ArtsWatch

Well, given the picture of the 'mystery conductor', figuring out one of the Kimmel's visiting ensembles isn't too hard, based on information from schedules of other venues. Namely, sometime in November at the Kimmel:

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Eyal Ein-Habar, flute

Bernstein: Jubilee Games
Bernstein: Halil
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4

That's not the only program they're playing on that tour.

Fair point. The above program was the one I found at the Carnegie and LA Phil websites. What's the other program that the Israel Phil. will be doing on that tour? Given the 90th anniversary celebrations for Bernstein, I would think that the above concert is likely to be the one, but one can't always tell.

The subsription package was announced today. They're playing those two Bernstein pieces, but with Brahms' 4th instead of Tchaikovsky's 4th. That may be at least partially because Maazel and the NYP are playing Tchaikovsky's 4th here.

To live up to Peter's line about all classical fans having something to complain about, just a minor one: I saw that the Israel Philharmonic and Dudamel are playing Mendelssohn's 4th on a program with Brahms' 4th in some other city. I was hoping for that just because I can imagine Dudamel being very good in a piece like the "Italian" Symphony based on what I've heard from his so far.

Just saw the Kimmel's schedule (well, 2 of 3 for Dudamel's program ain't bad). The change because of the conflict with Maazel's program makes sense, as I had no idea of the NYP touring. Dudamel and the IPO will also be at NJPAC, so they've got Carnegie, NJPAC, Kimmel, and WDCH in LA on the itinerary. No idea about the other cities on their tour, although I would hazard a guess that Chicago just might be one of them, but the CSO/Symphony Center folks have not announced full listings of their 2008-2009 season with pianists, visiting orchestras, etc., besides the full CSO schedule.

I noticed the comment about the lack of vocal recitals. Chicago's Symphony Center canned their vocal recital series a few years ago for pretty much the same reason, dwindling attendance for a niche market. Here, the St. L. Art Museum has made an initial attempt, I think in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera somehow (SLAM is also showing the Met hi-def moviecasts), to feature vocalists in mini-recitals. Christine Schafer has sung Winterreise here, which was rather well attended (maybe 250 in a 400 seat hall, i.e. better than I was expecting), and Dmitri Pittas has also sung where, which was not nearly as well attended (maybe 100). Nicole Cabell is next, but that's on Good Friday evening. Frederica von Stade is on April 11. We shall see how that goes.