Got an iTunes giftcard? Need some classical music?

December 26, 2009

Many of you probably received iTunes gift cards for Christmas, and I was just browsing around the store and found something I had to pass on. It really has no relation to FoBo, but I think it’s a phenomenal collection. The record label Naxos has come together with iTunes to make a downloadable album of 24 hours of classical music for $9.99. It really is kind of a greatest hits (Bradenburg Concerti, The Four Seasons, Messiah, etc) but not in the obnoxious way so many collections are prone to (“Here, have one movement of the Four Seasons!”). Instead, you get whole pieces, and some actually great recordings. Here’s a link to a webpage that will ask you to open iTunes to look in the store. You don’t have to, and you can browse on the page, but you need to open it to buy. If you want to see the albums that the selections are drawn from, take a look here.

I’ve got a ton of these pieces already, but I’ll be getting the set because I don’t have them all, and the deal is just astounding. If you’re looking to start a classical music collection, this is a great way to do it. For now, I’m off to enjoy some John Dowland, and then maybe some Messiah later on. (Sure, it’s cliche, but whatever.) Enjoy!

By Rob | Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Interview With WETA’s Jens F. Laurson

November 21, 2009

Before too long, I will be writing a post on the best Washington, DC classical music blogs. Rest assured that when I do, number one on my list will be WETA’s Classical Critic at Large and blogger Jens F. Laurson. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jens since he was skillfully manning the helm at the Tower Records’ Classical section, and he is the person who pretty much built my personal CD collection. After having written about Mahler Month a little while back, I thought it might be a good idea to get his thoughts on what went into making it happen. Jens was the main organizing force in the event, and a avowed Mahler addict. After the jump you’ll find my interview with him.

Jens F. Laurson, WETAs Classical Critic at Large

Jens F. Laurson, WETA's Classical Critic at Large

JFL after the jump!.

By Rob | Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Classical Music – Joshua Bell and the NSO

November 17, 2009

It’s going to be a short post this week. Super-celebrity violinist Joshua Bell (Hot, young, and single, Joshua Bell makes classical music sexy. – USA Weekend), fresh off of a gig at the White House, will be performing with the NSO this weekend. The concert looks to be an interesting one, with two works that are heard rarely, and one that is not heard enough. Find more details after you gaze into Bell’s dreamy eyes.

Dont you want to see him in person?

Don't you want to see him in person?

Lalo, Macmillan, and Mendelssohn, oh my!.

By Rob | Posted in events | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comment (1)

Classical Music: Mahler Month

November 12, 2009

Gustav Mahler, who is being celebrated this month on WETA

Gustav Mahler, who is being celebrated this month on WETA

Local radio station WETA (90.9 FM) is in the middle of celebrating one of my favorite composers this month: Gustav Mahler. WETA is DC’s only Classical-format radio station, and it’s only returned to that recently. Thankfully, they are not a station that plays only “lite classical” or what we might otherwise think of as Top 40 Dead White Guys.

But onto the composer at hand. Mahler isn’t for everyone. There are just as many Mahler haters (if not more!) as there are devotees. His music is epic in scope, thick and overbearing at times, and very self-important. Nevertheless, those that get into Mahler tend to fall head-over-heels for the guy. I remember taking only about 2 or 3 months after hearing my first Mahler symphony to own all nine (ten, if you count Das Lied von der Erde) symphonies on CD. It becomes an addiction.

How to get your fix.

By Rob | Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Classical Music on the Blo

November 3, 2009

Well hello there Blo. I’m Rob, you may know me from such illustrious places as the comments section, or Metro Marginalia. But I’m not just a lurker or a reader of books. No no, I am much more. So allow me to introduce myself.

I lived/went to school in FoBo for four years, and got my BA in Music at GW. I’ve known Kat and Jared for quite some time, and mentioned to Kat the other day that I want to do some writing about music that actual, real people can read. Academic stuff up at UMD gets tiresome, since no one reads it. We came up with a way for me to write about music here, and still tie it into FoBo.

In the future, I’ll be bringing you previews of classical concerts in the area, with an emphasis on the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and the Washington National Opera (WNO) at the Kennedy Center. If I manage to make it to concerts, you can also expect reviews. With these posts, I’ll do my best to recommend recordings of pieces that are being performed, or of performers who will be playing. I’ll also be pointing out discounts on tickets where applicable.

For those of you who never venture into classical music, give me a chance. It really can be daunting to hear your first Mahler symphony, or to see Wagner depict the end of the world in Götterdämmerung. But I hope to be able to help listeners of all levels (first-timers to those who will only ever go to hear Terry Riley) get into this music. There’s a reason I study and have devoted years of my life to classical music: I really do think it’s some of the best music ever written and it should be heard.

So stick around, go see some concerts, and be sure to tell me what you think! If you’ve got questions, post them in the comments or email me at rob@foboblo.com. I’ll do my best to answer them as they come. Anyhow, onto this weekend’s NSO show, and it’s a good one.

Concert info below.

By Rob | Posted in Music, events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comment (1)