Mysteries Abysmal

Sophie, we are dying

Since attending the NEA Institute for music critics just two years ago, I'd guess at least half my colleagues have been downsized or eliminated from their positions as arts reporters, critics and radio hosts. On top of this, several people have voluntarily switched to more lucrative careers so the number of losses is closer to three-quarters. It's a startlingly high number for such a short time-span. Over the weekend, a very talented woman and scholar from Hawaii just notified us that the Honolulu Symphony has abruptly ended its season due to "lackluster revenues" and "mounting debts." Because of this, she will be losing her jobs as teacher and reviewer. Usually you can sarcastically ask if music really exists when a reviewer isn't there to cover it. In this sad case, it's silence across the board. 

URLz

Here are some recent reviews I'd forgotten to add due to a miserable bout with flu last week. On Monday, the Chicago Sinfonietta turned on the funnies at Orchestra Hall (Chicago Sun-Times) and two Sundays ago Garrick Ohlsson played Chopin and Liszt in a downtown recital (Chicago Classical Review). The Chicago Philharmonic recently riffed on the Three Tenors theme and the Baroque Band invited superb oboist Alex Klein for concerti of Vivaldi and Albinoni. (CCR)

Downtown Glass

Music review Philip Glass plays Philip Glass at MCA. Chicago Sun-Times

Hank Jones

 
wants to be a Christian, and I believe him. Click here and skip to 40:30.

Chitown Philly's back again

Here's my report on the current state of the Chicago Philharmonic, an orchestra where many Lyric Opera pit members call home. In January, Wynne Delacoma in Musical America reported that the philharmonic's future was very uncertain, but a successful off season has made possible a full slate of concerts for the '09/10 artistic year. Their first show is this Sunday at Pick-Staiger.

Things we said today

Rzewski and Kurtag, Chicago Classical Review

Chicago Sinfonietta  season opener, Chicago Sun-Times

(bonus: Rzewski plays Rzewski)

Johannes be major

Tribune music critic John von Rhein wrote a memorable essay a few years back on the importance of amateur musicians. He said, "Musicians who play for love rather than money can teach even jaded ears something vital about what it means to make and experience music. They are one reason classical music remains a living art." Two weeks ago I caught a very talented trio in action who support these words.  They work strenuously in the legal and academic fields by day, but somehow put together a gorgeous performance of the Brahms B Major trio (first movement only.) And I'm not just saying that because I'm dating the pianist; these guys are legit.  But judge for yourself.

Civic minded

The Civic Orchestra of Chicago plays Hindemith and Beethoven. Chicago Classical Review

Lieberson at Unity Temple

Here's my take on Coming of Light for Chicago Classical Review; this is Peter Lieberson's song-cycle written for the centennial of Oak Park's Frank Lloyd Wright modern wonder. The Chicago Chamber Musicians were in top form, but the wonderously odd space of the temple was most mesmerizing.

Fate's knockers at my door

 

Via Doyle Armbrust, here's a  classical record cover that is strange, sexy and memorable. And yes, Beethoven's noses are colored for added effect. Amazingly I have not seen this one before.