Salon97 - classical music with attitude » music education

It’s Just Music

Cariwyl Hebert — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:47:38 +0000

This introspective and honest article by Benjamin F. Carlson has been floating around the classical music community over the past week. For obvious reasons, classical people get really excited when someone from “the outside” gives us a nod and says our music is good, too. That aside, the article is a good read for anyone — no matter what your musical preferences may be.

A brief excerpt:

… I feel lucky to know the big secret: there’s no trick. It’s just music. It shreds, yearns, mourns, trills, rages, and smiles. The music is spine-tingling, angry, delicate, vulgar, snobby, bumptious, and transcendental. Anyone who loves music should feel comfortable pulling Messiaen into their mixes.

That’s right, people. Classical music is for everyone!

NY Phil’s Le Grand Macabre by Ligeti

Cariwyl Hebert — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:28:34 +0000

The New York Philharmonic recently presented an innovative production of Ligeti‘s Le Grand Macabre. To accompany this brilliant show, the NY Phil’s marketing department put together a series of behind-the-scenes flip cam videos. So many times we wonder what it takes to put together the wonderful concerts we attend, and thankfully, the New York Phil has given us a backstage pass via YouTube.

They say the show will be back in 2012, and I can’t wait to see it.

Here are a few highlights from the flip cam series, along with a couple videos from the Alan Gilbert + Death set.

Alan Gilbert and Death play Guitar Hero. Hilarious!

Maybe they’ll create another riot?

Set and prop building — very entertaining!

So…what is this show about?

Music Director Alan Gilbert speaks on what it’s like to rehearse “Le Grand Macabre.”

Venus on stilts:

…and where does all that great choreography come from?

Being a percussionist is serious fun.

Obamas for music education

Cariwyl Hebert — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:56:19 +0000

Michelle Obama shows her support for music education. Right on.

Music education for all

Cariwyl Hebert — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:05:51 +0000

At Salon97, we sure do like El Sistema. And kudos to the New England Conservatory for considering a plan to make this an educational standard in the U.S.!