This just in: Through her press representative, Hilary Hahn sent word that the fish interview had no second or third meanings. She was just being whimsical in a hotel room. Better to interview a fish than to devolve into mindless channel surfing. … [Read more...] about Hello Hilary!
Hilary Hahn’s fish video and life lessons from Carol Channing
Hilary Hahn often said the main drawback to the life of a traveling concert violinist is the lack of pets. She'd love to have a dog. When she was a youngster at the Curtis Institute of Music, she reportedly had a guinea pig named Penelope.In the past few weeks, she has posted a video on You Tube www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xZl1_NXKls in which her rapport with the animal world … [Read more...] about Hilary Hahn’s fish video and life lessons from Carol Channing
Kurt Sanderling: The uneasy elegance of Haydn and Mozart
Kurt Sanderling (1912-2011) left us long after we thought he did. The conductor who spent much of his life sealed off behind the Iron Curtain, whether in the former Soviet Union or East Germany, died Sept. 17 a few days before his 99th birthday without orchestras clamoring to capture his swan song or Japanese recording companies taping one Bruckner symphony after another … [Read more...] about Kurt Sanderling: The uneasy elegance of Haydn and Mozart
James Dillon’s mega opus: A view from the trenches
"We're using tuning forks during the performances." "Of course you are. Why wouldn't you?" Such was the exchange between choral conductor Donald Nally and the International Contemporary Ensemble at Columbia University's Miller Theater during the preparation of Nine Rivers, a mega-work by Scottish composer James Dillon that will be performed over three nights Wednesday, … [Read more...] about James Dillon’s mega opus: A view from the trenches
Porgy and Bess Revisited – through Brantley’s eyes
The on-going saga of Porgy and Bess at American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge turned a new corner with Ben Brantley’s typically thorough, insightful review in the New York Times. Having seen the first preview, I could revisit the show, to limited extent, through his eyes and see what was different. I’m relieved to know that original ending has been restored, if only because … [Read more...] about Porgy and Bess Revisited – through Brantley’s eyes