Classical
Music News for May/June 2023
LOS ANGELES NEWS
CELEBRATING MARIA CALLAS' CENTENNTIAL BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
Maria Callas’
centennial birth anniversary has been included on UNESCO’s celebratory
list of anniversaries for 2023.
In honor of the outstanding Greek soprano, the General Secretariat for
Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) present, in cooperation
with the Maria Callas Greek Society, the following documentaries about
her life and achievements, which are available for free (and subtitled
in English) on the ERTFLIX streaming platform:
Tasos Psarras’ documentary “The Greek Maria Callas”:
https://www.ertflix.gr/en/vod/vod.255737-the-greek-maria-callas
Two episodes-tribute to Maria Callas (“Time Machine” historical
docuseries, presented and curated by Christos Vasilopoulos):
https://www.ertflix.gr/en/series/ser.248114-mekhane-tou-khronou-maria-kallas
Marina Abramovic - 7 Deaths of Maria Callas (“The Era of Images”
docuseries on visual arts, presented and curated by Katerina Zacharopoulou):
https://www.ertflix.gr/en/vod/vod.164981-e-epokhe-ton-eikonon-4
Short documentary dedicated to Maria Callas (“20th Century, Selections”
TV show): https://www.ertflix.gr/en/vod/vod.248361-20os-aionas-epiloges-maria-kallas
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NEW WORLD
SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES 2023-24 SEASON
First Full Season for Artistic Director Stéphane Denève
Artistic Director Laureate and Co-founder Michael Tilson Thomas Returns
Miami, FL
(Tuesday, March 28, 2023) – The New World Symphony (NWS), America’s
Orchestral Academy, announces its 2023-24 season, a landmark year for
the institution, as it welcomes Stéphane Denève in his first
full season as Artistic Director. Denève is only the second person
to hold this position in the 35-year history of the organization, succeeding
co-founder and Artistic Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT).
Eager to embrace NWS’s mission to prepare its highly gifted Fellows
for leadership in the orchestral field, Denève will lead the Fellows
in eight programs of beloved favorites and modern masterworks, including
French composer Albert Roussel’s The Spider’s Feast, featuring
the world premiere of NWS-commissioned animations; the world premiere
of a new work by French composer Guillaume Connesson; a performance and
exploration of Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral, celebrating its
25th year; Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, Debussy’s La Mer,
and more.
Stéphane Denève is Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony
Orchestra, Artistic Director of the New World Symphony, and will also
be Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic from
2023. Recognized internationally for the exceptional quality of his performances
and programming, Stéphane has a special affinity for the music
of his native France, and is a passionate advocate for music of the 21st
century. A gifted communicator and educator, he has worked regularly with
young people at the Colburn School, the European Union Youth Orchestra,
and the Music Academy of the West.
“It is nothing short of a dream come true to begin my first full
season with the New World Symphony, and build upon the legacy of its co-founder
and guiding soul, Michael Tilson Thomas,” said Denève. “It
is a rare privilege and deep honor to lead NWS and its remarkable Fellows,
an outstanding group of talented and passionate musicians. Together, with
this season’s guest artists and conductors from around the world,
the future of classical music is thriving in Miami!”
MTT returns to mentor the Fellows and lead them in performances with renowned
guest artists throughout the season.
“I welcome my colleague, Stéphane Denève, to his first
full season as Artistic Director,” said Tilson Thomas. “I am
so happy that he is carrying on our tradition of excellence. It is always
a joy for me to make music with the brilliant Fellows of NWS and I am
so pleased that we will collaborate this year with the esteemed artists
Leif Ove Andsnes, Emanuel Ax, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and Dashon Burton.
And, it is always great fun when music students from our community join
us for a ‘Side-by-Side Concert.’ I’m so looking forward
to seeing you all and to continuing our 35-years together.
NWS’s 2023-24 season spans centuries and the globe, and features
both classics and contemporary works, from Beethoven’s monumental
Ninth Symphony in celebration of its 200th anniversary, to Billy Childs’
Saxophone Concerto. Performances take place at the New World Center, NWS’s
Miami Beach campus designed by Frank Gehry, as well as the Adrienne Arsht
Center and throughout the community. Through its WALLCAST® and other,
select free and open-to-the-public concerts, NWS continues its commitment
to providing access to classical music for all.
"I am blown away by Stéphane's generosity. The more time I
spend with him, the more I see that that's just who he is, even off the
stage,” said First-year Violin Fellow Beatrice Hsieh. “I’m
so excited to work with him next season; his mentorship is only going
to further New World's legacy!"
Subscriptions to NWS’s 2023-24 season are available on Wednesday,
April 19, 2023, with single tickets available Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
THE MUSIC GUILD, which brings the finest chamber groups to be found in Los Angeles, continues its 79th season with a concert on May 1. with the Vieness Piano Duo. One critic said of them:
They have a symbiotic intellectual command of line and score and just the right amount of power to push their charisma to the fore bringing the audience to its feet: Vieness, comprising of pianists, Vijay Venkatesh and Eva Schaumkell, wore their hearts on their sleeves and took many of us along to rejoice with them." Their program will include
Ravel: Mother
Goose Suite
Brahms: Hungarian Dances
Schubert: Fantasie in F Minor D. 940
Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals
St. Albans Episcopal Church, 580 Hilgard Avens L.A. 90024. For tickets:
the music guild.org
or phone 310 558 3500