donaueschinger

The designer is a Canadian composer, Chiyoko Szlavnics, who is based in Berlin.

Not a great advert for her music.

Or anything else, for that matter.

The aged composer, in his 90th year and unlucky with his health, has pulled out of his last remaining engagement – a teaching presence at the Lucerne Festival.

Here’s the overnight statement:

boulez lucerne

 

Owing to a shoulder operation from which he is still recuperating, Pierre Boulez, the Artistic Director of the LUCERNE FESTIVAL ACADEMY, must forego his trip to Lucerne for the time being, to his great regret. He still hopes to be able to come at the end of the Festival. Boulez had planned to be present in Lucerne during this year’s Academy, though without taking on conducting duties.

 

(photo: last year’s festival)

 

The faux-1920s series takes great care over its period costumes, less over the authenticity of period speech and apparently none at all over mantelpieces. What’s that to the right, between the urns?

 

downton abbey

Downton Abbey publicity photo, released last night

 

A 21st century plastic water bottle. Well done, Downton. Can’t wait for the mobile phones.

The international voice coach Mikhail Hallak runs a boutique studio on the Upper West Side where opera singers are able to record in customised conditions.

But do the artists come prepared? Not all of them. So Mikhail has posted a few essential tips about shoes, scores, pianist, snacks.

For instance:

– Avoid Bärenreiter, it’s a great study guide but the piano reductions are terrible to play! You can use a score during a session; just make sure the page turns do not make noise. It has been our experience that one can create a better imaginary world/experience for themselves by not using a score but that is a personal choice.

– Bring whatever snack you love and make sure to take breaks. Use our kitchen if you want. Lots of people try to “race against the clock” and get as much music “in the box” as possible but sometimes a break, closing your eyes for a second and a shot of espresso will do so much more good than recording the same passage ten times.

… and more. Click here for the full guide.

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