tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92655332025-06-17T08:31:20.930-05:00Thoughts, musings and opinions of "the great Inuit Violinist" (tm).Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.comBlogger1223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-8329002953821438172024-10-18T15:17:00.005-05:002024-10-18T15:39:50.484-05:00

I so appreciate the Jacobs and all they do for media, especially Fred’s blog. (If you don’t read it every day or each week, I recommend the e-blasts or to bookmark it! https://jacobsmedia.com/blog/) In one his most recent posts, the discussion focuses on our craft: https://jacobsmedia.com/becoming-the-g-o-a-t/ I completely agree with his point and appreciate the sentiment. I

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-26327774388579014452019-04-15T07:57:00.002-05:002019-04-15T08:02:58.725-05:00

What a finish for the Australian Chamber Orchestra Sunday night in Carmel at the Palladium. The concert was delayed for weather and delayed flights. Those on time though were treated with music from Inon Barnatan! Three selections from his upcoming Carnegie Hall recital were played: Mendelssohn Rondo Capriccio, Schubert’s g flat Impromptu, and the finale of Prokofiev’s 7th Sonata were played as

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-37350914797762110262016-07-11T09:18:00.002-05:002016-07-11T09:18:44.344-05:00

Composer Greg Spears I had a chance to experience new and gorgeous music last month in Cincinnati with two productions of Cincinnati Opera. 1. The soloists, orchestra, and sets of Die Fledermaus were stunning. Kudos to original tempos and phrasing from conductor David Abell. My only reservation was the weak translation to English - I would have preferred the original German. 2. Greg Spears'

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-68004698191425882582015-11-02T06:40:00.000-06:002015-11-02T06:40:35.081-06:00

Heggie and Clare I heard Great Scott Sunday afternoon at Dallas Opera. Throughout the opera, I kept thinking, this is an aria that I'm going to hear in recital, that singers are going to take up (much like one hears Nessun Dorma or O Mio Babbino Caro from Turnadot or Gianni Schicchi) - but it wasn't just one tune, it was almost all of them! That's not a big surprise from a composer like Jake

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-63061391536084623962014-09-23T14:16:00.003-05:002014-09-23T14:16:48.070-05:00

Andrzej Panufnik "It is the true Phoenix, the only one, and it belongs to the world, if the world will have it. This is what Panufnik's great Ninth Symphony celebrates, in a unique manner. It is his crowning achievement, so far. It is hoped that it will be followed by others, just as new." - Harold Truscott from "The Achievement of Andrzej Panufnik," Tempo, December 1984. I first heard about

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-13687364872159173022014-04-01T09:27:00.002-05:002014-04-01T09:27:57.653-05:00

WARNER CLASSICS LAUNCHES EXCITING NEW CAMPAIGN TARGETING OLDER AUDIENCES In a bold strategic move, Warner Classics has unveiled a new campaign centered around attracting older consumers.  The initiative will extend across a variety of new releases and marketing efforts, helping to build strong ties with the always-important 85+ demographic.The campaign will launch with a brand new

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-77989836862069006882014-03-30T10:11:00.000-05:002014-03-30T10:14:22.441-05:00

I was lucky to attend the Orquesta Filarmonica de la UNAM concert Saturday night in Mexico City. The guest conductor was Krzysztof Penderecki, who brought several  of his works, as well as some other concert gems to the stage. Serving as a tribute to John Paul II, the Chaconne from the Polish Requiem was arranged in 2005 for strings. It is deeply touching and lyrical. The strings of the

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-12191091428833352662014-03-25T14:30:00.003-05:002014-03-25T14:30:09.722-05:00

This Thursday, March 27, Alessio Bax – winner of Lincoln Center’s 2013 Martin E. Segal Award – pairs Beethoven’s “Hammerklavier” Sonata with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s new “Art of the Recital” series at the Rose Studio. Offering an opportunity to hear the pianist’s “formidable and sensitive rendition

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-57671928868711659392014-03-25T08:38:00.001-05:002014-03-25T08:38:43.424-05:00

Recognizing the critical role farmers and ranchers play in nourishing today’s population and future generations, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today encourages Texans to join him in celebrating National Agriculture Day. “Agriculture is important to Texans 365 days a year,” Commissioner Staples said. “Today, on National Agriculture Day, I ask all Texans to take the time to honor our

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-82591305769611160152014-03-08T12:16:00.003-06:002014-03-08T12:16:40.158-06:00

Brett Mitchell stepped in on just two hours' notice for an ailing Franz Welser-Möst on Friday, March 7, leading his Cleveland Orchestra subscription debut at Severance Hall. On the program were: Rachmaninoff - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Rudolf Buchbinder, piano) R. Strauss - Don Juan J. Strauss, Jr. - Aus den Bergen J. Strauss, Jr. - Csárdás from Ritter Pázmán Mr.

