Blog
Battle of the Sections: Musicians choose their themes
To kick off the New West Symphony's Battle of the Sections: Orchestra Edition, musician team members pick one of four musical themes for their section: Upbeat, Downbeat, Dancebeat, and Heartbeat. Learn about this one-of-a-kind competition, then get your ticket to join...
Nimble and subtle: Nielsen’s Flute Concerto
[youtube]UlRDL-aUpVw[/youtube] Carol Lockhart, New West Symphony flautist, shares about her favorite instrument, the flute, and Team Winds fires back today with a spectacular showpiece for the flute: Carl Nielsen's Flute Concerto. In 1926, Nielsen's Flute Concerto...
4 horn madness: Schumann’s Concertpiece
To celebrate Robert Schumann's birthday today (June 8, 1810), here's one of his more unique works: the Concert Piece in F Major for Four Horns and Orchestra. Right away the spotlight is on the soloists. The piece requires not one, but 4 skilled french horn players,...
‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ – which version do you prefer?
[youtube]OtHas9zLyWc[/youtube] Today we mark nearly seventy years since the passing of Serge Koussevitzky, one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century. He was a prominent music publisher, double bass soloist, and for 25 years the Music Director of...
Jukebox 19 “Minnesota Song, Minnesota Strong”
In this installment: Music, especially sung, has been at the core of Minnesotan society. What has always been particularly moving to me is how Minnesotans participate in its cultural experience, perhaps even more so when it's cold! This playlist is dedicated to the...
Jukebox 18 “Stirs a National Consciousness”
In this installment: Music forms an unbreakable bond with our sense of community and pride in our nations, the people and their histories. This international Jukebox playlist features music that goes straight to our core when we hear it. I love that every culture has...
Following the 9th: Interview with documentary filmmaker Kerry Candaele
If you're looking for a fascinating story and excellent movie tonight, have we got the answer for you! 31 years ago this week, protesters in Tianenmen Square illegally blasted "Ode to Joy" throughout the square to rally together their fellow protesters. This music has...
Jukebox 17 with John Corigliano and Mark Adamo
In this installment: The dynamic duo of American opera and symphonic music, John Corigliano and Mark Adamo, host an extraordinary Jukebox Playlist. Michael is grateful for their insight, charm, and fascination with all genres of music. Janacek: Sinfonietta (fanfare)...
Eroica Symphony and Beethoven: Youthful Fire or Brooding Anguish?
[youtube]PmU6FH6eDSQ[/youtube] On May 18, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte was declared Emperor of France. The legendary story of Beethoven hearing the news and tearing up the title page of his Third Symphony is something we often remember when we think of the Symphony,...
Michael Christie Jukebox #16 with Reena Esmail
In this installment: LA based composer and community music champion, Reena Esmail guides this Jukebox Playlist. Barber: Knoxville, Summer 1915 Scriabin: 24 Preludes Op. 11, No. 2 Horace Silver: The Cape Verdean Blues Laxmi Shankar: mati kahey kumbhar Reena Esmail:...