10.13.18 - Gerard Schwarz Conducts Frost Symphony Orchestra - OUTTAKES
I have recently been more intensely drawn to the movement, intensity and performance of conductors, like Gerard Schwarz. The nature of being a conductor leans itself to capturing their arm movements as blurs within the photograph. But I have recently found myself focusing on the intensity of facial expressions and body movements of some of the recent conductors on the stage during Frost Live this year. Carl St. Clair and Gerard Schwarz are excellent examples of intensity of movement to the point where it is slightly challenging to freeze their motions.
As the conductor is almost never facing the audience, this part of the show is almost always lost of the symphony performers who are focusing on playing.
Carl St. Clair, guest conductor, Frost Symphony Orchestra 09.15.2018
Pictures at an Exhibition—Carl St. Clair Conducts Frost Symphony Orchestra
as they perform Hector Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9; Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No.2; and Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Maestro St. Clair led a power and passionate performance of the Frost Symphony Orchestra. During his introduction to the audience, it was quite apparent the Maestro is an experienced educator with a great sense of humor.
Carl St Clair is a distinguished American conductor whom is faculty at University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music and Principal Conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_St._Clair).
Kneebody at Frost Live
09.14.2018
Kneebody (http://www.kneebody.com) made their first stop at the Frost School of Music’s Frost Live concert series. The night also marked the first stop of their US tour.
From the Frost website:
Adam Benjamin, piano, composer
Shane Endsley, trumpet
Kaveh Rastegar, bass, composer
Ben Wendel, saxophone
Nate Wood, multi-instrumentalist
Kneebody’s sound is explosive rock energy paralleled with high-level nuanced chamber ensemble playing, with highly wrought compositions that are balanced with adventurous no-holds-barred improvising. All “sounds-like” references can be set aside; this band has created a genre and style all its own.
Their music starts as a great mix of electric and jazz and quickly moves into their own, tight sounds. The band has been together for over 13 years. Their mix of talent and history of playing together makes for a great performance!
BATTLEGROUND: Music Performed Live to Screen on Stage
Last night was the Opening Night Red Carpet Celebration for the Frost School’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra with guest conductor Jeff Beal.
From the Frost website Frost live calendar:
Music and movie buffs alike will be mesmerized as Jeff Beal, five-time Emmy-winning composer of music for film, media and concert halls, joins the Frost School’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra on stage. The evening features a live music-to-screen performance of Battleground, Beal’s score from the acclaimed television series Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King.
St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh