Texas Music Journal » Classical

Dallas Symphony Going International

Sam Moore — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:48:47 +0000

Editor’s Note: The following story comes courtesy of the Dallas Morning News.

Recordings of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will be distributed internationally by the Naxos label, one of the world’s largest sources of classical CDs and DVDs.

A three-year partnership was announced at a meeting Wednesday at the Meyerson Symphony Center.

Naxos will distribute CDs of DSO recordings on the orchestra’s own DSO Live label, and make them available for download. Releases so far, all led by music director Jaap van Zweden, include Beethoven’s Fifth and Seventh symphonies and Tchaikovsky’s Fourth and Fifth Symphonies, Capriccio italien and Mozartiana Suite.

A recording of the DSO’s world premiere of Steven Stucky’s August 4, 1964, with soloists and the Dallas Symphony Chorus, is scheduled for later this month. Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony and Rococo Variations will be recorded in concerts this week and in May.

“It is very important for us to be out there,” van Zweden said at the meeting. “This orchestra works tremendously. We have a fantastic marriage. I’m so happy that the day has come that we will be more visible.”

With the fragmentation of the recorded-music market, what used to be major record labels now issue far fewer orchestral recordings than in glory days 50 years ago. Because European orchestras are cheaper to record, even top American orchestras have rarely been represented on major labels for years. The DSO released numerous recordings on the independent Delos label during Andrew Litton’s tenure as music director, but that relationship ended with Litton’s 2006 resignation, and Delos has had a much lower profile since then.

More and more orchestras — notably the San Francisco, Chicago and London orchestras — are producing and releasing CDs on their in-house labels. Relationships with commercial labels such as Naxos and Harmonia Mundi offer international distribution and marketing.

Founded as a budget label, Naxos has grown into a leading producer and distributor of classical-music recordings.

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Texas Music Star McCoy Now on Blaster Records

Sam Moore — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:05:23 +0000

Neal McCoy, referred to by fans & musical comrades as ‘The Entertainer’s Entertainer’, is bringing his multi-award winning, multi-platinum career to the roster of Blaster Records, as announced this week by label Chairman Tom Porter.

The consummate performer boasts a career track of three platinum album certifications, beginning with his breakthrough disc “No Doubt About It” in 1994, which produced back-to back #1 singles with both the title track and Wink. McCoy has gained Entertainer of the Year honors twice on his way to winning numerous industry and fan voted awards. His endearing style and charismatic music helped the Texas native to earn multiple Top 10 singles along with gold certification on the Billboard charts.

One of the industry’s most active touring artists, McCoy is credited with amassing a major fan following and brand loyalty in his 21 year career in the industry—a fact attributed to his consistent dedication to showmanship and producing innovative new music. Anticipation has already started to build for his eleventh studio project– under the new alliance with Blaster – slated for a January 2012 street date.

McCoy’s latest endeavor in the field of entertainment introduced his talents as an author with the release of his first book, A NEW MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB: Heroes I’ve Met And The Mountains They Climb Every Day.

Blaster Records label head Tom Porter stated about making the signing announcement: “Anytime you can add a performer of the caliber of Neal McCoy to your label roster, you can’t help but feel an inexplicable and exhilarating advantage in the popular world of country music. Blaster Records is excited and honored to be a part of Neal’s incredible team and we look forward to big things in the future.”

In signing to the growing Blaster roster, McCoy joins break-out brother duo Brother Trouble as a major immediate concentration in the label’s focus in the field of country music.

