Peter Seabourne
UK composer Peter Seabourne continuous his ‘Steps’ piano series with Italian record label Sheva. This is a set of large scale piano cycles, currently standing at five volumes. Volumes 2 and 3 are already released. Volume 4 is recorded and manufactured ready for general release in July; Volume 5 will be recorded in January 2015 and Volume 1 soon after. ‘Steps’ stands apart from much in contemporary music. Pianist Max Lifchitz says: « Seabourne’s compositional style reveals rigorous craft and respect for tradition. His music wilfully disregards recent stylistic trends; however, it sounds distinctively modern. Unlike a lot of contemporary music, Seabourne’s writing rewards both the accomplished performer and the attentive listener. » Read More →
Lorin Maazel
Der seit Monaten schwer erkrankte Lorin Maazel (84) ist von seinem Posten als Chefdirigent der Münchner Philharmoniker zurückgetreten. Maazels Vertrag wäre eigentlich noch bis 2015 gelaufen. Danach sollte er von Valery Gergiev abgelöst werden.
Der österreichische Geiger Andreas Großbauer wird am 1. September neuer Vorstand der Wiener Philharmoniker. Er folgt damit auf Clemens Hellsberg, der dieses seit 1997 ausübt. Neuer Geschäftsführer der Philharmoniker wird Harald Krumpöck in der Nachfolge von Dieter Flury. Das hat eine Wahl des Orchesters am Mittwoch ergeben.
Nicole Paiement
The Dallas Opera has announced the appointment of the company’s first Principal Guest Conductor. The post is taken over immediately by Canadian conductor Nicole Paiement (*1959) who is known for a vast expertise in the field of opera, specializing in contemporary music. She will work closely with Music Director Emmanuel Villaume and Dallas Opera General Director and CEO Keith Cerny on a host of upcoming projects. Read More →
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
(c) Dresdner Philharmonie
Der heute verstorbene Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos war von 2004 bis 2011 Chefdirigent der Dresdner Philharmonie. Mit dem Orchester hat er während dieser Zeit fünf Einspielungen veröffentlicht und war auch im Anschluss an diese Tätigkeit gern gesehener und häufiger Gast in Dresden. Das Orchester beklagt den Tod des Dirigenten in einer Pressemitteilung. Read More →
Italian bass Ivo Vinco died last Sunday at the age of 86 in Verona. Born in 1927, Vinco first studied at the Liceo Musicale in Verona, then at the opera school of the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. He made his professional debut in Verona, as Ramfis in Aida, in 1954. He quickly sang all over Italy and began an international career which took him to the most important opera houses. Read More →
Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Spanish conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (*1933) has died today in Pamplona. Last week he had announced his immediate retirement and stepped from his position as chief conductor of the Danish National Symphony. After serious health problems and many cancellations in recent months, the 80-year-old conductor released a statement saying, “After meeting with my doctors I have come to the following conclusion: I have to recognize publicly that I have cancer and that in this state of health and with deep sorrow I am not able to conduct at my standards and the moment to quit professional matters has come.” The cancer was fatal! Read More →
Zum 150. Geburtstag des Komponisten Richard Strauss ist ein Handbuch zu dessen Leben und Werk erschienen. Herausgeber ist Prof. Dr. Walter Werbeck. Das Buch, eine Gemeinschaftsproduktion der Verlage Metzler (Stuttgart) und Bärenreiter (Kassel), resümiert den Stand der Forschung und ist somit ein verlässliches Nachschlagewerk für ein breites Publikum. Read More →
Der junge Richard Strauss
Today, as we celebrate the 150th birthday of Richard Strauss, record label ‘TwoPianists Records’ is bringing out a comprehensive edition of the complete works for voice and piano. The project is the brainchild of Brigitte Fassbaender who has selected singers and accompanists to suit the vast collection of songs. The launch takes place on this 11th June 2014, during the Richard Strauss Festival in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The project enjoys the full support of the Richard Strauss Institute. Read More →
Despite an expanded season, Houston Grand Opera expects to end 2013-14 with a balanced budget. The company, whose fiscal year ends July 31, expects that its operating budget of about $27.7 million will come out in the black, marking the opera’s fourth balanced budget in a row. Ticket sales reached 92 percent of capacity for the mainstage series, with an increase of 3 percent. Visitors came from 46 U.S. States and 30 countries. The good result is also due to a strong fundraising campaign.
