Rants&Raves – Page 11 – Sticks and Drones

100 degrees and climbing

August 26, 2008 by Bill Eddins

Music and politics. It is always dangerous when those two things mix, though one could argue that it’s dangerous when politics is mixed with anything. Over the weekend the news broke that one of the most famous musicians in the world decided to put these two things into a rather large blender and turn it on hi speed. The response from the rest of the classical music world has been stunning – as in a stunning silence.

“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.”

Dante Alighieri

Phoning it in!….

August 19, 2008 by Ron Spigelman

If you don’t yet have an iPhone/iPodtouch then you are still hearing the hype no doubt. I have the touch and if it’s possible I think Apple is ahead of the hype and the curve. How about the ultimate musician’s accessory, no joke….

Phone, IM, Email, Games, Browsing etc…all great stuff but what sets the gizmo apart is the application store. Sure there’s the bubble wrap program, the marble games, tons of silly apps and also great reference and info apps that all utilize the on-line capabilities as well as the accelerometer (tilt feature). For literary junkies (and for free) you can even get the complete works of Shakespeare!

Nashville: (Classical) Music City!

August 15, 2008 by Ron Spigelman

We often write about things that go spectacularly wrong. In Nashville it seems to be going spectacularly right! When I read about the NSO’s new marketing strategy for “young people”, I started to draw my sword. I’m not a believer in a strategy that is at best insincere and at worst untruthful, as it always seems to end up alienating a “young” audience and is discriminatory. Not so in Nashville….

Reality, and other misconceptions

August 14, 2008 by Bill Eddins

There’s a new reality show in the UK. Usually this would be an excuse to hit the Trader Vic’s (4th edition) and work on a new cocktail, but this one is different. Or worse. The name says it all – Maestro. This naturally has got me thinking about how far this could be taken (insert suitable dream music here………………………………..)

What’s really going on in Oregon?….

August 1, 2008 by Ron Spigelman

A war of words is being engaged in Portland right now between the press and the administration with an emphasis on who’s facts are correct. Accusations and assertions followed by rebuttals and damage control, it’s familiar stuff , pro sports teams go through it daily! There is also a note being sounded by executive director Elaine Calder that is hopefully not a signal of things to come. Their board has the real power to affect the orchestra’s future and a statement by their chairperson needs to be heeded and examined, and not dismissed!….

Sticking it in the (buck)eye!……

July 21, 2008 by Ron Spigelman

I want to piggy back onto what Bill wrote. I completely agree with him and want to add that even when a conductor moves to their orchestra’s community, that alone wont guarantee an orchestra’s success! I moved to Springfield but I wasn’t required to, I made a personal choice. The board of an orchestra can negotiate the terms of employment and my guess is that Columbus didn’t require Junichi to be a resident….so it’s his fault that he didn’t move there, and that’s why they are in their current situation? Please!

Pull up the Roots…..

July 16, 2008 by Bill Eddins

Well, it seems that our friend Junichi in Columbus is taking some fire for “not putting down roots in the community.” On the opposite side of that coin one of the Columbus musicians has come to his defense by noting that the Executive Director, Tony Beadle, hasn’t put down any roots in Columbus either. While I appreciate the defense on behalf of Junichi I’d like to make another point – it is time for orchestras to drop this outdated idea of the Music Director In Residence. Starting right now.

Fireworked!….

July 2, 2008 by Ron Spigelman

Bizarre happenings at our annual (or soon not to be) outdoor patriotic fireworks extravaganza, floods, errant fireworks, a deadly baton strike and my singing debut with a US Congressman….

UPDATE 5:35 EST – see below!