Hanging out at the Blanton B scene

Office of Charles and Ray Eames

Office of Charles and Ray Eames

Last Friday I attended the Blanton Museum’s B scene B cool. I had never been to a B scene so I was not exactly sure what was in store for me, but when I arrived my ears perked up to the sounds of DJ Chicken George spinning his special array of jazztronica.

This event featured the Blanton’s temporary exhibit – Birth of the Cool: California Art, Design, and Culture at Midcentury. What a fun exhibit too! Birth of the Cool takes you back to the 1950s where mod was in and everyone owned a swivel chair that was just as artistic as the paintings in the room. The collection contains paintings by Karl Benjamin, photography by Julius Shulman, and popular album covers of the day (Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck Quartet, and Chet Baker). Much of the abstract and mod aesthetics born from this era still influence art and architecture today.

What I liked about Birth of the Cool is that it does an excellent job transporting museum visitors to a specific location and time. And the B scene event tied it all together with great music and food. You can check out Birth of the Cool at the Blanton Museum on the UT campus through May 17, 2009. Bobby socks not mandatory.

Judy Watts
Development Coordinator

Happy Birthday Antonio Vivaldi!

Dear Vivaldi,

Happy 331st birthday! I bet you didn’t know what an impact you would have on the musical world, that you would be one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.

Your music brings people together.  In fact, just last week “Winter” from the Four Seasons was played at a wedding I attended.  How neat is it that when two people decide to exchange their vows, your music is often played to celebrate the event and marks its importance.

 Even our office equipment can’t help celebrating your tunes!

 

 Judy Watts,

Development Coordinator  

In the KMFA Studios: Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway!

Lady Jeanne Galway, Dianne Donovan, Sir James Galway

Lady Jeanne Galway, Dianne Donovan, Sir James Galway

It was a special treat to have world-renowned flutists, Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway in the KMFA studios as they sat down with me to chat a little bit about their lives, and their careers (as both solo and duo artists). You can catch their performance with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Peter Bay,  this Friday and Saturday night at the Long Center For The Performing Arts. Sir James Galway will perform Mozart’s Flute Concerto no. 2 and both Sir James and Lady Jeanne will perform Cimarosa’s, Double Flute Concerto in G.

To hear the interview click here:
http://www.kmfa.org/archives/Galway_interview_26_Feb2009.mp3

Dianne Donovan
Midday Announcer

The Beatles Classically

The Eggmen perform with McCallum Orchestra

The Eggmen perform with McCallum Orchestra

 

Last Saturday I had the delightful experience of hearing the Eggmen perform with the McCallum Fine Arts Orchestra at the Paramount Theatre.  The first half of the set consisted of pre 1967 covers and the second half was 1967 post with accompaniment from McCallum.

 

The real joy in seeing this show was the energy and enthusiasm the high school orchestra students exuded.  So rarely do orchestra students get to perform Beatles tune after Beatles tune. And to see them dancing on stage behind the Eggmen makes me know that everyone involved was having just as great a time as those of us in the audience.  Believe me there was lots of singing along involved.

 

My personal favorite was when they performed Hey Jude (ok, this might have something to do with my namesake… but still it was a great rendition).

 

Proceeds from the show will support McCallum’s upcoming trip to Carnegie hall where they will perform Schubert’s Mass in No. 2 in G major.  To contribute to their fund, visit http://www.macorchestrafund.org/

 

Judy Watts
Development Coordinator

It’s Valentine’s Day – what do you love?

I remember being about 14 and painfully learning Beethoven’s Fur Elise.  Perhaps for other piano students it is an easy piece to learn, but not for a girl who didn’t practice that much!beethoven_hearts

 

It started out all right, but then a page later Beethoven goes into these crazy movements.  How frustrating! I didn’t even know what the piece was supposed to be about – until one practice session I read the introduction of Fur Elise.

 

Scholars may not agree on who the piece of music was actually written for, some say it was a former student named Therese, others say it is an ode to love in general.  Every time I hear Fur Elise now I wonder who that woman was that inspired such a beautiful melody (and difficult piece of music to learn).

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BCr_Elise

 

What romantically inspired music do you enjoy?

 

Judy Watts
Development Coordinator

42 years of KMFA!

We are experiencing post birthday bash bliss over here at Classical 89.5. During January 27, 28, and 29 we received over $40,000 from over 400 gifts.  To say we are pleased about KMFA listeners’ continuing commitment is an understatement.

 

Some highlights of the Birthday Drive are:

–          Hearing opera mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade and bass-baritone Samuel Ramey sing Happy Birthday to us

–          KUT Eklektikos host John Aielli phones his membership at the end of the drive, saying “supporting KMFA is something we all MUST do!”

–          Seeing volunteers who return drive after drive to answer your calls of support

–          Delicious birthday cakes from Planet Bonnie’s as well as wonderful food from Austin area eating establishments

–          Welcoming 121 new members to the KMFA family!

It’s our Birthday!

 

January 29th marks KMFA’s 42nd birthday!

Please join us in a celebration of this remarkable accomplishment: KMFA has been a member-supported, classical music, public radio station since its inception in 1967. 

(we're never too old for cupcakes)

As a longtime listener, I took this format for granted. I just assumed all cities offered this type of programming…. but now I know that it’s a rare treat, and that only 5 or 6 stations in the United States offer a commercial-free, all-classical broadcast.

The fact that Austin’s own station has persevered in this format for 42 years is incredibly unique.  And we do it because members like *you* show your support every year.

We just love our Birthday/Open House/Membership Drive… it’s a celebration of what this station provides, and a chance to visit with our members and volunteers who help make it all happen.

So come to our party!  We’ll be celebrating for 3 days, from Tuesday, Jan. 27th through Thursday, Jan. 28th.  We’ll have cake! And balloons! And of course, the famous limited-edition t-shirt (this year it’s “Bluebonnets and Beethoven”).

Thanks again for your support.  We hope to see you then!

~Alison Cowden, Office Manager

New Year’s Resolutions

Welcome to 2009! I love this time of year because it’s like a blank page, anything can happen and the sky’s the limit.  It’s a time when we reevaluate ourselves and resolve to make changes for the better.  

 newyear

I know a lot of people who’d like to lead stress free lives this year or become fitter and healthier.  Whatever it is you choose to do – take KMFA with you! I think we’re one of the few things that could help out in just about any New Year’s Resolution.  Classical music is the only cure-all with no crazy side effects.

 

And remember to support the things you love this year.

 

Happy New Year to all.  May it be a great one!

Judy Watts, Development Associate