 2018, 04:58:26 AM
The clock has ticked!

On June 28th I will be hearing (along with the gracious and fetching Mrs. Cato  8)  ) the Gurrelieder by Arnold Schoenberg in London, England, with Esa Pekka-Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Actress Barbara Sukowa will be the Sprecherin for the section Des Sommerwindes Wilde Jagd: her wild, shouting interpretation on a DGG recording  from the early '90's was something else!   ???    I will be interested to hear if she repeats the interpretation!

[asin]B000025WWW[/asin]
That looks very appealing! I must confess I haven't heard the Abbado recording, but I should...and Frau Sukowa is a great actress IMO. She was outstanding as Hannah Arendt in the film by Margarethe von Trotta.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 17, 2018, 05:28:19 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 17, 2018, 04:23:00 AM
I'll be attending a concert performance of Hans Werner Henze's opera The Bassarids (to a libretto by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman) at the National Auditorium here in Madrid this evening. Kent Nagano conducts the Spanish National Orchestra and Chorus. Among the soloists, only the names of Marisol Montalvo (whose enthralling performance of Pli selon pli under Matthias Pintscher in Paris is available on YouTube) and Mihoko Fujimura (who was a distinguished Kundry in Bayreuth some years ago) are known to me.

I already saw The.Bassarids fully staged (under Arturo Tamayo) at the Teatro Real some twenty years ago, but it'll be nice to listen to it live again (of course, the OOP recording by Gerd Albrecht is in my collection). It'll also be great to encounter Nagano again, whom I've seen conducting a double bill of Wolfgang Rihm's Das Gehege and R. Strauss's Salome in Munich, and Tristan und Isolde in Hamburg, and is really great conductor IMHO.

I am going to have to put you on my ignore list because you always make me insanely jealous whenever I read your posts in this thread! ;D I hope you enjoy this. I love The Bassarids and I think it's Henze's best opera.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on June 17, 2018, 10:20:41 AM
Bernstein: 'Jeremiah' Symphony Proms in London

Elgar Cello Concerto (my daughter's favourite piece of classical music) and Vaughan Williams's 'Dona Nobis Pacem' together at the London Proms in August if I can get tickets for us.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 17, 2018, 12:16:21 PM
Quote from: jessop on June 17, 2018, 05:28:19 AM
I hope you enjoy this. I love The Bassarids and I think it's Henze's best opera.
I did enjoy this very much. I don't know if it's Henze's best opera (I don't know them all), but The Bassarids certainly is a major work, and this opera "in four movements" works perfectly well as a symphony with voices. The stars of the evening were Kent Nagano (who managed the contrasts in atmosphere of the different scenes very well, and made the most of Henze's lush orchestration) and the chorus, who were simply superb in their (important) contribution. Warm applause at the end, and very few desertions in the intermission. Pity that this time around the National Auditorium didn't think it necessary to project the text as supertitles, so that the interesting (and at times beautifully poetic) libretto could not be appreciated by those unfamiliar with the work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 18, 2018, 04:52:14 AM
At the end of the final concert of L'Enfance du Christ! Sir Andrew has been wonderfully happy over the past week. (I think we did a good job!)  ;D

I don't know if the link works outside Australia but here is what was a live broadcast. The performances will be edited into a 'live recording' for Chandos for a CD release. http://www.abc.net.au/classic/evenings/mso-lenfance-du-christ/9714886

edit: oh my fucking god that final chorus is actually beautiful
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on June 18, 2018, 08:17:17 AM
Hi Jessop, if my sight is still good enough, you are almost in the middle of the chorus, just behind the left microphone wire.
Aren't you?  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 18, 2018, 11:09:15 AM
Quote from: GioCar on June 18, 2018, 08:17:17 AM
Hi Jessop, if my sight is still good enough, you are almost in the middle of the chorus, just behind the left microphone wire.
Aren't you?  8)

Looks like him for sure!

On topic - looking forward tremendously (and that's the understatement of the month!) to "Fin de partie", György Kurtág's opera after Beckett, to be premiered in November at la Scala - opening night with GioCar (hey there  ;D ) and second night hopefully with another friend.

Details:
http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/season/2017-2018/opera/fin-de-partie.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 18, 2018, 11:29:00 AM
Quote from: jessop on June 18, 2018, 04:52:14 AM
At the end of the final concert of L'Enfance du Christ! Sir Andrew has been wonderfully happy over the past week. (I think we did a good job!)  ;D

I don't know if the link works outside Australia but here is what was a live broadcast. The performances will be edited into a 'live recording' for Chandos for a CD release. http://www.abc.net.au/classic/evenings/mso-lenfance-du-christ/9714886

Must have been a great experience...such a beautiful piece. The link works here in Spain, and I'll look out for the Chsndos CDs as soon as they're released. Congratulations, jessop!  :)

Quote from: king ubu on June 18, 2018, 11:09:15 AM
...
On topic - looking forward tremendously (and that's the understatement of the month!) to "Fin de partie", György Kurtág's opera after Beckett, to be premiered in November at la Scala - opening night with GioCar (hey there  ;D ) and second night hopefully with another friend.
...
That looks very, very appealing, ubu. Hope you and GioCar enjoy it. I know it still several months away, but do report, please.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 18, 2018, 11:39:01 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 18, 2018, 11:29:00 AM
That looks very, very appealing, ubu. Hope you and GioCar enjoy it. I know it still several months away, but do report, please.

I'm expecting nothing less than the highlight of the new opera seasons (I know La Scala closes with that, but new season really starts after the long summer break, doesn't it?  ;) ) - just as Heinz Holliger's fantastic "Lunea" was the highlight of the season that is about to end (one more to go, a new production of Monteverdi's "L'incoronazione di Poppea").
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on June 18, 2018, 02:06:24 PM
Quote from: GioCar on June 18, 2018, 08:17:17 AM
Hi Jessop, if my sight is still good enough, you are almost in the middle of the chorus, just behind the left microphone wire.
Aren't you?  8)
Yep that's me! 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on June 18, 2018, 07:14:11 PM
Quote from: king ubu on June 18, 2018, 11:09:15 AM

On topic - looking forward tremendously (and that's the understatement of the month!) to "Fin de partie", György Kurtág's opera after Beckett, to be premiered in November at la Scala - opening night with GioCar (hey there  ;D ) and second night hopefully with another friend.

Details:
http://www.teatroallascala.org/en/season/2017-2018/opera/fin-de-partie.html

The former season Sciarrino, this season Kurtág... going together to a world premiere at La Scala is almost a tradition for us  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 19, 2018, 12:53:31 AM
Quote from: GioCar on June 18, 2018, 07:14:11 PM
The former season Sciarrino, this season Kurtág... going together to a world premiere at La Scala is almost a tradition for us  8)

That would be a good tradition to establish for sure!  :)

Another one here has been the Lucerne Theatre starting its season with a 20c opera. In 2016 it was an outstanding production of Nono's "Prometeo", in 2017 it was Ligeti's "Le Grand macabre" (which I'll skip in Zurich in the 2018/19 season - didn't enjoy it enough to catch it again so soon). But in the upcoming season, they don't have anything alike, alas (some interesting projects and stuff, for sure, one about Mahler's "Kindertotenlieder" with Matthew Herbert for instance) ... but if they pick up that tradition again, I'll continue attending, too!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on June 19, 2018, 03:34:20 AM
Quote from: Cato on June 17, 2018, 04:58:26 AM
The clock has ticked!

On June 28th I will be hearing (along with the gracious and fetching Mrs. Cato  8)  ) the Gurrelieder by Arnold Schoenberg in London, England, with Esa Pekka-Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Actress Barbara Sukowa will be the Sprecherin for the section Des Sommerwindes Wilde Jagd: her wild, shouting interpretation on a DGG recording  from the early '90's was something else!   ???    I will be interested to hear if she repeats the interpretation!

[asin]B000025WWW[/asin]

Quote from: ritter on June 17, 2018, 05:05:39 AM
That looks very appealing! I must confess I haven't heard the Abbado recording, but I should...and Frau Sukowa is a great actress IMO. She was outstanding as Hannah Arendt in the film by Margarethe von Trotta.

You must hear Barbara Sukowa's interpretation, just for the experience: after 25 years, I am still not sure it is appropriate, but it is certainly unique!  :D

We leave today for the Cleveland airport: the airplane for Iceland takes off at 12:30 A.M. (Oy!  I am not a night owl, but will need to push myself), and after a 5-hour pause in Iceland, we will land in London on Wednesday evening.

We will do the usual sightseeing, and plan to include the Roman ruins at Bath and good ol' Stonehenge!  Gurrelieder on the 28th!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 19, 2018, 04:02:32 AM
The first two are Friday. Saturday and the third a couple of days earlier.

Mozart: String Quartet in D K575
Dvořák: String Quartet in F Op 96 'The American'
Dohnányi: Piano Quintet No 1

-

Mozart: String Quartet in B flat K589
Dvořák: String Quartet in E flat Op 51
Dohnányi: Piano Quintet No 2 

Takács Quartet
Marc-André Hamelin - Piano

----

Prokofiev: Sonata in D for solo violin Op 115
Schumann: Violin Sonata No 1
Takemitsu: Distance de fée
Arvo Pärt: Fratres
Ravel: Violin Sonata in G

Viktoria Mullova - Violin
Katia Labèque - Piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 19, 2018, 04:21:18 AM
Quote from: jessop on June 15, 2018, 11:38:30 PM
Currently doing a series of performances (plus a recording for Chandos) of L'enfance du Christ by Berlioz. Andrew Davis is conducting.

I missed this post. Congrats, oor jessop. Good stuff.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 19, 2018, 04:28:25 AM
Wow, Nik, those are all three super awesome.

Jessop, I love that piece, and although it is perhaps not seasonal right now, I look forward to listening to y'all's recording in 18 months or so :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on June 19, 2018, 05:20:10 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 19, 2018, 04:28:25 AM
Wow, Nik, those are all three super awesome.


Yeah, I'm looking forward to them.

There's also these during the following week -

Mozart: Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor K478
Schubert: Piano Sonata in A minor D784
Schubert: Piano Quintet in A D667 'Trout' 

Four string principals from the Berliner Philharmoniker – Noah Bendix-Balgley, Máté Szucs, Martin Löhr and Matthew McDonalald
Christian Blackshaw - Piano

/

Shostakovich String Quartet No 7
Schubert String Quartet No 13 in A minor D804 'Rosamunde'
Ravel String Quartet 

Pavel Haas Quartet

- but I'm doing some work elsewhere during that month and so had to choose only one week. Still, it's a nice problem to have.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on June 19, 2018, 06:51:22 AM
Quote from: Draško on June 14, 2018, 02:32:41 AM
On Sunday:

Francois Couperin - Lecons de Tenebres
Radoslava Varagic, Zorica Pavlovic (sopranos)
New Trinity Baroque Ensemble

I've really enjoyed this. Live performances of French baroque in Belgrade are still quite rare, and this one was pretty decent. Ms. Vorgic (whom I misspelt originally) particularly showed some fine tone and articulation in the first Lecon. Basso continuo consisted of chamber organ, viola de gamba and couple of theorbos, and in between the motets they performed a couple of Marais pieces for gamba and couple of de Visee pieces for lute/theorbo. A fine concert altogether.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on June 20, 2018, 08:29:25 PM
On Sunday, the final concert of our annual subscription

Mahler: Symphony no.9
Herbert Blomstedt conducting the Filarmonica della Scala

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on June 21, 2018, 10:41:47 AM
I saw the ad on the Scala billboards...*sigh*
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on June 21, 2018, 11:34:14 AM
Quote from: GioCar on June 20, 2018, 08:29:25 PM
On Sunday, the final concert of our annual subscription

Mahler: Symphony no.9
Herbert Blomstedt conducting the Filarmonica della Scala

Nice! I'll hear Blomstedt next Friday at Tonhalle, Julia Fischer playing the Mendelssohn concerto (a favourite that I've so far not heard in performance), followed by Mahler 1.
Tomorrow, Manfred Honeck is subbing for Haitink (who fell, it seems, and while alright has to take a break), FP Zimmermann will play the Beethoven concerto (preceded by the Egmont overture, and then they will do Brahms 4, which I find somewhat uninspiring in that it replaces Schumann 2 ... either way, don't know Honeck and am curious, but mostly am looking forward to my first Beethoven VC in concert, and also to hearing FP Zimmermann again, whom I heard with the Brahms concerto some three or four years ago).

Futhermore, just got my huge pile of tickets for Tonhalle's 2018/19 season - lots of goodies to come!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on June 27, 2018, 08:45:43 AM
Quote from: Cato on June 17, 2018, 04:58:26 AM
The clock has ticked!

On June 28th I will be hearing (along with the gracious and fetching Mrs. Cato  8)  ) the Gurrelieder by Arnold Schoenberg in London, England, with Esa Pekka-Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Actress Barbara Sukowa will be the Sprecherin for the section Des Sommerwindes Wilde Jagd: her wild, shouting interpretation on a DGG recording  from the early '90's was something else!   ???    I will be interested to hear if she repeats the interpretation!

[asin]B000025WWW[/asin]

Tomorrow is the big day! 

A soprano named Camilla Tilling - a more British name would be hard to invent  ;) - will pinch hit for the scheduled one.

I am typing with one finger on a "pad" so no review until next week! 

TOO TEDIOUS!   0:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 27, 2018, 08:54:15 AM
Quote from: Cato on June 27, 2018, 08:45:43 AM

Tomorrow is the big day! 

Enjoy!!!  :)

QuoteA soprano named Camilla Tilling - a more British name would be hard to invent  ;) - will pinch hit for the scheduled one.
She's Swedish, though.  ;) ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 27, 2018, 08:54:29 AM
Huzzah! A Cato sighting!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on June 27, 2018, 09:06:58 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 27, 2018, 08:54:15 AM
Enjoy!!!  :)
She's Swedish, though.  ;) ;D

I just discovered that!   ;D
Title: Philharmonia Orchestra: Schoenberg's Gurrelieder!!!
Post by: Cato on July 03, 2018, 12:05:56 PM
Quote from: Cato on June 17, 2018, 04:58:26 AM
The clock has ticked!

On June 28th I will be hearing (along with the gracious and fetching Mrs. Cato  8)  ) the Gurrelieder by Arnold Schoenberg in London, England, with Esa Pekka-Salonen conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Actress Barbara Sukowa will be the Sprecherin for the section Des Sommerwindes Wilde Jagd: her wild, shouting interpretation on a DGG recording  from the early '90's was something else!   ???    I will be interested to hear if she repeats the interpretation!

[asin]B000025WWW[/asin]

WOW!  Just WOW!  The Philharmonia Orchestra is one sharp, nuclear-powered orchestra!  We had front row balcony seats and could see everything and hear (just about) everything perfectly!  I was not disappointed at all with the orchestra or most of the soloists!   ;)

Barbara Sukowa softened her hootin' 'n' hollerin' interpretation of the Sprecherin part somewhat: she sounded great!

The orchestra filled the stage and filled the hall with great sound when power was required, and became delicate and chamber-like, when that was required.  The concert was a sell-out, and a semi-standing ovation was given at the end.

Only one thing (or two): the singers for Waldemar (Robert Dean Smith) and Tove (Camilla Tilling) lacked the vocal power to be heard over the orchestra at times: for Waldemar's last song in Part II, the fist-shaking threat against God, Mr. Smith lost the battle for his imprecation to be heard ("...mit meiner wilde Jagd, ins Himmelreich ein!" did not sound as mighty as it should have).

The choirs were also extremely good.  And as far as the conducting goes, Esa Pekka-Salonen was on target, no strange tempi or additions or subtractions:  a fairly slow pace at times, but nothing eccentric, and when speed was called for, the engines were cranked up!

The good part: you can hear the exact same concert via Radio 3 BBC!  Perhaps the engineers were able to bring out the two main voices via microphone magic!

See/Hear:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7hvgv (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7hvgv)




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 03, 2018, 12:24:13 PM
Thanks for the review, Cato, and congratulations for what appears to be e been a great concert!  :)

Seeing Gurrelieder live is quite an experience. I had the chance of doing so here in Madrid four years ago (conducted by Eliahu Inbal) and really enjoyed it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on July 03, 2018, 12:37:38 PM
Quote from: ritter on July 03, 2018, 12:24:13 PM
Thanks for the review, Cato, and congratulations for what appears to be been a great concert!  :)

Seeing Gurrelieder live is quite an experience.   I had the chance of doing so here in Madrid four years ago (conducted by Eliahu Inbal) and really enjoyed it.

Amen!  Mrs. Cato enjoyed it very much, especially the singer handling Klaus Narr!  (Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke)  ??? 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 05, 2018, 03:35:54 PM
Bought my first 3-concert subscription of the year for the Nashville Symphony. there are a few concerts I want to see in the winter and spring but waiting to get closer before I pick the dates. Every piece on these programs will be a first time seeing performed live for me, with the exception of Psalms which I've actually performed. But this might be the best 3-concert stretch in such a small time that I've ever had planned, every piece on this list is great.


October 6th
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | James Ehnes, violin
Beethoven – Violin Concerto
John Adams – Harmonielehre  Live Recording


November 3rd
Victor Yampolsky, conductor | Behzod Abduraimov, piano
Mussorgsky – Dawn on Moscow River from Khovanshchina
Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich – Symphony No. 8


November 17th
Hans Graf, conductor
R.Strauss – Serenade in E-flat Major
Stravinsky – Symphony of Psalms
Ravel – Daphnis et Chloé
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on July 05, 2018, 06:05:05 PM
Great stuff! The first with Beethoven/Ehnes and Harmonielehre is mouth-moutering ! I heard the Adams in Cologne a few years ago. Memorable. A disc doesn't convey its sonic impact.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 05, 2018, 06:52:11 PM
Quote from: André on July 05, 2018, 06:05:05 PM
Great stuff! The first with Beethoven/Ehnes and Harmonielehre is mouth-moutering ! I heard the Adams in Cologne a few years ago. Memorable. A disc doesn't convey its sonic impact.

That's great, Andre! Harmonielehre is a piece I thought I may never see performed live.
Title: Taylor Swift vs. Arnold Schoenberg
Post by: Cato on July 06, 2018, 11:38:37 AM
Quote from: Cato on July 03, 2018, 12:05:56 PM
WOW!  Just WOW!  The Philharmonia Orchestra is one sharp, nuclear-powered orchestra!  We had front row balcony seats and could see everything and hear (just about) everything perfectly!  I was not disappointed at all with the orchestra or most of the soloists!   ;)

Barbara Sukowa softened her hootin' 'n' hollerin' interpretation of the Sprecherin part somewhat: she sounded great!

The orchestra filled the stage and filled the hall with great sound when power was required, and became delicate and chamber-like, when that was required.  The concert was a sell-out, and a semi-standing ovation was given at the end.

Only one thing (or two): the singers for Waldemar (Robert Dean Smith) and Tove (Camilla Tilling) lacked the vocal power to be heard over the orchestra at times: for Waldemar's last song in Part II, the fist-shaking threat against God, Mr. Smith lost the battle for his imprecation to be heard ("...mit meiner wilde Jagd, ins Himmelreich ein!" did not sound as mighty as it should have).

The choirs were also extremely good.  And as far as the conducting goes, Esa Pekka-Salonen was on target, no strange tempi or additions or subtractions:  a fairly slow pace at times, but nothing eccentric, and when speed was called for, the engines were cranked up!

The good part: you can hear the exact same concert via Radio 3 BBC!  Perhaps the engineers were able to bring out the two main voices via microphone magic!

See/Hear:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7hvgv (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7hvgv)

Today I heard an advertisement that the cheapest tickets for the Taylor Swift show (scheduled in the local 100,000 + football stadium) start at.... $70.00!  :o ???

For the above concert with Schoenberg's Gurrelieder performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, $70.00 is about what we paid for TWO tickets in the front row of the balcony in an air-conditioned concert hall with great acoustics.

Case closed!  Up Schoenberg, down Miss Swift!   0:)   8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 06, 2018, 11:07:56 PM
Debussy - Préludes, Bk 1 no. 10: La Cathédrale engloutie

Berg - Piano Sonata in B minor, Op.1

Prokofiev - Piano Sonata no. 7 in B flat major, Op.83

Debussy - Préludes, Bk 1 no. 4: Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir

Prokofiev - Piano Sonata no. 6 in A major, Op.82

Piano - Steven Osborne

Wigmore Hall, London

-

A change of plan means I'm going to this.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 06, 2018, 11:16:38 PM
Quote from: NikF on July 06, 2018, 11:07:56 PM
Debussy - Préludes, Bk 1 no. 10: La Cathédrale engloutie

Berg - Piano Sonata in B minor, Op.1

Prokofiev - Piano Sonata no. 7 in B flat major, Op.83

Debussy - Préludes, Bk 1 no. 4: Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir

Prokofiev - Piano Sonata no. 6 in A major, Op.82

Piano - Steven Osborne

Wigmore Hall, London

-

A change of plan means I'm going to this.
Wow! What a marvellous program, NikF! So many extraordinary pieces there: La Cathédrale..., the Berg Sonata, the Prokofiev Sixth with its tempo di valzer lentissimo... Hope you enjoy it!  :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on July 06, 2018, 11:34:11 PM
Quote from: ritter on July 06, 2018, 11:16:38 PM
Wow! What a marvellous program, NikF! So many extraordinary pieces there: La Cathédrale..., the Berg Sonata, the Prokofiev Sixth with its tempo di valzer lentissimo... Hope you enjoy it!  :) :)

Cheers mate.  :)
Yeah, it looks great. And there's the bonus of a relaxing journey by train to get there. 8)
Title: Re: Taylor Swift vs. Arnold Schoenberg
Post by: Mahlerian on July 07, 2018, 03:49:38 AM
Quote from: Cato on July 06, 2018, 11:38:37 AM
Today I heard an advertisement that the cheapest tickets for the Taylor Swift show (scheduled in the local 100,000 + football stadium) start at.... $70.00!  :o ???

For the above concert with Schoenberg's Gurrelieder performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, $70.00 is about what we paid for TWO tickets in the front row of the balcony in an air-conditioned concert hall with great acoustics.

Case closed!  Up Schoenberg, down Miss Swift!   0:)   8)

And that's even putting aside the music!
Title: Taylor Swift vs. Arnold Schoenberg
Post by: Cato on July 07, 2018, 12:26:50 PM
Quote from: Cato on July 06, 2018, 11:38:37 AM
Today I heard an advertisement that the cheapest tickets for the Taylor Swift show (scheduled in the local 100,000 + football stadium) start at.... $70.00!  :o ???

For the above concert with Schoenberg's Gurrelieder performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, $70.00 is about what we paid for TWO tickets in the front row of the balcony in an air-conditioned concert hall with great acoustics.

Case closed!  Up Schoenberg, down Miss Swift!   0:)   8)

Quote from: Mahlerian on July 07, 2018, 03:49:38 AM
And that's even putting aside the music!

Amen!  0:)   I don't think Arnold ever sashayed in short shorts across the stage and twirbled into a microphone: but then again, he never had to!   ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on July 08, 2018, 10:24:39 PM
Julia Fischer and Herbert Blomstedt at/with Tonhalle were amazing ... terrific takes on the Mendelssohn VC and on Mahler 1!
This was only my third encounter with a Mahler symphony so far, all live (No. 6 with Zinman/Tonhalle last season, No. 9 with Rattle/LSO in April), and I really need to start exploring Mahler now, I think (I'm only at Bruckner 4 and thought to "complete" that first, but I guess I'll have to change my plan/I should have realized there'd be another man"  ;) ).

--

Yesterday, late afternoon, heard the Armida Quartet - final concert before the summer break, alas. They did three contrapuncti from "The Art of the Fugue" and then KV 546 for starters. Then followed the main beef: Op. 130 with Op. 133 at the end. Quite amazing stuff - too bad I was totally exhausted from days of cleaning and bringing the flat in order (not my music and book collections, mind me - not enough space for either of those...)

--

Also, as it's summer break now, I'm planning to catch some of the more casual organ concerts run in summer at Grossmünster, right around the corner from my (still fairly new) workplace ... whom should I consider, other than Molardi?

https://www.grossmuenster.ch/documents/142/Orgelprogr-2018Web.pdf

Kay Johansen doing Reubke I should not miss, I guess?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on July 09, 2018, 12:52:56 AM
Back from Savonlinna and enjoyed greatly both Pique Dame and Faust. But why did they cut the Walpurgisnachtscene?  >:(
Title: Re: Philharmonia Orchestra: Schoenberg's Gurrelieder!!!
Post by: Cato on July 09, 2018, 12:34:26 PM
Quote from: Cato on July 03, 2018, 12:05:56 PM
WOW!  Just WOW!  The Philharmonia Orchestra is one sharp, nuclear-powered orchestra!  We had front row balcony seats and could see everything and hear (just about) everything perfectly!  I was not disappointed at all with the orchestra or most of the soloists!   ;)

Barbara Sukowa softened her hootin' 'n' hollerin' interpretation of the Sprecherin part somewhat: she sounded great!

The orchestra filled the stage and filled the hall with great sound when power was required, and became delicate and chamber-like, when that was required.  The concert was a sell-out, and a semi-standing ovation was given at the end.

Only one thing (or two): the singers for Waldemar (Robert Dean Smith) and Tove (Camilla Tilling) lacked the vocal power to be heard over the orchestra at times: for Waldemar's last song in Part II, the fist-shaking threat against God, Mr. Smith lost the battle for his imprecation to be heard ("...mit meiner wilde Jagd, ins Himmelreich ein!" did not sound as mighty as it should have).

The choirs were also extremely good.  And as far as the conducting goes, Esa Pekka-Salonen was on target, no strange tempi or additions or subtractions:  a fairly slow pace at times, but nothing eccentric, and when speed was called for, the engines were cranked up!

The good part: you can hear the exact same concert via Radio 3 BBC!  Perhaps the engineers were able to bring out the two main voices via microphone magic!

See/Hear:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7hvgv (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b7hvgv)

Here is a review from BachTrack of the above concert: it is completely on target, mentioning the "power struggle" of the two main soloists, but praising everyone else, especially the Klaus-Narr singer:

Quote   The ambitious scale and unprecedented instrumental and vocal forces of Schoenberg's Gurrelieder (1900-1911) almost defy categorisation, yet whether regarded as a vast cantata or an "opera of the mind" this last "hurrah" of late Romanticism bursts the confines of post-Wagnerian tonality like an overripe fruit and, Janus-like, peers into the future while drawing on the past.

Over the course of this magnificent performance from the Philharmonia, Esa-Pekka Salonen unveiled its stylistic trajectory and its Tristan und Isolde-esque tale of doomed love with an unfailing sense of purpose. To the work's gargantuan assemblage (five soloists, narrator, three four-part male choruses, a mixed chorus and huge orchestra) he provided concentrated focus and brought clarity to Jens Peter Jacobsen's retelling of Danish myth; whose Songs of Gurre describe King Waldemar's illicit love for Tove and her murder by a jealous Queen Helwig. His subsequent condemnation of the Almighty and his ghostly night rides lead to a final spiritual reconciliation.

Amongst living conductors, Salonen has directed this score in the region of fifteen times, yet what made this performance so special wasn't just his grasp of dramatic pacing or his attention to detail and balance or even his effortless command of the music's changing emotional landscape (all admirable in themselves) but the impressive sight of three soloists performing from memory – lending a quasi-operatic presence that allowed rapturous love songs and nightmarish visions to glow with an unusual intensity.

Chief amongst these soloists was Robert Dean Smith as a dignified King Waldemar who fully projected his longing for Tove in a voice that still has plenty of stamina and able to meet Schoenberg's formidable demands. Only the outer limits of his range sounded less fulsome, the top occasionally a little thin and the bottom rather gruff, and his raging to God was a rather controlled affair.

His beloved Tove was sung by a radiant Camilla Tilling who occasionally struggled to sing over the orchestra, but there was no lack of poise and tenderness in the intimacy of "Du sendest mir einen Liebesblick" – its Wagnerian influence unmistakable. Michelle DeYoung was a dramatic presence as the Wood Dove but, despite obvious commitment, her fruity vibrato and manner of physically launching herself before each phrase brought little sense of grief or poignancy in her depictions of Tove's murder.

David Soar was a rich-toned Peasant, while Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke was a wonderfully comic and half-crazed Klaus-Narr, who caught the ear and eye in his clear-cut tenor and quizzical expression, superbly responsive to the text's riddles during the ghostly hunt with its fantastical scoring surging around him. Nature's renewal and its healing powers brought orchestral transparency from solo strings, woodwind and celesta and vivid declamation from Barbara Sukowa whose characterfully rendered Sprechgesang indicated just how much Schoenberg had turned his back on the musical language with which the work begins.

The men of London's four conservatoires, and members of Philharmonia Voices, formed a hearty chorus as Waldemar's ghoulish huntsmen and, if a little lightweight when evoking demonic fervour, sang with precision and commendable ensemble. With the arrival of the "Hymn to the Sun", the combined choral forces (now including ladies voices) brought an uplifting blaze of C major (brass ringing out gloriously here) to conclude a sweeping account marked by an intensity of expression and unflagging energy from all involved. 

See:

https://bachtrack.com/en/review-gurrelieder-salonen-smith-tilling-philharmonia-london-june-2018 (https://bachtrack.com/en/review-gurrelieder-salonen-smith-tilling-philharmonia-london-june-2018)

The Guardian also has a review of the concert: nothing is mentioned about the voices of the two principals being swallowed.  Perhaps the reviewer sat downstairs by the stage?

QuoteThe Philharmonia season closed with a performance of Gurrelieder, formidably conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, albeit unevenly sung. Schoenberg's immense cantata is widely regarded as the ultimate post-Romantic statement, a morbidly erotic work saturated in Wagnerism. Schoenberg, however, broke off composition after completing the second of its three parts, resuming work on the score only after forging the new musical language that defined the parameters of modernism. The final section consequently looks forward as well as back, as The Summer Wind's Wild Hunt subjects the Wagnerian apparatus to a process of increasing fragmentation before the closing chorus heralds a new dawn.

Salonen underscored the work's pivotal nature by luxuriating in its Romantic excess even as he charted its dissolution. Vast panoplies of sound gave way to textures of exquisite transparency. There was deep sensuality in the love scenes, and thrilling terror in the spectral ride of Waldemar and his men. Salonen's attention to detail paid off towards the close, as the themes associated with the lovers are absorbed into the eternal flux of nature as the Summer Wind blows the past away.

Robert Dean Smith and Camilla Tilling played Waldemar and Tove. The former, clean and clear, sounded uninvolved throughout. Tilling, in contrast, was rapturous in her ecstatic evocation of "death, the reviver of beauty". Michelle DeYoung's declamatory Waldtaube was more harbinger of doom than voice of grief. Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke, all irony and scorn, excelled as Klaus-Narr. David Soar was the credulous Peasant, Barbara Sukowa the vivid narrator.

The choral singing, from the Philharmonia Voices and the choirs of London's four music colleges, was delivered with tremendous fervour and power.

See:


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/29/philharmoniasalonen-gurrelieder-review
(https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/29/philharmoniasalonen-gurrelieder-review)
Title: Re: Philharmonia Orchestra: Schoenberg's Gurrelieder!!!
Post by: Cato on July 09, 2018, 01:20:46 PM
Quote from: Cato on July 09, 2018, 12:34:26 PM
Here is a review from BachTrack of the above concert: it is completely on target, mentioning the "power struggle" of the two main soloists, but praising everyone else, especially the Klaus-Narr singer:

See:

https://bachtrack.com/en/review-gurrelieder-salonen-smith-tilling-philharmonia-london-june-2018 (https://bachtrack.com/en/review-gurrelieder-salonen-smith-tilling-philharmonia-london-june-2018)

The Guardian also has a review of the concert: nothing is mentioned about the voices of the two principals being swallowed.  Perhaps the reviewer sat downstairs by the stage?

See:


https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/29/philharmoniasalonen-gurrelieder-review
(https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/29/philharmoniasalonen-gurrelieder-review)

Another review from a certain Mark Berry: again, a few critical comments about the less than heroic Heldentenor Robert Dean Smith, but otherwise a glowing assessment:

Quote  Opportunities to hear, let alone to conduct, Gurrelieder do not come along very often. Simon Rattle must have had more of the latter than most. What a way, then, for Esa-Pekka Salonen to approach his sixtieth birthday, with a work he had conducted so successfully with this same orchestra, the Philharmonia, in this same hall, not far off a decade ago. (That performance was recorded and released on Signum Classics.)

The opening Prelude glistened, lacking nothing in warmth or almost pointillistic potential. Salonen was no more likely to wallow than Boulez might have done, and all the better for it. Here one heard – almost saw – water and ice. It flowed, ran, even stood with commendable flexibility, suggestive of a tone poem (which, in a way, it is, even when words intervene). Particularly intriguing was his orchestral balancing, subtle yet telling, highlighting yet never exaggerating the music's darker undercurrents: pitch, timbre, harmony. The later Schoenberg is not so far away: one only has to listen. This was music after Götterdämmerung as well as after Tristan: unquestionably 'after Wagner', in far more than the most obvious ways.

Alas, Robert Dean Smith's Waldemar often proved something of a trial. An older-sounding Waldemar is fine, repeated uncertainty of pitch rather less so. For much of the first part in particular, he was at best effortful, an especial pity when Salonen proved so adept at balancing those tone-poem, even symphonic tendencies (Pelleas und Melisande often came to mind) with the music's roots in the song-cycle tradition. (Schoenberg's first conception had been of a shorter cycle for voice and piano. Zemlinsky would recall that the songs 'were wonderfully beautiful and truly novel – however we both had the impression that, on that account, they had little prospect of winning a prize.') There was no denying the through-composed nature of Schoenberg's writing, but nor is there, after all, in what we generally consider the very first song-cycle, An die ferne Geliebte. Fortunately, Camilla Tilling proved far more able than Dean Smith not only to ride the orchestra but also to make something of the words and phrases, although, to be fair, when foretelling his haunting, this Waldemar proved more convincing. There was plenty elsewhere to ravish: not least the combination of delicacy and splendour from Tilling and upper strings as Tove bade her love join her in raising golden goblets, Tristan-like, albeit with a decidedly æstheticist twist, to mighty, beautifying death (dem mächtig verschönenden Tod). It seemed telling and indeed touching, perhaps indicative of Salonen's plans for the Ring, that the chords presaging and indeed furthering Tove's departure from the stage echoed so clearly in combination of harmony and timbre the magnificent, malevolent world of Hagen.

Michelle DeYoung entered stage-right as if a figure from Klimt. (I know it is far too obvious an association, but demeanour and dress were so strongly suggestive that I shall indulge myself.) Jill Crowther's English horn recalled to us an alte – or perhaps better, an ältere – Weise. Yet even before the Wood-dove sang, Schoenberg's interlude had proved a kaleidoscopic realm of love and terror, love as terror; she only put it into words – but how! – what we (mostly) already knew. DeYoung offered a song variegated dramatically as well as tonally, almost a little – well, not so very little – cantata in its own right. Her richness of tone against the darkness of harmony and orchestral colour both reminded us of Salonen's and Schoenberg's presentiments at the opening, whilst leading us to a shattering climax. Tod/death: after that, life could only fade away – or could it?

The opening of the Second Part quite rightly sounded as if a digest of what had gone before – only, as it would in one of Wagner's narrations, be it verbal, orchestral, or both, with difference of detail, of standpoint, of import. Dean Smith proved more imploring than angry, but that worked in its way. The aftermath of Waldemar's outburst was shockingly prolonged – in the best way – by Salonen. Monumental was the word for it.

Variegation again proved the key to the Wild Hunt. Neither here nor elsewhere was there any absence of power to the outstanding massed choral forces, but heft is not enough, nor did it have to be. Salonen ensured an array of colour, even when Schoenberg apparently confronted him and us with blocks of sound. The terror of the first ghostly cry, in reaction to, or perhaps oblivious to, the handsomely dark bass-baritone observations of David Soar's Peasant, proved quite something: several leagues beyond anything to be heard or even imagined in Der Freischütz. The proper entry of the chorus sounded like nothing so much as Götterdämmerung on acid – which it essentially is. It was, however, the aftermath that truly chilled. So much is in Schoenberg's scoring here, yet I do not think before now I had quite realised how much. Dean Smith at last recaptured something of Tristan's delirium, movingly so, as the orchestra seemed to engage in act of self-dissolution – again, as much in timbre as in harmony, before reconstituting itself for what was yet to come.

Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke's Klaus-Narr perhaps inevitably suggested Mime: even his orchestral 'introduction' seemed to do so. This seemed, however, a more ambiguous 'character' still, transformations in mood and/or self-projection of mood disconcertingly yet, in their way, honestly quicksilver. His reflections on – mocking of? – salvation rightly left one uneasy yet wanting to know more. 'Dann muss ich eingehn im Himmels Gnaden... Na, und dann mag Gott sich selber gnaden.' Sepulchral chorus and brass alike soon eerily set against piccolos, set the stage, so it seemed, for another orchestral rebirth, now very much an ensemble straining towards Pierrot lunaire. Nothing would ever be the same again – and perhaps, just perhaps, such had been the work of this 'fool'.

Step forward Barbara Sukowa, as spellbinding as she had been for Salonen in 2009 – or indeed for Claudio Abbado on his Vienna recording. This Speaker was delirious, yet delightful; or was that our æstheticising something too close for comfort? Not only Pierrot, but a whole century's worth of music thereafter flashed before our ears. 'Still! Was mag der Wind nur wollen?' Did these hallucinations, if that be what they were, speak of a bad or a good trip? Schoenberg, as so often, resisted the either/or. Violin and clarinet acknowledged Wagner once again, now the Siegfried-Idyll, paving the way to Schoenberg's final, glorious, yet ultimately never quite convincing paean to the sun(god). We revelled in that final chorus, yet, whether or not we wished to do so, could never quite shake off those intimations of the 'air of another planet'. The future was both upon us and not. Schoenberg's time had come.

Mark Berry 

See:

http://seenandheard-international.com/2018/07/a-rare-opportunity-from-the-philharmonia-to-hear-schoenbergs-gurrelieder/ (http://seenandheard-international.com/2018/07/a-rare-opportunity-from-the-philharmonia-to-hear-schoenbergs-gurrelieder/)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on July 10, 2018, 07:24:13 AM
Pianist Evgeny Kissin October 16 in San Francisco: Beethoven "Hammerklavier" Sonata and a group of Rachmaninoff Preludes.

Pianist Denis Matsuev/Valery Gergiev/Mariinsky Orchestra October 22 San Francisco: Debussy "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Fawn," Rachmaninoff "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini," and Mahler Symphony No.5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on July 12, 2018, 10:50:32 AM
Closing the season with two wonderful string quartet concerts ...

Sunday late afternoon, the Armida Quartett ended the first season of the new String Quartet series at St Peter in Zurich - they were pretty amazing indeed. For starters, they played three fugues from BWV 1080, and they had all the clarity and transparency that I so much missed with the Chiaroscuro Quartet (part of the same concert series a few weeks ago - these concerts will go into a second season, but on paper none of the concerts look like total musts to me). Either way, after the Bach, they did KV 546 with it's nerve-wrecking groove and punch ... I guess I could live off that one piece for a few weeks if I had to, and the Armida's interpretation was very good. Then the main piece followed, Beethoven's Op. 130 with Op. 133 at the end. And that last part, Op. 133, was again nerve-wrecking. Music to end all music. They sounded great, the balance was good, they knew how to handle the church (though honestly I'm not sure that was the problem with the Chiaroscuro, I think in a more transparent hall, I'd have disliked their approach even more).

Last night, the summerly open air serenades at Villa Schönberg in Zurich started with the Belcea Quartet. Again, they have a clearly defined sound, and even in the extremely dry surroundings (at least to their back was the large Villa Schönberg, which also shut off some possible street and crowd noise ... didn't help much against helicopters, airplanes and a bunch of noisy kids, but none of that spoilt the pleasure). On the menu was Haydn's Op. 33/5 for starters, followed by Bartók's No. 6, and after the break Mendelssohn's Op. 80. The Haydn was a great entry point. Took me a moment to adjust to the harsh steel string sound, but they played it in a no-b-s manner that got me pretty fast. The Bartók was amazing, and it sempt as if some of the birds in the trees joined in, reacting to the sounds of the Belcea every once in a while. The break was much too long, as usual at classical concerts, but the Mendelssohn was most convincing again, and is indeed a great piece.

Quite lucky to have heard two such good SQ concerts within just three days - the repertoire is still pretty new to me, never heard the Bartók before, for instance (not quite sure about Op. 33/5), and I'm taking immense pleasure from it!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on July 25, 2018, 09:00:00 AM
Just bought tickets to see Rossini's L'italiana in Algeri in El Escorial next Saturday. It'll be conducted by Paolo Arrivabeni, and the cast is led by Marianna Pizzolato. Joan Anton Rechi's production (already seen in Buenos Aires, and which will travel next to San  Sebastián) apparently is technically accomplished, but has been criticised for lack of humour.

(https://images.clarin.com/2018/05/01/H1FjkeYpf_930x525__1.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on July 26, 2018, 03:26:59 AM
Picked up tickets for next season of Belgrade Philharmonic. This time got just one set of 5 concerts (there are 5 sets of 5) as most things didn't align conveniently. So I decided to go for one set now and last minute tickets for everything else that looks interesting: concert performances of Bluebeard's Castle and Act I of Walkure, Bruckner 8th and couple more.

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
Nikolai Lugansky, piano
Alexander Vedernikov (con.)

Beethoven: Leonore overture No. 3
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3
Janáček: Sinfonietta
Barnabas Kelemen, violin
Gabriel Feltz (con.)

Elgar: Cello Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8
Alexander Buzlov, cello
Daniel Raiskin (con.)

Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
Prokofiev: Sinfonia concertante
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5
Christian Poltéra, cello
Uroš Lajovic (con.)

Sibelius: Finlandia
Nielsen: Flute Concerto
Beethoven: Egmont, incidental music
Michael Martin Kofler, flute
Jeanette Wernecke, soprano
Gabriel Feltz (con.) 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on July 26, 2018, 08:26:20 AM
Concert no 3 (Elgar/Shostakovich) is a dream program !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on July 26, 2018, 08:31:57 AM
The 2020 Mahler Festival is currently being organized at the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. It will be held 100 years after the first Mahler Festival, and 4 orchestras that Mahler conducted in his own works will present all 10 symphonies in the Concertgebouw: the Concertgebouworkest, Wiener Philharmoniker, Berliner Philharmoniker and the New York Philharmonic. There are talks of live streaming, live feed to a tent in the Museumplein across the street and other options to maximize viewership.

I'd definitely attend a concert if I'm around at the time - preferably with the WP or BP  ;D.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 02, 2018, 09:47:45 AM
August 11:

Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Pablo Ferrández, cellist
Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante
Ives: The Unanswered Question
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 4
7:30 p.m. Pritzker Pavilion

This is just the kind of mainstream-modernist program I love the most (even though I think The Unanswered Question is probably not a good choice for an outdoor festival, with its extraneous noise). The highlight for me is the VW 4th, which I've long considered one of the greatest 20th-century symphonies, though until now I haven't had the chance to hear it live.

As if that weren't enough, the Thirsty Ears classical music street festival is going on that same weekend:

https://www.acmusic.org/productions/thirsty-ears-festival-2018/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on August 09, 2018, 10:24:58 PM
Bernstein Symphony 1 'Jeremiah' and Mahler Symphony 1 (Proms, London tonight)

Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem, Elgar Cello Concerto (my daughter's favourite classical work) (Proms, London Sunday night).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on August 13, 2018, 08:18:53 AM
Wonderful prom yesterday with
Joshua Bell
ASMF.

Mendelsohn Midsummer Nights Dream
Saint Saens Violin Concerto no 3

Frank Bridge Lament for Catherine
Beethoven Symphony no 4

Two surprises
Went to foyer in interval for some air and who should happen to be there but my other favourite musician, Steven Isserlis . Had a lovely chat with him.

Afterwards, on way back to hotel, we couldn't find tube station and walking for ages and who should be on other side of road but both Joshua Bell and Steven Isserlis with some people. Went over to thank Joshua for a lovely concert and he thanked me, remembered me a bit from Manchester and said bye to Steven.

So unexpected!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on August 18, 2018, 10:30:42 AM
Friday, August 24, 8:00
Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor
Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond. Nelsons

Looking forward to hearing this work live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 19, 2018, 10:24:21 AM
Tomorrow night:

Chamber Orchestra of Europe   
LUCERNE FESTIVAL ALUMNI
Heinz Holliger Dirigent
Zoltán Fejérvári Klavier (Kurtág)
Sir András Schiff Klavier (Beethoven)
Miklós Perényi Violoncello

Arnold Schönberg (1874–1951)
Kammersinfonie Nr. 1 E-Dur für fünfzehn Soloinstrumente op. 9

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Klaviersonate Es-Dur op. 27 Nr. 1 Sonata quasi una fantasia

György Kurtág (*1926)
... quasi una fantasia ... für Klavier und im Raum verteilte Instrumentalgruppen op. 27 Nr. 1

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Klaviersonate cis-Moll op. 27 Nr. 2 Sonata quasi una fantasia

György Kurtág (*1926)
Doppelkonzert für Klavier, Violoncello und zwei im Raum verteilte Kammerensembles op. 27 Nr. 2

Heinz Holliger (*1939)
COncErto? Certo! cOn soli pEr tutti (... perduti? ...)! für Orchester
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on August 19, 2018, 11:01:29 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on August 18, 2018, 10:30:42 AM
Friday, August 24, 8:00
Mahler: Symphony No. 3 in D minor
Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond. Nelsons

Looking forward to hearing this work live.

*drools*
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on August 19, 2018, 07:42:18 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on August 19, 2018, 11:01:29 AM
*drools*

I'll be sure to provide a write-up soon afterwards.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Que on August 24, 2018, 01:35:59 AM
Currently on my way to the opening of the Early Music Festival in Utrecht.

Three concerts by the Huelgas Ensemble this afternoon:

ABOUT THE CONCERT: A polyphonic marathon as a prelude to the Festival. During three consecutive concerts the Huelgas Ensemble sings a whole alphabet of Burgundian composers together. One for each letter. It concerns composers who were employed by the Burgundian court, with a special exception for the prince of polyphony, Josquin. The singers go with Paul Van Nevel through excerpts from masses, motets and chansons of famous and to-be-discovered masters such as Champion, Divitis, Binchois, De Orto, Van Weerbeke and many others. With Anonymus and Incertus an ode is given to the many nameless polyphonists and their breathtaking contributions to the polyphonic repertoire of the 15th century.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 27, 2018, 04:27:28 AM
Quote from: king ubu on August 19, 2018, 10:24:21 AM
Tomorrow night:

Chamber Orchestra of Europe   
LUCERNE FESTIVAL ALUMNI
Heinz Holliger Dirigent
Zoltán Fejérvári Klavier (Kurtág)
Sir András Schiff Klavier (Beethoven)
Miklós Perényi Violoncello

Arnold Schönberg (1874–1951)
Kammersinfonie Nr. 1 E-Dur für fünfzehn Soloinstrumente op. 9

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Klaviersonate Es-Dur op. 27 Nr. 1 Sonata quasi una fantasia

György Kurtág (*1926)
... quasi una fantasia ... für Klavier und im Raum verteilte Instrumentalgruppen op. 27 Nr. 1

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Klaviersonate cis-Moll op. 27 Nr. 2 Sonata quasi una fantasia

György Kurtág (*1926)
Doppelkonzert für Klavier, Violoncello und zwei im Raum verteilte Kammerensembles op. 27 Nr. 2

Heinz Holliger (*1939)
COncErto? Certo! cOn soli pEr tutti (... perduti? ...)! für Orchester

The Kurtág was totally amazing! They kept the first gallery/balcony closed in order to spread the instrumental groups around the entire room - just as originally intended. I sat on the second balcony, so stereo spread or whatever wasn't ideal, but the sound at KKL is so transparent, it really didn't matter.

Schiff doing Beethoven (including the "meh" sonata - why is it meh actually? it's surely not a favourite of mine, but I never considered it "meh" either) was quite nice - they played the LvB and Kurtág without applause in between, the musicians were waiting on stage and at their positions in the gallery during the sonatas, Holliger and Fejérvári (and for the second part Perényi) sat on chairs behind the grand piano, then Fejérvári took Schiff's place (and for the second Kurtág piece, Schiff turned the pages for Fejérvári).

The opening Schönberg, played in its original chamber version with single strings, was great as well - it actually hit me quite hard. I definitely need to explore Schönberg's music some (or rather: a lot) more!

The Holliger piece at the end was a bit of a hodge podge I felt, but it was full of interesting sonic combinations and unexptected sounds that couldn't quite be matched with what instruments you saw on stage - I like that aspect of his orchestral work a lot, that he achieves unknown sounds again and again (and this time without too many exotic instruments on stage ... the Kurtág had uprights and cimbaloms and harps and lots of percussion, the Holliger was pretty regularly cast).

Now looking forward to my second concert at this year's Lucerne festival, coming up on Thursday (right after a night at Willisau jazz festival nearby):

Sinfoniekonzert 13
Berliner Philharmoniker | Kirill Petrenko | Yuja Wang
Dukas | Prokofjew | Schmidt

Berliner Philharmoniker     
Kirill Petrenko    Dirigent
Yuja Wang    Klavier

60. Luzerner Bühnenjubiläum der Berliner Philharmoniker

Paul Dukas (1865–1935) La Péri, ou La Fleur d'immortalité 
Sergej Prokofjew (1891–1953)  Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 3 C-Dur op. 26 
--
Franz Schmidt (1874–1939)  Sinfonie Nr. 4 C-Dur 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on August 27, 2018, 05:28:43 AM
Quote from: king ubu on August 27, 2018, 04:27:28 AMThe opening Schönberg, played in its original chamber version with single strings, was great as well - it actually hit me quite hard. I definitely need to explore Schönberg's music some (or rather: a lot) more!

Well, that's a matter of course!  ;)

In all seriousness, though, the Chamber Symphony is an amazing work, and I think one of the top 10 most brilliant pieces of the 20th century by anyone.

Quote from: king ubu on August 27, 2018, 04:27:28 AMFranz Schmidt (1874–1939)  Sinfonie Nr. 4 C-Dur

Oh, the Schmidt symphony!  Sounds great.  Do you know the work well already?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 27, 2018, 05:32:03 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on August 27, 2018, 05:28:43 AM
Oh, the Schmidt symphony!  Sounds great.  Do you know the work well already?

Nope - should I squeeze in a pre-listen? I was planning to just go there, read the programme notes and otherwise be surprised (but I think I have a recording of it somewhere, maybe more than one).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on August 27, 2018, 05:50:53 AM
Quote from: king ubu on August 27, 2018, 05:32:03 AM
Nope - should I squeeze in a pre-listen? I was planning to just go there, read the programme notes and otherwise be surprised (but I think I have a recording of it somewhere, maybe more than one).

Not necessarily, and if you want to go in blind, so to speak, by all means do so.  It's just that the work reveals a lot of detail with familiarity.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on August 27, 2018, 06:20:35 AM
Quote from: Mahlerian on August 27, 2018, 05:50:53 AM
Not necessarily, and if you want to go in blind, so to speak, by all means do so.  It's just that the work reveals a lot of detail with familiarity.

Oh, I'm sure about that ... but the time is tight and I have heard just a tiny bit of music by Schmidt so far - so yeah, I'll go blind this time (and who knows, maybe one day when I'll be more familiar, I'll get another chance to hear it in concert ...)

Btw, as far as Schönberg goes, I came to grips (or so it feels) with the piano music a few months ago - and I enjoy it immensely! I'll certainly follow up on all of this, but it needs a lot of time, of course.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on August 27, 2018, 12:23:38 PM
My tickets for a few Vancouver Symphony concerts arrived today.  It's a lacklustre season but I picked programs with POULENC 2-Piano Concerto, BARTOK Piano Concerto 3 (Tiberghien), DVORAK: Stabat Mater, SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony 9 + KORNGOLD Violin Conc. and RODRIGO; Guitar concerto (Aranjuez).  I will have to miss the DUTILLEUX Symphony 2 due to a schedule clash.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on September 02, 2018, 10:18:05 PM
Daniel Ciobanu: Piano

C Silvestri – Bacanale
Beethoven – Sonata op 27 no 2 "Moonlight"
Enescu – Carillon Nocturne
Ernesto Lecuona – 3 Dances from the "Suite Espagnole"
Sergey Prokofiev, Sonata no 2
Alexander Scriabin, 3 Preludes op 11, nos 9, 10, 11
Igor Stravinsky/Guido Agosti, The Firebird

http://www.phas.org.uk/venues/
The concert is being held in the library.

e: Can't remember if I already posted it, but I'll also be at the BBC SSO opening night -

Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
Augusta Read Thomas: Brio(European Premiere)
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Leonard Bernstein: Songfest

Thomas Dausgaard - Cond.
SSO
Marc-André Hamelin - Piano

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on September 05, 2018, 10:21:32 PM
Sunday - w/o Pintscher who has resigned from his Lucerne post with immediate effectivity ... not sure what happened, but I do hope they'll find someone better than "NN" to replace him in time!

Here's the news bit about his immediate resignation:
https://www.lucernefestival.ch/en/news/97

I've got a ticket or two for him doing stuff at Tonhalle in the season that'll soon (finally! I'm starving!) start ...

--

Kosmos Stockhausen 5
Pierre-Laurent Aimard
So, 09.09. | 11.00 Uhr | Nr. 18346
Kirchensaal MaiHof

Pierre-Laurent Aimard    Klavier

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–2007)
KLAVIERSTÜCKE I-XI

--

Open Box 1: Impro-Box
Joke Lanz | Gilles Grimaître
So, 09.09. | 16.00 Uhr
Luzerner Theater, Box 

Joke Lanz   Turntables
Gilles Grimaître   Keys & Electronics

--

Kosmos Stockhausen 6
London Symphony Orchestra | Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY | Rattle | Ward | NN
Stockhausen
So, 09.09. | 18.30 Uhr | Nr. 18363
KKL Luzern, Luzerner Saal


London Symphony Orchestra     
Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY   
Sir Simon Rattle    Dirigent
NN   Dirigent
Duncan Ward    Dirigent

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–2007)
GRUPPEN für drei Orchester

--

Sinfoniekonzert 24
Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY | NN | London Symphony Orchestra | Rattle
Messiaen | Nono
So, 09.09. | 19.30 Uhr | Nr. 18348
KKL Luzern, Konzertsaal

Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY     
NN   Dirigent  (Nono) 

London Symphony Orchestra     
Sir Simon Rattle    Dirigent  (Messiaen)

Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)
Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum für Bläser und Schlagzeug 

Luigi Nono (1924–1990)
No hay caminos, hay que caminar ... Andrej Tarkowskij für sieben Orchestergruppen

--

Kosmos Stockhausen 7
London Symphony Orchestra | Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY | Rattle | Ward | NN
Stockhausen
So, 09.09. | 21.00 Uhr | Nr. 18364
KKL Luzern, Luzerner Saal

London Symphony Orchestra   
Orchester der LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY     
Sir Simon Rattle    Dirigent
NN   Dirigent
Duncan Ward    Dirigent

Karlheinz Stockhausen (1928–2007)
GRUPPEN für drei Orchester
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on September 21, 2018, 04:44:00 AM
Wonderful concert yesterday evening in York
Steven Isserlis and friends performing

Brahms Scherzo. FAE
Schumann Slow movement of violin concerto ( arr himself)
Faure String Quartet
Messiaen Vocalise for Cello and Piano
Beethoven Cello Sonata in A Major
Encore Schumann 4th sketch for Pedal Piano

The other musicians were
Anthony Marwood
Irene Rival
Violin

Elvind Ringstad Viola
Ian Brown Piano

Such a lovely evening🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on September 22, 2018, 04:22:14 AM
Backward to this time. Last night was the opening of the Belgrade Philharmonic 18/19 season.

Beethoven - Symphony No.5
Bartok - Duke Bluebeard's Castle

Adriana Bastidas-Gamboa (mezzo)
Balint Szabo (bass)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Gabriel Feltz (cond.)

Beethoven was well played but I prefer concepts with less color and more pulse and momentum.

Bartok was excellent. It's an opera that works maybe even better as concert performance with full complement of symphony orchestra, which not every orchestra pit can accommodate. Feltz additionally placed four trumpets and trombones on the balcony, for the fifth door, with truly hair rising effect. Singers were pretty good. Romanian/Hungarian bass is a native speaker which is always a plus. Colombian mezzo's enunciation wasn't as clear but the voice was strong enough, with bit of vibrato, to ride the full orchestra and the scream was valiant. The performance was semi staged, insofar that there was multicolored lighting and three veiled ballerinas appeared briefly as previous wives. The orchestra was superb throughout. All in all quite decent start of the season. 

Next bgf concert for me is in fortnight, Lugansky and Vedernikov, Brahms 2nd piano Concerto and Sibelius 2nd Symphony.
 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kwoon on October 03, 2018, 02:46:26 PM
I plan to see the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra perform Dvorak's cello concerto on Nov 1, with Bychkov conducting and Alisa Weilerstein playing cello. I look forward to this concert because I have never seen this concerto in a live performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on October 05, 2018, 03:36:56 AM
Tonight:

Brahms - Piano Concerto No.2
Sibelius - Symphony No.2


Nikolai Lugansky (piano)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Alexander Vedernikov (cond.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 05, 2018, 08:07:05 AM
Kwoon, Milos: very nice programs, artists. Please report!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on October 06, 2018, 04:11:32 AM
Quote from: André on October 05, 2018, 08:07:05 AM
Kwoon, Milos: very nice programs, artists. Please report!

The Brahms was very good. It's a piece that plays to Lugansky strengths. He has superb technique, there wasn't even a smudge let alone a wrong note anywhere to be heard, and he has really fine beautiful big rounded sound, no fear of being drowned by orchestra. It also downplays his weaknesses, if I'm being kind I'd say that he is not the most imaginative of pianists. Most of his solo performances bore me to sleep. But in big concertos playing straight, with beautiful tone, without any excess is perfectly fine and he does it superbly (his set of Rachmaninov concertos is my favorite modern recording). So the Brahms was highly enjoyable and quite beautiful, if not the most insightful and ear opening.

The Sibelius 2nd was fine, well played (though winds weren't quite at their most sparkling, error free but workmanlike) but at nearly 50 minutes bit broad for my current tastes (Berglund kind of got me used to zippier Sibelius). Second movement becomes bit of dirge at that tempo, but on the other side opening of it becomes quite magical. The contrast between scherzo proper and trio I felt was too strong and the final peroration was positively brucknerian, for better or worse.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 06, 2018, 08:03:35 AM
Tomorrow...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | James Ehnes, violin

PROGRAM
Beethoven – Violin Concerto
John Adams – Harmonielehre 

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Klaze on October 06, 2018, 01:15:22 PM
There was a Piano Marathon yesterday in our provincial town, but with a great programme and superb performers.

4 pianists, playing a bit more than 4 hours of music:

Ralph van Raat:

Alkan - Symphony for Piano Solo
Ligeti - Etudes selection (Automne a Varsovie, Touches bloquees, Fem, l'Escalier du Diable)

Severin von Eckardstein:

Janacek - On an Overgrown path (selection)
Medtner - Sonata reminiscenza
Medtner - Zwei Märchen
Rzewski - Piece #4
Encore; Schumann - Traumeswirren

Bobby Mitchell:

Rzewski - Ruins
Schumann - Sonata No.1

Daan Vandewalle:

Rzewski - The People united will never be defeated

...with an absolutely amazing improvisation. Exhausted at the end, but a very rewarding experience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on October 06, 2018, 02:06:54 PM
Leonidas Kavakos and Enrico Pace are performing in Seattle next January.  Thinking about it.

Andras Schiff will be in Seattle in March.  I will have to do more than think about it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 10, 2018, 01:53:09 AM
Jenůfa at our National Opera next week.

Grandmother Buryjovka: Ines Zikou
Laca Klemeň: Frank van Aken
Števa Buryja: Dimitris Paksoglou
Kostelnička Buryjovka: Sabine Hogrefe (14, 21, 24/10) - Julia Souglakou (19, 27/10, 2/11)
Jenůfa: Sarah-Jane Brandon ( 14, 21, 24/10) - Maria Mitsopoulou (19, 27/10, 2/11)
Foreman at the Mill: Yanni Yannissis
Mayor: Dimitris Kassioumis
The Mayor's Wife: Margarita Syngeniotou
Karolka: Artemis Bogri
Pastuchyňa: Barunka Preisinger
Barena: Varvara Biza
Jano: Miranda Makrynioti
Tetka: Anastasia Kotsali


Also, Berlioz at the Wiener Musikverein in November:

Symphonie fantastique
Lélio ou Le retour à la vie

Cyrille Dubois
Florian Sempey
Markus Meyer
Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
Wiener Symphoniker
Philippe Jordan

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 10, 2018, 11:15:42 AM
Thanks for the report, Milos !

Greg, this looks like a great evening at the symphony ! Hearing Harmonielehre live is a blast, believe me! And Ehnes is my favourite violinist... :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on October 10, 2018, 02:13:19 PM
Since being invited into what's apparently something of an exclusive inner circle consisting of recitals in well kempt private homes, it has also allowed me to become privy to such as performances taking place in church halls and community centres along the lines of "...his own very personal take on Rachmaninov's piano sonatas" - why not?  ;D 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on October 11, 2018, 04:52:56 AM
My next Belgrade Phil. concert will probably be Bruckner 8 in early November with their MD Gabriel Feltz conducting.

Before that I'm still considering Brodsky Quartet playing DSCH 7, Beethoven Serioso, Mendelssohn 6 and some contemporary piece, and Lucas Debargue playing selection of Chopin, Bach Toccata and Beethoven op.111
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Kontrapunctus on October 12, 2018, 08:03:04 AM
Evgeny Kissin playing Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" Sonata and 10 Preludes by Rachmaninoff this Sunday (Oct.14) in San Francisco--should be epic!

Edit: He changed the first half to two Nocturnes by Chopin and Schumann's 3rd Sonata. I'm not thrilled, but I guess the Schumann will played as well as it can possibly be played!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 16, 2018, 04:32:04 PM
Quote from: André on October 10, 2018, 11:15:42 AM

Greg, this looks like a great evening at the symphony ! Hearing Harmonielehre live is a blast, believe me! And Ehnes is my favourite violinist... :).

Harmonielehre was fantastic, almost blew the roof right off! Might've been the loudest I've ever heard an orchestra play.
And Ehnes was amazing. Lyrical, and technically precise. I'm not the biggest Beethoven VC fan, but the cadenzas offers a chance to show off, and Ehnes took full advantage of it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 16, 2018, 06:21:58 PM
Wow! Must have been a great experience !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 16, 2018, 11:48:38 PM
Quote from: Draško on October 11, 2018, 04:52:56 AM
My next Belgrade Phil. concert will probably be Bruckner 8 in early November with their MD Gabriel Feltz conducting.

Before that I'm still considering Brodsky Quartet playing DSCH 7, Beethoven Serioso, Mendelssohn 6 and some contemporary piece, and Lucas Debargue playing selection of Chopin, Bach Toccata and Beethoven op.111

I would certainly go to listen to Debargue again, one of the most promising young talents today. I was at a recital of his in 2016 in Paris where he performed an exquisite and intensely felt Liszt B minor Sonata, as well as a beautiful rendition of Medtner's Sonata op.5. I can imagine that late Beethoven would be right up his alley.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 20, 2018, 02:53:57 PM
Tonight:

Mussorgsky - Night on Bald Mountain (not sure which version)
Shostakovich - VC 1
Mussorgsky/Ravel - Pictures

Leonidas Kavakos
Giancarlo Guerrero
Dallas Symphony

Very excited to see both guest artists and the Shosty for the first time live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 20, 2018, 04:58:35 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 20, 2018, 02:53:57 PM
Tonight:

Mussorgsky - Night on Bald Mountain (not sure which version)
Shostakovich - VC 1
Mussorgsky/Ravel - Pictures

Leonidas Kavakos
Giancarlo Guerrero
Dallas Symphony

Very excited to see both guest artists and the Shosty for the first time live.

Ahh, Nashville's own Giancarlo. I've seen him several times since I've lived here, I will be very interested to hear your thoughts, Brian. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on October 21, 2018, 07:44:07 AM
On Thursday -

Frank Zappa: The Perfect Stranger
Julian Anderson: The Imaginary Museum – concerto for piano and orchestra
Charles Ives: A Symphony: New England Holidays

Conductor: Volkov
BBC SSO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 21, 2018, 12:23:42 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 20, 2018, 02:53:57 PM
Tonight:

Mussorgsky - Night on Bald Mountain (not sure which version)
Shostakovich - VC 1
Mussorgsky/Ravel - Pictures

Leonidas Kavakos
Giancarlo Guerrero
Dallas Symphony

Very excited to see both guest artists and the Shosty for the first time live.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 20, 2018, 04:58:35 PM
Ahh, Nashville's own Giancarlo. I've seen him several times since I've lived here, I will be very interested to hear your thoughts, Brian. Enjoy!
Holy shit! Leonidas Kavakos gave one of the 2-3 best violin performances I have ever seen live - only one that compares in my memory is James Ehnes in the Barber concerto - just jaw-dropping. The combination of always-on-fire intensity and flawless technical control - there's really no time off in this piece, and Kavakos absolutely shredded it, going all-in on every phrase without ever losing his way or tripping over the virtuoso effects. Playing on a level above that of ordinary very-goodness. I shook my head a few times. At the end of the piece, instead of waving their bows, the DSO violinists put down their violins and bows and clapped with their hands. The woodwind players were clapping too.

Guerrero's main interpretive mannerism seems to be hanging on to big pauses until you can time the reverb effect in the concert hall. That worked really well in the Mussorgsky - which was the shitty bastardized version by Rimsky-Korsakov, sigh - where the orchestra could let 'er rip, stop on a dime, spend about 5 seconds listening to the echo from the back of the hall, and then proceed. Guerrero himself has such a bizarre clownish podium presence - during "Gnomus" he did a Neanderthal face and tromped around the podium; in "Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks" he danced like an old man at a salsa club - that at several different moments you could hear the audience laughing. Entertaining, I guess, but audience laughter at a musician is - like orchestra members straight-up clapping for a musician - something I've very rarely seen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 21, 2018, 05:16:04 PM
From the WAYL thread:


https://www.ardmediathek.de/tv/kulturmatinée/Teodor-Currentzis-dirigiert-Gustav-Mahl/SWR-Fernsehen/Video?bcastId=19396202&documentId=56289022 (https://www.ardmediathek.de/tv/kulturmatin%C3%A9e/Teodor-Currentzis-dirigiert-Gustav-Mahl/SWR-Fernsehen/Video?bcastId=19396202&documentId=56289022)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 21, 2018, 07:39:28 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 21, 2018, 12:23:42 PM
Guerrero's main interpretive mannerism seems to be hanging on to big pauses until you can time the reverb effect in the concert hall. That worked really well in the Mussorgsky - which was the shitty bastardized version by Rimsky-Korsakov, sigh - where the orchestra could let 'er rip, stop on a dime, spend about 5 seconds listening to the echo from the back of the hall, and then proceed. Guerrero himself has such a bizarre clownish podium presence - during "Gnomus" he did a Neanderthal face and tromped around the podium; in "Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks" he danced like an old man at a salsa club - that at several different moments you could hear the audience laughing. Entertaining, I guess, but audience laughter at a musician is - like orchestra members straight-up clapping for a musician - something I've very rarely seen.

Thanks for the post, Brian.
I haven't experienced the dancing yet, in fact the most recent concert I saw with Guerrero was Adams' Harmonielehre and his face was mostly in the score which is probably ideal considering the constant rhythmic and time signature changes of that piece.
My next few NSO concerts are with other conductors, but I'm going to be looking for his mannerisms next time (sometime in Spring) now that you've mentioned them.  ;D
I noticed Guerrero is also guest conducting the Chicago Symphony this season, he seems to be getting around.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on October 22, 2018, 04:05:21 AM
Last night :

Purcell (orch. Manze for wind and brass) - Fantasia upon one note
Dvorák - Cello Concerto
Vaughan Williams - A London Symphony

Hallé Orchestra
Conductor - Andrew Manze
Cello - Jian Wang

Delighted to have ticked the Lento off my live bucket list, one of my favourite symphony movement but the whole symphony itself was gorgeous. The Dvorak Cello was powerful too for my first time seeing it live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 22, 2018, 06:18:18 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 21, 2018, 07:39:28 PM
Thanks for the post, Brian.
I haven't experienced the dancing yet, in fact the most recent concert I saw with Guerrero was Adams' Harmonielehre and his face was mostly in the score which is probably ideal considering the constant rhythmic and time signature changes of that piece.
My next few NSO concerts are with other conductors, but I'm going to be looking for his mannerisms next time (sometime in Spring) now that you've mentioned them.  ;D
I noticed Guerrero is also guest conducting the Chicago Symphony this season, he seems to be getting around.
I wonder if he is more or less serious depending on the orchestra's familiarity with the work. Probably with Adams the musicians need to look up for actual guidance more frequently, whereas with "Pictures" aside from setting the tempo and getting balance right they could practically play it in their sleep...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on October 28, 2018, 06:39:24 AM
Yesterday evening at Leeds Town Hall
Vienna Tonkunstler Orchestra
Soloist. Angela Hewitt
Conductor Yutaka Sado

Sibelius Finlandia
Beethoven Piano Concerto no 5 (Emperor)
Sibelius Symphony no 5

Lovely concert performed by all. 
In interval Angela was signing autographs. She was really nice🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 29, 2018, 06:47:00 AM
tonight:

Kammerorchester Basel
Heinz Holliger, Leitung
Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Violine

Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)
Sinfonie Nr. 4 c-Moll D 417 ("Tragische")
Sinfonie Nr. 6 C-Dur D 589 («kleine C-Dur Sinfonie»)

Sofia Gubaidulina (*1931)
«Die Leier des Orpheus» für Violine, Schlagzeug und Streichorchester
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 29, 2018, 02:06:08 PM
Quote from: king ubu on October 29, 2018, 06:47:00 AM
tonight:

Kammerorchester Basel
Heinz Holliger, Leitung
Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Violine

Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828)
Sinfonie Nr. 4 c-Moll D 417 ("Tragische")
Sinfonie Nr. 6 C-Dur D 589 («kleine C-Dur Sinfonie»)

Sofia Gubaidulina (*1931)
«Die Leier des Orpheus» für Violine, Schlagzeug und Streichorchester

Holy holy! Schubert with new ears! Sequence was 4, Gubaidulina, 2 short Holliger encores and after the break 6 (which is an opera in guise of a symphony, right? And it surely is close to beating Rossini on his own turf ...)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 29, 2018, 03:12:36 PM
Quote from: king ubu on October 29, 2018, 02:06:08 PM
Holy holy! Schubert with new ears! Sequence was 4, Gubaidulina, 2 short Holliger encores and after the break 6 (which is an opera in guise of a symphony, right? And it surely is close to beating Rossini on his own turf ...)

That's awesome, ubu! I think that's a great program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 29, 2018, 03:42:24 PM
Friday in Dallas:

Copland - Appalachian Spring
Beethoven - Concerto No. 2
Elgar - Enigma

Jonathan Biss
DSO
Miguel Harth-Bedoya (subbing for injured David Zinman)

I just got off the phone with the pianist, who did his best to convince me that No. 2 is not the runt of Beethoven's litter.

Next Tuesday:

Bartok - Romanian Folk Dances
Bach - Brandenburg No. 2
Tchaikovsky - Souvenir de Florence

Dallas Chamber Orchestra
With the Fort Worth Symphony principal trumpet
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on October 29, 2018, 11:38:09 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 29, 2018, 03:12:36 PM
That's awesome, ubu! I think that's a great program.

It's been a while since I played Schubert's six early symphonies (I guess Hanover/Goodman is a favourite), and I was kinda unprepared for that. However, I think Holliger is an outstanding musician and as he is embarking on a Schubert project (performing - and recording, it seems - all of Schubert's symphonies), I was curious. The main attraction though was the Gubaidulina piece, which indeed didn't disappoint. A harsh, but at times extremely quiet piece, the solo violin is intervowen with the orchestra much of the time, dialoguing with the (solo) cello or the violin of the concertmaster (and there's also a bit of solo work for one of the double basses) ...

But the Schubert was really outstanding as well, and I guess the programme notes have a point when they say: if those six were composed not by Schubert but by some unknown dude, they'd be looked at (and probably accepted) as the wondrously fresh pieces they are, full to the brim with amazing melodies, orchestrated with great mastery, with a rich amount of variations (instead of throwing in more and more new material), and with so much charm on top of it all ... and No. 6 must be one of the most humorous pieces ever composed (albeit I guess the situation that made Schubert compose it, the fact that he was about to fail - or was made to fail - as an opera composer, wasn't exactly all that funny).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 01, 2018, 12:07:48 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 29, 2018, 03:42:24 PM
Friday in Dallas:

Copland - Appalachian Spring
Beethoven - Concerto No. 2
Elgar - Enigma

Jonathan Biss
DSO
Miguel Harth-Bedoya (subbing for injured David Zinman)

I just got off the phone with the pianist, who did his best to convince me that No. 2 is not the runt of Beethoven's litter.

Next Tuesday:

Bartok - Romanian Folk Dances
Bach - Brandenburg No. 2
Tchaikovsky - Souvenir de Florence

Dallas Chamber Orchestra
With the Fort Worth Symphony principal trumpet
Update to the last line - our chamber symphony has recruited a trumpeter from the Canadian Brass to step in for the Bach.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2018, 12:50:39 PM
Tomorrow...

Nashville Symphony | Victor Yampolsky - conductor | Behzod Abduraimov - piano

Mussorgsky – Dawn on Moscow River from Khovanshchina
Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich – Symphony No. 8

Yampolsky is a Russian-born conductor and musician. He was a member of the Moscow Philharmonic as both violinist and assistant conductor, under the direction of Kyrill Kondrashin. In 1973 Yampolsky took a job as a violinist in the Boston Symphony, and then moved to full-time conductor in 1977. Since 1984 he has been the director of conducting and ensembles at Northwestern University, which current Nasvhille SO Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero studied there under Yampolsky. I listened to a recent podcast with Guerrero where he spoke about inviting his former teacher to conduct the NSO.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on November 01, 2018, 01:24:27 PM
Tomorrow, harpsichord recital:

Frederick Haas (on modern locally made instrument, I presume)

F.Couperin - 2eme Ordre (exc.)
Bach - 3 P&F from Book II WTK (886, 876, 871)
F.Couperin - 21eme Ordre
Scarlatti - 6 Sonatas (K 224, 236, 331, 332, 335, 299)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 04, 2018, 07:40:31 AM
Next weekend -

Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 Classical
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1
Ken Johnston: Three movements from 'All Those Men Who Marched Away'
Poulenc: Gloria

RSNO
Sondergard - Conductor
Alexander Gavrylyuk - Piano
Elin Rombo - Soprano
  
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on November 04, 2018, 07:53:03 AM
Quote from: NikF on November 04, 2018, 07:40:31 AM
Next weekend -

Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 Classical
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1
Ken Johnston: Three movements from 'All Those Men Who Marched Away'
Poulenc: Gloria

RSNO
Sondergard - Conductor
Alexander Gavrylyuk - Piano
Elin Rombo - Soprano
 
Enjoy, NikF! The Poulenc Gloria (a work I have a soft spot for) should provide a radiant and luminous conclusion to that program.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 04, 2018, 08:12:16 AM
Quote from: ritter on November 04, 2018, 07:53:03 AM
Enjoy, NikF! The Poulenc Gloria (a work I have a soft spot for) should provide a radiant and luminous conclusion to that program.

Thanks, ritter. Yeah, it's the chance to attend a live performance of the Poulenc that's prompted taking some time off. I'm looking forward to it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 04, 2018, 08:21:30 AM
Quote from: NikF on November 04, 2018, 07:40:31 AM
Next weekend -

Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 Classical
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No.1
Ken Johnston: Three movements from 'All Those Men Who Marched Away'
Poulenc: Gloria

RSNO
Sondergard - Conductor
Alexander Gavrylyuk - Piano
Elin Rombo - Soprano
 

Sounds like a great concert. Hope you enjoy it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 04, 2018, 08:26:21 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 04, 2018, 08:21:30 AM
Sounds like a great concert. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks, vandermolen! I'm sure I will.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 04, 2018, 10:24:44 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 01, 2018, 12:50:39 PM

Shostakovich – Symphony No. 8

That's an amazing piece to hear live. It's good that some of the less commonly performed DSCH symphonies are catching on - the 8th used to be an extreme rarity in concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 04, 2018, 08:21:45 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 04, 2018, 10:24:44 AM
That's an amazing piece to hear live. It's good that some of the less commonly performed DSCH symphonies are catching on - the 8th used to be an extreme rarity in concert.

I agree! This was the first time seeing the 8th live in concert, and as expected seeing it live enhanced the quality of a work I've known for decades. I've now seen DSCH's 5th (twice), 8th, 10th and 15th in concert. Would love to see 11th or 14th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on November 05, 2018, 06:08:34 AM
Last Friday in Utrecht / the Netherlands (in remembrance ofthe end of WWI)

Claude Debussy/Alphons Diepenbrock: Berceuse héroique
Matthijs Vermeulen: La veille for mezzo and orchestra (on a poem by François Porché) 1914/ orch.1931
Maurice Ravel: Concerto pour la main gauche
Rudi Stephan: Musik für orchester (1912)
Maurice Ravel: La valse

Excellent performances by the Dutch Radio PhO / Kevin John Edusei
Eve-Maud Hubeaux, mezzo
Severin von Eckardstein, piano
Unusual and well chosen combination of works.
Diepenbrock was hoping to conduct Debussy's own orchestration of the Berceuse, but due to the war the score could not be sent to Amsterdam. Diepenbrock decided to make his own version.
Vermeulen's(substantial) song "La veille" I find very impressive, moving and still actual: all wars are gruesome and hopelessly cruel. Vermeulen's orchestra sounds at first dark and icy, flirts with a loud and angry march and drifts away in a pessimistic prayer.
Hubeaux has a beautiful voice, but was occasionally overpowered by the orchestra.
Read more : https://www.matthijsvermeulen.nl/en/compositions/songs/la-veille/

Edusei and von Eckardstein (both tall and thin) had power and elegance in the concerto (and the brillant spectacle of La valse). Kevin John Edusei later led the Dutch Radio  Phil in Stephan's "Musik", a late-late Romantic symphonic poem that moves from dark despair (incl. solo cello & violin) via a fugue to an unexpected "positive" triumph. Strange...
P.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 05, 2018, 08:43:22 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on November 04, 2018, 08:21:45 PM
I agree! This was the first time seeing the 8th live in concert, and as expected seeing it live enhanced the quality of a work I've known for decades. I've now seen DSCH's 5th (twice), 8th, 10th and 15th in concert. Would love to see 11th or 14th.

I've managed to hear live 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 15, some of them more than once (hey, I did live in Russia for several years). But the 8th was with LPO/Jurowski, on tour in Chicago a few years ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 06, 2018, 09:10:39 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 05, 2018, 08:43:22 AM
I've managed to hear live 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 15, some of them more than once (hey, I did live in Russia for several years). But the 8th was with LPO/Jurowski, on tour in Chicago a few years ago.

Impressive list!
I will say that I would gladly see 15th again over any of the others if I had the chance, such a fascinating piece and amazing to see live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on November 07, 2018, 12:05:57 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on October 10, 2018, 01:53:09 AM
Jenůfa at our National Opera next week.

Grandmother Buryjovka: Ines Zikou
Laca Klemeň: Frank van Aken
Števa Buryja: Dimitris Paksoglou
Kostelnička Buryjovka: Sabine Hogrefe (14, 21, 24/10) - Julia Souglakou (19, 27/10, 2/11)
Jenůfa: Sarah-Jane Brandon ( 14, 21, 24/10) - Maria Mitsopoulou (19, 27/10, 2/11)
Foreman at the Mill: Yanni Yannissis
Mayor: Dimitris Kassioumis
The Mayor's Wife: Margarita Syngeniotou
Karolka: Artemis Bogri
Pastuchyňa: Barunka Preisinger
Barena: Varvara Biza
Jano: Miranda Makrynioti
Tetka: Anastasia Kotsali

For God's sake, they played the (now obsolete) Kovarovic orchestration of the final duet... Only (?) here in Greece these things...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 08, 2018, 11:26:49 AM
Seeing Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg next week. And on the 1st of December I'm seeing Munich Chamber Orchestra perform some Lachenmann.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 10, 2018, 05:59:05 AM
Mozart: Oboe Quartet K370
Finzi: Prelude and Fugue for String Trio
Finzi: Interlude for Oboe and String Quartet
Mozart: String Quartet No19 K465 Dissonance

RSNO members.

I'm in town for the concert detailed earlier in the thread and must remember to arrive early to pick up already purchased tickets for this one. Finzi is one of many composers I haven't heard, but it'll be cool to hear some of his work for the first time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 10, 2018, 10:16:39 AM
Quote from: NikF on November 10, 2018, 05:59:05 AM
Mozart: Oboe Quartet K370
Finzi: Prelude and Fugue for String Trio
Finzi: Interlude for Oboe and String Quartet
Mozart: String Quartet No19 K465 Dissonance

RSNO members.

I'm in town for the concert detailed earlier in the thread and must remember to arrive early to pick up already purchased tickets for this one. Finzi is one of many composers I haven't heard, but it'll be cool to hear some of his work for the first time.
I think it's always exciting hearing music for the first time, especially live in concert. Also, I absolutely adore Mozart's 19th quartet. I hope you enjoy the concert! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 10, 2018, 03:05:56 PM
Quote from: shirime on November 10, 2018, 10:16:39 AM
I think it's always exciting hearing music for the first time, especially live in concert. Also, I absolutely adore Mozart's 19th quartet. I hope you enjoy the concert! :)

Yeah, it is. I go so far as to avoiding reading anything about the music beforehand.
Thanks.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 10, 2018, 04:11:40 PM
Quote from: NikF on November 10, 2018, 03:05:56 PM
Yeah, it is. I go so far as to avoiding reading anything about the music beforehand.
Thanks.

Curiously do you often make an effort to see things in concert that you've never heard before? It's what I typically do. I can't quite work out what it is exactly, but there's something a bit more thrilling about discovering something new. With world premiered there seems to be a more engaged atmosphere or something like that in the auditorium as everyone is in the same process of discovery together.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 11, 2018, 12:34:01 AM
Quote from: shirime on November 10, 2018, 04:11:40 PM
Curiously do you often make an effort to see things in concert that you've never heard before? It's what I typically do. I can't quite work out what it is exactly, but there's something a bit more thrilling about discovering something new. With world premiered there seems to be a more engaged atmosphere or something like that in the auditorium as everyone is in the same process of discovery together.

Sometimes with UK or world premieres, yes. Obviously, once upon a time the well known pieces in the repertoire had a premiere too. Although I try not to compare further than that if you stand back far enough you can see that new works are part of the whole, and so to seek out the new is fitting and right and even natural.

And I think I know what you mean by the engaged atmosphere in the auditorium, because on a few occasions I've even noticed small pockets of the audience applauding and yelling in a manner more akin to a pop concert. You ever heard a section of the crowd behaving in that way?

An example from last week - and I thought interesting that it was clearly billed 'Pintscher Conducts Pintscher' -

Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Pintscher: Un despertar (An awakening) (Second Cello Concerto) UK Premiere
Mozart: Symphony No 39 in E flat major, K543

I had tickets, but at the moment I'm busy with stuff that took precedence. But look at that lineup - usually I'd be all over that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 11, 2018, 12:50:25 AM
Last night I attended an Armistice concert in the local church. Highlights of the first half for me were Finzi's 'Farewell to Arms' and the Agnus Dei from Britten's War Requiem. The second half featured a long work 'Dona Nobis Pacem' by a local composer Andrew Campling. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was the highlight of the concert. The music (settings from the Psalms, Wilfred Owen  and Geoffrey Kennedy) was interspersed with readings from the diary of the composer's grandfather who had been a chaplain with the British army on the Westen Front. The diary had only been discovered after the death of the composer's grandfather in 1973. I hope that the work is recorded one day - it certainly deserves to be.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 11, 2018, 12:53:59 AM
Quote from: NikF on November 11, 2018, 12:34:01 AM
Sometimes with UK or world premieres, yes. Obviously, once upon a time the well known pieces in the repertoire had a premiere too. Although I try not to compare further than that if you stand back far enough you can see that new works are part of the whole, and so to seek out the new is fitting and right and even natural.

And I think I know what you mean by the engaged atmosphere in the auditorium, because on a few occasions I've even noticed small pockets of the audience applauding and yelling in a manner more akin to a pop concert. You ever heard a section of the crowd behaving in that way?

An example from last week - and I thought interesting that it was clearly billed 'Pintscher Conducts Pintscher' -

Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Pintscher: Un despertar (An awakening) (Second Cello Concerto) UK Premiere
Mozart: Symphony No 39 in E flat major, K543

I had tickets, but at the moment I'm busy with stuff that took precedence. But look at that lineup - usually I'd be all over that.

I'm all over that programme as well, big Pintscher fan here, and he's brilliant at Ravel as he is in his own music.

I love the idea of thinking of all music as if it were indeed new, and performing it as such, because chances are there are people in the audience for whom it is unfamiliar music. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 11, 2018, 03:05:02 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 11, 2018, 12:50:25 AM
Last night I attended an Armistice concert in the local church. Highlights of the first half for me were Finzi's 'Farewell to Arms' and the Agnus Dei from Britten's War Requiem. The second half featured a long work 'Dona Nobis Pacem' by a local composer Andrew Campling. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was the highlight of the concert. The music (settings from the Psalms, Wilfred Owen  and Geoffrey Kennedy) was interspersed with readings from the diary of the composer's grandfather who had been a chaplain with the British army on the Westen Front. The diary had only been discovered after the death of the composer's grandfather in 1973. I hope that the work is recorded one day - it certainly deserves to be.

That concert sounds interesting and good. Also, very fitting, respectful, and moving, as befitting the occasion.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 11, 2018, 03:15:52 AM
Quote from: shirime on November 11, 2018, 12:53:59 AM
I'm all over that programme as well, big Pintscher fan here, and he's brilliant at Ravel as he is in his own music.

I love the idea of thinking of all music as if it were indeed new, and performing it as such, because chances are there are people in the audience for whom it is unfamiliar music.

Exactly, yes. And I'm one of them, someone who is still unfamiliar with huge parts of the standard concert repertoire. But even then, as my knowledge grows, ear becomes more attuned and taste develops, there's more that's 'new' revealed on subsequent performances.

Re: Pintscher - I can say that I've heard him conduct a number of works now and without fail there's something almost (for want of a better term) 'vital' in the performances. Best I can describe it is that I come away with the impression of being completely exposed to the piece, but in a way that was delivered without exaggerating or being overblown. Kind of like what the saying 'an iron fist inside a velvet glove' imparts.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on November 12, 2018, 02:02:40 AM
Last saturday I attended a remembrance concert in Antwerp.
It was labeled a "concervertelling" - a concert tale.
Two actors told/recited poems (Emile Verhaeren, Paul Van Ostaijen, Daan Boens and August Van Cauwelaert) and diary fragments (Virginie Loveling).
Short fragments from rather wel known works (Richard Strauss Alpensymphony, Debussy's Berceuse héroique, Alban Berg's Bruchstücke from Wozzeck) were combined with some new music by Peter Vermeersch(born 1959), some Belgo/Flemish compositions (Jef Van Hoof's Symphonic suite nr 1, Paul Gilson's Suite à la manière ancienne, Lodewijk Mortelmans' Elegy nr.1). Two works -also integrated in the general dramaturgy - were performed in entirety: Edward Elgar's A voice in the desert and Frits Celis' Preludio e narrazione (1983) for soprano and orchestra.
Celis (°1929) highly impressive work uses "The parents" by Anton Van Wilderode, a poem inspired by Käthe Kollwitz :

"Kollwitz reworked the motif of the bereaved parents multiple times as both a print and a sculpture. She planned the sculpture to serve as a memorial to her son Peter who was killed in World War I. She struggled with this image and wrote in her journal, "Yet again I am not finished with the War series. Done the sheet 'Parents' over again. Suddenly it looks entirely bad to me. Far too bright and hard and distinct. Pain is totally dark." Yet in the end, Kollwitz succeeded in capturing the grief of the bereaved parents that she knew only too well."
Source: https://collections.artsmia.org/art/56194/the-parents-kaethe-kollwitz

(https://artsandactivities.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/classroom_may-1600x700_1.jpg)

https://artsandactivities.com/the-grieving-parents-kathe-kollwitz/

Excellent pereformances by the Antwerp SO under Giancarlo Andretta. Soprano Liesbeth Devos has a wonderful lyric voice. She sang a brillant orchestral version (Georges D'Hoedt) of Debussy's "Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maisons" , was suitably dramatic in the Celis "Narrazione" and sweetly moving in Elgar's "A voice in the desert".

The last work on the program was Lodewijk De Vocht's symphonic poem "In ballingschap - In exile (a prayer for my fatherland)". De Vocht managed to escape from heavily bombed Antwerp in 1914 - one day before Antwerp was occupied by the German army.

https://www.youtube.com/v/VAlEvftJSa8


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 12, 2018, 05:17:37 AM
Quote from: pjme on November 12, 2018, 02:02:40 AM
Last saturday I attended a remembrance concert in Antwerp.
It was labeled a "concervertelling" - a concert tale.
Two actors told/recited poems (Emile Verhaeren, Paul Van Ostaijen, Daan Boens and August Van Cauwelaert) and diary fragments (Virginie Loveling).
Short fragments from rather wel known works (Richard Strauss Alpensymphony, Debussy's Berceuse héroique, Alban Berg's Bruchstücke from Wozzeck) were combined with some new music by Peter Vermeersch(born 1959), some Belgo/Flemish compositions (Jef Van Hoof's Symphonic suite nr 1, Paul Gilson's Suite à la manière ancienne, Lodewijk Mortelmans' Elegy nr.1). Two works -also integrated in the general dramaturgy - were performed in entirety: Edward Elgar's A voice in the desert and Frits Celis' Preludio e narrazione (1983) for soprano and orchestra.
Celis (°1929) highly impressive work uses "The parents" by Anton Van Wilderode, a poem inspired by Käthe Kollwitz :

"Kollwitz reworked the motif of the bereaved parents multiple times as both a print and a sculpture. She planned the sculpture to serve as a memorial to her son Peter who was killed in World War I. She struggled with this image and wrote in her journal, "Yet again I am not finished with the War series. Done the sheet 'Parents' over again. Suddenly it looks entirely bad to me. Far too bright and hard and distinct. Pain is totally dark." Yet in the end, Kollwitz succeeded in capturing the grief of the bereaved parents that she knew only too well."
Source: https://collections.artsmia.org/art/56194/the-parents-kaethe-kollwitz

(https://artsandactivities.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/classroom_may-1600x700_1.jpg)

https://artsandactivities.com/the-grieving-parents-kathe-kollwitz/

Excellent pereformances by the Antwerp SO under Giancarlo Andretta. Soprano Liesbeth Devos has a wonderful lyric voice. She sang a brillant orchestral version (Georges D'Hoedt) of Debussy's "Noël des enfants qui n'ont plus de maisons" , was suitably dramatic in the Celis "Narrazione" and sweetly moving in Elgar's "A voice in the desert".

The last work on the program was Lodewijk De Vocht's symphonic poem "In ballingschap - In exile (a prayer for my fatherland)". De Vocht managed to escape from heavily bombed Antwerp in 1914 - one day before Antwerp was occupied by the German army.

https://www.youtube.com/v/VAlEvftJSa8

I love the Kollwicz sculpture of the grieving parents.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 12, 2018, 05:18:52 AM
Quote from: NikF on November 11, 2018, 03:05:02 AM
That concert sounds interesting and good. Also, very fitting, respectful, and moving, as befitting the occasion.

Indeed, it was very moving - especially the new work I had never heard before. Thanks  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on November 12, 2018, 05:58:39 AM
last night:

Lisa Batiashvili Violine
Gautier Capuçon Violoncello
Jean-Yves Thibaudet Klavier

Dmitri Schostakowitsch Klaviertrio Nr. 1 c-Moll op. 8
Maurice Ravel Klaviertrio a-Moll
--
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Klaviertrio Nr. 2 c-Moll op. 66

Quite wonderful indeed! I really wish there'd be more occasions to hear chamber music on such a high level, there's hardly anything (voices, of course!) that I find so beguiling. Batiashvili and Capuçon's tones meshed fabulously, their interactions were splendid, so alive that at times you got the illustion of improvisation. The Shosti was a nice and tasty opener, dark, brooding, with a cutting sharpness at times. The Ravel then almost seemed like a somewhat restrained continuation, and the trio built even more intensity, ending the second movement with a bang that evinced sighs of relief from the audience. The Mendelssohn, after the break, was quite different of course but probably my favourite of the evening. They did two encores (first sounded like a slow movement of something Russian - Tchaiko? -, second was a charming little thing ... they may have been arrangements, I don't really know, neither sounded very familiar).

--

Tonight:

Il Giardino Armonico
Giovanni Antonini
Leitung
Patricia Kopatchinskaja Violine

Antonio Vivaldi
Violinkonzert C-Dur RV 191
Violinkonzert Es-Dur RV 253 "La Tempesta di mare"
Violinkonzert D-Dur op. 11 Nr. 2 RV 208 "Grosso Mogul"
Konzert g-Moll RV 157 für Streicher und Basso continuo
Konzert e-Moll RV 550 für vier Violinen, Streicher und Basso continuo aus "L'Estro Armonico" op. 3

plus short pieces by L. Francesconi, S. Movio, A. Cattaneo, M. Stroppa and G. Sollima, as well as "L'âme ouverte" by G. Scelsi
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 13, 2018, 10:51:25 AM
Quote from: shirime on November 08, 2018, 11:26:49 AM
Seeing Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg next week. And on the 1st of December I'm seeing Munich Chamber Orchestra perform some Lachenmann.

Meistersinger was good fun! Final thing I'm seeing in Melbourne this year before flying to Munich. I have a bunch of operas I'm seeing there: Otello, Jenufa, Die Zauberflöte, Die verkaufte Braut and Hansel und Gretel.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 14, 2018, 04:57:16 AM
Quote from: shirime on November 13, 2018, 10:51:25 AM
Meistersinger was good fun! Final thing I'm seeing in Melbourne this year before flying to Munich. I have a bunch of operas I'm seeing there: Otello, Jenufa, Die Zauberflöte, Die verkaufte Braut and Hansel und Gretel.
Surely you mean Prodaná nevěsta. Or are the doing it (and Jenůfa, or Její pastorkyňa?) in German? In any case, that all looks fantastic.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 14, 2018, 10:01:22 AM
Quote from: North Star on November 14, 2018, 04:57:16 AM
Surely you mean Prodaná nevěsta. Or are the doing it (and Jenůfa, or Její pastorkyňa?) in German? In any case, that all looks fantastic.

Hmm actually I'm not sure if they're doing it in Czech or German....it's one of those operas whose title seems to be known in the local language and I've just got used to seeing the title in German because that's how it's written on the company's website.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on November 14, 2018, 10:15:56 AM
Quote from: shirime on November 14, 2018, 10:01:22 AM
Hmm actually I'm not sure if they're doing it in Czech or German....it's one of those operas whose title seems to be known in the local language and I've just got used to seeing the title in German because that's how it's written on the company's website.
Ah.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on November 17, 2018, 05:47:33 AM
At the Athens Megaron

Tomorrow 18 NOV

C. Saint-Saëns: Danse macabre op.40
S. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.3 op.30
A. Glazunov: From the Middle Ages op.79: Prelude (only...)
S. Prokofiev: 5 pieces from the Romeo and Juliet-Suites No.1 & 2

Nikolai Lugansky, piano
Russian National Orchestra
Mikhail Pletnev

13 DEC

L.v. Beethoven: Leonore Overture No.2 op.72a
                        Symphony No.5 op.67
C. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 op.22

Fazıl Say, piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Roger Norrington
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 17, 2018, 10:53:48 PM
Earlier tonight last night I saw..

Nashville Symphony & Chorus| Hans Graf, conductor

R.Strauss – Serenade in E-flat Major
Stravinsky – Symphony of Psalms
Ravel – Daphnis et Chloé

Seeing Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé live was amazing, I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to seize it. The orchestration is brilliant, and being able to visually experience the many parts of the score come together was a real treat. I now have a newfound respect, and love for Ravel's massive opus. My wife, who enjoys going to the symphony but is not familiar with any of the composers/works we see, was even completely spellbound the entire time.

We like to sit on one of the side balconies as the seats are more comfortable than most other areas, we ended up going right above the orchestra/choir, which we had never done before. I took this pic during intermission using the panorama feature, offers a decent idea of our view.


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 18, 2018, 05:24:23 AM
Yesterday evening, went to a wonderful recital in Harrogate performed by Stephen Hough.

Bach ( trans Busoni) Chaconne in D Minor
His own piano sonata no 4 ( Vida Breve)
Chopin Piano Sonata in B flat minor op 35
Chamber Fantasy on Carmen Busoni
Liszt Funerailles
Mephisto Waltz
Mephisto waltz no 1

Met him afterwards (for second time as met him at a previous recital)as he was signing autographs. He's really nice🎹🎹🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on November 19, 2018, 06:24:59 AM
Changing plans present opportunities. Next month -

Anna Clyne: Masquerade
Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor
Sibelius: Symphony No 2 in D major

BBC SSO
Pablo Ferrández: cello
Alpesh Chauhan: Conductor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 19, 2018, 12:36:40 PM
Quote from: NikF on November 19, 2018, 06:24:59 AM
Changing plans present opportunities. Next month -

Anna Clyne: Masquerade
Dvořák: Cello Concerto in B minor
Sibelius: Symphony No 2 in D major

BBC SSO
Pablo Ferrández: cello
Alpesh Chauhan: Conductor

Ive seen the name Anna Clyne a couple of times but I don't recall hearing any of her music. Have you heard any? What's it like?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on November 20, 2018, 01:42:51 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on October 10, 2018, 01:53:09 AM
Also, Berlioz at the Wiener Musikverein in November:

Symphonie fantastique
Lélio ou Le retour à la vie

Cyrille Dubois
Florian Sempey
Markus Meyer
Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
Wiener Symphoniker
Philippe Jordan

This was a superb concert. At first half, the Symphonie fantastique was given an outstanding, idiomatic interpretation. Middle-ground tempi, repeats observed in the first and fourth movements, wonderful dynamic gradations and exquisite playing from the woodwinds.

After the intermission, Lélio. This could have gone terribly wrong. It didn't. In fact, it was enchanting. Apart from the interpretation, the format of the piece being what it is, they also went for extra-musical dramatic effect. As the conductor entered and the applause died down, the chandeliers in the hall dimmed to darkness and a single spotlight shone on the narrator and, afterwards, to Cyrille Dubois, who sang Le pêcheur in a captivating, lied-appropriate, expressive (and thankfully not operatic) manner. Then the chandeliers above the orchestra were lit up to a romantic glow for the Choeur d'ombres, then the other chandeliers slowly began to lit up. Well-judged lighting effects like these continued to the end of the performance not to the distraction of the audience. The orchestra continued being in top form as in the first half of the concert, highlighting Berlioz's exquisite orchestration along with his musical invention, the soloists were enthusiastic in their parts and the choir wonderfully radiant. All in all, a successful evening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on November 20, 2018, 06:39:19 AM
Very nice post and review, Wanderer.

It's a dream of mine to hear Cyrille Dubois perform/record Les Nuits d'été. Berlioz composed the songs for different voices, including the tenor voice (some of the poems are genred and are supposed to be sung by a male voice). Some transposition would be required but that is standard anyway in the usually heard soprano/mezzo performance. Dubois' voice has an openness, a plangency that are ideal for Berlioz.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 21, 2018, 11:49:41 PM
Quote from: shirime on November 13, 2018, 10:51:25 AM
Meistersinger was good fun! Final thing I'm seeing in Melbourne this year before flying to Munich. I have a bunch of operas I'm seeing there: Otello, Jenufa, Die Zauberflöte, Die verkaufte Braut and Hansel und Gretel.

And Fidelio on the 7th of December when I'm in Berlin.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on November 22, 2018, 04:00:02 AM
So does Symphonie fantastique get better just because it's performed well?  ;)

coming up next week:

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Lahav Shani Leitung
Lisa Larsson Sopran

Franz Berwald "Traumreise" Lieder für Sopran und Orchester (Konzept: Lisa Larsson, Orchestrierung: Rolf Martinsson) Uraufführung
Gustav Mahler Sinfonie Nr. 4 G-Dur

--

And plenty o'jazz, and also the Serebrennikov "Così fan tutte" at Zurich opera.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Irons on November 23, 2018, 07:09:50 AM
Booked up today for a concert next month at the Barbican. Sir Simon Rattle conducting the LSO in the Brahms VC with Leonidas Kavakos, Debussy Images and Enesco Romanian Rhapsody No.1. This rather odd but attractive programme is part of a series of concerts "Roots and Origins".
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 23, 2018, 09:29:33 AM
December 8:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor
Erin Wall, soprano
Wagner: Overture to Rienzi
Strauss: Four Last Songs
Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 ("The Inextinguishable")

Not going to turn down a chance to hear the "Inextinguishable," certainly not as played by teh most awesomest brass section evah. Also, a conductor new to me (Gardner) - I know of him, but have never heard him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 23, 2018, 12:36:16 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 23, 2018, 09:29:33 AM
December 8:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor
Erin Wall, soprano
Wagner: Overture to Rienzi
Strauss: Four Last Songs
Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 ("The Inextinguishable")

Not going to turn down a chance to hear the "Inextinguishable," certainly not as played by teh most awesomest brass section evah. Also, a conductor new to me (Gardner) - I know of him, but have never heard him.

That's a sweet program! The Strauss and Nielsen form about as disparate a contrast as an orchestra can offer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 25, 2018, 03:55:59 AM
Wonderful performance yesterday evening at Leeds town Hall.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Tchaikovsky. Francesca da Rimini
Korngold Violin Concerto
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition

Soloist. Elena Urioste
Conductor. Vasily Petrenko
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 25, 2018, 09:37:30 PM
Saw the Munich Youth Orchestra play a concert recently. My girlfriend's younger sister plays clarinet in that orchestra, principal clarinet in Brahms Symphony no. 3 (her solo passages were great!) and I think she was in the second clarinet role in the first half, Brahms Tragic Overture and Schumann Piano Concerto.

Last night my girlfriend and I went to the Bavarian State Opera for one of their ballet productions: Alice in Wonderland. The music composed for it (by a modern composer I don't really know anything about) was dull but serviceable, but the actual production, dancing etc. were delightful.

Jenufa at Bavarian State Opera on Tuesday, I shall report back here after that...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on November 26, 2018, 09:17:54 AM
Just bought a ticket to Leif Ove Andsnes' recital in Montreal next January: Schumann, Janacek and Bartok.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 27, 2018, 10:45:48 PM
Saw Jenufa and said hello to Simone Young at the stage door. The opera has a terrifically dark story that I certainly appreciated. The production sometimes felt a bit timid in that the darkness of the story and the music weren't really reflected so much in the design and direction, but the realistic, contemporary setting brought a poignantly topical perspective to the opera appropriate for the kind of realism it presents. Simone Young was conducting and I think she did a great job, the singers were mostly really excellent as well and the musical performance brought with it a stomach churning sense of anxiety (very good!) especially in the second and third acts.

Before that I saw András Schiff give a masterclass at the Musikhochschule, but to be honest I thought it was slightly disappointing in that he often just stared the obvious rather than bringing out any great sense of musicality. To tell you the truth, I'm extremely unfamiliar with Schiff until coming across his name for the first time this year and I felt the masterclass unfortunately didn't reveal much of his musical thought processes regarding the repertoire that the students were playing. I'm tempted to listen to some recordings to get a better sense of his approach to tempo modification, rubato, pedalling, phrasing, touch and textural balance. I'm gradually becoming more familiar with pianists outside of the contemporary repertoire I am more familiar with, and so far my favourites are Hofmann and Cortot.

On Thursday I'm seeing a concert featuring a new work by a composer I met this year, Henrik Ajax (I am going to meet him for coffee next week as well), and some other recent works are on the programme too. As for older repertoire, I'm looking forward to Ligeti's Mysteries of the Macabre. On Saturday I'm seeing a concert of Lachenmann......I will report back later.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mahlerian on November 29, 2018, 06:45:54 PM
Singing in a concert this upcoming Wednesday with music by Jacob Obrecht!

http://www.umass.edu/music/event/five-college-early-music-collegium-orphic-jacob
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on November 29, 2018, 11:34:55 PM
Last night:

PROGRAMM
Ivan Fedele (*1953): Immagini da Escher (2005) für Ensemble
Ensemble BlauerReiter | Leitung: Armando Merino

Francesco Filidei (*1973): Finito ogni gesto (2010) für Ensemble
Ensemble Zeitsprung | Leitung: Markus Elsner

György Ligeti (1923-2006): Mysteries of the Macabre (1973) für Koloratur-Sopran und Kammerorchester
ensemble oktopus | Anna-Lena Elbert, Sopran | Leitung: Konstantia Gourzi

PAUSE

Henrik Ajax (*1980): Gesänge des Typhon (2018, UA) für 3 Ensembles, 3 Dirigenten
Kompositionsauftrag des Ensemble BlauerReiter, des Ensemble Zeitsprung und des ensemble oktopus
Leitung: Konstantia Gourzi, Armando Merino, Markus Elsner


I saw this particularly for Henrik's premiere, which was a wonderful piece of heightened dramatic energy bookending richly harmonic central sections. Originally it was meant for three conductors and three ensembles, but due to some rehearsal complications it was revised for one conductor in front of the three ensembles combined. I spoke to Henrik a little bit before and after the concert; lovely chap, looking forward to a proper catch up next week. The first half of the concert was terrific as well; my girlfriend and I were already familiar with the Ligeti (which we love) and I think we both agreed that Francesco Filidei's piece Finito ogni gesto was especially good.

Lachenmann tomorrow night and I really can't wait for that! In a week's time we are also seeing Otello at Bayerische Staatsoper and then Fidelio the next day at Staatsoper unter den Linden, Berlin.


Also, by the time I'm back in home in Melbourne I look forward to Melbourne Opera's new production of Der fliegende Holländer and Victorian Opera's Parsifal, both in February.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 02, 2018, 01:33:35 AM
Last night: Lachenmann. Great concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on December 02, 2018, 02:08:43 AM
Nice picture, Jessop.
The maestro always looks like the same. You look like a bit...fatter?  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 02, 2018, 03:27:49 AM
Quote from: GioCar on December 02, 2018, 02:08:43 AM
Nice picture, Jessop.
The maestro always looks like the same. You look like a bit...fatter?  :D

:laugh: my face has puffed up a bit, that is true! (I think the Christmas cookies I've been making—and eating—have found a home for themselves in another chin!)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on December 02, 2018, 04:46:11 AM
The absolute favourite for the first time In May next year :

Mahler -  'Resurrection' Symphony No.2
The Hallé - Sir Mark Elder - Anne Schwanewilms soprano - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano - Hallé Choir


The least favourite for the first time In July next year :

Mahler - Symphony No.8

Chetham's Symphony Orchestra - Stephen Threlfall conductor | Ailish Tynan soprano | Gweneth-Ann Jeffers soprano | Daniel Norman tenor | David Platt  bass | Ruby Hughes  soprano | Kitty Whately  mezzo soprano | Margaret McDonald soprano
Chetham's Symphony Orchestra
With special guests: Chetham's Chorus | Leeds Festival Chorus | St George's Singers | Greater Manchester Hub Youth Choir | Manchester Cathedral Choristers | Hereford Cathedral School Children's Choir

Very excited by both as i hope seeing the M8 live will unlock it for me.

That leaves the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th to see live to complete my bucket list live Mahler cycle.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 02, 2018, 05:50:39 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on December 02, 2018, 04:46:11 AM
That leaves the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th to see live to complete my bucket list live Mahler cycle.

I completed my Mahler bucket list in 2007 with the Eighth and Tenth  8)

1. Louis Lane/Cleveland 1972
   Maazel/Vienna Phil 1995

2. Ormandy/Cleveland 1972
    Unknown/Unknown 1975 (First date with the future Mrs. Rock. No memory of who conducted)
    P.Järvi/Frankfurt RSO 2010

3. Chailly/Gewandhaus 2006

4. Maazel/Cleveland (with Von Stade) 1979

5. Bamert/Cleveland 1977
    Barenboim/Staatskapelle Berlin 2007
    Welser-Möst/Cleveland 2009
   
6. Szell/Cleveland 1967
    Abbado/Cleveland 1972
    Segerstam/Rheinland-Pfalz 1994

7. Tennstedt/Cleveland 1978
    Barenboim/Staatskapelle Berlin 2007

8. Boulez/Staatskapelle Berlin 2007

9. Haitink/Cleveland 1973
    Pesek/Royal Liverpool 1990

10. Harding/Vienna Phil 2007
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on December 02, 2018, 08:42:27 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 02, 2018, 05:50:39 AM
I completed my Mahler bucket list in 2007 with the Eighth and Tenth  8)

I've heard every Mahler symphony, most of them multiple times, including the 10th - except the 4th. Which is weird, because it's always been one of the most popular.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on December 02, 2018, 08:48:23 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 02, 2018, 05:50:39 AM
    Unknown/Unknown 1975 (First date with the future Mrs. Rock. No memory of who conducted)

distracted, were you ?  ;D  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 02, 2018, 08:50:54 AM
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on December 02, 2018, 05:50:39 AM
I completed my Mahler bucket list in 2007 with the Eighth and Tenth  8)

1. Louis Lane/Cleveland 1972
   Maazel/Vienna Phil 1995

2. Ormandy/Cleveland 1972
    Unknown/Unknown 1975 (First date with the future Mrs. Rock. No memory of who conducted)
    P.Järvi/Frankfurt RSO 2010

3. Chailly/Gewandhaus 2006

4. Maazel/Cleveland (with Von Stade) 1979

5. Bamert/Cleveland 1975
    Barenboim/Staatskapelle Berlin 2007
    Welser-Möst/Cleveland 2009
   
6. Szell/Cleveland 1967
    Abbado/Cleveland 1972
    Segerstam/Rheinland-Pfalz 1994

7. Tennstedt/Cleveland 1978
    Barenboim/Staatskapelle Berlin 2007

8. Boulez/Staatskapelle Berlin 2007

9. Haitink/Cleveland 1973
    Pesek/Royal Liverpool 1990

10. Harding/Vienna Phil 2007

Great lineup, Sarge ! Regardless of conductorial fame or preference of work, which concert did you like most ?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 02, 2018, 01:50:38 PM
Thursday night:

Musikkollegium Winterthur
Thomas Zehetmair
Carolin Widmann, violin

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ouvertüre zur Oper "Die Zauberflöte", KV 620

Dieter Ammann
"unbalanced instability", Konzertsatz für Violine und Kammerorchester (2012/13)

Johannes Brahms
Sinfonie Nr. 4 e-Moll, op. 98
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on December 03, 2018, 04:57:13 AM
Quote from: André on December 02, 2018, 08:50:54 AM
Great lineup, Sarge ! Regardless of conductorial fame or preference of work, which concert did you like most ?

My money is on Szell/Cleveland for the 6th.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 03, 2018, 06:04:08 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on December 02, 2018, 08:48:23 AM
distracted, were you ?  ;D  8)

Yes, she was very distractible  ;D

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 03, 2018, 06:19:30 AM
Ah I forgot earlier, but tomorrow night I'm seeing Hänsel und Gretel, then Otello on Thursday followed by Fidelio (in Berlin) on Friday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Sergeant Rock on December 03, 2018, 06:35:13 AM
Quote from: André on December 02, 2018, 08:50:54 AM
Great lineup, Sarge ! Regardless of conductorial fame or preference of work, which concert did you like most ?

Quote from: ChamberNut on December 03, 2018, 04:57:13 AM
My money is on Szell/Cleveland for the 6th.  :D

Szell's Sixth was the first time I heard that Mahler symphony. I came in blind, not knowing what to expect, and was devastated emotionally. I remember thinking, why are people applauding this tragic conclusion? But I loved it and it's been my favorite Mahler ever since and one of my favorite concerts. But I think Haitink's Ninth ranks along side it. It was an amazing performance, intensely moving. It was also the first time I saw a conductor conduct the audience too, with his left arm raised like a traffic cop to silence the crowd until a proper period had passed between the last dying note and the eruption of bravos and applause...and when that eruption came it was epic  8)

Segerstam's Sixth too was special, with a third hammer blow. Welser-Möst's Fifth, with an exceptionally slow funeral march and a breathless and flawless Finale was a real rush. To complete a Top 5: Ormandy's Resurrection.

Sarge
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 03, 2018, 10:41:12 AM
Thanks, Sarge. Great memories make for great posts !!  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on December 04, 2018, 01:50:18 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on November 23, 2018, 09:29:33 AM
December 8:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor
Erin Wall, soprano
Wagner: Overture to Rienzi
Strauss: Four Last Songs
Nielsen: Symphony No. 4 ("The Inextinguishable")

And the very next day (Sunday, Dec. 9), going to this:

University of Chicago Presents
Tallis Scholars
A Renaissance Christmas
Works by Palestrina, Josquin, Byrd and others
3 p.m. Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Never heard 'em live, so this will be a first for me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 04, 2018, 10:37:25 PM
Quote from: shirime on December 03, 2018, 06:19:30 AM
Ah I forgot earlier, but tomorrow night I'm seeing Hänsel und Gretel, then Otello on Thursday followed by Fidelio (in Berlin) on Friday.

Hänsel und Gretel was alright. The singers were excellent but they needed the prompt quite often, the orchestra weren't playing well until the final act, the production was suitably frightening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 05, 2018, 12:59:45 AM
Dec 6:

Musikkollegium Winterthur
Thomas Zehetmair
Carolin Widmann
(violin)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ouvertüre zur Oper ,,Die Zauberflöte", KV 620

Dieter Ammann
,,unbalanced instability", Konzertsatz für Violine und Kammerorchester (2012/13)

Johannes Brahms
Sinfonie Nr. 4 e-Moll, op. 98



Dec 9:

Quatuor Ebène

Ludwig van Beethoven
Streichquartett Nr. 1 F-Dur op. 18 Nr. 1

Johannes Brahms
Streichquartett Nr. 1 c-Moll op. 51 Nr. 1

Ludwig van Beethoven
Streichquartett Nr. 16 F-Dur op. 135
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on December 05, 2018, 09:14:31 PM
In Focus: Sibelius

'Arguably Finland's finest composer, Jean Sibelius was deeply inspired by the natural wonders of his homeland, and many of his works seem to evoke the deep forests and broad expanses of the Finnish landscape. He was also a defining figure in Finnish nationalism, embodying in his music the freedom and pioneering spirit of his emerging nation. Linked to our performances of his Violin Concerto and Seventh Symphony, join us in exploring Sibelius' unique sound world created during the turbulence of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 
This event is perfect for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the world of music's great figures
'

I bought a ticket for this. I'm not sure how much I'll get from it, but I'll take my chances.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on December 06, 2018, 08:39:27 AM
Tomorrow night:

Beethoven: Leonore overture No. 3
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3
Janáček: Sinfonietta

Barnabas Kelemen, violin
Belgrade Philharmonic
Gabriel Feltz (con.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 06, 2018, 10:09:29 PM
A few words on Otello....

Anja Harteros and Gerald Finley were incredible as Desdemona and Iago respectively. Kaufmann sounded like he was struggling in comparison to everyone else; it is a demanding role, certainly, but his voice cracked often enough that it took me out of the experience. Furthermore, I'm not sure about beginning the opera with a very weak Otello because his demise isn't as much of a downward spiral as it perhaps should have been. I'll see how it goes the next three times I'm seeing it.

Today I'm off to Berlin to see Fidelio.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ainsi la nuit on December 07, 2018, 05:30:42 PM
I'm hearing Janáček's Sinfonietta for the first time live tomorrow, played by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under the conductor Lawrence Renes. It's one of my favourite orchestral pieces, so it's surely going to be a magical evening!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JBS on December 07, 2018, 06:11:27 PM
Quote from: shirime on December 06, 2018, 10:09:29 PM
A few words on Otello....

Anja Harteros and Gerald Finley were incredible as Desdemona and Iago respectively. Kaufmann sounded like he was struggling in comparison to everyone else; it is a demanding role, certainly, but his voice cracked often enough that it took me out of the experience. Furthermore, I'm not sure about beginning the opera with a very weak Otello because his demise isn't as much of a downward spiral as it perhaps should have been. I'll see how it goes the next three times I'm seeing it.

Today I'm off to Berlin to see Fidelio.
The idea of a weak Othello can be consistent with the Shakespearean role, at least. He is an outsider, probably a client of some group of Venetian aristocrats, who started as the social inferior of everyone around him.  That inferiority could help explain why he thinks Desdemona betrayed him, and why Cassio was her lover, and why he trusts Iago, who is like Otello the social inferior of those around him (his wife, after all, is simply the personal attendant of Desdemona).

On such a premise, the tragedy is that of a newcomer who perceives rejection even when he is not being rejected.
(Or am I totally misunderstanding what you meant by a weak Otello?)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 07, 2018, 10:46:57 PM
Quote from: JBS on December 07, 2018, 06:11:27 PM
The idea of a weak Othello can be consistent with the Shakespearean role, at least. He is an outsider, probably a client of some group of Venetian aristocrats, who started as the social inferior of everyone around him.  That inferiority could help explain why he thinks Desdemona betrayed him, and why Cassio was her lover, and why he trusts Iago, who is like Otello the social inferior of those around him (his wife, after all, is simply the personal attendant of Desdemona).

On such a premise, the tragedy is that of a newcomer who perceives rejection even when he is not being rejected.
(Or am I totally misunderstanding what you meant by a weak Otello?)
This is what I considered as well when watching it. I do like that portrayal, but in Kaufmann's performance I didn't get much of a sense of Otello having changed much at all from the start to the end of the opera.

On another topic: Fidelio in Berlin.....my girlfriend and I took the train in the afternoon but after some rain the train had 'technical problems' so for a while we were sitting around going nowhere. If we arrived on time, we would have had about an hour to get from the station to Staatsoper Unter den Linden, but as things were we only had 20 minutes to put our suitcase in a locker and get there. We arrived with about thirty seconds to spare.......and just when we had settled down instead of the Fidelio overture I expected, it was Leonore overture no. 3! Nobody told me they do this weird version of Fidelio in Berlin!!! Granted, I actually really like how Leonore 3 fits musically with the opera better than the Fidelio overture of the 1814 version. The highlight of the evening was Klaus Florian Vogt and Florestan; this guy has an extraordinary dynamic range, amazing projection, control and he can act with his voice like no one else I've heard. He was a bit more impressive than Gerald Finley's performance of Iago back in Munich.

