If you cannot answer that question, don't feel bad. Â To use a sports reference, who was the head football coach for Ohio State before Woody Hayes? Â See...tough. Â (Sid Gillman, if you really wondered). That should help you answer the next question...
Who conducted the Boston Pops before Arthur Fiedler took the podium in 1930? Â You guessed it...Alfredo Casella.
There's more to Mr. Casella than meets the eye. Â Not only was he a pianist and conductor...he left a significant catalog of compositions behind. Â There is a recording of his music scattered here and there, but Chandos Records is trying to change that. Â They just released three of his symphonic works with, hopefully, more to come. Read Classical Lost and Found: Making a Case for Casella (NPR)
Concert Hall Decorum? Â How Much Noise is Too Much?
Rattling candy wrappers and coughing has been overtaken by cellphones ringing and glowing in the dark. Â One reviewer and his concert companion were verbally abused and run out of the concert hall by irritated concertgoers. Were they justified? Â Or did they go too far? Read How Much Noise is Too Much Noise in the Classical Concert-Hall? (Arts Desk)