I recently came across a great story on the Tennessean about a unique programming choice by the Nashville Symphony for their recent trip to Carnegie Hall. The orchestra commissioned American minimalist composer Terry Riley to write a concerto to be performed with electric violinist Tracy Silverman. The Symphony’s performance was part of the Spring for Music Festival which encourages and rewards innovative programming.

Riley and Silverman worked together to create The Palmian Chord Ryddle, a concerto which combines influences from India and South Asia with jazz, classical, and rock music. Below, I’m including a video about the collaboration between Riley and Silverman and an audio recording of the Nashville Symphony’s performance at the Spring for Music Festival concert on May 12.

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Kid Rock

Cover of Kid Rock

I’ve come across some untraditional collaborations between rock musicians and orchestras, but this one has to be the most unusual. Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press wrote a post about Detroit native Kid Rock‘s performance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on May 12. The event was a fundraiser, which, according to a DSO press release, raised more than $1 milllion to fund performances by the symphony’s musicians in schools, churches, retirement communities, nursing homes, hospitals, and community centers across Southeast Michigan.

The orchestra opened with classical standards including Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man”, the first movement of Beethoven’s fifth Symphony, and Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” (see Mark Stryker’s article on the Detroit Free Press for more info). The rock set list included “Devil without a Cause”, “Rock and Roll Jesus”, “Rock On” and “Bawitdaba”.

You can check out photos from the event here.

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I was so entertained by this tidbit I found on Noisecreep that I just had to share. Shannon Tweed, the wife of KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons (and she officially is Gene’s wife now!) has joined with Goji Games to create a mobile videogame called Attack of the Groupies. In the game, fans can fight against hordes of extreme groupies. Shannon, daughter Sophie Tweed-Simmons, and sister Tracy Tweed are focal characters in the game. Shannon based the game on the many stereotypical groupies she has encountered during her years with Gene. Attack of the Groupies is available for iPad, iPhone, and PC. You can check out a trailer below.

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This year would’ve been Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday.  In honor of singer/songwriter’s centennial, Smithsonian Folkways presents an in-depth commemorative collection of songs, photos and essays on one of America’s most treasured 20th-century icons.

With more than 3,000 work songs, union and labor songs, political and philosophical songs, anti-war songs, anti-Nazi songs and more, Wilson “Woody” Guthrie (1912-1967) wrote iconic songs that are permanent fixtures of American identity. His lyricism marked the pulse of hard-hit people in times of economic depression and war.  His most widely known song, “This Land Is Your Land”, is considered by many as a cultural treasure, a song that embodies the American spirit.

Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection is a 150-page large-format book with 3 CDs containing 57 tracks, including Woody’s most important recordings such as the complete version of “This Land Is Your Land,” “Pretty Boy Floyd,” “I Ain’t Got No Home in This World Anymore,” and “Riding in My Car.” The set also contains 21 previously unreleased performances and six never-before-heard original songs, including Woody’s first known—and recently discovered—recordings from 1937.

Richly illustrated with photos, artifacts and Woody’s visual art and lyrics—plus extensive essays on Guthrie and his songs—Woody at 100 commemorates and displays the genius of one of the greatest songwriters, musicians and visual artists of the 20th century.

Visit folkways.si.edu/woodyat100 for a sneak preview featuring an unreleased song and pre-order packages including a limited-edition poster, T-shirt, and instant album download.

Woody at 100 will also be available for digital download and streaming from all major music retailers July 10.

For more information on the year-long Woody Guthrie Centennial celebration visit: http://www.woody100.com/.

 

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The New World Symphony of Miami, Florida is the latest classical group working to attract a younger audience by putting a new spin on the concert hall experience. Arian Campo-Flores of the Wall Street Journal recently wrote a report on Pulse, the New World Symphony’s late-night event which brought a nightclub atmosphere into the concert hall in a performance featuring electronica and traditional classical music.

The lobby of the venue was decked out with LED lights, while a sound system blared dance music. The hall itself featured light displays projected on large screens. Audience members were permitted to enjoy drinks, go in and out of the hall at their leisure, and even watch the orchestra up close. The music alternated between a DJ spinning dance music and traditional classical works by Mozart, Andrea Gabrieli, and Stravinsky.

The Pulse shows do seem to attract a younger demographic. The audience at a recent performance included many people in their 20s and 30s. Pulse programs have had four sold-out performances over the past two seasons. 40% of ticket buyers are new patrons, and the concertgoers’ average age is 38.

To check out a slideshow from Pulse, please click here. A video from the Wall Street Journal story is below.

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“We’re Not Gonna Take It” Mariachi Style

May 6, 2012

Yes, Cinco de Mayo has come and gone.  I meant to post this before the weekend, but blame not feeling well and dental work for my delay. As I previously mentioned, Hornitos® Premium Tequila teamed up with Twister Sister to tweak the band’s hit song, “We’re Not Gonna Take It.”  Hornitos offered the opportunity to a [...]

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Awesome Paso, Wonderful Waltz, and Terrible Tangos on DWTS Classical Night

May 1, 2012

Dancing with the Stars’ classical night can best be summed up by a quote from professional dancer Mark Ballas: “You can’t spell classical without ass”. There were some great classical music moments and some, well, you know… Last night’s show featured an awesome Paso Doble, a wonderful Viennese Waltz, and two terrible Argentine Tangos. My [...]

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The Voice’s Semifinals Shines With Diversity

May 1, 2012

Inspiring, surprising and awesome can easily sum up Monday’s semifinals of The Voice, but that would over simplify the evening.  What I continue to love about this show is the sheer diversity of performers.  At this stage of the competition, it might be easy to have vocalists with sheer power remaining.  However, this show has [...]

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Metalcamp: This Summer Camp for Kids Might Get A Little Noisy

April 28, 2012

With summer quickly approaching, it also means parents need to think about how to keep youngsters busy.  It’s the time of year when parents make tough decisions to send kids off to summer camp to enjoy a little R&R.  Typical summer camps usually include swimming, arts and crafts, hiking and roasting marshmallows while huddled up [...]

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Jesse Campbell Talks Elimination From The Voice: “I Didn’t Think That It Would Be Me”

April 26, 2012

If you’ve been watching season 2 of The Voice, you are familiar with the beautiful voice of Jesse Campbell.  In a surprising twist last week, the producers decided to add peculiar instant elimination to the show this season.  Jesse’s coach, Christina Aguilera, in surprising move decided to eliminate him from her team. As a fan [...]

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