Tag: WGUC

Big weekend

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IMG_8934I was happy to be invited to appear on a podcast for WCPO’s “Hear Cincinnati” with host Meghan Wesley Thursday to talk about all of the activities this weekend surrounding the opening of Music Hall after its 16-month, $143 million renovation.

The Music Hall segment is about 27 minutes into the podcast. Listen here.

Listen Friday when I visit 91.7 WVXU at 1 p.m., for “Cincinnati Edition.”

And speaking about events, you can find the lineup of free performances and tours during the FREE community open house at Music Hall, starting with a ribbon-cutting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at artswave.org. You’ll also catch lots of free performances in Washington Park.

And be sure to take a stroll around the neighborhood to see the newly renovated Memorial Hall, the brand-new Cincinnati Shakespeare Theater and recently expanded Ensemble Theatre. All will be open and offer tours and more.

To save you time,  here’s Saturday’s lineup:Read More »

Hello Cincinnati

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Music Hall, with its newly restored “black bricks” that were original to the building in 1878. Photo by Mark Lyons

I’m so happy to be joining the team at Cincinnati Public Radio with my classical music blog, Janelle’s Notes. The timing couldn’t be better, as Cincinnati will soon be the center of the universe when Music Hall reopens on Friday after its massive, 16-month renovation.

And this just in: The official reno budget is now confirmed to be $143 million. (Until now, the budget has been capped at $135 million.)

So, besides news-breaking tidbits like that, I hope to entertain and enlighten, but mostly give voice to Cincinnati’s remarkable arts scene. Thanks to Cincinnati Public Radio for hosting my commentary. And thanks to you for joining us.

This Friday, tune into “Cincinnati Edition,” 1 p.m. on 91.7 WVXU Cincinnati. I’ll be talking about the grand re-opening of Music Hall and that $143 million revitalization.

A night of jazz legends at NKU

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Host Nick Clooney and Hall of Fame board member Kay Casey

It was Friday night, and I just had to be there — not only to hear Fred Hersch, the fantastic, Cincinnati-born jazz pianist, play a concert at NKU, but also to witness the inaugural class of the Cincinnati Jazz Hall Fame.  It turned out to be a very moving evening indeed.

NKU was congratulating its 43rd graduating class, and Hersch was in town to be the Commencement keynote speaker. By now, he is Dr. Fred Hersch, as he was awarded an honorary doctorate on Saturday. But on Friday, at a little reception thrown by NKU’s President,  Geoffrey Mearns, he was fresh off of 22 planes and 12 countries, trailed by his biographer (the book is coming out in 2017), and schmoozing with old neighbors from North Avondale. I think every jazz pianist in town was there, too.Read More »

Conversations with André Previn

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André Previn — the composer, conductor, pianist, recording artist and much more — was in town for the premiere of his new Double Concerto, written for violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson. On Friday noon, as I was finishing up my opera review from Thursday’s performance of “Hansel and Gretel” at home and preparing to dash downtown to file it — I noticed a text from Music Hall on my phone. Mr. Previn has a few minutes for an interview. Did I want it?

Andre Previn spoke to a CCM audience on Saturday
Andre Previn spoke to a CCM audience on Saturday

Well, yes. With no time to prepare, I flew down I-75 to Music Hall, where Previn was waiting patiently in the Green Room. He said some lovely things about Cincinnati, the CSO and Music Hall (“Big!”) for my iPhone camera, which you can see here. (“Oh, is that the way you take videos these days? That’s amazing,” he said. )

Here are some of his other thoughts during our conversation:Read More »