It is well known that US orchestras are having a lot of difficulties: Attendance is down, ticket prices are up, and several well-known orchestras have declared Chapter-11 bankruptcy. And there are a lot of reasons:

In some cases the orchestra Board is at fault for poor planning, lack of creativity, and lack of realization that times have changed. Audiences are listening to more music on line. In other cases, potential attendees are somewhat bored and tired of conventional presentations that include an overture by Brahms, a concerto by Tchaikovsky or Mozart, and a symphony by Beethoven.

The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is an example of an orchestra that is trying to do things right. They have launched the “Digital Concert Hall”, which allows the global on-line audience to see live concerts on the web. Sound and video fidelity are excellent, and the price of about $13 per concert is also acceptable, given that one does not have the expense of driving, parking or babysitting fees.

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, I attended the Berlin Philharmonic (BPO) concert at which their 12 Cello players entertained concert goers of adults and kids for one hour. On the web this concert was FREE, which also shows the Orchestra’s enlightened way of marketing themselves to the public. Kids participated, and everyone had fun. Musical selections were intentionally light, as can be seen from a partial list, below.

• “Caravan” by Duke Ellington (opening)

• “Bosa Nova for 12” (Wilhelm Kaiser-Lindemann)

• Fleur de Paris

• Shostakovich Waltz #2

• Let my People Go

• The Pink Panther (Henry Mancini)

This and all other concerts are now placed in the BPO Archives list, and when you feel like spending an hour or two, you can simply go to archives, pay a small fee (if applicable), and hear a wonderful concert.

There are no easy solutions for the US crisis with symphony orchestras. We can, however, learn from the example of Berlin as to one method to counteract the decline.

Here are The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker in their free live webcast promotion

And here is a live recording from the concert given on March 4, 2009, at the Concert Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, in Berlin, Germany.

Tags: Berlin Philharmonic, 12 cellists, Digital concert Hall

For those of you in New York City or close by, here’s an event not to miss:

Performance: Wednesday, Dec 7, 2011 | 8 PM
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage

For the first of its two nights at Carnegie Hall, the London Philharmonic Orchestra is joined by violinist Janine Jansen, whose performance excellence has made her a hit with audiences. Together, they perform Mozart’s Concerto number 5 in A-Major, on a program that also includes Brahms’s final symphony.

Performers:

• London Philharmonic Orchestra

• Vladimir Jurowski, Principal Conductor

• Janine Jansen, Violin

Program:

• MATTHIAS PINTSCHER: Towards Osiris
• MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219, “Turkish”
• BRAHMS Symphony No. 4
• London Philharmonic Orchestra

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the world’s best-known orchestras, balancing a long and distinguished history with a reputation as one of the UK’s most forward-looking orchestras. As well as performing classical concerts, the orchestra also records film and computer-game soundtracks, has its own record label, and reaches thousands of Londoners every year through activities for schools and local communities.

The orchestra was founded by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1932, and since then has been headed by many great conductors, including Sir Adrian Boult, Bernard Haitink, Sir Georg Solti, Klaus Tennstedt, and Kurt Masur. The current principal conductor is Vladimir Jurowski, appointed in 2007, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin as principal guest conductor.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra has been performing at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall since it opened in 1951, becoming resident orchestra in 1992. It also has flourishing residencies in Brighton and Eastbourne; each summer it plays for Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where it has been the resident symphony orchestra since 1964.

The orchestra tours internationally, and its plans for the 2011–2012 season include visits to Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, the US, Spain, China, Russia, Oman, Brazil, and France.

Vladimir Jurowski, conductor

Vladimir Jurowski was born in Moscow, but in 1990 moved with his family to Germany, where he completed his musical studies in Dresden and Berlin. In 1995, he made a highly successful debut at the Wexford Opera Festival conducting Rimsky-Korsakov’s May Night, launching his international career. Since then, he has been a guest at some of the world’s leading opera houses, such as the Opéra nationale de Paris, Welsh National Opera, Semperoper Dresden, Komische Oper Berlin, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

In January 2001, Mr. Jurowski became music director of Glyndebourne Festival Opera and was appointed principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in May 2006. He also holds the titles of principal artist of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and artistic director of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Federation. From 2005 to 2009, he served as principal guest conductor of the Russian National Orchestra.

Janine Jansen, violinist

Janine Jansen is internationally recognized as one of the world’s great violinists—a truly exciting and versatile artist.

The outstanding instrument played by Ms. Jansen is the “Barrere” by Antonio Stradivari, on extended loan from the Elise Mathilde Foundation

About WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, K. 219, “Turkish”:

Mozart’s precocious virtuosity manifested itself on the violin as well as the keyboard. Yet although he wrote (and frequently performed) no fewer than 27 piano concertos, he only got around to writing five for the violin. All date from his late teenage years, when he was serving as concertmaster in the court orchestra at Salzburg. The exotic, Turkish-flavored melody from which the A-Major Concerto takes its nickname is one of many surprises in this delightful and perennially popular work.

