In New York?

29. October 2007 · Comments Off on In New York? · Categories: Concert Announcements

Hi Folks!

There’s some great chamber music coming your way.

The Willow Ensemble will present concerts on November 9 and 10 at 8PM within the intimate confines of the Grace Church Chantry on 10th and Broadway.

On the upcoming program:

Rossini: Sonata VI for Woodwind Quartet
Beethoven: Woodwind Quintet in E-flat, Op. 71
Haydn: String Quartet in D minor, “Quinten,” Op. 76, No. 2
Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, BWV 1046 in F major.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. To reserve tickets at the lower price, reply to this email and specify your preferred concert date as well as how many tickets you need. Alternatively, you can leave a message at 917-698-8415.

I hope you can make it!

And feel free to pass this email along to others.

Cheers!

Timothy Emerson
Artistic Director, Willow Ensemble

Hah!

29. October 2007 · Comments Off on Hah! · Categories: Links, Other People's Words

…we were playing the ever-popular “Guess Who I’m Thinking About” at the dinner table. As it happens, the person I’d chosen was Mike Lowell. Daughter of MMmusing had already made several guesses to determine gender, grown-upness, famousness, etc. Then, she said, “Is he a composer?” I said, “No,” to which she responded, “Oh, that’s right. You said he’s living. All the composers are dead.”
(RTWT)

Dancing To The Music?

29. October 2007 · Comments Off on Dancing To The Music? · Categories: Links, Ramble

Daniel Levitin thinks that audiences should get up and dance to classical music performances.

While I understand that the stiffness and formality of a concert bothers some people, I wonder about the listening that can take place when people are busy dancing away. Or does listening not matter any more?

Using history to bolster his case doesn’t work for me. You can use history for all sorts of justifications then, right? Does history make it correct?

Levitin also says:

Children often demonstrate this nature at classical music concerts, swaying and shouting and generally participating when they feel like it. We adults then train them to act “civilized.” The natural tendency toward movement is thus so internalized, it is manifest in concert halls only as a mild swaying of heads. But our biology hasn’t changed — we would probably have more fun if we moved freely.

Hmmm. Children do a lot of things. Some of which have to be reigned in. Go figure.

But maybe I’m totally off base. Maybe I should change my ways.

Besides, if everyone is busy making a lot of noise a missed attack wouldn’t matter at all. Bad reeds? Who cares if you can’t hear them!

Hmmm. I think I’m going to change my stance!

Music In Iraq

29. October 2007 · Comments Off on Music In Iraq · Categories: Links

I’m not sure how I missed the SLSO Marc Thayer blog entries in the summer about music in Iraq, but they are now here.

In addition, there is this article about the “world’s bravest orchestra.” Indeed.

Steve Carell

29. October 2007 · Comments Off on Steve Carell · Categories: Quotes, Ramble

I feel much more comfortable being surrounded by people who are much more talented than I am.

-Steve Carell (when asked if he’d do a one man show)

Carell continued to say things that often run through my own head. Funny how that works, eh? Not that I’m suggesting that I’m as talented as he, but I find it interesting that the things coming out of his mouth were precisely what I feel. He talks about just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Being a glass half empty person. All that. Ah yes. And that it’s really a protective thing.

Later …

“I’m writing a symphony. Why not? In my spare time,” (said in a very self mocking way).

Hah … too funny, that man!

MQOD

29. October 2007 · Comments Off on MQOD · Categories: Quotes

A musician’s life is full of questions, strains, uncertainty, and utter splendor.

-James Roe (found here)