Kicking Brass: An Interview with the LA Phil’s Andrew Bain and Thomas Hooten

Posted on by brianlauritzen

This week’s LA Philharmonic radio broadcast on Classical KUSC features two concerto performances by two LA Phil brass principals. Thomas Hooten, principal trumpet, will play Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in E-flat. Andrew Bain, principal French horn, will play Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4. Before the performance, which was recorded in February 2015, I sat down with … Continue reading Kicking Brass: An Interview with the LA Phil’s Andrew Bain and Thomas Hooten

The KUSC Classical Top 100 Analyzed

Posted on by brianlauritzen

Well, the KUSC Classical Top 100 has been fully revealed and with it, some predictable results...and more than a few surprises as well. To recap, we asked KUSC listeners to vote on their favorite pieces of classical music and then we counted down the top 100 vote-getters on the air. You can view the entire … Continue reading The KUSC Classical Top 100 Analyzed

Coming to a Concert Hall Near You: A Zombie Apocalypse

Posted on by brianlauritzen

'Tis the season for new season announcements from orchestras across the United States and already there's a trend: dead composers. Now, I listen to dead people as much as the next guy, but I also love new music. Part of what makes classical music so great is that the new stuff builds on, refines, and … Continue reading Coming to a Concert Hall Near You: A Zombie Apocalypse

Concert-going for the Affluent: A Takedown

Posted on by brianlauritzen

I've been going to classical music concerts for as long as I can remember. At this point in my life, I attend about 40-50 concerts each year. But apparently, I've been clapping wrong this whole time. That is, if Joy Weaver is to believed, I am most definitely applauding incorrectly. How to do it properly … Continue reading Concert-going for the Affluent: A Takedown

Foolish Classics

Posted on by brianlauritzen

I love April Fools' Day. A day to stop taking ourselves too seriously, which is certainly a problem in the world of classical music. So to help, here are a few videos of classical music pieces and performances on the lighter side. 1. Sir Malcolm Arnold: A Grand, Grand Overture - features vacuum cleaners, a … Continue reading Foolish Classics

7 Operas that Make the VMAs Seem Chaste

Posted on by brianlauritzen

On Sunday evening, millions of Americans tuned in to the MTV Video Music Awards. They were treated to a show that included, among other things, Lady Gaga's butt and Miley Cyrus twerking on Beetlejuice. Freakout ensued. Then came this pseudo-defense of Miley. I was fortunate enough to miss the broadcast--I was at the Hollywood Bowl … Continue reading 7 Operas that Make the VMAs Seem Chaste

Arrested Development & Recapitulation

Posted on by brianlauritzen

First of all, credit where credit is due: my puntastic colleague at KUSC, @JamiePaisley, created this, and many other, TV ad posters during our recent pledge drive. As a rabid fan of Arrested Development, this one was my favorite. And it got me thinking: what if the cast of AD were made up of classical … Continue reading Arrested Development & Recapitulation

A Very Gehry Don Giovanni

Posted on by brianlauritzen

Even before the overture started at last night's LA Philharmonic performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni, it was clear this wasn't going to be Gustavo Dudamel's Don Giovanni. The 31-year-old music director seemed quite pleased to be taking a back seat to Walt Disney Concert Hall architect Frank Gehry, who created the sets for the production, … Continue reading A Very Gehry Don Giovanni