Also, it was nice to see Harry Kupfer's production, but I felt at many times that the setting became more of a background element and the opera seemed to play itself in a more traditional way.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 11, 2018, 06:50:34 AM
Last night I saw Otello again, this time conducted by Petrenko, so the orchestra actually sounded much better and the balance with the voices was particularly good. Harteros and Finley were both brilliant and Finley's timbral control resulted in a dramatically compelling Iago. Harteros implemented portamento very naturally and musically and gave an overall beautiful performance as Desdemona. The weak link again was Kaufmann who, although he was better last night than the first time I saw him, didn't have the same capacity to project his voice and lacked the same level of musicality as the other soloists when it came to really articulating and shaping each phrase. His character was lost to me, but every other character felt very present and very real.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 12, 2018, 03:15:21 AM
Last night saw a concert by students from the Musikhochschule. Programme was some choral music by Brahms and Gottwald spliced between movements of Mahler's 9th Symphony. I really liked the programming idea and the performances were all wonderful, I just wish there was an intermission at some point during the two hour concert!

On Friday I'm seeing BRSO perform some Zimmermann and Adams and on Saturday I'm seeing Otello for the third time. I am hoping Kaufmann adds something of musical quality to his performance next time (or at least be able to project his voice); I've heard that it usually takes a few performances for him to be at his best.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 12, 2018, 04:10:42 AM
Thanks for these posts, Shirime.

Very interesting concerts. Who said the classical scene was just yet another Schéhérazade and Rach 2 evening ?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 12, 2018, 01:34:44 PM
Quote from: André on December 12, 2018, 04:10:42 AM
Thanks for these posts, Shirime.

Very interesting concerts. Who said the classical scene was just yet another Schéhérazade and Rach 2 evening ?  :)
Thanks. :)
Interestingly, I've never seen those pieces performed live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 12, 2018, 01:41:10 PM
Quote from: André on December 12, 2018, 04:10:42 AM
Who said the classical scene was just yet another Schéhérazade and Rach 2 evening ?  :)

Who said there's anything wrong with those two masterpieces?  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 13, 2018, 02:41:01 AM
Quote from: Florestan on December 12, 2018, 01:41:10 PM
Who said there's anything wrong with those two masterpieces?  :)
I think they're pleasant enough pieces of music but I have no clue what would make them a masterpiece or not.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 14, 2018, 11:19:05 AM
While we are listing our Mahler live experiences:

#1: Houston SO, London PO (possibly both Alsop!)
#2: Dallas SO (van Zweden)
#3: Warsaw PO (Wit, first time ever hearing the work, overall most memorable Mahler live experience), San Antonio SO (Lang-Lessing)
#4: San Antonio SO (Lang-Lessing)
#6: New York PO (Bychkov, first time ever hearing the work)

Wunderhorn: London PO with Gerhaher and V. Jurowski
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 15, 2018, 12:16:49 AM
Tonight:

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Daniel Blendulf Leitung
Janine Jansen Violine Artist in Residence

Michail Glinka Ouvertüre zu "Ruslan und Ljudmila"
Anders Eliasson Violinkonzert "Einsame Fahrt"
Sergej Prokofjew Sinfonie Nr. 5 B-Dur op. 100

--

Never heard Jansen in concert yet (last time I had a ticket she was calling a sick day and Veronika Eberle jumped in, playing a mighty fine Schumann concerto), and never even heard of Eliasson, so curious I am!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 15, 2018, 01:43:36 AM
Last night I saw BRSO perform at Herkulessaal, Munich.

BERND ALOIS ZIMMERMANN [1918–1970]
Sinfonie in einem Satz
für großes Orchester [Fassung mit Orgel 1951]
Dialoge
Konzert für zwei Klaviere und Orchester [2. Fassung 1965]
JOHN ADAMS [*1947]
Violin Concerto [1993]
für Violine und Orchester
MITWIRKENDE
Ilya Gringolts, Violine
GrauSchumacher Piano Duo: Andreas Grau, Götz Schumacher; Klavier
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Brad Lubman, Leitung


Dialoge was the big hit of the concert, with the audience audibly more enthusiastic than they were about the Sinfonie. And what a great piece is was! Zimmermann's music was performed with a captivating sense of direction and emotion and his music in general had a very wide scope for the kind of impassioned playing typical of BRSO. Unfortunately it took a little bit of time to truly get a sense of that in the Sinfonie but it was thrilling when the musicians really dug into the music. The Adams concerto started off really well, the style of the first movement complemented Zimmermann really nicely, but after a while of strings of static blocks of texture and a relatively motionless approach harmony, the audience started to get fidgety and I found myself losing focus. The new agey second movement (complete with its badly aged synth sounds) and the sewing machine finale didn't bring back the glorious interplay between soloist and orchestra players that made the first movement so engaging. Rather, the orchestra began to look more like an industrial factory machine replicating mass produced notes rather than a collective of musicians engaging with the music and the audience. I think Zimmermann came more naturally to the musicians and held the audiences interest more than the Adams.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 16, 2018, 01:52:10 AM
Was going to go to Otello last night but yesterday morning my girlfriend and I decided we aren't quite right in a relationship due to a number of personality and philosophical differences so we spent the night cooking together, chatting, laughing and crying, with the understanding that we get along well enough to still see some operas together and have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. When I get back to Melbourne she and I will be forging our own separate paths in life and I look forward to a new production of Parsifal that Victorian Opera will be presenting in February. The next operas we are seeing together however are one more Otello, Die verkaufte Braut and Die Zauberflöte across three days before Christmas. We also plan on building a snowman together.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on December 16, 2018, 08:27:01 AM
Best wishes to you both, Jessop.
And, after seeing I don't know how many times Otello, I hope you can now appreciate it as the masterpiece it actually is.   
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 16, 2018, 01:10:01 PM
Quote from: GioCar on December 16, 2018, 08:27:01 AM
Best wishes to you both, Jessop.
And, after seeing I don't know how many times Otello, I hope you can now appreciate it as the masterpiece it actually is.   
I've always liked that opera actually, I think it's Verdi's best. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on December 17, 2018, 10:31:49 PM
tonight ... too much x-mas, but finally catching Nuria Rial in person:

Kammerorchester Basel
Nuria Rial
Sopran
Reinhold Friedrich Trompete

Johann Sebastian Bach Aus: Kantate "Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens" BWV 148, 1. Sinfonia
Giuseppe Torelli Konzert D-Dur für Trompete, Streicher und Basso continuo
Georg Philipp Telemann Zwei Arien
Johann Sebastian Bach Kantate "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen" BWV 51 für Sopran, Trompete und Streicher
Arcangelo Corelli Sonata a quattro D-Dur für Trompete, 2 Violinen, Streicher und Basso continuo
Concerto grosso g-Moll op. 6 Nr. 8 "fatto per la notte di natale"
Katalanische Weihnachtslieder "Nit de vetlla" und "El cant dels ocells"
Georg Friedrich Händel Aus: "Samson", "Let the bright seraphim" für Sopran, Trompete und Streicher
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on December 18, 2018, 07:53:09 AM
Possibly going to see Münchner Bach Chor perform Weihnachtsoratorium on the 23rd.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on December 20, 2018, 03:39:18 AM
Tomorrow night:

Elgar - Cello Concerto
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 8

Alexander Busulov (cello)
Belgrade Philharmonic
Daniel Raiskin (cond.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 22, 2018, 05:40:02 AM
Yesterday's concert was memorable. The Schumann concerto (Eric Le Sage) was very good in a strightforward way. A few wrong notes in the first movement notwithstanding, Le Sage has full command of the concerto's romantic sweep.

The Mahler 9th was on another plane altogether. Nézet-Séguin and his Orchestre métropolitain were at one in this mammoth work, offering a consolatory, cathartic view of the work, esp the finale, perfectly paced here (under 25 minutes). The OM has grown immeasurably under its conductor of 20 years. Its brass section (horns in particular) has remarkable subtlety of expression and security of intonation. The highlights of the performance were the second and fourth movement. I have not heard them bettered, even on record.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 09, 2019, 12:49:40 AM
Bartók
Suite No.2

Liszt
Piano Concerto No 1 in E flat major

Bartók
Suite No.1

Dausgaard/Hough/BBC SSO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 09, 2019, 03:06:48 AM
lunch concert tomorrow, with dudes and dudettes from the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich:

Kammermusik-Lunchkonzert im Kaufleuten
«Heimat» – Zwei böhmische Komponisten?

Haika Lübcke Flöte und Piccolo
Elisabeth Harringer-Pignat Violine
Cathrin Kudelka Violine
Johannes Gürth Viola
Christian Proske Violoncello
Ute Grewel Kontrabass

Erwin Schulhoff Concertino für Flöte, Viola und Kontrabass
Antonín Dvořák Streichquintett Nr. 2 G-Dur op. 77
Erwin Schulhoff Fünf Stücke für Streichquartett
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 10, 2019, 07:34:06 AM
Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Smetana – The Moldau from Má Vlast
Dvořák - Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"

This is at 10:30am tomorrow, part of the Nashville Symphony's Coffee and Classics Series. It's also part of the COSMOS - An HD Odyssey which I'm not too thrilled about. This is the third year in a row NSO has featured the COSMOS with added NASA footage to accompany the music, two years ago with Holst's Planets, and last year with Zarathustra. I find this to be a bit of a gimmick and also don't find NASA footage to be appropriate for Zarathustra or Dvorak's 9th.
But I really enjoy the NSO, so I'm all about supporting them And plus my parents wanted to go so it should still be a good time.
Let's just hope their coffee game is strong!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 10, 2019, 09:26:33 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 10, 2019, 07:34:06 AM

It's also part of the COSMOS - An HD Odyssey which I'm not too thrilled about. This is the third year in a row NSO has featured the COSMOS with added NASA footage to accompany the music, two years ago with Holst's Planets,

Greg, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is doing a similar concert which I'm attending at the end of March which will feature Holst's Planets.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 10, 2019, 09:38:07 AM
^We have the following -

The Planets – An HD Odyssey
Sat 15 Jun 2019, 7.30PM
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
R Strauss Sunrise from Also sprach Zarathustra
J Strauss II On the Beautiful Blue Danube
J S Bach Toccata and Fugue
John Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Beethoven Allegretto from Symphony No7
John Williams Main Title from Star Wars
Interval
Holst The Planets

RSNO
Ben Palmer Conductor
Sopranos and Altos of the RSNO Chorus

I won't be there, but apparently it's going to be well attended.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 10, 2019, 12:15:57 PM
Quote from: king ubu on January 09, 2019, 03:06:48 AM
lunch concert tomorrow, with dudes and dudettes from the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich:

Kammermusik-Lunchkonzert im Kaufleuten
«Heimat» – Zwei böhmische Komponisten?

Haika Lübcke Flöte und Piccolo
Elisabeth Harringer-Pignat Violine
Cathrin Kudelka Violine
Johannes Gürth Viola
Christian Proske Violoncello
Ute Grewel Kontrabass

Erwin Schulhoff Concertino für Flöte, Viola und Kontrabass
Antonín Dvořák Streichquintett Nr. 2 G-Dur op. 77
Erwin Schulhoff Fünf Stücke für Streichquartett

That was kinda fun - not sure I could have heard any Schulhoff in concert in the past four or five years, to I just had to go, regardless of the never-ending lunch-break it casued ... the concertino is a fun one, I think, but alas it sounded somewhat under-rehearsed except for the flautist who had her part down to a t. The Dvorák sounded a bit too played-through and not sculpted enough (and frankly I found it a bit long for the occasion, the entire duration with applause and stage adjustments was around 80 minutes I think), but still full of nice moments (performance-wise that is ... I'll have to check out the recordings I have: Panocha for both, and L'Archibudelli for the second). The best part to me was the final pieces by Schulhoff, kinda baroque like variants on/interpretations of dances (viennes waltz, tango etc.), and these were performed very, very well, too (I guess this was the piece best rehearsed). Certainly worth attending, all things considered!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 10, 2019, 02:09:10 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on January 10, 2019, 09:26:33 AM
Greg, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra is doing a similar concert which I'm attending at the end of March which will feature Holst's Planets.

Thats' cool, Ray. I'm hoping that I'm proven wrong and that I actually enjoy the added visual aspect of this concert.
And I would love to hear your reaction to the concert.



Quote from: NikF on January 10, 2019, 09:38:07 AM
RSNO
Ben Palmer Conductor
Sopranos and Altos of the RSNO Chorus

I won't be there, but apparently it's going to be well attended.

I follow Ben Palmer on Twitter, it's a fun account!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: shirime on January 11, 2019, 05:41:13 AM
I forgot to post about the last three operas I saw in Munich, oh well.

However, next month I'm seeing Wozzeck in Sydney and Parsifal in Melbourne so that will be fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 14, 2019, 07:22:28 AM
Just bought tickets for Das Rheingold at the Teatro Real here in Madrid (Friday Jan. 25th). Pablo Heras-Casado conducts, and the production (originally from Cologne) is by Robert Carsen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 14, 2019, 07:23:37 AM
coming up on Friday:

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Paavo Järvi Leitung
Janine Jansen Violine

Olivier Messiaen "Les offrandes oubliées"
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violinkonzert Nr. 5 A-Dur KV 219
Olivier Messiaen "Le tombeau resplendissant"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 14, 2019, 10:20:44 AM
I really wish I was in New York...

https://www.metopera.org/season/2018-19-season/pelleas-et-melisande/ (https://www.metopera.org/season/2018-19-season/pelleas-et-melisande/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on January 15, 2019, 06:58:39 AM
February 24th in Antwerp:

Debussy happening:

11.30 uur
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra olv. Adrien Perruchon
Vrouwenkoor Conservatorium Antwerpen
olv. Jan Schweiger
    Selectie uit 'Préludes' (orkestratie Luc Brewaeys)     
    Selectie koorwerken: Beau soir; Clair de lune; Les Angélus; Salut Printemps ea.

13.30 uur
Studenten Conservatorium Antwerpen
    Selectie werken voor 2 piano's en piano vierhandig
    Sonate voor cello en piano
    'Danses sacrée et profane' voor strijkkwartet en harp
    Rhapsodie (arr. S. Blassel) voor klarinet, fluit, strijkkwartet
    en harp

15 uur
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano
    Ballade slave / Nocturne/ Tarentelle styrienne / Estampes /
    Etudes, Boek 1 / L'isle joyeuse / Selectie uit 'Préludes'

16.30 uur
Sophie Karthäuser sopraan & Stéphane Degout bariton
Alain Planès piano
    Selectie liederen

18 uur
Oxalys
    Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (arr. Benno Sachs)
    Syrinx voor fluit solo
    Sonate voor fluit, altviool en harp
    Six épigraphes antiques (arr. J.M. Morel)

20.30 uur
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra olv. Adrien Perruchon
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano
    Suite 'Pelléas et Mélisande' (arr. Alain Altinoglu)
    'Fantaisie' voor piano en orkest
    La mer: trois esquisses symphoniques
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 15, 2019, 07:04:57 AM
Quote from: pjme on January 15, 2019, 06:58:39 AM
February 24th in Antwerp:

Debussy happening:

11.30 uur
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra olv. Adrien Perruchon
Vrouwenkoor Conservatorium Antwerpen
olv. Jan Schweiger
    Selectie uit 'Préludes' (orkestratie Luc Brewaeys)     
    Selectie koorwerken: Beau soir; Clair de lune; Les Angélus; Salut Printemps ea.

13.30 uur
Studenten Conservatorium Antwerpen
    Selectie werken voor 2 piano's en piano vierhandig
    Sonate voor cello en piano
    'Danses sacrée et profane' voor strijkkwartet en harp
    Rhapsodie (arr. S. Blassel) voor klarinet, fluit, strijkkwartet
    en harp

15 uur
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano
    Ballade slave / Nocturne/ Tarentelle styrienne / Estampes /
    Etudes, Boek 1 / L'isle joyeuse / Selectie uit 'Préludes'

16.30 uur
Sophie Karthäuser sopraan & Stéphane Degout bariton
Alain Planès piano
    Selectie liederen

18 uur
Oxalys
    Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (arr. Benno Sachs)
    Syrinx voor fluit solo
    Sonate voor fluit, altviool en harp
    Six épigraphes antiques (arr. J.M. Morel)

20.30 uur
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra olv. Adrien Perruchon
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet piano
    Suite 'Pelléas et Mélisande' (arr. Alain Altinoglu)
    'Fantaisie' voor piano en orkest
    La mer: trois esquisses symphoniques
Wow! Looks very appealing...

Strange they won't play the Berceuse héroïque in any of the concerts, though.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on January 15, 2019, 07:40:50 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 15, 2019, 07:04:57 AM
Wow! Looks very appealing...

Strange they won't play the Berceuse héroïque in any of the concerts, though.  ;)

It was programmed almost at nauseam during all the 1914-1918  remembrance programs. Recently (last year) I heard in Utrecht the Berceuse as orchestrated by Alphons Diepenbrock. Due to the war Diepenbrock was unable to get the score (Debussy's own version) on time in Amsterdam ( ca 1916). So he wrote his own version. Not that many differences (instrumental) though. Diepenbrock stuck respectfully to the pianoversion...Debussy added another "whisper" of the Belgian "Brabançonne"....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 15, 2019, 07:45:23 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 10, 2019, 07:34:06 AM
Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Smetana – The Moldau from Má Vlast
Dvořák - Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"

This is at 10:30am tomorrow, part of the Nashville Symphony's Coffee and Classics Series. It's also part of the COSMOS - An HD Odyssey which I'm not too thrilled about. This is the third year in a row NSO has featured the COSMOS with added NASA footage to accompany the music, two years ago with Holst's Planets, and last year with Zarathustra. I find this to be a bit of a gimmick and also don't find NASA footage to be appropriate for Zarathustra or Dvorak's 9th.
But I really enjoy the NSO, so I'm all about supporting them And plus my parents wanted to go so it should still be a good time.
Let's just hope their coffee game is strong!


The performance of the Dvorak was great, the NSO is a superb sounding group. The HD Odyssey video was a little distracting, I could've done without it. The visuals were often synced up to the music, which makes me believe that the interpretation had to match the video rather than being their own take on the work. But that's fine, I've heard this piece so many times that just hearing it performed by a good orchestra is a treat.

Maybe next year they'll play Prokofiev's Classical Symphony with NASA footage.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 15, 2019, 05:33:47 PM
Last month Hélène Grimaud canceled due to a shoulder injury. She was replaced by Eric LeSage, a good trade-off.

Today I received notice that next week's concert with Leif Ove Andsnes is also canceled. He broke his arm or something. They didn't even walk on our icy sidewalks   :o.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on January 18, 2019, 09:26:52 AM
Looks like my schedule permits I'll be able to use my tickets for this -

Glanert: Brahms-Fantasie, Heliogravure for Orchestra
Brahms: Symphony No2

RSNO
Harish Shankar: Conductor

Glanert is a composer new to me.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on January 22, 2019, 01:25:18 AM
coming up:

Saturday at Zurich Opera: Bizet's "Les Pêcheurs de perles"

next week at Tonhalle:

Collegium Novum Zürich
Jonathan Stockhammer Leitung

Hugues Dufourt "L'Europe d'après Tiepolo" für Ensemble
Morton Feldman "Instruments II" für Ensemble
Fabio Nieder "Was mir das Kind erzählt" - Erinnerungen an slowakische und slowenische Volkslieder für Ensemble (Kompositionsauftrag des CNZ im Rahmen des von der Landis & Gyr Stiftung ermöglichten Schwerpunkts Fokus Ost)
Jonathan Harvey "Wheel of Emptiness" für sechzehn Instrumentalisten
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 22, 2019, 02:44:34 AM
Thursday: Fidelio at the Bayerische Staatsoper

Musikalische Leitung
    Kirill Petrenko
Inszenierung
    Calixto Bieito


Don Fernando
    Tareq Nazmi
Don Pizarro
    Wolfgang Koch
Florestan
    Jonas Kaufmann
Leonore
    Anja Kampe
Rocco
    Günther Groissböck
Marzelline
    Hanna-Elisabeth Müller
Jaquino
    Dean Power
1. Gefangener
    Caspar Singh
2. Gefangener
    Oleg Davydov

    Bayerisches Staatsorchester
    Chorus of the Bayerische Staatsoper

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on January 27, 2019, 07:56:02 AM
Last night I was reminded afresh of why real life concerts and recitals are, or at least can be, better than recordings.  Young keyboard lion Behzod Abduraimov came to town, and I just had to hear him.  I got my front row, center tickets and was seated about ten feet from the Steinway B with my line of sight directly between piano and piano bench. 

The very Liszt-heavy evening opened with the Wagner/Liszt Liebestod.  Abduraimov went for the superheated approach, reveling in the most virtuosic music, blazing through it.  To be sure, he delivered more beautiful and touching playing as required, and this was romantic era music to the core.  Next came the reason to attend the recital, the Liszt sonata, in a scorching performance.  Abduraimov obviously has technique to burn, and he did.  He pushed himself at times, playing with some audible slips in some of the most challenging passages (some dizzying octaves, for instance), but here's a case where that didn't matter one iota.  While his average volume level was below that of Joseph Moog (heard in the same hall, in the same seats, and on the same piano), in the loudest fortissimo passages, Abduraimov delivered crushingly loud playing.  This all contributed to a sense of musical excitement at least equal to Nelson Freire's 1982 University of Maryland performance.  But there was more than high-voltage excitement.  Abduraimov backed way off in the quietest, tenderest moments.  Perhaps Abduraimov subscribes to the Faust interpretation of the sonata that Igor Kamenz does, perhaps not, so maybe he wanted to portray Gretchen themed music tenderly, or maybe he just wanted to play the music that way, but whatever the motivation or interpretive reasoning, the playing was dreamy and gentle.  The fugue?  Well, it was a model of clarity and evoked a most satisfying baroque-romantic hybrid.  Bringing the whole thing in at a brief timing, Abduraimov delivered one of the greatest renditions of the piece I've heard.

The second half of the recital was devoted to the piano extracts from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet.  The pianist's recording of the Sixth Sonata is pretty much as good as any pianist who might present it now - meaning FFG and Yuja Wang, specifically - and his recording of the Third Concerto can compare with any pianist alive or long dead, so it was not really surprising that he delivered here.  Again, he could and did play some of the gentler music with a lovely sound and varied touch, and he could and most certainly did thunder in the loudest passages.  His take on the Montagues and Capulets movement was titanically conceived, and would make for a rousing encore.

Writing of encores, Abduraimov returned to Liszt with La Campanella.  He delivered another scorcher.  Clean, fast, with massive dynamic swings, and some ear-splitting upper register playing for effect, the pianist's affinity for Liszt was clear.

I'd say this is the best recital I'd attend this year, but Benjamin Grosvenor will be here in March to play Kreisleriana.

I also learned last night that no less a pianist than Marc Andre Hamelin will be guest curating next season of Portland Piano International and will be the first pianist to perform.  Woe unto me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 27, 2019, 10:44:58 AM
Tonight at National Sawdust, the new Wavefield Ensemble (founded 2018) in a fantastic program:

Matthew Ricketts: Melodia (Premiere of chamber orchestration)
Rebecca Saunders: a visible trace (2006 / US premiere)
Katherine Balch: una corda (2016 / US premiere)
Iannis Xenakis: Palimpsest (1979)

https://www.wavefieldensemble.org/about/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 29, 2019, 07:20:19 AM
This weekend:

Adams - Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Adams - Violin Concerto
Debussy - Danses sacrée et profane
Respighi - Feste Romane

Leila Josefowicz, violin
Emily Levin, harp (DSO principal harp)
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
John Adams, conductor

I got to interview Adams for the local newspaper (https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/things-to-do-in-dallas-john-adams-at-dallas-symphony-orchestra-11531991) in anticipation of this concert; mostly we talked about the composing business in general, rather than his music specifically.

Oddly Short Ride is the only piece here that I've seen live before. I've never heard the Debussy at all.

As an added bonus, a nearby Mexican spirits bar is throwing a party the same night so we're going to be imbibing mezcal and tequila pre- and post-concert  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on January 29, 2019, 07:41:25 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2019, 07:20:19 AM

Adams - Violin Concerto

Leila Josefowicz, violin


I heard her do this back in 2002, in Prague. As you point out, she's made a specialty of the piece. It's not my favorite Adams, but kudos to her for promoting a contemporary piece so steadily (and kudos to all other contemporary musicians who do the same).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on January 29, 2019, 07:47:19 AM
On Friday, if I can make it.

Beethoven - An die ferne Geliebte
Wagner - Die Walküre, Act I

Michaela Kaune, soprano
Thomas Mohr, tenor
Thorsten Grümbel, bass
Belgrade Philharmonic
Gabriel Feltz (piano & cond.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 29, 2019, 08:54:28 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2019, 07:20:19 AM
This weekend:

Adams - Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Adams - Violin Concerto
Debussy - Danses sacrée et profane
Respighi - Feste Romane

Leila Josefowicz, violin
Emily Levin, harp (DSO principal harp)
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
John Adams, conductor

I got to interview Adams for the local newspaper (https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/things-to-do-in-dallas-john-adams-at-dallas-symphony-orchestra-11531991) in anticipation of this concert; mostly we talked about the composing business in general, rather than his music specifically.

Oddly Short Ride is the only piece here that I've seen live before. I've never heard the Debussy at all.

As an added bonus, a nearby Mexican spirits bar is throwing a party the same night so we're going to be imbibing mezcal and tequila pre- and post-concert  ;D

This looks fantastic (the non-musical part, too  ;D ). I like Feste Romane the best of the three tone poems (though the other two are great). That last movement, "La Befana," is about as dazzlingly orchestrated as it gets.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on January 29, 2019, 09:17:38 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2019, 07:20:19 AM
I got to interview Adams for the local newspaper (https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/things-to-do-in-dallas-john-adams-at-dallas-symphony-orchestra-11531991) in anticipation of this concert; mostly we talked about the composing business in general, rather than his music specifically.

Nice interview.

And nice to read that the DSO is commissioning works. Is that a Luisi initiative or did it predate his appointment?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 29, 2019, 09:59:32 AM
Leoncavallo's Pagliacci at Teatro di San Carlo in Naples next Saturday.


Conductor | Philippe Auguin
Chorusmaster | Gea Garatti Ansini
Children Chorusmaster | Stefania Rinaldi
Stage Director | Daniele Finzi Pasca

Nedda,  Maria José Siri (3, 5, 7 and 9 February 2019)/ Viktoriia Chenska (6 and 8 February 2019)
Canio, Antonello Palombi (3, 5, 7 and 9 February 2019)/ Arsen Soghomonyan (6 and 8 February 2019)
Tonio, Lucio Gallo (3, 5, 7 and 8 February 2019)/ Dimitris Tiliakos (6 and 9 February 2019)
Peppe, Alessandro Liberatore (3, 6 and 8 February 2019) / Francesco Pittari (5, 7 and 9 February 2019)
Silvio, Davide Luciano

Orchestra and Chorus of  Teatro di San Carlo
with the participation of the Chilcdren Chorus of Teatro di San Carlo
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 29, 2019, 05:12:04 PM
Quote from: Pat B on January 29, 2019, 09:17:38 AM
Nice interview.

And nice to read that the DSO is commissioning works. Is that a Luisi initiative or did it predate his appointment?
Thanks! It was announced at the same time (on the same day) as Luisi's hiring so I think he gets at least a partial share of the credit.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 01, 2019, 09:38:46 AM
Considering this double bill tomorrow:


Dezsö Ránki

Joseph Haydn (1732 – 1809) – Sonate B-dur Hob XVI/41 (1784)
Maurice Ravel (1875 – 1931) – Menuet sur le nom de Haydn (1909)
Maurice Ravel – Sonatine (1905)
Béla Bartók (1882 – 1945) – «Für Kinder» 1. Heft (Version 1945)
*****
Béla Bartók – Rumänische Weihnachtslieder I-II (1925)
Béla Bartók – Suite op. 14 (1916)
Joseph Haydn – Sonate Es-dur Hob XVI/49 (1790)

--

Yulianna Avdeeva

Claude Debussy (1862 – 1918) – Estampes (1903)
Frédéric Chopin (1810 – 1829) – 3. Ballade As-dur op. 47 (1841)
Frédéric Chopin – Drei Mazurken op. 59 (1845): Moderato a-moll, Allegretto As-dur, Vivace fis-moll
Frédéric Chopin – Prélude cis-moll op. 45 (1841)
Frédéric Chopin – 3. Scherzo cis-moll op. 39 (1839)
*****
Modest Mussorgsky (1839 – 1881) – Bilder einer Ausstellung (1874)


So ... should I stay or should I go? :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 02, 2019, 01:34:00 AM
I've just puchased passes to the complete concert programme of the chamber music festival in Rosendal, Hardanger. Around 15 concerts in all.

Program: https://www.baroniet.no/rosendal-festival/program/ (https://www.baroniet.no/rosendal-festival/program/)

(http://www.touristphoto.no/images/Kvinnherad%202009/rosendal_oversikt6.jpg)

Focus on Shostakovich. Levit plays the complete op 87, Hamelin and Andsnes join various chamben ensembles in the quintet, viola and cello sonatas and trio (and the Schnittke Quintet) and in various song cycles, including Mussorgskys Songs and Dances of Death.

The Danel Quartet plays 3 quartets, and there are various arrangements of the 10th and 15th symphonies for chamber ensembles, and New Babylon is shown with live music. And Hamelin in Scriabin and Feinberg.

Plus Denisov, Silvestrov, Mussorgsky, Denisov, Stravinsky et al...Hamelin and Andsnes in Igor Stravinsky: Concerto for Two Solo Pianos ought to be very fine.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Draško on February 02, 2019, 02:05:07 AM
Quote from: Draško on January 29, 2019, 07:47:19 AM
On Friday, if I can make it.

Beethoven - An die ferne Geliebte
Wagner - Die Walküre, Act I

Michaela Kaune, soprano
Thomas Mohr, tenor
Thorsten Grümbel, bass
Belgrade Philharmonic
Gabriel Feltz (piano & cond.)

I thought I might not make it, but I thought it would be work related, but it turned out to be a touch of food poisoning related.  :P  Seems me and Wagner weren't meant for each other especially given how often Wagner gets programmed around here.

Quote from: king ubu on February 01, 2019, 09:38:46 AM
So ... should I stay or should I go? :)

I'd go for Ranki. Don't know Avdeeva.

Quote from: The new erato on February 02, 2019, 01:34:00 AM
I've just puchased passes to the complete concert programme of the chamber music festival in Rosendal, Hardanger. Around 15 concerts in all.

That looks awesome!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on February 02, 2019, 02:37:46 AM
After having had a look on the programs of the Salzburg, Lucerne (invaded by Greeks this year) and Enescu summer festivals, l'm wondering what happened to the Americans? No American orchestras cross the Atlantic this summer...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 02, 2019, 05:18:28 AM
Quote from: Draško on February 02, 2019, 02:05:07 AM
I'd go for Ranki. Don't know Avdeeva.

Thanks, that was my reasoning, too. But alas I caught a migraine last night and decided to stay in for the weekend.
Not that hard a decision as this is coming up on Monday:

Kammerorchester Basel
Mikhail Pletnev
Klavier

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Sinfonie D-Dur KV 385 "Haffner"
Johann Sebastian Bach Klavierkonzert Nr. 5 f-Moll BWV 1056
--
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Klavierkonzert Nr. 24 c-Moll KV 491
Igor Strawinsky "Pulcinella-Suite" (1949)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 02, 2019, 08:35:20 AM
Quote from: The new erato on February 02, 2019, 01:34:00 AM
Focus on Shostakovich. Levit plays the complete op 87, Hamelin and Andsnes join various chamben ensembles in the quintet, viola and cello sonatas and trio (and the Schnittke Quintet) and in various song cycles, including Mussorgskys Songs and Dances of Death.

The Danel Quartet plays 3 quartets, and there are various arrangements of the 10th and 15th symphonies for chamber ensembles, and New Babylon is shown with live music. And Hamelin in Scriabin and Feinberg.

Plus Denisov, Silvestrov, Mussorgsky, Denisov, Stravinsky et al...Hamelin and Andsnes in Igor Stravinsky: Concerto for Two Solo Pianos ought to be very fine.
Whoa. That is a heavy hitter program.

Hope Andsnes joins you for a post-concert bottle of wine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 02, 2019, 09:06:42 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 02, 2019, 08:35:20 AM
Whoa. That is a heavy hitter program.

Hope Andsnes joins you for a post-concert bottle of wine.
He NEVER drinks in the days before a concert, but yeah, I've shared some bottles with him, recently only a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 04, 2019, 04:38:48 AM
Attended this outstanding concert on Friday night!

February 01, 2019

Final concert of the 28th annual Winnipeg New Music Festival

Anna Thorvaldsdottir (b.1977-) - Metacosmos

Caroline Shaw (b.1982-) - Music in Common Time

Peteris Vasks (b. 1946-) - Symphony No. 2

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Raiskin - conducting

Excellent concert, with three works of three composers I had never heard a single note from before!  :)

It was a Canadian premiere for the Thorvaldsdottir and Shaw works, while it was surprisingly also the North American premiere of Vasks' Symphony No. 2, a fairly popular work in Europe.  Caroline Shaw and Peteris Vasks were both in attendance and part of the pre-concert chat as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 04, 2019, 05:16:16 AM
Quote from: The new erato on February 02, 2019, 09:06:42 AM
He NEVER drinks in the days before a concert

How about the days after the concert?  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 04, 2019, 07:30:35 AM
Quote from: Florestan on February 04, 2019, 05:16:16 AM
How about the days after the concert?  :D

Well, they are days before the concert ...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on February 06, 2019, 02:04:55 AM
In Antwerp, next Tuesday february 12th:

Cardillac by Paul Hindemith. New production with Simon Neal as Cardillac. Dimitri Jurowski conductor.

https://www.operaballet.be/nl/programma/2018-2019/cardillac
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF on February 07, 2019, 01:09:25 AM
I wasn't planning on attending, but the Prokofiev 5 thread http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,28807.0.html (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,28807.0.html) is a weighty influence, so -

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Chihara: A Matter of Honor (RSNO Commission) World premiere
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Prokofiev: Symphony No5

Thomas Søndergård: conductor
Olga Kern: piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on February 07, 2019, 08:15:50 AM
tomorrow with the West Coast Symphony in Vancouver in an acoustically challenging cathedral setting
Jordan Nobles: Ouroboros
Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante Op. 125
Arvo Pärt: Symphony No. 3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 07, 2019, 08:21:50 AM
Tonight:

Harald Sæverud Kjempeviseslåtten
Dmitri Sjostakovitsj Violin Concerto no 1
Aaron Copland Symphony no. 3

Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester, Andrew Litton, Vadim Gluzman




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 08, 2019, 09:51:08 AM
Tonight's concert

Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor

Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 1 in D minor


Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate - guest conductor

Cameron Crozman - cello

Looking forward to this concert, even though I have heard the Dvorak Cello Concerto in concert before (2010 with Alban Gerhardt on the cello).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on February 08, 2019, 10:53:31 AM
Rachmaninof's first is a scorcher !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 08, 2019, 11:02:11 AM
Quote from: André on February 08, 2019, 10:53:31 AM
Rachmaninof's first is a scorcher !

Looking forward to it, André.  Which is good and apropos, as the name of the thread suggests.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 08, 2019, 12:10:23 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 08, 2019, 09:51:08 AM
Tonight's concert

Dvorak - Cello Concerto in B minor

Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 1 in D minor


Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Alexander Mickelthwate - guest conductor

Cameron Crozman - cello

Looking forward to this concert, even though I have heard the Dvorak Cello Concerto in concert before (2010 with Alban Gerhardt on the cello).

Very cool, Ray. I don't see the Rach 1st programmed often, should be a treat!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 08, 2019, 12:12:17 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on February 08, 2019, 12:10:23 PM
Very cool, Ray. I don't see the Rach 1st programmed often, should be a treat!

It's the first time in their 71 year history, that the WSO will be performing this symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 10, 2019, 06:38:21 AM
Quote from: The new erato on February 07, 2019, 08:21:50 AM
Tonight:

Harald Sæverud Kjempeviseslåtten
Dmitri Sjostakovitsj Violin Concerto no 1
Aaron Copland Symphony no. 3

Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester, Andrew Litton, Vadim Gluzman

Very cool program, erato. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 11, 2019, 05:50:00 AM
quite a schedule this week:


Tonight:

Marc Ribot's "Songs of Resistance"

--

Thursday:

Sol Gabetta, Violoncello
Kristian Bezuidenhout, Hammerklavier

Schumann, 5 Stücke im Volkston a-Moll op. 102
Schubert, Sonatine für Violine und Klavier D-Dur D 384 (bearbeitet für Violoncello)
Beethoven, Cellosonate Nr. 3 A-Dur op. 69

--

Friday:

Jacques Demierre – p / Louis Schild – elb / Paul Lovens – d

--

Saturday:

Mozart's Don Giovanni at Luzerner Theater:
https://www.luzernertheater.ch/dongiovanni
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on February 13, 2019, 01:29:38 AM
Quote from: pjme on February 06, 2019, 02:04:55 AM
In Antwerp, next Tuesday february 12th:

Cardillac by Paul Hindemith. New production with Simon Neal as Cardillac. Dimitri Jurowski conductor.

https://www.operaballet.be/nl/programma/2018-2019/cardillac

Blown away by the music and singing - less impressed by the direction. Cardillac clocks in at ca 1hour30. So the performance had (fortunately) no pauze.  Hindemith keeps the action going on at an(often very) brisk and relentless pace. The elegiac ending comes as a surprise and a relief.
I recently saw Jean Pierre Ponnelle's 1985 Munich version on YT. What a great director Ponnelle was!
Cardillac's libretto isnt flawless nor easy to follow. By deleting, e.g., the character of the King, Guy Joosten doesn't make things easier. Compared to that towering Munich - anno -1985 spectacle, this production looks fairly drab and cheap...but at no moment was I annoyed nor irritated.
More so, I enjoyed every minute of the music. Baroque meets the roaring twenties in a turbulent and gripping way. Excellent singers & chorus. Simon Neal is a youthfull,  Cardillac - more a silly egomaniac than a horrific monster. Due to the dry acoustic of the Antwerp operahouse, I wasn't really sure about Dimitri Jurowski's way of handling the dynamics. Much sounded fortissimo...
Congrats to Opera en Ballet Vlaanderen for this daring choice!

https://youtu.be/RJFNMGXQc1k

...with Russian subtitles....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 13, 2019, 01:55:29 AM
Quote from: pjme on February 13, 2019, 01:29:38 AM
Blown away by the music and singing - less impressed by the direction. Cardillac clocks in at ca 1hour30. So the performance had (fortunately) no pauze.  Hindemith keeps the action going on at an(often very) brisk and relentless pace. The elegiac ending comes as a surprise and a relief.
I recently saw Jean Pierre Ponnelle's 1985 Munich version on YT. What a great director Ponnelle was!
Cardillac's libretto isnt flawless nor easy to follow. By deleting, e.g., the character of the King, Guy Joosten doesn't make things easier. Compared to that towering Munich - anno -1985 spectacle, this production looks fairly drab and cheap...but at no moment was I annoyed nor irritated.
More so, I enjoyed every minute of the music. Baroque meets the roaring twenties in a turbulent and gripping way. Excellent singers & chorus. Simon Neal is a youthfull,  Cardillac - more a silly egomaniac than a horrific monster. Due to the dry acoustic of the Antwerp operahouse, I wasn't really sure about Dimitri Jurowski's way of handling the dynamics. Much sounded fortissimo...
Congrats to Opera en Ballet Vlaanderen for this daring choice!

https://youtu.be/RJFNMGXQc1k

...with Russian subtitles....
Great stuff, pjme! Sounds like a great night at the opera. I only have a  passing acquaintance with Cardillac,  and should revisit it soon (the recording on Wergo is the one I have ).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on February 21, 2019, 10:59:21 PM
Yesterdays very fine programme in Bergen:

Ludovic Morlot conductor
Augustin Hadelich violin
Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

Edgard Varèse  Tuning Up
Henri Dutilleux  L'arbre des Songes, violin concerto
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony no. 3 «Eroica»

Very nice evening!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 22, 2019, 03:58:00 AM
Quote from: The new erato on February 21, 2019, 10:59:21 PM
Yesterdays very fine programme in Bergen:

Ludovic Morlot conductor
Augustin Hadelich violin
Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester

Edgard Varèse  Tuning Up
Henri Dutilleux  L'arbre des Songes, violin concerto
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony no. 3 «Eroica»

Very nice evening!

Great program!  Glad you enjoyed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on February 22, 2019, 05:56:14 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 14, 2019, 07:22:28 AM
Just bought tickets for Das Rheingold at the Teatro Real here in Madrid (Friday Jan. 25th). Pablo Heras-Casado conducts, and the production (originally from Cologne) is by Robert Carsen.

Late reply but I hope you enjoyed it! That there is Wagner's greatest work (unless you count Ring as a one work) and it's what pulled me in classical music. Rheingold is coming back to Finnish National Opera this year, followed in the following years by the other operas of the cycle. It is a completely Finnish production. Tommi Hakala sings the role of Wotan and he is a really nice guy, I once had the honor to interview him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 22, 2019, 06:32:03 AM
Quote from: Alberich on February 22, 2019, 05:56:14 AM
Late reply but I hope you enjoyed it! That there is Wagner's greatest work (unless you count Ring as a one work) and it's what pulled me in classical music. Rheingold is coming back to Finnish National Opera this year, followed in the following years by the other operas of the cycle. It is a completely Finnish production. Tommi Hakala sings the role of Wotan and he is a really nice guy, I once had the honor to interview him.
I did enjoy it very much, Alberich, thanks.

Das Rheingold was also the work that drew to me to Wagner. I've said this story before: I saw the Karajan recording in a store as a teenager, and was intrigued the title. My dad bought the LPs for me, and now—more than 40 years later—I'm still hooked  :). FWIW, I consider Parsifal Wagner's greatest achievement, followed by Die Meistersinger, and then Das Rheigold.

I actually attended two performances here in Madrid. After having had bought tickets for a proscenium box for me and my partner, a dear friend of mine called me two hours before the opening performance, telling me that his wife couldn't attend, and so I joined him (he had prime seats in the stalls). It was good to enjoy the work from two different places in the auditorium. With these performances, I'll have seen this opera 7 times live in the theatre IIRC (conducted by Boulez, Leinsdorf, Haitink, Runnicles, K. Petrenko and Heras-Casado).

The Carsen production is rather intelligent, but not visually stunning. It gives an environmental twist to the story. The cast was uniformly strong if not great, and Pablo Heras-Casado handled the score very eloquently (again, I've said this before, but it's uncanny how this man's conductorial gestures resemble those of his one-time teacher Pierre Boulez). As will be the case in Finland, the other Ring operas will be given over the next three years here in Madrid.

Please do report on the Finnish Rheingold when the time comes.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 22, 2019, 06:57:08 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 22, 2019, 06:32:03 AM
I did enjoy it very much, Alberich, thanks.

Das Rheingold was also the work that drew to me to Wagner. I've said this story before: I saw the Karajan recording in a store as a teenager, and was intrigued the title. My dad bought the LPs for me, and now—more than 40 years later, I'm still hooked  :). FWIW, I consider Parsifal Wagner's greatest achievement, followed by Die Meistersinger, and then Das Rheigold.

I actually attended to performances here in Madrid. After having had bought tickets for a proscenium box for me and my partner, a dear friend of mine called me two hours before the opening performance, telling me that his eifrpe couldn't attend, and so I joined him (he had prime seats in the stalls). It was good to enjoy the work from two different places in the auditorium. With these performances, I'll have seen this opera 7 times live in the theatre IIRC (conducted by Boulez, Leinsdorf, Haitink, Runnicles, K. Petrenko and Heras-Casado).

The Carsen production is rather intelligent, but not visually stunning. It gives an environmental twist to the story. The cast was uniformly strong if not great, and Pablo Heras-Casado handled the score very eloquently (again, I've said this before, but it's uncanny how this man's conductorial gestures resemble those of his one-time teacher Pierre Boulez). As will be the case in Finland, the other Ring operas will be given over the next three years here in Madrid.

Please do report on the Finnish Rheingold when the time comes.  :)

Greetings, Rafael! This is always a great thing to read --- how the passion can come alive in a teenager and how the flame still burns to this day. You know, something similar happened to me with Bartók. About 10 years, my dad and I were shopping in a used CD store (they also sold DVDs and such) and my dad came across Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra (+ Hungarian Sketches, Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta) with Fritz Reiner conducting the CSO on RCA Living Stereo and my dad handed it to me and said "You mentioned Bartók many months ago. Here's a recording you might enjoy." I took it home and listened to it about 5 or 6 times in a row. The second recording of classical I heard was a Bernstein recording of Ives' Symphony No. 2, Central Park in the Dark, The Unanswered Question, etc. on Deutsche Grammophon with the New York Philharmonic. Needless to say, I was quite hooked now and I suppose you could say that Bartók and Ives (still absolute favorites of mine) were my introduction to this music and helped ignite the passion that still lasts to this day. Of course, when I discovered Debussy and Ravel, it was pretty much all over. ;D Debussy remains such an influence on my life and I would even dare to say, that he's my numero uno composer. At first, I didn't know what to make of his music, but his music has always been in the back of my mind somehow haunting me and caressing my mind until I finally made a connection and when this happened, I began an intensive research of everything I could find about him. Love this man's music dearly and couldn't imagine my life without it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 22, 2019, 07:18:13 AM
That's great, John. How lifelong passions can start by chance... :)

As you know, Debussy is also at the very top of my own personal canon. I got to him through Boulez: I got Boulez's recording of Parsifal and was blown away. Then I saw that this guys conducted Stravinsky, Debussy, etc. and said to myself "let's give this Debussy chap a try"  :D. One of the many things I have to thank Boulez for.  ;)

Cheers,
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 22, 2019, 07:31:33 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 22, 2019, 07:18:13 AM
That's great, John. How lifelong passions can start by chance... :)

As you know, Debussy is also at the very top of my own personal canon. I got to him through Boulez: I got Boulez's recording of Parsifal and was blown away. Then I saw that this guys conducted Stravinsky, Debussy, etc. and said to myself "let's give this Debussy chap a try"  :D. One of the many things I have to thank Boulez for.  ;)

Cheers,

Yes, indeed. :) Always fascinating how one composer can sometimes lead to another through one common vessel: a conductor, which in your case was Boulez. Nothing wrong with that! He was one of greats.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on February 25, 2019, 03:11:42 AM
Carefully deposited through the door moments ago along with a number of CDs that came gently to rest on the carpet (I tip my postman well at xmas ;D ) came these tickets -

(https://i.postimg.cc/wMtSYtwV/IMG-20190225-115332-993.jpg)
For those saving bandwidth it's Leonskaja performing Brahms D minor.
Now I must decide who I'll invite to accompany me.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 25, 2019, 03:51:40 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on February 25, 2019, 03:11:42 AM
Carefully deposited through the door moments ago along with a number of CDs that came gently to rest on the carpet (I tip my postman well at xmas ;D ) came these tickets -

(https://i.postimg.cc/wMtSYtwV/IMG-20190225-115332-993.jpg)
For those saving bandwidth it's Leonskaja performing Brahms D minor.
Now I must decide who I'll invite to accompany me.  8)
Great stuff, NikF. I'm not much of a Brahmín myself, but I'm sure you (and your still to be determined companion) will enjoy the concert.  :)

THREAD DUTY:

I might attend a concert at the auditorium of the Museo Reina Sofía next Monday March 4th. It's being held as a peripheral activity to the (IMHO not that interesting) exhibition "Lost, Loose and Loved", which deals with foreign painters in post-WW2 Paris, but is rather haphazardly put together. The Sinfonietta of the Reina Sofia Music School, under Jorge Rotter—who studied with Stockhausen, Kagel and Pousseur—, will perform a program that contains two all-time favourites of mine: Pierre Boulez's Mémoriale ("...explosante-fixe..." originel) and Georges Enesco's Chamber Symphony, op. 33. The rest of the program consists of Isang Yun's Distanzen (I'm not familiar with this work) and Paul Hindemith's Kammermusik nº 3, op. 36, nº 2 (which should be interesting, but I really cannot see what relation a work from 1925 bears to post-WW2 Paris  ::)). Admission is free, so I can decide in the last moment.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 25, 2019, 03:59:00 AM
Wonderful concert in nearby Huddersfield at their beautiful Town Hall.

Orchestra of Opera North
Boris Giltburg
Conductor Antony Hermus

Performing

Lyadov  Kikimora
Tchaikovsky  Piano Concerto No 1
Encore  Prokofiev  Diabolical Suggestion
Prokofiev  Symphony No 5

Boris was signing autographs so bought his Liszt CD which had

Paraphrase de concert sur Rigoletti
12 Études d'execution transcendante
3 Études de concert
No 3 La leggeirezza

Had the CD autographed along with the programme (I'm greedy when it comes to autographs lol)
He was very nice to talk to.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on February 25, 2019, 04:06:41 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 25, 2019, 03:51:40 AM
Great stuff, NikF. I'm not much of a Brahmín myself, but I'm sure you (and your still to be determined companion) will enjoy the concert.  :)

THREAD DUTY:

I might attend a concert at the auditorium of the Museo Reina Sofía next Monday March 4th. It's being held as a peripheral activity to the (IMHO not that interesting) exhibition "Lost, Loose and Loved", which deals with foreign painters in post-WW2 Paris, but is rather haphazardly put together. The Sinfonietta of the Reina Sofia Music School, under Jorge Rotter—who studied with Stockhausen, Kagel and Pousseur—, will perform a program that contains two all-time favourites of mine: Pierre Boulez's Mémoriale ("...explosante-fixe..." originel) and Georges Enesco's Chamber Symphony, op. 33. The rest of the program consists of Isang Yun's Distanzen (I'm not familiar with this work) and Paul Hindemith's Kammermusik nº 3, op. 36, nº 2 (which should be interesting, but I really cannot see what relation a work from 1925 bears to post-WW2 Paris  ::)). Admission is free, so I can decide in the last moment.

Yeah, I know you're not a fan of Brahms. Still, between your available options for concerts (and galleries - vis a vis your post about the recent Balthus exhibition) your options are rich and varied. So, continue to enjoy, mate - because that's what it's all about.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on February 25, 2019, 05:36:41 AM
Tomorrow, Jules Massenet's Thaïs at Finnish National Opera. I've seen this production earlier but I don't mind seeing it again, as it is a very good one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 25, 2019, 06:54:37 AM
28.2. - Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" at Zurich opera, Nello Santi conducting:

details:
https://www.opernhaus.ch/en/spielplan/calendar/lucia_di_lammermoor/season_50348/

--

1.3. - Seong-Jin Cho in recital

Bach, Chromatische Fantasie & Fuge d-Moll BWV 903
Schubert, Fantasie C-Dur D 760 «Wandererfantasie»
Chopin, Polonaise-Fantasie As-Dur op. 61
Mussorgsky, Bilder einer Ausstellung

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 27, 2019, 02:33:32 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 25, 2019, 06:54:37 AM
1.3. - Seong-Jin Cho in recital

Bach, Chromatische Fantasie & Fuge d-Moll BWV 903
Schubert, Fantasie C-Dur D 760 «Wandererfantasie»
Chopin, Polonaise-Fantasie As-Dur op. 61
Mussorgsky, Bilder einer Ausstellung

He cancelled (suddenly fell ill, or so they say) ... instead, Claire Huangci will play the following:

Domenico Scarlatti
Klaviersonate D-Dur K 443 L 418
Klaviersonate A-Dur K 208, L 238
Klaviersonate D-Dur K 29 L 461
Klaviersonate D-Dur K 435 L 361

Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne B-Dur op. 9 Nr. 3
Nocturne c-Moll op. 48 Nr. 1

Sergej Rachmaninow
Aus: "Morceaux de fantasie" op. 3, Nr. 2 Prélude cis-Moll
Aus: 10 Préludes op. 23 für Klavier, Nr. 1-7

Frédéric Chopin 24 Préludes op. 28

Was looking foward to hearing Seong-Jin Cho, whom I didn't yet know either but read/heard about a bit ... Huangci is a complete unknown to me so far.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 27, 2019, 04:22:09 AM
Quote from: king ubu on February 27, 2019, 02:33:32 AM
He cancelled (suddenly fell ill, or so they say) ... instead, Claire Huangci will play the following:

Domenico Scarlatti
Klaviersonate D-Dur K 443 L 418
Klaviersonate A-Dur K 208, L 238
Klaviersonate D-Dur K 29 L 461
Klaviersonate D-Dur K 435 L 361

Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne B-Dur op. 9 Nr. 3
Nocturne c-Moll op. 48 Nr. 1

Sergej Rachmaninow
Aus: "Morceaux de fantasie" op. 3, Nr. 2 Prélude cis-Moll
Aus: 10 Préludes op. 23 für Klavier, Nr. 1-7

Frédéric Chopin 24 Préludes op. 28

Was looking foward to hearing Seong-Jin Cho, whom I didn't yet know either but read/heard about a bit ... Huangci is a complete unknown to me so far.

Wow, only in Europe could an artist that exciting be replaced by an artist at least as exciting. I'm a big fan of Huangci's recorded work and envious!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on February 27, 2019, 06:24:52 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 27, 2019, 04:22:09 AM
Wow, only in Europe could an artist that exciting be replaced by an artist at least as exciting. I'm a big fan of Huangci's recorded work and envious!

I can get 1-3 free tickets but no one I asked so far wants 'em - so if you book a flight and a hotel ...  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 27, 2019, 09:33:00 AM
Friday evening's upcoming concert!

Bacewicz - Concerto for string orchestra

Paderewski - Piano Concerto in A minor

Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 3 in A minor 'Scottish'

Janina Fialkowska - piano
Gemma New - guest conductor
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Really looking forward to this concert.  Only recently familiar with the Paderewski concerto, and have not yet heard the Bacewicz work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 01, 2019, 06:01:57 AM
This Saturday

Beethoven | Coriolan
Tchaikovsky | Violin Concerto
Walton | Symphony No. 1

Karen Gomyo
Dallas SO
Carlos Kalmar

Feels appropriate to be seeing the Walton live just days after the death of its greatest advocate.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 01, 2019, 07:54:13 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 01, 2019, 06:01:57 AM
This Saturday

Beethoven | Coriolan
Tchaikovsky | Violin Concerto
Walton | Symphony No. 1

Karen Gomyo
Dallas SO
Carlos Kalmar

Feels appropriate to be seeing the Walton live just days after the death of its greatest advocate.

Kalmar is great. Should be a good concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on March 02, 2019, 07:46:49 AM
In a couple of hours:

Gustav Mahler   
Nicht zu schnell
dal Quartetto con pianoforte in la min.
(orchestrazione di Colin Matthews)
Prima esecuzione in Italia

Symphonisches Präludium
(ricostruzione di Albrecht Gürsching)
Prima esecuzione in Italia

Sinfonia n.5 in do diesis min.

Filarmonica della Scala, Riccardo Chailly
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 03, 2019, 02:53:39 AM
Claire Huangci's recital was amazing to watch ... and quite amazing, all things considered. The only quibble is that in that flow of music I'd have wished for some more active shaping of things. I think I loved the Scarlatti sonatas she played for starters best, all things considered (and am tempted to look for her Scarlatti disc now). The Chopin and Rach was mighty fine to witness live, but I don't feel like this is the kind of take on the music I feel like listening at home.

The night before, Lucia di Lammermoor, conducted by the great Nello Santi was quite wonderful indeed! He is much loved in Zurich (one of the places he's been living at for many decades) and still appears at the opera once in a while. Last I saw "L'Elisir d'amore", now "Lucia" ... a very lyrical take, beautifully sung and played, with a wonderful Lucia in Nina Minasyan (didn't know her at all before).

--

Coming up next week:

Monday night: Anja Harteros in recital (Wolfram Rieger at the piano)
Tuesday night: Heinz Holliger, Oliver Schnyder and friends playing Beethoven's Quintet op. 16, Mozart's Quintet KV 452 and more
Thursday night: La Scintilla/Riccardo Minasi - Bach's Brandenburg concertos
Sunday night: Janine Jansen/Alexander Gavrylyuk with R. Schumann's sonata no. 1 op. 105, C. Schumann's Drei Romanzen op. 22, Brahms' sonata no. 2 op. 100 and Franck's sonata

quite busy indeed, and the week after won't be any better  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 04, 2019, 12:44:31 PM
Quote from: ritter on February 25, 2019, 03:51:40 AM

I might attend a concert at the auditorium of the Museo Reina Sofía next Monday March 4th. It's being held as a peripheral activity to the (IMHO not that interesting) exhibition "Lost, Loose and Loved", which deals with foreign painters in post-WW2 Paris, but is rather haphazardly put together. The Sinfonietta of the Reina Sofia Music School, under Jorge Rotter—who studied with Stockhausen, Kagel and Pousseur—, will perform a program that contains two all-time favourites of mine: Pierre Boulez's Mémoriale ("...explosante-fixe..." originel) and Georges Enesco's Chamber Symphony, op. 33. The rest of the program consists of Isang Yun's Distanzen (I'm not familiar with this work) and Paul Hindemith's Kammermusik nº 3, op. 36, nº 2 (which should be interesting, but I really cannot see what relation a work from 1925 bears to post-WW2 Paris  ::)). Admission is free, so I can decide in the last moment.
Just back from this, and it was superb! I felt privileged of having been able to hear two all-time favourite works of mine in concert, Boulez's MémorialeGala Kossakowski was very seductive as the solo flutist—and Enesco's Chamber Symphony. The latter I had never heard live, and it's mesmerising; the dense harmonies, the lace-like counterpoint and the kaleidoscopic shift in focus from one instrument to the next throughout the whole piece. An extraordinary composition!

Isang Yun's Distanzen was completely new to me, and most interesting; very expressive (perhaps too obviously so at points), with some oriental touches interlaced with its modern idiom. I'll probably explore this man's music further.

The final piece, Hindemith's Kammermusik No, 3 I hadn't listened to in ages. Not something I'm really crazy about, but an interesting and archetypal Hindemith composition (expressionism meets neoclassicism meets new objectivity, peppered with some grotesque touches). Just listen to some of the writing for woodwind, and you know who the composer is right away  ;). Again, the soloist, cellist Minji Kim, was outstanding.

Argentine conductor Jorge Rotter shaped each piece beautifully, and the students of the Reina Sofia Music School played as if their lives depended on it (I think no single musician played in more than one piece). Beautiful concert!   :) :) :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 04, 2019, 06:28:48 PM
Quote from: ritter on March 04, 2019, 12:44:31 PM
Just back from this, and it was superb! I felt privileged of having been able to hear two all-time favviurire works of mine in concert, Boulez's MémorialeGala Kossakowski was very seductive as the solo flutist—and Enesco's Chamber Symphony. The latter I had never heard live, and it's mesmerising; the dense harmonies, the lace-like counterpoint and the kaleidoscopic shift in focus from one instrument to the next throughout the whole piece. An extraordinary composition!

Isang Yun's Distanzen was completely new to me, and most interesting; very expressive (perhaps too obviously so at points), with some oriental touches interlaced with its modern idiom. I'll probably explore this man's music further.

The final piece, Hindemith's Kammermusik No, 3 I hadn't listened to in ages. Not something I'm really crazy about, but an interesting and archetypal Hindemith composition (expressionism meets neoclassicism meets new objectivity, peppered with some grotesque touches). Just listen to some of the writing for woodwind, and you know who the composer is right away  ;). Again, the soloist, cellist Minji Kim, was outstanding.

Argentine conductor Jorge Rotter shaped each piece beautifully, and the students of the Reina Sofia Music School played as if their lives depended on it (I think no single musician played in more than one piece). Beautiful concert!   :) :) :)

Sounds like a great concert, Rafael. Wish I could have seen it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ken B on March 04, 2019, 06:46:18 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 27, 2019, 09:33:00 AM
Friday evening's upcoming concert!

Bacewicz - Concerto for string orchestra

Paderewski - Piano Concerto in A minor

Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 3 in A minor 'Scottish'

Janina Fialkowska - piano
Gemma New - guest conductor
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Really looking forward to this concert.  Only recently familiar with the Paderewski concerto, and have not yet heard the Bacewicz work.

Gemma is the musical director here in Hamilton. Very appealing personality on the podium, and seems to do a good job.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 04, 2019, 10:57:45 PM
Anja Harteros was ... wow! I'm still in a kind of trance remembering it! This was the programme:

Ludwig van Beethoven
An die Hoffnung Op. 32

Franz Schubert
Rastlose Liebe Op. 5 Nr. 1
Im Frühling (Nachlass) Lfg. 25
Der Jüngling an der Quelle (Nachlass) Lfg. 36
Litanei (Nachlass) Lfg. 10

Robert Schumann
Stille Tränen Op. 35 Nr. 10
Was will die einsame Träne? Op. 25 Nr. 21
Ich wandelte unter den Bäumen Op. 24 Nr. 3
Der Hidalgo Op. 30 Nr. 3



Johannes Brahms
Der Strom, der neben mir verrauschte Op. 32 Nr. 4
Liebestreu Op. 3 Nr. 1
Auf dem Kirchhof Op. 15 Nr. 4
Wie rafft' ich mich auf Op. 32 Nr. 1
Am Sonntag Morgen Op. 49 Nr. 1
Der Gang zum Liebchen Op. 48 Nr. 1
Meine Liebe ist grün Op. 63 Nr. 5

Hugo Wolf
Gesang Weylas
Verschwiegene Liebe
Verborgenheit
Storchenbotschaft
Er ist's

ENCORE: Richard Strauss
Zueignung Op. 10 Nr. 1
Morgen! Op. 27 Nr. 4

The way she is able to control her voice, do everything from the smallest pianissimo (still easily filling the room), including looooooooong held notes at the lowest volume ... there's hardly and (I think there were about two the whole evening) disruptures when she changes register ... and of course she has a talent as an actress, so "Der Hidalgo" and "Storchenbotschaft" became quite hilarious. The sadness, the beauty, the ... bonheur (luck is not the same, sorry). I was actually ready to die when the final chord of "Morgen!" disappeared in the air.


---

Tonight - still no info on who the "friends" are (or if Holliger will be the second pianist in his and Kurtág's pieces) ... both quintets are new to me:

Heinz Holliger, Oboe
Oliver Schnyder, Klavier
& Freunde

Ludwig van Beethoven Quintett in Es-Dur op. 16
Heinz Holliger Der zwanzigfingerige ChineSenn (Klavier 4-händig)
--
György Kurtg Jatekok (Klavier 4-händig)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Quintett in Es-Dur KV 452
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 05, 2019, 04:05:37 AM
Quote from: Ken B on March 04, 2019, 06:46:18 PM
Gemma is the musical director here in Hamilton. Very appealing personality on the podium, and seems to do a good job.

Ken, it was a great concert.  AND, Gemma New does have a great personality!  Attended her pre-concert chat.  I would love to see her return again for future concerts.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wendell_E on March 08, 2019, 02:31:22 AM
I just bought a ticket for tomorrow's Pensacola Symphony performance of Mahler's 6th, a work I've never heard live. They did a wonderful 3rd a couple of seasons ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on March 08, 2019, 02:48:28 AM
PROGRAMME:
Works by Schumann, Clara (1819-1896)
Works by Schumann, Robert (1810-1856)
Works by Brahms, Johannes (1833-1897)

PERFORMERS:
Royal College of Music students

We were given tickets for this and next to no info other than that. But why not attend? And it's nicely situated in a part of the day when a late lunch can be enjoyed afterwards.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on March 08, 2019, 03:18:06 AM
Quote from: Wendell_E on March 08, 2019, 02:31:22 AM
I just bought a ticket for tomorrow's Pensacola Symphony performance of Mahler's 6th, a work I've never heard live. They did a wonderful 3rd a couple of seasons ago.

That sounds great. Hope you enjoy it.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 08, 2019, 04:21:58 AM
Quote from: Wendell_E on March 08, 2019, 02:31:22 AM
I just bought a ticket for tomorrow's Pensacola Symphony performance of Mahler's 6th, a work I've never heard live. They did a wonderful 3rd a couple of seasons ago.

I hope you enjoy the concert, Wendell.  Hearing the 6th live about 8 years ago was a wonderful experience!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 08, 2019, 05:52:13 AM
I just received the next season's brochure of the Orchestre métropolitain (Montréal). Yannick Nézet-Séguin will share conducting duties with various guests, all of them young and unknown. The ad proudly announces that 80% of the visiting conductors are women. This is the first time I see that used as a selling line. Maybe they have a point.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 09, 2019, 03:23:31 PM
In an hour:

Schumann
Samuel Carl Adams (son of John C.)
Dvorak

Piano quintets

Alexander String Quarter + Joyce Yang, piano

Cool to see three big quintets in one evening, from artists I have admired for years, including a piece that got its world premiere from these players just a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 09, 2019, 03:31:41 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 09, 2019, 03:23:31 PM
In an hour:

Schumann
Samuel Carl Adams (son of John C.)
Dvorak

Piano quintets

Alexander String Quarter + Joyce Yang, piano

Cool to see three big quintets in one evening, from artists I have admired for years, including a piece that got its world premiere from these players just a few weeks ago.

The Dvořák and Schumann should be good.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 09, 2019, 11:49:11 PM
Thursday, 21 March 2019

Maison de la Radio - Auditorium de Radio France, Paris

Sergueï Rachmaninov

Trio élégiaque n°1
Rhapsodie sur un thème de Paganini

Richard Strauss
Don Quichotte

Makoto Ozone piano
Edgar Moreau violoncelle
Jean-Philippe Kuzma violon
Catherine De Vençay violoncelle

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Lahav Shani piano et direction
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on March 10, 2019, 12:11:35 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 09, 2019, 03:31:41 PM
The Dvořák and Schumann should be good.
:laugh:

I didn't know John (C.) Adams had a composer son...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 10, 2019, 07:35:07 AM
Quote from: GioCar on March 10, 2019, 12:11:35 AM
:laugh:

I didn't know John (C.) Adams had a composer son...

I knew he did, but I choose to ignore it. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on March 10, 2019, 09:39:58 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 10, 2019, 07:35:07 AM
...I choose to ignore it. ;D
I knew that  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 10, 2019, 09:42:37 AM
The Montreal Symphony season for 2019-20 has been announced and is the most interesting by far in a number of years. It's also Nagano's last. Plenty of guest conductors are lined up, and one of them will presumably be chosen as the orchestra's next MD. Suspense...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on March 11, 2019, 12:55:51 AM
last week:

Heinz Holliger, Oliver Schnyder & Friends – Zürich, Tonhalle-Maag – 05.03.2019

Heinz Holliger Oboe, Klavier
Oliver Schnyder Klavier
Sérgio Fernandes Pires Klarinette
Andrea Cellacchi Fagott
Pascal Deuber Horn

Ludwig van Beethoven Klavierquintett Es-Dur Op. 16
György Kurtág aus ,,Játékok" (Spiele) für Klavier zu vier Händen

Heinz Holliger BMC, für Marta & György, für Klavier solo (Uraufführung)
Heinz Holliger Der zwanzigfingerige ChineSenn, aus ,,Chinderliecht", für Klavier zu vier Händen
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Klavierquintett Es-Dur KV 452

Couldn't miss the opportunity to catch Holliger playing oboe - although these piano & winds quintets are hardly favourites of mine so far. The Beethoven was a bit difficult for me, coming from work, adjusting to concert mode ... I'm sure they played it splendidly, but so far it's not a piece I connect with really. The Holliger was scheduled to follow before the break, but the not pre-announced premiere performance of his new piece "BMC" (Budapest Music Center, the place where the Kurtágs live) caused the switch. So before the break, Holliger sat down to Schnyder's left and they played three pieces from "Játékok" - great fun, they ought to have played 30 pieces really! After the break, Holliger played his new piece on the piano, then was joined by Schnyder again for the piece chosen from his children's pieces/tales cycle, where one pianist (Holliger as far as I could see) only plays the ivories, while the other only plays the ebonies ... so there you go, a mix of c major and c sharp pentatonic - pretty weird, pretty dissonant, pretty charming, too (made me think of the Oulipo movement, of which there's a fine new series of German translations coming out couertesy of Diaphanes). The Mozart to end things then was a most pleasant surprise - so far I never connected with it either, but this time it just worked dandily, a most enjoyable piece with such a wide array of colours, and of course all of those to-die-for melodies that Mozart always invented. Gorgeous! As an encore they just did the last movement again, and even better I found.

--

1. La Scintilla-Konzert – Zürich, Opernhaus – 07.03.2019

Orchestra La Scintilla
Riccardo Minasi
Violine, Viola & Leitung

Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburgische Konzerte 1-6 (BWV 1046-1051)

To kick off the 20th anniversary season of La Scintilla has played all six concerts pour plusieurs instruments by that guy Sebastian Bach, which later got to be known as "Brandenburg Concertos". Officially founded in 1998 as a split of the orchestra of the Zurich Opera, La Scintilla has a much longer history harking back to the legendary Monteverdi and Mozart productions with Harnoncour/Ponelle (alas before my time) - they have invited Riccardo Minasi to conduct (and play) the full run of four concerts.

It was wonderful to hear these in concert (a first for me) and again, finally fully connect with the music, via experiencing how it's orchestrated and all that (I know that can be done by listening at home - and maybe doing some reading, but a concert just beats everything else). In the first, the horns were amazing (but obviously you can still shock the petty bourgeois public with the sound of old winds) and Minasi played both the violino piccolo and a regular violin. On the second, the trumpet was just dandy, but it was the third that was my highlight of the first half, with the three trios (three violins, violas and celli), all of them playing their own (solo) voices, with a small continuo (hps and bass) - what an amazing piece of music!

Concertos nos. 4-6 I found even better, although the balance was a bit off with the recorders and the traverso - not the ensemble's fault really, but rather the room's which just swallowed too much of the flute sounds before they made it my way, up on the central gallery. No. 5 was fantastic, Mahan Esfahani played the harpsichord the dual-manual one, including some call-and-response effects (for a few of the concertos he played another, one-manual instrument), and he first got applause for his long cadenza right after the others resumed playing, than got a loooooong applause after that movement, and another one after the concerto was finished. No. 6 was another highlight, with Minasi playing one of the two violas now - what a wonderful sound!

--

Janine Jansen/Alexander Gavrylyuk – Kammermusiksoirée – Zürich, Tonhalle-Maag – 10.03.2019

Janine Jansen Violine
Alexander Gavrylyuk Klavier

Robert Schumann Sonate Nr. 1 a-Moll op. 105
Clara Schumann Drei Romanzen op. 22
Johannes Brahms Sonate Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100 ,,Thuner Sonate"

César Franck Sonate A-Dur
Zugabe: Lili Boulanger Nocturne

Sunday late afternoon, Tonhalle's artist in residence of the 2018/19 season, Janine Jansen, had her penultimate appearence (fourth of five total, should have been six but she had to cancel one), this time in a chamber setting - and that made perfect sense, as her last appearance with Mozart's fifth concerto was going in that direction: an intimate reading that was not a shiny solo performance, but rather a dialogue with the orchestra (which was rather small, but still too large to make it fully work, I thought). Now with Gavrylyuk (new to me) she had a splendid partner on stage, he was attentive and at the same time strong in his own right ... the first half was kind of a Schumann kin set, with the sonata by Robert and the pieces by Clara wonderful indeed. The Brahms gives me a bit less, musically, but it was played very well, too (it was also the only of the pieces I've already heard in concert, about a year ago with Julia Fischer/Yulianna Avdeeva - that was another great Sunday afternoon recital). After the break, the Franck sonata was to follow ... and with Jansen's approach, indeed that well-known (and beloved) piece sounded almost as if she and Gavrylyuk were just inventing it while they were going ... stunning! And they played a nice encore, too.


--

Next up:

Enrico Onofri/Zürcher Kammerorchester (Händel, Geminiani, Sammartini, Galuppi, Barsanti) - March 19
Collegium Novum Zurich/Heinz Holliger (Zimmermann, Huber, Kurtág, Schreker) - March 23
Béatrice Berrut (Schumann, Liszt etc.) - Solothurn, March 24
Rachel Harnisch/Jan Philip Schulze (Schubert, Mahler, Strauss, Crumb) - March 25

Thinking of skipping the CNZ only because there's just too much going on ... but I bet it would be great!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on March 12, 2019, 05:12:14 AM
Went to a wonderful one last weekend
Oslo Philharmonic
Soloist Nikolai Lugansky
Vasily Petrenko

Tchaikovsky Romeo & Juliet
Grieg Piano Concerto
Rachmaninov Symphony no 1

Encores. Rachmaninov Etudes tableaux ( not sure which one)
Elgar Chanson de Matin

Third time have seen Petrenko live, twice with RLPO and one with Oslo. Live or recorded has never let me down🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on March 13, 2019, 10:18:09 AM
Janacek: Katya Kabanova

I'm not at at all familiar with this work, although I'm sure many forum posters (inc. North Star?) are. In any case, at relatively short notice two tickets have come my way and I can think of a couple of candidates who would be glad to accompany me, one of whom has never attended any kind of live performance before.

https://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/theatre-royal-43/katya-kabanova/12-march-2019/19-15
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on March 13, 2019, 10:18:43 AM
Quote from: Judith on March 12, 2019, 05:12:14 AM
Went to a wonderful one last weekend
Oslo Philharmonic
Soloist Nikolai Lugansky
Vasily Petrenko

Tchaikovsky Romeo & Juliet
Grieg Piano Concerto
Rachmaninov Symphony no 1

Encores. Rachmaninov Etudes tableaux ( not sure which one)
Elgar Chanson de Matin

Third time have seen Petrenko live, twice with RLPO and one with Oslo. Live or recorded has never let me down🎼🎼

Sounds really good.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 29, 2019, 01:39:46 AM
May at the Concertgebouw:

Beethoven: Missa solemnis in D major, op. 123

Freiburger Barockorchester
RIAS Kammerchor
conductor
René Jacobs
soprano
Polina Pastirchak
alt.alto
Patricia Bardon
tenor
Steve Davislim
bass
Johannes Weisser



Berlioz: Requiem, H 75, op. 5 'Grande messe des morts'

Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest
conductor
Antonio Pappano
tenor
Javier Camarena
Groot Omroepkoor
Koor van de Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 29, 2019, 06:31:50 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on March 13, 2019, 10:18:09 AM
Janacek: Katya Kabanova

I'm not at at all familiar with this work, although I'm sure many forum posters (inc. North Star?) are. In any case, at relatively short notice two tickets have come my way and I can think of a couple of candidates who would be glad to accompany me, one of whom has never attended any kind of live performance before.

https://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/theatre-royal-43/katya-kabanova/12-march-2019/19-15

This is my favorite opera from Janáček, Nik. This should be a memorable performance as it's really one of his most passionate works.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on March 29, 2019, 06:45:29 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on March 29, 2019, 06:31:50 AM
This is my favorite opera from Janáček, Nik. This should be a memorable performance as it's really one of his most passionate works.

We were told that tickets were for the performance taking place on the 16th, but when we went to collect them were then told it had been for the 14th...

e:
(https://i.postimg.cc/D0F9F78L/IMG-20190329-152315-335.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 29, 2019, 06:48:21 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on March 29, 2019, 06:45:29 AM
We were told thrt tickets were for the performance taking place on the 16th, but when we went to collect them were told it had been for the 14th...

Well, will the 14th be a problem? If not, enjoy my friend. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 29, 2019, 07:25:23 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on March 13, 2019, 10:18:09 AM
Janacek: Katya Kabanova

I'm not at at all familiar with this work, although I'm sure many forum posters (inc. North Star?) are. In any case, at relatively short notice two tickets have come my way and I can think of a couple of candidates who would be glad to accompany me, one of whom has never attended any kind of live performance before.

https://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/theatre-royal-43/katya-kabanova/12-march-2019/19-15

A great opera. I have seen it 3-4 times at the Met, though they haven't done it in awhile, and each time was quite moved. One time was -- believe it or not -- on Christmas Day! (As wonderful as it is, it's not exactly everyone's "holiday favorite."  ;D )

Of course, there are no guarantees in a live performance, but you are likely in for a marvelous experience. Do report back, please.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 29, 2019, 11:34:43 AM
What Concerts Are You Hoping People in New York Are Going To?

May 8:

Mozart, Wind Quintet in E-flat Major, K. 452 (arr. for nonet by Jean Françaix)
de Falla, Harpsichord Concerto in D Major
Martinů, Harpsichord Concerto, H. 246
Strauss, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28 (arr. for nonet by Brett Dean)

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord

damn that's cool.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 29, 2019, 03:25:32 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 29, 2019, 11:34:43 AM
What Concerts Are You Hoping People in New York Are Going To?

May 8:

Mozart, Wind Quintet in E-flat Major, K. 452 (arr. for nonet by Jean Françaix)
de Falla, Harpsichord Concerto in D Major
Martinů, Harpsichord Concerto, H. 246
Strauss, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28 (arr. for nonet by Brett Dean)

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord

damn that's cool.

Yeah it is. Especially for the Eulenspiegels arrangement.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 29, 2019, 08:16:59 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 29, 2019, 11:34:43 AM
What Concerts Are You Hoping People in New York Are Going To?

May 8:

Mozart, Wind Quintet in E-flat Major, K. 452 (arr. for nonet by Jean Françaix)
de Falla, Harpsichord Concerto in D Major
Martinů, Harpsichord Concerto, H. 246
Strauss, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Op. 28 (arr. for nonet by Brett Dean)

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord

damn that's cool.

Very cool program, especially the Martinů and Falla.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 02:38:44 AM
The catalogue for the RSNO new concert season arrived just now. This concert is already on my list.

Vaughan Williams: Overture to The Wasps
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite (1945)
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
Vaughan Williams: The Future World Premiere

Martin Yates CONDUCTOR
Sharon Roffman VIOLIN
Ilona Domnich SOPRANO
RSNO Chorus
Gregory Batsleer DIRECTOR, RSNO CHORUS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 01, 2019, 03:44:24 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 29, 2019, 07:25:23 AM
A great opera. I have seen it 3-4 times at the Met, though they haven't done it in awhile, and each time was quite moved. One time was -- believe it or not -- on Christmas Day! (As wonderful as it is, it's not exactly everyone's "holiday favorite."  ;D )

Of course, there are no guarantees in a live performance, but you are likely in for a marvelous experience. Do report back, please.

--Bruce
A great way to spend the holidays with the in-laws!  :laugh:

Quote from: NikF4 on March 13, 2019, 10:18:09 AM
Janacek: Katya Kabanova

I'm not at at all familiar with this work, although I'm sure many forum posters (inc. North Star?) are. In any case, at relatively short notice two tickets have come my way and I can think of a couple of candidates who would be glad to accompany me, one of whom has never attended any kind of live performance before.

https://bachtrack.com/opera-listing/theatre-royal-43/katya-kabanova/12-march-2019/19-15
Yes, as Bruce and John said, a wonderful work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 05:17:24 AM
Quote from: North Star on April 01, 2019, 03:44:24 AM
A great way to spend the holidays with the in-laws!  :laugh:
Yes, as Bruce and John said, a wonderful work.

Cheers. Yeah, hopefully I'll manage to catch it one day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 01, 2019, 05:36:15 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 02:38:44 AM
Vaughan Williams: The Future World Premiere

Never saw any mention of it before, and I see that the programme announces it as "an amazing rediscovery: The Future, a visionary masterpiece for chorus and orchestra that's never been heard before".  ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 05:53:12 AM
Quote from: Christo on April 01, 2019, 05:36:15 AM
Never saw any mention of it before, and I see that the programme announces it as "an amazing rediscovery: The Future, a visionary masterpiece for chorus and orchestra that's never been heard before".  ???

Christo, I thought maybe that it was maybe one of those cases where there's small print such as '*premiered in this format' or something. So it's new to you? If no one here knows anything about it I'll ask around.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 01, 2019, 07:22:56 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 05:53:12 AM
Christo, I thought maybe that it was maybe one of those cases where there's small print such as '*premiered in this format' or something. So it's new to you? If no one here knows anything about it I'll ask around.
It appears to be a 1908 setting of a poem by Matthew Arnold - so the RVW studies tell us (some online). But indeed I'd never heard anything about it before, will check (don't have the book here) if Michael Kennedy knows more about it.

E.g. here: https://books.google.nl/books?id=HgkHDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA136&lpg=PA136&dq=%22The+future%22+%22Vaughan+Williams%22+%22Matthew+Arnold%22&source=bl&ots=K3zkl7wa7o&sig=ACfU3U1YUKr383a-ZGf1C0BELPETGGA-AQ&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd89zymK_hAhULuRoKHdghBSEQ6AEwAHoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22The%20future%22%20%22Vaughan%20Williams%22%20%22Matthew%20Arnold%22&f=false
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 07:30:13 AM
Quote from: Christo on April 01, 2019, 07:22:56 AM
It appears to be a 1908 setting of a poem by Matthew Arnold - so the RVW studies tell us (some online). But indeed I'd never heard anything about it before, will check (don't have the book here) if Michael Kennedy knows more about it.

E.g. here: https://books.google.nl/books?id=HgkHDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA136&lpg=PA136&dq=%22The+future%22+%22Vaughan+Williams%22+%22Matthew+Arnold%22&source=bl&ots=K3zkl7wa7o&sig=ACfU3U1YUKr383a-ZGf1C0BELPETGGA-AQ&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd89zymK_hAhULuRoKHdghBSEQ6AEwAHoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22The%20future%22%20%22Vaughan%20Williams%22%20%22Matthew%20Arnold%22&f=false

That's interesting indeed. And it must be cool and exciting for those who are hugely familiar with a composer's work to have something 'new' turn up relatively late in the day.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on April 01, 2019, 08:14:47 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 07:30:13 AM
That's interesting indeed. And it must be cool and exciting for those who are hugely familiar with a composer's work to have something 'new' turn up relatively late in the day.
It is. Though speaking solely for myself, I'm not a huge fan of his pre-1910 compositions generally speaking (the Tallis Fantasia is the main starting point), and suspect that won't change overnight with this discovery.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 08:18:29 AM
Quote from: Christo on April 01, 2019, 07:56:17 AM
It is. Though speaking solely for myself, I'm not a huge fan of his 1908 compositions generally speaking (the 1910 Tallis Fantasia is the main starting point), and suspect that won't change overnight with this discovery.  ;D

Fair enough.  :)
I don't know his work anywhere near the way the members of this forum do, but I remember the first time I heard A London Symphony how it stopped me in my tracks. And I think that was written in 1912 or thereabouts? Anyway, I'm looking forward to the whole concert programme.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 01, 2019, 09:50:15 AM
Quote from: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 02:38:44 AM
The catalogue for the RSNO new concert season arrived just now. This concert is already on my list.

Vaughan Williams: Overture to The Wasps
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite (1945)
Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte
Vaughan Williams: The Future World Premiere

Martin Yates CONDUCTOR
Sharon Roffman VIOLIN
Ilona Domnich SOPRANO
RSNO Chorus
Gregory Batsleer DIRECTOR, RSNO CHORUS
Really cool, NikF! To attend the world premiere of a work (be it early or late) of a composer one admires is an occasion to savour. Congratulations on getting those tickets...  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NikF4 on April 01, 2019, 10:06:41 AM
Quote from: ritter on April 01, 2019, 09:50:15 AM
Really cool, NikF! To attend the world premiere of a work (be it early or late) of a composer one admires is an occasion to savour. Congratulations on getting those tickets...  :)
Yeah, absolutely. Cheers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 02, 2019, 11:31:22 AM
I'll be visiting my daughter in London this weekend (she's been working as an architect there since last September), and we might attend the concert of the JACK Quartet at the Wigmore Hall on Saturday night. Elliott Carter's 5 SQs are on the program! Actually, I've already seen 4 of them live here in Madrid many years ago, played by the Arditti SQ (the Fifth SQ hadn't yet been composed at the time). On that occasion, it was over two evenings (the Carter SQs were interspersed with some of Bartók's), but this time it would be "all Carter, nothing but Carter", in one go.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on April 03, 2019, 12:22:33 AM
Had a "double whammy" last weekend.

Saturday evening went to see local orchestra "Sinfonia of Leeds".

They performed

Stravinsky
Symphonies of Wind Instruments

Part
Tabula Rasa

Brahms
Symphony No 4

Soloists 
David Greed and Andrew Long

Conductor
Anthony Kraus

Lovely concert that was something a bit different and one of the best interpretations I have heard of the Brahms.  They performed it just how I like it with the right tempo and texture.


Sunday afternoon saw "Leeds Haydn Players"

Performing

Rossini
Overture to Il Signor Bruschino

Haydn
Symphony no 44 in E Minor

Rossini
Introduction, theme and variations for clarinet and orchestra

Schubert
Symphony no 3 in D Major

Soloist
Benjamin Palmer

Conductor
Christopher Pelly

The Rossini Overture was unusual as the orchestra stamped their feet, but I do have a recording where it sounds like maracas.  In saying that, when watching on U Tube, they tapped their instruments so I am wondering what did Rossini intend!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 03, 2019, 12:32:37 AM
Quote from: Judith on April 03, 2019, 12:22:33 AM
Rossini
Overture to Il Signor Bruschino

The Rossini Overture was unusual as the orchestra stamped their feet, but I do have a recording where it sounds like maracas.  In saying that, when watching on U Tube, they tapped their instruments so I am wondering what did Rossini intend!!

AfaIk, in the score Rossini instructed the second violins to tap their bows on the music stands.

Great concerts, especially the second one.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on April 03, 2019, 12:41:21 AM
Quote from: Florestan on April 03, 2019, 12:32:37 AM
AfaIk, in the score Rossini instructed the second violins to tap their bows on the music stands.

Great concerts, especially the second one.
Thank you. They were both wonderful concerts🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 03, 2019, 09:39:03 AM
Quote from: ritter on April 02, 2019, 11:31:22 AM
I'll be visiting my daughter in London this weekend (she's been working as an architect there since last September), and we might attend the concert of the JACK Quartet at the Wigmore Hall on Saturday night. Elliott Carter's 5 SQs are on the program! Actually, I've already seen 4 of them live here in Madrid many years ago, played by the Arditti SQ (the Fifth SQ hadn't yet been composed at the time). On that occasion, it was over two evenings (the Carter SQs were interspersed with some of Bartók's), but this time it would be "all Carter, nothing but Carter", in one go.  :)

Do report if you go! I am seeing that same concert in two weeks here, at the Morgan Library.  8)

Meanwhile, this weekend: two all-Bartók evenings with Iván Fischer and Budapest Festival Orchestra. Includes blockbusters (Mandarin, the Concerto, Bluebeard) but some rarities, at least here: folk songs for chorus, both with and without orchestra.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: king ubu on April 06, 2019, 08:14:32 AM
Heard a few wonderful concerts lately:

A piano recital by Béatrice Berrut including the Schumann "concert sans orchestre" and an amazing performance of the b minor sonata by Liszt (Solothurn, March 24)

--

A Liederabend by soprano Rachel Harnisch and Jan Philip Schulze on piano, featuring a programme with groups of songs by Schubert, Mahler and R. Strauss revolving around live, death, and love. After the Schubert "Apparition", the cycle by Crumb - Harnisch has an amazing voice, full control, a wonderful pianissimo which is often used to start phrases, as if coming out of nothing ...  (Zurich, March 25)

--

An outstanding night of baroque music and dance masterminded by choreographer/dancer Mojca Gal under the motto of terpsycore, muse of dance. First part was a ballet-pantomime with music by one Johann Christian Schieferdecker (never heard of him, but it seems I have a recording of one of the three concerti that were used for the suite). Second half was Händel's prologue attached to the third version of his opera "Il Pastor fido" (1734). The music was wonderfully played by the Zürcher Barockorchester (which I hadn't heard before), for the Händel the four dancers (Gal as terpsycore in both parts, quite obviously) and the orchestra were joined by two singers, soprano Aude Freyburger and countertenor Flavio Ferri-Benedetti. The choreography circled in on what is known about baroque dancing (quite different from modern ballet), which needs a whole lot of foot technique, and it seems a much deeper understanding of rhythm (which while I can't judge, makes total sense based on what I saw). An outstanding experience, with fitting stage set-up and all ... (Zurich, April 3)

--

The most recent, and again outstanding, was this (Zurich, April 5):

Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich
Matthias Pintscher
Leitung (creative chair)
Leila Josefowicz Violin
Sophia Burgos soprano
Chorsolisten Zürcher Sing-Akademie alto
Martina Gedeck Sprecherin
Zürcher Sing-Akademie
Florian Helgath
Einstudierung

CLAUDE DEBUSSY: from ,,Images" for orchestra, no. 3 ,,Rondes de printemps"
MATTHIAS PINTSCHER: Mar'eh, for violin and orchestra

CLAUDE DEBUSSY: from ,,Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien"

There was a "prelude", which consisted of a half hour talk with Pintscher. He spoke about his manner of composing, the works to be performed that night etc. Very interesting indeed. Then two students of the University of Arts of Zurich (where Pintscher gave a masterclass that day) performed Debussy's "Six Épigraphes antiques" for piano four-hands. A very nice opening. The concert itself was outstanding. The way Pintscher works with colours and nuances inflects his work as a conductor as well, and Debussy's music came alive in blooming colours indeed. His violin concerto is thrilling I found (it's his second and it's dedicated to Luigi Nono and Julia Fischer, who inspired its composition). Never heard Leila Josefowicz before, both on disc or in concert - she was great, and so was the orchestra, playing in a chamber music like mindset, quick to react and very lively. The same was more than true for the second half, which consisted of about 50 minutes of Debussy's "Le Martyre" (which I'd decided not to listen before hand, but now I will!). Pintscher made a few cuts, including the entire fourth part. In his hands, the whole thing came alive, despite its awfully pathetic text, and notwithstanding its Wagnerian stand-stills and suggestive slow-motion moves ... masterful!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 06, 2019, 11:13:59 AM
Quote from: king ubu on April 06, 2019, 08:14:32 AM
A piano recital by Béatrice Berrut including the Schumann "concert sans orchestre" and an amazing performance of the b minor sonata by Liszt (Solothurn, March 24)

--

A Liederabend by soprano Rachel Harnisch and Jan Philip Schulze on piano, featuring a programme with groups of songs by Schubert, Mahler and R. Strauss revolving around live, death, and love. After the Schubert "Apparition", the cycle by Crumb - Harnisch has an amazing voice, full control, a wonderful pianissimo which is often used to start phrases, as if coming out of nothing ...  (Zurich, March 25)

--


Wish I were (t)here...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on April 08, 2019, 09:49:26 AM
Friday 7 June 2019 - Wiener Konzerthaus, Großer Saal


Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

Konzert für Violine und Orchester e-moll op. 64 (1844)

***

Johannes Brahms

Symphonie Nr. 1 c-moll op. 68 (1876)


Wiener Symphoniker

Leonidas Kavakos, Violine, Dirigent
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 09, 2019, 02:48:13 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 03, 2019, 09:39:03 AM
Do report if you go! I am seeing that same concert in two weeks here, at the Morgan Library.  8)
....
Well, this was one wonderful concert. I had misread the Wigmore Hall's programming, though: it turns out SQs 5 & 1 were being given at 1:00 pm, then there was a pre-concert lecture at 6:00 pm, and SQs 2, 3 & 4 were performed at 7 pm. My daughter and I decided to attend the lunchtime concert.

Seeing the two "outer" quartets of Carter's extraordinary cycle in the intimate setting of the Wigmore Hall was a treat. The JACK Quartet played with confidence and panache, and with what I think was excellent technical command of these demanding pieces. Perhaps some more suaveness would have been welcome in these sometimes very angular compositions, but in any event these were masterful performances.

Seeing the outer quartets in inverse order made all the sense in the world: SQ No. 5 is IMHO a distillation of the composer's experience over 40 years in the medium, while the bold statement of SQ No. 1 is a more substantial piece. Both works complement each other, and are masterpieces in their own right. The inventiveness, richness of musical material, and mastery of counterpoint, rhythm and harmony are baffling, but the extreme experimentalism of e.g. SQ No. 3 is absent, making these two works rather accessible (my daughter, who did not know Carter's music until now, was delighted).

I see you will be getting al the SQs in one go in New York; I'm sure you'll enjoy this (and do report, please) 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 09, 2019, 03:08:32 PM
Quote from: ritter on April 09, 2019, 02:48:13 AM
Well, this was one wonderful concert. I had misread the Wigmore Hall's programming, though: it turns out SQs 5 & 1 were being given at 1:00 pm, then there was a pre-concert lecture at 6:00 pm, and SQs 2, 3 & 4 were performed at 7 pm. My daughter and I decided to attend the lunchtime concert.

Seeing the two "outer" quartets of Carter's extraordinary cycle in the intimate setting of the Wigmore Hall was a treat. The JACK Quartet played with confidence and panache, and with what I think was excellent technical command of these demanding pieces. Perhaps some more suaveness would have been welcome in these sometimes very angular compositions, but in any event these were masterful performances.

Seeing the outer quartets in inverse order made all the sense in the world: SQ No. 5 is IMHO a distillation of the composer's experience over 40 years in the medium, while the bold statement of SQ No. 1 is a more substantial piece. Both works complement each other, and are masterpieces in their own right. The inventiveness, richness of musical material, and mastery of counterpoint, rhythm and harmony are baffling, but the extreme experimentalism of e.g. SQ No. 3 is absent, making these two works rather accessible (my daughter, who did not know Carter's music until now, was delighted).

I see you will be getting al the SQs in one go in New York; I'm sure you'll enjoy this (and do report, please)

Thank you! (But sorry you didn't get to hear the other three.  :'( ) That said, I agree that Nos. 1 and 5 would make a satisfying pairing on their own. I know the 5th a little better: heard the world premiere and thought it was -- like many of his late works -- almost supernaturally light and nimble.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on April 16, 2019, 05:54:11 AM
Tonight at the Athens Megaron

Giuseppe Verdi
Messa da Requiem

MusicAeterna Choir and Orchestra (all standing-cellos excluded?)
Theodor Currentzis
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 18, 2019, 03:40:27 PM
Tonight!!

Fabio Luisi debut concert as new music director of the Dallas Symphony.

W G Still - Poem
Frank Martin - Concerto for 7 winds, timpani, strings
Beethoven - 7
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 18, 2019, 03:47:27 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 18, 2019, 03:40:27 PM
Tonight!!

Fabio Luisi debut concert as new music director of the Dallas Symphony.

W G Still - Poem
Frank Martin - Concerto for 7 winds, timpani, strings
Beethoven - 7

That is quite an original program, especially to make a first impression. Have a great time!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 22, 2019, 02:12:43 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 18, 2019, 03:47:27 PM
That is quite an original program, especially to make a first impression. Have a great time!

--Bruce
I even got to review it! (https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-symphony-orchestras-new-conductor-fabio-luisi-makes-thrilling-debut-11644614) No seat as good as a free media seat ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 22, 2019, 06:10:43 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 22, 2019, 02:12:43 PM
I even got to review it! (https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-symphony-orchestras-new-conductor-fabio-luisi-makes-thrilling-debut-11644614) No seat as good as a free media seat ;)

Excellent review, Brian ! Brilliant programming IMO. It looks like a lot of musical ground was covered in this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 26, 2019, 07:52:57 AM
Think I can convince the girlfriend to fly to Colmar for this doubleheader?

July 8
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 3, Bagatelles Op. 119
Brahms: Pieces Opp. 118, 119
Grigory Sokolov

July 9
Mahler: Blumine
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No 1
Dvorak: Symphony No 8 (which apparently in France is subtitled the "Czechoslovak" Symphony)
Viktoria Mullova
Russian National Philharmonic (whatever this is)
Andrey Boreyko
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 29, 2019, 07:12:21 PM
This past Saturday:

Stravinsky: Fireworks
Bernstein: The Age of Anxiety
Stravinsky: The Firebird (complete)

Orli Shaham, piano
Dallas SO
David Robertson

For such a long piece, The Firebird flies by when you're seeing it live! Must be all that bass drum. :)

Wednesday night:

Verdi: Falstaff

Dallas Opera production feat. Mark Delavan, Mojca Erdmann, etc. under director Riccardo Frizza
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 30, 2019, 09:11:58 PM
Tonight, the Attacca Quartet in six works by Caroline Shaw, featured on their new album, Orange. A singer with Roomful of Teeth, Shaw is also a violinist, and writes strongly and engagingly for string quartet. The actual recording is getting very good reviews.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 01, 2019, 12:45:33 AM
I'll be seeing Verdi's Falstaff tonight at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. The conductor is Daniele Rustioni (principal conductor of the Lyons opera) and the staging is by Laurent Pelly. The cast (mostly young singers) is led by Georgian baritone Misha Kiria.

(https://www.beckmesser.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/1-5.jpg)

I've never been much of an  admirer of Verdi, but do think Falstaff is one of the greatest operas ever written. I last saw it many years ago at La Scala, staged by Giorgio Strehler and conducted by Riccardo Muti. A memorable occasion.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 01, 2019, 07:17:59 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 01, 2019, 12:45:33 AM
I'll be seeing Verdi's Falstaff tonight at the Teatro Real here in Madrid.

Funny that we are both seeing Falstaff on the same day! I agree with you - younger Verdi is not my favorite; but Falstaff is my personal favorite of all operas (perhaps because I enjoy any story with a lot of good food and wine...).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 01, 2019, 05:39:46 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on March 09, 2019, 11:49:11 PM
Thursday, 21 March 2019

Maison de la Radio - Auditorium de Radio France, Paris

Sergueï Rachmaninov

Trio élégiaque n°1
Rhapsodie sur un thème de Paganini

Richard Strauss
Don Quichotte

Makoto Ozone piano
Edgar Moreau, violoncelle
Jean-Philippe Kuzma violon
Catherine De Vençay violoncelle

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France
Lahav Shani piano et direction

Was it good ?

Edgar Moreau will be playing the Dutilleux concerto Tout un monde lointain next week here in Montreal. I look forward to this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 02, 2019, 04:02:54 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 01, 2019, 07:17:59 AM
Funny that we are both seeing Falstaff on the same day! I agree with you - younger Verdi is not my favorite; but Falstaff is my personal favorite of all operas (perhaps because I enjoy any story with a lot of good food and wine...).
Well, my Falstaff last night was fun. The ensemble of mostly young singers worked well together, which is paramount in this opera. ConductorDaniele Rustioni's cheerful manner on the podium didn't completely spill over to the orchestra. Laurent Pelly's staging was clever and coherent, but perhaps a bit dark for this comedy. A good night at the opera, but not much more than that. How was your Falstaff, Brian?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 02, 2019, 10:52:02 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 02, 2019, 04:02:54 AM
Well, my Falstaff last night was fun. The ensemble of mostly young singers worked well together, which is paramount in this opera. ConductorDaniele Rustioni's cheerful manner on the podium didn't completely spill over to the orchestra. Laurent Pelly's staging was clever and coherent, but perhaps a bit dark for this comedy. A good night at the opera, but not much more than that. How was your Falstaff, Brian?
Ours was rather the opposite! Originally a Los Angeles production (sets built by CBS!), ours was squarely set in the original time period - when Falstaff dresses up to impress Alice in Act I, he wears a Henry VIII costume. But where your production occasionally got too dark, ours got too light; there was a lot of vaudeville type slapstick, including buttocks getting slapped and an unfortunate, long sequence where Falstaff and his friends pretend to be American football players. But except for a Bardolfo who struggled to project over the orchestra, the singing was uniformly good, Mark Delavan had fun as Falstaff, Mojca Erdmann was a lovely Nanetta, and it was a thoroughly charming night at the opera. Half the delight of this work, to me, is hearing all the detailing of the orchestral score and how it often seems to be a completely different score from the one the singers are using, but somehow matched perfectly. The orchestra did well.

This was my girlfriend's second-ever opera experience; she says she preferred Don Giovanni...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 02, 2019, 11:14:48 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 02, 2019, 10:52:02 AM
This was my girlfriend's second-ever opera experience; she says she preferred Don Giovanni...

Music or setting?

Anyway, next time take her to The Barber of Seville but hush! don't tell Scarpia!...  >:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 02, 2019, 11:33:23 AM
Quote from: Florestan on May 02, 2019, 11:14:48 AM
Music or setting?

Anyway, next time take her to The Barber of Seville but hush! don't tell Scarpia!...  >:D
She said she likes dramas better than comedies.

Next season they ARE doing Barber of Seville, but it's the finale, so it will be the 5th opera she sees after Rimsky's Le coq d'or and a double bill of Pulcinella and La voix humaine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 02, 2019, 11:41:18 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 02, 2019, 11:33:23 AM
She said she likes dramas better than comedies.

Not my type of woman --- good luck with her, pal!  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on May 02, 2019, 11:58:12 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 02, 2019, 11:33:23 AM
She said she likes dramas better than comedies.

Next season they ARE doing Barber of Seville, but it's the finale, so it will be the 5th opera she sees after Rimsky's Le coq d'or and a double bill of Pulcinella and La voix humaine.
She'd love Salome then!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 05, 2019, 02:12:15 AM
Quote from: André on May 01, 2019, 05:39:46 PM
Was it good ?

Edgar Moreau will be playing the Dutilleux concerto Tout un monde lointain next week here in Montreal. I look forward to this concert.

It was excellent! He performed the part beautifully, with fire and passion when needed, wistfulness and restraint when necessary. Beautiful tone and excellent rapport with the orchestra, who also performed their parts superbly. The work's effects were vividly rendered, but always in the context of the narrative arc. Coherence and a clear path in a work such as this is the ultimate triumph. The violist was also superb.

I think Moreau would do well in the Dutilleux. Never heard it in concert. If you go, let us know how it went!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 05, 2019, 06:15:41 AM
Thanks for your feedback!

The concert is May 9 and I have tickets  :). I booked it especially to hear the Dutilleux. I also bought tickets for next November to hear Lutoslawski's 4th symphony. These are works one can wait 15-20 years before they come to town again ???.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on May 08, 2019, 01:35:45 PM
The Strauss this Saturday and the van der Aa next month will be new so I've sprung for balcony seats knowing that there are no seats sold in the five rows further down that I can move into
This Saturday  Wagner: Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod  R. Strauss: Duet Concertino for Clarinet & Bassoon  (1st performance here I think)   Prokofiev Romeo & Juliet: Suite (Suite curated by Otto Tausk)
June 7    Schubert: Rosamunde: Overture  Michel van der Aa: akin for solo violin, solo cello and orchestra (North American première)
R. Strauss  Also sprach Zarathustra
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2019, 01:25:08 PM
Tonight, back to the Crypt (!) for Ekmeles, the 6-person virtuoso vocal ensemble, in an interesting program of recent works:

Forrest PierceTighten to Nothing (2012)
Taylor BrookMotorman Sextet (2013) Ekmeles commission
Lucia RonchettiAnatra al sal (2004) U.S. Premiere
Agata ZubelAlphabet of the Ars Brevis (2016)
Evan JohnsonThree in, ad abundantiam (2012)
Evan Johnsonvo mesurando (2012)

http://ekmeles.com/wp/2018/10/mystical-paths/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 10, 2019, 01:32:27 PM
Next weekend:

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Unfortunately Renaud Capuçon bowed out due to illness today and was replaced by someone named Blake Pouliot. Appears to be a Canadian young prodigy. Huh. Bummer - Capuçon is a star with a big Brahms affinity.

Anyway... Dallas SO/Pablo Heras-Casado
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 10, 2019, 04:06:22 PM
Quote from: Brian on May 10, 2019, 01:32:27 PM
Next weekend:

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Unfortunately Renaud Capuçon bowed out due to illness today and was replaced by someone named Blake Pouliot. Appears to be a Canadian young prodigy. Huh. Bummer - Capuçon is a star with a big Brahms affinity.

Anyway... Dallas SO/Pablo Heras-Casado

Let me know what you think. I heard him conduct the Montreal Symphony yesterday in Debussy (Nocturnes), Dutilleux (cello cto) and Tchaikovsky (symph no 1). The orchestra made a fine noise but there is something in his conducting that failed to convince me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Obradovic on May 11, 2019, 02:12:51 AM
Coming Wednesday, Greek National Opera

D. Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District

Y. Yannissis, S. Sozdateleva, S. Semishkur / Vassilis Christopoulos

Dir: Fanny Ardant

20/5 at The Athens Megaron

W. A. Mozart: Violin Concertos No.2 K211, 3 K.216, 5 K.219
                    Symphony No.1 K16

Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Wien-Berlin Kammerorchester
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on May 11, 2019, 05:01:53 AM
Continuing the Mahler live cycle off the bucket list :

In October :

BBC Philarmonic / Bridgewater Hall
Jeffrey Mumford within diffuse echoes ... softly spreading  (BBC commission: world premiere)
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1
Mahler Symphony No.5

In November :

The Hallé / Bridgewater Hall - Alexander Joel conductor | Kristóf Baráti violin
Korngold Violin Concerto
Mahler Symphony No.1

in May 2020 :

The Hallé / Sir Mark Elder conductor | Alice Coote mezzo-soprano  Ladies of the Hallé Choir | Hallé Children's Choir
Mahler Symphony No.3


With the 2nd and the 8th already booked and forthcoming, that will only leave the 4th and 7th to complete the cycle.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 11, 2019, 06:01:14 AM
Hope you enjoy them all!

For me the highlight of your concert menu would be the Korngold concerto with Baráti - a truly wonderful violinist. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 11, 2019, 06:07:52 AM
Quote from: André on May 10, 2019, 04:06:22 PM
Let me know what you think. I heard him conduct the Montreal Symphony yesterday in Debussy (Nocturnes), Dutilleux (cello cto) and Tchaikovsky (symph no 1). The orchestra made a fine noise but there is something in his conducting that failed to convince me.
I've seen Heras-Casado once before. He's an excitable guy on the podium and got a lively response from our local band, but I am definitely under the impression that his specialty is music of an earlier era than what was on your Montreal program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on May 11, 2019, 07:05:55 AM
Quote from: André on May 11, 2019, 06:01:14 AM
Hope you enjoy them all!

For me the highlight of your concert menu would be the Korngold concerto with Baráti - a truly wonderful violinist. :)

I am sure I will, André !

I do not know anything really by Korngold, (other than some AMZ samples when i checked a Previn (i think) CD out). That will be a discovery for me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 11, 2019, 09:59:51 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 11, 2019, 06:07:52 AM
I've seen Heras-Casado once before. He's an excitable guy on the podium and got a lively response from our local band, but I am definitely under the impression that his specialty is music of an earlier era than what was on your Montreal program.

Indeed.

I was sitting in the rear balcony (facing the conductor) so his facial expressions were somewhat distracting, something I would probably not notice if looking at his backside. The Tchaikovsky first is something he has conducted often in the past couple of years. He didn't have a score. In the Debussy he did use one, but was in good command throughout. Indeed, it was the best moment of the concert IMO. The Dutilleux proved a harder task, I think: he had his nose in the score all the time, rarely looking at the orchestra, turning the pages with a loud snap every 30 seconds. Not quite what I was hoping for.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 11, 2019, 11:04:38 AM
.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on May 12, 2019, 09:22:59 AM
Yesterday evening at Leeds Town Hall
Russian Philharmonic of Novosibirsk

Performing

Rimsky Korsakov
Capriccio Espagnol

Rachmaninov
Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini

Tchaikovsky
Symphony no 6

Soloist. Sergei Redkin
Conductor Thomas Sanderling

Loved the Tchaikovsky and the other two were performed well also🎼🎼

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on May 13, 2019, 05:18:09 AM
Ben-Haim Symphony 1 at the Proms

Weinberg's Third Symphony and Dorothy Howell's Lamia also at the Proms
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 14, 2019, 09:04:11 AM
Quote from: Judith on May 12, 2019, 09:22:59 AM
Yesterday evening at Leeds Town Hall
Russian Philharmonic of Novosibirsk

Performing

Rimsky Korsakov
Capriccio Espagnol

Rachmaninov
Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini

Tchaikovsky
Symphony no 6

Soloist. Sergei Redkin
Conductor Thomas Sanderling

Loved the Tchaikovsky and the other two were performed well also🎼🎼

Wow! What a great program! Wish I were there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on May 18, 2019, 08:55:52 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 27, 2019, 09:33:00 AM
Friday evening's upcoming concert!

Bacewicz - Concerto for string orchestra

Paderewski - Piano Concerto in A minor

Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 3 in A minor 'Scottish'

Janina Fialkowska - piano
Gemma New - guest conductor
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Really looking forward to this concert.  Only recently familiar with the Paderewski concerto, and have not yet heard the Bacewicz work.

Very cool program! I love all three of those works, especially the gorgeous Paderewski. It's always great to see an orchestra take risks and program lesser-known works.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on May 20, 2019, 03:06:57 AM
Last weekend saw local Leeds Symphony Orchestra

Rossini Overture. Eduardo et Cristina
Borodin In the Steppes of Central Asia
Poulenc Ballet Suite. Les Biches
Shostakovich Symphony no 5


Conductor Martin Binks

Lovely performances of all works. They performed really well. I do like to support local orchestras🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 20, 2019, 07:24:45 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 10, 2019, 01:32:27 PM
Next weekend:

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

Unfortunately Renaud Capuçon bowed out due to illness today and was replaced by someone named Blake Pouliot. Appears to be a Canadian young prodigy. Huh. Bummer - Capuçon is a star with a big Brahms affinity.

Anyway... Dallas SO/Pablo Heras-Casado

Pouliot and the band started off tentatively, and Pouliot a bit prone to wrong notes and mishaps, at the beginning of the Brahms. But everything improved considerably as the piece went along - already by the point of a solo cadenza in which Pouliot really sold the quasi-improvisatory writing - and on to a really roaring finale. Unusually for such a youngster, Pouliot has the interpretive chops and personality and just needs to work on hitting all the notes, rather than the other way 'round; he really put an individual stamp on the piece throughout with little bits of phrasing, different levels of vibrato when playing the same phrase twice, etc. And, again, the finale roared.

If he plays like that, he can wear whatever he wants. Of course, he already does wear whatever he wants...for this concert, it was a black long-sleeve T-shirt, an enormous black scarf that dangled to his knees, and jeans which were different shades of blue on each leg, with a big white spot over his man-parts and printed-or-painted flames coming up the sides of the legs. For an encore, he graciously acknowledged that we all had come expecting Capuçon and thanked us for welcoming him, then played his own transcription of "The Last Rose of Summer."

Heras-Casado lived up to his reputation and recordings in the Berlioz - fast (except the slow movement), technically precise, exciting as hell. Maybe a bit too fast in places, but in a guilty pleasure kind of way. In particular, for the last 20 seconds of the Symphonie, he whipped the orchestra up into a wild concluding accelerando, just to prove that they were virtuosic enough to handle it - which they were. (A lot like the end of the Fischer/Budapest Mahler 1, if you own that CD.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JBS on May 20, 2019, 08:36:38 AM
QuotePouliot's debut album is coming out, coincidentally, with the announcement that he is the recipient of the Women's Musical Club of Toronto's 2018 Career Development Award, presented every three years to an exceptional young performing artist. What does the $20,000 prize mean to Pouliot?

"I can pay rent! It's wonderful and very helpful," he enthuses, explaining how costs add up for artists setting out on a solo career. "Before every concert, I'm making sure my bow is re-haired, that I have new strings on my instrument, that my clothes are dry-cleaned. As well, I want to develop my own personal aesthetic, so I'm making sure that I'm buying custom-made clothing, doing research and finding unique pieces to wear and having them adjusted so they're comfortable to play in. All of this costs money. It's not like I'm making enough that I can just walk into Versace's office and say, 'Design me a suit!'"


https://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/19705/blake-pouliot-womens-musical-club-prize-ravel
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on May 24, 2019, 01:03:54 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on December 02, 2018, 04:46:11 AM
The absolute favourite for the first time In May next year :

Mahler -  'Resurrection' Symphony No.2
The Hallé - Sir Mark Elder - Anne Schwanewilms soprano - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano - Hallé Choir

That was last night. That was very special indeed. Fantastic to grasp even more details and contrasts than on the recordings, the tensions and the emotions of the work. The Urlicht was spot on by Alice Coote (not so keen however on the voice of the soprano, too much vibrato and warble for me). The first movement initially felt bit a more restrained than I would normally like but I admit it did serve the work so well when it had to hit the powerful and louder moments throughout. Food for thought when I listen again to my CD's. Lots of moments of sheer tingles and welling up, just about held it together (Sitting in the upper circle, level with the top of the choir, I got choked up on the choir's quiet entry of Aufersteh'n...and then on the Was Erstanden is, das muss vergehen bit....)

2 quirky things :

- there was a loud audience sneeze in between the two pizzicato closing the second movement. Couldn't have been better timed  ;D

- That was my girlfriend's first exposure to Mahler. I had told her that she should expect to hear some instruments off stage at some point but i think she forgot my mention when the time came in the last movement. i caught her from the corner of my eye, with a face scouting a completely immobile orchestra left right center and all over again, wondering who the fudge was actually playing at that moment  0:) She found the work a bit too bombastic for her own tastes  >:D but did appreciate the extremes in emotion and enjoyed the soloists and choir.

Added bonus:
Last night was also the final appearance of their orchestra leader/1st violin. They did an encore as a farewell to her with Ralph Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music. what a gorgeous piece and choir singing. will have to check my RVW edition if it is there.

Cherry on the icing on the top of the cake : Last night's concert was broadcast live by Radio 3 and is available for a month here :   

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00057jc (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00057jc)

FYI, the sneeze is at 37'36  :P

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pat B on May 24, 2019, 10:34:31 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on May 24, 2019, 01:03:54 AM
That was my girlfriend's first exposure to Mahler... She found the work a bit too bombastic for her own tastes

My experience (the 6th) was similar, then I spent many years not listening to Mahler. Eventually, I heard the 4th on the radio, and his time came.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on May 26, 2019, 07:39:45 AM
Purchased my 3-pack subscription to Nashville Symphony's 2019-2020 season. I usually see two or three more concerts throughout the season but with a wonky schedule it's easier to go light with three shows, receive the subscription benefits and pick up a few single-shows when i have time. A few of the others I'm interested in are DSCH's 4th Symphony, Symphonie Fantastique (maybe my 5th time seeing it live?), Beethoven's Eroica, and Bruckner's 9th. But for starters I picked up these...


September 14th:
Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Garrick Ohlsson, piano
Adolphus Hailstork – An American Port of Call
Barber – Piano Concerto
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5


October 26th:
Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Karen Gomyo, violin
Dvořák – Slavonic Dance No. 1, Op. 46
Brahms – Violin Concerto
John Adams – My Father Knew Charles Ives  Live Recording
Ives – Three Places in New England


April 11th:
Nashville Symphony
Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Mahler | Cooke – Symphony No. 10


I'm most excited for the October concert, anytime Ives is being performed is a treat, and 3 Places is great. And to see the Brahms VC, it's my favorite violin concerto and I've never seen it performed live before! I may cry! 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 09, 2019, 02:06:13 AM
Will be seeing Richard Strauss's operatic swan song Capriccio this evening at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. Asher Frisch conducts, and the staging (a coproduction with the Zurich Opera Haus) is by Christof Loy. The cast, led by Malin Byström as Countess Madeleine, consists of singers all unknown to me (but who have received positive reviews).

(https://estaticos2.larazon.es/binrepository/755x562/0c17/755d425/none/10810/QQGA/capriccio-2369_9859550_20190521154437.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on June 09, 2019, 10:50:19 AM
Tomorrow evening at La Scala, Korngold's Die tote Stadt, with our GMG fellow king ubu, who kindly provided tickets for two from Zurich  8)

A premiere for La Scala, and for me as well, since I'm not familiar at all with that opera. Let's see, I'm very curious.
A good cast conducted by Alan Gilbert, a new production by Graham Vick.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on June 18, 2019, 11:44:15 PM
Lovely concert yesterday evening from Endellion String Quartet at The Venue, Leeds College of Music.

Performing

Haydn String Quartet op 20 no 6, Bartok String Quartet op 17 no 2 and Beethoven String Quartet  no 1 op 59 (Razumovsky). 

Such a lovely evening🎻🎻🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 19, 2019, 01:17:37 AM
Quote from: Obradovic on May 11, 2019, 02:12:51 AM
Coming Wednesday, Greek National Opera

D. Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District

Y. Yannissis, S. Sozdateleva, S. Semishkur / Vassilis Christopoulos

Dir: Fanny Ardant

I went to the one after that, on 22 May. Very impressive singing from Svetlana Sozdateleva, an excellent ensemble overall. The orchestra seemed to really enjoy the score and they excelled - even impressed -  in it (ethereal subtlety not being one of their strong characteristics, this score was a relishing fit for them). Ardant's production was traditional in a good way; contemporary touches were not lacking and were in good taste, social critique was present but subtle, the preoccupations of the work and not the director's extraneous fantasies were the focus of the staging. A slight set mishap just before a critical junction of the plot required a short intermission, raising tension and suspense. As far as I'm concerned, perhaps the best overall presentation at the new opera house yet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 19, 2019, 01:28:17 AM
Quote from: GioCar on June 09, 2019, 10:50:19 AM
Tomorrow evening at La Scala, Korngold's Die tote Stadt, with our GMG fellow king ubu, who kindly provided tickets for two from Zurich  8)

A premiere for La Scala, and for me as well, since I'm not familiar at all with that opera. Let's see, I'm very curious.
A good cast conducted by Alan Gilbert, a new production by Graham Vick.

How did you like it? After finally seeing Das Wunder der Heliane in Berlin last year, this is the other Korngold opera I want to see in the theatre and have made a ticket request for the Munich production in November.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on June 26, 2019, 09:47:15 AM
In order to escape the heatwave (France and the Low Countries are sizzlingly hot) I attended an afternoon concert at Antwerps "Vleeshuis" - the butchers guild building. It is at least 500 years old and houses a beautiful collection of instruments - from bells and harpsichords (Ruckers), to accordions and pianos. Thick walls: it was cool inside.
Anyway, the ensemble Cannamella performed  "Souterliedekens" and short instrumental works for lute by Pierre Attaignant.
The acoustic of the hall wasn't always flattering to soprano Sarah Van Mol's quite big voice , nor to (the superb) lute of Sofie Vanden Eynde.
Still, a great way of escaping the heat and discovering some lovely psalms ( Clemens Non Papa, Symon Cock, Balthasar Resinarius...) and a very fun and very naughty "Tsou een meysken gaen om wijn". Willem Ceuleers (1962) wrote two little pieces in honor of Antwerp in a convincing 16th century style.
In Cannamella Aline Hopchet plays flutes and crumhorns, An Van Laethem is violinist and Luc Torremans has healthy lungs for badulcians and crumhorns.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on June 30, 2019, 05:27:55 AM
My band are playing the program we performed at King's Chapel last month, at my church after this morning's service. Some 2019 pieces of my own, and of my friend Pam Marshall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 03, 2019, 11:50:13 AM
July 13 is going to be Big Music Day!

