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The Daily Doings of Steph

This evening, The Anchorage Concert Association is presenting the wonderful and dynamic jazz bassist, Esperanza Spalding. She and her group arrived in town yesterday afternoon. They thought a little sightseeing might be fun - after all this is Alaska and you’ve just got to go see. So, last evening, I took Esperanza and Dan […]

Read: A Blast of an Afternoon with Esperanza and Dan »

For almost thirty years, I’ve been a big fan of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass. I’ve always thought it was wonderful energizing, exciting, and moving piece. However, it was categorized as musical kitsch and schlock. It was disdained because of its mix of wildly divergent musical styles and its focus on issues and concerns of the late […]

Read: Leonard Bernstein’s Mass - I feel redeemed. »

This year, I’m President of the Board of Directors of the Anchorage Concert Association. One of the duties that goes with the job is curtain speeches - prior to the start of a performance, the President (me) goes out on stage, welcomes everyone, thanks corporate sponsors, and chats (in an entertaining way) about special events […]

Read: My First Curtain Speech!!!! »

I really do think that Alaska is different from anywhere else. Two front page articles in today’s paper demonstrate our uniqueness.
First up, Gordon Wright was found dead on Wednesday. Gordon was a long time giant on Alaska’s classical music scene. He was both a conductor and composer. Back in my trumpet playing Anchorage Symphony Days, […]

Read: An Alaska News Day »

Last night, The Anchorage Concert Association presented Garrick Ohlsson - one of the world’s finest pianists and hands down, my absolute favorite. The concert was magnificient:

Beethoven’s Pathetique: You have never heard the Pathetique played so true to the music yet is such a stunningly original manner.

Brahm’s Variation and Fugue on a Theme by Handel: I […]

Read: Garrick Ohlsson - it Doesn’t Get Any Better! »