New Year’s News
Happy 2008 to everyone! While the Providence String Quartet and Minna spend the week on rehearsal retreat in an extremely beautiful northern location (hint: think mountains, skiing, elk), here are a few tidbits to share from Providence: 1. Remember all the commotion about Gustavo Dudamel and El Sistema? (If not, see my November post.) WGBH has posted audio from the panel discussion at the New England Conservatory which includes Sebastian, Mark Churchill, Steve Seidel, and a number of other folks who have interesting things to say about whether/how El Sistema might conceivably work in the US. Moderated by Eric Booth, who you hear very skillfully greasing the wheels of the conversation and keeping the energy level high. 2. Pianist and CMW adviser Jonathan Biss released a Beethoven CD in October that is wonderful. Check it out here. Speaking of Jonathan, did you hear his performance on Saint Paul Sunday almost a year ago? 3. Is everyone aware of Music Haven, the neighborhood-based program in New Haven, CT, inspired by Community MusicWorks and run by the Vinca String Quartet? Their inaugural Performance Party on December 16 was reportedly a big success! 4. Kudos to the Interaction Institute for Social Change. Gibran Rivera visited CMW in the fall to facilitate a fantastic full-day staff workshop that still lingers in our minds… 5. There’s a new Providence String Quartet on the scene. If you live in North Carolina, don’t get confused. And that goes for the Providence Quartet in South Carolina as well! 6. Do you have some time on your hands? A few interesting (and sometimes provocative) music-related blogs I like to visit:
-Heath Marlow, CMW staff |