First, we go to the Square Roots Festival at Old Town School of Folk Music:

https://squareroots.org/

Then in the evening, it's up to Ravinia for this:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Lionel Bringuier, conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, pianist
Ravel: Mother Goose suite
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite (1919)
Gershwin: Cuban Overture
Gershwin: Concerto in F
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on July 03, 2019, 11:15:44 PM
Quote from: pjme on June 26, 2019, 09:47:15 AM
In order to escape the heatwave (France and the Low Countries are sizzlingly hot) I attended an afternoon concert at Antwerps "Vleeshuis" - the butchers guild building. It is at least 500 years old and houses a beautiful collection of instruments - from bells and harpsichords (Ruckers), to accordions and pianos. Thick walls: it was cool inside.
Anyway, the ensemble Cannamella performed  "Souterliedekens" and short instrumental works for lute by Pierre Attaignant.
The acoustic of the hall wasn't always flattering to soprano Sarah Van Mol's quite big voice , nor to (the superb) lute of Sofie Vanden Eynde.
Still, a great way of escaping the heat and discovering some lovely psalms ( Clemens Non Papa, Symon Cock, Balthasar Resinarius...) and a very fun and very naughty "Tsou een meysken gaen om wijn". Willem Ceuleers (1962) wrote two little pieces in honor of Antwerp in a convincing 16th century style.
In Cannamella Aline Hopchet plays flutes and crumhorns, An Van Laethem is violinist and Luc Torremans has healthy lungs for badulcians and crumhorns.
Great story! (Your lively description of these 'badulcians and crumhorns' made me think of a passage in 'Vespers', part of the Horae Canonicae by W.H. Auden:

'... and there I stand in Eden again, welcomed back by the krumhorns, doppions, sordumes of jolly miners and a bob major from the Cathedral (romanesque) of St Sophie (Die Kalte)'  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on July 06, 2019, 08:30:40 AM

Looking BACK at this concert: I got to see the Ring in Budapest last month -- and Adam Fischer and his Hungarian Ntl. RSO were a marvelous surprise (almost as much as Concerto Budapest (https://ionarts.blogspot.com/2019/07/a-stunning-orchestral-surprise-in.html) with Andras Keller). As was the cast, to the extent it was unknown: Superb! Pictures of Rheingold here: Bayreuth on the Danube: The Budapest Wagner Days. Production Photos from Das Rheingold (https://ionarts.blogspot.com/2019/07/bayreuth-on-danube-budapest-wagner-days.html)

...and the first part of my review on ClassicsToday here:  A Magnificent Budapest Ring: Prelude and Rheingold (https://www.classicstoday.com/a-magnificent-budapest-ring-prelude-and-rheingold/)

(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NciT6PJ1G6s/XSCowHm3FuI/AAAAAAAALN8/Z5Y4Yy0kG-gr3BlLgr1IE8C2klSc4dItACLcBGAs/s640/RING_%2528c%2529JAnosPosztOs_MUpa_Budapest_FASOLT-FAFNER_WOTAN_Scene.jpeg)



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on July 06, 2019, 01:06:03 PM
Two proms concerts coming up:

Weinberg: Symphony 3 with Dorothy Howell 'Lamia' and Elgar's Cello Concerto.

Also a concert featuring Paul Ben Haim's First Symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on July 08, 2019, 01:31:33 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on December 02, 2018, 04:46:11 AM
Mahler - Symphony No.8

Chetham's Symphony Orchestra - Stephen Threlfall conductor | Ailish Tynan soprano | Gweneth-Ann Jeffers soprano | Daniel Norman tenor | David Platt  bass | Ruby Hughes  soprano | Kitty Whately  mezzo soprano | Margaret McDonald soprano
Chetham's Symphony Orchestra
With special guests: Chetham's Chorus | Leeds Festival Chorus | St George's Singers | Greater Manchester Hub Youth Choir | Manchester Cathedral Choristers | Hereford Cathedral School Children's Choir


This was Friday night. Whilst impressive in its scale and with some decent playing and great singers, this concert sadly still hasn't converted me to this work. It just doesn't tickle me at all. Still glad I have attended it and crossed it off my concert list.

Best and somewhat unexpected moment of the evening was the opening rendition of God Save The Queen, the Benjamin Britten version. The concert was recorded for BBC Radio 3 (for broadcast on July 10th i believe) and was attended by Prince Edward as patron of Chetham School.

First time I am actually moved by this anthem  0:) and first Royal I see in flesh. Exciting times...  ;D 

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on July 20, 2019, 02:00:23 AM
Ben-Haim's Symphony No.1 on Tuesday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 23, 2019, 07:03:32 AM
Ravinia on Friday:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Marin Alsop, conductor
Mahler: Symphony No. 8

I haven't heard a live Mahler 8 in ages - the last time was also at Ravinia (under Jimmy the Disgraced).

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on July 28, 2019, 12:40:38 AM
Some extra Vancouver S.O. concerts booked while advance sale prices are in effect.  Some potboilers but interesting conductors or soloists
November:  Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto 3 (Trifonov)   Scriabin Poem of Ecstasy
January: Boulez: Mémorale (... explosante-fixe ... Originel) Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1 Berlioz  Symphonie fantastique    Jun Märkl cond.
April: Dinuk Wijeratne Polyphonic Lively  Mozart:  Piano Concerto No. 25  Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade   Elim Chan cond. 
   

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 09, 2019, 07:11:13 AM
An incredible-looking, free live-streamed concert coming up on September 20:

Anton Webern
Im Sommerwind, Idyll für großes Orchester
Dmitrij Schostakowitsch
Violoncellokonzert Nr. 2 G-Dur op. 126
György Kurtág
Stele für großes Orchester op. 33
Gustav Mahler
Adagio aus der Sinfonie Nr. 10 Fis-Dur (Fragment)

Nicolas Altstaedt, Violoncello
SWR Symphonieorchester
Dirigent: Teodor Curentzis

https://www.swr.de/swrclassic/symphonieorchester/SWR-Symphonieorchester-Stuttgart,veranstaltung-648.html

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on August 12, 2019, 06:27:50 AM
September 20th / Utrecht

Groot Omroepkoor
James Gaffigan dirigent
Sasha Cooke mezzosopraan
Cécile van de Sant alt
Alessandro Fischer tenor
Jean-Luc Ballestra bariton

programma
Debussy Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Ravel Shéhérazade
Roussel Évocations
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 12, 2019, 06:37:11 AM
Quote from: pjme on August 12, 2019, 06:27:50 AM
September 20th / Utrecht

Groot Omroepkoor
James Gaffigan dirigent
Sasha Cooke mezzosopraan
Cécile van de Sant alt
Alessandro Fischer tenor
Jean-Luc Ballestra bariton

programma
Debussy Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Ravel Shéhérazade
Roussel Évocations

Great program, but the Roussel seems like the prize, even without hearing a note of it. I have never seen it on any concert schedule -- at least, in the U.S.  Please report back!  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on August 12, 2019, 07:05:15 AM
I will.
And the Roussel Evocations is of course the reason I will go.
Title: Chailly/Lucerne in Mosolov, Maderna, Schoenberg, Rihm
Post by: bhodges on September 10, 2019, 01:38:55 PM
This fantastic concert, live-streamed just two days ago, is on YouTube for two weeks. I will definitely be watching again, especially since I'd never heard the Maderna nor the Rihm. It is a joy to hear recent works for large orchestra done with such impressive forces, and the two soloists in the Maderna are terrific.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq0fKu127x4&t=723s

SUN, 08.09. | 18.30 | KKL Luzern, Concert Hall

Orchestra of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ALUMNI   
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
Jacques Zoon, flute
Lucas Macías Navarro, oboe

Alexander Mosolov (1900–1973)
The Iron Foundry Op. 19

Bruno Maderna (1920–1973)
Grande Aulodia for flute and oboe solo with orchestra 
Swiss premiere

Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951)
Five Orchestra Pieces, Op. 16
version for large orchestra from 1909

Wolfgang Rihm (*1952)
Dis-Kontur for large orchestra
Swiss premiere

--Bruce
Title: Re: Chailly/Lucerne in Mosolov, Maderna, Schoenberg, Rihm
Post by: Cato on September 10, 2019, 04:17:44 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 10, 2019, 01:38:55 PM
This fantastic concert, live-streamed just two days ago, is on YouTube for two weeks. I will definitely be watching again, especially since I'd never heard the Maderna nor the Rihm. It is a joy to hear recent works for large orchestra done with such impressive forces, and the two soloists in the Maderna are terrific.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq0fKu127x4&t=723s

SUN, 08.09. | 18.30 | KKL Luzern, Concert Hall

Orchestra of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ALUMNI   
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
Jacques Zoon, flute
Lucas Macías Navarro, oboe

Alexander Mosolov (1900–1973)
The Iron Foundry Op. 19

Bruno Maderna (1920–1973)
Grande Aulodia for flute and oboe solo with orchestra 
Swiss premiere

Arnold Schoenberg (1874–1951)
Five Orchestra Pieces, Op. 16
version for large orchestra from 1909

Wolfgang Rihm (*1952)
Dis-Kontur for large orchestra
Swiss premiere

--Bruce

Many thanks for this information and the link! 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on September 11, 2019, 11:31:20 PM
November 5th

De Munt / La monnaie Brussels: Honegger's Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher.

KAZUSHI ONO - conductor
ROMEO CASTELLUCCI - director


Jeanne : AUDREY BONNET
Frère Dominique: SÉBASTIEN DUTRIEUX
La Vierge:ILSE EERENS
Marguerite:  TINEKE VAN INGELGEM
Catherine:  AUDE EXTRÉMO
Une Voix, Porcus, Héraut I, Le Clerc : JEAN-NOËL BRIEND
Une Voix, Héraut II, Paysan:  JÉRÔME VARNIER

https://www.youtube.com/v/XnaxkL0yLjY

Castellucci's Jeanne may/will shock some viewers. He very literally strips her of a sentimental, romanticized past....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on September 12, 2019, 09:32:01 AM
Enescu Festival 2019

September 18

ST. PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

VASSILY SINAISKY conductor
NELSON FREIRE piano

Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major op. 58
Mahler Symphony no. 1 in D major

September 19

ST. PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

CHRISTIAN BADEA conductor
ROMANIAN RADIO ACADEMIC CHOIR
CIPRIAN ŢUŢU conductor of the choir
VADIM REPIN violin

Enescu "Isis" Poem (1923, posthumously completed by Pascal Bentoiu)
Shostakovich Violin concerto no. 1 in A minor op. 77
Dvořák Symphony no. 9 in E minor op. 95, "From the New World"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 14, 2019, 08:42:57 AM
Tonight!

Augusta Read Thomas - Aureole
Beethoven - Piano Concerto No 5
R. Strauss - An Alpine Symphony

Beatrice Rana, piano
Dallas Symphony
Fabio Luisi
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on September 16, 2019, 02:38:44 AM
Amsterdam Concertgebouw, October 14:

Strauss - Don Juan, Op. 20
Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93

Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SymphonicAddict on September 16, 2019, 11:39:32 AM
Quote from: Florestan on September 12, 2019, 09:32:01 AM
Enescu Festival 2019

September 18

ST. PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

VASSILY SINAISKY conductor
NELSON FREIRE piano

Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major op. 58
Mahler Symphony no. 1 in D major

September 19

ST. PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

CHRISTIAN BADEA conductor
ROMANIAN RADIO ACADEMIC CHOIR
CIPRIAN ŢUŢU conductor of the choir
VADIM REPIN violin

Enescu "Isis" Poem (1923, posthumously completed by Pascal Bentoiu)
Shostakovich Violin concerto no. 1 in A minor op. 77
Dvořák Symphony no. 9 in E minor op. 95, "From the New World"

Quote from: Brian on September 14, 2019, 08:42:57 AM
Tonight!

Augusta Read Thomas - Aureole
Beethoven - Piano Concerto No 5
R. Strauss - An Alpine Symphony

Beatrice Rana, piano
Dallas Symphony
Fabio Luisi

Quote from: Christo on September 16, 2019, 02:38:44 AM
Amsterdam Concertgebouw, October 14:

Strauss - Don Juan, Op. 20
Grieg - Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93

Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko
Leif Ove Andsnes, piano

Amazing concerts!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on September 18, 2019, 10:32:01 AM
And of course this coming Saturday:

The complete Canto Ostinato by composer Simeon ten Holt for organ, done by Toon Hagen at the St. Stephan's Church of Hasselt (the Dutch Hanseatic town of that name; not its namesake in Belgium).

https://www.youtube.com/v/eMgkuYAki_Uhttps://www.youtube.com/v/5UxsWkJErkw&list=RD5UxsWkJErkw&start_radio=1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on September 20, 2019, 12:36:31 AM
October 11

Bellini: La Sonnambula

Greek National Opera

Conductor
Philippe Auguin

Director, sets, lighting designer
Marco Arturo Marelli

Costumes
Dagmar Niefind

Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos

Count Rodolfo
Tassos Apostolou

Teresa
Anna Agathonos

Amina
Christina Poulitsi

Elvino
Yannis Christopoulos

Lisa
Marilena Striftobola

Alessio
George Mattheakakis

Notary
Thanasis Evangelou


With the GNO Orchestra and Chorus

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on September 20, 2019, 12:41:53 AM
December 15

Verdi: Don Carlo

Greek National Opera

Conductor
Philippe Auguin

Director
Graham Vick

Sets, costumes
Richard Hudson

Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos

Filippo II
Alexander Vinogradov

Don Carlo
Bryan Hymel

Rodrigo
Tassis Christoyannis

The Grand Inquisitor
Rafal Siwek

A monk
Dimitris Kassioumis

Elisabeth of Valois
Barbara Frittoli

Princess Eboli
Ekaterina Gubanova


With the GNO Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on September 24, 2019, 11:01:49 PM
coming on Friday, I added this as an extra to my series subscription
Vancouver S.O.   Otto Tausk, cond.
Daniil Trifonov, piano
Rachmaninoff Isle of the Dead Scriabin Le Poème de l'extase    Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3
and introducing the orchestra's new 9-foot Steinway

"Russian virtuoso Daniil Trifonov takes centre stage, in a highly anticipated performance of one of the world's most challenging piano concertos — Rachmaninoff No.3  — on a brand new, $250,000 Hamburg Steinway Concert Grand piano.
A gift from the the VSO's 100th Anniversary Campaign, the VSO team traveled to Germany this past summer to hand-pick the nine-foot piano. Renowned pianist Sergei Babayan, Trifonov's teacher and mentor who also appears this season with the VSO, helped select the handmade, 3,000-pound instrument."

'Unwrapping a Steinway"  video  https://www.straight.com/arts/1306571/watch-vancouver-symphony-orchestra-unbox-and-test-ride-250000-3000-pound-new-Steinway
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 03, 2019, 01:34:27 PM
Ravinia is now having concerts even after the "official" end of the season. Couldn't pass up this one, on Saturday:

David Greilsammer, piano

Labyrinth

Janáček:On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17 [part 1]
Ligeti: Musica ricercar No. 7
Froberger: Tombeau de Monsieur Blancrocher [part 1]
Mozart: Fantasy in C minor, K. 385f/396 [part 1]
Philip Glass: Metamorphosis No. 2
Janáček: On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17 [part 2]
C.P.E. Bach: Fantasy in F-sharp minor, H. 300 [part 1]
Satie: Gnossienne No. 2
Couperin: Les baricades mistérieuses [part 1]
Janáček: On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17 [part 3]
Ofer Pelz: Repetition Blindness [part 1]
Rebel: Le chaos from Les élémens
Ofer Pelz: Repetition Blindness [part 2]
Janáček: On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17 [part 4]
Couperin: Les baricades mistérieuses [part 2]
Satie: Gnossienne No. 3
C.P.E. Bach: Fantasy in F-sharp minor, H. 300 [part 2]
Janáček: On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17 [part 5]
Philip Glass: Metamorphosis No. 3
Mozart: Fantasy in C minor, K. 385f/396 [part 2]
Froberger: Tombeau de Monsieur Blancrocher [part 1]
Ligeti: Musica ricercar No. 8
Janáček: On the Overgrown Path, JW VIII/17 [part 6]

I've long been in favor of (1) pianists playing more early keyboard music, and (2) combining it with modern music on programs. This program does exactly that. Here's a review of a previous performance:

https://www.pianyc.net/2017/09/28/labyrinth-david-greilsammer-at-the-crypt-sessions/

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 04, 2019, 11:53:54 PM
I've been invited to the London premiere of James MacMillan's 5th Symphony on the 14th. I know very little of his music but was very impressed by his 4th Symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on October 07, 2019, 03:53:06 AM
Last weekend at Leeds Town Hall

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Yuri Simonov
Soloist. Alexandra Dariescu

Performing
Tchaikovsky. Marche Slav
Rachmaninov. Piano Concerto no 2
Tchaikovsky. Excerpts from Swan Lake
Khachaturian. Excerpts from Gayeneh

Wonderful concert from all🎹🎹🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on October 07, 2019, 09:37:18 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 04, 2019, 11:53:54 PM
I've been invited to the London premiere of James MacMillan's 5th Symphony on the 14th. I know very little of his music but was very impressed by his 4th Symphony.
Ah, just in time! (Scottish composers won't be available anymore after October 31th, I'm afraid).  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DaveF on October 09, 2019, 05:06:46 AM
Couldn't resist the Pavel Haas Quartet at Malvern on 31st October:

Ľubica Čekovska The Midsummer Quartet
Schulhoff String Quartet No.1
Smetana String Quartet No.2 in D minor
Janáček String Quartet No.2, Intimate Letters

Don't know much about the token Slovak, Čekovska - apparently she used to play in a jazz band and was on the jury that selected Slovakia's Eurovision entry.  Promising!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 10, 2019, 08:10:14 AM
Quote from: DaveF on October 09, 2019, 05:06:46 AM
Couldn't resist the Pavel Haas Quartet at Malvern on 31st October:

Ľubica Čekovska The Midsummer Quartet
Schulhoff String Quartet No.1
Smetana String Quartet No.2 in D minor
Janáček String Quartet No.2, Intimate Letters

Don't know much about the token Slovak, Čekovska - apparently she used to play in a jazz band and was on the jury that selected Slovakia's Eurovision entry.  Promising!

Oh goodness, enjoy that!!!! My all-time favorite quartet to see live and in a very intriguing program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SymphonicAddict on October 10, 2019, 11:28:50 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 10, 2019, 08:10:14 AM
Oh goodness, enjoy that!!!! My all-time favorite quartet to see live and in a very intriguing program!

Are you referring to the Janacek? If so, I agree. It's superb beyond words.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 10, 2019, 01:18:37 PM
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on October 10, 2019, 11:28:50 AM
Are you referring to the Janacek? If so, I agree. It's superb beyond words.
No - the performers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DaveF on October 11, 2019, 01:01:59 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 10, 2019, 08:10:14 AM
Oh goodness, enjoy that!!!! My all-time favorite quartet to see live and in a very intriguing program!

I'm only wondering about audience reaction to the Smetana followed by the Janáček (if they do follow that running-order): two wildly experimental quartets, with little distinguishing their individual movements in terms of tempo.  Perhaps they'll separate them with the safe, traditional Schulhoff :).  Apparently in the 100+ years that the Malvern Concert Club has been running (founded by a local resident, one E. Elgar) the Smetana E minor has been programmed many times, the D minor never.  It's about time!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 12, 2019, 09:38:06 AM
Quote from: Christo on October 07, 2019, 09:37:18 AM
Ah, just in time! (Scottish composers won't be available anymore after October 31th, I'm afraid).  8)
Hahaha. You're absolutely right and following Cornish Separatism they'll be no more George Lloyd concerts  :o

How was 'Canto Ostinato' - or are you still at the concert?
8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 13, 2019, 09:49:22 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on September 20, 2019, 12:36:31 AM
October 11

Bellini: La Sonnambula

Greek National Opera

Conductor
Philippe Auguin

Director, sets, lighting designer
Marco Arturo Marelli

Costumes
Dagmar Niefind

Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos

Count Rodolfo
Tassos Apostolou

Teresa
Anna Agathonos

Amina
Christina Poulitsi

Elvino
Yannis Christopoulos

Lisa
Marilena Striftobola

Alessio
George Mattheakakis

Notary
Thanasis Evangelou


With the GNO Orchestra and Chorus

The premiere was a roaring success. Superb production, sensational singing. I'm going again on the 25th, as well as on the 29th to listen to the alternate cast:

Count Rodolfo
Christophoros Stamboglis

Teresa
Elena Marangou

Amina
Vassiliki Karayanni

Elvino
Vassilis Kavayas

Lisa
Maria Palaska

Alessio
George Papadimitriou

Notary
Philippos Dellatolas
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 13, 2019, 10:07:35 AM
Tomorrow at the Byzantine Museum:


PAVLOS CARRER
(1826–1896)
Gero-Dimos, for string quartet, transcription by Nikos Skalkottas

NIKOS SKALKOTTAS
(1904–1949)
String Quartet No. 3

SIMOS PAPANAS
b.1979
La Folia (variations for string quartet)

MIKIS THEODORAKIS
b.1925
String Quartet No. 4, "Μάζα" ("Mass")

NIKOS SKALKOTTAS
(1904–1949)
Five Greek Dances for string quartet



Athens String Quartet
Apollon Grammatikopoulos, violin
Panagiotis Tziotis, violin
Paris Anastasiadis, viola
Isidoros Sideris, cello
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 13, 2019, 01:32:57 PM
Last night:

Michael Ippolito: Nocturne
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No 1
Rachmaninov: Symphony No 3

Joyce Yang, piano
Dallas Symphony
Edo de Waart

It was fun to finally see the crazily underrated Edo de Waart making his Dallas debut at age 78! He led the orchestra through the Dallas premiere of Ippolito's nice-enough Nocturne (which briefly evokes sleeplessness and nightmare before settling into a peaceful Chopin homage) and also brought Rachmaninov's Third to town - the DSO's first performance of that work since 1995! de Waart took the first movement pretty briskly and wasn't at all sentimental about the Big Tune; the work as a whole is still one that I'm having trouble getting to terms with. It feels a lot like the Symphonic Dances, but more densely orchestrated and vastly more ambivalent. My girlfriend, who had never heard the piece before, commented that it was very difficult in the symphony to follow the main idea vs. the very complicated accompaniment - wonder if that was maybe de Waart's fault or if it's Rachmaninov's.

It takes a lot to make the famous Tchaikovsky warhorse interesting. Luckily Joyce Yang is a lot. She's a future superstar, no doubt about it; she has that touch which, live, means you can't take your ears away for a second. And, just to seal the deal, she whipped out a divine encore: Earl Wild's etude on "The Man I Love," played to the hilt, with the same improvisatory insouciance which made her Tchaikovsky cadenza sound, for once, like an actual cadenza and not something that's been studied and drilled for months. One of the future greats. Last time I saw a pianist this good live was Daniil Trifonov.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 21, 2019, 02:16:36 AM
Tomorrow at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens:


Ernest Chausson: Chanson perpétuelle, Op. 37                                                 
Igor Stravinsky: Three Songs from William Shakespeare
Richard Strauss: Drei Lieder der Ophelia aus Shakespeares Hamlet, Op. 67
Maurice Ravel: Chansons madécasses
Johannes Brahms: Fünf Ophelia-Lieder, WoO 22
Johannes Brahms: 2 Gesänge, Οp. 91
Leoš Janáček: «Říkadla» (Nursery Rhymes)
Antonín Dvořák: Gypsy Songs, Οp. 55 (selection), orchestrated by Duncan Ward

    «Má píseň zas mi láskou zní» (Mein Lied ertönt, ein Liebespsalm / My song of love rings through the dusk)
    «Široké rukávy» (In dem weiten, breiten, luf'tgen Leinenkleide)
    «Mé srdce často v bolesti» (My heart often broods in pain) from Cypresses, B. 11: No. 11
    «Žalo dievča, žalo trávu» (When a maiden was a-mowing) from Volkslieder, Op. 73 No. 2
    «Když mne stará matka» (Als die alte Mutter / Songs my mother taught me)
    «Struna naladěna» (Reingestimmt die Saiten / Come and join the dancing)
    ​​​​​​​


Magdalena Kožená, mezzo-soprano
Sir Simon Rattle, piano
Giovanni Guzzo, violin
Rahel Rilling, violin
Amihai Grosz, viola
Dávid Adorján, cello
Kaspar Zehnder, flute
Andrew Marriner, clarinet
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on October 21, 2019, 01:25:41 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on October 21, 2019, 02:16:36 AM
Tomorrow at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens:


Ernest Chausson: Chanson perpétuelle, Op. 37                                                 
Igor Stravinsky: Three Songs from William Shakespeare
Richard Strauss: Drei Lieder der Ophelia aus Shakespeares Hamlet, Op. 67
Maurice Ravel: Chansons madécasses
Johannes Brahms: Fünf Ophelia-Lieder, WoO 22
Johannes Brahms: 2 Gesänge, Οp. 91
Leoš Janáček: «Říkadla» (Nursery Rhymes)
Antonín Dvořák: Gypsy Songs, Οp. 55 (selection), orchestrated by Duncan Ward

    «Má píseň zas mi láskou zní» (Mein Lied ertönt, ein Liebespsalm / My song of love rings through the dusk)
    «Široké rukávy» (In dem weiten, breiten, luf'tgen Leinenkleide)
    «Mé srdce často v bolesti» (My heart often broods in pain) from Cypresses, B. 11: No. 11
    «Žalo dievča, žalo trávu» (When a maiden was a-mowing) from Volkslieder, Op. 73 No. 2
    «Když mne stará matka» (Als die alte Mutter / Songs my mother taught me)
    «Struna naladěna» (Reingestimmt die Saiten / Come and join the dancing)
    ​​​​​​​


Magdalena Kožená, mezzo-soprano
Sir Simon Rattle, piano
Giovanni Guzzo, violin
Rahel Rilling, violin
Amihai Grosz, viola
Dávid Adorján, cello
Kaspar Zehnder, flute
Andrew Marriner, clarinet
That looks like a very intelligent and interesting program (for me, particularly the first half or so). Kožena, Rattle & friends were supposed to give the same (or a very similar) concert in Barcelona last Saturday, but the events in the city led them to cancel  >:(.

Enjoy!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on October 23, 2019, 04:00:57 AM
Tomorrow at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester :

Jeffrey Mumford Within diffuse echoes ... softly spreading (18') (BBC commission: world premiere)
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1 (19')
Mahler Symphony No.5 (68')

BBC Philharmonic - Joana Carneiro (conductor) - Denis Kozhukhin (piano)

Teeny bit excited about this one  0:) :laugh:
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on October 23, 2019, 10:43:24 PM
As a Senior I have been muttering about the recycled programs the Vancouver Symphony has this year but in January I will bite and hear:
•   Jan. 11   Nicole Lizée  Behind the Sound of Music for Orchestra and Glitch
•   Unsuk Chin  Violin Concerto
•   Kaija Saariaho  D'om le vrai sens
•   Jan. 13   Bach, Kreisler, Kuntze-Krakau, Kurtag, and Yun
        Works for solo violin  (Viviane Hagner, violin)
•   Folk music from Hungary, Egypt, Argentina and Portugal
•   Jan. 14   Missy Mazzoli  Still Life with Avalanche (2008)
•   Nicole Lizée  The Spins (2016)  Epiphora (2016)
•   Olivier Messiaen, arr. Jennifer Butler  Le merle noir (1952, arr. 2013)
•   Vulc Tadeja  O SAPIENTIA (2016)
•   Roomful of Teeth  Quizassa (2012)
•   Slovene Folk Melody  Bog Daj, Bog Daj
•   Palestrina  Sicut Cervus (1594)
•   Part Uusberg  Sicut Cervus (2012) 
•   Merrill Garbus  Water Fountain (2014)
•   Katherina Gimon  Fire (2013)
•   Jan. 16   Thomas Adès  Luxury Suite from Powder Her Face - Suite No. 2
•   Max Richter  Recomposed: Vivaldi - The Four Seasons
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on October 25, 2019, 01:10:08 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on October 23, 2019, 04:00:57 AM
Tomorrow at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester :

Jeffrey Mumford Within diffuse echoes ... softly spreading (18') (BBC commission: world premiere)
Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No.1 (19')
Mahler Symphony No.5 (68')

BBC Philharmonic - Joana Carneiro (conductor) - Denis Kozhukhin (piano)

Teeny bit excited about this one  0:) :laugh:

Very good concert last night. The Mendelssohn PC was really lively and very well received. The pianist offered us a gorgeous little encore from the Lieder ohne Worte.

The Mahler 5 was powerful and impressive to hear live for the first time. The first two movements are among my very favourite and they didn't disappoint, even if being taken a smidgen too fast for my liking. A large bunch of people clapped after those two movements to the embarrassed but smiling delight of the young female conductor who turned around, surprised.  The Adagio was tingle-inducing as you would hope and taken at a perfect pace (11'30+ approx). the conductor was very lively and expressive, with expansive movements. I thought initially that would distract me from the music but it turned out to add to the overall enjoyment by seeing clearly how the tempo is made for the various orchestra sections throughout. I tend to skip the finale of the M5 when I listen at home but seeing it live has converted me now. Deserved loud and long cheers and applause at the end.

The opening work was seriously atonal (no honking either unfortunately  8)) and not to my liking at all. The audience reception was let's say polite, at best. It didn't look like the orchestra enjoyed it either to be fair. Where is Schnittke when you need him ?!!  :laugh:  0:)

The concert was recorded for BBC Radio 3 to be broadcast at a later date, if you fancy catching it.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 30, 2019, 10:39:52 AM
Seeing Rimsky-Korsakov's "Le coq d'or" live from the Dallas Opera tonight. First time the Dallas Opera has staged it.

We're missing World Series Game 7 for this so it had better be worth it  ??? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 12, 2019, 10:22:52 AM
My parents just saw Bartok's Third Piano Concerto live and here was my mom's review: "I yawned so much I thought my jaw was going to crack!"

Poor Bela can't win them all, I guess ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on November 15, 2019, 09:01:39 AM
Last night :

The Hallé / Bridgewater Hall
Alexander Joel - conductor
Kristóf Baráti - violin

Mahler - Blumine
Korngold - Violin Concerto
Mahler - Symphony No.1

The 4th mvt (Stürmisch bewegt) is the first Mahler movement I clicked with all those years ago so I was elated to hear the work live. It didn't disappoint. The funeral march
and its contrasts were a high point too.

The real surprise to me was the Korngold VC. I had read its praises here but waited until this concert to listen to it fully (I might have sampled some of it months ago but it didn't leave any memories). It was a very well received performance, and despite a couple of shrieking passages (2nd mvt ?), I have enjoyed this discovery, particularly the 3rd movement with its movie soundtrack feel. Definitely a composer I must explore sharpish.

The violinist played a gorgeous short encore, baroque era, felt like a Bach partita or sonata extract to me. I have emailed Bridgewater Hall to try and find out.

No more Mahler until next May with the 3rd symphony, again with the Hallé and Alice Coote.

Next, some lighter fare in over two weeks (to my girlfreind's delight  8)) :

The Four Seasons by Candlelight - Mozart Festival Orchestra  in full 18th Century costume | David Juritz violin/director | Keri Fuge soprano | Crispian Steele-Perkins trumpet

Charpentier    Prelude from the Te Deum
Handel           Let the Bright Seraphim, Rejoice greatly from Messiah, Lascia chio pianga from Rinaldo
Bach              Air on the G String
Clarke            Trumpet Suite
Corelli            Allegro and Pastoral from Christmas Concerto
Mozart           Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Vivaldi            The Four Seasons

Should be a nice change.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on November 17, 2019, 05:33:18 PM
Attended a nice chamber music concert tonight. The American String Quartet and guest violist Cynthia Phelps had programmed three substantial string quintets by Mozart (K593), Mendelssohn (op. 87) and Brahms (op.111).

The highlight of the evening for me was the slow movement of the Mendelssohn. In the program notes the quartet's violist Daniel Avshalomov wrote that if Mendelssohn wrote a more beautiful slow movement he'd like to hear it. It was indeed a very special moment.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 17, 2019, 10:20:33 PM
Lovely concert yesterday with local orchestra
Airedale Symphony Orchestra

Dvorak. Carnival Overture
Grieg  Piano  Concerto
Sibelius. Symphony no 1

Soloist. James Kirby
Conductor. John Anderson

Was at Kings Hall in Ilkley🎹🎹🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on November 21, 2019, 12:36:38 PM
Yesterday, with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conducted by Hannu Lintu:

- Dvorak, cello concerto in b minor. Alban Gebhardt, soloist
- Lutoslawski, symphony no 4 (1992)
- Janacek, Sinfonietta.

This will certainly rank very high in my list of most memorable concerts I've attended. The Lutoslawski was the highlight of the concert for me. It's a huge, complex work one rarely - if ever - hears in concert. I was floored. The audience predictably went wild after the Sinfonietta. It was a great performance. Without seeing it, I would never have known that, alone among the 24 brass instruments, the tuba does NOT play during the final peroration. What a racket !

I was very impressed by conductor Hannu Lintu. This was very shrewd and daring programming. I wish we'd get that kind of audacity and substance more often.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jess on November 23, 2019, 01:55:46 AM
I've been doing some concerts with Andrew Davis again before he leaves our orchestra after next month's Messiah performances. Premiered a new piece by his son Ed called Fire of the Spirit which is basically Elgar/Parry anthem music with more diatonic clusters. It's good fun!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Jr5ZtA6DU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on November 24, 2019, 03:04:02 AM
This Tuesday at the Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich:


Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Die tote Stadt

Paul: Jonas Kaufmann
Marietta/Die Erscheinung Mariens: Marlis Petersen
Frank/Fritz: Andrzej Filonczyk
Brigitta: Jennifer Johnston
Juliette: Mirjam Mesak
Lucienne: Corinna Scheurle
Gaston/Victorin: Manuel Günther
Graf Albert: Dean Power

Kinderchor der Bayerischen Staatsoper
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper
Bayerisches Staatsorchester
Kirill Petrenko
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jess on November 24, 2019, 10:05:42 AM
How did Kaufmann go? Whenever I've seen him it usually takes a number of performances for him to start sounding okay in any role.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on November 24, 2019, 10:47:35 AM
It's this coming Tuesday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jess on November 24, 2019, 10:49:19 AM
Oh right, misread! Do tell us by then :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on December 01, 2019, 04:16:51 AM
This coming week in Vienna:


Mozart: Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni    Ludovic Tézier
Donna Anna    Hanna-Elisabeth Müller
Don Ottavio    Josh Lovell
Donna Elvira    Federica Lombardi
Leporello    Peter Kellner

Conductor    Adam Fischer
Director    Jean-Louis Martinoty



Puccini: Tosca

Floria Tosca    Evgenia Muraveva
Mario Cavaradossi    Joseph Calleja
Baron Scarpia    Bryn Terfel

Conductor    Marco Armiliato
Director    Margarethe Wallmann
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on December 03, 2019, 03:01:22 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on November 15, 2019, 09:01:39 AM

The Four Seasons by Candlelight - Mozart Festival Orchestra  in full 18th Century costume | David Juritz violin/director | Keri Fuge soprano | Crispian Steele-Perkins trumpet

Charpentier    Prelude from the Te Deum
Handel           Let the Bright Seraphim, Rejoice greatly from Messiah, Lascia chio pianga from Rinaldo
Bach              Air on the G String
Clarke            Trumpet Suite
Corelli            Allegro and Pastoral from Christmas Concerto
Mozart           Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Vivaldi            The Four Seasons

Should be a nice change.

That was last Sunday. Easy listening, bit gimmicky, but pleasant overall. The trumpet player and the soprano were very good, the orchestra and the solo violinist/director less so for me.

I often thought before that concerts could maybe do with some explanations or context between pieces, which could be helpful for a newcomer like me at the time. That was the case yesterday, interspersed with anecdotes and light hearted 'jokes', but when he talked between EACH movements of the 4 seasons, that got a bit much...and now I am not so sure anymore  >:D

And don't get me started on the audience members who were foot-tapping and humming loudly out of tempo.

God I am turning into one of those snobs in my old age  ??? :laugh:

ok, it was fun for what it was, nothing more nothing less.

Now gimme some more Mahler.

8)

here is a promotional video for that orchestra :

https://www.youtube.com/v/pZiz3hVPkWg
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 04, 2019, 01:37:46 PM
Quote from: Papy Oli on December 03, 2019, 03:01:22 AM
That was last Sunday. Easy listening, bit gimmicky, but pleasant overall. The trumpet player and the soprano were very good, the orchestra and the solo violinist/director less so for me.

I often thought before that concerts could maybe do with some explanations or context between pieces, which could be helpful for a newcomer like me at the time. That was the case yesterday, interspersed with anecdotes and light hearted 'jokes', but when he talked between EACH movements of the 4 seasons, that got a bit much...and now I am not so sure anymore  >:D

And don't get me started on the audience members who were foot-tapping and humming loudly out of tempo.

God I am turning into one of those snobs in my old age  ??? :laugh:

ok, it was fun for what it was, nothing more nothing less.

Now gimme some more Mahler.

8)

here is a promotional video for that orchestra :

https://www.youtube.com/v/pZiz3hVPkWg

The powdered wigs weren't a clear sign this concert was going to be gimmicky? ??? ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on December 04, 2019, 01:48:34 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 04, 2019, 01:37:46 PM
The powdered wigs weren't a clear sign this concert was going to be gimmicky? ??? ;)

HIP is not what it used to be  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jess on December 04, 2019, 09:13:18 PM
Since when has HIP not been gimmicky, really
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 07, 2019, 05:37:45 AM
Tonight at the 92nd Street Y:

Orpheus
Carolin Widmann (violin)

Mozart, Overture, from Le nozze di Figaro, K.492
Weill, Violin Concerto, Op. 12
Mozart, Serenade for Winds No. 10 in B-flat Major, K. 361/370a "Gran Partita"

The Weill is the rarity; last heard it in 2001 by the Ebony Band (members of the Concertgebouw) with their concertmaster at the time, Alexander Kerr.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 16, 2019, 11:09:50 AM
Yesterday, a bleakly moving Schubert Winterreise from Joyce Di Donato and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, which I thought was one of the best concerts of the year. (From comments after, though, not everyone agreed.)

The concert is available on medici.tv, free with registration.

https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/joyce-didonato-and-yannick-nezet-seguin-perform-schuberts-winterreise/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 17, 2019, 09:27:12 AM
Tonight, the JACK Quartet in the world premiere of divisio spiralis by Catherine Lamb, about an hour in length. Tomorrow the group returns for a second concert with works by Clara Ionnotta, Tyshawn Sorey, and Lester St. Louis.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 17, 2019, 10:34:35 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 16, 2019, 11:09:50 AM
Yesterday, a bleakly moving Schubert Winterreise from Joyce Di Donato and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, which I thought was one of the best concerts of the year. (From comments after, though, not everyone agreed.)

The concert is available on medici.tv, free with registration.

https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/joyce-didonato-and-yannick-nezet-seguin-perform-schuberts-winterreise/

--Bruce

Thanks, Bruce, I will certainly listen to that concert !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 17, 2019, 10:47:48 AM
Quote from: André on December 17, 2019, 10:34:35 AM
Thanks, Bruce, I will certainly listen to that concert !

Most welcome! Depending on how long it's up, I will certainly watch it again. Many moments are lingering in the memory. I haven't heard her live that many times (my bad), and she is utterly riveting. And this was my first encounter with YNS at the piano -- a revelation.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jess on December 17, 2019, 11:18:58 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 17, 2019, 09:27:12 AM
Tonight, the JACK Quartet in the world premiere of divisio spiralis by Catherine Lamb, about an hour in length. Tomorrow the group returns for a second concert with works by Clara Ionnotta, Tyshawn Sorey, and Lester St. Louis.

--Bruce
Wish I was there! Sounds truly wonderful :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on December 19, 2019, 05:37:57 AM
Last Saturday, our choir's  'Dutch premiere'  8) of the 2014 Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis by the both Latvian & finest choral composer at this moment Ēriks Ešenvalds (b 1977), at the heart of a free & therefore popular, local Christmas celebration.

Lots of carols and folksy songs, alternated with fun pieces like Ubi Caritas I & III (Sacred Heart) and Ecce Novum by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo (b 1978). Even another 'Dutch premiere' (we don't claim, young composer unknown here) namely the 2012 Lullaby by Daniel Elder (American, b 1986). Bad audio, amateurish singing (us volunteering occasionally, little practicing, all loving to do it, the Ēriks Ešenvalds premiere from 48:00 till about 55:00. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/v/XNRcNbWLU8M

BTW a cell phone interruption from the audience forced to make a second beginning with the Nunc Dimittis (never happened, right decision). 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on December 19, 2019, 08:55:14 PM
Recently attended this fantastic program by my local Pittsburgh Symphony:

Nielsen: Helios Overture
Mozart: Violin Concerto no. 2 in D major
Adès: Violin Concerto Concentric Paths
Sibelius: Symphony no. 3 in C major

Augustin Hadelich, violin
Osmo Vänskä, conductor


It was refreshing to see an absence of overplayed "warhorses" on this program. In fact, it apparently marked the first time the PSO had performed the Nielsen and Sibelius works! :o The Nielsen was the perfect concert opener, with the PSO successfully capturing the aureate glow of the sunrise and the quicksilver character of the following section with its incisive string fugato. The sunset denouement was handled most sensitively and atmospherically. The Mozart concerto could have easily been a rather run-of-the-mill affair - I don't anyone would claim it to be one of Mozart's greatest works - but the brilliant musicianship of Augustin Hadelich (and Vänskä) brought the music to life with sparkling wit and lyricism. I particularly enjoyed Hadelich's tasteful cadenzas. Hadelich returned after intermission to play another - very different - concerto at around the 20-minute mark, that of contemporary British composer Thomas Adès. The quasi-minimalist opening was very promising, but soon afterwards I lost sight of the musical argument. The extended slow movement was particularly tough going for me with its incessantly growling low brass. Not a work I'll feel compelled to return to anytime soon, but Hadelich made a very convincing case for it. (Btw, I've enjoyed some other of Adès' works, such as Asyla and Tevot, quite a bit more.) The highlight of the program was unquestionably the Sibelius. I've always loved this symphony, but hearing it live in such an excellent performance took my appreciation of it to a whole new level. Vänskä really brought out the wildness and occasional weirdness of the work, while still maintaining a long-breathed and organic overall conception. Special marks to principal flautist Lorna McGhee, who handled her numerous (and difficult!) solos with complete aplomb, the cello section who shone in their chorale-like passages, and the horn section who whooped gloriously in the tremendously exciting coda. A performance not soon to be forgotten!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 22, 2019, 07:04:32 AM
Quote from: kyjo on December 19, 2019, 08:55:14 PM
Recently attended this fantastic program by my local Pittsburgh Symphony:

Nielsen: Helios Overture
Mozart: Violin Concerto no. 2 in D major
Adès: Violin Concerto Concentric Paths
Sibelius: Symphony no. 3 in C major

Augustin Hadelich, violin
Osmo Vänskä, conductor


It was refreshing to see an absence of overplayed "warhorses" on this program. In fact, it apparently marked the first time the PSO had performed the Nielsen and Sibelius works! :o The Nielsen was the perfect concert opener, with the PSO successfully capturing the aureate glow of the sunrise and the quicksilver character of the following section with its incisive string fugato. The sunset denouement was handled most sensitively and atmospherically. The Mozart concerto could have easily been a rather run-of-the-mill affair - I don't anyone would claim it to be one of Mozart's greatest works - but the brilliant musicianship of Augustin Hadelich (and Vänskä) brought the music to life with sparkling wit and lyricism. I particularly enjoyed Hadelich's tasteful cadenzas. Hadelich returned after intermission to play another - very different - concerto at around the 20-minute mark, that of contemporary British composer Thomas Adès. The quasi-minimalist opening was very promising, but soon afterwards I lost sight of the musical argument. The extended slow movement was particularly tough going for me with its incessantly growling low brass. Not a work I'll feel compelled to return to anytime soon, but Hadelich made a very convincing case for it. (Btw, I've enjoyed some other of Adès' works, such as Asyla and Tevot, quite a bit more.) The highlight of the program was unquestionably the Sibelius. I've always loved this symphony, but hearing it live in such an excellent performance took my appreciation of it to a whole new level. Vänskä really brought out the wildness and occasional weirdness of the work, while still maintaining a long-breathed and organic overall conception. Special marks to principal flautist Lorna McGhee, who handled her numerous (and difficult!) solos with complete aplomb, the cello section who shone in their chorale-like passages, and the horn section who whooped gloriously in the tremendously exciting coda. A performance not soon to be forgotten!

Great program, great orchestra, great conductor, great soloist. In the last few years, I have heard the PSO through recordings with Honeck, and he seems to have elevated the group's profile. They are building quite a legacy together.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 22, 2019, 12:14:33 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 17, 2019, 10:47:48 AM
Most welcome! Depending on how long it's up, I will certainly watch it again. Many moments are lingering in the memory. I haven't heard her live that many times (my bad), and she is utterly riveting. And this was my first encounter with YNS at the piano -- a revelation.

--Bruce

Intense, moving, captivating. Voice and piano are in perfect balance, with Di Donato dominating the stage even when using very economic gestures. On the rare instances where YNS has the lead he rises to the (musical) occasion tellingly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 23, 2019, 06:41:14 PM
Quote from: André on December 22, 2019, 12:14:33 PM
Intense, moving, captivating. Voice and piano are in perfect balance, with Di Donato dominating the stage even when using very economic gestures. On the rare instances where YNS has the lead he rises to the (musical) occasion tellingly.

Yes, totally agree. That balance was one of my favorite things, too. Did you like the "reading the book" framing device? I did, but others thought it unnecessary and contrived. It added just enough context to the narrative without underlining it too much.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 24, 2019, 06:23:45 AM
It's a ploy to be sure, but an intelligent one. Winterreise sung as though reading a journal. Di Donato uses it very well, with the right expressions. One doesn't react the same when reading about events vs going through them. It was unobtrusive and practical - a lied singer's safety net  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 07, 2020, 12:04:18 PM
Just got tickets for an all-Mahler recital by baritone Christian Gerhaher and pianist Gerold Huber at the Teatro de la Zarzuela here in Madrid next Monday. The program starts and closes with two songs form the unusual piano version of Das Lied von der Erde (Der Einsame im Herbst and Der Abschied). In between, the Rückert-Lieder and some of the Wunderhorn songs.

4 years ago I saw the same team (in the same venue) perform the Kindertotenlieder and the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (plus some Wunderhorn songs as well), and it was sublime. I'm really looking forward to this one  :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 07, 2020, 12:43:15 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 07, 2020, 12:04:18 PM
Just got tickets for an all-Mahler recital by baritone Christian Gerhaher and pianist Gerold Huber at the Teatro de la Zarzuela here in Madrid next Monday. The program starts and closes with two songs form the unusual piano version of Das Lied von der Erde (Der Einsame im Herbst and Der Abschied). In between, the Rückert-Lieder and some of the Wunderhorn songs.

4 years ago I saw the same team (in the same venue) perform the Kindertotenlieder and the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (plus some Wunderhorn songs as well), and it was sublime. I'm really looking forward to this one  :).

Sounds lovely, Rafael. Hope you enjoy it as much this time as you did the last time. Looks like a great program, too. I love Mahler's lieder.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 07, 2020, 01:12:03 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 07, 2020, 12:43:15 PM
Sounds lovely, Rafael. Hope you enjoy it as much this time as you did the last time. Looks like a great program, too. I love Mahler's lieder.
Thanks, John. And a good day to you... :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 11, 2020, 03:37:37 PM
Tonight!

Copland | Quiet City
Julia Wolfe | Fountain of Youth
Barber | Andromache's Farewell
Rimsky-Korsakov | Scheherazade

Lisa Larsson, soprano (Barber)
Dallas SO | Fabio Luisi

An enterprising program from our new chief conductor - three Americans of very different styles (including at least one local premiere), plus a beloved warhorse.

EDIT: Actually it was Lise Lindstrom, soprano.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 12, 2020, 12:30:01 AM
Last night: Nicole Lizée: Behind the Sound of Music for Orchestra and Glitch
Unsuk Chin: Violin Concerto    Viviane Hagner Violin
Kaija Saariaho: D'om le vrai sens    Kari Kriikku, Clarinet (making unusual sounds and wandering about the stage and audience)
Vancouver Symphony,  Otto Tausk, cond.    both concertos played by the performers for whom they were written
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 13, 2020, 01:23:13 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 07, 2020, 12:04:18 PM
Just got tickets for an all-Mahler recital by baritone Christian Gerhaher and pianist Gerold Huber at the Teatro de la Zarzuela here in Madrid next Monday. The program starts and closes with two songs form the unusual piano version of Das Lied von der Erde (Der Einsame im Herbst and Der Abschied). In between, the Rückert-Lieder and some of the Wunderhorn songs.

4 years ago I saw the same team (in the same venue) perform the Kindertotenlieder and the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (plus some Wunderhorn songs as well), and it was sublime. I'm really looking forward to this one  :).
I'm just back from the Gerhaher / Huber all-Mahler recital, and it was a great evening. TBH, things started out a bit shaky with Der Einsame im Herbst from Das Lied von der Erde, where Gerhaher seemed to be having an off night and not be able to control the dynamics too well, and an impression of the interpretation being too mannered took hold. This feeling persisted in rather histrionic renditions of Revelge and Der Tambourg'sell, and the first two of the Rückert-Lieder weren't that much better. But then, as if transformed, Gerhaher gave us simply perfect Um Mitternacht, Liebst du um Schönheit and Ich bin Der Welt abhanden gekommen; nuanced, perfectly enunciated, feeling totally natural. After the intermission, we got Nicht wiedersehen! from the early songs at the same (very) high level, and a Der Abschied that was truly moving. Lieder singing of the highest calibre! After the rapturous applause, Gerhaher announced (in surprisingly good Spanish) that the only possible encore after Der Abschied was Urlicht, and this was just as touching as when it was given as an encore in the other all-Mahler recital with the same artists I attended 4 years ago.

Hearing excerpts from DLvdE in its version with piano accompaniment was interesting, and Gerold Huber's mastery must be pointed out, as at no time did I "miss" the orchestral textures (not even in the long purely instrumental passages of Der Abschied). A superb accompanist, which in this case may not be the right term: these Gerhaher / Huber recitals are the collaboration between two equal partners, deeply attuned to each other.

Tonight, I was struck for the first time by how much the spirit of Jugendstil pervades Der Einsame..., but also by how even  Der Abschied (one of Mahler's most moving and profound creations IMHO) borders on the kitsch at some moments.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 13, 2020, 01:29:01 PM
Good to read the concert went well, Rafael. Das Abschied is one of my favorite moments in all of Mahler and I bet that rendition for just voice and piano was wonderful.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: jess on January 14, 2020, 01:17:12 AM
Quote from: listener on January 12, 2020, 12:30:01 AM
Last night: Nicole Lizée: Behind the Sound of Music for Orchestra and Glitch
Unsuk Chin: Violin Concerto    Viviane Hagner Violin
Kaija Saariaho: D'om le vrai sens    Kari Kriikku, Clarinet (making unusual sounds and wandering about the stage and audience)
Vancouver Symphony,  Otto Tausk, cond.    both concertos played by the performers for whom they were written

What a programme! Wish I could have seen it. How was it?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 16, 2020, 10:27:28 AM
Tonight, with the Montreal Symphony and conductor Kent Nagano:

- Schubert, symphonies 2 and 4
- Mozart, concerto for two pianos. Paul Lewis and Angela Hewitt, pianos.

These two Schubert symphonies are among my favourites. The Mozart comes as a nice bonus, especially with such sensitive artists.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 16, 2020, 10:05:56 PM
Quote from: jess on January 14, 2020, 01:17:12 AM
What a programme! Wish I could have seen it. How was it?
The Chin concerto 1st mvt based on consecutive fifths a ninth apart G-D, A-E, once realized becomes a set of fantasy-variations, the last is a chaconne so there's a good bit to grab on to.  The Saaeijaho is a lot of vistuoso honking by a peripatetic clarinet, like a unicorn in a garden.
Soloists were terrific and participated in another program a couple of days later of pieces for solo violin (Bach to Rochberg) and eastern European folk and popular music with the clarinet having a great time jazzing things up.  It's part of a week of discovering new music which is in turn rediscovering influences from the past.

Tonight:  Thomas ADÈS Orchestral Suite from his opera Powder Her Face and Max Richter's The Four Seasons revisited.   Not a tone-row in anything anymore!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 17, 2020, 07:10:09 AM
Quote from: listener on January 16, 2020, 10:05:56 PM
The Chin concerto 1st mvt based on consecutive fifths a ninth apart G-D, A-E, once realized becomes a set of fantasy-variations, the last is a chaconne so there's a good bit to grab on to.  The Saaeijaho is a lot of vistuoso honking by a peripatetic clarinet, like a unicorn in a garden.
Soloists were terrific and participated in another program a couple of days later of pieces for solo violin (Bach to Rochberg) and eastern European folk and popular music with the clarinet having a great time jazzing things up.  It's part of a week of discovering new music which is in turn rediscovering influences from the past.

Tonight:  Thomas ADÈS Orchestral Suite from his opera Powder Her Face and Max Richter's The Four Seasons revisited.   Not a tone-row in anything anymore!

Nice choice of words, I like that !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 17, 2020, 07:28:14 AM
Quote from: listener on January 12, 2020, 12:30:01 AM
Last night: Nicole Lizée: Behind the Sound of Music for Orchestra and Glitch
Unsuk Chin: Violin Concerto    Viviane Hagner Violin
Kaija Saariaho: D'om le vrai sens    Kari Kriikku, Clarinet (making unusual sounds and wandering about the stage and audience)
Vancouver Symphony,  Otto Tausk, cond.    both concertos played by the performers for whom they were written

Quote from: jess on January 14, 2020, 01:17:12 AM
What a programme! Wish I could have seen it. How was it?

Somehow missed commenting on this fantastic-looking concert -- and with three women composers, to boot. Was just talking about the Vancouver Symphony the other night, to a friend planning a trip there.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 17, 2020, 07:28:56 AM
Quote from: André on January 17, 2020, 07:10:09 AM
Nice choice of words, I like that !

Yes, ditto!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 17, 2020, 07:37:17 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 11, 2020, 03:37:37 PM
Tonight!

Copland | Quiet City
Julia Wolfe | Fountain of Youth
Barber | Andromache's Farewell
Rimsky-Korsakov | Scheherazade

Lisa Larsson, soprano (Barber)
Dallas SO | Fabio Luisi

An enterprising program from our new chief conductor - three Americans of very different styles (including at least one local premiere), plus a beloved warhorse.

EDIT: Actually it was Lise Lindstrom, soprano.

Really interesting first half that detoured through unusual bits of Americana. Quiet City is an interesting way to start a concert, especially building up to the unbridled, very cinematic energy of "Fountain of Youth," where Wolfe combines a drum set, action movie suspense rhythms, and Glassian minimalism in a pretty exciting way. Lindstrom gets to really belt it out in "Andromache's Farewell," an iconic rage aria if such a thing ever existed.  ;D

In Scheherazade, Luisi was a mostly steady guide but clearly has a weakness for the fallacy that more instruments = faster and fewer instruments = slower. In his official biography, Luisi takes care to note that he has Langgaard in his repertoire (!!!). (Symphony No 4, Leaf-Fall.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 17, 2020, 07:49:51 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 17, 2020, 07:37:17 AM
Really interesting first half that detoured through unusual bits of Americana. Quiet City is an interesting way to start a concert, especially building up to the unbridled, very cinematic energy of "Fountain of Youth," where Wolfe combines a drum set, action movie suspense rhythms, and Glassian minimalism in a pretty exciting way. Lindstrom gets to really belt it out in "Andromache's Farewell," an iconic rage aria if such a thing ever existed.  ;D

In Scheherazade, Luisi was a mostly steady guide but clearly has a weakness for the fallacy that more instruments = faster and fewer instruments = slower. In his official biography, Luisi takes care to note that he has Langgaard in his repertoire (!!!). (Symphony No 4, Leaf-Fall.)

And thanks for this, too -- another very cool concert. Neither the Barber nor the Copland seem to show up on concert programs lately.

I have enjoyed Luisi here in his Met Orchestra appearances, so if you all get some Langgaard...I mean, how wonderful is that?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on January 18, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D, Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra, and Knussen's Two Organa. Tomorrow afternoon. Very excited.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 18, 2020, 07:50:53 AM
Nice program ! A few weeks ago I heard Lutoslawski's 4th symphony in concert. Seeing as well as hearing is fascinating. What an inventive mind!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on January 18, 2020, 07:55:57 AM
Quote from: André on January 18, 2020, 07:50:53 AM
Nice program ! A few weeks ago I heard Lutoslawski's 4th symphony in concert. Seeing as well as hearing is fascinating. What an inventive mind!

Wow!! I'm jealous. I need to listen to his 4th symphony again soon. It may be the best of the four.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on January 18, 2020, 12:11:57 PM
Quote from: André on January 16, 2020, 10:27:28 AM
Tonight, with the Montreal Symphony and conductor Kent Nagano:

- Schubert, symphonies 2 and 4
- Mozart, concerto for two pianos. Paul Lewis and Angela Hewitt, pianos.

These two Schubert symphonies are among my favourites. The Mozart comes as a nice bonus, especially with such sensitive artists.

This takes the prize for the most disappointing concert I've ever attended  ???. Nagano's concept of the schubertian orchestra is a band of 42 (ok by me) where the strings play with no vibrato, no expression other than prissy swells and diminuendos and where anything above a single f is strictly verboten. Schubert's manically driven allegros were played strictly in tempo and as softly as possible. The constant holding back from all sections quickly became maddening. Winds were not constrained and came out beautifully, but to hear the pair of horns and trumpets straining to rein in the sound in the exuberant final chords of symphony 2:I and IV was infuriating.

Mozart's Double concerto is in E flat, a proud, noble key in Mozart. The swaggering orchestral introduction was played in a funereal, deadpan manner. Fortunately, pianists Angela Hewitt and Paul Lewis were splendidly in tune and in synch with each other. But it takes two (in this case three) to tango, and here one of the partners forgot to show up.

This was part of a Schubert festival where all the symphonies will be played, along with lieder (Hewitt accompanying Ian Bostridge) and sonatas (Lewis). I read a critic mentioning that in one of the previous concerts (symphonies 5 and 8 ) the strings sounded emaciated. It seems this is Nagano's conception of the 19 year old Schubert's symphonies  ???. I left at the intermission. I didn't want to hear the big, dark 4th symphony reduced to a couple string beans on an empty plate. Not my kind of dish.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on January 25, 2020, 06:04:19 AM
Vancouver Symphony  Boulez Mémoriale (... explosante-fixe ... Originel) *
Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte  Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1
Berlioz    Symphonie fantastique
Jun Märkl  cond.  István Várdai, cello
and an encore: Kodaly: Capriccio 
good evening altogether!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 25, 2020, 01:28:07 PM
Tomorrow at the Greek National Opera:

Alban Berg
: Wozzeck

Wozzeck: Tassis Christoyannis

Drum Major: Peter Wedd

Andres: Vassilis Kavayas

Captain: Peter Hoare

Doctor: Yanni Yannissis

Apprentice I: Vangelis Maniatis

Apprentica II: Michalis Psyrras

Madman: Panagiotis Priftis

Marie: Nadine Lehner

Margret: Margarita Syngeniotou

Conductor
Vassilis Christopoulos

Director
Olivier Py
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 25, 2020, 01:41:28 PM
That looks enticing, Wanderer. A live Wozzeck is always a treat IMHO, and Tassis Chritoyannis is a very interesting and versatile singer. I only know him in repertoire which is very distant from Berg—he recorded the complete songs of a Reynaldo Hahn recently—and he's first-rate.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 25, 2020, 01:47:55 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 25, 2020, 01:41:28 PM
Tassis Chritoyannis is a very interesting and versatile singer. I only know him in repertoire which is very distant from Berg—he recorded the complete songs of a Reynaldo Hahn recently—and he's first-rate.

He's a specialist in French songs --- he has recorded Lalo, Godard, Gounod and Fernand de la Tombelle (who?) in a succesful partnership with Jeff Cohen. You should check them out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SurprisedByBeauty on January 25, 2020, 02:05:11 PM
Looking forward to the BRSO w/SIR SIMON RATTLE & ERIC TERWILLIGER (https://www.br-so.de/sir-simon-rattle-eric-terwilliger-p19706/)

The latter is the superb solo horn player who is being seen off into retirement with the Strauss Horn Concerto. I really wanted to hear him... and so I shall.

Whole Program:

Robert Schumann
Genoveva, op. 81. Ouvertüre

Richard Strauss
Konzert für Horn und Orchester Nr. 2 Es-Dur, TrV 283

Pause

Hector Berlioz
Roméo et Juliette, op. 17. Liebesszene

Jean-Philippe Rameau
Les Boréades. Suite für Orchester


A couple days before that: https://www.br-klassik.de/programm/konzerte/ausstrahlung-1874442.html (https://www.br-klassik.de/programm/konzerte/ausstrahlung-1874442.html)

Linus Roth & Jose Gallardo in Weinberg Sonatas with a hint of Beethoven.

Mieczysław Weinberg   Violinsonate Nr. 3, op. 37
Violinsonate Nr. 6, op. 136
Rhapsodie über moldawische Themen, op. 47 Nr. 3
Ludwig van Beethoven   Violinsonate A-Dur, op. 47 - "Kreutzer-Sonate"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 25, 2020, 07:16:23 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on January 25, 2020, 01:28:07 PM
Tomorrow at the Greek National Opera:

Alban Berg
: Wozzeck

Wozzeck: Tassis Christoyannis

Drum Major: Peter Wedd

Andres: Vassilis Kavayas

Captain: Peter Hoare

Doctor: Yanni Yannissis

Apprentice I: Vangelis Maniatis

Apprentica II: Michalis Psyrras

Madman: Panagiotis Priftis

Marie: Nadine Lehner

Margret: Margarita Syngeniotou

Conductor
Vassilis Christopoulos

Director
Olivier Py

I'd love to see Wozzeck in concert. I hope you enjoy it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 26, 2020, 05:31:10 AM
Lovely concert yesterday evening at Leeds Town Hall

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Vasily Petrenko

Performing 

Rossini Overture - William Tell 
Vaughan Williams The Lark Ascending (soloist Stephanie Childress)

Schubert Songs with Orchestra (soloist Benjamin Appl):-
arr Jackson Die Forelle
arr Webern Du bist die Ruh
arr Brahms Geheimes
arr Reger Am Tage aller Seelen
arr Liszt Erikonig

Beethoven Symphony no 6🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on February 01, 2020, 02:49:01 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 25, 2020, 01:41:28 PM
...Tassis Christoyannis is a very interesting and versatile singer. I only know him in repertoire which is very distant from Berg—he recorded the complete songs of a Reynaldo Hahn recently—and he's first-rate.

Yes, he's very good. He also sang Rodrigo in our recent production of Don Carlo. Random note: Christoyiannis is an abbreviation he uses for international audiences; in Greece he uses his full surname Χριστογιαννόπουλος/Christogiannopoulos.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on February 01, 2020, 03:07:16 AM
This week in Rome:


Arcadi Volodos in recital
Monday 3 February 2020

Arcadi Volodos, pianoforte

    Liszt: Sonetto 123 del Petrarca
    Liszt: La lugubre Gondola II
    Liszt: San Francesco d'Assisi: La predica agli uccelli
    Liszt: Ballata n. 2
    Schumann: Bunte Blätter: Marcia; Musica della sera
    Schumann: Humoreske op. 20

Sala Santa Cecilia, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.



Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi
Tuesday 4 February 2020
Conductor Daniele Gatti
Director, set, costume, lighting designer Denis Krief
CHORUS MASTER Roberto Gabbiani

CAST

ROMEO Vasilisa Berzhanskaya
GIULIETTA Mariangela Sicilia
TEBALDO Iván Ayón Rivas
LORENZO Nicola Ulivieri
CAPELLIO Alessio Cacciamani

Teatro dell'Opera di Roma Orchestra and Chorus

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 01, 2020, 10:51:46 AM
Yesterday I heard cellist Alban Gerhardt with the New York Philharmonic in Brett Dean's 2018 Cello Concerto. More on both (excellent all around) in an upcoming review for The Strad.

But perhaps most revelatory was my first encounter with Australian conductor Simone Young, who also led stirring versions of the Four Sea Interludes from Britten's Peter Grimes, and Elgar's Enigma Variations. It was inspiring to see another accomplished woman at the podium, among others working today. The orchestra seemed to like her, too.

(Photo: Klaus Lefebvre)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 07, 2020, 12:25:57 PM
Wowzers at this: the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra is recreating Beethoven's wild night of premieres.

A Monumental Four-Hour Recreation of the Legendary 1808 Concert!

BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 6 in F major, "Pastoral"
"Ah! perfido" for soprano and orchestra
"Gloria" from Mass in C major
Concerto for Fortepiano No. 4 in G major

Two-hour intermission

Symphony No. 5 in C minor
"Sanctus" from Mass in C minor (this seems to be a typo? - Brian)
Fantasia in C minor, "Choral Fantasy"

Richard Egarr, conductor and fortepiano
Mireille Asselin, soprano
Kelley O'Connor, alto
Nicholas Phan, tenor
Cody Quattlebaum, bass-baritone
David Belkovski, fortepiano
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale
Bruce Lamott, chorale director

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 @ 4PM | Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 08, 2020, 06:59:06 AM
A couple weeks back, I got to hear Dasol Kim play the last three Beethoven sonatas in this Beethoven year, front row and center as usual.  Kim's playing was meticulously well prepared and not particularly spontaneous, taking on a sterile sound at times, but the trade off was perfectly judged dynamics and basically flawless tempo choices throughout.  While there were a few fudges, overall the recital was extremely high grade.  There were some notable aspects.  For instance, while Kim obviously pedaled throughout, he was often quite discreet.  He never relied on stomping on the sustain during fortissimo playing, instead relying on his arms entirely.  (He never really leaned into his playing like Abduraimov does, though he was not as superhumanly poised as Moog when cranking up the volume.)  Op 110 was the comparative highlight, extremely well done, in a museum quality version, complete with a crystal clear fugue and inverted fugue and a massive buildup to the inverted fugue.  Op 111 was fast and strong in the opener, and more efficient than transcendent in the second movement, though some of his left hand playing, especially surrounding the "little stars" music, was unique and novel in my listening experience.   If DG or some other label were to release a live cycle of the 32, I would buy with no little alacrity. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on February 09, 2020, 03:15:05 AM
Last night at the Bridgewater Hall with the Hallé Pops (Stephen Bell - cond., Craig Ogden - guitar)

Falla - The Three Cornered Hat: Suite No.1
Rodrigo - Concierto de Arunjuez
Marquez - Danzón No.2
Chabrier - España
Bizet - Carmen (extracts)
Granados - Spanish Dances: Andaluza
Ravel - Boléro

Did enjoy the Aranjuez and the Carmen extracts. The rest of the fillers was quite pleasant but at times I found some intensity and some fire were lacking.

The Bolero, however, was an absolute hoot. Any lingering prejudice of it being an over-familiar warhorse has been blown to smithereens. Rather unexpectedly, i'd actually put that among my top live experiences. Each instrument one after the other, the build ups, the layers, the crescendos, the bombastic ending... It would be a brilliant introduction to live classical music if there ever was one. I'd see that again in a heartbeat.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on February 09, 2020, 01:09:16 PM
Similar program here last night:
BIZET:  Carmen Suite     DE FALLA 6 Spanish Songs  orch. Berio (and very nicely done)  GRANADOS Intermezzo from Goyescas,  CHABRIER España
and the Three Cornered Hat with live sand painting.    Would it take away from the music - Does the dancing take away the music from Swan Lake (or vice versa)?  Full house, for a change, the sand artist has been on America's Got Talent so a lot of non-regulars attended and the evening was well planned
Vancouver S.O.     Otto Tausk cond.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 12, 2020, 01:13:22 PM
I and my partner will be spending a long weekend in Bolonia, and we just got tickets for Verdi's Falstaff at the Teatro Comunale Luciano Pavarotti in Modena  for Sunday afternoon . Luca Salsi sings the title rôle, and Jordi Bernàcer conducts.

Seeing this work (a favourite of mine) in a provincial Italian opera house, in a town which is just 80 km away from the composer's birthplace, and which has such strong operatic associations (Pavarotti and the recently deceased Mirella Freni were both Modena natives) is rather appealing to me.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on February 15, 2020, 12:49:38 PM
Quote from: ritter on February 12, 2020, 01:13:22 PM
Bolonia

Errr, could it be (no longer Spanish-occupied it is:) Bologna, perhaps? #nonimperialistspellinghabits  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 15, 2020, 12:57:44 PM
Quote from: Christo on February 15, 2020, 12:49:38 PM
Errr, could it be (no longer Spanish-occupied it is:) Bologna, perhaps? #nonimperialistspellinghabits  ::)
AFAIK, the city was never Spanish occupied (as it was part of the Papal States). The closest it ever came to being « Spanish » was when Charles I (or V, depending on one's perspective) was crowned emperor there by the Pope.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on February 15, 2020, 01:19:46 PM
Quote from: ritter on February 15, 2020, 12:57:44 PM
AFAIK, the city was never Spanish occupied (as it was part of the Papal States). The closest it ever came to being « Spanish » was when Charles I (or V, depending on one's perspective) was crowned emperor there by the Pope.  ;)

The deblorable Charles V - Karel V, you mean - a born & grown Dutchman/Belgian of course. Emperor of the Empire he was though, whether Bologna did like it or not (indeed not). Being crowned - either in Rome, as was Charles 'the Great' No. 1 - or in Milan(o) - as were all normal emperors - didn't matter that much. Either king or emperor: their sphere of influence always fluent, a matter of dealing with all other powers within the Holy Roman Empire. The great free city of Bolonia/Bolognia nothing less / or more / than one among many.  :-X
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 21, 2020, 04:04:00 PM
Last night at Carnegie:

Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
John Eliot Gardiner, conductor

Beethoven: Symphony No. 2
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3

An impressive evening, which fell in my lap at the last minute, thanks to a pal who couldn't use a ticket.

I had never heard this group live, and they are as suave and accomplished in person as they are on recordings. In both works, details I had never noticed emerged, thanks to the clarity and balance. Fantastic wind section.

In the Eroica, the violins and violas performed standing, perhaps adding an extra frisson of energy. Tempos, phrasing, accents, and dynamic levels were all superbly judged.

I confess to being a little weary of the 250th birthday party already (it's not as if his music is never played), but this concert revived me.

Gardiner and the group are completing the symphonic cycle over the next few days, and all concerts are essentially sold out. No time to catch any of the others, but glad I got to hear one of them.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2020, 09:52:11 PM
Tonight, a terrific immersion in works by Dai Fujikura, part of Miller Theatre's long-running Composer Portraits series, with the peerless International Contemporary Ensemble.

I would eagerly hear anything on this program again.

Alice Teyssier, soprano
Daniel Lippel, guitar
International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
Daniela Candillari, conductor

Minina (2013)
silence seeking solace (2013)
Gliding Wings (2019) world premiere
abandoned time (2004, rev. 2006)
secret forest (2008)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 07, 2020, 07:13:13 AM
Tonight, what looks like a terrific concert with two short operas. I have seen the Benjamin twice, and it is creepy as hell -- his take on the Pied Piper story.

George Benjamin: Into the Little Hill
Toshio Hosokawa: Futari Shizuka (US Premiere)

https://www.92y.org/event/talea-ensemble

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 12, 2020, 04:45:59 AM
Assuming it happens (since things are changing daily due to coronavirus), looking forward to MTT and San Francisco Symphony in his final Carnegie concert as music director: Mahler 6. Heard him with the Los Angeles Philharmonic a decade ago in the same piece, which was quite an experience.

https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2020/03/18/San-Francisco-Symphony-0800PM

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 12, 2020, 12:57:22 PM
All concerts cancelled, concert venues closed in Montreal  :-X
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 12, 2020, 06:03:02 PM
Quote from: André on March 12, 2020, 12:57:22 PM
All concerts cancelled, concert venues closed in Montreal  :-X

Yes, same in NYC, as well as Philadelphia, Detroit, Seattle. I think it's 100% the right call. Was at MoMA yesterday, emptier than I have ever seen it. Will likely be shuttered for a few weeks as well.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 12, 2020, 06:19:31 PM
All municipal venues (libraries, museums etc), and possibly the whole school system too (we'll know Friday pm).

Yes, it's the right call. Breaking the transmission chain of the virus will lower the number of cases on a daily basis. It's the only way to make sure the health system isn't overwhelmed.

I just received the 2020-21 season program from the Orchestre métropolitain. Yummy stuff. Hopefully the epidemic will be a thing of the past come September  :).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 14, 2020, 04:52:35 PM
All concerts being cancelled, I'm turning my attention to the next season, starting in September 2020. Hopefully by then things will have returned to a semblance of normalcy.

I've booked 4 concerts with the Orchestre métropolitain. 3 are conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, one by Jo Ann Falletta:

- Wagner, prelude to the 3rd act of Lohengrin.
- Clara Schumann, piano concerto.
- Mahler, symphony no 6


- Sibelius, En Saga
- Mathieu, Concerto de Québec
- Sibelius, symphony no 5.


- Barber, violin concerto
- Shostakovich, symphony no 8

All of the above will be conducted by YNS.

Jo Ann Falletta will conduct these works:

- Kodály, Dances of Galanta
- Rodrigo, Concierto de Aranjuez
- Zemlinsky, Die Seejungfrau (The Little Mermaid) . Yeah !!  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on March 14, 2020, 09:25:21 PM
non classical:

Saw Amanda Palmer last night, third time seeing her and it was quite a special show.

Wasn't certain if it would go ahead and her time before the show was spent making sure her husband (author Neil Gaiman) and her son got out of Australia before the travel restrictions were put in place. It may have been the last show of her tour as the Wellington gig may be cancelled, and she said she couldn't do he regular 4-hour (!!) set list, but wanted to just talk to the crowd and take requests (it being a small venue usually used for string quartets or piano recitals.

Intimate, engaging and emotional. She sang everything brilliantly, some the best versions I've heard and sang the two songs I would have yelled for without my having to yell.

I'm looking forward to reading reviews and especially her own comments.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on June 07, 2020, 05:47:42 AM
Somewhat unexpectedly, I received a brochure from Portland Piano International detailing the 2020/21 recital season.  The guest curator is Vladimir Feltsman, who selected all the pianists who will perform, including himself.  I am not especially keen on attending live performances any time soon, and much less so in the fall and winter.  As luck would have it, Feltsman selected pianists I'm either not keen on or am not familiar with, and the programs slated for presentation are mostly not my thing.  The one exception is Jeremy Denk, who will be performing a complete first 24 from the 48.  I'm still not completely sold on attending recitals until 2023 or later, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 07, 2020, 06:28:03 AM
That is quite unexpected. The Dallas Opera just canceled everything in the fall lineup, and ambitiously plans to stage four different operas in spring 2021 to make up for it. I'm not sure about our symphony yet but I don't expect to buy tickets for anything in this calendar year. (Among this fall's probably doomed symphony offerings: Ginastera harp concerto, Mussorgsky Pictures orchestrated by someone named Gorchakov, a premiere trombone concerto by rock musician Bryce Dessner, Abduraimov + Saraste Beethoven, Bruckner 9, and a ladies' night of Alsop conducting Hahn.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on June 07, 2020, 06:36:33 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 07, 2020, 06:28:03 AMAbduraimov + Saraste Beethoven

Which concerto?  Actually, doesn't matter.  That's a big loss.

I'm thinking I pass on live musical events until after I receive a vaccine, or have been infected and survived the virus.  I would prefer the former.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JBS on June 07, 2020, 06:48:28 AM
Mr Gorchakov is better known on record than might be thought.

But this is the entire Wikipedia article on him
QuoteSergei Petrovich Gorchakov (Russian: Сергей Петрович Горчаков; 10 February 1905 – 4 July 1976) was a Russian classical music composer.[1] Gorchakov is best known for his uniquely 'Russian' orchestration of Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky.

This is his entry in the list of  PAAE orchestrations
QuoteSergei Gorchakov[25] (1954: recorded by Kurt Masur and the London Philharmonic for Teldec; Also recorded with Karl Anton Rickenbacher, conducting the Cracow Radio Symphony, for the RCA Records. A live 1980 performance by the Leningrad Academic Symphony Orchestra under Konstantin Simeonov was recorded by Melodya.)

Google did not show those recordings but did show one on Naxos and one by the Fort Worth Symphony (its own label I think).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 07, 2020, 07:09:08 AM
Thanks, Jeffrey. Conductor there was to be New Zealander Gemma New.
Quote from: Todd on June 07, 2020, 06:36:33 AM
Which concerto?  Actually, doesn't matter.  That's a big loss.

I'm thinking I pass on live musical events until after I receive a vaccine, or have been infected and survived the virus.  I would prefer the former.
3.

We're vaccine waiters too.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on June 07, 2020, 07:16:21 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 07, 2020, 07:09:08 AM
3.


See, now I'm imagining how Abduraimov would handle the cadenza.  Other than splendidly, I mean.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 04, 2020, 04:28:31 AM
This afternoon, on the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall. (More Rebecca Saunders coming next week.)

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/53506

Klangforum Wien
Emilio Pomarico

    Rebecca Saunders
    Flesh for solo accordion and recitation

    Rebecca Saunders
    Sole − Trio in F sharp for accordion, percussion and piano

    Rebecca Saunders
    to an utterance − study for solo piano (premiere)

    Joonas Ahonen piano
    Rebecca Saunders
    Scar for 15 soloists and conductor

    Georges Aperghis
    Der Lauf des Lebens (The Way of Life) for 6 voices and ensemble (premiere) – commissioned by Musik der Jahrhunderte Stuttgart and Klangforum Wien, funded by Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung

    Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mandryka on September 04, 2020, 04:31:26 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 07, 2020, 07:09:08 AM
Thanks, Jeffrey. Conductor there was to be New Zealander Gemma New.3.

We're vaccine waiters too.

You may well have a very long wait.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on September 04, 2020, 05:14:56 AM
On Tuesday we go 40 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow. We have tickets for La Boheme performed by Scottish Opera: in their car park.

It is cut down in duration and orchestrally. We wear masks. Not quite La Scala, but I wanted to be at some live music making and to support Scottish Opera. So, car park, September, Scotland = Loden coat and scarf. We sit in isolated groups per booking. I am looking forward to it. It is bound to be memorable.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on September 04, 2020, 01:44:20 PM
Quote from: knight66 on September 04, 2020, 05:14:56 AM
On Tuesday we go 40 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow. We have tickets for La Boheme performed by Scottish Opera: in their car park.

It is cut down in duration and orchestrally. We wear masks. Not quite La Scala, but I wanted to be at some live music making and to support Scottish Opera. So, car park, September, Scotland = Loden coat and scarf. We sit in isolated groups per booking. I am looking forward to it. It is bound to be memorable.

Mike

That's the spirit !  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on September 04, 2020, 02:01:47 PM
I totally forgot I had reserved tickets for the Orchestre Métropolitain's next season. Some concerts have been canceled and whatever remained has been modified in one way or another. Today I received notice I was to attend 2 concerts in the Fall. Not sure that ex-Covid I would have bought/attended these particular programs (all new), but in the circumstances I figured what the heck! Let's encourage YNS and his band. :)

September 20:
- Fung: Prayer, for orchestra. Never heard of the composer or the work.
- Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde, in the Schoenberg/Riehn transcription (good!). Michèle Losier and Frédéric Antoun will be the soloists. I look forward to hear Antoun, a french opera specialist,  in the downsized orchestration. He won't have to force to project his fine tenor voice. An intelligent choice.

October 16:
- Robert Nathaniel Dett: The Chariot Jubilee, a gospel oratorio from 1919 for tenor, choir and orchestra.
- Fauré: Requiem. The baritone will be the excellent Philippe Sly. The soprano is one Suzanne Taffot.

I haven't received confirmation of my other choices, but I see that Zemlinsky's The Little Mermaid and the Shostakovich 8th are still on the orchestra's schedule in 2021. I'm crossing my fingers.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 04, 2020, 03:20:21 PM
Is that Vivian Fung? Todd has written a few posts very enthusiastically describing her music here on GMG.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on September 04, 2020, 03:41:15 PM
Quote from: Brian on September 04, 2020, 03:20:21 PM
Is that Vivian Fung? Todd has written a few posts very enthusiastically describing her music here on GMG.

Yes, that's her. It seems to be a short work. YNS led the world premiere a few weeks ago. Every musician played from a different location, thanks to covid 19.

It's here:

https://www.cbc.ca/music/watch-yannick-nézet-séguin-lead-a-virtual-canadian-orchestra-in-the-world-premiere-of-vivian-fung-s-prayer-1.5604307 (https://www.cbc.ca/music/watch-yannick-n%C3%A9zet-s%C3%A9guin-lead-a-virtual-canadian-orchestra-in-the-world-premiere-of-vivian-fung-s-prayer-1.5604307)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: knight66 on September 08, 2020, 11:05:52 PM
Quote from: knight66 on September 04, 2020, 05:14:56 AM
On Tuesday we go 40 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow. We have tickets for La Boheme performed by Scottish Opera: in their car park.

It is cut down in duration and orchestrally. We wear masks. Not quite La Scala, but I wanted to be at some live music making and to support Scottish Opera. So, car park, September, Scotland = Loden coat and scarf. We sit in isolated groups per booking. I am looking forward to it. It is bound to be memorable.

Mike

La Boheme in a carpark worked well, though strong winds did do their best to disrupt the performance, we just wrapped up and enjoyed the oddness of it all. Very, very good voices and acting. The orchestra played from inside the building, but with a partly open side we could see them. The performance was somewhat in the round, but mainly concentrated on the flatbeds of a couple of Scottish Opera trucks. The singers were distanced from one another and the idea of love in time of plague was very much present, but not overplayed.

The cut down aspect was there being no chorus. The professional chorus acted as front of house staff, checking tickets and temperatures of everyone, seeing people to their seats etc. Very generous of them. One said to me that she just wanted to be somehow involved.

We were a masked audience of 115, spread widely across the carpark and grouped distantly from one another set out cabaret style. The venue is close to a motorway, but the constant sound of the traffic seemed to disappear once the music started. They obviously had to use amplification, which was very effective. The awning was clear plastic sheeting stretched over a huge metal framework. The wind did its work and the sheeting flapped loudly in the heavy gusts.

It is not how I want to see opera in a regular way and with winter coming together with a second wave, it may be the only opera we see live this year. We enjoyed it, the performers all did exceptionally well. It may well give food for thought for the Company next year.

It has a run of five performances, I don't see how the ticket money can have covered costs, but the major newspapers have attended and they have received five star reviews, it keeps Scottish Opera on the cultural map and that is valuable right now.

Mike
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 09, 2020, 07:09:49 AM
Quote from: knight66 on September 08, 2020, 11:05:52 PM
La Boheme in a carpark worked well, though strong winds did do their best to disrupt the performance, we just wrapped up and enjoyed the oddness of it all. Very, very good voices and acting. The orchestra played from inside the building, but with a partly open side we could see them. The performance was somewhat in the round, but mainly concentrated on the flatbeds of a couple of Scottish Opera trucks. The singers were distanced from one another and the idea of love in time of plague was very much present, but not overplayed.

The cut down aspect was there being no chorus. The professional chorus acted as front of house staff, checking tickets and temperatures of everyone, seeing people to their seats etc. Very generous of them. One said to me that she just wanted to be somehow involved.

We were a masked audience of 115, spread widely across the carpark and grouped distantly from one another set out cabaret style. The venue is close to a motorway, but the constant sound of the traffic seemed to disappear once the music started. They obviously had to use amplification, which was very effective. The awning was clear plastic sheeting stretched over a huge metal framework. The wind did its work and the sheeting flapped loudly in the heavy gusts.

It is not how I want to see opera in a regular way and with winter coming together with a second wave, it may be the only opera we see live this year. We enjoyed it, the performers all did exceptionally well. It may well give food for thought for the Company next year.

It has a run of five performances, I don't see how the ticket money can have covered costs, but the major newspapers have attended and they have received five star reviews, it keeps Scottish Opera on the cultural map and that is valuable right now.

Mike

This sounds fascinating. From my limited experience with taking opera onsite (outside concert halls), it's a welcome phenomenon.  (Granted, in inclement weather, not so much.) Glad to see the company thinking creatively.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 09, 2020, 07:11:30 AM
In about 2 hours, more Rebecca Saunders, this time with Ensemble Musikfabrik, live from Berlin:

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/53500

So far, the concerts in the last few days have been outstanding.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 09, 2020, 05:38:26 PM
On September 22, the last in this series, with works by Saunders, Enno Poppe, and Milica Djordjević.

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/53188

SCHOLARS OF THE KARAJAN ACADEMY
ENNO POPPE

Anna Maria Filochowska, Markus Mayr, Alexander Arai-Swale

Rebecca Saunders
Cinnabar, Double concerto for violin and trumpet, ensemble and 11 music boxes
Anna Maria Filochowska violin, Markus Mayr trumpet

Rebecca Saunders
Fury for double bass solo
Alexander Arai-Swale double bass

Milica Djordjević
New Work commissioned by the Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker Premiere

Enno Poppe
Koffer for large ensemble

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 11, 2020, 11:43:38 AM
Looking forward to this in November:

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Jennifer Koh, violin
Christian Reif, conductor

Florence Price: Five Folksongs in Counterpoint
Tyshawn Sorey: For Marcos Balter for violin and Orchestra

Interest in Price's work has recently increased, and Sorey is one of the most interesting younger composers around. (He was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship a few years ago.) And though I don't know the work of Christian Reif, I'd hear Jennifer Koh play most anything.

Like many orchestras, the DSO has responded to the pandemic with an array of livestreamed events. This one has a ticket price of just $12.

https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/events/2021-digital/jennifer-koh-plays-tyshawn-sorey

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on September 20, 2020, 05:48:05 PM
Today at the Orchestre métropolitain's first outing for this season, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted Vivian Fung's Prayer and Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde in the Schönberg/Riehn transcription.

Interestingly, the Fung work directly influenced the presentation of the OM's DLVDE. Fung was commissioned to write a short orchestra work to be played by 36 musicians from 28 canadian orchestras, all of them in their own space (studio or orchestra hall) and conducted at a distance by YNS. It had its online premiere just a few days ago. Playing the work on stage today were 36 members of the OM. After Prayer all 36 of them played the Schönberg/Riehn arrangement, which was originally scored for just 14 players. What we had then was an expansion of Schönberg's reduction !

Here's Schönberg's intended orchestration (he only completed the first song, Riehn did the others with Schönberg's intended instrumentarium:

- flute (+picc)
- oboe (+c.a)
- clarinet in Bb (+cl(Eb), bass cl(Bb))
- bassoon
- horn in F
- percussion(2): glockenspiel, triangle, cymbals, tam-tam, tambourine, snare drum, bass drum
- harmonium (+cel)
- piano
- 1st violin(1)
- 2nd violin(1)
- viola(1)
- violoncello(1)
- contrabass(1)

All of the above were kept, horns were doubled and strings were beefed up from 5 to some 20 players. The resulting sound was very satisfactory for a regular-sized concert hall. Lucid textures, transparent sound with clear and biting string attacks when necessary. The only thing I really missed were the cascading trombones and tuba in the 5th song. Both soloists were able to interpret the lyrics (not just sing the notes) thanks to the reduced orchestration and Nézet-Séguin's attentive conducting. Vocally, mezzo Michèle Losier was truly outstanding. NS was clearly in love with the work in this particular arrangement. When the 'ewigs' started in the Abschied the lights slowly dimmed until the stage was in semi-darkness by the last chord. Magical.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 22, 2020, 09:16:46 AM
Quote from: André on September 20, 2020, 05:48:05 PM
Today at the Orchestre métropolitain's first outing for this season, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted Vivian Fung's Prayer and Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde in the Schönberg/Riehn transcription.

Interestingly, the Fung work directly influenced the presentation of the OM's DLVDE. Fung was commissioned to write a short orchestra work to be played by 36 musicians from 28 canadian orchestras, all of them in their own space (studio or orchestra hall) and conducted at a distance by YNS. It had its online premiere just a few days ago. Playing the work on stage today were 36 members of the OM. After Prayer all 36 of them played the Schönberg/Riehn arrangement, which was originally scored for just 14 players. What we had then was an expansion of Schönberg's reduction !

Here's Schönberg's intended orchestration (he only completed the first song, Riehn did the others with Schönberg's intended instrumentarium:

- flute (+picc)
- oboe (+c.a)
- clarinet in Bb (+cl(Eb), bass cl(Bb))
- bassoon
- horn in F
- percussion(2): glockenspiel, triangle, cymbals, tam-tam, tambourine, snare drum, bass drum
- harmonium (+cel)
- piano
- 1st violin(1)
- 2nd violin(1)
- viola(1)
- violoncello(1)
- contrabass(1)

All of the above were kept, horns were doubled and strings were beefed up from 5 to some 20 players. The resulting sound was very satisfactory for a regular-sized concert hall. Lucid textures, transparent sound with clear and biting string attacks when necessary. The only thing I really missed were the cascading trombones and tuba in the 5th song. Both soloists were able to interpret the lyrics (not just sing the notes) thanks to the reduced orchestration and Nézet-Séguin's attentive conducting. Vocally, mezzo Michèle Losier was truly outstanding. NS was clearly in love with the work in this particular arrangement. When the 'ewigs' started in the Abschied the lights slowly dimmed until the stage was in semi-darkness by the last chord. Magical.

Loved reading this, thank you.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 22, 2020, 09:18:39 AM
Quote from: Brewski on September 09, 2020, 05:38:26 PM
On September 22, the last in this series, with works by Saunders, Enno Poppe, and Milica Djordjević.

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/53188

SCHOLARS OF THE KARAJAN ACADEMY
ENNO POPPE

Anna Maria Filochowska, Markus Mayr, Alexander Arai-Swale

Rebecca Saunders
Cinnabar, Double concerto for violin and trumpet, ensemble and 11 music boxes
Anna Maria Filochowska violin, Markus Mayr trumpet

Rebecca Saunders
Fury for double bass solo
Alexander Arai-Swale double bass

Milica Djordjević
New Work commissioned by the Karajan Academy of the Berliner Philharmoniker Premiere

Enno Poppe
Koffer for large ensemble

--Bruce

Looking forward to this in about 30 minutes, especially the concluding Poppe work.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 26, 2020, 12:55:52 PM
In about three hours (8:00 PM EDT), opening night of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, an hour-long concert, livestreamed on their website and social channels. Just saw Angel Blue in Porgy and Bess at the Met, and thought she was terrific. She should be great in the Barber.

Louis Langrée, conductor
Angel Blue, soprano
Catalyst Quartet

JESSIE MONTGOMERY: Banner
BARBER: Knoxville: Summer of 1915
COPLAND: Suite from Appalachian Spring

--Bruce
Title: Psappha Ensemble, live at 2pm (EDT)
Post by: bhodges on October 01, 2020, 09:16:22 AM
In about a half-hour, this great-looking concert from the Psappha Ensemble, based in Manchester:

Anna Thorvaldsdottir - Spectra (UK premiere)
Alex Ho - Shout! (World premiere)
Jeffrey Mumford - eight aspects of appreciation II (UK premiere)
Schnittke - String Trio

https://youtu.be/nRnw4O-q87I

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 17, 2020, 08:05:39 AM
Last night, caught an hour-long concert by ekmeles, the avant-garde vocal ensemble. Of the four expert performances, the Cage seemed like one for the ages, with some discreet sound processing to evoke a vast cathedral. But I was caught off guard by the vocal hijinks of the Eastman, which beautifully showed off the group's skill and versatility. (It also has a laugh-out-loud sequence near the end.)

The concert will be available for a week on the group's website, below.

Kaija SaariahoFrom the Grammar of Dreams (1988)
John CageLitany for the Whale (1980)
Agata ZubelAlphabet of the Ars Brevis (2016)
Julius EastmanMacle (1970-71)

http://ekmeles.com/stream.html

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 23, 2020, 07:06:23 AM
Today and on Sunday:

Puccini: Madama Butterfly


Greek National Opera - Stavros Niarchos Hall
(at 30% capacity, 420 seats)


Cio-Cio-San
Ermonela Jaho (25/10/2020)
Kristīne Opolais (23/10/2020)

Suzuki
Chryssanthi Spitadi

Kate Pinkerton
Violetta Lousta

F.P.Pinkerton
Gianluca Terranova


Sharpless
Dionysios Sourbis

Goro
Nicholas Stefanou

Yamadori
Marios Sarantidis

Bonze
Yanni Yannissis

Yakuside
Petros Salatas

Imperial Commissioner
Dionisos Tsantinis (25/10/2020)
Georgios Papadimitriou (23/10/2020)

Official registrar
Theodoros Aivaliotis (25/10/2020)
Theodoros Moraitis (23/10/2020)

Cio-Cio-San's mother
Amalia Avloniti (25/10/2020)
Zoe Apiranthitou (23/10/2020)

Aunt
Vaya Kofou (25/10/2020)
Elisaveta Klonovskaya (23/10/2020)

Cousin
Fotini Chatzidaki (25/10/2020)
Thei Stavrou (23/10/2020)

With the Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists of the GNO

Conductor
Lucas Karytinos

Director, sets, costumes
Hugo de Ana

Video projection designer
 Ideogamma – Sergio Metalli

Lighting designer
Valerio Alfieri
     
Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos 

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 23, 2020, 10:41:33 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on October 23, 2020, 07:06:23 AM
Today and on Sunday:

Puccini: Madama Butterfly


Greek National Opera - Stavros Niarchos Hall
(at 30% capacity, 420 seats)


Envious that you're seeing live music -- pretty much anything -- even with reduced capacity. The U.S. isn't even close to doing that yet, alas.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 23, 2020, 10:51:07 AM
Tomorrow at 6:00pm (EDT) this livestream from the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. The concerts are free, but they ask for a small donation ($15).

Peter Stumpf, cello
Cynthia Raim, piano

Beethoven: Variations on Mozart's Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen, WoO 46
Martinů: Cello Sonata No. 2
Rachmaninov: Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/peter-stumpf-cynthia-raim/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Klaze on October 23, 2020, 12:00:21 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 23, 2020, 10:51:07 AM

Martinů: Cello Sonata No. 2


Nice to see that piece getting some love, always enjoyed the Martinu cello sonatas.

Pretty curious about this actual live concert I hope to attend this weekend:

M. Finnissy: Gershwin Arrangements
M. Finnissy: More Gershwin
G. Gershwin: I've got rhythm (variations for piano duo)

Pianists Lukas Huisman & Ivo Delaere.

Shout-out to our local concert-hall, which has been on a roll recently, with the Sorabji Toccata Seconda being played a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 23, 2020, 12:50:35 PM
Quote from: Klaze on October 23, 2020, 12:00:21 PM
Nice to see that piece getting some love, always enjoyed the Martinu cello sonatas.

Pretty curious about this actual live concert I hope to attend this weekend:

M. Finnissy: Gershwin Arrangements
M. Finnissy: More Gershwin
G. Gershwin: I've got rhythm (variations for piano duo)

Pianists Lukas Huisman & Ivo Delaere.

Shout-out to our local concert-hall, which has been on a roll recently, with the Sorabji Toccata Seconda being played a few weeks ago.

Ooh, that looks great. Just did a quick search, but couldn't find it -- do you know if it will be livestreamed?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 23, 2020, 12:54:51 PM
Is "More Gershwin" actually the title? I know Finnissy is playful with his titles.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 23, 2020, 01:00:23 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 23, 2020, 12:54:51 PM
Is "More Gershwin" actually the title? I know Finnissy is playful with his titles.

It is! I have this recording with Ian Pace; there may be others.

[asin]B012XQ0NCS[/asin]

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Klaze on October 23, 2020, 02:46:18 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 23, 2020, 12:50:35 PM
Ooh, that looks great. Just did a quick search, but couldn't find it -- do you know if it will be livestreamed?

--Bruce

Unfortunately, I'm quite sure it won't be. There's a very small chance it might be recorded and appear at concertzender.nl (http://concertzender.nl) later. I'm not sure but I think they sometimes record there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 23, 2020, 05:02:22 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 23, 2020, 01:00:23 PM
It is! I have this recording with Ian Pace; there may be others.

--Bruce
Hah! I read the entire five star review before looking up to see the name of the author.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2020, 05:31:28 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 23, 2020, 05:02:22 PM
Hah! I read the entire five star review before looking up to see the name of the author.  ;D

;D  ;D

Well, thank you. (I had completely forgotten about it until you posted this.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 24, 2020, 05:38:24 PM
Next Friday, Oct. 30, this livestream from the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society:

Catalyst Quartet
Harlem Quartet


Bunch: the still, small voice (World Premiere/PCMS Commission)
Shostakovich: Two Pieces for String Octet
Montgomery: Strum [Arr.]
Mendelssohn: Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/catalyst-harlem-quartets/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on October 28, 2020, 01:37:10 AM
Went to a beautiful "covid safe" recital yesterday evening.
Steven Isserlis and Connie Shih
performed

Saint Saens Cello Sonata no 1 III Allegro Moderato
Ades Lieux retrouves
Chaminade Sommell d'enfant
Faure Berceuse
Franck Sonata in A major

Took place at Leeds Town Hall

Amazing performance. Enjoyed it so much🎼🎼
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 28, 2020, 12:31:05 PM
Quote from: Judith on October 28, 2020, 01:37:10 AM
Went to a beautiful "covid safe" recital yesterday evening.
Steven Isserlis and Connie Shih
performed

Saint Saens Cello Sonata no 1 III Allegro Moderato
Ades Lieux retrouves
Chaminade Sommell d'enfant
Faure Berceuse
Franck Sonata in A major

Took place at Leeds Town Hall

Amazing performance. Enjoyed it so much🎼🎼

How lucky you are! And though it would be nice to hear most anything (live) right now, that's an imaginative programme.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 03, 2020, 08:30:39 AM
This Friday, the Brussels Philharmonic, Flemish Radio Choir, and conductor George Jackson in this fascinating program, livestreamed:

Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Streaming Arhythmia
Claire-Mélanie Sinnhuber (b. 1973): Chahut (pour 15 musiciens) WORLD PREMIERE
Morton Feldman: Rothko Chapel

https://www.arsmusica.be/nl/events/feldman-rothko-chapel/

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on November 03, 2020, 01:23:01 PM
When I can find it BEETHOVEN: Septet and SIBELIUS: Suite for violin and string orch. op.117
The Sibelius is his last work, three short movements, about ten minutes long.
James Ehnes and members of the Vancouver S.O.    (streamed) 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 12, 2020, 07:52:29 AM
In about 2 hours (7pm GMT, 2pm EST), this great-looking concert from Psappha, based in Manchester, UK:

Program:
Betsy Jolas: Quatre Duos
Clare Elton: round and round and... (World premiere)
Berio: Naturale
Helmut Lachenmann: Serynade

Musicians:
Vicci Wardman  viola
Benjamin Powell  piano
Tim Williams  percussion

https://www.psappha.com/event/3x3-new-traditions/?psa_nrdr=1

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 03, 2020, 12:16:43 PM
Tonight, this concert from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and will be available for a week at the link below:

Trevor Weston Shape Shifter for Cello (2011)
Helen Grime Aviary Sketches (after Joseph Cornell) for Violin, Viola, and Cello (2014) Original performance November 10, 2015
Zosha Di Castri Sprung Testament for Violin and Piano (2017-18)

https://www.chambermusicsociety.org/watch-and-listen/live/new-milestones-december-3-2020/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on December 15, 2020, 01:07:19 AM
Paik Kun-Woo is going to be starting an 8 day series of the complete LvB Sonatas, starting Thursday.  I'll have to take a high-speed rail to another town, but expect to see a few of them.  At least 2, maybe 7 8) I'm getting quite excited. 
    Taiwan hasn't had a local transmission or death from Covid in many months, but everyone will wear masks anyway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 15, 2020, 06:32:48 AM
Quote from: Mookalafalas on December 15, 2020, 01:07:19 AM
Paik Kun-Woo is going to be starting an 8 day series of the complete LvB Sonatas, starting Thursday.  I'll have to take a high-speed rail to another town, but expect to see a few of them.  At least 2, maybe 7 8) I'm getting quite excited. 
    Taiwan hasn't had a local transmission or death from Covid in many months, but everyone will wear masks anyway.
That is very exciting, lucky you!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mookalafalas on December 15, 2020, 07:21:00 AM
Quote from: Brian on December 15, 2020, 06:32:48 AM
That is very exciting, lucky you!
8) Yeah, I'm a happy camper. Just got train and concert hall tickets for tomorrow (night one). Will decide afterwards how many to see. Just in case, cancelled my classes for next Tuesday night so I can see the Hammerklavier, if so inclined...students were quite happy for a night off.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JBS on December 28, 2020, 06:47:38 PM
Just curious: what's the status of the Vienna New Year's Day concert? Was it cancelled outright or do they plan on holding some sort of event?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 28, 2020, 06:50:00 PM
Quote from: JBS on December 28, 2020, 06:47:38 PM
Just curious: what's the status of the Vienna New Year's Day concert? Was it cancelled outright or do they plan on holding some sort of event?

Here's some information that may be of help:

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/newyearsconcert/newyearsconcert2021 (https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/newyearsconcert/newyearsconcert2021)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JBS on December 28, 2020, 06:55:55 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 28, 2020, 06:50:00 PM
Here's some information that may be of help:

https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/newyearsconcert/newyearsconcert2021 (https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/newyearsconcert/newyearsconcert2021)

Thanks!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 14, 2021, 09:21:24 AM
Tonight, watching this interesting livestream at 8 pm EST. Tickets are $20, on the orchestra's website.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Seth Parker Woods, cello
Maxim Emelyanychev, conductor

Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Tyshawn Sorey: For Roscoe Mitchell (world premiere)
Haydn: Symphony No. 103, "Drumroll"

https://www.atlantasymphony.org/ConcertsAndTickets/Calendar/2020-2021/Rev-CS7

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on January 19, 2021, 03:15:42 PM
Primephonic and Idagio have been streaming exclusive livestreams has anybody tried them?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 24, 2021, 08:23:08 AM
An enjoyable evening last night, listening to a livestream event of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for the opening concert of the Winnipeg New Music Festival.

On the menu was:

Source Code (chamber orchestra version) by American composer Jessie Montgomery

Supplica - by Christopher Rouse (by far my favourite work of the evening)

Kammerkonzert - by young Canadian composer Samy Moussa (wonderfully dark piece!)

Son of Chamber Symphony - by John Adams

Conducted by WSO music director Daniel Raiskin.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 24, 2021, 09:23:28 AM
Tuesday night's upcoming livestream event for the Winnipeg New Music Festival will feature music all being performed by New York's Decoda Ensemble. They are not actually performing in Winnipeg, a livestream from their performance in New York City.

Works:
New Dances of the League of David: XVI (mit gutem Humor, un poco lol ma con serioso vibes)  – Caroline Shaw

From Soliloquy – Joseph Jones

Whale Song – Michelle Ross

Waterbear – Nathan Schram

Vent – David Lang

From The Fence, The Rooftop, and the Distant Sea –Kinan Azmeh

IV. Dance
V. Epilogue

Lullaby and Polska – Evan Premo

Oystercatcher – Brad Balliett

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 27, 2021, 06:51:59 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on January 24, 2021, 09:23:28 AM
Tuesday night's upcoming livestream event for the Winnipeg New Music Festival will feature music all being performed by New York's Decoda Ensemble. They are not actually performing in Winnipeg, a livestream from their performance in New York City.

Works:
New Dances of the League of David: XVI (mit gutem Humor, un poco lol ma con serioso vibes)  – Caroline Shaw

From Soliloquy – Joseph Jones

Whale Song – Michelle Ross

Waterbear – Nathan Schram

Vent – David Lang

From The Fence, The Rooftop, and the Distant Sea –Kinan Azmeh

IV. Dance
V. Epilogue

Lullaby and Polska – Evan Premo

Oystercatcher – Brad Balliett

A wonderful program. Highlights for me were:

Whale Song, composed by Michelle Ross for solo cello.

Vent, composed by David Lang, for piano and flute

Lullaby and Polska, composed by Evan Premo, for violin and viola.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 27, 2021, 06:58:14 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on January 24, 2021, 08:23:08 AM
An enjoyable evening last night, listening to a livestream event of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for the opening concert of the Winnipeg New Music Festival.

On the menu was:

Source Code (chamber orchestra version) by American composer Jessie Montgomery

Supplica - by Christopher Rouse (by far my favourite work of the evening)

Kammerkonzert - by young Canadian composer Samy Moussa (wonderfully dark piece!)

Son of Chamber Symphony - by John Adams

Conducted by WSO music director Daniel Raiskin.

Quote from: OrchestralNut on January 27, 2021, 06:51:59 AM
A wonderful program. Highlights for me were:

Whale Song, composed by Michelle Ross for solo cello.

Vent, composed by David Lang, for piano and flute

Lullaby and Polska, composed by Evan Premo, for violin and viola.

A couple of excellent-looking concerts there! Not familiar with either Michelle Ross or Evan Premo, so will add them to the queue.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 27, 2021, 07:55:02 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on January 27, 2021, 06:51:59 AM
Lullaby and Polska, composed by Evan Premo, for violin and viola.
Oh I remember him! One time I saw Premo play double bass accompanying a soprano in songs he'd composed. They were fantastic - and the idea of singing with a bass player as a duo worked really well, probably because of his knowledge of the instrument.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on January 27, 2021, 02:32:18 PM
Friday, final night of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Winnipeg New Music Festival livestream concert.

Daniel Raiskin, conductor

Works:

Disquiet – Jocelyn Morlock

Murmur – Emilie LeBel

Ashes to Light the Sky – Harry Stafylakis

Kiwetin-acahkos: Fanfare for the Peoples of the North – Andrew Balfour

Tranquillo – Giya Kancheli

Concerto Grosso – Philip Glass
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 28, 2021, 05:13:11 AM
30.01.2021, 18:30

Berg: Violin Concerto
Schubert: Symphony No. 9

Leonidas Kavakos
LSO
Simon Rattle

2021 is an anniversary year for Greece, marking the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution. This tribute concert, the first among several programmed to mark the year, will be broadcast on Greek national television and also be available for streaming (https://www.protovoulia21.gr/draseis/berg-schubert/) for a month thereafter.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 28, 2021, 05:29:01 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on January 27, 2021, 02:32:18 PM
Friday, final night of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Winnipeg New Music Festival livestream concert.

Daniel Raiskin, conductor

Works:

Disquiet – Jocelyn Morlock

Murmur – Emilie LeBel

Ashes to Light the Sky – Harry Stafylakis

Kiwetin-acahkos: Fanfare for the Peoples of the North – Andrew Balfour

Tranquillo – Giya Kancheli

Concerto Grosso – Philip Glass

Thanks, I'm making a note, and may tune in. (Friday nights I've been watching the Minnesota Orchestra livestreams, but tomorrow's has been cancelled.)

Quote from: Wanderer on January 28, 2021, 05:13:11 AM
30.01.2021, 18:30

Berg: Violin Concerto
Schubert: Symphony No. 9

Leonidas Kavakos
LSO
Simon Rattle

2021 is an anniversary year for Greece, marking the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution. This tribute concert, the first among several programmed to mark the year, will be broadcast on Greek national television and also be available for streaming (https://www.protovoulia21.gr/draseis/berg-schubert/) for a month thereafter.

And definitely going to check out this one! Kavakos is one of my favorite violinists, and I don't recall hearing him in the Berg, which I adore. Thanks for the alert!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 30, 2021, 07:27:01 AM
Quote from: Brewski on January 28, 2021, 05:29:01 AM
And definitely going to check out this one! Kavakos is one of my favorite violinists, and I don't recall hearing him in the Berg, which I adore. Thanks for the alert!

--Bruce

And here's the link (https://webtv.ert.gr/ert2-live/) for the feed from ERT2. It starts in 5 minutes.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on January 30, 2021, 07:41:13 AM
I saw this article in the Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/arts/music/classical-music-streaming.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/arts/music/classical-music-streaming.html) for the upcoming February concerts to stream.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 30, 2021, 01:03:56 PM
Quote from: DavidW on January 30, 2021, 07:41:13 AM
I saw this article in the Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/arts/music/classical-music-streaming.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/28/arts/music/classical-music-streaming.html) for the upcoming February concerts to stream.
Thanks for this! Intrigued by the NDR program with Trifonov in Prokofiev concerto 1 and Schnittke.

Found this colorful description of the Schnittke from Jed Distler:
"Even in its most lyrical, expansive moments, there's nothing pretty about Schnittke's Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra, with its seasick microtonal lurches, pounding non-minimalist repetitions, and tortured baroque allusions."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on February 03, 2021, 07:31:16 AM
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra's new MD is Rafael Payare. He is currently MD in San Diego, a position he is expected to keep. He and his wife, cellist Alisa Weilerstein live in Berllin. Issued from Venezuela's El Sistema, he's conducted the MSO before and seems to have made a very positive impression. He led the orchestra last month (no audience) in Brahms's first symphony. The performance was broadcast and I watched it with keen interest. While I really liked the sonority he gets from the orchestra - very germanic, string heavy - I was disappointed by the moderate tempi used throughout. It felt more like a run-through than a concert performance.

Last week he conducted a full concert (with no audience again) consisting of Mediodía en el llano by Venezuelan composer Antonio Estévez, the second cello concerto by Shostakovich (with Weilerstein as soloist) and Dvorak's 7th symphony. The concert is available on the orchestra's website. A critic I read today raves about the performance of the Shostakovich concerto, but notes that the Dvorak displayed the same kind of cautiousness and lack of tension I noticed in the Brahms 1st. It would seem maestro Payare needs an audience to connect and give his best work. I truly hope that things will pick up with the presence of a full audience. No announcement to that effect is in sight though, and the summer recess will probably arrive before concert halls are allowed to reopen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 03, 2021, 09:04:16 AM
That sort of caution and slowness seems to be common among both El Sistema conductors and the youngest generation more generally (in Dallas we have frequent visits from a conductor named Gemma New who is also very cautious and run-through-like). I thought young people were supposed to be exciting  ;D

Also, as an aside - imagine having jobs in San Diego and Montreal. If I had to choose two cities in North America to live in, those might be my choices...perfect summer/winter divide there. And then to live in Berlin on top of that  :o
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on February 03, 2021, 10:14:47 AM
Saw this on my YT feed it just streamed live two days ago.  Solo piano Beethoven, Webern and Schumann.

Cédric Tiberghien - At Wigmore Hall (https://youtu.be/ycH9dPEMLh4)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 03, 2021, 08:27:09 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on January 28, 2021, 05:13:11 AM
30.01.2021, 18:30

Berg: Violin Concerto
Schubert: Symphony No. 9

Leonidas Kavakos
LSO
Simon Rattle

2021 is an anniversary year for Greece, marking the bicentennial of the Greek Revolution. This tribute concert, the first among several programmed to mark the year, will be broadcast on Greek national television and also be available for streaming (https://www.protovoulia21.gr/draseis/berg-schubert/) for a month thereafter.

This should be good. Thanks for mentioning this!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 04, 2021, 05:54:31 AM
Coming up at 11:45 am EST, a livestream from Musica nova Helsinki:

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: André de Ridder
Piano: Nicolas Hodges

Edgard Varèse: Deserts
Anna Meredith: Four Tributes to 4am
Simon Steen-Andersen: Pianokonsert

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 05, 2021, 02:46:15 PM
Couldn't catch this live earlier today, but it's available on the rebound until April 5. Another event in the Musica nova Festival from Helsinki, which so far is doing a fantastic job. The technical level of these livestreams is outstanding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmbJLJ0swV8&feature=youtu.be

Tapiola Sinfonietta
Roland Kluttig, conductor
Emil Holmström, Hammond organ

Lisa Streich: MANTEL for string orchestra and two percussion (2018), Finnish premiere
Sami Klemola: Ghost Notes, concerto for Hammond organ and orchestra (2019/2020), World premiere
1. Initiative
2. Warp
3. Obsession

Steve Reich: City Life (1995)
Art video by Aurora Rosas

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 06, 2021, 06:26:53 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on January 27, 2021, 02:32:18 PM
Friday, final night of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's Winnipeg New Music Festival livestream concert.

Daniel Raiskin, conductor

Works:

Disquiet – Jocelyn Morlock

Murmur – Emilie LeBel

Ashes to Light the Sky – Harry Stafylakis

Kiwetin-acahkos: Fanfare for the Peoples of the North – Andrew Balfour

Tranquillo – Giya Kancheli

Concerto Grosso – Philip Glass

Finally got a chance to listen to this livestream, albeit a week later.

Wonderful concert. The Kancheli and Glass works were marvelous.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 09, 2021, 10:50:14 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on February 06, 2021, 06:26:53 AM
Finally got a chance to listen to this livestream, albeit a week later.

Wonderful concert. The Kancheli and Glass works were marvelous.

Never thought I would read the words 'Glass' and 'marvelous' together. :P They certainly have never been uttered by me. :D
Title: Tonight: JACK Quartet plays Catherine Lamb 'divisio spiralis' (2019)
Post by: bhodges on February 10, 2021, 09:16:18 AM
Tonight at 8:00 pm EST, the JACK Quartet plays divisio spiralis (2019) by Catherine Lamb, live from Roulette. (Free, but as if often the case these days, contributions are welcome.) I heard the world premiere: It's about an hour long, microtonal, slow-moving and meditative. Highly recommended.

https://roulette.org/event/jack-quartet-plays-catherine-lamb/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 13, 2021, 05:31:57 AM
Tonight's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra livestream concert, with Daniel Raiskin conducting and Yuri Hooker (WSO principal cellist) as solo cellist.

Glazunov - Theme & Variations for Strings

Tchaikovsky -  Andante Cantabile

Taneyev - Canzone for Cello and Strings

Tchaikovsky - Nocturne for Cello and Strings

Dvořák - Serenade in D minor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 13, 2021, 05:55:00 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on February 13, 2021, 05:31:57 AM
Tonight's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra livestream concert, with Daniel Raiskin conducting and Yuri Hooker (WSO principal cellist) as solo cellist.

Glazunov - Theme & Variations for Strings

Tchaikovsky -  Andante Cantabile

Taneyev - Canzone for Cello and Strings

Tchaikovsky - Nocturne for Cello and Strings

Dvořák - Serenade in D minor

Ooh, this looks great. I know the Tchaikovsky Andante and the Dvořák, but not the other works. Thanks for posting!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 14, 2021, 05:48:32 AM
Quote from: OrchestralNut on February 13, 2021, 05:31:57 AM
Tonight's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra livestream concert, with Daniel Raiskin conducting and Yuri Hooker (WSO principal cellist) as solo cellist.

Glazunov - Theme & Variations for Strings

Tchaikovsky -  Andante Cantabile

Taneyev - Canzone for Cello and Strings

Tchaikovsky - Nocturne for Cello and Strings

Dvořák - Serenade in D minor

Great concert, and although the highlight was the Dvořák Serenade, the surprise hit was the Glazunov Theme and Variations for Strings. A piece I had not heard before. Just marvelous!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on February 27, 2021, 04:36:11 AM
Tonight's Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra livestream concert, with Naomi Woo as piano soloist and as conductor.

Haydn - Divertimento in E flat, Hob II:6, Op. 1/0

Marianne von Martinez - Piano Concerto in A major

Louise Farrenc - Nonet in E flat
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: springrite on March 04, 2021, 06:12:48 PM
I will be going to see La Traviata at the National Theatre by Tiananmen Square on April 10. I am really looking forward to it because I will be taking my wife and my daughter Kimi to see opera for the first time.

The last time I saw Traviata was in the late 90's in Los Angeles.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 05, 2021, 04:49:42 PM
Coming up in about 10 minutes, this livestream. Free with registration.

Minnesota Orchestra
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
James Ehnes, violin

MONTGOMERY
Voodoo Dolls / 5 min

MONTGOMERY
Source Code / 9 min

PROKOFIEV
Violin Concerto No. 2 / 26 min

MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 4, Italian / 26 min

https://mnorch.vhx.tv/featured-category/videos/soaring-strings

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 05, 2021, 05:18:31 PM
Quote from: Brewski on March 05, 2021, 04:49:42 PM
Coming up in about 10 minutes, this livestream. Free with registration.

Minnesota Orchestra
Juraj Valčuha, conductor
James Ehnes, violin

MONTGOMERY
Voodoo Dolls / 5 min

MONTGOMERY
Source Code / 9 min

PROKOFIEV
Violin Concerto No. 2 / 26 min

MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 4, Italian / 26 min

https://mnorch.vhx.tv/featured-category/videos/soaring-strings

--Bruce

Looks like a good concert, Bruce. Manitoba born Ehnes.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 10, 2021, 04:42:19 PM
From Montreal's Ochestre métropolitain, a web concert featuring The Chariot Jubilee by Robert Nathaniel Dett and the Requiem by Fauré. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted.

Dett is an African-Canadian composer and his gospel-based choral fantasia was premiered in 1921 - 100 years ago exactly. It's a songful piece that lives up to what one could have anticipated. No masterpiece, but a very fine 15 minutes of music.

Fauré's Requiem is certainly his most famous work and his most often performed. NS brought superb dynamic nuances to the more contemplative sections and the orchestra was on top form, esp. the solo horn whose liquid tones were a joy to hear. The chorus was spread quite widely in the rafters left, right and behind the orchestra, their tone losing a bit in presence as a consequence. Considering the work at hand it was an appropriate effect, if unusual. The organ accompaniment in In Paradisum was different, too: slightly louder than usual and played non legato throughout. It brought to mind the fluttering of wings. The effect was a bit jaunty, appropriate in its depiction of angels in Paradise, I guess. All told an uncommonly refined and magnificently executed Requiem.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 13, 2021, 08:31:09 AM
Quote from: André on March 10, 2021, 04:42:19 PM
From Montreal's Ochestre métropolitain, a web concert featuring The Chariot Jubilee by Robert Nathaniel Dett and the Requiem by Fauré. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted.

Dett is an African-Canadian composer and his gospel-based choral fantasia was premiered in 1921 - 100 years ago exactly. It's a songful piece that lives up to what one could have anticipated. No masterpiece, but a very fine 15 minutes of music.

Fauré's Requiem is certainly his most famous work and his most often performed. NS brought superb dynamic nuances to the more contemplative sections and the orchestra was on top form, esp. the solo horn whose liquid tones were a joy to hear. The chorus was spread quite widely in the rafters left, right and behind the orchestra, their tone losing a bit in presence as a consequence. Considering the work at hand it was an appropriate effect, if unusual. The organ accompaniment in In Paradisum was different, too: slightly louder than usual and played non legato throughout. It brought to mind the fluttering of wings. The effect was a bit jaunty, appropriate in its depiction of angels in Paradise, I guess. All told an uncommonly refined and magnificently executed Requiem.

Thanks for this report. I continue to be impressed with YNS and his instincts in a pretty wide variety of repertoire. (E.g., his first Carnegie concert was superb, the Verdi Requiem, and then he did a magnificent Parsifal at the Met.) And the interesting chorus placement and organ effects seem well-considered, perhaps to gently shake things up. Of course, shaking things up for its own sake isn't always a good idea, but YNS seems to enjoy studying scores and how to freshen them up a little.

