In this audio clip, Pinchas Zukerman describes meeting Itzhak Perlman for the very first time.
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Members of the WFMT family challenged the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Saturday, August 14th to the annual Softball game.
Can WFMT rise to the occassion and topple the CSO for the first time in this annual competition?
Here are some pictures of the two teams:
WFMT staff, Stephanie Photakis at the plate.
CSO gets a hit!
Josh Sauvageau on base for WFMT with program host Peter Van De Graaff playing defense for the short-handed CSO team.
Renee Gerard-Southworth running to first base for WFMT.
Matt DeStefano had a rough day at the plate for WFMT, but was ruthless on defense!
Stephanie Photakis throws a perfect strike for WFMT.
Paris Schutz, running to first!
WFMT Intern Mike D’Amaro launches one into deep center field.
Renee’s son Matt decides to play for the opposing CSO side.
WFMT tries to regroup as CSO takes a commanding lead.
Clarinetist J. Lawrie Bloom gets a hit for the CSO!
WFMT recruit Janet Bembnister knocks a hit to the right side.
Group photo with WFMT & CSO (from left to right): Matt DeStefano, Brian Baxter, Stephanie Photakis, Janet Bembnister, Dan Bujas, Mike D’Amaro, Paris Schutz, Renee Gerard-Southworth, Josh Sauvageau, Matt Gerard-Southworth, Mark Ridenour, J. Lawrie Bloom, Nate Cole, Janet, Peter Bloom, Nan Bloom, Matt Ridenour.
Not pictured: Peter Van De Graaff
Submitted by Interns Mike D’Amaro & Josh Sauvageau
Hey Matt and David,
After seeing your post about the Top 5 Funniest Musical Notes, we decided to throw in our two cents. Three of us from Exploring Music have found Bill McGlaughlin talking about the best raspberry and retching sounds in music, this just might be a contender.
These are in Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra.
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Mike, Josh & Cydne
From the Library of Congress you can view an original script for the Bernstein Young People’s Concert, “Forever Beethoven.”
Notice the second assistant to the producer, John Corigliano, Jr.
Yes, that’s the same John Corigliano who would become a composer and winner of a Grammy, an Oscar and the Pulitzer Prize.
I don’t know how my office mate David Polk and I got on the topic of the Muppets, but we both agree that the trumpet note which ends the Muppet Show theme is one of the top 5 funniest musical notes of all-time. (We can’t think of what the other four might be, but perhaps you can fill-in the blanks)
While we’re at it, it would simply be wrong if I didn’t share this appearance by the late, great Buddy Rich. Enjoy:
WFMT’s legendary Chief Engineer Gordon Carter retired Friday after 41.5 years at the station. In his farewell email to staff, he wrote:
When I started with WFMT my wife and I had been married for less than a year. I intended to stick around for 2-3 years and then move on. 41 years, two children, and three grand-children later (plus a couple of cats and dogs) later, I am finally moving on. I have been privileged to hear, see, and be a part of many things that I would not have otherwise been involved with. It has been a wild and wonderful ride!
Gordon’s contributions to WFMT include:
On his last day, Lisa Flynn, program director Peter Whorf and Kerry Frumkin interviewed Gordon about how technology has changed since he arrived at WFMT and where he thinks the future lies:
Thank you, Gordon, for your work in making WFMT sound as great as it does!
This landmark BBC series is on the road with its stunning footage projected above a full symphony orchestra. The Grant Park Symphony will perform with soundtrack composer George Fenton on the podium.
The performance is Wednesday, July 21st at the Pritzker Pavilion with open rehearsals on the 20th and 21st.
I had a chance to speak with Fenton last week about his music and the series.
George Fenton was born in London. Other film credits include Ghandi, Dangerous Liasons, The Fisher King, Shadowlands, Cry Freedom, Groundhog Day
According to a Facebook poll, the Emerson Quartet is our audience’s Favorite Chamber Ensemble–by a landslide. It’s true, the Emersons make exquisite music together. At all times, they play with intelligence and passion.
There seems to be no end to the creative energy of the Emersons. David Finckel is not only one of the world’s finest cellists, he’s an active educator, arts administrator, has a family and runs his own record label. This is not to say he hasn’t had the burning desire to do EVEN MORE to share his gifts. Check out this series of mini cello lessons which he posted on Youtube (there are 85 in all. Here are the first 4).
Pretty wonderful.
YouTube – David Garrett becomes the world’s fastest violinist by playing Flight of The Bumble Bee in 1minute 6.56 seconds, an amazing 13 notes per second. Filmed on BBC TVs Blue Peter programme. For more information about David, go to http://www.david-garrett.com
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