by Kenneth Woods | Feb 29, 2008 | A view from the podium
I was saddened to learn of the death of drummer, singer and songwriter Buddy Miles at the age of only 60. Buddy Miles was a very, very good singer, and a songwriter who has contributed so true classics to the blues and funk standards, particularly “Them Changes,”...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 27, 2008 | A view from the podium
It’s not unusual for two orchestras to appear together, especially when one is a youth orchestra playing alongside an adult ensemble. I’ve also seen multiple college orchestras band together to tackle big works like Rite of Spring or the Mahler symphonies....
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 27, 2008 | A view from the podium
Upcoming Concert- Sunday, March 9, 2008 7:30 PM Studio 1, Llandaff Contemporary Music Ensemble of Wales Ian Pace, piano soloist Xenakis- Akrata Brown- Novarra Downie- forms 7 (non-mediated forms) Mefano- Interferences Live Recording for Radio 3’s Hear and Now...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 24, 2008 | A view from the podium
Having finished the first part of the dress rehearsal for my Kelvin Ensemble concert with a rather raucous (in the best sense) run-through of Wagner’s Rienzi Overture, I called a break. Across the hallway from the breathtakingly beautiful Bute Hall is another...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 22, 2008 | A future for music, A view from the podium, Nuts and bolts
This week, having Sibelius 2 and Schelomo on my desk at the same time has been a fascinating contrast. Although his music sounds like no one else’s, Sibelius’ technique is a logical outgrowth of the method of working with motivic cells perfected by Beethoven and...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 19, 2008 | A view from the podium
To my surprise and delight, my post on repetition in rehearsal has attracted a number of really interesting comments, including three fascinating ones from choral conductors. First was this one from regular Vftp commenter John on his outstanding blog, then this one...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 18, 2008 | A view from the podium
It is a grey, February afternoon in 1986. A blast of arctic air has settled across the Midwest that promises to chill the bones for several days to come. In this climate the cozy college town looked rather austere and foreboding. Your author had grown up on a Big-Ten...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 13, 2008 | A view from the podium
Many years ago, when I was beginning to get very serious about conducting, I used to take every possible opportunity to talk to other conductors about the intricacies of the craft. One established maestro who was very generous with his time was Oakland East Bay...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 11, 2008 | A view from the podium
I can scarcely imagine a more irrelevant institution than the Grammys. I suppose the classical version of the awards, which seems to exist solely in a parallel universe entirely free of television cameras is quite useful and harmless as these things go- at least it...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 9, 2008 | A view from the podium
I’m spending the first of three weekends this month in one of my favorite cities, Glasgow. I fell in love with the town last year when I was here conducting the Kelvin Ensemble, and I probably would have come back just to see the city again even if I loathed the band...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 8, 2008 | A view from the podium
From my friend Michael Steinberg, eminent musicologist, after his first night out with the Oregon East Symphony (if you know Michael’s inimitable way of speaking, it is even funnier)… “This orchestra drinks like…. a German...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 7, 2008 | A view from the podium
When it works best, the interaction between a conductor and soloist is a true collaboration, but it takes great trust and a real feeling of being on the same wavelength for both parties to work at their best together. I don’t think it’s any surprise that some of my...
by Kenneth Woods | Feb 1, 2008 | A view from the podium
The question was a hanging curveball to my colleague, a cello soloist and professor…. “So what are you planning to do with your sabbatical?” “I am going to conquer the world, one retirement home concert at a...
by Kenneth Woods | Jan 31, 2008 | A view from the podium
I was driving Jorja Fleezanis and Michael Steinberg back to their hotel after our first meal upon their arrival when we got stuck at a railroad crossing. While I was chatting away to Jorja about trains as part of the rhythms of small town life, Michael was relatively...
by Kenneth Woods | Jan 30, 2008 | A view from the podium
We like a bit a of drama with our concerts here in Pendleton.Actually, that’s not true. I hate a bit of drama with our concerts here in Pendleton. It’s just that there always seems to be a disproportionate amount of drama every time I alight here. Since a major winter...
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