Archive for the 'Performers' Category
Monday, June 16th, 2008
SLN is pleased to welcome awesome violinist Lisa Liu as a guest blogger. Last month, Mobtown Modern was fortunate to have Lisa play on our final concert of the season. But she almost didn’t make it—something she was quick to attribute to ‘the curse of Nico Muhly.’ I’ll let her explain. . .
Sitting on […]
Posted in Blog: Spring 08, Composers, New Music, Performers | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 16th, 2007
For me, Michael Brecker was the epitome of every musical value I embrace and have spent my life as a musician working to cultivate. He played with an amazing and unique sound that was consistent throughout the entire range of the saxophone. His technique was flawless. He constantly evolved and pushed the limits of his […]
Posted in Blog: Winter 06, Jazz, Performers, Saxophone | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 20th, 2006
“You can only live in music, as it were, if you have other interests, if you see the parallels with literature, if you see the parallels with painting, if you see the parallel with the development of political process, and if you have an interest, and then you have the ability to deduce, then all […]
Posted in Blog: Fall 06, Interviews, Music, Performers | No Comments »
Thursday, August 18th, 2005
Every time I clip into my pedals and set off on my bike, I am acutely aware of the danger involved in what I am doing. Despite the fact that I pay close attention to my surroundings while I’m in the saddle, it only takes one person juggling their cell phone and Starbucks latte in […]
Posted in Blog: Summer 05, Jazz, Performers, Saxophone | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005
Yes. I saw it last Thursday when I ventured out to Joe’s Pub in the East Village to catch the pianist Christopher O’Riley playing Radiohead. I have to confess with slight embarrassment that I am completely unfamiliar with Radiohead’s music, but know they’re popular among many classical musicians. At any rate, I was a bit […]
Posted in Blog: Spring 05, Classical Music, Performers, Pop Music | No Comments »
Monday, April 18th, 2005
A few days ago Scott Spiegelberg had an interesting post on the use of Inderal, or beta-blockers, by musicians. For those not familiar with the drug, Inderal blocks the action of adrenaline and other substances, effecively muting the sympathetic nervous system, which produces fear or anxiety. Some musicians use the drug to overcome stage fright […]
Posted in Blog: Spring 05, Music, Performers | No Comments »
Friday, April 8th, 2005
In what might be famous last words, I said “not all jazz saxophonists can play classical.” Well, some of them can. And I had the great fortune to be in the room with such an artist yesterday–the saxophonist Tim Ries. Tim’s done it all–jazz gigs, weddings, big band, studied classical saxophone with Donald Sinta (which […]
Posted in Blog: Spring 05, Jazz, Performers | No Comments »
Thursday, April 7th, 2005
For some, being dubbed a crossover artist might carry just as much baggage as being branded a sellout. And whether she likes it or not, British harpist Catrin Finch bears that burden. How could she not be considered a crossover artist after performing on television with Bryn Terfel and recording arrangements of pop tunes for […]
Posted in Blog: Spring 05, Classical Music, Performers | No Comments »
Sunday, March 27th, 2005
Great article in today’s New York Times. An interview by Daniel Wakin with James Levine, John Harbison, and Charles Wuorinen. It’s a polite conversation despite Wakin’s attempt to provoke an argument between Harbison and Wuorinen over the latter’s statement in 1979 that tonality has been replaced by the 12-tone system and that no serious composer […]
Posted in Blog: Spring 05, Composers, Interviews, New Music, Performers | No Comments »
Saturday, March 26th, 2005
I heard two concerts last week–one by the clarinetist Karl Leister and another by Sir James Galway, the consumate entertainer. Two legendary player and two very different concerts. Mr. Leister, the former principal clarinetist of the Berlin Philharmonic, played an exquisite recital that included Brahms’ F minor Sonata, op. 120, no. 1. His tone is […]
Posted in Blog: Spring 05, Classical Music, Performers | No Comments »