Tourettes
I went to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion last night for the conclusion of their summer festival. I was excited to catch this last concert. I had my blanket and set up camp in some grass. There was a good turnout …
Sharky Asrael
I ended up at the shark infested waters of Mission Beach on Friday. The Pacific Ocean was closed. Whenever anyone ventured out to thigh depth, a lifeguard would come scurrying out of the tower to warn them that a shark …
Hesse
The idea of Haydn being a servant, all be it an influential and famous servant, was something that I found fascinating during the concert on Sunday. Haydn and Mozart both submitted their genius to the blood-birth authority of the nobility. …
Servants and Masters
The Tokyo String Quartet delivered on Sunday at Sherwood Auditorium. I got caught up eating smoked chicken, black bean, and broccoli soup at George's, so I missed the opening act but the concert that started at 3:00 p.m. was phenomenal. …
Sure Thing
Let's return to the topic of the new Porgy and Bess. This seems to be Broadway taking a hint from Hollywood. Have you noticed how many sequels and comic book movies have been made lately? It appears Hollywood is becoming …
Next Please
My San Diego Opera chorus audition is tonight at 7:37 pm. This is the first time I've auditioned, at San Diego Opera, for anyone except former chorus master Todd Simmons. I'm not sure what to expect. For the first time …
Extreme Work-of-Art Makeover
I've seen a couple different posts about a letter that Stephen Sondheim wrote to the New York Times. Mr. Sondheim was responding to a new and updated production of Porgy and Bess. He seems to be saying, "Not while I'm …
Dying for Art
When writing about Tristan, I failed to mention how deadly the second act is. Conductors Felix Mottl and Joseph Keilberth both collapsed and subsequently died while conducting the second act. Mottl was a respected conductor and composer. His orchestration of …
Come in Tokyo
Who is The Tokyo String Quartet and why am I excited they'll be performing in San Diego? It is a chance to hear one of the most venerated ensembles in the world. Since it was founded in 1969, The Tokyo …
Bar-talk
I was driving with a friend when I remembered that the Tokyo String Quartet was going to be performing during the La Jolla Music Society Summerfest. "I've got to go see these guys. They're incredible. I have their recording of …
Road Trip
I just returned from a 2,000 mile road trip with the kids. Each time we filled up with gas I'd sing Willie Nelson's On the Road Again as I re-cleaned the car windows that my children had squeegeed into a …
La Jolla Freebie
Tomorrow night, August 3rd, the La Jolla Music Symphony kicks off its Summerfest 2011 with a free concert at Ellen Browning Scripps Park (La Jolla Cove). The concert is a line up of chamber music highlights which will be accessible …
Forbidden Love Sucks
At left: Tristan and Isolde Forbidden love is always so delicious. The ego constantly wants what it can't have which makes forbidden love seem like the key to salvation. If only Tristan and Isolde could be together, they would be …
Dick Richard
The dick of all classical dicks must be Richard Wagner. It's a nice coincidence with his name being Richard and all. If Lindsay Lohan, Christian Bale, Kim Jong Il, and the Kardashians were all considered to be geniuses, we might …
Incidentally
I saw the current production of The Tempest at The Globe and enjoyed the music that accompanied the show. The inclusion of original incidental music is a tradition that goes way back. Shakespeare has been fairly well set to music. …
WTF(rick) is a Tone Poem
Since Eine Alpensinfonie is a tone poem, let's talk about what a tone poem is. The dictionary says a tone poem is a large scale orchestra work based on folk tales or literature. That's not completely true because there are …
Uninspired Mountain Climbing
I went up to the top of Cowles Mountain. It was, how shall I say this? Hot? Yes, it was hot. Furthermore, it's not much of a mountain but I'll take it since it comes with a San Diego climate. …
Fifth Season
Besides Pachelbel and his canon, Vivaldi might be the most obvious classical one-hit-wonder. Even people who don't know The Four Seasons, know The Four Seasons — they just don't realize it. Look at almost anyone's music collection, regardless of their …
Elgar Coming Up
As requested, here's some more Elgar. We all know Pomp and Circumstance. Elgar knew it was going to be popular when he wrote it. At its premiere at a London Promenade Concert, it was given a double encore. No other …
Multiple Sclerosis
Jacqueline du Pre was best known for her definitive interpretation of the Elgar Cello Concerto. She was 20 years old when she recorded it for EMI and it has remained in print since it was recorded in 1965. In the …