Appearing on PBS this month is the documentary from the 13th Piano competition A Surprise in Texas. I was the assistant conductor for the finals and took my Zoom H2 mike and recorded some fascinating behind the scenes audio with some of the major players including an in depth interview with conductor James Conlon and [...]
Tag Archives | James Conlon
Dancing Maestros on the Jumbotron……
In a “review” by Lawrence Johnson, he ranted about the use of the Jumbotrons at the Ravinia festival. OK I can see that there might be some who want the “traditional” experience, but the setting is far from traditional in the concert going sense, accessibility is something that needs to be taken into consideration and [...]
The New Golden Age – Defending the Jury pt. 2
With so much attention being paid to Tsujii (including from me) I wanted to be sure to not overlook the other gold medalist Haochen Zhang, his extraordinary ability and unbelievable upside potential. If not breaking barriers like Tsujii he certainly dispelled a myth and if some feel that the jury took a chance with him, [...]
Cliburn: Striking Human Gold! – Defending the Jury part 1
There are so many things people are hoping for in the winner of the Cliburn. Every 4 years this veritable Piano Olympiad usually picks a winner who possesses pure virtuosity, stage presence and superb musicianship. Expectations are high for the Pianists and the pressure is intense to say the least. This year was different and [...]
Cliburn Soundoff! – It’s OVER – wrap with James and wild closing!
I wanted to post Monday, but it was such a blur! For the final post from this year’s Cliburn, I post the final two parts of my conversation with James Conlon, and I edited a two part audio clip of the closing ceremony complete with wild (and very frank) opinions, Van speaking, the awarding of [...]
Cliburn Soundoff! – Conlon Pt.3/Comparison/FWSO/Tsujii speaks/Cliburn trail
Today is the big day, one more recital and two more concertos, and then the big announcement! Bob Schieffer will speak at the closing ceremony and then off to the Worthington for the party! Today James Conlon talks about the growth of the competitors throughout the week (mentions some surprises), I compare the same excerpts [...]
Cliburn Soundoff! – Conlon Pt. 2/Son/Vacatello/Compare clips/Bray/Yang
James talks about communication between soloist and conductor, a lesson still applied by a past competitor. Vacatello and Son dress their chamber concertos. Exclusive: Another comparison this time between Zhang and Son with Prokofiev 2 (tomorrow I compare Tsujii and Bozhanov in Rachmaninov 2) and I wrap up with Buddy Bray who gets specific about [...]
Cliburn Soundoff! – Conlon speaks/Zhang dresses/Chopin Compare/Bray/Yang
The heat is definitely on with an incredible night of music making, this thing is too close to call! Part 1 of my interview of James Conlon, an excerpt from Haochen Zhang and Mozart 20, a comparison of the same two spots in Chopin 1 from Bozhanov and Tsujii (this you will only get here), [...]