All posts - Page 48 of 68

Ramsey Lewis (May 27, 1935 – September 12, 2022)

Tributes

Ramsey Lewis, the iconic jazz pianist and composer who scored on the pop charts with hits “The In Crowd,” "Hang On Sloopy" and "Wade In The Water" died peacefully at his home in Chicago at 87.

Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 – 2022

Uncategorized

Director of Fine Music Sydney and chairman of the board of directors, Michael Morton-Evans OAM, reflects on the reign of the longest-lived British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her passing, September 9, 2022.

In Conversation: Lyndon Terracini

In Conversation Interviews Simon Moore

7/9 - Lyndon Terracini has certainly left his mark on Australian opera – and he’s not done yet. He has been Artistic Director of Opera Australia since 2009, however his association with opera goes back decades, having first appeared with the company as a baritone in the 1970s. His operatic career took him to his ancestral home of Italy, though he made frequent visits back to Australia to perform here to

Letters from a Black Snake

CD of the Week

The CD Letters from a Black Snake contains two Song Cycles by George Palmer – Letters from a Black Snake, with text taken from the letters of Ned Kelly and Figures in an Urban Landscape, with text by three Australian poets, Judith Wright, Bruce Dawe and Kenneth Slessor.

Coy Composers Round 2 – A Word Puzzle

Classical Trivia and Crossword

Find these historical musicians hiding in plain sight – coincidentally all celebrating birthdays in September! Click HERE to play

CD Review – Hike

CD Reviews Jazz posts

Shattered CircuitsBandcamp5 starsReviewed by Keith Pettigrew What did we all do during COVID lockdowns to maintain our sense of perspective?...

In Conversation: Eric Whitacre

In Conversation Interviews Simon Moore

In this conversation, Eric talks about The Sacred Veil, which he is coming to Australia to conduct with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs at the Sydney Opera House. We also hear insights about his composing and his unorthodox entry into the classical genre, the Virtual Choirs projects, his public speaking, plus he eloquently introduces a diverse selection of pieces which have inspired him over the years.

Nature Boy – How Eden Ahbez gave Nat King Cole, and the entire world, a gift

Focal Point From the web

In late March 1948, the Nat King Cole Trio released their second 78rpm single of the year. Already well known for crossover pop smashes such as (I Love You) for Sentimental Reasons, the trio were taking a flyer on something different for their next release. Initially buried on a B-side, Nature Boy was unlike anything else that they – or anyone else – had recorded. Cole sings the dreamy opening lyrics – “There was a boy / A very strange, enchanted boy” – with warm intimacy; the song ends with an eternal message: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn / Is just to love and be loved in return.”

Born On This Day – Amilcare Ponchielli (August 31, 1834)

Classical

Amilcare Ponchielli was an important nineteenth century Italian composer, primarily of operas. He is best known for his 1876 La Gioconda, though he wrote other significant operas, as well as ballets, orchestral, chamber music, and various vocal works. He was a rare example of a meek, but immensely talented, artist, whose backward nature sabotaged his career in certain respects. He had a vivid imagination, an uncanny ability to express varied situations and emotions, and superior orchestrational skills.

In Conversation: Brendan Joyce

In Conversation Interviews Simon Moore

One of Australia’s most celebrated violinists, Brendan Joyce is the artistic director of Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. His leadership has been described by critics as both dynamic and indefatigable, which is why it’s unsurprising he often appears around Australia with such organisations as the Orchestra of the Antipodes, Van Diemen's Band, and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.