You'd be hard-pressed to find a more accomplished musician than Daniel Barenboim, a celebrated conductor and distinguished concert pianist, who grew up in Israel and for the last seven decades has been performing with the great orchestras of the world. For many maestros, all that would be enough. Not for Barenboim. At 75, he's still at it and he's embarked on a second act: starting his own orchestra for young musicians from Israel and the Muslim world and taking on a subject that's as contentious as it gets: the conflict in the Middle East. His work has earned him Palestinian citizenship and charges of treachery from some of his fellow Israelis. But as we found out, controversy hasn't slowed Barenboim down, he seems to thrive on it. Of all the orchestras Daniel Barenboim leads around the world, this might be the one that moves him the most. Some of the young musicians on stage at this summer concert in Berlin are Iranian, Syrian, Palestinian. Others are Israelis, all playing in perfect … [Read more...] about Daniel Barenboim tries bridging the Middle East conflict with music
Music
St Agnes’ Choral Society bring classic musical 42nd Street to Belfast
MUCH-loved musical 42nd Street may currently be wowing audiences in the West End, but theatre fans will also be able to catch the all-singing, all-tap dancing Broadway show when it opens in Belfast later this month. The award-winning St Agnes' Choral Society, one of Northern Ireland's oldest amateur dramatic companies, is marking its 60 anniversary in style with the staging of what has been described as the 'mother of all musicals' at Belfast's Grand Opera House. Nominated for three Olivier Awards including Best Musical Revival and featuring well known numbers such as 42nd Street, We're In The Money and Lullaby of Broadway, the show boasts a lavish US touring set and even more lavish West End costumes (as worn by Catherine Zeta-Jones) to add an authentic touch of 1930s glamour to the local production. Based on the novel by Bradford Ropes and the famous 1933 Hollywood film adaptation, 42nd Street follows a trusty show-within-a-show formula, charting the rise of chorus-girl-turned-star … [Read more...] about St Agnes’ Choral Society bring classic musical 42nd Street to Belfast
MP lets his fingers do the talking with visit to community music school
JOHN HOWELL joined the children’s jazz band at Henley Music School on Sunday. The Henley MP is an experienced organist so was happy to take part in a performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody on the piano. He said: “I’ve been playing the organ since I was 16 so it was great fun to join in. I was concentrating hard on playing the right notes.” Mr Howell was given a tour of the music school, which is based at Shiplake College, by its founder Laura Reineke, of Berkshire Road, Henley. His visit was part of the Oxfordshire Social Enterprise Partnership’s campaign to support social entrepreneurs. Mr Howell said: “The great thing about the music school is the young ages of the people there. “I know it caters right across the age groups but it was nice to see very young people there. The youngest was four years old. “Looking to the future, it bodes very well for the continuation of music as something … [Read more...] about MP lets his fingers do the talking with visit to community music school
Fraudster who fled court returns to face the music
PUBLISHED: 17:40 05 April 2018 | UPDATED: 17:40 05 April 2018 Grant Murray was a former PC. Picture: Norfolk Constabulary Norfolk Constabulary A fraudster who fled court for an hour came back to face the music - and ended up with three years in jail. Former police office officer Grant Murray was due to appear before Norwich Crown Court yesterday morning to be sentenced on seven counts of fraud, forgery and theft from his ex-wife. However when staff at Norwich Crown Court gathered for the hearing, the 34-year-old - who left Norfolk Police in 2008, having worked as a police constable - was nowhere to be seen. “He went to take some calls,” defence barrister Mark Rooshove explained to Judge Anthony Bate. “Put frankly, I don’t know where he is.” Judge Bate ordered that police be caled to find Murray, of Sutton Road, King’s Lynn, and bring him back to court, saying: “Please urge the officers to treat this as a priority, if we alert them he … [Read more...] about Fraudster who fled court returns to face the music
Preserving and promoting traditional music in Kon Tum province
Photo for illustration (Source: dantri.com.vn)There are more than 330,000 people in the province, including Kinh, Xodang, Giarai, Gie Trieng, Brau, Romam ethnic minority groups, and a number of ethnic people moving from the northern Vietnam. Ethnic people account for 54% of the population, scattered among 82 communes and precincts in the locality. The culture and arts of ethnic minority groups in the province face great challenges. Many folk culture and art activities which regularly took place in villages have not been held. Participants at the event discussed the state of traditional music and changes of traditional music heritage of ethnic minority groups in the province during integration, thus giving objective access to the preservation and promotion. This will be a scientific proposal to the model of effectively preserving and promoting national music, contributing to sustainable development in the locality./. Compiled by BTA … [Read more...] about Preserving and promoting traditional music in Kon Tum province