Antoine Dauvergne (1713-1797)
Stanisław Skrowaczewski (1923-2017)
Steve Reich (1936)
Shiela Silver (1946)
and
Emily Post (1873-1960)
Thomas Wolfe (1900-1938)
Harvey Kurtzman (1924-1993)
Gore Vidal (1925-2012)
Monday, October 3, 2022
Sunday, October 2, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Frantisek Tuma (1704-1774)
Henry Février (1875-1957)
Leroy Shield (1893-1962)
Francis Jackson (1917)
Mary Jeanne van Appledorn (1927-2014)
Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)
Michel Plasson (1933)
Phill Niblock (1933)
Peter Frankl (1935)
Ton Koopman (1944)
Jonathan Summers (1946)
and
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
Wallace Stevens (1879-1955)
Groucho Marx (1890-1977)
Graham Greene (1904-1991)
Jan Morris (1926-2020)
Henry Février (1875-1957)
Leroy Shield (1893-1962)
Francis Jackson (1917)
Mary Jeanne van Appledorn (1927-2014)
Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)
Michel Plasson (1933)
Phill Niblock (1933)
Peter Frankl (1935)
Ton Koopman (1944)
Jonathan Summers (1946)
and
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
Wallace Stevens (1879-1955)
Groucho Marx (1890-1977)
Graham Greene (1904-1991)
Jan Morris (1926-2020)
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Today's Birthdays
J. Friedrich Eduard Sobolewski (1808-1872)
Henry Clay Work (1832-1884)
Paul Dukas (1865-1935)
Vladimir Horowitz (1904-1989)
Sylvano Bussotti (1931)
and
Jimmy Carter (1924)
Tim O'Brien (1946)
and from the Composers Datebook:
This day in 1924 marked the opening of The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, funded by a gift of $12.5 million from the American patroness Mary Louise Curtis Bok, who had inherited her fortune from the Curtis Publishing Company. The faculty, providing instruction for 203 students, included Leopold Stokowski and Josef Hofmann heading conducting and piano departments, respectively. Polish-born coloratura Marcella Sembrich. Hungarian violinist Carl Flesch. French-born harpist/composer Carlos Salzedo. and Italian composer Rosario Scalero.
Henry Clay Work (1832-1884)
Paul Dukas (1865-1935)
Vladimir Horowitz (1904-1989)
Sylvano Bussotti (1931)
and
Jimmy Carter (1924)
Tim O'Brien (1946)
and from the Composers Datebook:
This day in 1924 marked the opening of The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, funded by a gift of $12.5 million from the American patroness Mary Louise Curtis Bok, who had inherited her fortune from the Curtis Publishing Company. The faculty, providing instruction for 203 students, included Leopold Stokowski and Josef Hofmann heading conducting and piano departments, respectively. Polish-born coloratura Marcella Sembrich. Hungarian violinist Carl Flesch. French-born harpist/composer Carlos Salzedo. and Italian composer Rosario Scalero.
Friday, September 30, 2022
Review of Oregon Symphony opener with Renée Fleming in OAW
Today's Birthdays
Johann Svendsen (1840-1911)
Sir Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924)
Václav Smetáček (1906-1986)
David Oistrakh (1908-1974)
Dame Julie Andrews (1935)
Johnny Mathis (1935)
Alan Hacker (1938-2012)
Jonathan Lloyd (1948)
Andrew Rindfleisch (1963)
David Danzmayr (1980)
and
W.S. Merwin (1927-2019)
Truman Capote (1924-1984)
Elie Wiesel (1928-2016)
Sir Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924)
Václav Smetáček (1906-1986)
David Oistrakh (1908-1974)
Dame Julie Andrews (1935)
Johnny Mathis (1935)
Alan Hacker (1938-2012)
Jonathan Lloyd (1948)
Andrew Rindfleisch (1963)
David Danzmayr (1980)
and
W.S. Merwin (1927-2019)
Truman Capote (1924-1984)
Elie Wiesel (1928-2016)
Thursday, September 29, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Jacques-Martin Hottetere (1674-1763)
Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska (1829/1834–1861)
Joaquin Nin (y Castellanos) (1879-1949)
Gene Autry (1907-1998)
Richard Bonynge (1930)
Jerry Lee Lewis (1935)
Jean-Luc Ponty (1942)
and
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)
Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865)
Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936)
Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)
Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska (1829/1834–1861)
Joaquin Nin (y Castellanos) (1879-1949)
Gene Autry (1907-1998)
Richard Bonynge (1930)
Jerry Lee Lewis (1935)
Jean-Luc Ponty (1942)
and
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616)
Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865)
Miguel de Unamuno (1864-1936)
Enrico Fermi (1901-1954)
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Johann Mattheson (1681-1764)
Florent Schmitt (1870-1958)
Vivian Fine (1913-2000)
Rudolf Barshai (1924-2010)
Edward Applebaum (1937)
Catherine Robbin (1950)
Michaela Comberti (1952-2003)
and
Confusius (551 BCE - 479 BCE)
Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923)
Edith Pargeter (1913-1995)
Simon Winchester (1944)
and
from the Composers Datebook
On this day in 1951, the Sci-fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still" opens in theaters across America, featuring memorable score by Bernard Herrmann that included eerie, other-worldly sounds imitating the electronic instrument known as a "Theremin" (after its Russian-born inventor, Leon Theremin). In the movie, actress Patricia Neal's rendition of the space alien command "Gort: Klaatu barada nikto" prevents Earth's destruction by a death-ray robot from outer space.
