COMING
Tom Manoff’s OBF reviews will appear in the next weeks as he reviews The Oregon Festival of American of Music. In most instances Manoff use the reviews also to evaluate the festival’s legitimacy as an arts organization in these times of economic hardship. He will also be stressing the each festival’s ability to present music in an informed and relevant historical context. Please return for these reviews and previews starting in the near future.
W a s h i n g t o n P u b l i c R a d i o
Tippet’s Child of Our Time – It’s not musical pastiche, it’s political pastiche. Unfortunately the OBF material in the program notes (which, by the way you had to buy) on this piece was utterly worthless. So the work was presented to the public completely without an accurate historical overview. This in itself shows OBF as a festival that doesn’t care about history. If they did, audiences would have known a lot more about the work. Halls certainly knows the history. Why wasn’t it important for audiences to know thge history about the work ?
Mathew Halls and John Evans – One of the world’s most exciting conducting talents will find that his boss isn’t at the same level of decency and vision as he. In fact, Tom Manoff says that John Evans should be replaced at the Oreogn Bach as soon as his contract runs out. Manoff also points out questions about funding, relevance and truthfulness in the Evan’s regime.
The 5 Browns. The house may have been papered, the show was interrupted by illness, but the music making was inspired: There were poignant moments in which hope transcended sorrow. There was music that connected with audience mind and heart. If there was a “problem” it’s a good one: The oldest Brown is an extraordinary virtuoso. When will he give a solo recital and when will he play those Russian Concertos his must know and love?
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