Review: Boston Pops do their thing. Orange County Register, Nov. 23, 2013.
Critic’s notebook
Some thoughts on warming up before concerts … and classical music audiences.
Regular readers of this blog will have already read the first item (on warming up) of this notebook. The second item (on audiences) is entirely new.
Click here to read my critic’s notebook. The link is free.
Review: Zeitouni
I was very impressed by the young Canadian conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni when he made his debut with the Pacific Symphony last week. Nice program, too.
Click here to read my review. The link is free.
Review: Leo Ornstein’s Piano Quintet
It sounded to me like a major find.
Click here to read Hamelin, Pacifica Quartet, revive Ornstein quintet. Orange County Register, Nov. 13, 2013.
Also, Rick Shultz’s preview article on Ornstein and the quintet, in which Rick talks to, among others, the composer’s 83-year-old son — yes, we included his age — is well worth your time. Click here to read it. I get an editing credit on this one, though not the pay.
Review: James Galway and the Irish Chamber Orchestra
In today’s Orange County Register online, I review last week’s concert given by James Galway and the Irish Chamber Orchestra in Segerstrom Concert Hall. The link is free.
Review: L.A. Opera’s ‘Falstaff’
In today’s Orange County Register online, I review Los Angeles Opera’s new production of Verdi’s “Falstaff.”
photo: Robert Millard
Review: Frederica von Stade
In today’s Orange County Register online, I review the mezzo-soprano’s recent recital at Meng Concert Hall. The link is free.
Two cents
If anyone is on the fence about attending the Pacific Symphony’s concerts tonight or tomorrow, go. The guest conductor, Jean-Marie Zeitouni, is special. His readings of Debussy’s “Nocturnes” and Britten’s “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” are truly remarkable, and he has the orchestra sounding top-notch. The Britten is performed with narration on film, homemade for the occasion, and I think quite enjoyable.
The age of performers
When I mention the age of a performer in a review, I do it for a reason, a good reason.
When a former or current opera star, man or woman, is still singing when he or she is 68 or 73 or 90, it is worth noting and the reader should know. A critic’s remarks on that singer, positive or negative, should be taken in the light of that information.
When a conductor is 80 and leading a performance of “The Rite of Spring,” it would be wrong not to mention his age.
When a conductor is 22 and leading a performance of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony, ditto.
When audiences have known a performer as a child prodigy and that performer is now 44, you say so.
When a pianist is 85 and still playing Liszt or when a pianist is 26 and already has a huge international career, it would be unprofessional for a reviewer not to report their ages.
And so on. Get it? No insult is intended. Take it or leave it. Geesh.
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