Gustav Wind's Thoughts on Music: September 2009

Friday, September 25, 2009

Don't Miss The 2009-2010 Season of the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York!

“You should not be surprised to learn that I am raving about the Lyric’s 2009-2010 season. Although I self-deprecatingly admit to being a bit of a windbag, I am a very enthusiastic and discerning music lover - - and suitably modest! As I survey the upcoming programs on the gorgeous, interesting, informative Lyric website, www.lyricny.org, the excitement virtually jumping out of my computer seems palpable. Try it yourself!

“As usual Lyric is showcasing great performers and memorable works of art. Oh Lyric, for that you are treasured I cry - -a welcome relief from a torrent of mediocrity and second-ratedness. Sometimes I think you are an endangered species!

“Kicking off with your Principal Players Series on November 11 with fabulous musicians like Sheryl Staples, Cynthia Phelps and Carter Brey is a stroke of good fortune for me and others who love the New York Philharmonic and always want more. And having an opportunity to hear, see, and meet Robert Langevin and Liang Wang on March 9 is more frosting on the proverbial cake. Lucky listeners!”

“While human beings focus on wars, terrorism, disasters, and economic uncertainty, Lyric provides a welcome antidote with extraordinary and exceptional talent. I cannot repeat often enough that it is simply not only erudite but ingenious and charming to have chosen Henry Purcell’s timeless message as the theme for the 2009-2010 Season: ‘Music for a while, shall all your cares beguile.’ I wish I had thought of it myself, and I laud the goal of providing audiences with musical respite in these challenging times.

“I am pleased to see that, once again, you are celebrating two 200^th Anniversaries of great geniuses. Ah, Lyric, you are at it again. I adore your respect and reverence for the past. Schumann and Chopin. Delightful. But your little twist of paying tribute with Chamzz, your unique combo of chamber music and jazz; now that’s the way to attract new audiences and utilize the unique talents of your multi-faceted artists, like Matt Herskowitz, Daniel Schnyder, and Kenny Drew, Jr. I can’t wait!!!!!”

“ I could go on and on about how Lyric is not only innovating but providing a great service to humanity with the on-going Mendelssohn: What’s New Series featuring Fanny and her Circle in May. Plus bringing the world together for an intriguing concert entitled Beginning of the Great Divide: Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. And declaring Classics for the 21^st Century: Beyle Schaecher-Gottesman. Who’s doing anything like that in our great metropolis? Bravi, bravissimi!”

“I’m thrilled to have yet another opportunity to hear Ying Huang, a rising young singer, and Ken Noda from the Metropolitan Opera. She was wonderful last season, and he has performed magnificently and sensitively for Lyric in the past.

“If I were you, I would rush to get tickets immediately, before they are sold out.

“Happily, cyberspace permits me to have unlimited exclamation points and unrestricted word limits, but I must be off to a concert and close for now. Do look at my previous blogs, when you can.

"Please let me know your opinion of my writing and reviews. You can write to me at GUSTAVWIND@LYRICNY.ORG. I love getting attention! Remember to use only the loftiest terms and the most elevated thoughts. Lyric's website and a person of my stature cannot and will not respond to inappropriate language which is so disgustingly prevalent in our society at this time."

"Looking forward to hearing from you, my readers (and to seeing you, if you can find me. I am known for my varied disguises, and no one has recognized me yet, in my many venerable years of concert-going and reviewing. As a result, some are naturally curious about my identity, and others have gone so far as to speculate that I am not a man at all but might be a female. What a ridiculous notion! What parent would name a daughter Gustav? Catch me, if you can….)"

"Yours,

Gustav Wind, E.C. (Eminent Critic), R.C. (Revered Critic) and

E.G. (Eminence Grise)"

ABOUT GUSTAV WIND

To receive a review from the eminent critic, Gustav Wind, is always an unexpected surprise - - and windfall. As The Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York is being acclaimed for its activities, we are, of course, pleased by interest in us in the press. You may have seen Gustav’s writing in prestigious publications and learned journals throughout the world, so we are especially delighted by his attention.

Gustav Wind has given us permission to post his writing on our website www.lyricny.org, alongside our 2009-2010 Season programs, Music Player, Photo Gallery, and myriad of additional treats for the eye and mind. If you have not yet visited our site, please do; and let us know your reactions.

Beware: Gustav Wind has threatened to review our website, to monitor its electronic effectiveness and elegance, and to alert readers to changes, updates, and content he may or may not like.

