It occurred to me recently that in many ways that when we talk about orchestras much of what we refer to is somewhat … abstract.
Peoria Symphony – Where the walls come tumbling up!
I’ll never forget watching a NBA post game news conference when the winning coach was asked what made him think to put the ball in the hands of a rookie who then scored seemingly at will to win the game. His response and I paraphrase:
I didn’t, the guy thought we were in trouble and he stepped up to help the team, he led the leaders and we won the game!
The Peoria Symphony needs someone like that to step up to save their team…well someone has tried and failed, so now someone else needs to ……Time for some Schock treatment!……not a misspelling I assure you…..
Meshugass in Michigan!….
Pssst…paging Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), you might not have heard this but the economy is in the “tank” right now, so using the economic impact of the arts to convince the governor to not eliminate arts funding might not be the best tactic! It might make the arts go the way of the Sphinx…wait!…in fact Sphinx is actually the way you should go…..
ConnectiCUTS Deep and both ways! An Irreversable Immolation!
A famous incident took place in a performance of Tosca when Maria Callas drew blood from Tito Gobbi when the retractable knife didn’t cooperate (it was only a minor injury). In another performance (in the same scene) Callas getting too close to the candles set her hair on fire, only to be rescued by the Gobbi smothering the flames (she reportedly said thank you before stabbing him!). Well Connecticut Opera just stabbed their audience to death, and then burnt themselves to the ground!…..
To Laugh? To Cry?
It’s a sign of the times, and in any other economic situation I would declare it the rebirth of Reason in the World. Instead it’s just kinda depressing.
When the whole is NOT greater than the sum of its (p)Arts
A Secretary of the Arts? I have been reading about this idea and I think we are way ahead of ourselves, crossing the finish line before running the race! Building from the top down doesn’t work. The Arts have plenty of cheerleaders and advocates, we do not need an advocate in chief. That might be a feel good idea, but if the arts are truly to become a part of our nation’s narrative, we have to think much bigger….
Concert snapshot: The Minnesota Orchestra
I rarely attend orchestra concerts. Usually I’m the one conducting, and if I’m not then it’s probably my turn to look after the kids. Today was a rare exception.
Today in Calaveras county, the Frogs have stopped jumping….
It was with a great deal of sadness to learn of the passing of Lukas Foss, an icon of 20th century American music. Whilst as a student in London in the late 80’s I attended the European premiere (it may have been the world premiere) of his Renaissance Concerto with James Galway and the London Symphony, and in 2003 I actually got to work with him….