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Classical Music
Janelle Gelfand on the classical music scene


Janelle's pen has taken her to Japan, China, Carnegie Hall, Europe (twice), East and West Coasts, and Florida. In fact, Janelle was the first Enquirer reporter to report from Europe via e-mail -- in 1995.

Janelle began writing for the Cincinnati Enquirer as a stringer in 1991 while writing a Ph.D. dissertation in musicology at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She joined the Enquirer staff in 1993.

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she graduated from Stanford University, Janelle has lived in Cincinnati for more than 30 years. In her free time, this pianist plays chamber music with her circle of musical friends in Cincinnati.

She covers the Cincinnati Symphony, May Festival and Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, chamber music ensembles, and as many recitals and events at CCM and NKU as possible.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Will the Gergiev concert be on WGUC?

Enquiring minds want to know, so we asked Chris Phelps over at WGUC. Here's the deal: Because the concert was special, and not part of the CSO subscription series, it was not included in their Sunday evening broadcast schedule.

But here's the good news: They did record the concert and are just waiting for Gergiev's approval for broadcast. When they know the date, I'll pass it on to you. In the meantime, here's a letter to the editor that is right on the mark. (Scroll down the page; it's at the end.)

That's exactly what I was thinking while I sat in Music Hall last week. There are many concerts that are just as exciting and well-played, on a regular basis. It's a matter of getting the word out and getting people to leave their Barcaloungers to come down and hear it.


Friday, February 23, 2007

The morning after

Last night's CSO concert with Valery Gergiev in Music Hall was the most thrilling event of the classical season, bar none. Here are a few impressions from last night:

The big crowd, that was totally different from the usual concert nights. Russian was being spoken in all quarters, and there were also a lot of opera folks, I'm told.

A few people showed up expecting to be fed... (There is a buffet for Thursday subscription concerts.)

No sign of politicians anywhere. What a missed opportunity! Where was Mr. Mayor?? I didn't see Mr. Vice Mayor, either (though I may have missed him).

Spotted in the crowd: concert pianist Alexander Toradze, Cincinnati Opera's Evans Mirageas and the Polusmiak family of pianists. Paavo, who was touring in Italy with his Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, called his friend several times to make sure all was going smoothly.

Gergiev looked relaxed, happy and engaged -- not at all the the charismatic-but-moody maestro with furrowed brow and two days of stubble that seems to be his press image. He packed more instruction into two rehearsals than most conductors do in five, said pianist Michael Chertock. Assistant conductor Eric Dudley said he was congenial and pleasant during the closed rehearsals.

After the concert, there was a crush in the green room and a line that went clear down the hall to symphony offices. When asked about the hall, Gergiev said it was "big," and that he liked the sound. Incidentally, he's heard the orchestra at least twice before, on tour in Vienna and Tokyo.

Other thoughts: Should the CSO consider a "gala" concert with a big star every season?

If you missed the review I posted last night, click here.


Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Reminder: Don't miss Valery Gergiev


He's in enormous demand around the world, and from all accounts, he doesn't sleep. Valery Gergiev is making one of his TWO stops with American orchestras this season in Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Music Hall. (If you don't have a ticket yet, better get one soon -- this fiery Russian invariably sells out concert halls.) His performances can be both electrifying and controversial -- he doesn't charm or convince every critic. But his Shostakovich cycle last year was on the Top 10 of just about every critic in the world. And the only reason he's coming here is because he's FOP (Friend of Paavo).

Gergiev is leading the Cincinnati Symphony in Stravinsky's "Petrouchka" and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5.

Here's what he told BBC Music about conducting an orchestra, upon his appointment as music director of the London Symphony: "...It's mainly an exchange of artistic ideas. Also I have no intention of breaking any orchestra's intrinsic character. If you come to a Russian orchestra, or an American, or a British, or an Austrian orchestra, you don't have to make them all sound the same..."

You can bet the CSO won't sound the same... Tix: 513-381-3300, www.cincinnatisymphony.org


Monday, February 19, 2007

Cleveland's star concertmaster under fire

I guess what really bothers me about this gossipy article in the free weekly Cleveland Scene this week about concertmaster William Preucil, is that Rebecca's Meiser's allegations are largely based on unnamed sources. Should a publication accuse someone of a sex scandal at a major conservatory of music, CIM -- with the picturesque description of a "lewd advance" -- and power plays behind the scenes of a major symphony orchestra, using so many unnamed people, such as "a member of the orchestra"? Even if it's true? Take a look at the 229 comments, too, and weigh in here!


