MARCH, 2012

 

 

 


A copy of this letter crossed my desk recently.  I thought it be of interest to the music community.

 

The Editor

 

 

WHY MOZART LOST HIS JOB

 

Dear Dean Etchemendy,

 

I write in response to your suggestion of an appointment to our faculty for a Mr. W A Mozart, currently of Vienna, Austria. While our Music Department appreciates your interest, faculty are sensitive about their prerogatives in the selection of new colleagues.

 

While the list of works submitted is impressive, Mr. Mozart does not have an earned doctorate; indeed, very little in the way of formal training or teaching experience.  And while we have no church connections, as chairman I must voice concern over the incidents with the Archbishop of Salzburg.  They hardly confirm his abilities to be a good team player.

 

The musicology faculty reported that Mr. Mozart seemed to have little knowledge of music before Bach and Handel.  If he were to teach only composition, this might not be a serious impediment, but we expect all our faculty to assume some of the burden of large undergraduate survey classes in music history.

 

One of my colleagues was present a year or two ago at the premiere of a violin sonata, and discovered afterward that Mr. Mozart had indeed not fully written out the piano part before he played it.  This might be all very well in that world, but it sets a poor example for students in their assignments.

 

Naturally, he proved to be an entertaining guest at dinner and spoke amusingly of his travels. We are glad as a faculty to have had the opportunity to meet the visitor, but do not see our way towards recommending him for a position on our musical staff.  Our first need, as I have emphasized to your office, is a specialist in music education primary methods.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 


 

 

ConductorÕs Corner

 

 

Dear members of the Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra,

 

Listed below is the music for the orchestra's next three meetings.  Please note that there will be sectional seating for the Stradella Sonata, with those playing the Soprano 1 and 2, Alto 1 and Bass 1 parts sitting on the right as they face the conductor and those playing Alto 2, Tenor, Bass 2 and Contrabass on the left.  Please observe this seating arrangement when you choose your place at the beginning of these three meetings.   Please also note that bass viola da gamba as well as great bass and contrabass recorders will be needed at all three meetings and sopranino recorder, dulcien and krummhorns, on March 21 and April 11.

 

 

March 21

Stradella:  Sonata

Hovhaness:  Let them praise the name of the Lord

Brade:  Allmand

Schmelzer:  Sonata ˆ 7

 

 

March 28

Dunstable:  Sancta Maria

Piazzolla: Resurrecci—n del Angel, Un Dia de Paz,

 Los Paraguas de Buenos Aires

Stradella:  Sonata

 

 

April 11

Stradella:  Sonata

Hovhaness:  Let them praise the name of the Lord

Brade:  Allmand

Schmelzer:  Sonata ˆ 7

 

 

 

I look forward to seeing you at these upcoming meetings and working on this music with you.

 

 

Sincerely,                   

 

Fred Palmer

 

 

 

 

 


 

The South Bay Recorder Society Presents

 

A Spring Workshop: From Minne to Max to Maute:  German Music through the Centuries. Directed by Letitia Berlin.  Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.  First Congregational Church of San Jose,  1980 Hamilton Avenue (corner of Leigh), San Jose, CA 95125.

 

In this tour of German music, we'll explore the monophonic love songs of 13th century minnesingers Neidhart von Reuental and Walther von der Vogelweide, the wonderful polyphonic works in the 15th century songbooks, a fugue or two by Johann Sebastian Bach, a rewarding example of mid-20th century writing for recorders by the Austrian Hans Ulrich Staeps, and finally a work by a favorite living composer for the recorder, Matthias Maute.

 

Workshop participants may choose between all-day (9:00 AM Ð 4:30 PM) or half-day sessions,  9:00 AMÐ12:30 or 1:30Ð4:30 PM. (9:00 AM Ð Registration; 9:30 AM Ð Downbeat). In addition to recorders, all soft instruments (viols, harps, soft reeds) and instrumentalists who like to sing are welcome. Please bring your instruments, music stand, and your lunch.  Hot and cold beverages and snacks will be provided during breaks.

 

For information about the SBRS chapter or workshop, contact Liz Brownell at (650) 223-7139 or visit our website at:  http://sfems.org/sbrs.

 

 

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Foothill Presbyterian Church Music Series

 

Saturday, March 3, 2012 Ð 7:30 PM

Monteverdi Brass Quintet: Richard Roper & Robert Wilkins (trumpets), Don Benham, Brendan Lai-Tong, Mike Cushing (trombones) sounds of Renaissance and Baroque composers such as Praetorius, Palestrina, and des Pres.

 

Saturday, March 10, 2012 Ð 3:00 PM

Camerata Moresca:  Alana Mailes (soprano), Glen Shannon (traverso/recorder), Eric Finley (violin), Hallie Pridham (cello/viola dagamba), and Bernadette Arnold (harpsichord) perform dynamic and extravagant instrumental and vocal music from the English, Italian, and German baroque: Frescobaldi, Merula, Marini, Biber, Buxtehude, Telemann, Bach, and more!

 

Saturday March 17, 2012 Ð 3:00 PM

Flauti Dolci & Amici I:  A collection of recorder consorts and mixed ensembles from around the Bay Area, including Camerata California, SDQ, Ensemble Sonoma and the Peralta Consort.

 

Saturday, March 24, 2012 Ð 3:00 PM

Flauti Dolci & Amici II:  More recorder consorts and mixed ensembles from around the Bay Area including, the Belmont Consort, Quintessence, Bona Speranza, Concerto Celestini, and Quartetto Paradiso.

 

Suggested Donation for all concerts is $10 per person.  Reception to follow each concert.  Foothill Presbyterian Church is located at 5301 McKee Road in San Jose.  Wheelchair accessible.  For further information email  FoothillPC@gmail.com or call 408.258.8133.


 

Text Box: west valley music

Moeck and Yamaha recorders

LARGE selection of recorder music
SoloÑensembleÑmethod

Accessories

262 Castro Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650-961-1566
          www.westvalleymusic.com

Where I Have Been

 

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.  Apparently, you can't go alone.  You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

 

 

I've also never been in Cognito.  I hear no one recognizes you there.

 

 

I have, however, been in Sane.  They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there.  I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

 

 


 


 

The Board: President: Amy Booth;  Treasurer: Leslie Pont;  Membership: Chris Flake;  Publicity: Marguerite Dilley; 

Newsletter Editor:  Dick Davies;  Music Sales: Laura Gonsalves;  Graphics: Mary Ashley;  Webmaster:  Dan Chernikoff; 

Workshop Coordinator: TBD;  Consort Coordinator: TBD;  Hospitality: Claire Heinzelman;   Historian:  TBD; 

Music Director: Fred Palmer.       MPRO  website: < http://www.mpro-online.org >

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Months