News and music to start your week:
Michelle Cann, a concert pianist and faculty member of the Curtis Institute of Music
We are thrilled at the release of new recordings of works by Florence Price! Recorded by The Philadelphia Orchestra and with the help and talent of pianist and Price advocate Michelle Cann (pictured above). The Philadelphia Orchestra intends to release recordings of all four of her symphonies. Learn more about Cann and her work with Price and The Philadelphia Orchestra at WHYY.org
In other news of historic composers, a new documentary tells the story of the life and work of Amy Beach. Read on at the Concord Monitor about the film and the filmmaker, and you can watch the work on YouTube.
Andrew Clements of The Guardian reviews a newly recorded album of piano works by Elisabeth Lutyens. An extremely prolific British composer, most of her works have been neglected since her death in 1983. Finally, this new recording project promises to make available all of her piano works – it is only Volume 1. Read on here.
And more exciting news out of Philadelphia with the announcement of (what claims to be) the world’s first Public Orchestra. Funded by a Pew grant to the tune of $700,000, the new ensemble seeks to redefine what an orchestra is, and what it plays. Read on at Philly magazine. While we appreciate experimentation, those of us who are old enough to remember the 1960s (or who have read about music in that era) recall that plenty of member-run ensembles were re-examining traditions. And if you throw out the orchestral instruments, you really aren’t talking about an orchestra …. And member-run orchestras still do exist, Pro Arte Orchestra of Boston, to name just one.
And what’s on your mind? What did we miss? What are you reading? Drop us a line and let us know! [email protected]