by Kenneth Woods | May 2, 2009 | A view from the podium
Dress rehearsal is done and there’s now a bit of peace and quiet before showtime. It seems an article of faith (or just a deeply ingrained part of their training) among British orchestras to “save” a little in dress rehearsals. I suppose everyone with a brain...
by Kenneth Woods | May 2, 2009 | A view from the podium
I’m attempting some minimal live-blogging from today’s SMP programme. We’re on our break. A few brief thoughts…. The acoustic here at the Electric Theatre could not be more different than that at the two rehearsal halls we’ve been rehearsing in. This,...
by Kenneth Woods | May 2, 2009 | A view from the podium, Explore the Score
When Shostakovich began work on his Fourth String Quartet in 1949 his life and career were at a low ebb. After spending most of the late 1930’s in fear for his life, painfully aware that Stalin was watching his every move, Shostakovich had become somewhat used to a...
by Kenneth Woods | May 1, 2009 | A view from the podium, Explore the Score, Favorite posts
When I first got to know the music of Gustav Mahler, I was fascinated by the story of his last years. His most perfect symphony, the Sixth, is also his most tragic. Written at the height of his personal and professional life, its Finale depicts a hero who suffers...
by Kenneth Woods | Apr 28, 2009 | A view from the podium, News and Reviews, Study with Ken
This Thursday, April 30th is the priority application deadline for the 2009 Rose City International Conductors Workshop, July 20-26th in Portland, Oregon. Applications may still be considered on a space available basis after this date, but for full, guaranteed...
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