The Strad: Postcard From China
The 2018 Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition showcased so many impressive performances that the scoring was a s tight as could be. Charlotte Smith attended the finals.
The Strad
Charlotte Smith
The second edition of the biennial Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition was a close-run affair. Judging from audience reactions post-performances, and from snippets of conversation here and there, three or four of the six female finalists might easily have taken the top accolade – and with it the eye-watering cash sum of $100,000.
Read more here.
Classical Classroom: On Discovering Hidden Classical Gems with Marc-André Hamelin
In this Classical Classroom episode, Marc-André Hamelin talks about how (and why) he finds music that’s new to him, about a few pieces he’s found that he loves, and gives advice on how you, too, can go a-(record)hunting.
Musical Classroom
Marc-André Hamelin is many things: a renowned pianist, a composer, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a record collector of major proportions. The hands-on, no robots or algorithms, no safety net, digging in dusty bins in record shops variety. In fact, hunting for classical music diamonds in the rough is part of his creative process, and he loves bringing lesser-known works that he finds out into the light before audiences. In this episode, Hamelin talks about how (and why) he finds music that’s new to him, about a few pieces he’s found that he loves, and gives advice on how you, too, can go a-(record)hunting.
Listen below or at Classical Classroom’s website here.
Violin Channel: Meet the Pros – American Conductor Gerard Schwarz
The Violin Channel recently caught up with American conductor and trumpeter Gerard Schwarz – in New York City.
Violin Channel
The Violin Channel recently caught up with American conductor and trumpeter Gerard Schwarz – in New York City.
We sat him down for a fun game of VC 20 Questions – to help gain some fascinating insight into the Maestro behind the music.
Violin Channel: Julian Schwarz – 'Considerations for Preparing the Rococo Variations'
In a VC exclusive guest blog, American cellist Julian Schwarz shares his top considerations for preparing Tchaikovsky's 'Variations on a Rococo Theme'
Violin Channel
The Violin Channel recently caught up with former Schoenfeld International Cello Competition and the Boulder International Art of Duo Chamber Music Competition 1st prize winner, American cello virtuoso Julian Schwarz.
In a VC exclusive guest blog, the 27-year-old soloist shares his top considerations for preparing Tchaikovsky’s virtuosic ‘Variations on a Rococo Theme’.
“Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme Op. 33 is a balletic minefield for cello and orchestra. A minefield because of the various technical challenges that seem to pop up in the most inconvenient places, and balletic because of the work’s natural kinship with Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet scores. Just as traditional ballets include ‘variations’ for each lead role to showcase his/her most impressive leaps, twirls, and flourishes, the Rococo does the same, with the cellist playing almost every role!”
Read more of Julian’s considerations here.
Cellist Julian Schwarz performing the Tchaikovsky Rococo Variations with Camerata Chicago conducted by Drostan Hall on 29 April, 2016 at Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago.
Blogcritics: Marc-André Hamelin at Carnegie Hall Review
Marc-André Hamelin opened his Carnegie Hall program with a sober and thoughtful performance. His approach showed an awareness that the music needs no excess. All the magnificence is there in the score.
Blogcritics
Jon Sobel
Marc-André Hamelin opened his Carnegie Hall program with a sober and thoughtful performance. His approach showed an awareness that the music needs no excess. All the magnificence is there in the score…Halfway through, I had tears in my eyes.
Read more here.
Meet the Artist: Julian Schwarz
On October 12th, The Cross-Eyed Pianist sat down with cellist Julian Schwartz to speak about his inspirations, influences and challenges as an artist.
On October 12th, The Cross-Eyed Pianist sat down with cellist Julian Schwartz to speak about his inspirations, influences and challenges as an artist. To read the interview, click here.
San Francisco Classical Voice: Taiwan Philharmonic Offers A Fresh Perspective on Orchestral Music
How different the same hall feels with another orchestra onstage. For starters, at Monday’s Taiwan Philharmonic concert, women not only outnumbered men — they were extraordinarily well-represented even in the sections (double bass, brass, and especially, leadership positions) that remain male-dominated in this country’s orchestras. There was no concertmaster entrance; in fact, the orchestra entered the Davies stage en masse. And the applause, after every movement, didn’t feel wrong.
San Francisco Classical Voice
Rebecca Wishnia
How different the same hall feels with another orchestra onstage. For starters, at Monday’s Taiwan Philharmonic concert, women not only outnumbered men — they were extraordinarily well-represented even in the sections (double bass, brass, and especially, leadership positions) that remain male-dominated in this country’s orchestras. There was no concertmaster entrance; in fact, the orchestra entered the Davies stage en masse. And the applause, after every movement, didn’t feel wrong.
To read more, click here.
In honor of Veteran’s Day Weekend, All-Star Orchestra kicks off collaboration with U.S. Marine Band
A unique collaboration: the All-Star Orchestra’s Gerard Schwarz conducts the U.S. Marine Band – America’s oldest continually performing musical ensemble – founded by an act of Congress in 1798, and dubbed “The President’s Own” by no less than Thomas Jefferson. Three programs feature the most famous concert band masterpieces, including works by Gustav Holst, Percy Grainger, William Schuman, and of course John Philip Sousa.
A unique collaboration: the All-Star Orchestra’s Gerard Schwarz conducts the U.S. Marine Band – America’s oldest continually performing musical ensemble – founded by an act of Congress in 1798, and dubbed “The President’s Own” by no less than Thomas Jefferson. Three programs feature the most famous concert band masterpieces, including works by Gustav Holst, Percy Grainger, William Schuman, and of course John Philip Sousa.
Schedule for WNET Thirteen – Saturdays at 1:00 pm
November 10 Above and Beyond
The beloved folk melodies and lively dances of Grainger’s “Lincolnshire Posy” start off the program. A fascinating history of the 229-year-old U.S. Marine Band leads into Maestro Schwarz’ own “Above and Beyond” – dedicated to the Marine Band. Next comes Pulitzer Prize-winner Jennifer Higdon’s thrilling “Fanfare Ritmico.” Sousa’s “Semper Fidelis” March – conducted by the Director of the U.S. Marine Band, Colonel Jason K. Fettig, brings this first episode to a rousing conclusion.
November 17 New England Spirit
Revolutionary War melodies provide the inspiration for William Schuman’s iconic “New England Triptych,” including the moving meditation “When Jesus Wept” and the thrilling “Chester” as performed at several Presidential inaugurations. Next, Vincent Persichetti’s colorful “Masquerade” shows off the Band’s amazing virtuosity. The program concludes with Sousa’s immortal “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
November 24 Classic Band Masterpieces
The First Suite by Gustav Holst (famous composer of “The Planets”) is an early masterpiece in the concert band repertoire, paired here with the first complete Symphony for Band by the great Paul Hindemith. The splendor of Chinese percussion in Bright Sheng’s “Shanghai Overture” brings the series to a spectacular finale.
About Gerard Schwarz
Internationally recognized for his moving performances, innovative programming and extensive catalogue of recordings, American conductor Gerard Schwarz serves as Music Director of the All-Star Orchestra, an ensemble of top musicians from America’s leading orchestras featured in sixteen television programs that have aired throughout the United States on public television, worldwide by internet streaming and is the basis for their Khan Academy education platform that has already reached over 6 million students. As in popular sports, Schwarz created an “all-star” team of top orchestra musicians to encourage a greater understanding and enjoyment of classical music. All programs are now released by Naxos and have been awarded six Emmy Awards and the Deems Taylor Television Broadcast Award from ASCAP. Schwarz is also Music Director of the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina where he celebrated his 10th Anniversary season in the summer of 2017, Music Director of the Mozart Orchestra of New York, Conductor Emeritus of the Mostly Mozart Festival and Conductor Laureate of the Seattle Symphony. The conductor is a renowned interpreter of 19th century German, Austrian and Russian repertoire, in addition to his noted work with contemporary American composers.
For more information on Gerard Schwarz, please visit: https://www.gerardschwarz.com
For more information on All Star Orchestra, please visit: http://allstarorchestra.org
Trailer: https://youtu.be/PmZJp4wIMAI
The New York Times: Marc-André Hamelin
The New York Times lists Marc-André Hamelin’s Carnegie Hall recital on November 15 in its guide to the city’s best classical music and opera happening this weekend and in the week ahead.
The New York Times
David Allen
MARC-ANDRÉ HAMELIN at Carnegie Hall (Nov. 15, 8 p.m.). There’s a blend of core repertoire and pieces found far from the beaten path in this supreme pianist’s Carnegie recital this season, with Schumann’s Fantasy in C, Bach’s Chaconne in Busoni’s reworking, and two pieces by Chopin nestled alongside Alexis Weissenberg’s “Six Arrangements of Songs Sung by Charles Trénet” and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s “Cypresses.”
212-247-7800, carnegiehall.org
Read the full article, 8 Classical Music Concerts to See in N.Y.C. This Weekend, here.
OperaWire: The Beijing Music Festival As A Microcosm For The Great Chinese City
The Beijing Music Festival is celebrating its 21st anniversary by bringing a diverse array of repertoire intent on exploring its innovative and boundary-crossing initiatives.
OperaWire
Francisco Salazar
The Beijing Music Festival is celebrating its 21st anniversary by bringing a diverse array of repertoire intent on exploring its innovative and boundary-crossing initiatives.
This year alone, the festival is showcasing a half-dozen diverse works of music drama and theatre.
Read more here.