Warhol-ed Brain

Angel Awards for four previously reviewed sites. At the time of this post, the Golden Clam Award is relatively new and some previously reviewed items on the Horndog Blog deserve this distinctive prize of recognition. The Academy unanimously rewards four retroactive Golden Clam Awards. These are listed in no particular order: The Horn Notes Blog [...]

As noted in prior posts, I have been reading A Devil to Play by Jasper Rees. I went back to it last night and read my way a bit further, and thought about the passage a good bit also today as I was driving on the way toward the IHS Symposium, on the part of [...]

Horn players and critics. In awarding a Jaded Clam award to New York Times critic Allan Kozzin, I had in the back on my head an old review remembered from childhood. I recently found it in a crate of old memorabilia. The reviewer manages to skewer both the principal horn and Bruckner in one title. [...]

A roundup reflecting on things read over the week. Wizard of Oz Justin Locke provides a very interesting analysis of the Wizard of Oz Story. It is an excellent lesson in overcoming fear. [...] the process of growing up requires not just facing your fears, but also facing this great disappointment: that these distant powerful [...]

An inside look into a successful rarity in the chamber music world. Established in 1982 by four replanted Americans who perform and teach in Europe, the American Horn Quartet (AHQ) is probably the most well-known horn quartet in the business. One of their members includes Kerry Turner, whose original compositions are an absolute joy to [...]

A look behind-the-scenes * In this video the Star Wars character Darth Vader takes on the role of orchestra conductor. But instead of a baton the big baddie uses a light saber to lead the ensemble in — what else? — the “Empire” theme from Star Wars. Thankfully, the stage manager gave the musicians plenty [...]