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From the press: Elitism in classical music and a new book on conductors
Two features from The New Statesman – the first on elitism in classical music, and the second, a review of a new book Music as Alchemy by Tom Service, The Guardian’s music writer, examining the careers of six conductors and their orchestras: http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/music-and-performance/2012/07/classical-music-should-be-about-more-elite-parties-and-private-s http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/culture/2012/07/music-alchemy-review
Hot off the press….music news from around the nation
Tired of the sporting hoop-la? Take some time out with this swag of links to news on recent events in the music life of the nation: Exciting developments as the Sydney Symphony expands its cultural reach into China: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/guangzhou-base-bid-to-cement-sso-in-region/story-fn9d2mxu-1226438930225 Peter McCallum reviews Amaracord for the Sydney Morning Herald: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/high-and-lows-of-love-and-death-in-voice-20120731-23crx.html From Adelaide, Graham Strahle reviews the Adelaide…
Free to a good home – when pianos pass their ‘use-by’ date
This somewhat heartbreaking feature in the New York Times looks at the increasing costs of maintaining a quality piano, and the disposabiity of lower end instruments: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/30/arts/music/for-more-pianos-last-note-is-thud-in-the-dump.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
Madness, death and loss – this tenor never gets the girl
Tenor Stuart Skelton is soon to be performing again in Sydney. This is an interview he have to SoundsLikeSydney last year, on singing Wagner and on some of the characers he has portrayed in opera. If you’re one who believes that in the end, the tenor gets the girl, even a cursory look at the roles sung…
Cuts to school music programmes in Queensland – Simone Young comments
Simone Young is in Brisbane to conduct the Australian Youth Orchestra. She comments on the Queensland state government’s slashing of music education in schools: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/conductor-heats-up-over-axed-programs/story-e6frg8n6-1226436119693
‘Dazzling Virtuoso’ opens in Sydney
Scenes from the opening night of Dazzling Virtuoso – Gabriele Cassone performing the Haydn and Hummel trumpet concerti on the keyed trumpet with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.
Latest reviews
Towering performances bring ‘Die tote Stadt’ to life
Die tote Stadt, opus 12 by Erich Wolfgang Korngold. Opera in 3 acts with to a libretto by Paul Schott (Julius and E. W. Korngold) after Georges Rodenbach’s novel Bruges la morte. Opera Australia, Sydney Opera House June 30th 2012 It is a fortuitous collision of talent to have an opera composed by a prolific writer of cinematic music, directed by an Oscar…
Angela Denoke: a serendipitous visit
Angela Denoke, soprano Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Sir Andrew Davis, conductor Sydney Opera House COnert Hall, June 29th 2012. Programme: Wagner R: Overture from Tannhäuser Wagner R: Die Walküre: Du bist der Lenz WagnerR: Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod Strauss R: Der Rosenkavalier: Suite Strauss Salome: Final Scene Decades of inter-city rivalry were forgotten when Sydney audiences…