I had a revelation the other day, and since this is the age of instant communication I decided to post it on Facebook immediately. I knew that it was going to drive some people, many of them good friends of mine and respected colleagues, completely insane, but occasionally one has to open up the floodgates to get a good conversation going. I was not disappointed. This is what I said: “In order to understand Beethoven you have to play the piano. And in order to play the piano you have to understand Beethoven.” Let the games begin!
Hope for the Next Decade: A Call to Arts!
Community Outreach was the catchall category of the last decade in the Orchestra world, and has become so non defined that we take for granted that it’s happening at every orchestra. It most certainly isn’t just because the words are used. It is time to define it for real, give it real teeth and to make those who use the word accountable. Why? It is something that Bono said, yes the U2 guy!…..
More Holiday Zen!
To go along with Drew’s Zen moment, presenting the silent Monks “singing” the Hallelujah Chorus. Click below, you will not be disappointed, brilliant!!!!…….
The Missing Piece…
It’s been a horrible year for the Arts in this hemisphere, so it is such a relief to be able to celebrate great news from one of our sister organizations. But there’s one little problem- there’s a missing piece…
Quick Takes: Gesturing….
My teacher Jorge Mester the first time I met him asked me this simple question “What is conducting?” I was stumped and after several feeble attempts to describe what conducting is (which is what I wanted to do with my life!) he helped me work it out. That lesson was the most profound he ever gave me and it is something I apply to this day allowing me to never lose sight of what it is I actually do and how I can apply it elsewhere……..
In the City of Big Shudders…
Wow. I had to re-read the article for a third time today because it just didn’t make sense the other two times. There’s an orchestra in the United States of America that’s threatening to go on strike? In these economic times? Guess denial ain’t just a river in Egypt, or in Chicago for that matter.
Quick Takes: What is Success?
The word success is defined for many in the performing arts as the accomplishing of a personal goal, to be continuously engaged, to reach higher positions, to be critically acclaimed and all of the above. Is it really success when it is only about ourselves? Is success not something that also given from ourselves to others? To take a great work and to give it a great performance actually pales into insignificance compared to a performance resonating to the point that that it alters someone’s being, gives them pause to reflect on themselves or even potentially saves a life!…..I pose a question….
Reflections – Life beyond Music
I’m starting a post today that is somewhat personal yet I think reflects an issue faced by many of my colleagues who make their living in orchestras. We all know that classical music faces some fundamental problems in the world today, and we are all very good at pointing the finger at various aspects of the business. But there may be a more fundamental problem – us.