Betsy's View

The Sundance Trio Debut CD is Lively, Passionate and Inspired (Giovannetti, Moss, Smith) (Comments Off)

In a celebration of musical sounds, The Sundance Trio invites us to listen to the innovative and striking sonorities of The Sundance Trio: “The Sundance Trio generally strives to perform and record new and unusual works by commissioning composers whose musical proclivities range from jazz to modern idioms. Oboist Geralyn Giovannetti, Bassoonist Christian Smith and Pianist Jed Moss combine forces to render dynamic performances…”

Paul McCartney’s Long and Winding Road Leads to Fenway Park in Boston – 8/6/09 (0)

Paul McCartney has never just “Let It Be”.

When I look at the big picture and consider that The Beatles broke up before I was born, I find it surreal that I’ve just attended a Paul McCartney concert, here in Boston at Fenway Park.

Keith Lockhart Leads Utah Symphony with an Inspiring Walton and Smetana (1)

Keith Lockhart returned to Salt Lake City this month to conduct two weeks of performances with the Utah Symphony that include works by Walton, Smetana, Stravinsky and Rachmaninoff. Cellist Julie Albers performed Walton’s Cello Concerto flawlessly, and Smetana’s Má Vlast inspired me. The Utah Symphony musicians played their hearts out and it was a pleasure to see Maestro Lockhart lead the symphony through this amazing work.

Ballet West’s Nutcracker Delights Generations (4)

December is a wonderful time to go to the ballet. At no other time during the year will you see more children embracing the love of the ballet as they are exposed to the artistry of dance, music and the imagination of the Nutcracker. The Nutcracker is where dreams begin, and for the parents and grandparents sitting alongside their little dreamers, it is a dream shared through generations.

Dear MBTA…Your Inaction Compromised My Security and I’m Not Happy (0)

The MBTA transports a million people daily throughout Massachusetts. In April, the MBTA began a program called “See Something, Say Something.” I saw something, I said something, and the T did nothing. Not happy.

Musicians At Top of Their Game with Canyonlands and Maurice Abravanel Visiting Composer Concerts (Comments Off)

The Maurice Abravanel Distinguished Composer Series was created to pair Canyonlands’ musicians with the music of contemporary composers, bringing new and challenging works to Salt Lake City. I didn’t understand all the compositional intricacies, but my hunger for education and inspiration was well fed!

The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Beethoven’s Nine…Symphonies, That Is! (3)

In October, the Boston Symphony Orchestra presented all nine Beethoven Symphonies, a cycle not performed by the BSO since Serge Koussevitzky programmed it in 1927 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Beethoven’s death. This year, Maestro James Levine presented his first complete Beethoven cycle at Boston’s Symphony Hall. They were amazing!

Utah’s Ballet West Dares Us to Dream (2)

Salt Lake City’s Ballet West opened its 2009-2010 season with The Dream. Artistic Director Adam Sklute chose three diverse works for the season’s first program; Songs of the Valley, Three Preludes and The Dream. It was a wonderful performance accompanied by the music of Copland, Rachmaninoff and Mendelssohn!

Boston’s Hitched Or Ditched Couple Jesse and Annisa Say “I Do” (0)

The CW network has a new reality show called Hitched or Ditched. The premise of the story is basically that a couple is brought together for a quickie wedding offer, making them ultimately decide if it’s time to get married, or time to say ‘see ya!’