The Sound Post » Ian

Praise Continues For “Music I-LXXIV”

Ian — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:19:34 +0000

David Yearsley, of Cornell University, has written a delightful piece on The Sound Post’s favorite poet, August Kleinzahler.

In an article on counterpunch.org, Yearsley praises the fresh, “catholic and quirky” humor of Kleinzahler’s latest publication, Music I-LXXIV. He describes some of the more eclectic tales from the collection of musical essays, and admires the ways in which subjects such as criticism, nostalgia, and dedication are presented by the award-winning poet.

Kleinzahler’s tastes are both catholic and quirky, and while he often hides behind the armor of the amateur, claiming less than professional knowledge of his material, he writes about these staggeringly diverse interests with wit, warmth, and eye and ear for the unexpected. His take on music both obscure and canonic always refreshes, doing what the best criticism should do: providing new insights into classics, or prodding one to explore repertories previously unknown. Many collectors are bores. Kleinzahler is the most gracious of interlocutors.

From the Liberace Museum to Persian aub Zam Zam, by David Yearsley

In case you missed it, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kleinzahler in October for an interview following the release of his latest work, Music I-LXXIV.

Exclusive Interview with August Kleinzahler.

Tovey And VSO Do Not Fake It

Ian — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:45:20 +0000

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra has been making some headlines the last few days.

On Saturday, the CBC News reported that the ensemble had backed out of the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics. According to conductor Bramwell Tovey, the organizing committee for the event—known as VANOC—demanded the music be prerecorded so that another conductor could mime the performance during the opening celebration.

Say what?! Yes, you read correctly. They wanted Tovey to record it, and then have an actor step in and pretend he was conducting at the actual ceremony.

I understand that the opening night tends to be, well, over-the-top. And perhaps having an actor at the podium would aid that. But did they really expect Tovey to forfeit his position during an internationally-televised broadcast? In a time when appreciation for the arts seems to be declining, this would be the ultimate swift kick below the belt for one of the country’s top orchestras.

Consider the performance at President Obama’s inauguration. Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman ~~played~~ faked John Williams’ “Air and Simply Gifts.” Yes, it was cold, and no one wanted to see Perlman’s Strad crack just so that he could play live. But there is no denying the buzz that followed. If Perlman and Ma attracted criticism from one such performance, the VSO would likely get far worse.

I feel that Perlman and Ma are two of the finest musicians in the world, and that they had all the right reasons to prerecord their performance. And though I don’t agree with it, the dubbed performance still received negative attention. So, Tovey had every right to stand firm.

Today, the Vancouver Sun reported that even though the VSO will not play at the opening ceremony, it has been invited to perform in the Cultural Olympiad—a concert that takes place during the games. In addition, VANOC has issued an apology to the orchestra for putting them “in an untenable position.”

Did he lose the battle? Perhaps. But kudos to Maestro Tovey for having the guts to stick up to VANOC. The VSO’s inclusion in the Cultural Olympiad shows that Tovey’s point was made, and that VANOC now bears the negative spotlight.

Links to the original stories, including text of VANOC’s press release, below.

Vancouver Symphony Says No to Olympic Opening, CBC News

Vanoc Apologizes to VSO for ‘Miming’ Maestro Incident

Ithaca College Pianogate: Update

Ian — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:50:39 +0000

Today, the President of Ithaca College, Tom Rochon, released a statement regarding the recent vandalism at the Whalen Center for Music. While the culprits still remain unknown, Rochon expresses his sincere appreciation for the attitude Read the full transcription here: Pianogate and Its Aftermath

I thought it would also be nice to share some videos from the candlelight vigil held the night of the incident. You can see the positive energy that was fueling the healing process in this rendition of Don’t Stop Believin’ Click through the jump to see.

In this video, first-year student Sam Thurston plays Taps in memory of the music instruments lost.

Yo-Yo Ma Named Consultant To CSO

Ian — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:00:27 +0000

Acclaimed cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, has been named the Creative Consultant to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

The position will put Ma in collaboration with another new member of the ensemble, Artistic Director Riccardo Muti, with the stated goal to “provide collaborative musical leadership and guidance on innovative program development for The Institute for Learning, Access and Training at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as for CSO artistic initiatives” (CSO Press Release). Ma will also be in charge of creating new musical programs for children of the Chicago area.

Both men have a history of humanitarian efforts. Ma’s Silk Road Project, founded in 1998, has been successful in promoting multicultural musical collaboration, and has connected them with new listeners across the globe. In describing his long-time friend, and now partner in future efforts, Ma said:

“I have had the great pleasure and privilege of working with Maestro Muti on many occasions over the past 25 years… I am impressed and inspired by his passion, intellect and vitality. Along with his first love, music, Maestro Muti cares deeply about so many important issues of our day—our planet, our children and those less fortunate.”

