by Kenneth Woods | Jun 10, 2010 | cello
Since Saturday’s performance of the Schumann Cello Concerto with Lancashire Chamber Orchestra, I’ve had a touching number of enquiries from friends and colleagues wanting to know how it went. Of course, since many were probably calling my decision to play this work...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 9, 2010 | Mahler, Mahler- Performer's Perspective
Many, many years ago, as a young teenager, I became completely obsessed with Mahler’s music. Back then, living in the Midwest, there was far less material on Mahler about- I ended up scouring libraries and compulsively hunting through record stores, trying bit by bit...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 4, 2010 | Mahler, Mahler- Performer's Perspective
The Bridgewater Hall- Mahler in Manchester Peter Davison continues his invaluable contributions to the Mahler discussions here with his thoughts on Mahler’s unfinished Tenth Symphony. On Saturday, June 5th, the BBC Philharmonic and Gianandrea Noseda will perform...
by Kenneth Woods | May 28, 2010 | A view from the podium
As we approach the premiere of Joanna Lee’s “The Chronicles of Archy” with soprano Sarah Leonard and Orchestra of the Swan, I took a few minutes to ask the composer about her music in general and “archy” in particular. KW- How did you get to know Don Marquis’...
by Kenneth Woods | May 28, 2010 | News and Reviews, Study with Ken
Dear Colleagues Just a quick reminder that today is the final application deadline for the 2010 Rose City International Conductor’s Workshop in Portland, Oregon, July 5-11 on the beautiful campus of Concordia University. The musicians of the Rose City Chamber...
by Kenneth Woods | May 27, 2010 | Mahler, Mahler- Performer's Perspective, Nuts and bolts
I hope readers don’t mind me framing my thoughts about Mahler 9 in terms of conducting. It seems to make sense if for no other reason than the fact that Mahler 9 is at or near the top of many, probably most, conductors’ lists of works they want to conduct...
by Kenneth Woods | May 24, 2010 | News and Reviews
My first concert as principal guest conductor of Orchestra of the Swan is a wonderful and daring program, pairing Walton’s Facade with a sparkling and wildly inventive new work by Joanna Lee. Classical Music Magazine has pegged this as the Premier of the...
by Kenneth Woods | May 21, 2010 | Mahler, Mahler- Performer's Perspective
The Bridgewater Hall- Mahler in Manchester In American football, coaches learn that when a play is working for you, go keep going to it until the other team figures out a way to stop it. In this spirit, I’ve asked Peter Davison, whose previous contributions to...
by Kenneth Woods | May 21, 2010 | News and Reviews
There is a nice interview with me in the Birmingham Post today. Chief critic Chris Morley managed to take the conversation to a few places I’d never been asked about, particularly my affection for the music of William Walton, whose Facade I’m conducting...
by Kenneth Woods | May 20, 2010 | cello
So, this week, I’m in New England for concerts with Ensemble Epomeo- our first show is at the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival on Friday. This concert has an extra challenge for me- I have had to switch cellos. It wasn’t practical to travel this time with my...
by Kenneth Woods | May 20, 2010 | A view from the podium
It’s been a funny year here at Vftp- my own professional life has gone a bit mad, in a good way, but this has really squeezed the amount of time I can give to the blog. On top of this, I committed to a large project on the Mahler anniversary in collaboration with...
by Kenneth Woods | May 8, 2010 | Mahler, Mahler- Performer's Perspective
The Bridgewater Hall- Mahler in Manchester Before and after the Mahler in Manchester performance of Mahler 8 last week, there has been a lot of discussion about what Mahler meant in this work by “the Eternal Feminine” and what, if anything, we should take...
by Kenneth Woods | May 7, 2010 | A view from the podium
I’ve been spending most of this week huddled over my cello, preparing the solo part of the Schumann Cello Concerto, which I’m playing with the Lancashire Chamber Orchestra. For the first time, I’m doing it without conductor (yes, I realize I am a conductor, so perhaps...
by Kenneth Woods | May 6, 2010 | Mahler, Mahler- Performer's Perspective, Nuts and bolts
Today we hear about the opening trumpet solo of Mahler 5 from the principal trumpeter of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Philippe Schartz. A former member of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra and a regular collaborator with Claudio...
by Kenneth Woods | May 5, 2010 | Mahler, Mahler- Performer's Perspective, Nuts and bolts
For the next few days, interested listeners can hear the Radio 3 Broadcast of Mark Elder’s performance of Mahler 5 with the Halle as part of the Mahler in Manchester festival. Of course, Mahler 5 begins with one of the most difficult trumpet solos in the...
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