by Kenneth Woods | Jun 26, 2006 | A view from the podium
There’s a fascinating, kind and thoughtful comment from David Hoose on my last post- thanks David. It’s nice to hear kind words from someone I respect and like so much. Be sure to read it (you can skip the eulogistically nice things he says about me and...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 25, 2006 | A view from the podium
Day three is somehow both the longest and shortest day of the workshop. By this point, one feels that one has really gotten a very good sense of each of the conducting students, both as musicians and as people. By this point in the workshop, we’re starting to see real...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 25, 2006 | A view from the podium, Favorite posts
The last day of this year’s workshop. On paper, it looks like the most laid-back schedule of the week- we start a little later, have only one teaching session and the concert. It wasn’t unreasonable of me to think that this would be the one day I could get a few...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 24, 2006 | A view from the podium
Absolutely shattered after a long, intense day at the RCICW, but really want to make note of a few thoughts. The more I teach and the longer I work the more I’m in awe of the students. One leaves one’s studying years behind for two reasons. First, you may be lucking...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 23, 2006 | A view from the podium
Very intense, but exciting, first day of the RCICW. For those of you who aren’t conductors, here is basically how most workshops like this work…. The main challenge for any young conductor is finding an instrument (orchestra) to practice on. In order to provide an...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 19, 2006 | A view from the podium, Nuts and bolts
Beethoven- Why do we talk about him in such simplistic terms? Why do we have to choose sides between old school loud, slow and flabby and new school fast, shrill and cold? Is absence of vibrato really a sophisticated sound concept? Is vibrato on every note really a...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 18, 2006 | A view from the podium, Nuts and bolts
This issue will be one of many that is sure to come up this week at the RCICW We all know that the first movement of Beethoven 8, the first movement of Beethoven 3 and the Egmont overture tend to inspire debate among musicians as to whether they should be in three or...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 17, 2006 | A view from the podium, Performing Life
I’m heading back to Oregon this week for one of my favorite projects of the year. From June 22-25, I’ll be working with two outstanding colleagues as director of the Rose City International Conductors Workshop in Portland, Oregon. This workshop was the...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 10, 2006 | A view from the podium, Mahler
Movement V of the recent Oregon East Symphony performance of Mahler 2 can be heard...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 9, 2006 | A view from the podium, Mahler
You can hear some selections from the recent Oregon East Symphony performance of Mahler 2 HERE. This is selections from movements I-IV. Movement V should be available...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 3, 2006 | Mahler
We’re currently assembling an mp3 of highlights from the Oregon East Symphony’s recent Mahler 2 perofmance. Check back on June 7 for a chance to hear how it all turned out....
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 3, 2006 | A view from the podium, Favorite posts, Music and Media
Note- This is the first of a projected two part series on modernism in music. Today’s piece is essentially about the argument against modernism, the next one is the argument for modernism. Stay tuned! KW Recently, the British composer Harrison Birtwistle made the news...
by Kenneth Woods | May 18, 2006 | Mahler
Ask around the industry, and one will hear many different points of view as to what is the most responsible and effective way to build and sustain a symphony orchestra. Many groups have turned to pops programming hoping to generate income and expand their audiences,...
by Kenneth Woods | Apr 23, 2006 | Mahler
My primary impression of the first part of the concert day is fatigue- mentally and physically, I am acutely aware of the fact that I was on the podium for many, many hours yesterday. I’m not a big fan of afternoon concerts- normally I feel like showtime is on me too...
by Kenneth Woods | Apr 22, 2006 | Mahler
Dress rehearsal finally starts with plain old rehearsing. Humbled by yesterday’s difficulties with the third movement, we start with a few minutes on that first. We spent some considerable time on it in each of the sectionals, but we need to integrate the percussion...
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