Yuja Wang Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

   I love this young woman

The Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, (Russian: Рапсодия на тему Паганини, Rapsodiya na temu Paganini) is a concertante work written by Sergei Rachmaninoff. It is written for solo piano and symphony orchestra, closely resembling a piano concerto. The work was written at Villa Senar, according to the score, from July 3 to August 18, 1934. Rachmaninoff himself, a noted interpreter of his own works, played the solo piano part at the piece's premiere at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 7, 1934 with the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski. Rachmaninoff, Stokowski, and the Philadelphia Orchestra made the first recording, on December 24, 1934, at RCA Victor's Trinity Church Studio in Camden, New Jersey. /Wikipedia

Yuja Wang

Yuja Wang Tour

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December 6-8 Washington, DC

2013
January 13 Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholms Konserthus

January 21 Lyon, France
January 22 Paris, France
January 26 Paris, France
January 27 Paris, France
January 28 Berlin, Germany
February 5 Berlin, Germany

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Wang’s awesome Rachmaninoff

 | June 21, 2012

By Joshua Kosman
San Francisco Chronicle
Published: June 18, 2012

At this point, there’s no more news to report about Yuja Wang. She is, quite simply, the most dazzlingly, uncannily gifted pianist in the concert world today, and there’s nothing left to do but sit back, listen and marvel at her artistry.
Happily for local audiences, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony were among the first to recognize her pre-eminence, and quickly forged a relationship with her that has brought us a series of revelatory local appearances. The latest came over the weekend, when Wang joined the orchestra in Davies Symphony Hall for a titanic account of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto.
There were other delights on the program on Sunday afternoon, but Wang’s Rachmaninoff was clearly the headline event. It wasn’t just the fact that she made this concerto’s fabled technical difficulties – its thunderous chordal writing, its intricate passagework, its wearying length – seem easy, although that was part of it.
More remarkable still was the depth and imagination she brought to the entire score, and the way she made the piece’s virtuosic angle just one part of its purpose.
Of course, there were plenty of opportunities for showmanship, and Wang dispatched them with her customary aplomb. The fierce keyboard explosions in the outer movements – thickets of notes, densely clustered for maximum effect – and the quicksilvery bursts of repeated notes in the central episode of the second movement were beautifully handled.
But just as striking was Wang’s ability, which Thomas and the orchestra suavely supported, to convey the lyricism and grace of Rachmaninoff’s writing. In Wang’s hands, the opening theme – a simple melody in octaves brimming with nuanced emotion and energy – sounded every bit as impressive as the finger-busting displays that ensued. For pure finger-busting, Wang delivered a stunning encore of Vladimir Horowitz’s “Carmen” Variations.
Thomas and the orchestra brought their own brand of magic to the concert’s first half. It began with Fauré’s “Pavane,” in a lovely, rhythmically sustained reading graced by a fragrant contribution from principal flutist Tim Day.
Even more alluring was the orchestra’s sleek and strong-boned rendition of Sibelius’ all-too-rarely heard Third Symphony. Thomas seemed intent on underscoring the work’s elegance and balance without letting it subside into pure arabesque, and the orchestra followed his lead superbly.

 

A Synopsis of Rossini's Opera, Guillaume Tell (William Tell)

Rossini

   




Rossini wrote his last opera, Guillaume Tell in 1829, before spending the next 40 years of his life in retirement. This opera is rarely performed today due to its length (over 4 hours) as well as its demanding arias. Though most people are intimately familiar with the William Tell Overture, there are not so many familiar with the story of the opera. Learn the synopsis of Rossini's Guillaume Tell.

" --- On the day of the Shepherd Festival, the village peasants prepare a several picturesque Swiss chalet's for three newly weds. Down on the shore, Ruodi sings a beautiful love song from his fishing boat, while William Tell stands apart from the crowd. His thoughts are clearly different from those of the villagers, as his bored and listless appearance contrasts highly against the townsfolk merry and joyous nature.---"

President Obama to speak about 'fiscal cliff' at 1:30 ET as negotiators edge closer to deal

 

President Obama will deliver remarks on the 'fiscal cliff' talks Monday at 1:30 p.m. E.T., as negotiators for the administration and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) appeared to have nailed down many of the most critical tax issues, including a plan to let taxes rise on income over $450,000 a year for couples and $400,000 a year for individuals, according to people in both parties familiar with the talks. /Washington Post

Take That!

