Tomorrow marks the second performance for Joshua Bell and Edgar Meyer with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. On Monday, I caught up with Bell at the Bowl. Today, I met Meyer in West Hollywood for a conversation about his new Double Concerto. The Nashville-based double-bassist is a leading performer in lots of different … Continue reading Ace of Bass: A Conversation with Edgar Meyer
Bell of the Bowl: A Conversation with Joshua Bell
Superstar violinist Joshua Bell is in town this week for two marathon performances at the Hollywood Bowl. I say marathon, not because the concerts will be extra long--there's curfew at the Bowl, after all--but because the program includes not one, but TWO concerti featuring Bell as soloist. From the standard repertoire, the Mendelssohn e-minor Violin … Continue reading Bell of the Bowl: A Conversation with Joshua Bell
The Haiku Reviews: A 400-Year-Old Premiere, Some Beethoven, and Plucked-Up Bach
As I make my way through the piles of new CDs on my desk at work, from time to time I'll also share some rapid-fire reviews of said albums...in haiku form. Because: Sometimes the best way to quickly review CDs is to use haiku. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ Cantatas arranged as Brandenburg Concerti. Interesting, but why? … Continue reading The Haiku Reviews: A 400-Year-Old Premiere, Some Beethoven, and Plucked-Up Bach
And the Canned Band Plays On
Nearly eight weeks out, and the London Symphony Orchestra has already performed at the opening ceremonies of this summer's Olympic Games. How can something that is scheduled for July 27th, 2012, already have happened? The LSO, apparently under great protest from its musicians and opening ceremonies artistic director Danny Boyle, recently pre-recorded their performance and … Continue reading And the Canned Band Plays On
A Gospel of Social Justice: The Premiere of John Adams’ “The Other Mary”
If it walks like a Passion and talks like a Passion, chances are it's a Passion. But composer John Adams chose not call his most recent work, The Gospel According to the Other Mary, a Passion. "I just avoided using the word 'Passion,'" Adams told me earlier this week in a conversation backstage at Walt … Continue reading A Gospel of Social Justice: The Premiere of John Adams’ “The Other Mary”
A Conversation with John Adams: “I’m not sure what art does.”
The world premiere of The Gospel According to the Other Mary, by John Adams, takes place tonight. Gustavo Dudamel conducting the LA Philharmonic, LA Master Chorale, and soloists in this evening-length oratorio (135 minutes, in two acts) about the final days of Jesus' life. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit down with John Adams, … Continue reading A Conversation with John Adams: “I’m not sure what art does.”
Brian Lauritzen 