Greg Sandow is a music writer and critic who, in a recent series of blogs, has made the assertion that attracting a new audience to classical music requires writing music to reflect our times.  In today's installment, he cites a live performance by cellist Matt Haimovitz and pianist Christopher O'Reilly as a prime example of this.
A new collaboration by Matt Haimovitz and Christopher O'Riley, Shuffle, Play, Listen, is a 2-disc set which has one foot in each musical world.
Sandow specifically cites one piece on the recording which he described as a, "Style a little hard to place. Post-1945, I thought. But who? (I) couldnât think of anyone who sounded quite like this." Â When it turned out to be a piece from Bernard Herrmannâs score to Alfred Hitchcock's film Vertigo, he was shocked. Read Programming for a new audience: Shuffle, Play, Listen (Greg Sandow) Watch Haimovitz and O'Riley discuss and play a track from Shuffle, Play, Listen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtaHRCD3YsM?v
Is Music the New Social Media?
Writer and Arts Critic Edward Ortiz posits an interesting theory...that  "children that partake in music activity in a group setting are more prone to developing one of humankindâs noblest traits: empathy." Ortiz is not saying you shouldn't give your youngsters private lessons.  Rather, that group activities which include music seem to help children develop a better understanding of the emotional state of those around them than group activities without music. Read Is Music the New Social Media? Empathy 'Entrainment' (San Francisco Classical Voice)
Kurt Masur, About to Turn 85, Ready to Conduct Again
You most likely read about Kurt Masur's fall in April. Â The injuries caused him to cancel his remaining engagements for the season, with plans to return to the podium in September.
Kurt Masur shows no signs of stopping. Â In fact, his exact words were, âWhy would I?â? he said. âAs long as Iâm able to do it, stopping would be stupid. Music is what keeps me alive.â?
That plan is apparently on track, as the maestro is expected to make a full recovery. Read A Profile of Conductor Kurt Masur and Soprano/Violinist Tomoko Masur of Harrison (Westchester Magazine)