The Whole Problem

by | Mar 13, 2006 | Music and Media

Analyzing the decline of classical music has become a full-time job for many (and a lucrative one for some). It’s almost assumed that any newspaper piece on classical music will have some reference to “declining audiences” or “aging...

The Mahler Story Begins

by | Feb 25, 2006 | Mahler

One thread I will be exploring on this blog involves an upcoming performance of Gustav Mahler’s 2nd Symphony with the Oregon East Symphony and Chorale in Pendleton, Oregon. The OES, 200 miles from Portland, 260 miles from Seattle and 300 miles from Boise has long been...

Getting there is half the fun part 3

by | Oct 30, 2005 | Performing Life

Left early today for Lancashire Chamber Orchestra concert via Hereford where our dog will be spending the night. The car is actually quite comical- Suzanne, Steve and I and Murphy (the dog) with all of Steve’s travelling gear (he’s been in Europe for a...

Getting there is half the fun part 2

by | Oct 28, 2005 | Performing Life

Steve and I go through his two pieces today. One is a world premiere by Gerald Garcia called Heart of the Rose, a concerto in three movements for strings and guitar. It’s a little pop for my usual tastes, but it makes up for it with a lot of fresh humor and very...

Getting there is half the fun

by | Oct 27, 2005 | Performing Life

Meeting Steve Thackuk at the train station this afternoon. Steve is a wonderful guitarist and twin brother of one of my best friends from my Cincinnati years, Brad Thackuk (who is a fine conductor). Steve will be soloing on this weekend’s Lancashire Chamber...