About Blaster Records
Cleveland based, Blaster Records was founded in 2007 by Blaster Chemical Chairman Tom Porter. A division of the Blaster Music Group, the label is committed to artist development and its dedication to building careers. Blaster has sought talented songwriters, unique musicians and excellent live performers that show a genuine passion for their craft. The label is dedicated further to providing their artists with teams of professionals that express a true interest in maximizing an artist’s full potential. Through touring, strategic marketing campaigns, promotion and artist development, Blaster Records is committed to the success of its artists. (www.blastermusic.com)

Dallas Wind Symphony Orchestra Holds Free Performance

Sam Moore — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:45:38 +0000

By Tamara Loggins

Hundreds of people gathered in the courtyard of NorthPark Mall Sunday evening, Sept. 5 to enjoy the musical stylings of The Dallas Wind Symphony Orchestra. The event was free, and only required that listeners bring a love of music, along with blankets or lawn chairs for sitting.

The entire event was very laid back and relaxed, with kids running with glow sticks, people chatting away and others lying back, listening to the beautiful music. You really had a sense of how relaxed the atmosphere was while looking at the orchestra, in which all members were clad in Hawaiian shirts.

This was a lovely event with free fun for the family in a comfortable, controlled environment.

Texas Music in Still Life

Sam Moore — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:08:25 +0000

By Tamara Loggins
Mother Falcon is one of those bands that can evoke extreme jubilation in its listeners. The band’s debut album, Still Life, is nothing short of extraodinary. Each song has this beautiful classical arrangement accompanied by fantastic lyrics. The CD is an updated answer to Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four seasons.

The band is comprised of some twenty-plus members, who play a range of musical instruments from cello to saxophone. It seems that the music would be chaotic with so many people playing together, but the instruments are nothing if not complementary to one another.

This is yet another one of those albums that I fear is far too short for my liking. It could only be improved by adding another two hours minimum, and perhaps a nice book reading by the fire place.

To get more information about the band and CD, visit http://motherfalconmusic.com/.

Houston Arts Supporter Dies

Sam Moore — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:35:15 +0000

HOUSTON—Houston iconic figure, philanthropist and lover of arts, Cynthia Woods Mitchell, died early Sunday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by friends and family when she peacefully passed away.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell, with her characteristic gracious reserve, seemed an unlikely champion of artistic and humanitarian causes. Yet, she leaves an abundant and empowering legacy from her lifelong devotion to personal and charitable interests.

Born one of twin identical girls on September 24, 1922 in New York City, Cynthia was raised by a single mother and extended family during the Great Depression, and came to Houston with her sister in 1939 to study literature, art and psychology at the University of Houston.
On Thanksgiving, 1941, while traveling by train from College Station to Houston, she met Lieutenant George Mitchell. At the height of World War II, Captain George Mitchell and Cynthia Woods were married by an Army chaplain in a double wedding with her twin sister and brother-in-law on Halloween in 1943. Their marriage and partnership spanned six decades, joyfully filled by 10 children, 23 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The Mitchell partnership was equally as prolific outside the home, developing major real estate and oil and gas holdings; creating a visionary new town, The Woodlands, and its premier outdoor performance arts venue, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion; and preserving and revitalizing their beloved Galveston Island.

In 2002, Cynthia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and on December 27, she died at home, surrounded by family. She was 87 years old. Cynthia met her diagnosis with optimism and dignity, retaining a zest for life and quick sense of humor, even as the disease progressed. George poured resources and attention into Alzheimer’s research, funding Dr. Claudio A. Soto’s contributions at the George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and the George P. and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Brain Disorders at The University of Texas Health Science Center, and Dr. Rachelle S. Doody’s work at Baylor College of Medicine.

Always the consummate volunteer even as a young mother, Cynthia led multiple troops of Girl Scouts and Brownies, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts – often at the same time – and served on the board of the Houston Girl Scouts. She held leadership roles in the Parent Teachers Associations of Houston and Spring Branch school districts, volunteered at Trinity Episcopal Church and Texas Children’s Hospital. Her extraordinary dedication to family, community, and philanthropy seemed boundless, even contagious; she created a culture of service and contribution within her own family, starting with United Way neighborhood drives; Christmastime deliveries to those less fortunate; and a futuristic household recycling program before most people had even heard of recycling. Later, other social and artistic concerns would benefit from her financial and creative influence, and the list is impressive.

