Ephemera

Bits, bites, notes, items, and things to ponder about life, the universe, and everything.

– This week’s BSO concert is “Cirque de la Symphonie,” March 11-14, and features Poulenc, Bartok (woo!), Satie, and Copland. Oh, and crazy Soleil-esque circus performers in feats of derring-do that will be, and I quote, “on and above the stage.” I can only imagine what that entails, but if the pictures are any indication, there will be acrobatics, incredible strength, and hula hoops. Good times. Click here for Meyerhoff performances and here for the Strathmore one.

– College Nights are no more for this season, but there’s still a student discount being offered for remaining BSO Under the Big Top concerts. Click here to learn more.

– Two potential discounts for the BSO Academy: Rusty Musicians can get $450 off, or if you refer a friend you and the friend both get $250 off. If you didn’t get those emails, contact academy@bsomusic.org for more info.

– Remember when we all pondered how Robert Levin was going to improvise? Anne Midgette of the Washington Post explained how it… Well, I’m more confused now, actually.

And on Thursday, Levin, who has done pioneering work in establishing the way that Mozart’s and Beethoven’s music actually sounded in their day, not only improvised all of the cadenzas (“Pray for me,” he told the audience), but offered, after the intermission, a Fantasy in Beethoven’s style, based on four snippets of music submitted to him by the audience. Given fears that musical illiteracy is rampant among the general population, it was heartening to see that enough audience members were able to write out a few measures of musical notation to partly fill a wicker basket, though one of the snippets Levin chose on Thursday came from the conductor, Nicholas McGegan.

To seek further clarity, read the rest of the article here.

– I’d like to do a roundup post of quirky classical music blogs. If you have one or know of one I should include, let me know.

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