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Tag: American Symphony Orchestra

'Renée Fleming Hosts 'American Voices' with Sara Bareilles, Josh Groban, Ben Folds, Alison Krauss and More

Soprano sweetheart Renée Fleming will be hosting "American Voices," a performance documentary that celebrates the best in American signing, on Thirteen’s "Great Performances" series. The 90-minute performance documentary offers an overview of the Kennedy Center's weekend-long American Voices festival, created and hosted by Renée Fleming in November 2013. This year's festival features stars and musicians from an array of different backgrounds, including Sara Bareilles, Kim Burrell, Kurt Elling, Ben Folds, Sutton Foster, Josh Groban, Alison Krauss, Norm Lewis, Eric Owens and Dianne Reeves. This event comes on the heels of Fleming’s performance of "Silver Bells" with Kelli O’Hara, which some felt fell flat of Fleming's normal performances, a mixed review of her rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl XLVIII and an interesting interaction with Kiss at this year’s Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Despite the criticism, Fleming moves along with "American Voices," which allows camera crews to follow vocal masters, industry titans and emerging artist as they gather at the Kennedy Center to celebrate, explore and debate the legacy, landscape and future of American singing. The documentary will feature highlights from the festival's unique performances and educational events. Also featured are performances from the festival’s concert finale with Josh Groban, Sara Bareilles, Kurt Elling and Norm Lewis backed by the National Symphony Orchestra led by NSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke.
By Jaime Prisco

  • 'Classical Music and the Internet, According to Leon Botstein

    Many believe the rise of the Internet has contributed to the demise of the music industry. Though there has been a decrease in CD sales, how has the Internet affected classical music? According to Leon Botstein, music director of the American Symphony Orchestra, the Internet has ushered in a new era for classical music. Botstein says in a recent Gramophone blog post that as an individual artist it is hard to make money from producing a CD, but the age of digital is presenting a great opportunity for music. Each recording has the ability to become a part of an easily accessible library. Just by concentrating on putting recordings online, Botstein says that the American Symphony Orchestra has cumulatively sold more than 250,000 downloads and are now available for streaming. Though online sales might not be more commercially favorable than CDs, the accessibility helps to add to the mission of philosophy of an artist. This is also helpful when it comes to people seeing live music. Since the Internet gives people access to recorded material, it helps newcomers and even longstanding fans familiarize themselves with the works before viewing the show live. It also opens the doors for a more spontaneous viewing experience. When you put up a live performance, it shows everything — all the imperfections and changes. Instead of this being viewed as a mistake that needs fixing, it captures the true essence of a live performance with all its blemishes and impromptu layers.
    By Jaime Prisco

  • 'American Symphony Orchestra Presents “Marriage Actually,” a Portrait of Richard Strauss’ Difficult, Yet Enduring, Marriage to Pauline de Ahna

    Leon Botstein and the American Symphony Orchestra will explore music of Richard Strauss in their season-opening concert, "Marriage Actually," at Carnegie Hall on October 15.
    By Louise Burton
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