Author Archive

Sting and Trudie Styler Star in Schumann Romance Film

Premiers Tonight on WQXR and WNYC

by: Colin Oettle

robertclara
Twin Spirits, a film about the romance between Robert Schumann and his wife-to-be Clara Wieck, will premier tonight, December 3, at an event hosted by WNYC’s The Greene Space, WQXR 105.9, and Music Unites—a New York based music education charity. The event is a benefit for both Music Unites, and the Royal Opera House Education programs.

The film chronicles the romance between Robert and Clara Schumann with an amalgam of narration, music, and acting. While Sting and Trudie Styler read from the letters exchanged between Robert and Clara, musicians will embody the spirit of the composers by performing their music. The film will also be narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi.

Finally, those who are not able to attend the premier can watch the film online starting at 6:30pm today at www.wnyc.org/thegreenespace and www.wqxr.org, followed by an audio stream of Elliot Forrest’s conversation with Sting and Trudie Styler.

For more information, check the event page here.

Perlman to Play Polio Benefit Concert With NY Phil

by: Colin Oettle

Perlman
World renown violinist Itzhak Perlman will give a one-night-only performance with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall this evening to raise money for Rotary International’s campaign against polio. Perlman, who lost the ability to walk to polio, will play a selection of works including Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, and John Williams’ Theme from Schindler’s List.

Tickets start between $70.00 and $90.00, with a special premium package available for $500.00. These premium tickets grant concertgoers prime seat location as well as admittance to a private reception with Mr. Perlman following the event. As stated on the NY Phil website, “Net ticket proceeds will benefit Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.” For info and tickets, see the event’s page at nyphil.com.

Classical Newcomer Writes Book On Bach Cello Suites

Head Yet To Implode

by: Colin Oettle

The Cello Suites
Eric Siblin, a pop music critic whose classical education is wanting at best, shares his take on Bach’s six cello suites in his book “The Cello Suites: J.S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece.” The book is the result of Siblin’s pseudo-obsessive exploration into the six suites, despite an overall unfamiliarity with Bach and classical music in general.

Siblin was inspired by the same Casals recording that brought the suites into the spotlight of cello literature, and he begins the book with an attempt to shed light on what NY Times writer Janet Maslin identifies as the suites’ “elusiveness.” Bach’s intentions are still murky, as the alternate tuning required by some movements suggests the works may not have been written for cello. Or if they were, that the outliers among the suites do not belong in the same collection that modern musicians have come to accept as an indisputable volume.
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Unfinished Debussy Operas Based On Poe Stories are Premiered

by: Colin Oettle

debussy_poe
Opera comany Opéra Français de New York, in conjunction with the French Institute Alliance Française, presented two single-act operas that were left unfinished by French composer Claude Debussy. The two works are based on the Edgar Allan Poe stories “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Devil in the Belfry.”

According to NY Times writer Anthony Tommasini, the existing music for both operas, incomplete sketches included, was not enough to fill even an hour. So, the program was fleshed out with four songs and a piano prelude. Tommasini says that the show, called “Debussy and Poe,” still captured the dark, macabre exploration that Debussy intended for the works. Of course, listeners were probably unable to avoid the obvious question: what if Debussy had completed them?

For the complete performance review read the NY times here.

Handel’s Messiah: A Glorious History

Hallelujah

by: Colin Oettle

hallelujah
The Smithsonian recently ran an excellent piece in which author Jonathan Kandell provides historical insight into Handel’s life and the conception of his greatest work: The Messiah.

Originally intended for Easter, Handel’s Messiah is now as synonymous with the Christmas season as egg nog and pfeffernüsse. Handel composed the work in only four grueling weeks between August and September 1741, with the text having been prepared by librettist Charles Jennens in July. Still conscious of his works’ lukewarm reception the previous season, however, Handel sought to test the Messiah on a booming European city whose wealthy elite would likely mirror the response of audiences in London. So he premiered the Messiah in Dublin the following year.
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What Are You Thankful For?

Besides Turkey

by: Colin Oettle

thanksgiving
As the calendar closes in on the ’09 holiday season, WQXR is asking listeners to share particular works they are thankful for by calling in or emailing the station. New York’s classical station promises to play the selections throughout Thanksgiving weekend, along with some messages and stories sent in by the people who chose them.

If you’d like to hear a favorite or special piece next weekend, head over to the WQXR post with all the details. In the meantime, The Sound Post would like to welcome your stories as well! While we may not have a radio station (yet), TSP would love to know what pieces move you, and why.

British Woman Donates Fortune to the Met, Bird Group

by: Colin Oettle

warbler
Mona Webster, a British woman living in Edinburgh who passed away at 96 last August, decreed that the majority of her fortune be split between two organizations which represented her greatest interests: the Metropolitan Opera and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Webster was born on the Isle of Man in 1913, where her father was a lighthouse keeper. She first discovered her love for birds when she moved to Scotland as a girl, and was later introduced to opera via the Met’s Saturday afternoon broadcasts. The Met’s director of planned and special gifts, Gail Chesler, said that Ms. Webster remembered Saturday broadcasts as far back as 1939.

Webster had been in contact with Met representatives since 2000 when she was invited to New York for an opening night performance following a generous donation. She had attended performances prior to 2000 with opera tour groups however, which established her connection to the organization and prompted her to write the $7.5 million donation into her will. Needless to say, her generosity will not only boost the opera company but also serve to illustrate the boundless audience that art, music, and nature all inspire.

Source: NY Times.

Villazón Returns for 2010 Season

Will Bring Voice With Him

by: Colin Oettle

Villazon
Tenor Rolando Villazón announced on his website that he will return to the stage in 2010, after having to cancel the remainder of his 2009 season in April to treat a cyst on his vocal chords.

Villazón was scheduled to sing at the Met last year, but was forced to cancel due to his surgery. The video on his site is full of excitement and gratitude for supporters, and Villazón tells fans to keep an eye out for his soon-to-be released 2010 schedule.

Warm wishes and good luck to Mr. Villazón for his recovery and return to his art. Source: WQXR.

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