Symphony News Archives

“Days Of Glory"; the music of Bruno Coulais to "Les Choristes”

Victor and Borislav Chouchkov were satisfied. Co-owners of a family recording company in Sofia, the brothers had completed - in just 48 hours - recording a score for a movie starring Ethan Hawke. via Palm Beach Post

Complementary blues and tropical plants help create a Caribbean feel on the piazza off the master bedroom. via The Post and Courier

There were a number of empty seats at last night's National Symphony Orchestra concert. Evidently the combination of another mainly Russian program (the NSO has a strong Russian accent these days), an admired but not-quite-superstar soloist (the pianist Louis Lortie), and a conductor as yet unknown in Washington (Mark Elder, making his NSO debut) was not sexy enough to draw a big audience. Which is a shame, and the audience's loss, since it was a delightfully programmed and eminently enjoyable concert. Read more

“They stood and they clapped and they cried.”

Mack Wilberg is the new music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The appointment was announced Friday morning in the tabernacle by choir president Mac Christensen. via Deseret News

“This unique concert will provide a glimpse of Mozart's world in the last 10 years of his life”

THE atmosphere of 18th century Vienna is to be brought to life in Pershore. The world-renowned English Symphony Orchestra wind ensemble will perform the music of Mozart at the Number 8 Community Arts Centre, ... via Droitwich Spa Advertiser

“It is a very profound and powerful piece.”

If you're looking for commanding music, skip the power ballads and try the Lima Symphony Orchestra on for size. via Lima News

Vancouver is in the grips of Beethoven fever: just as Vancouver Opera wraps up its production of Fidelio, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra kicks off its six-concert Raymond James Beethoven Festival, opening ... via The Georgia Straight

“And to play it with the CSO and David Stahl is a dream that is becoming a reality.”

Charleston Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Yuriy Bekker will play the Violin Concerto in D Major by Erich Wolfgang Korngold on Saturday at Gaillard Auditorium. via Post and Courier

“Suddenly, he said, 'I've got an idea. Let me lay it on you.”

They're playing your song at the State Theatre - or they might, if you're the highest bidder in their auction. via Courier News Online

In a combined concert, the Furman University Symphony Orchestra and the Furman Jazz Ensemble will feature guest singer, actor and trumpeter Byron Stripling, at 8 p.m. on April 1, at McAlister Auditorium. via GreenvilleOnline.com

“His contribution to popular music was profound.”

NewBay Media's Bass Player magazine is mourning the loss of the "King of Mambo," bass legend Israel "Cachao" Lopez. via Keyboard Magazine

“We're asking the (SCO) artists, 'What do you want to do with the students?”

James Boyd and Daryl Silberman are attempting to weave music into the fabric of the Salem community with an orchestra residency program targeted to West Salem's elementary, middle and high school students. via Statesman Journal

“His doctors advised him not to travel”

Give that uncommon man a fanfare. With guest conductor Riccardo Muti ill, Michael Christie gets his big chance to lead the New York Philharmonic. via WJLA-TV Arlington

“A conscience which has been bought once will be bought twice.”

The Associated Press Sunday, March 23, 2008 Today is Easter Sunday, March 23, the 83rd day of 2008. via WQXI-AM Atlanta

“The origins of `mambo' happened in 1937”

Cuban bassist and composer Israel "Cachao" Lopez, who is credited with pioneering the mambo style of music, died Saturday at age 89, a family spokesman said. via The Florida Times-Union

“Dance of the Firebird"; its wild and gleaming tintinnabulations, mimicking the "Magic Carillon”

Venezuelan wunderkind conductor Gustavo Dudamel, probably the fastest rising young conductor in the world right now, makes his debut with the San Francisco Symphony Thursday night March 20, 2008 at Davies Hall ... via Inside Bay Area

Viggo Mortensen is seen here starring in 'Eastern Promises.' There's no vexing Viggo. via Post and Courier

By SCOTT CANTRELL / The Dallas Morning News scantrell@dallasnews.com The city of Dallas is hiring an acoustical consultant to try to help settle a controversy over the placement of Annette Strauss Artist ... via Quick

Most major symphony orchestras in the United States regularly spend more money than they take in, and some dip so far into endowments that they risk their long-term survival, according to a new report ... via Earth Times