Florent Schmitt (1870-1958)
Vivian Fine (1913-2000)
Rudolf Barshai (1924-2010)
Edward Applebaum (1937)
Catherine Robbin (1950)
Michaela Comberti (1952-2003)
and
Confusius (551 BCE - 479 BCE)
Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923)
Edith Pargeter (1913-1995)
Simon Winchester (1944)
and
from the Composers Datebook
On this day in 1951, the Sci-fi classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still" opens in theaters across America, featuring memorable score by Bernard Herrmann that included eerie, other-worldly sounds imitating the electronic instrument known as a "Theremin" (after its Russian-born inventor, Leon Theremin). In the movie, actress Patricia Neal's rendition of the space alien command "Gort: Klaatu barada nikto" prevents Earth's destruction by a death-ray robot from outer space.
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Cann puts pizzaz and jazz into Vancouver Symphony’s season opener
Pianist virtuoso Michelle Cann made the most of her debut with the Vancouver, delivering over-the-top performances with the orchestra in its season opener. Her scintillating playing on Sunday afternoon (September 25) ignited the nearly full house at Skyview Concert Hall twice, bringing the audience to its feet with cheers and thunderous applause.
Cann, who teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music where she holds the Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies, brilliantly played the “Concerto in One Movement” by Florence Price, whose music is undergoing a rediscovery and appreciation after being ignored for much too long. In the first section of the piece, Cann grabbed everyone’s attention with splashy, grand flourishes that used the entire keyboard - much in the Romantic vein. In the second section, she eased into gentle and intimate reflections, and in the third, she made the music bounce along in a carefree way that ended up sweeping the audience off its feet.
The Price concerto was complemented by a vibrant and evocative interpretation of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Cann and the orchestra gave it plenty of pizzaz, but her take on the cadenzas were especially intriguing. She excelled at giving each one her own interpretation, which seemed jazzier than any I’ve ever heard before.
Cann displayed a terrific sense of timing with a couple of brief, but well-placed pauses – as if to tease the audience just a bit. The orchestra’s brass section chimed in with outstanding wah-wahs, and principal clarinetist, Igor Shakhman unleashed the extended glissando at the beginning.
The enthusiastic audience coaxed Cann back to the piano, and she responded with Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C-sharp minor” in an over-the-top jazzy arrangement by Hazel Scott that almost veered into boogie woogie. It was an absolutely fun, toe tapping encore, and a great way to end the first half of the concert.
After intermission, the orchestra performed Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 3. It is the best known of the four orchestral suites that he wrote and with four movements that last forty minutes, it has the feel of full-sized symphonic work.
Although maestro Salvador Brotons seemed to be conducting the smallest score imaginable (well, at least it was not as small as a cell phone), he led the orchestra with his characteristic verve. The musicians conveyed the melodic charms of the piece very well, bringing out its underlying optimism. The violas briefly got a bit out of sync in the second movement but realigned themselves quickly. The light, musical chatter between sections of the orchestra in the third came across refreshingly. The twelve variations on a theme gave the entire ensemble a full workout with some fine horn calls and concertmaster Stephen Shepherd expertly playing his solos.
Mendelssohn’s “The Hebrides” (also known as “Fingal’s Cave”) received a warm rendition from the orchestra. The musicians evoked the ebb and flow of ocean waves, the rocky coastline, and the majestic yet solitary landscape of that remote part of Scotland that inspired Mendelssohn.
