Monotonous Forest

Double dose of virtuosity

Complex and Exhilarating: Chamber Works by Wuorinen and Friedman. The Juilliard Journal, May 2011

Good and crazy people

The New York Philharmonic in Stephen Sondheim's Company. Seen and Heard International, April 29, 2011

[Above: conductor Paul Gemignani with Patti LuPone in "The Ladies Who Lunch." Photo by Chris Lee, courtesy New York Philharmonic]

Sampling the 20th century with Zorn, Schoenberg and Feldman

Monodramas at New York City Opera. MusicWeb International, April 20, 2011

[Above: Cyndia Sieden (center) and company in Morton Feldman's Neither. Photo by Carol Rosegg, courtesy New York City Opera]

Time out for humor

After a bit of an opera binge last weekend (Le Comte Ory and Wozzeck at the Met, and Riccardo Muti's concert version of Otello at Carnegie Hall), several friends steered me to this entertaining blog, Hyperbole and a Half, written and drawn by Allie Brosh. The current post, "Wild Animal (The Simple Dog Goes for a Joy Ride)," is a fine example of Brosh's deadpan style (sample panel below), in which she relates a seemingly ordinary incident that soon gathers its own peculiar momentum. Do take a few seconds to click on "About" and "About #2" on her menu bar.

Levine returns

Last night's moving performance of Wozzeck at the Metropolitan Opera began with a huge ovation when James Levine took the podium. (To the best of my knowledge, this was his first appearance since his much-publicized cancellations due to health issues.) Fast-forward to the audience cheering at the end, which was bittersweet: rather than joining the cast onstage, he remained at the podium, in the pit. The musicians stayed with him, many of them applauding as well.

In between, Alan Held (Wozzeck) and Waltraud Meier (Marie) gave impeccably sung, vividly drawn performances headlining an excellent cast, including Stuart Skelton in a strong debut as the Drum Major. And although I would not want to miss a minute of Mark Lamos's towering, shadow-ridden production (sets by Robert Israel, lighting by James F. Ingalls), one could simply close the eyes and listen to the Met Orchestra, breathing fiery life into Berg's eternally fascinating score.

Latin in Manhattan

The New York New Music Ensemble at Americas Society. MusicWeb International, April 1, 2011