American conductor Dennis Russell Davies has been named music director of the Basel Symphony Orchestra, filling a position that had been vacant since 2006. via Belleville News

Check out this clip from a 2006 PBS documentary about the band, in which they perform their song "Hey Eugene." Pink Martini 's music is the kind of music that makes you want to fall in love. via Miami New Times

“Well, the Nielsen is a wonderful, wonderful symphony -- his music is exciting, energetic and soulful”

THEY MAY BE going for the Gustavo March 20 at Davies Hall, where all that electricity crackles around the impossibly young Venezuelan dynamo Gustavo Dudamel, the L.A. Philharmonic heir apparent taking his first ... via Contra Costa Times

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra, which performed Friday at Orchestra Hall with music director Peter Oundjian, has had its ups and downs. via Detroit Free Press

“It's always fun when someone from a little town like Holland, Mich., does something a little out of the box”

Holland native Robin Canfield is one of 25 women appearing on ABC's "The Bachelor: London Calling." She is shown here in a promotional photo from ABC and, inset, from a 2002 Sentinel story. via Holland Sentinel

Posted in Classical & Opera , Music by Steve Smith on March 18th, 2008 It's getting tough to remember a time when Lincoln Center's annual Mostly Mozart Festival was something you'd greet with a yawn. via Time Out New York

The Department of Music and Performing Arts at Terra Community College will be presenting a faculty recital with flutist Tamara Kagy accompanied by pianist Matthew Skitzki of Cleveland. via Port Clinton News Herald

One of the world's most extraordinary orchestras, the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, will make its Chicago debut in April 2009 led by its music director, the young conducting sensation Gustavo ... via Chicago Tribune

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra music director Bramwell Tovey was named principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl at a news conference announcing the 2008 summer season ... via Los Angeles Times

“Generally in March we put on a concert. it's a children's concert, but it's also kind of a family concert because children of all ages will love it, so it's a lot of fun”

Wonder Woman, Spiderman and Superman all stopped by the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center in Cambridge to help rescue the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra. via Whiznews.com

“We hope the community will step up and understand that these changes are way too much. We hope they understand that we need to save the orchestra and having an orchestra here with full-time positions is one thing that sets this region apart”

The future of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra remains hazy after seven months of contract negotiations between management and musicians and a $500,000 shortfall accumulated over six years. via The Shreveport Times

Friday, March 14 WHOLE LOTTA MOZART The genius of Mozart takes the spotlight this weekend when the Greenville Symphony Chamber Orchestra presents 'Mozart From Beginning to End.' The all-Mozart program will ... via GreenvilleOnline.com -

Thank you for publishing the article I wrote, 'Symphony Congratulated on its 60th Anniversary,' appearing on March 2, 2008, in Central Wisconsin Sunday. via WisInfo

“Mahler's childhood was hell, with his brother dying. And his father was so brutal and evil. In music he was reaching beyond earthly reach. "This symphony's like the Monty Python sketch where a man's facing death by firing squad”

Escapism comes in many forms: Digital pornography, simulated war and celebrity gossip all generate empty satisfaction worth billions. via Canada.com

During the last eight years, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Musical Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya has made a place for himself in a city far from his native Peru. He's taken the orchestra to new heights -- and to Carnegie Hall, where years ago he led the New York Youth Symphony.

Now this graduate of New York's fabled Juilliard School has just been named Distinguished Guest Professor of Conducting at the TCU School of Music.

He'll keep up his demanding schedule with the FWSO and continue to be a guest conductor with other orchestras, operas and music festivals, but he'll also be sharing what he's learned with TCU's music students. Read more

“It's like a whole new world out there. I think the Internet has changed everything. ... People find (her online) and tell their friends. It's like a large snowball, and it grabs what it wants to.”

Column: Hitting the high note Former Wausau composer enjoys resurgence "Isn't that wild?" exclaimed renowned classical musical composer Gloria Coates. via Wausau Daily Herald

“Pavanne pour une infante defunte.”

