Reading:
Beethoven: A Life, by Jan Caeyers. Conductor and scholar Caeyers had unprecedented access to the Beethoven house at Bonn, and brings new light to Beethoven's life and work.
Conversation, by Steve Reich. Composer Steve Reich is one of the most influential composers of the last 50 years. He was a leader of the minimalist movement of the 1960's and has influenced composers, choreographers, and video artists. Here he talks with everyone from Stephen Sondheim to Brian Eno, Julia Wolfe and Michael Tilson Thomas.
The Perfect Sound: A Memoir in Stereo, by Garrett Hongo. A poet's audio obsession to find the perfect stereo system, one that will bear the highest notes of an operatic soprano and the lowest growl of a blues singer, while along the way exploring the twin inspirations of his youth - Rilke and Joni Mitchell. Growing up in LA, with its mix of cultures, inspires his search for the perfect sound of poetry and music.
This Woman's Work: Essays on Music, edited by Sinead Gleeson and Kim Gordon. Challenging the historic narrative of music and music writing being written by men, this eclectic collection features essays by everyone from Margo Jefferson and Rachel Kushner to Maggie Nelson and Yijun Li.
The Voice of Egypt: Umm Kulthum, Arabic Song, and Egyptian Society in the Twentieth Century, by Virginia Danielson. As actor Omar Sharif said, "She is born again every morning in the heart of 120 million beings. In the East a day without Umm Kulthum would have no color." In preparation for our fall concert titled Origins: The Fertile Crescent, this book on the great singer Umm Kulthum will give you some background on Arabic music.
Listening:
"Kôrôlén" - Toumani Diabaté and The London Symphony Orchestra - After many years of Euro-centrism in classical music, it appears that inroads are being taken by other cultures - here by African Koro player Diabaté.
"Black Radio III" - Robert Glasper. Pianist Glasper's third in a series devoted to combining hip-hop with jazz.
"An Old Belief" - The Sixteen/Harry Christophers - Choral music by Parry, Campion, and McDowell from one of the world's greatest a cappella British choirs.
"Diabelli Variations" - Beethoven; Mitsuko Uchido, piano. The great Uchido's first recording in ten years brings her revelatory style to the performance history of this work.
"Sempiternam: Choral music by Rhona Clarke" - State Choir Latvija / Māris Sirmais. The resonant sound of this wonderful chorus pairs with the beautiful compositions of Ms. Clarke.
"Drone Mass" - Jóhann Jóhannsson/The Hilliard Ensemble/Paul Hillier. The late Icelandic composer's work is magnificently captured by The Hilliard Ensemble.