The Cincinnati Symphony’s world premiere Double Concerto by four-time Oscar winning composer/conductor Andre Previn is one of a “flurry of premieres” by American orchestras. See this NPR piece to read about the others. For Previn’s concerto, see the links to my interview with the soloists, Sharon Robinson and Jaime Laredo, in the post below.
Previn sightings? Let me know… the Hollywood legend is due to be in town for the premiere.
Here are some handy links to stories and reviews from last week in the arts:
Where will the Blue Wisp Big Band land? Here are some potential ideas from readers.
Did you attend the symphony last week? Here’s the review of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.
Read some of Louis Langree’s insights into Mahler’s music before he takes the CSO podium.
Read about this weekend’s premiere, a new Double Concerto by Andre Previn, written for cellist Sharon Robinson and Jaime Laredo. Also there, watch Robinson and Laredo as they discuss Previn and play part of his Piano Trio No. 2.
First, the back story to this column. When news came over the wire that the Atlanta Symphony had settled with its players this week after a 10-week lockout, my editor wandered over to my desk and started firing questions: Why is this a big deal, or not? Could it happen here? Why don’t we see more about classical music in the media? What about arts eduction? Whoa – that’s enough for at least three stories right there. … It started me thinking. I’ve always felt lucky to live in a city with such high-quality arts.
Anyway, here are a few of my thoughts, for now! Feel free to weigh in.
Cincinnati has an impressive tradition of chamber music. For 36 years, the Linton Music Series has added to the landscape with rewarding “music making among friends.” On Sunday, a packed house was on hand in the beautiful First Unitarian Church in Avondale to hear the local premiere of André Previn’s Piano Trio No. 2, as well as Dvorak’s Piano Trio in G Minor. Schumann’s gorgeous Piano Quintet in E-flat Major concluded the program.Read More »
The Cincinnati Symphony’s “Russian Hallows’ Eve” was an entertaining brew. Here’s the review. I was especially impressed by the soloist, Benjamin Schmid, an Austrian violinist.
The concert was led by guest Andrey Boreyko. As I was leaving a gentleman came up to me and asked, “What makes a great conductor?”
That’s an intriguing question, and I’ll bet a lot of musicians could weigh in — not always positively! It’s definitely a different experience for the audience, which only sees the performance. A conductor who is charismatic on the podium doesn’t always mean greatness; lots of work and communication with the players takes place during rehearsals. (Look at James Levine, now confined to a wheelchair, who barely moves as he conducts.)
For me, I look for expressive phrasing, a sense of direction over the arc of a piece, respect for the composer and period and musicianship. A great conductor takes the listener on a journey, and conveys a specific point of view. And I enjoy it when a conductor is spontaneous (but I know that musicians hate that).
There is something about being a conductor that is indefinite –a chemistry happens between orchestra and conductor that results in an inspiring experience.
What do you think?
Here are 10 ways concert:nova’s Halloween concert was unusual.
And here’s the review of Monday’s show (the second of two performances).
Don’t forget to watch the showed about Haunted Music Hall tonight, 9 p.m. on the Syfy channel.
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra conjures its own spooky brew, “A Russian Hallows’ Eve,” Thursday and Saturday in Music Hall. Watch for my review to post on cincinnati.com/thingstodo, with a link in this space on Friday.
Note: If you’re going to the Thursday free dinner buffet — it will not be in the Ballroom. The CSO says: Due to scheduling conflicts, the Ballroom is unavailable for Thursday night dinner on October 30th. Buffet lines will be open in the foyer lobby and the balcony well. Corbett Tower will be available for seating. We thank you for your understanding and will return to the Ballroom for Thursday night dinners on January 15th, 2015.
The review of piano legend André Watts in Edward MacDowell’s Piano Concerto No. 2 at the CSO
Trumpeter and former “Tonight Show” bandleader Doc Severinsen delivered at the Pops
A rising star, Kazem Abdullah, who got his start in Cincinnati returned to conduct the CSO
Here’s a Q&A with Abdullah, a rock star of the conducting world
Here are some ways we helped you find things to do this Fall:
At the Symphony: 10 CSO picks this season for newbies or fans
10 ways concert:nova’s Halloween concert will be unusual
5 things to know about the CSO concert this week
A guide to finding deals, freebies and fun things to in the arts
To me, it was Lumenocity — even the name has instant recognition, at least locally. Who knew, in its second year, that free tickets would all be gone within 12 seconds?
At least 42,500 people flocked to three performances and a dress rehearsal of the orchestral light show. About 50,000 TV households tuned in to the live simulcast on TV. Hundreds more watched from rooftops and streets surrounding Washington Park. Another 1,300 saw live feeds to Fountain Square and Riverbend. Online, more than 6,000 logged on to watch a live video stream from as far away as Russia and Sweden.
No one knew what it was last year, until we told them. Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra officials were stunned when 35,000 people showed up over two nights.
This year, coverage included the announcement of big plans and big changes.
The ticket snafu (some showed up eBay)
The guide (including an interactive map)
What an amazing week it was to be in New York in May for “Cincy in NYC,” when Cincinnati’s arts, culture and cuisine paraded before discriminating audiences and critics in some of New York’s finest venues. At the time, I was too busy to savor it all; I covered an average of two activities per day all over Manhattan — Ballet, Carnegie Hall, CCM Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Ariel Quartet, a play reading, a personal guided tour of the Taft’s Rembrandt at the Met, gala parties… even a pressure-cooker prep session for a very special dinner at the fabulous James Beard House.
Here’s my column summing up the week, with links to photo galleries, videos, my reviews. You can check out my NYC Instagrams here.
