Best of 2011

Here are ten of our favorite interviews from 2011 on Classical Spotlight:

John and Joyce in Houston, TX.

Janine Jansen on Beau Soir

Sharon Isbin on Guitar Passions

Dmitry Sitkovetsky on Haffner

Joyce DiDonato on Divo/Diva

Ruth Moreland on Sacred Tranquility

David Kim on Redeemer Fine Arts

Marguerite McCormick on Spring Song

Sebastian Lang Lessing on Liszt

Angèle Dubeau on Portrait

Itzahk Perlman on his Recital

Perlman in the news

Renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, who is playing a recital in San Antonio March 19th, has left his conducting position in Westchester, NY. Read more about the story here.
Perlman will be at Lila Cockrell Theater Saturday March 19th at 7:30pm with pianist Rohan DeSilva.  Tickets are available here.

Free Music: John Williams

Air and Simple Gifts, the classical work composed to celebrate the historic inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States, has been released by Sony Masterworks exclusively via the iTunes Store. The work, written especially for the talents of cellist Yo-Yo Ma , violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill by the American composer John Williams, was first heard at noon on January 20, 2009, by millions of people around the globe, as Barack Obama officially became President.
Air and Simple Gifts is the first classical quartet to be played at a Presidential inauguration. Williams based the piece on the familiar nineteenth-century Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts” by Joseph Brackett. The source piece is famous for its appearance in Aaron Copland’s score for the ballet Appalachian Spring. Williams chose the selection knowing that Copland is one of President Obama's favorite classical composers.
“We are thrilled to be able to make this historic piece of music available to the public as a special memento of the inauguration,” commented Alex Miller, General Manager of Sony Masterworks and the Victor label. “The public’s response to Air and Simple Gifts was as immediate and dramatic as the occasion itself, and captured the optimism and hope of the nation at a pivotal moment in America’s history.”
“I was deeply honored to be invited to participate in the Presidential inauguration with Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill and Gabriela Montero,” Yo-Yo Ma stated. “I am thrilled that this composition by John Williams, which so beautifully expressed the magnitude and emotion of the occasion, can continue to inspire people everywhere."
Get your own free copy of John Williams' Air and Simple Gifts by leaving your name, and email address below - the first four entires will win a free download!

Classical lip syncing?

Was it live, or was it memorex? Read about the Air and Simple Gifts performance Monday at the Inauguration - what was broadcast was a dress rehearsal! There's more here from MSNBC.

Presidential music

The music for inauguration has been announced!
The US Marine band will open the January 20 ceremony, followed by performances by children's choirs from San Francisco, said Dianne Feinstein, the California Senator who is heading the inaugural ceremony committee.

After welcoming remarks by Ms Feinstein, and a religious invocation by evangelical Pastor Rick Warren, Aretha Franklin will perform. The "Queen of Soul" has received a record 21 Grammy awards throughout her career and tops Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest singers ever.

Vice-President-Elect Joe Biden will then take the oath of office, followed by performances from violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Gabriela Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill.

Then John Roberts, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, will administer the oath of office to Mr Obama, after which the new president will deliver his inaugural address.

After Mr Obama speaks, there will be a reading by poet Elizabeth Alexander, a blessing by Joseph Lowery – a pastor and civil rights-era leader – and a US naval band will play the national anthem.

Mr Obama, Mr Biden and Ms Feinstein chose the programme's participants.

* * * AND
if you need somewhere to stay for the ceremony:
New York Philharmonic music director Lorin Maazel and his wife are offering their country estate in Virginia for $50,000 a night during the presidential inauguration.
The Rappahannock County estate can accommodate up to 50 guests. The complex includes a spa facility with a large heated swimming pool, a Turkish steam room and a Finnish sauna. Guests also can use a theater room with a commercial-size movie screen, along with a bowling alley and a petting zoo.
The package also includes chauffeured transportation for the 90-minute ride to and from Washington.
The money will be donated to the Maazels' Chateauville Foundation, which helps train young performance artists.