Of all the figures on stage during a concert, the conductor is perhaps the most enigmatic – commanding a great deal of attention from performers and audience and controlling the sound, whilst not actually making any music – and all the while with his or her back to the audience!
This feature by Clemency Burton-Hill looks at some aspects of what conductors actually do.
Is the term ‘contemporary classical music’ a contradiction in terms? Tom Service of The Guardian dispels some myths: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/apr/26/five-myths-contemporary-classical-music?intcmp=239
It was not so long ago that we heard with heavy hearts, that the SBS Youth Orchestra was to be disbanded in 2013 after 25 very successful years of performing, touring and nurturing young musicians. Out of this ending though, came a new beginning with the formation of a new symphony orchestra for young musicians…
Last Saturday night, the Green Room of the Sydney Opera House was buzzing as performers from various companies prepared for the evening’s shows. Shortly before 7.30, the cast of the La traviata company received their call to the stage. Amongst those summonsed was Anthony Legge, Associate Music Director at Opera Australia who has been conducting…
In case you missed the results from earlier this week, here are the winners of the Classical Grammy Awards for 2015 Best Orchestral Performance: John Adams – City Noir, David Robertson, conductor, St. Louis Symphony/Label: Nonesuch Best Opera Recording: Charpentier – La Descente D’Orphée Aux Enfers, Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors; Boston Early…
Mary Jo Capps Musica Viva CEO Mary Jo Capps was last week awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Melbourne, for her contribution to music and to the university. Music Viva has kindly shared the text of Ms Capps’ speech which sheds an invaluable perspective on how we participate in the arts and its…
Applications are still open for two streams of Ensemble Offspring’s emerging artist development program, The Hatched Academy, which is designed to provide practical experience to the next generation of innovative young performers and composers from around Australia. The program draws on the skills and expertise of Ensemble Offspring’s Artistic Director, Claire Edwardes, core instrumentalists and guest…