by Kenneth Woods | Jul 25, 2010 | News and Reviews
From the August 2010 issue of The Strad Gál Violin Concerto op 39, Vioin Concertino op 52, Triptych op 100 Annette Barbara Vogel, violin Northern Sinfonia/Kenneth Woods Here’s a real treat: a pair of long-list violin concertos from that most fecund decade for the...
by Kenneth Woods | Jul 11, 2010 | News and Reviews
There is a new and perceptive review of the new Gal CD at Classical CD Reviews by critic Gavin Dixon here- ….Gál’s aesthetic is inherited directly from the tail-end of the Austro-German Romantic tradition. His musicbears many similarities with that of Franz...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 24, 2010 | A view from the podium
As we celebrate the release of the new Gal CD, I’m hoping to use this blog to give readers a chance to get to know a little bit more about this fascinating musician and figure. I thought we might make a nice bridge from recent topics by starting with Mahler....
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 24, 2010 | A view from the podium
This Satuday evening I’m conducting a program that includes Berlioz’s Corsaire Overture, the Saint-Saens 3rd Violin Concerto and the Franck Symphony in D minor. It’s almost ten years to the day since I last conducted the Franck (that time around it was paired with the...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 23, 2010 | News and Reviews
Peter Grahame Woolf writing for Musical Pointers Han Gal: Violin Concerto, Violin Concertino & Triptych for Orchestra. Annette-Barbara Vogel, Northern Sinfonia / Kenneth Woods …….The two concertante works for violin from the ’30s, excellently...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 22, 2010 | News and Reviews
Orchestra of the Swan’s recording of Finzi and Copland Clarinet Concertos, the Finzi Romance for Strings and the 13 Instrument version of Appalachian Spring on Somm Records is Classic FM’s CD of the Week. Tune in on Saturday, June 26 to “The New CD...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 22, 2010 | A view from the podium, News and Reviews
Colin Anderson writing in today’s Classical Source- ….There is something deceptive about Hans Gál’s music, the work of the long-lived (1890-1987), from Vienna to Edinburgh composer, whose output has been so well served by Avie. Gál’s other violin concerto,...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 22, 2010 | A view from the podium
“Ken, we’ve had a few personnel issues while you were away and were down several string players. We’ve filled most of the places, but there are two violinists who can only come Saturday to the dress rehearsal, but they are very good.” “That’s fine” ”Also, I should...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 21, 2010 | A view from the podium, Lists
Concluding thoughts- Being a concertmaster is an extremely high-stress job, in which you have to work to a very high standard, while often sublimating some of your own instincts and ego as a musician. You may well miss opportunities to work with less pressure or to...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 21, 2010 | A view from the podium
Where it gets complicated- Remember how we discussed the difference between preparing a recital and an orchestra work? The key difference is that in one case you are aiming for a coherent artistic vision (yours!), and in the other one you are preparing to be able to...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 21, 2010 | A view from the podium
In Part II, we look at the space in which musicianship and leadership skills come together in the job of the concertmaster. Musical Leadership- This is the most complex and important part of your job, in which you have to combine your skills as an artist and a leader,...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 21, 2010 | A view from the podium
“Dear Ken I’ve just found out that I am going to be the concertmaster of my conservatory orchestra next year. I’ve played in some good groups before, but this is the first time I’ve ever been put “on the hot seat” other than occasionally filling in for a single...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 17, 2010 | Nuts and bolts
No matter how well you know a piece, there is always the chance that one day, you will discover something that makes you re-think the entire work. Such a thing happened a few years back when I stumbled across this little bit of old radio with George Szell and the...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 10, 2010 | News and Reviews
Monday, June 14, 2010 The Stradivari Trust presents a charity concert in support of Motor Neurone Disease research. Chamber works including the Mendelssoh Octet and Trout Quintet and string orchestra selections including Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro and the...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 10, 2010 | cello, Nuts and bolts
It’s Bobby Schumann week on planet Earth, and all the nations of this blue planet are gathering their energies and chanting “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby” in honor of his 200th birthday. I’m celebrating the week by book-ending the week with performances of the Cello and Violin...
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