 |
Sounds of passion
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Shane Qin
Oct 29, 2008
Tags :
Sounds of passion
|
|
Born in Lyons, France in 1963, Juan Carmona, considered "one of the most creative
guitarists of the new flamenco generation", has always been proud of
being a descendent of the guitar playing Habichuelas dynasty of Granada, Spain.
Carmona started playing music at the age of 10 after receiving his first guitar
from his father, and his virtuosity quickly became apparent to professional musicians.
Later, Carmona studied at the prestigious National Conservatory of Music in Paris,
where he obtained his degree. At age 26, he became the first professor of flamenco
guitar holding a state-awarded diploma.
Yet to achieve genuine recognition for his art, Carmona decided to visit the land
of his ancestors at Jerez de la Frontera in Andalucía – the cradle of flamenco music.
For more than eight years Carmona rubbed elbows with an array of great artists in
flamenco, all the while immersing himself in their incredible talent.
His constant endeavor w ... ... |
| [read more] |
22111.jpg.jpg) |
A Grammy treat
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Shane Qin
Oct 29, 2008
Tags :
A Grammy treat
|
|
This October, audiences in Guangzhou can either groove to head-spinning
Nordic electronic beats, or visit the Xinghai Concert Hall to enjoy a world-class
symphony concert by violinist Hilary Hahn, conductor Bramwell Tovey and the
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
At the age of 28, Grammy Award winner Hilary Hahn is one of the most sought-after
artists on the international concert circuit, and was named "America's Best Young
Classical Musician" by Time Magazine in 2001.
The Virginia-born violinist started playing music at a tender age and has studied
under the guidance of renowned music teachers. Taking additional elective courses in
languages, literature and drama helped Hahn form her innovative interpretations and
thoughtful musicianship.
Hahn now records exclusively for Deutsche Grammophon and has so far released
four albums, all of which have received much critical acclaim and spent weeks on the
Billboard Top Ten list.
Previously, Hahn made fi ... ... |
| [read more] |
 |
Sound that Shatters Glass
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Frank Booth and Kate
Oct 29, 2008
Tags :
|
|
Lucas Abela's earliest memory was "going through the windshield
of the family car with my Mom and Dad."
It's no surprise then, that his stunningly original noisecapes,
involving contact mics and effects pedals are produced through an
act of annihilation- glass and body. Lucas smashes and bites the
glass into tiny fragments, then walks over them barefoot to reach his
spit and blood-soaked audience. "Justice Yeldham and the Dynamic
Ribbon Device" is the name of his act and he has performed in basements,
hallways, clubs and festivals all over the world. During his
last visit to the PRD, he sprayed blood all over Babyface. This month
marks the return of "Justice Yeldham" to Guangzhou as part of his
Asian Tour.
Noise as a genre has been spreading all over the world in the last
decade. Cassette tape labels are more often seen than CD's or LP's.
During the mid 1990s in the U.S., labels like Hanson Records, RRR
and American Tape ... ... |
| [read more] |
 |
Judging Nicola by her looks?
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Fraser Newham
Jun 1, 2008
Tags :
music
symphony
violin
|
| It is not easy these days to arrange an interview with Nicola Benedetti. The media interest in the twenty year old Scottish violinist is more suggestive of a pop star than a classical musician. But perhaps it is not so surprising in this particular case – for there is serious money involved, a million pound record contract with niversal/Deutsche Grammophon and three best selling albums to date. And then, of course, there is the way she looks (that is, great).
Nicola recognises that marketing has played a key role in her success; but the former BBC Young Musician of the Year is keen that the glamour and glitz of photo-shoots should not be al- lowed to overshadow her devotion to her craft. "Marketing raises awareness," she told that's PRD. "But longevity depends on what you do on stage, on what you record."
And while audiences may be very familiar with the 'classical music babe' tag, Nicola believes she is quite different from the more ... ... |
| [read more] |
.jpg) |
Triple whammy
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Shane Qin
May 9, 2008
Tags :
classical music
|
| With his last Guangzhou performance taking place alongside the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra, Lang Lang, China's absurdlysuccessful pianist, returns early next month with another world-renowned ensemble — the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Founded in 1900, the Philadelphia unit has distinguished itself as one of the world's 'Top 10' orchestras through over a century of acclaimed performances, historic tours, bestselling albums and its innovation in recording technologies. It has always maintained an unparalleled unity, led by six maestro music directors, including Fritz Scheel, Carl Pohlig, Leopold Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Riccardo Muti, and Wolfgang Sawallisch.