Here is the Mozart Violin Concerto 5, with Janine Jansen- violin (introduction)

And here’s the soloist’s entrance

If I were in New York, I’d sure attend this concert…

Tags: Janine Jansen, Mozart, Carnegie Hall, December 7th 2011

• The string Quartet OP. 76, number 2 by Joseph Haydn
• A new work by Osvaldo Golijov
• The String quartet in G-Major by Franz Schubert

The members of the quartet love to play Haydn’s music. And none is more enthusiastic than violinist Geoff Nuttal. And this passion for Haydn made its way to be felt in the wonderful interpretation of this first selection. Haydn used a series of repeated Fifths in the first movement, and this created a sense of unity for the sprightly first movement. Each of the four instruments had ample opportunity to play their series of solos in this so-called “Quinten” quartet.

The second movement is an elegant Andante, and it was very tastefully and musically performed, particularly when the melody returned again.

The third movement is a typical Haydn Minuett, and for my taste the playing here was a bit too rough. Yea… I know this represents country folks playing their native Laendler dances, but my ears seemed to ask for greater playing refinement here.

The final movement, Finale, was again an opportunity for Mr. Nuttal to shine, and to drive this work to an exuberant conclusion.

The new work by Golijov was interesting and it contained several enjoyable sections. the 2-movement piece had a lyrical line that unfolds with support of  either pulsating rhythms, or other effects by the supportive instruments. the second movement was lush and warm. Perhaps Mr. Golijov may add a concluding movement some day??

The program ended with a wonderful reading of the Schubert String Quartet #15  in G-Major. there ws excellent balance between instruments, and I particularly enjoyed the role of the solo Cello in the second movement.

The audience responded with well deserved applause for the performing musicians.

Here is a video of the St. Lawrence Quartet performing Haydn

Tags:  St. Lawrence String Quartet, concert, Stanford University, review, October 23 2011

On Sunday, October 30, 7:30 PM, pianist Ingrid Fliter will perform the Daniel Pearl Memorial Concert at the Greater Washington Jewish community Center.

With “an exciting technique and keen intelligence” the New York Times calls Ingrid Fliter “a remarkable talent.”

Ms. Fliter has been the subject of several Posts on my blog, because I find her playing so remarkable, sensitive, and moving. Those of you who are close to the Washington DC area would undoubtedly enjoy her performance. I wish I was able to attend, but I am in California…

Here is Ingrid Fliter performing the Chopin Piano Concerto number.2, Second Movement (recorded in 2000)

And here is Ingrid Fliter performing Haydn

Tags: Ingrid Fliter, concert, pianist

Did you know that violinist Joshua Bell was recently named Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields?

Wait… Don’t panic! Mr. Bell is continuing to give concerts as a solo violinist, as well.

And… if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area you have a great opportunity to hear Mr. Bell perform as a violinist this week. Joshua Bell will perform the concerto for violin and orchestra in A-Minor, Op. 82 by Alexander Glazunov. He will be accompanied by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas.

For specific dates of these performances, and to purchase tickets, click HERE

Here is Joshua Bell performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, at Suntory Hall, Tokyo June 7, 2005

And here’s Joshua Bell performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto Op. 35

Tags: Joshua Bell concert, San Francisco Symphony, Glazunov

I wish I was able to be in Los Angeles this week for a day or two. Why? One of my favorite violinists is performing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Her name? JANINE JANSEN!

Ms. Jansen is a terrific performer: Energetic, passionate, technically superior, highly musical… what more is there to say? One needs to listen to her.

She’s performing during October 6-8, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

For more details, click HERE

Here is Ms. Jansen performing the same Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, during the Night of the Proms, with the BBC Orchestra, conducted by Roger Norrington

And here is a chamber work: Janine Jansen brings a fresh chamber approach to Bach’s two and three-part inventions with Maxim Rysanov (Viola), and Torleif Thedeén (Cello). This also includes the amazing D minor partita for solo violin.

Tags: Janine Jansen, Mendelssohn, Bach, concert, event

Anna Netrebko has appeared in leading roles at the world’s great Opera houses for many years now. However, she has not previously appeared in a recital. That amazing fact will get fixed when Soprano Anna Netrebko will make her New York recital debut with pianist Elena Bashkirova at Carnegie Hall in Stern Auditorium at the Perelman Stage, on Wednesday, October 26 at 8pm.

