Itzhak Perlman: Masterful Advice on Practicing and More

While we may possibly be enjoying NOT PRACTICING during vacation, I find it inspiring to get "fuel" for the next season. So I was delighted to come across this fabulous site, ClassicFM, which happens to have five very short videos of Itzhak Perlman, the great violinist, giving advice on practice (how much, and how), dealing with nerves, and building a career in music.

Perlman's manner of speaking is as easy, natural, and expressive as his way of playing the violin. If you don't know his playing, check out his website—I'd guess he's been at the top of the top for about 50 years!

Here's the link to the videos on ClassicFM, enjoy!

The world-renowned violinist, Itzhak Perlman. 

Powell-Happy at the Summer Flute Academy (1)

During the 4th Summer Flute Academy, I did a "show and tell" about Powell Flutes, about its long, prestigious history (founded 1927) and a brief orientation about the different models and options. Brief—considering the many, many options—so that there would be time for the Academy participants to try out a Powell flute or head joint. It was a bit of a crazy scene, but here is a beautiful photo, by photographer Susana Neves, of Leonor Moreira playing a gorgeous Handmade Custom Grenadilla flute. if you've been wondering "what's up" with the resurgence of wood flutes, just give one of these a try! To make an appointment for a trial session in Lisbon or in your area, just contact me with a click here!

Leonor Moreira playing a Custom Handmade Powell flute in Grenadilla, Photo © Susana Neves/AFV

An-ti-ci-paaaaaaa-tion!

Guess who's on their way to Lisbon? Aside from thousands of tourists, that is…

Answer: Raj Bhimani, the wonderful pianist of Syrinx: XXII, our trio with the fabulous António Carrilho, recorders. Soon he'll be somewhere over the Atlantic, en route from New York, in order to rehearse for upcoming concerts of Syrinx: XXII and soak up the ambience of Lisbon in August. We're preparing a couple programs about which you'll hear more later—can't spill the beans quite yet! But you can bet they'll be anything but the "same old, same old"—working with Syrinx: XXII is a case of 1+1+1=10!

I love this atmospheric, Rembrandt-esque photo of Raj (by the NY photographer Jiyang Chen) because it has depth of expression, both in the subject and in the photo itself. Plus, check out the serious piano-size hands—

American pianist, Raj Bhimani. Photo by Jiyang Chen

Women Out In Front!

Dear readers of the male persuasion: please forgive me, but today I just have to write a bit about the rise of women in music, inspired by something amazing I read in the New York Times. Later I’ll write more on this theme, because although it may seem in this year of 2016, that women and men are pretty much on the same footing in the (classical) music business, I’m not so sure we are, truly.

Either way, I think it’s good to look back and see how far we've come, in order to not take things granted. Whenever I mention this subject, or certain historical figures, young players are often taken aback—hasn’t it always been the way it is now? The answer is, alas, a firm NO!

In any case, today I just have to mention a performance of a remarkable and entertaining work for soprano and small orchestra by Gyorgy Ligeti, called “Mysteries of the Macabre”, which was simultaneously sung AND conducted by the American soprano Barbara Hannigan with the Göteborgs Sinfoniker of Sweden. As the article mentions, moving from singing soprano to conducting is fairly rare, but to take both roles at the same time is—was—unheard of. Watch the video here (the work is a real stunner: modern, dramatic, but also hilariously crazy) to see it for your own eyes. 

Oddly enough, after watching this almost operatic rendition (what an outfit!!), I’m now having a hard time even imagining a standard performance, with a soprano soloist and a conductor! I’m crossing my fingers that either the work or the soprano/conductor appear on our orchestra programming; if it happens, you’ll be the first to know!

Barbara Hannigan singing and conducting Ligeti's "Mysteries of the Macabre"

The Importance of Being (like) Bill Cunningham

You may notice in the sidebar a link to the New York Time's series on street fashion called "On the Street", and wonder what on Earth that has to do with music and flute-playing! The answer is: indirectly, A LOT!

"On the Street" is a regular feature of the NY Times, and for nearly 40 years it has been written and photographed by the inimitable Bill Cunningham. His narration of the videos can cheer up your worst day by the sheer enthusiasm he has for his subject (clothes, form, color, NY City) and his subjects (everyone from fashion-plates to ordinary New Yorkers to some truly outlandish dressers). In a way, his enthusiasm is for…enthusiasm! Meaning, if you're going to do something (like get dressed, or play the flute) then DO IT WITH PIZAZZ, do it 100%, and do it in your own way. I think it's easy to apply this to our performing or creative work, too! Otherwise, why bother? Ten Thousand Hours is a lotta time…

Alas, at age 87, Mr. Cunningham passed away in June and has been mourned by his many, many devotees—the photographed and the mere NY Times onlookers (moi). In 2009 he was actually named a Living Landmark, and in 2009 was named to the Legion of Honor by the French Government. However, you can still read about his life and see a slideshow about his work and subjects, or find his cheerful videos on the NY Times site. While we're enjoying the month of August, it's good to stock up on inspiration for the next season, no?

A Bill Cunningham moment backstage in Lisbon: shoes with attitude!

The Sound of Silence

You might think, if you are not TOO TOO young, that I'm referring to the classic Simon and Garfunkel album, the one I grew up listing to endlessly, putting the needle back into the groove again and again. (This was way before vinyl was "vintage", it was just "a record"). What a fabulous album! Want to know how to balance or pace a program or a CD? Look no further. "Sounds of Silence", technically. 

But no, I'm actually talking about the SILENCE of having my cell phone in the shop!! THIS, folks, is real silence! No calls, no alerts, no beeps, no apps…and… no distractions! It is a drastic measure, and I don't recommend smashing the screen on your phone to experience it, but there's something magic, too! Time that is wider-open. Silence that you can sink into. (In short: I got a lot of tidying up done!).

As musicians, we concentrate on the SOUNDS we make, but the SILENCE in between is always important, too. The silence before a piece begins, the silence after—sometimes big, sometimes tiny. The silence of an empty strong beat (thanks again, Karl Kohn). The silence where the music breathes. Here's a visual representation of lots of silence and the punch of just a little bit of "sound"—

Central Park, New York City