Classical Spotlight

After a journey of five years, the Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio makes their first concert appearance at Pearl Stables.

Conductor Carlos Izcaray will lead works by Mozart, Wagner, Monteverdi, Varese, J.C. Bach and Ives. The program is called "The Perennial Contest."

Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev on tap

An easy description for the Mid Texas Symphony program at Brauntex Theatre Sunday afternoon is, 'music just right for children of all ages.'

"Every time I hear it, there is just such passion," says director David Mairs. "Whether I was playing it (on french horn), or conducting it, or even just listening, I think Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony is such a masterpiece, with hummable melodies!"

Thursday the field narrowed to eight competitors and will go down to five pianists for the finals at the San Antonio International Piano Competition.

After a busy summer that included concerts in Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, and a recording with Renee Fleming, Sebastian Lang-Lessing leads his first concert of the season.

"It's the most exciting concert!" said Lang-Lessing. "Of course, I'm going to say that about every concert."

The varied program includes violinist Baiba Skride in Robert Schumann's Concerto in d minor.

"Baiba and I were to have performed several times, and it has just never worked out, so I am very excited to have her solo in San Antonio, in one of the most dramatic works."

It is the splendor of multiple choirs & brass in this 400th anniversary celebration of Venetian composer Giovanni Gabrieli (d.1612). Special guest artists will include the San Antonio Brass, strings, and the choirs from First Presbyterian Church and St. Paul's Episcopal Church to culminate in a performance of nearly 150 musicians.

James Dick has a good relationship with the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin and conductor Mischa Rachlevsky; in fact they have performed together previously in Texas, as well as in Moscow.

"They're the finest players in Russia, either in the conservatory or playing professionally," says soloist James Dick. "It is a pleasure to work with them. I can also guarantee you haven't heard Beethoven like this before, a new orchestration that has written the wind parts out for the strings and piano. It is breathtaking!"

On Sunday, October 14, the San Antonio International Piano Competition gets underway at Trinity University's Ruth Taylor Recital Hall. The eleven young men and women hail from Malaysia to Italy, and China to the United States. They will play music by Beethoven, baroque and a new piece written by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Paul Moravec.

"Of course I have to make it difficult." Moravec says, adding that it is not just about virtuosity. "I wanted the work to be beautiful, and hopefully helpful for the competitors, that they can use it later in their career on recitals."

Coming up next week, a solo piano recital by Lang Lang, Tuesday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre. As he did in his last appearance in San Antonio, the image of his hands will be projected over the piano during the concert, so you’ll see his technique from every seat in the historic Majestic.

In August 2010, HJ Lim performed the complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas over eight consecutive days in Paris and one year later she went on to record the complete cycle for EMI Classics with whom she now records exclusively.

In an interview with host John Clare, HJ talks about leaving two of the sonatas out (Beethoven did not approve of their publication, his brother did!) and about choosing the right tempi that Beethoven wanted.

• More information online at: www.hjlim.com

Yolanda Kondonassis is celebrating 20 years of recording with a new compilation of her recordings, a Best of – available on Azica records. She is also celebrating Earthday with a new book, Our House is Round – a children’s guide to environmental care.

“I believe that age when young children learn about music or the environment can lead to great habits,” she said, speaking about both releases.

Kondonassis will be in Texas next year playing Ginastera!