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Orchestral

EXCLUSIVE: Orchestral Maneuvers in the Czech - Kurt Gottschalk at Ostrava Days 2015 [REVIEW]

While the biannual Ostrava Days in the Czech Republic features, primarily, a wide array of post-1950 solo and small ensemble pieces, it is, at its heart, a symphonic endeavor--founded and curated by Czech composer/conductor Petr Kotik. Over the course of nine expansive nights in August, running this year from the 21st to the 29th, the festival hosted three different orchestras, and all three together on the first night. The Ostrava-based Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra and resident ensemble Ostravská Banda did plenty of heavy lifting over the course of the fest, with the Miners Band from Stonava (a brass group from that nearby town in coal-mining Moravia) joining them on opening night.
By Kurt Gottschalk

  • Defending 'Leo Ornstein: Piano Quintet'; Marc-André Hamelin & The Pacifica Quartet [REVIEW]

    To review a recording from a highly underperformed repertoire presents a serious moral challenge. Lacking a frame of reference places an enormous burden on performers whose recordings will immediately be linked to the composer. For the listener, a leap of faith is necessary to combat any undue biases surrounding the piece itself. This very issue seemed to arise in the aftermath of September's release of 'Leo Ornstein: Piano Quintet, String Quartet No.2', recorded by Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin and the Pacifica Quartet.
    By Steve Nagel

  • Hans Zimmer Releases Trailer for European Concert Tour; Johnny Marr May Join [WATCH]

    Hans Zimmer, the composer of many blockbusters, is temporarily trading in his baton for a stage piano. Having never performed a whole tour of his own music before, that will all change next spring as he gears up to go to Europe for the Hans Zimmer Concert Tour 2016 and has released a trailer video about the tour. According to Indiewire, (and suggested by the trailer promoting the tour), there's a possibility that Johnny Marr (of Smiths fame) will join Zimmer.
    By Steve Nagel
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