How hard is it to prevail as a symphonic violinist? What kind of competition does one face and what are the odds of success? What does the job market look like? According to The International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM), 52 orchestras currently pay a living wage. In the 2003-2004 Season, Minimum Salary […]
Der Doppelgänger A Work in Progress
Winter
I first encountered Schubert’s Der Doppelgänger in college, right at the beginning of my vocal studies. Immediately I knew I was handling fire. The poetry spoke to me very directly, and once I knew the contours of Schubert’s accompaniment I was awestruck. I know it is one of the songs I will sing for the […]
Orchestral Repertoire for Training Ensembles
WinterSelecting repertoire for student orchestras is subjective and controversial. Some conductors prefer to program a wide range of music, including numerous contemporary pieces, concertos, and music by composers on the fringe of the mainstream. I disagree with this approach. Music students must become grounded in fundamental principles and techniques of orchestra playing—a lengthy and challenging process. […]
Schubert’s Cello Quintet in Recording Comparative Tempo Relationships in the Trio of the Scherzo
Summer
Schubert’s String Quintet in C major, Op. 163, D. 956, was composed in his last year and completed only a few weeks before his death on the afternoon of November 19, 1828. It was not until twenty-two years later, on November 17, 1850, that the work received its premiere performance. Another three years were to […]
The Challenge of Programming
Spring
Serious music programming is an ongoing challenge. Creating programs that are inventive, interesting and have a chance to sell well is increasingly difficult, considering that contemporary audiences seem to be neither as culturally literate nor as intellectually curious as their counterparts from 50 years ago. How do we preserve the integrity of art music, and […]
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