She will perform a program of songs from two of the most celebrated composers from her native Russia, the late nineteenth-century contemporaries Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. Much of the repertoire on this recital is featured on her recording In the Still of Night with pianist Daniel Barenboim (Deutsche Grammophon). Here are the details:

Performers:

• Anna Netrebko, Soprano

• Elena Bashkirova, Piano

Program:

• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “Of What I Dream in the Quiet Night,” Op. 40, No. 3
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “Forgive! Remember Not These Tearful Days,” Op. 27, No. 4
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “Not the Wind, Blowing from the Heights,” Op. 43, No. 2
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “The Lark Sings Louder,” Op. 43, No. 1
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “On the Hills of Georgia,” Op. 3, No. 4
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “In the Kingdom of Roses and Wine,” Op. 8, No. 5
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “Zuleika’s Song,” Op. 26, No. 4
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “Enslaved by the Rose, the Nightingale” (Eastern Song), Op. 2, No. 2
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “The Clouds Begin to Scatter,” Op. 42, No. 3
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “The Nymph,” Op. 56, No. 1
• RIMSKY-KORSAKOV “Summer Night’s Dream,” Op. 56, No. 2
• TCHAIKOVSKY “Tell Me, What’s in the Shade of the Branches,” Op. 57, No. 1
• TCHAIKOVSKY “Frenzied Nights,” Op. 60, No. 6
• TCHAIKOVSKY “Why?,” Op. 6, No. 5
• TCHAIKOVSKY “O Child, Beneath thy Window,” Op. 63, No. 6
• TCHAIKOVSKY “Cradle Song,” Op. 16, No. 1
• TCHAIKOVSKY “Was I Not a Little Blade of Grass?,” Op. 47, No. 7
• TCHAIKOVSKY “Amid Sombre Days,” Op. 73, No. 5
• TCHAIKOVSKY “Does the Day Reign?,” Op. 47, No. 6

Anna Netrebko was born in Krasnodar, in the south of Russia, in 1971. She received her vocal training at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where she appeared as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro, and as Violetta in La Traviata.

For further details and to purchase tickets, click HERE

While many of Netrebko’s roles have been related to coquettish beautiful young women, she has also done much more serious music. Here’s one example:

“A TRIBUTE TO PERGOLESI”
Performed by Anna Netrebko and Maria Pizzolato
With the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, conducted by Antonio Pappano

And here’s a totally different side of this artist (I love it!)

Tags: Anna Netrebko, concert at Carnegie Hall

In January, 2011, I last talked with you about the amazing pianist, Simone Dinnerstein. Not good… Too much time has passed since I spoke with you about her.

This is an outstanding American woman. She is one sensitive, marvelous musician. She has an unusual story in terms of what brought her to the attention of the public. More about Simone in a moment. First, here’s an event with Ms. Dinnerstein as soloist that you could attend in a city where I lived many years ago:

Minneapolis, MN – Orchestra Hall, Minnesota Orchestra

More details HERE.

Conductor: Osmo Vanska

Program:
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major
When: Sat Oct 8, 2011 8pm
Where: Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403 (map)

…………………………………..

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein has an unusual biography. A few years ago, after getting a degree from The Juilliard School, she seemingly had few opportunities. She ultimately financed a recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. The recording was ultimately released on the Telarc label, and almost overnight Ms. Dinnerstein’s new career was launched.
Dinnerstein says: “The way I play Bach is close to my own personality, it’s more inward looking and meditative.”

I must say that I really identify with that description. Somehow, she plays with amazing spaces of silence *between* Bach’s notes, that allow me to fully appreciate the meditative and spiritual aspects of many of Bach’s works.

Here is what Robert Battey, the Washington Post reviewer, wrote:

“Dinnerstein seems to commune equally with higher spiritual realms and deep maternal instincts. Her sound, while varied and colorful, has a trancelike quality as well. The imagination, particularly in slow music, is extraordinary…”

For me, Ms. Dinnerstein’s music is very meaningful. I am unable to do something else and pay proper attention to what she’s saying. Instead, I prefer to contemplate the sublime counterpoint of Bach and to savor the sounds produced by one astounding pianist.

Here is Simone Dinnerstein performing and explaining the Bach Goldberg Variations:

And here she is in a solo recital of Bach’s French Suite nº 5, III :

Tags: Simone Dinnerstein, Bach, Goldberg Variations, French Suite, English Suite

In previous years, I enjoyed the concerts at this annual music festival in the lovely town of Carmel-by-the sea, California. On occasion I have seen world-class performances there. On other occasions, just average performances. This afternoon (7/29/2011) I heard a performance that was really unacceptable.

The Program:

Chamber Concert Beethoven & Britannia ($29)
2:30 PM Church of the Wayfarer, Carmel

• Beethoven’s revolutionary Quartet in C Minor, Op. 18, No. 4 contrasts with quartets by Vaughan Williams (so folksong-like as to be named “household music”) and by William Shield, considered the best 18th c. English composer of string quartets.

