Author Archives: David Nelson
The New Year’s Concert in Vienna
The most famous annual concert worldwide is the New Year’s Concert. This performance of the Philharmonic features the celebrated dance music – mainly waltzes and polkas – of the Strauss family. It is now broadcast around the globe and has … Continue reading
“Invitation to the Dance” – The Opening Concerts of the Greensboro Symphony’s 2013-14 Season
When you attend a concert by an orchestra, the musicians on stage are usually the focal point. The Greensboro Symphony’s first concert of this season gives us that and more as members of the Greensboro Ballet join to create a … Continue reading
History of the Salzburg Festival 5, the maturation of the festival from the end of World War II to today
In Part 4 of this series, we learned about the growth of the festival starting in 1925, and the changes brought about during the Nazi years. In Part 5, we learn about superstar conductors and further changes that brought the … Continue reading
History of the Salzburg Festival 4: Leadership of Franz Rehrl
In Part 3 of this series, we saw how the festival had a rather rocky start. In Part 4, we will see how Franz Rehrl strengthened the festival, and then how the festival dealt with the Nazi influence before and … Continue reading
History of the Salzburg Festival 3: the Early Years
In Part 2 of this series, we learned the role of Max Reinhardt in getting the festival started. In Part 3, we will see how the festival was not an immediate success. Music is added to the festival Even after … Continue reading
History of the Salzburg Festival 2: Max Reinhardt starts the festival
In Part 1 of this series, we saw how there were several unsuccessful attempts to start a festival in Salzburg. In Part 2, we will learn about Max Reinhardt, and how he finally succeeded in getting the festival off the … Continue reading
History of Salzburg Festival 1: Failed attempts to start a festival
The Salzburg Festival is one of the pre-eminent annual music festivals in the world. For about six week each summer, the finest conductors, singers, instrumentalists, orchestras, and actors make Salzburg their home as they present wonderful performances. Here is a … Continue reading
Rodion Shchedrin, Russia’s Foremost Living Composer
When we attend a concert these days, it is likely that we will hear the music of composers who died anywhere between 50 and 250 years ago. Composers who are still alive—people like John Adams, Steve Reich, or Arvo Pärt—are … Continue reading
Vienna’s New Year’s Day Concert
Perhaps the most famous annual concert worldwide is the New Year’s Day Concert. This performance of the Philharmonic featuring the music of the Strauss family is now broadcast around the world and has come to represent Vienna to an international … Continue reading