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EXCLUSIVE: Orchestral Maneuvers in the Czech - Kurt Gottschalk at Ostrava Days 2015 [REVIEW]

While the biannual Ostrava Days in the Czech Republic features, primarily, a wide array of post-1950 solo and small ensemble pieces, it is, at its heart, a symphonic endeavor--founded and curated by Czech composer/conductor Petr Kotik. Over the course of nine expansive nights in August, running this year from the 21st to the 29th, the festival hosted three different orchestras, and all three together on the first night. The Ostrava-based Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra and resident ensemble Ostravská Banda did plenty of heavy lifting over the course of the fest, with the Miners Band from Stonava (a brass group from that nearby town in coal-mining Moravia) joining them on opening night.
By Kurt Gottschalk

  • French-Born Classical Pianist Helene Grimaud and the Passion of Musical Expression

    Artistic expression at its core is the most awkward form of expression. No one person, no matter who they are, will ever think they've gotten it completely right. Musical or verbal, it matters not. Artists spend their entire careers looking for that one fleeting moment when they get it right. Helene Grimaud is spurred to life by a drive. It summons itself through her piano. It is her voice and passion.
    By Thomas Swan

  • Stefano Battaglia Trio Interprets Composer Alec Wilder on New 'In The Morning' [REVIEW]

    For his sixth ECM album, 'In The Morning', Italian pianist Stefano Battaglia, 50, brings his trio with bassist Salvatore Maiore and drummer Roberto Dani to the music of American composer Alec Wilder [1907-1980] whose songs have been recorded by Peggy Lee, the Mills Brothers and Frank Sinatra. Wilder also composed chamber music, operas and wrote the scholarly tome 'American Popular Song: The Great Innovators 1900-1950'.
    By Mike Greenblatt
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