The performers:

• Cynthia Roberts and Patricia Ahern, violins

• Patrick Jordan, viola

• Allan Whear, Cello

The music of William Shield came first:

The performance level of this first selection was poor for the following reasons: The entire piece had no changes in dynamics. The string sound, particularly in the two violins was scratchy. Most of the piece was played in the violin first position. Frequent use of open strings added to the lack of warmth and detracted from the enjoyment. There were some issues of poor intonation, and sour notes.

The music of Vaughan Williams was next.
The composer died in 1968. I simply could not understand why the violins resorted to using bowing techniques as though they were playing 17th century music. This is contemporary British music, that would benefit from some warmer sounds, and some left-hand vibrato, which was pitifully absent from most of these players. The spirit of British folk tunes was missing; still lots of use of open string sounds, and no ensemble-playing, or dynamics changes of any sort.

The Beethoven Quartet Op. 18, number 4, is a masterpiece, and it was royally murdered. Poor Ludwig van Beethoven likely issued a few curses from his grave. Here’s why:

• The overall sound: Scratchy, and rough

• String technique by Ms. Roberts: Intonation problems, and lack of preparation in faster runs. No leadership to connect with and integrate the performance of the three other players.

• Ms. Ahern (2nd violin): Never did I see or hear a vibrato. She resorted to short, scratchy bow strokes.

• In this masterpiece, too, there was on-going use of peculiar bowing, which produced unpleasant sounds and an overall effect lower than that of an unprepared student group. Briefly these 4 players did come close to producing a pianissimo a couple of times.

Bottom line: The Board of Directors of the Carmel Festival should be embarrassed. I infer from this afternoon’s performance that the Board does not do any sort of performance quality monitoring. Just because one of these players may have earned a degree from Juilliard 30 years ago does not qualify that performer to play in public today. The hall was packed. People wanted to hear fine music. This was a disgrace.

Here’s the Fry Street Quartet playing the Beethoven Op. 18, number 4:
I don’t know this group, but it is obvious that they are prepared:

Tags: Carmel Bach Festival, Chamber music concert July 29, 2011, Beethoven, Vaughan Williams, William Shield

In the days of Johann Strauss, during the 1800’s, it was frequently the violinist who was also the leader of the performing orchestra that was doing waltzes and other dances. Even many years later it was Willy Boskofsky who also led the orchestra in Vienna for many performances. Now… the legendary violinist Yitzhak Perlman is appearing more frequently as a conductor. He’s performed with the San Francisco Symphony for the past several seasons in that role, and his conducting repertoire keeps growing.

In keeping with this theme… here’s some news: The Academy of St Martin in the Fields has pulled off quite a coup by naming violinist Joshua Bell as the orchestra’s new music director. Bell is one of the world’s most sought-after violinists. He will certainly provide new excitement to an ensemble who have perhaps lacked a little of that quality in recent years.

The orchestra was founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner. He subsequently made them world-famous with a vast number of recordings – at one point they were among the most recorded ensembles in the world.

Unlike some other soloists who have second careers as conductors away from their instruments, such as fellow violinists Nikolaj Znaider and Thomas Zehetmair, Bell will direct with his violin.

Here is the Academy of St Martin in the Fields in under Neville Marriner in Mozart’s “Figaro” Overture:

And here is Academy of St Martin in the Fields Concert with Joshua Bell (director and soloist), performing Beethoven:

Tags: Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Neville Marriner, Joshua Bell

For those of you in London at the beginning of June, 2011, here’s a terrific concert for you:

June 7, 2011
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

Pianist Ingrid Fliter

• BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata Op.31, No.2 ‘Tempest’

• BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata Op.31, No.3

• INTERVAL

• BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op.57 (Appassionata)

I’d love to attend this concert! I have heard Ms. Fliter only via CD’s and YouTube. I am waiting for her arrival in San Francisco!!!

Please let me know how you liked the music via a note at my Blog (bottom of this Post).

Meanwhile, here is Fliter playing some marvelous Chopin!

Tags: Ingrid Fliter, concert, Beethoven

Here are two terrific concerts for your consideration. One is an orchestral concert, with Anne-Sophie Mutter as violin soloist. The second is a recital by Ms. Mutter, with pianist Lambert Orkis.

What can I say? I wish I was in New York City, so I could attend both of these. I have no doubts that both will be fabulous!

