Steve Smith
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Schola Cantorum de Venezuela at the Mostly Mozart FestivalThe New York Times, August 27, 2007
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"A Composer Who Forged a Different, More Defiant Path"The New York Times, August 26, 2007 Rued Langaard – Symphonies 2 and 3; Symphonies 12 to 14Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Thomas DausgaardDaCapo 6.220516 and 6.220517.(ArkivMusic 1, 2; Barnes & Noble 1, 2) A review of two recent CDs featuring the music of…
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I’m fried, and completely stressed out over the number of tasks I’m currently trying to juggle — and the good Dr. LP has departed for distant shores, not to return until December. (I’ll be joining her in late September, but that’s a story for another post.) All things considered, what better time to give in…
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The debate over minimalist music that’s been going on here (and here, and here) and on Kyle Gann’s PostClassic may have slowed to a trickle, but new opinions continue to surface. Bruce Hodges added his perspective — accompanied by a stellar visual, as usual — at Monotonous Forest a few days ago. Earlier today, Tim…
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For those of you near a computer and a high-speed Internet connection, the world premiere of the Doctor Atomic Symphony by John Adams, with the conductor leading the BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Proms, will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in approximately 20 minutes (as I type this at 3:27pm EST)… we’re about three-quarters…
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Bard Music Festival, weekend twoThe New York Times, August 21, 2007 See also Tony Tommasini’s fine review of the first weekend. And here, as cited by Tony and by scholar Byron Adams during the festival, is a film of Elgar recording the "Land of Hope and Glory" section of his ubiquitous Pomp and Circumstance March…
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Off to lovely Annandale-on-Hudson for an immersion in the world of Edward Elgar during the second weekend of the Bard Music Festival. I’ll be offline and incommunicado until Sunday night. Be good. Playlist: Edward Elgar – String Quartet in E minor – Maggini Quartet (Naxos); The Dream of Gerontius – Helen Watts, Nicolai Gedda, Robert…
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"When listening, keep in mind artists such as Frederic Chopin, Cat Power, Keith Jarrett, Talk Talk, and Chris Whitley — unless you don’t know any [of] them or are not a fan, in which case you should keep in mind Nick Drake, The National, Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky, and other, trendier bands whose music…
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A legendary musician, composer, bandleader and activist has passed today. More to say later; meanwhile, head over to WCKR-FM, where an extensive tribute will begin at noon EST. Hank Shteamer has posted an appreciation on the TONY Blog, with links to relevant articles and videos. Update 1:51pm: The New York Times has just posted a…
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I’ve just learned, thanks to Ron Silliman, that Norman Lebrecht threw his tuppence into the ongoing debate over minimalism a few days ago. Herb Levy then chipped in with some useful clarification. Update: The redoubtable Pliable has something to say on this, as well. Elsewhere, Daniel Wolf offers another view of the debate, with some…
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Congratulations and warmest wishes to Molly Sheridan of NewMusicBox renown, a dear friend and valued colleague who quietly dispelled last week’s marital mystery in a commentary thread on Sequenza 21 this morning. And, naturally, congratulations once again to Brian Sacawa. It couldn’t have happened to two nicer, more brilliant people. (I almost wrote the proverbial…
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Zefiro at the Kaplan Penthouse and Walter Reade TheaterThe New York Times, August 14, 2007
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The brush fire touched off by last Friday’s minimalist round-up in The New York Times continues to smolder both here and on Kyle Gann’s blog, as well as in recent posts on the blogs of Anthony Cornicello, Marc Geelhoed and Nico Muhly. Personally, I’m loving the passions this exercise has stirred, as well as all…
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"Just Don’t Call It Minimalism"The New York Times, August 10, 2007 My second Times record round-up. I wish my tone was a bit more personable here, especially as compared to those of Bernard and Anne. (I might have been a little distracted!) I also kind of wish I’d picked something as deliberately provocative as Bernard’s…
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My wedding had a positive impact on more lives than just mine and Dr. LP’s, it seems. Brian Sacawa, a fabulous musician and a genuinely good soul, has given me more credit than I perhaps deserve for introducing him to the woman of his dreams — who happens to be one of my most cherished…
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While I’m getting back into the swing of things, I hope you’ll allow me to divert your attention toward a couple of recent CD reviews published in Time Out New York. Neither of these discs falls neatly into the "classical" or "new-music" categories. But they’re unique, special and memorable, and I can’t help but think…
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Normal life resumes, with this morning’s citywide transit malaise providing a bracing dose of reality. But thankfully, there are many, many photos — like this one, by bridesmaid and flute artiste Katherine Teitler — to prove that the end of last week wasn’t just a beautiful, elaborate dream. Thanks to one and all for the…
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Elizabeth Keusch at the Michael Schimmel Center for the Performing ArtsThe New York Times, August 1, 2007
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"Concerto Retinkered (for Youthful Soloist)"The New York Times, July 31, 2007 An article about the outstanding cellist Alisa Weilerstein, who plays the New York premiere of Osvaldo Golijov’s cello concerto Azul tonight (July 31) during the opening-night gala of the Mostly Mozart Festival at Avery Fisher Hall. The piece was originally unveiled by Yo-Yo Ma…
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Marc-André Hamelin at the International Keyboard Institute & Festival at Mannes CollegeThe New York Times, July 30, 2007
Night After Night 