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-67399412399114889102014-03-08T12:13:00.001-06:002014-03-08T12:13:09.259-06:00

Ten wounded service members, recipients of the Purple Heart award, received a special gift today, tool sets valued at $1,000 each. The tools were provided by the Sons of the American Revolution at an event at Operation Homefront Village. Operation Homefront, the San Antonio-based national non-profit that provides emergency financial and other services to military families and wounded warriors,

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-16531224122190043142014-03-07T08:51:00.000-06:002014-03-07T08:51:11.216-06:00

On Saturday, March 8th, International Women’s Day, activists from UltraViolet, a national women’s advocacy organization, and Fight for 15, concerned citizens, and customers will rally outside Whole Food Stores around the country demanding justice for Rhiannon Broschat, a single mother from Chicago who was fired from her job at Whole Foods after missing work to care for her special needs son

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-33914260118239489062014-03-07T06:03:00.002-06:002014-03-07T06:03:47.726-06:00

Yesterday, two reproductive health clinic closures were announced in rural Texas, as a result of Texas House Bill 2, disproportionately affecting low-income women in the south and east of the state. These were the only clinics in East Texas and Rio Grande Valley. “The closure of Whole Women’s Health clinic is a tragedy for women in Texas and indicative of the cost when we allow politicians to use

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-69690664163032775132014-03-06T21:52:00.000-06:002014-03-06T21:52:34.290-06:00

The Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall I have been listening to the Cleveland Orchestra for many years. One cannot avoid it if your interest is in great music being played at the highest level. The Cleveland Orchestra has always been in the upper echelon of not only American orchestras, but on the international stage as well. However, my own orchestral roots run to the Chicago Symphony

James Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14958026383677301851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-53041674286880449942014-02-26T17:27:00.001-06:002014-02-26T17:27:01.509-06:00

Kelley Hollis (Florencia) Isaac Bray (Riolobo) What a joy to hear not only the great news that Daniel Catán's Florencia en el Amazonas is scheduled for the 2014-15 season of the LA Opera, but also to find the work brought to life in this performance at Boston University! This remains one of my favorite of Daniel's operas. It always sends a shiver down my spine, prompted not only by

James Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14958026383677301851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-28778901396086616812014-02-25T15:59:00.004-06:002014-03-07T06:10:11.757-06:00

March 11 brings the U.S. release of The Beethoven Journey: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 4, the second recording from 2013 Gramophone Hall of Fame inductee Leif Ove Andsnes in his long-term focus on the master composer’s five piano concertos. Like the first title in the series, which won both iTunes’ Best Instrumental Album of 2012 and Belgium’s Prix Caecilia, the new album was recorded for Sony

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-23030889033340386782014-02-09T19:13:00.004-06:002014-02-09T19:20:08.586-06:00

Vivian Fung Be sure to check out my latest interview with a composer - the awesome Vivian Fung over at S21!

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-24358964060872272102014-02-01T22:13:00.003-06:002014-02-01T22:19:06.758-06:00

Maria Schneider I first came to know the work of composer/band leader Maria Schneider through her remarkable big band, made all the more remarkable by her at times "symphonic" scoring. No, don't think Ellington, or expect the Maria Schneider Big Band to sound like the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra. It's more akin to the various bands written for by Miles Davis' favorite arranger, Gil Evans. And

James Bakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14958026383677301851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-55193016871139792762014-02-01T15:32:00.001-06:002014-02-01T15:32:22.821-06:00

Clare in Springfield, MA Great few days in Austin and Amherst!

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-35706205741978613102013-08-28T10:09:00.001-05:002013-08-28T10:11:36.622-05:00

Some cool concerts coming up in September in Seguin! The Sum of All Delights: Vintage and Modern Love Songs Featuring Tenor J.R. Fralick & Pianist Carla McElhaney Tuesday, September 10, 2013 7:00 p.m. Ayers Recital Hall, Schuech Fine Arts Building Free Admission - Limited Seating Available And do not miss - Josh Roman (credit: Jeremy Sawatzky) Joshua Roman Cello Recital Described as: “A

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-75260849995858395082013-08-07T16:10:00.001-05:002013-08-28T09:58:10.567-05:00

Malibu Grand Prix San Antonio will be participating in a School Supply Drive during the month of August. By having the school supplies they need, students are more likely to keep their focus to learn more in the classroom setting. There are many backpacks that will not get filled to their full potential and Malibu Grand Prix is asking for the help of the public to make sure students are prepared

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-41972517150558550892013-07-25T16:16:00.001-05:002013-07-25T16:16:56.833-05:00

Bravo! Before two encores at Harris Concert Hall  Joyce DiDonato is a shining star in the operatic world. She has won awards from the Grammys to Richard Tucker, Operalia, Beverly Sills, and an Echo Klassik Award. She's sung from La Scala to Santa Fe, Covent Garden to Houston Grand, and everywhere in between! So Tuesday, it was a great delight to hear Joyce's debut at the Aspen Music

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-26611308977317030422013-07-17T13:38:00.005-05:002013-07-17T13:38:53.858-05:00

The San Antonio Symphony Board of Directors is proud to offer a $125,000 Summer Matching Grant. Help them meet the match by July 31st. The San Antonio Symphony is the epicenter of the city’s performing arts. From their release: "We are continuously shaping the dynamics of our community through the performance of symphonic, opera, and ballet repertoire. We perform side-by-side concerts with

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-8527787938754110662013-06-24T09:28:00.001-05:002013-06-24T09:28:59.091-05:00

Maestro Andris Nelsons will throw the first pitch at Red Sox vs. Colorado Rockies Game and lead short pre-game fanfare with brass players from the BSO and Boston Pops tomorrow evening. WHAT: Andris Nelsons, the next Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director, makes first visit to Boston since the May 16 announcement of his appointment as the BSO’s next music director WHEN AND WHERE: *11:00 a.m.

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9265533.post-53622296302200822202013-06-17T09:03:00.000-05:002013-06-17T09:03:27.533-05:00

Violinist Odin Rathnam Right now, young artists are preparing an out of this world concert in Harrisburg, PA for this Sunday, June 23rd, at 3pm. Fire and Ice, 8 Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla will feature violinists Odin Rathnam and Artur Kaganovskiy, with Gregory Woodbridge, conductor. Learn more and hear samples of Piazzolla's fun work here: http://content.thespco.org/music/

Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04338875500647394264noreply@blogger.com0