First concert:

Lincoln Center: Avery Fisher Hall
New York, New York

• Thursday, 2 June 2011 – 7:30 PM

• Friday, 3 June 2011 – 2:00 PM

• Saturday, 4 June 2011 – 8:00 PM

Ensemble: New York Philharmonic
Conductor: Alan Gilbert
Artist: Anne-Sophie Mutter, Violin

Program:

• Beethoven: Romance for Violin and Orchestra no. 2 in F major, Op. 50

• Currier: Time Machines

• Bruckner: Symphony no 2 in C minor, WAB 102

Then on Sunday afternoon, June 5th, go to this one:

Lincoln Center: Avery Fisher Hall
New York, New York

• Sunday, 5 June 2011 – 3:00 PM

Artists: Lambert Orkis, Piano; Anne-Sophie Mutter, Violin

Program:

• Debussy: Sonata for Violin and Piano in G minor

I – Allegro vivo
II – Intermède: Fantasque et léger
III – Finale: Très animé

• Mendelssohn: Sonata for Violin and Piano in F major

• Brahms: Sonata for Violin and Piano no 3 in D minor, Op. 108

I – Allegro
II – Adagio
III – Un poco presto e con sentimento
IV – Presto agitato

• Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25

Introduction: Allegro moderato
Moderato
Lento assai
Allegro moderato
Moderato

Here are Lambert Orkis and Ms. Mutter in W. A. Mozart’s Violin Sonata No. 18 in G major, K. 301 – I. Allegro con spirito

Tags: TWO Anne-Sophie Mutter concerts, June 2011, New York concerts

On May 30th, 2011, members of the Berlin Philharmonic will join with cellists Mischa Maisky, Jing Zhao, pianist Itamar Golan, and Martha Argerich to play a benefit concert for the FTV Junior Orchestra of Japan.

Itamar Golan and Argerich will perform four-hand piano works by Mozart and Schubert, also Guy Braunstein and Daishin Kashimoto, two of the four concertmasters of the Berlin Philharmonic, along with the orchestra’s new principal violist Amihai Grosz, will play works by Shostakovich, Dvorak and Schumann.

Date/time:

• 30 May, 2011 8pm

The Program:

• Mozart: Sonata for piano four hands in D major K 381

• Schubert: Notturno in E flat major D 897

• Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E minorDvořák: Tercet für two violins and viola in C major

• Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major

The performers:

• Martha Argerich • Itamar Golan, piano

• Guy Braunstein • Daishin Kashimoto, violin

• Amihai Grosz, viola

• Mischa Maisky • Jing Zhao, cello

The Venue:

• Kammermusiksaal, Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany

Tags: Martha Argerich, Concert for Japan, May 30th, 2011

Gustav Mahler died on May 18, 1911. A few months earlier he gave his very last concert as Music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He had left Vienna and moved to New York after many years of wide-spread criticism of his work as a composer. He headed for New York, where he was wanted, rather than being constantly hounded about his Jewish origins.

Mahler had converted to Catholicism years earlier, when he was trying to obtain the position as the head of the Imperial Opera Company in Vienna; and… he was ultimately successful in his quest. As such, Gustav Mahler was not only the conductor of the Vienna Opera, but also of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; the reason is simple: The Opera orchestra members were also members of the VPO.

As such, 2011 is the 100th anniversary of Gustav Mahler’s death. And throughout the world millions of people for whom Mahler’s music has been so deeply meaningful take some time to remember this amazingly creative man.

Here are some members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, paying their respects at Mahler’s grave this week, 100 years after his death. After all, he was the conductor of their orchestra years earlier, and they regularly perform his music now:

And here is Leonard Bernstein conducting the ending of Mahler’s 2nd symphony:

May Gustav Mahler rest in Peace…

Tags: Gustav Mahler, May 18, 2011, May 18, 1911, Vienna Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic

For those of you in the Philadelphia area, here’s a great concert that you are likely to enjoy a lot:

The Philadelphia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit, conducting and Gil Shaham, violin

Kimmel Center: Verizon Hall
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Thursday, 12 May 2011 – 8:00 PM

• Saturday, 14 May 2011 – 8:00 PM

• Tuesday, 17 May 2011 – 8:00 PM

Ensemble: The Philadelphia Orchestra
Conductor: Charles Dutoit
Artist: Gil Shaham (Violin)

Program:

• William Walton: Concerto for Violin in B minor

• Gustav Holst: The Planets, Op. 32

More information HERE

Here’s a wonderful video of Gil Shaham, talking about, and playing Violin Concertos that were composed in the 1930’s:

Tags: Event, Concert, Philadelphia Orchestra, Gil Shaham, Walton Concerto

It is not often that the small town of Aptos, California is able to attract an artist of the caliber of Yevgeny Sudbin. For me this was great, because my home is in Aptos. The night before, I had travelled for 45 minutes one way to listen to the Tokyo String Quartet. Last night, however, my travel required 10 minutes to arrive early at the Cabrillo College parking lot and head for the new Crocker Theater.

It was unfortunate that the public had to endure a commercial talk on behalf of the Yamaha Piano Company before the music began. I felt that this was somewhat of an insult to the performer.

Sudbin’s playing is very impressive! In his opening work, the Haydn Sonata in B Minor, Hob. XVI:32, he immediately established that he has the sensitivity and technique to be taken very seriously. He performed the Haydn with the seriousness required in the second movement, as well as the humor and percussiveness required by the final Presto.

