Word: conductor
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Emperor Hirohito of Japan had never seen anything quite like it. Before him stood Seiji Ozawa, 36, peripatetic conductor of the Japan Philharmonic, the San Francisco Symphony, and next year the Boston Symphony-dressed in turtleneck shirt, black pants, beaded necklace and a pair of dark butterfly glasses (to conceal a bad case of hives). Ozawa accepted an award from the Japanese Academy of Arts, then turned to the Emperor and pleaded: "Your Majesty, please help the Japan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. My orchestra is on the verge of being driven out of existence because of financial difficulties." Before World...
With mixed feelings of "joy and paranoia," Composer-Conductor Leonard Bernstein, 53, appeared before a tough, critical audience last week: the National Press Club in Washington. To the newsmen, the protean showman defended his Mass-the liturgical theater piece he wrote to open the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts last September. One of the many misconceptions he wanted to clear up, said Lenny, was the idea that Rose Kennedy hated the composition. "The only quotes I ever read of hers in the press were 'I liked Hair better' and 'Don't hug me so hard...
...Conductor André Kostelanetz figured that it might be fun to get together with his exwife, Soprano Lily Pons-at least for a concert. With Kostelanetz on the podium of Manhattan's Philharmonic Hall and Pons at 68 looking frightened and fragile, nostalgic fans found that time has left a bit of dust on Lily's middle voice but that the famous high tones are still silvery. After a soaring Estrellita, Lily got a standing ovation, then dodged her well-wishers and headed straight...
...Conductor Hill began the evening with his most startling novelty: The Star-Spangled Banner in its earliest published version (1814). The first edition turned out to have occasional variations in notation from the version in use today, betraying even more clearly the song's derivation from an 18th century hit tune called To Anacreon In Heaven. At the same time, as sung by the Hill Chorale, the slightly archaic harmonies had a classical dignity that suggested the effect the song may have had on those who heard it first...
...with the program. The playing was consistently very good, but except for the Bach, the pieces were neither exciting nor moving. Perhaps it is about time; Vigeland's work with the Bach Society has been so successful this year that he was due a mistake. Whether next year's conductor Robert Baker keeps up the new trend towards innovation with excellence will be an intriguing question...