“I’m a so-called ‘multi-media artist’ but I have no idea what that means,” says Laurie Anderson, who brings her latest show, “Delusion” to EMPAC on Friday and Saturday nights. For those unaware of Anderson’s mix of music, stories, and visuals, the other jargony term commonly applied to her is probably no-less helpful:  performance artist. Maybe it’s better to focus on what she actually produces. In addition...

In late June 2009, during the week of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, WNYC radio celebrated the legacy of gay and lesbian composers in classical and popular music with four evenings of programming.   The broadcasts were thoughtful and wide ranging: • Nico Muhly and host Nadi Sirota play and discuss music of John Corigliano, Benjamin Britten and Lou Harrison • Alex Ross (The New Yorker) and Ann Powers (Los...

In today’s Arts & Leisure section of the New York Times, Vivien Schweitzer writes about Jeremy Denk, his new recording of the Ives sonatas (amazingly his first solo disc), his obsession with Proust, and addiction to chili peppers. She also mentions “his boyfriend, Patrick Posey, a saxophonist and the director of orchestral activities and planning at Juilliard.” Scanning the web, this is the only reference...

Has the highpoint of the local concert season already come and gone? Only time will tell, but it will be a tall order to surpass the splendor of Garrick Ohlsson’s all-Chopin recital. The Thursday night concert (9/30) in the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall launched the 114th year of presentations by the Troy Chromatics. A deep dive into the Chopin repertoire hasn’t been a common occurrence for recitalists lately, at least...

“We’re a strange pair,” says pianist Garrick Ohlsson of his long association with Frederic Chopin.  “He was rather short, some what frail and very elegant.  I’m not a fashion plate and weigh 260 pounds and have enjoyed good health my whole life.” Music would seem to unite Ohlsson and Chopin across the centuries. But even there, Ohlsson points out a contrast: “I love playing concerts. He hated playing concerts.” Ohlsson...

There’s a lot more to music and culture in Minnesota than “A Prairie Home Companion.” Just ask pianist Matthew McCright, who lives in Minneapolis and teaches at Carlton College. But better yet, listen to one of his recordings or go hear him in concert. McCright will be performing an all-Minnesota program at Merkin Concert Hall in New York on Saturday September 25.  Every one of the six pieces on the program...

Music and food have always gone together well, but seldom have they been presented as equals on a stage. Walking the Dog Theatre is serving up just such a combination with “Bon Appetit!” An original theatrical, musical and culinary tribute to Julia Child, the show is produced in association with Diamond Opera Theater. It plays at the Basilica Industria in Hudson for eight performances through Sept. 24. Every performance...

“When I hear what we call music, it seems to me that someone is talking… But when I hear traffic… I don’t have the feeling that anyone is talking. I have the feeling that sound is acting. And I love the activity of sound. What it does is it gets louder and quieter, and higher and lower, and longer and shorter. It does all those things and I’m completely satisfied.” share: Bookmark on Delicious...

Philadelphia Orchestra Saratoga Performing Arts Center August 4-21, 2010 After the Philadelphia Orchestra abruptly parted ways in 2008 with its seventh music director, Christopher Eschenbach, it turned to Charles Dutoit to fill in as chief conductor.  It’s a mighty long interim status for Dutoit, who will depart in 2012 with the arrival of Yannick Nezet-Seguin. The connection that made the Dutoit-Philly alliance a natural...

Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra Ozawa Hall, August 16, 2010 Who better than a 102-year old man to ask the question, “What are years?” Composer Elliott Carter, who’s centennial was celebrated two summers ago at Tanglewood, was back again Monday night for the finale of the annual Festival of Contemporary Music in Ozawa Hall.  One of his newest pieces is a setting of five poems by Marianne Moore and uses her line, “What...