December 7, 2009

December 7, 2009:

Lost Dog, a Trippy Spider, and Holiday Spectacular!

On Friday Dec 4, and Saturday, Dec 5, I conducted the New York premiere of French composer Philippe Bodin's Zygiella's Visions, a wonderful piece of music about a spider that eats the wrong kind of mushroom, then builds a crazy web in a psychedelic episode. It was great fun to conduct, and it was especially rewarding because the musicians of Lost Dog are so amazing - really top players in New York City.

At the very same moment I conducted that concert on Saturday, the Round Rock Symphony was performing the RRSO Holiday Spectacular in Austin, TX, along with Texas State University's Department of Music choirs. I heard many reports form friends and colleague who said the show was a big hit, so I offer my congratulations and thanks to teh RRSO players, and especially the conductors who led the music in my stead - Maestros Joey Martin, Jonathan Babcock, & Lynn Brinckmeyer.

Now I'm looking forward to two huge events:

The Manhattan School of Music main stage opera production opens this Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 pm. The production is Gabriel Faure's Penelope. If you like Greek literature and watching Ullyses kill a bunch of guys in French, you'll like this. The music is sublime and the performances promise to be very good. Dec 9, 11, and 12. (more info)

December 13's Astoria Symphony Holiday Jubilee! (a "jubilee!" is a lot like a "spectacular!"). Maestro Daniel Radtke, music director of Astoria's Most Precious Blood Catholic Church will guest conduct music by Britten, Bach, and Mozart, as well as a world premiere by Astoria resident Scott Munson. I will be sitting in the audience and listening for a change! The AMS holiday party follows - join us at the Irish Rover at 4:30.