Sudbin’s performance of the four Shostakovich Preludes demonstrated that he knows how to capture the wit and sarcasm so characteristic of these pieces; and I immediately decided that I wanted to hear more of these Preludes, and also more of Yevgeny Sudbin’s playing.

Next on the program we heard a terrific performance of the Chopin Ballades 3 and 4. The performer showed us great variety in textures, strong transitions in tone color and sound intensity and fascinating technique.

After intermission, Sudbin’s virtuosity was completely out there for the listener’s admiration: He played the Liszt Transcendental Etude, Harmonies du soir, and Ravel’s great masterpiece, Gaspard de la nuit. What a display of sound that was! And the whole choice of the compositions on the program was actually strongly satisfying, as well.

After a well-deserved standing ovation, Sudbin played two Rachmaninoff Preludes as an ovation. Wonderful concert!

Here is Yevgeny Sudbin, performing Ravel’s “Gaspard de la nuit” Ondine:

Tags: Yevgeny Sudbin, concert review, Cabrillo College April 23 2011

The TSQ is a chamber music group that was established many years ago by four Japanese musicians. Over the years, two new players have joined the group, so that now only the second violinist, Mr. Kikuei Ikeda, and the violist, Mr, Kazuhide Isomura remain as original members. The newer members are Martin Beaver, first violin, and Clive Greensmith, Cello. The Tokyo String Quartet is the quartet in residence at New York’s 92nd St. Y.

The concert was in Carmel, California. The program included:

• W. A. Mozart: Quartet #15 in D-Minor, K. 421

• Szymanowski: Quartet #1, in C-Major, Op. 37

• Beethoven: Quartet in C-sharp minor, Op. 131

The playing of the amazingly beautiful Mozart D-minor immediately established this group as fine players. The music had a very nice balance and an outstanding style. This is one of the 6 quartets that Mozart dedicated to Haydn. And upon reviewing these works, Haydn said to Mozart’s father, that the world will talk a lot about his son in the coming years. And Haydn was certainly correct. This music was composed in 1783, and we are still talking about it! The second movement (Andante) was particularly enjoyable because of the nice execution of the dynamics. There were some fine pianissimos here! The 3rd movement Menuetto was very sprightly and stylish, and the concluding movement was very satisfying, as well. On occasion I found the Cello to be too loud, and I was sitting in the back of the concert hall…

I personally was unable to connect with the music of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski. I experienced his music as a whole set of disconnected musical ideas that – for me – did not relate to each other. There much use of sliding on the strings, playing in high registers, use of harmonics and tremolos, but somehow it did not make sense to me.

The evening’s final piece was the Beethoven C-sharp minor quartet which was one of the last compositions that Beethoven created before his death in 1827. This is an acknowledged major masterpiece. In fact it represents one of the great pillars of all chamber music, and indeed was a revolutionary composition for its time. I found that the notes were all there, yet I was unable to fully enjoy the music. For one thing, the tempi were frequently rushed. Again, as in the Mozart, the Cello, with its amazingly lush sound, was somewhat too prominent in spots and this created a distraction.

I was glad that I attended. I have a great friend who is a pianist; she was born in Warsaw; I’ll have to ask her to coach me on Szymanowski’s music…

Here is a video of the Mozart String Quartet No. 15 in D minor, KV 421, II. Andante, as performed by the Neues Leipziger Streichquartett:

Tags: Tokyo String Quartet, Mozart, Szymanowski, Beethoven, Carmel California, April 2011

HERE’S A WONDERFUL CONCERT FOR THOSE OF YOU IN NYC TONIGHT:

Shorter compositions! Lighter, fun, neat violin encores and well-known jewels…

Lincoln Center: Avery Fisher Hall
New York, New York
Monday, 11 April 2011 – 7:30 PM

Presenter: New York Philharmonic
Ensemble: New York Philharmonic

• Conductor: Alan Gilbert
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Program :

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture

Morricone: Cinema Paradiso

• Composer: Ennio Morricone
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Hupfeld: As Time Goes By

• Composer: Herman Hupfeld
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Barry: Out of Africa

• Composer: John Barry
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Williams: Schindler’s List

• Composer: John Williams
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Gardel: Por una cabeza

Mozart: Die Zauberflöte, K 620 (The Magic Flute)

Schubert: Rosamunde, D 797/Op. 26

Kreisler: Liebesleid

• Composer: Fritz Kreisler
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Kreisler: Liebesfreud

• Composer: Fritz Kreisler
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Kreisler: Schön Rosmarin

• Composer: Fritz Kreisler
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Kreisler: Tambourin chinois, Op. 3

• Composer: Fritz Kreisler
• Artist: Itzhak Perlman (Violin)

Beethoven: Leonore Overture no 3 in C major, Op. 72b

Beethoven: Leonore Overture no 3 in C major, Op. 72b

Here is Itzhak Perlman playing Tchaikovsky’s Valse Scherzo Op. 23

Tags: Perlman, concert, Event, New York

The MET Orchestra, under conductor James Levine represents the very best in music making. They are giving a concert this afternoon that I’d love to attend:

