Trumpets, lots of trumpets. I like how the cameraman slowly reveals them. Rafael Kubelik conducts the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in the first two movements of Janacek’s wondrous Sinfonietta.
Rules for young conductors
For those of you who ever wonder what, exactly, a conductor does (and for those who are just curious), we offer you Rules for Young Conductors by the conductor and teacher Pierre Monteux. These won’t answer every question you might
Video: Elgar conducts Elgar
As Michael Francis conducts Pacific Symphony in its first performances of Elgar’s Symphony No. 1 this weekend, I thought it would be a good time to share this historical film of Elgar himself conducting the “Pomp and Circumstance” March No.
Video: Monteux conducts ‘Le sacre du printemps’
I was listening to this recording again the other night for the first time in a while and was struck by not only how good the performance was but also by how it must be quite close to how this
Instant recording libraries: Classical CD box sets for Christmas
[This article was first published in 2016. Some of the prices may have changed, but the general situation discussed is the same.] Browsing through the Amazon classical music section recently, in search of ideas for Christmas, I once again noticed
Pacific Symphony: December concerts
Here’s your quick, mobile-friendly guide to December concerts at Pacific Symphony, with links to buy tickets online. Estonian conductor Anu Tali, recently picked by The Washington Post as one of the top “Female conductors to watch,” makes her debut with
Carlos Kleiber conducts ‘The Huntsmen’s Chorus’
This has long been one of my favorite pieces of Kleiberiana — “The Huntsmen’s Chorus” from Weber’s “Der Freischutz.” It’ll make you feel good. You’re welcome.
What’s a conductor do?
A young Carlo Maria Giulini conducts the “Limoges” section of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”
Happy Thanksgiving
This seems appropriate for the day, one of my favorite recordings of Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony, with Carlo Maria Giulini conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Happy Thanksgiving.
Interview: Conductor Anu Tali
By TIMOTHY MANGAN Anu Tali is on the line from her home in Sarasota, FL, where she is music director of the orchestra (though not for much longer), and we ask her about being named recently as one of the