Between the Pittsburgh Symphony's February 2006 announcement of the current season and Friday night's concert, everything changed but the orchestra. via Pittsburgh Tribune

“We're very excited to have this beautiful instrument”

SARA GETTYS/Yakima Herald-Republic A harpsichord was donated to the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and will be officially dedicated on Saturday. via Yakima Herald-Republic

“I find it difficult to believe. ... It would be a terrible tragedy. The city would lose its soul.”

The Columbus Symphony has endured its share of financial challenges, often requiring bailouts from wealthy individuals, corporations and the community. via Columbus Dispatch

“It was a really great opportunity to show the rest of the club, as well as the parents of the participants, what the program was doing and I think the kids had fun.”

Elina Hu, a senior at Oshkosh West and member of the Oshkosh Youth Symphony Orchestra, and her mom Ping come to the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh every Tuesday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. to give free violin lessons to ... via WisInfo

The University of Oregon Symphony and Opera Theater Ensemble will join forces for a special program Saturday that will feature highlights from famous operas. via The News-Review

The Western Sequoia Trio - a Western Oregon University faculty combo of Yvonne Hsueh, violin, Joseph Harchanko, cello, and Diane Baxter, piano - will perform the 'Triple Concerto in C' by Ludwig van ... via Statesman Journal

“People are finding this to be a wonderful area in which to live”

FENWICK ISLAND - When the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra performs in Sussex County, the 40-member group often ends up in churches -- among the biggest available gathering spaces in the county. via The Daily Times

Not many fathers could bail their sons out of this jam. Luckily, Boston Symphony Orchestra assistant conductor Julian Kuerti's father, Anton Kuerti, can play a little piano. via The Boston Globe

“Jodhaa Akbar", told the media here. "Whenever I want to compose for an orchestra, I have to go to London or Budapest”

By Chitra Prakash, Chennai, March 12 : After waiting for seven years, India's most famous contemporary music composer A.R. Rahman Wednesday launched his first full-fledged orchestra. via Newkerala.com

“You teach the music as if (you were) the composer. You provide inspiration, leadership.”

The houselights dim and a hush falls as the violinists tuck their instruments beneath their chins. via Inside Bay Area

The Green Bay Symphony Orchestra will present 'a stellar event of cosmic proportions' in sound and visuals at its Classics 4 concert Saturday at the Weidner Center. via WisInfo

“It just goes from generation to generation”

While you were out riding bikes or eating sand, a future classical soloist was seriously studying music -- or already debuting with an orchestra. via Springfield News-Sun

“Oshkosh is a show-loving town and this is an opportunity for people to hear really great artists with an outstanding city orchestra”

The Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, with soloists Joyce Andrews, Joe Ferlo and Janet Planet, will bring Broadway music to the Grand Opera House, 100 High Ave., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The symphony, with guest ... via Oshkosh Northwestern

The chamber music of Schubert and Brahms and the ballet Giselle will be featured in a one-night concert at the HCM City Opera House on Sunday evening. via Viet Nam News

Springfield favorite Kevin Rhodes, the likeable maestro and conductor of the Springfield Symphony has agreed to a three year contract extension. via WHYN NewsTalk 560 Springfield

“So a motley crew of like-minded artists banded together to plot a revolution.”

One of the soloists at the Des Moines Symphony's concert Saturday night looked more like a member of Best Buy's Geek Squad than a musician. via Des Moines Register

“We (Doras and I) are so happy to know that you are doing so well. Of course, I knew all along that you would be an exceptional teacher, and, as you know, teaching is an art as much as performing.”

The auditorium at Green Bay West High School is named after Ralph Holter. Here's why: 'Ralph was an amazing teacher and mentor to me,' said Diane Thode Turek of Normal, Ill. via WisInfo

“The concert was magnificent and the orchestra played splendidly.”