Saturday, February 17, 2007

Sandye Utley


CLIFTON -- Sandye Utley was involved in many areas of Cincinnati's cultural scene, both in her work and as an arts advocate. In recent years, she combined her love of the arts with her writing and research skills to create Web sites for the award-winning author T.C. Boyle, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra music director Paavo Jarvi and the Blue Wisp Jazz Club.

Ms. Utley was found dead in her Clifton home on Jan. 29. She was recovering from a stroke when she died. She was 55.

Born in Covington, Ky., Ms. Utley moved with her family to Cincinnati at age 9 and was salutorian of her Hughes High School class. Although she loved jazz and classical music, her heart was in the visual art world. She studied art with Jack Boulton, who later became director of the Contemporary Arts Center, and she also studied radio, television and film at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

"Sandye did not have tremendous financial resources or political clout, but she supported and informed many of the cultural institutions and artists of the city," said James Duesing, professor in the School of Art, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. "She will be dearly missed by many people all over the world."

Ms. Utley was a founding member of C.A.G.E. (Cincinnati Artists' Group Effort.) Artistically talented, she was the character voice of "Fashionette" in Cincinnati artist Duesing's Siggraph Award-winning animated film, "Maxwell's Demon." The 1990 animation has been televised and screened internationally. Prints of it are now in several permanent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

"At C.A.G.E., she worked on fund raising for a major renovation project and helped develop a fledgling media program into monthly video art screening parties, including one of her ideas called 'TV Dinner,'" said Duesing.

Many have noted Ms. Utley's skills as an archivist. She maintained a complete historical record of the early years at C.A.G.E., that ultimately became part of the collections at the University of Cincinnati Library.

She worked for most of the city's cultural organizations, including the CAC, Tangeman Fine Arts Gallery, Cincinnati Art Museum and WCET-TV (Channel 48). From 1990-96, Ms. Utley was assistant to the president of Mark Patsfall Graphics, who worked with international artists such as Nam June Paik. She also worked with the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce.

"No on could have been a bigger booster for the city than Sandye," said her sister-in-law, Peg Allen.

"She designed and maintained the (Blue Wisp) site and was an enthusiastic supporter of both the Wisp and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and we will miss her good humor and gentle disposition," said Phil DeGreg, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music jazz professor.

Recently, Ms. Utley had begun a food blog, inspired by an early T.C. Boyle story, "Sorry Fugu." The last entry is about six new restaurants in Paris, her favorite city outside of Cincinnati.

"More than anyone here, she helped all of us understand what a powerful and close community we've developed in a way that goes far beyond what drew us together in the first place, and in the process she became a dear friend of mine," wrote Boyle on his messageboard.

She is survived by her brother, Roy Utley and his wife Peg Allen. Memorials may be sent to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 3949 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH. 45223.

A memorial service is planned on March 11 in Memorial Hall, Over-the-Rhine.


CCM's Bernhard to leave for Houston

In case you missed the news, here's the story.

In other news, WVXU has rescheduled "Sweet Love: A Tribute to Oscar Treadwell," for 7:30 p.m. April 23 at the Madison Theater in Covington. If you own tickets, they are still good for this show. Tickets are still available at madisontheateronline.com, cincinnatiarts.org or 513-621-ARTS. They can also be purchased at the Aronoff Center, Music Hall, and Madison Theater box offices. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show, plus ticket fees.

And finally, the music community is saddened by the sudden death of Sandye Utley on Jan. 29. She was a loyal contributor to this blog, and constructed Web sites for the Blue Wisp as well as a fan site for Paavo Jarvi. Watch for a tribute here soon to Sandye.


Tuesday, February 13, 2007

The Grammys: questions, answers and comments

In case you missed the 49th annual Grammy Awards, adopted Cincinnatian Peter Frampton has won his first-ever Grammy for his album, "Fingerprints." Today's paper notes that he wore a necktie for just about the first time ever at the LA award ceremony in honor of his dad, who died before Peter could finish his first instrumental recording project.

In the almost-won category, Cincinnati native Fred Hersch was beaten by Oscar and Grammy favorite John Williams in the instrumental composition category (Williams won for "A Prayer For Peace" from the "Munich" soundtrack, and picked up another Grammy for his soundtrack to "Memoirs of a Geisha."

