May 2013
1 post
April 2013
1 post
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March 2013
4 posts
“I was surprised when I first got here about what a prominent role the arts play....”
– A conversation with Branford Marsalis | Arts in Focus
Jazz legend Branford Marsalis… talking about Cincinnati!
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Did you know...
…that slot machines at a casino are tuned to the key of C? This is apparently the happiest key, and all together can sound “like a choir of angels.”
The things one learns in the hallways around here…
February 2013
2 posts
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“The E-string is like sunshine, and the G-string at the bottom has velvety...”
– CSO concertmaster Lees enjoys short time with rare violin | Cincinnati.com
Tim Lees has a two-week loan of a rare Stradivarius. Watch the video, it’s great.
January 2013
10 posts
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Did you know...
…that female cellists used to play “side-saddle” because they weren’t allowed to put the cello between their legs?
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"Chance," not improvisation
Also on this weekend’s program: Lutosławski’s Piano Concerto.
There are plenty of things you can say about this piece, but there’s the coolest thing I learned: there are sections of this and other work by Lutosławski that he refers to as “chance”— they are not conducted, and each musician “performs his part as if playing alone and not coordinated with...
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“Leading without a score, the conductor captured [Brahms’ Second...”
– Review: Järvi is back, CSO’s Brahms is inspired | Cincinnati.com | cincinnati.com
Something I learned this week: Brahms would have hated you referring to this piece— or any of his works— as pastoral.
From our program notes:
“Brahms, who did not believe in program music,...
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November 2012
5 posts
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October 2012
5 posts
rrrrred:
COWORKER: Today I had a glimpse into what it’s like to have your job. ME: Oh yeah? What’d you have to do? COWORKER: I had to call the Renaissance Festival to ask if they’d loan us their pretzel holders in exchange for concert tickets. ME: Yep. Welcome to my world.
Red Rock: Calling all... brains I guess →
rrrrred:
THE SHORT VERSION: If you have a minute, could you email Louis Langrée (the CSO’s incoming Music Director), a question about Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony? We have an (empty) forum here, or you can email louis@cincinnatisymphony.org (subject line: Ask Louis). This would be of great help to me!
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“NOTICE to Mother and nobody else
Dear Mother: I have written this to tell you...”
– An utterly endearing letter from 9-year-old Samuel Barber to his mother, 1919. Only 17 years later, Barber finished his iconic “Adagio for Strings.” (via explore-blog)
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September 2012
14 posts
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WatchCouldn’t help it— here’s another one. It’s farther back from the stage but it’s a more interesting part of this movement. :)
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WatchorGot some good responses to the quick snippet of rehearsal I posted last week, so here’s another.
This is from Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain, conducted here by Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos and piano’d by guest artist Jorge Federico Osorio.
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WatchRehearsal time. Josh Bell is in the house!
Yes, that Josh Bell.
For your reference, he is playing the Bruch Violin Concerto.
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Yesterday I met my first conductor who conducts from an iPad instead of from sheet music.
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W-w-w-wow!
I feel the need to save for posterity the fact that our principal cellist just complimented my hair… and made some kind of Three Stooges-esque sound when he did so.
That is all.
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The Smoker's Side
Our box office personnel always have the best stories. Susan just told me that one of our subscribers will only sit on the left side of the hall because the right side is the “smoker’s side.”
Apparently, god knows how many years ago, you could smoke in Music Hall, but only on that designated side of the hall.
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WatchAaah!!
The symphony is back in session!!
They’re rehearsing for our opening night gala tomorrow night. I stuck around to hear Renée Fleming sing for a bit, but I don’t to spoil any of the majesty for those who are attending. :D
I’VE MISSED MY SYMPHONY
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August 2012
7 posts
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Today I get to visit the Box Office and use a spare headset to listen into phone calls. It’s the first day of our Single Ticket On-Sale event and I’m anxious to hear what people are buying (and how we’re selling it to ‘em).
It’s a great litmus test for how our entire season will perform, so I’m excited to creepily listen in live.
July 2012
9 posts
