This Week in Classical Music

May 31, 2009

Sir Colin Davis

( Phoenix )
•Davis Gifts LSO
•Runnicles leaves SF
•Rossini at the Races

It’s This Week in Classical Music, an update on what’s happening in the classical music world; I’m Randy Kinkel.

Conductor Sir Colin Davis recently celebrated his 50-year association with and 12-years as music Director for the London Symphony orchestra in a unique manner; rather than getting a gift himself, he gave a gift to the orchestra, giving what a spokesman called “A significant amount of Money” to the Orchestra’s endowment fund; he also challenged the Orchestra’s fans to do the same and increase the endowment by 1 million pounds.
Starting in September, San Francisco Opera’s Music Director for 17 years, Donald Runnicles, will take a new job as head of Deutsche Opera Berlin. He also takes the reins at the BBC Scottish orchestra and will continue his gigs with the Atlanta Symphony and Grand Teton Music Festival. Citing artistic differences with general director David Gockley, he said, “David has this extraordinary legacy behind him in Houston," Runnicles said. "But I think David and I have different ideas about where the San Francisco Opera should be going, and those differences became apparent early on. I respect the fact that as general director he is entitled to his ideas about where he wants to take the house, and I respectfully disagree. During his time at the Opera house, the 54-year-old Runnicles conducted over 60 operas, from Mozart to John Adams’ “Dr. Atomic”.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plans to spend a day at the races in July. But they’re not betting on the Horses; they’ll be serenading them with Rossini’s William Tell Overture. Animal psychologists plan to monitor the horses' performances during the race to see if they are inspired by the music. A conductor will lead 12 members of the orchestra and the overture will be played through loudspeakers all the way around the track. Animal Psychologist Dr Roger Mugford, said “music affects the emotional states of animals just as it does in people. It will be interesting to see whether the musical experience lifts the performance of the horses… Orchestra Director Ian Maclay said, "We have chosen this particular piece of music due to its galloping rhythm, which will hopefully inspire both horses and jockeys. The live music performance will take place on July 8 as part of the racecourse's Best of British celebrations.
For more on these and other items and events, go to the website, kbaq.org; be listening each week at this time for another update; and join me every weekday at noon for the Mozart Buffet, an hour of music by Mozart and his contemporaries. I’m Randy Kinkel for This Week in Classical Music, on 89.5 KBAQ Phoenix, a service of Rio Salado College and Arizona State University.

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