Performers:

The MET Orchestra
James Levine, Music Director and Conductor

• Evgeny Kissin, Piano

Program:

• ARNOLD SCHOENBERG Five Pieces for Orchestra
• FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor
• JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 2

Evgeny Kissin is now 39 years old and he’s been thrilling audiences since his teens. Here’s your chance to hear him:

Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, New York city at 3 PM

More information HERE:

Here is Kissin as a youngster, playing Chopin’s concerto #1:

And you’d like to see him play as an adult? Here you go: He’s doing Chopin’s Concerto #2:

Tags: Carnegie Hall concert, Sunday April 10th, 2011, Kissin

As many of you already know, Anne-Sophie Mutter is one of my favorite violinists. I have been known to travel coast-to-coast to hear her play…

Well, for those of you in NYC, here’s a concert that you should not miss:

Lincoln Center: Avery Fisher Hall
New York, New York

• Thursday, 31 March 2011 – 7:30 PM

• Friday, 1 April 2011 – 8:00 PM

• Saturday, 2 April 2011 – 8:00 PM

Ensemble: New York Philharmonic
Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Artist: Anne-Sophie Mutter (Violin)

Program:
• Prokofiev: Overture for Chamber Orchestra in B flat major, Op. 42 “American”

• Gubaidulina: Concerto for Violin no 2 “In Tempus Praesens”

• Tchaikovsky: Symphony no 2 in C minor, Op. 17 “Little Russian”

Here is a nice video with Ms. Mutter, explaining what Felix Mendelssohn means to her…

Here she is, talking about Mendelssohn’s early life:

Tags: Anne-Sophie Mutter, New York concert 2011, Gubaidulina

The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra has been rated as one of the 5 best orchestras world-wide, in the past. Their ability to perform the masterpieces of Beethoven, Mozart, Haydn and many other composers is well known. After a 20-year lull, they came to Berkeley this past weekend, and I heard two of their three concerts. The orchestra does not have a permanent conductor. They give concerts with a series of well-known guest conductors.

It was Russian conductor Semyon Bychkov who led the two concerts I attended, and I must regretfully say that I was disappointed.

The concert on Saturday evening, Feb, 26, 2011 started with the Schumann Symphony #2. This is one of my all-time favorite musical works. I played it when I was a member of a New York orchestra years ago. While all the notes were there, what I missed was a sense of the pathos, sadness, and resignation that the composer expressed in the 3rd movement. That is the one movement that is slow, and even the program notes for the evening told us of the fact that the composer was physically and emotionally ill, and that much of his tragedy of his life is expressed in that 3rd movement. Yet… I must say that I did not even hear a true pianissimo executed by the orchestra! I know that the players are capable of it, because I have heard them perform under a different conductor, where there was much greater adherence to the dynamic markings in the music.

My sense is that the overall total framework of this work was certainly properly played. What was missing, however, was any sense of finer detail, subtle changes in tempi, and the shadings of color and phrasing that distinguish an outstanding performance from an ordinary one.

The second half of Saturday’s program was the Symphony #2 of Johannes Brahms. Here again, this music that this orchestra could likely play from memory. They might produce a credible performance even without a conductor. While the music was OK… the interpretation did not allow the listener to hear anything new. I did not hear a single section in which this group revealed anything new or exciting. Sure, the music as written by the composer has to be followed. However, a conductor should attempt to show us some sort of inner detail, some level of color, detail or musical expression that makes the interpretation special. It is that aspect that was once again missing for me.

On Sunday at 3 PM, the VPO performed music composed by one of their former conductors, Gustav Mahler. They played his Symphony #6. This is a very long and complex work, and I have to say that certain sections, particularly the opening movement were satisfying and well-played. Again, for me there was an absence of true commitment to dynamic changes, and lack of emphasis on producing an intimate, quiet sound. Yes… the louder spots in this work are much more prevalent. It was not until the very end of the final movement that the very dramatic pizzicato ending was nicely produced.

Tags: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Berkeley concert, review

Those of you in the Boston area will get a chance to attend one great concert:

Evgeny Kissin, pianist

Performing at:

• Symphony Hall
Boston, Massachusetts
• March 2, 2011 8:00 PM

Here is what the Los Angeles Times wrote:

“Kissin is on a remarkable tear at the moment, trying out new things and letting himself go, and that is extremely exciting.”

For more information click HERE

Here’s a video of Kissin playing “Pictures At An Exhibition”

Enjoy the concert!

Tags: Evgeny Kissin, Concert

For those of you close to New York City, here’s what promises to be one terrific concert, beginning 2/24/2011:

Janine Jansen plays Britten!

