Just in time for the holidays, the financially strained Utah Symphony/Opera has just been awarded a cool $1 million by the Eccles Foundation.
Spencer Eccles, the chairman and CEO of the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, was apparently taken back by the generosity of the musicians in the organization; who recently donated $1.3 million in salary and benefits for the current season, after already accepting a salary cut of $445,000 in the previous season as the organization clipped it’s budget. So much in fact, that it spurred this large gift. (original article after the jump)
The Eccles Foundation has a history of giving to the Utah Symphony, and in its currently struggling economic state, this came at the right time. It’s great to hear things will be a little easier for the historic orchestra.
Utah Symphony | Utah Opera unwraps $1M gift, The Salt Lake Tribune
Archive for the ‘General’ Category
Eccles Foundation Award $1 Million To Utah Symphony and Opera
Ho-ho-ho!
Vandalism at Ithaca College
Destroyed marimba after Sunday's vandalism
I’ve been waiting to write about this event for a few days now, mostly just to make sure that I had all my personal feelings in order before I went about writing a blog entry. For even more coverage, please visit the blog of my colleague Zack Ford (link after the jump), an IC-alum who has been covering the event in detail, and whose opinion I respect to the highest degree.
Early Sunday morning, the Whalen Center for Music at Ithaca College was subjected to a heinous act of vandalism. Nearly 70 pianos and percussion instruments were damaged in what can only be described as a hate crime against the school of music. For much of the day, students were unable to access their instruments, books, and other belongings stored in the building’s lockers.
The timing was perfect: one day before the beginning of finals and juries (performance exams). Unable to practice or study, students went most of the day relying on word of mouth for information. The entire building was locked down by police tape and security guards; only rumors hinted at the extent of the damage. The administration was quick to alert students of the situation, though they could not do much to help the hundreds unable to prepare for the important week ahead.
The rumors I heard about the monetary extent of the damage show just how far off word of mouth can be. At noon everyone I spoke with was saying $500,000. By night time, several teachers had disclosed to me that they had heard closer to $1 million.
That evening, Erik Kibelsbeck, Coordinator of Music Facilities and Publicity at the Whalen Center for Music, posted the following on Facebook:
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John Adams Pants Stolen Before Performance
Waders Substituted By Popular Vote
If you have yet to discover earbox.com, the official blog of John Adams, let me introduce you:
Hell Mouth, this is the internet.. internet, meet Hell Mouth.
In his own unique way, Adams uses this blog as a means of story-telling. His entries range from scholarly and factual, to gut-busting and fictitious (I believe/hope). In his most recent entry, the American composer praises the virtuoso violinist Leila Josefowicz. He details his introduction to “Ms. J” and their subsequent interactions afterwards, many while she was performing his Violin Concerto. It is an inspiring story of their history together, and a great example of his more serious writing.
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LA Opera Gets $14-Million To Stay Afloat
One Ring Cycle To Rule Them All
Let’s just say that you are staging an opera, and it begins to go over-budget, and keeps going over budget… suddenly you’re $20 million in debt and are attempting a $32 million production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Who are you?
If you said the Los Angeles Opera, then you win (nothing)!
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Researchers Find Stradivari’s Secret Is Not In Varnish
Conclusion: He Used Magic
For years, luthiers have attempted to copy the violin-making technique of Antonio Stradivari, whose instruments represent the absolute finest from the Golden Age of Cremona. Using modern technology, dimensions, thickness of wood, and placement of bass bars and sound posts, can be imitated to a great extent (have you ever seen those luthier diagrams in Strad magazine? Too much for me). Yet, Strads still hold their ground at the very top of the pedestal. So what makes them so different from other fine instruments?
A common theory is that the answer is in the varnish. It was speculated that proteins from dead animals, or perhaps other exotic elements might have been added to the mix, and in turn adjusted the acoustic properties of the wood to sound so glorious.
Well we can just about cross that theory off the list.
Using samples from four violins and a viola d’amore, with vintages from 1692 to 1724 (remember his Golden Era was 1698-1720 so this is a good sample), a team of researchers have concluded that the varnish is actually a quite basic blend of oil and resin.
Back to the drawing board…
What Exalts Stradivarius? Not Varnish, Study Says – NY Times
Exclusive Interview with Gilbert Kalish
I had the pleasure today of sitting down with Gilbert Kalish, and Jeffery Meyer for another Sound Post interview. Topics on the table were: Kalish’s residency at Ithaca College, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, his entry into the professional world of classical music, and what it is like to play under the baton of his former student, Jeffery Meyer.
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Sting and Trudie Styler Star in Schumann Romance Film
Premiers Tonight on WQXR and WNYC
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
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.