Now the torch has been passed down to Christoph Eschenbach — the Orchestra's 7th music director. For his mellow musicianship and clear creative insight, the 68-year-old German conductor is widely recognized as one of the "best musicians of the day". He ... ... |
| [read more] |
 |
A touch of Scotch mist
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Shane Qin
May 9, 2008
Tags :
classical music
|
| The arrival of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) early next month is no doubt the biggest buzz at the ongoing Shenzhen Concert Hall "Listen to the Sound of Spring" music season. And for good reason.
Founded in 1935 by Scottish composer/conductor Ian Whyte, the BBC SSO is regarded as one of the UK's finest orchestras, with an extensive repertoire ranging from contemporary composition to the great classics, and also from original Scottish works to movie soundtrack recordings. All have been broadcasted exclusively on BBC Radio and Television throughout the years.
For its excellent performances the BBC SSO has received numerous honors, including two Gramophone Awards and a Grammy nomination.
Additionally, the British Royal Philharmonic Society presented the ensemble with its special award for "Best Orchestra" back in 2002. Fine praise, indeed.
Players on the team are equal ... ... |
| [read more] |
 |
The versatile maestro
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Shane Qin
May 9, 2008
Tags :
clssical music
violin
|
| Zukerman seems the forever-young virtuoso: expressively resourceful, infectiously musical and technically impeccable. It was a joy to be in his musical company," commented The Los Angeles Times on the performance of Pinchas Zukerman, who is simultaneously a violinist, a violist, a conductor, a pedagogue, and a chamber musician. Now that's what we call versatile.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1948, Zukerman first learnt music from his father, and later from the violinist Ilona Feher. In 1962, he went to America, supported by celebrated musicians Isaac Stern, Pablo Casals and the America-Israel Helena Rubenstein Foundations, and then studied at the world famous and highly desired Juilliard School with the great violin teacher, Ivan Galamian.
From there, Zukerman gradually rose to stardom by winning a plethora of the international competitions. His extensive discography contains over 100 titles and has earned him 21 Grammy nominations (including tw ... ... |
| [read more] |
 |
British maestro arrives
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Shane Qin
Apr 1, 2008
Tags :
muisc
symphony
|
| Don't miss the performance by this noted conductor.
Aprominent music conductor, pianist and composer, the British-born Bramwell Tovey, is recognized internationally as a musician of striking versatility. Born in 1953 into a musical family, Tovey ?began studying the piano at seven, and received formal musical education at the Royal Academy of Music. During his career, Tovey has greatly perfected his musicianship, which led him to the post of Music Director at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) since September 2000.
Apart from his very successful directorship with the VSO, Tovey also works with a prestigious list of orchestras worldwide. When ?directing the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, he founded the ?famous New Music Festival. He's also known for leading the VSO's ?educational programs and the New York Philharmonic's Young People's Concerts. In addition, Tovey has built a strong reputation as an accomplished jazz pianist.
For his out ... ... |
| [read more] |
 |
May Day disco fever
Art+Culture / Performance
Written by : Shane Qin
Apr 1, 2008
Tags :
|
| Get high as a kite on this ABBA-inspired musical.
It seems that more and more international dance productions are favoring the growing performance market of Shenzhen. No sooner has the hit musical 'Cats' closed than the sought-after Casino performance of 'Dancing Queen' is readying to take the Shenzhen stage early next month. It's good news for local audiences, and especially ABBA fans who missed the China tour of the musical 'Mama Mia!' last August.
Considered no less dynamic than the Mamma Mia, itself a super smash across Europe for the past three years, this extremely glittery extravaganza, featuring 16 vibrant singers and dancers, celebrates the timeless classics of Abba, The Bee Gees, The Village People and more, with tracks such as 'Dancing Queen', 'Thank you for the Music', 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Y.M.C.A.' all receiving the big treatment. As a full-scale party of outrageous choreography, it includes very flamboyant feathers, head dresses, ... ... |
| [read more] |
|
|