So speaking of him, this concert is next Thursday, and available for a week after, focusing on the Philadelphia winds:

March 18, 8:00 PM ET

Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Patrick Williams Flute
Philippe Tondre Oboe
Ricardo Morales Clarinet
Daniel Matsukawa Bassoon
Jennifer Montone Horn

Valerie Coleman Red Clay & Mississippi Delta, for wind quintet
Mozart Serenade in B-flat major ("Gran Partita")

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: stingo on March 16, 2021, 05:44:23 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 13, 2021, 08:31:09 AM
Thanks for this report. I continue to be impressed with YNS and his instincts in a pretty wide variety of repertoire.

Do I have it right that he did a lot of works with chorus before he came to Philadelphia? I know that's become the lynchpin in his tenure there - the performance of large scale choral works (e.g., Bach's Mass in B minor).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 16, 2021, 05:47:27 AM
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra livestream event from this past Saturday

Flute soloists:

Jan Kocman
Alex Conway

Conducted by:  Julian Pellicano


Adagio & Fugue in C minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Concerto in G major for 2 Flutes & Orchestra
Domenico Cimarosa

Romanian Folk Dances for String Orchestra
Béla Bartok

Suite from Lachrimae or Seven Teares for Brass Ensemble
John Dowland

Fantasy in the form of a passacaglia for Brass and Timpani
Violet Archer

Mutations from Bach
Samuel Barber

All of these were new compositions (to me), that I had never heard before, with the exception of the Bartok Romanian Folk Dances.  Very enjoyable concert, with the Violet Archer and Mozart pieces being standouts from the music I had not heard before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 16, 2021, 07:02:02 AM
Quote from: stingo on March 16, 2021, 05:44:23 AM
Do I have it right that he did a lot of works with chorus before he came to Philadelphia? I know that's become the lynchpin in his tenure there - the performance of large scale choral works (e.g., Bach's Mass in B minor).
First time I saw YNS, with the London Philharmonic, was a two-piece concert pairing the Franck symphony and Fauré requiem.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: T. D. on March 18, 2021, 02:43:42 PM
Online event this Sunday

https://live.bangonacan.org/maerzmusik/

Likely to be hit or miss, I'll probably catch some of it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 18, 2021, 02:56:22 PM
Quote from: T. D. on March 18, 2021, 02:43:42 PM
Online event this Sunday

https://live.bangonacan.org/maerzmusik/

Likely to be hit or miss, I'll probably catch some of it.

I'm planning to dip in as well. Especially looking forward to the final couple of hours, with flutist Claire Chase, percussionist David Cossin, and composer/percussionist Tyshawn Sorey.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on March 18, 2021, 04:34:37 PM
NOT on line, but live - at long last : a concert from the Orchestre métropolitain in which Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct the Serenade in d minor for winds by Dvorak and the Symphony no 4 by Brahms. April 17, just in time for my birthday  :D

There were other offers (it's part of a Brahms series) but at 106$Can apiece that's all I could ask for a birtday present  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 18, 2021, 06:05:15 PM
Quote from: André on March 18, 2021, 04:34:37 PM
NOT on line, but live - at long last : a concert from the Orchestre métropolitain in which Yannick Nézet-Séguin will conduct the Serenade in d minor for winds by Dvorak and the Symphony no 4 by Brahms. April 17, just in time for my birthday  :D

There were other offers (it's part of a Brahms series) but at 106$Can apiece that's all I could ask for a birtday present  ::)

Ooooh, that looks mighty tasty! And since I will likely forget, Happy Birthday, well in advance!  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on April 01, 2021, 11:42:53 AM
A friend told me about some concerts that she has been listening to lately.  They're live-streamed by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.  She listened to one on Wednesday which is still available to listen to (for 72 hours after the concert if o.k. with the artist).  It's of Richard Goode....looking forward to listening to it!   :)

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/richard-goode-piano-2021/

Note:  I noticed that they also have a separate pre-concert talk on the website.  Bach, Beethoven and Debussy.  ;D

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 10, 2021, 09:39:09 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on April 01, 2021, 11:42:53 AM
A friend told me about some concerts that she has been listening to lately.  They're live-streamed by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.  She listened to one on Wednesday which is still available to listen to (for 72 hours after the concert if o.k. with the artist).  It's of Richard Goode....looking forward to listening to it!   :)

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/richard-goode-piano-2021/

Note:  I noticed that they also have a separate pre-concert talk on the website.  Bach, Beethoven and Debussy.  ;D

PD

(Missed this first time around.) Those PCMS concerts are excellent. And I love the venue (never been there in person). How was Goode? His Beethoven sonatas cycle was my first, and still a favorite. Haven't heard in awhile, but thought it was clean, clear, unfussy.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 10, 2021, 09:44:36 AM
Tonight at 7:00 pm (EDT), a livestream with the peerless mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe, and her beguiling "special guest," Blythely Oratonio (Blythe dressed as a man!). Program title: "When April Showers Come Your Way," songs about spring.

I've seen Blythe several times at Carnegie Hall (and at the Met) and love her beautiful, powerful voice. Also saw her in a complete show as "Blythely Oratonio," and she not only sang beautifully, but was hilarious. One of her early fantasies was to be a rock star, which she explored with this character.

Tix are $20 here: https://ourconcerts.live/spring

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 13, 2021, 09:48:16 AM
On Friday, April 16 at 8:00pm on Harvard's Music Department YouTube Channel:

Miranda Cuckson, violin
Conor Hanick, piano

Rebecca Saunders, Duo for violin and piano (1996/1999)
Jeffrey Mumford, fleeting cycles of layered air for solo violin (2020, world premiere)
Dongryul Lee, A finite island in the infinite ocean (2020, world premiere)
I. Intonazione
II. A finite island in the infinite ocean
Natasha Barrett, Allure and Hoodwink for violin, piano, and electronics (2014)

https://frommfoundation.fas.harvard.edu/fromm-players-2021

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 14, 2021, 08:12:46 AM
Saturday, May 1

Mahler 1
roughly 50/50 split of Dallas Symphony members AND Met Opera Orchestra members flying in from NYC
Fabio Luisi

This is a benefit concert with proceeds going to a Dallas-based fund for musicians in need and the Met Orchestra's union fund for members. The Met performers have not been able to play any concerts in 13-14 months, so Luisi arranged this benefit to help them. And then he chose Mahler 1 as a very deliberate, "the band's back together!" celebration of the decline of covid and the renewed possibility of live performance.

To celebrate and help them out, I splurged and got us two tickets "front row center" - because of social distancing and to keep the audience and musicians separate, "front row" is now row M, or roughly row 15. Parties of two will be staggered throughout the hall, but if you watch the free streaming broadcast of this afterwards, we'll be right in the middle of the floor.  :)

Can't imagine a better way to go back to live music than the best seats in the house to a big, splashy, happy chunk of Mahler, to help out some special guests.
NYTimes article about this performance: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/arts/music/met-opera-orchestra-dallas.html

This will also be my girlfriend's first time seeing Mahler live, indeed her first time hearing any Mahler, and she really likes the big loud splashy stuff so she's gonna dig it.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 16, 2021, 02:29:50 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 14, 2021, 08:12:46 AM
Saturday, May 1

Mahler 1
roughly 50/50 split of Dallas Symphony members AND Met Opera Orchestra members flying in from NYC
Fabio Luisi

This is a benefit concert with proceeds going to a Dallas-based fund for musicians in need and the Met Orchestra's union fund for members. The Met performers have not been able to play any concerts in 13-14 months, so Luisi arranged this benefit to help them. And then he chose Mahler 1 as a very deliberate, "the band's back together!" celebration of the decline of covid and the renewed possibility of live performance.

To celebrate and help them out, I splurged and got us two tickets "front row center" - because of social distancing and to keep the audience and musicians separate, "front row" is now row M, or roughly row 15. Parties of two will be staggered throughout the hall, but if you watch the free streaming broadcast of this afterwards, we'll be right in the middle of the floor.  :)

Can't imagine a better way to go back to live music than the best seats in the house to a big, splashy, happy chunk of Mahler, to help out some special guests.
NYTimes article about this performance: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/12/arts/music/met-opera-orchestra-dallas.html

This will also be my girlfriend's first time seeing Mahler live, indeed her first time hearing any Mahler, and she really likes the big loud splashy stuff so she's gonna dig it.  :)

Oh Brian, this is so cool. I got a press release about this concert, and wondered if anyone I know would be attending. So happy that someone is throwing a bone to the MET Orchestra musicians, since the Met itself seems AWOL (cough, cough). (Rant: E.g., why haven't they instituted chamber music concerts, which Levine used to do? They could have had small groups in musicians' homes, some of which are no doubt perfect for chamber music, and charged a reasonable fee for streaming. During the pandemic, others have done this with success; I'm not impressed that the company didn't at least give it a try. /rant)

Anyway, through the grapevine I hear that many of the MET musicians admire Luisi and like working with him -- he was quite good during his brief tenure in NYC -- so I'm doubly happy that he made this effort to reach out to them. (And not to ignore the DSO contributions, as well.) The whole thing sounds spectacular and fun. I'll be looking forward to watching it at some point, and now have a new, big TV to make the experience even better. Hope you both have a great time!

--Bruce
Title: On Friday: Stravinsky / Messiaen with Harding / Concertgebouw
Post by: bhodges on April 28, 2021, 04:59:42 AM
On Friday, this livestream with Daniel Harding and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Someone on YouTube is already complaining about the "dour programme...not exactly uplifting." I cannot agree. ;D

Stravinsky: Apollon Musagète
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum

Will be available for a week, following the live performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdubFfr7ZI

--Bruce
Title: Re: On Friday: Stravinsky / Messiaen with Harding / Concertgebouw
Post by: Mirror Image on April 28, 2021, 06:05:32 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 28, 2021, 04:59:42 AM
On Friday, this livestream with Daniel Harding and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Someone on YouTube is already complaining about the "dour programme...not exactly uplifting." I cannot agree. ;D

Stravinsky: Apollon Musagète
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum

Will be available for a week, following the live performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kdubFfr7ZI

--Bruce

This is a nice program. Nothing 'dour' about it at all.
Title: Re: On Friday: Stravinsky / Messiaen with Harding / Concertgebouw
Post by: steve ridgway on April 28, 2021, 06:59:25 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 28, 2021, 04:59:42 AM
On Friday, this livestream with Daniel Harding and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Someone on YouTube is already complaining about the "dour programme...not exactly uplifting." I cannot agree. ;D

Stravinsky: Apollon Musagète
Messiaen: Et exspecto resurrectionem mortuorum

Is the resurrection of the dead not uplifting by definition Bruce? :-\
Title: Re: On Friday: Stravinsky / Messiaen with Harding / Concertgebouw
Post by: Mirror Image on April 28, 2021, 09:49:53 AM
Quote from: steve ridgway on April 28, 2021, 06:59:25 AM
Is the resurrection of the dead not uplifting by definition Bruce? :-\

I think the only thing 'dour' is the person who called the program dour. I guess cheery, sunlit optimism is the only thing this person knows. They'd fit right in as a character on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Maybe they could play the jovial donkey who loves daffodils. :P
Title: Re: On Friday: Stravinsky / Messiaen with Harding / Concertgebouw
Post by: bhodges on April 28, 2021, 11:18:28 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 28, 2021, 06:05:32 AM
This is a nice program. Nothing 'dour' about it at all.

Quote from: steve ridgway on April 28, 2021, 06:59:25 AM
Is the resurrection of the dead not uplifting by definition Bruce? :-\

Quote from: Mirror Image on April 28, 2021, 09:49:53 AM
I think the only thing 'dour' is the person who called the program dour. I guess cheery, sunlit optimism is the only thing this person knows. They'd fit right in as a character on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Maybe they could play the jovial donkey who loves daffodils. :P

Yes, John, "dour" might be the last word I would think of here. Maybe "sober" or "solemn," especially the Stravinsky, but dour has such an unpleasant connotation, and I see nothing but pleasure in this program. No, there's no Bizet Symphony in C, or some high-spirited Offenbach, but still.

And also, yes, to Steve's point: You would think so!  8)

--Bruce
Title: Noseda / LSO / Strauss / Liszt / Rota
Post by: bhodges on May 06, 2021, 03:03:57 PM
Just found out about this concert on Marquee TV (new to me) with Gianandrea Noseda and the London Symphony Orchestra in this program, apparently free for at least a week (with registration). The whole menu is new to me, but the Rota looks particularly interesting.

Strauss - Duett-Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon
Liszt - Symphonic Poem No 4, 'Orpheus'
Rota - Symphony No 3

https://twitter.com/MarqueeArtsTV/status/1390350651557761024?s=20

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on May 08, 2021, 11:03:19 PM
This will be a great way to celebrate the return of live concerts:

Milan Conservatory - Verdi hall

May 16 at 7pm

Arnold Schönberg
Drei Klavierstücke op. 11 (1909)
Sechs kleine Klavierstücke op. 19 (1911)

Luigi Nono
.....sofferte onde serene... (1976)
for piano and magnetic tape*

Robert Schumann
Arabeske C-Dur, op. 18 (1839)
Fantasia C-Dur, op. 17 (1836-38, 1839)

Maurizio Pollini, piano
*André Richard, sound director

Can't wait to hear Pollini playing the Nono, one of my favorite pieces. I have never had the opportunity to hear him playing it live.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 08, 2021, 11:44:08 PM
Quote from: GioCar on May 08, 2021, 11:03:19 PM
This will be a great way to celebrate the return of live concerts:

Milan Conservatory - Verdi hall

May 16 at 7pm

Arnold Schönberg
Drei Klavierstücke op. 11 (1909)
Sechs kleine Klavierstücke op. 19 (1911)

Luigi Nono
.....sofferte onde serene... (1976)
for piano and magnetic tape*

Robert Schumann
Arabeske C-Dur, op. 18 (1839)
Fantasia C-Dur, op. 17 (1836-38, 1839)

Maurizio Pollini, piano
*André Richard, sound director

Can't wait to hear Pollini playing the Nono, one of my favorite pieces. I have never had the opportunity to hear him playing it live.
Wow!! That is bound to be a real experience, Gio. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: GioCar on May 09, 2021, 10:29:49 AM
Thanks Rafael, I will!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2021, 07:06:04 AM
Quote from: GioCar on May 08, 2021, 11:03:19 PM
This will be a great way to celebrate the return of live concerts:

Milan Conservatory - Verdi hall

May 16 at 7pm

Arnold Schönberg
Drei Klavierstücke op. 11 (1909)
Sechs kleine Klavierstücke op. 19 (1911)

Luigi Nono
.....sofferte onde serene... (1976)
for piano and magnetic tape*

Robert Schumann
Arabeske C-Dur, op. 18 (1839)
Fantasia C-Dur, op. 17 (1836-38, 1839)

Maurizio Pollini, piano
*André Richard, sound director

Can't wait to hear Pollini playing the Nono, one of my favorite pieces. I have never had the opportunity to hear him playing it live.

Wow, what a treat, under any circumstances. I didn't think Pollini was playing the Nono anymore. Though I haven't heard him live in a few years, his appearances at Carnegie Hall have mostly been "tried and true," e.g., Beethoven. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. I would hear him in anything.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 10, 2021, 07:12:17 AM
In two days, looking forward to a new piece by Oscar Bettison, La Arqueología del Neón (2021), played by the formidable Talea Ensemble. This will be livestreamed, but the group will also perform it live in August at the TIME:SPANS Festival in New York.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU7bR5NNnSY

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 15, 2021, 10:00:14 AM
Today at 5:00 pm (EDT), a livestreamed recital by the great Augustin Hadelich, the latest in The Atterbury House Sessions, produced by Lara St John. Interviewing him several times for The Strad, I have been a bit agog at his story, his intelligence, and his insights. And in addition to his formidable artistry, he's a really nice guy, too.

The recital is about an hour, with works by Telemann, Paganini, and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnIo2ndpDuo

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2021, 05:08:56 AM
On Thursday at 6:00 pm (EDT), this great-looking concert by the Junction Trio, whom I've heard before. "Making its PCMS debut, JCT is composed of violinist Stefan Jackiw, recognized for combining poetry and purity with an impeccable technique; pianist Conrad Tao, an internationally known pianist and composer; and cellist Jay Campbell, a member of the renowned JACK Quartet."

The livestream is free, available below or on the PCMS YouTube channel.

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/junction-trio/

Zorn: Ghosts, Op. 70
Ives: Piano Trio
Ravel: Piano Trio in A Minor

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: mabuse on May 19, 2021, 06:29:50 AM
Being a fan of the JACK quartet, I'm curious to hear the Junction Trio. Thanks for the report, Bruce  ;)
...


This may not be the right topic because it is an old concert from 2015, but I still point out that currently it is possible to listen to this:
https://www.wqed.org/fm/podcasts/pittsburgh-symphony-radio/pittsburgh-symphony-radio-2020-2021-season-program-5-part-1-0
https://www.wqed.org/fm/podcasts/pittsburgh-symphony-radio/pittsburgh-symphony-radio-2020-2021-season-program-5-part-2-0

James Ehnes and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskä perform Jean Sibelius:
- Finlandia
- Violin Concerto
- Symphony n° 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2021, 06:48:32 AM
Quote from: mabuse on May 19, 2021, 06:29:50 AM
This may not be the right topic because it is an old concert from 2015, but I still point out that currently it is possible to listen to this:
https://www.wqed.org/fm/podcasts/pittsburgh-symphony-radio/pittsburgh-symphony-radio-2020-2021-season-program-5-part-1-0
https://www.wqed.org/fm/podcasts/pittsburgh-symphony-radio/pittsburgh-symphony-radio-2020-2021-season-program-5-part-2-0

James Ehnes and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra conducted by Osmo Vänskä perform Jean Sibelius:
- Finlandia
- Violin Concerto
- Symphony n° 2

And thanks for this! Perfectly fine to mention a concert still available, especially such a tasty one. (Feel free to post about it in the Sibelius thread, too, if you like.)

The Pittsburgh ensemble has really surged forward with Manfred Honeck (some incredible recordings to show for it, too) and I'm a big fan of Vänskä, who has been working wonders in Minneapolis. Add Ehnes to the mix, and this all looks great. Thanks so much.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 19, 2021, 06:54:04 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 19, 2021, 05:08:56 AM
On Thursday at 6:00 pm (EDT), this great-looking concert by the Junction Trio, whom I've heard before. "Making its PCMS debut, JCT is composed of violinist Stefan Jackiw, recognized for combining poetry and purity with an impeccable technique; pianist Conrad Tao, an internationally known pianist and composer; and cellist Jay Campbell, a member of the renowned JACK Quartet."

The livestream is free, available below or on the PCMS YouTube channel.

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/junction-trio/

Zorn: Ghosts, Op. 70
Ives: Piano Trio
Ravel: Piano Trio in A Minor

--Bruce

Hmmm...I didn't know that Zorn has started to use or has used opus numbers. I think his classical works are rather underrated. He's more well-known in the jazz world, but people seem to forget that his classical pieces are actually really good and writes fluently in different styles. I remember asking one of the people that work for his record label Tzadik whether Zorn actually slept or not and they just chuckled. The guy is incredibly prolific and he's just warming up --- he's 67 yrs. old.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2021, 06:54:59 AM
And looking ahead to next week, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society has what looks to be another winner: the Jasper Quartet (excellent) with soprano Sarah Shafer, in a program of works by female composers. I can vouch for Fung, Shaw, and Higdon -- Devaux and Washington will be new to me.

Wednesday, May 26
https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/jasper-quartet-shafer/

Fung: Quartet No. 1
Devaux: Dust
Washington: Middleground
Shaw: By & By (w/ Shafer)
Higdon: In the Shadow of Sirius (w/ Shafer)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2021, 06:56:38 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 19, 2021, 06:54:04 AM
Hmmm...I didn't know that Zorn has started to use or has used opus numbers. I think his classical works are rather underrated. He's more well-known in the jazz world, but people seem to forget that his classical pieces are actually really good and writes fluently in different styles. I remember asking one of the people that work for his record label Tzadik whether Zorn actually slept or not and they just chuckled. The guy is incredibly prolific and he's just warming up --- he's 67 yrs. old.

His classical works are quite interesting, and often very high-voltage (at least, the ones I've heard). And yes, quite prolific. For awhile in NYC, it seemed like every other new music concert would have a Zorn piece.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 19, 2021, 07:10:26 AM
Quote from: Brewski on May 19, 2021, 06:56:38 AM
His classical works are quite interesting, and often very high-voltage (at least, the ones I've heard). And yes, quite prolific. For awhile in NYC, it seemed like every other new music concert would have a Zorn piece.

--Bruce

That's excellent. He needs more international exposure. Yes, many of his works are rather energetic, but I'd also add raw and abrasive, but he has composed some beautiful music, too like Kol Nidre (arranged for both SQ and string orchestra) and Duras: Duchamp, which are two exquisitely gorgeous works.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 19, 2021, 07:11:13 AM
And one more concert, also tomorrow, by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra led by Sir James MacMillan, with percussionist Colin Currie. Again, the livestream is free and will be archived afterward. Program looks quite unusual!

I have to add: Though there's nothing like hearing live music in person, in a space, with other people, quarantine has produced a flood of livestreamed events, most of which would not otherwise be available to most of us. A bit of a silver lining, which I hope will continue after things get back to normal.

20 May, 7:30 pm
MacMillan: Ein Lämplein verlosch (Scottish Premiere)
Sibelius: The Tempest, Suite II
Rautavaara: Percussion Concerto 'Incantations' (Scottish Premiere)

https://www.sco.org.uk/events/macmillan-sibelius-rautavaara

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on May 26, 2021, 02:24:38 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 19, 2021, 07:11:13 AM
And one more concert, also tomorrow, by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra led by Sir James MacMillan, with percussionist Colin Currie. Again, the livestream is free and will be archived afterward. Program looks quite unusual!

I have to add: Though there's nothing like hearing live music in person, in a space, with other people, quarantine has produced a flood of livestreamed events, most of which would not otherwise be available to most of us. A bit of a silver lining, which I hope will continue after things get back to normal.

20 May, 7:30 pm
MacMillan: Ein Lämplein verlosch (Scottish Premiere)
Sibelius: The Tempest, Suite II
Rautavaara: Percussion Concerto 'Incantations' (Scottish Premiere)

https://www.sco.org.uk/events/macmillan-sibelius-rautavaara

--Bruce
Crumbs!  Do you still know whether or not it is available to watch?  And you had mentioned somewhere else about a Bartok concert this weekend?

I'm not quite certain how one can watch this?  Here's some info:

Midori, violin
Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 - 6:00 PM
American Philosophical Society

In-person tickets for this event are sold-out. Please join us via livestream or call 215-569-8080 to join the waiting list.

About This Performance

A visionary artist, activist, and educator whose unique career has transcended traditional boundaries, Midori has transfixed audiences around the world for over 35 years. Her first PCMS recital in a decade also features Lithuanian pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute in an intimate program of works by Dvořák, Debussy, and Brahms.

Note: Midori and Ieva Jokubaviciute perform in place of Alina Ibragimova and Cédric Tiberghien. Tickets to the Ibragimova/Tiberghien recital will gain you entrance to the program with Midori/Jokubaviciute.

Dvořák: Sonatina in G Major, Op. 100
Debussy: Violin Sonata
Brahms: Violin Sonata in D Minor, Op. 108

Note:  This is listed on the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society's webpage.  They had been allowing people to view the concerts either for free or for donations (included suggested).

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 27, 2021, 09:19:00 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 26, 2021, 02:24:38 PM
Crumbs!  Do you still know whether or not it is available to watch?  And you had mentioned somewhere else about a Bartok concert this weekend?

I'm not quite certain how one can watch this?  Here's some info:

Midori, violin
Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 - 6:00 PM
American Philosophical Society

In-person tickets for this event are sold-out. Please join us via livestream or call 215-569-8080 to join the waiting list.

About This Performance

A visionary artist, activist, and educator whose unique career has transcended traditional boundaries, Midori has transfixed audiences around the world for over 35 years. Her first PCMS recital in a decade also features Lithuanian pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute in an intimate program of works by Dvořák, Debussy, and Brahms.

Note: Midori and Ieva Jokubaviciute perform in place of Alina Ibragimova and Cédric Tiberghien. Tickets to the Ibragimova/Tiberghien recital will gain you entrance to the program with Midori/Jokubaviciute.

Dvořák: Sonatina in G Major, Op. 100
Debussy: Violin Sonata
Brahms: Violin Sonata in D Minor, Op. 108

Note:  This is listed on the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society's webpage.  They had been allowing people to view the concerts either for free or for donations (included suggested).

PD

Good news: the Scottish Chamber Orchestra concert (about 1 hour) is on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlNvdkKo698

And the Tesla Quartet's Bartok No. 4 is also there, live on Saturday, but likely available after that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQcXEVrdaB4

And the PCMS concert will be available on their site (below). Right now they have yesterday's concert still available (which was terrific).
https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/livestreams/

Really, so much music available! :o A nice "problem" to have.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on May 27, 2021, 03:17:00 PM
Quote from: Brewski on May 27, 2021, 09:19:00 AM
Good news: the Scottish Chamber Orchestra concert (about 1 hour) is on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlNvdkKo698

And the Tesla Quartet's Bartok No. 4 is also there, live on Saturday, but likely available after that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQcXEVrdaB4

And the PCMS concert will be available on their site (below). Right now they have yesterday's concert still available (which was terrific).
https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/livestreams/

Really, so much music available! :o A nice "problem" to have.

--Bruce
Thank you!   :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 10, 2021, 09:07:38 AM
Tomorrow night, a livestream from the Minnesota Orchestra. Last night, the NY Philharmonic did the Saint-Georges at an outdoor concert; I'd never heard the piece before, and at about 11 minutes, it's charming.

https://minnesotaorchestra.org/tickets/calendar/program-notes/2477-radiance-and-light-june-11-12

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Orion Weiss, piano

Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 11, No. 2
Chopin: Concerto No. 2 in F minor for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 21
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 in G major, Surprise

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 10, 2021, 10:30:24 PM
The last live concert I attended was back in October. Now that lockdown is over, some live music in an iconic venue before leaving Athens for the summer.


Thu., 24 June 2021
Odeon of Herodes Atticus


GIORGOS KOUMENDAKIS
(b.1959)
The Pedal Tone for a Child

SERGEI RACHMANINOV
(1873–1943)
Piano concerto no. 2 in C minor, op. 18

DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906–1975)
Symphony No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 70

Athens State Orchestra
SOLOIST
Daniil Trifonov, piano
CONDUCTOR
Lukas Karytinos
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on June 11, 2021, 07:59:54 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on June 10, 2021, 10:30:24 PM
The last live concert I attended was back in October. Now that lockdown is over, some live music in an iconic venue before leaving Athens for the summer.


Thu., 24 June 2021
Odeon of Herodes Atticus


GIORGOS KOUMENDAKIS
(b.1959)
The Pedal Tone for a Child

SERGEI RACHMANINOV
(1873–1943)
Piano concerto no. 2 in C minor, op. 18

DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH
(1906–1975)
Symphony No. 9 in E-flat major, Op. 70

Athens State Orchestra
SOLOIST
Daniil Trifonov, piano
CONDUCTOR
Lukas Karytinos
Congrats!  Hope that you enjoy it!

Leaving the hot city for the summer?

Currently watching one of your compatriots playing at RG.  Have you been following at all?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: mabuse on June 11, 2021, 04:15:26 PM
I'm always happy to find a new concert with James Ehnes  8)

From the NDR in Hannover, June 3rd 2021 :

James Ehnes and the NDR Radiophilharmonie (Dir. : Felix Mildenberger)

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy :
Violin Concerto in E minor op. 64
Symphony No. 4 in A major op. 90 "Italian"

https://www.ndr.de/kultur/sendungen/ndr_radiophilharmonie/Nachwuchstalent-Mildenberger-springt-fuer-Sndergard-ein,sendung1146746.html
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 13, 2021, 09:55:47 AM
Just bought tickets for my daughter (who's spending some days in Madrid—she lives in London) and me for the rare opportunity to see Ernst Krenek's 1929 song cycle Reisebuch aus den Österreichischen Alpen (Journey Through the Austrian Alps), performed tomorrow at the Teatro de la Zarzuela by baritone Florian Boesch and pianist Malcolm Martineau.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 14, 2021, 10:25:06 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 13, 2021, 09:55:47 AM
Just bought tickets for my daughter (who's spending some days in Madrid—she lives in London) and me for the rare opportunity to see Ernst Krenek's 1929 song cycle Reisebuch aus den Österreichischen Alpen (Journey Through the Austrian Alps), performed tomorrow at the Teatro de la Zarzuela by baritone Florian Boesch and pianist Malcolm Martineau.

Hoping this was as great as it sounds. I've never even seen the Krenek on a concert program! And the two artists could hardly be bettered. Please report, if you like, with comments.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 14, 2021, 01:08:57 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 11, 2021, 07:59:54 AM
Congrats!  Hope that you enjoy it!

Thanks! The mixture of works seems quite interesting. And it will be the first time I will see Trifonov perform live. Also curious to see what encores he'll play, if any.

To get a sense of the venue, here are some photos (https://www.iefimerida.gr/politismos/premiera-festibal-athinon-gemise-irodeio-ptd-mareba-mitsotaki) from yesterday's inaugural Athens Festival concert at the Herodeion.

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 11, 2021, 07:59:54 AM
Leaving the hot city for the summer?

As far as I'm concerned, swimming in the sea is one of the few things that make summer worth the trouble. I usually spend most of it (and sometimes September) in my hometown in western Peloponnese. We have exquisite sandy beaches and beguiling sunsets. Not too shabby for Wanderer.  :)

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on June 11, 2021, 07:59:54 AM
Currently watching one of your compatriots playing at RG.  Have you been following at all?

I'm afraid I haven't been watching any of it. I understand that he went to the finals and that there was a very intense final game.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 15, 2021, 06:41:26 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 14, 2021, 10:25:06 AM
Hoping this was as great as it sounds. I've never even seen the Krenek on a concert program! And the two artists could hardly be bettered. Please report, if you like, with comments.

--Bruce
Well, last night's recital of Florian Boesch and Malcolm Martineau performing Krenek's Reisebuch was certainly very enjoyable, not least as it was the first concert I attended in over a year. The work itself is wonderful, a sort of 20th century Die schöne Müllerin or (to a lesser extent), Winterreise--Boesch had sung the latter in Madrid just in January this year. The texts by the composer himself sound as pertinent today as when they were written almost a century ago, and show a deep but not uncritical love to his home country.  It's a very coherent but also varied cycle, and the slightly less that 60 minutes it takes to perform went by in a flash. The work is very 1920s Krenek: kind of late romantic (or neo-Shubertian), but also unmistakably modern, and the piano part is remarkable.

I think I had never heard Boesch before (either live or on record). Perhaps he wasn't in the best voice last night (he had to clear his throat on several occasions between songs, and at some point sounded slightly hoarse), but the performance perhaps gained from the rustic and less "cultured" approach, and the baritone very eloquently and intelligently "acted out" some of the themes he was singing (but never with overemphasis or bad taste). Malcolm Martineau was superb at the keyboard (and it was clear why he's so highly regarded as an accompanist).

I knew Krenek's Reisebuch from the recording by Wolfgang Holzmair (which has been ion my collection since it was first released more than 20 yaers ago), but heard live in concert, the work makes a stronger impression.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 15, 2021, 07:55:09 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 15, 2021, 06:41:26 AM
Well, last night's recital of Florian Boesch and Malcolm Martineau performing Krenek's Reisebuch was certainly very enjoyable, not least as it was the first concert I attended in over a year. The work itself is wonderful, a sort of 20th century Die schöne Müllerin or (to a lesser extent), Winterreise--Boesch had sung the latter in Madrid just in January this year. The texts by the composer himself sound as pertinent today as when they were written almost a century ago, and show a deep but not uncritical love to his home country.  It's a very coherent but also varied cycle, and the slightly less that 60 minutes it takes to perform went by in a flash. The work is very 1920s Krenek: kind of late romantic (or neo-Shubertian), but also unmistakably modern, and the piano part is remarkable.

I think I had never heard Boesch before (either live or on record). Perhaps he wasn't in the best voice last night (he had to clear his throat on several occasions between songs, and at some point sounded slightly hoarse), but the performance perhaps gained from the rustic and less "cultured" approach, and the baritone very eloquently and intelligently "acted out" some of the themes he was singing (but never with overemphasis or bad taste). Malcolm Martineau was superb at the keyboard (and it was clear why he's so highly regarded as an accompanist).

I knew Krenek's Reisebuch from the recording by Wolfgang Holzmair (which has been ion my collection since it was first released more than 20 yaers ago), but heard live in concert, the work makes a stronger impression.

Thanks so much. This sounds quite interesting. The only Krenek work I have heard live was Lamentatio Jeremiae prophetae (1941-42), an hour of austere a cappella singing that had a stark appeal (obviously written a few years after Reisebuch).

And I've never heard Boesch live, either, though I have heard Martineau, who has worked with many great singers. I may seek out that Holzmair recording.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 24, 2021, 01:15:34 PM
Cross-posted from the relevant composer thread.

Quote from: ritter on June 24, 2021, 12:27:10 PM
Managed to attend the second performance (the premiere was, fittingly, last night) of the reconstructed ballet La nuit de Saint Jean or Les feux de la Saint Jean ("Midsummer Night" or "The Midsummer Night Bonfires") by Roberto Gerhard. The production is being presented (invitation only) here in Madrid by the Juan March Foundation, and will travel to the Teatro del Liceo in Barcelona in the fall.

This ballet, which remained unperformed until now, has a chequered history. It started as a prospective commission in 1936 by Colonel de Basil's Ballets Russes de Montecarlo for a Spanish-themed ballet, with music by Gerhard, scenario by Ventura Gassol, choreography by Léonide Massine and sets by Joan Junyer. The outbreak of the Spanish civil war (the outcome of which forced Gerhard, Gassol and Junyer into exile), followed by WW2, prevented any real progress to be made on the work, and in the meantime Colonel de Basil's company had folded.

The composer rescued some numbers for the suite Soirées de Barcelone (which exists in solo piano and orchestral versions—both available on CD), but the whole ballet is, at around one hour, four times as long as the suite. Pianist Miguel Baselga, in a post-performance colloquium (more about that later  >:() explained how reconstructing the whole score was not easy, as the unpublished numbers were only available in a score not meant for performance (but rather as a base for the never to be completed orchestration) and had no dynamic markings, etc. In any case, he did a splendid job, and brought out every nuance in this substantial score, which is clearly derived from Catalan folk music (one of the most beautiful balletic moments included the catalan circle dance sardana, and one of the typical human towers castell), but some numbers are clearly by Gerhard the pupil of Arnold Schoenberg.

The single set and the costumes were based on the original sketches, but apparently no trace has survived of the choreography Massine had intended for the work, so Antonio Ruz (the mastermind of the whole project) worked from scratch, but did so very effectively IMHO. The only weak point was that the (otherwise splendid) ballerina playing Cupid would recite some passages from the scenario before each of the three tableaux, and that was unnecessary, sounded really kitschy, and cheapened the whole show a bit.

The three tableaux are i) the bonfires of midsummer night (an age old tradition in Spain, particularly on the east coast), ii) a dreamlike love scene in a forest after the bonfires, and iii) a wedding on the next day. Nicely varied and beautifully danced, fitting perfectly with the musical material. The fact that the music was piano only was not a real problem, but the ballet would be really something in full orchestral garb (which I suppose would not be that complicated—apart from the financial effort, of course—as good chunks are already available in orchestral score in the Soirées suite).

As mentioned above, there was a colloquium with the performers and artistic director of the whole enterprise  Ruz after the show. As mentioned above, Miguel Baselga (who may by known to some for having recorded the complete piano music of Albéniz on the BIS label) talked about the music, the dancers introduced themselves and expressed their joy at the project, and then questions or comments from the audience were taken. Unfortunately, the second audience member to speak was some bloke who started saying how happy he was, having just arrived from Barcelona at noon, to be able to attend this performance, particularly after having been yesterday  outside Lledoners prison to cheer and welcome the convicted Catalan separatist leaders upon their release—thanks to a controversial governmental pardon—.  This threatened to degenerate into an unnecessary and completely misplaced political diatribe. It's unbearable how these people try to contaminate every aspect of life (not only in Catalonia, but elsewhere in Spain) with their political fixation. As I hadn't gone to the performance to listen to such gibberish, and even less to engage in any sort of argument with strangers, I (and several other members of the audience) quietly but conspicuously rose and left the hall. O ciel, che noia!   ::)

Here a couple of scenes from the ballet:

(https://imagenes.elpais.com/resizer/M00eP407d3yNxKbKh0glzOZQM98=/1960x0/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/2B5IPPBC6RACZMVXIFIS36ORIA.JPG)

(https://scherzo.es/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/La-noche-de-San-Juan.jpg)

And for those not familiar with them, here's the typical formation of the sardana, and a group of castellers (of course, concerning the latter, what we saw in the ballet—with only six dancers—was rather more modest  ;)):

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Ensayo_y_calentamiento_previo_a_la_danza.jpg)

(https://www.unihabit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/castellers-2.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 29, 2021, 07:07:08 AM
Quote from: ritter on June 24, 2021, 12:27:10 PM
Managed to attend the second performance (the premiere was, fittingly, last night) of the reconstructed ballet La nuit de Saint Jean or Les feux de la Saint Jean ("Midsummer Night" or "The Midsummer Night Bonfires") by Roberto Gerhard. The production is being presented (invitation only) here in Madrid by the Juan March Foundation, and will travel to the Teatro del Liceo in Barcelona in the fall.


Wow. Thanks for this detailed report. Great photos, too. FWIW, Gerhard seems to be rarely performed in the U.S., and certainly not a big work like this one. Now fantasizing about a trip to Barcelona (though probably not in the cards at the moment).

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 29, 2021, 07:10:10 AM
Tonight, live from Banff, the JACK Quartet in the program below, free at the link:

"Divide" (2019)  | Marc Sabat

Nightmare for JACK (a ballet)  | Natacha Diels
(world premiere, commissioned by Banff Centre, 2020)

Dig Deep (2019) |  Julia Wolfe

Passage (2020) |  Jason Eckardt
Movement TBC

https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/evolution/faculty-concert-jack/20210629/1730

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on July 06, 2021, 10:19:20 AM
Great programs !!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 06, 2021, 10:32:30 AM
Quote from: André on July 06, 2021, 10:19:20 AM
Great programs !!

I agree! (And as stated, "Nice to have something to go to anyway," meaning, anything at all. Many of us are starved for a concert experience.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on July 06, 2021, 10:38:49 AM
Triad's (https://www.triadchoir.org/) November concerts which we are e'en now planning.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 06, 2021, 10:40:51 AM
In late August, looking forward to the TIME:SPANS Festival, returning live and in-person after last year's hiatus. The artists involved—including soprano Tony Arnold, JACK Quartet, Talea Ensemble, Wet Ink, Yarn/Wire, cellist Seth Parker Woods, and Alarm Will Sound—could not be better.

https://timespans.org/program/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 06, 2021, 10:51:40 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on July 06, 2021, 10:42:02 AM
A few weeks ago, a guy from the Box Office phoned me about all the refunds I was owed from last season's cancellations, during the course of which he commented that they'd met quite a lot of reluctance from some members (the implication was, older members) about returning to the concert hall.  Which may be a reason for the deliberately popular programming - to entice back that audience.  So while it may not be ideal - and certainly not how it used to be - it is at least something.  For a while there it looked distinctly possible that live orchestral concerts might be a thing of the past... :'( ::) ;D
Next year's Dallas Symphony programming is similarly very pops-heavy.

You're lucky you got a phone call about refunds! The DSO emailed me to say I had $180 in account credit to use by a certain date, and if I didn't use it, they'd consider it a donation. Of course, they waited to tell me until there were no more events to use it on (except a children's concert), so I guess I donated it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: mabuse on July 06, 2021, 12:19:50 PM
Quote from: Brewski on June 29, 2021, 07:10:10 AM
Tonight, live from Banff, the JACK Quartet in the program below, free at the link:

"Divide" (2019)  | Marc Sabat

Nightmare for JACK (a ballet)  | Natacha Diels
(world premiere, commissioned by Banff Centre, 2020)

Dig Deep (2019) |  Julia Wolfe

Passage (2020) |  Jason Eckardt
Movement TBC

https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/evolution/faculty-concert-jack/20210629/1730

--Bruce

I will watch this :)
Thanks very much, Bruce !

And there are other interesting things to come next few days too : https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/evolution-concert-series
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 06, 2021, 12:20:06 PM
I think we're going to see more workhorse heavy concert programs due to 2020's financial losses than anything else. Remember that an orchestra is like any other business entity in that it has to get seats filled and the only way to do that is to bring out those heavy-hitters that will surely give me them that financial surplus that they didn't get in 2020.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 06, 2021, 12:41:30 PM
Quote from: mabuse on July 06, 2021, 12:19:50 PM
I will watch this :)
Thanks very much, Bruce !

And there are other interesting things to come next few days too : https://www.banffcentre.ca/events/evolution-concert-series

Most welcome. One of the silver linings of the pandemic has been widespread archiving of livestreams, so that if you can't watch live, you can often catch the concert later. (Among major institutions, I know the Minnesota and Seattle orchestras have been doing this.)

And in any case, Banff has great programming in general.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 06, 2021, 12:43:25 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 06, 2021, 12:20:06 PM
I think we're going to see more workhorse heavy concert programs due to 2020's financial losses than anything else. Remember that an orchestra is like any other business entity in that it has to get seats filled and the only way to do that is to bring out those heavy-hitters that will surely give me them that financial surplus that they didn't get in 2020.

This is likely true. The more esoteric repertoire may have to wait, at least for awhile. To me, that's a good reason to support some of these smaller organizations, which have a little more flexibility.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on July 06, 2021, 01:19:04 PM
Quote from: Brewski on July 06, 2021, 12:43:25 PM
This is likely true. The more esoteric repertoire may have to wait, at least for awhile. To me, that's a good reason to support some of these smaller organizations, which have a little more flexibility.

--Bruce

Yes.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 06, 2021, 01:26:14 PM
Quote from: Brewski on July 06, 2021, 12:43:25 PM
This is likely true. The more esoteric repertoire may have to wait, at least for awhile. To me, that's a good reason to support some of these smaller organizations, which have a little more flexibility.

--Bruce

I'll have to look around and see what kind of Atlanta-based chamber ensembles there are to see if any of them will be performing near me. I wouldn't mind seeing something more intimate like chamber music performed, but I'd still love to see something great happen for the more well-known orchestras.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 07, 2021, 08:42:28 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on July 07, 2021, 02:29:34 AM
While we're at it...

Wednesday 6th October at London Barbican

MartinůRhapsody-Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
ShostakovichSymphony No.1
LSO

Simon Rattle conductor
Antoine Tamestit viola

Don't get too many opportunities to hear these in concert. :)

Wow...that's an awesome concert! I hope they stream this one. Rattle conducting Martinů is an interesting proposition I must say. I'm not a great fan of Rattle's conducting, but I think a quirky composer like Martinů would be right up his alley. His Shostakovich from years past isn't half bad either --- I remember enjoying his recordings of Symphonies Nos. 4 & 10 with the CBSO (on EMI). I do have to wonder if Rattle's wife, the fabulous mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená, had talked him into conducting more Czech music? I know Rattle's done some Dvořák (with the Berliners on EMI of the symphonic poems sans The Hero's Song, which conductors leave out all of the time plus the Biblical Songs w/ Kožená and the Berliners I believe?) and Janáček (there's at least two recordings here: The Cunning Little Vixen on LSO Live w/ Kožená in lead role and the pairing of Glagolitic Mass and Sinfonietta w/ the CBSO on EMI).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 08, 2021, 06:20:30 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on July 08, 2021, 12:33:06 AM
I'm also not a huge fan of Rattle's conducting - I don't share the enthusiasm for his Bruckner, for example - but I have found him better in modern repertoire than the classical/romantic, so I have hopes for this one. :)

It'll feature Antoine Tamestit, who is no slouch on the viola ;), so this should be a good concert. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on July 14, 2021, 07:58:19 AM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on July 13, 2021, 12:28:16 PM
At the risk of offending people my ears objectively tell me that Coleridge-Taylor is a competent not great composer.  But I'd say the same about Florence Price.  Duke Ellington is clearly a different case/calibre - who once said that Duke Ellington was America's greatest composer?  I do understand that there are elements of discrimination against these composers on account of race or gender and as such their struggle against that is to be celebrated.  But a hundred years later we are left with the Art itself not the context of its creation.  Is later Beethoven even better than it is because he was deaf or do we just accept it as great?  Do we sit there saying of the late string quartets; "they are even better than you think they are because the guy who wrote them couldn't hear a note".  I'd say not.   I understand this is a touchy and sensitive subject but that is not a reason to avoid a debate......

The cynical side of me says this music is now being programmed NOT because anyone thinks it is of especial merit but simply to be seen to be programming it and therefore promoting the idea that CM is inclusive and relevant.  I'm not saying for a second that the historical fact that people were marginalised on the basis of race or gender was a good thing but it is simply how it was.  We have to change things going forward , we cannot be hostages to history - instead we should learn from it.  Saying CM is the provenance of dead white men is a bit like saying organised religion - any religion - was the domain of influential educated men too.  It was - learn from that, change things and move forward.

Per our tête-à-tête, I checked the first SO concert I will attend this year, and the opening of the Chicago SO in September has the following program led my Riccardo Muti:

1. Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges: An Anonymous Lover Overture
2. Florence Price: 'Andante Moderato' from String Quartet in G Major
3. LvB: Symphony 3 "Eroica"

I will enjoy the Beethoven, but I will be looking forward most to the others that I am not so familiar with. The questions is, are the literature choices (obviously ones of diversity) made by committee, or is Muti an advocate of this music? I am all for diversity in programming, but if it is mere concert-hall time-filler, or a quota being met, I agree with your sentiments completely. At least I can hear these in concert and be able to take away an opinion of this music, ones that probably wouldn't be heard normally, especially live.

Quote from: Roasted Swan on July 14, 2021, 01:01:19 AM
I'm ALL for diversity of programming - but as mentioned here before there are many very very fine composers NEVER played at the Proms - take just about ALL the Latin American composers for example.  I would feel on purely musical merit that type of composer deserves attention more than Coleridge-Taylor

I also agree that Hispanic composers (among others) need more advocacy in concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 08:34:57 AM
Quote from: VonStupp on July 14, 2021, 07:58:19 AM
Per our tête-à-tête, I checked the first SO concert I will attend this year, and the opening of the Chicago SO in September has the following program led my Riccardo Muti:

1. Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges: An Anonymous Lover Overture
2. Florence Price: 'Andante Moderato' from String Quartet in G Major
3. LvB: Symphony 3 "Eroica"

I will enjoy the Beethoven, but I will be looking forward most to the others that I am not so familiar with. The questions is, are the literature choices (obviously ones of diversity) made by committee, or is Muti an advocate of this music? I am all for diversity in programming, but if it is mere concert-hall time-filler, or a quota being met, I agree with your sentiments completely. At least I can hear these in concert and be able to take away an opinion of this music, ones that probably wouldn't be heard normally, especially live.

This program doesn't look very encouraging for the CSO, tbh. I think Muti hasn't really done anything remotely interesting in years and of all the works one could perform, this was the program chosen? Geez...so disappointing. :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on July 14, 2021, 08:38:24 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 08:34:57 AM
This program doesn't look very encouraging for the CSO, tbh. I think Muti hasn't really done anything remotely interesting in years and of all the works one could perform, this was the program chosen? Geez...so disappointing. :(

I agree. He is only leading three concerts, that I am aware of, all at the start of the fall, and each seem dull. Michael Tilson-Thomas will be coming later, and his are a little more engaging.

I thought much the same of Barenboim when he was here too, though.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 14, 2021, 08:51:14 AM
It is very clear nationally that orchestras are all looking to the same pieces to meet new diversity guidelines. Everyone is programming Clara Schumann's teenage piano concerto; everyone is programming a short elegy by Still or Hailstork; everyone is programming a Chevalier de Saint-Georges piece instead of Mozart. Some of that is fine (Schumann's piano concerto would be kinda dull to see live, I think), and a lot of the music is very good (Florence Price's solo piano pieces are REALLY fun). But the fact that they're all doing it, and they're all making the same fairly conservative choices, is really indicative of a lack of knowledge of the repertoire and a certain laziness in exploring it.

NYPO has one notable exception, a newly commissioned clarinet concerto that is programmatic and describes encountering hostile police officers, programmed on the same bill as a Missy Mazzoli piece. Still, you would hope to see the new push for less "dead white men" centric programming to go beyond the same 5 people (Clara and Still especially) and include lots of living composers, Afro-Cuban composers, South American and Asian composers, the fun Native American composer Jerod Tate, etc.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2021, 09:09:41 AM
On July 22 I'm going to Ravinia to hear some live music for the first time in 2 years. Alsop conducting the CSO:


Prokofiev:       Symphony No. 1 ("Classical")
Mahler:       Symphony No. 4 for soprano and orchestra (arr. Klaus Simon)

I'm slightly put off by the fact that they're doing a chamber orchestra reduction of the Mahler. Apparently they're very cautious about having many musicians on the stage at one time, don't you know.

Still, we have to start somewhere, getting back to live music. The last live music I heard was Alsop conducting Mahler at Ravinia with the CSO (Mahler 8 ) in 2019, so there's a pleasing continuity to this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 09:22:23 AM
Quote from: VonStupp on July 14, 2021, 08:38:24 AM
I agree. He is only leading three concerts, that I am aware of, all at the start of the fall, and each seem dull. Michael Tilson-Thomas will be coming later, and his are a little more engaging.

I thought much the same of Barenboim when he was here too, though.

VS

Well, I like Tilson Thomas' repertoire more than Muti's. It's a shame that MTT wasn't named music director of the CSO, but I think he's been basically guest conducting since stepping down from his post with the San Francisco SO.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 09:26:49 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 14, 2021, 08:51:14 AM
It is very clear nationally that orchestras are all looking to the same pieces to meet new diversity guidelines. Everyone is programming Clara Schumann's teenage piano concerto; everyone is programming a short elegy by Still or Hailstork; everyone is programming a Chevalier de Saint-Georges piece instead of Mozart. Some of that is fine (Schumann's piano concerto would be kinda dull to see live, I think), and a lot of the music is very good (Florence Price's solo piano pieces are REALLY fun). But the fact that they're all doing it, and they're all making the same fairly conservative choices, is really indicative of a lack of knowledge of the repertoire and a certain laziness in exploring it.

NYPO has one notable exception, a newly commissioned clarinet concerto that is programmatic and describes encountering hostile police officers, programmed on the same bill as a Missy Mazzoli piece. Still, you would hope to see the new push for less "dead white men" centric programming to go beyond the same 5 people (Clara and Still especially) and include lots of living composers, Afro-Cuban composers, South American and Asian composers, the fun Native American composer Jerod Tate, etc.

If they want to program a female composer's PC, why not pick Bacewicz? Her concerto would sure set fire to any hall and I think audiences would be enthusiastic. As for African American composers, why not program some Duke Ellington? He's more interesting than any of the other African American composers I've heard. If they want to throw in a gay composer, then there's plenty to choose from, but how about some lesser known work from Barber? I mean there's endless possibilities, but, as I've stated previously, these orchestras' board members are more concerned with filling seats instead of making any kind of memorable artistic statement.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 09:31:03 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2021, 09:09:41 AM
On July 22 I'm going to Ravinia to hear some live music for the first time in 2 years. Alsop conducting the CSO:


Prokofiev:       Symphony No. 1 ("Classical")
Mahler:       Symphony No. 4 for soprano and orchestra (arr. Klaus Simon)

I'm slightly put off by the fact that they're doing a chamber orchestra reduction of the Mahler. Apparently they're very cautious about having many musicians on the stage at one time, don't you know.

Still, we have to start somewhere, getting back to live music. The last live music I heard was Alsop conducting Mahler at Ravinia with the CSO (Mahler 8 ) in 2019, so there's a pleasing continuity to this concert.

The Prokofiev is cool, but performing the Mahler 4th in a chamber music arrangement is just stupid, especially when Alsop will have the CSO at her disposal. :-\
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 14, 2021, 11:25:25 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 09:26:49 AM
If they want to throw in a gay composer, then there's plenty to choose from, but how about some lesser known work from Barber?
Can't dispute much of the rest of your post (love Duke, but there are some black concert hall composers as interesting as the orchestral music the Duke wrote), but I don't know that sexuality is something being considered in this programming, as there has always been a lot of Barber, Poulenc, Britten, Bernstein, Copland, and now Jennifer Higdon in concert halls, not to mention Tchaikovsky or composers like Handel whose orientations will never be known.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 11:26:33 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 14, 2021, 11:25:25 AM
Can't dispute much of the rest of your post (love Duke, but there are some black concert hall composers as interesting as the orchestral music the Duke wrote), but I don't know that sexuality is something being considered in this programming, as there has always been a lot of Barber, Poulenc, Britten, Bernstein, Copland, and now Jennifer Higdon in concert halls, not to mention Tchaikovsky or composers like Handel whose orientations will never be known.

I was just throwing that out there to make it sound like I knew what I was talking about. ;) ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2021, 11:36:03 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 09:31:03 AM
The Prokofiev is cool, but performing the Mahler 4th in a chamber music arrangement is just stupid, especially when Alsop will have the CSO at her disposal. :-\

I agree. It's some health-related thing. They're working with a reduced orchestra this summer, as well as "checkerboard seating" and other fun stuff. I'm going more to show support for the enterprise than anything else.

Quote from: Brian on July 14, 2021, 08:51:14 AM
South American and Asian composers,

I'd love to hear more Latin American and Asian composers in concert; that may have to wait for our politicized moment to pass. BTW when Dudamel was appointed in LA, one aspect of his remit was to play more composers from those areas. Does anyone know how successful he was at this?

I think we're going to be looking at orchestras playing it safe for the next few years, as they recover from the devastation of COVID. That means even more warhorses than usual, sadly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 11:48:27 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2021, 11:36:03 AM
I agree. It's some health-related thing. They're working with a reduced orchestra this summer, as well as "checkerboard seating" and other fun stuff. I'm going more to show support for the enterprise than anything else.

Ah okay, I see. I'm forgetting that we're still very much in the age of COVID in terms of public events and so forth. I understand the precautions of course, but instead of Mahler's 4, how about Dvořák's Serenade for Strings or Bartók's Divertimento? These would've been better than a Mahler 4 reduction. Anyway, I understand your reasoning and it sounds like, if anything, it'll a be fun to hear the Prokofiev.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2021, 11:53:46 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 11:48:27 AM
instead of Mahler's 4, how about Dvořák's Serenade for Strings or Bartók's Divertimento? These would've been better than a Mahler 4 reduction.

Yeah, or Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. They seem to be consciously avoiding putting a lot of wind instruments on the stage.

There was a chamber music concert near me (which I didn't go to), the flyer for which pointed out that there would be absolutely no wind instruments there to potentially infect us! Frankly that sounds rather excessive.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 11:56:25 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 14, 2021, 11:53:46 AM
Yeah, or Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta. They seem to be consciously avoiding putting a lot of wind instruments on the stage.

There was a chamber music concert near me (which I didn't go to), the flyer for which pointed out that there would be absolutely no wind instruments there to potentially infect us! Frankly that sounds rather excessive.

There you go or even Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion. We could go on like this for hours! :) Oh man, that's one hell of a flyer! ::) Excessive is certainly the right adjective here.
Title: Carnegie Hall Selects: 5 free concert films in July/August
Post by: bhodges on July 16, 2021, 01:29:01 PM
Over the next few weeks, Carnegie Hall is showing 5 archived concerts (below) from venues around the world. Each one is available on demand for a week. I'm particularly looking forward to the last two: a 2008 Salzburg appearance by Boulez and the Vienna Philharmonic, and from 1973, a concert with Karajan, Berlin, and Alexis Weissenberg in Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2.

https://www.carnegiehall.org/Explore/Watch-and-Listen/Live-with-Carnegie-Hall/Carnegie-Hall-Selects

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on July 20, 2021, 02:32:58 AM
Something to look forward to upon the eventual return to Athens: Monday, 13 September 2021, Jonas Kaufmann at the Herodeion.

"In his Odeon of Herodes Atticus debut Kaufmann will perform arias by Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Georges Bizet, Pietro Mascagni, Jules Massenet, and Umberto Giordano, with the Orchestra of the Greek National Opera under the baton of Jochen Rieder."

I've seen Kaufmann live twice (in Fidelio and in Die tote Stadt, both times under Kirill Petrenko in Munich) and this looks too good to pass up.

Other interesting Athenian September concerts include Martha Argerich in Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1 and piano recitals by Kissin and Pogorelich at the Megaron.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 22, 2021, 11:00:36 AM
Tomorrow night, livestreamed from Bryant Park in NYC, The Knights in the program below. (Trying to recall the last time I heard the Mozart live, and it must be decades.)

Viewing info here:
https://bryantpark.org/programs/picnic-performances-livestreams

July 23, 7:00 pm (EDT)
The Knights
Jessie Montgomery: Starburst
W.A. Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Anna Clyne: Prince of Clouds, featuring Colin Jacobsen and Alex Gonzalez, violins
Singer and violinist Christina Courtin performing original songs with The Knights

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 22, 2021, 11:42:41 AM
And another livestreamed concert on Saturday afternoon, at 3:00 pm (EDT): the KAIA String Quartet from the DePaul Art Museum, part of the Ear Taxi Festival, presented by New Music Chicago.

A most unusual program:

Javier Alvarez: Metro Chabacano
Silvestre Revueltas: String Quartet No. 2, "Magueyes"
Carlos Chavez: String Quartet No. 1
Elbio Barilari: Tango Suite (2020, world premiere)

Free with registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ear-taxi-festival-preview-concerts-kaia-string-quartet-tickets-159048699943

--Bruce



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 23, 2021, 09:04:05 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 14, 2021, 09:31:03 AM
The Prokofiev is cool, but performing the Mahler 4th in a chamber music arrangement is just stupid, especially when Alsop will have the CSO at her disposal. :-\

Well, we got a pleasant surprise last night: instead of doing the chamber arrangement, they did it properly, with a full orchestra. It sounded great; the orchestra hadn't lost its edge during all that enforced downtime.

And hey, how often do we get pleasant surprises under today's circumstances? It feels like a gift.

Based on my two live experiences with Alsop, she's a really good Mahler conductor. Turnout wasn't as high as I'd normally expect for a concert like this - I think a lot of people are still skittish about live events - but there was a sense of normality about the whole event, and that's good enough for me, having not heard any live music since summer 2019.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 23, 2021, 12:58:59 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 23, 2021, 09:04:05 AM
Well, we got a pleasant surprise last night: instead of doing the chamber arrangement, they did it properly, with a full orchestra. It sounded great; the orchestra hadn't lost its edge during all that enforced downtime.

And hey, how often do we get pleasant surprises under today's circumstances? It feels like a gift.

Based on my two live experiences with Alsop, she's a really good Mahler conductor. Turnout wasn't as high as I'd normally expect for a concert like this - I think a lot of people are still skittish about live events - but there was a sense of normality about the whole event, and that's good enough for me, having not heard any live music since summer 2019.
Hey, that's awesome! The very best kind of surprise. I've seen Alsop do Mahler 1 in concert (in 2010ish) and it was excellent. Mahler was also my return to the concert hall post-pandemic (1 with Luisi). There's something about that much extroversion and such a big sound-world which makes it a great way to return. Jumping straight into the deep end with the kind of big extroverted music which makes the live experience so worth having.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 23, 2021, 02:58:41 PM
Quote from: Brian on July 23, 2021, 12:58:59 PM
Jumping straight into the deep end with the kind of big extroverted music which makes the live experience so worth having.

Ain't it the truth. Ravinia is insisting on having a full season this year, COVID be damned, and this is the sort of thing that brings people back. More generally, I have high hopes for the Alsop/CSO partnership, which started officially two years ago.

It's funny how I said I wanted to hear more Latin American composers, because a few days ago they did Ginastera's Variaciones concertantes, and I was dumb enough to miss it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on July 23, 2021, 03:54:38 PM
Mahler's 4th seems too much (dynamic contrast) for a stereo.  Always wanted to hear it live.  Hope you had a good time!

I attended a concert last June.  It was the first time the local orchestra came back together in full force.  Previously it was chamber orchestras outdoors.  The audience was socially distanced and they performed twice.  The highlight of the program was an American in Paris.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 23, 2021, 04:22:24 PM
Quote from: DavidW on July 23, 2021, 03:54:38 PM
Mahler's 4th seems too much (dynamic contrast) for a stereo.  Always wanted to hear it live.  Hope you had a good time!
You know that spectacular moment in the slow movement, near the end, when it's just the strings, and the violins reach for that really really high note, and they play it so hushed and reverential and unearthly? Yeah that's the exact note where someone had a coughing fit when I saw Mahler 4 live  >:( >:( ;D ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on July 24, 2021, 06:52:27 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 23, 2021, 04:22:24 PM
You know that spectacular moment in the slow movement, near the end, when it's just the strings, and the violins reach for that really really high note, and they play it so hushed and reverential and unearthly? Yeah that's the exact note where someone had a coughing fit when I saw Mahler 4 live  >:( >:( ;D ;D

lol that moment was exactly what I was talking about.  I can either never hear it clearly or have my ear drums blown out at another point.  Or I could (which is what I usually do) fiddle with the volume knob up and down the whole time.  I know that everyone loves dynamic contrast but there are times where it should be a little more manageable imo.

That sucks to just have someone cough right then!  I once was at a concert where I had the urge to cough so bad, but I didn't want to ruin it for anyone else so I patiently waited for the end so I could cough when everyone was applauding.  Oh it was torture!
Title: Moritzburg Festival 2021: Livestreams
Post by: bhodges on August 12, 2021, 04:06:28 PM
For the first time, the Moritzburg Festival for Chamber Music (held near Dresden) will be livestreaming its offerings, 12 concerts featuring some outstanding musicians. The festival will appear on Dreamstage, the platform founded by cellist Jan Vogler last year, intended to offer an experience as close to "live" as possible. (Past Dreamstage concerts have not been archived, like...well...like most live concerts!)

Tickets are a very reasonable $10 at the link below, and all events start at 2:00 PM (EDT).

https://dreamstage.live/event/moritzburg-festival-2021

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on August 22, 2021, 11:02:26 PM
In addition to the Kaufmann concert at the Herodeion, today brought tickets for three anticipated late September piano recitals at the Megaron. This year's rentrée is looking particularly musical (fingers crossed, of course, covid-wise).

Evgeny Kissin
Friday 24.09.2021
Johann Sebastian Bach / Karl Tausig: Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Adagio in b minor, K.540
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata no 31 in A flat major, opus 110
Frédéric Chopin: 7 Mazurkas (opus 7 no 1, opus 24 no 1 & 2, opus 30 no 1 & 2, opus 33 no 3 & 4)
Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante Op.22



Khatia Buniatishvili
Sunday 26.09.2021
Satie Gymnopédie N. 1
Chopin prelude Op. 28 N. 4
Chopin scherzo N. 3
Bach Air on the G String
Schubert impromptu N. 3 Op. 90
Schubert-Liszt Ständchen
Chopin Polonaise en la bémol majeure, Op. 53
Chopin mazurka Op. 17 N. 4
Couperin Les Barricades Mystérieuses
Bach-Liszt Prélude et fugue en la mineur
Liszt Consolation N. 3
Liszt Rhapsody hongroise N. 2




Ivo Pogorelich
Thursday 30.09.2021
Frédéric Chopin
Barcarolle in F-sharp major, Opus 60
Piano Sonata in B minor, Οpus 58
Fantaisie, Οpus 49
Berceuse in D- flat major, Opus 57
Polonaise-fantaisie in A-flat major Opus 61
















Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: JBS on August 23, 2021, 08:40:44 AM
Florida Grand Opera is planning a production of Previn's Streetcar Named Desire in early 2022.   I figure I had best see it, because the odds of another production in South Florida in my lifetime are minimal.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 23, 2021, 06:48:40 PM
Tonight, my first live, in-person concert in about 16 months, and it was a good one: the TIME:SPANS Festival, with the Talea Ensemble and soprano Tony Arnold:

Catherine Lamb
parallaxis forma, 2016
for voice and ensemble
with Tony Arnold, soprano

Sarah Hennies
Clock Dies, 2021*
* World premiere
Commissioned by The Earle Brown Music Foundation Charitable Trust

Oscar Bettison
La Arqueología del Neón, 2021*
* world premiere

Lamb's work is slow-moving, ethereal, reverent -- not dissimilar to John Luther Adams. Hennies' premiere had some fascinating clock sounds, produced by unorthodox combinations of instruments. And Bettison's piece was the most aggressive and exuberant, with some South American currents running here and there.

Mostly it was just a great evening to be back with real people, hearing live music. I hope it lasts for awhile.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 26, 2021, 10:24:20 AM
Tonight, the fantastic cellist Seth Parker Woods at the TIME:SPANS festival. In the last few years, Woods received some well-deserved publicity for Iced Bodies, performed on a cello made of ice, which gradually melted as the piece progressed.

Fredrick Gifford: Difficult Grace, 2019
Monty Adkins: Winter Tendrils, 2014/2020
Nathalie Joachim: The Race: 1915, 2019
George E. Lewis: Not Alone, 2014-15
Ryan Carter: Default Mode Network, 2019
Freida Abtan: My Heart Is a River, 2020*
Pierre Alexandre Tremblay: asinglewordisnotenough 3 [invariant], 2015

https://timespans.org/concert/seth-parker-woods-pierre-alexandre-tremblay/
https://sethparkerwoods.com/Ice-Bodies

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on August 26, 2021, 10:42:43 AM
Bruce,

You mean that you're actually hanging around real human beings?  And those from outside of 'your tribe'?!  :o

Brave man!  :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 26, 2021, 11:51:32 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on August 26, 2021, 10:42:43 AM
Bruce,

You mean that you're actually hanging around real human beings?  And those from outside of 'your tribe'?!  :o

Brave man!  :)

PD

I know, right? The two concerts this week are my first live, in-person events in 16 months. The venue (the DiMenna Center in NYC) is requiring all attendees to show vaccination proof at the entrance, and to wear masks throughout the performance. (Also, attendance is limited to around 100 people, with all chairs spaced apart.)

So though there are no guarantees, I feel pretty safe. But it does feel a little weird, being around actual humans again.

--Bruce
Title: Gothenburg SO opening night, 9 September
Post by: bhodges on August 29, 2021, 07:11:18 AM
On 9 September, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra will livestream its opening night concert, with pianist Yuja Wang and conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali. Concert appears to be free, at the link below.

Nielsen: Saga-Drøm
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1
Sibelius Symphony No 3

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Santtu-Matias Rouvali, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano

https://www.gso.se/en/gsoplay/video/season-opening-yuja-wang/

--Bruce
Title: Re: Gothenburg SO opening night, 9 September
Post by: Mirror Image on August 29, 2021, 07:23:43 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 29, 2021, 07:11:18 AM
On 9 September, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra will livestream its opening night concert, with pianist Yuja Wang and conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali. Concert appears to be free, at the link below.

Nielsen: Saga-Drøm
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1
Sibelius Symphony No 3

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Santtu-Matias Rouvali, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano

https://www.gso.se/en/gsoplay/video/season-opening-yuja-wang/

--Bruce

Nice program. I hope Santtu-Matias Rouvali finishes his Sibelius cycle, but I'd love to hear a Nielsen cycle from him as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 07, 2021, 11:03:24 AM
On Friday, this livestream (and it's free):

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Susanna Mälkki, conductor
Claire Chase, flute
Esperanza Spalding, vocals

Dvořák: Slavonic Dances, Op. 46
Felipe Lara: Double Concerto (2021, world premiere)

https://helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/en/concerts/spalding-chase

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 09, 2021, 09:11:24 AM
And on Saturday, thanks to the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall, this one. It's not free, but you can get a 7-day pass for a pittance (and cheaper than a flight to Berlin).

Berlin Philharmonic
Jakub Hrůša, conductor
Andrew Watts, countertenor
Tölzer Knabenchor

Olga Neuwirth: Keyframes for a Hippogriff − Musical Calligrams in memoriam Hester Diamond (world premiere)
Bruckner: Symphony No. 4

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/53773

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on September 11, 2021, 01:48:12 PM
In two weeks, I'm going to decide if I will attend one of these concerts live or not, depending how I am feeling about being squeezed in among a crowd. In normal times, I would be be-bopping all over the Heartland to see these performances regardless.

Masks are required, as is proof of vaccination, but I am not seeing any social distancing measures being taken. Chicago is purposefully shortening their programs to 90 minutes with no intermission.

I am not wild about streaming, but I will continue to support regional live music, especially if I am not going to be there in person, yet wish to in the future. Subscriptions transfer nicely, if needed.

I have never minded the difference between a regional orchestra over a professional one, nor the travel time involved, but rather, I like to hear less familiar music live, if I can. This year might be different, and there is a lot of Beethoven being programmed.

Chevalier de Saint-Georges: L'Amant Anonyme Overture
Florence Price: Andante moderato, arr. for string orch. from mvt. 2 of String Quartet 1 in G
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 'Eroica'
Chicago SO - Riccardo Muti


John Corigliano: Promenade Overture
Florence Price: Piano Concerto in One Movement
Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Awadagin Pratt - piano
Des Moines SO
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on September 11, 2021, 04:12:35 PM
Learned just in time that next weekend Haydn's Oxford Symphony and Mass In A Time Of War are being performed in a church just a few blocks down the road from me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on September 11, 2021, 04:27:08 PM
Quote from: VonStupp on September 11, 2021, 01:48:12 PM
In two weeks, I'm going to decide if I will attend one of these concerts live or not, depending how I am feeling about being squeezed in among a crowd. In normal times, I would be be-bopping all over the Heartland to see these performances regardless.

Masks are required, as is proof of vaccination, but I am not seeing any social distancing measures being taken. Chicago is purposefully shortening their programs to 90 minutes with no intermission.

I am not wild about streaming, but I will continue to support regional live music, especially if I am not going to be there in person, yet wish to in the future. Subscriptions transfer nicely, if needed.

I have never minded the difference between a regional orchestra over a professional one, nor the travel time involved, but rather, I like to hear less familiar music live, if I can. This year might be different, and there is a lot of Beethoven being programmed.

Chevalier de Saint-Georges: L'Amant Anonyme Overture
Florence Price: Andante moderato, arr. for string orch. from mvt. 2 of String Quartet 1 in G
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 'Eroica'
Chicago SO - Riccardo Muti


John Corigliano: Promenade Overture
Florence Price: Piano Concerto in One Movement
Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Awadagin Pratt - piano
Des Moines SO


Florence Price's stock is on the rise ! Yannick Nézet-Séguin will be conducting her 1st symphony next month (with Hélène Grimaud playing the Ravel G major concerto). Not sure I'll attend, but I'm intrigued as I have never heard a note of her music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on September 12, 2021, 05:45:29 AM
Quote from: André on September 11, 2021, 04:27:08 PM
Florence Price's stock is on the rise ! Yannick Nézet-Séguin will be conducting her 1st symphony next month (with Hélène Grimaud playing the Ravel G major concerto). Not sure I'll attend, but I'm intrigued as I have never heard a note of her music.

I may not attend either. I am not wild about these early opening programs so far, but it is interesting to see so much of Price, for sure.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 13, 2021, 09:27:28 AM
On Saturday, the U.S. premiere of Olga Neuwirth's 2017 score for Die Stadt ohne Juden (1924), performed by the Talea Ensemble along with a screening of the film.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/olga-neuwirth-die-stadt-ohne-juden-us-premiere-tickets-167877607443

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2021, 06:33:39 AM
Going to Nashville Symphony's opening weekend concert series tonight. For the first half of the season they are scaling back the programs as they ease back into full form. All of the shows from January and on will feature full-orchestra works with visiting soloists.
Tonight's program...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
Joan Tower – Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 1
Dvořák – Serenade in D Minor for Winds
Jessie Montgomery – Strum
Schubert – Symphony in B Minor, "Unfinished"


I have seven more concerts with my subscription for this season but I'll post them later as I get closer to those dates.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 18, 2021, 08:01:05 AM
With regret I decided not to subscribe to the Dallas Symphony this year, for the first time since 2015. The programming is very much focused on getting all the conservative old people to come back and spend money. I looked at this weekend's opening program - Copland Organ Symphony!!!!! Converse Mystic Trumpeter! - but the second half is Brahms 1, reviews say Fabio is especially slow and dull in that symphony (which I already find dull), and tickets are $130 even in the top balcony.  :(

The programming this year includes many, many works which they played in 2018-19, immediately before covid.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on September 18, 2021, 08:13:40 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2021, 06:33:39 AM
Going to Nashville Symphony's opening weekend concert series tonight. For the first half of the season they are scaling back the programs as they ease back into full form. All of the shows from January and on will feature full-orchestra works with visiting soloists.
Tonight's program...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
Joan Tower – Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 1
Dvořák – Serenade in D Minor for Winds
Jessie Montgomery – Strum
Schubert – Symphony in B Minor, "Unfinished"


I have seven more concerts with my subscription for this season but I'll post them later as I get closer to those dates.

Nice program! I'd love to see the Schubert Unfinished.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2021, 08:32:54 AM
Quote from: Brian on September 18, 2021, 08:01:05 AM
With regret I decided not to subscribe to the Dallas Symphony this year, for the first time since 2015. The programming is very much focused on getting all the conservative old people to come back and spend money. I looked at this weekend's opening program - Copland Organ Symphony!!!!! Converse Mystic Trumpeter! - but the second half is Brahms 1, reviews say Fabio is especially slow and dull in that symphony (which I already find dull), and tickets are $130 even in the top balcony.  :(

The programming this year includes many, many works which they played in 2018-19, immediately before covid.

Just looked at the DSO schedule and I can see your point, LvB 9th, New World Sympony, symphonie fantastique, Brahms 1st. I guess sticking with the popular classics will be a trend this year with orchestras. Although seeing Strauss' Domestica on their calendar was a surprise.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bachtoven on September 18, 2021, 02:34:28 PM
Daniil Trifonov April 28th in SF.

PROKOFIEV: Sarcasms, Op. 17
SZYMANOWSKI: Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 36
DEBUSSY:   Pour le piano
BRAHMS:   Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 5
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 18, 2021, 07:22:20 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2021, 06:33:39 AM
Going to Nashville Symphony's opening weekend concert series tonight. For the first half of the season they are scaling back the programs as they ease back into full form. All of the shows from January and on will feature full-orchestra works with visiting soloists.
Tonight's program...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
Joan Tower – Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 1
Dvořák – Serenade in D Minor for Winds
Jessie Montgomery – Strum
Schubert – Symphony in B Minor, "Unfinished"


I have seven more concerts with my subscription for this season but I'll post them later as I get closer to those dates.

Gosh, that title of the Tower work is just stupid. Not that I'm onboard with the Copland title either. But certainly she could've come up with something that didn't involve wordplay. A rather John Adams move on her part (and here I'm thinking about his Chamber Symphony and then Son of Chamber Symphony or his Scheherazade.2).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 19, 2021, 08:01:06 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2021, 06:33:39 AM
Going to Nashville Symphony's opening weekend concert series tonight. For the first half of the season they are scaling back the programs as they ease back into full form. All of the shows from January and on will feature full-orchestra works with visiting soloists.
Tonight's program...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Copland – Fanfare for the Common Man
Joan Tower – Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman No. 1
Dvořák – Serenade in D Minor for Winds
Jessie Montgomery – Strum
Schubert – Symphony in B Minor, "Unfinished"


I have seven more concerts with my subscription for this season but I'll post them later as I get closer to those dates.

This was a great concert, and the programming had more context than I originally knew. The idea was to begin to piece the orchestra back together after being gone for 18 months. It started with works for the brass, then winds, strings and finally the full orchestra with Schubert's symphony. The concert was only around 80-90 mins long with Guerrero speaking in between the works while the musicians were resetting. It was very intimate, and honestly was very effective.
The Schubert was the highlight, which didn't surprise me, I've always found the opening movement to be some of the best music in all of classical music. The movement was extremely broad in tempi, and incredibly dynamic as the brass and timpani did not hold back.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on September 19, 2021, 10:48:05 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 19, 2021, 08:01:06 AM
This was a great concert, and the programming had more context than I originally knew. The idea was to begin to piece the orchestra back together after being gone for 18 months. It started with works for the brass, then winds, strings and finally the full orchestra with Schubert's symphony. The concert was only around 80-90 mins long with Guerrero speaking in between the works while the musicians were resetting. It was very intimate, and honestly was very effective.
The Schubert was the highlight, which didn't surprise me, I've always found the opening movement to be some of the best music in all of classical music. The movement was extremely broad in tempi, and incredibly dynamic as the brass and timpani did not hold back.

Great to hear! Guerrero is supposed to be coming up to Chicago in November to lead Piazzolla's Bandoneón Concerto. It will be interesting to hear, if I am able to attend.

On the downside, Tilson-Thomas was supposed to be visiting in October for a couple dates, but understandably dropped out due to his surgery.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 19, 2021, 08:11:01 PM
This is rather expected/unexpected news:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/arts/music/jaap-van-zweden-new-york-philharmonic.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/15/arts/music/jaap-van-zweden-new-york-philharmonic.html)

The musical world is without a doubt taking a beating right now and I cannot help but think that there might be more conductors resigning from their posts in the near future.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Hans Holbein on September 19, 2021, 10:09:59 PM
My last concert was a set by Helene S. M. and a quadrophonic playback of Xenakis' La Legende d'Eer at Deep Blue in Vancouver. March 12, 2020.

My next concert will be Andreas Staier giving the first recital on Early Music Vancouver's newly purchased fortepiano. Schubert D960 + some Haydn and Mozart. October 20, 2021.

587 days without live music, and I am certainly looking forward to it!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 20, 2021, 06:29:41 AM
The gut reaction with NYPO is always to assume drama or musicians' rebellion, but with Jaap quitting his job in Hong Kong too, I really wonder if he has reconsidered his life/priorities and wants to go into semi-retirement and chill at home. It's a decision that I'd completely respect.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on September 25, 2021, 10:19:26 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on August 22, 2021, 11:02:26 PM
Evgeny Kissin
Friday 24.09.2021
Johann Sebastian Bach / Karl Tausig: Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Adagio in b minor, K.540
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata no 31 in A flat major, opus 110
Frédéric Chopin: 7 Mazurkas (opus 7 no 1, opus 24 no 1 & 2, opus 30 no 1 & 2, opus 33 no 3 & 4)
Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante Op.22



This was a spectacularly good recital. First of all, what a great feeling to be at the Megaron concert hall again, a favourite venue with superb acoustics. Kissin was excellent in Beethoven's penultimate sonata (a work that I love dearly and regarding which I find it is very hard for performers to achieve the transcendent quality that the finale demands) and truly splendid in Chopin. The transition from the last chords of Beethoven's Op. 110 to Chopin's Op. 7/1 Mazurka felt a little jarring, but the felicities that followed made us soon forget about it. If anything, Kissin's light touch, kaleidoscopic colours and thoughtful phrasing made me again appreciate what beautiful works the Mazurkas really are (I almost never listen to them at home). He managed to elicit something transcendent in them, a fact which was surely felt by the audience, rapturously listening to them one after the other without in-between applause. A superb Andante spianato and a joyous, euphorically transcendental Grande Polonaise Brillante closed the program - several encores followed. It was a superb recital and the first time in ages I really enjoyed Chopin played live. Only vaccinated people were allowed to attend and I also noticed that, as in all concerts I've been to during the pandemic, the audience was utterly cough-free.

Yesterday, I attended Marina Abramovich's Seven Deaths of Maria Callas at the Greek National Opera. Narrowly missing a retrospective exhibition of her work a couple of years ago at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, I wanted to see this more out of curiosity for the concept than for anything else. The first part, seven arias performed by seven different singers - what a treat to have several favourite Greek sopranos participate in this avant-garde recital - while Abramovich lies on a (death)bed onstage and seven short films (starring Abramovich and Willem Dafoe) are cinematically projected to accompany the music, was, I found, very successful and moving. It also gave us an impressive glimpse of how a truly avant-garde opera production would use film as a truly integral part of the concept. The (much shorter) second part, acted by Abramovich herself, was more slow-going and felt lugubrious (perhaps by design) - the final image of her wearing an impossibly sparkly golden diva dress while Maria Callas herself is heard singing was appropriately powerful.

Today, on with Khatia Buniatishvili and more Chopin. 😎
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on September 26, 2021, 09:58:41 AM
I decided to bypass Chicago earlier this week and ventured to the Minnesota Orchestra. I didn't want another Beethoven, all my choices were his symphonies this week, but I've never seen Joshua Bell live, and thought it was my chance. VS

Star-Spangled Banner, arr. Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
Kalevi Aho: Minea
Max Bruch: Scottish Fantasy
Jessie Montgomery: Banner
Beethoven: Sym  5

Joshua Bell, violin
Minnesota Orchestra - Osmo Vänskä

Quote from: VonStupp on September 11, 2021, 01:48:12 PM
Chevalier de Saint-Georges: L'Amant Anonyme Overture
Florence Price: Andante moderato, arr. for string orch. from mvt. 2 of String Quartet 1 in G
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 'Eroica'
Chicago SO - Riccardo Muti

John Corigliano: Promenade Overture
Florence Price: Piano Concerto in One Movement
Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Awadagin Pratt - piano
Des Moines SO

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 26, 2021, 01:52:13 PM
Quote from: VonStupp on September 19, 2021, 10:48:05 AM
Great to hear! Guerrero is supposed to be coming up to Chicago in November to lead Piazzolla's Bandoneón Concerto. It will be interesting to hear, if I am able to attend.

VS

That's a really cool piece, VS, and rare to see programmed so I'd jump on that. I see Guerrero is also doing LvB's 1st symphony there with the CSO which he's conducting with Nashville S.O. in October, I was thinking of attending that because it also features Poulenc's Organ Concerto, which I've never seen live before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on September 26, 2021, 09:25:08 PM
Goerne/Andsnes in Winterreise on Wednesday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 28, 2021, 08:54:25 AM
Tonight at 7:30 pm (EDT), the New Juilliard Ensemble conducted by Joel Sachs, in (I think) its first-ever livestream, with four world premieres. Free to watch, at the link below. Program:

Joel Sachs, Conductor
New Juilliard Ensemble

Will STACKPOLE Unbeing (for a time) (2020-21)
Marianna Gailus, Narrator

Xiaogang YE Strophe, Op. 26b

Evan ANDERSON a gust inside the god. A wind (2020, rev. 2021)

Marc MIGO Four Songs in Red (2020) 
Maggie Reneé, Mezzo-Soprano

https://www.juilliard.edu/event/150481/new-juilliard-ensemble

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on September 30, 2021, 02:11:50 PM
Lots of concerts in my area this weekend. I have never heard Samuel Barber's Piano Concerto in person, and Garrick Ohlsson is coming to play it, so I will probably head there.

Otherwise, this years' Milwaukee SO season is looking to be the most innovative around me, an ensemble I fell in love with when Zdeněk Mácal was leading.

Valerie Coleman: Umoja
Kaija Saariaho: Aile du songe
Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet selections
Minnesota Orch. - Osmo Vänskä

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Sym. 7
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
Chicago SO - Riccardo Muti

Eric Nathan: Opening
James B. Wilson: Green Fuse
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Ellington: New World A-Comin'
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite
Milwaukee SO - Ken-David Masur

Dudley Buck: Festival Overture
Barber: Piano Concerto
Dvorak: Sym. 9
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
QCSO


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 30, 2021, 02:43:07 PM
Quote from: VonStupp on September 30, 2021, 02:11:50 PM
Lots of concerts in my area this weekend. I have never heard Samuel Barber's Piano Concerto in person, and Garrick Ohlsson is coming to play it, so I will probably head there.

Otherwise, this years' Milwaukee SO season is looking to be the most innovative around me, an ensemble I fell in love with when Zdeněk Mácal was leading.

Valerie Coleman: Umoja
Kaija Saariaho: Aile du songe
Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet selections
Minnesota Orch. - Osmo Vänskä

Brahms: Violin Concerto
Beethoven: Sym. 7
Leonidas Kavakos, violin
Chicago SO - Riccardo Muti

Eric Nathan: Opening
James B. Wilson: Green Fuse
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Ellington: New World A-Comin'
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite
Milwaukee SO - Ken-David Masur

Dudley Buck: Festival Overture
Barber: Piano Concerto
Dvorak: Sym. 9
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
QCSO


What a great array! And yes, hearing the Barber Piano Concerto live with Ohlsson would be a great evening in my book. PS, I see what you mean about Milwaukee, very impressive. A fine example, coming in mid-October:

Ken-David Masur, conductor
Frank Almond, violin

ANNA THORVALDSDOTTIR
Aeriality

BRUCH
Violin Concerto No. 1

RACHMANINOFF
Symphonic Dances

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on September 30, 2021, 02:55:08 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 30, 2021, 02:43:07 PM
What a great array! And yes, hearing the Barber Piano Concerto live with Ohlsson would be a great evening in my book. PS, I see what you mean about Milwaukee, very impressive. A fine example, coming in mid-October:

Ken-David Masur, conductor
Frank Almond, violin

ANNA THORVALDSDOTTIR
Aeriality

BRUCH
Violin Concerto No. 1

RACHMANINOFF
Symphonic Dances

--Bruce

Yes, in a year where I am seeing a lot of Beethoven, finding rarer items like William Bolcom's Violin Concerto in Milwaukee makes me more enthusiastic to get out and about.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 30, 2021, 03:19:24 PM
Quote from: VonStupp on September 30, 2021, 02:55:08 PM
Yes, in a year where I am seeing a lot of Beethoven, finding rarer items like William Bolcom's Violin Concerto in Milwaukee makes me more enthusiastic to get out and about.

VS

Yes, yes, yes.

When the big Beethoven birthday appeared on the horizon, and all the commensurate programming, part of me heaved a sigh, only because it's not as if his music is never played. And I love many of his works. Next week hearing the Fifth Symphony live with Yannick and Philadelphia, and reflecting on why we should hear it live now and then.

But that Bolcom (which I've never heard) sounds really appealing.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on September 30, 2021, 03:42:28 PM
Quote from: Brewski on September 30, 2021, 03:19:24 PM
Yes, yes, yes.

When the big Beethoven birthday appeared on the horizon, and all the commensurate programming, part of me heaved a sigh, only because it's not as if his music is never played. And I love many of his works. Next week hearing the Fifth Symphony live with Yannick and Philadelphia, and reflecting on why we should hear it live now and then.

But that Bolcom (which I've never heard) sounds really appealing.

--Bruce

Enjoy the 5th! I feel bad bashing live-concert Beethoven, and maybe I shouldn't. It is just that I have heard it so many times, but yet I know it is important to get posteriors into seats right now. I suppose if I want these ensembles to continue, I should not complain... :-[

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2021, 08:48:13 AM
Quote from: VonStupp on September 30, 2021, 03:42:28 PM
Enjoy the 5th! I feel bad bashing live-concert Beethoven, and maybe I shouldn't. It is just that I have heard it so many times, but yet I know it is important to get posteriors into seats right now. I suppose if I want these ensembles to continue, I should not complain... :-[

VS

*chuckling* Please don't feel bad. You're not the only one slightly fatigued by over-familiar repertoire, and you are right: After such a long dry spell, many institutions are playing it a bit safe, at least for now. And Beethoven isn't popular for no reason! I grew up with the Bernstein/NYPO Fifth, and as a teenager, played that recording to death. But of course, decades later, I have more appreciation for many other composers who are deemed less "safe."

--Bruce
Title: Carnegie Hall to livestream opening night, 10/6, 7pm
Post by: bhodges on October 05, 2021, 08:34:53 AM
Tomorrow night's Carnegie Hall opening will be livestreamed, free, on the hall's YouTube channel and Facebook page. Program:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director and Conductor
Yuja Wang, Piano

VALERIE COLEMAN Seven O'Clock Shout
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2
BERNSTEIN Overture to Candide
IMAN HABIBI Jeder Baum spricht
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

https://www.youtube.com/carnegiehall

--Bruce
Title: Re: Carnegie Hall to livestream opening night, 10/6, 7pm
Post by: Symphonic Addict on October 05, 2021, 06:15:02 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 05, 2021, 08:34:53 AM
Tomorrow night's Carnegie Hall opening will be livestreamed, free, on the hall's YouTube channel and Facebook page. Program:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director and Conductor
Yuja Wang, Piano

VALERIE COLEMAN Seven O'Clock Shout
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2
BERNSTEIN Overture to Candide
IMAN HABIBI Jeder Baum spricht
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

https://www.youtube.com/carnegiehall

--Bruce

Even including the insufferably recorded LvB's 5th (which I love to bits), I would be pleased so much by attendinga concert like this. Don't know the Coleman and Habibi yet, but the others are guaranteed good fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on October 06, 2021, 12:17:29 AM
First recital in a year yesterday

Stephen Hough

Performed

Rawthornes. Bagatelles
Schumann Kreisleriana
Hough. Partitia
Chopin. Ballade no 3
Chopin Nocturnes op 15 no 2 and op 9 no 2
Chopin Scherzo no 2

Met him afterwards and got Schumann CD and programme autographed. He was really nice and friendly.
A lovely recital and enjoyable evening!



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 06, 2021, 06:43:47 PM
Oh wow I'm jealous you got to attend that! I saw Hough tweet a picture of the program (he had found a typo) and it looks fantastic. How was his own original composition?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 06, 2021, 07:53:18 PM
In one month, November 7th, I'll see The Magic Flute for the first time at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Flute has been on my bucket list of operas to see live and I finally get the opportunity. The production pays homage to the silent films of the 20s and it looks fascinating. I've linked the details of the Lyric Opera performance, and a YouTube video that includes clips from this same production at the LA Opera in the past...


Lyric Opera link...
https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2021-22/the-magic-flute/



https://www.youtube.com/v/LcQwXwVwxe0
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 06, 2021, 08:05:42 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 06, 2021, 07:53:18 PM
In one month, November 7th, I'll see The Magic Flute for the first time at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Flute has been on my bucket list of operas to see live and I finally get the opportunity. The production pays homage to the silent films of the 20s and it looks fascinating.

Darn that looks good. I've seen Flute a couple of times (once in Moscow, once in Vienna). I'm not a huge opera fan, but it's a magical experience.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2021, 09:05:28 PM
Quote from: Judith on October 06, 2021, 12:17:29 AM
First recital in a year yesterday

Stephen Hough

Performed

Rawthornes. Bagatelles
Schumann Kreisleriana
Hough. Partitia
Chopin. Ballade no 3
Chopin Nocturnes op 15 no 2 and op 9 no 2
Chopin Scherzo no 2

Met him afterwards and got Schumann CD and programme autographed. He was really nice and friendly.
A lovely recital and enjoyable evening!

How great! And wonderful that you got to meet him and chat. I follow him on Twitter (@houghhough) and in addition to being an outstanding pianist, he's quite good there, too.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2021, 09:09:20 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 06, 2021, 07:53:18 PM
In one month, November 7th, I'll see The Magic Flute for the first time at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Flute has been on my bucket list of operas to see live and I finally get the opportunity. The production pays homage to the silent films of the 20s and it looks fascinating. I've linked the details of the Lyric Opera performance, and a YouTube video that includes clips from this same production at the LA Opera in the past...


Lyric Opera link...
https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2021-22/the-magic-flute/



https://www.youtube.com/v/LcQwXwVwxe0

You are in for a treat. The director, Barrie Kosky (with help from some tech wizards), has created a production that is a visual delight. Won't say more, but have a great time, and if you're inclined, comment afterward! PS, I wrote about it:

https://seenandheard-international.com/2019/07/komische-oper-berlins-dazzling-tech-savvy-magic-flute-arrives-in-new-york/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 08, 2021, 05:59:05 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 06, 2021, 09:09:20 PM
You are in for a treat. The director, Barrie Kosky (with help from some tech wizards), has created a production that is a visual delight. Won't say more, but have a great time, and if you're inclined, comment afterward! PS, I wrote about it:

https://seenandheard-international.com/2019/07/komische-oper-berlins-dazzling-tech-savvy-magic-flute-arrives-in-new-york/

--Bruce

Hi, Bruce. Thanks for sharing your article! And I will definitely share my experience here afterwards.
I should also be able to get a behind the scenes look as well as I have an inside connection to the lyric orchestra, maybe I'll even snap a few photos of the set from backstage.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on October 08, 2021, 06:43:01 AM
Quote from: Judith on October 06, 2021, 12:17:29 AM
First recital in a year yesterday

Stephen Hough

Performed

Rawthornes. Bagatelles
Schumann Kreisleriana
Hough. Partitia
Chopin. Ballade no 3
Chopin Nocturnes op 15 no 2 and op 9 no 2
Chopin Scherzo no 2

Met him afterwards and got Schumann CD and programme autographed. He was really nice and friendly.
A lovely recital and enjoyable evening!

Amazing. I'm happy for you. I haven't been to a recital since seeing an all-Bach program by Angela Hewitt in March of 2020, immediately before the shutdowns.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 09, 2021, 03:43:55 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 06, 2021, 09:09:20 PM
You are in for a treat. The director, Barrie Kosky (with help from some tech wizards), has created a production that is a visual delight. Won't say more, but have a great time, and if you're inclined, comment afterward! PS, I wrote about it:

https://seenandheard-international.com/2019/07/komische-oper-berlins-dazzling-tech-savvy-magic-flute-arrives-in-new-york/

--Bruce

That production will be presented here in Montreal next May. This is exciting !


https://www.operademontreal.com/programmation/la-flute-enchantee-0 (https://www.operademontreal.com/programmation/la-flute-enchantee-0)



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on October 10, 2021, 09:07:44 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2021, 08:48:13 AM
*chuckling* Please don't feel bad. You're not the only one slightly fatigued by over-familiar repertoire, and you are right: After such a long dry spell, many institutions are playing it a bit safe, at least for now. And Beethoven isn't popular for no reason! I grew up with the Bernstein/NYPO Fifth, and as a teenager, played that recording to death. But of course, decades later, I have more appreciation for many other composers who are deemed less "safe."

--Bruce

True, there are many more who have yet to discover Beethoven in concert, a wonderfully positive outlook on the influx of his music so far this season.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on October 10, 2021, 09:50:16 AM
I passed over seeing Stuart Goodyear playing Beethoven's 'Emperor' Concerto to hear the following program from a regional ensemble:

Libby Larsen: Jazz Variations for Solo Bassoon
Morton Gould: Benny's Gig for Clarinet and Bass
Igor Stravinsky: L'Histoire du soldat (The Soldier's Tale)

This was a fun set and very much up my alley as far as experiencing music I haven't heard in person.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on October 11, 2021, 10:44:13 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 06, 2021, 07:53:18 PM
In one month, November 7th, I'll see The Magic Flute for the first time at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Flute has been on my bucket list of operas to see live and I finally get the opportunity. The production pays homage to the silent films of the 20s and it looks fascinating. I've linked the details of the Lyric Opera performance, and a YouTube video that includes clips from this same production at the LA Opera in the past...


Lyric Opera link...
https://www.lyricopera.org/shows/upcoming/2021-22/the-magic-flute/



https://www.youtube.com/v/LcQwXwVwxe0

Thanks for posting this, that looks brilliantly done! As I write I can't quite imagine how well the style would align with the Magic Flute, but am happy to think it could be amazing.

Quote from: Brewski on October 06, 2021, 09:09:20 PM
https://seenandheard-international.com/2019/07/komische-oper-berlins-dazzling-tech-savvy-magic-flute-arrives-in-new-york/

Nice review.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 11, 2021, 01:23:01 PM
I'm going to the concert tonight!  Start of the local orchestra's season after a very different year last year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 13, 2021, 09:06:37 AM
Quote from: DavidW on October 11, 2021, 01:23:01 PM
I'm going to the concert tonight!  Start of the local orchestra's season after a very different year last year.

What orchestra and program?
Title: Carnegie Hall opening night: full concert
Post by: bhodges on October 13, 2021, 10:51:32 AM
Carnegie Hall has uploaded the entire opening night concert below (no idea how long it will be available). The program is a bit all over the place, but the orchestra sounds great. Yuja is astounding.

https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2021/10/06/Carnegie-Halls-Opening-Night-Gala-The-Philadelphia-Orchestra-0700PM#live

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director and Conductor
Yuja Wang, Piano

VALERIE COLEMAN Seven O'Clock Shout
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2
BERNSTEIN Overture to Candide
IMAN HABIBI Jeder Baum spricht
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 13, 2021, 11:58:25 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 13, 2021, 09:06:37 AM
What orchestra and program?

Rach. 2nd PC (now I've heard all of his piano concertos live!) and Schumann's 4th symphony.  You know that performance of the Schumann symphony was better than any recording I've heard because hearing it live there is just a transparency that symphony really needs that is just not communicated with recordings.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 13, 2021, 01:57:55 PM
Quote from: DavidW on October 13, 2021, 11:58:25 AM
Rach. 2nd PC (now I've heard all of his piano concertos live!) and Schumann's 4th symphony.  You know that performance of the Schumann symphony was better than any recording I've heard because hearing it live there is just a transparency that symphony really needs that is just not communicated with recordings.

And what orchestra?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 13, 2021, 04:18:32 PM
The Lowell Chamber Orchestra will play the RVW Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, the Mozart G major flute concerto, K. 313 with soloist Wei Zhao, who played in my piece last week, and the Shostakovich Chamber Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110a

I've never before attended a live performance of the Op. 110a (nor the Op. 110) so I am keen to attend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 13, 2021, 05:19:07 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 13, 2021, 04:18:32 PM
The Lowell Chamber Orchestra will play the RVW Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, the Mozart G major flute concerto, K. 313 with soloist Wei Zhao, who played in my piece last week, and the Shostakovich Chamber Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110a

I've never before attended a live performance of the Op. 110a (nor the Op. 110) so I am keen to attend.

Interesting program, Karl.
Title: Re: Carnegie Hall opening night: full concert
Post by: André on October 13, 2021, 05:23:50 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 13, 2021, 10:51:32 AM
Carnegie Hall has uploaded the entire opening night concert below (no idea how long it will be available). The program is a bit all over the place, but the orchestra sounds great. Yuja is astounding.

https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2021/10/06/Carnegie-Halls-Opening-Night-Gala-The-Philadelphia-Orchestra-0700PM#live

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director and Conductor
Yuja Wang, Piano

VALERIE COLEMAN Seven O'Clock Shout
SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 2
BERNSTEIN Overture to Candide
IMAN HABIBI Jeder Baum spricht
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

--Bruce

Thanks for the info, Bruce. I listened to the whole concert. I think Wang's performance was indeed very special. Not sure I enjoyed the rest, a strange hodgepodge if you ask me. The idea of linking the last two works without a pause - not even one second ! - is a strange one. The logic behind it escaped me.  :(
Title: Re: Carnegie Hall opening night: full concert
Post by: bhodges on October 13, 2021, 06:06:09 PM
Quote from: André on October 13, 2021, 05:23:50 PM
Thanks for the info, Bruce. I listened to the whole concert. I think Wang's performance was indeed very special. Not sure I enjoyed the rest, a strange hodgepodge if you ask me. The idea of linking the last two works without a pause - not even one second ! - is a strange one. The logic behind it escaped me.  :(

Here's my theory. The opening four notes of the Beethoven are so freighted with expectation, that Yannick chose to subvert those by not giving the audience time to think about them. A huge risk, of course, but perhaps one he thought would shake up people's anticipation of the piece. (Honestly, just speculation -- I have no idea.) And the Habibi piece was inspired somewhat by Beethoven, so perhaps Yannick thought it better to link the two like this.

It would be interesting to take a poll of those in the audience: "Did it work for you?" My guess: It did for maybe 50% of listeners, perhaps fewer. I thought it was a worthy experiment, but as usual, YMMV.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 13, 2021, 07:34:24 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 13, 2021, 06:06:09 PM
Here's my theory. The opening four notes of the Beethoven are so freighted with expectation, that Yannick chose to subvert those by not giving the audience time to think about them. A huge risk, of course, but perhaps one he thought would shake up people's anticipation of the piece. (Honestly, just speculation -- I have no idea.) And the Habibi piece was inspired somewhat by Beethoven, so perhaps Yannick thought it better to link the two like this.

It would be interesting to take a poll of those in the audience: "Did it work for you?" My guess: It did for maybe 50% of listeners, perhaps fewer. I thought it was a worthy experiment, but as usual, YMMV.

--Bruce

Funny placement of the Overture .....
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 14, 2021, 12:12:34 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 13, 2021, 07:34:24 PM
Funny placement of the Overture .....

Yup. The 'standard' programming would have been overture, concerto, symphony. Obviously there was a strong experimental bias in the concert's layout. And why not ?

One (surely unintended) adverse side effect was that the Habibi work - a fine one - didn't have a chance to register in the mind. It was instantly swept away by that célébrissime opening fate motif...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 15, 2021, 07:37:27 AM
Quote from: André on October 14, 2021, 12:12:34 PM
One (surely unintended) adverse side effect was that the Habibi work - a fine one - didn't have a chance to register in the mind. It was instantly swept away by that célébrissime opening fate motif...
Larry Rachleff, formerly of the San Antonio and Rhode Island symphonies, had a policy of always performing world premiere works twice in a row for exactly this reason. (Those symphonies never commissioned super big long premieres, only sub-15-minutes.) He'd always grab a microphone at the start and say, "It can be hard to fully appreciate something totally new after hearing it once. So we're going to play it twice."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Papy Oli on October 15, 2021, 08:35:02 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 15, 2021, 07:37:27 AM
Larry Rachleff, formerly of the San Antonio and Rhode Island symphonies, had a policy of always performing world premiere works twice in a row for exactly this reason. (Those symphonies never commissioned super big long premieres, only sub-15-minutes.) He'd always grab a microphone at the start and say, "It can be hard to fully appreciate something totally new after hearing it once. So we're going to play it twice."

On a slight tangent, this reminds me of a story I read once about Neil Young. After he released one of his darkest albums "Tonight's the Night" in the mid seventies, he started a concert once by stating he'd play "songs they had not heard before" and played the new album in full, to very lukewarm reception. He then told the crowd he'd next play "songs they had heard before". The audience cheered loudly, expecting to finally hear all his famous songs from "Harvest" and the likes...he then proceeded to play Tonight's the Night again...  ;D         
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 20, 2021, 09:28:50 AM
YouTube video of last night's livestream from Wigmore Hall (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plJmB6I3XCM): the Pavel Haas quartet playing three of Brahms' four quintets: piano with Boris Giltburg, and string with their former violist Pavel Nikl rejoining the group. (Luosha Fang is the new violist in the PHQ; she joined earlier this year.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 20, 2021, 10:18:44 PM
I'll be in Paris next week. While, during previous visits, I've attended concerts at la Philharmonie, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Maison de Radio France and other venues, I've never been at the Parisian opera. Well, this time there will be Der fliegende Holländer at the Opéra Bastille (Groissböck/Merbeth/Zwierko/Weinius/Atkins/Konieczny/Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris/Lintu) and Lacotte's ballet Le Rouge et le Noir (d'après Stendhal) with music by Massenet at the Palais Garnier.

And upon return to Athens, there will be the Staatskapelle Berlin and Barenboim playing the Schumann and Brahms Fourth Symphonies at the Megaron. Looking forward to them all.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: foxandpeng on October 21, 2021, 05:07:19 AM
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this evening... first classical music event for us, for a while...

Strauss Don Juan  (18')
Anders Hillborg Viola Concerto (World Premiere, co–commissioned with Frankfurt Radio, Swedish Radio, Basel Sinfonieorchester, Aspen Music Festival, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra and Viola Commissioning Circle)  (18')
- INTERVAL (20') -
Dag Wíren Serenade for Strings  (15')
Jean Sibelius Symphony No.5   (31')

Andrew Manze conductor
Lawrence Power viola
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 21, 2021, 05:19:45 AM
That's a great program, Danny. Enjoy and report, please !

:)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 21, 2021, 06:48:12 AM
Quote from: foxandpeng on October 21, 2021, 05:07:19 AM
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this evening... first classical music event for us, for a while...

Strauss Don Juan  (18')
Anders Hillborg Viola Concerto (World Premiere, co–commissioned with Frankfurt Radio, Swedish Radio, Basel Sinfonieorchester, Aspen Music Festival, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra and Viola Commissioning Circle)  (18')
- INTERVAL (20') -
Dag Wíren Serenade for Strings  (15')
Jean Sibelius Symphony No.5   (31')

Andrew Manze conductor
Lawrence Power viola


A great program. Lawrence Power is a phenomenal violist.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 21, 2021, 07:58:50 AM
Quote from: foxandpeng on October 21, 2021, 05:07:19 AM
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall this evening... first classical music event for us, for a while...

Strauss Don Juan  (18')
Anders Hillborg Viola Concerto (World Premiere, co–commissioned with Frankfurt Radio, Swedish Radio, Basel Sinfonieorchester, Aspen Music Festival, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra and Viola Commissioning Circle)  (18')
- INTERVAL (20') -
Dag Wíren Serenade for Strings  (15')
Jean Sibelius Symphony No.5   (31')

Andrew Manze conductor
Lawrence Power viola


What a fantastic program. Would love to hear the Hillborg premiere. And agree with all the comments on Power, who is one of the world's great violists.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: foxandpeng on October 22, 2021, 05:32:03 AM
Quote from: André on October 21, 2021, 05:19:45 AM
That's a great program, Danny. Enjoy and report, please !

:)

Quote from: Mirror Image on October 21, 2021, 06:48:12 AM
A great program. Lawrence Power is a phenomenal violist.

Quote from: Brewski on October 21, 2021, 07:58:50 AM
What a fantastic program. Would love to hear the Hillborg premiere. And agree with all the comments on Power, who is one of the world's great violists.

--Bruce

Cheers all! What a great night! I'm not a huge lover of the Don Juan, but it was well played, and great to hear :)

As for the Hillborg, for me it was the highlight of the evening. If you like Hillborg's clarinet concerto and VC, it was very much of the same world. Lots of double bass slaps, lots of oomph from the orchestra, lots of energy from Power, and certainly a piece that I am looking forward to hearing again. The finale ends with a real flourish in the climax that had the audience responding loudly and enthusiastically. Manze was a dervish conducting, and Hillborg was beaming when he took his bows. I did try to snap the structure that was projected behind the orchestra to share here, but the phone police were on me immediately :)

The Wiren was my wife's favourite, and again, it was filled with passion! Excellent stuff. The Sibelius 5 was characteristically beautiful!

Good to be out and good to retire to the Philharmonic pub afterwards for drinks and fine architecture with marble boobage aplenty, if you like that sort of thing. No masks in evidence really, apart from in small numbers, and the COVID passport stuff was required but not hugely adhered to, as my wife's NHS app refused to work but they let her in on a nod once they'd asked about double vaccination.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on October 22, 2021, 06:52:05 AM
Quote

As for the Hillborg, for me it was the highlight of the evening. If you like Hillborg's clarinet concerto and VC, it was very much of the same world

I have these two concertos. Very good stuff indeed !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 26, 2021, 09:24:26 AM
Next week at Carnegie, two of my faves, Leonidas Kavakos and Yuja Wang. I don't know the Busoni at all (a plus).

Bach - Violin Sonata in E Major, BWV 1016
Busoni - Violin Sonata No. 2
Shostakovich - Violin Sonata

https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2021/11/04/Leonidas-Kavakos-Violin-Yuja-Wang-Piano-0800PM

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 26, 2021, 10:45:11 AM
I've been invited, by a thoughtful colleague, to hear Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio' (90 mins) in London in December. I hope to go there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 26, 2021, 11:57:58 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 26, 2021, 10:45:11 AM
I've been invited, by a thoughtful colleague, to hear Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio' (90 mins) in London in December. I hope to go there.

Nice!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on October 26, 2021, 12:02:10 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on October 26, 2021, 10:45:11 AM
I've been invited, by a thoughtful colleague, to hear Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio' (90 mins) in London in December. I hope to go there.

Excellent, Jeffrey. 8) Maybe you'll get a chance to chat with the composer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 01, 2021, 09:50:13 AM
Tuesday night at 7:00pm EDT, the excellent percussion and piano quartet Yarn/Wire is livestreaming its concert from Miller Theatre at Columbia University. Program:

Zeno Baldi Laminar Flow for piano and percussion quartet (2020-21), world premiere
Thomas Meadowcroft Walkman Antiquarian for grand piano, sampler, and two percussion (2013)

RSVP (free) here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCeySW39g4UDz7XIo84_0Ak39CsHNfEjKKGClaDvzN7ikbAg/viewform?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_nov-2021-newsletter_COPY_01)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: classicalgeek on November 06, 2021, 03:54:47 PM
I'm on Vashon Island (in the middle of Puget Sound, south of Seattle) for the weekend, to see an old college friend perform in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Vashon Opera, a small local company.

https://www.vashonopera.org/seasons/2021-2022-season/cavalleria-rusticana
https://www.limmiepulliam.com/

I tutored Limmie in music theory, thus his connection to little old me. What an amazing voice...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 10, 2021, 09:10:05 AM
Next week, a concert by ekmeles, the 6-voice a cappella ensemble that specializes in new music. (The word "ekmeles" is Greek, meaning "unwanted sounds.") They will be repeating a microtonal work written for them, Primo Libro by James Weeks, director of Exaudi, the choral group in London.

http://ekmeles.com/wp/2021/10/primo-libro/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 11, 2021, 04:54:38 AM
Quote from: classicalgeek on November 06, 2021, 03:54:47 PM
I'm on Vashon Island (in the middle of Puget Sound, south of Seattle) for the weekend, to see an old college friend perform in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Vashon Opera, a small local company.

https://www.vashonopera.org/seasons/2021-2022-season/cavalleria-rusticana
https://www.limmiepulliam.com/

I tutored Limmie in music theory, thus his connection to little old me. What an amazing voice...
How was the opera?  And hope that you were able to catch up with your former student?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 16, 2021, 10:43:47 PM
First orchestral concert in two years last weekend.

Local orchestra "Sinfonia of Leeds".

Walton arr. Mathieson - Suite 'Henry V'
Britten - Sinfonia da Requiem
Schumann - Piano Concerto

Soloist Danny Driver
Conductor David Greed

Wonderful to be back
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 17, 2021, 04:46:04 AM
Quote from: Judith on November 16, 2021, 10:43:47 PM
First orchestral concert in two years last weekend.

Local orchestra "Sinfonia of Leeds".

Walton arr. Mathieson - Suite 'Henry V'
Britten - Sinfonia da Requiem
Schumann - Piano Concerto

Soloist Danny Driver
Conductor David Greed

Wonderful to be back
Yeah!  Very happy for you!  Were there many people in attendance?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 17, 2021, 10:09:18 AM
I've been invited to hear Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio' (all 90 minutes of it) in London on 4th December.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 17, 2021, 10:24:22 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 17, 2021, 10:09:18 AM
I've been invited to hear Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio' (all 90 minutes of it) in London on 4th December.

Fantastic! As a big fan of MacMillan, I would love to hear your impressions.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 17, 2021, 12:10:28 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 17, 2021, 10:09:18 AM
I've been invited to hear Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio' (all 90 minutes of it) in London on 4th December.

Hopefully, you'll get a chance to chat with him.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 17, 2021, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 17, 2021, 10:09:18 AM
I've been invited to hear Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio' (all 90 minutes of it) in London on 4th December.
Cool!

Quote from: Mirror Image on November 17, 2021, 12:10:28 PM
Hopefully, you'll get a chance to chat with him.
But is he conducting it?  Haven't checked out the concert.

May I ask who invited you Jeffrey?  Just curious.  :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 17, 2021, 12:57:31 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on November 17, 2021, 12:10:28 PM
Hopefully, you'll get a chance to chat with him.
I doubt it John but if he comes to the school where I work to hear his 5 minute commissioned piece that might be different.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 17, 2021, 01:01:10 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 17, 2021, 12:34:38 PM
Cool!
But is he conducting it?  Haven't checked out the concert.

May I ask who invited you Jeffrey?  Just curious.  :)

PD
It's Sir Mark Elder conducting PD and it's the UK premiere of the work. The Head of Music at the school (who tragically lost his 28 year old wife a few months ago) invited me. He introduced me to MacMillan's 4th Symphony which I rate very highly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: classicalgeek on November 17, 2021, 03:58:25 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 11, 2021, 04:54:38 AM
How was the opera?  And hope that you were able to catch up with your former student?

PD

It was as good as I expected - Limmie and the female lead (Santuzza) were both outstanding; between them, the sheer vocal power was off the charts! The supporting cast was strong too. Unfortunately Limmie was flying out of Seattle Sunday night (he had a performance in Kansas City on Monday!), so he had to catch a ferry right after the performance. So I didn't get to see him this time, but he told me he wants to catch up the next time he's in the area.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on November 17, 2021, 04:01:35 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on November 17, 2021, 12:57:31 PM
I doubt it John but if he comes to the school where I work to hear his 5 minute commissioned piece that might be different.

A good point, Jeffrey.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on November 20, 2021, 09:10:11 AM
Haven't been able to get out as much, but this month I did get to hear two of the more interesting programs available this season so far:

Adolphus Hailstork: An American Port of Call
William Schuman: New England Tryptich
Carlos Simon: Fate Now Conquers
William Grant Still: Symphony 1 in A-flat 'Afro-American'

Civic Orchestra of Chicago - Thomas Wilkins


and this week -

Buxtehude: Chaconne in E minor (arr. Carlos Chávez)
Piazolla: Aconcagua Concerto for Bandoneón
Beethoven: Symphony 1

Daniel Binelli
CSO - Giancarlo Guerrero


VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on November 20, 2021, 11:50:22 AM
Quote from: Brewski on November 17, 2021, 10:24:22 AM
Fantastic! As a big fan of MacMillan, I would love to hear your impressions.

--Bruce
Of course, I'll report back Bruce.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 22, 2021, 09:42:12 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 17, 2021, 04:46:04 AM
Yeah!  Very happy for you!  Were there many people in attendance?

PD

Were quite a lot of people,  but very COVID safe. Everyone wore masks and no interval!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 22, 2021, 09:42:57 AM
Another local orchestra yesterday
Airedale Symphony Orchestra

Performing a wonderful

Humperdick  Hansel & Gretel
Sibelius  Violin Concerto
Beethoven  Symphony no 7

Soloist  Andy Long
Conductor  John Anderson
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 29, 2021, 06:27:22 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on November 26, 2021, 01:57:01 AM
Thanks to today's strike on the London Underground, I've had to return my tickets for this  >:(

Beethoven Violin Concerto
Dora Pejačević Symphony in F-sharp minor

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo conductor
Vilde Frang violin

BBC radio will be broadcasting the concert live so it is not a total loss, but it is disappointing nonetheless.  We were only just getting back into the swing of concert-going. :(

What a shame. (Especially to hear an unfamiliar composer live, too.) I may seek out the broadcast, so thanks for mentioning.

--Bruce
Title: Upcoming livestreams from the 92nd Street Y (NYC)
Post by: bhodges on November 29, 2021, 06:33:40 AM
Comprising 14 concerts performed in 92Y's historic Kaufmann Concert Hall, the fall season includes two appearances by world-renowned pianist Richard Goode; an all-Rossini program from tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres; the first performance by The Knights as 92Y's inaugural Ensemble in Residence; the 92Y debuts of rising star violinist Randall Goosby, intrepid cellist Seth Parker Woods, and the Grammy Award-nominated Aizuri Quartet; guitarist Ana Vidovic; MacArthur "Genius" Award winner and pianist Jeremy Denk, and others, performing a diverse group of repertoire which includes works of Eleanor Alberga, Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Boulogne, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jessie Montgomery, César Franck, Florence Price, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and more.

UPDATE: Randall Goosby's concert on 9 December is (alas) in-person only.

THE KNIGHTS
ERIC JACOBSEN, conductor
COLIN JACOBSEN, violin
Saturday, December 11, 2021, 8 PM
Jessie Montgomery: Records from a Vanishing City
Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D. 759 "Unfinished"
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Gottschalk: Symphony No. 2 "À Montevideo"

MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN, piano
Sunday, December 12, 2021, 3 PM 
C.P.E. Bach: Suite in E Minor, Wq. 6/12 
G. Catoire: Quatre Morceaux, Op. 12 
Beethoven: Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier" 

CONRAD TAO, piano
Saturday, December 18, 2021, 8 PM 
Conrad Tao: Improvisation
John Adams: China Gates
Jason Eckardt: Antennaria plantaginifolia, "Pussytoes," (from A Compendium of Catskill Native Botanicals, Book 2)
J.S. Bach: Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641
Conrad Tao: Grids of E
Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15
Fred Hersch: Pastorale (Dedicated to Robert Schumann)
Conrad Tao: Premiere of KEYED IN
Beethoven: Piano Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 29, 2021, 07:00:22 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on November 26, 2021, 01:57:01 AM
Thanks to today's strike on the London Underground, I've had to return my tickets for this  >:(

Beethoven Violin Concerto
Dora Pejačević Symphony in F-sharp minor

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo conductor
Vilde Frang violin

BBC radio will be broadcasting the concert live so it is not a total loss, but it is disappointing nonetheless.  We were only just getting back into the swing of concert-going. :(
Sorry I missed reading your posting 'til now; however, even sorrier for you not being able to attend the concert!  Is the strike still on?

Quote from: Brewski on November 29, 2021, 06:33:40 AM
Starting Thursday, 9 December with the excellent violinist Randall Goosby, the 92nd Street Y will be livestreaming concerts, almost all of which look enticing. All concerts will be available for 72 hours afterward.

Comprising 14 concerts performed in 92Y's historic Kaufmann Concert Hall, the fall season includes two appearances by world-renowned pianist Richard Goode; an all-Rossini program from tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Michael Spyres; the first performance by The Knights as 92Y's inaugural Ensemble in Residence; the 92Y debuts of rising star violinist Randall Goosby, intrepid cellist Seth Parker Woods, and the Grammy Award-nominated Aizuri Quartet; guitarist Ana Vidovic; MacArthur "Genius" Award winner and pianist Jeremy Denk, and others, performing a diverse group of repertoire which includes works of Eleanor Alberga, Johann Sebastian Bach, Joseph Boulogne, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Jessie Montgomery, César Franck, Florence Price, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and more.

RANDALL GOOSBY, violin
Thursday, December 9, 2021, 8PM
Mozart, Violin Sonata in B-flat Major, K 454
Price, Fantasy No. 1 in G Minor
Price, Fantasy No. 2 in F-sharp Minor
Price, Adoration
Franck, Violin Sonata in A Major

THE KNIGHTS
ERIC JACOBSEN, conductor
COLIN JACOBSEN, violin
Saturday, December 11, 2021, 8 PM
Jessie Montgomery: Records from a Vanishing City
Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B Minor, D. 759 "Unfinished"
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Gottschalk: Symphony No. 2 "À Montevideo"

MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN, piano
Sunday, December 12, 2021, 3 PM 
C.P.E. Bach: Suite in E Minor, Wq. 6/12 
G. Catoire: Quatre Morceaux, Op. 12 
Beethoven: Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 "Hammerklavier" 

CONRAD TAO, piano
Saturday, December 18, 2021, 8 PM 
Conrad Tao: Improvisation
John Adams: China Gates
Jason Eckardt: Antennaria plantaginifolia, "Pussytoes," (from A Compendium of Catskill Native Botanicals, Book 2)
J.S. Bach: Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 641
Conrad Tao: Grids of E
Schumann: Kinderszenen, Op. 15
Fred Hersch: Pastorale (Dedicated to Robert Schumann)
Conrad Tao: Premiere of KEYED IN
Beethoven: Piano Sonata in A-flat Major, Op. 110

--Bruce
Cool!  What are they charging for the concerts online?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 29, 2021, 07:08:34 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 29, 2021, 07:00:22 AM
Cool!  What are they charging for the concerts online?

PD

Sorry, forgot that part! Concerts are $20. And I spoke too soon: Goosby's concert is in-person only ( :( ), so I've edited the original info.

Hoping the audio and video quality are good, especially since the wood-lined hall is quite good, acoustically. (I think they are relatively new to streaming.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 29, 2021, 07:25:18 AM
Quote from: Brewski on November 29, 2021, 07:08:34 AM
Sorry, forgot that part! Concerts are $20. And I spoke too soon: Goosby's concert is in-person only ( :( ), so I've edited the original info.

Hoping the audio and video quality are good, especially since the wood-lined hall is quite good, acoustically. (I think they are relatively new to streaming.)

--Bruce
Thanks for the further info!

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 29, 2021, 04:34:09 PM
The first concert sounds great but I must tell you that Kavakos playing that Shostakovich concerto is one of the most extraordinary live performances I've ever seen. The audience here in Dallas was so rapt that nobody coughed the whole cadenza. There was a truly rare electric quality. You could hardly blink. That performance will be worth sitting through the rest.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 30, 2021, 12:10:16 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on November 30, 2021, 01:18:22 AM
Thank you for that observation, it's very helpful. :)  The last time I heard the Shostakovich in concert was with James Ehnes, and Ashkenazy conducting the Philharmonia - another jaw-dropping performance, but did rather raise my threshold of expectation.  Good to know I'm unlikely to be disappointed with this latest forced decision (much as I love Tabakova's music.)
Well jeez...talk about two expert conductors in this repertoire and probably the two best violinists for it.  :o ;D You'll be spoiled for life, for sure!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 01, 2021, 07:18:42 AM
On Friday night, this great-looking concert from the Minnesota Orchestra, at 8pm Central (9pm Eastern). As usual, the livestream is free, though contributions are welcome.

Ingrid Fliter (piano)
Thomas Søndergård (conductor)
Minnesota Orchestra

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Ballade for Orchestra
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23
R. Strauss: Ein Heldenleben

https://mnorch.vhx.tv/videos/live-12-3-ingrid-fliter-plays-mozart

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on December 02, 2021, 11:35:17 AM
This Saturday in London:
Sir James MacMillan 'Christmas Oratorio'.
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/classical-music/james-macmillans-christmas-oratorio
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on December 03, 2021, 10:16:14 AM
Another wonderful concert last week by local orchestra "The Haydn Players"

Performing

Mozart La clemenza di Tito
Haydn. Symphony no 98
Beethoven Symphony no 4

Conductor
Melvin Tay
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on December 04, 2021, 02:35:06 PM
Last week, I was able to step out for a great program:

Prokofiev Symphony 1 'Classical', op. 25
William Bolcom: Violin Concerto in D
Mozart: Idomeneo Overture, K. 366
Schoenberg: Begleitmusik zu einer Lichtspielszene, op. 34
Haydn: Symphony 96 'Miracle', H. 96

Milwaukee SO - Ken-David Masur


I have been looking forward to the Bolcom VC, but what a range for a visit to the symphony. I can't remember the last time I heard Haydn while out.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on December 04, 2021, 03:39:35 PM
Just returned from seeing the first London performance of Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio'. This was a powerful and moving experience. 90 minutes with a break in the middle. I would definitely want to hear this again. Sir Mark Elder, Lucy Crowe, Roderick Williams with the LPO and LP Choir. The composer appeared on stage at the end and received a standing ovation. On the way up and back on the train I read his short and ultimately moving autobiography 'A Scots Song'.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 04, 2021, 03:58:08 PM
Quote from: Judith on December 03, 2021, 10:16:14 AM
Another wonderful concert last week by local orchestra "The Haydn Players"

Performing

Mozart La clemenza di Tito
Haydn. Symphony no 98
Beethoven Symphony no 4

Conductor
Melvin Tay

Lovely!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 04, 2021, 04:08:17 PM
Quote from: VonStupp on December 04, 2021, 02:35:06 PM
Last week, I was able to step out for a great program:

Prokofiev Symphony 1 'Classical', op. 25
William Bolcom: Violin Concerto in D
Mozart: Idomeneo Overture, K. 366
Schoenberg: Begleitmusik zu einer Lichtspielszene, op. 34
Haydn: Symphony 96 'Miracle', H. 96

Milwaukee SO - Ken-David Masur


I have been looking forward to the Bolcom VC, but what a range for a visit to the symphony. I can't remember the last time I heard Haydn while out.

VS

This looks wonderful -- unusual program, and program order, too. Love that they ended with the Haydn. Usually any Haydn gets relegated to the beginning of a concert, and why not have it end it all?

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 04, 2021, 04:10:19 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on December 04, 2021, 03:39:35 PM
Just returned from seeing the first London performance of Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio'. This was a powerful and moving experience. 90 minutes with a break in the middle. I would definitely want to hear this again. Sir Mark Elder, Lucy Crowe, Roderick Williams with the LPO and LP Choir. The composer appeared on stage at the end and received a standing ovation. On the way up and back on the train I read his short and ultimately moving autobiography 'A Scots Song'.

Totally cool. And I love Roderick Williams! Have seen him once in person, at an intimate concert at Bargemusic in New York -- enough to turn me into a fan. (Lucy Crowe isn't bad, either, nor Sir Mark.  8) )

Sounds like a marvelous evening.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 04, 2021, 08:52:31 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on December 04, 2021, 03:39:35 PM
Just returned from seeing the first London performance of Sir James MacMillan's 'Christmas Oratorio'. This was a powerful and moving experience. 90 minutes with a break in the middle. I would definitely want to hear this again. Sir Mark Elder, Lucy Crowe, Roderick Williams with the LPO and LP Choir. The composer appeared on stage at the end and received a standing ovation. On the way up and back on the train I read his short and ultimately moving autobiography 'A Scots Song'.

Great to read, Jeffrey. Quite a long work, too. I'm sure we can expect a recording of it at some juncture.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on December 05, 2021, 12:12:44 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 04, 2021, 04:10:19 PM
Totally cool. And I love Roderick Williams! Have seen him once in person, at an intimate concert at Bargemusic in New York -- enough to turn me into a fan. (Lucy Crowe isn't bad, either, nor Sir Mark.  8) )

Sounds like a marvelous evening.

--Bruce

I wrote my comments after I got home at about 1.00am and thought of some other things that really impressed me. The two soloists, Lucy Crowe and Roderick Williams were brilliant. I found her first soprano solo incredibly moving and think very highly of Roderick Williams. There were some great moments, near the start with the trombones and chorus. The harp and the vibraphone had very big roles. Sections reminded me a bit of Britten (War Requiem) and Janacek (Sinfonietta and Glagolitic Mass) but it is also a work of striking originality. I hope that John is right and there is a recording soon. However, seeing it live was very special. On Friday night my wife asked me to come to see an evening of Celtic-type folk singing in the local church, which I also enjoyed (even bought the CD  ::)). So, it has been quite a musical weekend for me and, of course, very special to attend live concerts again. My daughter enjoys classical music and I've noticed a concert featuring Walton's First Symphony in London on her birthday next March, so maybe that will be another family outing!
I took this photo last night walking across the Thames over Hungerford Bridge. The Royal Festival Hall is on the far right (light blue roof):
(//)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 05, 2021, 06:44:58 AM
Mark Elder caused a bit of a stir at the Dallas Symphony recently because he spent a good bit of time ranting to the orchestra about how Brexit has made artistic life so much harder. True, no doubt. But unfortunately it was during rehearsal time and the result was that they lost a considerable amount of the work day!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on December 05, 2021, 11:58:52 PM
Quote from: Brian on December 05, 2021, 06:44:58 AM
Mark Elder caused a bit of a stir at the Dallas Symphony recently because he spent a good bit of time ranting to the orchestra about how Brexit has made artistic life so much harder. True, no doubt. But unfortunately it was during rehearsal time and the result was that they lost a considerable amount of the work day!
I see his point but that was not a good use of rehearsal time.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 07, 2021, 05:17:34 AM
Hervé Niquet will conduct the Montreal Symphony in Berlioz' L'Enfance du Christ. Soloists include Marie-Claude Lemieux as Mary and Cyrille Dubois as the récitant. This is very tempting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 07, 2021, 06:08:53 AM
Quote from: André on December 07, 2021, 05:17:34 AM
Hervé Niquet will conduct the Montreal Symphony in Berlioz' L'Enfance du Christ. Soloists include Marie-Claude Lemieux as Mary and Cyrille Dubois as the récitant. This is very tempting.
That is VERY tempting.

Quote from: ultralinear on December 07, 2021, 05:13:03 AM
Email received today from London's Southbank Centre:

First the St Petersburg Philharmonic "cancelled due to Covid".  Now this.  I have half a mind just to return all my tickets for the rest of the season, and be done with it. >:(
That is VERY upsetting.
Who's the replacement and is there still time to catch Tabakova?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 07, 2021, 06:21:03 PM
From 20 November, the concert I attended live by Ekmeles is now on YouTube. For those curious about microtonal, a cappella choral music (granted, perhaps a small niche 8)), this sextet is now among the best vocal groups in the world. I was mostly interested in a second hearing of Primo Libro (2017) by James Weeks, director of Exaudi, a similar ensemble in London. Weeks composed the piece using an octave divided into 31 tones.

Anyway, the program is just under an hour, and the rest of the works are fascinating, too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR28hH14vg0

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on December 08, 2021, 09:14:22 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 07, 2021, 05:13:03 AM
Email received today from London's Southbank Centre:

First the St Petersburg Philharmonic "cancelled due to Covid".  Now this.  I have half a mind just to return all my tickets for the rest of the season, and be done with it. >:(
Bummer!  So sorry to hear the bad news.  :(

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 08, 2021, 09:23:51 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 07, 2021, 05:13:03 AM
Email received today from London's Southbank Centre:

First the St Petersburg Philharmonic "cancelled due to Covid".  Now this.  I have half a mind just to return all my tickets for the rest of the season, and be done with it. >:(

Oh sorry I missed this, and even sorrier for the cancellation. With the pandemic situation changing seemingly every day, I am hearing similar sad tales elsewhere. Multiple friends who were planning to go to Europe for the holidays have changed their plans. And others who were there already have returned to the U.S., fearing they may not be able to get back in the country without quarantining. It's all so emotionally exhausting.

Anyway, hope they reschedule, and that you can get there at some point.

--Bruce
Title: Concerts from Aspen, starting January 2022
Post by: bhodges on December 08, 2021, 09:31:55 AM
Just got a notice from the Aspen Music Festival and School that they will stream a series of one-hour concerts, starting in January 2022. They aren't live, but were recorded during the pandemic and broadcast now. The series looks to be free, but as usual lately, they probably wouldn't say no to small contributions.

http://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/events/aspen-armchair-concerts

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 08, 2021, 11:54:44 AM
Quote from: André on December 07, 2021, 05:17:34 AM
Hervé Niquet will conduct the Montreal Symphony in Berlioz' L'Enfance du Christ. Soloists include Marie-Claude Lemieux as Mary and Cyrille Dubois as the récitant. This is very tempting.

Well, I bought me a ticket  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Valentino on December 09, 2021, 04:54:57 AM
None.

Covid restrictions again that would stop culture the government said. In effect they do. A load of bollocks, alas.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on December 09, 2021, 09:48:05 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 08, 2021, 02:56:21 PM
Well the concert went ahead with Alina Ibragimova ... and it was OK ... but not what I imagine it would have been with Kavakos. :-\  In fact the piece I most enjoyed was Brett Dean's Notturno inquieto, that was completely new to me.  Intriguing, evocative, and, in its way, quite moving.  Fortunately BBC Radio were live broadcasting the concert so I can download it for further listening. :)
Glad that it went ahead in the end.

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 09, 2021, 10:00:15 AM
Just learnt on Facebook that the Lydian String Quartet is playing a concert at Brandeis this Saturday. I'm going!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 09, 2021, 10:39:43 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 09, 2021, 10:00:15 AM
Just learnt on Facebook that the Lydian String Quartet is playing a concert at Brandeis this Saturday. I'm going!

Cool. What's the program look like?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 11, 2021, 06:29:00 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on December 09, 2021, 10:00:15 AM
Just learnt on Facebook that the Lydian String Quartet is playing a concert at Brandeis this Saturday. I'm going!

Quote from: Mirror Image on December 09, 2021, 10:39:43 AM
Cool. What's the program look like?

Looks like program is graduate student composers, TBA:

https://www.lydianquartet.com/schedule-source/2019/12/14/waltham-ma-brandeis-university-48jy3

Also, looks like the concert will be livestreamed at the link below. (I'll be at another event, but if this is archived, may dip in later.)

https://www.brandeis.edu/streaming/music/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on December 15, 2021, 11:19:15 PM
12 January 2022
Megaron Concert Hall, Athens

Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata αρ. 13 σε λα μείζονα, D. 664

Claude Debussy: Suite bergamasque

Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata αρ. 21 σε σι ύφεση μείζονα, D. 960

Maria João Pires
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 16, 2021, 07:28:25 AM
Quote from: André on December 07, 2021, 05:17:34 AM
Hervé Niquet  John Nelson will conduct the Montreal Symphony in Berlioz' L'Enfance du Christ. Soloists include Marie-Claude Lemieux as Mary and Cyrille Dubois as the récitant. This is very tempting.

Change of conductor. At least Nelson is a good berliozan. Hopefully no other glitch - like an outright cancellation  ::) before December 22...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on December 19, 2021, 09:33:38 AM
Quote from: vers la flamme on December 19, 2021, 04:45:11 AM
Mahler's 8th is pretty high on the list for me of symphonies I want to see live.

I had a similar thought; especially with the rampant shutdowns, who knows when I can get out to see these events.

Luckily, in my area, Osmo Vänskä's farewell concert with the Minnesota Orchestra in June will be Mahler's 8 . Carolyn Sampson is on a long roster of soloists, and I am looking forward to it.

I bought tickets a few months ago; hopefully it goes ahead as scheduled.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 19, 2021, 11:00:05 AM
Quote from: André on December 16, 2021, 07:28:25 AM
Change of conductor. At least Nelson is a good berliozan. Hopefully no other glitch - like an outright cancellation  ::) before December 22...

Concert canceled... >:(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 19, 2021, 11:13:51 AM
Quote from: VonStupp on December 19, 2021, 09:33:38 AM
I had a similar thought; especially with the rampant shutdowns, who knows when I can get out to see these events.

Luckily, in my area, Osmo Vänskä's farewell concert with the Minnesota Orchestra in June will be Mahler's 8 . Carolyn Sampson is on a long roster of soloists, and I am looking forward to it.

I bought tickets a few months ago; hopefully it goes ahead as scheduled.

VS

COVID permitting, I am planning to be at that concert, too! But it seems like eons away at this point. Have just canceled two New York events over the next few weeks, and likely New Year's Eve will be the next to go. Oh well.

Quote from: André on December 19, 2021, 11:00:05 AM
Concert canceled... >:(

So sorry to hear. Events are falling like dominoes right now.  :(

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on December 19, 2021, 12:46:10 PM
Bummer indeed. This was the only concert in the last 2 years I truly looked forward to. I even wished a recording could have resulted but that's not going to happen either. Rats... :'(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on December 20, 2021, 07:11:47 AM
Quote from: André on December 08, 2021, 11:54:44 AM
Well, I bought me a ticket  ;D

Nice! I love that piece.
Title: Klangforum Wien at the Pushkin Museum, Moscow (12-20-2021)
Post by: bhodges on December 20, 2021, 04:59:13 PM
Another great-looking livestream, free, and archived for all. There really is too much too much music to listen to.

From earlier today, composer Beat Furrer conducting Klangforum Wien at the Pushkin Museum in Moscow:

Klaus Lang: риза (world premiere)
Beat Furrer: Intorno al bianco
Anton Webern: Sechs Stücke (für Kammerorchester) op. 6
Karlheinz Stockhausen: Nr. 1/7 Kreuzspiel
György Ligeti: Kammerkonzert

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0C68Sl2NL4

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 08, 2022, 08:07:02 PM
Tomorrow...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | George Li, piano

PROGRAM
Suppé – Poet and Peasant: Overture
Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor
Dvořák – Symphony No. 8 in G Major
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 09, 2022, 09:54:30 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 08, 2022, 08:07:02 PM
Tomorrow...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | George Li, piano

PROGRAM
Suppé – Poet and Peasant: Overture
Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor
Dvořák – Symphony No. 8 in G Major

Looks like a nice program, Greg.  I love this Dvořák symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 11, 2022, 01:58:04 PM
On Saturday, Jan. 15, at 9:00 pm (EST), online:

Taylor Brook: Virtutes Occultae, 18 Pieces for Six Retuned Pianos (2021) - Filmed last August at the TIME:SPANS Festival in New York, the video will be unveiled on Saturday (and presumably available for viewing after that). On Saturday, the composer will be present for live chat, to discuss and answer questions. The pianists are among the best working today:

Laura Barger
Julia Den Boer
Thomas Feng
Isabelle O'Connell
Cory Smythe
Ning Yu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPwthPJLN8o

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: T. D. on January 18, 2022, 05:59:55 AM
Thursday 1/20:

https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/ecstatic-music-bang-on-a-can-peoples-commissioning-fund-concert-2022/

Bang on a Can, live @ Merkin Hall, simulcast by BOAC.

Not sure how much is "classical", though.  ;)

In days of yore I often attended concerts at Merkin Hall...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 18, 2022, 05:05:44 PM
Quote from: T. D. on January 18, 2022, 05:59:55 AM
Thursday 1/20:

https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/ecstatic-music-bang-on-a-can-peoples-commissioning-fund-concert-2022/

Bang on a Can, live @ Merkin Hall, simulcast by BOAC.

Not sure how much is "classical", though.  ;)

In days of yore I often attended concerts at Merkin Hall...

There are usually some gems in these BOAC concerts. I do recognize a couple of the composers! And Merkin Hall...yes, a wonderful venue, with very clear acoustics!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 18, 2022, 05:08:39 PM
This weekend, an unusually interesting concert from Opera Philadelphia:

Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex
George Walker: Lilacs

https://www.operaphila.org/whats-on/on-stage-2021-2022/oedipus-rex-plus-lilacs/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: T. D. on January 18, 2022, 06:25:12 PM
Quote from: Brewski on January 18, 2022, 05:05:44 PM
There are usually some gems in these BOAC concerts. I do recognize a couple of the composers! And Merkin Hall...yes, a wonderful venue, with very clear acoustics!

--Bruce

Funny typo on the BOAC page...they credit Ken Thomson on "clarinet & brass clarinet", but the pic shows him playing a bass clarinet.
Title: Opera Philadelphia free livestream Friday: Stravinsky and George Walker
Post by: bhodges on January 19, 2022, 10:32:43 AM
Just found out that Friday's performance from Opera Philadelphia will be livestreamed at 8:00pm (EST). Program once more: Stravinsky Oedipus Rex, and George Walker Lilacs. Free at the link below.

https://www.operaphila.tv/

--Bruce
Title: Focus Festival 2022: "The Making of American Music, 1899-1948"
Post by: bhodges on January 21, 2022, 03:39:08 PM
Starting Sunday, the Juilliard School's annual Focus! Festival begins, with many works discussed here recently, such as Ives 2nd and 3rd symphonies. Many of the week's concerts are being livestreamed, all free.

https://www.juilliard.edu/event/154156/focus-festival-new-juilliard-ensemble

Program book:
https://www.juilliard.edu/sites/default/files/1.23-28_focus_festival.pdf

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 30, 2022, 06:08:51 AM
Last weekend

Local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds

Brahms  Academic Overture
Thorvaldsdottir  Metacosmos
Brahms. Symphony no 3

Conductors
David Greed
Anthony Kraus
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: T. D. on February 02, 2022, 04:49:26 PM
Bang on a Can Long Play Festival
April 29 - May 1, "Downtown Brooklyn" (no venue details I could find)

But the program looks awesome:

https://bangonacan.org/longplay/

Granted, lots of "jazz", but that's a plus for me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 03, 2022, 06:00:50 AM
Yesterday lunchtime recital at
The Venue, Leeds Conservatoire (formerly Leeds College of Music)

Craig Ogden

Dowland

Praeludium
Lachrimae Pavane
Fantasia no 7



Berkeley

Sonatina


Coste

Fantasie Dramatique Le Depart


Walton

Bagatelles for Guitar


Did enjoy it even though guitar is not my favourite genre
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mountain Goat on February 04, 2022, 12:32:09 PM
I have tickets to a couple of upcoming concerts at St David's Hall in Cardiff, almost 2 years to the day since I last went to a concert!

Thursday 17 February
Stravinsky: Concerto in E flat major 'Dumbarton Oaks'
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Daniel Ciobanu (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Carlos Miguel Prieto

Thursday 10 March
Grace Williams: Sea Sketches
Mahler: Symphony No. 5
BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Tadaaki Otaka
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on February 07, 2022, 06:24:15 AM
Quote from: Mountain Goat on February 04, 2022, 12:32:09 PM
I have tickets to a couple of upcoming concerts at St David's Hall in Cardiff, almost 2 years to the day since I last went to a concert!

Thursday 17 February
Stravinsky: Concerto in E flat major 'Dumbarton Oaks'
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
Brahms: Symphony No. 1
Daniel Ciobanu (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Carlos Miguel Prieto

Aside from the Brahms, this looks like a nice concert. Stravinsky's Dumbarton Oaks has always been a favorite of mine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on February 10, 2022, 09:50:28 AM
If everything goes well, I'm going to see Strauss's Salome for the first time live on 30th of March. However, considering they have already several times cancelled performances because of covid, I won't hold my breath.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 23, 2022, 02:25:22 AM
Amazing recital at The Venue, Leeds Conservatoire yesterday evening.

Steven Isserlis
Alasdair Beatson

Mendelssohn Variations Concertantes for Cello and Piano
Schumann Violin Sonata No. 2,
Schumann  Adagio and Allegro in A flat Major
Mendelssohn Cello Sonata No. 2 in D Major

Encore Faure Berceuse

Met Steven afterwards for autographs and photos. Such a lovely guy as well as an amazing cellist.
Not back to earth yet lol
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 23, 2022, 02:54:41 PM
Quote from: Judith on February 23, 2022, 02:25:22 AM
Amazing recital at The Venue, Leeds Conservatoire yesterday evening.

Steven Isserlis
Alasdair Beatson

Mendelssohn Variations Concertantes for Cello and Piano
Schumann Violin Sonata No. 2,
Schumann  Adagio and Allegro in A flat Major
Mendelssohn Cello Sonata No. 2 in D Major

Encore Faure Berceuse

Met Steven afterwards for autographs and photos. Such a lovely guy as well as an amazing cellist.
Not back to earth yet lol

How great that you got to meet him! Not every day that happens. (Nice programme, too.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 23, 2022, 02:56:52 PM
Looking forward to this in March, from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. They will show an encore of the livestream starting 18 March, with "pay what you wish."

Enescu Octet in C major for Strings, Op. 7 (1900)
Shostakovich Prelude and Scherzo for String Octet, Op. 11 (1924-25)
Mendelssohn Octet in E-flat major for Strings, Op. 20 (1825)

Livestream
https://www.chambermusicsociety.org/cms-front-row/online-events/

Musicians
https://www.chambermusicsociety.org/cms-front-row/online-events/online-events/digital-encore-winter-festival-mendelssohns-octet/

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 23, 2022, 06:23:38 PM
And coming up on Friday, this livestream from the Minnesota Orchestra, with the terrific conductor, Karina Kanellakis, and cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras:

Minnesota Orchestra
Karina Kanellakis, conductor
Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello

Julia Perry (1924-79): Short Piece for Orchestra
R. Strauss: Don Quixote
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

https://mnorch.vhx.tv/videos/live-2-25-canellakis-conducts-don-quixote

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on February 23, 2022, 07:56:13 PM
Tomorrow night, or tonight depending on where in the world you are right now...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor | Joyce Yang, piano

PROGRAM
Mussorgsky | Arr. Rimsky-Korsakov – Night on Bald Mountain
Grieg – Piano Concerto in A Minor
Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5 in D Minor
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 24, 2022, 06:24:47 AM
Quote from: Brewski on February 23, 2022, 02:54:41 PM
How great that you got to meet him! Not every day that happens. (Nice programme, too.)

--Bruce
Thank you. Was a fabulous recital. Incidentally, this was the fourth time that I have met him. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 24, 2022, 06:34:01 AM
Quote from: Judith on February 24, 2022, 06:24:47 AM
Thank you. Was a fabulous recital. Incidentally, this was the fourth time that I have met him.
He might start to think you're following him around  ;D ;D

(No, I would too, the recitals of his that I have on disc are all wonderful and his interest in repertoire is adventurous and curious.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 26, 2022, 09:30:10 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 26, 2022, 09:17:15 AM
Tomorrow at London's Southbank Centre, 20 piano sonatas played by Tamara Stefanovich:


3 pm    BachSonata in A minor, BWV.965 (after Reincken)
SolerSonata in C minor, R.100
BusoniSonatina seconda
D Scarlatti  Sonata in C minor, Kk.158
D Scarlatti  Sonata in G, Kk.13
CPE BachSonata in G minor, Wq.65/17
IvesThree-Page Sonata
 
5 pmD ScarlattiSonata in C, Kk.406
BartókSonata, Sz.80
D ScarlattiSonata in G minor, Kk.450
EislerSonata No.1, Op.1
SolerSonata in D flat, R.110
HindemithSonata No.3 in B flat
 
7 pmSolerSonata in G minor
ScriabinSonata No.9 in F, Op.68 (Black Mass)
D ScarlattiSonata in G minor, Kk.8
RoslavetsSonata No.2
D ScarlattiSonata in B minor, Kk.87
JanáčekSonata in E flat minor, 1.X.1905 (From the Street)
Ustvolskaya Sonata No.6

Wow! Quite the marathon, and with many off-the-radar choices, too. Would love to get a glimpse of her thoughts behind this programming. Do feel free to share your impressions.

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on February 26, 2022, 09:31:25 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2022, 06:34:01 AM
He might start to think you're following him around  ;D ;D

(No, I would too, the recitals of his that I have on disc are all wonderful and his interest in repertoire is adventurous and curious.)

He is my favourite cellist. Been following him for a few years now since I first heard him played on the radio and caught me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 26, 2022, 09:40:47 AM
Quote from: Judith on February 24, 2022, 06:24:47 AM
Thank you. Was a fabulous recital. Incidentally, this was the fourth time that I have met him.

:o Wow. Perhaps it's time you meet for a proper tea. 8)

Quote from: Judith on February 26, 2022, 09:31:25 AM
He is my favourite cellist. Been following him for a few years now since I first heard him played on the radio and caught me.

That's high praise, considering all the great cellists running around. (E.g., I just heard Queyras last night.) But as Brian mentioned, Isserlis has great curiosity, which is also admirable.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 26, 2022, 09:47:44 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 26, 2022, 09:44:34 AM
Like making up for 2 years of cancelled recitals in a single day. :)


Great comment. ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on February 26, 2022, 09:53:10 AM
Just found out about this livestream tomorrow, with Yuja Wang, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, and Alan Gilbert. Program is not quite my thing, but I like her a lot, and she's persuasive even in repertoire I'm not crazy about. Plus it would be fun to see the interior of that spectacular hall.

https://www.elbphilharmonie.de/en/mediatheque/benefizkonzert-des-bundesprasidenten/692

Beethoven - Ouvertüre zu »Fidelio« op. 72
Liszt - Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 Es-Dur S 124
Beethoven - Sinfonie Nr. 5 c-Moll op. 67

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on February 26, 2022, 11:17:42 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 26, 2022, 09:17:15 AM
Tomorrow at London's Southbank Centre, 20 piano sonatas played by Tamara Stefanovich:


3 pm    BachSonata in A minor, BWV.965 (after Reincken)
SolerSonata in C minor, R.100
BusoniSonatina seconda
D Scarlatti  Sonata in C minor, Kk.158
D Scarlatti  Sonata in G, Kk.13
CPE BachSonata in G minor, Wq.65/17
IvesThree-Page Sonata
 
5 pmD ScarlattiSonata in C, Kk.406
BartókSonata, Sz.80
D ScarlattiSonata in G minor, Kk.450
EislerSonata No.1, Op.1
SolerSonata in D flat, R.110
HindemithSonata No.3 in B flat
 
7 pmSolerSonata in G minor
ScriabinSonata No.9 in F, Op.68 (Black Mass)
D ScarlattiSonata in G minor, Kk.8
RoslavetsSonata No.2
D ScarlattiSonata in B minor, Kk.87
JanáčekSonata in E flat minor, 1.X.1905 (From the Street)
Ustvolskaya Sonata No.6

That looks an interesting looking undertaking! Hope it's a good one.


Quote from: Brewski on February 26, 2022, 09:47:44 AM
Great comment. ;D

--Bruce

+1
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on February 27, 2022, 11:34:16 AM
Managed to get down to the 3.00 gig from the Stefanovich above, happily breaking my pandemic concert drought in the process.

Really liked the way it was done - no pause between pieces, suggesting to me a desire to allow the pieces to speak to each other, and thereby creating a kind of tangible genetic connection and interaction between them. But I felt that she declaimed all the Baroque pieces with such unbroken, almost Hammerklavier-like intensity, that subtleties were lost in the flurry and it was ultimately a bit wearing.

The highlights for me were the Busoni and the closing Ives, the latter where she let rip with her unquestionably fine technique, and caught the manic energy of the typical Ivesian outbursts very well. The problem was that the energy had been so high for much of the previous fifty minutes, that some of the impact was muted.

All IMHO of course, and I imagine she could be extraordinary in some of the pieces coming up later, but I had to leave. But anyway very much hope you enjoyed it and the following concerts, and didn't have any of my issues with it, Ultralinear.  :)

I will just add that it was great being back at the South Bank, which I love! And all bathed in glorious sunshine today!


Quote from: Brewski on February 26, 2022, 09:30:10 AM
Wow! Quite the marathon, and with many off-the-radar choices, too. Would love to get a glimpse of her thoughts behind this programming. Do feel free to share your impressions.

--Bruce



Re her thinking, I found this on the Southbank Centre website:

Stefanovich begins a trilogy of recitals that explores the myriad ways that the piano sonata was embraced by different composers.

In this first recital, she shows how the sonata has been interpreted through the ages, demonstrating our deep connection to the form.

Stefanovich conjures up the sparkle of Scarlatti and his pupil Soler, written at the Spanish court, and the elegant, improvisation-like music of CPE Bach.

His father JS Bach's substantial Sonata in A minor after Reincken is a transcription of a work by that older contemporary: its contrasting sections showcase styles that often inspired Bach in the decades ahead.

The 20th century brings vivid contrast.

First there is Busoni's experimental, forward-thinking language in his Sonatina Secunda of 1912, and then Charles Ives' concentrated and groundbreaking take on the same form in his rarely heard Three-Page Sonata.

Performers
Tamara Stefanovich piano
Repertoire
Bach: Sonata in A minor, BWV.965 (after Reincken)
Soler: Sonata in C minor, R.100
Busoni: Sonatina seconda
D Scarlatti: Sonata in C minor, Kk.158; Sonata in G, Kk.13
CPE Bach: Sonata in G minor, Wq.65/17
Ives: Three-Page Sonata


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 04, 2022, 05:51:22 AM
.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 07, 2022, 06:54:48 PM
Quote from: Iota on February 27, 2022, 11:34:16 AM
Managed to get down to the 3.00 gig from the Stefanovich above, happily breaking my pandemic concert drought in the process.


Quote from: ultralinear on February 27, 2022, 03:17:11 PM
The Ustvolskaya was pretty brutal.  First time I've seen someone put on gloves to play the piano. ???

Thank you both for your comments. (And yes, Ustvolskaya is like no one else.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 07, 2022, 07:54:23 PM
Tonight, at the Greek National Opera:

Verdi: Otello

Otello
Aleksandrs Antoņenko

Desdemona
Cellia Costea

Iago
Tassis Christoyannis

Cassio
Dimitris Paksoglou

Roderigo
Yannis Kalyvas

Lodovico
Petros Magoulas

Montano
Marinos Tarnanas

A Herald
Pavlos Sampsakis

Emilia
Violetta Lousta


Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos


With the GNO Orchestra & Chorus


Conductor
Stathis Soulis

Director, design, lighting
Robert Wilson
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 08, 2022, 12:12:44 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on March 07, 2022, 07:54:23 PM
Tonight, at the Greek National Opera:

Verdi: Otello

[interesting cast aside for the moment]

Director, design, lighting
Robert Wilson

Though the Otello looks familiar, what caught my eye is the director! His Lohengrin production at the Met, booed on its opening night but later loudly cheered, was one of the greatest things I've seen. Do feel free to report!

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 08, 2022, 12:17:56 PM
On Sunday, March 20, 4pm (PDT, 7pm EDT), this fascinating concert, which will be livestreamed:

Seattle Symphony
Kahchun Wong, conductor
Kala Ramnath, Hindustani violin
Ko-ichiro Yamamoto, trombone

Toshio Hosokawa: Meditation
Tan Dun: Trombone Concerto: Three Muses in Video Game (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere)
Reena Esmail/Kala Ramnath: Violin Concerto (Seattle Symphony Commission & World Premiere)
Debussy: La mer

https://www.seattlesymphony.org/en/concerttickets/calendar/2021-2022/celebrate-asia-streaming

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 08, 2022, 02:13:53 PM
Wow, double concerto action!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on March 10, 2022, 06:16:10 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on March 07, 2022, 07:54:23 PM
Tonight, at the Greek National Opera:

Verdi: Otello

Director, design, lighting
Robert Wilson

Quote from: Brewski on March 08, 2022, 12:12:44 PM
Though the Otello looks familiar, what caught my eye is the director! His Lohengrin production at the Met, booed on its opening night but later loudly cheered, was one of the greatest things I've seen. Do feel free to report!

--Bruce


I'd be so interested to see more Robert Wilson productions, his take on Monteverdi's L'Orfeo is amazing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: listener on March 13, 2022, 12:04:54 PM
NEXT sUNDAY  (March 20)
Jakub Jozef Orlinski  (counter-tenor)
selections from Vivaldi to Copland
https://vanrecital.com/concert/jakub-jozef-orlinski/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on March 13, 2022, 12:41:11 PM
Last weekend saw local orchestra

Leeds Haydn Players 

performing

 The Ukrainian National Anthem
 Vaughan Williams  English Folk Song Suite
 Vaughan Williams  Fantasia on "Greensleeves
 Brahms  Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn
 Vaughan Williams  Prelude Founded on the Welsh Hymn Tune Rosymedre
 Haydn     Symphony No 99 in E flat major

Conductor
Melvyn Tay

Wonderful concert given by all and lovely to have a chat with the conductor afterwards
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on March 14, 2022, 10:49:50 AM
Another wonderful local orchestra concert yesterday evening.

Airedale Symphony Orchestra

Performing

Hebrides Overture   Mendelssohn
Prokofiev  Piano Concerto no 3
Tchaikovsky   Symphony no 6  (Pathetique)

Soloist.  William Green
Conductor    John Anderson
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on March 14, 2022, 01:20:23 PM
Quote from: listener on March 13, 2022, 12:04:54 PM
NEXT sUNDAY  (March 20)
Jakub Jozef Orlinski  (counter-tenor)
selections from Vivaldi to Copland
https://vanrecital.com/concert/jakub-jozef-orlinski/

If you felt at all disposed to mention your impressions of this, I'd be very interested. I'd certainly grab a chance to see him in recital if it came around.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 16, 2022, 11:10:34 AM
Quote from: Judith on March 13, 2022, 12:41:11 PM
Last weekend saw local orchestra

Leeds Haydn Players

performing

The Ukrainian National Anthem
Vaughan Williams  English Folk Song Suite
Vaughan Williams  Fantasia on "Greensleeves
Brahms  Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn
Vaughan Williams  Prelude Founded on the Welsh Hymn Tune Rosymedre
Haydn     Symphony No 99 in E flat major

Conductor
Melvyn Tay

Wonderful concert given by all and lovely to have a chat with the conductor afterwards

Quote from: Judith on March 14, 2022, 10:49:50 AM
Another wonderful local orchestra concert yesterday evening.

Airedale Symphony Orchestra

Performing

Hebrides Overture   Mendelssohn
Prokofiev  Piano Concerto no 3
Tchaikovsky   Symphony no 6  (Pathetique)

Soloist.  William Green
Conductor    John Anderson

Just wanted to acknowledge these two concerts! The second sounds especially good. I just heard the Tchaikovsky recently with the Minnesota Orchestra, and sort of forgot (well, not really) how effective it is live.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 16, 2022, 06:54:04 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 16, 2022, 02:40:02 AM
Over the next three nights at London's Southbank Centre, the Emerson Quartet will be performing the first nine of Shostakovich's string quartets.  No confirmation yet of dates for the remainder.

Oh, this looks enticing. I wish I lived in London, which is a mecca for the classical fan.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 19, 2022, 06:07:04 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 19, 2022, 03:36:21 AM
Well things aren't quite back as they were.  There was a time when I could have found something interesting to go to pretty much every night through most of the year.  I doubt those days will ever return. :(  And costs have risen significantly, so one has be more selective anyway.  But there are still some things coming up that look promising.

I was particularly interested in the Emersons, because theirs is one disc set that I don't have.  Plus it's some years since the last complete cycle I heard.  It's arguable whether three quartets a night, three nights running, is the best way to experience the music, but it's certainly intense.  With the musicians working away just a few feet in front of you, you get a sense of the music being spun from the air moment by moment.

I believe they will return, but it's going to take more time and the political landscape must change significantly for this to happen.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 21, 2022, 07:11:31 AM
Looking forward to this, later in the week. Dudamel was originally scheduled, in his debut with the ensemble (!), but I'm not complaining with having Yannick instead.

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor
Sergio Tiempo, Piano

Gabriela Lena Frank - Selections from Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout
Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on March 22, 2022, 06:58:59 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 21, 2022, 10:08:07 AM
On Thursday we have this one:

Gubaidulina A Fairytale Poem
Mussorgsky Songs and Dances of Death (arr. Shostakovich)
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

BBC Symphony Orchestra
John Storgårds conductor
Kostas Smoriginas baritone

Storgårds is a late substitute for the original conductor, Eva Ollikainen, who has had to withdraw through injury.  I have no idea what his Shostakovich will be like, but am hoping for the best.  I am confident Yannick's will be a rewarding experience. :)

What a fantastic program! The inclusion of Gubaidulina is a brilliant choice. As for Storgårds, he's an excellent conductor and does well in modern repertoire.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 22, 2022, 07:51:09 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 21, 2022, 10:08:07 AM
Ha!  ;D

On Thursday we have this one:

Gubaidulina A Fairytale Poem
Mussorgsky Songs and Dances of Death (arr. Shostakovich)
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

BBC Symphony Orchestra
John Storgårds conductor
Kostas Smoriginas baritone

Storgårds is a late substitute for the original conductor, Eva Ollikainen, who has had to withdraw through injury.  I have no idea what his Shostakovich will be like, but am hoping for the best.  I am confident Yannick's will be a rewarding experience. :)

Quote from: Mirror Image on March 22, 2022, 06:58:59 AM
What a fantastic program! The inclusion of Gubaidulina is a brilliant choice. As for Storgårds, he's an excellent conductor and does well in modern repertoire.

Well, I like your program better! (I love Chopin's solo works, but not a big fan of the piano concertos.) And that Gubaidulina is a real rarity. Have only heard Storgårds via a few recordings, but recall being enthusiastic.

--Bruce 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 22, 2022, 11:35:49 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 22, 2022, 11:12:26 AM
One of the good things about the BBC SO (aside from being a great orchestra :) with regular conductors like Oramo and Storgårds :)) is that sooner or later most of their concerts get broadcast one way or another.  This one, as it happens, is being broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0015c8m), available for download soon after.

OK, that is great news, thank you. When I have recovered from the Shostakovich here, I will wait a few days and do an A/B comparison with the broadcast. PS, I totally agree: BBC SO is a great ensemble. Have heard many outstanding concerts with them over the years.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 23, 2022, 09:34:00 AM
I didn't know there was an orchestration of "Andean Walkabout"! The string quartet version is super fun.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 23, 2022, 04:12:28 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 23, 2022, 09:34:00 AM
I didn't know there was an orchestration of "Andean Walkabout"! The string quartet version is super fun.

Yes, agree. I haven't heard the larger version either, so am looking forward.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 23, 2022, 04:16:20 PM
Meanwhile, next Tuesday, the excellent pianist George Li is doing this program at the 92nd Street Y, which will be livestreamed and available for 72 hours after. (Admission: $20.) Yes, I'm most looking forward to the Qigang Chen (whose work is rarely performed here), but even I will stick around for the Liszt. ;D

https://www.92y.org/event/george-li

Schumann, Arabeske in C Major, Op. 18
Schumann, Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17
Qigang Chen, Instants d'un opera de Pekin
Liszt, Sonata in B Minor, S. 178

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mountain Goat on March 25, 2022, 05:19:05 AM
This afternoon in Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff:

Kapralova: Suita Rustica
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 1
Martinu: Symphony No. 1

Vadym Kholodenko (piano), BBC National Orchestra of Wales/Elena Schwarz
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 29, 2022, 03:51:27 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 08, 2022, 12:12:44 PM
Though the Otello looks familiar, what caught my eye is the director! His Lohengrin production at the Met, booed on its opening night but later loudly cheered, was one of the greatest things I've seen. Do feel free to report!

--Bruce

Just saw this.

I'm all down for a good and thought-provoking opera production, however the adulation directors are seemingly treated with nowadays in opera I find insufferable (thank you, Germany, for inflicting this bane upon us). There were numerous people present that night that were obviously only interested in the theatrical aspect of the production and not the music. I was forced to shush two chatting women behind me during the first three minutes; they seemed to be thinking they were in a cafe and commenting was allowed. I was stern enough and no other intervention was necessary, although distant shushing from across the hall was heard from time to time, especially right after intermissions.

The production was in my opinion a success; very beautiful visually, luminous and static. Only stylised movements were allowed (sometimes to a fault) and the singers were always singing towards the public even when they were in intimate conversations. This seemed to alienate many, however I found it was brilliant. It was the exact opposite of other directors having people distractingly running in and out of the stage for no apparent reason during long arias, for instance; here, music was allowed to take precedence and the singers were staying put for as long as their music numbers demanded - no other distractions other than revolving/descending/moving pieces of scenery and dramatic lighting. This economy of movement seemed to complement Verdi's music and orchestration and was further enhanced by lighting that was particularly exquisite; in many instances it created captivating luminous Rothkoesque paintings in the background.
Everyone sang beautifully and the house orchestra and chorus was excellent, as well. My final impression was very positive; a successful production that did not divert from the music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on March 29, 2022, 12:20:21 PM
Hello everyone! I'll be performing two of my most cherished works from the cello and piano repertoire - Janáček's Pohadka (Fairy Tale) and Mendelssohn's Cello Sonata no. 1 alongside the fantastic pianist Érico Freire Bezerra tonight at 9PM at the Eastman School of Music. I hope some of you can tune in! Here's the link to the livestream: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/live/kilbourn/

Enjoy! :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 29, 2022, 01:12:42 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on March 29, 2022, 03:51:27 AM
Just saw this.

I'm all down for a good and thought-provoking opera production, however the adulation directors are seemingly treated with nowadays in opera I find insufferable (thank you, Germany, for inflicting this bane upon us). There were numerous people present that night that were obviously only interested in the theatrical aspect of the production and not the music. I was forced to shush two chatting women behind me during the first three minutes; they seemed to be thinking they were in a cafe and commenting was allowed. I was stern enough and no other intervention was necessary, although distant shushing from across the hall was heard from time to time, especially right after intermissions.

The production was in my opinion a success; very beautiful visually, luminous and static. Only stylised movements were allowed (sometimes to a fault) and the singers were always singing towards the public even when they were in intimate conversations. This seemed to alienate many, however I found it was brilliant. It was the exact opposite of other directors having people distractingly running in and out of the stage for no apparent reason during long arias, for instance; here, music was allowed to take precedence and the singers were staying put for as long as their music numbers demanded - no other distractions other than revolving/descending/moving pieces of scenery and dramatic lighting. This economy of movement seemed to complement Verdi's music and orchestration and was further enhanced by lighting that was particularly exquisite; in many instances it created captivating luminous Rothkoesque paintings in the background.
Everyone sang beautifully and the house orchestra and chorus was excellent, as well. My final impression was very positive; a successful production that did not divert from the music.

Thanks so much for this, and for taking the time to go into such detail. That does sound very "Wilson-y," all around. (Too bad about the chatters; these days, some people really do think they're at home -- when they're not.)

Quote from: kyjo on March 29, 2022, 12:20:21 PM
Hello everyone! I'll be performing two of my most cherished works from the cello and piano repertoire - Janáček's Pohadka (Fairy Tale) and Mendelssohn's Cello Sonata no. 1 alongside the fantastic pianist Érico Freire Bezerra tonight at 9PM at the Eastman School of Music. I hope some of you can tune in! Here's the link to the livestream: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/live/kilbourn/

Enjoy! :)

Congratulations! What a beautiful pairing.  8)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Symphonic Addict on March 29, 2022, 05:14:24 PM
Quote from: kyjo on March 29, 2022, 12:20:21 PM
Hello everyone! I'll be performing two of my most cherished works from the cello and piano repertoire - Janáček's Pohadka (Fairy Tale) and Mendelssohn's Cello Sonata no. 1 alongside the fantastic pianist Érico Freire Bezerra tonight at 9PM at the Eastman School of Music. I hope some of you can tune in! Here's the link to the livestream: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/live/kilbourn/

Enjoy! :)

Watching right now. So cool, Kyle. Congratulations to all involved!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: kyjo on March 30, 2022, 07:17:33 AM
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on March 29, 2022, 05:14:24 PM
Watching right now. So cool, Kyle. Congratulations to all involved!

Thank you for tuning in, Cesar! :) 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: foxandpeng on March 30, 2022, 07:48:27 AM
Very much looking forward to RVW #2 and #7 at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on 9 April under John Wilson. Will be replayed on BBC Radio 3 on 12 April, I think.

Anyone else in attendance?

Coffee anyone? Wine? Pint?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on March 30, 2022, 11:01:29 AM
Reporting right back from Salome performance. It was absolutely phenomenal. I loved it. The one relatively weak link was the singer of Jochanaan and I suspect this has more to do with my fundamental dislike of the character of Jochanaan in general than through any real defect of singer's. The singer of Herodias was magnificent, not a repulsive hag she's often being portrayed as but retaining much of her genuine charm and beauty. Take that, Jochanaan. Kind of reminds me of portrayal of Gertrude in Branagh's Hamlet film. The singer of Herod was superb, bringing his OCD neurotics well on display. And of course there is Salome, brilliantly sung and acted by the singer. And the singer actually looks like a young woman despite immense vocal skills! From the side cast I have to mention the five Jews. Their arguing scene reaches magnificent proportions. As for the conductor and orchestra, I have never heard such a fine playing of this opera even on the records. The many nuances of the score are distinctly heard and I have never had as many shivers down my spine during Salome as
tonight. The production had many ingenious interpretations of certain aspects although I am sure this is not the first time Salome makes out with Jochanaan who is very much alive and unharmed. A riveting performance. I can only conclude that as great as this opera is while only heard, it absolutely must be seen live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 30, 2022, 11:09:55 AM
Quote from: Ganondorf on March 30, 2022, 11:01:29 AM
Reporting right back from Salome performance. It was absolutely phenomenal. I loved it. The one relatively weak link was the singer of Jochanaan and I suspect this has more to do with my fundamental dislike of the character of Jochanaan in general than through any real defect of singer's. The singer of Herodias was magnificent, not a repulsive hag she's often being portrayed as but retaining much of her genuine charm and beauty. Take that, Jochanaan. Kind of reminds me of portrayal of Gertrude in Branagh's Hamlet film. The singer of Herod was superb, bringing his OCD neurotics well on display. And of course there is Salome, brilliantly sung and acted by the singer. And the singer actually looks like a young woman despite immense vocal skills! From the side cast I have to mention the five Jews. Their arguing scene reaches magnificent proportions. As for the conductor and orchestra, I have never heard such a fine playing of this opera even on the records. The many nuances of the score are distinctly heard and I have never had as many shivers down my spine during Salome as
tonight. The production had many ingenious interpretations of certain aspects although I am sure this is not the first time Salome makes out with Jochanaan who is very much alive and unharmed. A riveting performance. I can only conclude that as great as this opera is while only heard, it absolutely must be seen live.

Very envious! It is a great piece in so many ways. And in addition to seeing it live for the first time, as you note in your last sentence, hearing and seeing it makes an enormous difference. And glad that the scene with the Jews had an impact; it usually gets overlooked (or overshadowed) by elements in the rest of the opera. (The last production I saw was at the Met, and not sure that sequence had similar impact.) Good for the director for keeping things interesting on all fronts.

It really is a brilliant score. Anyway, thanks for the report, and sounds like you will be recalling the experience for a long time.  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on March 30, 2022, 11:43:14 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 30, 2022, 11:09:55 AM
Anyway, thanks for the report, and sounds like you will be recalling the experience for a long time.  ;D

You're welcome! And yes, I most certainly will be.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on March 30, 2022, 01:04:09 PM
Quote from: Ganondorf on March 30, 2022, 11:01:29 AM
Reporting right back from Salome performance. It was absolutely phenomenal. I loved it. The one relatively weak link was the singer of Jochanaan and I suspect this has more to do with my fundamental dislike of the character of Jochanaan in general than through any real defect of singer's. The singer of Herodias was magnificent, not a repulsive hag she's often being portrayed as but retaining much of her genuine charm and beauty. Take that, Jochanaan. Kind of reminds me of portrayal of Gertrude in Branagh's Hamlet film. The singer of Herod was superb, bringing his OCD neurotics well on display. And of course there is Salome, brilliantly sung and acted by the singer. And the singer actually looks like a young woman despite immense vocal skills! From the side cast I have to mention the five Jews. Their arguing scene reaches magnificent proportions. As for the conductor and orchestra, I have never heard such a fine playing of this opera even on the records. The many nuances of the score are distinctly heard and I have never had as many shivers down my spine during Salome as
tonight. The production had many ingenious interpretations of certain aspects although I am sure this is not the first time Salome makes out with Jochanaan who is very much alive and unharmed. A riveting performance. I can only conclude that as great as this opera is while only heard, it absolutely must be seen live.

Sounds great, Ganondorf! And am in complete sympathy with your final point. The difference in the sense of involvement in a live as opposed to a recorded experience, seems particularly marked in opera.

I've only seen Salome once, in the ROH, Covent Garden (late 80's early 90's?), which I enjoyed a lot. There was one real 'Blimey!' moment (me and the friend I was with at least had no idea it was coming) when at the climax of Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils, Maria Ewing suddenly ripped off her dress, threw her arms wide open and stood defiantly staring down the world at the front of the stage, completely naked! Back then it seemed a bold and unprecedented thing to do in an opera house. The stage director was hubby Peter Hall ..
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 31, 2022, 02:08:01 PM
Quote from: Iota on March 30, 2022, 01:04:09 PM
Sounds great, Ganondorf! And am in complete sympathy with your final point. The difference in the sense of involvement in a live as opposed to a recorded experience, seems particularly marked in opera.

I've only seen Salome once, in the ROH, Covent Garden (late 80's early 90's?), which I enjoyed a lot. There was one real 'Blimey!' moment (me and the friend I was with at least had no idea it was coming) when at the climax of Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils, Maria Ewing suddenly ripped off her dress, threw her arms wide open and stood defiantly staring down the world at the front of the stage, completely naked! Back then it seemed a bold and unprecedented thing to do in an opera house. The stage director was hubby Peter Hall ..

I think that this may be the performance on her DVD! (I have not yet seen it.)

[asin]B00005RIXS[/asin]

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on March 31, 2022, 02:15:40 PM
In June, Joel Sachs will retire from Juilliard after more than 50 years. One of his best achievements has been the creation of the adventurous New Juilliard Ensemble, which over the years has given scores of concerts and world premieres. His final concert with the group will be on Monday, April 11 at 7:30pm, and the concert will be livestreamed (free) at the link below. Note: The concert will not be archived.

The only composer I know is Desenne, whose work is quite interesting.

Program:
Yangfan XU Fantastic Creatures of the Mountains and Seas (Lennox Thuy Duong, Narrator)
Paul FREHNER Sometimes the Devil Plays Fate (Mary Beth Nelson, Mezzo-Soprano)
Diana SYRSE The Invention of Sex (Diana Syrse, Soprano)
Paul DESENNE Sinfonía Burocràtica ed'Amazzònica

https://www.juilliard.edu/event/154341/new-juilliard-ensemble

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on April 01, 2022, 10:55:00 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 31, 2022, 02:08:01 PM
I think that this may be the performance on her DVD! (I have not yet seen it.)

[asin]B00005RIXS[/asin]

--Bruce

Indeed, that's the one, thanks for digging it out. Though I enjoyed the performance at the time, I'm not sure it wowed me enough to want to get the DVD. But may check out some reviews, see if they shake out any memories.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on April 02, 2022, 10:34:53 AM
At the Megaron Spring Festival:


Tomorrow:

Debussy:  Sonata for cello and piano in D minor
Brahms: Sonata for cello and piano No. 1
Mendelssohn/Liszt:  Auf Flügeln des Gesanges, Opus 34 No. 2
Debussy: Clair de lune from Suite bergamasque
Dvořák: Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém from Rusalka
Albinoni: Adagio in G minor
Tchaikovsky: Valse sentimentale, Opus 51 No. 6
Elgar: Nimrod from Enigma Variations, Opus 36
Joplin: The Entertainer
Monti: Csárdás


Gautier Capuçon, cello
Jérôme Ducros, piano


...and on Monday:

Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 13 in A major, D. 664
Debussy: Suite bergamasque
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32, Op. 111


Maria João Pires, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on April 03, 2022, 08:05:06 AM
Quote from: Brewski on March 29, 2022, 01:12:42 PM
Thanks so much for this, and for taking the time to go into such detail. That does sound very "Wilson-y," all around.

De nada! And indeed, his personal stamp is unmistakeable.


Next night at the opera will be on Thursday with Gounod's Faust.


Faust
Ivan Magrì

Méphistophélès
Yanni Yannissis

Valentin
Dionysios Sourbis

Wagner
George Mattheakakis

Marguerite
Irina Lungu

Siébel
Miranda Makrynioti

Marthe
Anna Agathonos


Conductor
Pierre Dumoussaud

Director, choreographer, movement coach
Renato Zanella

Sets
Alessandro Camera

Costumes
Carla Ricotti

Lighting
Jacopo Pantani

Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos



With the participation of the GNO Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet, as well as students of the GNO Professional Dance School.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 04, 2022, 07:50:28 AM
Tomorrow night at Carnegie Hall. Though the Glass premiere will be the draw for many, I'm most looking forward to the Shostakovich and the Korngold -- the latter rarely shows up. I do not know the Canadian composer Lizée, whose Hitchcock Études received a good bit of comment in the mid 2000s.

Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra
Alexander Shelley, Conductor
James Ehnes, Violin

Nicole Lizée - Zeiss After Dark
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 9
Korngold - Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
Glass - Symphony No. 13 (US Premiere)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2022, 08:48:40 AM
Quote from: Brewski on April 04, 2022, 07:50:28 AM
Tomorrow night at Carnegie Hall. Though the Glass premiere will be the draw for many, I'm most looking forward to the Shostakovich and the Korngold -- the latter rarely shows up. I do not know the Canadian composer Lizée, whose Hitchcock Études received a good bit of comment in the mid 2000s.

Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra
Alexander Shelley, Conductor
James Ehnes, Violin

Nicole Lizée - Zeiss After Dark
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 9
Korngold - Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
Glass - Symphony No. 13 (US Premiere)

--Bruce

This concert was excellent, particularly the Korngold and the Shostakovich, but the rest was good, too. Shelley makes an elegant conductor, perhaps with a little of Boulez's understatement, and the orchestra (with many younger players) must make Canada very proud. They hadn't been to Carnegie since 1990, and I hope it's not another 30+ years before they return.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on April 06, 2022, 12:15:42 PM
Quote from: Brewski on April 06, 2022, 08:48:40 AM
This concert was excellent, particularly the Korngold and the Shostakovich, but the rest was good, too. Shelley makes an elegant conductor, perhaps with a little of Boulez's understatement, and the orchestra (with many younger players) must make Canada very proud. They hadn't been to Carnegie since 1990, and I hope it's not another 30+ years before they return.

--Bruce

Very nice, Bruce ! True, the program seems to play perfectly to the NAC's forces. Wise programming, I'd say. How was the Glass symphony by the way ?

I've never heard of Lizée either, which is my loss, I guess. She has quite a pedigree of commissioned works
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2022, 12:41:06 PM
Quote from: André on April 06, 2022, 12:15:42 PM
Very nice, Bruce ! True, the program seems to play perfectly to the NAC's forces. Wise programming, I'd say. How was the Glass symphony by the way ?

I've never heard of Lizée either, which is my loss, I guess. She has quite a pedigree of commissioned works

Glass wrote the symphony to honor Canadian-born journalist Peter Jennings, and is about 20 minutes long, in three movements, simply titled I, II, and III. It is filled with his typical flowing arpeggios, and other signature moves. As an occasional Glass fan, I liked it, didn't "love" it, and can't really comment on how it fits in with his output. I haven't heard any of the previous symphonies, though I have seen Akhnaten and Satyagraha -- liked both a lot -- and have heard some of his chamber music and piano etudes.

Glass came onstage to take a bow, and man, for 85 he's looking quite good. Moves a bit slower these days, but no walker, no cane. The audience went crazy, applauding him.

I liked the Lizée, too: VERY short, about 2 minutes. Didn't quite grasp any connection between the score and the celebrated Zeiss lenses (which Kubrick used to photograph Barry Lyndon), but it was a pleasant-enough opener.

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 06, 2022, 02:18:25 PM
A couple of Glass' more recent symphonies have been overlong and overambitious so 20 minutes sounds more like it. It's interesting to place his piece at the end of the program, since it's new and since Glass doesn't often build his pieces up to a traditional grand finale.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 06, 2022, 02:27:50 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 06, 2022, 02:18:25 PM
A couple of Glass' more recent symphonies have been overlong and overambitious so 20 minutes sounds more like it. It's interesting to place his piece at the end of the program, since it's new and since Glass doesn't often build his pieces up to a traditional grand finale.

Yes, and FWIW, this was definitely not "grand" in terms of "enormous" or "splashy." A rather quietly joyful 20 minutes. And a different programmer might have put the Shostakovich last, but I thought it was interesting coming in the middle.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 07, 2022, 12:13:07 PM
Aaaaand, another livestream this Saturday, 9 April, with a most interesting program. I can't recall when I've heard Tchaikovsky's second piano concerto. You can watch it with a BSO Now 7-day pass for $10, or a season pass for $25 -- both very reasonable.

Boston Symphony Orchestra
Anna Rakitina, conductor
Alexandre Kantorow, piano

Ellen Reid: When the World as You've Known it Doesn't Exist
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 2
Sibelius: Symphony No. 7

https://www.bso.org/media/livestream-tchaikovsky-reid-sibelius

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 09, 2022, 04:27:35 AM
Tomorrow...
Nashville Symphony | Thomas Wilkins, conductor | Adele Anthony, violin

PROGRAM
Coleridge-Taylor – Hiawatha: Suite from the Ballet
Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto
Coleridge-Taylor – Ballade in A Minor
Debussy – La mer
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 09, 2022, 07:08:33 AM
Wow, I remember Thomas Wilkins from my teenagerhood, when he was a very frequent guest conductor at the Detroit Symphony. He deserves more credit and acclaim than he's gotten; hope that is changing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 09, 2022, 07:12:35 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 09, 2022, 07:08:33 AM
Wow, I remember Thomas Wilkins from my teenagerhood, when he was a very frequent guest conductor at the Detroit Symphony. He deserves more credit and acclaim than he's gotten; hope that is changing.

That's good to hear, Brian. Had never heard of Wilkins so I looked him up online, has had a long and successful career so far, I'm excited to see him perform!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 10, 2022, 05:41:49 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 09, 2022, 04:27:35 AM
Tomorrow...
Nashville Symphony | Thomas Wilkins, conductor | Adele Anthony, violin

PROGRAM
Coleridge-Taylor – Hiawatha: Suite from the Ballet
Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto
Coleridge-Taylor – Ballade in A Minor
Debussy – La mer

In the 30+ years of live classical concerts this was my first time seeing La Mer and I'm bummed I waited this long, what a great work to witness in person. Even though I've been familiar with La Mer for decades, seeing it live was a completely fresh experience. Similar to Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe, or Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel my eyes were constantly shifting from one side of the stage to another and my ears were picking up on newly discovered nuances of the score.
This was also my introduction to the music of Coleridge-Taylor, which was exciting. Highly melodious, luscious harmonies, would like to explore more of his works.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on April 11, 2022, 12:02:04 AM
I'm sorry that I missed this concert, which sounded like a most interesting evening:
https://bachtrack.com/review-vasily-petrenko-pablo-ferrandez-royal-philharmonic-march-2022
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 12, 2022, 12:34:27 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 11, 2022, 12:02:04 AM
I'm sorry that I missed this concert, which sounded like a most interesting evening:
https://bachtrack.com/review-vasily-petrenko-pablo-ferrandez-royal-philharmonic-march-2022

A damn fine program, too: Shostakovich, Britten and Walton. I wish I was there!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on April 14, 2022, 03:31:11 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 12, 2022, 12:34:27 PM
A damn fine program, too: Shostakovich, Britten and Walton. I wish I was there!
I agree John - but you have a good excuse for not being there - for me it is just an hour on the train to London  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Rosalba on April 14, 2022, 08:22:58 AM
At York Early Music Centre, next Wednesday -

quotation from their site:
BUDAPEST CAFE ORCHESTRA
Wednesday 20 April 7.30pm

Christian Garrick violin
Eddie Hessiom accordion
Kelly Cantlon double bass
Adrian Zolotuhin guitar, saz, balalaika, domra

BCO play a blistering barrage of traditional folk and gypsy-flavoured music from across the Balkans and Russia, Klezmer laments, Romanian Doinas, Hungarian Czadas and their own unique re-imaginings of some of the biggest tunes ever written by the classical greats. The Budapest Café Orchestra was established in 2009 by British composer and violinist, Christian Garrick, and led by him have won legions of fans with their magical and infectious performances.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We got there, and enjoyed the evening because the violinist was very funny, but we were disappointed that there was no 'straight' playing of Czardas or Brahms' dances etc - basically, a lot of messing about with genres, especially jazz-and-classical which was clever, but I'm an earnest soul...

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 17, 2022, 03:27:09 PM
Just subscribed to the Dallas Symphony 2022-23 season with the following:

Haydn | Symphony No 44
Ravel | Piano Concerto in G
Ginastera | Variaciones concertantes
Debussy | Iberia

Juanjo Mena + Javier Perianes

-

Coleridge-Taylor | Solemn Prelude
Grieg | Piano Concerto
Sibelius | Symphony No 2

Ryan Bancroft + Paul Lewis

-

Dvorak | The Wood Dove
Tchaikovsky | Violin Concerto
Lutoslawski | Concerto for Orchestra

Karina Canellakis + Randall Goosby

-

Gabriela Ortiz | Antropolis (for timpani and orch)
Gabriela Montero | Piano Concerto
Rimsky-Korsakov | Scheherazade

Marin Alsop + Gabriela Montero

-

the two solo organ recitals, featuring Cherry Rhodes and Christian Schmitt (by annoying tradition, the solo organ recital programs aren't announced in advance)

Was also tempted by the weekend where Stephane Deneve arrives bearing Guillaume Connesson, "Knoxville: Summer of 1915," and Rach Symphonic Dances.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 17, 2022, 08:45:26 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 17, 2022, 03:27:09 PM
Just subscribed to the Dallas Symphony 2022-23 season with the following:

Haydn | Symphony No 44
Ravel | Piano Concerto in G
Ginastera | Variaciones concertantes
Debussy | Iberia

Juanjo Mena + Javier Perianes

Good picks, Brian. The above really intrigues me though, I love the diverseness of this program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on April 18, 2022, 05:47:56 AM
My local orchestra performs on Monday nights.  That has always been hard on me, but this year since I have a harder year than usual for my work... it is just too much.  I'm just too exhausted to enjoy the concert.  And the last time I was too tired to even drive out.  The time before that I was in too much pain from the car wreck I was in.  I hate that they made a schedule that accommodates the people (which I know are the majority) that are retired and didn't really think about anyone else.  I think I will give them feedback, but I'm done.

I've decided next year to purchase tickets for the SC Philharmonic, which performs on a Saturday.  Longer drive, but way, way easier because they always perform on the weekend.  And if I'm too tired or busy to make it, I can still stream it so I don't miss out (though obviously it is not the same).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: owlice on April 22, 2022, 01:58:38 AM
Last weekend:
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 13 in C Major
Mahler Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor
Aldo López-Gavilán, piano
National Philharmonic, Piotr Gajewski conducting

It was wonderful to be in a concert hall again!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 22, 2022, 03:10:06 AM
Off to see the Spanish National Radio & Television Symphony Orchestra ("OSRTVE") conducted by Lio Kuokman, perform William Walton's Viola Concerto (my favourite among his three concertos for string soloist), with soloist Joaquín Arias, and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (the 1945 one).

The concert is part of the orchestra's "Young Musicians' Series". I never go to concerts of the OSRTVE, even if their concert hall is around the corner from where I live, and tickets are very affordable. :-[
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on April 28, 2022, 01:58:00 PM
On Saturday night (7:30 EDT), the Peabody Symphony Orchestra with conductor Joseph Young, in a new piece by the chair of the school's composition faculty, followed by a favorite Shostakovich symphony. The concert will be livestreamed free, at the link below.

Oscar Bettison (b. 1975) - Hellion Binge of Joy (World Premiere)
Commissioned by Peabody in honor of the 150th anniversary of the composition department
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10 in E minor

https://peabody.jhu.edu/live/

--Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 05, 2022, 10:09:04 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 05, 2022, 08:02:01 AM
Tomorrow, another changed program:

Daniel Kidane Be Still
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No 2
Nielsen Symphony No 4, 'Inextinguishable'

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Jukka-Pekka Saraste conductor
Denis Kozhukhin piano

This was supposed to be Lugansky playing Medtner.  Then last week:

Such a missed opportunity for the superb Medtner concerto... 😕
The Prokofiev 2 is a worthy replacement, but not exactly rare in the concert hall.
In any case, enjoy the music!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on May 06, 2022, 09:47:22 AM
On Sunday evening - next to the school where I work:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/mayfield/st-dunstans-church/vaughan-williams-orchestral-concert-southbank-sinfonia/e-ampvpj

Not my favourite VW as I dislike the Wasps and have heard enough of the Lark Ascending but good to hear Tallis and Symphony No.5. Even my wife might enjoy this one. Being a teacher at the nearby school I get a free ticket  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 09, 2022, 07:48:21 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 09, 2022, 07:40:43 AM
Tomorrow night, an all Richard Strauss program:

Don Juan
Burleske
Also sprach Zarathustra


Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Andris Nelsons conductor
Rudolf Buchbinder piano

Nelsons' much-anticipated "Strauss Project" seems to have turned into a bit of a disaster.  The first two concerts, featuring the Gewandhausorchester, were so poorly subscribed that they ended up flogging off tickets at half price.  While the remaining concerts with the Boston Symphony have been cancelled outright.  (So no Alpensinfonie...:()

I love Strauss as any GMG member would know (or should know) by now, but Andris Nelsons is not a conductor I'm particularly impressed with, but perhaps the marketing for this particular project hasn't been warmly received, because he doesn't elicit the kind of response many other conductors like Salonen seems to.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 09, 2022, 08:22:24 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 09, 2022, 08:14:28 AM
You may well be right - I have mixed feelings toward Nelsons myself, liking his Shostakovich better than his Bruckner, for example.  However it also seems to be the case that something has happened to the London audience - the excellent concert I went to last Friday was no more than a quarter full ??? - and there is no way they can keep going at that rate.  I suspect the cost-of-living crisis has a lot to do with it, particularly amongst a core (older) section of the concert-going public.

Yes, indeed. It doesn't speak well of our current classical climate. I hope the UK can pull through this current disaster. There is such a long classical tradition there, especially in England, so my hope is things will only get better.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidUK on May 09, 2022, 09:29:51 AM
Aurora Orchestra at Saffron Hall.  Shostakovich Violin Concerto, Beethoven 5th Symphony from memory.
London Mozart Players at Thaxted Church.  Mozart Symphony 25. Shostakovich Piano Concerto 2.  Schubert Symphony 5.
Kings College London Choir with English Chamber Orchestra at Thaxted Church.  Vaughan Williams G Minor Mass.  Parry Songs of Farewell.  Holst Cloud Messenger.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 13, 2022, 01:18:32 PM
Just bought tickets for next month to see Honegger's and Claudel's Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. Marion Cotillard plays Joan, the conductor is Juanjo Mena, and the staging (unfortunately, as I usually dislike his work) ) is by Alex Ollé of La Fura dels Baus. The Honegger work will be preceded, in lieu of a prologue, by Debussy's La Damoiselle élue (staged as well?), sung by Camilla Tilling and Enkelejda Shkosa.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 14, 2022, 02:21:40 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 13, 2022, 01:18:32 PM
Just bought tickets for next month to see Honegger's and Claudel's Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. Marion Cotillard plays Joan, the conductor is Juanjo Mena, and the staging (unfortunately, as I usually dislike his work) ) is by Alex Ollé of La Fura dels Baus. The Honegger work will be preceded, in lieu of a prologue, by Debussy's La Damoiselle élue (staged as well?), sung by Camilla Tilling and Enkelejda Shkosa.


l'll attend this, as well, on 8 June. I'm not very fond of Marion Cotillard's portrayal of the role in the Soustrot recording, however this is a favourite work that one doesn't get the chance to hear live every day. And I am really looking forward to the ondes Martenot contributions. 😎

Equipo artístico
Director musical | Juanjo Mena
Director de escena | Àlex Ollé (La Fura dels Baus)
Escenógrafo | Alfons Flores
Figurinista | Lluc Castells
Videocreador | Franc Aleu
Iluminador | Joachim Klein
Director del coro | Andrés Máspero

Reparto
Jeanne d' Arc | Marion Cotillard
Padre Dominique | Sébastien Dutrieux
La Virgen | Sylvia Schwartz
Marguerite | Elena Copons
Catherine | Enkelejda Shkoza
Porcus | Charles Workman
Heraldo | Torben Jügens

PRÓLOGO

LA DAMOISELLE ÉLUE
La doncella bienaventurada
Claude Debussy
Cantata sobre el poema La doncella bienaventurada (1847) de Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Música de Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Estrenada en la Salle Érand de París el 8 de abril de 1893

Estreno en el Teatro Real

Nueva producción del Teatro Real, en coproducción con la Ópera de Frankfurt

Reparto
Soprano | Camilla Tilling
Mezzosoprano | Enkelejda Shkosa
Coro y Orquesta Titulares del Teatro Real
Pequeños Cantores de la Comunidad de Madrid
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: SimonNZ on May 14, 2022, 02:45:48 AM
Learned too late that Rautavaara's Angel Of Light symphony was being performed in town tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on May 14, 2022, 04:31:45 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 13, 2022, 01:18:32 PM
Just bought tickets for next month to see Honegger's and Claudel's Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. Marion Cotillard plays Joan, the conductor is Juanjo Mena, and the staging (unfortunately, as I usually dislike his work) ) is by Alex Ollé of La Fura dels Baus. The Honegger work will be preceded, in lieu of a prologue, by Debussy's La Damoiselle élue (staged as well?), sung by Camilla Tilling and Enkelejda Shkosa.

That sounds very appealing!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on May 14, 2022, 05:28:02 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 14, 2022, 02:21:40 AM

l'll attend this, as well, on 8 June...
Great. I'll be going on Sunday the 12th. If you have time for a drink while you're in Madrid, just send a PM.  ;)

Best,

Rafael
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 14, 2022, 07:01:07 AM
On Sunday at 3pm (EDT), the excellent pianist George Li in a recital from the New England Conservatory:

Debussy | Preludes, Book II
Chopin | Twenty-four Preludes, op. 28

Livestream here:
https://necmusic.edu/events/recital-george-li-22-ad-piano

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 15, 2022, 08:22:52 AM
Quote from: ritter on May 14, 2022, 05:28:02 AM
Great. I'll be going on Sunday the 12th. If you have time for a drink while you're in Madrid, just send a PM.  ;)

Best,

Rafael

Splendid. Will do! 🍻
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on May 15, 2022, 04:33:02 PM
I just attended the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's performance of Beethoven's 9th. I'm glad I finally got to see it live! Some moments in the 3rd movement sounded almost like Mahler.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 16, 2022, 02:16:33 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 16, 2022, 01:17:15 PM
This week at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, a double bill of:

Stravinsky  Mavra
Schoenberg  Pierrot Lunaire

Britten Sinfonia
Michael Papadopoulos conductor

I don't recall ever seeing Mavra even on a concert bill, let alone a staged production.  Really looking forward to this one. :)

Who are you vocalists?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 16, 2022, 03:05:59 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 16, 2022, 03:04:00 PM
Mavra

Parasha: April Koyejo-Audiger
The Hussar/Mavra: Egor Zhuravskii
The Mother: Sarah Pring
Neighbour: Idunnu Münch

Pierrot Lunaire

Pierrot: Alexandra Lowe

These are not names that mean anything to me.  I suspect they are young artists just coming through.  The production is in the studio theatre rather than on the main stage.  I've seen a couple of newspaper reviews which sounded pretty positive, particularly about the standard of the singing.

Yeah, I never heard any of them. Thanks for the info!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on May 22, 2022, 08:01:14 AM
Yesterday evening  went to see local orchestra

Leeds Symphony Orchestra 

Performing

La Calinda  Delius
Piano Concerto in F  Gershwin 
Symphonic Dances. Rachmaninov 


Soloist  Alex Norton
Conductor  John Lyon


Very enjoyable and interesting repertoire 

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on May 22, 2022, 06:12:29 PM
I saw the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with their music director Jader Bignamini and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.


CARLOS SIMON: Fate Now Conquers
MAURICE RAVEL: Concerto in G major for Piano and Orchestra
RICHARD STRAUSS: Don Quixote, Op. 35

In a few weeks, the season ends with Wynton Marsalis' Blues Symphony, and Gil Shaham playing the Barber concerto!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 23, 2022, 06:46:02 AM
Quote from: Mapman on May 22, 2022, 06:12:29 PM
I saw the Detroit Symphony Orchestra with their music director Jader Bignamini and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.


CARLOS SIMON: Fate Now Conquers
MAURICE RAVEL: Concerto in G major for Piano and Orchestra
RICHARD STRAUSS: Don Quixote, Op. 35

In a few weeks, the season ends with Wynton Marsalis' Blues Symphony, and Gil Shaham playing the Barber concerto!

It's good to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is still around. Is the quality of life in the city improving and businesses beginning to come back?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on May 23, 2022, 09:09:21 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on May 23, 2022, 06:46:02 AM
It's good to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is still around. Is the quality of life in the city improving and businesses beginning to come back?

I don't spend a lot of time in Detroit (and only went there for the first time a few years ago), but they clearly have redeveloped much of the downtown area. Jader Bignamini doesn't have the name recognition of the previous music directors, but the musicians wanted him, and in my opinion the musicians play better with him than with the guest conductors. The DSO has also done a great job of performing both new and neglected music. They also still bring in lots of famous guests. For anyone who likes streaming, the DSO lets you watch past concerts online for free: https://www.dso.org/watch-listen-and-connect/watch-online (https://www.dso.org/watch-listen-and-connect/watch-online). There are also some unexpected surprises: last December, the performance of Beethoven's violin concerto used cadenzas by Schnittke!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on May 24, 2022, 08:03:04 PM
On June 1, this concert, broadcast live on WQXR:

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director and Conductor
Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider, Violin

G. Walker Sinfonia No. 4, "Strands"
Szymanowski Violin Concerto No. 2
Schubert Symphony No. 9, "Great"

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on May 25, 2022, 12:32:08 AM
Andsnes and Hamelin playing the Rite of Sping + Adams and some Schumann in Bergen in a weeks time.

Followed by the Bergen Orchestra playing the Rite of Spring and Gries concerto (with Paul Lewis) a few days later.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 25, 2022, 03:03:17 AM
Paul Lewis is touring the Grieg globally - I will see him do it in Dallas in January. Not necessarily repertoire I expect from him but should be nice to see anyway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on May 31, 2022, 10:29:25 AM
Bought a ticket to the Orchestre Métropolitain's final concert this season on June 18, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting.

Brahms: concerto no 2, with Seong-Jin Cho
Stravinsky: Chant funèbre
Boulanger: D'un matin de printemps
Ravel: La Valse
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on May 31, 2022, 11:03:44 AM
Quote from: absolutelybaching on May 31, 2022, 06:27:46 AM
Snape Maltings, August 21st, 5pm: Simon Rattle, Bruckner and Sibelius.
Down near the stage in the cheap seats... happy for a meet-up if anyone else is attending!
(Do we wear red roses or bowler hats or something, so we can recognise each other??!)

Won't be at the concert, but just thought I'd say I like your new avatar, which seems very apt. Not a photo I've seen before. Which is also true of the interesting Britten quote in your strapline.

Wearing one's avatar as a badge might be a quick way to identify fellow GMG-ers .. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on May 31, 2022, 01:35:40 PM
Quote from: André on May 31, 2022, 10:29:25 AM
Bought a ticket to the Orchestre Métropolitain's final concert this season on June 18, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting.

Brahms: concerto no 2, with Seong-Jin Cho
Stravinsky: Chant funèbre
Boulanger: D'un matin de printemps
Ravel: La Valse

Nice program! The Boulanger is especially gorgeous.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on June 02, 2022, 06:41:42 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on June 02, 2022, 03:31:16 AM
Another premium gig being sold off at half-price due to lack of demand:

Mahler Adagio from Symphony No 10
Berg Seven Early Songs
Sibelius Symphony No 5

Oslo Philharmonic
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
Lise Davidsen soprano

A nice program. Mäkelä or Davidsen haven't impressed me, but the Oslo Philharmonic is a fine orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 02, 2022, 06:49:12 AM
At half price, I'd definitely risk it!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 02, 2022, 12:06:28 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on June 02, 2022, 10:05:01 AM
Yeah that was kinda what I thought too. ;D

Originally I wasn't going to bother with this one as I have other stuff this weekend and didn't feel like racing around.  But orchestras of this calibre may choose not to tour here in future if it means playing to 3/4 empty halls. :-\

True. And the program looks great.

Tomorrow night, another livestream from the Minnesota Orchestra, the penultimate concert with conductor Osmo Vänskä, and Sphinx Virtuosi in the first two works. Xavier Foley is a renowned bass player, and wrote his piece for Sphinx based on the hymn, "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Soloist in the Mendelssohn is violinist Erin Keefe (also Vänskä's wife).

XAVIER FOLEY - Ev'ry Voice (2020)
GINASTERA - Finale furioso, from Concerto for Strings
MENDELSSOHN - Concerto for Violin, Piano and Orchestra
JAAKO KUUSISTO - Symphony [2022, world premiere]

https://mnorch.vhx.tv/videos/live-6-3-vanska-and-keefe

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 03, 2022, 05:45:58 AM
Nashville Symphony & Chorus | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Mary Wilson, soprano | Michaela Martens, mezzo-soprano | Nicholas Phan, tenor | Dashon Burton, baritone

Christopher Farrell – Continuum (75th Anniversary Commission | World Premiere)
Augusta Read Thomas – Brio
Beethoven – Symphony No. 9, "Choral"


Sunday June 5th - My first time seeing the 9th performed live since I played it back in 1995! Not familiar with the soloists besides Burton who is part of Roomful of Teeth. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on June 04, 2022, 06:01:48 AM
Tomorrow, not one, but two concerts with ensembles from the PYO Music Institute. (Writing an article on them for The Strad.) Very interested in the Guilmante, since I don't recall ever hearing the hall's magnificent pipe organ.

https://pyomusic.org/about/

--Bruce

* * * * *

Sunday, 5 June, 3:00pm
Perelman Theater
Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra
Rosalind Erwin, conductor
Kai Freeman, violin (winner, Eighth Annual Young Artists Solo Competition)
Brahms: Academic Festival Overture
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto (Movement 1)
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade

Sunday, 5 June, 7:00pm
Verizon Hall
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
Louis Scaglione, conductor
Peter Richard Conte, organ
David Kim, violin
Guilmante: Symphony No. 2 in A major
Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto (complete)
Holst: The Planets
Title: Mahler 8 in Minneapolis this weekend
Post by: bhodges on June 08, 2022, 03:00:48 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on June 07, 2022, 03:14:34 AM
Tomorrow:

Mahler Symphony No.2 (Resurrection)

Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus
Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor
Mari Eriksmoen soprano
Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano

Looks great! Not familiar with any of the personnel except the orchestra, which is wonderful. Do report back.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Friday night, more Mahler, the Eighth, for Osmo Vänskä's final concerts with the orchestra. They are recording the performances (audio and video), for their almost-complete Mahler cycle, which is excellent so far.

It will be a family affair, with my 92-year-old mother and one of my brothers also in the audience.

Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major, Symphony of a Thousand

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Sarah Wegener, soprano
Jacquelyn Wagner, soprano
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Sasha Cooke, mezzo
Jess Dandy, mezzo
Barry Banks, tenor
Julian Orlishausen, baritone
Christian Immler, bass-baritone
Minnesota Chorale, Kathy Saltzman Romey, artistic director
National Lutheran Choir, David Cherwien, artistic director
Minnesota Boychoir, Mark S. Johnson, artistic director
Angelica Cantanti Concert Choir, Elizabeth Egger, conductor

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on June 09, 2022, 09:32:40 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on June 09, 2022, 09:23:52 AM
Santtu-Matias Rouvali is the 37-year old Finn who this year replaced Esa-Pekka Salonen as the Philharmonia's Principal Conductor.  Salonen did some great things here – like the Bartok series in his first season: how many opportunities do you get to hear Cantata profana in concert?  I was sorry to see him go, and unsure what to make of Rouvali, whose appointment came out of leftfield.  But going by last night's performance, we may be in luck. :)

A good Resurrection is not something to be missed, so I will generally go to one unless there's a good reason not to.  It doesn't always work out - Harding with the LSO was pretty disappointing - Welser-Möst conducting the Clevelanders was really disappointing - but last night was a good one.  I wasn't sure to begin with, as he took the first movement unusually slowly, emphasising the drama - reminded me a bit of Bernstein in the way he pushed the envelope about as far as it would go without collapsing horribly (though his conducting style is very different: clear and expressive, not overtly emotional.)  But it did work, and from then on all fell into place quite naturally, leading to a Finale that raised the roof.

The concert was broadcast live and available to download on BBC Radio 3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0017tzr), though this cannot convey (especially with the BBC's rather brutal compression) just how LOUD this was. ;D  You didn't so much hear the percussion as feel it wallop you in the chest. :o

Also good to see the hall packed out - however there was no ignoring the age profile of the audience: I would estimate at least half were elderly – by which I mean: even older than me.  This used not to be the case: my first Resurrection was Tennstedt conducting the LPO some time in the 80s, and that audience was mostly young (or young-ish) and very enthusiastic.  It looked like last night might have been the very same audience, only a lot older now, with not much of a younger audience coming along behind.  The issue can't be cost: the cheapest regular tickets were only 13 pounds, students only 6.  What kind of a night out can you get for 6 quid anywhere else?  It looks like the younger audience just isn't there in any significant numbers.  Hence those events for which the older audience doesn't turn out are all only about 1/4 full.

Recently I was booking for next season at the Wigmore Hall (chamber music venue, mostly older audience), which has some exciting-looking programs: a Pavel Haas Quartet residency; Olli Mustonen playing all Prokofiev sonatas over two evenings; the Silesian Quartet playing Weinberg and Bacewicz; and more.  Not being a member, I had to wait until the public booking opened, hoping to pick up some decent tickets out of what was left - only to find on the day that I had pretty much a free choice of any seat I wanted, anywhere. Good for me ... but not so good for the future, I don't think. :-\

You have to keep in mind that the classical listening audience is a small one. I mean we're talking about a niche market here --- it's only a fraction of the audience for rock music for example. It's the way it has always been and will continue to be. I'm not certain what kind of future classical music has, but I'm glad that live concerts are still happening and broadcasts of so many of these concerts are widely available for everyone to hear online.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 09, 2022, 09:41:34 AM
Well, ultralinear can correct me if I'm wrong, but up until the pandemic Wigmore Hall used to sell out pretty frequently. And there was the post recently about the Oslo Philharmonic. The implication seems to be that the audience has gotten significantly smaller - or simply concerned about leaving the house - just in the last two years.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on June 09, 2022, 09:46:43 AM
At least I know that if I'm ever in London during a concert season, I won't have any difficulty buying tickets. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 09, 2022, 10:48:04 AM
I plan to visit London next summer. Looks like Wigmore Hall has published the list of which artists will be there in 2023, but not the actual concert programs, which seems to be done only through this calendar year.

Are the Proms also underattended now?
Title: Re: Mahler 8 in Minneapolis this weekend
Post by: VonStupp on June 09, 2022, 01:22:05 PM
Quote from: Brewski on June 08, 2022, 03:00:48 PM
Looks great! Not familiar with any of the personnel except the orchestra, which is wonderful. Do report back.

Meanwhile, in Minneapolis Friday night, more Mahler, the Eighth, for Osmo Vänskä's final concerts with the orchestra. They are recording the performances (audio and video), for their almost-complete Mahler cycle, which is excellent so far.

It will be a family affair, with my 92-year-old mother and one of my brothers also in the audience.

Mahler: Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major, Symphony of a Thousand

Minnesota Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Sarah Wegener, soprano
Jacquelyn Wagner, soprano
Carolyn Sampson, soprano
Sasha Cooke, mezzo
Jess Dandy, mezzo
Barry Banks, tenor
Julian Orlishausen, baritone
Christian Immler, bass-baritone
Minnesota Chorale, Kathy Saltzman Romey, artistic director
National Lutheran Choir, David Cherwien, artistic director
Minnesota Boychoir, Mark S. Johnson, artistic director
Angelica Cantanti Concert Choir, Elizabeth Egger, conductor

--Bruce

I will also be attending, but on Sunday. My day is sold out, as I assume the whole weekend is in Minnesota.

Regardless of ones views on Vänskä's Mahler, the 8th is always an event to behold. Have fun tonight!

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on June 09, 2022, 05:52:49 PM
Oh, to be in Berlin!

https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/saison-2021-22/lost-generation/ (https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/saison-2021-22/lost-generation/)
Title: Re: Mahler 8 in Minneapolis this weekend
Post by: bhodges on June 11, 2022, 03:41:11 AM
Quote from: VonStupp on June 09, 2022, 01:22:05 PM
I will also be attending, but on Sunday. My day is sold out, as I assume the whole weekend is in Minnesota.

Regardless of ones views on Vänskä's Mahler, the 8th is always an event to behold. Have fun tonight!

VS

I don't think you will be disappointed.  8)

My sole, minor quibble: my seat turned out to be right next to a squad of 10 extra brass players in the balcony. They were great, but sort of drowned out the other instruments in the final minutes of each movement.

Also, video will be available in July, on the orchestra's website.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 11, 2022, 10:22:43 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 14, 2022, 02:21:40 AM

l'll attend this, as well, on 8 June. I'm not very fond of Marion Cotillard's portrayal of the role in the Soustrot recording, however this is a favourite work that one doesn't get the chance to hear live every day. And I am really looking forward to the ondes Martenot contributions. 😎

Equipo artístico
Director musical | Juanjo Mena
Director de escena | Àlex Ollé (La Fura dels Baus)
Escenógrafo | Alfons Flores
Figurinista | Lluc Castells
Videocreador | Franc Aleu
Iluminador | Joachim Klein
Director del coro | Andrés Máspero

Reparto
Jeanne d' Arc | Marion Cotillard
Padre Dominique | Sébastien Dutrieux
La Virgen | Sylvia Schwartz
Marguerite | Elena Copons
Catherine | Enkelejda Shkoza
Porcus | Charles Workman
Heraldo | Torben Jügens

PRÓLOGO

LA DAMOISELLE ÉLUE
La doncella bienaventurada
Claude Debussy
Cantata sobre el poema La doncella bienaventurada (1847) de Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Música de Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Estrenada en la Salle Érand de París el 8 de abril de 1893

Estreno en el Teatro Real

Nueva producción del Teatro Real, en coproducción con la Ópera de Frankfurt

Reparto
Soprano | Camilla Tilling
Mezzosoprano | Enkelejda Shkosa
Coro y Orquesta Titulares del Teatro Real
Pequeños Cantores de la Comunidad de Madrid

I did not know what to expect regarding the staging of these two seemingly disparate works, however it proved to be a very memorable evening. The Debussy cantata was performed as ethereally as it should (great playing from the orchestra), the action on stage being appropriately static, divided on two levels like in so many El Greco paintings. This two-plane division of the stage was carried out to Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher, which followed immediately without a break (a great transitorial coup de théâtre). Cotillard was excellent in the role, as was, more or less, everyone else. The staging emphasized the bizarre aspect of the visions. Costumes weren't as uniformly successful, however I was not too close to the stage to be bothered by incongruous details. Musically, both vocally and orchestrally, the score was allowed to unfold organically and was performed with panache, great conviction, enthusiasm and beauty of tone; beauty where required, force where it mattered. In the final cathartic climax, some of Cotillard's lines ("J'ai cassé! J'ai rompu!") were rather inaudible. It did not matter. The burning itself was handled convincingly and the effects used were not distracting. And after several warm rounds of applause, we were let out of the theatre just as the setting sun had set the sky and the clouds on fire.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on June 12, 2022, 10:13:00 AM
Been to a wonderful concert today performed by local orchestra

Leeds Haydn Players

Mendelssohn. Hebrides Overture
Haydn Symphony no 102
Mendelssohn Psalm 42

Conductor Melvyn Tay
Soprano Elizabeth Hardman
Choir Clothworkers Consort of Leeds
Choirmaster Bryan White

It was held in the beautiful Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall at the School of Music Leeds University.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 12, 2022, 10:44:51 AM
I love the idea of a "clothworkers consort"!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 12, 2022, 01:05:38 PM
Will be in Chicago next week and will catch a few Grant Park Symphony concerts...

Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
ZOFO, piano duo

Anna Clyne: This Midnight Hour
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 8, Unfinished
Carl Vine: Zofomorphosis (World Premiere)


Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Simone Lamsma, violin​​​​​​

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Violin Concerto
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 12, 2022, 01:11:52 PM
Wow, those look super cool! The idea of a Carl Vine double piano concerto is really really enticing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 12, 2022, 05:37:21 PM
Quote from: Brian on June 12, 2022, 01:11:52 PM
Wow, those look super cool! The idea of a Carl Vine double piano concerto is really really enticing.

It does! I found this from Vine's website...

"The ZOFO piano duet asked me to compose this work after I had the good fortune to be involved with several of their performance projects. The duet's name is a blended acronym standing for 20 ("ZO") Finger Orchestra ("FO"), as they envisage creating a shifting world of symphonic colour by repeatedly prodding a large wooden box.

Zofomorphosis tests this thesis by planting them in the middle of a real orchestra and seeing how many original sonorities emerge. The music employs related cells of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic motifs that undergo continual metamorphosis through the work.

It comprises three contrasting movements, played without a break. The first is resiliently buoyant, with a dreamy central episode heralding a couplet of short cadenzas. It falls away suddenly to a pensive slow movement enveloping a short interruption of surprising energy. The last movement is an increasingly persistent tarantella, the finale of which is preceded by a substantial unaccompanied cadenza for the soloists.

The music, of course, is dedicated to ZOFO."

Carl Vine, April 2020
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on June 12, 2022, 08:15:05 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 12, 2022, 01:05:38 PMGrant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Simone Lamsma, violin​​​​​​

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Violin Concerto
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905

Oh, this should be good. 8)
Title: Re: Mahler 8 in Minneapolis this weekend
Post by: VonStupp on June 13, 2022, 05:15:26 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 11, 2022, 03:41:11 AM
I don't think you will be disappointed.  8)

My sole, minor quibble: my seat turned out to be right next to a squad of 10 extra brass players in the balcony. They were great, but sort of drowned out the other instruments in the final minutes of each movement.

Also, video will be available in July, on the orchestra's website.

--Bruce

One of the sopranos had to drop out on Sunday, so Carolyn Sampson covered both Soprano 1 & 3; not a shred of complaint from me at all.

On a side note, taking a different route to the Twin Cities, I did get to eye the Sinkhole Capital of the USA!  :laugh:

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on June 15, 2022, 06:19:05 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on June 11, 2022, 10:22:43 PM
I did not know what to expect regarding the staging of these two seemingly disparate works, however it proved to be a very memorable evening. The Debussy cantata was performed as ethereally as it should (great playing from the orchestra), the action on stage being appropriately static, divided on two levels like in so many El Greco paintings. This two-plane division of the stage was carried out to Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher, which followed immediately without a break (a great transitorial coup de théâtre). Cotillard was excellent in the role, as was, more or less, everyone else. The staging emphasized the bizarre aspect of the visions. Costumes weren't as uniformly successful, however I was not too close to the stage to be bothered by incongruous details. Musically, both vocally and orchestrally, the score was allowed to unfold organically and was performed with panache, great conviction, enthusiasm and beauty of tone; beauty where required, force where it mattered. In the final cathartic climax, some of Cotillard's lines ("J'ai cassé! J'ai rompu!") were rather inaudible. It did not matter. The burning itself was handled convincingly and the effects used were not distracting. And after several warm rounds of applause, we were let out of the theatre just as the setting sun had set the sky and the clouds on fire.
I attended the performance of the La Damoislle élue / Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher double bill last Sunday, and it was great to see two works that are perennial favourites of mine fully staged (even if Debussy's cantata is clearly a concert work). Strangely (perhaps to provide some congruity between both works), the subtitles during the soprano's long monologue --the highlight of the piece-- in La Damoiselle referred to the singer's lover as "she" or "her", when in the original Dante Gabriel Rossetti poem (which, truth be said, I find revolting) and the French translation set by Debussy,  the lover's gender is male. Musically things were very good under Juanjo Mena --even if the much-lauded chorus desperately needs a competent French language coach!--, Camilla Tilling was perfectly adequate (but not really memorable) in the Debussy,  and Marion Cotillard was most convincing in the title rôle of Honegger's dramatic oratorio.

I was less taken by the staging, I must confess. Technically very well done (as Tassos says, the burning at the end was convincing, and Alex Ollé managed to give a coherence to both works form a theatrical point of view). What bothers me, though, is Ollé's (and his troupe La Fura dels Baus') aesthetic approach. I'm all for innovative stagings of great works, and this "Mad Max / dystopian" style may have been ground-breaking when it first appeared in the late 70s, but is now worn-out, cliché ridden, and frankly repetitive. I've seen three productions by these people here in Madrid over past decade: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (the stage was covered with rubbish), The Flying Dutchman (set in Chittagong in Bangladesh --apparently the ship scrapping capital of the world, with all the waste that implies), and now this Jeanne d'Arc. The feísmo (an untranslatable Spanish term, which roighly means "exaltation of ugliness") the Fura group applies to almost everything really doesn't shed any interesting light on Claudel's text; for example, one of the few cheerful sections in the piece, the beginning of the eighth scene ("Le roi qui va-t-à Rheims") in which the North of France meets the South in a celebratory mood, is presented to us with two women being flagellated, and then with the children's' chorus being led onstage in a cage from which they emerge dressed as little soldiers to sing the lovely popular song "Voulez-vous manger des cesses". I'm afraid that if they were performing, I don't know, Gianni Schicchi or L'Heure espagnole, the images onstage would have been quite similar.

But well, I knew what to expect, and despite that am very happy to have seen this marvellous work in the theatre. And it was a pleasure to meet Tassos and have some glasses of sherry wine with him!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on June 17, 2022, 11:01:16 PM
Quote from: ritter on June 15, 2022, 06:19:05 AM
Strangely (perhaps to provide some congruity between both works), the subtitles during the soprano's long monologue --the highlight of the piece-- in La Damoiselle referred to the singer's lover as "she" or "her", when in the original Dante Gabriel Rossetti poem (which, truth be said, I find revolting) and the French translation set by Debussy,  the lover's gender is male.

I noticed that, too. My impression was that it was changed, as you said, to give further parallels and connection between the works (which scenically and musically flowed into each other), signifying perhaps that in this iteration La Damoiselle élue is France and son amante is Jeanne D'Arc's soul, about to be assumed to the heavens in the ensuing Honegger's work. Furthermore, under this pretension, the staging's feísmo, otherwise not very audacious or groundbreaking, as you noted, bordering on tired cliché (frankly, I was expecting much worse and did not find it too incongruous, sensing it worked inasmuch it highlighted the bizarreness of the visions), I felt it worked on a second level in the trial scene as a characterization against the English and the court that condemned her. It helped a lot that Marion Cotillard was very persuasive in the role, her stage presence bordering on the magnetic. All in all, I thought it was a successful effort by all involved, the most important thing being that the music was excellently, lovingly and excitingly, performed. I'm glad you also enjoyed it!

Quote from: ritter on June 15, 2022, 06:19:05 AM
And it was a pleasure to meet Tassos and have some glasses of sherry wine with him!

It was a pleasure meeting you, Rafael, and I'm glad we were able to make it happen.
À la prochaine! 🍷🍷
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on June 18, 2022, 04:29:30 AM
Great write-ups Wanderer and ritter, very interesting to read! You've quite whetted my appetite to revisit the marvellous Cotillard performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on June 19, 2022, 05:27:48 AM
Quote from: André on May 31, 2022, 10:29:25 AM
Bought a ticket to the Orchestre Métropolitain's final concert this season on June 18, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting.

Brahms: concerto no 2, with Seong-Jin Cho
Stravinsky: Chant funèbre
Boulanger: D'un matin de printemps
Ravel: La Valse

The concert was quite good. Works were played in the order above. The concerto was Nicholas Angelich's choice, but he died a few months ago and young Corean Seong-Jin Cho replaced him. He has the chops (excellent left-hand line delineation and tone) but I'm not sure he's in total sympathy with Brahms. NS and the orchestra were the clear leaders in this partnership. Big, prolonged ovation which led him to give an encore, Ravel's Pavane pour une infante défunte. Far from being anticlimactic, it's in this piece that Cho immediately established an almost surreal connection with this very elusive sound world. He records exclusively for DGG and I see that he made a Debussy disc on that label. I might buy it. Hope he records some Ravel, too.

The 3 remaining works on the program run under 30 minutes, but they made for a satisfying repast. Stravinsky's Chant funèbre is an early, pre-Firebird work but its sound world is instantly recognizable. The Boulanger is a fine miniatur. La Valse was given a rather noisy treatment. I prefer Dutoit (with the Montreal Symphony, a different orchestra) who used to play the work with classy decadence. Still, as the closing item for the orchestra's season, I think NS's sultry take on the work was a good choice. It's an endlessly fascinating, multi-faceted work and it responds to many approaches.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Klaze on June 26, 2022, 06:34:09 AM
Looking forward to the world premiere of Sorabji's Toccata Terza, somehow in my hometown, this sunday!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on July 03, 2022, 06:45:49 AM
Yesterday evening went to a wonderful concert performed by local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds

performing

Bernstein Overture 'Candide'
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Sibelius Symphony no 2

Soloist Lana Trotovsek
Conductors David Greed/Anthony Kraus

This last season we have focused on supporting local orchestras and they have all been wonderful performances.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 03, 2022, 06:53:56 AM
Quote from: Judith on July 03, 2022, 06:45:49 AM
Yesterday evening went to a wonderful concert performed by local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds

performing

Bernstein Overture 'Candide'
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Sibelius Symphony no 2

Soloist Lana Trotovsek
Conductors David Greed/Anthony Kraus

This last season we have focused on supporting local orchestras and they have all been wonderful performances.

That's a nice program. (I just heard the Mendelssohn a few weeks ago in Philadelphia, with a crew of young student players.) And good for you for supporting local orchestras. In the U.S., some haven't been able to survive the pandemic.

--Bruce
Good for you for focu
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 11, 2022, 06:12:04 PM
Quote from: ritter on June 15, 2022, 06:19:05 AM
I attended the performance of the La Damoislle élue / Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher double bill last Sunday, and it was great to see two works that are perennial favourites of mine fully staged (even if Debussy's cantata is clearly a concert work). Strangely (perhaps to provide some congruity between both works), the subtitles during the soprano's long monologue --the highlight of the piece-- in La Damoiselle referred to the singer's lover as "she" or "her", when in the original Dante Gabriel Rossetti poem (which, truth be said, I find revolting) and the French translation set by Debussy,  the lover's gender is male. Musically things were very good under Juanjo Mena --even if the much-lauded chorus desperately needs a competent French language coach!--, Camilla Tilling was perfectly adequate (but not really memorable) in the Debussy,  and Marion Cotillard was most convincing in the title rôle of Honegger's dramatic oratorio.

I was less taken by the staging, I must confess. Technically very well done (as Tassos says, the burning at the end was convincing, and Alex Ollé managed to give a coherence to both works form a theatrical point of view). What bothers me, though, is Ollé's (and his troupe La Fura dels Baus') aesthetic approach. I'm all for innovative stagings of great works, and this "Mad Max / dystopian" style may have been ground-breaking when it first appeared in the late 70s, but is now worn-out, cliché ridden, and frankly repetitive. I've seen three productions by these people here in Madrid over past decade: Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (the stage was covered with rubbish), The Flying Dutchman (set in Chittagong in Bangladesh --apparently the ship scrapping capital of the world, with all the waste that implies), and now this Jeanne d'Arc. The feísmo (an untranslatable Spanish term, which roighly means "exaltation of ugliness") the Fura group applies to almost everything really doesn't shed any interesting light on Claudel's text; for example, one of the few cheerful sections in the piece, the beginning of the eighth scene ("Le roi qui va-t-à Rheims") in which the North of France meets the South in a celebratory mood, is presented to us with two women being flagellated, and then with the children's' chorus being led onstage in a cage from which they emerge dressed as little soldiers to sing the lovely popular song "Voulez-vous manger des cesses". I'm afraid that if they were performing, I don't know, Gianni Schicchi or L'Heure espagnole, the images onstage would have been quite similar.

But well, I knew what to expect, and despite that am very happy to have seen this marvellous work in the theatre. And it was a pleasure to meet Tassos and have some glasses of sherry wine with him!

The Debussy and Honegger are favorites of mine as well. It's too bad the performance wasn't quite up to snuff. Oh well, where else will you get this kind of double-bill of works? Nowhere near where I live that's for sure! :) And yes, Marion Cotillard is excellent in Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher as evidenced by this recording:

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61B4Wut3iVL._SL1000_.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on July 13, 2022, 11:11:45 AM
Next week, Saturday, Amsterdam Concertgebouw:

Liszt, Second Piano Concerto
Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 'Italian' (an old favourite)
Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliette

Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Belgian National Orchestra under Hugh Wolff
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 13, 2022, 11:20:12 AM
Quote from: Christo on July 13, 2022, 11:11:45 AM
Next week, Saturday, Amsterdam Concertgebouw:

Liszt, Second Piano Concerto
Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 'Italian' (an old favourite)
Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliette

Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Belgian National Orchestra under Hugh Wolff

Wonderful. (But then, hearing anyone play anything in that hall is a treat.)

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on July 13, 2022, 12:36:06 PM
Quote from: Brewski on July 13, 2022, 11:20:12 AM
Wonderful. (But then, hearing anyone play anything in that hall is a treat.)

--Bruce
:)
   When was your last time?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 13, 2022, 01:00:37 PM
Quote from: Christo on July 13, 2022, 12:36:06 PM
  :)
   When was your last time?

Last time I was there was maybe 2005? After an initial visit I fell in love with the hall, and made maybe a dozen trips there over 7-8 years -- just to hear the orchestra. This was mostly during the Chailly years, so there were many fine concerts afoot. Also other groups, like the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, and some chamber music in the smaller recital hall. But in the main hall, pretty much everyone sounds splendid.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on July 13, 2022, 04:01:57 PM
Next March, the VPO with Thielmann are due in Berkeley. Two fairly standard programs, but the third is Bruckner's Eighth, and l intend to be there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 14, 2022, 08:01:50 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 12, 2022, 01:05:38 PM
Will be in Chicago next week and will catch a few Grant Park Symphony concerts...

Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
ZOFO, piano duo

Anna Clyne: This Midnight Hour
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 8, Unfinished
Carl Vine: Zofomorphosis (World Premiere)


Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Simone Lamsma, violin​​​​​​

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Violin Concerto
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905

Sorry, meant to express "yay" for these concerts, especially the Shostakovich, which isn't performed that often. It is really powerful live. But that Vine looks interesting, too. Please report if you like.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 14, 2022, 08:09:16 AM
Looking forward to hearing this interesting program later on BBC Radio 3:

Xiayin Wang (piano)
BBC Philharmonic
Kerem Hasan (conductor)

Price: The Oak (first UK broadcast)
Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F
Kapustin: Divertissement Op.91
Immanuel Davis (flute), Adam Kuenzel (flute), Pitnarry Shin (cello), Timothy Lovelace (piano)
Shostakovich: Symphony No.10

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0018yph

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on July 14, 2022, 02:16:56 PM
Hopefully, if I can spare enough money, the tickets haven't been all sold out yet and if covid doesn't prevent it for the millionth time, Die Walküre in next month, of the first completely Finnish production of Ring. Saw Rheingold in 2019 autumn just before the outbreak of covid and it was awesome.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on July 15, 2022, 04:37:55 AM
The Ravinia Festival is kicking off tonight (program below). I don't know how often I will take the train in, but I hope to at least see Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony on July 30.

VS

Julia Perry: Study for Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade
PI Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto 1

Stewart Goodyear, piano
Chicago SO - Marin Alsop
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 16, 2022, 07:50:16 AM
Quote from: VonStupp on July 15, 2022, 04:37:55 AM
The Ravinia Festival is kicking off tonight (program below). I don't know how often I will take the train in, but I hope to at least see Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony on July 30.

VS

Julia Perry: Study for Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade
PI Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto 1

Stewart Goodyear, piano
Chicago SO - Marin Alsop

That looks like a lot of fun. The Minnesota Orchestra did that Perry piece recently and it's worth hearing. And the Rimsky-Korsakov is always worth hearing, if only for a reminder of its magical orchestration. And then you have Goodyear, who is quite excellent.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on July 16, 2022, 02:46:34 PM
Quote from: Brewski on July 16, 2022, 07:50:16 AM
That looks like a lot of fun. The Minnesota Orchestra did that Perry piece recently and it's worth hearing. And the Rimsky-Korsakov is always worth hearing, if only for a reminder of its magical orchestration. And then you have Goodyear, who is quite excellent.

--Bruce

A review from the evening. Since Ravinia is an outdoor affair, perfect acoustics are rarely in play.

https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2022/07/alsop-cso-open-ravinia-with-late-romantic-favorites-after-a-poignant-tribute/ (https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2022/07/alsop-cso-open-ravinia-with-late-romantic-favorites-after-a-poignant-tribute/)

VS

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on July 17, 2022, 07:16:09 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 12, 2022, 01:05:38 PM
Will be in Chicago next week and will catch a few Grant Park Symphony concerts...

Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
ZOFO, piano duo

Anna Clyne: This Midnight Hour
Franz Schubert: Symphony No. 8, Unfinished
Carl Vine: Zofomorphosis (World Premiere)


Grant Park Orchestra
Carlos Kalmar, conductor
Simone Lamsma, violin​​​​​​

Erich Wolfgang Korngold: Violin Concerto
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905

Quote from: Brewski on July 14, 2022, 08:01:50 AM
Sorry, meant to express "yay" for these concerts, especially the Shostakovich, which isn't performed that often. It is really powerful live. But that Vine looks interesting, too. Please report if you like.

--Bruce

Interesting turn of events occurred with these concerts. Their principal conductor, Carlos Kalmer, tested positive for covid 4 hours before the first program. They called in a local Chicago based organist/conductor, can't recall his name, but since the Carl Vine was a world premiere and the Anna Clyne piece is new-ish they had to scrap them and replace it with Beethoven's Egmont Ovt, and Tchaikovsky's Romeo & Juliet Ovt. The ZOFO duo did perform the Vine Piano Sonata for two pianos in between the orchestral works, which was really cool. The orchestra/conductor also had no rehearsals with the Egmont and R&J so the performance was sort of a blind run-through but Grant Park is compiled of professionals so you would've never known, they sounded great. 

And unfortunately they had to scrap the DSCH, they called in the music director, either current or incoming, of the Oregon Symphony but he was not comfortable with the DSCH 11th so they changed to Brahms 1st Symphony. Which again sounded great but already seeing the Brahms several times live I would've preferred the DSCH, which is one of the few of his symphonies I'm dying to see live.

So not the ideal programming I wanted to see, but shit happens and the orchestra reacted wonderfully and provided two great evenings at Millennium Park. And Chicago might be my favorite city so I always enjoy visiting.

On an even sadder note the following concert was to be N-RK's Russian Easter Overture, which was also scrapped, and it features one of the few solos for a 2nd-trombone, and my brother is the 2nd-trombonist of Grant Park so I felt his disappointment  :D
The orchestra's President even apologized to my brother when they announced the program change.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on July 17, 2022, 07:42:22 AM
Wow, sorry that the virus zapped everything, especially with such interesting programming. Things are being cancelled left and right this summer.

Glad you enjoyed anyway! And hope Kalmar is OK.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 17, 2022, 10:18:00 AM
Tonight at Ravinia:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)
Strauss: An Alpine Symphony

Hm, I detect a nature theme here. We've got some friends visiting from Europe and are planning to picnic on the lawn. Hope it doesn't rain!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 17, 2022, 10:33:43 AM
Man, I am super bummed on behalf of Greg :( (and his trombone playing friend).

Alpine Symphony is a ton of fun to see live. I had the pleasure of introducing my parents to it live - they hadn't heard it before - with Dallas/Luisi right before the pandemic, and they really enjoyed it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on July 18, 2022, 04:54:23 AM
Quote from: Christo on July 13, 2022, 11:11:45 AM
Next week, Saturday, Amsterdam Concertgebouw:

Liszt, Second Piano Concerto
Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 4 'Italian' (an old favourite)
Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliette

Alexandre Kantorow, piano
Belgian National Orchestra under Hugh Wolff
Hugh Wolff is now replaced by Antony Hermus, the new chef of the orchestra; the repertoire remains the same. Am preparing myself by playing Alexandre Kantorow's version of the same concerto on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-9GpHjPCnc

Quote from: Brewski on July 13, 2022, 01:00:37 PM
Last time I was there was maybe 2005? After an initial visit I fell in love with the hall, and made maybe a dozen trips there over 7-8 years -- just to hear the orchestra. This was mostly during the Chailly years, so there were many fine concerts afoot. Also other groups, like the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, and some chamber music in the smaller recital hall. But in the main hall, pretty much everyone sounds splendid.

--Bruce
Great to learn! Many thanks, hope to enjoy it as much as you did.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 18, 2022, 08:18:32 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 17, 2022, 10:33:43 AM

Alpine Symphony is a ton of fun to see live.

And so it was. I was sitting in the pavilion, so I had a good view of the CSO and better sound than the picnickers on the lawn got. Possibly the biggest orchestra I've ever seen on a stage, and of course loud as hell.

I also like the fun, aspirational vibe of the piece ("Yay, let's all go up the mountain!").
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 19, 2022, 02:16:48 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 18, 2022, 08:18:32 AM
And so it was. I was sitting in the pavilion, so I had a good view of the CSO and better sound than the picnickers on the lawn got. Possibly the biggest orchestra I've ever seen on a stage, and of course loud as hell.

I also like the fun, aspirational vibe of the piece ("Yay, let's all go up the mountain!").

Very nice! This is one piece I'd love to see live, especially with an orchestra of the CSO's caliber. I bet that horn section was off-the-charts!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 19, 2022, 07:40:47 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 19, 2022, 02:16:48 PM
Very nice! This is one piece I'd love to see live, especially with an orchestra of the CSO's caliber. I bet that horn section was off-the-charts!

The whole brass section was predictably awesome, really tremendous! Also the enhanced percussion with wind machine and thunder sheet. Everyone got their deserved bows at the end and the audience was appropriately enthusiastic! Great outdoor music, and we lingered on the lawn for about an hour afterwards, drinking wine and snacking. A great experience  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 19, 2022, 08:21:23 PM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 19, 2022, 07:40:47 PM
The whole brass section was predictably awesome, really tremendous! Also the enhanced percussion with wind machine and thunder sheet. Everyone got their deserved bows at the end and the audience was appropriately enthusiastic! Great outdoor music, and we lingered on the lawn for about an hour afterwards, drinking wine and snacking. A great experience  :)

Sounds like a great way to spend a day. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on July 21, 2022, 03:17:09 AM
Proms Concert London (18th August)

Sibelius: Symphony No.7

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4

Nielsen: Symphony No.4 'The Inextinguishable'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on July 30, 2022, 06:47:01 AM
Osvaldo Golijov: Rose of the Winds
Leonard Bernstein: Symphony No. 3 'Kaddish'


Janai Brugger, soprano
Jaye Ladymore, narrator

Kayhan Kalhor, kamancheh
David Krakauer, klezmer clarinet
Cristina Pato, gaita (Galician bagpipes)
Michael Ward-Bergeman, hyper-accordion

Chicago Children's Choir
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor


Tonight - I have been looking forward to Ravinia's Kaddish performance for some time, a work I never really expected to hear live.

VS
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on July 30, 2022, 12:32:15 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on July 21, 2022, 03:17:09 AM
Proms Concert London (18th August)

Sibelius: Symphony No.7

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4

Nielsen: Symphony No.4 'The Inextinguishable'

Jeffrey, you're going ?  Let us know how it was !
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mirror Image on July 30, 2022, 07:07:58 PM
Quote from: André on July 30, 2022, 12:32:15 PM
Jeffrey, you're going ?  Let us know how it was !

You'll have to wait until August 18th for the answer to the second question. ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: André on August 01, 2022, 05:06:12 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on July 30, 2022, 07:07:58 PM
You'll have to wait until August 18th for the answer to the second question. ;)

Isn't that obvious ? ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 01, 2022, 11:00:30 AM
At Ravinia this Friday, a nicely balanced Latin-themed program:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor
Conrad Tao, piano

Claude Debussy:   Ibéria from Images pour orchestre
Maurice Ravel:      Piano Concerto
Gabriela Ortiz:      Téenek (Invenciones de territorio)
Aaron Copland:      El Salón México
José Pablo Moncayo:   Huapango

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 01, 2022, 11:03:42 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 01, 2022, 11:00:30 AM
At Ravinia this Friday, a nicely balanced Latin-themed program:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor
Conrad Tao, piano

Claude Debussy:   Ibéria from Images pour orchestre
Maurice Ravel:      Piano Concerto
Gabriela Ortiz:      Téenek (Invenciones de territorio)
Aaron Copland:      El Salón México
José Pablo Moncayo:   Huapango

What a great program! I'm a big fan of Conrad Tao (who performs a lot of new music), and would love to hear what he does with the Ravel.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 01, 2022, 11:15:10 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 01, 2022, 11:00:30 AM
At Ravinia this Friday, a nicely balanced Latin-themed program:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor
Conrad Tao, piano

Claude Debussy:   Ibéria from Images pour orchestre
Maurice Ravel:      Piano Concerto
Gabriela Ortiz:      Téenek (Invenciones de territorio)
Aaron Copland:      El Salón México
José Pablo Moncayo:   Huapango
Will be curious about the Gabriela Ortiz, as the Dallas Symphony is getting one of her works (maybe a premiere) next year, coupled to Gabriela Montero performing her own piano concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 06, 2022, 09:47:58 AM
Quote from: Brewski on August 01, 2022, 11:03:42 AM
What a great program! I'm a big fan of Conrad Tao (who performs a lot of new music), and would love to hear what he does with the Ravel.

Quote from: Brian on August 01, 2022, 11:15:10 AM
Will be curious about the Gabriela Ortiz, as the Dallas Symphony is getting one of her works (maybe a premiere) next year, coupled to Gabriela Montero performing her own piano concerto.

Yeah, this was a good one. Conrad Tao was a new name to me, but he nailed the Ravel and gave us an encore (some Art Tatum). The conductor (Prieto) talked to the audience about the music, and he was mercifully brief and on point.

The Ortiz piece, which kicked off the Mexican-flavored second half, was very heavy on complex rhythms and percussive atmosphere; there was a sense of Latin American folk rhythms subjected to some kind of psychotropic process; the result was quite lurid. Prieto told us to watch out for a mambo at the end, but that was hard to discern. On first listen an interesting experience, but I admit that the more established follow-ups, by Copland and Moncayo, made a bigger impression.

I liked the second half more than the first, but I've never been a big fan of those French Impressionists anyway. Still, the whole concert was fun, and was a great example of the sort of colorful, extroverted program that works best at these summer, outdoor festivals.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 10, 2022, 02:39:12 PM
What concerts are you tragically going to miss?

This fall, I fly out of a city 6 hours before Fazil Say plays a recital in it.  :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on August 10, 2022, 08:56:13 PM
Well, in February I'll either miss Tristan und Isolde at Opéra Bastille or Peter Grimes at Palais Garnier. 🤷‍♂️
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on August 16, 2022, 10:38:34 PM
October in Vienna: Schmidt's Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln, a Haydn 2032 concert (Symphonies Nos. 36, 16 & 13) by Antonini and Kammerorchester Basel and Rigoletto and Jenůfa at the Staatsoper. Looking forward to them all, especially Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln (a great favourite!) and Asmik Grigorian's Jenůfa.


Franz Schmidt
Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln
(Aus der Offenbarung des Johannes - Oratorium für Solisten, Chor, Orchester und Orgel)

Grosser Saal, Musikverein

Wiener Symphoniker

Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien

Ingo Metzmacher, Dirigent

Christian Elsner, Tenor

Stephen Milling, Bass

Siobhan Stagg, Sopran

Dorottya Láng, Mezzosopran

Maximilian Schmitt, Tenor

Jan Martiník, Bass

Robert Kovács, Orgel



Joseph Haydn
Symphonie Es-Dur, Hob. I:36
Symphonie B-Dur, Hob. I:16
Symphonie D-Dur, Hob. I:13


Brahms-Saal, Musikverein

Kammerorchester Basel
Giovanni Antonini, Dirigent




Giuseppe Verdi
RIGOLETTO

*       Musical Direction Pier Giorgio Morandi
*       Production Pierre Audi
*       With Benjamin Bernheim, Simon Keenlyside, Erin Morley, Evgeny Solodovnikov, Monika Bohinec

Leos Janáček
JENUFA
*       Musical Direction Tomáš Hanus
*       Production David Pountney
*       With David Butt Philip, Michael Laurenz, Violeta Urmana, Asmik Grigorian
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on August 16, 2022, 11:07:21 PM
September 17 - Arnhem - the Netherlands - I hope to be there...

Ed Spanjaard - dirigent
Nikkie Treurniet - sopraan
Drew Santini - bariton
Brabant Koor
Peter Blok - declamator

Herman Strategier: Requiem in memoriam matris et fratris
Herman Strategier: Arnhemsche Psalm (1955)

Herman Strategier's oratorio "Arnhemsche Psalm" will be performed in Musis Sacrum in Arnhem. Due to the corona vicissitudes, the performance originally planned for 2020 had to be postponed. The board of the foundation is very pleased that the performance can now continue.
Phion Orchestra (the merged Orchestra of the East and the Gelders Orkest ), Ed Spanjaard conductor.
https://www.phion.nl/?gclid=CjwKCAjwo_KXBhAaEiwA2RZ8hPxRAnKy_t6uMzNZdpV9_4LFPVEjF0gBk2IWbq4ylRyO071T1e6X6BoCMlsQAvD_BwE
In addition to the Arnhem Psalm, Herman Strategier's "Requiem" will also be performed. He wrote this work in memory of, among others, his only brother who died in the Neuengamme concentration camp in the light of the liberation in 1945. Both works fit very well in the commemoration of the Battle of Arnhem, which is commemorated annually in September.
https://www.hermanstrategier.nl/agenda/index.html
https://donemus.nl/composer/herman-strategier/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on August 18, 2022, 04:15:08 AM
Tonight at 7pm (EDT), the Curtis Symphony Orchestra in works by students at the Curtis Institute:

ALISTAIR COLEMAN - Atria
ELISE ARANCIO   - Casimir
ADRIAN WONG - Skyglow
MAYA MIRO JOHNSON - Cover Song
LEIGHA AMICK - Cascade
NATHAN SEAN BALES - To Love

Free livestream here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5SZkTtx8UgwU_0Ot6qRTTA

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on September 01, 2022, 12:35:21 AM
Tomorrow, in Rotterdam:
Ligeti
Atmosphères
Pijper
Tweede symfonie
https://webshop.donemus.nl/action/front/sheetmusic/4199/Symphonie+no.+2
Mahler
Eerste symfonie

After reading an article in the newspaper, I found out that Rotterdam is remembering Willem Pijper, who died 75 years ago.
https://www.willempijper.nl/jubileumjaar
Moreover, the second symphony will be performed ! great, I will report later.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on September 01, 2022, 09:06:12 PM
I'm still planning on communing with the VPO for Bruckner's Eighth in March under Thielemann. I may attend the night before for Brahms as well, if my friends want me there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on September 03, 2022, 06:35:57 AM
Yesterday I traveled to Rotterdam / De Doelen concert hall for a quite unique concert of the Rotterdam Philharmonic.
For me the highlight and reason to go was the performance of Pijpers second symphony (1921), in its original scoring. The orchestra is huge in a mega-Mahlerian/Straussian way and adds to a large body of strings and wood winds, 8 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones and a tenor horn, 4 harps an organ, three pianos, 6 mandolins and 4 percussionists.
The Doelen stage was so crammed that "only" two pianos were installed and "only" 3 mandolins were used (played by violinists).
(Fellow composer Otto Ketting made a version of the symphony for a normal orchestra).
It is a short work (ca. 22-25 minutes) in two movements : Allegro maestoso / Lento, molto rubato-Più leggiero-Più mosso, maestoso
Pijper has listened (& witnessed) eagerly to his avant-garde: Stravinski and Le sacre (fysical exitement) , Debussy's Iberia (swooning habanera, castanets, tambourine, the langurous and intoxicating charms of Les parfums de la nuit ), Milhaud (biting bi-tonality, more exotic rythms and snappy percussion) and makes a bold and often loud statement: I'm 27 years old and I will "unleash sound avalanches on you" (as he wrote in a letter).!
'Everything worked,' Pijper wrote after a performance of his Second Symphony. 'The music had the audience in a vice-like grip throughout.' His magnum opus was soon consigned to oblivion....no orchestra was able (willing) to raise the 112 musicians required!
Pijper is also a meticulous craftsman and the entire composition is based on the continual variation of a tiny melodic idea ("germ cell technique).

Lahav Shani led  these 100+ forces in a performance that, if I remember correctly, was slower than Roelof van Driestens recording with the Rotterdam PhO in 1986.
Surely, it is a musical (Art deco) oddity, but I loved every minute of its energy. There were a lot of young people in the hall and one could feel the tension.
. But it is so good to hear such a work live, to see it programmed (twice, tomorrow it will be performed in Berlin -
https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/konzerte/kalender/details/54574/), to keep it alive.
After the interval the Rotterdammers proved once again to be a superb orchestra in Mahler's first symphony. Pijper was present at numerous performances of Mahlers music in Utrecht and Amsterdam. He knew well how (loud) 8 horns can sound....

https://www.youtube.com/v/zLQolCbFf4Q
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 06, 2022, 10:43:01 AM
On Thursday at noon (EDT, 7:00pm Helsinki time), this enticing offering from the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. PS, they are livestreaming many of their concerts this fall and into the spring of 2023.

R. STRAUSS: Metamorphosen
WAGNER: Tristan and Isolde, Act II

SUSANNA MÄLKKI: conductor
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra

STUART SKELTON: Tristan, tenor
LISE LINDSTROM: Isolde, soprano
JENNY CARLSTEDT: Brangäne, mezzo-soprano
MARKUS NIEMINEN: Kurwenal, baritone
BRINDLEY SHERRATT: King Marke, baritone
ROLAND LIIV: Melot, tenor

https://www.helsinkikanava.fi/en/web/helsinkikanava/player/event/home?eventId=190585775

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 07, 2022, 11:26:30 AM
Some concerts on medici.tv in the next few days that look promising. I've only highlighted ones available to anyone (with free registration). The site has many more offerings for subscribers. The Mäkelä program tomorrow looks wild.

8 September
Orchestre de Paris
Klaus Mäkelä — Conductor
Saariaho - Asteroid 4179: Toutatis
R. Strauss - Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30
Jimmy López - Aino
Dusapin - A Linea
Scriabin - Poem of Ecstasy

10 September
2022 Tsinandali Festival in Georgia
Vilde Frang — Violinist
Kian Soltani — Cellist
Julien Quentin — Pianist
Ravel - Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello in A minor
Mendelssohn - Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 66

11 September
2022 Tsinandali Festival in Georgia
Vilde Frang — Violinist
The Pan-Caucasian Youth Orchestra
Vasily Petrenko — Conductor
Shostakovich - Violin Concerto No. 1
Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on September 08, 2022, 06:42:09 AM
Just bought a ticket for a concert performance of Felipe Pedrell's opera La Celestina, tomorrow evening at the Teatro de la Zarzuela here in Madrid.

Pedrell (1841-1922) is widely considered the "father of modern Spanish music", and he was a teacher of (among others) Granados, Albéniz, Turina and Falla. His music is seldom performed (not to mention recorded) nowadays, but his name may ring a bell to fans of Falla (a movement of his orchestral suite Homenajes is tilted Pedrelliana) or of Roberto Gerhard (who wrote a Sinfonía, "Homenaje a Pedrell, the last movement of which --again titled Pedrelliana-- is also a standalone piece).

La Celestina, in four acts to a libretto adapted by the composer from Francisco de Rojas' Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea (an undisputed classic of late 15th century Spanish literature) was composed in 1902, but apparently has never been performed complete. Casals performed excerpts in 1921 in a concert in homage to Pedrell, and at the beginning of this a century some scenes were conducted in Barcelona by Antoni Ros Marbà and released on CD. I have that CD, and it has some stunning passages.

The work is thought to be part of Pedrell's attempts to establish a "national Spanish operatic style" (as opposed to zarzuela), and is bound to be interesting at least.

Guillermo García Calvo will conduct the Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, and the roster of soloists includes some established names of the Spanish operatic scene, such as mezzo Maite Beaumont, baritone Juan Jesús Rodríguez, and bass Simón Orfila.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 08, 2022, 07:26:25 PM
Quote from: ritter on September 08, 2022, 06:42:09 AM
Just bought a ticket for a concert performance of Felipe Pedrell's opera La Celestina, tomorrow evening at the Teatro de la Zarzuela here in Madrid.

Pedrell (1841-1922) is widely considered the "father of modern Spanish music", and he was a teacher of (among others) Granados, Albéniz, Turina and Falla. His music is seldom performed (not to mention recorded) nowadays, but his name may ring a bell to fans of Falla (a movement of his orchestral suite Homenajes is tilted Pedrelliana) or of Roberto Gerhard (who wrote a Sinfonía, "Homenaje a Pedrell, the last movement of which --again titled Pedrelliana-- is also a standalone piece).

La Celestina, in four acts to a libretto adapted by the composer from Francisco de Rojas' Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea (an undisputed classic of late 15th century Spanish literature) was composed in 1902, but apparently has never been performed complete. Casals performed excerpts in 1921 in a concert in homage to Pedrell, and at the beginning of this a century some scenes were conducted in Barcelona by Antoni Ros Marbà and released on CD. I have that CD, and it has some stunning passages.

The work is thought to be part of Pedrell's attempts to establish a "national Spanish operatic style" (as opposed to zarzuela), and is bound to be interesting at least.

Guillermo García Calvo will conduct the Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, and the roster of soloists includes some established names of the Spanish operatic scene, such as mezzo Maite Beaumont, baritone Juan Jesús Rodríguez, and bass Simón Orfila.

Do not know Pedrell at all, but he certainly has some impressive students! (Said as a fan of pretty much all of them.) Sounds like an unusual evening, so good for you, for taking the plunge.

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on September 08, 2022, 07:30:31 PM
Next week, the Momenta Quartet marks Mexican Independence Day with this program by Carrillo, a microtonal pioneer.

Julián Carrillo: String Quartet No. 5 (1937)
​Julián Carrillo: String Quartet No. 11 (1962)

The other three programs look great, too, each curated by a different member of the quartet.

https://www.momentaquartet.com/home/momenta-festival-vii-september-15-18-2022

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on September 08, 2022, 11:10:09 PM
Also in De Doelen / Rotterdam:
After the second symphony (apparently also a success in the Berliner Philharmonie) , Pijpers 5 string quartets will be performed by the Matangi quartet as a "theatrical concert".

Pijper strijkkwartet nr. 1 - 5
credits
Matangi Kwartet | Viride Kwartet | Robin Coops regie en performance | Maze de Boer scenografie |  Wout van Tongeren dramaturgie

and on september 17th  Digital Concert hall:
Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko Dirigent
Wolfgang Koch Bariton (Il prigioniero)
Ekaterina Semenchuk Mezzosopran (La madre)
Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke Tenor (Il carceriere, Il grande Inquisitore)
Caspar Singh Tenor (Erster sacerdote)
Oliver Boyd Bariton (Zweiter sacerdote)
Rundfunkchor Berlin

Iannis Xenakis
Empreintes

Bernd Alois Zimmermann
Sinfonie in einem Satz (2. Fassung von 1953)

Luigi Dallapiccola
Il prigioniero (Der Gefangene), Oper in einem Prolog und einem Akt (konzertante Aufführung)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 10, 2022, 08:51:31 PM
Tomorrow we're going to the free Sunday afternoon concert at an American musical institution, the Spreckels outdoor concert organ pavilion in Balboa Park, San Diego. Apparently the world's largest outdoor pipe organ - I can't imagine there are many competitors - it presents a free hour of music every week.

The programming is overtly populist, but tomorrow Bach's Toccata in A minor BWV 561, two Saint-Saens pieces, and a work by Buxtehude share the program with...well... Bohemian Rhapsody and Imagine. I'm thinking we'll leave before Imagine starts.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on September 11, 2022, 08:17:58 AM
Quote from: ritter on September 08, 2022, 06:42:09 AM
Just bought a ticket for a concert performance of Felipe Pedrell's opera La Celestina, tomorrow evening at the Teatro de la Zarzuela here in Madrid.

Pedrell (1841-1922) is widely considered the "father of modern Spanish music", and he was a teacher of (among others) Granados, Albéniz, Turina and Falla. His music is seldom performed (not to mention recorded) nowadays, but his name may ring a bell to fans of Falla (a movement of his orchestral suite Homenajes is tilted Pedrelliana) or of Roberto Gerhard (who wrote a Sinfonía, "Homenaje a Pedrell, the last movement of which --again titled Pedrelliana-- is also a standalone piece).

La Celestina, in four acts to a libretto adapted by the composer from Francisco de Rojas' Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea (an undisputed classic of late 15th century Spanish literature) was composed in 1902, but apparently has never been performed complete. Casals performed excerpts in 1921 in a concert in homage to Pedrell, and at the beginning of this a century some scenes were conducted in Barcelona by Antoni Ros Marbà and released on CD. I have that CD, and it has some stunning passages.

The work is thought to be part of Pedrell's attempts to establish a "national Spanish operatic style" (as opposed to zarzuela), and is bound to be interesting at least.

Guillermo García Calvo will conduct the Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, and the roster of soloists includes some established names of the Spanish operatic scene, such as mezzo Maite Beaumont, baritone Juan Jesús Rodríguez, and bass Simón Orfila.
Well, despite its historic significance, the performance of Pedrell's La Celestina on Friday evening was a disappointment.

The opera has some great moments, such as the opening chorus —used by both Falla and Gerhard in their musical homages to Pedrell—, parts of the long duet between Celestina and Melibea in Act II, the dinner party at Celestina's house —and her subsequent murder— in Act III, and Melibea's suicide in Act IV, accompanied by a chorus a bocca chiusa —and let us not forget that this work was composed two years before the first performance and publication of Puccini's Madama Butterfly—. But, the vocal writing is ungrateful and clumsy, and the setting of the classic text is too literal and handled in such a way that it was unintelligible most of the time (imagine the pandemonium of some  segments of Die Meistersinger going on for very long stretches, but without the humour or the musical riches). Thus, dramatically, the opera does not work at all (perhaps a staging might help in that respect). On the plus side, the heavy, Wagnerian orchestration had some beautiful moments, and Pedrell's incorporating of some popular rhythms (e.g. a jota and a zortziko in the aforementioned dinner scene) showed the distinguished musicologist he was.

The performance was fine, with the female leads and the low male voices doing an excellent job. The tenor lead, though, gave what is possibly the worst performance I have ever  encountered from a professional singer. Granted, the tessitura and veristic vocal writing of the score are devilish, but in the first two acts he sang everything in an unnuanced, steady forte that made his interventions painful to the listener (and all the time with his arms crossed across his chest, something that was even highlighted by some critics in the newspapers today, and that I at least don't recall having seen before). After the intermission, he had lost his voice almost completely, and would only sing a phrase here and phrase there, turning some duets into monologues of the soprano.

Conductor Guillermo García Calvo (who can only be commended for this exhumation) could have controlled the dynamics of the orchestra a bit more thoughtfully.

So, it took 120 years for La Celestina to be performed, and I doubt it'll be performed again in the next 120 years!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 18, 2022, 06:49:24 AM
I attended this last night which is the opening subscription weekend for Nashville Symphony. It featured an all female composer program including the world premiere of Wolfe's Her Story which was also recorded for a future CD release. Easily the best overall experience I've had at the NSO in the five years I've been attending their concerts. The important significance of the programming was a powerful highlight, with Guerrero even speaking about this significance a bit at the beginning of the concert. Wolfe's Her Story was as much of an visual art performance as it was musical, with the Lorelei Ensemble moving to different spots of the balcony and stage, changing outfits and holding up signs. At times the members of the orchestra even stood pointing at the singers while calling them "communists". These are the kind of concerts that inspire me, and the energetic crowd seemed to be as well giving Wolfe who was in attendance what felt like a ten minute ovation afterwards. 

Nashville Symphony / Giancarlo Guerrero - conductor
Karen Walwyn - piano
Lorelei Ensemble - -vocal ensemble

Joan Tower: 1920/2019
Florence Price: Piano Concerto in One Movement

-Intermission-

Julia Wolfe: Her Story
World Premiere


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on September 23, 2022, 12:34:17 PM
This Sunday

CHERRY RHODES organ of Meyerson Symphony Hall, Dallas

BACH Präludium und Fuge e-moll
WILLIAM GRANT STILL Reverie
JEAN GUILLOU Ballade Ossianique No. 2, "Les chants de Selma"
FR. JOSEPH WALTER Chorale, Diferencias, & Glosas on Puer Natus in Bethlehem
LOUIS VIERNE Pièces de fantasie, Suite No. 2, "Clair de lune"
MAX REGER Fantasie und Fuge d-moll

Father Joseph Walter is a priest in Fredonia, New York who studied composition with Morton Feldman. Cherry Rhodes premiered this work in 2016 and, according to articles I've read online, it contains a cadenza for feet alone.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on September 30, 2022, 04:33:36 AM
Tomorrow I'm supposed to be attending a Max Richter concert in London with my wife, daughter and son-in-law. However, there is another National Rail Strike, so who knows if I will get there!  :-\
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on September 30, 2022, 12:00:53 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on September 30, 2022, 04:53:22 AM
On a Saturday you might be all right to drive in, though you'd need to watch out for the emissions charge if your car is more than a few years old.  For the Barbican I would generally go A2 / Old Kent Road / Southwark Bridge (other routes are available. ;D)  But plenty of parking once you get there (usually. ::))

Edit:  An alternative I did look at was driving to the O2 in Greenwich and getting the Jubilee Line from there, as the Tube may not be affected by the strike (not sure about tomorrow :-\.)  In the end I decided it was too much bother, plus who knows how long that drive in would take.
How very kind of you! Thank you :)
Well, I've booked a parking space in the Barbican Car Part (£9.00 - not too bad). Both of our cars are fine for the emissions. We'll be travelling in my wife's posh Kia Sportage (I have a small Ford KA - she has the large car, I have the small car - it reflects the power dynamics of our relationship  8))
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 30, 2022, 02:38:09 PM
This Sunday...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor |
Augustin Hadelich, violin | Nashville Symphony Women's Chorus 

Program
Kaija Saariaho: Asteroid 4179: Toutatis

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto

Holst: The Planets
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 02, 2022, 02:29:33 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on September 30, 2022, 04:53:22 AM
On a Saturday you might be all right to drive in, though you'd need to watch out for the emissions charge if your car is more than a few years old.  For the Barbican I would generally go A2 / Old Kent Road / Southwark Bridge (other routes are available. ;D)  But plenty of parking once you get there (usually. ::))

Edit:  An alternative I did look at was driving to the O2 in Greenwich and getting the Jubilee Line from there, as the Tube may not be affected by the strike (not sure about tomorrow :-\.)  In the end I decided it was too much bother, plus who knows how long that drive in would take.
We managed to get there (2.5 hours car journey - horrendous traffic). We followed Google Maps A2 then through East End. Coming back was much easier 1.5 hours. Thanks again for your advice. Concert was v enjoyable.
I see that Max Richter appears on the 'Worst Composers Ever' thread (some years ago). However, I rather like some of it, especially 'Exiles' and the Virginia Woolf inspired piece. I don't think that the extract from 'Sleep' worked well in concert, however.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 02, 2022, 09:30:56 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on October 02, 2022, 04:02:15 AM
Glad to hear you made it in OK.  2.5 hours is probably about average, sad to say - I would generally allow 2 hours from here.  The days when you could get from the M25 to the Festival Hall in 30 minutes are long gone chiz chiz >:( and now I let the train take the strain.  When there are trains. ::)
Thanks. Yes, trains would have been much better. Appreciate your advice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 02, 2022, 12:19:13 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on September 30, 2022, 12:00:53 PM
How very kind of you! Thank you :)
Well, I've booked a parking space in the Barbican Car Part (£9.00 - not too bad). Both of our cars are fine for the emissions. We'll be travelling in my wife's posh Kia Sportage (I have a small Ford KA - she has the large car, I have the small car - it reflects the power dynamics of our relationship  8))
[/i]   ;D
Quote from: vandermolen on October 02, 2022, 02:29:33 AM
We managed to get there (2.5 hours car journey - horrendous traffic). We followed Google Maps A2 then through East End. Coming back was much easier 1.5 hours. Thanks again for your advice. Concert was v enjoyable.
I see that Max Richter appears on the 'Worst Composers Ever' thread (some years ago). However, I rather like some of it, especially 'Exiles' and the Virginia Woolf inspired piece. I don't think that the extract from 'Sleep' worked well in concert, however.
Glad that you made it there in time and that you enjoyed yourselves.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 30, 2022, 02:38:09 PM
This Sunday...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor |
Augustin Hadelich, violin | Nashville Symphony Women's Chorus 

Program
Kaija Saariaho: Asteroid 4179: Toutatis

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto

Holst: The Planets
I don't know those works by her but do enjoy her Quatre Instants (with Mattila).  Oh, I just found that I have Toutalis (Asteroid 4179) on a recording in my iTunes library! Sounds like a great program.  Hope that you enjoyed it!

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 02, 2022, 10:43:09 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on August 16, 2022, 10:38:34 PM
Joseph Haydn
Symphonie Es-Dur, Hob. I:36
Symphonie B-Dur, Hob. I:16
Symphonie D-Dur, Hob. I:13


Brahms-Saal, Musikverein

Kammerorchester Basel
Giovanni Antonini, Dirigent

Crossposting from Haydn's Haus. The Hob. VIIa:1 Violin Concerto is officially on the program! 😎

E-mail received:

"Dear friends of music!

We are very much looking forward to the concerts of the current 2022/2023 season at Musikverein Wien. We are pleased to herewith send you information about one of your next concerts – the concert of Kammerorchester Basel in October 2022.

At the concert on Thursday, October 6, 2022 - 7:30 p.m. at our Brahms-Saal there will be a change in program: In addition to the works already scheduled, the Konzert für Violine und Orchester in C-Dur will now be performed as well, together with violinist Dmitry Smirnov.

The program of the concert, entitled "Per il Luigi" and conducted by Giovanni Antonini, is as follows:

Joseph Haydn
Symphonie Es-Dur, Hob. I:36
Konzert für Violine und Orchester C-Dur, Hob. VIIa:1

— Pause —

Joseph Haydn
Symphonie B-Dur, Hob. I:16
Symphonie D-Dur, Hob. I:13



We are looking forward to welcoming you again soon to our house and remain with

Kind regards
Your Box Office

Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 02, 2022, 11:54:57 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 02, 2022, 12:19:13 PM
[/i]   ;DGlad that you made it there in time and that you enjoyed yourselves.I don't know those works by her but do enjoy her Quatre Instants (with Mattila).  Oh, I just found that I have Toutalis (Asteroid 4179) on a recording in my iTunes library! Sounds like a great program.  Hope that you enjoyed it!

PD
Thanks PD  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Valentino on October 03, 2022, 11:33:49 PM
Tuesday next week I'm meeting my father in Oslo for this amongst other doings:

The programme is called Mad Songs.
Iannis Xenakis / H. I. Biber:  Entrata
Henry Purcell: Bess of Bedlam
John Eccles:  Restless in thought
Georg Philipp Telemann:  Don Quijote Suite
Unknown:  Tom a Bedlam
H. I. F. Biber: Battalia á 10
Kurt Weill:  Sjørøver-Jenny / Mackie Messer fra Tolvskillingsoperaen
Friedrich Holländer: Münchausen 
Mischa Spolidansky:  Alles Schwindel
Astor Piazzolla: Oblivion
Alfredo Rubin:  Regin
Jose Dames:  Nada

Performers: The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra with members of the group Music for a While.

(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/161a20_0a783fd2bd9d4f47b166a3e50f20efc4~mv2_d_4240_2626_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1600,h_990,al_c,q_90/file.jpg)

Picture of the band at the venue, Universitetets Aula. For those of you who do not know those paintings on the walls in there are by Edward Munch.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2022, 05:11:36 AM
Quote from: Valentino on October 03, 2022, 11:33:49 PM
Tuesday next week I'm meeting my father in Oslo for this amongst other doings:

The programme is called Mad Songs.
Iannis Xenakis / H. I. Biber:  Entrata
Henry Purcell: Bess of Bedlam
John Eccles:  Restless in thought
Georg Philipp Telemann:  Don Quijote Suite
Unknown:  Tom a Bedlam
H. I. F. Biber: Battalia á 10
Kurt Weill:  Sjørøver-Jenny / Mackie Messer fra Tolvskillingsoperaen
Friedrich Holländer: Münchausen 
Mischa Spolidansky:  Alles Schwindel
Astor Piazzolla: Oblivion
Alfredo Rubin:  Regin
Jose Dames:  Nada

Performers: The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra with members of the group Music for a While.

(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/161a20_0a783fd2bd9d4f47b166a3e50f20efc4~mv2_d_4240_2626_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1600,h_990,al_c,q_90/file.jpg)

Picture of the band at the venue, Universitetets Aula. For those of you who do not know those paintings on the walls in there are by Edward Munch.

What an unusual program! Hoping the actual concert is as good as it looks. (I know the Norwegian ensemble, but not the other one.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2022, 05:16:19 AM
Looking forward to these, just a few days apart. Both ensembles are new to me.

Apollon Musagète Quartet with Garrick Ohlsson
Schubert: Quartet in D Major, D. 94
Schubert: Quartet in B-flat Major, D. 36
Shostakovich: Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 57

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/apollon-musagete-quartet-ohlsson/

Jerusalem Quartet
Mendelssohn: Quartet in E-Minor, Op. 44, No. 2
Webern: Langsamer Satz
Tchaikovsky: Quartet in D Major, Op. 11

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/jerusalem-quartet-2022/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 04, 2022, 05:37:01 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2022, 05:16:19 AM

Jerusalem Quartet
Mendelssohn: Quartet in E-Minor, Op. 44, No. 2
Webern: Langsamer Satz
Tchaikovsky: Quartet in D Major, Op. 11

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/jerusalem-quartet-2022/

-Bruce
They're bringing that exact program to Dallas late spring next year. Very excited.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2022, 06:10:30 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 30, 2022, 02:38:09 PM
This Sunday...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor |
Augustin Hadelich, violin | Nashville Symphony Women's Chorus 

Kaija Saariaho: Asteroid 4179: Toutatis
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Holst: The Planets

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 02, 2022, 12:19:13 PM
[/i]  I don't know those works by her but do enjoy her Quatre Instants (with Mattila).  Oh, I just found that I have Toutalis (Asteroid 4179) on a recording in my iTunes library! Sounds like a great program.  Hope that you enjoyed it!

PD

Good morning, PD. Yes it was a great concert. The Nashville Symphony has gathered a lot of younger players lately that can absolutely shred, the orchestra sounds fantastic.
However the highlight of the evening was Augustin Hadelich, some of the finest violin playing I've heard.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2022, 06:16:58 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 04, 2022, 06:10:30 AM
Good morning, PD. Yes it was a great concert. The Nashville Symphony has gathered a lot of younger players lately that can absolutely shred, the orchestra sounds fantastic.
However the highlight of the evening was Augustin Hadelich, some of the finest violin playing I've heard.
Haven't heard of him before.  Is he a relatively new artist on the scene or established?

By the way, have you heard any works by Connie Ellisor?  Her composition Blackberry Winter is often played around here.  :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on October 04, 2022, 06:22:03 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2022, 05:16:19 AM
Looking forward to these, just a few days apart. Both ensembles are new to me.

Apollon Musagète Quartet with Garrick Ohlsson
Schubert: Quartet in D Major, D. 94
Schubert: Quartet in B-flat Major, D. 36
Shostakovich: Piano Quintet in G Minor, Op. 57

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/apollon-musagete-quartet-ohlsson/

Jerusalem Quartet
Mendelssohn: Quartet in E-Minor, Op. 44, No. 2
Webern: Langsamer Satz
Tchaikovsky: Quartet in D Major, Op. 11

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/jerusalem-quartet-2022/

-Bruce

Sweet!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 04, 2022, 06:32:41 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2022, 06:16:58 AM
Haven't heard of him before.  Is he a relatively new artist on the scene or established?
I think Hadelich came on the scene around 2010 - he has toured Texas a few times (I saw him do the Tchaikovsky in San Antonio). His recordings include the Haydn violin concertos, Thomas Ades, and a number of discs on EMI/Warner. Gorgeous tone. As a teenager, he suffered severe burns in a farm accident and was unable to play or practice violin for a full year, an experience that he says makes him cherish the opportunity to keep playing now even more dearly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2022, 06:35:34 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 04, 2022, 06:32:41 AM
I think Hadelich came on the scene around 2010 - he has toured Texas a few times (I saw him do the Tchaikovsky in San Antonio). His recordings include the Haydn violin concertos, Thomas Ades, and a number of discs on EMI/Warner. Gorgeous tone. As a teenager, he suffered severe burns in a farm accident and was unable to play or practice violin for a full year, an experience that he says makes him cherish the opportunity to keep playing now even more dearly.
Thanks for the info!

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2022, 08:28:43 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2022, 06:35:34 AM
Thanks for the info!

PD

Adding to Brian's comments, Hadelich has become one of my favorite violinists. (Not to mention, I have been fortunate to interview him several times.) And even without his early tragedy—which would have likely ended the career of some musicians—he has triumphed. Here is one of my faves, Four Iberian Miniatures by Francisco Coll, for violin and chamber orchestra, a charming, off-the-radar work that deserves wider exposure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2PpViCpOo

--Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2022, 08:41:03 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 04, 2022, 08:28:43 AM
Adding to Brian's comments, Hadelich has become one of my favorite violinists. (Not to mention, I have been fortunate to interview him several times.) And even without his early tragedy—which would have likely ended the career of some musicians—he has triumphed. Here is one of my faves, Four Iberian Miniatures by Francisco Coll, for violin and chamber orchestra, a charming, off-the-radar work that deserves wider exposure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2PpViCpOo

--Bruce
Thanks for that link.  I listened to some of it just now and (and I'm sure that you didn't intend this) the opening minute of it reminded me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaSQa-yCNjg (the meows).  :D

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 04, 2022, 09:52:48 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2022, 08:41:03 AM
Thanks for that link.  I listened to some of it just now and (and I'm sure that you didn't intend this) the opening minute of it reminded me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaSQa-yCNjg (the meows).  :D

PD

Hahahaha, well, who knows—perhaps the composer is a cat lover, and/or a fan of Leroy Anderson. :laugh: A teacher once defined originality as "disguising your sources." (Since then, I've seen that quote attributed to both Benjamin Franklin and Einstein.)

;D

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2022, 06:06:19 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 30, 2022, 02:38:09 PM
This Sunday...

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor |
Augustin Hadelich, violin | Nashville Symphony Women's Chorus 

Program
Kaija Saariaho: Asteroid 4179: Toutatis

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto

Holst: The Planets

Something else I wanted to mention about this concert his the Nashville audience: They gave Hadelich a standing ovation after the opening movement of the TCH:VC, which is understandable for several reasons. Like other three-movement concertos this first movement is the meatiest and its final bars are epically loud. The other is that our audience is a little naïve and thought that was the ending of the work. Many chuckled when the conductor smilingly turned to them and held up three fingers signifying we still had two more to go. Hadelich didn't seem to mind. The audience also clapped after every movement of The Planets, with the exception of between Uranus and Neptune as Giancarlo held his baton high in the air as a sign. The audience reacted to it by remaining silent.
I've been going to Nashville Symphony concerts for over five years now and have seen this from the audience before. I'm not a big critic for clapping in between movements, although it does sometimes break the atmospheric flow of the piece. But at the same time I'm all for it, especially with this market. It's been years since I've seen the hall consistently over 50% full, this night looked more about 65-70% full which was great. But if you start to make those concert-goers feel shame about clapping then I feel the orchestra might lose them and their support. I started off about 30 years ago going to concerts when I lived in Jersey seeing the NY Phil and Philly Orchestra and rarely saw this clapping happen there so I was used to it, but I've been warming up to it. I did have a conversation with a fellow NSO subscriber at the concert that had a contrasting thought and said the clapping bothered him.

I'm curious if this happening in other markets? Every so often I subscribe to the Berlin Phil Digital Concert Hall and I don't see clapping between movements.
Anyway just thought I would start a dialogue about this here, and would be interested to read other experiences or thoughts.
Cheers!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 05, 2022, 11:26:48 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2022, 06:06:19 AM
Something else I wanted to mention about this concert his the Nashville audience: They gave Hadelich a standing ovation after the opening movement of the TCH:VC, which is understandable for several reasons. Like other three-movement concertos this first movement is the meatiest and its final bars are epically loud. The other is that our audience is a little naïve and thought that was the ending of the work. Many chuckled when the conductor smilingly turned to them and held up three fingers signifying we still had two more to go. Hadelich didn't seem to mind. The audience also clapped after every movement of The Planets, with the exception of between Uranus and Neptune as Giancarlo held his baton high in the air as a sign. The audience reacted to it by remaining silent.
I've been going to Nashville Symphony concerts for over five years now and have seen this from the audience before. I'm not a big critic for clapping in between movements, although it does sometimes break the atmospheric flow of the piece. But at the same time I'm all for it, especially with this market. It's been years since I've seen the hall consistently over 50% full, this night looked more about 65-70% full which was great. But if you start to make those concert-goers feel shame about clapping then I feel the orchestra might lose them and their support. I started off about 30 years ago going to concerts when I lived in Jersey seeing the NY Phil and Philly Orchestra and rarely saw this clapping happen there so I was used to it, but I've been warming up to it. I did have a conversation with a fellow NSO subscriber at the concert that had a contrasting thought and said the clapping bothered him.

I'm curious if this happening in other markets? Every so often I subscribe to the Berlin Phil Digital Concert Hall and I don't see clapping between movements.
Anyway just thought I would start a dialogue about this here, and would be interested to read other experiences or thoughts.
Cheers!

I think if audiences are moved to applaud between movements, that's just fine. (Exhibit A: the Tchaikovsky 6th Symphony, after the third movement, before the finale, which often generates a spontaneous reaction.) True: New York and Philly audiences don't often do that, but frowning on applause only furthers the idea that you must have "special knowledge" to be at a classical concert in the first place. And given declining audience attendance, any modest steps to be "friendlier" should be encouraged.

Conductors can help, in many cases, with body language (e.g., Guerrero's holding up the baton) or other gestures that signal "Wait, please!" But again, I don't think applause is such a grave sin. Yes, in many circumstances (e.g., a movement with a quiet ending) a burst of applause is jarring. Again, conductors can help by, say, asking audience members to hold applause until the end, which these days is a common request if the concert is being recorded live.

All that said, it bothers me more when people think they should applaud, or the musicians will feel unappreciated. (Exhibit B: the seemingly mandatory standing ovations after Broadway shows these days—no matter what has happened onstage.) Appreciation of any kind should be something you want to do, not something you feel you have to do.

My two cents, anyway.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 05, 2022, 11:33:28 AM
Just got tix for this upcoming concert with the Minnesota Orchestra later this month, with Thomas Søndergård's first appearance since he was selected to succeed Osmo Vänskä as music director. The program is unusual, which bodes well for the group's future. (I don't recall ever seeing a Boulanger orchestral piece on a program in New York, though I could be mistaken.)

Lili Boulanger - Of a Spring Morning
Ravel - Mother Goose [complete ballet]
Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2022, 01:45:12 PM
Quote from: Brewski on October 05, 2022, 11:26:48 AM
I think if audiences are moved to applaud between movements, that's just fine. (Exhibit A: the Tchaikovsky 6th Symphony, after the third movement, before the finale, which often generates a spontaneous reaction.) True: New York and Philly audiences don't often do that, but frowning on applause only furthers the idea that you must have "special knowledge" to be at a classical concert in the first place. And given declining audience attendance, any modest steps to be "friendlier" should be encouraged.

Conductors can help, in many cases, with body language (e.g., Guerrero's holding up the baton) or other gestures that signal "Wait, please!" But again, I don't think applause is such a grave sin. Yes, in many circumstances (e.g., a movement with a quiet ending) a burst of applause is jarring. Again, conductors can help by, say, asking audience members to hold applause until the end, which these days is a common request if the concert is being recorded live.

All that said, it bothers me more when people think they should applaud, or the musicians will feel unappreciated. (Exhibit B: the seemingly mandatory standing ovations after Broadway shows these days—no matter what has happened onstage.) Appreciation of any kind should be something you want to do, not something you feel you have to do.

My two cents, anyway.

-Bruce

Thank you for your comments, Bruce. And some great points were made!

Ironically I saw the Chicago Philharmonic play TCH:6th a few years ago and the conductor spoke briefly about a few things, and then did mention that is more than alright to applaud after the third movement if you feel the urge.  The audience did let out a huge roar when the movement ended, it seemed like it needed to happen. Like holding a huge sneeze, your body builds up so much excitement that it's a challenge to keep it all inside.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2022, 01:52:43 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 04, 2022, 06:32:41 AM
I think Hadelich came on the scene around 2010 - he has toured Texas a few times (I saw him do the Tchaikovsky in San Antonio). His recordings include the Haydn violin concertos, Thomas Ades, and a number of discs on EMI/Warner. Gorgeous tone. As a teenager, he suffered severe burns in a farm accident and was unable to play or practice violin for a full year, an experience that he says makes him cherish the opportunity to keep playing now even more dearly.

I was checking out his website, dude travels a bunch! I saw several Dallas, Ft Worth and San Antonio performances from the past 3 to 4 years.

On a side note, perhaps it was mentioned on the site already, but the SA Symphony dissolved in June but fortunately was reborn in August as the SA Philharmonic. My brother played with them for a year some 15+ years ago, so it was sad to see them end, but here's hoping for a brighter future!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 05, 2022, 04:32:43 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on October 05, 2022, 01:52:43 PM
On a side note, perhaps it was mentioned on the site already, but the SA Symphony dissolved in June but fortunately was reborn in August as the SA Philharmonic. My brother played with them for a year some 15+ years ago, so it was sad to see them end, but here's hoping for a brighter future!
Yeah! My parents live there and they kept me updated. The ownership closed the orchestra because they were displeased with the negotiation with the musicians' union and declared the orchestra no longer viable. The new group is a musician-led cooperative - power to the workers, they are calling ownership's bluff - but they lost use of the fabulous new concert hall so they are making use of various local churches.

By the way, loved reading your report about the NSO concert and audience applause. Agree with you. It's a sign of new people and new generations coming into the concert hall atmosphere, which we badly need. And sometimes you just need to clap!

And of course the "no applause" rule is a relatively recent invention of the late romantic era. In Beethoven's time the orchestra would even encore movements before moving on to the next one...so in a case like the first movement of a super virtuosic concerto, or "Mars," telling people not to clap is like a schoolteacher telling kids not to end sentences with prepositions.  ;D

There are definitely regional differences too. The year I lived in London I went to like 100 concerts and never saw one single standing ovation for anyone!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 06, 2022, 02:55:22 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 05, 2022, 04:32:43 PM
Yeah! My parents live there and they kept me updated. The ownership closed the orchestra because they were displeased with the negotiation with the musicians' union and declared the orchestra no longer viable. The new group is a musician-led cooperative - power to the workers, they are calling ownership's bluff - but they lost use of the fabulous new concert hall so they are making use of various local churches.

By the way, loved reading your report about the NSO concert and audience applause. Agree with you. It's a sign of new people and new generations coming into the concert hall atmosphere, which we badly need. And sometimes you just need to clap!

And of course the "no applause" rule is a relatively recent invention of the late romantic era. In Beethoven's time the orchestra would even encore movements before moving on to the next one...so in a case like the first movement of a super virtuosic concerto, or "Mars," telling people not to clap is like a schoolteacher telling kids not to end sentences with prepositions.  ;D

There are definitely regional differences too. The year I lived in London I went to like 100 concerts and never saw one single standing ovation for anyone!
They also used to repeat opera arias too.

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 06, 2022, 04:50:26 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 05, 2022, 04:32:43 PM
By the way, loved reading your report about the NSO concert and audience applause. Agree with you. It's a sign of new people and new generations coming into the concert hall atmosphere, which we badly need. And sometimes you just need to clap!

And of course the "no applause" rule is a relatively recent invention of the late romantic era. In Beethoven's time the orchestra would even encore movements before moving on to the next one...so in a case like the first movement of a super virtuosic concerto, or "Mars," telling people not to clap is like a schoolteacher telling kids not to end sentences with prepositions.  ;D

There are definitely regional differences too. The year I lived in London I went to like 100 concerts and never saw one single standing ovation for anyone!

"Sometimes you just need to clap," for sure. And I suspect many of those onstage actually like the spontaneous love. And the schoolteacher analogy is hilarious and true.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on October 06, 2022, 10:07:34 PM
I'm hoping to get to Lyatoshinsky's 3rd Symphony (Karabits) in London next January. My daughter and son-in-law want to come as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 08, 2022, 06:17:04 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on October 07, 2022, 02:09:22 PM
Maybe there should be a thread Concerts you were looking forward to. ::)

First I couldn't get to the Giltburg/Oramo/BBCSO Rachmaninov/Prokofiev-fest this Wednesday due to a rail strike.

I can't go to the Strauss/Weinberg concert in Hamburg this weekend after the Mrs caught Covid.

And tonight I get an email from the Southbank Centre informing me that the Penderecki Retrospective on 3rd November, which would have included the London Sinfonietta playing Polymorphia and the Symphony No.3, has had to be cancelled.  In its place they're putting on a chamber concert featuring Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time - and as a sop to Penderecki fans, a couple of his shorter pieces.

Now I do quite like the Messiaen, but it's not that long since I heard it in concert, as a filler for something else - plus it seems to have become kind of the go-to substitute piece they put on whenever the thing you actually wanted to hear gets cancelled, which I find a bit insulting - as if it shouldn't really matter, this is just as good, who can tell the difference.  So this time I am demanding a cash refund.

A week of Monday I am supposed to be going to the Wigmore Hall to hear this:

Grażyna Bacewicz  String Quartet No. 4
Mieczysław Weinberg  String Quartet No. 3 Op. 14
Juliusz Zarębski  Piano Quintet in G minor Op. 34

Silesian String Quartet
Wojciech Świtała piano

I am thinking of running a sweepstake on what factor will manage to torpedo this one. >:(

So sorry to hear of all these cancellations. If it is some solace, this is happening all over. A friend was supposed to write about Janine Jansen's upcoming recital at Carnegie—canceled. But hope the Wigmore event happens, since that looks especially tasty.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 08, 2022, 06:19:20 AM
Tonight at the Curtis Institute, their new music group, Ensemble 20/21:

COLEMAN   
Portraits of Josephine

MANEVAL   
How We Prevail

ANDRIESSEN
Workers Union

ALBERGA
Sun Warrior

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 11, 2022, 09:15:39 AM
Edward Gardner was going to conduct Janacek's Glagolitic Mass with the London Philharmonic on May 6. I was thinking about timing a vacation to catch the concert. But...King Charles III is being crowned on May 6. Kind of assuming that such an event will cause orchestras to change/cancel their plans.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 11, 2022, 09:00:16 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 11, 2022, 09:15:39 AM
Edward Gardner was going to conduct Janacek's Glagolitic Mass with the London Philharmonic on May 6. I was thinking about timing a vacation to catch the concert. But...King Charles III is being crowned on May 6. Kind of assuming that such an event will cause orchestras to change/cancel their plans.
That would be cool to see/hear that mass live!  And I see that you get a Bartok vc with it too!

You could send an email to them?  If nothing else, I imagine that traffic and security around there would be nuts!  The concert is in the evening though, so?  From what I could find out, the coronation will be on a Saturday (which is apparently unusual) and it sounds like they won't be making a bank holiday around then either.

You might be paying a premium too for accommodations around that time.  If they don't reschedule and you want to go, I'd book a room and a flight asap!

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Roasted Swan on October 11, 2022, 11:54:52 PM
Tomorrrow night (Thursday Oct. 13th) the Brno PO are at the Anvil Basingstoke (Southern England about an hour by train south west of London) playing a fun programme for a touring orchestra;

Janáček Taras Bulba
Martinů Cello Concerto no. 1
Janáček Jealousy
Dvořák Symphony no. 8

OK I get that the Dvořák is the "pops" to get bums on seats but the first half is a cracker.  Especially as Brno is Janacek's home town band and those types of orchestras are just about the last ones left whose players grew up/trained in those countries too so they have a idiomatic sound and style I love.

The Anvil is a tremendous modern hall for orchestras as well - as good as any modern London venue I reckon.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 12, 2022, 01:24:50 AM
I say, by all means, bring back the applause not only between movements, but during movements as well, it was not only customary behaviour, but even sought after by composers (cf. Mozart's Paris Symphony, consciously calculated to ellicit exactly this kind of response). Also, bring back repeat of movements at the audience's request. Better still, bring back the old-style concerts, mixing vocal solos, chamber music, instrumental solos and orchestral works (not necessarily complete). Bring back piano recitals during which the pianist extemporizes on themes suggested by the audience or plays works at the audience's request. Allow drinks and refreshments to be served during intervals. Allow commenting the music while it unfolds. In short, bring back the thrill, excitement and fun which were traditionally associated with concerts and which were destroyed by the (Late) Romantic music-as-religion, performance-as-divine-office, concert-hall-as-temple attitude. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 12, 2022, 01:33:36 AM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on October 11, 2022, 11:54:52 PM
Tomorrrow night (Thursday Oct. 13th) the Brno PO are at the Anvil Basingstoke (Southern England about an hour by train south west of London) playing a fun programme for a touring orchestra;

Janáček Taras Bulba
Martinů Cello Concerto no. 1
Janáček Jealousy
Dvořák Symphony no. 8

OK I get that the Dvořák is the "pops" to get bums on seats but the first half is a cracker.  Especially as Brno is Janacek's home town band and those types of orchestras are just about the last ones left whose players grew up/trained in those countries too so they have a idiomatic sound and style I love.

The Anvil is a tremendous modern hall for orchestras as well - as good as any modern London venue I reckon.
Sounds like it should be a great concert!  Do you happen to know whether or not it will be broadcasted?

And enjoy!

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Roasted Swan on October 12, 2022, 01:46:54 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 12, 2022, 01:33:36 AM
Sounds like it should be a great concert!  Do you happen to know whether or not it will be broadcasted?

And enjoy!

PD

They tend not to broadcast from the Anvil and in any case the BBC is unlikely to cover this kind of concert unless at London's Festival Hall or part of the Proms.  The Anvil do a good "International Concerts Series" because they are a useful venue for touring orchestras to the UK - near London but not too near!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on October 12, 2022, 02:00:03 AM
Quote from: Florestan on October 12, 2022, 01:24:50 AM
I say, by all means, bring back the applause not only between movements, but during movements as well, it was not only customary behaviour, but even sought after by composers (cf. Mozart's Paris Symphony, consciously calculated to ellicit exactly this kind of response). Also, bring back repeat of movements at the audience's request. Better still, bring back the old-style concerts, mixing vocal solos, chamber music, instrumental solos and orchestral works (not necessarily complete). Bring back piano recitals during which the pianist extemporizes on themes suggested by the audience or plays works at the audience's request. Allow drinks and refreshments to be served during intervals. Allow commenting the music while it unfolds. In short, bring back the thrill, excitement and fun which were traditionally associated with concerts and which were destroyed by the (Late) Romantic music-as-religion, performance-as-divine-office, concert-hall-as-temple attitude.
The horror, the horror!  ;D

Good day to you, Andrei.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 12, 2022, 02:13:50 AM
Quote from: ritter on October 12, 2022, 02:00:03 AM
The horror, the horror!  ;D

It was, and would be, way more fun and exciting than the sit-stiff-and-still-for-two-or-even-four-hours-and-surrender-yourself-to-the-divine-spirit-of-music nonsense (which is physically and psychologically impossible, anyway).  ;D

QuoteGood day to you, Andrei.

Good day, Rafael.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Valentino on October 12, 2022, 06:32:42 AM
Perfect concert with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra +++ yesterday.
Musical thrills a plenty, like mixing Biber and Xenakis in a single piece, mad English songs, Weimar German songs, Piazzola, mayhem on the podium to Battaglia a 10. To top it off an "Is there a doctor in the audience?" moment just at the start of the Encore, which was an arrangement of Chandelier by Sia.
You leave the hall and think What was that?!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 12, 2022, 06:43:56 AM
Quote from: Roasted Swan on October 11, 2022, 11:54:52 PM
Tomorrrow night (Thursday Oct. 13th) the Brno PO are at the Anvil Basingstoke (Southern England about an hour by train south west of London) playing a fun programme for a touring orchestra;

Janáček Taras Bulba
Martinů Cello Concerto no. 1
Janáček Jealousy
Dvořák Symphony no. 8

OK I get that the Dvořák is the "pops" to get bums on seats but the first half is a cracker.  Especially as Brno is Janacek's home town band and those types of orchestras are just about the last ones left whose players grew up/trained in those countries too so they have a idiomatic sound and style I love.

The Anvil is a tremendous modern hall for orchestras as well - as good as any modern London venue I reckon.

Great program! Totally agree about the first half vs. the second, but having just heard the Dvořák twice last week (with the Philadelphia Orchestra), it's awfully good when played well.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 12, 2022, 06:44:54 AM
Quote from: Valentino on October 12, 2022, 06:32:42 AM
Perfect concert with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra +++ yesterday.
Musical thrills a plenty, like mixing Biber and Xenakis in a single piece, mad English songs, Weimar German songs, Piazzola, mayhem on the podium to Battaglia a 10. To top it off an "Is there a doctor in the audience?" moment just at the start of the Encore, which was an arrangement of Chandelier by Sia.
You leave the hall and think What was that?!

Biber + Xenakis = Why not?  8)

Nice description of what sounds like a truly stimulating concert.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 12, 2022, 06:48:44 AM
Quote from: Florestan on October 12, 2022, 01:24:50 AM
I say, by all means, bring back the applause not only between movements, but during movements as well, it was not only customary behaviour, but even sought after by composers (cf. Mozart's Paris Symphony, consciously calculated to ellicit exactly this kind of response). Also, bring back repeat of movements at the audience's request. Better still, bring back the old-style concerts, mixing vocal solos, chamber music, instrumental solos and orchestral works (not necessarily complete). Bring back piano recitals during which the pianist extemporizes on themes suggested by the audience or plays works at the audience's request. Allow drinks and refreshments to be served during intervals. Allow commenting the music while it unfolds. In short, bring back the thrill, excitement and fun which were traditionally associated with concerts and which were destroyed by the (Late) Romantic music-as-religion, performance-as-divine-office, concert-hall-as-temple attitude.

I'd be in favor of at least trying this out now and then. Perhaps publicize it well, e.g., "Audience members are encouraged to applaud, whistle, or whoop at any time during this concert." And add in all the spontaneity you mention, too. (OK, granted, I might not personally like people shouting during a Bruckner adagio 8) but OTOH, maybe some others might feel so moved.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 12, 2022, 08:33:50 AM
Quote from: Brewski on October 12, 2022, 06:48:44 AM
I'd be in favor of at least trying this out now and then. Perhaps publicize it well, e.g., "Audience members are encouraged to applaud, whistle, or whoop at any time during this concert." And add in all the spontaneity you mention, too. (OK, granted, I might not personally like people shouting during a Bruckner adagio 8) but OTOH, maybe some others might feel so moved.)

-Bruce

Well, sure, not all music is suited, or was written, for such an environment (Bruckner and Mahler being prime examples) but I'd say that most music written before 1850 and not a few works written after would fit in such a format just fine and make for a great evening.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on October 12, 2022, 08:50:07 AM
Andrei, you forgot to include (in your "thrilling, exciting and fun" concert experience) singing along.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 12, 2022, 09:07:09 AM
Quote from: ritter on October 12, 2022, 08:50:07 AM
Andrei, you forgot to include (in your "thrilling, exciting and fun" concert experience) singing along.  ;)

I doubt there were many in the audience who sang along Maria Malibran, Jenny Lindt or Pauline Viardot. They were, on the contrary, speechless, or if you prefer, bouche bée. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 13, 2022, 07:06:20 PM
I am copying this without permission, from Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News music critic. (This is his social media posting, not an article.) Impressions on the new acoustic renovations for the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher David Geffen Hall. Not sure if there is a specific thread for renovations so just putting it here in the concert thread.

"First impressions, from from a single NYP concert, in a single seat on the left aisle:

"Visually very warm and appealing, so different from the sterile white geometries of previous walls and ceiling, and that hideous stage shell. Seat count reduced from 2700 to 2200. Lobbies much more spacious, open and welcoming.

"Sound very clear, with what audiophiles call precise imaging, well projected into the hall, with a bit of envelopment that wasn't there before. Only maybe a second of upper midrange reverberation with a full house—drier than I expected. As with so many newer halls, I'd like a little more lower midrange warmth, and a little more sonic spaciousness.

"The Walker digital organ pedals, heard in Respighi "Pines" imposing, but artificiality is betrayed by each note speaking instantly, not with the natural bloom of real pedal pipes.

"Other seats and other concerts, and adjustment of reflecting panels overhead, will likely yield different impressions."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on October 17, 2022, 07:31:05 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 13, 2022, 07:06:20 PM
I am copying this without permission, from Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News music critic. (This is his social media posting, not an article.) Impressions on the new acoustic renovations for the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher David Geffen Hall. Not sure if there is a specific thread for renovations so just putting it here in the concert thread.

"First impressions, from from a single NYP concert, in a single seat on the left aisle:

"Visually very warm and appealing, so different from the sterile white geometries of previous walls and ceiling, and that hideous stage shell. Seat count reduced from 2700 to 2200. Lobbies much more spacious, open and welcoming.

"Sound very clear, with what audiophiles call precise imaging, well projected into the hall, with a bit of envelopment that wasn't there before. Only maybe a second of upper midrange reverberation with a full house—drier than I expected. As with so many newer halls, I'd like a little more lower midrange warmth, and a little more sonic spaciousness.

"The Walker digital organ pedals, heard in Respighi "Pines" imposing, but artificiality is betrayed by each note speaking instantly, not with the natural bloom of real pedal pipes.

"Other seats and other concerts, and adjustment of reflecting panels overhead, will likely yield different impressions."

Thanks for this. I'm eager to hear for myself, especially given all the mostly-positive comments. It does appear that they got it right this time—finally.

Tonight the Jerusalem Quartet (new to me) in this program:

Mendelssohn: Quartet in E-Minor, Op. 44, No. 2
Webern: Langsamer Satz
Tchaikovsky: Quartet in D Major, Op. 11

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 20, 2022, 03:33:36 AM
Someone, now I forget who (maybe Relm?) talked about a concert in San Francisco that would have now been last week being rebroadcast today (Thursday).  I set a reminder on my computer....alas I don't know the time of the rebroadcast!  Any help here?  Trying to remember what all it was of too.   ::)

In the meantime, whilst checking this morning, I did see several concerts that are still available to listen to.  Lots of Sibelius and other cool-looking pieces too.

Morning coffee first however.  :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on October 21, 2022, 05:46:21 AM
Tonight, at the Greek National Opera:

Mozart: Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni
Dionysios Sourbis

Donna Anna
Myrsini Margariti

Don Ottavio
Vassilis Kavayas

The Commendatore
Petros Magoulas

Donna Elvira
Cellia Costea

Leporello
Yanni Yannissis

Masetto
Nikos Kotenidis

Zerlina
Miranda Makrynioti

With the Orchestra and the Chorus of the Greek National Opera

Conductor
Ondrej Olos

Stage director
John Fulljames

Revival stage director
Aylin Bozok

Sets
Dick Bird

Costumes
Annemarie Woods

Choreography
Maxine Braham

Lighting
Fabiana Piccioli

Lighting revival
Neill Brinkworth

Video design
Will Duke

Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 21, 2022, 06:58:39 AM
Tonight!

Haydn | Symphony No. 44 "Trauer-Sinfonie"
Ravel | Piano Concerto in G
Ginastera | Variaciones Concertantes
Debussy | Iberia

Javier Perianes, piano
Dallas Symphony
Juan Jose "Juanjo" Mena
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 01, 2022, 01:22:06 AM
Quote from: absolutelybaching on October 29, 2022, 06:24:33 AM
Currently on Lowestoft, en route to tonight's performance of The Rape of Lucretia at the Snape Maltings.

Have been looking forward to it since Spring, and only my second live Lucretia!


Updated to add: It was an excellent musical performance: the chamber orchestra were spot-on, the vocalists very impressive. I'd also never seen the Maltings configured with a "pit" and a proscenium arch before, so that worked well. I also worried about having very mid-front-row seats (the cheap ones at £10 a pop!), but the acoustics were fine where we were and I don't think paying more would have enhanced the experience any. My one regret is the staging/production. It's meant to be set in ancient Rome (or a battlefield just outside it), not someone's sitting room, circa 1990. The Roman generals are supposed to be Roman generals, not members of the Parachute Regiment armed with assault rifles. Why a member of the Parachute Regiment circa 1990 would suddenly yell 'my horse! my horse!' I haven't the faintest idea... and neither did the producer/director, I suspect. The terrific night-ride to Rome should be sung front-and-centre stage by the Male Chorus; ours sang it from the back of the set as Tarquinius tossed and turned in disturbed sleep... so I guess the ride was just a dream? Bianca's funny line about 'only a Tarquin would gallop on a cobbled road' also made no sense: a Parachute Regiment member would surely take a motor vehicle across tarmac... and so on and on.

So, musically wonderful. But the production was illiterate. (I notice the Telegraph calls it "intelligent", but I beg to differ!)

Still glad I went, though! :)


Looks like you had your first encounter with Regietheater.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 01, 2022, 02:57:38 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on November 01, 2022, 02:20:55 AM
Reminds me of a Verdi Macbeth I saw in Dresden some years ago, which was done in full modern combat gear complete with automatic weapons and grenades. Birnam Wood didn't so much march to Dunsinane as get airdropped from a Chinook. ??? ;D

And someone directly involved in the operatic production at the National Opera in Bucharest told me they were invited to a Rigoletto in Munich (I think; in any case, a major German opera house) in which 99% of the time the Duke of Mantova wore nothing but a towel aaround his hips; the other 1% was when he dropped it altogether.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 01, 2022, 02:59:22 AM
Quote from: absolutelybaching on November 01, 2022, 01:53:16 AM
It's unfortunately not my first! But I certainly hope it will be my last :)

I like my operas to have dragons and horses and dwarves and giants, not metaphysical reinterpretations of the same. Call me a literalist, boring old fogey if you must...  :laugh:

Oh, I'm with you all the way. Regietheater is trash.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Lisztianwagner on November 01, 2022, 03:16:01 AM
Quote from: absolutelybaching on November 01, 2022, 01:53:16 AM
It's unfortunately not my first! But I certainly hope it will be my last :)

I like my operas to have dragons and horses and dwarves and giants, not metaphysical reinterpretations of the same. Call me a literalist, boring old fogey if you must...  :laugh:
Quote from: Florestan on November 01, 2022, 02:59:22 AM
Oh, I'm with you all the way. Regietheater is trash.
+1

I completely concur.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on November 01, 2022, 04:14:46 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on November 01, 2022, 04:04:28 AM
Oh I've been to shows like that. ;D  A Salome at Covent Garden.  Or - less excusably - a Rake's Progress in Vienna performed largely in the nude, only the character of Nick Shadow remaining severely suited throughout.  Perhaps unwisely I had taken as my guests two Viennese grandes dames - my landlady and her friend - to whom I had promised a bright and entertaining evening.  As I was apologising profusely afterwards, and they were graciously insisting that No no, they had enjoyed themselves really, one of them remarked that her only regret was - and here I am quoting verbatim - We didn't get to see the bad man's penis.

Nice story! I can imagine your embarrassment, especially during the performance. :D

Well, my informant --- a lady too --- didn't get to see the bad man's penis either because the Duke dropped the towel (during the last bars of La donna e mobile) while going off stage, his back turned to the audience. As different from your lady, though, mine was only too grateful for that.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on November 01, 2022, 07:27:17 AM
In a few weeks, I have tickets to see the Berliner Philharmoniker perform Mahler's 7th during their US tour!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on November 01, 2022, 07:32:32 AM
Quote from: Mapman on November 01, 2022, 07:27:17 AM
In a few weeks, I have tickets to see the Berliner Philharmoniker perform Mahler's 7th during their US tour!

Excellent! Great orchestra, great piece. Feel free to report back.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Roasted Swan on November 01, 2022, 01:29:10 PM
John Wilson and his Sinfonia of London are going "on the road" for the first time touring the UK in late November/early December.  I've got tickets to see them in Basingstoke.  A pretty "pops" programme;

Bolero/Valses Nobles
Walton Scapino
Rhapsody in Blue
La mer

It will be interesting to see in the flesh if Wilson favours flash over substance and nuance.  Of course the other big question is quite who will be in the band.  They are after all a scratch band albeit a very good one.  Part of the reason they are able to call on the top-notch players they have in the past is mainly because the work is in defined batches of sessions/proms (with associated recordings and video fees) AND take place in the summer months when players regular orchestras are on holiday.  Quite whether they will be able to make this tour "tied work" is also open to question given the time of year.  I'm sure the standard of playing will be very high and I hope the attendance is good.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 05, 2022, 07:50:51 AM
Tonight!

Nashville Symphony | Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor
Stewart Goodyear, piano

Program
Lera Auerbach: Icarus

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4

Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 05, 2022, 08:36:06 AM
Very cool program! Lera Auerbach is great.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 06, 2022, 05:17:00 AM
A wonderful concert yesterday evening with local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds
Performing

Beethoven Piano Concerto no 1
Tchaikovsky Symphony no 6 (Pathetique)

Soloist Ian Buckle
Conductor David Greed

Took place at the local St Edmund's Church, Roundhay, Leeds
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 06, 2022, 05:32:51 AM
Quote from: Judith on November 06, 2022, 05:17:00 AM
A wonderful concert yesterday evening with local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds
Performing

Beethoven Piano Concerto no 1
Tchaikovsky Symphony no 6 (Pathetique)

Soloist Ian Buckle
Conductor David Greed

Took place at the local St Edmund's Church, Roundhay, Leeds
Glad that you had a great time!  :)

Brian,

Have you decided whether or not you'll be going to London in May for the concert/holiday?

Note:  I did see that it has been announced that there will be a bank holiday on the following Monday.

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 08, 2022, 11:30:06 AM
Just a short little concert tonight from a local semipro group:

Mahler | Adagietto from Symphony No 5
Copland | Clarinet Concerto
Suk | Serenade for Strings

Jonathan Jones, clarinet
Dallas Chamber Symphony
Richard McKay, conductor

Jonathan Jones is the chamber symphony's principal conductor, plus a regular player at the Dallas Opera and Fort Worth Symphony, and has toured the USA and Europe playing clarinet in Ricky Ian Gordon's chamber opera, Orpheus and Eurydice.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on November 20, 2022, 11:23:39 AM
Quote from: Mapman on November 01, 2022, 07:27:17 AM
In a few weeks, I have tickets to see the Berliner Philharmoniker perform Mahler's 7th during their US tour!

That concert was last night, at the Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, MI. I'd never been there before. The acoustics are somewhat dry, and it feels like you can hear everything. The Berliner Philharmoniker also managed to balance everything extremely well, and the principal players are fantastic. The 4th movement was especially beautiful, and the 5th movement benefited from the clarity in the contrapuntal sections. (I think a piece like Bruckner's 5th would do well in that hall.) Overall, a great performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 24, 2022, 09:00:27 AM
Last Sunday afternoon, we saw local orchestra
Airedale Symphony Orchestra
performing
The Perfect Fool Ballet Music Holst
Scottish Fantasy Bruch
The Seasons Glazunov
Cappriccio Espagnol Rimsky-Korsakov

Andy Long violin
John Anderson conductor

Wonderful performance from all and enjoyed it very much
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 25, 2022, 12:59:43 PM
Quote from: Judith on November 24, 2022, 09:00:27 AMLast Sunday afternoon, we saw local orchestra
Airedale Symphony Orchestra
performing
The Perfect Fool Ballet Music Holst
Scottish Fantasy Bruch
The Seasons Glazunov
Cappriccio Espagnol Rimsky-Korsakov

Andy Long violin
John Anderson conductor

Wonderful performance from all and enjoyed it very much
Interesting to hear that that ballet music from Holst was performed.  Does that happen often in the UK?  I do enjoy a Chandos disc that I have with Hickox of that.  :)   Have you heard those recordings?

Nice to hear that you had a lovely time!

Best wishes,

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on November 27, 2022, 05:44:42 AM
Looking backwards; an simply amazing Martino vn concerto nr 2 with Kavakos/Elder/Bergen Phil on the 24th of November. Stunning! Janaceks Jalousy and the Rch 3rd Symphony made up an interesting program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 04, 2022, 04:42:34 AM
Next tuesday:

Katrien Baerts soprano and the (Brussels) Collectief (5 musicians/ winds/strings/piano)

My Illness is The Medicine I Need (2002) – Thomas Larcher

Trois nuits* (2020) – Karl Naegelen
Nuit (Victor Hugo)
Berceuse (Verlaine)
Le ciel en nuit, s'est déplié (Verhaeren)

Lieder der Vergänglichkeit* (2022) – Mathilde Wantenaar
Schönheit dieser Welt vergehet
Wandrers Nachtlied II
Fröhlich, zärtlich, lieblich
Herbsttag
Wandrers Nachtlief I

Barcarolle (uit: Sérigraphies) (2007-2017) – Johannes Schöllhorn

Serres impies (2017) – Rob Zuidam
Palais de verre
Zinc
Rose ignoble
Noir mercuriel
En rouille
Tout n'est que syphilis
Vert métallique
Serres impies
Prière
https://www.mathildewantenaar.com/

*NL premières
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on December 06, 2022, 08:02:44 PM
Parsifal in Bergen in 21st January.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 07, 2022, 06:35:19 AM
Quote from: pjme on December 04, 2022, 04:42:34 AMNext tuesday:

Katrien Baerts soprano and the (Brussels) Collectief (5 musicians/ winds/strings/piano)

My Illness is The Medicine I Need (2002) – Thomas Larcher

Trois nuits* (2020) – Karl Naegelen
Nuit (Victor Hugo)
Berceuse (Verlaine)
Le ciel en nuit, s'est déplié (Verhaeren)

Lieder der Vergänglichkeit* (2022) – Mathilde Wantenaar
Schönheit dieser Welt vergehet
Wandrers Nachtlied II
Fröhlich, zärtlich, lieblich
Herbsttag
Wandrers Nachtlief I

Barcarolle (uit: Sérigraphies) (2007-2017) – Johannes Schöllhorn

Serres impies (2017) – Rob Zuidam
Palais de verre
Zinc
Rose ignoble
Noir mercuriel
En rouille
Tout n'est que syphilis
Vert métallique
Serres impies
Prière
https://www.mathildewantenaar.com/

*NL premières

Very impressive concert that showcased the extraordinary vocal prowess and agility of belgian soprano Katrien Baerts. She was accompanied by Het collectief, 5 belgian musicians (piano, flute, cello, clarinet(s), percussion)  who have a long standing knowledge of contemporary music.

https://www.katrienbaerts.com/en/news.html
https://www.hetcollectief.be/en/het-collectief
https://www.thomaslarcher.com/en/biography/
http://www.cdmc.asso.fr/en/ressources/compositeurs/biographies/naegelen-karl-1979
https://www.mathildewantenaar.com/
https://johannes-schoellhorn.de/
https://robertzuidam.com/

Robert Zuidam's "Serres impies" on fragments from Huysmans' A rebours, seemed to be, for me, the most impressive work.
h
At ca 25-30 minutes it requires flexibility and technical "justesse"  from all musicians. Difficult and taxing... But Baerts (who has sung Ligeti, Kagel... and other works by Zuidam) had me spellbound.
The texts depict the beauty, wilting, "infirmity" and the ultimate decline of extravagant, monstrous flora in "unholy hothouses".
The sweet little Barcarolle by Schöllhorn was a welcome "entremets".
Mathilde Wantenaar's (29 years old) Lieder der Vergänglichkeit contrasted strongly with the other works as they evoked -albeit fragmented and desconstructed- late Romantic composers.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 09, 2022, 06:20:32 AM
This weekend:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello
Pretty Yende, soprano

Xi Wang Ensō  (world premiere—Philadelphia Orchestra commission)
Haydn Cello Concerto in D major
Mahler Symphony No. 4

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on December 09, 2022, 07:18:08 AM
Bought tickets to Turandot recently, the performance is in February, Siegfried in March. Turandot was the first Puccini opera  I saw live and I have always had a great fondness for it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 09, 2022, 01:56:29 PM
Quote from: pjme on December 04, 2022, 04:42:34 AMNext tuesday:

Katrien Baerts soprano and the (Brussels) Collectief (5 musicians/ winds/strings/piano)

My Illness is The Medicine I Need (2002) – Thomas Larcher

Trois nuits* (2020) – Karl Naegelen
Nuit (Victor Hugo)
Berceuse (Verlaine)
Le ciel en nuit, s'est déplié (Verhaeren)

Lieder der Vergänglichkeit* (2022) – Mathilde Wantenaar
Schönheit dieser Welt vergehet
Wandrers Nachtlied II
Fröhlich, zärtlich, lieblich
Herbsttag
Wandrers Nachtlief I

Barcarolle (uit: Sérigraphies) (2007-2017) – Johannes Schöllhorn

Serres impies (2017) – Rob Zuidam
Palais de verre
Zinc
Rose ignoble
Noir mercuriel
En rouille
Tout n'est que syphilis
Vert métallique
Serres impies
Prière
https://www.mathildewantenaar.com/

*NL premières

Meant to say, I don't know Naegelan, Wantemaar, or Schöllhorn, but Larcher and Zuidam I like (what I've heard).

Quote from: ultralinear on December 09, 2022, 06:27:40 AMNice! :)

Also this weekend:

Mahler  Adagietto from Symphony No.5
Britten  Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Shostakovich  Symphony No.14

Aurora Orchestra
Nicholas Collon conductor
Elizabeth Atherton soprano
Peter Rose bass

And equally nice! That Shostakovich doesn't show up on programs that often.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on December 09, 2022, 04:37:04 PM
Quote from: Brewski on December 09, 2022, 06:20:32 AMThis weekend:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello
Pretty Yende, soprano

Xi Wang Ensō  (world premiere—Philadelphia Orchestra commission)
Haydn Cello Concerto in D major
Mahler Symphony No. 4

-Bruce
Oh, what a cool program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on December 10, 2022, 06:39:49 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 09, 2022, 01:56:29 PMMeant to say, I don't know Naegelan, Wantemaar, or Schöllhorn, but Larcher and Zuidam I like (what I've heard).
-Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I do like to take the occasional plunge into unknown territory. Mathilde Wantenaar, a name new to me,  recently got some airplay on Dutch Radio 4 because Simone Lamsma premiered her violinconcerto in september

"Mathilde Wantenaar writes a violin concerto for Simone Lamsma. This afternoon, chief conductor Karina Canellakis will also conduct Bruckner's colossal Eighth Symphony.


" Mathilde's musical voice is authentic ".

Violinist Simone Lamsma did not have to think for long when the Saturday Matinee asked her who she would like to play a new violin concerto by. Her answer: "Mathilde Wantenaar", the young Dutch composer who made her Matinee debut in 2019 with the choral work "Dit zijn de bleeke, bleeklichte weken", on a text by Herman Gorter. Asked about her choice, Lamsma says: "Wantenaar's music is colourful and immediately appeals to my imagination. What struck me immediately when I heard her work is the directness of its expression. Mathilde's musical voice is authentic. She writes in a language with which I feel connected."

I've heard several works byRob Zuidam (1964), so I was intrigued. Larcher, Naegelen en Schöllhorn were totally new to me.
Apart from the music, I was happy to discover "Het cenakel" a 19th century chapel in Tilburg, saved from destruction and used as a concerthall/exposition room.
https://www.cenakel.nl/
And I will re-read Huysmans A rebours.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%80_rebours

Peter
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on December 16, 2022, 10:24:21 AM
Just bought a ticket for a performance of Bellini's La Sonnambula on December 23rd at the Teatro Real here in Madrid. The lead part of Amina is sung by Floridian soprano Nadine Sierra, who debuted the rôle last night —to huge acclaim by both the audience and critics— in the first performance of this new production by Bárbara Lluch. Tenor Xabier Anduaga sings Elvino, and the conductor is Maurizio Benini.

Here is Ms. Sierra sleepwalking, while singing some of the most beautiful melodies ever composed for an opera  ;)

(https://s1.eestatic.com/2022/12/16/el-cultural/escenarios/opera/726437386_229531987_1706x960.jpg)

I may be a rabid Boulezian and Wagnerian and all that, but I rarely let pass the opportunity to see a fully staged Bellini opera... :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 16, 2022, 11:09:18 AM
Quote from: ritter on December 16, 2022, 10:24:21 AMI may be a rabid Boulezian and Wagnerian and all that, but I rarely let pass the opportunity to see a fully staged Bellini opera... :D

As far as I'm concerned, you have fully redeemed yourself, Rafael.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 16, 2022, 11:11:03 AM
Vienna Philharmonic New Year 2023 Concert (https://www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/konzerte/new-years-concert/10249/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on December 17, 2022, 06:18:06 AM
Offenbach: Les contes d'Hoffmann - at the Greek National Opera. Going tomorrow (premiere) and on Tuesday (alternate cast). A co-production with La Monnaie (Brussels).


Stella – Olympia – Antonia – Giulietta 
Νicole Chevalier (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023)
Vassiliki Karayanni (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)


La Muse – Nicklausse
Mary-Ellen Nesi (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023)
Marissia Papalexiou (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)


 Voice from the Grave
Margarita Syngeniotou (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023)
Anna Tselika (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023) 
Hoffmann 
Adam Smith (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023) 
Yannis Christopoulos (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)
Lindorf – Coppélius – Dr Miracle
Dapertutto
Tassos Apostolou (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023) 
Petros Magoulas (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)
Spalanzani – Nathanaël 
Andreas Karaoulis (18, 20, 28/12/2022 & 5/1/2023) 
Dionisios Melogiannidis (22, 29/12/2022 & 4, 8/1/2023)
Crespel – Luther
Christophoros Stamboglis (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023)
Yanni Yannissis (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)
Hermann - Peter Schlémil
George Mattheakakis (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023)
Georgios Papadimitriou (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)
Andrès – Cochenille – Frantz – Pitichinaccio 
Christos Kechris (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023)
Yannis Kalyvas (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)
Wolfram
Panagiotis Priftis (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023) 
Nikos Katsigiannis (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)
Wilhelm 
Marinos Tarnanas (18, 22, 29/12/2022 & 4/1/2023) 
Christos Rammopoulos (20, 28/12/2022 & 5, 8/1/2023)
 
With the Orchestra and Chorus of the Greek National Opera

Conductor
Lukas Karytinos

Director
Krzysztof Warlikowski
Sets, costumes
Małgorzata Szczęśniak
Choreography
Claude Bardouil
Lighting
Felice Ross
Video design
Denis Guéguin
Dramaturgy
Christian Longchamp
Chorus master
Agathangelos Georgakatos

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on December 17, 2022, 06:22:40 AM
Quote from: ritter on December 16, 2022, 10:24:21 AM...La Sonnambula on December 23rd at the Teatro Real here in Madrid.

The set looks needlessly gloomy in that photograph, but oh, what a splendid work. Enjoy!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: The new erato on December 17, 2022, 09:17:21 PM
Monteverdis Vespers tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on December 24, 2022, 12:45:39 AM
Well, La Sonnambula last night was simply outstanding! Nadine Sierra (this production is her rôle debut, her first complete opera at the Teatro Real, and apparently her first complete Bellini opera anywhere) is a soprano of the highest rank. She has all that is required: coloratura, trills, legato, wonderful phrasing, and a rich tone. She composed a very credible character both vocally and scenically. I hadn't heard singing of this quality and conviction for many, many years. She received a well-deserved standing ovation at the end.

Xabier Anduaga as Elvino started out rather unnuancedly, flaunting his potent tenor voice. As the evening progressed, he improved markedly, and was a superb partner to Ms. Sierra. The rest of the soloists were very good as well, with Roberto Tagliavini standing out as the count.

Maurizio Benini conducted lovingly and knowingly, and his relatively slow tempi suited the pastoral nature of the score.

The production by Bárbara Lluch (granddaughter of the esteemed actress and producer Nuria Espert) was dark and had a couple of feminist twists, but these were unobtrusive, and respected the bucolic, Biedermeierish Helvetic setting of the work.

A great evening at the opera. IMHO, only this art form permits a work with as silly a plot as this one become a memorable aesthetic experience, thanks in this case to Bellini's beautiful, long melodies and wonderful vocal writing.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on December 25, 2022, 01:23:44 AM
Quote from: ritter on December 24, 2022, 12:45:39 AMa work with as silly a plot as this one

Do you know anything more silly than a man who has just been stabbed singing for half an hour?  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DaveF on December 28, 2022, 02:40:30 AM
BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, 27th Jan.

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Thierry Pécou: Cara Bali Concerto
Martinů: Symphony no.3

As far as I can remember, in nearly 50 years of concert-going, I've never heard any Martinů performed.  Any Welsh members fancy meeting up at this one?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 30, 2022, 01:16:35 PM
Quote from: DaveF on December 28, 2022, 02:40:30 AMBBC National Orchestra of Wales at the Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff, 27th Jan.

Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Thierry Pécou: Cara Bali Concerto
Martinů: Symphony no.3

As far as I can remember, in nearly 50 years of concert-going, I've never heard any Martinů performed.  Any Welsh members fancy meeting up at this one?

50 years is a long time, but this concert looks fantastic, and worth waiting for!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on December 30, 2022, 01:19:38 PM
For New Year's Eve breakfast, this fun-looking livestream with the Berlin Philharmonic, Kirill Petrenko, and tenor Jonas Kaufmann. (Yes, for friends in San Francisco, that would be 8:30 am. ;D )

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/54496

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DaveF on December 31, 2022, 02:32:59 AM
Quote from: Brewski on December 30, 2022, 01:16:35 PM50 years is a long time, but this concert looks fantastic, and worth waiting for!


Yes, I hope so.  Don't know Thierry Pécou, but I think he may be the 5th member of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band:

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Thierry_pecou.jpg/800px-Thierry_pecou.jpg)

I realise my post could be interpreted to mean that I'd never heard anything by Martinů.  No, live in concert, I mean.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 06, 2023, 02:13:43 PM
Just spoke with a friend in Cincinnati, who was wildly excited after Augustin Hadelich in Britten's Violin Concerto with Thomas Søndergård in his debut with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and loved the Sibelius 2nd Symphony that followed.

So I looked at their spring schedule, which is quite enticing, and ends with Mahler 8 on May 27, which will be livestreamed:

https://mayfestival.com/concerts-and-events/buy-tickets/2023-season/mahlers-symphony-of-a-thousand/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on January 07, 2023, 06:16:25 AM
Quote from: DaveF on December 31, 2022, 02:32:59 AM(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Thierry_pecou.jpg/800px-Thierry_pecou.jpg)


https://www.schott-music.com/en/person/thierry-pecou

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 14, 2023, 12:23:02 AM
Sala Santa Cecilia, Rome, 19 January:

Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
direttore Antonio Pappano
pianoforte Vikingur Ólafsson


I colori del Novecento

Prokofiev: Sinfonia n. 1 "Classica"         
Ravel: Concerto in Sol   
Sibelius: Sinfonia n. 5


When I booked this some months ago, the pianist was supposed to be Martha Argerich; however, her not being able to perform was always a very real possibility. Last time I attended a concert of hers was a number of years ago in Athens and hopefully I'll be able to see her again performing before she stops concertizing altogether. The notifying e-mail came a couple of days ago. I of course won't be asking for a refund (the choice is given); Ólaffson is a very exciting substitution and I also really want to see this particular ensemble performing my beloved Sibelius Fifth under Pappano. Not to mention what a great venue the Sala Santa Cecilia is in its own right. Really looking forward to this!

Edit: Martha Argerich seems to have cancelled all concerts until further notice; unfortunately, it doesn't seem it's just a minor health issue. Hopefully, she will make a full recovery. We need her with us, and not necessarily on the concert platform. 
Martha Argerich souffre d'un problème cardiaque : A 81 ans, la pianiste doit à nouveau annuler des concerts (https://www.radioclassique.fr/classique/martha-argerich-souffre-dun-probleme-cardiaque-a-81-ans-la-pianiste-doit-a-nouveau-annuler-des-concerts/#.Y8bnXSPBCA0.twitter)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 14, 2023, 05:01:39 AM
I have no idea why the font in my previous post got so damn big. I just copied/pasted from my notes app, in which the text appeared normal. Is this another feature of the new software? 😕
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 14, 2023, 12:12:37 PM
Really looking forward to this free livestreamed concert next Sunday afternoon (Jan. 22, 2:00 pm Central) with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. I heard Randall Goosby live twice in 2022—a superstar in the making—and the Prokofiev is one of my favorites.

https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/watch-listen/free-livestreams/

Louis Langrée, conductor
Randall Goosby, violin

Julia Perry: Homunculus C.F.
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 14, 2023, 05:29:29 PM
Quote from: Brewski on January 14, 2023, 12:12:37 PMReally looking forward to this free livestreamed concert next Sunday afternoon (Jan. 22, 2:00 pm Central) with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. I heard Randall Goosby live twice in 2022—a superstar in the making—and the Prokofiev is one of my favorites.

https://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/watch-listen/free-livestreams/

Louis Langrée, conductor
Randall Goosby, violin

Julia Perry: Homunculus C.F.
Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3

-Bruce
If you get excited enough to follow along, he is also playing the Tchaikovsky in Dallas the following week, and the coupling is the Lutoslawski Concerto for Orchestra. I'm going!

Last night we went to the DSO in this program:

Coleridge-Taylor: Solemn Prelude
Grieg: Concerto (with Paul Lewis)
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
Ryan Bancroft, conductor

Unfortunately, it was a disappointment for reasons I'll discuss in the brand new Grieg Concerto recordings thread when I get a chance tomorrow or Monday.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: bhodges on January 14, 2023, 05:54:57 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 14, 2023, 05:29:29 PMIf you get excited enough to follow along, he is also playing the Tchaikovsky in Dallas the following week, and the coupling is the Lutoslawski Concerto for Orchestra. I'm going!

Ooh, envious. I wish the DSO did streaming; I would definitely tune in now and then.

Sorry about the less-than-ideal concert last night. :-\

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on January 14, 2023, 06:05:19 PM
I'll also see Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra soon, as my university's orchestra will perform it. That concert in Dallas sounds fun!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 14, 2023, 06:24:50 PM
Quote from: Brewski on January 14, 2023, 05:54:57 PMOoh, envious. I wish the DSO did streaming; I would definitely tune in now and then.

Sorry about the less-than-ideal concert last night. :-\

-Bruce
After we just had that conversation, I got a text from my mother...who is currently at a San Antonio Philharmonic* concert featuring... Randall Goosby playing the Tchaikovsky concerto!

*The Symphony disbanded because ownership demanded the musicians take a pay cut. Then the musicians formed their own self-owned communal group, the Philharmonic, without an ownership class. It's an experiment in talent owned artistic enterprise!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 15, 2023, 01:42:19 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 14, 2023, 06:24:50 PMAfter we just had that conversation, I got a text from my mother...who is currently at a San Antonio Philharmonic* concert featuring... Randall Goosby playing the Tchaikovsky concerto!

*The Symphony disbanded because ownership demanded the musicians take a pay cut. Then the musicians formed their own self-owned communal group, the Philharmonic, without an ownership class. It's an experiment in talent owned artistic enterprise!

Continuing (before a slip of the finger accidentally deleted my account, "Happy New Year" ;D ), I did hear the news of the San Antonio orchestra, which was sad, but did not hear this pleasant coda. Hope they make it.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 15, 2023, 03:26:25 AM
Quote from: absolutelybaching on January 14, 2023, 05:06:24 AMGo back into your post in edit mode, by clicking More -> Modify
Select all text (Ctrl+A)
Then click the 'Font Size' icon -it's a capital 'A' in blue, with a red double-ended arrow running vertically above it. Set font-size to 2, I think.

For the future: what Notes app are you using?

Thanks for the tip! As I'm out of Athens at the moment, I'll try it from the desktop when I return home in a couple of days. As for the app: I'm using the default iPad Notes app.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on January 15, 2023, 12:37:45 PM
Copied from the Lyatoshynsky thread:
Just returned from a great concert in London, featuring Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto and Lyatoshynsky's epic 3rd Symphony (original pre-censorship, version). I'm so glad that I made the effort to go to this concert (at the Barbican Hall) - probably the only opportunity I will ever have to hear this work live. It was especially moving as the concert featured a Ukrainian soloist (Anna Fedorova) and a Ukrainian conductor (Kirill Karabits) as well as the BBC SO. Fedorova played a soulful Ukrainian piano work as an encore and it was all very moving. My wife enjoyed the Rachmaninov very much but not the Lyatoshynsky symphony (whispering to me 'Sounds like World War Three' and 'sounds like 'Planet of the Apes') but my brother, my daughter and son-in-law as well as an old friend enjoyed the whole concert. It was very special and if you have access to BBC Radio 3 it is going to be broadcast on Tuesday at 7.30pm (GMT) and will then be available on BBC Sounds.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001gyn0
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 16, 2023, 02:24:47 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on January 15, 2023, 12:37:45 PMMy wife enjoyed the Rachmaninov very much but not the Lyatoshynsky symphony (whispering to me 'Sounds like World War Three' and 'sounds like 'Planet of the Apes')

I wonder what she hated more, the former or the latter.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on January 16, 2023, 02:28:24 AM
Quote from: Florestan on January 16, 2023, 02:24:47 AMI wonder what she hated more, the former or the latter.  ;D
;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 16, 2023, 02:35:00 PM
On Sunday, Jan. 22, I'll be watching the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra livestream, but look what showed up at 3:00 pm ET on the same day: a recital at Yale by Augustin Hadelich. Free, no registration required.

J.S. Bach: Violin Partita No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: Blue/s Forms (1979)
Ysaÿe: Violin Sonata in A minor, Op. 27, No. 2, "Obsession"
Bach: Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004

https://music-tickets.yale.edu/23057/23058?fbclid=IwAR2RwqayLoPmnCGBXKcxG94N5ZGMuZ3rBrfB62DF6OypdCKXJq28X75OkOc

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 25, 2023, 06:09:23 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on January 25, 2023, 04:45:10 AMGeneral booking opened today at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden for the UK premiere in April of Kaija Saariaho's new opera Innocence conducted by Susanna Mälkki:

(https://images.prismic.io/royal-opera-house/df79a1dd-506d-417b-9d42-b3c48564a6ff_Innocence+Festival_000609_Ori.JPG?auto=compress,format&rect=377,0,5961,4480&w=500)

Despite letting my membership lapse, amazingly I was able to book my favourite seats, which have the advantages of being (a) relatively cheap, (b) with excellent sightlines even for someone short, and (c) convenient for the exit.** ;D

Plus: since I had been prepared to go up at least one price band if necessary, now I have a wodge of "spare" cash to throw at a CD order. :) ::)

** It was from these seats, during the interval in a monumentally dull performance of Berg's Lulu, that I set what I believe still to be the record for the Amphitheatre Bar Dash, timed from the first moment the curtain starts to fall and ending when standing at the bar with a triple vodka in hand. ;)

OK, I'm terribly envious—and that set, alone, looks spectacular. (PS, sorry about the dull Lulu, but would have loved to join you for your bar dash.)

Tonight, the JACK Quartet in this fantastic program. For those interested, the concert will be livestreamed, free:

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/jack-quartet-curenton/

Burhans: Contritus
Lachenmann: Quartet No. 2, Reigen seliger Geister
Lee, III: Chôro sem tristeza
Shirazi: Vestiges
Zorn: Nachträglichkeit

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 25, 2023, 06:13:58 PM
Hey Bruce, check out the Goosby/Tchaikovsky program here in Dallas this weekend!

Dvorak | The Wood Dove
Tchaikovsky | Violin Concerto
Lutoslawski | Concerto for Orchestra

Randall Goosby
Karina Canellakis
Dallas Symphony
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 25, 2023, 06:21:37 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 25, 2023, 06:13:58 PMHey Bruce, check out the Goosby/Tchaikovsky program here in Dallas this weekend!

Dvorak | The Wood Dove
Tchaikovsky | Violin Concerto
Lutoslawski | Concerto for Orchestra

Randall Goosby
Karina Canellakis
Dallas Symphony

OK, that is fantastic, mostly because you rarely see the first and last pieces programmed (at least, in the U.S.). Goosby seems to be making the Tchaikovsky his calling card for early 2023! I'm not the biggest fan of the piece (it's fine), but at least on Sunday, he was smiling while dealing with its onslaughts.

Hope you're going, and please report if you do.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 25, 2023, 06:23:14 PM
Quote from: brewski on January 25, 2023, 06:21:37 PMOK, that is fantastic, mostly because you rarely see the first and last pieces programmed (at least, in the U.S.). Goosby seems to be making the Tchaikovsky his calling card for early 2023! I'm not the biggest fan of the piece (it's fine), but at least on Sunday, he was smiling while dealing with its onslaughts.

Hope you're going, and please report if you do.

-Bruce
Yup! Mainly for the other two works, but my parents also had glowing reviews of Goosby when they saw him two weeks ago in San Antonio. This is my second time seeing the Lutoslawski live and I'll keep going everytime anyone programs it  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 25, 2023, 06:29:01 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 25, 2023, 06:23:14 PMYup! Mainly for the other two works, but my parents also had glowing reviews of Goosby when they saw him two weeks ago in San Antonio. This is my second time seeing the Lutoslawski live and I'll keep going everytime anyone programs it  8)

Yesss. Honestly, I think Goosby is on his way to superstardom, if he keeps up this pace. (Hope he does an encore, too.)

And I've only seen the Lutoslawski live once, that I can recall. It is worth chasing down whenever it appears.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 26, 2023, 10:50:06 PM
A trilogy of operas next week in Paris:


Il Trovatore (2 February, Opéra Bastille)

Il Conte di Luna: Étienne Dupuis
Leonora: Anna Pirozzi
Azucena: Judit Kutasi
Manrico: Yusif Eyvazov
Ferrando: Roberto Tagliavini
Ines: Marie-Andrée Bouchard-Lesieur
Ruiz: Samy Camps
Un vecchio Zingaro: Shin Jae Kim
Un Messo: Chae Hoon Baek
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Carlo Rizzi
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Alex Ollé



Carmen (3 February, Opéra Bastille)

Don José: Joseph Calleja
Escamillo: Étienne Dupuis
Le Dancaïre: Marc Labonnette
Le Remendado: Loïc Félix
Zuniga: Guilhem Worms
Morales: Tomasz Kumiega
Carmen: Clémentine Margaine
Micaela: Nicole Car
Frasquita: Andrea Cueva Molnar
Mercedes: Adèle Charvet
Lillas Pastia: Karim Belkhadra
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Fabien Gabel
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Calixto Bieito



Tristan und Isolde (4 February, Opéra Bastille)

Isolde: Mary Elizabeth Williams
Tristan: Michael Weinius
Brangäne: Okka von der Damerau
Kurwenal: Ryan Speedo Green
König Marke: Eric Owens
Melot: Neal Cooper
Ein Hirt, ein Seeman: Maciej Kwaśnikowski
Ein Steuermann: Tomasz Kumiega
Corps terrestre: Jeff Mills, Lisa Rhoden
Corps célestes: John Hay, Sarah Steben
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Peter Sellars





Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 27, 2023, 01:44:22 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on January 26, 2023, 10:50:06 PMA trilogy of operas next week in Paris:


Il Trovatore (2 February, Opéra Bastille)

Il Conte di Luna: Étienne Dupuis
Leonora: Anna Pirozzi
Azucena: Judit Kutasi
Manrico: Yusif Eyvazov
Ferrando: Roberto Tagliavini
Ines: Marie-Andrée Bouchard-Lesieur
Ruiz: Samy Camps
Un vecchio Zingaro: Shin Jae Kim
Un Messo: Chae Hoon Baek
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Carlo Rizzi
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Alex Ollé



Carmen (3 February, Opéra Bastille)

Don José: Joseph Calleja
Escamillo: Étienne Dupuis
Le Dancaïre: Marc Labonnette
Le Remendado: Loïc Félix
Zuniga: Guilhem Worms
Morales: Tomasz Kumiega
Carmen: Clémentine Margaine
Micaela: Nicole Car
Frasquita: Andrea Cueva Molnar
Mercedes: Adèle Charvet
Lillas Pastia: Karim Belkhadra
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Fabien Gabel
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Calixto Bieito



Tristan und Isolde (4 February, Opéra Bastille)

Isolde: Mary Elizabeth Williams
Tristan: Michael Weinius
Brangäne: Okka von der Damerau
Kurwenal: Ryan Speedo Green
König Marke: Eric Owens
Melot: Neal Cooper
Ein Hirt, ein Seeman: Maciej Kwaśnikowski
Ein Steuermann: Tomasz Kumiega
Corps terrestre: Jeff Mills, Lisa Rhoden
Corps célestes: John Hay, Sarah Steben
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Peter Sellars

Quite the week, Tasos! Superb program. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 27, 2023, 08:29:58 AM
Last week, we went to see local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds performing
Martinu  Overture for Orchestra
Schubert  Symphony No 5
Sibelius  En Saga
Kapralova  Military Sinfonietta

Conductors
David Greed
Anthony Kraus

It was a 50th Anniversary Concert.  Schubert Symphony no 5 was performed the very first concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 27, 2023, 12:51:59 PM
Quote from: Florestan on January 27, 2023, 01:44:22 AMQuite the week, Tasos! Superb program. Enjoy!

Thanks, Andrei, looking forward to them all.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 28, 2023, 08:39:47 AM
Quote from: Florestan on January 27, 2023, 01:44:22 AMQuite the week, Tasos! Superb program. Enjoy!

Yes, that is quite a heady three days! And perhaps you planned it for this reason, but that's not a bad "program order" for those 3 operas. (I would definitely prefer seeing Tristan last.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 28, 2023, 08:41:23 AM
Quote from: Judith on January 27, 2023, 08:29:58 AMLast week, we went to see local orchestra
Sinfonia of Leeds performing
Martinu  Overture for Orchestra
Schubert  Symphony No 5
Sibelius  En Saga
Kapralova  Military Sinfonietta

Conductors
David Greed
Anthony Kraus

It was a 50th Anniversary Concert.  Schubert Symphony no 5 was performed the very first concert.

What a nice program. I have never heard the Martinu (nor seen it on any concert offering), and En Saga doesn't show up that often, either—at least, in the U.S.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 28, 2023, 08:43:58 AM
Tonight, an all-Tchaikovsky livestream from the Cincinnati Pops, with excerpts from Romeo & Juliet, Swan Lake, and the 1812 Overture. I'm tuning in mostly to see Damon Gupton, a conductor I know from Facebook, to see what he's all about.


-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 29, 2023, 01:54:50 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on January 26, 2023, 10:50:06 PMA trilogy of operas next week in Paris:


Il Trovatore (2 February, Opéra Bastille)

Il Conte di Luna: Étienne Dupuis
Leonora: Anna Pirozzi
Azucena: Judit Kutasi
Manrico: Yusif Eyvazov
Ferrando: Roberto Tagliavini
Ines: Marie-Andrée Bouchard-Lesieur
Ruiz: Samy Camps
Un vecchio Zingaro: Shin Jae Kim
Un Messo: Chae Hoon Baek
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Carlo Rizzi
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Alex Ollé



Carmen (3 February, Opéra Bastille)

Don José: Joseph Calleja
Escamillo: Étienne Dupuis
Le Dancaïre: Marc Labonnette
Le Remendado: Loïc Félix
Zuniga: Guilhem Worms
Morales: Tomasz Kumiega
Carmen: Clémentine Margaine
Micaela: Nicole Car
Frasquita: Andrea Cueva Molnar
Mercedes: Adèle Charvet
Lillas Pastia: Karim Belkhadra
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Fabien Gabel
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Calixto Bieito



Tristan und Isolde (4 February, Opéra Bastille)

Isolde: Mary Elizabeth Williams
Tristan: Michael Weinius
Brangäne: Okka von der Damerau
Kurwenal: Ryan Speedo Green
König Marke: Eric Owens
Melot: Neal Cooper
Ein Hirt, ein Seeman: Maciej Kwaśnikowski
Ein Steuermann: Tomasz Kumiega
Corps terrestre: Jeff Mills, Lisa Rhoden
Corps célestes: John Hay, Sarah Steben
Orchestre et Choeurs de l'Opéra national de Paris
Conductor: Gustavo Dudamel
Chorus Master: Alessandro Di Stefano
Director: Peter Sellars






Quite an operatic week, Tassos! Enjoy!  :)

I saw the Peter Sellars / Bill Viola production of Tristan here in Madrid some seasons ago, and it was certainly a great experience, and a very valid approach to the work.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 30, 2023, 04:50:50 AM
Coming up soon, two more livestreams (free) from the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Both are enticing, but I'm especially looking forward to the Casals group in Ligeti's No. 1.

Feb. 12
Aizuri Quartet
https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/aizuri-quartet/

Feb. 16
Cuarteto Casals
https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/cuarteto-casals/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 30, 2023, 04:54:49 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 29, 2023, 01:54:50 AMI saw the Peter Sellars / Bill Viola production of Tristan here in Madrid some seasons ago, and it was certainly a great experience, and a very valid approach to the work.

Then again, I expect Calixto Bieito's Carmen to be a horror show.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 30, 2023, 07:02:13 AM
Quote from: Florestan on January 30, 2023, 04:54:49 AMThen again, I expect Calixto Bieito's Carmen to be a horror show.  ;D

I don't particularly care for Carmen, but have that Bieito production on DVD (from the Liceo in Barcelona), and it is stunning theatre...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 30, 2023, 07:15:16 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 30, 2023, 07:02:13 AMit is stunning theatre...

Good to know. I was afraid it was actually stunning Regietheater...  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 30, 2023, 08:09:11 AM
With his reputation in mind, I watched my first Bieito production over the holidays—his version of Prokofiev's The Fiery Angel from Madrid. Perhaps the opera's subject matter is lurid enough on its own, but I found the production perfectly fine—plausible and gripping. If anything, the finale might have been slightly anticlimactic. He returned to a metaphor that appeared in the opera's opening scenes (without giving anything away), but when it returned, it didn't have quite the same impact.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on January 30, 2023, 09:06:41 AM
Quote from: brewski on January 30, 2023, 08:09:11 AMWith his reputation in mind, I watched my first Bieito production over the holidays—his version of Prokofiev's The Fiery Angel from Madrid. Perhaps the opera's subject matter is lurid enough on its own, but I found the production perfectly fine—plausible and gripping. If anything, the finale might have been slightly anticlimactic. He returned to a metaphor that appeared in the opera's opening scenes (without giving anything away), but when it returned, it didn't have quite the same impact.

-Bruce
I missed that production, because I was out of town during the whole run of performances. A pity, because you don't that often get the chance to see The Fiery Angel live. But well, the trip to Rome, Ischia and Naples was worth it.  ;) 

TBH, the only production by Bieito I've seen in the theatre (IIRC) is his Wozzeck. I found it effective, but wasn't all that impressed.

The Carmen I've seen on DVD really makes the story alive, and somehow manages to turn the opera's picture postcard Spain into "the real thing".

I don't want to dampen Tassos' expectations, but whenever I see that a production is by Alex Ollé (he's directing Il Trovatore) or any other member of La Fura dels Baus, I avoid it if I can (which sometimes isn't easy, as it's pieces you don't see programmed that often —e.g. Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher last season here in Madrid). It's always the same thing: people dressed in rags, rubbish bags strewn across the stage, a dystopian atmosphere. It's as if you were watching Mad Max to a soundtrack by Verdi, Wagner, or whomever.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 30, 2023, 09:25:34 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 30, 2023, 09:06:41 AMI missed that production, because I was out of town during the whole run of performances. A pity, because you don't that often get the chance to see The Fiery Angel live. But well, the trip to Rome, Ischia and Naples was worth it.  ;) 

TBH, the only production by Bieito I've seen in the theatre (IIRC) is his Wozzeck. I found it effective, but wasn't all that impressed.

The Carmen I've seen on DVD really makes the story alive, and somehow manages to turn the opera's picture postcard Spain into "the real thing".

Thanks for those comments! PS, if you want to check out the Prokofiev, Arte has it through April 5. (At the moment, I plan to watch it once more, mostly because the musical virtues were plentiful—what a score!) And THAT said, I also note a few other full productions on YouTube, which I'd like to investigate, too.

https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/108551-000-A/prokofiev-s-the-fiery-angel-at-the-teatro-real-in-madrid/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 30, 2023, 09:49:21 AM
Quote from: ritter on January 30, 2023, 09:06:41 AMThe Carmen I've seen on DVD really makes the story alive, and somehow manages to turn the opera's picture postcard Spain into "the real thing".

Actually, Rafael, I somehow don't quite get this whole "picture postcard Spain vs the real thing" stuff. What do you mean by it? Is Merimee's original novella, or the libretto, implausible in real early 19th-century (Southern) Spain? Has the music no connection whatsoever with real Spanish music? I'm really (pun) puzzled.

That being said, for me the best Carmen on film is the 1984 Francesco Rossi version. (I'm a philistine, I know --- and proud of it.  :D )
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 30, 2023, 03:32:10 PM
Tomorrow night (Jan. 31), Voices of Ascension—a New York City-based chorus—is joining the explosions of livestreams with the fascinating program below. (Dolly Parton! ;D ) It's free, but they welcome contributions.

https://www.voicesofascension.org/livestreams

MELISSA DUNPHY: O Oriens
ORLANDO GIBBONS: O clap your hands
CAROLINE SHAW: and the swallow
ANDREW BALFOUR: Vision Chant
LAURA JOBIN-ACOSTA: Te Alabaré, Señor
HAI-TING CHINN: Pale Blue Dot
DOLLY PARTON: Light of a clear blue morning
REENA ESMAIL: TaReKiTa
GIOVANNI DA PALESTRINA: Super flumina Babylonis
HANNAH SELIN: and we fly away (World Premiere, Commissioned by Voices of The New)
MARQUES GARRETT: We Shall Walk through the Valley

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 31, 2023, 09:06:22 AM
On Wednesday night, pianist Richard Goode in an all-Beethoven evening, again at Philadelphia Chamber Music Society (no livestream, alas): https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/richard-goode-piano-2023/

Beethoven: Bagatelles, Op. 119 [Sel.]
Beethoven: Piano Sonata in E Major, Op. 109
Beethoven: 33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 31, 2023, 10:57:31 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 29, 2023, 01:54:50 AMQuite an operatic week, Tassos! Enjoy!  :)

I saw the Peter Sellars / Bill Viola production of Tristan here in Madrid some seasons ago, and it was certainly a great experience, and a very valid approach to the work.

Thanks, Rafael! I saw clips of the production; it appeared to be very evocative and it looks, as you said, valid. In any case, I find the recent excessive theatralisation of opera brought in by regietheatre utterly misguided. As far as I'm concerned, it's the music that counts most and in this case I'm mostly excited to listen to Dudamel's conducting.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 31, 2023, 10:58:51 PM
Quote from: ritter on January 30, 2023, 09:06:41 AMI don't want to dampen Tassos' expectations, but whenever I see that a production is by Alex Ollé (he's directing Il Trovatore) or any other member of La Fura dels Baus, I avoid it if I can (which sometimes isn't easy, as it's pieces you don't see programmed that often —e.g. Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher last season here in Madrid). It's always the same thing: people dressed in rags, rubbish bags strewn across the stage, a dystopian atmosphere. It's as if you were watching Mad Max to a soundtrack by Verdi, Wagner, or whomever.  ;D

For me, it's Warlikowski's productions that I find totally cringe. In his latest crime list, I will not forgive him the atrocities he committed to Les contes d'Hoffmann that I saw in Athens a couple of months back. And, inversely, speaking of not going to the opera exclusively to avoid some idiot's wet-dream production, I did refrain from going to La Scala's Salome while I was in Italy recently due to Michieletto's atrocious treatment of the work.
In comparison, I have no problem with Ollé (and I very much enjoyed the Jeanne d'Arc au bûcher we saw in Madrid). Clips from the upcoming Il Trovatore look very atmospheric.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 31, 2023, 11:01:18 PM
Quote from: Florestan on January 30, 2023, 04:54:49 AMThen again, I expect Calixto Bieito's Carmen to be a horror show.  ;D


From what I can surmise, it's still set in Spain, soldiers are still soldiers and Carmen is still a gypsy (and a woman!). And she's killed in the end with a knife. I think we'll be fine here. 🤷😉
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 01, 2023, 12:53:41 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on January 31, 2023, 11:01:18 PMFrom what I can surmise, it's still set in Spain, soldiers are still soldiers and Carmen is still a gypsy (and a woman!). And she's killed in the end with a knife. I think we'll be fine here. 🤷😉

Excellent. As Rafael would say, "picture postcard Carmen".  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 02, 2023, 02:35:25 PM
Tomorrow night, conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, pianist/composer Gabriela Montero, and the Minnesota Orchestra:

Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
Montero: Piano Concerto No. 1, Latin
Chávez: Symphony No. 2, Sinfonía India
Falla: Suite from The Three-Cornered Hat

https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/tickets/calendar/classical/rapsodie-espagnole/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 02, 2023, 05:08:13 PM
Quote from: brewski on February 02, 2023, 02:35:25 PMTomorrow night, conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, pianist/composer Gabriela Montero, and the Minnesota Orchestra:

Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
Montero: Piano Concerto No. 1, Latin
Chávez: Symphony No. 2, Sinfonía India
Falla: Suite from The Three-Cornered Hat

https://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/tickets/calendar/classical/rapsodie-espagnole/

-Bruce

Oh, wow, that is a cool program! And I am seeing Montero do her concerto soon as well, live in Dallas:

Gabriela Ortiz: Antrópolis (apparently this has an at least partially soloistic timpani part)
Gabriela Montero: Piano Concerto No. 1, Latin
and then, well, it's Scheherazade

with Marin Alsop. Feb. 24

I owed you a report on last week's DSO concert with Randall Goosby by the way. But it was so good I decided to go long and write a thousand words about it (https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2023/02/last-weekend-was-a-reminder-of-why-we-love-the-dallas-symphony/). Oops!  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 02, 2023, 06:03:22 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 02, 2023, 05:08:13 PMI owed you a report on last week's DSO concert with Randall Goosby by the way. But it was so good I decided to go long and write a thousand words about it (https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2023/02/last-weekend-was-a-reminder-of-why-we-love-the-dallas-symphony/). Oops!  ;D  ;D

"We want our ears to be pinned back."

Yessir.

(Makes me wish I had been there, and please tell me you're going to the Shostakovich.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 02, 2023, 06:39:31 PM
Quote from: brewski on February 02, 2023, 06:03:22 PM(Makes me wish I had been there, and please tell me you're going to the Shostakovich.)

-Bruce
I'll give it another listen at home first. Believe it or not I've only heard the piece once before. The gf would hate it but I bet I could score a single media pass. (She loves loves loves the Lutoslawski though.)

The DSCH Fourth is with Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the tiny opener is Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina prelude "Dawn on the Moscow River," one of my favorite little tidbits.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 02, 2023, 06:47:06 PM
Quote from: Brian on February 02, 2023, 06:39:31 PMI'll give it another listen at home first. Believe it or not I've only heard the piece once before. The gf would hate it but I bet I could score a single media pass. (She loves loves loves the Lutoslawski though.)

The DSCH Fourth is with Jukka-Pekka Saraste and the tiny opener is Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina prelude "Dawn on the Moscow River," one of my favorite little tidbits.

The Fourth is a knockout. IIRC, in the Gergiev documentary Shostakovich Against Stalin: The War Symphonies (https://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Against-Stalin-War-Symphonies/dp/B000BLBZM0), the composer thought that No. 4 might be his best symphony—which of course, is saying something. It's not performed nearly as often as it should be. And that Mussorgsky is tasty, too.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 05, 2023, 02:42:25 PM
Next Saturday, Feb. 11, Daniel Harding and the Berlin Philharmonic in this excellent program on the orchestra's digital concert hall. (PS, you can try out the service free for a week. If you've never dipped in, the Berlin crew do outstanding technical work on these broadcasts.)

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/54501

Sibelius: The Oceanides
Ligeti: Lontano
Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
Ligeti: Atmosphères
Debussy: La Mer

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 06, 2023, 04:31:16 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 06, 2023, 04:12:48 AMOn Friday:

Bacewicz  Symphony No.4
Mozart  Sinfonia Concertante in E-flat major for Violin and Viola
Szymanowski  Symphony No.3 "Song of the Night"

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo  conductor
Johan Dalene  violin
Timothy Ridout  viola

Broadcast here (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001hntb).


Thanks! Making a note, going to try to tune in.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 08, 2023, 05:06:20 AM
On Saturday, Feb. 18, conductor Matthias Pintscher is stepping in for the previously scheduled Simon Rattle, for this excellent program on the Berlin Philharmonic Digital Concert Hall (thankfully, for those of us not able to attend live). I have never heard any of these works in concert, and don't know the first two at all.

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Matthias Pintscher
Amihai Grosz, viola
Makeda Monnet, soprano
Donatienne Michel-Dansac, mezzo-soprano
Berlin Radio Choir

Zimmermann: Musique pour les soupers du Roi Ubu
Martinu: Rhapsody Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
Ligeti: Requiem

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/54502

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 08, 2023, 06:19:12 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 08, 2023, 05:55:05 AMPlus a live performance of the Requiem? - that's a must-listen! ;D


Right?

PS, for those who may not know, you can do a free, 7-day trial of the Digital Concert Hall, which is great if there is a concert (or two) that you want to catch. The regular price for a year is not unreasonable: $16 per month, or $151 per year. (For some of us, less expensive than a trip to Berlin. 8) )

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Todd on February 08, 2023, 03:07:39 PM
I'm on the fence as to whether I should attend the Emerson String Quartet farewell tour stop this summer.  They will be playing Schumann's Piano Quintet and LvB's Op 131. 

Also, Stewart Goodyear is coming to town to play his own Piano Sonata, along with Adolphus Hailstork's The Blue Bag and James Lee III's Ad Anah? (How Long?), the latter two with Anthony McGill.  This alone seems like it would make a good recording program.  The concert then switches to a performance of eleven miniatures played by the Catalyst Quartet.  The only composer I know is Joan Tower, and the youngest is Paul Mekailian, born in 1998.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on February 09, 2023, 09:06:52 AM
Reporting back from yesterday's Turandot. Highly mixed feelings, leaning towards negative.

For starters, another anxiety attack at opera! What else is new?  ::) Thankfully it only lasted for roughly first 20 minutes of the opera.

The singer of Calaf was, at least vocally, awful. His sound constantly kept drowning under the orchestra sound. Turandot's singer was better but not brilliant, the same goes for Liú. These two were the strongest ones (unless one counts the chorus as a character which was decent). Timur didn't make much of an impression. Ping Pang and Pong acted well enough but unfortunately I found their voices rather bland. I was disappointed by conducting of Hannu Lintu and his orchestra which is sad since he was well with Die Walküre and is going to conduct Siegfried in March to where I have tickets also. The orchestra messed up almost all the greatest parts.

General comments about the opera: Is it just me or are those riddles presented by Turandot ridiculously easy? Are we really supposed to believe that according to P-trio countless suitors have already lost their heads to these juvenile enigmas?

Another comment: Calaf and Turandot are jerkasses. Calaf has an unhealthy, all-consuming obsession with Turandot which leads him, among other things, into maliciously gloating in act 3 how the entire city will perish if they won't find out his name. Granted, if Calaf told his name, HE would die but that gloating still seems unnecessarily nasty.

Oh, and I see why Puccini found it impossible to compose Turandot's last scene. Making Turandot suddenly change her ways and expecting Calaf to be considered worthy of sympathy after continuing with his obsession even after Liü's death was an impossible task and certainly Alfano was not up to it. His music, unlike Puccini's lacks punch.

A great opera on the whole, beforementioned dramaturgical shortcomings notwithstanding (plus blatant racism) but a rather awful performance.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 09, 2023, 09:19:26 AM
Quote from: Ganondorf on February 09, 2023, 09:06:52 AMReporting back from yesterday's Turandot. Highly mixed feelings, leaning towards negative.

For starters, another anxiety attack at opera! What else is new?  ::) Thankfully it only lasted for roughly first 20 minutes of the opera.

The singer of Calaf was, at least vocally, awful. His sound constantly kept drowning under the orchestra sound. Turandot's singer was better but not brilliant, the same goes for Liú. These two were the strongest ones (unless one counts the chorus as a character which was decent). Timur didn't make much of an impression. Ping Pang and Pong acted well enough but unfortunately I found their voices rather bland. I was disappointed by conducting of Hannu Lintu and his orchestra which is sad since he was well with Die Walküre and is going to conduct Siegfried in March to where I have tickets also. The orchestra messed up almost all the greatest parts.

General comments about the opera: Is it just me or are those riddles presented by Turandot ridiculously easy? Are we really supposed to believe that according to P-trio countless suitors have already lost their heads to these juvenile enigmas?

Another comment: Calaf and Turandot are jerkasses. Calaf has an unhealthy, all-consuming obsession with Turandot which leads him, among other things, into maliciously gloating in act 3 how the entire city will perish if they won't find out his name. Granted, if Calaf told his name, HE would die but that gloating still seems unecessarily nasty.

Oh, and I see why Puccini found it impossible to compose Turandot's last scene. Making Turandot suddenly change her ways and expecting Calaf to be considered worthy of sympathy after continuing with his obsession even after Liü's death was an impossible task and certainly Alfano was not up to it. His music, unlike Puccini's lacks punch.

A great opera on the whole, beforementioned dramaturgical shortcomings notwithstanding (plus blatant racism) but a rather awful performance.

But such glorious music...

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on February 09, 2023, 09:41:24 AM
Quote from: Florestan on February 09, 2023, 09:19:26 AMBut such glorious music...



Agreed.  :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 09, 2023, 10:04:27 AM
Quote from: Ganondorf on February 09, 2023, 09:41:24 AMAgreed.  :)

I am a Prima la musica, poi le parole guy. The only operas I know in which there is a clear and obvious connection between music and libretto all throughout are Mozart's and Carmen. In all others, suspension of belief is required, either partially or wholly --- Wagner's musical dramas being amongst the worst culprits. I mean, a guy who has just been stabbed to death singing for half an hour, give me a break!  ;D

Plus, Wagner is doubly at fault: stupid libretto and boring music. Ughhh...  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 09, 2023, 10:06:53 AM
Quote from: Florestan on February 09, 2023, 10:04:27 AMI am a Prima la musica, poi le parole guy. The only operas I know in which there is a clear and obvious connection between music and libretto all throughout are Mozart's and Carmen . In all others, suspension of belief is required, either partially or wholly --- Wagner's musical dramas being amongst the worst culprits. I mean, a guy who has just been stabbed to death singing for half an hour, give me a break!  ;D

Plus, Wagner is doubly at fault: stupid libretto and boring music. Ughhh...  ;D
O ciel, che noia!  ::)  :D

Good evening, Andrei!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 09, 2023, 10:28:22 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 09, 2023, 10:06:53 AMGood evening, Andrei!

'evening, Rafael!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on February 09, 2023, 10:44:18 AM
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. For what it's worth, some major writers have acknowledged Wagner's literary talents.

"It has always seemed to me absurd to question Wagner's poetic gifts." - Thomas Mann
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 09, 2023, 10:53:48 AM
Quote from: Ganondorf on February 09, 2023, 10:44:18 AMI guess we'll have to agree to disagree. For what it's worth, some major writers have acknowledged Wagner's literary talents.

"It has always seemed to me absurd to question Wagner's poetic gifts." - Thomas Mann

I will counter this with Schopenhauer, of all people. He penned very acid and bitter remarks on Wagner's libretto for the Ring Tetralogy, going so far as to label him "the deaf musician", and he vastly preferred Mozart and Rossini to Wagner.

https://www.wagnersite.nl/Schopenhauer/Arthur.htm (https://www.wagnersite.nl/Schopenhauer/Arthur.htm)


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on February 10, 2023, 06:06:06 PM
Quote from: Mapman on January 14, 2023, 06:05:19 PMI'll also see Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra soon, as my university's orchestra will perform it. That concert in Dallas sounds fun!

I just went to that concert, and it was a good performance. They also played a short work by a student composer, and a saxophone concerto written last year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on February 11, 2023, 12:32:30 AM
So yesterday, l purchased my ticket for the Vienna Philharmonic's performance of Bruckner's Eighth next month, with Thielemann on the podium.

Assuming Thielemann doesn't drive me crazy, l expect to enjoy it hugely.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 11, 2023, 04:27:11 AM
Quote from: LKB on February 11, 2023, 12:32:30 AMSo yesterday, l purchased my ticket for the Vienna Philharmonic's performance of Bruckner's Eighth next month, with Thielemann on the podium.

Assuming Thielemann doesn't drive me crazy, l expect to enjoy it hugely.  ;D

ENVIOUSSSSS! Do report back, if you are inclined.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on February 11, 2023, 04:32:45 AM
I wish all of my friends here could join me, truly.  8)

And yes, I'll most assuredly report back.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 11, 2023, 03:53:15 PM
Quote from: brewski on February 05, 2023, 02:42:25 PMNext Saturday, Feb. 11, Daniel Harding and the Berlin Philharmonic in this excellent program on the orchestra's digital concert hall. (PS, you can try out the service free for a week. If you've never dipped in, the Berlin crew do outstanding technical work on these broadcasts.)