Tapping her knowledge and love of restoration, Cynthia was selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to serve on its board. Within that organization, she and George endowed the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors, and she served on the grants selection committee. As a passionate environmentalist, Cynthia joined the board of the World Wildlife Fund, underwrote art exhibits focused on endangered species at Houston’s Museum of Natural History, and was sole underwriter for Margaret Mee’s exhibition of her research in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. With a passion for arts and letters, Cynthia underwrote a Distinguished Authors program at the University of Houston; was a generous benefactor of the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, and Houston Ballet; and co-chaired the Texas Festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Honoring youth in the arts, she supported the Houston Youth Symphony and Ballet, and the University of Houston’s Texas Music Festival, which draws the best music students across the country and prepares them for a career in music. The festival also features the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artists Competition. As a compassionate defender of childhood physical and emotional well-being, Cynthia sponsored Kid-Care, The United Way, and established the Global Children’s Foundation that provides safe havens to children affected by war.

Cynthia joined forces with her husband in the revitalization of Historic Galveston, beginning with the restoration of the 1871 League Building in 1976, and continuing with the Strand Historic District. They purchased and restored the Leon and H. Blum Building to become the luxury, European-style Tremont House; purchased and restored the famed beachfront Galvez Hotel; added another significant luxury destination to the Seawall in 1984 with The San Luis Hotel; and created an authentic waterfront haven, Harbor House, a charming Inn on Pier 21. Through it all, Cynthia’s deep appreciation for fine architecture and quality design became the watermark on each of the 17 nineteenth century commercial iron-front buildings she and her husband restored. Each reflects her sense of style, attention to detail, and natural aesthetic eye. In 1985, the Mitchells turned their collaborative attention to Galveston’s renaissance, and brought back the long-dormant Mardi Gras celebration, a traditional mid-winter festival born in 1867 that today draws 500,000 visitors to the island.

To honor Cynthia’s often-stated wish to benefit her alma mater and foster her love of creativity, the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts was born. Acting as a center for artistic collaboration, the Mitchell Center forms an alliance among five units at the University of Houston to cultivate interdisciplinary relationships in the performing, visual, and literary arts.

For those who knew her best, Cynthia will be remembered for her intelligence and wit; benevolence and social equality; and devotion to all that she loved.

A memorial service will be held in her honor on January 4, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas followed by a reception at the Tremont House.

Star Wars Brings Better Sound to Stadium

Sam Moore — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:09:07 +0000

Officials with the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington have had no trouble drawing crowds to the facility for both sports and musical events. But the sound at concerts has often left fans leaving disappointed.

But Friday night’s performance of the Star Wars experience proves that good, quality sound can be produced within the confines of what is often called “Jerryworld,” for Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

Star Wars: In Concert is a touring multi-media performance complete with music from all six of John Williams’ Star Wars scores. It is narrated live by Anthony Daniels, the man who portrayed C3PO in every movie. It features a full symphony orchestra and choir. It is accompanied by specially edited clips from the movies.

Friday night’s experience was incredible. Star Wars fans – many of them costumed – arrived to see special exhibits from George Lucas’ personal collection of movie memorabilia. As the lights dimmed, hundreds of light sabers glowed throughout the stadium.

The musicians were incredibly accurate, both in their technical execution and their timing to the video. The giant video board hanging over the fans was the ideal spot to see the multimedia display. Yoda never looked so real. The villains never looked so menacing. And Luke Skywalker never looked so heroic.

In past concerts at Cowboys Stadium, many people complained about the poor sound. TMJ wrote about it after the George Strait concert. Many people were heard complaing on local radio shows following the U2 concert. But whether changes have been made, or possibly a symphony orchestra suits the site better, Friday night’s sound was fantastic.

On at least one night, for the people responsible at Cowboys Stadium for putting on a good show, the force was with them.

Classical Future in Good Hands

Sam Moore — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:45:29 +0000

Based upon the performances of several talented teenagers with the Plano Symphony Orchestra, it is safe to say that the future of classical music in north Texas is in good hands.

