Christopher Seaman

Women composers’ music has never been more interesting or prolific, and you’ll hear splendid examples of it throughout the month of March.  On Classical 91.5, we'll start the day with inspired music, arts news, features, and the latest headlines.  The Mystery piece airs at 6:40.

You’d think things would slow down a bit during the hot summer months.  But across Western New York, classical musicians are busier than ever with rehearsals, concerts, “noncerts,” and workshops. 

No secret decoder ring needed – the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Ralph Vaughan Williams CD was released today!

There are copies at the RPO Theatre Shop at Kodak Hall.

RPO IN THE NEWS

Former RPO Music Director Christopher Seaman is returning to Rochester the first week of March to conduct the RPO, mark his 70th birthday, and to celebrate the release of the RPO’s latest harmonia mundi recording, featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A London Symphony and Serenade to Music.

Before we dive into 2012, let’s look back at memorable performances of the past year.

 You have your own list.   Here’s mine.

Next month, the longest-serving music director in the RPO’s history retires.  Christopher Seaman will become the orchestra’s first conductor for life, and his departure sets the stage for the next artistic leader, Norwegian conductor Arild Remmereit. 

Let’s recall the top classical music news stories in 2010 in Rochester, New York, with a nod to the Rob Reiner film, The Princess Bride.

NOT UNEMPLOYED IN GREENLAND     RPO Music Director Christopher Seaman announced his retirement at end of the 2010-2011 season.  Norwegian conductor Arild Remmeriet will step up as RPO’s new music director in 2011. Glimmerglass Opera announced that Francesca Zambello will be new executive director in 2011.

MUCH NICER THAN THE FIRE SWAMP   Eastman School of Music opened a new wing with dramatic atrium, recital hall, rehearsal spaces, and eye-popping hanging glass sculpture.

INCONCEIVABLE!   Rochester entrepreneur Tim Enright launched Virtuoso Television, or VTV, an internet service for musicians to record and store music lessons online for reference in future practice sessions.

HELLO, MY NAME IS “GIBBS AND MAIN”     Rochester chamber ensemble Quartsemble changed moniker.

NEVER GO AGAINST A STRING PLAYER WHEN DEATH IS ON THE LINE    RPO principal violist Melissa Matson stepped on needle, performed Harold in Italy with injured foot. RPO principal cellist Stefan Reuss fell and injured ribs and wrist, missing first few weeks of concert season.

A GREAT GIFT FOR RHYME    Baritone Jonathan Beyer earned Rochester Oratorio Society’s annual Classical Idol top prize with compelling performance of aria from "Nixon on China." Composer Cary Ratcliff gets oratorio "Ode to Common Things" published. Composer Amanda Jacobs won national award for "Mass for the Living."

HER APPEAL IS UNDENIABLE    Soprano Renee Fleming released “Dark Hope,” a collection of pop covers of songs by groups such as Arcade Fire, Death Cab for Cutie and Leonard Cohen. Rochester chamber choir Madrigalia premiered new work by Libby Larsen; Larsen visits.

NO ONE WITHSTANDS THE MACHINE  Michael Daughtery piano concerto, “Deus Ex Machina” co-commissioned by the RPO, earned 2010 Grammy nomination.  The Eastman's Ying Quartet was also nominated for a Grammy.

ANYBODY WANT A PEANUT?   Several Western New York public schools named “Best Communities for Music Education” in the United States by the non-profit NAMM Foundation; Albion Central School District, Brighton, Leroy, Pittsford, Royalton-Hartland Central School District, Rush-Henrietta, Webster, West Irondequoit.

Congratulations and Happy New Year!

One day in middle school, walking out of the lunchroom down a long, sunny hallway, I saw my father emerge from the band room where he taught instrumental music. He spotted me and pivoted, approaching with another music teacher alongside and holding a thick, green glass Coke bottle in his hand. It was half full.