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 Archive for the 'Classical Life by Tim Mangan' CategoryGiulini conducts L.A. Philharmonic in Tchaikovsky’s 6thJuly 2nd, 2009, 12:29 pm by Timothy Mangan, music critic
This is the third movement, of course. To my taste (and I’m a huge Giulini fan), the maestro’s tempo is just a smidgen too slow. On the other hand, his conception of the piece is so strong and unwavering — building slowly and patiently in one long line, and not an ounce of “show” in it — that ultimately it works very well for me. Note how perfectly the orchestra is prepared. And note how hard Giulini is working — it’s exhausting just watching him. The recording with the same performers is here. Classical Life readers pick their favorite Beethoven symphony recordingsJuly 1st, 2009, 2:00 pm by Timothy Mangan, music critic
Classical Life (this blog) recently took a poll of its readers, asking them to name their favorite Beethoven symphony. (The Seventh got the most votes.) As an added feature, those voters were then asked to name their favorite recording of the symphony that they had voted for. A list of their recorded picks is below. In building a library of classical music recordings, the Beethoven symphonies are of course a must. I think many listeners make the mistake, however, of buying a complete set of The Nine, with one orchestra and one conductor. While there are undoubtedly many great recorded sets of the Beethoven symphonies, it’s much more interesting to buy them singly and build your set one by one. That way you get to sample a variety of interpretive approaches, different orchestras and different labels. The list below is an interesting one, I think, with some usual suspects certainly, but also a few surprises. I have included all of the recommendations (and links to their Amazon pages), so most of the symphonies have multiple suggestions for recordings. I added a recommendation myself for the Symphony No. 1, since that, alas, remained an orphan, and one for Symphony No. 8, since the recording suggested by a reader is not readily available. California Orchestras: July 2009 Concert ListingsJuly 1st, 2009, 1:01 am by Timothy Mangan, music critic
The Association of California Symphony Orchestras offers a monthly summary of orchestra performances in California. The information listed below represents concerts presented by current member organizations and is subject to change. Click on the thumbnail of Gustav Mahler to view larger (photo: Library of Cngress). Thursday, July 2 at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at 7 p.m. Long Beach Opera to stage ‘Nixon in China’June 30th, 2009, 10:37 am by Timothy Mangan, music criticLong Beach Opera will stage three American operas for its 2010 season, the company has announced, including a new production of John Adams’ “Nixon in China.” Roberk Kurka’s “The Good Soldier Schweik,” based on Jaroslav Hasek’s satirical novel, and a reprisal of Ricky Ian Gordon’s “Orpheus and Euridice,” staged in a municipal swimming pool, will also be produced as part of Long Beach Opera’s 31st season. The company’s 30th season, a return to its roots for the scrappy organization, was a decided success. “We had an outstanding 30th Anniversary season quadrupling our The company’s 31st season opens with two performances, at the Center Theater in Long Beach on Jan. 23 and Barnum Hall in Santa Monica on Jan. 30, of Schweik’s1957 two-act opera. The anti-war opera was given its premiere by New York City Opera in 1958 shortly after the composer’s early death at 35. It is often compared in musical style and general spirit to Kurt Weill’s “The Threepenny Opera.” Single tickets for Philharmonic Society of O.C. events on saleJune 29th, 2009, 1:44 pm by Timothy Mangan, music criticSingle tickets for the Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s 2009-2010 concert season are now on sale. Among the artists to appear will be Janine Jansen, the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra, Kathleen Battle, Lang Lang, Riccardo Chailly and the Leipzig Gewanhaus Orchestra, Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic (with Emanuel Ax), Charles Rosen (in lecture and recital) and Alfred Brendel (in lecture). For a full calendar of events go here. To purchase tickets call 949-553-2422 or visit www.philharmonicsoceity.org. related link: phil society of oc unveils collaboration with carnegie hall A reader responds: Bocelli rocks, you don’tJune 29th, 2009, 10:27 am by Timothy Mangan, music criticI’m back. Going through reams of e-mail, among which I found the missive below and thought I’d share. A reader has her say about my review of Andrea Bocelli at the Hollywood Bowl. And here I thought I was being nice!
(name withheld) Poll: Which Beethoven symphony is your favorite?June 17th, 2009, 1:01 am by Timothy Mangan, music critic
OK, I know that this is an impossible question, at least for some of us. (Some folks will know the answer right off, though.) And I know that the ultimate results may not mean much (but maybe they will). The people who read this blog (the blognescenti) are outliers, after all. So, if you’re like me, and love them all, how should you answer? A couple of suggestions. Name the one you’d most like to have on the proverbial desert island for the rest of your life. Or name the one you’d most like to hear next, either at home or in concert. Or name the one which you have a special soft spot for, an underdog among The Nine perhaps. That’s what I’m doing. Then, after you answer the poll — perhaps the more interesting part. In the comments section, name your favorite recording of the symphony you chose. (I have several, but I’ll just name one.) We might end up with a very interesting list of recordings. I hope so. I’m off for a while on furlough and vacation. You can argue amongst yourselves.
Which Beethoven symphony is your favorite?
previously: a ten-year-old talks about practicing; take a poll |
