By TIMOTHY MANGAN The problem of attending a classical music concert for a newcomer is a real one but is based essentially on a misunderstanding. The popular conception of classical concerts, perpetuated by Hollywood and others, as hoity-toity social affairs,
Video: Stravinsky conducts ‘The Firebird’
Stravinsky conducts the last three scenes of his own “Firebird” with the New York Philharmonic in 1960. After a bit of a slow start, this is a very nice performance, with considerable heat. Stravinsky didn’t have a strong conducting technique,
Some recommended recordings
I’ve made a first stab at a recommended recordings list, which you will see above in the menu bar. This is not a comprehensive list or a final product. It’s a basic list, or starter kit, at this point, and
Audio: Preview of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” by Alan Chapman
Audio: Mahler: Symphony No. 2, ‘Resurrection,’ 3rd movement
The third movement of Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony (which the Pacific Symphony plays this week), a scherzo, is an instrumental version (and expansion) of a song he was writing at the same time, “St. Anthony of Padua’s Sermon to the Fish.”
Audio: Mahler: Symphony No. 2, first movement
It’s always good to do a little homework, a little listening, when a big work is on the agenda, as it is this week, when Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony close out the season with four performances of Mahler’s Symphony
A swan song and a ‘Resurrection’: John Alexander takes the next step in a long career
By TIMOTHY MANGAN “I’m not retiring,” John Alexander says, just to be clear. The outgoing artistic director of the Pacific Chorale, which he has led for 45 years, is sitting in a local eatery where he is such a regular
Pacific Symphony clarinetist wins Houston competition
Pacific Symphony principal clarinetist Joseph Morris has won the Houston Symphony’s 42nd annual Ima Hogg Competition, the orchestra announced over the weekend. The competition, open to instrumentalist ages 16-26, is designed to support young musicians in the pursuit of their
Program for a John Williams concert
Pacific Symphony and conductor Richard Kaufman pay tribute to the great film composer in celebration of his 85th birthday tonight and tomorrow at Segerstrom Concert Hall. The program hasn’t been widely disseminated so I post it in its entirely below.
Pacific Symphony assistant conductor wins Solti award
Pacific Symphony assistant conductor Roger Kalia was named today as a recipient of a 2017 Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award, the Solti Foundation U.S. announced. Kalia, who also serves as music director of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, also won