In addition to the music-making here in London, the LA Phil is hosting a symposium about music education. They've put together an orchestra comprised of students from all over Great Britain, plus ten members of the LA Phil’s own Youth Orchestra LA—or YOLA. It's called the Discover Dudamel Orchestra. Last night, the young musicians met … Continue reading Postcard from London: A Candy Conclave
Postcard from London: The Music of the Future
On KUSC today, you'll hear me mention an ensemble called Future Band. Future Band is a group of a couple dozen musicians, ages 8-14, from all over London. The ensemble has no set instrumentation, the members write their own music, and it is open to just about anyone. Future Band meets during school vacation periods … Continue reading Postcard from London: The Music of the Future
Arrival in London
Greetings from London! After a long, bumpy flight--complete with a two-hour line for a manual check-in with handwritten boarding passes (ask me about that later when I'm not grumpy)--I, along with 10 YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) musicians, ages 14-16 arrived in London town this morning. We were immediately greeted by something quite familiar to … Continue reading Arrival in London
Ah, mes amis [Goat Edition]
http://youtu.be/6EQgsWNXBUo It's entirely possible I made a goat video. This is it.
Remembering Van Cliburn: “The Texan Who Conquered Russia”
"I do not have fingers. I have ten voices and they must all sing." Van Cliburn Against the backdrop of the Cold War and the Space Race, a lanky 23-year-old classical pianist burst onto the scene as an unlikely ambassador of cultural understanding. At the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, Van Cliburn won the … Continue reading Remembering Van Cliburn: “The Texan Who Conquered Russia”
LA Phil 2013-14: By the Numbers
Much has already been written about the LA Phil's new 2013-14 season, just announced yesterday at Walt Disney Concert Hall. (In my estimation, the most insightful summations come from Mr. CK Dexter Haven at All is Yar and Timothy Mangan at Classical Life.) As orchestras around the country hemorrhage audiences, money, and relevance, a few--like … Continue reading LA Phil 2013-14: By the Numbers
Top 8 Oscar Snubs: Film Music Edition
Earlier this week on the KUSC Blog, Tim Greiving chronicled the five film scores nominated for this year’s Academy Awards. His post was titled “For Once, Oscar Picked (Some of) the Best Scores,” hinting that perhaps The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences occasionally misses the mark. Okay … actually, The Academy has a … Continue reading Top 8 Oscar Snubs: Film Music Edition
Happy 100th, Witold Lutosławski!
"Composers are messengers from an ideal world." -Witold Lutosławski 2013 is a big anniversary year for classical music. It's the bicentennials of Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813) and Giuseppe Verdi (October 10, 1813); the centennial of Benjamin Britten (November 22, 1913); and the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring (May … Continue reading Happy 100th, Witold Lutosławski!
Kenneth Turan on 2013 Oscar Nominations
Here I am chatting with LA Times and Arts Alive film critic Kenneth Turan about this year's Oscar nominations. Surprises, omissions, and *gasp* perhaps a snub in a minor category? For more from Turan, including his thoughts on the 1971 Claude Sautet policier Max et les Ferrailleurs, tune into Arts Alive this Saturday morning at … Continue reading Kenneth Turan on 2013 Oscar Nominations
Got $86? Want Wagner?
With the Fiscal Cliff™ negotiations behind us and the payroll tax holiday officially over, households making $75,000 a year will see their taxes increase by about $70-$80 per month. As our dollars seem to get us less and less each year, we have to look for better and better bargains. Thankfully, for fans of the … Continue reading Got $86? Want Wagner?
Brian Lauritzen 