Please note: The Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York is proud to reproduce the writings (and ravings) of the unique windbag and extraordinary music critic, Gustav Wind. Gustav’s high standards are consistent with our own; and we believe that we can stand up to his scrutiny with our world-class artists, world-class concerts, and world-class music-making. We never fear when Gustav is near - - although we cannot say the same for all other critics.

However, his reviews and writing represent the opinion and the writing of Gustav Wind and not of the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York, which disclaims all responsibility for its content.

ABOUT ME, GUSTAV WIND, IN MY OWN WORDS

A bit of background: (Lest the Lyric misquote or misrepresent Gustav Wind's uniqueness, we add the following, in his own words:)

"First, my customary caveat: writing about music is a very difficult task, even for a most experienced critic like me. Many of my colleagues don’t seem to notice the inherent problem in trying to describe a series of sounds which evaporated long ago. They usually chatter on and on, wielding their carving sets, making mincemeat out of the sincere, hardworking, well-intentioned mortals who set themselves the Herculean task of trying to recreate what they think the composer wanted. To complicate the issue, the musicians are always expected to give note-perfect, memorable performances in public."

"Who can really tell you how a symphony orchestra or a single musician sounded last week? I say: no one! I would like to bring their sounds to life, to place them in your ear and mind, to revive the emotions they ellicited. Telling you that someone played fast, slow, loud, soft, in English, Italian, or any other language, simply does not achieve the intrinsically impossible goal. Yet we critics must go on, lest we be outdated like the covered wagon and replaced by recordings. I try to report in ways that may make you feel as if you were there, but you weren’t; and you can’t really know what happened. And if you were there, most often, when you read a review, you wonder if you and the critic were really in the same room at the same time."

"Please let me know your opinion of my writing and reviews. You can write to me at GUSTAVWIND@LYRICNY.ORG. I love getting attention! Please remember to use only the loftiest terms and the most elevated thoughts. Lyric's website and a person of my stature cannot and will not respond to inappropriate language which is so disgustingly prevalent in our society at this time."

"Looking forward to hearing from you (and to seeing you, if you can find me. I am known for my varied disguises, and no one has recognized me yet, in my many venerable years of concert-going and reviewing. As a result, some are naturally curious about my identity, and others have gone so far as to speculate that I am not a man at all but might be a female. What a ridiculous notion! What parent would name a daughter Gustav? Catch me, if you can….)"

"Yours,
Gustav Wind, E.C. (Eminent Critic), R.C. (Revered Critic) and
E.G. (Eminence Grise)"

"Copyright Gustav Wind 1999 - 2009. This copyrighted work is the property of the author and may not be reproduced or used without permission of the author."

GUSTAV WIND'S CUSTOMARY CAVEAT

"Writing about music is a very difficult task, even for a most experienced critic like me. Many of my colleagues don’t seem to notice the inherent problem in trying to describe a series of sounds which evaporated long ago. They usually chatter on and on, wielding their carving sets, making mincemeat out of the sincere, hardworking, well-intentioned mortals who set themselves the Herculean task of trying to recreate what they think the composer wanted. To complicate the issue, the musicians are always expected to give note-perfect, memorable performances in public.

Who can really tell you how a symphony orchestra or a single musician sounded last week? I say: no one! I would like to bring their sounds to life, to place them in your ear and mind, to revive the emotions they ellicited. Telling you that someone played fast, slow, loud, soft, in English, Italian, or any other language, simply does not achieve the intrinsically impossible goal. Yet we critics must go on, lest we be outdated like the covered wagon and replaced by recordings. I try to report in ways that may make you feel as if you were there, but you weren’t; and you can’t really know what happened. And if you were there, most often, when you read a review, you wonder if you and the critic were really in the same room at the same time.

I can only give you a hint of the soulful tones that emerged from the musicians and surrounded us. You simply have to make every effort to hear him for yourself. For after all, isn’t that what reviews are about? Reports to help you to decide what to hear and what to miss, in your busy life, with limited time? Or is a review a field day for psyche destruction?"

Friday, September 25, 2009

Don't Miss The 2009-2010 Season of the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York!

Gustav Wind's Thoughts on Music

ABOUT GUSTAV WIND

ABOUT ME, GUSTAV WIND, IN MY OWN WORDS

GUSTAV WIND'S CUSTOMARY CAVEAT

Followers

Blog Archive