We know these songs well. So well, in fact, we probably don't pay too much attention to what the lyrics actually say. Which, to me, seemed like something worthy of exploration. When considered independently of their song's context, the lyrics to our standard canon of Christmas songs range from hilarious to creepy to risqué. "Man, … Continue reading Out-of-Context Christmas Song Lyrics
Christmas Music That’s Actually Good
A while back I did a thing for the KUSC blog where I picked my Top 10 Classical Christmas Picks. (Actually, it ended up being a Top 12 list, but whatever.) Here's an updated version of that post. But you won't hear any of that music blaring over the loudspeakers at your favorite shopping mall. … Continue reading Christmas Music That’s Actually Good
Orchestra Playoffs
With Major League Baseball's League Championship Series getting underway this weekend, we find ourselves bearing witness to the best teams playing baseball at the highest level under the most pressure-packed circumstances. To me, that always sounds a lot like what goes on year round in concert halls across the country. That big clarinet solo in … Continue reading Orchestra Playoffs
Happy Birthday, Luciano Pavarotti
The "King of the High C's" would have been 77 years old today. Hard to believe it's been five years already since he passed away. Here are some of my favorites from Pavarotti, including duets with Sting and Jon Bon Jovi. (Side note: I'm not responsible for the misspelling of Puccini's Turandot.)
Protected: Frustrating…Archaic…and the Bliss of Boredom
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Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic on Stravinsky’s Rite
This weekend, the LA Philharmonic performs Igor Stravinsky's seminal masterpiece, The Rite of Spring, with music director Gustavo Dudamel. The concerts mark the opening of the 2012-13 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall. I spoke with Dudamel as well as several members of the LA Phil about what it's like to perform The Rite. Here … Continue reading Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic on Stravinsky’s Rite
The Haiku Reviews: An Anti-Beatle, Fifty Shades of Grieg, and Ubiquity
I liked it better back when Sir Paul was writing ballads, not ballets. Ildy has sung this role almost as many times as Don has had sex. Very important! Don't listen to this at work. (Sexual harassment.) What we really need are more "classical" covers … Continue reading The Haiku Reviews: An Anti-Beatle, Fifty Shades of Grieg, and Ubiquity
Brutal Virtuosity: Grappling with Stravinsky’s Rite
“It doesn’t matter what notes you play,” I said, “as long as you play them at the right time.” It was 2004 and my violinist friend and I were driving to the first rehearsal of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Neither of us had played the work before and both of us were marveling … Continue reading Brutal Virtuosity: Grappling with Stravinsky’s Rite
Sound the (Principal) Trumpet: It’s Thomas Hooten
All season long, the LA Philharmonic has been on Principal Trumpet Watch. Current principal, Donald Green, retires at the end of this Hollywood Bowl season. The LA Phil actually offered the position to Thomas Hooten, principal trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony, and probably the most highly sought after orchestral trumpeter in the world. But the … Continue reading Sound the (Principal) Trumpet: It’s Thomas Hooten
Gustavo is America and You Can Too
Like the best summer tomatoes, Thursday night's LA Philharmonic concert at the Hollywood Bowl was one to savor. Of the six performances conducted by Gustavo Dudamel at the Bowl this year, this was certainly the musician's concert of the bunch. No superstar soloists, like Yo-Yo Ma or Plácido Domingo, and a 12-tone piano concerto to … Continue reading Gustavo is America and You Can Too
Brian Lauritzen 