And here's what really matters besides the Dixie Chicks -- the Classical Music Grammys!

Cleveland-based Telarc, which records the CSO and Pops, picked up two Grammys that were connected to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's Elgar-Britten album. The album won for Best Engineered Album (Michael Bishop, engineer).

And Elaine Martone won for Producer of the Year. Enquiring minds want to know: Is Elaine THE FIRST WOMAN to win this award??

I want to point out the winner of Best Opera Recording and Best Classical Contemporary Composition: Osvaldo Golijov's "Ainadamar." This composer is one of the most gifted working today and Cincinnati Opera has announced it will be mounting his widely-praised opera in 2009. The recording has the cast that is to appear in Cincy (sans conductor Robert Spano, I think): Dawn Upshaw, Kelley O'Connor and Jessica Rivera. You might want to pick up a copy.

Also, bravo to Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony (sorry, it's my hometown) for bringing home Best Classical Album and Best Orchestral Performance for their Mahler 7 disc (beating out local favorite Ivan Fischer's Mahler 6).

The Emerson String Quartet, which has many Cincinnati fans, won Best Chamber Music Performance for "Intimate Voices."

For all you Kentuckians out there: Best bluegrass album went to Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.

And here's a question: An anonymous e-mailer told me that Michael Ivins of Flaming Lips fame lives in Greater Cincinnati. TRUE OR FALSE?


Monday, February 12, 2007

Snow Cancellation


The tribute concert to Oscar Treadwell tonight at Covington's Madison Theater has been postponed due to the winter storm warnings.

WVXU-FM's "Sweet Love: A Tribute Concert to OT" will be rescheduled for a later date, says Chris Phelps of WVXU and WGUC.

Ticket holders are asked to keep their tickets until the new date is announced. It will probably be rescheduled in the next few months, Phelps says.

The scheduled bands included The Blue Wisp Big Band, Steve Schmidt Trio, Cohesion Jazz Ensemble and a jazz combo from CCM. Proceeds will go to the CCM Jazz Studies Department.

Got other cancellations? Post them below!


Sunday, February 11, 2007

Music Hall guest editorial

Readers are extremely interested in the possible renovations planned for Music Hall. Besides a letter to the editor from another reader last week, I received this guest column from Joseph Schuchter. Here's what he has to say:

*****************************************
Music Hall Makeover – Let the music, and the reader, decide

The reactionist’s reaction to Sunday’s article "Experts turn in recommendations on 129-year-old Music Hall makeover" would likely be one of head-shaking and finger-pointing. One of lamentation and unconstructive remarks. A typical response of too many Cincinnatians who, beleaguered by negative or opaque news stories, do not always see the great accomplishments and positive momentum in our city.

Missing from the article were a few simple facts, which when with withheld may have led readers to believe that the Symphony was downsizing as a result of (poor) attendance.

There was mention of a half empty hall, followed by words like "concerns," "restructuring" and "downsizing." Effectively, if the glass is half empty, get a smaller glass. There was talk about glamour, which would arrive in the form of a gift shop. Don’t forget the more secure parking which would lure on-the-fence, occasional, or first-time symphony go-ers downtown. No doubt these might be nice upgrades, but we are now led to believe that the facility renovation is simply an enticement to fill the seats, that our world class symphony alone is not good enough.

However, the true story is that the glass is half full. Some key facts which went missing: attendance is not poor; the most famous concert halls in the world hold less than 3,000 people; our hall at 3,400 seats is a monster designed for other purposes; the CSO musicians must upgrade their instruments and play more vigorously to fill such a space; resultant hearing damage is a reality for the musicians; and to transform a bunch of sounds into a symphony, halls require highly specialized designs.

That's it. Just a few additional sentences would have helped the reader not versed in Music Hall's history or the facets of concert hall design to navigate through the article and turn the page with a bit more knowledge and enthusiasm.

The music speaks for itself. This much is clear. And few would deny that our world class symphony deserves a more suitable facility. Whether such a great landmark should undergo a costly and drastic change is another question. Perhaps our eyes and ears in journalism can work up a report on this. We appreciate the story on a closed-door session. Just give us a bit more help in getting it straight.


Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Hot tix


After yesterday's barrage from Old Man Winter, summer might seem far away. But tickets are going fast for the region's first performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, June 29 at Riverbend.

