The NY Times reports that the New York Philharmonic has offered its principal clarinet seat, vacant since the retirement of Stanley Drucker, to Philadelphia Orchestra principal Ricardo Morales. Much as I would love to see him with the Philharmonic, his defection would prove another blow to the financially-buffeted Philadelphians.
Category Archives: Blog
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Bali High
My favorite radio producer for the arts, the indefatigable Gail Wein, writes:
Just a quick note to let you know that my feature on Balinese gamelan will air this Sunday (tomorrow!) on Weekend All Things Considered. WATC is broadcast on public radio stations around the country, and airs most places from 5-6 pm. The feature will be archived on npr.org, so you’ll be able to hear it anytime.
Find your local PBS outlet here.
American Composers Orchestra @ Zankel Hall
Ensemble ACJW @ Weill Recital Hall
You can catch my full review of last evening’s very enjoyable recital at Classical Source. ACJW is a chamber ensemble of postgraduate musicians drawn from the program known as The Academy, and is doing for this repertoire what the Verbier Festival does for orchestral music — prtesenting impressive programs with distinctive young talent. If you’re anywhere near Skidmore College or New York City, you should give them a listen.
Joan Sutherland, 1926-2010
The sad news of Joan Sutherland’s passing just crossed the wire. [UPDATE: Tony Tommasini’s full obituary is now live at NYTimes.com.]
Lindberg’s Kraft @ Avery Fisher Hall
You can read my full review at Classical Source. I’ll add here that Alan Gilbert’s decision to program this massive work by New York Philharmonic composer-in-residence Magnus Lindberg was a bold move that paid off handsomely, even if it did drive a few dozen luddites from the hall. Kraft is one of those works that must be experienced, and orchestra, soloists, and Gilbert made it memorable. Gilbert may not be the right man to have on the podium for Mahler or Richard Strauss (though I have heard far worse from more prominent conductors), but he seems at last to be hitting his stride with the Philharmonic when post-romantic are involved.
Muti Cancels 2 Weeks of CSO Concerts Due to Illness
The Chicago Sun-Times’ Andrew Patner and NY Times’ Daniel Wakin file separate reports.
Dudamel / Vienna Philharmonic @ Carnegie Hall
My review is live on Classical Source, who evidently scooped even the NY Times.
Mahler 6 — Gilbert / NYPhil @ Avery Fisher
Not as bad as last year’s Mahler 3. Details at Classical Source.
Harnoncourting Disaster: Vlast from the Past
The estimable Elisabeth Barnette will cover Thursday evening’s Vienna Philharmonic concert at Carnegie Hall for Classical Source. The orchestra (this time with a pretty full string complement) sounds as glorious as ever, despite the “historically [allegedly] authentic” playing techniques demanded by Maestro Nikolaus Harnoncourt in what sounded like an attempt to ape late 19th century performance practice, but judging from recordings made in the early 20th century was likely way off the mark.
Continue reading Harnoncourting Disaster: Vlast from the Past