Brahms Beloved 1: Featuring Symphonies 2 & 4 and Clara Schumann Lieder, sung by Nicole Cabell and Indra Thomas, with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, "Giuseppe Verdi"
Brahms Beloved 2: Featuring Symphonies 1 & 3 and Clara Schumann Lieder, sung by Dame Felicity Lott and Woflgang Holzmair, with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, "Giuseppe Verdi"
As Principal Guest Conductor of the City of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, I was thrilled in making Brahms Symphonies 2 & 4, with the Academic Festival Overture, on April 23, 2021 at the Kyoto Concert Hall, was electric and extraordinary, confirming our unique chemistry and collaboration. Enjoy this video of the 3rd movement!
Our response to the coronavirus will be “Pateticeskaya”, the Pathetique, which is similar in definition and translation to Bernstein’s famous quote as a reply to violence:: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before. For Venice. For Italy. For all of us during this 2020.
Le Sacre du Printemps on Spring Solstice 2021 from Teatro la Fenice
From the Warner Classics release with Glora Campaner and the Filarmonica del Teatro la Fenice.
HOME is Venice or wherever your heart is.....
The Real Orquesta Sinfonica de Sevilla and I explore musically the implications of impending war in the one piece that was Shostakovich’s (and perhaps all of humanity) greatest musical protest against war, totalitarianism, fascism and appeals to a global audience for its humanism and peace. Victory is not in defeating aggression, but in becoming the best of what being human means: that is to love and be loved. That is the ultimate win-win.
The Duke was one of the greatest American composers of the 20th Century. I have championed his music for 25 years and will continue to do so. It is a joy to swing with all orchestras who play this unique tone parallel as it is called. Groovy!
So many millions of people have lost their lives to war and famine. Now with the coronavirus, we face the greatest threat to humanity in our lifetimes. Though many other videos may be more interesting, none are more relevant than the one piece most associated with tragedy and loss. It was performed when JFK was assassinated. It was solace after 9/11. Now I share this performance as a prayer for the victims of Covid-19.
Peace be with you.
Rinat Shaham Sings "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen"
from Mahler Rücker Lieder, Pacific Music Festival 2018
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker needs no introduction. Arguably the most famous of all ballets. But Duke Ellington also made his Swing version, which I love to juxtapose with the Classical. That is Jazzical. This was a personal favorite performed with the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire and the Blue Citron Big Band.
Robert Schumann's 3rd Symphony "Rhenish" with the Orchestra Svizzera Italiana. Watch from 35:00
ClassicalRock is born out of the idea that classical and rock share a great deal in common. Recordings once changed the evolution of music. ClassicalRock can now revolutionize the recording. Classical Rock is both Classical and Rock. The Best Hits of Classical Music combined with the Best Hits of Classic Rock. The integrity of classical music is presented at the highest level of performance. The orchestral arrangements of classic rock hits are unique and musical. The sonic levels remain consistent between the two worlds. Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries bangs heads with Black Sabbath's Iron Man. Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, with members of the Choir Accentus and featuring star Baritone Nmon Ford, begins as an old vinyl recording, opens into a modern oratorio and dissolves into Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. You've never heard an orchestra like this before! Rock on!
Start at 9:45....Then you will see what maybe is my most memorable moment. Walking down those famous stairs as, yep, Darth Vader. The concert is spectacular. For all Star Wars and John Williams fans, I encourage you to watch the entire concert. References to Holst, Stravinsky and Korngold and lots of costumed creatures! This is a must see video.
As a student of Leonard Bernstein, I remain one of his strongest advocates, and, like many of my colleagues, I have come of age under the influence of this great man and his music. We make our most meaningful statement with the Symphony 3, Kaddish, with the text of international statesman, Auschwitz survivor and my surrogate father, Samuel Pisar, who was inspired after 9/11 and with whom I premiered his text in 2003 and subsequently performed around the world. This is one of the most moving performances, from Yad Veshem in Jerusalem with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Since his passing, we now perform with his wife, my dear Judith Pisar and his daughter, my dear Leah Pisar. Together we continue to resonate Sam’s words and Bernstein’s celestial music for all to hear and bear witness.
Holocaust: A Music Memorial Film from Auschwitz Performers: John Axelrod – conductor Kate Royal – soprano Camerata Silesia Sinfonietta Cracovia Programme: W.A. Mozart – Requiem in D minor (Introitus) Holocaust: A Music Memorial Film from Auschwitz recorded for 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz is a tribute to the millions of victims who died in the Nazi genocide. The film is a co-production between the BBC, TVP (Poland), CBC (Canada) and ZDF (Germany). The list of world-class