No images? Click here November 20, 2023 An American woman said she was shocked to discover that Alaska isn't an island, calling for an 'overhaul' of the school curriculum. Apparently, some Americans assume it's an island because of how some maps depict it without Canada included. +++ In this week’s email:
CLASSICAL CHARTZ Weekly selections are based on sales numbers and albums we simply love and think you NEED to hear! For the complete top 20, tune into Classical Chartz with the New Classical FM’s Mark Wigmore every Saturday from 3-5 pm EST! THE BIG IDEA Bradley Cooper Practiced Conducting for Six Years for Scene in 'Maestro'At a New York screening of "Maestro," Bradley Cooper shared with panel host Lin-Manuel Miranda and fellow cast members Carey Mulligan and Matt Bomer the details of his extensive six-year preparation. The actor, poised to portray the musical titan Leonard Bernstein, said he needed six years to ensure he got a crucial six-minute and twenty-one-second segment of conducting in the film exactly right. Now that is method-actingThis dedication underscores his portrayal in the biographical drama, which promises to shed light on the complexities and genius of Bernstein's character. In a testament to Cooper's commitment, the actor revealed during a New York screening event that he felt a significant weight of responsibility in recreating Bernstein’s historic 1976 performance of Gustav Mahler's 'Resurrection' Symphony. The original performance was a momentous event in classical music history, with Bernstein at the helm of the London Symphony Orchestra. Recapturing its essence required not just a study of conducting as a technical skill but a understanding of Bernstein's unique conducting style. Why was it so challenging?This was a serious undertaking. Cooper had to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra in front of a live audience, seamlessly blending acting with the authentic conduct of an orchestra. This would have been difficult for a professional conductor, let alone an amateur. To achieve the precision required, Cooper delved into extensive practice sessions. He also benefited from the guidance of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a renowned conductor who provided consultancy for the film, ensuring that Cooper's performance was not only convincing but musically accurate. Lifelong affairDetails about Cooper's preparation for the role have emerged, painting a picture of an actor deeply invested in his craft. From requesting a conductor's baton for Christmas when he was eight, to engaging in hundreds of hours of practice as an adult, Cooper's relationship with music and conducting has been a lifelong affair. His approach to the role was methodical and thorough, aiming to understand the nuances of Bernstein's conducting style and the music he so masterfully presented to audiences. The filming process itself was elaborate. Shot in the historic Ely Cathedral, the scene demanded authenticity not just from Cooper but from the entire London Symphony Orchestra. Musicians were asked to make personal adjustments to their appearance, such as growing beards and not cutting their hair, to fit the period. Some wore custom-made prescription glasses to maintain the visual authenticity of the 1970s. Cooper's performance, along with the meticulous attention to detail by the production, has already begun to garner critical acclaim. The film received a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, an early indicator of its potential impact. Moreover, the emotional response from Bernstein's family, moved to tears by Cooper's portrayal, speaks volumes about the film's authenticity and the actor's ability to capture the essence of the legendary conductor. While the general public awaits the release of "Maestro," the buzz generated by these early reports suggests that audiences will witness a film that pays homage to Bernstein's legacy with great respect and fidelity. “Maestro” is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 22, 2023, before streaming on Netflix on December 20, 2023. — MV TOUR DE HEADLINES Photo courtesy of the 2023 International Opera Awards David Del Tredici, Who Set ‘Alice’ to Music, Dies at 86 — David Del Tredici, a Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer renowned for his works inspired by Lewis Carroll's "Alice" stories, passed away at 86 in Manhattan. His distinguished career was marked by a significant shift towards New Romanticism and included influential teaching roles at Harvard and Yale and a residency with the New York Philharmonic. | DNYUZ This High-Tech Shirt Helps Deaf and Hard-Of-Hearing People Enjoy Opera — Lyric Opera introduces a new shirt designed for deaf fans to feel the music, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity in opera experiences. | Washington Post Cellist Bryan Cheng Wins Canada's Virginia Parker Prize — Cellist Bryan Cheng has been awarded Canada's prestigious Virginia Parker Prize, recognizing his exceptional talent and contributions to classical music. | Violin Channel Obituary: Music Critic Anthony Holden Dies at 76 — Music Critic Anthony Holden Dies at 76. | OperaWire Don't Stop the Music: Closures at Oxford Brookes Are a Sad Reflection on the State of the Academic Music Sector — Oxford Brookes University's closure of its music and mathematics departments, amid staff redundancies and cuts in various fields, reflects a broader decline in music as an academic subject in the UK, with numerous department closures since 2004 highlighting systemic challenges in higher education. | The Critic MUSIC EDUCATION Oxford College (Photo courtesy of Oxford Brookes University) Oxford College Shutters Music DepartmentsOxford Brookes University announces it will cease music programs in 2026. What’s Up: Oxford Brookes University, a public university in Oxford, UK, has announced plans to shutter its music department by 2026. Course lecturers will teach their final cohorts of students before being laid off. Affected staff members urged others to contact the university’s vice chancellor to request a 12-month extension on the decision. Refresher: Like many musical institutions, the Oxford Brookes music program experienced financial difficulties following the pandemic. Their more recent challenges have included dwindling enrollment numbers and a discontinuation of the university’s combined honours degree programs. The university’s decision has been criticized as short-sighted. Staff had recently begun redeveloping programs, which they were not given a full opportunity to work towards due to administrative financial concerns. Digging Deeper: Oxford, a historic city of culture and academia, will suffer many musical losses with this closure. The university’s music program has operated since 1979 and has been home to numerous legendary performers, lecturers and researchers. They will also close the Oxford Opera Society, the city of Oxford’s main opera presenter. Hopefully, the Vice-Chancellor and Board of Governors will reconsider. — SS ORCHESTRAL MANEUVERS John Williams. Photo courtesy of the artist Two Canadian Symphonies Team Up For Performance of Mahler SymphonyThe Edmonton Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra joined forces last week to perform Mahler’s 3rd Symphony. What’s Up: On November 10th, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) along with the CPO’s soprano and alto sections, mezzo-soprano soloist Susan Platts, and the Calgary Girls’ Choir, joined forces to perform Mahler’s 3rd Symphony. The two neighbouring Alberta symphonies combined for the first time in over 25 years to a sold-out audience at the Jack Singer Concert Hall conducted by the CPO’s music director, Rune Bergmann. Refresher: The last time the CPO and ESO combined forces was in 1997 to perform Mahler’s 8th Symphony. Such combinations are necessary in order to perform Mahler’s music, as the ESO’s core only includes 56 players and the CPO’s 66. Mahler’s 3rd Symphony calls for 8 french horns, 8 timpanis, and 2 harps, usually amounting to over 100 players onstage. It consists of 6 movements and is the longest symphony in the orchestral canon. QUIZ Composer or pasta?PiccinniScroll down for the answer… AROUND THE WEB
✏️ Editorial: An article about classical music in the US South. 🍄 That’s interesting: A caterpillar fungus economic boom is happening along the Himalayas. 🖋️ Cure Boredom: Write an email to your future self. MUSIC GADGET OF THE WEEK This is a "Stravigor," a music notation tool invented by Igor Stravinsky ca. 1911. It was used for drawing music staff on blank pages. Stravinsky tried to patent it, but it was shelved due to disruptions surrounding WW1. QUIZ ANSWER Niccolò Piccinni was an 18th-century Italian composer of operas. He is particularly renowned for his contributions to the opera buffa genre, gaining fame with works such as "La buona figliuola" and "Cecchina." How did you like today's email? |