David Randolph was a dynamic figure in New York City’s local classical music scene, best known as a choral conductor, but also an erudite and affable presence on WNYC for decades. The NY Times‘ Margalit Fox has a detailed obituary. Randolph was a frequent concertgoer, and one would frequently see him chatting with multiple colleagues, friends, and singers before concerts and during intermission. As one can easily discern from the obit, he was much-beloved not only here in New York but around the region.
Category Archives: Blog
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He needs to watch some vintage footage of Fritz Reiner
The Los Angeles Times reports that hyperkinetic maestro Gustavo Dudamel injured himself Thursday night while conducting the finale of Dvorák’s Cello Concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The orchestra is about to embark on a national tour, and here’s hoping Dudamel recovers in time for departure. In the meanwhile, he might consider reviewing some vintage action footage of Fritz Reiner, whose economy of movement is almost as legendary as his notorious podium temperament, which could run the gamut from withering to tyrannical.
Valery Gergiev, talented and maddening as he can be
Just back from the all-Stravinsky program with Valery Gergiev guest conducting the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall — part of the orchestra’s “The Russian Stravinsky” series, and the orchestra’s 15,000th concert!
Continue reading Valery Gergiev, talented and maddening as he can be
Columbia Masterworks recording in stereo… in 1941?
Yes, as it turns out…
Continue reading Columbia Masterworks recording in stereo… in 1941?
Superb Solo Cello Music
The NY Times’ Vivien Schweitzer likes the new recording of Michael Hersch’s solo cello music played by Daniel Gaisford. I agree completely. Hats off to Vanguard Classics (and my friends at Musical Concepts) for issuing the set and getting this excellent music the exposure it deserves. And there’s more on the way: Vanguard will be issuing more of Hersch’s chamber music, including works for violin played by Miranda Cuckson.
Redesign
I finally decided it was time to redesign my home page. I still have a few changes to make, the least of which will be cooking up some teaser copy and getting my biography off the home page.
Arthur Winograd, 1920-2010
The NY Times obituary is here. Winograd conducted the Hartford Symphony while I was in college, and guest conducted the Hartt School Orchestra on one occasion during my undergraduate years, getting impressive results with his authoritative, patient approach.
MET names Fabio Luisi their Principal Guest Conductor
Covering classical radio as if the Internet simply weren’t there…
I do most of my classical music radio listening via the Internet: BBC Radio 3, WCPE, BR-Klassik, WWFM and WFMT are all regular destinations. So imagine my surprise…
Continue reading Covering classical radio as if the Internet simply weren’t there…
Sign of the Times
Sony has ceased production of 1.44Mb floppy discs. You do remember floppy discs, don’t you?…