Snapshots From Lyon
Being a collection of random thoughts about Porgy & Bess, Lyon, the French, and anything else that pops into my mind….
Terry Teachout and how we go from Zero to Hero! – plus a mini tribute
Ernest Fleischmann passed and I had one treasured experience with him that I want to share, but first to Terry Teachout. Terry I say thank you for your article raising the question of eliminating regional orchestras, yes thank you! He opened an even bigger debate than in my Context/Urtext post (it is somewhat related) which is: what is the definition of the word “artistic”?…..
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The Queen(s and Kings) of the Night
Rehearsals for Porgy are in full swing and it’s hotter than the Hind Hinges of Hades on Catfish Row.
Porgy, Day 1 – Once More Unto The Breach…
“Dear God: Could we please get through Day 1 of our revival of Porgy & Bess without some major disaster? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks.” That’s what I was hoping for on my way over to Opera Lyon. Of course, there’s that great expression – “Man plans, God laughs.”
Oh No! Not AGAIN?!!!
Insanity (latin)- noun, plural – ties. 1. the condition of being insane; a derangement of the mind. 2. doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. 3. wanting to be an Opera conductor. Here I go again…
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So You Think It’s Easy?
Every year at many orchestras across the Western Hemisphere there comes the following situation: “Congratulations!!! You’ve won the prize to conduct the Upper Podunk Symphony Orchestra in concert!!!” Well, it ain’t as easy as you think.
Quick Takes: A Sustainable Business Model…How is it Possible?
It seems that a huge focus in the Symphony world is to create the ideal business model for success. Thousands of hours and millions of dollars are spent on conferences, consultant fees, marketing schemes etc… and yet the secret ingredient, is neither a secret, not does it cost anything. The best business model without it will fail, yet the worst business model with it might actually succeed!…….
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It needs to be about CONTEXT not URTEXT!!!!
At Cliburn last year I kept hearing “it has to be about the music”. I’m sorry MUSIC IS NOT ABOUT MUSIC, it’s about everything else! We spend so much time focusing on trying to get people to fall in love with music and with what we do. This will only happen when we do the opposite first i.e It’s time for us to be into them! Trying to tap into their pulse still puts us on the outside looking in, the goal should be to become part of their bloodstream…..
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Stravinsky on a Stick…
It’s that time of year again, when the average Minnesotan starts salivating profusely and planning their foray into the great culinary unknown. Yes, folks, it’s just around the corner, only three months away. The great Minnesota get-together known as …….. The Minnesota State Fair!!!! WHEEE!!!!! Heart surgeons within 500 miles are on high alert…
The Audience….who are they…and why do they do that?
So there he is right in the center, and every time I turn around he’s still asleep? Wait a second why is that person leaving without even applauding, climbing over other patrons, was our performance that bad that you couldn’t wait for even one curtain call? Are they just rude or is there something wrong with me, oh no IS THAT THE CRITIC??? !!! We need to stop concluding that this is about us…….(even though it might be)
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Coming up…..
I’m in a crazy travel, concerts, auditions this week and next week but I am working on some posts including:
Who are they?…..the audience that is…and who are they to us?
Playing all the movements….especially the environmental one!
A sustainable model for success, is it even possible?
Below the same video twice, what happens when a conductor loses his temper, and then the full video with aftermath….
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Another Message Control Fail…Practice, Practice, Practice
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?….You know the line. The Oregon Symphony has been invited, they have asked the city to help pay for the trip, and the message in the paper? Cue the closing of fire stations, mixed in with a defensive posture and vitriolic comments mostly against the funding and now it is all uphill….it didn’t have to be so….
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Bill Eddins wrote:
Geof Applegate wrote:
Anonymouos wrote:
Xylo Guy wrote: