The Classical Music Guide Forums

Update, Maestro Kohler does appear to be a pretty cool Scandinavian singer-songwriter (umlauts and accent aigu all in the right place). I guess he got lost in the "murky wastelands" up by the aurora borealis and not, say, Poland. Who knows? Maybe now the heretofore "unspoken history of Cold War Euro...

While I fully admit my own laziness in this endeavor, I must point out that none of the articles posted here (nor any of the ones I have read online during my ridiculously lengthy daily music site check-ups) include any first-hand accounts of her prowess. You would think that there would be a small ...

No doubt she was, at one point, something extraordinary - but has anyone found a description of her playing from the viewpoint of someone who had seen her live? Are there any recital reviews out there in the world? I supposed I could look, but I just KNOW there are people out there just waiting to b...

Ooooo, SORRY, Fel! Didn't see that you had already posted this stat. My bad....

For those of us who want some New Years Cheer, the Nielsen index released their year-end music stats report. Some interesting facts, courtesy of Alex Ross' always relevant and revelatory blog (www.therestisnoise.com): - Digital track sales: up 65% - Album sales: down 5% - The fastest growing music c...

Lance, I couldn't agree with you more. My quick story about Orli: I'm from St. Louis, and was more than a little excited when Orli's husband, David Robertson, took over the symphony (it started as more than a little excited and quickly developed into a near-religious enthusiasm, but that's another s...

Quick question: Does anyone know who publishes, or who you have to contact to perform, Charles Amirkhanian's music/vocal pieces? In reward for this brave search, here is a link to some online recordings of his work, many of which are blissfully charming. http://www.ubu.com/sound/amir.html ESPECIALLY...

Any thoughts on where Barenboim might end up? I have a sneaky suspicion about it....

Any opinions?

Although relatively young, I grew up in a house of opera lovers, and from an early age I was well acquainted with La Russell. I would give anything to be able to have heard her quartet singing live, although I'm sure she would have warned me that her "quartet singing was not as good as it used to be...

Right here, right now, I'm throwing my hat into the ring. :) The full article can be found at Playbillarts.com http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/5459.html "Christoph Eschenbach to Leave Philadelphia Orchestra After 2007-08 Season" By Matthew Westphal 20 Oct 2006 Conductor Christoph Eschenbach...

Just in case you have any great composer friends for whom a major birthday is coming up, and it also just happens that their benefit to American music is incalcuable.....here's a good way to honor them. I highly recommend the tribute by David Robertson, brilliant conductor, innovative programmer, an...

I find this discussion of Schnittke, and his apparent absence from the American Musical Scene, perplexing. This is almsot opposite of my experience in the US, but there may be other factors at work. Young musicians in the US are well aware of Schnittke and his genius, and in my two years at grad sch...

Here, here to the New World Symphony! A recording that should be in everyone's library is a compilation of symphonic jazz works entitled "New World Jazz." Beyond the silly joy of having works like John Adam's "Lollapalooza" and Antheil's "Jazz Symphony" performed by precise and electric young musici...

No, dear Maestro Mueller was not the best of conductors - and I think part of the reason he took the Juilliard gig was because there was a hint that he might have a chance to conduct some major local orchestras (hint hint hint) while there. He was, however, a master musician and a scholar of scores ...

Please, please hang around and stop lurking. I can get on my high horse and be wrong, and I learn constantly from this site, no matter what others might think. That was a great post, and it reminded me that Sondheim is exactly in the tradition of which I was speaking. In other words, you corrected ...

Oy, well, I may get a little overzealous at times.....

But, you know, we conductors make money by extroversion (no matter how much Mr. Strauss or Boulez belie it), so I hope you'll excuse me the occasional cartwheel.

-Iron Chef

jbuck919 wrote: Popular songs are not supposed to make any sense. They have neither direct nor ironic meaning like art songs. They are at best fun, and have no artistic value. Ok, well, long time reader, first time commentor, so I will try my darndest to not ramble on or get overly impassioned. I am...