conductors, redux May 7, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : conducting, music, the orchestra world, 2commentsTowards the end of any orchestra’s season, you tend to hear a lot (make that a LOT) of armchair quarterbacking by the rank and file about the leadership of any conductor within rock throwing range. Some even make the entire organization’s woes solely the responsibility of the stick waver. I’m sure that’s gratifying to the most egotistical of conductors (most of whom range pretty high on the ego scale anyway, otherwise they wouldn’t have taken up conducting), but for those who are music directors and are busting their butts doing all manner of fundraising, it would be something that they’d take offense to. (more…)
A few old-school Mahler’s 9th recordings April 19, 2008
Posted by trumpetboy in : appreciation/criticism, audio, composition, conducting, guest post, music, recordings, add a commentI’m pleased to welcome as my first guest blogger Jeffrey Work, principal trumpet of the Oregon Symphony. He, among other things, is an enthusiastic collector of old recordings, and as such, I thought that he might like to delve into his massive collection and give us some nuggets that relate to the upcoming work on the next classical series: Mahler’s Ninth Symphony. Enjoy! — CN
As the Oregon Symphony’s musicians prepare for our upcoming performances of the Mahler 9th, most of us will head to our record and CD libraries. It’s a common first step before we go to the more important second step: heading to the practice room. My routine is no different. (more…)
a great bench April 16, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : conducting, music, the orchestra world, 1 comment so far
In the sporting world, if you’ve got depth on your team, then you’ve got a “great bench”. Supporting players that can come in at a moment’s notice and make a crucial difference when one of your first string players is unable to play. (more…)
Carlos Kalmar signed to four-year contract extension April 10, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : News, conducting, music, the orchestra world, add a comment
OSO Board Chairman Walt Wyler came to the podium at the beginning of this morning’s rehearsal to announce the news that music director Carlos Kalmar has been offered, and has accepted, a four-year contract extension that will bring his tenure through the 2012-2013 season.
It’s good news for the orchestra because it will ensure artistic stability, and in the words of Walt Wyler, will enable Calmar and our new president, Elaine Calder, to bring their collaboration to full fruition over the next four years.
The other factor in this extension is that is also gives the orchestra time to deepen connections with past or future guest conductors who might be considered to succeed Kalmar in the future.
Given the dearth of high quality conductors in this country, it pays to have time to do proper research and build relationships, so that when Carlos moves on up the ladder to a bigger orchestra, we’ll have several candidates in hand and who are familiar both to the organization and audiences, that might either step in in an advisory capacity or be hired as a music director designate.
It’s very good news for the OSO - we’re lucky to have Carlos, and with all of the financial instability that we face over the next few years, having a steady hand at the artistic reins will be vital.
Portland Youth Philharmonic appoints new music director April 1, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : News, conducting, music, the orchestra world, youth orchestras, 1 comment so far
Conductor David Hattner has been appointed as the fifth conductor and music director of the Portland Youth Phiharmonic, known as America’s first established youth orchestra, founded in 1924.
Hattner’s first musical career was as a professional clarinetist, and his positions have included the Princeton Symphony, Cascade Music Festival Orchestra, New Jersey Opera Theater and the Key West Symphony Orchestra.
As a conductor, Hattner has worked with many professional ensembles, including the Brooklyn Symphony and Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
You can find a complete press release here, which includes additional biographical information.
kalmar featured TAFTO contributer for 2008 April 1, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : bloggers, conducting, music, the orchestra world, add a commentOSO music director Carlos Kalmar is one of the contributors for Drew McManus’ Take A Friend To the Orchestra 2008 essay project.
Kalmar’s essay will appear on Monday, April 7, 2008.
You can find the list of contributors and other articles at adaptistration.com.
slatkin and dudamel start to make marks March 31, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : conducting, labor issues, music, the orchestra world, add a commentSome random orchestrally-themed news that I recommend to you:
First, the Detroit Free Press published a wonderfully comprehensive article on the activities of Leonard Slatkin as he prepares to officially take the reins of the Detroit Symphony this Fall.
Next, the Orange County Register reports on the first appearance in Los Angeles of Gustavo Dudamel with the Philharmonic after being appointed music director designate.
Also, Robert Levine has produced a written transcript of a discussion led by host Jonathan Schaefer with Robert Flanagan (author of the recent study of orchestral finances) and Deborah Borda (Executive director of the LA Philharmonic) on the WQXR radio program Soundcheck.
another new face March 25, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : conducting, music, the orchestra world, add a commentWe here at the OSO seem to the welcoming committee for conductors who are making their first forays into the North American market this year. Earlier this month we welcomed Pietari Inkinen of Finland, who was in his second week of being in America (after a week in Cincinnati).
This week we welcomed a visitor from warmer climes: Juanjo Mena of Bilbao, Spain.
Due to the vagaries of our scheduling rules, we had a single rehearsal on Monday, followed by two days off, then the rest of the rehearsals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Initial impressions? Well, as he, himself admitted, his English isn’t great, but it’s a LOT better than my Spanish, and what he lacks in vocabulary he makes up for with voice modulation, singing, and elaborate hand gestures. The fact that he looks a bit like Fat Tony from The Simpsons doesn’t hurt - I immediately took a liking to him. He’s a genial fellow.
In regards to his conducting style, he’s one of these “beautiful hands” conductors who look great as they create great, sweeping arcs in the aerial real estate in front and above themselves, but don’t always provide precision movements that help the ensemble ground itself. I’m all for anything that’s beautiful, and so long as he follows Google’s edict of “do no evil” as he gestures, then it’s all good for me.
More to come as the week progresses…
and the award for… March 18, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : bloggers, conducting, music, add a comment… the best description of a composer I’ve read so far:
…composer, pianist, and general gay dreamboat…
Said dreamboat being Thomas Adés, according to the indefatigable (and evidently gushing) pen of Out West Arts (where you can find a thoughtfully provided photograph of Mr. Adés).
atlanta re-ups its conducting staff March 17, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : conducting, music, the orchestra world, add a commentAtlanta Symphony music director Robert Spano and principal guest conductor Donald Runnicles have both had their contracts extended - Spano’s through the 2013-2014 season, and Runnicles’ through the 2010-2011 season.
Robert Spano
(photo courtesy Kirshbaum Demler & Associates )
Donald Runnicles
(photo courtesy San Francisco Opera)
Not much of a surprise, since this duo of conductors consists of two of the most hard-working and results-oriented conductors working today, and surely good news to the musicians in Atlanta.
You can read the whole story here.