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/54501

Sibelius: The Oceanides
Ligeti: Lontano
Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
Ligeti: Atmosphères
Debussy: La Mer

-Bruce

What a fantastic concert. Apparently Harding stepped in relatively late, after Petrenko bowed out after injuring his foot. But the program remained the same. Harding had never conducted the Sibelius, although during an intermission interview he said he had actually played it in school as a teenager. (Rhetorical query: what school orchestra programs The Oceanides? :o )

In any case, everything was a joy, especially the two Ligeti works. Highly recommended, and for $20 for a month of the Digital Concert Hall, a bargain.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 14, 2023, 09:14:37 AM
After having been on their waiting list for several weeks (these concerts are free, but you have to sign up on their web, and many people seem to be ready to apply for tickets as soon as they are made available —regardless of the repertoire and performers  ::) ), the BBVA Foundation just awarded me two tickets for the concert tomorrow evening of the PluralEnsemble under Fabián Panisello performing a gorgeous programme: Stravinsky's Three Pieces for Clarinet, Berceuses du chat, and Three Songs from Shakespeare, and (in the second half) Boulez's Le Marteau sans maître  :) . The alto soloist is Hillary Summers (who performed and recorded Le Marteau under the composer repeatedly).

Fabián Panisello is an Argentinian-Spanish composer-conductor, whose music I find to be a continuation of the "classic" avant-garde (he studied with, among others, Elliott Carter, Peter Eötvös and Luis de Pablo) and I enjoy very much. He founded the PluralEnsemble, which specialises in modern and avant-garde (i.e., more or less from Schoenberg to the present) and is very accomplished. Their concerts in Madrid, though, are rather "select" affairs, as they're sponsored by the aforementioned BBVA Foundation and held in the not too large covered inner courtyard of their HQ, the sumptuous Palacio del Marqués de Salamanca in downtown Madrid.

(https://s1.abcstatics.com/media/espana/2016/02/19/PALACIO%20DEL%20MARQUES%20DE%20SALAMANCA%20(2)._xoptimizadax--620x349.jpg)

(https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/palacio-marques-de-salamanca-p-recoletos-10-madrid-768x615.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 14, 2023, 03:37:17 PM
Quote from: ritter on February 14, 2023, 09:14:37 AMAfter having been on their waiting list for several weeks (these concerts are free, but you have to sign up on their web, and many people seem to be ready to apply for tickets as soon as they are made available —regardless of the repertoire and performers  ::) ), the BBVA Foundation just awarded me two tickets for the concert tomorrow evening of the PluralEnsemble under Fabián Panisello performing a gorgeous programme: Stravinsky's Three Pieces for Clarinet, Berceuses du chat, and Three Songs from Shakespeare, and (in the second half) Boulez's Le Marteau sans maître  :) . The alto soloist is Hillary Summers (who performed and recorded Le Marteau under the composer repeatedly).

Fabián Panisello is an Argentinian-Spanish composer-conductor, whose music I find to be a continuation of the "classic" avant-garde (he studied with, among others, Elliott Carter, Peter Eötvös and Luis de Pablo) and I enjoy very much. He founded the PluralEnsemble, which specialises in modern and avant-garde (i.e., more or less from Schoenberg to the present) and is very accomplished. Their concerts in Madrid, though, are rather "select" affairs, as they're sponsored by the aforementioned BBVA Foundation and held in the not too large covered inner courtyard of their HQ, the sumptuous Palacio del Marqués de Salamanca in downtown Madrid.

(https://s1.abcstatics.com/media/espana/2016/02/19/PALACIO%20DEL%20MARQUES%20DE%20SALAMANCA%20(2)._xoptimizadax--620x349.jpg)

(https://www.bbva.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/palacio-marques-de-salamanca-p-recoletos-10-madrid-768x615.jpg)
Fabulous!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 15, 2023, 07:02:08 PM
Tomorrow night, Cuarteto Casals from Madrid, part of the incredible Philadelphia Chamber Music Society season. (Alas, no livestream.)

Haydn: Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 20, No. 1
Ligeti: Quartet No. 1, Métamorphoses nocturnes
Beethoven: Quartet in E Minor, Op. 59, No. 2

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 16, 2023, 04:07:14 AM
Well, what can I say, the concert last night was superb.

Fabian Panisello made a short, rather technical but impassioned and enthusiastic introduction of the works that were going to be performed, and then we got clarinettist Antonio Rapaz playing Stravinsky's Three Pieces most engagingly. Then came the Three Songs form William Shakespeare, little gems from the composer's "transitional" (towards serialism, that is) period, followed by the Berceuses du chat from the "Swiss period", with their wonderful accompaniment of three clarinets (despite their brevity, IMHO one of Igor Fedorovich's great achievements of the WW1 years).

And then, Le Marteau san maître! Like all music, I suppose, hearing this live is a far superior experience than on record, familiar as one may be with a work. In this case, the interplay between the six instrumentalists is more "logical" when the visual element is present and the flute and alto duet that is « L'Artisanat furieux » has an almost theatrical element to it. The performance by the PluralEnsemble was very convincing, with some (not necessarily unwelcome) rough edges here and there, and Panisello clearly was delighted to be preforming this landmark composition. Of the Instrumentalists, flautist Lope Morales should be singled out because of his top-notch contribution (I wa struck yesterday by how well Boulez wrote for the flute -- he must have loved the instrument). And Hilary Summers' rich but very focused alto voice was wonderful in all three works she participated in.

I love Le Marteau from the first note to the last, but really the last movement, « Bel édifice et les pressentiments » – double, is one of its composer's geratest moments, and a high point of music from any period. The way the vocal line dissolves into humming (here Ms. Summers sang seated, so as to physically "disappear" as well) and then the melodic line is taken over by the flute, with interjections from the percussion and other instruments, is mesmerising (Panisello described it as a "representation of the ultimate dehumanisation of art").

(https://scherzo.es/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PluralEnsemble.jpg)

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 16, 2023, 05:20:13 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 16, 2023, 04:07:14 AMI love Le Marteau from the first note to the last, but really the last movement, « Bel édifice et les pressentiments » – double, is one of its composer's geratest moments, and a high point of music from any period. The way the vocal line dissolves into humming (here Ms. Summers sang seated, so as to physically "disappear" as well) and then the melodic line is taken over by the flute, with interjections from the percussion and other instruments, is mesmerising (Panisello described it as a "representation of the ultimate dehumanisation of art").

Loved your entire summation, but especially this paragraph. Would have liked to be in the audience, for sure. Thank you for this report on what sounds like a really memorable concert.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on February 16, 2023, 05:25:03 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 16, 2023, 05:20:13 AMLoved your entire summation, but especially this paragraph. Would have liked to be in the audience, for sure. Thank you for this report on what sounds like a really memorable concert.

-Bruce
Thanks, Bruce! And I hope you enjoy my fellow countrymen of the Cuarteto Casals tonight. Nice program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 17, 2023, 08:11:23 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 16, 2023, 05:25:03 AMThanks, Bruce! And I hope you enjoy my fellow countrymen of the Cuarteto Casals tonight. Nice program!

The concert was fantastic: sold out, with many standing at the end. All three pieces were excellent, but the Ligeti was the biggest "wow."

I'm writing up the evening for The Strad, so I'll save more comments for that! (Which you can read for free when the article comes out in May.)

Makes me want to go to Madrid like, tomorrow.  ;D

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on February 17, 2023, 06:19:31 PM
I just attended a period instrument concert by faculty at my university. They performed:
Beethoven: Violin Sonata #4, Op. 23
Caroline Schleicher-Krähmer: Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano
Mozart: Kegelstatt Trio, K498

I felt, as I have during previous performances, that the musicians were working against their instruments.

On Sunday, I'll see Shostakovich 5 in Detroit.

(Also, I added a profile picture. Does anyone know which composer it references?)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on February 20, 2023, 03:18:56 PM
Quote from: absolutelybaching on February 18, 2023, 01:23:41 AMGustav Holst? 😁

Nope, Herschel! There's more information in the "Identify Your Avatar" thread in The Diner.

This weekend's DSO concert was great! Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet and Shostakovich's 5th, both in excellent (and loud) performances. Jess Gillam gave an impressive premiere of Anna Clyne's new Soprano Saxophone concerto, Glasslands. It's about 25 minutes, so more substantial than most contemporary music that gets performed. I was impressed with the guest conductor, Han-Na Chang; she was able to get a wide dynamic range out of the orchestra.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 20, 2023, 03:28:48 PM
Quote from: Mapman on February 20, 2023, 03:18:56 PMNope, Herschel! There's more information in the "Identify Your Avatar" thread in The Diner.

This weekend's DSO concert was great! Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet and Shostakovich's 5th, both in excellent (and loud) performances. Jess Gillam gave an impressive premiere of Anna Clyne's new Soprano Saxophone concerto, Glasslands. It's about 25 minutes, so more substantial than most contemporary music that gets performed. I was impressed with the guest conductor, Han-Na Chang; she was able to get a wide dynamic range out of the orchestra.

That DSO concert sounds terrific. PS, I know some of the digital crew who produce the livestreams, and try to catch the broadcasts when I can. In any case, great things are obviously happening in Detroit.

Thanks for the review, enjoyed your comments.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 24, 2023, 12:43:34 PM
Tonight!

Gabriela Ortiz | Antrópolis
Gabriela Montero | Piano Concerto No. 1
Gabriela Rimsky-Korsakov | Scheherazade

Gabriela Montero, piano
Marin Alsop, conductor
Dallas Symphony

The Ortiz piece is apparently a 10-minute, 4-movement work with multiple extended timpani solos. A concertgoer last night described it as "West Side Story meets Huapango." Montero's concerto has been recorded by the composer-pianist on Orchid Classics.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 25, 2023, 01:54:16 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2023, 12:43:34 PMGabriela Rimsky-Korsakov

Love it!  ;D


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 26, 2023, 07:48:37 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 24, 2023, 12:43:34 PMTonight!

Gabriela Ortiz | Antrópolis
Gabriela Montero | Piano Concerto No. 1
Gabriela Rimsky-Korsakov | Scheherazade

Gabriela Montero, piano
Marin Alsop, conductor
Dallas Symphony

The Ortiz piece is apparently a 10-minute, 4-movement work with multiple extended timpani solos. A concertgoer last night described it as "West Side Story meets Huapango." Montero's concerto has been recorded by the composer-pianist on Orchid Classics.

This was a wonderful concert! The Gabriela Ortiz work was a quick, compact, crowd-pleasing delight. It starts with an extensive (minute+ ) timpani solo, and then the rhythms established by the timpanist undergird the whole piece. The timpanist returns to play them again every so often, as a sort of reminder and giving it a bit of a passacaglia feel. But you won't be thinking "passacaglia" because actually it is a colorful riot of Mexican folk music, dance tunes, and general partying. In total there were six percussionists active. The compositional craft and orchestration skill is top-notch.

Montero's piece also calls for lots of percussion, including cowbells, but the pianist is the focus throughout. She has given herself almost no breaks or pauses during the half-hour work, so her energy is really on display. It's less overtly populist than the Ortiz piece, while still being full of dance rhythms. The most memorable part, for me, is the slow movement, a self-conscious attempt to write a 40s Caribbean minor-key love ballad, of the kind you might hear on a Buena Vista Social Club album. This then segues into an almost tango-like central scherzo before returning to the beginning. It is a fun piece, but there are some signs of a pianist-virtuoso first, composer second - for example, balance issues with the piano and marimba trying to drown each other out and creating a muddle. Whatever; the pianist-virtuoso being slightly inferior at orchestration is a tradition going back 200 years and certainly is not a reason to count Montero out.

After that, Montero requested a tune from the audience - which I did not recognize; perhaps it's religious - and played a 5-minute improvisation on that tune in the style of Bach and then Chopin.

Marin Alsop is a good conductor on recordings but one of the best there is for live performance. She drew rhythmically sharp, lively playing from the DSO all throughout, and for an orchestra that sometimes likes to take things slowly and carefully, she got real energy from everyone. This made for a really excellent Scheherazade. Going in, my thought was "sigh, another warhorse." (I also deliberately avoided listening to it for an entire year before this weekend, so that it would sound "fresh".) But they really did excellent work. Our solo bassoonist (Ted Soluri) and oboist (Erin Hannigan) are particularly world-class.

This is my last Dallas Symphony subscription concert of the year but I might tack on another later.

Also, I met up with a member of the organization who gave me one single, tiny hint at what the DSO will be programming next season: George Antheil's Jazz Symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 26, 2023, 07:52:41 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 26, 2023, 07:48:37 AMThis made for a really excellent Scheherazade. Going in, my thought was "sigh, another warhorse." (I also deliberately avoided listening to it for an entire year before this weekend, so that it would sound "fresh".)
I would like to call this out separately as a strong recommendation to anyone facing the "another warhorse" challenge with their local orchestra. When the new season is announced each year, and I choose the concerts I'll be attending, I immediately ban myself from listening to the warhorses on those programs until the night of the concert. It really helps to reconnect with them as if they are new and pay closer attention to what's happening onstage.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 27, 2023, 07:50:27 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 26, 2023, 07:52:41 AMI would like to call this out separately as a strong recommendation to anyone facing the "another warhorse" challenge with their local orchestra. When the new season is announced each year, and I choose the concerts I'll be attending, I immediately ban myself from listening to the warhorses on those programs until the night of the concert. It really helps to reconnect with them as if they are new and pay closer attention to what's happening onstage.

Thanks for that detailed account of the DSO concert. I watched the Ortiz concerto with Minnesota a few weeks ago, and liked it a lot—not to mention, her superb technique on display.

And you know, most warhorses are popular for a reason. After growing up with Scheherazade and tiring of it in my 30s, I have heard it live a few times in the last few years, and what do you know—it's really something. Rimsky-Korsakov was one of the great orchestrators, and that is evident throughout. (I keep hoping-against-hope that the Met Opera will dive into some of his operas, but will likely be celebrating my centennial well before that happens. ;D )

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 27, 2023, 07:53:59 AM
On Friday, March 3, looking forward to Musica Nova Helsinki, livestreaming this concert (in the eastern U.S., at noon!).

Janne Nisonen conductor
Mattie Barbier trombone
Weston Olencki trombone

Jimmy López Bellido Synesthésie
Clara Iannotta where the dark earth bends (world premiere)
Intermission
Minna Leinonen Vimma, Helsinki Variations (world premiere)
Žibuoklė Martinaitytė Saudade

Free livestream link: https://helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/fi/hko-screen

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 27, 2023, 07:56:37 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 27, 2023, 07:50:27 AMRimsky-Korsakov was one of the great orchestrators, and that is evident throughout. (I keep hoping-against-hope that the Met Opera will dive into some of his operas, but will likely be celebrating my centennial well before that happens. ;D )

-Bruce
...but it is funny watching the poor percussionist who does nothing but play triangle all night long  ;D

The Dallas Opera did Le coq d'or a few years ago so there is hope!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 27, 2023, 08:18:12 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 27, 2023, 07:56:37 AM...but it is funny watching the poor percussionist who does nothing but play triangle all night long  ;D

The Dallas Opera did Le coq d'or a few years ago so there is hope!

;D at the percussion comment. And good for Dallas. I wish the Met would pay attention.

Meanwhile, another livestream beckons on Sunday, with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra:

Louis Langrée, conductor
Elizabeth Freimuth, horn

R. Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1
Samuel Adams: Variations [World Premiere, CSO Co-Commission]
R. Strauss: Death and Transfiguration

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 01, 2023, 08:00:20 AM
Tonight, this excellent-looking program (and free livestream) from the Brentano Quartet, again from the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.

Dvořák and the American Identity

Deep River (spiritual)
Dvořák: Quartet in A-flat Major, Op. 105
Dvořák: Lento from Quartet in F Major, Op. 96, American
Still: The Quiet One from the Lyric Quartet
Ives: Prelude: Allegro from Quartet No. 1, From the Salvation Army
Walker: Lyric for Strings
Mackey: I've Grown So Ugly
Go Down Moses-Swing Low Sweet Chariot (spiritual)

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/brentano-quartet-2023/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 01, 2023, 12:49:47 PM
And...some plans changed for the weekend, so I was happy to snag a ticket for this concert. Now 95, Herbert Blomstedt will be the oldest person I have ever heard conduct a classical concert. Reports from his recent outings elsewhere have been stellar, so I'm excited.

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Emanuel Ax, piano 

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 18
Bruckner Symphony No. 4 ("Romantic")

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on March 01, 2023, 01:10:51 PM
Quote from: brewski on March 01, 2023, 12:49:47 PMAnd...some plans changed for the weekend, so I was happy to snag a ticket for this concert. Now 95, Herbert Blomstedt will be the oldest person I have ever heard conduct a classical concert. Reports from his recent outings elsewhere have been stellar, so I'm excited.

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Emanuel Ax, piano 

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 18
Bruckner Symphony No. 4 ("Romantic")

-Bruce

He certainly has more stamina than Charles Aznavour, who a few years ago, at 96, was advertised all over Bucharest as singing on a certain date, only to have his concert cancelled at short notice and die shortly thereafter.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on March 01, 2023, 05:23:21 PM
Quote from: brewski on March 01, 2023, 12:49:47 PMAnd...some plans changed for the weekend, so I was happy to snag a ticket for this concert. Now 95, Herbert Blomstedt will be the oldest person I have ever heard conduct a classical concert. Reports from his recent outings elsewhere have been stellar, so I'm excited.

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Emanuel Ax, piano 

Mozart Piano Concerto No. 18
Bruckner Symphony No. 4 ("Romantic")

-Bruce

I saw Blomstedt conduct in Philadelphia a few years ago. He looked like the happiest person in the world, sitting there and conducting Brahms 3. (I was sitting in Conductor's Circle [chorus seats], so I had a great view of him.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 01, 2023, 05:32:36 PM
Quote from: Mapman on March 01, 2023, 05:23:21 PMI saw Blomstedt conduct in Philadelphia a few years ago. He looked like the happiest person in the world, sitting there and conducting Brahms 3. (I was sitting in Conductor's Circle [chorus seats], so I had a great view of him.)

Very cool! (I have never sat in that section, but will at some point. My favorite place at the moment is in the top tier, dead center in the front row, where I'm sitting this weekend.)

I bet that Brahms was magnificent.

-Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on March 01, 2023, 05:51:12 PM
Quote from: brewski on March 01, 2023, 05:32:36 PMVery cool! (I have never sat in that section, but will at some point. My favorite place at the moment is in the top tier, dead center in the front row, where I'm sitting this weekend.)

I bet that Brahms was magnificent.

-Bruce



Those are probably some of the best seats for sound! (But, I've sat most places in Verizon Hall, and most are good. I think my least favorite seats are the far right side of the orchestra level, and the back of Orchestra Tier, under the balconies.)  I highly recommend that everyone sit behind the orchestra at least once, as it offers the best views of the musicians, especially the conductor. The sound is less ideal, as the strings are facing away from you. Because I played clarinet in school orchestras, I'm used to that sound, though!

That Brahms 3 performance was good, but my memory was that it was a lighter (perhaps sunnier?) interpretation, and that a performance conducted by Yannick a couple years earlier was better. The Blomstedt concert was also overshadowed by the chamber music postlude: Ricardo Morales performed Mozart's Clarinet Quintet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 01, 2023, 06:02:35 PM
Quote from: Mapman on March 01, 2023, 05:51:12 PMThose are probably some of the best seats for sound! (But, I've sat most places in Verizon Hall, and most are good. I think my least favorite seats are the far right side of the orchestra level, and the back of Orchestra Tier, under the balconies.)  I highly recommend that everyone sit behind the orchestra at least once, as it offers the best views of the musicians, especially the conductor. The sound is less ideal, as the strings are facing away from you. Because I played clarinet in school orchestras, I'm used to that sound, though!

Totally agree with experiencing the unique vantage point, at least once.

Quote from: Mapman on March 01, 2023, 05:51:12 PMThat Brahms 3 performance was good, but my memory was that it was a lighter (perhaps sunnier?) interpretation, and that a performance conducted by Yannick a couple years earlier was better. The Blomstedt concert was also overshadowed by the chamber music postlude: Ricardo Morales performed Mozart's Clarinet Quintet.

Yannick is often a wonder. It's no surprise the orchestra renewed his contract. I thought he might burn out, fielding both the Philadelphia ensemble and the Met Opera, but so far that doesn't seem to be the case.

And wow, Morales in the Mozart, yesss.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 02, 2023, 02:43:14 AM
This weekend in Berlin:

Puccini: Turandot

Staatsoper Unter den Linden

Turandot: ELENA PANKRATOVA
Calaf: IVAN MAGRÌ
Altoum: JAN JEŽEK
Timur: RENÉ PAPE
Liù: OLGA PERETYATKO
Ping: GYULA ORENDT
Pang: ANDRÉS MORENO GARCÍA
Pong: SIYABONGA MAQUNGO
A Mandarin: FRIEDRICH HAMEL

STAATSOPERNCHOR
KINDERCHOR DER STAATSOPER
STAATSKAPELLE BERLIN

Conductor: MAXIME PASCAL
Director: PHILIPP STÖLZL



Korngold: Das Wunder der Heliane

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Heliane: Sara Jakubiak
Der Herrscher, ihr Gemahl: Jordan Shanahan
Der Fremde: Mihails Culpajevs
Die Botin: Maiju Vaahtoluoto
Der Pförtner: Derek Welton
Der blinde Schwertrichter: Burkhard Ulrich
Der junge Mann: Kieran Carrel
6 Richter: Andrew Dickinson, Daniel Nicholson, Artur Garbas, Kangyoon Shine Lee, Simon Wallfisch, Ossian Huskinson
2 Seraphische Stimmen: Sua Jo, Meechot Marrero


Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin
Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Conductor: Marc Albrecht
Director: Christof Loy
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on March 02, 2023, 05:48:54 AM
Nice operatic weekend, Tassos! Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on March 03, 2023, 12:36:51 AM
Thank you, Rafael!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 09, 2023, 08:34:55 AM
Unexpected opportunity fell into my lap to see the revived, musician-owned co-op San Antonio Philharmonic at the end of this month:

Brett Mitchell, conductor
William Wolfram, piano

Falla: Suite No. 1 from The Three-Cornered Hat
Liszt: Concerto No. 2
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 "Scottish"

It's not the most exciting program by any means, not one I'd usually go out for. But the orchestra's revival as a self-operated musician-led group is a very nice story. And the ticket price is right  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on March 09, 2023, 08:47:37 AM
A friend has invited us on Saturday to see a concert by the 'Sidcup Symphony Orchestra' (apparently they are quite good). The programme should be more appealing to my wife than the recent Lyatoshynsky etc concert that we heard in London, so hopefully, this time, she won't need to cover her ears with her hands.

Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture
Beethoven: PC No.4
Dvorak: Symphony No.8
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on March 09, 2023, 09:25:44 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 09, 2023, 09:18:29 AMFunny - I lived in Sidcup for a while in the mid-80s, and this is the first I've heard of the SSO. ::)  Hope it's a good evening. :)
http://www.sidcupsymphony.org.uk/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on March 09, 2023, 09:26:22 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 09, 2023, 09:18:29 AMFunny - I lived in Sidcup for a while in the mid-80s, and this is the first I've heard of the SSO. ::)  Hope it's a good evening. :)
Thank you!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on March 09, 2023, 10:54:34 PM
Got home about an hour ago from the Vienna Philharmonic performing Bruckner's Eighth, Thielmann conducting.

The orchestra was in very good form, richly balanced and blended. l was particularly impressed with the violins, basses, horns and woodwinds.

A very impressive and persuasive reading, though Thielmann still needlessly pushes the tempo in a few places.

Tonight's encore was Josef Strauss's Sphärenklänge, and it was perfection itself. 👍
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on March 13, 2023, 04:52:32 AM
I enjoyed the Sidcup SO concert on Saturday night. Obviously they are not the Vienna Philharmonic, although the standard was still high. I would guess that the orchestra consists of retired professional players and budding newcomers. The woodwind were especially impressive and the soloist in Beethoven's 4th PC was excellent in all respects. My wife, myself and a friend also enjoyed Dvorak's 8th Symphony (my favourite of his symphonies) and Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture as well as the Lebanese restaurant where we eat! I might go back in May for the next concert:
Gershwin' An American in Paris'
Falla 'Nights in the Gardens of Spain'
Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) 'Pictures at an Exhibition'
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on March 13, 2023, 12:36:50 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on March 13, 2023, 04:52:32 AMI enjoyed the Sidcup SO concert on Saturday night. Obviously they are not the Vienna Philharmonic, although the standard was still high. I would guess that the orchestra consistes of retired professional players and budding newcomers. The woodwind were especially impressive and the soloist in Beethoven's 4th PC was excellent in all respects. My wife, myself and a friend also enjoyed Dvorak's 8th Symphony (my favourite of his symphonies) and Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture as well as the Lebanese restaurant where we eat! I might go back in May for the next concert:
Gershwin' An American in Paris'
Falla 'Nights in the Gardens of Spain'
Mussorgsky (orch. Ravel) 'Pictures at an Exhibition'

Sound's like a fun time, the next program also.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: VonStupp on March 14, 2023, 05:42:33 AM
A couple of warhorses are coming up that I am debating traveling to. I am probably most excited to see McCreesh and Antonini nearby, but I feel lucky to have many choices around me.

Chicago SO w/ Osmo Vänskä - this weekend
Orff: Carmina Burana

Minnesota Orchestra w/ Paul McCreesh - end of March
Haydn: The Creation

Milwaukee SO w/ Ken-David Masur - end of March
Mendelssohn: Elijah

CSO w/ Giovanni Antonini (May)
Vivaldi: Gloria, et al.

Milwaukee SO w/ Ken-David Masur (June)
Mahler: Symphony 2 'Resurrection'

CSO w/ Riccardo Muti (June)
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 14, 2023, 05:45:58 AM
Quote from: VonStupp on March 14, 2023, 05:42:33 AMA couple of warhorses are coming up that I am debating traveling to. I am probably most excited to see McCreesh and Antonini nearby, but I feel lucky to have many choices around me.

Chicago SO w/ Osmo Vänskä - this weekend
Orff: Carmina Burana

Minnesota Orchestra w/ Paul McCreesh - end of March
Haydn: The Creation

Milwaukee SO w/ Ken-David Masur - end of March
Mendelssohn: Elijah

CSO w/ Giovanni Antonini (May)
Vivaldi: Gloria, et al.

Milwaukee SO w/ Ken-David Masur (June)
Mahler: Symphony 2 'Resurrection'

CSO w/ Riccardo Muti (June)
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis

Nice! I would travel for many of these. (I can attest that Minnesota has been on fire lately, having watched their livestreams or listening on Minnesota Public Radio.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 16, 2023, 04:35:04 PM
Tomorrow night, thanks to Minnesota Public Radio, listening live online to this concert, with cellist Johannes Moser, conductor Michael Francis, and the Minnesota Orchestra.

https://www.yourclassical.org/schedule/classical-mpr/2023-03-17

Beethoven/Cadenbach - Grosse Fuge for String Orchestra
Shostakovich - Cello Concerto No. 1
Montgomery - Strum
Mozart - Symphony No. 41, Jupiter

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 16, 2023, 04:58:29 PM
Tonight a longtime friend is celebrating his birthday at the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, with conductor Stéphane Denève and pianist Vikingur Ólafsson. Earlier he was texting me photos of his pre-concert dinner with "wish you were here," and I was hoping they might be broadcasting live, but alas.

Never mind: they're airing it on Saturday, here (https://www.slso.org/en/watch-listen/radio/?_gl=1*1jzpm15*_ga*MTU3NTg2MTQwMy4xNjc4ODQ0OTA2*_ga_K8HHNSJS3K*MTY3OTAxMzk4My4yLjAuMTY3OTAxMzk4My4wLjAuMA..).

Prokofiev: The Love for Three Oranges Suite
Grieg: Piano Concerto
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on March 16, 2023, 05:44:39 PM
I'm planning to see the complete Beethoven works for Cello and Piano this weekend.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 16, 2023, 05:46:30 PM
Quote from: Mapman on March 16, 2023, 05:44:39 PMI'm planning to see the complete Beethoven works for Cello and Piano this weekend.

That sounds like a marathon! Who and where?

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on March 16, 2023, 06:54:09 PM
Quote from: brewski on March 16, 2023, 05:46:30 PMThat sounds like a marathon! Who and where?

-Bruce

It's two concerts, on Friday and Sunday (still a lot of music for them to learn, though). The cellist is a professor. More information is here: https://www.music.msu.edu/assets/Programs/2023.03.17_Bagratuni-Beethoven.pdf
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 17, 2023, 04:58:56 AM
Already hyped for this concert that is still 52 weeks away:

Rameau: Suite in A minor
Mozart: Sonata No 12
Mendelssohn: Variations sérieuses
Beethoven: Hammerklavier

Daniil Trifonov
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas
March 12, 2024
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on March 17, 2023, 06:02:55 PM
Quote from: Mapman on March 16, 2023, 05:44:39 PMI'm planning to see the complete Beethoven works for Cello and Piano this weekend.

The first part was great! 12 Variations on 'See the conqu'ring hero comes', WoO 45 are an excellent set of variations; the minor variations are especially beautiful and the 3/8 finale is a clever transformation of the theme. I was also impressed with the first theme of Sonata No. 1, op. 5/1 — it's one of Beethoven's better melodies.

The cello and piano could combine for an impressively powerful sound at times. The sonatas were played without repeats, which I find acceptable given the ambitious program.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 18, 2023, 07:59:35 AM
Tomorrow at Dallas' symphony hall:

CHRISTIAN SCHMITT organ
(many of you may have heard his work on the CPO label)

BACH Passacaglia and Fugue
ARVO PÄRT Annum per annum (Year by Year)
FRANCK Chorale No. 3
THEO BRANDMÜLLER "Die Kruezigung" (The Crucifixion) & "Pieta" from Sieben Stücke zur Passionszeit (Seven Works for Passiontide)
CHARLES MARIE WIDOR "Moderato" from Symphony No. 10, "Romane"
LISZT Prelude after J. S. Bach "Cantata Weinen Klagen Sorgen Zagen"
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vandermolen on March 18, 2023, 12:49:15 PM
Quote from: LKB on March 13, 2023, 12:36:50 PMSound's like a fun time, the next program also.  8)
I  agree. All are popular works (American in Paris, Pictures at an Exhibition) plus Nights in the Gardens of Spain but they are all works which I enjoy.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on March 20, 2023, 10:18:31 AM
Wagner's Siegfried next week's Thursday. Hopefully no anxiety attacks this time. Great expectations.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 20, 2023, 10:24:01 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 18, 2023, 07:59:35 AMTomorrow at Dallas' symphony hall:

CHRISTIAN SCHMITT organ
(many of you may have heard his work on the CPO label)

BACH Passacaglia and Fugue
ARVO PÄRT Annum per annum (Year by Year)
FRANCK Chorale No. 3
THEO BRANDMÜLLER "Die Kruezigung" (The Crucifixion) & "Pieta" from Sieben Stücke zur Passionszeit (Seven Works for Passiontide)
CHARLES MARIE WIDOR "Moderato" from Symphony No. 10, "Romane"
LISZT Prelude after J. S. Bach "Cantata Weinen Klagen Sorgen Zagen"
This was very interesting. Not the most colorful concert but intellectually interesting because Schmitt assembled a lot of works (at least three) built on repetition: passacaglia, variations, and in Pärt the variations suggested the passage but steadiness of time. There was more for the head than the heart on the program, but a couple of polite nods toward Easter as well. For me, it helped confirm my personal preference for French romantic (really, French pre-Messiaenic) organ repertoire above the other styles.

Lots of big loud powerful endings, which was great. There is nothing, nothing, like the moment when you realize what chord an organ piece is going to end on, and then the satisfaction when it actually gets there and the organist lets that big last chord rumble through the concert hall extra-long. It feels great!

Schmitt was personable and gave little talks before the Pärt, Brandmüller, and Liszt. He praised the organ and the concert hall (he'd come early to catch an orchestral concert), and he also played an encore: Jean Langlais' "Alleluia" study for pedals (feet) only. That was a lot of fun too! It was also a little bit funny/silly, watching the organist essentially moonwalk across the pedals doing glissandi.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 25, 2023, 11:15:21 AM
Today in Shrewsbury, Maas.
Ensemble Aubade playing Mozart, Bloch & Farrenc.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 25, 2023, 02:01:52 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 09, 2023, 08:34:55 AMUnexpected opportunity fell into my lap to see the revived, musician-owned co-op San Antonio Philharmonic at the end of this month:

Brett Mitchell, conductor
William Wolfram, piano

Falla: Suite No. 1 from The Three-Cornered Hat
Liszt: Concerto No. 2
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 "Scottish"

It's not the most exciting program by any means, not one I'd usually go out for. But the orchestra's revival as a self-operated musician-led group is a very nice story. And the ticket price is right  8)
Tonight!

Quote from: Karl Henning on March 25, 2023, 11:15:21 AMToday in Shrewsbury, Maas.
Ensemble Aubade playing Mozart, Bloch & Farrenc.
What a good-sounding combination of composers!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 25, 2023, 04:44:15 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on March 25, 2023, 11:15:21 AMToday in Shrewsbury, Maas.
Ensemble Aubade playing Mozart, Bloch & Farrenc.

Quote from: Brian on March 25, 2023, 02:01:52 PMWhat a good-sounding combination of composers!


A superb program:

Mozart, "Kegelstatt" Trio, K. 498

Ernest Bloch, Concertino for flute, viola & piano (1950)

Louise Farrenc. Trio, Op. 45 (1856)

Robt Russell Bennett, Seven Postcards to Old Friends (1966)

IIRC, Peter found this in MS. at the Library of Congress, a brilliant set of miniatures.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on March 29, 2023, 12:25:03 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on March 25, 2023, 04:44:15 PMA superb program:

Mozart, "Kegelstatt" Trio, K. 498

Ernest Bloch, Concertino for flute, viola & piano (1950)

Louise Farrenc. Trio, Op. 45 (1856)

Robt Russell Bennett, Seven Postcards to Old Friends (1966)
  • To Irving Berlin
  • To Jerome Kern
  • To Richard Rodgers
  • To Vincent Youmans
  • To Cole Porter
  • To Noël Coward
  • To George Gershwin

IIRC, Peter found this in MS. at the Library of Congress, a brilliant set of miniatures.
Must admit that I don't know the music of Bloch (heard a bit some time ago) and Ferenc.  :(

How did the concert go Karl?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 29, 2023, 12:32:44 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on March 29, 2023, 12:25:03 PMMust admit that I don't know the music of Bloch (heard a bit some time ago) and Ferenc.  :(

How did the concert go Karl?

PD
Superbly done, and a very engaging program, PD!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on March 29, 2023, 12:39:00 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on March 29, 2023, 12:32:44 PMSuperbly done, and a very engaging program, PD!
Good to hear!  Were there many people there in order to experience the pleasure and wonderment of your (meaning trio) performances?  Hopefully....

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on March 29, 2023, 12:47:02 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on March 29, 2023, 12:39:00 PMGood to hear!  Were there many people there in order to experience the pleasure and wonderment of your (meaning trio) performances?  Hopefully....

PD
The audience was small, but well outnumbered the musicians ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on March 29, 2023, 01:19:26 PM
Reporting right away back from Siegfried. It was awesome, my feelings are pretty much universally positive! I didn't even have that much anxiety.

Whereas Das Rheingold production was set in mythical times and Die Walküre in WWII, this was set in modern times. Daniel Brenna as our favorite steroid-puming alpha male Siegfried was wonderful and stayed focused during this entire opera in one of the most taxing roles in opera history. In this version Siegfried threatens Mime with a teddy bear instead of real one! Dan Karlström was a hilarious Mime whose playful plottings are brought out masterfully. Interestingly Mime's singer didn't take his curtain call until act three (the act he doesn't even appear in!), likely because his role is one of the longest ones in this opera and Mime often seems to steal the show in Siegfried, especially if one goes for in-your-face style hilariousness that Gerhard Stolze was for example well known. Tommi Hakala once again sung Wotan/Wanderer and was perfectly cast as always. Jukka Rasilainen returned as Alberich and he is a magnificent imposing presence throughout while still retaining his pre-robbery-of-Rhinegold-awkwardness and other adorable comical traits. Matti Turunen is capable Fafner and Siegfried's fight against dragon form has breathtaking visuals and Turunen's bass rolls like thunder. From minor roles such as Fafner, Erda and Woodbird, clearly the best one was Krista Kujala as Woodbird. She is very childishly playful and youthful presence (very fitting, considering the role was in draft stages meant for boy soprano instead of adult female one), throwing pebbles at Siegfried and teasing him a lot. Absolutely adorable. The only relatively minor link in the cast was Sari Nordqvist as Erda, kind of feeble presence. And Brünnhilde is once again magnificent Johanna Rusanen.

Notes about Siegfried opera in general: I never understood Siegfried's lack of popularity in Wagner's oeuvre. Many (including myself!) find Siegfried's treatment of Mime abysmal. I won't deny it but I think Wagner is the king of objectivity. Like Thomas Mann who is sympathetic to all his characters and never passing judgment himself, Wagner does the same. He allows each character to be right in his/her own way whenever that person is speaking, warts and all. We're all imperfect creatures.

Now I am going to say something really controversial: I don't care as much about the latter half of Siegfried's act 3 (the part with Siegfried and Brünnhilde on stage) as I do about the rest of the opera. In fact, (even more outrageous statement) after Die Walküre's act 1 it is my least favorite part of the Ring. Not bad by any means but longueurs are there. And yes, I am well aware that these two sections are often mentioned among the very highest peaks of Wagner's works. Walküre's act 1 is part of the reason it is my least favorite Ring opera. However Siegfried is my 2nd favorite Wagner opera of all time, despite sometimes boring finale. That's because the first two acts and the first half of act 3 are totally awesome and the standards are so extremely high.

Hannu Lintu conducted his orchestra extremely well and I noticed a lot of nuances in the score I hadn't earlier taken note of. It seems Wagner is his forte unlike Turandot where he messed a lot of parts.

Set design was once again by Mikki Kunttu, in fact the set is technically always the same in this Ring, they are just used in different and varied ways to give a perfect meaningful whole.

Costumes by Erika Turunen served their purpose mostly perfectly well, only Erda's rather annoying costume probably contributed to my slight disappointment with Erda in this production.

I have to give props to Anna Kelo's director work. It really is top-notch.

Unfortunately it will take until next year's May until the last part, Götterdämmerung, comes out. Before that it may be Götterdämmerung IRL as well. Hopefully not.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: lordlance on March 29, 2023, 03:04:29 PM
Is anybody going to attend Michael Tilson Thomas' performance of Mahler Sixth with the SFS?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 30, 2023, 08:57:08 AM
Quote from: lordlance on March 29, 2023, 03:04:29 PMIs anybody going to attend Michael Tilson Thomas' performance of Mahler Sixth with the SFS?

I'm not, but certainly wish I were! Given his recent health issues, anything he does right now is to be treasured, and I can only imagine what will result when he does No. 6.

But I am going to this tonight, the world premiere of a new piece by John Luther Adams.

Philadelphia Orchestra
Donald Nally, Conductor (Adams)
Marin Alsop, Conductor (Stravinsky)
Charlotte Blake Alston, Speaker
Meigui Zhang, Soprano
The Crossing
Donald Nally, Artistic Director

J.L. Adams Vespers of the Blessed Earth (world premiere—Philadelphia Orchestra commission)
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brahmsian on March 31, 2023, 06:34:31 AM
Daniel Hogan - Mahler's 9th (https://www.wegottickets.com/event/577597)

For those who live in London, England, here is a concert of interest featuring GMG's own @madaboutmahler Daniel Hogan, conducting the Musicians of the Royal College of Music in a performance of Mahler's 9th Symphony.  :)

I'm very excited for Daniel!

Date:  Saturday, April 22nd - 19:30
Performance venue:  St. Stephens Church, Gloucester Road, London

Funds raised from the concert will go to the Red Cross for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on April 03, 2023, 07:00:36 AM
Two wonderful concerts recently performed by two amazing local orchestras

Leeds Haydn Players
Haydn arr H Perry Divertimento in Bb for Wind Quintet
R Strauss Concerto for Oboe & Small Orchestra
Brahms Serenade no 1 in D

Soloist Elizabeth Kenwood
Conductor Melvyn Tay

Sinfonia of Leeds
Copland Down a Country Lane
Copland Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson
Mahler Symphony no 4

Soloist Mary Plazas
Conductor Anthony Kraus
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 11, 2023, 08:53:37 AM
Looking back at, now (concert's just finished: Ensemble Chaconne in Boston's King's Chapel.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 14, 2023, 06:10:25 AM
Tonight live online (audio only), conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto, soprano Emily Magee, and the Minnesota Orchestra:

Tarkiainen: The Ring of Fire and Love
Wagner/Mottl: Wesendonck Lieder
Turina: Danzas Fantásticas
Debussy: La Mer

https://www.yourclassical.org/mpr

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 14, 2023, 06:17:08 AM
Can't tell if that first piece has a really cool title, or just sounds like a sequel to Johnny Cash.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 14, 2023, 06:50:30 AM
*nods sagely*

Both can be true.

 ;D

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 14, 2023, 07:04:40 AM
Going to see a program of Schubert chamber music at a church tomorrow, the Arpeggione Sonata, one of the Violin Sonatas (which I do not know at all), and the B-flat Piano Trio.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 14, 2023, 07:40:31 AM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 14, 2023, 07:04:40 AMGoing to see a program of Schubert chamber music at a church tomorrow, the Arpeggione Sonata, one of the Violin Sonatas (which I do not know at all), and the B-flat Piano Trio.

Splendid. Wish I were there.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 14, 2023, 03:58:04 PM
A program at Middlesex Community College's Bedford campus, a cello/piano duo. My first live experience of music by Fazil Say, let alone Arson Fahim. @Brian.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 14, 2023, 04:29:35 PM
The performers.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 14, 2023, 04:32:03 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on April 14, 2023, 03:58:04 PMA program at Middlesex Community College's Bedford campus, a cello/piano duo. My first live experience of music by Fazil Say, let alone Arson Fahim. @Brian.

I've never heard of this 23-year-old composer, but I expect he must be quite the firebrand :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 14, 2023, 05:42:18 PM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 14, 2023, 04:32:03 PMI've never heard of this 23-year-old composer, but I expect he must be quite the firebrand :P
He's an Afghan refugee. He wrote the piece for his sister, still living under the repressions of Taliban rule.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: North Star on April 14, 2023, 06:14:07 PM
I hope their aroma was pleasant.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 15, 2023, 05:28:34 AM
Quote from: Judith on April 03, 2023, 07:00:36 AMTwo wonderful concerts recently performed by two amazing local orchestras

Leeds Haydn Players
Haydn arr H Perry Divertimento in Bb for Wind Quintet
R Strauss Concerto for Oboe & Small Orchestra
Brahms Serenade no 1 in D

Soloist Elizabeth Kenwood
Conductor Melvyn Tay

Sinfonia of Leeds
Copland Down a Country Lane
Copland Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson
Mahler Symphony no 4

Soloist Mary Plazas
Conductor Anthony Kraus

Both excellent programs, and for "local" ensembles, a bit off the beaten track. The two Copland items don't show up all that often, even in the United States.

This afternoon, the first live Mahler I've heard in awhile.

Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Amy Yang, piano

Julia Perry: Study for Orchestra (led by Micah Gleason, conducting fellow)
Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 15, 2023, 06:07:39 PM
Quote from: brewski on April 15, 2023, 05:28:34 AMCurtis Symphony Orchestra
Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Amy Yang, piano

Julia Perry: Study for Orchestra (led by Micah Gleason, conducting fellow)
Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major

-Bruce


An excellent afternoon. Vänskä did the First proud, with entertaining commitment from the Curtis players. (The double basses were clearly having a blast.) He knows his stuff, having completed his Mahler cycle with the Minnesota Orchestra, which for some, may be one of the greats.

And though the Schumann Piano Concerto is not a particular fave, Amy Yang brought so much poetry, that maybe I like it better than imagined.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on April 16, 2023, 05:34:49 AM
My local orchestra performed Mahler's 1st this concert season.  I didn't attend though.  I'm just tired of evening concerts on a work night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 16, 2023, 05:41:40 AM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 14, 2023, 07:04:40 AMGoing to see a program of Schubert chamber music at a church tomorrow, the Arpeggione Sonata, one of the Violin Sonatas (which I do not know at all), and the B-flat Piano Trio.

It was great to see some Schubert live, as I never have before and he's long been one of my favorite composers. I don't think I realized what a beast the Arpeggione must be to play until last night.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 16, 2023, 06:49:07 AM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 16, 2023, 05:41:40 AMI don't think I realized what a beast the Arpeggione must be to play until last night.

The Arpeggione Sonata might very well be my favoritest chamber music by anyone ever, sorry Mozart.  :D


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on April 16, 2023, 06:49:08 AM
Quote from: Karl Henning on April 11, 2023, 08:53:37 AMLooking back at, now (concert's just finished: Ensemble Chaconne in Boston's King's Chapel.

Those pictures took me back... decades ago l was touring New England with a chamber chorus. We were billeted in two dorms at Boston University, and our two concerts were at the Busch-Reisinger Museum and King's Chapel. There we performed an extended a capella set, and then Daniel Pinkham accompanied us on the organ for his Wedding Cantata.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 16, 2023, 07:19:25 AM
Mahler's First has become one of my favorite ever concert memories after it was the first covid-era concert I attended, with the combined Dallas Symphony and NY Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. The brass all sat distanced in the choir loft, and I sat dead center in "the front row," row M. Not only was it a joy to go back to a concert, it was also acoustically spectacular. The clarity of the brass and the warmth of the concert hall, in the most acoustically perfect seat, made for a magical experience that (thankfully!) will never be repeated.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 16, 2023, 09:33:39 AM
Anyone know of anything in New York on Thursday, April 20?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on April 16, 2023, 03:48:45 PM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 16, 2023, 09:33:39 AMAnyone know of anything in New York on Thursday, April 20?

I took a look, and there are many concerts that day.

The Danish String Quartet is performing at Carnegie Hall at 7:30 (but it looks expensive, $84):
--SCHUBERT String Quartet in A Minor, D. 804, "Rosamunde"
--SCHUBERT Quartettsatz in C Minor, D. 703
--ANNA THORVALDSDOTTIR Rituals (NY Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
--SCHUBERT "Gretchen am Spinnrade," D. 118 (arr. Danish String Quartet)

The pianist Beatrice Rana at Carnegie Hall at 8:00
--J. S. BACH French Suite No. 2 in C Minor
--DEBUSSY Pour le piano
--BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier"

Der Rosenkavalier at the Met
The Score Desk seats look interesting: https://www.metguild.org/MOG/For_The_Community/Score-Desk_Seats/Score_Desk_Seats.html?TM=12menuid=155

The New York Philharmonic, conducted by Iván Fischer, with Sir András Schiff. I don't see any cheap seats left.
--Dohnányi: Symphonic Minutes
--Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3
--Mozart: Symphony No. 41, Jupiter

Based on the prices, Rosenkavalier at the Met looks tempting. The New York Philharmonic concert also looks great because of the first half.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 16, 2023, 03:54:56 PM
Quote from: Mapman on April 16, 2023, 03:48:45 PMI took a look, and there are many concerts that day.

The Danish String Quartet is performing at Carnegie Hall at 7:30 (but it looks expensive, $84):
--SCHUBERT String Quartet in A Minor, D. 804, "Rosamunde"
--SCHUBERT Quartettsatz in C Minor, D. 703
--ANNA THORVALDSDOTTIR Rituals (NY Premiere, co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
--SCHUBERT "Gretchen am Spinnrade," D. 118 (arr. Danish String Quartet)

The pianist Beatrice Rana at Carnegie Hall at 8:00
--J. S. BACH French Suite No. 2 in C Minor
--DEBUSSY Pour le piano
--BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106, "Hammerklavier"

Der Rosenkavalier at the Met
The Score Desk seats look interesting: https://www.metguild.org/MOG/For_The_Community/Score-Desk_Seats/Score_Desk_Seats.html?TM=12menuid=155

The New York Philharmonic, conducted by Iván Fischer, with Sir András Schiff. I don't see any cheap seats left.
--Dohnányi: Symphonic Minutes
--Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3
--Mozart: Symphony No. 41, Jupiter

Based on the prices, Rosenkavalier at the Met looks tempting. The New York Philharmonic concert also looks great because of the first half.

Thanks you! Wow, all big names. They might all be out of my budget, but I've got something to think about now. I have some business in the city until 4pm and figured I might enjoy an evening on the town, and maybe catch some music.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on April 16, 2023, 03:57:55 PM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 16, 2023, 03:54:56 PMThanks you! Wow, all big names. They might all be out of my budget, but I've got something to think about now. I have some business in the city until 4pm and figured I might enjoy an evening on the town, and maybe catch some music.

I'd look into the Met. The Score Desk seats that I linked to are $20 (I'm not sure about taxes and fees), but have no view. Cheap seats with a view are about $35 (and have excellent sound). I'm not sure how familiar you are with New York, but the Met is conveniently next to a station on the 1 subway.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on April 16, 2023, 05:21:50 PM
Quote from: Mapman on April 16, 2023, 03:48:45 PMI took a look, and there are many concerts that day.

Never a dull moment in NYC!  I remember when Bruce used to attend so many concerts that I wondered if he even bothered to own a cd player.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 17, 2023, 07:07:37 AM
For what it's worth, a music critic friend of mine here in Dallas traveled to NYC recently (the Dallas Symphony went on tour) and filed a review of the Rosenkavalier production. Some quotes:

"Everything's big in Texas, goes the cliché. But when it comes to opera, the Metropolitan Opera leaves us in the dust. The physical scale of the Rosenkavalier presented Monday night was gauged to the house's vast dimensions. So were the voices."

Mostly he liked the voices, production, theatrical nature, and orchestral playing. He gripes that parts were a little too loud, but he always gripes that about everything (especially chamber music, which he thinks should be discreet) so I don't really pay that much heed.  ;D https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/performing-arts/2023/03/30/review-metropolitan-opera-goes-big-with-rosenkavalier-and-lohengrin/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 19, 2023, 07:19:00 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on April 19, 2023, 06:00:13 AMTonight:

Ustvolskaya  Symphonic Poem No.1
Hindemith  Violin Concerto
Prokofiev  Symphony No.6

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski conductor
Gil Shaham violin

What a great program! Though some of Ustvolskaya's chamber music shows up here and there, you rarely see orchestras play any of her larger works. And nice to see a different Prokofiev symphony, other than say, 1 or 5.

I just heard Shaham a few months ago, in the Brahms, which he did very well. But the Hindemith would have been a more interesting prospect.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 19, 2023, 04:17:19 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on April 19, 2023, 02:16:36 PMYes an interesting program, superbly executed (but no recording alas. :( )  The Ustvolskaya - new to me - was also the stand-out piece: surprisingly normal ... except when it wasn't. ;D  Jurowski put so much energy into the performance, he looked wrung out by the end.  And Shaham was a delight (as always. :) )

Thanks, appreciate all the comments!

Now looking up the Ustvolskaya, and there are a few versions on YouTube. Will report back later. Might just try to replicate this exact concert (with pre-recorded selections), to get a better feel of what Jurowski had in mind.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 20, 2023, 03:28:32 PM
Here's what will be at Wigmore Hall when I'm in London this fall. Which concerts to attend...?

21 September
Carolyn Sampson with the Wigmore Soloists (Michael Collins, Michael McHale, Isabelle van Keulen, Torleif Thedeen, Rachel Roberts, Tim Gibbs)

Spohr - 6 Deutsche Lieder for soprano, clarinet, piano
Beethoven - "Archduke" Trio
Schubert - Der Hirt auf dem Felsen D965
Schubert - "Trout" Quintet

23 September
Stewart Goodyear

Goodyear - Mending Wall (world premiere)
Beethoven - Hammerklavier

N.B. I plan to see Daniil Trifonov do Hammerklavier in March '24. That's a lot of Hammerklavier.

24 September
Marc-Andre Hamelin

Ives - Concord Sonata
Schumann - Waldszenen
Ravel - Gaspard de la Nuit

30 September
Weinberg festival day!
Concert 1: Violin Sonata 2, Bassoon Sonata, String Trio (feat., among others, Linus Roth, Danjulo Ishizaka, Florian Uhlig)
Concert 2: Violin Sonatas 5 and 6 and sonatina (Linus Roth, Florian Uhlig)
Concert 3: Solo Violin Sonata 3, Violin Sonata 3, Jewish Songs, Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes (Linus Roth, Danjulo Ishizaka, Florian Uhlig, Ilona Domnich)
(why aren't they doing the incredible piano trio?!?)

1 Oct
Armida Quartet

Mozart - Quartet No. 21 K. 575 "Prussian"
Schumann - Quartet No. 3
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 20, 2023, 07:07:09 PM
I would vote for Hamelin, for sure. But doesn't look like you could go wrong with most any.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 21, 2023, 05:45:54 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on April 21, 2023, 01:53:16 AMMy own picks for that period are Hamelin and the Weinberg day.  Hamelin because he's great value in concert, plus I've yet to hear a Concord that I felt couldn't be improved upon - last one was Aimard, who was technically superb but hummed loudly throughout >:( .  And Weinberg because ... it's Weinberg! :D   Though I'll probably just pick one of those - I've done these whole-day things before, and by the evening my concentration is generally shot. :(

It looks like maybe you'll just miss Jurowski conducting the Bayerische Staatsorchester at the Barbican in two programs of Berg/Strauss and Schumann/Mahler on 18/19 September.  I am genuinely torn between those two - on the one hand, I've yet to hear a flawless Alpensinfonie in concert - but on the other, I have heard Jurowski's Mahler 4, and it's quite special.

I understand the LPO will be announcing their autumn program next week, so it may be worth waiting to have a squint at that - they're on tremendous form at the moment.  One thing about Wigmore is that - nowadays - there's no rush for tickets:  Lugansky's Rachmaninov sold out quite quickly, but most events have availability right up to the last minute.  In a couple of weeks I'll be hearing the Silesian Quartet playing Górecki and Weinberg, which right now has sold maybe less than 10% of seats. :o  :(

Oh, thank you much for pointing out the Jurowski visit for me to look up (though I do hope it's not the Schumann piano concerto, one of the last remaining "warhorses" that I fail to appreciate). Got to see a very satisfying Alpine Symphony with Luisi here in Dallas about 5 years ago; it's tremendous fun in a well-done concert. And when I lived in London from 2010-11 the LPO was my favorite orchestra and Southbank Centre my favorite orchestral concert venue to visit, for the acoustic, the location, and the cheap student seats  ;D  Have been getting impatient for them to release a schedule so glad to know that it is next week.

I do have a partner coming along and she's an ex-oboist and classical fan but with some particular dislikes. e.g. I'm worried that Concord might drive her insane. We might see you for one of the Weinberg programs, though.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 24, 2023, 08:14:12 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on April 24, 2023, 07:30:11 AMIt's here (https://bynder.southbankcentre.co.uk/m/347a0bac5e13351/original/Classical_23-24_Autumn_Winter_Guide.pdf) (pdf).

[Spoiler alert] Another back-to-back unmissable pair: Edward Gardner conducting the LPO in Mahler's Resurrection Symphony on Saturday 23rd September, and the next night Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducting the Philharmonia in Sibelius 6th, Shostakovich 6th and 1st PC, Seong-Jin Cho at the keyboard.  With Jurowski and the Bavarians on the 18th/19th, it looks like being one hell of a week. :o  ;D
Plus Olafsson's Goldbergs for piano mavens. Rouvali's Sibelius has been eccentric so far but the GF does love Sibelius and would love DSCH6 so that might be the concert we do. Plus it's a matinee so plenty of time to head off to the pubs after. I wish the concertos on 27 and 30 September were reversed.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 24, 2023, 11:28:48 AM
For those interested, here's the George Enescu 2023 Festival program. I must say it's the most unconventional and imaginative in my living memory.

https://www.festivalenescu.ro/wp/files/2022/12/program2023.pdf (https://www.festivalenescu.ro/wp/files/2022/12/program2023.pdf)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 24, 2023, 11:48:40 AM
Quote from: Florestan on April 24, 2023, 11:28:48 AMFor those interested, here's the George Enescu 2023 Festival program. I must say it's the most unconventional and imaginative in my living memory.

https://www.festivalenescu.ro/wp/files/2022/12/program2023.pdf (https://www.festivalenescu.ro/wp/files/2022/12/program2023.pdf)

Some very interesting vocal music concerts I'd like to attend. I mean, how many more chances will I have to hear live in Bucharest Billy Budd, St. Francois d'Assise or Fioravanti's La Foresta d'Hermannstadt, let alone songs by Kurt Weill, Zemlinsky and Korngold? And closing the whole thing with Purcell's The Fairy Queen looks like a peach.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on April 24, 2023, 12:00:06 PM
Quote from: Florestan on April 24, 2023, 11:48:40 AMSome very interesting vocal music concerts I'd like to attend. I mean, how many more chances will I have to hear live in Bucharest Billy Budd, St. Francois d'Assise or Fioravanti's La Foresta d'Hermannstadt, let alone songs by Kurt Weill, Zemlinsky and Korngold? And closing the whole thing with Purcell's The Fairy Queen looks like a peach.
Indeed, a very interesting and varied programme. You can even listen some Boulez live (run, don't walk!  ;)  ).

And the vocal recital on Sept. 1st is a riot of odd programming ... "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" and "Già nella notte densa" closely one before the other...  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 24, 2023, 12:10:13 PM
Quote from: ritter on April 24, 2023, 12:00:06 PMIndeed, a very interesting and varied programme.

In Romanian context it could have very well been titled "Modern Music Festival". It's really that adventurous. :D

QuoteYou can even listen some Boulez live (run, don't walk!  ;)

Well, I am not as adventurous as the organizers...  :D

QuoteAnd the vocal recital on Sept. 1st is a riot of odd programming ... "Dein ist mein Ganges Herz" and "Già nella notte densa" closely one before the other...  ;D

That's one of those that piqued my interest.  ;)

Btw, love the typo: "Dein ist mein Ganges Herz" --- a Bollywood take on Lehar.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 24, 2023, 04:35:17 PM
Torn between two options for Sunday; there is Fauré's Requiem at Spivey Hall in Morrow, GA, or a piano recital at the local Anglican cathedral. I don't know the pianist, one Mark Valenti, but the program looks great: Debussy's Images, a Haydn G major sonata, several late Brahms piano pieces, and Scriabin's 5th Sonata. Thinking I will opt for the latter, which is free; however, I have been wanting to see the Fauré Requiem for a long time—my last opportunity was spoiled when a local church had to cancel a scheduled performance during the earliest weeks of the covid lockdowns.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on April 24, 2023, 05:32:05 PM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 24, 2023, 04:35:17 PMTorn between two options for Sunday; there is Fauré's Requiem at Spivey Hall in Morrow, GA, or a piano recital at the local Anglican cathedral. I don't know the pianist, one Mark Valenti, but the program looks great: Debussy's Images, a Haydn G major sonata, several late Brahms piano pieces, and Scriabin's 5th Sonata. Thinking I will opt for the latter, which is free; however, I have been wanting to see the Fauré Requiem for a long time—my last opportunity was spoiled when a local church had to cancel a scheduled performance during the earliest weeks of the covid lockdowns.

That second concert does sound interesting, and is a great price! And I suspect that it may be easier to find a future performance of the Fauré.

(By the way, did you make it to a concert while you were in New York?)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 24, 2023, 05:42:51 PM
Quote from: Mapman on April 24, 2023, 05:32:05 PMThat second concert does sound interesting, and is a great price! And I suspect that it may be easier to find a future performance of the Fauré.

(By the way, did you make it to a concert while you were in New York?)

Unfortunately not, and it's for a reason you'll appreciate, I forgot that I had to take a physics exam (over Lockdown Browser), so I was busy doing that from my hotel in New Jersey that night ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Dry Brett Kavanaugh on April 25, 2023, 04:19:09 PM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 24, 2023, 04:35:17 PMTorn between two options for Sunday; there is Fauré's Requiem at Spivey Hall in Morrow, GA, or a piano recital at the local Anglican cathedral. I don't know the pianist, one Mark Valenti, but the program looks great: Debussy's Images, a Haydn G major sonata, several late Brahms piano pieces, and Scriabin's 5th Sonata. Thinking I will opt for the latter, which is free; however, I have been wanting to see the Fauré Requiem for a long time—my last opportunity was spoiled when a local church had to cancel a scheduled performance during the earliest weeks of the covid lockdowns.

Agree, the latter sounds great.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 25, 2023, 06:08:40 PM
Looking at the Wigmore Hall fall programs...goodness, I am VERY sad to be missing this by 6 days:

Mompou - Cants magics
Debussy - Estampes
Scriabin - Sonata No. 5
S. Hough - Sonatina nostalgica
Liszt - Petrarch sonnets and Dante Sonata

Stephen Hough

vers la flamme - I looked up Mark Valenti and he had some studies with Zoltan Kocsis, which is an impressive sign. Faure's Requiem comes around every 10ish years in most major American cities I think.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 26, 2023, 03:59:32 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on April 26, 2023, 03:54:22 AMTonight at Covent Garden, Susanna Mälkki conducts Kaija Saariaho's new opera Innocence about a school shooting:

(https://production.festival-aix.com/sites/default/files/styles/faix_wide_2x/public/imported/innocence21gprjeanlouisfernandez_007-2720.jpg?h=f34f636a&itok=tpBi0SN7)

VERY envious! Feel free to report back, if inclined. I have seen one Saariaho opera, L'Amour de loin, when the Met Opera did it in 2016 (also with Mälkki).

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on April 26, 2023, 05:30:47 PM
Quote from: Brian on April 25, 2023, 06:08:40 PMLooking at the Wigmore Hall fall programs...goodness, I am VERY sad to be missing this by 6 days:

Mompou - Cants magics
Debussy - Estampes
Scriabin - Sonata No. 5
S. Hough - Sonatina nostalgica
Liszt - Petrarch sonnets and Dante Sonata

Stephen Hough

vers la flamme - I looked up Mark Valenti and he had some studies with Zoltan Kocsis, which is an impressive sign. Faure's Requiem comes around every 10ish years in most major American cities I think.

From what I see, this is the second or third time in the past 6 months here in metro Atlanta ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 27, 2023, 03:43:45 PM
At 8:30PM Boston time, the Minnesota State University at Moorehead Choirs will sing a program including a piece of which I have the honor to be the dedicatee, composed by my Triad colleague, Julian Bryson:

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 28, 2023, 12:23:47 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on April 28, 2023, 04:53:52 AMMy bluff has been called:  BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting Innocence on 20 May (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001lzf1) (audio-only).

The libretto is mostly in English, but often quite heavily accented, and I was grateful for the surtitles.  However my partner, who had forgotten her glasses so couldn't read them, said she could follow it OK without. ::)

Thanks, making a note, and may tune in anyway. Though like you, I'd rather see it!

Tonight online (audio only), the Minnesota Orchestra, pianist Garrick Ohlsson, and conductor Juanjo Mena:

Philip Herbert: Elegy: In Memoriam—Stephen Lawrence
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1
Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 

Broadcast here (https://www.yourclassical.org/mpr), starts at 8:00 pm (CT), 9:00 pm (ET).

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 29, 2023, 05:24:48 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on April 29, 2023, 05:09:37 AMTonight:

Shostakovich Violin Concerto No.1
Thomas Larcher  Symphony No.2 "Kenotaph"
Mahler  Adagio from Symphony No.10

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
Julian Rachlin violin

Wow.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 29, 2023, 07:00:35 AM
Quote from: Karl Henning on April 27, 2023, 03:43:45 PMAt 8:30PM Boston time, the Minnesota State University at Moorehead Choirs will sing a program including a piece of which I have the honor to be the dedicatee, composed by my Triad colleague, Julian Bryson:



Karl, though I couldn't catch this live, I am dipping into a little bit of it, and coincidentally for another reason: my nephew recently graduated from MSUM! (He's not a choral guy, so no telling if he saw this, or was even familiar with the ensemble.) Anyway, the group sounds good.

Where in the program is the piece you cite? (I wish they had included a program listing with the video!) Or maybe I just haven't gotten to it yet.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 29, 2023, 07:33:51 AM
Quote from: brewski on April 29, 2023, 07:00:35 AMWhere in the program is the piece you cite?
Hard for me to say, Bruce, I was watching on my TV, and then the YouTube livestream went a bit funny. I went back to Home on my player, selected the concert again, but it started at the very beginning (did not "remember" my place. So I fast forwarded and luckily hit upon Julian Bryson's piece a bit after it started. I didn't make note of the time stamp, sorry! I certainly enjoyed all of the concert that I listened to. Brought me back to Wooster Chorus days! Sorry I am so little help, especially as I appreciate your kind interest!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on April 29, 2023, 08:23:27 AM
Quote from: Karl Henning on April 29, 2023, 07:33:51 AMHard for me to say, Bruce, I was watching on my TV, and then the YouTube livestream went a bit funny. I went back to Home on my player, selected the concert again, but it started at the very beginning (did not "remember" my place. So I fast forwarded and luckily hit upon Julian Bryson's piece a bit after it started. I didn't make note of the time stamp, sorry! I certainly enjoyed all of the concert that I listened to. Brought me back to Wooster Chorus days! Sorry I am so little help, especially as I appreciate your kind interest!

Thanks, Karl, and no worries! I'll likely revisit, especially given my familial connection to the university.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 29, 2023, 02:35:34 PM
Celebrating Duke Ellington's birthday by attending the Spring Concert of the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra's 50th  season!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on April 29, 2023, 04:21:49 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on April 29, 2023, 02:35:34 PMCelebrating Duke Ellington's birthday by attending the Spring Concert of the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra's 50th  season!
First performance of music director Mark Harvey's Prayer for Ukraine.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on April 30, 2023, 08:04:17 AM
There are reports online, apparently verified with an employee, that at last night's Los Angeles Philharmonic concert, during Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, some members of the audience engaged in...adult activities...that led to one of the said persons making a loud noise.

twitter discussion link (https://twitter.com/doodlyroses/status/1652570578270969856)

(The coupling was Thomas Ades' violin concerto)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on April 30, 2023, 08:31:26 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 30, 2023, 08:04:17 AMThere are reports online, apparently verified with an employee, that at last night's Los Angeles Philharmonic concert, during Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, some members of the audience engaged in...adult activities...that led to one of the said persons making a loud noise.

twitter discussion link (https://twitter.com/doodlyroses/status/1652570578270969856)

(The coupling was Thomas Ades' violin concerto)

Evidence of the foolishness of those who label Tchaikovsky as "saccharine". On the contrary, he's hormonal and testosteronely. And his favourite piece of music was Don Giovanni.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Franco_Manitobain on April 30, 2023, 09:39:07 AM
Quote from: Brian on April 30, 2023, 08:04:17 AMThere are reports online, apparently verified with an employee, that at last night's Los Angeles Philharmonic concert, during Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony, some members of the audience engaged in...adult activities...that led to one of the said persons making a loud noise.

twitter discussion link (https://twitter.com/doodlyroses/status/1652570578270969856)

(The coupling was Thomas Ades' violin concerto)

Hah! The Tchaikovsky obviously made a great impression!  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 01, 2023, 02:39:38 PM
Tonight!

Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor. Op. 44 No. 2
Anton Webern: Langsamer satz
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11

Jerusalem Quartet

I believe other GMGers have seen this group on this tour already!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on May 01, 2023, 02:49:20 PM
Quote from: vers la flamme on April 24, 2023, 04:35:17 PMTorn between two options for Sunday; there is Fauré's Requiem at Spivey Hall in Morrow, GA, or a piano recital at the local Anglican cathedral. I don't know the pianist, one Mark Valenti, but the program looks great: Debussy's Images, a Haydn G major sonata, several late Brahms piano pieces, and Scriabin's 5th Sonata. Thinking I will opt for the latter, which is free; however, I have been wanting to see the Fauré Requiem for a long time—my last opportunity was spoiled when a local church had to cancel a scheduled performance during the earliest weeks of the covid lockdowns.

The piano recital yesterday was nice though for some unknown reason the Scriabin was scrapped... which was the main reason I was going. However it was nice to hear some late Brahms in a live setting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on May 01, 2023, 03:21:32 PM
Quote from: Brian on May 01, 2023, 02:39:38 PMTonight!

Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 4 in E Minor. Op. 44 No. 2
Anton Webern: Langsamer satz
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 11

Jerusalem Quartet

I believe other GMGers have seen this group on this tour already!

Hoping your outing with them was as great as mine last October, in the very same program:

https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/concert-review-jerusalem-quartet/15757.article

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 02, 2023, 06:49:09 AM
Quote from: brewski on May 01, 2023, 03:21:32 PMHoping your outing with them was as great as mine last October, in the very same program:

https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/concert-review-jerusalem-quartet/15757.article

-Bruce
Yes! It was great. My main lesson is that I came away with greater respect for Mendelssohn. Compared to the Tchaikovsky, with its many unisons and extended first violin solos, and the Webern, which is rather youthful and simple, Mendelssohn's quartet was so tightly written, full of so much dialogue between instruments. It really embodies the ideal of string quartet as "conversation." You could see it in their body language! In the Webern, the players all were more or less on their own to play from the score. In the Tchaikovsky, there was more "checking in," more eye contact, more spontaneity. But in the Mendelssohn - phew! It was like watching a jazz band at work. The cellist, especially, liked to lean in and get in everyone else's faces. (Melissa, who used to be in orchestra as an oboe, told me, "You can tell he's the one who annoys the others in practice."  ;D ) It also reminded me of that amazing Mendelssohn octet video you posted recently, where there's a real amazing visual element of themes being passed back and forth, of ideas being traded. Note to self: always, always go to live performances of Mendelssohn chamber works.

Breathtakingly tight ensemble. In the really fast codas of the Tchaikovsky first and last movements, their ability to hit an accelerando, stay together, and play the living daylights out of the music, at unsafe speed - totally amazed us. I liked a moment when the two violinists both threw themselves back in their chairs at the same time so they could go wild.

The attendance was poor. Only about 110 people, which is not what the players deserved. But it does mean we got great seats - right smack in the middle, fifth row.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 02, 2023, 09:17:29 AM
And now a counterpoint! Our local music critic (https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/performing-arts/2023/05/02/review-overheated-performances-from-the-jerusalem-string-quartet-at-smu/) (a friend of mine, so be kind) absolutely hated the performance and, seemingly, the quartet's whole style. Some choice words from his summary: aggression, crudity, vulgarity, assault, scorched, shoved in our faces. He even complained that the guy who spoke at the start to thank everyone for attending was too loud  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on May 02, 2023, 10:18:24 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 02, 2023, 06:49:09 AMThe attendance was poor. Only about 110 people, which is not what the players deserved. But it does mean we got great seats - right smack in the middle, fifth row.

My experience is that is sadly common with chamber music.  I've found that even Bach cantatas have a low turn out.  People like to turn out for the huge symphony.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on May 02, 2023, 06:12:49 PM
Quote from: Brian on May 02, 2023, 06:49:09 AMYes! It was great. My main lesson is that I came away with greater respect for Mendelssohn. Compared to the Tchaikovsky, with its many unisons and extended first violin solos, and the Webern, which is rather youthful and simple, Mendelssohn's quartet was so tightly written, full of so much dialogue between instruments. It really embodies the ideal of string quartet as "conversation." You could see it in their body language! In the Webern, the players all were more or less on their own to play from the score. In the Tchaikovsky, there was more "checking in," more eye contact, more spontaneity. But in the Mendelssohn - phew! It was like watching a jazz band at work. The cellist, especially, liked to lean in and get in everyone else's faces. (Melissa, who used to be in orchestra as an oboe, told me, "You can tell he's the one who annoys the others in practice."  ;D ) It also reminded me of that amazing Mendelssohn octet video you posted recently, where there's a real amazing visual element of themes being passed back and forth, of ideas being traded. Note to self: always, always go to live performances of Mendelssohn chamber works.

Breathtakingly tight ensemble. In the really fast codas of the Tchaikovsky first and last movements, their ability to hit an accelerando, stay together, and play the living daylights out of the music, at unsafe speed - totally amazed us. I liked a moment when the two violinists both threw themselves back in their chairs at the same time so they could go wild.

The attendance was poor. Only about 110 people, which is not what the players deserved. But it does mean we got great seats - right smack in the middle, fifth row.

Thank you for that report, which is almost as exhilarating as being there! I have a violinist friend who plays 90% contemporary music, and Mendelssohn is one of his favorite composers. It took me awhile, but I can see why. Still not the hugest fan of the symphonies (though they're fine), but the chamber music is something else.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on May 03, 2023, 04:14:39 PM
Not a concert, but considering going to Das Rheingold at the Atlanta Opera on Sunday. I have never been to the opera, but I'm in a bit of a Wagner phase at the moment.

Edit: And I'm seeing Mahler's 5th tomorrow, the ASO under Donald Runnicles. I can't contain my excitement :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on May 07, 2023, 04:33:03 PM
Today's Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert had an excellent performance of Brahms' St. Anthony Variations. Variation 6 was particularly energetic, and the contrapuntal detail in Variation 8 was clear. The concert also featured a new trombone concerto by Carlos Simon and Beethoven's 8th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on May 08, 2023, 04:17:19 AM
Quote from: vers la flamme on May 03, 2023, 04:14:39 PMNot a concert, but considering going to Das Rheingold at the Atlanta Opera on Sunday.

You can never go wrong with Rheingold.  ;)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on May 08, 2023, 09:10:44 AM
Quote from: Ganondorf on May 08, 2023, 04:17:19 AMYou can never go wrong with Rheingold.  ;)

Alas, I waited too long and it sold out :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on May 12, 2023, 05:31:18 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 11, 2023, 06:35:28 AMTonight:

Rachmaninov  The Bells
Lyadov  From the Apocalypse, Op.66
Scriabin  Prometheus "The Poem of Fire" (performed with lighting according to the composer's directions)

Philharmonia Orchestra
Stanislav Kochanovsky conductor
Alexei Volodin piano
Anush Hovhannisyan soprano
Toby Spence tenor
Yuriy Yurchuk baritone
Philharmonia Chorus



Oooh, yes, especially the Scriabin with the lighting effects. But the whole program is interesting; you rarely see the Rachmaninoff on a menu, and Lyadov, even rarer.

Tomorrow night, a friend had an extra ticket to this. It took me a long time to warm up to the Berlioz, perhaps because some conductors don't seem to emphasize the work's weirdness. No idea what Yannick will do, but of course, worth finding out.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Charlotte Blake Alston, speaker

Gabriela Lena Frank: Walkabout: Concerto for Orchestra (2016)
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on May 12, 2023, 05:55:52 AM
Ooh, well, there goes (part of) the day. Just got a notification of this Frankfurt concert coming up in a few hours, live at the link below.

Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Lawrence Power, Viola
Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Dirigent

Lotta Wennäkoski: Flounce
Anders Hillborg: Bratschenkonzert (Deutsche Erstaufführung)
Sibelius: Lemminkäinen-Suite


-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on May 12, 2023, 08:16:04 AM
Which of these 1986 concerts would you go to? (tour by Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Neeme Jarvi)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fv8LDjjWYAMQPOv?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

I think the Firebird / Poulenc / Dvorak combo sounds most up my alley.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 12, 2023, 09:29:38 AM
Dvořák's Symphony No. 7 with either the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 or the Beethoven Violin Concerto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on May 12, 2023, 10:07:43 AM
Stravinsky, Britten and Tchaikovsky.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on May 12, 2023, 11:25:52 AM
Quote from: Brian on May 12, 2023, 08:16:04 AMWhich of these 1986 concerts would you go to? (tour by Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Neeme Jarvi)

Poulenc's Concerto for 2 Pianos was one of my big discoveries next year, so I'd go to any program with it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on May 12, 2023, 11:29:40 AM
Quote from: brewski on May 12, 2023, 05:31:18 AMTomorrow night, a friend had an extra ticket to this. It took me a long time to warm up to the Berlioz, perhaps because some conductors don't seem to emphasize the work's weirdness. No idea what Yannick will do, but of course, worth finding out.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Charlotte Blake Alston, speaker

Gabriela Lena Frank: Walkabout: Concerto for Orchestra (2016)
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique

-Bruce

I saw Yannick conduct Symphonie fantastique in Philadelphia several years ago. That performance helped me realize what an incredible piece it is. If I recall correctly, Yannick placed the offstage oboe in one of the balconies. Enjoy the concert!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on May 12, 2023, 12:53:25 PM
Quote from: Brian on May 12, 2023, 08:16:04 AMWhich of these 1986 concerts would you go to? (tour by Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Neeme Jarvi)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fv8LDjjWYAMQPOv?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

I think the Firebird / Poulenc / Dvorak combo sounds most up my alley.
For me, I think one of the Wagner, Brahms, Dvorak No. 7 ones sounds good to me! :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 12, 2023, 12:56:00 PM
Quote from: Brian on May 12, 2023, 08:16:04 AMWhich of these 1986 concerts would you go to? (tour by Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Neeme Jarvi)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fv8LDjjWYAMQPOv?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)

I think the Firebird / Poulenc / Dvorak combo sounds most up my alley.

Yes, that one for me too.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 12, 2023, 01:03:12 PM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 12, 2023, 09:29:38 AMDvořák's Symphony No. 7 with either the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 or the Beethoven Violin Concerto.

Very good choices. Love them all.



Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on May 13, 2023, 07:49:51 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 13, 2023, 02:57:23 AMA reviewer in one of the dailies said, basically, kudos to the management for putting on this program, shame about the conducting.  Which seemed about right to me.  I'd been expecting a riot of exuberance - and I can think of a number of other conductors who would have given us that - but what we got was a steady, low-energy performance which didn't make the best of the Rachmaninov, in fact the Lyadov came across the strongest of the three.  In the Scriabin, it was amusing to watch the principal cellist leaning forward and peering through her glasses to try to read the music through the fog of the smoke machines and the flashing strobe lighting - it made good theatre, but purely as music as it didn't really add up to the balls-to-the-wall experience I'd been hoping for. :(

Ah, what a shame. (Though watching the cellist does sound like fun.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 20, 2023, 06:54:25 AM
Next week in Paris:

Charles Koechlin: Vers la voûte étoilée
Frédéric Chopin: Concerto pour piano n° 2
Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes
Claude Debussy: La Mer

Orchestre de Paris
Ariane Matiakh
Lise de la Salle, piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 20, 2023, 07:06:02 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 20, 2023, 06:54:25 AMNext week in Paris:

Charles Koechlin: Vers la voûte étoilée
Frédéric Chopin: Concerto pour piano n° 2
Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes
Claude Debussy: La Mer

Orchestre de Paris
Ariane Matiakh
Lise de la Salle, piano

Should be a great evening. Enjoy!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 21, 2023, 06:48:37 AM
Quote from: Florestan on May 20, 2023, 07:06:02 AMShould be a great evening. Enjoy!

Thanks! Last time I attended a recital there (at the Philharmonie de Paris, Murray Perahia giving a transcendent rendition of the Hammerklavier Sonata), me and a few others went backstage afterwards to congratulate the artist. It didn't take more than 20 minutes, but it was apparently long enough for every other single soul to have eerily evaporated from the premises; wardrobe was already closed and a guard was waiting for us rather impatiently at the exit door - locking it the moment we stepped outside. This would never happen in Greece or Italy! 😁
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 21, 2023, 07:13:35 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 21, 2023, 06:48:37 AMThanks! Last time I attended a recital there (at the Philharmonie de Paris, Murray Perahia giving a transcendent rendition of the Hammerklavier Sonata), me and a few others went backstage afterwards to congratulate the artist. It didn't take more than 20 minutes, but it was apparently long enough for every other single soul to have eerily evaporated from the premises; wardrobe was already closed and a guard was waiting for us rather impatiently at the exit door - locking it the moment we stepped outside. This would never happen in Greece or Italy! 😁

What would never happen in Greece or Italy? The guard waiting for you, albeit impatiently, or the audience leaving the house so quickly?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 21, 2023, 07:42:32 AM
Quote from: Florestan on May 21, 2023, 07:13:35 AMWhat would never happen in Greece or Italy? The guard waiting for you, albeit impatiently, or the audience leaving the house so quickly?

The audience disappearing so abruptly. In Athens, even 30' or 45' after the end of a concert people are still hanging in the building and around the entrance chatting, finalizing dinner plans, waiting for friends in order to continue with their evening. Totally different vibe. I saw the same thing in Naples and (in a somewhat lesser degree) in Rome. I guess it makes sense since in our parts of the world weather is nicer and restaurants don't close early.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on May 21, 2023, 07:49:31 AM
Quote from: Florestan on May 21, 2023, 07:13:35 AMThe guard waiting for you

The guard waiting for us, keys in hand, means we were the very last ones to exit the premises. Most lights had already been put out and there were no other members of the audience to be seen. All this at around 10:00 pm. I found it quite surreal.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 21, 2023, 07:57:53 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 21, 2023, 07:42:32 AMThe audience disappearing so abruptly. In Athens, even 30' or 45' after the end of a concert people are still hanging in the building and around the entrance chatting, finalizing dinner plans, waiting for friends in order to continue with their evening. Totally different vibe. I saw the same thing in Naples and (in a somewhat lesser degree) in Rome. I guess it makes sense since in our parts of the world weather is nicer and restaurants don't close early.

I guessed that much but wanted to be sure. In Romania it's the same, it takes at least a full half hour for the whole audience to leave, and in winter much more, as we queue up to retrieve our coats from the wardrobe. This, for symphonic concerts. At the opera house it takes even more time, the hall being larger. And yes, probably three quarters of the people leaving a concert or an opera go to restaurants and pubs. So the vibe is familiar to me.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on May 21, 2023, 07:59:12 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on May 21, 2023, 07:49:31 AMThe guard waiting for us, keys in hand, means we were the very last ones to exit the premises. Most lights had already been put out and there were no other members of the audience to be seen. All this at around 10:00 pm. I found it quite surreal.  :D

And all this in Paris! Rossini and Meyerbeer must be rolling in their graves.  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 29, 2023, 03:32:29 AM
Last Saturday we attended a Mahler VIII concert at the Cincinnati May Festival.

It was the 150th Anniversary of the festival, and they wanted a BIG work to celebrate it.

Of interest was the presence of the great James Conlon as the conductor: he was asked to "pinch-hit" for Juanjo Mena, who had to cancel at the last minute. 

James Conlon had been the festival's director for 36 years, so when he appeared, the applause was more than grateful.

The performance was incredible: the clarity of the lines was brought out, the singers were not overwhelmed by the choruses of nearly 400 people, the extra brass in the balcony (I was able to talk with some of them: graduate students from local universities e.g. Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the University of Kentucky), and the children's choir - also in the balcony - were extremely good.

The audience nearly gave a standing ovation after the First Movement!  And after the final bars, with that leaping major ninth in the trumpets, there was an instant roaring standing ovation which went on for ten minutes.

And there was a sing-along encore: Handel's Hallelujah Chorus!

Of interest was Mrs. Cato's opinion on whether she preferred this over Schoenberg's Gurrelieder, which we had heard in London with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Esa Pekka Salonen.

She chose Schoenberg!  For her, the dramatic story in the Gurrelieder and the music in general seemed more attractive.  To be sure, the Mahler Eighth experience was quite fine, but the Gurrelieder was better.

I would say it was a tie!  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 29, 2023, 04:14:13 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 29, 2023, 03:33:54 AMTonight a program with the title Yiddish Cabaret:

Schulhoff 5 Pieces for String Quartet
Desyatnikov Yiddish - 5 songs for voice and string quartet
Korngold String Quartet No.2

Jerusalem Quartet
Hila Baggio soprano

There's already a CD of this:

(https://d1iiivw74516uk.cloudfront.net/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJwcmVzdG8tY292ZXItaW1hZ2VzIiwia2V5IjoiODYxNTg2Ny4xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzAwfSwianBlZyI6eyJxdWFsaXR5Ijo2NX0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoianBlZyJ9LCJ0aW1lc3RhbXAiOjE1NTY0OTI3ODZ9)

Excellent!

Quote from: Cato on May 29, 2023, 03:32:29 AMOf interest was the presence of the great James Conlon as the conductor: he was asked to "pinch-hit" for Juanjo Mena, who had to cancel at the last minute. 

James Conlon had been the festival's director for 36 years, so when he appeared, the applause was more than grateful.


If you do not know James Conlon's recordings of the works of Alexander Zemlinsky, then you are missing some wonderful music!

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 29, 2023, 05:47:22 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 29, 2023, 05:25:25 AMWas that in 2018?  We were at that! :)


Yes!  A trip to London (and Bath and Stonehenge) was our 40th Anniversary present to ourselves!  The concert was a great part of it!   :D

Do you remember the tenor's name?  Do you agree he was not the Heldentenor one expects?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 29, 2023, 06:36:05 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on May 29, 2023, 06:05:04 AMTBH I don't remember. ::)  And I don't keep old programmes any more.  But this review (https://www.classicalsource.com/concert/philharmonia-orchestra-esa-pekka-salonen-conducts-schoenbergs-gurrelieder/) names him as Robert Dean Smith, and seems to find virtue in "the reedy spread of his Heldentenor tone", so I guess you weren't the only one to notice it!


Many thanks for that link!

Concerning actress Barbara Sukowa: I first heard her as the Sprecherin on the DGG CD from 1995 with Claudio Abbado and the Vienna Philharmonic.

Her interpretation was a shock back then, and some reviews claimed it ruined the entire work.  Certainly if one knows the 1980's performance with the amazing Hans Hotter on London/Decca with Riccardo Chailly conducting, Brigitte Fassbaender absolutely the best "Wood-Dove" ever, and also featuring Siegfried Jerusalem, Sukowa's interpretation seems ironically (and perhaps unintentionally?) comical.

But she has found a role which she has performed many times now, so...some people must like it!

 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on May 29, 2023, 06:38:29 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 29, 2023, 03:32:29 AMLast Saturday we attended a Mahler VIII concert at the Cincinnati May Festival.

It was the 150th Anniversary of the festival, and they wanted a BIG work to celebrate it.

Of interest was the presence of the great James Conlon as the conductor: he was asked to "pinch-hit" for Juanjo Mena, who had to cancel at the last minute. 

I listened online—spectacular! And how lucky you are to have been there. (Didn't really need the Handel encore, but I gather it's a festival tradition.) Anyway, the broadcast confirmed all your comments. Excellent soloists, too. I hope they will post the recording for a few days; it would be nice to revisit.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on May 29, 2023, 07:00:38 AM
Quote from: brewski on May 29, 2023, 06:38:29 AMI listened online—spectacular! And how lucky you are to have been there. (Didn't really need the Handel encore, but I gather it's a festival tradition.) Anyway, the broadcast confirmed all your comments. Excellent soloists, too. I hope they will post the recording for a few days; it would be nice to revisit.

-Bruce


Great to know that you were there via the miracle of modern technology!  :D

I should mention the Tenor: Barry Banks.  He must be about 4' 10," but do not judge his abilities by his height!  His voice is full and he had no problems projecting over the forces around him!  Excellent performance!

Here he is with a baritone named Stephen Powell:

(https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/DSC07413.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on May 30, 2023, 05:30:16 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 29, 2023, 03:32:29 AMLast Saturday we attended a Mahler VIII concert at the Cincinnati May Festival.

It was the 150th Anniversary of the festival, and they wanted a BIG work to celebrate it.

Of interest was the presence of the great James Conlon as the conductor: he was asked to "pinch-hit" for Juanjo Mena, who had to cancel at the last minute. 

James Conlon had been the festival's director for 36 years, so when he appeared, the applause was more than grateful.

The performance was incredible: the clarity of the lines was brought out, the singers were not overwhelmed by the choruses of nearly 400 people, the extra brass in the balcony (I was able to talk with some of them: graduate students from local universities e.g. Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the University of Kentucky), and the children's choir - also in the balcony - were extremely good.

The audience nearly gave a standing ovation after the First Movement!  And after the final bars, with that leaping major ninth in the trumpets, there was an instant roaring standing ovation which went on for ten minutes.

And there was a sing-along encore: Handel's Hallelujah Chorus!

Of interest was Mrs. Cato's opinion on whether she preferred this over Schoenberg's Gurrelieder, which we had heard in London with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Esa Pekka Salonen.

She chose Schoenberg!  For her, the dramatic story in the Gurrelieder and the music in general seemed more attractive.  To be sure, the Mahler Eighth experience was quite fine, but the Gurrelieder was better.

I would say it was a tie!  8)
Magnificent!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 04, 2023, 06:57:45 AM
In two weeks at Verizon Hall, this interesting organ recital, by an artist new to me:

Peter Richard Conte Organ

Guilmant Paraphrase on a Chorus from Judas Maccabeus by Handel
(Various) Three Preludes on Plainsong Hymns
Karg-Elert Improvisation on "Näher, mein Gott, zu Dir!"
Britten Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of Vittoria
Elgar First movement from Organ Sonata
Elmore "Night Song"
Barber To Longwood Gardens
R. Strauss "Moonlight Music," from Capriccio
Bizet Carmen Fantasy

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 09, 2023, 02:33:12 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on June 07, 2023, 06:37:42 AMTonight, Vasily Petrenko conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Shostakovich Symphony No.8. :)

Just read a review of that concert, and am very envious! Hqaven't heard the Eighth live in a very long time.

Tonight:

Minnesota Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor
Grace Roepke, harp [principal, Louisville Orchestra]
Kodály Concerto for Orchestra
Ginastera Harp Concerto
Kodály Dances of Galánta
Tchaikovsky Capriccio italien

Listen live here (https://www.yourclassical.org/mpr) at 9:00 pm EDT.

-Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 09, 2023, 07:05:53 AM
Last night, a free pops concert in a local park. We brought a picnic basket full of goodies and a blanket, watched people's dogs, and mostly/intermittently were able to hear the music  ;D

Dallas Symphony Orchestra (with some substitutes and fill-ins)
Maurice Cohn, conductor

Gabriela Lena Frank | Jungle Jaunt, from Three Latin American Dances
Arturo Márquez | Conga del Fuego Nuevo
Duke Ellington (arr. Morton Gould) | Solitude
Glinka | Ruslan and Ludmila overture
Strauss | Die Fledermaus overture
Giacchino | Music from "Coco"
Williams | Music from "Star Wars"

Márquez writes nothing but hits and if American orchestras want to attract new audiences to the hall, his music should be at the forefront of that effort. The big miss of the night was the soupy, gloopy arrangement of Solitude; when we got home I put on one of the Duke's own recordings to show the Ms. what the music is supposed to sound like. We live in an 80% Latino neighborhood so "Coco" and Márquez especially got big applause.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 09, 2023, 07:22:05 AM
Does anybody have any experience with Donald Runnicles conducting Sibelius? Any adjectives or tendencies you would describe his style with? He's doing an all Sibelius program next year in Dallas (En saga, Violin concerto, 5), and the works combination could be a really amazing concert if done right, but if done poorly it would really be a depressing slog.

(I had to sit through a miserable Sibelius 2 last year where the conductor couldn't hold a tempo to save his life. Sibelius really lives and dies on strong conducting...)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 09, 2023, 09:19:16 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 09, 2023, 07:05:53 AMMárquez writes nothing but hits and if American orchestras want to attract new audiences to the hall, his music should be at the forefront of that effort. The big miss of the night was the soupy, gloopy arrangement of Solitude; when we got home I put on one of the Duke's own recordings to show the Ms. what the music is supposed to sound like. We live in an 80% Latino neighborhood so "Coco" and Márquez especially got big applause.

Dudamel has been a big advocate for Márquez, and I hope this means more of his work when he takes the helm at the New York Philharmonic. (That whole concert sounds pretty entertaining, though.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on June 09, 2023, 09:57:08 AM
Quote from: Brian on June 09, 2023, 07:22:05 AMDoes anybody have any experience with Donald Runnicles conducting Sibelius? Any adjectives or tendencies you would describe his style with? He's doing an all Sibelius program next year in Dallas (En saga, Violin concerto, 5), and the works combination could be a really amazing concert if done right, but if done poorly it would really be a depressing slog.

(I had to sit through a miserable Sibelius 2 last year where the conductor couldn't hold a tempo to save his life. Sibelius really lives and dies on strong conducting...)

Go ahead, Brian, name the conductor, inquiring minds want to know!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 09, 2023, 11:18:14 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on June 09, 2023, 10:53:14 AMIt was fascinating to watch Petrenko at work - I've seen him before in other material, such as Vaughan Williams - which was fine ... if not terribly idiomatic. :-\  This was the first time with Shostakovich - in which my go-to guy has lately been Jurowski, whose meticulous analytical approach combines with energy and expressiveness and is the antithesis of self-indulgence.  All of which Petrenko has too - but what he displayed above all was a fanatical control of dynamics that never let up for an instant, and created a sense of immense power held under pressure, just occasionally bursting through but always there even in the quietest passages - so intense, so unrelenting. :o  I doubt I will ever hear a better performance of the 8th. :)  (Shame they didn't record/broadcast it. :()

I came away with the thought that I really had to hear what he did with the first movement of the 6th, so immediately bought the Naxos box set (of which I had just a couple of single discs.)

Petrenko is now my go-to guy in Shostakovich, no question about it (though Vlad retains top spot in my partner's affections. ;D )

Thanks so much for all the detailed comments, and loved your description of the dynamics control. Some people who don't like Shostakovich seem to view his symphonies as too loud or blaring, and there are plenty of moments of eerie quietude that prove otherwise.

Hoping a future reading will be recorded.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on June 21, 2023, 06:09:40 AM
Today, I get to sit in on a cool live performance experience. EarShot New Composer Readings is a partnership with the American Composers Orchestra where young composers get their short works performed by an orchestra, then receive masterclass-style commentary and tutoring from a panel of older expert composers.

The Dallas Symphony will be playing:

Moni (Jasmine) Guo | Rays of the After-rain Evening Sun
Diallo Banks | Chute Libre
Ricardo Ferro | '17-North
Iván Enrique Rodríguez | Symphony No. 2: Naa Okùnkùn ti Òkúnta Dídán

and then there will be critique/commentary from:

Quinn Mason
Jimmy López Bellido
Xi Wang
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 28, 2023, 08:03:52 AM
Tonight, the first in a series of livestreams from the Bowdoin International Music Festival in Maine. As in past years, these are free, and generally of outstanding quality.

Kodály: Serenade, Op. 12
Ayano Ninomiya, Peter Winograd, violin • Dimitri Murrath, viola

Schulhoff: Concertino 
Linda Chesis, flute • Phillip Ying, viola • Jeremy McCoy, bass

Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op.99
Peter Winograd, violin • Steven Doane, cello • Pei-Shan Lee, piano

https://www.bowdoinfestival.org/event/kodaly-schulhoff-ravel/
https://www.bowdoinfestival.org/festivalive/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Nunc Dimittis on June 29, 2023, 05:09:47 AM
Quote from: brewski on June 09, 2023, 02:33:12 AMJust read a review of that concert, and am very envious! Hqaven't heard the Eighth live in a very long time.

Tonight:

Minnesota Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor
Grace Roepke, harp [principal, Louisville Orchestra]
Kodály Concerto for Orchestra
Ginastera Harp Concerto
Kodály Dances of Galánta
Tchaikovsky Capriccio italien

Listen live here (https://www.yourclassical.org/mpr) at 9:00 pm EDT.

-Bruce



Wow, Ginastera's Harp Concerto and Kodaly's Concerto for Orchestra on the same program. Sorry to have missed it.  Would have considered traveling to see that.  On another recent thread almost put Kodaly's Concerto for Orchestra on my bucket list of live performances to see.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 29, 2023, 05:26:28 AM
Quote from: Nunc Dimittis on June 29, 2023, 05:09:47 AMWow, Ginastera's Harp Concerto and Kodaly's Concerto for Orchestra on the same program. Sorry to have missed it.  Would have considered traveling to see that.  On another recent thread almost put Kodaly's Concerto for Orchestra on my bucket list of live performances to see.

It was an excellent concert, and you don't see either of those programmed that often—much less on the same concert! I just checked to see if perhaps they had archived the broadcast, but doesn't appear to be available at the moment.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on June 29, 2023, 06:11:05 AM
Yay, Ravinia is open! I'm cheating this thread, since this concert happened last night, so I'm no longer "looking forward" to it:

Jorge Federico Osorio, pianist

Ludwig van Beethoven:       Piano Sonata No. 30 
Johannes Brahms:       Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel
Johannes Brahms:       Four Ballades
Ludwig van Beethoven:       Piano Sonata No. 32

Yeah, it was some heavy-duty solo pianism. I'd never heard any of these live, and was particularly looking forward to LvB Op. 111, which was as mesmerizing as I expected it to be. Osorio was excellent throughout, though I have to admit I was left with the impression that the Brahms/Handel thing is somewhat overlong.

In sum, a very nice concert to start the season, and distract us from the smoky air outside.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 29, 2023, 07:39:09 AM
This Sunday, the first of the season's livestreams (all free) from Aspen. Also looking forward to July 16, when Augustin Hadelich will perform a new violin concerto from Donnacha Dennehy.

Aspen Festival Orchestra
Robert Spano, conductor
Daniil Trifonov, piano

Brian Raphael Nabors: Of Earth and Sky: Tales from the Motherland
Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F major
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring

https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/events/calendar/livestream-aspen-festival-orchestra-2/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on June 30, 2023, 08:12:14 AM
Tonight, another concert from the Bowdoin International Music Festival:

Bloch: Baal Shem Suite
Ani Schnarch, violin • Tao Lin, piano

Schmitt: Suite en Rocaille, Op. 84
Linda Chesis, flute • Kurt Sassmannshaus, violin • Natalie Brennecke, viola • Jeffrey Zeigler, cello • June Han, harp

John Tartaglia (1932–2018): Fantasia on Themes of Marais 
Dimitri Murrrath, viola • Jeremy McCoy, bass

R. Strauss: Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat Major, Op. 18 
Ayano Ninomiya, violin • Pei-Shan Lee, piano

Concert starts at 7:30 pm (EDT), here (https://www.bowdoinfestival.org/festivalive/).

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Nunc Dimittis on July 02, 2023, 11:47:10 AM
Last night attended a concert in Lenexa, KS, with a community orchestra. They did Carlos Chavez's Sym. no. 4 and Hanson's Sym. no. 2.  It was free.  Went because of the Chavez, as it is rarely performed. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on July 02, 2023, 07:13:06 PM
Quote from: Nunc Dimittis on July 02, 2023, 11:47:10 AMLast night attended a concert in Lenexa, KS, with a community orchestra. They did Carlos Chavez's Sym. no. 4 and Hanson's Sym. no. 2.  It was free.  Went because of the Chavez, as it is rarely performed. 


How totally cool, that Chavez and Hanson were performed in a small town in Kansas. Found the concert, and note that there are two more this summer. For a community orchestra, this is pretty impressive programming. I mean, Christopher Theofanidis? Well done.

https://www.lenexa.com/government/departments___divisions/parks___recreation/festivals_events/community_orchestra

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on July 10, 2023, 05:36:26 AM
Amazing concert yesterday afternoon with local orchestra
Leeds Haydn Players
performed

Haydn Symphony no 16
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony no 8

Soloist  Alessandro Emilio Pacik
Conductor  Melvin Tay
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on July 10, 2023, 08:45:26 AM
Tonight at 7:30 (EDT), another livestream from the Bowdoin International Music Festival, with the Ying Quartet:

Mozart: String Quartet No. 22 in B-flat Major, K. 589, Op. 18, No. 2, "Prussian"
Kevin Puts: Dark Vigil
Dvořák: String Quartet No. 13 in G Major, Op. 106

https://www.bowdoinfestival.org/event/ying-quartet-2023/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on July 14, 2023, 10:51:12 AM
Tonight, this concert by the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, with Sir Andrew Davis conducting and Gil Shaham on violin:

Valerie Coleman - Giants of Light (World Premiere, commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
Barber - Violin Concerto, Op. 14
Berlioz- Symphonie fantastique

Listen live at 8:00 pm at the link below:

https://www.wqxr.org/story/national-youth-orchestra-united-states-america-23/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 14, 2023, 11:18:45 AM
Quote from: brewski on July 14, 2023, 10:51:12 AMTonight, this concert by the National Youth Orchestra of the USA, with Sir Andrew Davis conducting and Gil Shaham on violin:

Valerie Coleman - Giants of Light (World Premiere, commissioned by Carnegie Hall)
Barber - Violin Concerto, Op. 14
Berlioz- Symphonie fantastique

Listen live at 8:00 pm at the link below:

https://www.wqxr.org/story/national-youth-orchestra-united-states-america-23/

-Bruce
They're touring Dallas next weekend but with Hilary Hahn playing Tchaikovsky rather than Shaham in Barber. We saw Randall Goosby do the Tchaikovsky only 5 months ago so I'm torn...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bachtoven on July 20, 2023, 09:18:07 AM
Several, but in particular piano recitals by Daniil Trifonov (San Francisco) and Vikingur Olafsson (Berkeley).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 23, 2023, 06:16:01 AM
A free chamber music concert this afternoon, part of a local free "Basically Beethoven" festival:

Beethoven | "Kreutzer" Sonata
Stravinsky | Suite italienne

Chloe Trevor, violin
Alex McDonald, piano

I don't know the artists, but the program is an appealing reason to get out of the house on a Sunday afternoon, the venue is a cool room (Moody Performance Hall, for the Texans here), and the price is right! We're making a day of it by getting sushi for lunch and maybe a quick drink in between.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 24, 2023, 06:18:21 AM
Quote from: Brian on July 23, 2023, 06:16:01 AMthe venue is a cool room

Is the room cool in the literal or metaphorical sense? I think the first would be more important under current circumstances.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on July 24, 2023, 06:55:50 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on July 24, 2023, 06:18:21 AMIs the room cool in the literal or metaphorical sense? I think the first would be more important under current circumstances.
It turned out to be architecturally cool but climatologically warm. I never stopped sweating from the walk there  :(  ;D

Ms. Trevor's tone/pitch was somewhat wobbly in the Stravinsky, which came first. I started to worry about the possibility of a Kreutzer from a near amateur violinist, but it turned out they'd allocated almost all their rehearsal time to the Beethoven, which came off relatively better. McDonald, the pianist, had a sharp, incisive style (lots of ear-catching staccato) that allowed him to assert himself as an equal partner throughout. Worth seeing for his contribution, but hey, it was free, and most definitely worth that price no matter what!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on July 25, 2023, 05:18:24 AM
This Sunday, July 30, at 6:00 pm EDT, Mahler's Third Symphony with Robert Spano, Kelley O'Connor, AOTVA Treble Chorus and Colorado Children's Chorale, and the Aspen Festival Orchestra:

https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/events/calendar/livestream-aspen-festival-orchestra-5/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on July 31, 2023, 01:49:08 AM
This coming season, in Athens:


Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 
Felix Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream: Overture (Op. 21)
and stage music (Op. 61)

Flore van Meerssche
Diana Haller
La Capella Nacional de Catalunya
Le Concert des Nations
Jordi Savall



Sergei Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 (excerpts)
Franz Liszt: Totentanz, S. 126
Frédéric Chopin: Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante for piano & orchestra, Op. 22
Béla Bartók: Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin, Op. 19

Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Alevtina Ιoffe
Alexander Malofeev, piano




Joseph Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 34 in E minor, Hob. XVI: 34
Maurice Ravel: Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn
Maurice Ravel: Miroirs
W. A. Mozart: Adagio in B minor, K. 540
Franz Liszt: 3 Sonetti del Petrarcha, S. 158 
Franz Liszt: Après une lecture de Dante. Fantasia quasi Sonata

Seing-Jin Cho, piano

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on August 02, 2023, 05:07:11 AM
As the Bowdoin Festival nears its end, one more enticing livestream tonight:

Milhaud: Suite, Op. 157b
Derek Bermel, clarinet • Sergiu Schwartz, violin • Jon Nakamatsu, piano

Andreia Pinto Correia (b. 1971): Night Migrations
Renée Jolles, violin • David Ying, cello • Tao Lin, piano

George Walker (1922–2018): Sonata for Cello and Piano
Denise Djokic, cello • Jeewon Park, piano

Brahms: String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat Major, Op. 18 
Robin Scott, violin • Russell Iceberg*, violin • Kirsten Docter, viola • Steven Baloue*, viola • Amir Eldan, cello • Isaac Berglind*, cello

*Bowdoin Festival Fellows

Watch here, free:
https://www.bowdoinfestival.org/festivalive/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 02, 2023, 05:20:24 AM
Fun fact: Russell Iceberg has a trio at his music school with Amanda Romaine and Giovanni Arugula.

...OK, OK, I'll ban myself for that one...   :-[  :-[
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on August 04, 2023, 03:22:28 AM
Tonight, this concert with two artists new to me, Heyward and Lamsma, and the second time hearing the Barber in a month (after Gil Shaham). 

Jonathon Heyward, conductor
Simone Lamsma, violin
Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra

Jessie Montgomery Records of a Vanishing City
Samuel Barber Violin Concerto
Robert Schumann Symphony No. 3 ("Rhenish")

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on August 09, 2023, 06:35:32 AM
Tonight, livestreamed from Aspen:

Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra
(conductor TBA)
Ken Kagawa, trombone

Stucky: Rhapsodies
Grøndahl: Trombone Concerto
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Watch here (https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/virtual-stage/).

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on August 10, 2023, 10:30:19 AM
Quote from: brewski on August 09, 2023, 06:35:32 AMTonight, livestreamed from Aspen:

Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra
(conductor TBA)
Ken Kagawa, trombone

Stucky: Rhapsodies
Grøndahl: Trombone Concerto
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Watch here (https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/virtual-stage/).

-Bruce

Though I missed the first work on the concert (Steven Stucky's Rhapsodies) due to some tech issues, the concert featured not one, but nine different young conductors—one for each movement of each piece. So the Bartók Concerto for Orchestra had five. All very promising.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 14, 2023, 01:34:31 PM
Ravinia this Thursday:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Joshua Weilerstein, conductor
Alisa Weilerstein, cellist

Still: Poem for Orchestra
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

I gather A. Weilerstein has made kind of a signature piece of the Elgar concerto. I didn't know she had a brother who was a conductor. The bro-sis team should be interesting to watch.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 16, 2023, 07:16:27 PM
This San Antonio Philharmonic (collective, worker-owned orchestra) concert in October looks so cool I will try to road trip down:

Gabriella Smith | Field Guide
Arutiunian | Trumpet Concerto
Reena Esmail | Avartan
Sibelius | Symphony No. 5

Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
Tine Thing Helseth, trumpet
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on August 21, 2023, 04:27:10 AM
On Thursday, Aug. 31, the Frankfurt Radio Symphony presents its annual summer broadcast. I've become a big fan of these concerts, not particularly because of the programming (though in this case, I actually like most of the chestnuts below). But the sound and video are outstanding, and capture the atmosphere of the occasion. Though many people are in the audience in front of the stage, the theater is adjacent to a river, and many people watch from boats parked nearby. Further, the tech crew uses drones to show photos of the neighborhood, with additional people enjoying the concert from their windows or other vantage points.

Frankfurt Radio Symphony
MILOŠ | Guitar
Alain Altinoglu | Conductor

Korngold | Suite from The Lord of the Seven Seas
Dukas | The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Rodrigo | Concierto de Aranjuez
R. Strauss | Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks
Debussy | Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune
Ravel | Boléro

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on August 21, 2023, 05:06:50 AM
I couldn't inform beforehand, but I attended a Proms concert at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday night, invited by my daughter. New Zealand conductor Gemma New led the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

The concert opened with the European premiere of Canadian Samy Moussa's Second Symphony. Some nice orchestral writing, but it appeared a bit rhapsodic to me in its construction —somehow this one-movement work reminded me of Sibelius' Seventh—. The work and composer (who was present in the hall) garnered warm applause.

Then we got Pavel Kolesnikov playing the Shostakovich Second Piano Concerto quite wonderfully. The work itself is not to my liking, though: it's archetypical of its composer's alternation of the schmaltzy and the sardonic, which irritates me.

Then we got the pièce de resistance of the concert: Stravinsky's Firebird (the full ballet). This piece holds a special place in my daughter's heart (one of her first visits to a theatre was to see the ballet fully staged —recreating the original Fokine choreography and Bakst sets— at the Teatro Real in Madrid when she was 5 years or so of age) and is a perennial favourite of mine. It was ver eloquently presented by Ms. New and the orchestra. A pleasure to hear this wonderful score live in concert.

I'm now in the Scottish Highlands, and will probably not be posting much until the end of next week.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on August 21, 2023, 05:57:15 AM
What a great-sounding concert! Big fan of the complete Firebird, too, and love the story about your daughter. Early classical music experiences are priceless—I know mine were—and I hope she will thank you endlessly.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on August 21, 2023, 08:43:19 AM
Quote from: ritter on August 21, 2023, 05:06:50 AMI'm now in the Scottish Highlands, and will probably not be posting much until the end of next week.
Enjoy a dram of whiskey for me! Sounds like a great holiday, and at a great time of year, too.  8)

Glad that the concert was good - Ms. New is a frequent guest here in Dallas though I've often felt she favors slow/safe tempos. Maybe the Proms bring out the best in some artists!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: AnotherSpin on August 21, 2023, 10:55:40 AM
Quote from: ritter on August 21, 2023, 05:06:50 AM[..]
Then we got Pavel Kolesnikov playing the Shostakovich Second Piano Concerto quite wonderfully. The work itself is not to my liking, though: it's archetypical of its composer's alternation of the schmaltzy and the sardonic, which irritates me.
[..]

archetypical of its composer's alternation of the schmaltzy and the sardonic - thanks for the formula, couldn't have expressed the essence of this composer more clearly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on August 29, 2023, 06:24:06 PM
Next Tuesday, our last Ravinia concert of the season:

Music of the Baroque
Dame Jane Glover, conductor
James Ehnes, violin

George Frideric Handel: Water Music Suite No. 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3
Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 102

They should really be called "Music of the Baroque and Classical Periods" but who cares really.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on September 11, 2023, 06:48:11 AM
On Saturday, 16 September, will be watching this concert (7:00 pm in Berlin, 1:00 pm here). The entire program is exciting, but I'm most eager to hear the Xenakis — my first time hearing one of his large orchestral works live. And marvelous to end with Stele, one of Kurtág's greatest works.

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko, conductor
Christian Gerhaher, baritone

Iannis Xenakis: Jonchaies for large orchestra
Karl Amadeus Hartmann: Gesangsszene for baritone and orchestra on a text from Sodom and Gomorrah by Jean Giraudoux
Márton Illés: Lég-szín-tér – commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, funded by the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung (premiere)
György Kurtág: Stele for large orchestra, op. 33

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/55015

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on September 16, 2023, 12:32:57 PM
Quote from: brewski on September 11, 2023, 06:48:11 AMOn Saturday, 16 September, will be watching this concert (7:00 pm in Berlin, 1:00 pm here). The entire program is exciting, but I'm most eager to hear the Xenakis — my first time hearing one of his large orchestral works live. And marvelous to end with Stele, one of Kurtág's greatest works.

Berliner Philharmoniker
Kirill Petrenko, conductor
Christian Gerhaher, baritone

Iannis Xenakis: Jonchaies for large orchestra
Karl Amadeus Hartmann: Gesangsszene for baritone and orchestra on a text from Sodom and Gomorrah by Jean Giraudoux
Márton Illés: Lég-szín-tér – commissioned by the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation, funded by the Ernst von Siemens Musikstiftung (premiere)
György Kurtág: Stele for large orchestra, op. 33

https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/concert/55015

-Bruce

OK, this concert was extraordinary. I had never heard a Xenakis orchestral piece live, and this was thrilling beyond belief, for a very large orchestra. And I wouldn't mind the Kurtág played at my memorial service (not that I'm thinking that will happen soon).

In between, the other works were equally compelling. Tons of unusual instrumental techniques in the Illés, and though Christian Gerhaher does lots of lieder (e.g., Schubert), I was impressed he would tackle this rare Hartmann. I will definitely be watching this concert again (and the friends who watched with me said they might join).

Mark Berry went to the first of the two performances on Thursday, and wrote about it here (https://boulezian.blogspot.com/2023/09/musikfest-berlin-4-gerhaherbpopetrenko.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR2fuTK2CnwDFZD56D4meM23Y9XtY_yl8nKejLDlQ7cNO0v-Mhz-VKRVB7E) on his blog, Boulezian.

Rhetorical shout into the wind: why don't American orchestras do concerts like this? Never mind, I know.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: vers la flamme on September 18, 2023, 12:02:38 PM
There is an all-Feldman piano and violin recital downtown tomorrow evening, if anyone is in the NYC area.

https://nyss.org/morton-feldman-returns-to-eighth-street/
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ritter on September 23, 2023, 11:17:11 AM
Just bought tickets to see Cherubini's Medée at the Teatro Real here in Madrid next Thursday. The score is presented in the original French, in an edition by the late Alan Curtis, who composed recitatives to replace the dialogues, effectively turning this opéra comique into a sort of tragédie lyrique (which allegedly was the composer's initial project, but this was thwarted due to financial considerations before the premiere in 1797). The more familiar through-composed version by Franz Lachner (known to most opera lovers as it was the one performed on stage and recorded —in Italian— by Maria Callas) has been eschewed in this production, as it is seen as stylistically incongruous. Let's see...

Ivor Bolton conducts, with —in the performance I will attend— Maria Agresta in the title rôle and Enea Scala as Jason. The staging is by Paco Azorín.

(https://imagenes.elpais.com/resizer/cTiV5WomniXOIv0oLara99R0-KQ=/1200x0/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/G4B2HMVFTVBR3PFPLRDSB2X5QY.jpg)

Reviews have been mixed (the production opened the season on Sept. 19th). The edition used for the score is seen as interesting, Ivor Bolton has been highly praised, but the general sentiment is that the singers are overtaxed by their roles, and that the staging is not particularly successful. Again, let's see...
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on September 23, 2023, 05:49:13 PM
Quote from: ritter on September 23, 2023, 11:17:11 AMJust bought tickets to see Cherubini's Medée at the Teatro Real here in Madrid next Thursday. The score is presented in the original French, in an edition by the late Alan Curtis, who composed recitatives to replace the dialogues, effectively turning this opéra comique into a sort of tragédie lyrique (which allegedly was the composer's initial project, but this was thwarted due to financial considerations before the premiere in 1797). The more familiar through-composed version by Franz Lachner (known to most opera lovers as it was the one performed on stage and recorded —in Italian— by Maria Callas) has been eschewed in this production, as it is seen as stylistically incongruous. Let's see...

Ivor Bolton conducts, with —in the performance I will attend— Maria Agresta in the title rôle and Enea Scala as Jason. The staging is by Paco Azorín.

(https://imagenes.elpais.com/resizer/cTiV5WomniXOIv0oLara99R0-KQ=/1200x0/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/G4B2HMVFTVBR3PFPLRDSB2X5QY.jpg)

Reviews have been mixed (the production opened the season on Sept. 19th). The edition used for the score is seen as interesting, Ivor Bolton has been highly praised, but the general sentiment is that the singers are overtaxed by their roles, and that the staging is not particularly successful. Again, let's see...

That photo! True confession: I have never even heard this piece, but that alone might entice me to check it out. (Most of my Cherubini encounters have been with Riccardo Muti, when he has conducted some of his orchestral works.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on September 28, 2023, 07:30:00 AM
Tonight:

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

Higdon: Fanfare Ritmico
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 1
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

Tomorrow night:

Minnesota Orchestra (livestream here (https://mnorch.vhx.tv/))
Thomas Søndergård, conductor

Auerbach: Icarus
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Barber: Medea's Dance of Vengeance
Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on September 29, 2023, 09:22:32 AM
My university's orchestra is playing Bartók's Concerto For Orchestra tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on September 29, 2023, 06:27:31 PM
Quote from: Mapman on September 29, 2023, 09:22:32 AMMy university's orchestra is playing Bartók's Concerto For Orchestra tonight.

If it was recorded, either audio or video, would love to hear it.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on September 29, 2023, 07:08:47 PM
Quote from: brewski on September 29, 2023, 06:27:31 PMIf it was recorded, either audio or video, would love to hear it.

-Bruce

Here's the recording! It was an excellent performance. Unfortunately, the beginning of the final movement was a bit too fast resulting in a lack of clarity.

https://www.music.msu.edu/events/online/symphony-orchestra-virtuosity
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on September 29, 2023, 11:42:32 PM
Quote from: Mapman on September 29, 2023, 07:08:47 PMHere's the recording! It was an excellent performance. Unfortunately, the beginning of the final movement was a bit too fast resulting in a lack of clarity.

https://www.music.msu.edu/events/online/symphony-orchestra-virtuosity

Thank you!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 04, 2023, 05:53:27 AM
Tonight at Carnegie Hall:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Though the program is on the safe side, I would hear all of these artists play most anything, especially Muti. Now 82, he shows no signs of slowing down, but one never knows when things may come to a halt. Anyway, I am betting that he and the orchestra will find a lot of electricity in Pictures. And Kavakos, whom I have long admired in many works, was the violinist who finally got me to like the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2023, 08:46:06 AM
Quote from: brewski on October 04, 2023, 05:53:27 AMTonight at Carnegie Hall:

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Leonidas Kavakos, violin

Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition

Though the program is on the safe side, I would hear all of these artists play most anything, especially Muti. Now 82, he shows no signs of slowing down, but one never knows when things may come to a halt. Anyway, I am betting that he and the orchestra will find a lot of electricity in Pictures. And Kavakos, whom I have long admired in many works, was the violinist who finally got me to like the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

-Bruce
Oh, cool!  What time is the concert and how will you be listening to it?  Or will you be there?

You put a big smile on my face when you wrote about how Kavakos got you to like Sibelius' V.C. as I went to a concert some years ago to hear him perform it.  :)  ;D

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 04, 2023, 08:59:27 AM
My local concert got desperate and put tickets at 3 for $75.  So I will be attending three different concerts this season.  They also went back to six concerts when they had previously shrunk to five.  When two of the concerts are pops, and they also severely cut back on modern classical, I had felt that they had lost their way.  My faith is restored this season.  If I like the three that I attend I'll buy a ticket for the final concert which will be Beethoven's 9th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 04, 2023, 09:16:35 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 04, 2023, 08:46:06 AMOh, cool!  What time is the concert and how will you be listening to it?  Or will you be there?

You put a big smile on my face when you wrote about how Kavakos got you to like Sibelius' V.C. as I went to a concert some years ago to hear him perform it.  :)  ;D

PD

Sorry, didn't see this until much later. I was actually there! The concert was broadcast live on WQXR, at the link below, and if I had known, I would have posted it. But the good news is, they say "audio not yet available" (emphasis on "yet") so it appears they will have it at some point. When it is, if you like the artists and the program, do not hesitate.

https://www.wqxr.org/story/carnegie-hall-opening-night-gala-chicago-symphony-orchestra/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: pjme on October 05, 2023, 03:51:49 AM
A very modest yet charming little concert of mainly English baroque music at Tilburg's "Hasseltse kapel".
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/Hasseltse_kapel_in_voorjaar_2020.jpg/399px-Hasseltse_kapel_in_voorjaar_2020.jpg)

apparently the oldest survivig building in Tilburg : ca. 1536 and devoted to the virgin Mary.

Music by Byrd, Campion, Purcell, Händel and a Pavana lachrimae by Sweelinck.
Soprano, harpsichord, gamba and flute. Local semi-professional (?) musicians. Sweet.