The young artists featured on March 28 were Laura Liu on violin, Austin Taylor on saxophone, and pianist Alison Chiang. They were the winners this year of the Collin County Young Artist Competition.

Ms. Chiang played to the first movement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2. She was confident and capable as she performed in front of the sold out audience at St. Andrew United Methodist Church.

Mr. Taylor did very well with Ibert’s Concertino da Camera. He was especially thankful, as it was the first time he had ever performed with a symphony. I doubt the audience would have known otherwise. He obviously had fun and has a bright future with the saxophone.

Ms. Liu stole the show with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D. She has played the violin for nine years, and her experience was evident. She could easily have been – and probably will be at some point – a symphony star.

The Young Artist Competition is in its 25th year. Twelve finalists were chosen to perform five minutes of their concertos before a full audience on January 10. The three grand prize winners were chosen as featured soloists for the March symphony performance.

The next performance for the Plano Symphony will be this Saturday, April 18, also at St. Andrew Church. It is titled “An Insiders Beethoven 5th.” For more information on this, subscriptions for next season, and for the Young Artist Competition, visit www.planosymphony.org.

If Adventure Had a Name…

Sam Moore — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:26:47 +0000

Those attending the Plano Symphony Saturday night knew something was different the minute they arrived in the lobby. In addition to the normal crowd of music lovers, ushers and ticket takers, they were greeted by storm troopers, a princess and even a wookie. Yes, it was time for a tribute to the music of John Williams.

The incredible composer is responsible for some of the most memorable movie music in history. From “Star Wars” to “Saving Private Ryan,” the marriage of incredible films and incredible soundtracks is simply amazing. Combine that with the Plano Symphony Orchestra, aided at times by the Plano Civic Chorus, and it made for an unforgettable evening.

Maestro Hector Guzman set the tone for a fun evening by walking on stage wearing a cowboy hat, to coincide with the theme from “The Cowboys,” one of the few John Wayne classics in which the good guy dies. It was the first of many stage props, used to match the movies that would be brought to life through Williams’ music. Hearing this western theme made me ready to hop on a horse and ride across the prairie.

The musicians were spot on with the music. As Guzman explained, they played not adaptations, but the actual movie scores. To me, the true test of their success was their ability to create not only the sounds, but to also bring the scenes of the movies to life in my mind. I was able to close my eyes and ride the Hogwarts Express during “Harry Potter;” fly faster than a speeding bullet with “Superman;” and wield my light saber during “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.”

Perhaps my favorite part of the evening was when the orchestra played the first two ominous notes from “Jaws.” Many of the audience members laughed, but it was a nervous laughter. I even looked down, just to make sure I did not see a dorsal fin circling my feet.

The first act was filled with adventure, including the Raiders March from “Indiana Jones.” The second set contained songs from more of the adventure-fantasy films – such as “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Jurassic Park” – it also included works from some of the more serious movies. The military sound of the drums from “Saving Private Ryan” brought the pride people often feel with the military. It was quiet, simple and reverent. And the absolutely incredible violin of Concertmaster Vesselin Demirev had audience members near tears during “Schindler’s List.”

To conclude this emotional roller coaster, Guzman chose the music from “ET, the Extra Terrestrial.” I believe anyone familiar with the film could see the silhouetted figure of ET riding his bicycle in front of the moon.

Williams’ resume is incredibly long. From his time as conductor of the Boston Pops, to his “Schindler’s List” dual Oscar and Grammy awards, he is one of the most prolific musical creators in history.

During the evening, Guzman pointed out a very important element of Williams’ success: his music’s popularity spans across several generations. Everyone loves his scores. I could see it even in the smiles of the musicians: they were having fun. It was as close to a perfect evening as possible. As Guzman said at one point, “this is a unique canvas for music.”

For more information on the Plano Symphony, visit www.planosymphony.org.