Henry Fogel wonders if subsidizing ticket prices will help diversify concert audiences.
Month: October 2009
A boy’s best friend is his mother
Last year it was Richard Strauss’s Elektra that got Seattle’s classical music lovers in the Halloween spirit, this year it is three concert showings of Alfred Hitchcock’s classical film Psycho. A concert performance of Psycho is definitely not your typical Seattle Symphony concert. There was no symphony, dazzling, prodigy soloist, and definitely no stuffy atmosphere – just a classic movie and one of the most memorable film scores in history.
Simple Measures joins forces with Seattle Dance Project
In my “upcoming” post a few days ago I neglected to mention Simple Measures’s performances at Spectrum Dance Theater and the Fremont Abbey. Simple Measures has built a reputation in Seattle for progressive concert programming that is accessible. It is a mission that founder Rajan Krishnaswami and all of the musicians associated with the group take very seriously. Their 2009-2010 season continues in this tradition with a classic Simple Measures event simply called “Earth.”
Earth, showcases the talents of both the Simple Measures musicians and the dancers from Seattle Dance Project by combining modern dance with classical music and pop music arrangements. This season opening event will run longer than a normal show. There will be three performances at the Spectrum Dance Theater next weekend, followed by three more at the Fremont Abbey.
Lang Lang: Ancient Paths Modern Voices
By: Gigi Yellen
I saw Lang Lang at Carnegie Hall tonight. Concert was part of the hall’s 3-week-long “Ancient Paths/Modern Voices: A festival celebrating Chinese Culture.” Program included a world premiere of a work for piano and orchestra commissioned by Carnegie Hall, “Er Huang” by Chen Quigang (music director of the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics). Michael Tilson Thomas conducted, with the Juillard Orchestra. Definitely not the Beethoven you’ll be hearing with Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall in Seattle this Sunday.
Lang Lang the flashy rock star was not so evident; the fluent athlete of the keyboard was. What he can do with extended arms and liquid wrists, the snap of a head, the careful suspension of a note: an audience that needed guidance got it. This was a hall filled with friends and families of student musicians, among other significant numbers of people who needed to know when to applaud and when not to.
Seattle Baroque opens its season with flair
On hearing Seattle Baroque Orchestra’s season opening concert at Town Hall Saturday night, my first thought was how well the group sounds in here.
Although spotty in places, the acoustics are warm and with a reverberation which enhances but leaves the sound clear. SBO has moved around a bit in its quest for a good place to play. I hope it will remain here in what is a good pairing with the hall. This season, Seattle Baroque will give one performance of each program, and the hall was quite full.
My second thought was that Seattle Baroque would sound good anywhere. This year, it has back its two founders: violinist Ingrid Matthews, returning from a year’s sabbatical to lead with her usual appealing persona and playing with her usual fine musicianship, and the remarkable harpsichordist Byron Schenkman, who has spent the past few years in New York.
Continue reading Seattle Baroque opens its season with flair
Back from the center of the classical music universe
Continue reading Back from the center of the classical music universe
Mozarteum Orchestra plays Benaroya Hall
Even given the venerable standards of the German/Austro tradition, the age and history of the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, which appeared in concert Tuesday night at Benaroya Hall, is notable. Its founding in 1841, by itself, gives the orchestra prestige, which it might not have otherwise. Simply to have survived the extraordinary cross-currents of culture and politics lends authority to the organization. So does its position in Salzburg, one of the most important cities in European musical life.
Portland Baroque Orchestra celebrates youthful works of Mendelssohn
The sound of a loud pop greeted the audience at the Portland Baroque Orchestra concert on Saturday evening (October 24) at Kaul Auditorium. It also surprised violin virtuoso Monica Huggett, because she just broke her E string about five seconds after beginning the first piece. After halting the orchestra, Huggett excused herself for a few minutes in order to attach a new string, and the audience got a chance to take a quick breather and reflect on the informal freshness of such a thing. Perhaps even Felix Mendelssohn, who was noted as a super straight-laced kind of guy, would’ve relaxed. In any case, after returning to the stage, Huggett and her ensemble whipped up some froth in a program that featured Mendelssohn’s music, all from during his early years. Continue reading Portland Baroque Orchestra celebrates youthful works of Mendelssohn
Hubbard returns to Seattle
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has always been immediately appealing, with very few inaccessible moments. That was true when it was a jazz dance company in its earliest days and of which the company gave ample evidence Friday night at the Paramount Theatre.
Spectrum Dance Company followed a similar path — a mixed repertory, concentrating on jazz dance which it often did it very well for most of its history. The major exception was that Spectrum always struggled for audiences and money. Hubbard, which maintained a national presence from its base in Chicago, may have had its difficulties but had better dancers, a stronger board and greater institutional support. Yet, in some both took almost the same road. When Spectrum hired modern dance choreographer Donald Byrd, the old days were thrown aside and the company essentially became a sole choreographer showcase. It may use jazz scores, but nothing suggests the kind of good times the old ensemble projected on a regular basis. The same thing happened at Hubbard, although not to the same degree. The repertory is is still mixed and often projects a similar image, but it looks to the wider world. The dancers remain virtuosic.
Gathering Note 