Contemporary - my/maSCENA

Too Many "f"s in DSO/van Zweden New World Symphony?

By Paul E. Robinson on 5 February 2014 Contemporary, Orchestral, Romantic

by Paul E. RobinsonScott Cantrell is the distinguished long-time classical music critic of the Dallas Morning News. He recently wrote an article titled “Let’s go easier on those fortissimos” (January 31, 2014) in which he criticized Jaap van Zweden and the Dallas Symphony (DSO) for excessive volume in music by Brahms (Piano Concerto No. 2/Symphony No. 4) and Dvorak (New World Symphony). I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Cantrell’s general point that volume levels in music performance have become excessive. Much of the blame for this phenomenon must go to technology; electronically amplified instruments can produce literally ear-splitting volume. With respect…

“Journeys”

By Paul E. Robinson on 11 December 2013 CD and Book Reviews, Chamber Music, Contemporary

“Journeys”Tchaikovsky: Souvenir de Florence Op. 70/Schönberg: Verklärte Nacht Op. 4Emerson String QuartetPaul Neubauer, viola II/Colin Carr, cello IISONY 88725470602***** The Emerson String Quartet reigns supreme among string quartets but it has recently undergone some major changes. The original cellist,David Finckel, was recently replaced, and after years with Deutsche Grammophon the group has switched to Sony. This new CD is the Emerson’s first recording for the new label and one of its last recordings with Finckel still in the cello chair. The recordings were made in 2012. I don’t recall these two works being coupled on a CD but the pairing…

Video of the Day – Rattle and the BPO Play Britten’s War Requiem

By Paul E. Robinson on 11 December 2013 Choral, Contemporary, Orchestral, Video of the day

November 22 was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Britten. During his lifetime Britten was recognized as one of the foremost composers of the Twentieth Century. Since his death his reputation has grown even more. The operas are performed regularly in most of the world’s leading opera houses and his vocal music is often heard in recitals and in churches.Britten developed a style that was contemporary but never academic. He had a great lyrical gift and a talent for expressing the meaning of words through music.In this 100th anniversary year his music is being celebrated throughout the world.…

Dallas Symphony Pays Tribute to JFK with New Work by Conrad Tao

By Paul E. Robinson on 7 December 2013 Concert Reviews, Contemporary, Orchestral, Piano

By Paul E. RobinsonTao: The world is very different now (world premiere)Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 47Milhaud: Murder of a Great Chief of State Op. 405Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major Op. 55, “Eroica”Joshua Bell, violinDallas Symphony Orchestra/Jaap van ZwedenMeyerson Symphony CenterDallas, TexasNovember 23, 2013Across America and around the world, individuals and organizations paused on November 22 to reflect on the 50thanniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (JFK). In Dallas, Texas, the occasion had special significance because it was in that city that the murder took place. In remembrance of President Kennedy, The Dallas…

Video of the Day – The Dallas Symphony and JFK

By Paul E. Robinson on 17 November 2013 Contemporary, Orchestral, Piano, Video of the day

It was 50 years ago, November 22, 1963, that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Dallas remembers that terrible day with commemorative events throughout November this year. Jaap van Zweden and the Dallas Symphony are presenting special concerts for the occasion. In this video conductor Jaap van Zweden talks about what the tribute means to him and to Dallas. He also discusses a new work written for these concerts by Conrad Tao.Paul E. Robinson

Video of the Day – Jansen and Gergiev Play Szymanowski

By Paul E. Robinson on 14 October 2013 Contemporary, Orchestral, Video of the day, Violin

Valery Gergiev recently wowed audiences in Montreal and Toronto with his Mariinsky Orchestra. He is also music director of the London Symphony. With the LSO last month at the Barbican in London he collaborated with violinist Janine Jansen in the Violin Concerto No. 1 by Karol Szymanowski (1883-1937). To judge by this video it was a beautiful performance of a neglected masterpiece. The work was composed in 1917 when Szymanowski was 34.Note that Gergiev appears to be using the shortest baton ever used by a major conductor. Why bother with any baton at all?Paul E. Robinson

Video of the Day – Dallas Concertmasters Play Prokofiev

By Paul E. Robinson on 22 July 2013 Contemporary, Orchestral, Video of the day

Jaap van Zweden has dramatically improved the Dallas Symphony since he took over as music director. In addition to his unique conducting skills, he has made significant changes in personnel. Among the major changes have been the appointments of two concertmasters: Alexander Kerr and Nathan Olsen. Van Zweden knows a thing or two about violins and violinists. For many years he was concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and had an important solo career. It is probably not a coincidence that Alexander Kerr was also concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at one time.Here are the two concertmasters together playing Prokofiev’s…

This Week in Montreal: July 8 to 14

By La Scena Musicale Team on 8 July 2013 Contemporary, Orchestral, Romantic, This Week in Montreal

Festival de Musique de Lachine: Verdi, Wagner And PoulencWith programming inspired by composers’ birthdays, this year’s festival will heavily feature the voice. The opening concert on June 29 stars Étienne Dupuis and conductor Jordan de Souza, performing works by Verdi and Wagner. Poulenc takes the spotlight on July 6 in a performance by soprano Pascale Beaudin, accompanied by Olivier Godin and François Zeitouni. Two rising stars and competition winners, bass-baritone Gordon Bintner and soprano Florie Valiquette, will participate in the Discovery Concert on July 4. Artistic Director Richard Turp is thrilled to offer a program with Canadian oboist Louise Pellerin,…

This Week in Montreal: June 24 to 30

By La Scena Musicale Team on 24 June 2013 Baroque and Early, Contemporary, Dance, Scena Jazz, This Week in Montreal, Vocal

Discovery and Exploration at the Montréal Baroque Festival In addition to their Grand concerts series, the Montréal Baroque Festival will offer festival-goers more intimate programming, including a recital by this year’s artist-in-residence, Brazilian born Cléa Galhano, and a concert of sacred cantatas by Manuel de Zumaya performed by Mexican ensemble La Fontegara. This festival is a place of exploration and discovery; Soirée sans frontièreswill push the limits of baroque experience by combining early music with the digital arts. This year’s closing event is Élémens, a divine ballet by Jean-Ferry Rebel depicting the Creation, featuring dancers and acrobats. www.montrealbaroque.com – Renée…

Video of the Day – The Aldeburgh Connection Presents Its Final Concert

By Paul E. Robinson on 13 May 2013 Chamber Music, Contemporary, Piano, Video of the day

After more than 30 years of distinguished music-making, the Aldeburgh Connection has decided to pack it in. This month it will give its final concert. The organization was created by pianists and life partners Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata, and presented most of its concerts at Walter Hall at the University of Toronto. The “Aldeburgh Connection” relates to the close relationship the organization always had with the Aldeburgh Festival and its founders Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. Ralls worked at the festival as a rehearsal pianist for Britten’s opera Death in Venice, and both Ralls and Ubukata were frequent visitors…

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