The audience welcomed Brotons, who marked his 34th year on the podium with the orchestra, with cheers and extended applause. All Classical FM’s Suzanne Nance emceed the show with elan, leading the audience in a rousing introduction for concertmaster Shepherd. She also cheekily suggested auctioning off a pair of glasses that were found during intermission. Of course, the money would go to the orchestra!
There was one note of sadness regarding the performance. Cellist Suzanne Rague, a longtime member of the cello section, passed away during the summer months. The concert was dedicated to her memory.
Cann, who teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music where she holds the Eleanor Sokoloff Chair in Piano Studies, brilliantly played the “Concerto in One Movement” by Florence Price, whose music is undergoing a rediscovery and appreciation after being ignored for much too long. In the first section of the piece, Cann grabbed everyone’s attention with splashy, grand flourishes that used the entire keyboard - much in the Romantic vein. In the second section, she eased into gentle and intimate reflections, and in the third, she made the music bounce along in a carefree way that ended up sweeping the audience off its feet.
The Price concerto was complemented by a vibrant and evocative interpretation of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Cann and the orchestra gave it plenty of pizzaz, but her take on the cadenzas were especially intriguing. She excelled at giving each one her own interpretation, which seemed jazzier than any I’ve ever heard before.
Cann displayed a terrific sense of timing with a couple of brief, but well-placed pauses – as if to tease the audience just a bit. The orchestra’s brass section chimed in with outstanding wah-wahs, and principal clarinetist, Igor Shakhman unleashed the extended glissando at the beginning.
The enthusiastic audience coaxed Cann back to the piano, and she responded with Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in C-sharp minor” in an over-the-top jazzy arrangement by Hazel Scott that almost veered into boogie woogie. It was an absolutely fun, toe tapping encore, and a great way to end the first half of the concert.
After intermission, the orchestra performed Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 3. It is the best known of the four orchestral suites that he wrote and with four movements that last forty minutes, it has the feel of full-sized symphonic work.
Although maestro Salvador Brotons seemed to be conducting the smallest score imaginable (well, at least it was not as small as a cell phone), he led the orchestra with his characteristic verve. The musicians conveyed the melodic charms of the piece very well, bringing out its underlying optimism. The violas briefly got a bit out of sync in the second movement but realigned themselves quickly. The light, musical chatter between sections of the orchestra in the third came across refreshingly. The twelve variations on a theme gave the entire ensemble a full workout with some fine horn calls and concertmaster Stephen Shepherd expertly playing his solos.
Mendelssohn’s “The Hebrides” (also known as “Fingal’s Cave”) received a warm rendition from the orchestra. The musicians evoked the ebb and flow of ocean waves, the rocky coastline, and the majestic yet solitary landscape of that remote part of Scotland that inspired Mendelssohn.
The audience welcomed Brotons, who marked his 34th year on the podium with the orchestra, with cheers and extended applause. All Classical FM’s Suzanne Nance emceed the show with elan, leading the audience in a rousing introduction for concertmaster Shepherd. She also cheekily suggested auctioning off a pair of glasses that were found during intermission. Of course, the money would go to the orchestra!
There was one note of sadness regarding the performance. Cellist Suzanne Rague, a longtime member of the cello section, passed away during the summer months. The concert was dedicated to her memory.
Today's Birthdays
Cyril Scott (1879-1970)
Vincent Youmans (1898-1946)
Jean Berger (1909-2002)
Igor Kipnis (1930-2002)
Dame Josephine Barstow (1940)
Misha Dichter (1945)
Chris Merritt (1952)
Dimitry Sitkovetsky (1954)
Peter Sellers (1957)
and
Sir William Empson (1906-1984)
Joyce Johnson (1935)
Kay Ryan (1945)
Vincent Youmans (1898-1946)
Jean Berger (1909-2002)
Igor Kipnis (1930-2002)
Dame Josephine Barstow (1940)
Misha Dichter (1945)
Chris Merritt (1952)
Dimitry Sitkovetsky (1954)
Peter Sellers (1957)
and
Sir William Empson (1906-1984)
Joyce Johnson (1935)
Kay Ryan (1945)
Monday, September 26, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Alfred Cortot (1877-1962)
Charles Munch (1891-1968)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Yvonne Levering (1905-2006)
Fritz Wunderlich (1930-1966)
Salvatore Accardo (1941)
Dale Duesing (1947)
and
T. S. Eliot (1888-1965)
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)
Jane Smiley (1949)
and from The Writer's Almanac:
On this day in 1957, 20 years after George Gershwin died, Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway. It was not immediately successful. It only became famous when it was turned into a film in 1961 and won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It’s based on the story of Romeo and Juliet, but it is set in the gang-ridden streets of New York.