It is hardly a secret that the Spanish have some of the weirdest folk festivals out there. They jump over babies, run through fire, go jogging with enraged bulls and stage a gigantic tomato fight. And then there is the traditional "Els Enfarinats" battle in Alicante in eastern Spain. Every year for the last 200 years or so, locals stage a battle for power using eggs and flour. Afterwards, presumably, they add sugar and water and hope for some really hot weather./Der Spiegel

Weekly Address: Congress Must Protect the Middle Class from Income Tax Hike

View mobile version | View in Browser Monday, December 31, 2012 Top of the Times LOCAL US & WORLD BUSINESS SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT HEALTH LIVING TRAVEL MORE Top executives did not report suspected Scout abuse cases, files show By Jason Felch, Los Angeles Times Despite lapses, the files indicate that the top officials may have followed policy and violated no laws. Oregon bus crash kills 9 on icy road More than 20 are injured when a charter bus slides off the interstate and down an embankment. Tribune Co. set to exit bankruptcy protection The media giant whose assets include the Los Angeles Times and KTLA-TV Channel 5 is expected to emerge with a board of several entertainment industry veterans. Use of torture by authorities has risen in Mexico, groups say Under ex-President Calderon, incidents of torture soared, according to human rights organizations, as well as testimony collected by The Times. Local This Rose Parade marks a major step for a young float designer New Year's resolutions for Sacramento politicos A small-town theater campaign's larger projections Jane Goodall to promote conservation as Rose Parade grand marshal US & World Congress edges closer to 'fiscal cliff' deal but can't close it Immigration reform could get overshadowed in Congress Venezuela's Hugo Chavez said to suffer 'complications' advertisement Business His stunts drive Web traffic Champagne sales lose fizz in Europe Airline group predicts more fliers, more efficient airports Glendale house was in 'Office' star Jenna Fischer's ballpark Entertainment Movie box-office totals for 2012 projected to set record Classic Hollywood: Celebrating Clara Bow 2012 in review: 10 movies to see -- or see again Sports By and bye, Adrian Peterson, others in NFL come tantalizingly close Stanford kicker Jordan Williamson keeps his head in the game Redskins earn final playoff berth with win over Cowboys USC's Matt Barkley does it right as college football gets it wrong When Rose Bowl goal posts come down, it's for safety's sake USC and Georgia Tech have taken different approaches to reach Sun Bowl Big-time bowl games can create big-time financial issues for some schools This is a crucial week for Clippers' winning streak advertisement Health 52 ways to leave your blubber Try This: Lateral traveling ape Opinion Don't underestimate your willpower Paying for results, not treatments MORE: CORRECTIONS READERS' REP PHOTOS VIDEO BLOGS DATA DESK RSS HOROSCOPES GAMES

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Screen's Awards Countdown

Awards Countdown Newsletter 31 December 2012 News Les Misérables earns $23.4m from holiday launches Universal Pictures International reported on Wednesday (26) that the musical has reached an estimated $23.4m following record-breaking launches and previews in seven territories. Hobbit, Django, Les Mis drive final US weekend of 2012 In a spirited session, New Line/MGM/Warner Bros’ The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ruled in its third weekend on an estimated $32.9m. Skyfall crossed $1bn worldwide (see separate story) and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures set a new company record for a calendar year. Academy unveils foreign-language shortlist Nine films will advance to the next round of voting from a pool of 71. Germany’s Barbara and Spain’s Blancanieves fail to make the cut. OPEN SEASON AWARDS BLOG Actress race heats up with young talents Lawrence and Chastain How the Best Actress race is shaping up to be this season’s strongest acting category. Interview Flying lessons Robert Zemeckis’ Flight has the feel of a 1970s drama, the budget of an indie film and the box-office trajectory of a sleeper hit. John Hazelton speaks to Zemeckis and stars Denzel Washington and Kelly Reilly. A revolutionary new approach For the veterans behind Les Misérables, it was a film of firsts – including the bold move to capture actors singing live on set. Wendy Mitchell talks to the team that brought the iconic musical to life on screen. Joe Wright The director talks about his fresh take on Tolstoy classic Anna Karenina. Wes Anderson The director talks about Moonrise Kingdom, a film inspired by children’s literature and Americana You have received this email because you have subscribed to this newsletter on www.screendaily.com.