bach Archives - New West Symphony

Music Shelf Showcase: John Mauceri

Natalia Staneva — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 17:53:52 +0000

You may be familiar with American conductor John Mauceri if you saw the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra after it was recreated in 1991. He led over 300 concerts at the Bowl and performed in front of as many as 4 million people!

Mauceri worked with and learned from Leonard Bernstein for 18 years, producing the European premiere of Mass in Vienna, and conducting new editions of Bernstein’s works.

In November 2017, to celebrate Bernstein’s 100th birthday and pay homage to his legacy, John Mauceri and New West Symphony curated an all-Bernstein program. Mauceri shared stories from the podium of his time with “Lenny,” and led the orchestra in works from the conductor-composer’s entire career including the little-known 1952 opera Trouble in Tahiti, the worldwide hit West Side Story, and his later works like 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Four singers brought Bernstein’s songs to life: Celia Shafer, Susanna Guzman, Davis Gaines, and Casey Candebat. Here they are with Maestro Mauceri after the concert.

Your questions about the job, life, and training of professional conductors are answered in Mauceri’s engrossing book “Maestros and Their Music.” From the publisher:

He reveals how conductors approach a piece of music (a calculated combination of personal interpretation, imagination, and insight into the composer’s intent); what it takes to communicate solely through gesture, with sometimes hundreds of performers at once; and the occasionally glamorous, often challenging life of the itinerant maestro.

Buy the book now. Or find more great musical treasures on the New West Symphony Music Shelf.

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Music Shelf Showcase: Julie Albers

Natalia Staneva — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 17:14:02 +0000

Edward Elgar’s music had already gone a bit out of fashion by the end of the First World War. But his Cello Concerto, the last great piece he wrote, put him back on the map.

Well, actually, its premiere in 1919 was a disaster, but it gained popularity after Jacqueline du Pre performed it in 1962.

With a reflective and elegaic tone, it was a perfect piece to pair with another northern European masterpiece on our March 2019 program, Sibelius’ First Symphony. And another fabulous cellist Julie Albers, principal cellist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, had the sensitivity and musical depth to bring it to life. It was the kind of performance that made the air thick with emotion.

Hear Julie Albers expressively interpret other works by Rachmaninoff, Schumann, Piatagorsky and more with piano accompaniment. Buy now.

And get your copy of that fateful recording of Jacqueline du Pre performing the Elgar Cello Concerto led by Daniel Barenboim. Buy now.

Find more great musical treasures on the New West Symphony Music Shelf.

Here’s a snapshot from Julie’s performance with New West Symphony, conducted by Maestro Andrew Constantine.

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Music Shelf Showcase: Pinchas Zukerman

Natalia Staneva — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 21:28:24 +0000

Legendary violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman performed for New West Symphony’s inaugural concert in 1995. In an unforgettable incident, a fire alarm during the concert sent the entire audience outside. As people made their way back to their seats (the alarm went off in error, in the brand new Kavli Theatre), Pinchas sat on stage and serenaded everyone while they returned to their seats.

More recently, Pinchas joined us in March of 2018 with his wife, cellist Amanda Forsyth. He played-conducted works by favorite classical composers which let their instruments shine, and in the second half, he led the orchestra in a magical Schubert symphony.

At our “Meet the Artist” before the concert weekend, Pinchas told the story of attending a White House State Dinner under President Carter, to celebrate the signing of the Middle East Peace Treaty. He was seated next to then-prime minister of Egypt, Anwar Sadat, Pinchas’ sworn enemy as a citizen of Israel. Sadat and his wife gushed over Pinchas’ music and asked him for an autograph. Pinchas told the ‘Meet the Artist’ audience: “that’s the healing power of music.”

In a recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, you’ll enjoy Zukerman’s passion and skill with cherished British composers Vaughan Williams and Elgar. Own it now, or find other great recordings by New West Symphony guest artists on the Music Shelf.

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Music Shelf Showcase: Till Fellner

Natalia Staneva — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 20:45:43 +0000

Austrian-born pianist Till Fellner joined us April 2018 to eloquenly execute Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat major. His dedication to technique and clarity shone in a brilliant performance. The week of the performance, we joined him at the Steinway warehouse in Los Angeles as he picked out the perfect piano for the concert.

Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier has been the backbone of Fellner’s recital repertoire. Cleanly executed and colorful, his rendition made waves as a faithful performance, but not cerebral. Own it now or see more recordings from New West Symphony guest artists at the Music Shelf.

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