During the weeks leading up to the opening of West Side Story, the news was full of stories of gang violence and racial confrontations. At the end of August, Strom Thurmond filibustered for more than 24 hours to try to prevent passage of the Voting Rights Act. The day before the show’s opening, federal troops forcibly integrated Little Rock High School.
In general, critics responded favorably to West Side Story, but all the major Tony Awards went instead to The Music Man, a bubbly, nostalgic musical about a small town in Iowa.
Charles Munch (1891-1968)
George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Yvonne Levering (1905-2006)
Fritz Wunderlich (1930-1966)
Salvatore Accardo (1941)
Dale Duesing (1947)
and
T. S. Eliot (1888-1965)
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)
Jane Smiley (1949)
and from The Writer's Almanac:
On this day in 1957, 20 years after George Gershwin died, Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway. It was not immediately successful. It only became famous when it was turned into a film in 1961 and won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It’s based on the story of Romeo and Juliet, but it is set in the gang-ridden streets of New York.
During the weeks leading up to the opening of West Side Story, the news was full of stories of gang violence and racial confrontations. At the end of August, Strom Thurmond filibustered for more than 24 hours to try to prevent passage of the Voting Rights Act. The day before the show’s opening, federal troops forcibly integrated Little Rock High School.
In general, critics responded favorably to West Side Story, but all the major Tony Awards went instead to The Music Man, a bubbly, nostalgic musical about a small town in Iowa.
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Johann Nikolaus Hanff (1663-1711)
Jean-Phillippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897)
Roberto Gerhard (1896-1970)
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013)
Glenn Gould (1932-1982)
Stella Sung (1959)
and
William Faulkner (1897-1962)
Mark Rothko (1903-1970)
Shel Silverstein (1930-1999)
Jean-Phillippe Rameau (1683-1764)
Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897)
Roberto Gerhard (1896-1970)
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Sir Colin Davis (1927-2013)
Glenn Gould (1932-1982)
Stella Sung (1959)
and
William Faulkner (1897-1962)
Mark Rothko (1903-1970)
Shel Silverstein (1930-1999)
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Blind Lemon Jefferson (1893-1929)
Sir Andrzej Panufnik (1914-1991)
Vaclav Nelhybel (1919-1996)
Cornell MacNeil (1922-2011)
Alfredo Kraus (1927-1999)
John Rutter (1945)
Marc Neikrug (1946)
and
Horace Walpole (1717-1797)
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)
Eavan Boland (1944)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1947, German-born composer Hanns Eisler is questioned about his former membership in the Communist Party by the House Committee on Un-American activities. Eisler had been a member of the Party in the 1920s, left Germany when Hitler came to power in 1933, and had been working in Hollywood on film scores and as the musical assistant to Charlie Chaplin. He left the U.S. in 1948 and settled in East Germany - where he composed that country's national anthem.
Sir Andrzej Panufnik (1914-1991)
Vaclav Nelhybel (1919-1996)
Cornell MacNeil (1922-2011)
Alfredo Kraus (1927-1999)
John Rutter (1945)
Marc Neikrug (1946)
and
Horace Walpole (1717-1797)
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)
Eavan Boland (1944)
and from the Composers Datebook:
On this day in 1947, German-born composer Hanns Eisler is questioned about his former membership in the Communist Party by the House Committee on Un-American activities. Eisler had been a member of the Party in the 1920s, left Germany when Hitler came to power in 1933, and had been working in Hollywood on film scores and as the musical assistant to Charlie Chaplin. He left the U.S. in 1948 and settled in East Germany - where he composed that country's national anthem.
Friday, September 23, 2022
Preview of VSO concert in The Columbian newspaper
My preview of this weekend's Vancouver Symphony concert with pianist Michelle Cann has been published in The Columbian newspaper here.
Today's Birthdays
Jacques Féréol Mazas (1782-1849)
William Levi Dawson (1899-1990)
Jarmila Novotná (1907-1994)
Soulima Stravinsky (1910-1994)
Alexander Arutiunian (1920-2012)
Ray Charles (1930-2004)
John Coltrane (1926-1967)
Robert Helps (1928-2001)
Bruce Springsteen (1949)
William Shimell (1952)
and
Euripides (ca 480 BC - 406 BC) - today is the traditional day for Greeks to celebrate his birthday.
Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927)
Baroness Emmuska Orczy (1865-1947)
Walter Lippmann (1899-1974)
Jaroslav Seifert (1901-1986)
William Levi Dawson (1899-1990)
Jarmila Novotná (1907-1994)
Soulima Stravinsky (1910-1994)
Alexander Arutiunian (1920-2012)
Ray Charles (1930-2004)
John Coltrane (1926-1967)
Robert Helps (1928-2001)
Bruce Springsteen (1949)
William Shimell (1952)
and
Euripides (ca 480 BC - 406 BC) - today is the traditional day for Greeks to celebrate his birthday.
Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927)
Baroness Emmuska Orczy (1865-1947)
Walter Lippmann (1899-1974)
Jaroslav Seifert (1901-1986)
Thursday, September 22, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Arthur Pryor (1870-1942)
Mikolajus Ciurlionis (1875-1911)
Henryk Szeryng (1918-1988)
William O. Smith (1926-2020)
Hugh Bean (1929-2003)
Leonardo Balada (1933)
Anna Tomowa-Sintow (1941)
John Tomlinson (1946)
Vladmir Ghernov (1953)
Michael Torke (1961)
and
Fay Weldon (1931)
Mikolajus Ciurlionis (1875-1911)
Henryk Szeryng (1918-1988)
William O. Smith (1926-2020)
Hugh Bean (1929-2003)
Leonardo Balada (1933)
Anna Tomowa-Sintow (1941)
John Tomlinson (1946)
Vladmir Ghernov (1953)
Michael Torke (1961)
and
Fay Weldon (1931)
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Stand-up violist comedian, Isabel Hagen, presented by Fear No Music - SHOW CANCELED - COVID!
FNM HAS JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELED BECAUSE HAGEN HAS COVID
FNM's Kenji Bunch and Monica Ouchi flank violist-comedian Isabel Hagen
From the Fear No Music website:
One Night Only: Portland debut of nationally renowned comedian and violist Isabel Hagen
Featured live on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in 2020 and named a “New Face of Comedy” at the 2019 Just For Laughs Festival in Montréal, Isabel Hagen has quickly made a name for herself as one of the most promising young comedians in American. Isabel holds multiple degrees in Viola Performance from The Juilliard School and has toured internationally. A versatile musician, she has performed with artists such as Björk, Max Richter, and Steve Reich. Isabel’s solo Show, “Imagine I’m Someone Else” will combine music and comedy in an unexpected way that will invite audiences on an unprecedented and unforgettable journey.
This show is for audiences 18+.
This concert takes place at The Old Church Concert Hall. The live concert takes place at The Old Church Concert Hall with limited capacity seating, required proof of vaccination or negative covid test within 48 hours along with government-issued ID, and required masking.
Please consider making a donation of $25 or more in support of this production at fearnomusic.org/donate.
Profile-interview with Adam LaMotte published in OAW
Today's Birthdays
François Francoeur (1698-1787)
Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791)
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Meinrad Schütter (1910-2006)
Leonard Cohen (1934-2016)
Jill Gomez (1942)
Andrei Gavrilov (1955)
Nina Rautio (1957)
and
Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498)
Sir Edmund Gosse (1849-1928)
H(erbert) G(eorge) Wells (1866-1946)
Sir Allen Lane (1902-1970)
Stephen King (1941)
Francis Hopkinson (1737-1791)
Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
Meinrad Schütter (1910-2006)
Leonard Cohen (1934-2016)
Jill Gomez (1942)
Andrei Gavrilov (1955)
Nina Rautio (1957)
and
Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498)
Sir Edmund Gosse (1849-1928)
H(erbert) G(eorge) Wells (1866-1946)
Sir Allen Lane (1902-1970)
Stephen King (1941)
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Today's Birthdays
Ildebrando Pizzetti (1880-1968)
Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (1885-1941)
Uuno Klami (1900-1961)
David Sheinfeld (1906-2001)
John Dankworth (1927-2010)
Jane Manning (1938)
Laurie Spiegel (1945)
John Harle (1956)
and
Upton Sinclair (1878-1968)
Maxwell Perkins (1884-1947)
Stevie Smith (1902-1971)
Donald Hall (1928-2018)
Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (1885-1941)
Uuno Klami (1900-1961)
David Sheinfeld (1906-2001)
John Dankworth (1927-2010)
Jane Manning (1938)
Laurie Spiegel (1945)
John Harle (1956)
and
Upton Sinclair (1878-1968)
Maxwell Perkins (1884-1947)
Stevie Smith (1902-1971)
Donald Hall (1928-2018)
Monday, September 19, 2022
Interview with Renée Fleming and preview of Oregon Symphony opener in The Oregonian
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