Ma will assume his position in January 2010, Muti in September 2010.

For information, check out the link to the Chicago Classical Review’s coverage below.

Yo-Yo Ma named CSO consultant

Eccles Foundation Award $1 Million To Utah Symphony and Opera

Ian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:39:22 +0000

Just in time for the holidays, the financially strained Utah Symphony/Opera has just been awarded a cool $1 million by the Eccles Foundation.

Spencer Eccles, the chairman and CEO of the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation, was apparently taken back by the generosity of the musicians in the organization; who recently donated $1.3 million in salary and benefits for the current season, after already accepting a salary cut of $445,000 in the previous season as the organization clipped it’s budget. So much in fact, that it spurred this large gift. (original article after the jump)

The Eccles Foundation has a history of giving to the Utah Symphony, and in its currently struggling economic state, this came at the right time. It’s great to hear things will be a little easier for the historic orchestra.

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera unwraps $1M gift, The Salt Lake Tribune

Vandalism at Ithaca College

Ian — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:06:49 +0000

Destroyed marimba after Sunday's vandalism

I’ve been waiting to write about this event for a few days now, mostly just to make sure that I had all my personal feelings in order before I went about writing a blog entry. For even more coverage, please visit the blog of my colleague Zack Ford (link after the jump), an IC-alum who has been covering the event in detail, and whose opinion I respect to the highest degree.

Early Sunday morning, the Whalen Center for Music at Ithaca College was subjected to a heinous act of vandalism. Nearly 70 pianos and percussion instruments were damaged in what can only be described as a hate crime against the school of music. For much of the day, students were unable to access their instruments, books, and other belongings stored in the building’s lockers.

The timing was perfect: one day before the beginning of finals and juries (performance exams). Unable to practice or study, students went most of the day relying on word of mouth for information. The entire building was locked down by police tape and security guards; only rumors hinted at the extent of the damage. The administration was quick to alert students of the situation, though they could not do much to help the hundreds unable to prepare for the important week ahead.

The rumors I heard about the monetary extent of the damage show just how far off word of mouth can be. At noon everyone I spoke with was saying $500,000. By night time, several teachers had disclosed to me that they had heard closer to $1 million.

That evening, Erik Kibelsbeck, Coordinator of Music Facilities and Publicity at the Whalen Center for Music, posted the following on Facebook:

All but a few Whalen pianos are playable; most damage was cosmetic. While definitely a serious and senseless act of vandalism that is being properly investigated, rumors of dozens of pianos “destroyed” are incorrect.

Around 6:30 pm, Dr. Keith Kaiser, Chair of the Music Education department and Interim Associate Dean sent an email to students and faculty:

Dear Students and Faculty,

We extend our sincere thank you for your patience today. While the 1st floor of JJWCM remains closed, we are hopeful that we might be able to open the first floor later in the evening. If not, at the latest, it will be open tomorrow morning.

JJWCM is planned to be opened until 2am this evening, regardless of the status of the 1st floor.

Once the 1st floor is open, you will be allowed access to all lockers and to the practice rooms and pianos that have been released by the investigators and piano technicians.

Final exams and juries will continue as planned.

Please continue to check your email. An email will be sent as soon as the 1st floor is reopen.

Again — thank you for patience and understanding. We have no doubt that the individual(s) responsible for this weekend’s act do not reflect that absolutely wonderful School of Music family.

Sincerely,

Keith Kaiser

Then around 8:00 pm, the following update:

Dear School of Music Students,

We are pleased to report that all of JJWCM is now open. The building will be open until 2am this evening, and we ask for your cooperation as everyone prepares for final exams and juries. Please be aware that JJWCM will have heightened security for the near future, and we continue to ask for your assistance regarding the care and security of our wonderful facilities, instruments, and equipment.

Many individuals have spent extensive hours completing the investigation and getting the area and pianos back into a condition where we can reopen the building, including staff, the IC and state police, and our terrific piano technicians. Please note that, although we have managed to reopen most of the spaces and pianos, there is still extensive work and repairs to be completed.

Again, we would like to express our appreciation for your patience and offers of assistance. We wish you the absolute best during the upcoming week of finals and juries.

Sincerely,

Keith Kaiser

Showing just how strong the community at IC is, students held a candlelight vigil that night. Personally in attendance, I was moved by the resiliency I witnessed in the faces and spirits of the IC students and community members present. To sing-alongs of “Silvie,” and, “Don’t Stop Believing,” it was evident that come Monday morning there would be little complaining about, “I didn’t have enough time to practice”, and “We shouldn’t have to take our finals.”

