by Kenneth Woods | Jul 13, 2009 | A view from the podium
A few long flights back, I had the pleasure of conducting the Helix Ensemble in a program of three symphonies, a true musical bumper crop in one evening. Two of the names on the program were all but synonymous with the word “symphony:” Haydn and Beethoven, represented...
by Kenneth Woods | Jul 13, 2009 | A view from the podium
I’m sorry that regular readers have been missing out on their Vftp fix of late- I’ve just been too busy to write anything of value between the rigors of OES Camp and the preparations for the Rose City Workshop. The good news, if you actually look forward...
by Kenneth Woods | Jul 7, 2009 | A view from the podium, Haydn
Hi everyone I’m sorry that I’ve been away from blogging of late- I’ve just been too insanely busy to cope. I’m having a very rewarding summer with some really fun projects, but I’m just barely keeping up with the essentials and managing to make it to my flights on...
by Kenneth Woods | Jul 2, 2009 | A view from the podium, News and Reviews
2 slots have opened up in the Emerging Artist program at the Rose City International Conductor’s Workshop. Applications taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Dear Colleagues We are just a couple of weeks away from the beginning of the 2009 Rose City...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 29, 2009 | A view from the podium, News and Reviews
From the Surrey Advertiser (Print Edition) As they approach their fortieth anniversary, the Surrey Mozart Players are going from strength to strength, presenting ever more adventurous programmes, and last Saturday at Holy Trinity Church was no exception. Under their...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 24, 2009 | A view from the podium
I was recently at a rehearsal of an outstanding conservatory-level orchestra. Strange noises were coming from the contrabassoon. The conductor stopped to try to address the issue- the obvious problem was that it was shockingly out of tune- it sounded like a geriatric...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 22, 2009 | A view from the podium
Friday night I conducted Orchestra of the Swan in a program of Mozart- Symphony no. 13 Haydn- Cello Concerto in C Major (Nick Stringfellow, cello) Mendelssohn- Songs Without Words Haydn- Symphony no. 34 (“The Farewell”) I had the makings of a lengthy and thoughtful...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 22, 2009 | A view from the podium
I can’t really say a big enough thank you to everyone who weighed in with their ideas on the program order for my upcoming Helix Ensemble concert. I had my first rehearsal with the band yesterday, and talked to the orchestra about about the issue, and interestingly, a...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 18, 2009 | A view from the podium
Okay, I’m taking a survey, so please respond via comments. I have the following (wonderful) program coming up in a couple of weeks. In chronological order Haydn- Symphony no. 60 “In Distratto” Beethoven- Symphony no. 4 Sawyers- Symphony no 2 The...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 17, 2009 | A view from the podium, Explore the Score, Haydn, Nuts and bolts
“You can only analyze music from beginning to end, because the listener can’t know what they haven’t heard.” Those words were spoken by my friend David Hoose at the RCICW a few years ago. At first, I thought “that can’t be entirely right,” but as the years go by, I...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 16, 2009 | A view from the podium, News and Reviews
UPCOMING CONCERT Friday 19 June 2009, 8pm Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Summer Proms Orchestra of the Swan Haydn’s Farewell Mozart- Symphony no 13 in F, K112 Haydn- Cello Concerto in C Major Nick Stringfellow, cello Mendelssohn- Songs Without...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 15, 2009 | A view from the podium, News and Reviews
A nice review from Newburyport Arts Journal of Ensemble Epomeo’s June 6 performance at the Newburyport Chamber Music Festival- …It’s hard to believe anyone felt less than sigh-and-snuggle-before-rolling-over-and-lighting-up-a-smoke satisfied after...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 14, 2009 | A view from the podium
I knew it was going to be a busy summer, but having driven straight from my last trio concert to Logan and from Heathrow to my first SMP rehearsal, I guess I was expecting the day after the SMP program to offer the promise of a bit of peace and quiet, but I awoke...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 14, 2009 | A view from the podium, Nuts and bolts
For nearly 130 years, there has been only one choice of edition of the final version of Schumann 4- the “Collected Works” edition of 1882, prepared by Clara Schumann, long available in a variety of reprint editions. The score is part of a Dover publication of all four...
by Kenneth Woods | Jun 10, 2009 | A view from the podium, Mahler, Nuts and bolts, Performing Life
I have to say that, exhausted as I was coming to rehearsal from Heathrow after my flight back from Boston, I could hardly hide my glee as the SMP and I read the first movement of Schumann 4 on Monday night. It went so well, I almost complimented them, but that’s bad...
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