Chamber Music America has new boss
NewsThe national small-form network has named Kevin Kwan Loucks as its Chief Executive Officer, starting in a couple of weeks.
Loucks was previously the Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships and, before that, Director of Innovation and Program Development at Music Academy of the West.
He’s also a terrific pianist and one-third of the Southern California-based Trio Céleste.
He’s fantastic! Great choice!
Chamber Music America really ought to be devoted to chamber music, unamplified. The culture needs an advocate. Other genres now under the CMA tent deserve their own support systems. I hope KKL grasps this and spins off parts of the organization.
What is the definition of chamber music?
Look it up on Google
I did. It seems to be rather complicated!
CMA has always defined it as one to a part, no conductor. CMA’s expansion to include Jazz and other genres is the best thing that’s happened to the organization and field.
String quintet is.
Brass quintet is not.
Flute-and-harp is.
Piano duo is not.
Viol consort is.
Percussion ensemble is not.
vedete?
This is an exercise for a thinking CMA of course.
And certainly not sax quartet or wind quintet or vocal ensemble.
Vocal music is another discussion.
Wind quintet of course is chamber music.
Sax quartet has no repertory. Does it?
The point is that you have to know what you are advocating. By standing for everything “one to a part, no conductor,” you are unable to do the job.
Yes on sax quartet, probably. Repertory has been built up since the 1930s. But what size room? Brass quintets can play quietly too but don’t work as chamber music; dynamics matter in music the way scale matters in architecture. Again, CMA must think.
Sorry, I don’t see, or understand. The Britannica definition begins “Chamber music, music composed for small ensembles of instrumentalists. In its original sense, chamber music referred to music composed for the home, as opposed to that written for the theatre or church. Since the “home”—whether it be drawing room, reception hall, or palace chamber—may be assumed to be of limited size, chamber music most often permits no more than one player to a part. It usually dispenses with a conductor. Music written for combinations of stringed or wind instruments, often with a keyboard (piano or harpsichord) as well, and music for voices with or without accompaniment have historically been included.” Why would a brass quintet or a percussion ensemble not be chamber musicians?
Because brass quintet and percussion ensemble are for the concert hall by your own accurate description.
sentite?
Yes, I do understand. There is a danger if an organization spreads its net too widely, and artificial distinctions do need to be drawn. It is a matter of how narrowly. I was interested in the history; conditions are different today.
The distinction is between “chamber” music and “orchestral” music. Neither would have been electronically amplified. Tradionally, orchestras had string sections in which the whole string section played the same notes (there can be several string sections). In chamber music, each musician has his/her own tune (e.g. no doubling). More-or-less, this is still the distinction, even if the choice of instruments can be different.
Music for multiple singers does not usually qualify as “chamber music”, nor does liturgical music. Some people would question whether a solo piano, or a singer+piano would qualify as chamber music or not.
If KKL dumped all other forms but traditional chamber music (see string quartet), then Chamber Music America would rapidly go out of business.
It would need to shrink, yes. Out of business? No.
I’ve heard this guy in concert and he’s legit. Had a chance to talk to him afterwards and he talks pretty openly about his love of jazz and improvised music. Hopeful this appointment works out for him, the organization and the musician community.
I’ve heard this guy in concert and he’s legit. Had a chance to talk to him afterwards and he talks pretty openly about his love of jazz and improvised music. Hopeful this appointment works out for him, the organization and the musician community.
Wonderful to see an Asian-American leading a national organization.