I was recently entrusted with delivering the graduation address for the School of Music at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. I wound talking about the future of orchestras. My larger point was that this is a moment for young musicians – and not so young institutions – to hone their sense of mission. Here’s what I had to offer: A lot of the writing that I’ve done over the past 25 years has explored the story of classical music in America in its most dynamic period – the late nineteenth century. Here’s a vignette: the … [Read more...]
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Saul Davis on What Are Ballet Conductors For?
Based on the comments of dancers I've known, the ballet conductor's job seems to be getting the tempos wrong for...Joe Horowitz on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
Thank you both for this thread, somehow propelled by my posting. I have a couple of thoughts. One is about...James Primosch on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
Much food for thought in your comments - thank you. It would be foolish to argue the merits of American...william osborne on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
BTW, I should add that there are probably more performances of established American composers in Europe than there are in...william osborne on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
Thank you for the interesting response. If we’re going to have a discussion, I would suggest we leave aside...James Primosch on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
"Parochial", defined as "having a limited or narrow outlook or scope", seems to be a more apt description of the...william osborne on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
I should add here the massive network of highly funded state radios in Europe all of which have a specific...william osborne on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
Cage is definitely in their category in terms of his influence and recognition, and yet he does not have the...James Primosch on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
Adams, Babbitt, Barber, Carter, Cage, Crumb - I haven't even gotten past the "C's", yet have named six post-war American...william osborne on “The Chasm Between Doing Music and Thinking About It”
“I remember being asked by a distinguished member of the English faculty why musical performance should become curricular.” To this day...