After a long journey from SF (after his two week residency with the SF Symphony) to LAX instead of Santa Barbara (due to multiple canceled flights from the storms!), George Benjamin arrived in Ojai late Monday afternoon. George has heard all about Ojai from many of his friends (Pierre Boulez, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Messiaen, and Betty Freeman), however this was his first trip to Shangri-La. Unfortunately, he never saw our trademark sunshine. Nevertheless, we had a very productive 30 hours together. Tom Morris also was in town and the three of us spent time together refining the rehearsal schedule (see a picture of us working at the Ojai Valley Inn--thanks for hosting George!), talking about how he wants his opera Into The Little Hill produced ("scary" was one of the words he used to describe his vision at the end!), picking a silent film that he will improvise to following the Friday night concert (a benefit for donors $250+...you can make your gift now if you haven't already: link), and what fantazias he wanted performed on the Sunday morning concert (his favorite is #7). We had a great dinner at Ojai's newest restaurants, Osteria Monte Grappa, which is on Signal St, just a two blocks north of Libbey Bowl. We met the owner and he said he will stay open late for our patrons during the Festival (don't miss this delicious food!). I enjoyed seeing many of you at our home events in Ojai and Encino. Special thanks to Esther and Tom Wachtell, as well as Judith and Ron Rosen for hosting these gatherings. All of us came away loving George's wit, intellect, and sensitivity, as well as interested in learning more about his music. A number of friends of long time supporters came to these events and it looks like our ticket sales will continue to surpass the previous several years.....I hope you have your tickets already (if not, here is your chance)!
- Jeff Haydon
[ 2 comments ] ( 20 views ) | permalink |
( 2.9 / 576 )The Symphony Magazine's Jan/Feb issue includes a feature article on how the classical music world has been taking on the blogosphere. Naturally, it mentions Festival alumni, pianist Jeremy Denk who has a fabulous blog, and eighth blackbird's Tim Munro, who was blogging before, during, and after this past year's Festival.
- Gina Gutierrez
[ 1 comment ] ( 8 views ) | permalink | related link |
( 2.9 / 525 )Russ Irwin, one of our fantastic board members, has been taking in the George Benjamin concerts up in San Francisco. Here, he offers a review:
Last night, George Benjamin (Ojai Music Festival Music Director 2010) began his San Francisco Symphony residency in a concert conducted by David Robertson (OMF Music Director 2008). These Friday 6.5 Series concerts begin at 6:30 which provides the conductor, and in this case the composer, a chance to talk about the music with the audience. It also allows them an opportunity to provide live orchestral examples during the discussion. This was particularly helpful for the composition which was to be performed directly afterwards, Dance Figures from 2004.
Before bringing Benjamin onto the Davies Symphony Hall platform, Robertson had introduced us to his music by immediately launching into Jubilation (1985) for large orchestra and children’s choir. There was no question that Benjamin’s music would command our attention when the pulsing claves, played by both an orchestra percussionist and children of the choir, were interrupted by a fanfare from the horns and the rest of the brass; this was followed by the rest of the orchestra joining in and the children singing. We were treated to music which was distinctive in its texture, dynamics and rhythms. The waltz in the middle section of the piece is a true gem of orchestral color. Jubilation ends with the orchestra playing softly and the children beautifully singing notes so high that it is clear that this composition was created for their voices.
Dance Figures is an orchestral expansion of a set of piano miniatures and consists of nine very short movements. After discussing and listening to a few of the movements, and with the knowledge that the nine are in a specific order that provide a narrative throughout, the entire piece was played. It felt like an old friend was visiting when we heard “our” movements, but this time, we heard their neighbors and could appreciate the continuity inherent in the composition. It was quite evident that the distinguishing elements of Benjamin’s early work had grown into an engaging language which doesn’t feel obligated to use all the forces present at once, but retains the energetic shifts in dynamics and rhythm using few, many or all of the instruments. There was not one instrument in the orchestra that didn’t have a prominent moment during the piece. One of the movements, “Song”, features the unlikely pairing of solo viola and two trumpets. Robertson had introduced Benjamin by referring to his music in two ways: a combination of Green Day, RadioHead, Messiaen and Hildegard of Bingen; and, as the musical translation of the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings. For me, a distinctive voice, which had only been known to me by his spectacular composition for two violas (Viola, Viola), had been revealed. I can empathize with Robertson’s having to come up with words to describe Benjamin’s music to the audience beforehand. As is usual, the music spoke for itself. The audience signaled its appreciation of Benjamin’s music by energetic applause for both compositions and the discussion.
Benjamin’s residence in San Francisco got off to a great start.
Next week, Benjamin becomes conductor of his own music and that of Ravel and Messiaen. His presence in San Francisco is part of the Symphony’s project to celebrate its Centennial which is coming up in 2011-12. This Project has Benjamin passing the baton to Yo-Yo Ma at the end of this month. For me, beyond next week’s concerts, I have two things to look forward to: Part Two of this year’s Project San Francisco and this year’s Ojai Music Festival with Music Director George Benjamin.
- Russ Irwin
[ 1 comment ] ( 13 views ) | permalink |
( 2.9 / 593 )Just read last week's London Telegraph article "Opera: Review of the Decade," and Rupert Christiansen called George Benjamin's Into the Little Hill "...the era’s one masterpiece...a perfect miniature which haunts, chills and thrills."
You can read the full article in the link.
[ add comment ] ( 10 views ) | permalink | related link |
( 2.9 / 594 )As many of you know, the Festival, along with the City of Ojai and numerous community partners began working to save the deteriorating Libbey Bowl over a year ago. Festival patrons and supporters have been asking me about the project and the progress thus far, so here is a little update.
As it must, the SAVE Libbey Bowl project is moving forward very quickly, with seven major tracks of this project developing simultaneously. It’s a lot to keep up with, but we are all excited and conscious of our role in this historic project.
Design Process: We have an incredible design team comprised of City of Ojai Public Works Staff, David Bury & Co. Architect team, Jones & Jones Construction management and cost estimation. The Festival is represented by myself and board member Don Cosgrove who has extensive experience with public/private re-development projects including UCLA, MOCA, and Pasadena. The team has completed their design development process and are 50% done with their construction documents. At this point, they are three weeks ahead of schedule!
City Review: The Bowl EIR and plans were unanimously approved by the Planning Commission two weeks ago--a month earlier than we had originally hoped!
Fundraising: The community campaign just launched to raise the final $1 million. We have received many important gifts, and we are pushing hard to finalize additional leadership gifts and five-year pledges before the end of December. In January, there will be eight neighborhood parties to educate more of the community about the project
Future Management: At the Festival's request, the City has constituted a Bowl Management Task Force that is charged with developing an operational plan for the new Bowl that will include a business plan, maintenance plan, and needed personnel to properly run the new facility. The task force will present a draft plan by late January.
Demolition: A community group is actively planning the final Demolition Party on Saturday, June 19th in the Bowl.
2011 Opening: Tom Morris is working with Dawn Upshaw on an opening gala program for Saturday, June 5th (anna is this right?) that will include a performance of Ayre. Former Festival Executive Director, Joan Kemper, is leading the effort to produce a Free Community Day of Music to opening the Bowl that morning.
Historical: Anna Cho, our Director of Special Projects, is working closely with the Ojai Valley Museum to create an historical exhibit about the Bowl for May - July and a legacy piece to document its history.
This is just a summary of the many activities that the Save Libbey Bowl Campaign is running. To learn more visit www, or call Anna Cho at (805) 646 2094 x.105.
- Jeff Haydon
[ 1 comment ] ( 13 views ) | permalink |
( 3 / 623 )
Calendar