Purcells Evening hymn was the highlight:


 Now, now that the sun hath veil'd his light
And bid the world goodnight;
To the soft bed my body I dispose,
But where shall my soul repose?
Dear, dear God, even in Thy arms,
And can there be any so sweet security!
Then to thy rest, O my soul!
And singing, praise the mercy
That prolongs thy days.
¡Hallelujah¡
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 05, 2023, 05:36:11 AM
Quote from: brewski on October 04, 2023, 09:16:35 PMSorry, didn't see this until much later. I was actually there! The concert was broadcast live on WQXR, at the link below, and if I had known, I would have posted it. But the good news is, they say "audio not yet available" (emphasis on "yet") so it appears they will have it at some point. When it is, if you like the artists and the program, do not hesitate.

https://www.wqxr.org/story/carnegie-hall-opening-night-gala-chicago-symphony-orchestra/

-Bruce
So, how was the concert?  :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 05, 2023, 09:02:07 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 05, 2023, 05:36:11 AMSo, how was the concert?  :)

PD

Oh, excellent. Normally this kind of program wouldn't excite me much, but Kavakos was quite amazing in the Tchaikovsky. He has such a relaxed bow arm, which seemed to help navigate all the frenzied short notes, and Muti and the orchestra sounded in their element.

In Pictures, Muti characterized each section distinctly, and to help, made the most of pauses in between them: total silence, helped by a silent audience, too, without the coughing and fidgeting that sometimes occur. It's a piece that is taken for granted by a lot of performers (and some of us listeners), but last night reminded me of why it is popular. Gorgeous winds, saxophone, clanking percussion—all most enjoyable.

I said to my friend afterward, this makes me want to move to Chicago.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 05, 2023, 09:06:51 AM
Quote from: brewski on October 05, 2023, 09:02:07 AMOh, excellent. Normally this kind of program wouldn't excite me much, but Kavakos was quite amazing in the Tchaikovsky. He has such a relaxed bow arm, which seemed to help navigate all the frenzied short notes, and Muti and the orchestra sounded in their element.

In Pictures, Muti characterized each section distinctly, and to help, made the most of pauses in between them: total silence, helped by a silent audience, too, without the coughing and fidgeting that sometimes occur. It's a piece that is taken for granted by a lot of performers (and some of us listeners), but last night reminded me of why it is popular. Gorgeous winds, saxophone, clanking percussion—all most enjoyable.

I said to my friend afterward, this makes me want to move to *Chicago.

-Bruce
;D   Thanks for the review!

*Dying to try the barbecue!

PD

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 06, 2023, 10:24:26 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 05, 2023, 09:06:51 AM;D   Thanks for the review!

*Dying to try the barbecue!

PD

That would be one of many excellent reasons to be there! (Others: the Art Institute, some great pizza, Chicago Lyric Opera, and tons of massive architectural treasures)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 06, 2023, 11:12:00 AM
Quote from: brewski on October 06, 2023, 10:24:26 AMThat would be one of many excellent reasons to be there! (Others: the Art Institute, some great pizza, Chicago Lyric Opera, and tons of massive architectural treasures)

-Bruce
Are you a fan of deep dish pizza?  :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 06, 2023, 11:16:23 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 06, 2023, 11:12:00 AMAre you a fan of deep dish pizza?  :)

PD
I won't answer for Bruce but I am! I'm also a fan of Chicago's other pizza style, super thin crust "tavern pizza" that's cut into squares.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 06, 2023, 11:34:08 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 06, 2023, 11:16:23 AMI won't answer for Bruce but I am! I'm also a fan of Chicago's other pizza style, super thin crust "tavern pizza" that's cut into squares.
I hadn't experienced it (the deep dish) growing up, but then tried it...tasty, but very different.  Also, ate pineapple and ham pizza for the first time then too.

Haven't eaten tavern pizza before.

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 06, 2023, 11:38:22 AM
Tavern pizza is so thin it's basically a giant cracker. They roll the dough and leave it in the fridge overnight to dry out, so they can put a bunch of toppings on but it still stays crispy and crackery. It's definitely fun to try if you're in Chicago or Milwaukee.

Actually I have a musical "performance" story about tavern thin pizza! In May, we went to Milwaukee on vacation and a friend told us we had the pizza at Zaffiro's. It's a super old-school place from the 40s or 50s. If you use the bathroom, the sink is in the bar so the bartender can make sure you wash your hands. There's a jukebox by the door...super classic looking. As we're finishing our pizza, these two old men sit down at the table behind me. One of them is a normal older gentleman but the other is really something strange - got a weird voice, has a face like life has been very difficult for him. He starts telling stories about being put in various care homes as a child...he complains that there's no music. The way they order their pizza is to tell the waitress, "We're here for a good deal. You got any deals? Any specials?"

Anyway. The first guy gets up and uses the bathroom and comes back to yell at the older, rather disreputable looking man. "Hey! I put some quarters in the jukebox! You gotta pick your song!" So the weirder man gets up, goes to the bar, then they come back. And THIS song starts playing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca5wXojemRM). LOUD. In the month of May.

At that moment all heck broke loose. We got up to leave. Another table got up too and went to the bar to complain. Another table I heard yelling "Why did he choose this??" Every cook in the kitchen came running out, as if there was some kind of fire they were escaping. The bartender jumped clear over the bar, Olympics-style, ran to the jukebox, and yelled "How do you turn this f*%#ing thing off??" And that's when we stepped out the door and doubled over laughing on the sidewalk. What a prank(?)!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 07, 2023, 01:17:10 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 06, 2023, 11:38:22 AMTavern pizza is so thin it's basically a giant cracker. They roll the dough and leave it in the fridge overnight to dry out, so they can put a bunch of toppings on but it still stays crispy and crackery. It's definitely fun to try if you're in Chicago or Milwaukee.

Actually I have a musical "performance" story about tavern thin pizza! In May, we went to Milwaukee on vacation and a friend told us we had the pizza at Zaffiro's. It's a super old-school place from the 40s or 50s. If you use the bathroom, the sink is in the bar so the bartender can make sure you wash your hands. There's a jukebox by the door...super classic looking. As we're finishing our pizza, these two old men sit down at the table behind me. One of them is a normal older gentleman but the other is really something strange - got a weird voice, has a face like life has been very difficult for him. He starts telling stories about being put in various care homes as a child...he complains that there's no music. The way they order their pizza is to tell the waitress, "We're here for a good deal. You got any deals? Any specials?"

Anyway. The first guy gets up and uses the bathroom and comes back to yell at the older, rather disreputable looking man. "Hey! I put some quarters in the jukebox! You gotta pick your song!" So the weirder man gets up, goes to the bar, then they come back. And THIS song starts playing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca5wXojemRM). LOUD. In the month of May.

At that moment all heck broke loose. We got up to leave. Another table got up too and went to the bar to complain. Another table I heard yelling "Why did he choose this??" Every cook in the kitchen came running out, as if there was some kind of fire they were escaping. The bartender jumped clear over the bar, Olympics-style, ran to the jukebox, and yelled "How do you turn this f*%#ing thing off??" And that's when we stepped out the door and doubled over laughing on the sidewalk. What a prank(?)!

How is that any different from GMGers listening to Bach's Christmas music during summer or to Matthaeus-Passion in autumn?

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 07, 2023, 05:07:43 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 06, 2023, 11:12:00 AMAre you a fan of deep dish pizza?  :)

PD

Sure! I mean, lots of ways to do pizza and most are delicious. (I won't opine further, at the risk of going completely off-topic.)

Still laughing at Brian's story, though. Believe it or not, I had never heard of Lou Monte, never mind that song.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 07, 2023, 05:34:37 AM
Quote from: Brian on October 06, 2023, 11:38:22 AMTavern pizza is so thin it's basically a giant cracker. They roll the dough and leave it in the fridge overnight to dry out, so they can put a bunch of toppings on but it still stays crispy and crackery. It's definitely fun to try if you're in Chicago or Milwaukee.

Actually I have a musical "performance" story about tavern thin pizza! In May, we went to Milwaukee on vacation and a friend told us we had the pizza at Zaffiro's. It's a super old-school place from the 40s or 50s. If you use the bathroom, the sink is in the bar so the bartender can make sure you wash your hands. There's a jukebox by the door...super classic looking. As we're finishing our pizza, these two old men sit down at the table behind me. One of them is a normal older gentleman but the other is really something strange - got a weird voice, has a face like life has been very difficult for him. He starts telling stories about being put in various care homes as a child...he complains that there's no music. The way they order their pizza is to tell the waitress, "We're here for a good deal. You got any deals? Any specials?"

Anyway. The first guy gets up and uses the bathroom and comes back to yell at the older, rather disreputable looking man. "Hey! I put some quarters in the jukebox! You gotta pick your song!" So the weirder man gets up, goes to the bar, then they come back. And THIS song starts playing (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca5wXojemRM). LOUD. In the month of May.

At that moment all heck broke loose. We got up to leave. Another table got up too and went to the bar to complain. Another table I heard yelling "Why did he choose this??" Every cook in the kitchen came running out, as if there was some kind of fire they were escaping. The bartender jumped clear over the bar, Olympics-style, ran to the jukebox, and yelled "How do you turn this f*%#ing thing off??" And that's when we stepped out the door and doubled over laughing on the sidewalk. What a prank(?)!
Hey, their money, their song.  ;D Maybe it's something that he heard as a child that comforted him?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 07, 2023, 06:13:34 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 07, 2023, 05:34:37 AMHey, their money, their song.  ;D Maybe it's something that he heard as a child that comforted him?

My thoughts exactly.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 07, 2023, 06:58:36 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 06, 2023, 11:12:00 AMAre you a fan of deep dish pizza?  :)

PD

Chicago deep dish is more of a sloppy casserole than a pizza! >:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on October 07, 2023, 09:38:01 AM
Bought tickets recently to Finnish National Opera's spring season's Götterdämmerung and Simon Boccanegra. Boccanegra I actually have never seen live and it's one of my favorite Verdi operas! The entire Finnish-made RING-production has so far been superb so I am super hyped for the last part. There's also Dialogues des Carmélites which I'd like to see but I think I'm gonna try to save some money for it first because I've spent so ridiculously much in this month alone!  ::) 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 09, 2023, 06:45:03 PM
The concert I attended this evening was swell.  Local orchestra played Saint Saens Danse Macabre, Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 1 and Brahms 2nd symphony.  I missed live music!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on October 10, 2023, 03:11:43 AM
Not exactly a concert .

Johann Strauss II - The Gypsy Baron

Next Sunday, the National Operetta and Musical Theatre, Bucharest

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 11, 2023, 05:45:32 PM
Next week, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society goes into high gear with the first two concerts of its dense season (about 50 concerts).

Oct. 18
Sphinx Virtuosi
Xavier Foley, bass

Blache: Habari Gani*
Farias: Abran Paso*
Hailstork: Dona Nobis Pacem and Exultate from Sonata da Chiesa
Casarrubios: Herencia*
Foley: Concertante for Two Double Basses and String Orchestra, "Galaxy"*
Perkinson: Sinfonietta No. 2, Generations

*new work for Sphinx Virtuosi

Oct. 20
Belcea Quartet

Beethoven: Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4
Bartók: Quartet No. 1
Debussy: Quartet in G Minor, Op. 10

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on October 11, 2023, 06:06:45 PM
I bought a ticket for the SC Philharmonic performing a night of Rachmaninov: 4th PC and the 3rd symphony.  It will be in November.  I'm not driving such a long way (it is in Columbia) but why not?  After that the 3rd PC will be the only one that I haven't heard live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 12, 2023, 10:56:25 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on October 12, 2023, 04:41:43 AMTonight: Alina Ibragimova and Boris Giltburg play sonatas by Prokofiev and Ravel.
I have two of the three CDs of Ibragimova and Cédric Tiberghien playing Beethoven's violin sonatas and have enjoyed them.  Not familiar with Giltburg's performances.  Have you heard any recordings of his?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 13, 2023, 03:29:34 AM
At the last minute, snagged a ticket to this afternoon with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Matsukawa is the ensemble's principal bassoonist. I don't know the Berio at all.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor
Daniel Matsukawa, Bassoon

Berio Four Original Versions of Luigi Boccherini's The Night Retreat of Madrid
Assad Terra, concerto for bassoon and orchestra (world premiere—Philadelphia Orchestra commission)
Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2

-Bruce

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 13, 2023, 03:48:51 AM
The Berio is very short and very repetitive but I love it! It's a good little appetizer.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on October 13, 2023, 07:58:58 AM
Quote from: brewski on October 13, 2023, 03:29:34 AMAt the last minute, snagged a ticket to this afternoon with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Matsukawa is the ensemble's principal bassoonist. I don't know the Berio at all.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor
Daniel Matsukawa, Bassoon

Berio Four Original Versions of Luigi Boccherini's The Night Retreat of Madrid
Assad Terra, concerto for bassoon and orchestra (world premiere—Philadelphia Orchestra commission)
Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2

-Bruce


I'll be interested to read what you think of the Assad piece in particular; an unknown composer to me.

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 13, 2023, 01:29:51 PM
I did not attend this concert, but Rudolf Buchbinder is doing the Brahms Second Concerto in Dallas this weekend and apparently it's a disaster - he's so technically unable to keep up that the local critic wrote in the newspaper that he played "most of the notes."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 13, 2023, 04:46:28 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on October 13, 2023, 07:58:58 AMI'll be interested to read what you think of the Assad piece in particular; an unknown composer to me.

PD

Entire concert was excellent—so much that I may go again tomorrow night. Clarice Assad (b. 1978) is originally from Rio de Janeiro, now living in NYC. Her piece, Terra, is about 25 minutes long, in 5 movements, for bassoon and a smallish orchestra. After an opening with the woodwinds aspirating (no pitches, just air), the concerto has many interesting sequences, and in places, a Baroque slant, which made it an agreeable companion to the Berio that opened the program. I liked it quite a bit.

And the Rachmaninoff was terrific. The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long history with his work, and Yannick is doing his best to maintain that tradition.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 13, 2023, 04:50:57 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 13, 2023, 01:29:51 PMI did not attend this concert, but Rudolf Buchbinder is doing the Brahms Second Concerto in Dallas this weekend and apparently it's a disaster - he's so technically unable to keep up that the local critic wrote in the newspaper that he played "most of the notes."

:o

Gonna look up some reviews. Wow. I haven't heard Buchbinder in a long time, perhaps this is why.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on October 13, 2023, 05:20:40 PM
Quote from: brewski on October 13, 2023, 04:46:28 PMEntire concert was excellent—so much that I may go again tomorrow night. Clarice Assad (b. 1978) is originally from Rio de Janeiro, now living in NYC. Her piece, Terra, is about 25 minutes long, in 5 movements, for bassoon and a smallish orchestra. After an opening with the woodwinds aspirating (no pitches, just air), the concerto has many interesting sequences, and in places, a Baroque slant, which made it an agreeable companion to the Berio that opened the program. I liked it quite a bit.

And the Rachmaninoff was terrific. The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long history with his work, and Yannick is doing his best to maintain that tradition.

-Bruce
Is Clarice related to Sergio?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 13, 2023, 05:31:29 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 13, 2023, 05:20:40 PMIs Clarice related to Sergio?

Yes, he is her father!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 13, 2023, 05:33:01 PM
Quote from: Brian on October 13, 2023, 01:29:51 PMI did not attend this concert, but Rudolf Buchbinder is doing the Brahms Second Concerto in Dallas this weekend and apparently it's a disaster - he's so technically unable to keep up that the local critic wrote in the newspaper that he played "most of the notes."

I heard Buchbinder back in 2013 and he got a glowing review, which I was able to find:

https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/06/the-wagnerian-past-is-prologue-with-mutis-compelling-german-program/

Hard to believe he's playing only "most of the notes" and still getting gigs now.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Crudblud on October 14, 2023, 02:35:34 PM
Just got back from a very enjoyable evening of Beethoven (Leonore No. 3 / Symphony No. 4) and Bartók (Viola Concerto, soloist Maxim Rysanov) performed by the Hallé Orchestra. Somewhat marred by a couple talking incessantly behind my friend and I, but a great experience overall.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: MishaK on October 18, 2023, 10:53:44 AM
Quote from: Archaic Torso of Apollo on October 13, 2023, 05:33:01 PMI heard Buchbinder back in 2013 and he got a glowing review, which I was able to find:

https://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/06/the-wagnerian-past-is-prologue-with-mutis-compelling-german-program/

Hard to believe he's playing only "most of the notes" and still getting gigs now.

I was there, and that Beethoven was excellent. Very sensitive and thoughtful. He is old and ten years older now than he was then, so YMMV.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 19, 2023, 06:30:15 AM
Next Thursday, Oct. 26, 8:00 pm Hamburg time (2:00 pm EDT), this livestream. For anyone who hasn't seen the Elbphilharmonie, it is now one of the world's most beautiful halls.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin
Alan Gilbert, conductor

Mozart: Symphony in G minor KV 183
Stravinsky: Violin Concerto
Brahms: Symphony No. 1

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 20, 2023, 07:22:13 AM
Alas, because of work I can't give this my full attention, but will definitely be sampling some of this concert in about a half-hour at noon (EDT), live from Helsinki. Watch here (https://www.helsinkikanava.fi/fi/web/helsinkikanava/player/event/home?eventId=242802312).

Helsinki Philharmonic
Ruth Reinhardt, conductor
Alessio Bax, piano

Grieg: Piano Concerto
Dvorak: Symphony No. 5

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on October 22, 2023, 08:45:22 AM
We have just come back from a wonderful concert by Leeds Haydn Players

Performed

Rossini  Overture to Italian Girl in Algiers
Mozart  Clarinet Concerto in A Major
Beethoven   Symphony no 2 in D Major

Soloist   Beth Nichol
Conductor  Melvin Tay

Lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 25, 2023, 05:17:47 AM
Tomorrow night, this free livestream with violist Kim Kashkashian and pianist Robert Levin, thanks to the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. (The PCMS season is a little astounding, with over 50 concerts, and about a third of them are streamed—all on a pay-what-you-wish basis.)

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/kim-kashkashian-viola/

Transcriptions
Beethoven: Seven Variations on aria from Mozart's Magic Flute, WoO 46
Debussy: Fêtes Galantes
Britten: Lachrymae, Op. 48
Ravel: Cinq Mélodies Populaires Grecques
Beethoven: Twelve Variations on aria from Mozart's Magic Flute, Op. 66
Stravinsky: Suite Italienne

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on October 31, 2023, 07:05:50 AM
Tomorrow night, the East Coast Chamber Orchestra (ECCO) in this fascinating evening (https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/ecco-shai-wosner/) with pianist Shai Wosner. Especially looking forward to the Vijay Iyer piano concerto, which had its world premiere a few days ago.

Price: Oh My Darlin' Clementine
Price: Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes
Price: Shortnin' Bread
Iyer: Handmade Universe [Philadelphia Premiere/PCMS Co-Commission]
Alberga: Remember
Dvořák: String Quartet in F Major, Op. 96, Lento (Arr.)
Mozart: Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 414

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 06, 2023, 05:35:59 AM
Excited about tomorrow night, hearing cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason in a sold-out recital.

Bach: Suite in D Minor, BWV 1008
Simcock: Prayer for the Senses
Britten: Suite No. 1, Op. 72
Brouwer: Sonata No. 2 
Finnis: Five Preludes
Cassadó: Suite for Solo Cello

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/sheku-kanneh-mason-cello-2023/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 06, 2023, 05:38:02 AM
That is a very cool program!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on November 08, 2023, 04:24:45 AM
Tonight in the cavern that is London's Barbican Hall:

Ryoji Ikeda  Ultratronics

(https://www.barbican.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/hero_constrained_super_wide/public/images/2023-04/DSC01689.JPG)

His previous show a while back in the somewhat smaller Barbican Theatre burst eyeballs as well as eardrums ... so I'm expecting really good things from this. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 08, 2023, 05:18:13 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on November 08, 2023, 04:24:45 AMTonight in the cavern that is London's Barbican Hall:

Ryoji Ikeda  Ultratronics

(https://www.barbican.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/hero_constrained_super_wide/public/images/2023-04/DSC01689.JPG)

His previous show a while back in the somewhat smaller Barbican Theatre burst eyeballs as well as eardrums ... so I'm expecting really good things from this. ;D

Wow, very envious here! In 2011 (hard to believe, twelve years ago), I saw the transfinite, his installation at the Park Avenue Armory in NYC. It was astounding. Had never seen anything like it. Please do report back.

https://vimeo.com/63652019

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on November 08, 2023, 05:31:02 AM
Quote from: brewski on November 08, 2023, 05:18:13 AMWow, very envious here! In 2011 (hard to believe, twelve years ago), I saw the transfinite, his installation at the Park Avenue Armory in NYC. It was astounding. Had never seen anything like it. Please do report back.

https://vimeo.com/63652019

-Bruce

The show I saw (in 2014? 2015?) was supercodex, which started amenably enough, and even had its longeurs - but by the end grew into an unbelievable all-out onslaught.  Never experienced anything like it.  And I saw some of the early Pink Floyd shows. ::)

Possibly a mistake to have sat right at the front.  This time I will be further back, and am going prepared - dark glasses, earplugs, you never know. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on November 09, 2023, 01:21:03 AM
Quote from: brewski on November 08, 2023, 05:18:13 AMPlease do report back.

This was basically a shortened and concentrated version of his previous show:  a relentless barrage of intense, rapid-fire, seemingly random, computer-generated monochrome patterns synchronised to, and possibly derived from, a stream of very loud staccato machine-generated noise over a trance bass and percussion floor.  The effect is to overload your senses to the point where they start to synthesise their own responses - for example, seeing colours where there are none, hearing melodies that don't exist.  It does take a robust nervous system - anyone with a tendency to panic or paranoia might find it hard to deal with - and some did walk out.  The best thing is to relax and let it do its stuff.  I was sorry when it was over, I could have taken more of it. :) 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 09, 2023, 04:45:40 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on November 09, 2023, 01:21:03 AMThis was basically a shortened and concentrated version of his previous show:  a relentless barrage of intense, rapid-fire, seemingly random, computer-generated monochrome patterns synchronised to, and possibly derived from, a stream of very loud staccato machine-generated noise over a trance bass and percussion floor.  The effect is to overload your senses to the point where they start to synthesise their own responses - for example, seeing colours where there are none, hearing melodies that don't exist.  It does take a robust nervous system - anyone with a tendency to panic or paranoia might find it hard to deal with - and some did walk out.  The best thing is to relax and let it do its stuff.  I was sorry when it was over, I could have taken more of it. :) 

Thanks! And yes, sensory overload appears to be part of his aesthetic. If I recall, the piece here had a strobe warning, i.e, for people prone to seizures. And though the sound level was fine, if it had been very loud I probably would have left quickly. But there's no denying his talents.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on November 09, 2023, 05:27:04 AM
Quote from: brewski on November 09, 2023, 04:45:40 AMThanks! And yes, sensory overload appears to be part of his aesthetic. If I recall, the piece here had a strobe warning, i.e, for people prone to seizures. And though the sound level was fine, if it had been very loud I probably would have left quickly. But there's no denying his talents.

-Bruce

This came with similar warnings, and also about the very loud and very deep sounds - so loud and so deep, in fact, that you didn't so much hear them as feel them in your intestines.  Which visibly made some people uncomfortable.  I once sat on the floor about 15 feet from the front of John Entwistle's bass bin when The Who played the (not particularly large) dining hall of Sheffield University Students' Union - it was a very long time ago and I a mere child at the time - but after that anything else seems kind of moderate volume-wise.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 10, 2023, 06:50:42 AM
Tonight at 7:30 pm, this livestream with actor Anthony Heald and guitarist David Leisner, with readings from Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, interspersed with music by Dowland, Bach, Schubert, Villa-Lobos, Britten, and Leisner.

https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/concerts/anthony-heald-david-leisner/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 11, 2023, 09:03:29 AM
Tonight, this delectable-looking livestream from Detroit:

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Fabien Gabel, conductor
Alexandra Dariescu, piano

Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
James Lee, III: Shades of Unbroken Dreams: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (World Premiere)
Dukas: Fanfare to La Péri
Dukas: La Péri: Poèm dansé
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane Suite No. 2

Watch free on the DSO website, or on YouTube, here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NepEKr44EE).

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on November 12, 2023, 03:38:51 AM
Magnificent performance yesterday evening by local orchestra

Sinfonia of Leeds

Performed

Sibelius   Finlandia
Barber  Adagio for Strings
Dvořák  Slavonic Dance no 8
Rachmaninov   Symphony no 2


Conductor   David  Greed
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 12, 2023, 08:57:42 AM
Quote from: brewski on November 11, 2023, 09:03:29 AMTonight, this delectable-looking livestream from Detroit:

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Fabien Gabel, conductor
Alexandra Dariescu, piano

Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole
James Lee, III: Shades of Unbroken Dreams: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (World Premiere)
Dukas: Fanfare to La Péri
Dukas: La Péri: Poèm dansé
Roussel: Bacchus et Ariane Suite No. 2

Watch free on the DSO website, or on YouTube, here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NepEKr44EE).

-Bruce
Sorry, but I missed this 'til today.  Is there a way to still watch it?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on November 12, 2023, 10:07:01 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 12, 2023, 08:57:42 AMSorry, but I missed this 'til today.  Is there a way to still watch it?

PD

The concert will likely eventually be posted here: https://livefromorchestrahall.vhx.tv/browse. (It isn't there yet, and might take several weeks. They've only posted two concerts from this season so far.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 12, 2023, 10:30:43 AM
Tomorrow night local orchestra will be performing some Wagner, Strauss and Rachmaninoff.  The piano concerto will be performed by Thomas Pandolfi.

I just have to remember to go!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on November 12, 2023, 10:55:04 AM
Quote from: Mapman on November 12, 2023, 10:07:01 AMThe concert will likely eventually be posted here: https://livefromorchestrahall.vhx.tv/browse. (It isn't there yet, and might take several weeks. They've only posted two concerts from this season so far.)
Thanks!

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 12, 2023, 12:49:58 PM
Quote from: Mapman on November 12, 2023, 10:07:01 AMThe concert will likely eventually be posted here: https://livefromorchestrahall.vhx.tv/browse. (It isn't there yet, and might take several weeks. They've only posted two concerts from this season so far.)

Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on November 12, 2023, 10:55:04 AMThanks!

PD

Thanks, and I hope they do post it! If nothing else, the Roussel suite made a fantastic ending to the evening.

Meanwhile, here is their YouTube channel, with a few upcoming streams through January 2024 (click on "Live").

www.youtube.com/@detroitsymphony

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 13, 2023, 11:40:56 AM
Just found out about this concert tonight, and may dip into a little of it because a) I had no idea Virginia Tech even had an orchestra, b) the lineup is kind of interesting (don't know Le Cid), and c) it's free.

Virginia Tech Philharmonic Orchestra
Mathias Elmer, conductor
John Irrera, violin
Adam Bodony, guest conductor (Massenet)

Joe Jaxson: Through the Bay
Dvořák: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Massenet: Le Cid (I assume it's the ballet music, not the entire opera!)

Watch here, 7:30 pm EST:

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 13, 2023, 06:10:11 PM
Concert this evening was fantastic!  The orchestra really gave it their all and the soloist was dynamite!  It was a bit from Wagner's Tannhauser, and then Strauss' Death and Transfiguration (which I've never heard live before) and then Rachmaninov's first piano concerto (which is the third time I've heard it in concert). 

I am attending another concert on Friday from a different orchestra that is an all Rach concert.  This will be even longer of a drive.  I hope it is worth it!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 16, 2023, 07:46:19 AM
The Borromeo Quartet are playing the Bartók cycle Tuesday evening 28 Nov.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 16, 2023, 02:00:37 PM
This weekend:

Akutagawa | Triptyque
Britten | Piano Concerto
Tchaikovsky | Symphony No. 6

Yutaka Sado, conductor
Alessandro Taverna, piano

My first time ever hearing the Akutagawa at all, first time ever seeing the Britten live, and first time seeing the Tchaikovsky live in 20 years. I actually haven't heard the Tchaikovsky symphony on recording in 18 months so it will be fresh.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 17, 2023, 08:39:47 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 16, 2023, 02:00:37 PMThis weekend:

Akutagawa | Triptyque
Britten | Piano Concerto
Tchaikovsky | Symphony No. 6

Yutaka Sado, conductor
Alessandro Taverna, piano

My first time ever hearing the Akutagawa at all, first time ever seeing the Britten live, and first time seeing the Tchaikovsky live in 20 years. I actually haven't heard the Tchaikovsky symphony on recording in 18 months so it will be fresh.

Wow, what a concert. Have never even heard of Akutagawa, and the Britten is a real rarity in the concert hall. That conductor is on one of my favorite recordings, Karita Mattila's recital, Arias & Scenes (https://www.amazon.com/Karita-Mattila-Arias-Scenes-Yutaka/dp/B000059ZHW/ref=sr_1_16?crid=V2D0ETT9RYE4&keywords=karita+mattila&qid=1700242649&sprefix=karita+mattila%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-16).

Have a great time, and want to hear all about it.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 17, 2023, 08:43:27 AM
It turns out the conductor of the SC Phil posted a prelecture on YT for tonight's concert.  Maybe I'll give it a watch.  It is a long drive (75 minutes or so) so I'll have to leave early.

I'm particularly excited to hear Rach's third symphony live.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 17, 2023, 08:56:22 AM
Quote from: DavidW on November 17, 2023, 08:43:27 AMIt turns out the conductor of the SC Phil posted a prelecture on YT for tonight's concert.  Maybe I'll give it a watch.  It is a long drive (75 minutes or so) so I'll have to leave early.

I'm particularly excited to hear Rach's third symphony live.

And another great program! Happy to see two "not the usual" Rachmaninoff works, and the Boulanger, which is even rarer. PS, though I may not be able to take advantage, glad to see they are offering a livestream (for $20, perfectly reasonable and cheaper than a trip to Columbia  ;D ). If I can't tune in tonight I will be investigating future dates.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 17, 2023, 07:38:38 PM
I've never heard the fourth PC live before.  Now I've heard them all live.  The SC Phil was definitely a step up from the local orchestra.  They are very dynamic, and the acoustics are excellent.  I could easily hear the separate instruments as well.  It was definitely worth the drive!

I can't believe I went to two concerts this week!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: TheBored23 on November 20, 2023, 04:48:23 PM
Earlier this month, I was able to see the NY Philharmonic put on the following:
Carlos Simon - Fate Now Conquers
Beethoven - Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61
Saint-Saens - Symphony no.3 "Organ"

Stephane Deneve conducted, with Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider soloing. A really fun, forceful performance; hearing the organ symphony in person for the first time was a real treat.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 20, 2023, 05:30:36 PM
Welcome bored23!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on November 20, 2023, 08:58:01 PM
Quote from: DavidW on November 17, 2023, 07:38:38 PMI've never heard the fourth PC live before.  Now I've heard them all live.  The SC Phil was definitely a step up from the local orchestra.  They are very dynamic, and the acoustics are excellent.  I could easily hear the separate instruments as well.  It was definitely worth the drive!

I can't believe I went to two concerts this week!

The good ones seem to come in bundles. I've attended two concerts on the same week multiple times. I've also once attended two on the same day. I believe my record so far is four (maybe five) concerts in as many consecutive days. The time for a(nother) fiver might come next year.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on November 26, 2023, 10:52:33 PM
This Wednesday (and Thursday) in Rome:

Mefistofele
Musica di Arrigo Boito
 
Opera in un prologo, quattro atti e un epilogo
Libretto di Arrigo Boito dal Faust di Goethe


Mefistofele John Relyea / Jerzy Butryn  29 novembre, 3 dicembre
Faust Joshua Guerrero  / Anthony Ciaramitaro 29 novembre, 3 dicembre
Margherita / Elena Maria Agresta / Valeria Sepe 29 novembre, 3 dicembre
Marta / Pantalis Sofia Koberidze
Wagner Marco Miglietta
Nereo Leonardo Trinciarelli / Yoosang Yoon  29 novembre, 2, 5 dicembre
 
Orchestra e Coro del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma
con la partecipazione del Coro di Voci Bianche del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma


DIRETTORE
 Michele Mariotti
REGIA
 Simon Stone

MAESTRO DEL CORO Ciro Visco
SCENE E COSTUMI Mel Page
LUCI James Farncombe

Nuovo allestimento Teatro dell'Opera di Roma in coproduzione con Teatro Real di Madrid
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 28, 2023, 02:42:16 PM
At Jordan Hall for the Bartók quartets, to be played by the Borromeo String Quartet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 28, 2023, 07:17:52 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on November 28, 2023, 02:42:16 PMAt Jordan Hall for the Bartók quartets, to be played by the Borromeo String Quartet.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 29, 2023, 06:46:11 AM
How was the turn out Karl?  My limited experience is that not as many people turn out for chamber music as they do orchestral music.  But maybe it is different in Boston.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on November 29, 2023, 06:52:06 AM
Quote from: DavidW on November 29, 2023, 06:46:11 AMHow was the turn out Karl?  My limited experience is that not as many people turn out for chamber music as they do orchestral music.  But maybe it is different in Boston.
Yeah, we had a nearly empty room earlier this year for the Jerusalem Quartet playing Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 29, 2023, 07:56:00 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 29, 2023, 06:52:06 AMYeah, we had a nearly empty room earlier this year for the Jerusalem Quartet playing Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.

OK, that is sad. I saw them a year ago in Philadelphia, where the house was packed and loudly enthusiastic. But my experience is similar to David's: chamber music somehow appeals to a more limited audience. Somewhere there may be a study on "why."

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: steve ridgway on November 29, 2023, 08:23:38 AM
Quote from: brewski on November 29, 2023, 07:56:00 AMchamber music somehow appeals to a more limited audience. Somewhere there may be a study on "why."

How does the value for money compare with orchestral tickets? In terms of musicians per dollar I mean ;) .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on November 29, 2023, 08:31:21 AM
Quote from: Brian on November 29, 2023, 06:52:06 AMYeah, we had a nearly empty room earlier this year for the Jerusalem Quartet playing Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky.

That is absolutely insane.  I would've killed to be at that concert, they are one of the finest quartet playing right now!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on November 29, 2023, 11:59:11 AM
Quote from: Karl Henning on November 28, 2023, 02:42:16 PMAt Jordan Hall for the Bartók quartets, to be played by the Borromeo String Quartet.

Borromeo Quartet delivers dazzling performance of Bartók's six string quartets at Jordan Hall (https://www.earrelevant.net/2023/11/borromeo-quartet-delivers-dazzling-performance-of-bartoks-six-string-quartets-at-jordan-hall/)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 29, 2023, 12:59:56 PM
Quote from: steve ridgway on November 29, 2023, 08:23:38 AMHow does the value for money compare with orchestral tickets? In terms of musicians per dollar I mean ;) .

Ha! ;D

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on November 30, 2023, 10:33:27 AM
Speaking of Brahms symphonies (on another thread), hearing these two this weekend. (Daniel Barenboim, originally scheduled to conduct, has withdrawn for health reasons.)

Staatskapelle Berlin
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Brahms: Symphony No. 3
Brahms: Symphony No. 4

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on December 03, 2023, 05:07:16 AM
Tonight:

Stockhausen  Cosmic Pulses

Klavierstück XV SYNTHI-FOU for multiple electronic keyboards and eight-channel electronic music
STRAHLEN for vibraphone and ten-channel electronic music
COSMIC PULSES eight-channel electronic music

GBSR Duo & Sound Intermedia   
George Barton percussion
Siwan Rhys keyboards
Ian Dearden sound design

QuoteThe groundbreaking d&b Soundscape surround-sound system offers an opportunity to hear the movement of sound in three of Stockhausen's most ambitious late electronic works with revolutionary clarity. We welcome the brilliant GBSR Duo and Ian Dearden for a unique 21st century presentation of these works.

From the explosive Klavierstück XV SYNTHI-FOU for multiple sampler keyboards to the beatific, posthumously-realised STRAHLEN, Stockhausen's version of Klavierstück XIX for ten channels of electronically-treated vibraphones, GBSR present the bookend masterpieces of Stockhausen's electronic keyboard oeuvre, all before Stockhausen's last electronic composition, the visionary and controversial 24-layered octaphonic monster COSMIC PULSES.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 03, 2023, 07:21:15 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 03, 2023, 05:07:16 AMTonight:

Stockhausen  Cosmic Pulses

Klavierstück XV SYNTHI-FOU for multiple electronic keyboards and eight-channel electronic music
STRAHLEN for vibraphone and ten-channel electronic music
COSMIC PULSES eight-channel electronic music

GBSR Duo & Sound Intermedia   
George Barton percussion
Siwan Rhys keyboards
Ian Dearden sound design


This looks fantastic. I don't know the piece at all (nor the performers). Post-concert comments welcome!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on December 03, 2023, 02:37:39 PM
Quote from: brewski on December 03, 2023, 07:21:15 AMThis looks fantastic. I don't know the piece at all (nor the performers). Post-concert comments welcome!

-Bruce

The strongest piece was Cosmic Pulses.  Like the surface of the sun rendered in sound - a massive, dense, boiling explosion.  Yet tonal - in its way - and surprisingly relaxing to listen to:  within minutes I was free-associating like mad, imagination tumbling.  Even when I got home (an hour later) I was still buzzing.  A liberating experience that I'd welcome again, and happily recommend.

Nice also to see a theremin in performance, filling out the tonal palette of the vibraphone piece.  I do like a theremin. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 03, 2023, 06:29:12 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 03, 2023, 02:37:39 PMThe strongest piece was Cosmic Pulses.  Like the surface of the sun rendered in sound - a massive, dense, boiling explosion.  Yet tonal - in its way - and surprisingly relaxing to listen to:  within minutes I was free-associating like mad, imagination tumbling.  Even when I got home (an hour later) I was still buzzing.  A liberating experience that I'd welcome again, and happily recommend.

Nice also to see a theremin in performance, filling out the tonal palette of the vibraphone piece.  I do like a theremin. :)

Thanks! (I meant to say that I haven't heard any of the three.) Your description ("the surface of the sun") sells it well. I will seek it out at some point.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 09, 2023, 08:35:13 AM
Tonight, a "125th birthday party" for Deutsche Grammophon, a hodgepodge of all sorts of things. Normally this kind of event isn't that interesting to me, but I haven't heard Grimaud in awhile, and don't think I've ever heard Dueñas live. (And I snagged a ticket behind the orchestra, close to everyone onstage.)

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor
María Dueñas, Violin
Hélène Grimaud, Piano
Moby, Musician/Vocalist

Rachmaninoff Prelude in C-sharp minor
Price Adoration, for string orchestra
Ravel Tzigane, for violin and orchestra
Kreisler "Caprice viennois," for violin and orchestra
Ravel Second and third movements from Piano Concerto in G major
Moby "Everloving"
Handel/arr. Moby/orch. Knoth "Sarabande"
Moby "Hymn"
Moby "Porcelain"
Stravinsky Finale, from Suite from The Firebird

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on December 09, 2023, 11:31:41 PM
This Tuesday and Wednesday in Naples:

Giacomo Puccini
Turandot
Opera in three acts and five scenes
Libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni
from the theatrical fairy tale of the same name by Carlo Gozzi

Conductor | Dan Ettinger
Stage direction | Vasily Barkhatov
Set Design | Zinovy Margolin
Costume Designer | Galya Solodovnikova
Lighting Designer| Alexander Sivaev


Cast
The Princess Turandot | Sondra Radvanovsky (9, 12, 15, 17) / Oksana Dyka (10, 13, 16)

The Emperor Altoum | Nicola Martinucci
Timur | Alexander Tsymbalyuk
Calaf| Yusif Eyvazov (9, 12, 15, 17) / Seokjong Baek (10, 13, 16)
Liù | Rosa Feola (9, 12, 15, 17) / Amina Edris (10, 13, 16)
Ping | Roberto De Candia (9, 10) / Alessio Arduini
Pang | Gregory Bonfatti
Pong | Francesco Pittari
Mandarin | Sergio Vitale
First Handmaid | Valeria Attianese
Second Handmaid | Linda Airoldi
The Young Prince of Persia | Vasco Maria Vagnoli

♭ debut at Teatro di San Carlo
Artist of the Chorus

Orchestra, Chorus and Children Chorus of Teatro di San Carlo
Chorus Master| Piero Monti

Children Chorus Master | Stefania Rinaldi

New Production of Teatro di San Carlo
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 12, 2023, 06:05:12 AM
Tomorrow night at the Curtis Institute of Music, a group new to me, the Erinys String Quartet.

Webern: Fünf Satze
Beethoven: Quartet No. 6 in B-Flat Major, Op. 18, No. 6
Haydn: Quartet in F Major, Hob. III:48, Op. 50, No. 5 ("The Dream")
Janáček: Quartet No. 2 ("Intimate Letters")

https://www.curtis.edu/event/student-recital-20231213/

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on December 15, 2023, 03:37:36 AM
Tomorrow evening, the first of three "Chopin plus" recitals by Boris Giltburg:

Chopin  24 Preludes Op.28
Rachmaninov  13 Preludes Op.32

Live stream here (https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202312161930), on demand thereafter.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 15, 2023, 04:31:29 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 15, 2023, 03:37:36 AMTomorrow evening, the first of three "Chopin plus" recitals by Boris Giltburg:

Chopin  24 Preludes Op.28
Rachmaninov  13 Preludes Op.32

Live stream here (https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202312161930), on demand thereafter.

Thanks for this, which I may very well watch tomorrow or afterward. And also, glad to know Wigmore is doing occasional streams. I may not have known that!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on December 15, 2023, 07:49:13 AM
I'd love to get to the Feb 17 Carnegie Hall recital by Cliburn 2022 winner Yunchan Lim, already sold out. Only 19, his CD of Liszt Transcendental Etudes is well - transcendental. If anyone has a ticket to sell . . . .
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on December 15, 2023, 08:22:04 AM
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on December 15, 2023, 07:49:13 AMI'd love to get to the Feb 17 Carnegie Hall recital by Cliburn 2022 winner Yunchan Lim, already sold out. Only 19, his CD of Liszt Transcendental Etudes is well - transcendental. If anyone has a ticket to sell . . . .

How is their returns policy?  The main concert halls here are pretty good - you can generally return tickets by phone, and the seats will go back on the booking website almost immediately, for other people to pick up.  It's not completely reliable, but usually you stand a reasonable chance if you wait until the last few days before the concert.  That's how I got my tickets for Ryoji Ikeda - somehow I missed the initial booking period, and by the time I was aware of it there was very little left, so instead of taking seats right over at the side or way at the back, I waited for returns to show up.  For the last week or so I had the booking screen open the whole time, refreshing it every so often - and nothing available, completely sold out, day after day - I was starting to think I'd missed my chance - and then 3 days to go, middle of the morning, whaddaya know:  2 prime seats popped up, and I was on them in a flash. ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on December 15, 2023, 09:01:43 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 15, 2023, 08:22:04 AMHow is their returns policy?  The main concert halls here are pretty good - you can generally return tickets by phone, and the seats will go back on the booking website almost immediately, for other people to pick up.  It's not completely reliable, but usually you stand a reasonable chance if you wait until the last few days before the concert.  That's how I got my tickets for Ryoji Ikeda - somehow I missed the initial booking period, and by the time I was aware of it there was very little left, so instead of taking seats right over at the side or way at the back, I waited for returns to show up.  For the last week or so I had the booking screen open the whole time, refreshing it every so often - and nothing available, completely sold out, day after day - I was starting to think I'd missed my chance - and then 3 days to go, middle of the morning, whaddaya know:  2 prime seats popped up, and I was on them in a flash. ;D

I know what you mean. The time to start a strategy like that is a few days before the event. It's listed now as "limited availability," and last time I called it was "sold out," but once February rolls around I'll keep an eye out for cancellations or returns.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on December 15, 2023, 10:42:22 AM
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on December 15, 2023, 07:49:13 AMI'd love to get to the Feb 17 Carnegie Hall recital by Cliburn 2022 winner Yunchan Lim, already sold out. Only 19, his CD of Liszt Transcendental Etudes is well - transcendental. If anyone has a ticket to sell . . . .

I was just browsing Wigmore Hall's latest brochure for next summer - and saw that it includes Yunchan Lim performing the very same program of Chopin Etudes.  Booking opens next month so I have added that to the (already quite long) list. :)  Thanks for the heads-up!  And who knows, maybe they'll stream it. :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on December 15, 2023, 11:12:37 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on December 15, 2023, 10:42:22 AMI was just browsing Wigmore Hall's latest brochure for next summer - and saw that it includes Yunchan Lim performing the very same program of Chopin Etudes.  Booking opens next month so I have added that to the (already quite long) list. :)  Thanks for the heads-up!  And who knows, maybe they'll stream it. :D

You can see a lot of his work already on YouTube, the Cliburn competition channel for 2022.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 11:21:03 AM
Quote from: brewski on November 30, 2023, 10:33:27 AMSpeaking of Brahms symphonies (on another thread), hearing these two this weekend. (Daniel Barenboim, originally scheduled to conduct, has withdrawn for health reasons.)

Staatskapelle Berlin
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Brahms: Symphony No. 3
Brahms: Symphony No. 4

-Bruce
Heck of a two-fer in the Hall!

TD: The Lowell Chamber Orchestra will play Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht (1919 version) and the Ives Third tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 15, 2023, 11:44:06 AM
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 11:21:03 AMHeck of a two-fer in the Hall!

TD: The Lowell Chamber Orchestra will play Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht (1919 version) and the Ives Third tonight.

It was a terrific concert. Several friends commented in different ways, nothing against the great Philadelphia Orchestra, but the Staatskapelle offered a different kind of sound.

That Schoenberg/Ives concert tonight looks pretty great.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 02:22:25 PM
Andris Nelsons will lead a concert performance of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in January.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 15, 2023, 02:26:08 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 02:22:25 PMAndris Nelsons will lead a concert performance of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk in January.

Will keep you posted, but there's a chance I may come up for that. (That's actually a candidate for "I'll go to all of the performances," even if a fantasy at the moment.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 02:30:46 PM
Quote from: brewski on December 15, 2023, 02:26:08 PMWill keep you posted, but there's a chance I may come up for that. (That's actually a candidate for "I'll go to all of the performances," even if a fantasy at the moment.)

-Bruce
Splendid!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 15, 2023, 02:38:58 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 02:30:46 PMSplendid!

PS, what is your recommended place to sit in the hall, the best value for sight and sound? I don't need the most expensive (i.e., close to the singers), but don't need the least expensive, either.

I have been there, but not in maybe 20 years, though I do recall the sound is excellent in most any seat.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 03:31:41 PM
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 15, 2023, 11:21:03 AMHeck of a two-fer in the Hall!

TD: The Lowell Chamber Orchestra will play Schoenberg's Verklärte Nacht (1919 version) and the Ives Third tonight.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 16, 2023, 02:12:17 PM
Quote from: brewski on December 15, 2023, 02:38:58 PMS, what is your recommended place to sit in the hall, the best value for sight and sound? I don't need the most expensive (i.e., close to the singers), but don't need the least expensive, either.

I have been there, but not in maybe 20 years, though I do recall the sound is excellent in most any seat.
Your recollection is sound! Plenty of room on the floor that is not on top of the stage. I've also always found the sound from the first balcony to be excellent.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on December 17, 2023, 11:40:43 AM
Quote from: Karl Henning on December 16, 2023, 02:12:17 PMYour recollection is sound! Plenty of room on the floor that is not on top of the stage. I've also always found the sound from the first balcony to be excellent.

Thank you, Karl. (PS, for better or worse, there are still lots of tickets available.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on December 17, 2023, 11:50:11 AM
Quote from: brewski on December 17, 2023, 11:40:43 AMThank you, Karl. (PS, for better or worse, there are still lots of tickets available.)

-Bruce
Hope to see you! It's been an age!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on December 21, 2023, 08:43:59 AM
Wonderful concert from local orchestra last weekend
Leeds Haydn Players

Performed
Mozart  Divertimento in D major K136
Strauss II  Blue Danube Waltz
Bach  Sleepers Awake
Vaughan Williams  Fantasia on Greensleeves
Hely-Hutchinson  Carol Symphony

Conductors
Harry Lai
Felicity Cliffe
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on December 21, 2023, 11:49:09 AM
Okay I love all those works, wish I was there Judith.  Here it is just Christmas pops concerts so I'm checked out.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 08, 2024, 04:37:21 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on January 08, 2024, 04:01:43 AMVery much looking forward to seeing Tiberghien again tomorrow, with a new musical partner:

Marais  Deuxième livre de pièces de viole - Couplets de folies (Les folies d'Espagne)
Kobekin  The Town Romance
Myaskovsky  Cello Sonata No. 2 in A minor Op.81
Debussy  Cello Sonata
Shostakovich  Cello Sonata in D minor Op.40

Anastasia Kobekina cello
Cédric Tiberghien piano


Thanks for posting this, which I missed, even as a subscriber to Wigmore Hall's YT channel. I am not familiar with either artist (except by name), and the program looks great.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on January 08, 2024, 04:52:50 AM
Quote from: brewski on January 08, 2024, 04:37:21 AMThanks for posting this, which I missed, even as a subscriber to Wigmore Hall's YT channel. I am not familiar with either artist (except by name), and the program looks great.

-Bruce

In the past I've seen Tiberghien accompanying Alina Ibragimova, who tended to dominate, but even in her shadow you could tell he had a wonderful touch.  Just how much he contributed became even clearer recently when hearing Ibragimova accompanied by Boris Giltburg, who though a fine performer in his own right did not play to her strengths in the same way, and I'm very keen to hear how Tiberghien gets on with his new partner, whom I do not know at all.

In May he's giving a solo recital of works by Bach, Beethoven, Ligeti and Kurtag - I'm really looking forward to that. :) 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 08, 2024, 05:01:28 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on January 08, 2024, 04:52:50 AMIn the past I've seen Tiberghien accompanying Alina Ibragimova, who tended to dominate, but even in her shadow you could tell he had a wonderful touch.  Just how much he contributed became even clearer recently when hearing Ibragimova accompanied by Boris Giltburg, who though a fine performer in his own right did not play to her strengths in the same way, and I'm very keen to hear how Tiberghien gets on with his new partner, whom I do not know at all.

In May he's giving a solo recital of works by Bach, Beethoven, Ligeti and Kurtag - I'm really looking forward to that. :) 


Most interesting, thanks. And I just looked at the May program—heavens, that looks superb. I don't recall ever hearing any of those Beethoven variations. At the moment, doesn't look like they are streaming it, but perhaps it's too early to announce.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on January 08, 2024, 05:23:08 AM
Quote from: brewski on January 08, 2024, 05:01:28 AMMost interesting, thanks. And I just looked at the May program—heavens, that looks superb. I don't recall ever hearing any of those Beethoven variations. At the moment, doesn't look like they are streaming it, but perhaps it's too early to announce.

-Bruce

I don't know how they decide what to stream - they're not streaming tonight's Giltburg recital (Skryabin/Schumann/Chopin), for example - and it's probably too early at this point to know about Tiberghien in May.

It amazes me that they don't appear to be streaming Quatuor Danel's twin cycles of Weinberg and Shostakovich quartets, in which I imagine there would be quite a lot of interest.  If I see John Gilhooly (the Director) at tomorrow's concert - which I usually do at some point - I might ask him about it.  I wonder if it's an issue with performing rights.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on January 08, 2024, 11:49:03 AM
Utrecht, March 19: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Tõnu Kaljuste, doing:
* Cyrillus Kreek: I Dreamed; A Harvest Song; Winter Evening; Lullaby; Listen the Story of Light
* Veljo Tormis: St. John's Day Songs, a.o.
Utrecht, Vredenburg, March 19 (https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/estonian-philharmonic-chamber-choir-19-03-2024)
(https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Webbeeld-14-efk-metsas-foto-kaupo-kikkas-1-760x428.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 08, 2024, 06:45:43 PM
Quote from: Christo on January 08, 2024, 11:49:03 AMUtrecht, March 19: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Tõnu Kaljuste, doing:
* Cyrillus Kreek: I Dreamed; A Harvest Song; Winter Evening; Lullaby; Listen the Story of Light
* Veljo Tormis: St. John's Day Songs, a.o.
Utrecht, Vredenburg, March 19 (https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/estonian-philharmonic-chamber-choir-19-03-2024)
(https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Webbeeld-14-efk-metsas-foto-kaupo-kikkas-1-760x428.jpg)

Oh yess, this looks wonderful. I don't know Kreek at all; have you heard any of his work?

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 10, 2024, 04:45:40 PM
On Saturday, 13 January, the WDR Sinfonieorchester is livestreaming this terrific-looking concert.

Schreker: "Night Piece" from Der ferne Klang
Schoenberg: Erwartung for voice and orchestra op. 17
Zemlinsky: The Mermaid (Original version)

Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, mezzo-soprano
WDR Sinfonieorchester
Ingo Metzmacher, conductor


-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on January 12, 2024, 12:28:53 AM
Tonight's instalment in Quatuor Danel's ongoing dual cycles of Weinberg+Shostakovich:

Weinberg  String Quartets Nos. 2 & 3
Shostakovich  String Quartet No. 3

Favourites all. :)

Alas no live stream. :(

Edit:  The Weinbergs were good, but the Shostakovich was ... shattering. :o  As Marc Danel said: What can we play as an encore after that?
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on January 12, 2024, 09:04:27 AM
Bought today a ticket to Poulenc's Dialogues des carmelites. It's on 26th this month.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on January 13, 2024, 01:21:50 AM
I may attend the San Francisco Symphony performance of Bruckner's 4th in July, with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting. Have access to two tickets, but Saturday's a work night for me and I'm still thinking about it.  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on January 13, 2024, 03:26:17 AM
Quote from: brewski on January 08, 2024, 06:45:43 PMOh yess, this looks wonderful. I don't know Kreek at all; have you heard any of his work?

-Bruce
Not much yet, he's one of the most unknown Estonian composers here. Thus far I mostly heard his - sometimes performed - psalms. He dates of course from Estonia's first period of independence, like Mart Saar, Rudolph Tobias, and the much better known Eduard Tubin.

But there's also the wonderful Requiem from 1929, on my headphones now. It was forbidden, as was all religious music, Mozart's Requiem included, in Soviet times - one of the reasons why it took so long to 'discover' him.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91OUikRa6hL._SL1500_.jpg)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on January 13, 2024, 07:11:30 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on January 13, 2024, 02:23:33 AMSalonen did great work here with the Philharmonia across a wide range of material, and his departure is still felt.  And the SFS made fine Bruckner recordings with Blomstedt.  So in your place I'd probably go, work or no work. Depends on circumstances, of course. :blank: 

I used to have a rule about not going to concerts on consecutive days, in case it stopped being special and became just a habit - a bit like booze ::)  - but after last night I have scrapped that.  I missed the Danels' first Weinberg/Shostakovich concert because the next night Lugansky was playing Rachmaninov - which was a mistake: I will be there for the rest of the series regardless of whatever else might be going on at the time. :)


About four or maybe five years ago l attended a Bruckner Fourth performance by the SFS, conducted  by Honeck. At the time l wasn't very impressed, and remarked to my friend that the orchestra might be a good Bruckner orchestra " someday ".  ::)

( This attitude came about in part due to the crucial opening horn solo being poorly executed, with the final phrase completely absent... precisely the beginning to be avoided. It transformed me from an optimistic, " Bruckner 4th live, yeah baby! " enthusiast to a " Wonder what else will go wrong, they're clearly not ready. " skeptic. )

Was l expecting too much? Perhaps, but during MTT's directorship the orchestra's prestige and international profile had grown significantly, and it's not unreasonable to expect world-class performance when a wide range of critics and publications are labeling an ensemble as such.

Anyway, that's several years ago. More to the present point, I'll have to try and find more recent SFS Bruckner to listen to, perhaps they have since found their comfort zone.

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ian on January 19, 2024, 01:02:42 PM
These are planned for the coming months:

April 5th
LUTOSŁAWSKI Concerto pour violoncelle
DVOŘÁK Symphonie n°9, « Du Nouveau Monde »
Krzysztof Urbański
Orchestre National de Lille

May 24th
HOLST The Planets  8)
Gergely Madaras
Orchestre Philharmonique Royale de Liège


Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on January 19, 2024, 02:37:30 PM
Quote from: ultralinear on January 12, 2024, 12:28:53 AMTonight's instalment in Quatuor Danel's ongoing dual cycles of Weinberg+Shostakovich:

Weinberg  String Quartets Nos. 2 & 3
Shostakovich  String Quartet No. 3

Favourites all. :)

Alas no live stream. :(

Edit:  The Weinbergs were good, but the Shostakovich was ... shattering. :o  As Marc Danel said: What can we play as an encore after that?

Wish I was there for that!!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on January 19, 2024, 03:53:25 PM
I'm looking forward to tomorrow night's livestream from Detroit. It starts at 8PM Eastern time here: https://www.dso.org/watch/2835418


Paul Lewis piano
Osmo Vänskä conductor

HENRY DORN: Transitions
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
JEAN SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43


And the next concert I'm going to in person, at the end of the month.

Alisa Weilerstein cello
Jader Bignamini conductor

FELIX MENDELSSOHN: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream
EDWARD ELGAR: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Scheherazade, Op. 35

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 19, 2024, 05:00:32 PM
Quote from: Mapman on January 19, 2024, 03:53:25 PMI'm looking forward to tomorrow night's livestream from Detroit. It starts at 8PM Eastern time here: https://www.dso.org/watch/2835418


Paul Lewis piano
Osmo Vänskä conductor

HENRY DORN: Transitions
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
JEAN SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43



Thanks for this, which somehow escaped my notice, and I'll surely be tuning in.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 19, 2024, 11:21:09 PM
Recently at the Konzerthaus in Vienna:

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Ouverture »Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt« op. 27 (1828/1834)

Ernest Chausson
Poème de l'amour et de la mer op. 19 (1882–1890)
***
Benjamin Britten
Four s
ea interludes op. 33a (Peter Grimes) (1945)
Claude Debussy
La mer. Drei symphonische Skizzen (1903–1905)

Wiener Philharmoniker
Nicole Car, Sopran
Philippe Jordan, Dirigent



and

Maurice Ravel
Valses nobles et sentimentales (Fassung für Orchester) (1911/1912)
Francis Poulenc
Konzert für zwei Klaviere und Orchester d-moll S 61 (1932)
***
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Sinfonietta H-Dur op. 5 (1912)

Wiener Symphoniker
Arthur Jussen, Klavier
Lucas Jussen, Klavier
Marie Jacquot, Dirigentin



Superbly performed both, especially the VPO under Jordan. They played the trumpet calls in La mer that many omit nowadays. And such a thrill to listen to Korngold's Sinfonietta live!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on January 20, 2024, 02:15:53 AM
Quote from: DavidW on January 19, 2024, 02:37:30 PMWish I was there for that!!

I think this is going to be one of the great Shostakovich cycles.  And likely the only Weinberg cycle I'll ever hear.  Doing them together adds to both, and spacing performances out about 1 month apart gives time for each one to sink in before the next.  I've done those 15-quartets-in-5-nights things before, and it's really not the best way to experience them.  By the end it inevitably becomes something of an endurance test.  Even more so when, like the Brodskies, they do the whole lot over a single weekend. ???

Shockingly - to me, anyway - the hall was less than half full.  And it is not a particularly large hall.  The half that were there were very enthusiastic, but even so, it doesn't look good.  Maybe that's why they didn't stream it.  Plus they need all the ticket sales they can get. :(
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 20, 2024, 03:39:24 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on January 13, 2024, 02:23:33 AMI used to have a rule about not going to concerts on consecutive days, in case it stopped being special and became just a habit - a bit like booze ::)  - but after last night I have scrapped that.  I missed the Danels' first Weinberg/Shostakovich concert because the next night Lugansky was playing Rachmaninov - which was a mistake: I will be there for the rest of the series regardless of whatever else might be going on at the time. :)


This sounds marvelous, and I can offer a similar tale. In 1982, Karajan and Berlin came to Carnegie Hall for 4 concerts. At the time, I thought doing four evenings in five days would be too much, so I got tickets for only two of them—silly me. First night, R. Strauss Alpine Symphony and Stravinsky's Apollo (first hearings), and the next, Brahms 2 and 4. I will forever kick myself for missing the third night, Brahms 1 and 3, and the final one, Mahler 9.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on January 20, 2024, 04:23:55 AM
Quote from: brewski on January 20, 2024, 03:39:24 AMMahler 9.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!  :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

That's gotta hurt. :'(

I once passed up the opportunity to see Rozhdestvensky conduct Shostakovich 4.  Too busy doing something else.  What an idiot. :-[  ::)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on January 20, 2024, 04:45:07 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on January 20, 2024, 02:15:53 AMI've done those 15-quartets-in-5-nights things before, and it's really not the best way to experience them.

Yes, when Karl posted about hearing ALL six Bartok quartets live, I thought I love these works but that is just too much.  It would be like the aural equivalent of hoovering up an entire cake! 

QuoteShockingly - to me, anyway - the hall was less than half full.  And it is not a particularly large hall.  The half that were there were very enthusiastic, but even so, it doesn't look good.  Maybe that's why they didn't stream it.  Plus they need all the ticket sales they can get. :(

My experience is that chamber music doesn't draw big crowds, and 20th century music also challenges the average concert goer who just wants the romantic era orchestral warhorses.

That also explains my reaction to Mapman's concert: oh Lewis doing Beethoven? and Vanska doing Sibelius?  Oh how brave, how risky of them performing what they are most known for. ::)  >:D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on January 20, 2024, 04:46:38 AM
Quote from: brewski on January 20, 2024, 03:39:24 AMThis sounds marvelous, and I can offer a similar tale. In 1982, Karajan and Berlin came to Carnegie Hall for 4 concerts. At the time, I thought doing four evenings in five days would be too much, so I got tickets for only two of them—silly me. First night, R. Strauss Alpine Symphony and Stravinsky's Apollo (first hearings), and the next, Brahms 2 and 4. I will forever kick myself for missing the third night, Brahms 1 and 3, and the final one, Mahler 9.

-Bruce

When I was in grad school like mid-2000s I bought tickets to the Pacifica Quartet performing Beethoven's late string quartets... and I completely forgot and I missed the concert.  I still haven't forgiven myself for that.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 20, 2024, 08:08:06 AM
Quote from: DavidW on January 20, 2024, 04:45:07 AMMy experience is that chamber music doesn't draw big crowds

Back in the days when I was a subscriber of the Romanian Radio Concert Hall, chamber music concerts were attended mostly by the same people, usually (much) less than 100 in a hall that seats about 1000. Even if we didn't know them personally, their faces became so familiar to me and my wife that we even assigned nicknames to many of them.  :D 

The irony is that those concerts were as safe and mild as it gets: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Dvorak (not that there's anything wrong with their music, or that I didn't enjoy them). The most "modern" music I ever heard in the context was Enescu's Octet.  ;D

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 20, 2024, 08:52:55 AM
Quote from: DavidW on January 20, 2024, 04:45:07 AMMy experience is that chamber music doesn't draw big crowds


Quote from: Florestan on January 20, 2024, 08:08:06 AMBack in the days when I was a subscriber of the Romanian Radio Concert Hall, chamber music concerts were attended mostly by the same people, usually (much) less than 100 in a hall that seats about 1000.


Yes. Even I would confess to being seduced by a massive orchestra on most occasions. But as friends taught me years ago, many composers use chamber music for their most personal, intimate thoughts. Gigantic orchestral works are great, and so are huge operas, but there is nothing like the small universe of a string quartet.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 20, 2024, 09:03:48 AM
Quote from: brewski on January 20, 2024, 08:52:55 AMYes. Even I would confess to being seduced by a massive orchestra on most occasions. But as friends taught me years ago, many composers use chamber music for their most personal, intimate thoughts. Gigantic orchestral works are great, and so are huge operas, but there is nothing like the small universe of a string quartet.

Absolutely. I prefer chamber music over gigantic orchestral works any day. I'm not at all keen on what Frederic Mompou dubbed as "phonorrhea". :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on January 20, 2024, 03:18:15 PM
Quote from: Mapman on January 19, 2024, 03:53:25 PMI'm looking forward to tomorrow night's livestream from Detroit. It starts at 8PM Eastern time here: https://www.dso.org/watch/2835418 (https://www.dso.org/watch/2835418)


Paul Lewis piano
Osmo Vänskä conductor

HENRY DORN: Transitions
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
JEAN SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43

This concert starts in about 45 minutes! @brewski
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 20, 2024, 06:53:33 PM
Quote from: Mapman on January 20, 2024, 03:18:15 PMThis concert starts in about 45 minutes! @brewski

Thanks, I caught most of it! (Due to unavoidable stuff, missed the first piece, but saw the rest.)

I thought Paul Lewis was superb in the Beethoven, and the Sibelius was excellent. Some of the chatters online thought the pace was too slow, but that's always a conundrum: "too slow" for some is "rapturous" for others. Anyway, I liked it a lot, and will probably revisit the recording if they post it.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 20, 2024, 09:31:38 PM
Quote from: Florestan on January 20, 2024, 09:03:48 AMAbsolutely. I prefer chamber music over gigantic orchestral works any day. I'm not at all keen on what Frederic Mompou dubbed as "phonorrhea". :D

Frederic Mompou should have dubbed things in his own language. Etymologically, this very awkward attempt at a Greek neologism can't possibly mean what he seemed to want it to mean ("an excess of padding, ponderous development, and numbing redundancies" or something of the sort).
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on January 21, 2024, 12:26:38 AM
Quote from: Wanderer on January 20, 2024, 09:31:38 PMFrederic Mompou should have dubbed things in his own language. Etymologically, this very awkward attempt at a Greek neologism can't possibly mean what he seemed to want it to mean ("an excess of padding, ponderous development, and numbing redundancies" or something of the sort).

You're being too pedantic in this case, my friend.  :D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Judith on January 21, 2024, 03:47:48 AM
What a wonderful Brahms concert yesterday evening performed by
local orchestra

Sinfonia of Leeds

with David Greed soloist
and conducted by Peter Stark

Performing
Violin Concerto
Symphony no 2

Such a treat. 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on January 24, 2024, 07:00:20 PM
I just attended a fantastic concert by Christian Lindberg and Roland Pöntinen! Lindberg will be giving a (trombone) masterclass tomorrow; I intend to watch.

Here's the program (excluding the 4.5 encores):
This concert will present classic and original works composed and arranged for trombone and piano: Sonata for Trombone "Vox Gabrieli" by Stjepan Sulek, Camera for Trombone and Piano by Roland Pöntinen, Mayfly for Solo Trombone by Christian Lindberg, Suite from Pique Dame (Arr. Lindberg) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Los Bandidos for Trombone and Piano by Christian Lindberg, Three Preludes for Trombone and Piano (Arr. Tarrodi) by George Gershwin, Drei Fantasiestücke Op. 73 by Robert Schumann, Barcorolle No. 5 in F Sharp Minor, Op. 66 by Gabriel Fauré, and Three Pieces from Firebird (Arr. Pöntinen/Lindberg) by Igor Stravinsky.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 25, 2024, 06:33:10 AM
Looking forward to the inauguration of a new chamber music series starting in March, at The Black Squirrel Club (https://www.peerspace.com/pages/listings/62e00f72f45dc8000f56e896#), housed in an old steam plant from the 1890s. The series is the brainchild of Micah Gleason, a singer and conductor studying with Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Tesla Quartet
Joseph Haydn: String Quartet Op. 33, No. 2 "The Joke"
Stacy Garrop: String Quartet No. 4 "Illuminations"
Maurice Ravel: String Quartet in F major

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 25, 2024, 07:01:50 AM
Quote from: Mapman on January 24, 2024, 07:00:20 PMI just attended a fantastic concert by Christian Lindberg and Roland Pöntinen! Lindberg will be giving a (trombone) masterclass tomorrow; I intend to watch.

Here's the program (excluding the 4.5 encores):
This concert will present classic and original works composed and arranged for trombone and piano: Sonata for Trombone "Vox Gabrieli" by Stjepan Sulek, Camera for Trombone and Piano by Roland Pöntinen, Mayfly for Solo Trombone by Christian Lindberg, Suite from Pique Dame (Arr. Lindberg) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Los Bandidos for Trombone and Piano by Christian Lindberg, Three Preludes for Trombone and Piano (Arr. Tarrodi) by George Gershwin, Drei Fantasiestücke Op. 73 by Robert Schumann, Barcorolle No. 5 in F Sharp Minor, Op. 66 by Gabriel Fauré, and Three Pieces from Firebird (Arr. Pöntinen/Lindberg) by Igor Stravinsky.
Wow! Amazingly lucky, and I hope you do get to see the masterclass. Lindberg is by reputation maybe the best trombonist ever? And The repertoire there is a cool mix of rarities, his own compositions, and the "big hits."
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on January 25, 2024, 04:14:25 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 25, 2024, 07:01:50 AMWow! Amazingly lucky, and I hope you do get to see the masterclass. Lindberg is by reputation maybe the best trombonist ever? And The repertoire there is a cool mix of rarities, his own compositions, and the "big hits."

I did make it to the masterclass! The MSU trombone students were great, and Lindberg helped them sound even better. He also answered some questions from the audience, including describing part of the process of writing one of his recent compositions. Perhaps most interestingly for members here, one question was about what (Classical) music to listen to. He specifically mentioned Curzon's recordings of Mozart Piano Concertos.

He is currently on tour, but it looks like it is about to end. The program was quite interesting. He told us that part of the program was chosen by his fans on social media. It looks like he was in the Dallas area last week. It's too bad that you didn't know about that performance!

https://calendar.unt.edu/event/guest_artist_recital_christian_lindberg_trombone_w_roland_pontinen_piano
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 25, 2024, 04:46:40 PM
Oh, darn it! You shouldn't have told me  ;D  Actually that would have been very hard to achieve on a weekday; Denton is more than an hour each direction from central Dallas so it wouldn't have been very practical unless we got a hotel. Bet it was fun to watch the nitty-gritty of the suggestions for the performing students.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Ganondorf on January 28, 2024, 07:45:23 AM
Dialogues of the Carmelites on 26th was wonderful! I'm not going into specifics this time too much but I have to mention about this work the chillingly macabre effect of the sound of a falling blade of the guillotine in the final scene.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 29, 2024, 07:08:07 PM
Dallas Symphony this weekend has a now-rare all Sibelius program:

En Saga
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 5

Alexi Kenney, violin
Donald Runnicles

Never heard of Kenney; the internet tells me he's just 29 and a rising chamber music star.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 30, 2024, 05:36:30 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2024, 07:08:07 PMDallas Symphony this weekend has a now-rare all Sibelius program:

En Saga
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 5

Alexi Kenney, violin
Donald Runnicles

Never heard of Kenney; the internet tells me he's just 29 and a rising chamber music star.

I've heard Kenney a few times in chamber music; he's wonderful. Would love to hear him in the Sibelius—along with the rest of the concert, of course! (Big Runnicles fan, here, too.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 30, 2024, 11:10:46 AM
Really, really looking forward to this concert, accompanied by some friends I haven't seen in decades. The Lutosławski is a favorite, and ten years ago Soltani played it and won a major cello prize in Finland. The Shostakovich Eleventh is also a longtime fave, to my ears often overlooked in favor of Nos. 5, 7, and 10 (no slight against any of those). And I don't recall hearing Mǎcelaru live, though he has appeared in some streams over the past few years.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cristian Mǎcelaru, conductor
Kian Soltani, cello

Lutosławski: Cello Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 30, 2024, 07:16:50 PM
Last time I saw Macelaru live, we were at the same university and he was conducting the student orchestra! A night of student compositions, I recall. That program is mouthwatering. 11 can be absolutely terrifying live. 8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on January 30, 2024, 08:12:13 PM
Also, speaking of Shostakovich, WCRB in Boston is rebroadcasting the Saturday, Jan. 27 performance of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk on Monday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 pm EST.

https://www.classicalwcrb.org/show/the-boston-symphony-orchestra/2023-09-25/opolais-sings-shostakovichs-lady-macbeth-of-mtsensk-with-the-bso

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Wanderer on January 31, 2024, 07:47:01 PM
When in Rome:

1)
Luigi Boccherini 
Duo per due violini in sol maggiore op. 3 n. 1 G56
Trio per violino, viola e violoncello in re maggiore op. 14 n. 4 G98
Trio per due violini e violoncello in do maggiore op. 6 n. 6 G94
Quintetto per archi e chitarra in re maggiore "Fandango" G448
Quintetto n. 7 in mi minore per due violini, viola, violoncello e chitarra G 541
Variazioni su "La ritirata di Madrid" in do maggiore per quintetto

Fabio Biondi violino
Europa Galante



2)
Giuseppe Verdi: Messa da Requiem

Orchestra e Coro dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
conductor Antonio Pappano
soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha
mezzosoprano Elīna Garanča

tenor SeokJong Baek
bass Giorgi Manoshvili
chorus master Andrea Secchi



3)
Berlioz Le Carnaval romain ouverture
Martinů Les Fresques de Piero della Francesca
Berlioz Harold en Italie

Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
conductor Jakub Hrůša

viola Pinchas Zukerman




Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on January 31, 2024, 07:55:59 PM
Wow, what fortune! I'd happily go to all three of those.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 01, 2024, 01:18:51 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 31, 2024, 07:55:59 PMWow, what fortune! I'd happily go to all three of those.

+ 1.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 04, 2024, 10:59:13 AM
Quote from: Brian on January 29, 2024, 07:08:07 PMDallas Symphony this weekend has a now-rare all Sibelius program:

En Saga
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 5

Alexi Kenney, violin
Donald Runnicles

Never heard of Kenney; the internet tells me he's just 29 and a rising chamber music star.

This program was even rarer than I thought! This was the orchestra's first performance of Symphony No. 5 in 12 years, and its first En Saga ever. It was a terrific program. Kenney indulges in some artistic flamboyance in the way he chooses to emphasize certain things, or put a little "sauce" on a phrase, and also in the way he dresses - a formal red dress shirt and black MC Hammer pants! His encore sounded like a Paganini caprice, but wasn't.

Throughout, the orchestra was on very good form and Runnicles kept things orderly with very sensible, sharp tempos. He really whipped up a frenzy at the end of the first movement of the Symphony and at the climax of En Saga. But we also got good quiet playing - the clarinet solo at the end of En Saga, the desolate, intricate string textures behind the symphony's bassoon solo. It was really fun to watch the string players' elbows bob up and down at the start of En Saga - half up, half down on any given beat - and it was also a delight to watch Runnicles conduct, since he keeps time with minimal funny business, and is very clear to follow with his technique.

The most memorable touch, to me, were the unison strings at the glorious ending of the Fifth's finale. Runnicles had them very gently disengage and re-engage every time they reached the end of the bow (up/down/up/down), so rather than a "smooth" long continuous sound, the E flat was gently reaffirmed and reasserted over and over while the brass rang out overhead. Wonderful.

Apparently at Thursday night's concert, a fire alarm went off midway through the Violin Concerto's finale and they didn't resume playing it, just went straight to intermission!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 05, 2024, 12:56:10 PM
Quote from: brewski on January 30, 2024, 11:10:46 AMReally, really looking forward to this concert, accompanied by some friends I haven't seen in decades. The Lutosławski is a favorite, and ten years ago Soltani played it and won a major cello prize in Finland. The Shostakovich Eleventh is also a longtime fave, to my ears often overlooked in favor of Nos. 5, 7, and 10 (no slight against any of those). And I don't recall hearing Mǎcelaru live, though he has appeared in some streams over the past few years.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cristian Mǎcelaru, conductor
Kian Soltani, cello

Lutosławski: Cello Concerto
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11, The Year 1905

-Bruce

This concert was absolutely sensational, held in Cincinnati's beautiful hall, which was completely renovated in 2018. If I had been in town on my own, and not catching up with a dear college friend, I would have gone to both of the performances. Kian Soltani gave cogent, illuminating remarks before the Lutosławski concerto, highlighting in his words, the "struggle for dominance" between the soloist and the orchestra. While it is certainly not the only way to approach the piece, my friends said afterward that his comments helped them enormously to make sense of it. It was exciting to see the Cincinnati audience go wild for Lutosławski, and as an encore, Soltani performed one of his own compositions, "Persian Fire Dance."

After intermission, with a considerably enlarged orchestra, Mǎcelaru led a beautiful, agonizing reading of the Shostakovich, which he has called a masterpiece. (I agree.) The orchestra sounded as magnificent as any I have heard in the last few years, with clarity, focus, and enormous dynamic contrasts. Highlights: great woodwinds, a fabulous principal trumpet, and a battery of percussionists having a field day.

Later we wondered if Mǎcelaru is being considered as the orchestra's next conductor, given that Louis Langrée is leaving at the end of May. Based on their smiles and obvious commitment, the musicians seemed to relish working with him. (And you can often tell when musicians are not having a good time.)

The rest of the weekend was filled with other delights—excellent food, some glorious architecture (e.g., Union Terminal and the Netherlands Plaza Hotel, both Art Deco), and a ton of conversation—but I will recall the concert for years.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 06, 2024, 06:10:29 AM
Friday will be my first time ever seeing or hearing this one! (I've heard orchestral excerpts from the suite by Manfred Honeck, only.)

ELEKTRA
Marjorie Owens, Elektra
Jill Grove, Klytämnestra
Angela Meade, Chrysothemis
Alfred Walker, Orest

The Dallas Opera
Emmanuel Villaume, conductor
Sir David McVicar, director
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Karl Henning on February 06, 2024, 06:33:02 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 06, 2024, 06:10:29 AMFriday will be my first time ever seeing or hearing this one! (I've heard orchestral excerpts from the suite by Manfred Honeck, only.)

ELEKTRA
Marjorie Owens, Elektra
Jill Grove, Klytämnestra
Angela Meade, Chrysothemis
Alfred Walker, Orest

The Dallas Opera
Emmanuel Villaume, conductor
Sir David McVicar, director
Excellent!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Cato on February 06, 2024, 07:01:01 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 05, 2024, 12:56:10 PMThis concert was absolutely sensational, held in Cincinnati's beautiful hall, which was completely renovated in 2018. If I had been in town on my own, and not catching up with a dear college friend, I would have gone to both of the performances. Kian Soltani gave cogent, illuminating remarks before the Lutosławski concerto, highlighting in his words, the "struggle for dominance" between the soloist and the orchestra. While it is certainly not the only way to approach the piece, my friends said afterward that his comments helped them enormously to make sense of it. It was exciting to see the Cincinnati audience go wild for Lutosławski, and as an encore, Soltani performed one of his own compositions, "Persian Fire Dance."

After intermission, with a considerably enlarged orchestra, Mǎcelaru led a beautiful, agonizing reading of the Shostakovich, which he has called a masterpiece. (I agree.) The orchestra sounded as magnificent as any I have heard in the last few years, with clarity, focus, and enormous dynamic contrasts. Highlights: great woodwinds, a fabulous principal trumpet, and a battery of percussionists having a field day.
 

The rest of the weekend was filled with other delights—excellent food, some glorious architecture (e.g., Union Terminal and the Netherlands Plaza Hotel, both Art Deco),
and a ton of conversation—but I will recall the concert for years.

-Bruce

Mrs. Cato and I were there in June for James Conlon who was conducting Mahler's Symphony VIII, in a glorious performance!


Yes, those buildings are exquisite and have been kept in good shape: when I was in college over 50 years ago, I attended an international conference of classicists and archaeologists at the Netherlands Plaza Hotel.  I recall waiting for an elevator, and then being shocked, when the door opened, by a man wearing a kilt!   :o   ;)

Obviously Scotland was represented at the conference!   8)


Anyway, yes again, the Cincinnati Symphony is an excellent orchestra!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Florestan on February 06, 2024, 08:37:39 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 05, 2024, 12:56:10 PMLater we wondered if Mǎcelaru is being considered as the orchestra's next conductor, given that Louis Langrée is leaving at the end of May. Based on their smiles and obvious commitment, the musicians seemed to relish working with him. (And you can often tell when musicians are not having a good time.)

Cristian Mǎcelaru is currently the musical manager of the Orchestre National de France, his contract extended to 2027. I don't think he'll have time for Cincinnati as well.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 06, 2024, 09:54:50 AM
Quote from: Florestan on February 06, 2024, 08:37:39 AMCristian Mǎcelaru is currently the musical manager of the Orchestre National de France, his contract extended to 2027. I don't think he'll have time for Cincinnati as well.


Ah, thanks, so that likely answers the question. (Though in the age of globetrotting conductors, who knows.)

But good for Orchestre National; they are lucky to have him.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 06, 2024, 09:58:47 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 06, 2024, 06:10:29 AMFriday will be my first time ever seeing or hearing this one! (I've heard orchestral excerpts from the suite by Manfred Honeck, only.)

ELEKTRA
Marjorie Owens, Elektra
Jill Grove, Klytämnestra
Angela Meade, Chrysothemis
Alfred Walker, Orest

The Dallas Opera
Emmanuel Villaume, conductor
Sir David McVicar, director

At the risk of being overenthusiastic, I won't go on and on, but I do hope you enjoy. It is quite a score. The set looks very cool!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 06, 2024, 10:11:22 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 06, 2024, 09:58:47 AMAt the risk of being overenthusiastic, I won't go on and on, but I do hope you enjoy. It is quite a score. The set looks very cool!

-Bruce
Well, your Cincy review was very enthusiastic and only made me more excited for/envious of you!

They are doing an Elektra performance on Valentine's Day itself, which I think is just perfect  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 06, 2024, 10:19:55 AM
Quote from: Brian on February 06, 2024, 10:11:22 AMWell, your Cincy review was very enthusiastic and only made me more excited for/envious of you!

They are doing an Elektra performance on Valentine's Day itself, which I think is just perfect  ;D  ;D

Hahahaha, I love it.

Reminds me years ago of a memorable Met Opera outing on Christmas Day. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like seeing Janáček's Katya Kabanova, about a woman having an affair and committing suicide. Happy Holidays!  ;D  ;D

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 09, 2024, 04:13:36 AM
In a few hours, more Shostakovich! Also looking forward to the Britten, which I played in high school. (It will likely sound a bit different here.  ;D  ;D  ;D )

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Tugan Sokhiev Conductor

Gabrieli Canzon septimi toni, No. 2, from Sacrae symphoniae
Britten Simple Symphony
Shostakovich Symphony No. 4

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on February 09, 2024, 06:04:26 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 09, 2024, 04:13:36 AMIn a few hours, more Shostakovich! Also looking forward to the Britten, which I played in high school. (It will likely sound a bit different here.  ;D  ;D  ;D )

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Tugan Sokhiev Conductor

Gabrieli Canzon septimi toni, No. 2, from Sacrae symphoniae
Britten Simple Symphony
Shostakovich Symphony No. 4

-Bruce

That should be good. :)  Some years ago I saw Sokhiev conduct the Philharmonia in an excellent Shostakovich 5th - strong and clear, with by far the most sarcastic Finale I ever heard.

FWIW there's a Guardian review of it here (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/nov/28/philharmonia-sokhiev-review), though the symphony gets only a passing mention compared with Pogorelich's Tchaikovsky (!) ... which was exactly as described. :o :P ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on February 09, 2024, 07:20:06 AM
Earlier this week my friends presented me with two SFS tickets for June 22nd.

They'll be travelling, so I'll grab my friend from last year's VPO concert and enjoy the Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor and ( drumroll... ) Bruckner's Fourth. 8)

I've already forgotten the scheduled pianist, but Esa-Pekka Salonen will conduct.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 09, 2024, 07:41:49 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 09, 2024, 06:04:26 AMThat should be good. :)  Some years ago I saw Sokhiev conduct the Philharmonia in an excellent Shostakovich 5th - strong and clear, with by far the most sarcastic Finale I ever heard.

FWIW there's a Guardian review of it here (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/nov/28/philharmonia-sokhiev-review), though the symphony gets only a passing mention compared with Pogorelich's Tchaikovsky (!) ... which was exactly as described. :o :P ;D


Wow. "...trying to keep in touch with his soloist's increasingly unpredictable playing." I heard Pogorelich a few times years ago, early in his career, and he was idiosyncratic, but this sounds disastrous. I'm all for musicians (and artists in general) breaking rules and stretching boundaries, but if you're in a collaborative situation—in this case, working with scores of other artists and a conductor—it seems like working with them is the right thing to do.

Thanks, a most interesting (and short!) review.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 09, 2024, 07:42:46 AM
Quote from: LKB on February 09, 2024, 07:20:06 AMEarlier this week my friends presented me with two SFS tickets for June 22nd.

They'll be travelling, so I'll grab my friend from last year's VPO concert and enjoy the Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor and ( drumroll... ) Bruckner's Fourth. 8)

I've already forgotten the scheduled pianist, but Esa-Pekka Salonen will conduct.

Yes, yes, yes!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: LKB on February 09, 2024, 07:51:08 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 09, 2024, 07:41:49 AMWow. "...trying to keep in touch with his soloist's increasingly unpredictable playing." I heard Pogorelich a few times years ago, early in his career, and he was idiosyncratic, but this sounds disastrous. I'm all for musicians (and artists in general) breaking rules and stretching boundaries, but if you're in a collaborative situation—in this case, working with scores of other artists and a conductor—it seems like working with them is the right thing to do.

Thanks, a most interesting (and short!) review.

-Bruce

Perhaps there are still humans on the planet who've yet to encounter the Gould-Bernstein experience:

https://youtu.be/zuxPKikM0NI?si=ImoB5blkerov1Uyc
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 09, 2024, 07:58:36 AM
Quote from: LKB on February 09, 2024, 07:51:08 AMPerhaps there are still humans on the planet who've yet to encounter the Gould-Bernstein experience:

https://youtu.be/zuxPKikM0NI?si=ImoB5blkerov1Uyc

Haha, thanks, I am one of those! Though I have read reports OF this concert, I have never heard the actual performance, so thank you. This will make an interesting listen over the weekend.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 10, 2024, 08:06:37 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 09, 2024, 04:13:36 AMIn a few hours, more Shostakovich! Also looking forward to the Britten, which I played in high school. (It will likely sound a bit different here.  ;D  ;D  ;D )

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Tugan Sokhiev Conductor

Gabrieli Canzon septimi toni, No. 2, from Sacrae symphoniae
Britten Simple Symphony
Shostakovich Symphony No. 4

-Bruce

Another knockout in my unofficial Shostakovich-fest the past few weeks, between the 9th String Quartet, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Symphony No. 11, and now this magnificent Fourth.

The Philadelphia players were on fire yesterday. Standouts among curtain calls for many soloists: Jeffrey Curnow on trumpet, bassoonist Daniel Matsukawa, concertmaster David Kim, and the two timpanists, Don Liuzzi and Angela Zator Nelson—among a seriously strong percussion section. Kudos, too, to Kiyoko Takeuti on celesta, whose final lingering notes left an incredible 20 seconds of silence in their wake, before the cheers began.

If I weren't going to hear Xenakis tonight, I'd return for round 2, but perhaps a single hearing serves the memory best.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on February 13, 2024, 05:57:28 AM
Tonight I will see the local orchestra perform Haydn's oboe concerto and Tchaikovsky's 6th symphony!  I'm excited!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on February 13, 2024, 08:31:34 AM
I'm sad to say I missed it.  It was yesterday.  I don't know how I forgot that the concerts are always on Monday. ::)   And I had the ticket with the date on it.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on February 13, 2024, 09:33:38 AM
Quote from: DavidW on February 13, 2024, 08:31:34 AMI'm sad to say I missed it.  It was yesterday.  I don't know how I forgot that the concerts are always on Monday. ::)   And I had the ticket with the date on it.
Nooooooo! In fairness to you, Monday is a weird night for concerts. Are all the musicians moonlighting as bartenders on weekends?  ;)

I once showed up to a concert in Colmar, France, at their summer chamber music festival, to see the Quatuor Talich do Schubert's string quintet. I posted in advance of the concert (https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,429.msg809933.html#msg809933) but never told anyone here the shameful truth...which was that I arrived, the ticket scanner rejected me, and a French usher pointed out to me that I had bought a ticket to the previous night's concert. Luckily they had not sold out so I bought another one...  ???  ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Bachtoven on February 13, 2024, 09:58:28 AM
Víkingur Ólafsson playing Bach's Goldberg Variations May 4th in Berkeley, CA. I absolutely love his new recording of it, and he got a rave review of his recent performance of it in Carnegie Hall by the NYT.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on February 13, 2024, 10:25:32 AM
Quote from: DavidW on February 13, 2024, 08:31:34 AMI'm sad to say I missed it.  It was yesterday.  I don't know how I forgot that the concerts are always on Monday. ::)  And I had the ticket with the date on it.
Augh!  One suggestion for you and others here like @Brian (who was very kind and generous to share his story too), I use my computer's calendar app (which is also linked to my cell phone) to remind me of things like appointments, bills to pay, but also social events too.  I send myself alerts (perhaps too many at times)...you can decide how far in advance (like days, weeks, hours, at time of travel, etc.).  No system is perfect, but I've found this to be very helpful!  :)

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on February 13, 2024, 10:39:26 AM
Quote from: Bachtoven on February 13, 2024, 09:58:28 AMVíkingur Ólafsson playing Bach's Goldberg Variations May 4th in Berkeley, CA. I absolutely love his new recording of it, and he got a rave review of his recent performance of it in Carnegie Hall by the NYT.

Great! I feel similarly about his recording of them.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 13, 2024, 10:58:34 AM
Quote from: Bachtoven on February 13, 2024, 09:58:28 AMVíkingur Ólafsson playing Bach's Goldberg Variations May 4th in Berkeley, CA. I absolutely love his new recording of it, and he got a rave review of his recent performance of it in Carnegie Hall by the NYT.

Friends who saw him in Philadelphia felt similarly, and couldn't stop talking about the performance. If I hadn't already committed to another concert, I might have joined them. Anyway, hope you have a great time.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 13, 2024, 11:16:14 AM
On Thursday at 8:00 pm, from Roulette in New York, violinist Austin Wulliman of the JACK Quartet makes his debut as a composer in selections from his new album, The News From Utopia. The livestream (https://roulette.org/event/austin-wulliman-the-news-from-utopia/) is free and will be archived.

SYSTEM NOTES (2023) – World Premiere for string quartet and electronics
BLINK (2022) – World Premiere for string quartet, electric guitar and electronics
Down Pat (2023) – US Premiere for electric guitar and electronics -Alec Goldfarb, guitar
The Late Edition (2023) – World Premiere for string quartet
Lost One (2024) — World Premiere for string quartet
The Docks (2022) – World Premiere for string quartet and electronics
como se vive (ii) (2023) — World Premiere for string quartet and electronics
The News From Utopia (ii) (2024) – World Premiere for string quartet and electronics

Austin Wulliman violin
Alec Goldfarb guitar
JACK Quartet:
Christopher Otto violin
John Pickford Richards viola
Jay Campbell cello

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on February 13, 2024, 01:20:52 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on February 13, 2024, 10:25:32 AMAugh!  One suggestion for you and others here like @Brian (who was very kind and generous to share his story too), I use my computer's calendar app (which is also linked to my cell phone) to remind me of things like appointments, bills to pay, but also social events too.  I send myself alerts (perhaps too many at times)...you can decide how far in advance (like days, weeks, hours, at time of travel, etc.).  No system is perfect, but I've found this to be very helpful!  :)

PD

Yes I usually do that but forgot with this concert.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on February 13, 2024, 02:59:18 PM
Quote from: DavidW on February 13, 2024, 01:20:52 PMYes I usually do that but forgot with this concert.
Dang!  :( 

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 13, 2024, 03:46:37 PM
After reading the rave by @Brian in D Magazine (https://www.dmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/2024/02/the-dallas-opera-stages-a-stunning-performance-of-operas-bleakest-tale-of-revenge/), I will be tuning in to Elektra on Saturday night, livestreamed from the Dallas Opera. (For $10 (https://dallasopera.org/performance/elektra/), it's a good deal, not to mention, cheaper than a plane ticket.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Iota on February 14, 2024, 10:20:47 AM
Quote from: DavidW on February 13, 2024, 08:31:34 AMI'm sad to say I missed it.  It was yesterday.  I don't know how I forgot that the concerts are always on Monday. ::)  And I had the ticket with the date on it.

I committed a major blooper once in that vein, I offer the weak excuse that I was in my early twenties and was out socialising almost every night back then, often late, but a friend and I who'd both never seen Horowitz, had tickets to see him at the RFH in what was almost certainly going to be his last UK performance (and was).
It was a matinee recital, and when I woke up on the day the phone was ringing, I picked it up and was greeted with said friend saying,' Where the hell are you?! He's about to start!'. I looked at the clock and saw I had indeed overslept by about four hours. I threw on some clothes, dashed to the tube with fairly high heart rate, and managed to get there just as the second half was beginning.
As weird/stupid as it might seem, once I'd settled down a bit, I wasn't as upset as I might have been. Most of the first half had been Scarlatti, who I was not that interested in back then, and I also felt that I wasn't seeing Horowitz at the height of his powers, I just wanted to see/hear him in person, experience his aura, the magical sound of his playing, and I got to do all those things and was truly wowed. He seemed practically a superhuman to me in my teens, and just being in the same hall as him was enough to send me into a star-struck trance.

If anybody's interested it was the Royal Festival Hall, 1982, and here he is playing the Chopin Polonaise-Fantaisie which I *was* there to hear .. the charged atmosphere seems somewhat missing on the video, but it offers a glimpse of the occasion.


And the programme on Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/4817323-Vladimir-Horowitz-The-1982-Royal-Festival-Hall-Recital
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on February 18, 2024, 10:01:41 AM
More Poles tomorrow:

Weinberg String Quartet No.7 Op.59
Lutosławski String Quartet
Maliszewski  String Quintet in D minor Op.3

Silesian String Quartet
Mats Lidström cello

Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Mapman on February 25, 2024, 07:38:25 AM
Today at 3 PM (Eastern), I'll attend this in person. From the seat map, this will be very well-attended.

Alisa Weilerstein; Jader Bignamini: Detroit Symphony Orchestra

FELIX MENDELSSOHN: Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream
EDWARD ELGAR: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Scheherazade, Op. 35

The concert will be streamed here, in about 3.5 hours!
https://www.dso.org/watch/2835421
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 26, 2024, 06:03:19 PM
It's a few months away (in June) but I'm already looking forward to this livestream from Wigmore Hall.

Elias String Quartet
Heath Quartet

Mendelssohn
String Quartet No. 4 in E minor Op. 44 No. 2
String Quintet No. 1 in A Op. 18
Octet in E flat Op. 20


-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 26, 2024, 08:44:47 PM
On Friday, March 1, at 2:00 pm (EST), two competing livestreams! Both are likely to be available later, so a last-minute decision may be in the cards.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Samy Moussa: Elysium
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9



Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Alexander Malofeev, piano
Alain Altinoglu, conductor
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4


-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 27, 2024, 07:48:33 AM
Adding to the flood, another stream on March 7. I don't know the first two works at all.

NDR Radiophilharmonie
Stanislav Kochanovsky, conductor
Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin

Tcherepnin: "La Princesse Lointaine" op. 4, Prelude to the play by Edmond Rostand
Respighi: Concerto Gregoriano for violin and orchestra
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances op. 45


-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on February 28, 2024, 04:32:11 AM
Tonight Simon Rattle conducts the LSO in the first of two performances of Shostakovich Symphony No.4
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 28, 2024, 05:14:22 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 28, 2024, 04:32:11 AMTonight Simon Rattle conducts the LSO in the first of two performances of Shostakovich Symphony No.4


Such an incredible piece. I heard it live with Philadelphia a few weeks ago, and you may have seen above that Frankfurt is doing it on Friday.

Have a great time, and feel free to report back.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on February 28, 2024, 05:53:57 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 28, 2024, 05:14:22 AMSuch an incredible piece. I heard it live with Philadelphia a few weeks ago, and you may have seen above that Frankfurt is doing it on Friday.

Have a great time, and feel free to report back.

-Bruce

There's no livestream that I can find, however the reminder email from the LSO contains a warning that cameras will be operating during the performance, and that if one has a problem with that then to let them know in advance.**  So quite possibly it will appear at some point in some form in some medium or other.

** What they would do about it, I really don't know - issue you with a Simon Rattle facemask, perhaps? ;D
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on February 28, 2024, 10:12:03 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on February 28, 2024, 05:53:57 AM** What they would do about it, I really don't know - issue you with a Simon Rattle facemask, perhaps? ;D

Haha, well, Halloween isn't that far away.  ;D

(Thanks for that info, though, which means that they likely recorded it.)

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on February 28, 2024, 01:24:07 PM
Quote from: brewski on February 28, 2024, 10:12:03 AM(Thanks for that info, though, which means that they likely recorded it.)

There were a lot of microphones visible, and not in the usual BBC layout, so I presume this was an in-house production - I hope, for release on LSO Live - or perhaps (also) some concert streaming service.  I will keep an eye out. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 01, 2024, 06:13:51 AM
Tonight, a last-minute ticket to the Hagen Quartet:

Haydn: Quartet in C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Emperor
Bartók: Quartet No. 2
Beethoven: Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Irons on March 01, 2024, 07:11:51 AM
A good celebration day lined up for next week - A lunchtime concert at Wigmore Hall with Alisa Weilerstein (cello) and Inon Barnatan (piano) performing the Britten and Brahms 2 cello sonatas. Followed by a visit to the Marquis pub in Covent Garden where vinyl records of 60's soul music are played including requests. Finished off with a Chinese meal in Soho. :P
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 02, 2024, 04:36:05 AM
Quote from: brewski on March 01, 2024, 06:13:51 AMTonight, a last-minute ticket to the Hagen Quartet:

Haydn: Quartet in C Major, Op. 76, No. 3, Emperor
Bartók: Quartet No. 2
Beethoven: Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132

-Bruce

This was excellent, some minor intonation issues aside (especially in the Haydn). But my friend and I agreed that sometimes "digging in" to the music can have that as a casualty. In any case, a heavy-duty program, which later caused some hilarious references to the idea that "classical music is so relaxing!" ;D

The Bartók was the high point, though the slow movement of the Beethoven was a close second.

So many great string quartets running around—meaning, ensembles. I don't think I'd ever heard the Hagen players live. The audience was as rapt as one could want, with very little coughing or other extraneous noise.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 02, 2024, 04:49:51 AM
Quote from: brewski on February 26, 2024, 08:44:47 PMOn Friday, March 1, at 2:00 pm (EST), two competing livestreams! Both are likely to be available later, so a last-minute decision may be in the cards.

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
Manfred Honeck, conductor
Samy Moussa: Elysium
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9



Of the two competing livestreams yesterday from Frankfurt and Hamburg, the latter won, only because I hadn't heard the Bruckner 9 in awhile, and the Samy Moussa piece (Elysium) made an excellent companion for it. Plus, I am really falling in love with the Hamburg hall, which is now on my "to visit" list. At about 4:20 in the video above (still available), the cameras move from the ensemble to shots of the interior and exterior of the hall, which is just gorgeous, especially at sunset.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on March 02, 2024, 07:46:39 AM
I just returned home from Montreal, where I was able to attend Thursday's performance of Bruckner's Fourth by the Montreal Symphony under conductor Rafael Payare. It was my first time seeeing them since Payare took over from Kent Nagano, and I was very impressed: Payare is very animated and charismatic, and (more importantly) seemed to inspire a high level of both precision and intensity from the orchestra. I've never found the Fourth to be one of Bruckner's more interesting symphonies, but I was absolutely riveted during the entire performance--it actually altered my sense of the work. I've noticed that Montreal audiences tend to give standing ovations fairly regularly, but this time it really felt spontaneous and well-deserved.

The program started with a new (to me) work, "In the Half-Light," by composer Zosha di Castri (who was present for the performance), and sung by guest artist Barbara Hannigan, who was amazing. The work itself was interesting, involving Hannigan singing very minimal texts (in English) that seemed to involve an existential encounter between two people in vaguely apocalyptic conditions, the orchestra providing surges of (mostly) menacing and/or unsettling sounds and textures. While the work (particularly the text) didn't connect with me much on an emotional level, I very much enjoyed the experience, and was thinking that it likely would turn out to be the most memorable part of the evening. That wasn't to be the case, however.

I'm really excited now about returning this coming Thursday for Payare's performance of Shostakovich's Eighth symphony (paired somewhat puzzlingly with Beethoven's First). I now especially regret having had to miss an earlier performance (of Mahler's Seventh) for which I had tickets--I imagine he would have done a fantastic job with that work, one of my favorites.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 03, 2024, 07:06:32 AM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on March 02, 2024, 07:46:39 AMI just returned home from Montreal, where I was able to attend Thursday's performance of Bruckner's Fourth by the Montreal Symphony under conductor Rafael Payare. It was my first time seeeing them since Payare took over from Kent Nagano, and I was very impressed: Payare is very animated and charismatic, and (more importantly) seemed to inspire a high level of both precision and intensity from the orchestra. I've never found the Fourth to be one of Bruckner's more interesting symphonies, but I was absolutely riveted during the entire performance--it actually altered my sense of the work. I've noticed that Montreal audiences tend to give standing ovations fairly regularly, but this time it really felt spontaneous and well-deserved.

The program started with a new (to me) work, "In the Half-Light," by composer Zosha di Castri (who was present for the performance), and sung by guest artist Barbara Hannigan, who was amazing. The work itself was interesting, involving Hannigan singing very minimal texts (in English) that seemed to involve an existential encounter between two people in vaguely apocalyptic conditions, the orchestra providing surges of (mostly) menacing and/or unsettling sounds and textures. While the work (particularly the text) didn't connect with me much on an emotional level, I very much enjoyed the experience, and was thinking that it likely would turn out to be the most memorable part of the evening. That wasn't to be the case, however.

I'm really excited now about returning this coming Thursday for Payare's performance of Shostakovich's Eighth symphony (paired somewhat puzzlingly with Beethoven's First). I now especially regret having had to miss an earlier performance (of Mahler's Seventh) for which I had tickets--I imagine he would have done a fantastic job with that work, one of my favorites.

Thanks for this report. I have heard Payare once, last December with Philadelphia, in a new piano concerto by López Bellido and Mahler 1, both excellent. And though it's not the only criterion, the orchestra seemed connected to him, and you can usually tell if the chemistry isn't working.

Would love to have heard the di Castri piece with Hannigan—as a fan of both. Hannigan has done some outstanding work over the years, such as Grisey's Quatre chants pour franchir le seuil (1997-98), his extraordinary final piece for soprano and orchestra. I've also seen her several times in Ligeti's Mysteries of the Macabre, which she does beautifully. (You can find a few versions on YouTube.)

And feel free to report on the upcoming Shostakovich!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 03, 2024, 07:08:52 AM
At 2 pm (EST), a live broadcast from Carnegie Hall (https://www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2024/03/03/vienna-philharmonic-0200pm?fbclid=IwAR1R413LuXuFOTCtXPvGSbx-p7_WuT-BjxaebeXi-buKTGoYF6NiAKzLlFg) (audio only) with the Vienna Philharmonic and Franz Welser-Möst in Mahler's Ninth.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 05, 2024, 04:09:47 AM
Tonight, this concert. I've never heard the orchestra. Derksen is a composer and cellist (https://www.crisderksen.com/about), originally from Alberta, Canada.

Orchestre Métropolitain
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Cris Derksen, cello
Tony Siqi Yun, piano

Derksen Controlled Burn
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
Sibelius Symphony No. 2

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: NorthNYMark on March 06, 2024, 06:54:39 PM
Quote from: brewski on March 05, 2024, 04:09:47 AMTonight, this concert. I've never heard the orchestra. Derksen is a composer and cellist (https://www.crisderksen.com/about), originally from Alberta, Canada.

Orchestre Métropolitain
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor
Cris Derksen, cello
Tony Siqi Yun, piano

I'll be curious to hear how it went--I'm considering getting a ticket to see them perform Mahler's 6th in in Montreal in June.

Derksen Controlled Burn
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
Sibelius Symphony No. 2

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on March 07, 2024, 01:16:03 AM
Tonight Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts the Philharmonia in a program including what is billed as - and I can well believe is - the first UK performance of Nikolai Kapustin's Piano Concerto No.5

Audio stream available on the BBC from March 19th (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001x3zm)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 07, 2024, 04:34:36 AM
Quote from: NorthNYMark on March 06, 2024, 06:54:39 PMI'll be curious to hear how it went--I'm considering getting a ticket to see them perform Mahler's 6th in in Montreal in June.


I enjoyed hearing the group a lot, and Yannick made the most of their strengths: excellent agility, and some very fine musicians. If you're going to be in Montreal anyway during that time, definitely go. I'd be curious to hear them in their own hall, too. Just checked their website, which is beautiful, and was impressed with the programming.

Yannick is doing Mahler 6 here next year, along with 3 and 9, which makes me wonder if a cycle is in the works.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Christo on March 09, 2024, 06:37:00 AM
Tomorrow: Bach - Johannes-Passion. Utrecht, Tivoli-Vredenburg: www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/bach-johannes-passion-10-03-2024
Florilegium Musicum, Toonkunstkoor Utrecht
Titia van Heyst soprano, Florieke Beelen alt, Bernard Loonen evangelist, Vitali Rozynko Christ, Jan-Willem Schaafsma tenor, Marc Pantus bass
Jos Vermunt director

Next week Tuesday: Choral music by Cyrillus Kreek & Veljo Tormis. Utrecht, Tivoli-Vredenburg: www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/estonian-philharmonic-chamber-choir-19-03-2024
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under good old Tõnu Kaljuste
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 12, 2024, 04:56:03 AM
Coming up this week at Carnegie. I've heard a lot of Shostakovich in the last few months, which is not a bad thing.

Alumni of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor
Daniil Trifonov, Piano

Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7, "Leningrad"

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on March 18, 2024, 06:09:55 AM
Quote from: Irons on March 01, 2024, 07:11:51 AMA good celebration day lined up for next week - A lunchtime concert at Wigmore Hall with Alisa Weilerstein (cello) and Inon Barnatan (piano) performing the Britten and Brahms 2 cello sonatas. Followed by a visit to the Marquis pub in Covent Garden where vinyl records of 60's soul music are played including requests. Finished off with a Chinese meal in Soho. :P
How did you enjoy your evening Irons?

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on March 19, 2024, 04:58:28 AM
More from Quatuor Danel tonight:

Shostakovich String Quartet No.4 in D Op. 83
Weinberg  String Quartet No.4 Op.20
Shostakovich  String Quartet No.5 in B flat Op.92

Personal favourites all.  :)

Having heard the Jerusalem Quartet not long ago deliver a maxed-out DSCH #4, should be interesting to hear what the Danels make of it.  :D

No livestream alas.  :( 
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 19, 2024, 05:12:41 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 19, 2024, 04:58:28 AMMore from Quatuor Danel tonight:

Shostakovich String Quartet No.4 in D Op. 83
Weinberg  String Quartet No.4 Op.20
Shostakovich  String Quartet No.5 in B flat Op.92

Personal favourites all.  :)

Having heard the Jerusalem Quartet not long ago deliver a maxed-out DSCH #4, should be interesting to hear what the Danels make of it.  :D

No livestream alas.  :( 

Oooh, what a tasty program!

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Irons on March 19, 2024, 08:25:36 AM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on March 18, 2024, 06:09:55 AMHow did you enjoy your evening Irons?

PD

Not so much evening but lunchtime, PD. The Wigmore Hall holds lunchtime concerts lasting a hour or so featuring top artists at a very reasonable £15. On the day we attended there was not a spare seat in the house. The audience was mixed but I noticed many single people attending. This is not new but I think other venues could follow a lead here as Wigmore Hall have hit on something. Classical music can in the right conditions prove to be very popular still.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on March 19, 2024, 08:42:50 AM
Quote from: Irons on March 19, 2024, 08:25:36 AMNot so much evening but lunchtime, PD. The Wigmore Hall holds lunchtime concerts lasting a hour or so featuring top artists at a very reasonable £15. On the day we attended there was not a spare seat in the house. The audience was mixed but I noticed many single people attending. This is not new but I think other venues could follow a lead here as Wigmore Hall have hit on something. Classical music can in the right conditions prove to be very popular still.
Good to hear that it was well-attended!  And that is a great price!

I should have thought to have turned on the BBC radio (online) to listen to it.  Are they still broadcasting them live?

Your talk of Chinese food (post pub) reminds me that I have some tofu in the fridge and some green beans that I need to do something with [Hope that I can find a recipe that I had found online that sounded good and had received good reviews.  :-[  ].

PD
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on March 19, 2024, 09:05:00 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 19, 2024, 04:58:28 AMMore from Quatuor Danel tonight:

Shostakovich String Quartet No.4 in D Op. 83
Weinberg  String Quartet No.4 Op.20
Shostakovich  String Quartet No.5 in B flat Op.92

Personal favourites all.  :)

Having heard the Jerusalem Quartet not long ago deliver a maxed-out DSCH #4, should be interesting to hear what the Danels make of it.  :D

No livestream alas.  :( 

I would love to be there!  I love both their Shostakovich and Weinberg.  I was really pleased yesterday when my Weinberg SQ box set arrived from Presto.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 19, 2024, 11:52:45 AM
Quote from: ultralinear on March 19, 2024, 04:58:28 AMMore from Quatuor Danel tonight:

Shostakovich String Quartet No.4 in D Op. 83
Weinberg  String Quartet No.4 Op.20
Shostakovich  String Quartet No.5 in B flat Op.92

Personal favourites all.  :)

Having heard the Jerusalem Quartet not long ago deliver a maxed-out DSCH #4, should be interesting to hear what the Danels make of it.  :D

No livestream alas.  :( 

Quote from: DavidW on March 19, 2024, 09:05:00 AMI would love to be there!  I love both their Shostakovich and Weinberg.  I was really pleased yesterday when my Weinberg SQ box set arrived from Presto.

So in the realm of "answered prayers" and all that, I was looking at Wigmore's site, and lo and behold, on 29 April the Quatuor Danel returns. This time they'll do two Weinberg quartets surrounding a single Shostakovich, and it will be streamed, at 8pm GMT (4pm EDT). I already have it marked on the calendar.

https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202404291930

Weinberg: Quartet No. 5
Shostakovich: Quartet No. 6
Weinberg: Quartet No. 6

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on March 19, 2024, 03:25:02 PM
Quote from: brewski on March 19, 2024, 11:52:45 AMSo in the realm of "answered prayers" and all that, I was looking at Wigmore's site, and lo and behold, on 29 April the Quatuor Danel returns. This time they'll do two Weinberg quartets surrounding a single Shostakovich, and it will be streamed, at 8pm GMT (4pm EDT). I already have it marked on the calendar.

https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202404291930

Weinberg: Quartet No. 5
Shostakovich: Quartet No. 6
Weinberg: Quartet No. 6

-Bruce

That's excellent!  :)

One thing that may not always come across from listening to recordings is just how much energy these guys put into their performances, finding life and drama even in a predominantly tragic narrative.  It makes for an involving experience, no matter how many times you've heard these works before.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on March 20, 2024, 03:12:24 AM
Quote from: DavidW on March 19, 2024, 09:05:00 AMI would love to be there!  I love both their Shostakovich and Weinberg.  I was really pleased yesterday when my Weinberg SQ box set arrived from Presto.

That's a great set.  The Danels pioneered some of these works, and you can hear in these concerts how their performances have continued to develop.  They might even put out a new set at some point (one can always hope :) ).

I also have the (much more expensive) set by the Silesian String Quartet - whom I've also heard play some of them in concert - and of the two I prefer the Danels.  There's nothing at all wrong with the Silesians - I would always take every opportunity to hear them perform - but there is a kind of earnestness to their playing which can become a bit unrelenting, where the Danels generally manage to find some spark of light amid the gloom.  Whether that makes their interpretations more authentic or less, I really don't know, but I do find them more listenable for it, which ultimately is the deciding factor.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 20, 2024, 05:02:13 AM
If you had the chance to see the Pittsburgh Symphony and Honeck live in one of these programs, which would you choose?

Marquez - Danzón No. 2
Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto (Hadelich)
Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances

Lera Auerbach - world premiere
Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Rana)
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10

I love Auerbach, Hadelich, and the two big pieces. Haven't seen the Rach live, haven't seen the DSCH live in 15 years.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 20, 2024, 05:32:58 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 20, 2024, 05:02:13 AMIf you had the chance to see the Pittsburgh Symphony and Honeck live in one of these programs, which would you choose?

Marquez - Danzón No. 2
Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto (Hadelich)
Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances

Lera Auerbach - world premiere
Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Rana)
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10

I love Auerbach, Hadelich, and the two big pieces. Haven't seen the Rach live, haven't seen the DSCH live in 15 years.

Heavens, what a choice. All other things being equal, the second one would get my vote, only because I haven't seen Rana yet, and I've been on a small Shostakovich kick lately. But dang, to miss the great Hadelich in anything, plus the Symphonic Dances...

Maybe time for that coin toss.  ;D

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 20, 2024, 05:51:37 AM
Quote from: brewski on March 20, 2024, 05:32:58 AMHeavens, what a choice. All other things being equal, the second one would get my vote, only because I haven't seen Rana yet, and I've been on a small Shostakovich kick lately. But dang, to miss the great Hadelich in anything, plus the Symphonic Dances...

Maybe time for that coin toss.  ;D

-Bruce
The coin toss might be whether the Pirates are in town!  ;D

(Rana is great - saw her do a live Beethoven Emperor with a rather sedate tempo but then a thrilling Chopin etude encore.)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: ultralinear on March 20, 2024, 06:23:56 AM
Quote from: Brian on March 20, 2024, 05:02:13 AMIf you had the chance to see the Pittsburgh Symphony and Honeck live in one of these programs, which would you choose?

Marquez - Danzón No. 2
Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto (Hadelich)
Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances

Lera Auerbach - world premiere
Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Rana)
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10

I love Auerbach, Hadelich, and the two big pieces. Haven't seen the Rach live, haven't seen the DSCH live in 15 years.

Tough choice - two very evenly matched programs. :-\

Personally I would probably go for #2, because:

But it's a very fine balance, and preferences are (very) personal. :)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: T. D. on March 20, 2024, 04:59:24 PM
Low-key event in semi-local library Saturday.
Considering a piano 4 hands program with Steven Beck and Yalin Chi. Don't know what they're playing, but it doesn't cost much and should be interesting.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: DavidW on March 20, 2024, 05:01:51 PM
Quote from: Brian on March 20, 2024, 05:02:13 AMIf you had the chance to see the Pittsburgh Symphony and Honeck live in one of these programs, which would you choose?

Marquez - Danzón No. 2
Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto (Hadelich)
Rachmaninov - Symphonic Dances

Lera Auerbach - world premiere
Mendelssohn - Piano Concerto No. 1 (Rana)
Shostakovich - Symphony No. 10

I love Auerbach, Hadelich, and the two big pieces. Haven't seen the Rach live, haven't seen the DSCH live in 15 years.

The second purely for Shostakovich's 10th.
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 20, 2024, 05:12:13 PM
Quote from: T. D. on March 20, 2024, 04:59:24 PMLow-key event in semi-local library Saturday.
Considering a piano 4 hands program with Steven Beck and Yalin Chi. Don't know what they're playing, but it doesn't cost much and should be interesting.

I don't know Chi, but I've heard Beck many times over the years, mostly with groups like the New York New Music Ensemble, Talea Ensemble, and others. If convenient for you, would definitely bite.

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: T. D. on March 20, 2024, 05:19:51 PM
Quote from: brewski on March 20, 2024, 05:12:13 PMI don't know Chi, but I've heard Beck many times over the years, mostly with groups like the New York New Music Ensemble, Talea Ensemble, and others. If convenient for you, would definitely bite.

-Bruce

Thanks! It's about as convenient as a classical event can get for me (40-45 min drive) and more or less en route to another event I want to attend later Saturday, so very promising.
Neither name was familiar to me, but I looked up Beck and his CV is most impressive.  8)
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: brewski on March 22, 2024, 06:48:07 AM
An unusually dense weekend, but I'm not complaining.

Tonight (livestream (https://mnorch.vhx.tv/videos/dvorak-symphony-no-8)):
Minnesota Orchestra
Domingo Hindoyan, conductor
Pacho Flores, trumpet
Roberto Sierra: Fandangos
Sarasate: Gypsy Airs
Arturo Márquez: Concierto de Otoño for Trumpet and Orchestra
Dvořák: Symphony No. 8

Tomorrow afternoon (live):
Opera Philadelphia Chorus
Elizabeth Braden, conductor
Meghan Meloy Ness, organ
Verdi:
"Libiamo" (The Brindisi) from La Traviata
"Vedi! Le fosche notturne spoglie" (The Anvil Chorus) from Il Trovatore
"Va pensiero" from Nabucco
"Patria Oppressa" from Macbeth
Kevin Puts: "Sleep Chorus" from Silent Night
Richard Danielpour: "Epilogue" from Margaret Garner
Bizet: Carmen
"Dans l'air, nous suivons des yeux" (The Cigarette Chorus)
"Habañera"
"Les Voici"
Bernstein: "Make Our Garden Grow" from Candide

Saturday night (livestream (https://www.youtube.com/live/pgY95vktzMg?si=CsTS-7m5WPyDbvmI)):
ekmeles (vocal ensemble)
Todd Tarantino: Incipit Lamentatio (2024) World premiere
Jeffrey Gavett: Peccavi fateor (2015)
David Hurd: Tenebrae factae sunt (1989)
Joanna Ward: Christus factus est (2020)
Nirmali Fenn: Pokój w pokoju (2018)
Hannah Kendall: this is but an oration of loss (2022)
Jóhann Jóhannson: Holy Thursday (2002)

Sunday afternoon (livestream (https://www.youtube.com/live/nri5z0Jk5k8?si=eRz7Dv5Rs9e3p8dm)):
Aizuri Quartet
Kim Kashkashian, viola
Marcy Rosen, cello
Reena Esmail: Fantasie (Bihag) from Ragamala
Felix Mendelssohn: Capriccio from Quartet, Op. 81
Shulamit Ran: Lyre of Orpheus
R. Strauss: Sextet from Capriccio, Op. 85
Clara Schumann: Die stille Lotosblume from Sechs Lieder, Op. 13, No. 6
Fanny Mendelssohn: Quartet in E-flat Major

And then a nap.  ;D

-Bruce
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 22, 2024, 07:36:54 AM
On Feb 9, 2025, Seong-Jin Cho is performing the complete solo piano music of Ravel in one night in San Francisco!
Title: Re: What concerts are you looking forward to? (Part II)
Post by: Brian on March 27, 2024, 06:05:03 AM
This afternoon: working rehearsals for the world premiere of Anna Clyne's new piano concerto, "Atlas," with Jeremy Denk, the Dallas Symphony, and Fabio Luisi.

Tomorrow night: the actual premiere. I may or may not stay for Luisi's Mahler 5 after the interval. I only barely get along with the symphony to begin with, enjoying the first and fourth movements and a few scattered moments elsewhere. And Fabio is a very poor fit for this music, I fear: self-indulgent, prone to swooning, with exaggerated differences between fast music (very fast) and slow music (veeeeery slow). I once saw him drag the second movement of Beethoven 7 to 12 minutes (!) and it looks like his recorded M5 with the Concertgebouw runs to 77:27, including a 21-minute scherzo.