One of the most joyous classical concerts of any season - any year - is the all-Mozart program of the Greenville Symphony Chamber Orchestra. via GreenvilleOnline.com

I hope we don't have to call the cops Saturday night at the Peace Center. I hope Greenville folks don't start a riot. via The Greenville News

By MARIO TARRADELL / The Dallas Morning News mtarradell@dallasnews.com For many, the sight of Willie Nelson surrounded by a stage full of symphony musicians, with the iconic Texan dressed in a black suit jacket ... via WFAA-TV Dallas

“Gary Louie is a musician's musician”

SALISBURY -- Guest saxophonist Gary Louie joins the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra during its annual Mid-Winter Concert on Saturday in Holloway Hall Auditorium. via The Daily Times

X - close this window 1 of 3 Photos > Bismarck Mandan Symphony It's been two long years... But the Bismarck Mandan Symphony has finally named it's new conductor... Doctor Beverly Evertt will take over the job ... via KXMA-TV Dickinson

RDATE:07032008 Dublin: Research and Markets has announced the addition of "Performing Arts Companies - Industry Profile" to their offering Covering over 175 industries and updated every 90 days, the First ... via TMCnet

“It's a band fronting a 43-piece symphony; it's pretty powerful. "Just picture a performance of 'Live and Let Die' with 50 musicians making the music and it sounds just like the album.”

Vic Ferrari will team up with the Fox Valley Symphony and members of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra to present "Pops & Hops" at 8 p.m. Saturday." Gannett Wisconsin Newspapers file photo If you go ... via Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune

“We are canceling the performance this weekend but are looking for another date with the hope of rescheduling as soon as possible”

Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman has canceled a concert in Missouri on Sunday because of a shoulder injury. via Haaretz Daily News

“It's not as hard as you might think. You need to know how to start an orchestra (playing), how fast to make it go and how to get it to stop.”

Two 9-year-old guest conductors of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra had cases of the nerves Wednesday morning as they took to the podium at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts. via WisInfo

It's been two long years... But the Bismarck Mandan Symphony has finally named it's new conductor... Doctor Beverly Evertt will take over the job officially in June. via KXMA-TV Dickinson

“A woman's always younger than a man of equal years.”

Today is Thursday, March 6, the 66th day of 2008 with 300 to follow. The moon is waning. via Daily India

Thursday, March 6th. The Lyric Theatre and The New River Valley Friends of the Roanoke Symphony present a live chamber orchestra concert featuring the great children's classics composed by Sergei Prokofiev and ... via NRV Today

“You will know it is Previn. It will sparkle with color and has two long harp cadenzas.”

Andre Previn returns to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to conduct the premiere of his Harp Concerto. via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“I am. We are, and this is what I/we think/feel about this idea/moment/mystery.”

Culture minister Margaret Hodge has criticised events such as the Proms for not reflecting our multicultural society. via Guardian Unlimited

“Michael Davis added greatly to the spirit of The Lancaster Festival and The (Festival) Orchestra”

LANCASTER - Michael Davis, the concertmaster for the Lancaster Festival Orchestra for the past 20 years, passed away on Sunday night from ALS disease. via LancasterEagleGazette

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra returns to GPB Radio for a fourth season of broadcasts beginning Thursday, March 6. Studio GPB will present 24 concerts from the orchestra's 2007-2008 season that were recorded ... via Dalton Daily Citizen

“The annual pops concert is a crowd favorite here in Marshfield”

The University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County Symphony will continue an annual tradition Friday with its 'Pops Concert -- A Taste of Vienna' at 7:30 p.m. Friday. via WisInfo

“The bottom line is: if the Pyongyang regime decides it's time to get serious about rapprochement with the U.S., the North Korean people seem prepared to embrace their one-time enemy.”

'Music,' wrote the 17th century English playwright William Congreve, 'has charms to soothe the savage beast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.' The New York Philharmonic Orchestra's milestone concert at ... via Coshocton Tribune

Saturday may have started out gray and drizzly, but by early afternoon it was as sunny inside the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center as it was outside. via Quick

The Central Ohio Symphony will be making a stop to perform in Chillicothe on Friday, March 7th. via WBEX-AM Chillicothe

“The morning hymn is the moment of the beginning, when the boy or girl is born. The evening hymn is the symbol of the end.”

What do the fashions of Yves Saint Laurent have to do with contemporary music composition? In the mind of composer Egon Krak, who's in the midst of a two-week visit to the area, Yves Saint Laurent's high ... via Green Bay Press-Gazette

“What they have to learn to do -- is to put the hurt somewhere so that it doesn't turn to hatred.”

Talk Back: Post a comment on this article By Ashley Coleman First Coast News JACKSONVILLE, FL -- For many offenders, settling into a life of crime starts well before they become an adult. via First Coast News