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In His Own Words

Alexander Neef, General Director


11/16/2009

Esprit

Yesterday evening Eloise and I returned to the fabulous Koerner Hall for the first time since the opening at the end of September. Getting out on a Sunday night always asks for a little effort, but how happy I am we made it! Not only was it wonderful to be back in this jewel of a concert hall, it also was our first encounter with the excellent Esprit Orchestra, conducted by Alex Pauk.


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Posted by Alexander Neef / in Personal / comments (0) / permalink

11/13/2009

Seafood and Sonatas

As you know I am off this week, but I just wanted to tell you about a few things I've been doing lately.
 
Yesterday was Johannes's last day (for this visit only), and before he had to leave for the airport we went for lunch at a place I had never been to before (thanks to Eloise and Kate for the recommendation!). Rodney's By Bay turned out to be tiny, crowded, noisy (the background music!), but the food was absolutely divine. Between the two of us we had a good share of oysters, lobster roll and bisque, sea scallops with delicious pasta and local white wines. It certainly isn't a place for a formal occasion, but I will be back for sure—and on top of all it's just a few minutes walk from the Four Seasons Centre. It might well become Johannes's post-performance place.


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Posted by Alexander Neef / in Personal / comments (2) / permalink

10/26/2009

Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela

I have just returned from one of the most amazing musical experiences of my life. Whatever the superlatives are that you have heard about Gustavo Dudamel and his Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela: they are true. These unbelievable young people with their inspiring conductor do deliver the joy of making music like I have never seen it before, and they can pull off a difficult piece like Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony like I thought only a Russian orchestra under, let's say Svetlanov or Mravinsky (both long gone) could. They are all products of El Sistema, the most amazing network of state-run music schools in Venezuela, a project designed to bring culture and music education to even the poorest children. What an amazing idea and how much sense it does make if you see the total commitment and hear the world-class results they can achieve.


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