The pavilion is almost sold out, say Cincinnati Pops officials, but there are still seats on the lawn. The Riverbend pavilion seats 5,000, with another 15,000 seats possible on the lawn.

The choir will be performing with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops for the historic concert.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, directed by Craig Jessop, is one of the oldest, largest and most distinguished choirs in the world. It has sung for presidents, performed in 28 countries, and its weekly show, "Music and the Spoken Word," is broadcast over 2,000 radio and TV systems. It is composed of 360 volunteer singers who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Tickets: Pavilion seating: $75 (VIP), $50 or $30. Lawn seats are $20. Children ages 6-18 are half price; 12 and under are free on the lawn. 513-381-3300, www.cincinnatipops .org or in person at the Music Hall box office, 1241 Elm St. (10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday).


Tuesday, February 06, 2007

Grammy Awards this Sunday




Don't forget to tune in this Sunday for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, airing at 8 p.m. from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS (Channels 12, 7).

Between eight Grammy nominations for Mary J. Blige and multiple nominations for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dixie Chicks, James Blunt, John Mayer, Prince and will.i.am – there's an impressive assortment with local ties.

Up for Grammy's are guitarist Peter Frampton of Indian Hill, Cincinnati-born jazz musician Fred Hersch, a rock group with two local members (drummer Patrick Keeler and bassist Jack Lawrence) the producer and engineer of a Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra recording and a former principal guest conductor of the CSO, Ivan Fischer.


Thursday, February 01, 2007

Music at Miami -- point and counterpoint

So what's really going on in Miami University's School of Fine Arts, which has vacant spots in both the Oxford Quartet and the Miami Wind Quintet? I gave the interim dean, Bob Benson, a call and here's what he said:

The Miami Wind Quintet has not disbanded, he says. Bassoonist John Heard retired in December and flutist Sandra Seefeld has also announced her retirement. Both positions will be replaced next year, Benson says. For the remainder of this year, bassoonist Robert Williams, first chair in the Detroit Symphony, is filling in.

"They will have temporary people in flute and bassoon next year while they search for permanent lines (tenure track faculty positions)," he says.

As for the missing violinist in the Oxford String Quartet, that position also will be filled -- although not as quickly, he says.

"It will be clearer by next year how soon that violin position will come back," he says. "It should be a couple of years before everyone is reinstated."

He said last year's news about the demise of the quartet involved "a series of half-truths. Morale in the department was low, and I felt it had to be changed."

The problem with funding the ensembles, he says, is that they depended upon "soft" money -- money that was available only because a faculty member had taken leave. Benson has been working with the Provost on a new plan. Last year, the Provost asked the music department to make $100,000 in cuts.

As for the Echternach (Luxembourg) International Festival Orchestra Miami project -- that is scratched for now, he says. It cost a lot and "we certainly aren't getting any more money from the state."

Since no one has approached Benson about the program, he said it would be up to the next dean to reinstate it.

When it was founded in 1946, the Oxford Quartet was one of the first quartets-in-residence in the country. Other schools were quick to follow its model, including the University of Michigan, University of Illinois, Indiana University and Northwestern University.

The quartet built Miami's strings program from scratch.

Benson has been interim dean of MU's School of Fine Arts since July, following Jose Antonio Bowen's departure. The university is conducting a search for a new dean.


Turning tragedy into joy


Ben Carlson-Berne loved classical music and was a serious piano student. When he was 16, he revealed to his parents that he was upset that disadvantaged children had little exposure to classical music, and began volunteering his time to make that happen.

His efforts were cut short when, at age 19, the Wyoming resident died suddenly in a climbing accident.

In memory of their son, Philip Berne and Susan Carlson have created a scholarship in his name, to pay for music lessons for needy kids through age 18. The fund is administered by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, which matches up deserving students with a symphony member for lessons. In addition, a portion of proceeds will go toward the School for Creative and Performing Arts Private lesson Program, to offer scholarships to kids with talent but without the resources to pay for music lessons.

A benefit concert performed by pianist Elizabeth Pridonoff (pictured), a CCM faculty member, and prize-winning violist Jessica Bodner, a member of the Parker String Quartet, will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday, Church of the Saviour United Methodist, 8005 Pfeiffer Rd. in Montgomery. Tickets: $25 at the door, or send your donation to: CSO Carlson-Berne Scholarship Fund, 1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati OH 45202 or call 513-621-1919.



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