This week in classical music, a baby that LOVES Chopin, the next Yo-Yo Ma-slash-Herbie Hancock of the harp, a countertenor shaking up "The Voice," and more! Let's get into it.
1. In the absence of packed concert halls and in-person music-making, are you looking for holiday concerts to stream this year? Here's a roundup from the Boston Globe.
2. Pianist Stephen Hough has an idea for future concerts: get rid of intermission. He's been testing out shorter, more focused, single-sitting performances for streaming, and, he says, he loves them.
3. The New York Times Magazine recently published a fascinating, in-depth interview with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, called "Yo-Yo Ma and the Meaning of Life." A tall order, but if anyone can tell us about the meaning of life, it's Ma. Read it here.
4. Irish cellist Patrick Dexter went viral for posting videos of himself playing music in the gorgeous Irish countryside. Here he is on the BBC:
5. Violinist Abe Dewing loves football. So, he thought, why not combine his two interests and make videos of sports music? Here's his cover of the theme song for Football Night in America:
6. Comedian Willy Appleman's 2-year-old daughter loves Chopin. Like, really loves it.
If you’re looking to relax today, try Chopin. pic.twitter.com/8Wv2xjOY15
— Willy Appelman (@applecomedy) November 4, 2020
7. GRAMMY nominations are out, and several of Boston's classical music organizations are in the running! Get the lowdown from the Boston Globe.
8. Charles Overton's goal is to become both the Yo-Yo Ma and the Herbie Hancock of harpists. From the looks of things, he's getting pretty close to acheiving it. Here's a clip of him playing with Boston Symphony Associate Principal Horn Richard Sebring:
9. John Holiday, an operatic countertenor, is making waves as a contestant on The Voice. But he doesn't just sing opera -- here he is singing Ella Fitzgerald:
