I’m going to stay out of the scuffle on the main page at Sequenza21. However, there’s one issue from Anthony De Mare’s concert that both Anthony Tommasini and Frank Oteri bring up in their review and rebuttal, respectively–playing from memory.
One fact from Mr. De Mare’s concert that they both mention, was that Mr. De […]
Composers take note. Here’s how to get your music played and receive that critical praise you’ve been hungering for:
1. Marry a world-class soloist.
2. Become the music director of a famous orchestra.
3. Write your spouse a concerto.
4. Take your orchestra on the road.
Hey, it worked for Andre Previn, who led his wife Anne-Sophie Mutter in his […]
Although Belgium switched its currency from Francs to Euros in 2002, they really knew how to treat their cultural heroes. Proud of one of their own whose invention is known and performed around the world, they gave Adolphe Sax the distinction of gracing the 200 Belgian franc note. How about a Leo Fender $100 bill?
Baseball season is just around the corner and Kyle Gann’s been making sports/music analogies. (That’s Hotaru over there, by the way.) I like John Luther Adams’ response, which likens music to baseball more than basketball. I’ve never been a big basketball fan–although I find the NCAA much more interesting than the NBA–and have often thought […]
I noticed something from my last post. Six out of the ten solos I listed were recorded live. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. There’s something about the energy, excitement, intensity, immediacy, and spontaneity of a live performance that simply cannot be captured in a controlled and sterile studio environment.
You don’t hear live classical […]
Alex Ross has been making up lists recently. So here’s a list of mine: Ten of my favorite recorded jazz saxophone solos that come immediately to mind.
1. Michael Brecker, “Every Day (I Thank You)” — Pat Metheny, 80/81
2. Michael Brecker, “Sumo” — Steps Ahead, Live in Tokyo 1986
3. Michael Brecker, “Quartet No. 1″ — Chick […]
Saxophonists like to borrow things. Especially music from other instruments. Case in point: two of the works on my recent Miller Theater recital were co-opted from woodwind colleagues—Michael Gordon’s The Low Quartet although originally for double bass, trombone, bari sax, and bass clarinet, had versions for four bassoons and four bass clarinets before I made […]
Did anybody see Yo-Yo Ma’s performance of the Sarabande from Bach’s 6th suite at the Academy Awards last night? The piece was supposed to serve as a requiem of sorts for the folks that passed away this past year. But the audience’s clapping for the deceased, who had their pictures flashed on the giant screens […]
Two weeks ago, a friend of mine, the charismatic flutist Amy Porter, gave me an article she’d just reprinted in her flute club newsletter. The article, written by Derek Mithaug and excerpted from the Juilliard Journal, discusses the two ways in which most musicians approach their careers—they either FAN or CAN.
To FAN means to Find-A-Niche […]
After 2000 miles, three successful recitals, one radio broadcast, one review in The New York Times, and many great memories, (and, of course, a wonderful review from David Salvage), I’m home.
What a trip. I actually set out last Sunday in order to get to New York for a Monday morning masterclass at the Manhattan […]