SymphonyCast

Hey Culture Vultures! Here is something for all of you who can’t enough classical music. It’s called SymphonyCast from American Public Media. Just click on the link to check it out. This weekly audio program features a variety of orchestras such as the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw and our own Los Angeles Philharmonic. You get a full concert hosted by Brian Newhouse. It’s a great show, worth keeping up with regularly. It is also on KUSC Saturdays 6-8 PM. Please enjoy.

Happy holidays!

With the transition from election commercials to Christmas ads on television, it is a sure sign that the holidays are almost upon us. Leave to the chorus of the Philadelphia Opera Company to usher the season in with style. Many of you have seen their Brindisi flash performance. Now they are singing Hallelujah. I think it again proves that music makes people happy, at least in Philadelphia. First the Handel and then the Verdi. Please enjoy.

Music Makes People Happy, Part 3

With all of the events of our JapanOC, the one that will be the first sell out will be Jake Shimabukuro.  Check him out at Central Park playing a ukulele cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by George Harrison of the Beatles. Are we going to have fun or what?!!

Please enjoy.

OK, OK, OK, I am in a rut but I am having fun and so will you.  Maestro Larry returns at the age of 4 conducting the William Tell Overture followed next by a postscript by Victor Borge.  Please enjoy.

Rite of Spring

The Rite of Spring will be a hundred years old in 2013.  It’s hard to believe.   We will be making a big deal about it.   I remember back to the opening concerts of Disney Hall after a performance of the Rite, a women was complaining to me about Salonen playing those crazy new pieces.  I responded that the Rite is not all that new.  The only person in the hall that night that was alive when it was written was Richard Colburn, maybe not even.

Here is another youthful conductor – Larry age 5 conducting the Rite.  He knows the piece.  He nails the 11/4 bar.  The women in the household are not that impressed.  He makes a dramatic and dangerous cutoff at the end.  Sorry, I couldn’t resist.  Please enjoy.

Music Makes People Happy, Part 2

This is “Music Makes People Happy, Part 2.”

Despite an itchy nose, 3-year-old Jonathan conducts a joyful finale to Beethoven’s Fifth.   

Check it out and please enjoy.

What makes music beautiful?

One of our dedicated board members sent me this clip with a question and a wonderful answer:

What makes music beautiful?

Music makes people beautiful.

Check to see if you think he is correct.  Watch the following.  Please enjoy.