by Kenneth Woods | Dec 14, 2008 | A view from the podium
Well, I’m finding myself a bit surprised that I can finally say that the first half of my 2008-9 concert year is over, and that my musical 2008 (barring any last-minute calls) is done. I’ll miss doing the Messiah this year, but I’m glad to be finished. It’s been a...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 11, 2008 | A view from the podium
Today, we turn to another question from the mailbag, from our friend Bob in New Jersey- a very fine amateur violinist I know from around and about. He writes- Hi Ken. I enjoy reading your blog. The bit about “transference” and first rehearsals caught my attention....
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 11, 2008 | A view from the podium
From the Herefored Times- Champagne and cake in the interval turned the Hereford String Orchestra’s fiftieth anniversary concert in Shire Hall last month into a full-blown party. The orchestra’s sizeable string forces were augmented for the occasion by a full...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 9, 2008 | A view from the podium
The sad tale of Rachmaninov’s First Symphony is one most music lovers are familiar with through program notes for his infinitely more popular Second Piano Concerto. The story is simple- the young Rachmaninoff was so devastated by the failure of his first symphony,...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 9, 2008 | A view from the podium, News and Reviews
UPCOMING CONCERT Wrexham Symphony Orchestra “Russian Nights” 7:30 PM Saturday 13th December 2008, NEWI William Aston Hall Conductor: Kenneth Woods Mussorgsky: Night on a Bare Mountain Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Rachmaninov: Symphony No.1 From the WSO Website-...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 8, 2008 | A view from the podium
Not long ago I reminded readers how welcome questions are on this blog. Fortunately, a couple of regular readers took the bait, although it has taken me until now to sit down and write a response. The first batch of questions come from conductor Teresa Metzger Howe-...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 5, 2008 | A view from the podium, Music and Media
Too many notes to learn this week to keep up the blogging pace, but have been meaning to re-blog this interview I did for Metro with their culture writer Sophie Hern before my Contemporary Music Ensemble of Wales concert in March since it ran, as it was never...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 4, 2008 | A view from the podium
The concert went well, but it felt treacherous from the podium for much of the way- a bit like driving on ice. Sometimes one has to make up for a slight shortage of rehearsal time with a bit of extra mental power behind the baton- fortunately, it sounded good even if...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 4, 2008 | A view from the podium, Lists
Erik K has suggested we compile a list of the top orchestra/conductor collaborations of all time. This list is the result of literally minutes of careful contemplation in the car yesterday on my way to work. I’m hoping some of you brave souls will offer your own lists...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 2, 2008 | A view from the podium, Lists, Music and Media
I knew as soon as I saw the Gramophone list of the “world’s 20 best orchestras” that, in spite of my better judgement, I would eventually be compelled to say… something? It’s a great list, and I love Gramophone because they love Vftp… Why against my...
by Kenneth Woods | Dec 1, 2008 | A view from the podium
Our visit to the Cambridge Symphony ended on a high note- this was their first concert of the new season, and they’ve made a concerted effort at “re-branding” the orchestra, with new brochures, programs and website. The efforts paid off handsomely, with a full house...
by Kenneth Woods | Nov 28, 2008 | A view from the podium
High-altitude training is a concept that is familiar to any of us who have watched the Olympics or the Tour de France. However, the practice of using extra-difficult training situations to build one’s performance capabilities can be expanded to include a lot more...
by Kenneth Woods | Nov 26, 2008 | A view from the podium
David Hoose- “Brahms Double…. You know, I’ve always thought of that as a rather “brown” work.” Kenneth Woods- “Really… I’ve always thought of it as red, even though I know it’s kind of a thorny and problematic piece.” David Hoose- “Well, that’s good. Red…. That, at...
by Kenneth Woods | Nov 25, 2008 | A view from the podium
I am still at a loss for words to describe just how shocked I was to learn of the death of Richard Hickox yesterday. Richard was many things, but as much as anything, he was a force of nature. His ability to manage and thrive under a staggering workload while always...
by Kenneth Woods | Nov 19, 2008 | A view from the podium
I’ve moved a few miles up the East Coast, from Newark, Delaware to Boston, and from chamber music to a bit of concerto playing: Brahms Double with Suzanne. It’s quite a paradigm shift, especially at an early rehearsal. A wise teacher once told me that one shouldn’t...
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