New York Philharmonic Orchestra

• Paavo Järvi, Conductor

• Janine Jansen, Violin

Location: Avery Fisher Hall in New York City

Dates:

• Thu, Feb. 24, 2011 at 7:30PM

• Fri, Feb. 25, 2011 at 11:00AM

• Sat, Feb. 26, 2011 at 8:00PM

• Tue, Mar. 1, 2011 at 7:30PM

The Program:

Erkki-Sven Tüür

• Aditus (New York Premiere)

Britten

• Violin Concerto

Beethoven

• Symphony No. 5

Here is Janine Jansen in the Britten concerto! Her playing is simply terrific!

Tags: Concert in New York, Janine Jansen, Britten violin concerto

Joyce DiDonato has been featured here before, because she’s one great singer. And now it is timely to tell you that she’s giving a concert at Carnegie Hall in New York:

JOYCE DIDONATO, MEZZO-SOPRANO
AND DAVID ZOBEL, PIANO

Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 2 PM

Tickets from $15.50 – $88

This Yankee Diva (as she calls herself) is a “gilt-edged opera star” (The New York Times). Though she made her name singing Rossini, she’s also built a reputation as an interpreter of new music. On this recital, she introduces us to new songs from Jake Heggie—DiDonato starred in the New York premiere of his opera Dead Man Walking—and works by Rossini, Haydn, and Chaminade.

The Program:
Joyce DiDonato, Mezzo-Soprano
David Zobel, Piano

HAYDN Berenice, che fai, Hob. XXIVa:10
ROSSINI “L’invito”
ROSSINI “La partenza”
ROSSINI “Le dodo des enfants”
ROSSINI “Chanson de Zora”
CHAMINADE “Viens! mon bien-aimé!”
CHAMINADE “Villanelle”
CHAMINADE “Aubade”
CHAMINADE “L’été”
ROSSINI “Assisa al piè d’un salice…Deh, calma,” from Otello
JAKE HEGGIE

More information HERE:

Here is Ms. DiDonato in a video with Jake Heggie:

Tags: Joyce DiDonato, Carnegie Hall, Concert March 6th 2011

Jennifer Higdon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Violin Concerto will be performed at Carnegie Hall on February 15th, when the Curtis Institute of Music presents the work in its New York premiere.
The concerto was dedicated to Hilary Hahn, and she will perform the concerto with the Curtis orchestra

The concert by the Curtis Symphony Orchestra also includes works by Shostakovich and Hindemith. Juanjo Mena, chief conductor designate of the BBC Philharmonic, will lead the performance in his Carnegie debut.
More on this performance HERE:

CURTIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 8 PM

Tickets from $8 – $50

The Program:
Curtis Symphony Orchestra

• Juanjo Mena, Conductor

• Hilary Hahn, Violin

HINDEMITH Konzertmusik for Strings and Brass
JENNIFER HIGDON Violin Concerto (NY Premiere)
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5

Jennifer Higdon (b.1962) is one of a long line of Curtis graduates to become a major voice in contemporary composition; her fellow alumni include Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, and Ned Rorem. One of today’s most frequently-performed living American composers, Higdon was also awarded the 2010 Grammy for Best Contemporary Classical Composition for her Percussion Concerto.

Hilary Hahn has recorded the Higdon Concerto on a CD which also features the very well-known Tchaikovsky concerto. The Higdon concerto captures Hahn’s energy and artistic consistency, as well as her amazing skill, intonation, phrasing, and musicianship.

Here is an extract from the Jennifer Higdon Violin Concerto, as performed by Hilary Hahn

If you’d like to purchase this CD at Amazon, please click on the image below:

Tags: Jennifer Higdon concerto, Hilary Hahn, Tchaikovsky

For those of you who are in the Boston area, here’s one terrific concert that will likely bring you great warmth, as the recent storm fades away:

Evgeny Kissin, piano

Wednesday, March 2, 2011, 8pm, Symphony Hall, Boston, MA

Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA
Information: (617) 266-1492

More information HERE

Program:

Liszt:
• Études d’Exécution Transcendante, S. 139, no. 9, “Ricordanza”
• Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178
• Harmonies Poétiques et Religieuses, no. 7, “Funerailles”
• Années de pèlerinage, Première année, Suisse, S. 160, no. 6, “Vallée d’Obermann”
• Années de pèlerinage, Deuxième année, Italie, “Venezia e Napoli”

I would expect some encores…

Here’s an idea for a great concert for those of you in the Houston, Texas area:

February 3, 5, 2011 at 8 PM
February 6, 2011 at 2:30 PM

The Program:
• Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem
• Walton: Violin Concerto
• Beethoven: Symphony No. 7

ARTISTS:

HOUSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, CONDUCTED BY Hans Graf, and
Gil Shaham, violin soloist

For more information and tickets, click HERE:

Here is Jascha Heifetz’s interpretation of the Walton Concerto:

Tags: Walton, Britten, Shaham, HOUSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA