PHILHARMONIE

What does it sound like?

Some shots showing the Brescian method of construction that uses no inside form or cornerblocks

In this third and last blogpost by Daniel Hoffman, he talks about the details and what happens if you don´t take care of them. If you missed Part I (“It sounds like bitter-sweet dark chocolate”) and Part II (The Italian sound), you definitely should have a look at them!

Its All Details!!! There must be a million of them, they are so small! From exactly how the tree is harvested and handled to selective localized polishing of the dark amber topcoat of varnish thats been curing for the last 6 weeks …better still 2 months, depending on the time of year and whether we are in New York or Madrid … More

The Italian sound

Second part of the series dedicated to the discovery of a luthier’s work. In this blogpost, Daniel Hoffman takes you step by step through the whole instrument-creating process. If you missed Part 1, have a look HERE.

The steps or method used to construct an instrument depend entirely on the “school” of the model being made. Since my personal interest is in the Italian sound of 1550-1750 I use the methods employed by the three leading schools of that era – Brescia, Cremona and Venice. The Cremonese method almost always involved the use of an inside form or mold as introduced by Andrea Amati. The Brescians, on the other hand, rarely used More

“It sounds like bitter-sweet dark chocolate”

picture by Daniel Hoffmann

Daniel Hoffman is luthier. A passion he follows for more than 30 years now. Asked to describe this fascination, Daniel explains: “I love this thing called lutherie, it’s such a huge world of wonder, history, creativity, science, alchemy,and woodworking on its way to becoming Music. “

Lucky and happy to know such an enthusiastic man as Daniel, I  availed myself of this opportunity to ask him some more questions about his work.
Daniel gave me so much information, such detailed answers, that I decided to split them up in three blogpost. Feel free to visit his facebook page www.facebook.com/danielhoffmanluthier !

So, in this blogpost (Part I), Daniel explains you why he likes the collaboration with the musicians and describes what sort of woods he uses to build his instruments. More

«2 x hören: Keine Angst vor…»

In der abstrakten Malerei genügt es oft schon, ein Gemälde oder eine Skulptur aus einem  neuen Blickwinkel zu betrachten, und schon ändert sich unsere Wahrnehmung gänzlich: Auf einmal wird alles viel verständlicher, und es erschließen sich Zusammenhänge, die uns zunächst vielleicht verborgen geblieben sind.

Auch zeitgenössische Musik wird häufig als More

Wie wird man Orchestermitglied beim OPL?

Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg - photo (c) Blitz

Wie wird aus einem Musiker ein festes Mitglied des OPL?

Beim OPL gibt es dazu ein sehr genaues Reglement. Zuerst einmal muss die Position international ausgeschrieben werden. Nach Bewerbungsschluss sucht die Gruppe des Orchesters, bei der die Vakanz besteht, gemeinsam mit dem Chefdirigenten und den Konzertmeistern die Bewerber aus, die zum Probespiel zugelassen werden. So wird die Berwerberzahl von über 100 auf 30-50 reduziert. Am Tag des Probespiels selbst muss jeder Kandidat mindestens zwei Konzert-Ausschnitte (jeweils Ausschnitte für sein Instrument) spielen sowie einige Orchesterstellen. Meistens besteht ein Probespiel aus More

Musica Surfica

Musicians and surfers at the top of their art; performing at the edge of the world

Musica Surfica is a documentary that follows one man’s creative journey. Richard Tognetti, the Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, is a world-renowned violinist and a life-long surfer. He teams up with surfing virtuoso Derek Hynd to bring together More

Have a date with Dvořák!

Ever thought of having a date with a composer? Ok, I have to admit, it will rather be some kind of “mass dating” with one or more middle-men, but hey, just have a go! I’m sure you’ll love it!

This Wednesday, you may meet  More

vous avez dit logistique?

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra take their final bow to a standing ovation at the Philharmonie Luxembourg © Todd Rosenberg Photography 2011

20h05 – Riccardo Muti et son Chicago Symphony Orchestra donnent le coup d’envoi de la nouvelle saison de la Philharmonie. C’est le début d’un fantastique concert qui s’achèvera 1h24 plus tard (pause non incluse) par des standing ovations.

Petit retour en arrière.

15h00 – Deux semi-remorques More

Quincy me considère un peu comme son neveu…

Gilles Somers est un ami de longue date de Quincy Jones. Pour le blog de la Philharmonie, nous l’avons invité à nous raconter comment son chemin a croisé celui du musicien-producteur-compositeur et arrangeur américain, qui sera, rappelons-le, à la Philharmonie (dans le cadre de l’Année Internationale de la Forêt 2011 au Luxembourg) avec l’Orchestre National de Jazz et Gast Waltzing le 25 juin prochain!

Quincy Jones est un vieil ami More

Meet the artist: The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

Yesterday, Julie met Dave Suich and Will Grove White in the backstage area, a few hours before the “Absolute Beginner’s Guide to the Ukulele” and the concert.

How does the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain choose the songs it performs? Do Dave and Will have some advice for beginners?  Check out what they said: More