Students I spoke with were passionate about wanting justice served to those responsible. But, surprisingly, the majority of students made it clear they wanted not to express hate or seek vengeance. The IC community showed that they would not turn towards violence or other acts of aggression to take out their frustration for what had happened. They would not let them win.

The piano technicians at Ithaca College, including Don McKechnie, did a remarkable job at getting the instruments back in shape. I only noticed about 5 rooms or so which were completely closed Sunday night. Inquisitive students could easily see where hammers had been broken off, sound boards removed, and other cosmetic damage to instruments had been done. But, for the most part, it was like nothing ever happened.

On Monday morning, the halls of the practice floor were lined with large containers filled with holiday candy and a special message to the students from the administration. Every practice room was full, and I am proud to say that spirits were high.

Best of luck to all Ithaca College students on their juries and final exams. Stay strong and do not lose your sense of morality because of the actions of a few.

If you see them in the halls, please give a sincere thank you to Keith Kaiser, Erik Kibelsbeck, Don McKechnie, and all who have worked so hard to restore the pianos and student life at the Whalen Center for Music.

IC Pianogate, Blog entries by Zack Ford pertaining to the event

John Adams Pants Stolen Before Performance

Ian — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:15:36 +0000

If you have yet to discover earbox.com, the official blog of John Adams, let me introduce you:

Hell Mouth, this is the internet.. internet, meet Hell Mouth.

In his own unique way, Adams uses this blog as a means of story-telling. His entries range from scholarly and factual, to gut-busting and fictitious (I believe/hope). In his most recent entry, the American composer praises the virtuoso violinist Leila Josefowicz. He details his introduction to “Ms. J” and their subsequent interactions afterwards, many while she was performing his Violin Concerto. It is an inspiring story of their history together, and a great example of his more serious writing.

However, if you back it up to the previous entry, you will find a completely different writer. In his entry, “Conductor’s pants stolen moments before concert”, Adams manages to showcase some of the most obscure YouTube videos I have ever seen (think dhotis and waders), and plug an LA indie rock band. The entry was masterfully written, and had me laughing out loud (L-O-L).

Adams’ followers have jumped on the bandwagon, and started adding their own bits and pieces to his story in the comment thread following the post. I began imagining a scene from an episode of 24, with Jack Bauer interrogating the pants in question as to their connection with the Airborne Toxic Event.

Ok, now go read:
Hell Mouth – a blog by John Adams

LA Opera Gets $14-Million To Stay Afloat

Ian — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 21:53:56 +0000

Let’s just say that you are staging an opera, and it begins to go over-budget, and keeps going over budget… suddenly you’re $20 million in debt and are attempting a $32 million production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Who are you?

If you said the Los Angeles Opera, then you win (nothing)!

The LA Opera is on the edge of a financial heart attack. Already $20 million in the hole, and they just announced plans to borrow $14 million from the Los Angeles County in order to keep things moving for the rest of the season. Much of their debt comes from the production of the ginormous opera (three of the four parts have already been done this season).

Best of luck to all involved. Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle will be performed in it’s entirety by the LA Opera May 29-June 26, 2010.

L.A. Opera Gets $14-million emergency loan, LA Times

Researchers Find Stradivari’s Secret Is Not In Varnish

Ian — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:37:38 +0000

For years, luthiers have attempted to copy the violin-making technique of Antonio Stradivari, whose instruments represent the absolute finest from the Golden Age of Cremona. Using modern technology, dimensions, thickness of wood, and placement of bass bars and sound posts, can be imitated to a great extent (have you ever seen those luthier diagrams in Strad magazine? Too much for me). Yet, Strads still hold their ground at the very top of the pedestal. So what makes them so different from other fine instruments?

A common theory is that the answer is in the varnish. It was speculated that proteins from dead animals, or perhaps other exotic elements might have been added to the mix, and in turn adjusted the acoustic properties of the wood to sound so glorious.

Well we can just about cross that theory off the list.

Using samples from four violins and a viola d’amore, with vintages from 1692 to 1724 (remember his Golden Era was 1698-1720 so this is a good sample), a team of researchers have concluded that the varnish is actually a quite basic blend of oil and resin.

Back to the drawing board…

What Exalts Stradivarius? Not Varnish, Study Says – NY Times

Exclusive Interview with Gilbert Kalish

Ian — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:45:04 +0000

I had the pleasure today of sitting down with Gilbert Kalish, and Jeffery Meyer for another Sound Post interview. Topics on the table were: Kalish’s residency at Ithaca College, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, his entry into the professional world of classical music, and what it is like to play under the baton of his former student, Jeffery Meyer.

Exclusive Interview with Gilbert Kalish from Ian Salmon on Vimeo.