Launched in 2001, the San Francisco Symphony and Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas’ series of Gustav Mahler recordings has been acclaimed around the world. The first U.S. orchestra to form its own recording label, the SFS has released recordings of all of Mahler’s nine symphonies and Mahler’s works for voices, chorus and orchestra.
The arts season is about to start in metropolitan areas across the country. Louisville Orchestra’s (Sundays at 6 pm) Fanfara concert gala is set for September 3. The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Fridays at 8 pm) performs Mozart’s Requiem in October. Gustav Mahler is featured prominently in the New York Philharmonic’s (Saturdays at 9 pm) new season. French actor Gérard Depardieu joins the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Sundays at 9 pm) in a Berlioz Spectacular in September.The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra begins its new season in September before launching a fall European tour later in the month.
Meanwhile, Bernard Haitink returns to the Concertgebouw (Sundays at 4 pm) to lead the orchestra in three concerts in September. Symphonies by Beethoven and Mahler will be on the Berlin Philharmonic’s bill with conductor Simon Rattle on Friday, August 27. And the season in Vienna began in full force this week.
The National Symphony Orchestra will spend a week in residency thanks in part to the Kentucky Arts Council. The NSO has previously spent residencies in West Virginia, Arkansas and South Carolina. Hugh Wolff will conduct the NSO in their 2011 residency, which will take the orchestra across the state to Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah, Lexington, Somerset, and Florence. Read Tony McVeigh’s story and the NSO’s press release. (Photo: Frank Hülsbröhmer)
English Conductor and arranger Sir Charles Mackerras passed away Wednesday night at the age of 84. Mackerras championed the music of Janacek and Delius among other composers. Listen to Classical 90.5 this week for performances by Sir Charles.
So you’re grabbing a bite to eat or maybe doing a little shopping, you hear some background music and it sounds familiar, you think it sounds like Verdi, and then all of a sudden…
Today is the 150th anniversary of Gustav Mahler’s birth! There are few composers/conductors who have made an historic impression on music. Marin Alsop talks with Scott Simon here, and Thomas Hampson guides you through his favorite Mahler here. One more item of interest: Jason Weinberger and his interest in Mahler.
Contemporary audiences know the vuvuzela was prominently featured in the 2010 World Cup games. But few know the historical importance of the plastic instrument. Until now:
Scientists recently have decoded the vibrational loops of the Sun’s atmosphere and recorded it. Here is what it sounds like:
All this week Classical 90.5 is celebrating the life and music of Robert Schumann, born June 4, 1810. Bill McGlaughlin dedicates his week to the composer Monday – Friday at 7 pm on Exploring Music.
If you missed last week’s State of Affairs, featuring Owsley Brown III, Jerome Hiler and Robin Burke, directors and prodcuers of the film, and Rob Birman, executive director of the Louisville Orchestra, discussing the film Music Makes a City, listen here! Mr. Hiler contributed this article for the May 20 edition of the Courier-Journal. Elizabeth Kramer has a story about today’s Louisville Orchestra here.
