Classical Music
And here we are at the conclusion of the first round for England. The final two players are Finzi and Elgar. Believe it or not, I used to know a baritone who was so enamoured …
The final two matches for the English first round are Tippett versus Vaughan Williams and Elgar versus Finizi. Michael Tippett was a contemporary of Benjamin Britten and William Walton. Tippett, as with Britten, was an …
When’s the last time you heard a piece of music by Vincent d’Indy? Never is a perfectly acceptable answer. What if I told you there was a chance to hear this overlooked French composer on …
“I am the very model of modern major-general, I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral...” Who hasn’t heard this before? The text is from the Major General’s patter song in Gilbert and Sullivan’s *The Pirates of …
Who is going to prevail between Arnold Bax and Henry Purcell? While Purcell isn’t a household name, there isn’t a mezzo-soprano alive who’s escaped her undergraduate studies without singing When I Am Laid in Earth. …
When the sole remaining founder of the Tokyo String Quartet, Kazuhide Isomura, announced his intention to retire along with second violinist, Kikuei Ikeda, the two remaining players began to accept auditions to fill those spots. …
Let’s get on with England. Ethel Smyth versus Holst doesn't appear to be much of a contest except for the fact that Ethel Smyth is one of only two women who will be competing in …
This World Cup of Composers is a much larger undertaking than I first imagined. With that in mind I think it is wise to review where we are in the process. This is a single …
San Diego’s Stone Brewery has issued a Götterdämmerung IPA. Those dudes must have stones if they’re going to name an India Pale Ale after a German opera which depicts the end of the world. I …
Pimp Daddy Delius aka Mr. White Folks is making his debut here in the World Cup of Composers. Maybe pimp daddy is the wrong moniker. Since this is classical music I will say that Delius …
The big bang finale of the pops season is coming up on Labor Day Weekend. The program is ALL Tchaikovsky. That is to say the program is nothing but Tchaikovsky with just a hint of …
Thomas Tallis versus William Walton. Thomas Tallis could be considered the beginning of British music. As I mentioned previously Tallis was able to keep his head on his shoulders during the reigns of Henry VIII, …
As the second week of preseason NFL games concludes, my thoughts are turning toward autumn. I love this time of year, late August is pregnant with possibilities. The summer has yet to fade but when …
The first round is now complete for France, Italy, and Russia. Which country is up next? Great Britain. Thomas Tallis versus William Walton William Byrd versus Frederick Delius Ethel Smyth versus Gustav Holst Henry Purcell …
It’s time to wrap up the first round for the Russians. Glinka has been given a second chance to advance to the second round of the Russian draw. His opponent is Dmitri Shostakovich. As explained …
The La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest is scheduled to end with a grand finale on August 23rd. Maestro James Conlon was to be the conductor for this concluding concert. Conlon is a major figure in …