NEC Update Vol. 3, No. 2, September 18, 2006
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| News from NEC |
Vol. 3, No. 2, September 18, 2006 |
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New Nashville arts center named for alum |
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| photo by Tom Gatlin, courtesy Nashville Symphony |
A gala concert by the Nashville Symphony on September 9 officially opened Schermerhorn Symphony Center, named after conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn '50 DP, who led the orchestra to prominence from the early 1980s until his death in 2005.
The neoclassical complex has been called an "architectural gem" that underscores Nashville's dual reputation as "Athens of the South" and "Music City, USA." With acoustics based on the great European concert halls, visitors face a mandatory coat check so that minks won't muffle the high notes. Schermerhorn's last words are also acoustic: the opening concert (conducted by Leonard Slatkin) was largely prepared by him, and his wit is expressed in the intermission warning chimes, based on the "Must it be? It must be!" motif from Beethoven's final string quartet.
The Tennesseean mustered much of its writing staff to produce dozens of stories on everything from the opening night crowd (Donna Summer, Trisha Yearwood) to the musicians' lounge, designed with input from the players. Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen called the building "a wonderful memorial to a wonderful man."
In an editorial, The Tennesseean said that "this one individual, through his amazing passion, lifted up the love of all music in a city that believed it knew all there was to know about music." |
Read more about the Schermerhorn Center.
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Prep composer at "From the Top" |
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| photo by Tim Morse |
The "Prairie Home Companion" of classical music radio, NPR's From the Top introduces classical music to families all over America through engaging performances by talented young people, and friendly banter led by pianist Christopher O'Riley '81 A.D. With NEC as its home and educational partner, the show begins its Jordan Hall taping season on October 8 with some hometown pizzazz: an original composition by NEC Preparatory School student Natasha Sinha (in photo). Grab a seat at this taping and witness a radio show in the making! |
Explore NEC's concerts and programs day by day.
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Yura Lee competes in Indiana, Italy |
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| photo by Miro Vintoniv |
Violinist Yura Lee '05 A.D. (in photo), who last spring won the Leopold Mozart Violin Competition in Germany, was named one of six laureates in the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, which ended September 17. Later this week, Lee goes on to the Paganini Competition in Italy, where fellow alum Jun-Yuan Lambert Chen '03 M.M. is also a competitor. |
Read about Yura Lee's competition schedule at NEC Today.
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Just booked: Roma music comes to NEC |
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photo by Mike Bowring
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This year NEC's Intercultural Institute plans to explore Roma (Gypsy) music in its various forms, from traditional to contemporary. The first guest arrives September 26. The musicians of Kal, a group from Serbia, are eclectic, contemporary, but still deeply rooted within their Romani culture. |
This NEC calendar listing was recently posted.
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Escape the ordinary when you come to NEC to hear our faculty, guests, and the best young pre-professionals perform live. And bring a friend to escape with you for the same ticket price: Free!
New England Conservatory is located at 290 Huntington Avenue (at the corner of Gainsborough Street), Boston--a block from Symphony Hall. |
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