Feb 272010
Have you ever met a famous classical musician,conductor, or composer?
If so , how did you meet them? Is there a particular classical musician,conductor, or composer that is still alive that you would love to meet?
After being wowed by his amazing performance I would love to meet James Ehnes. If you haven’t heard of him you should defiantly check him out on youtube ! An amazing violinist !
My profession means that I have met and worked with many over the years, including
Piers Adams (recorder player extraordinaire)
Malcolm Arnold (composer)
Vladimir Ashkenazy (pianist/conductor)
Rudolf Barshai (conductor)
Yuri Bashmet (violist)
Django Bates (jazz composer)
Paavo Berglund (conductor)
Herbert Blomstedt (conductor)
Benjamin Britten (composer)
Gavin Bryars (composer)
Michael Collins (clarinettist)
Sir Colin Davis (conductor)
Norman Del Mar (conductor)
Sir Edward Downes (conductor)
Charles Dutoit (conductor)
Robert Farnon (film music composer)
Sir James Galway (flautist)
Ron Goodwin (film music composer)
Sir Charles Groves (conductor)
Anthony Halstead (horn player/conductor)
Vernon Handley (conductor)
Hans Werner Henze (composer)
Richard Hickox (conductor)
Steven Isserlis (cellist)
Janine Jansen (violinist)
Stephen Kovacevich (pianist)
John Lill (pianist)
Tasmin Little (violinist)
Sir Roger Norrington (conductor)
Cristina Ortiz (pianist)
David Palmer (arranger – former member of Jethro Tull)
Peter Pears (tenor)
Sir Simon Rattle (conductor)
Gennadi Rozhdestvensky (conductor)
Kurt Sanderling (conductor)
Robert Saxton (composer)
Jennifer Stinton (flautist)
Yuri Temirkanov (conductor)
Andrei Tschaikowski (pianist)
Mark Anthony Turnage (composer)
Raphael Wallfisch (cellist)
Mike Westbrook (jazz composer)
John Woolrich (composer)
Well, this musician might only be a “big name” to other lovers of Baroque music, but I met Marion Verbruggen (the brilliant Dutch recorder virtuoso) when I was in Norway. And I got to sit next to her on a flight from Trondheim to Oslo – she even bought me a coffee in Oslo! She was lovely, so down to earth and fascinating…
And I nearly met Pavarotti – I was about 3 feet away from him on stage (he was performing in Verdi’s Requiem with my orchestra.) But I’m glad I didn’t meet him, his manners left a lot to be desired – during the dress rehearsal, he was rude to the conductor, and even hawked and spat on the stage. Charming!!!
Hafwen x
Does seeing them on stage count as meeting them? I saw Itzhak Perlman at an open dress rehearsal (I got in because my orchestra teacher plays in my local Philharmonic, whom he was playing with). He was amazing. I remember when he first came out on stage somebody shouted something in a language I didn’t know (Hebrew, perhaps?) and had to be removed. Poor guy. Later, I found out he had yelled, “Itzhak! I have always loved you and I would die for you!” He had been so overcome with emotion he couldn’t stay quiet.
If I could meet anyone, it would definitely be Yo-Yo Ma. Oh my goodness. He is amazing. Not to mention really cute.
Also, Joo from the Igudesman and Joo duo, who I’m not sure counts as a classical musician
Met Van Cliburn back stage after a performance in San Bernardino — He did Rach 2nd. Must have been back in the 1970’s. We had mutual friends, so–
Dave Brubeck — we supplied a piano for his performance here about 4 years ago. That was a thrill — got his autograph.
He’s not classical, but he’s a great musician
Phillip Glass did a two hour seminar at the university where I studied composition.. I got to ask him a question. Can’t remeber what I asked him
Had a composition master class with Libby Larsen.
Met Earl Wild when he gave a master class. Talked with him for a bit afterward. Nice fellow.
That it — got nothin’ else.
Glinzek
I would really like to meet Joshua Bell. (violinist) the closest I have is a signed picture. sigh.
and here is a rather “cliche” statement i guess.
every time i hear the music of a classical composer in a sense i meet them.
King! liar! we all know that it was Liszt that was patted on the head (not the back) by Beethoven. Poser!
Aaron Copland, wow, you lucky punk
—-
It’s ok :p I am sure one day I will meet him.
—-
Yeah Malcolm! It might have been you :p at least it looked like you… On second thought… maybe I was dreaming too.
I’ve met Richard Watkins, Michael Thompson and Alessio Allegrini (all famous horn players) and Stephen Hough (pianist). The first two at a horn masterclass day where they coached a group of us, and the third at a horn master class. I met Stephen Hough after he gave a concert, where we had a brief conversation.
I would really love to meet Martha Argerich.
While attending CSU Aaron Copland was the “Artist in Residence” one semester. I asked him about composing music and he said “Anyone can write 5 minutes of music but not everyone can write 20 minutes of music and keep it interesting.” He was very interesting and articulate. I have tremendous respect for him and his music.
EDIT:
I think Del should be disqualified for cheating. I think he made his list before taking the test. Wow!! very impressive.
Dang, you would have to say “classical”
Otherwise, George Shearing. After an appearance with his trio at college.
… and the piano player for Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd … H.S. stage band clinic.
I’ve seen Boz Scaggs across a store as well. Around the time “Middle Man” album came out (1980s)
Edit: Dr. John, of your list the only one that sticks out immediately is Ian Tracey … I have a demo CD: “Ian Ttracey plays the Makin Organ in St. Oswald’s Parish Church, Warton, Lancashire.
depends what you mean by famous (i.jones might know some of these) I regard them as well-known
Thomas Trotter, Ian Tracey, Martin Neary, James Lancelot, Martin Roscoe, Evan Watkin, Barry Gray
non-classical: Steve Gibbons, Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, Dave Brock
Well, 6 actually…
1) I’ve met William Bolcom twice before…
2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) I’ve met all 5 of the 5 browns… I’m actually relative acquaintances with the youngest Ryan. It’s not like we’re best friends by any means, but we do e-mail occasionally sometimes…
Edit: REALLY? Pavaratti? Bad manners?
Del! You’ve met Ashkenazy?! He’s one of my favorite pianists! Oh! I’m jealous!!!
Yes, i live near the DSO and i got to job shadow a member of the orchestra and talk with the conductor,
I meet them through an arranged job shadow through school
if i could meet james galway, that would make me happy
Alas! I am but a poor soul who has yet to meet with…any famous person…But If I could meet anyone, I’m with “person.” I’d like to meet Yo-Yo Ma (although his “cuteness” is a matter of dispute.) Best cello player ever “.”
I was at free live performance of Midori at Northern Arizona University but was too shy to talk to her at intermission.
I have met both Joshua Bell ( sorry switch) and Gil Shaham. I met both of them during violin masterclasses. I’ll make sure to check out Ehnes though!
Uhh o.o I reckon most of the famous famous ones are dead
.
But if I ever met Chopin I’d kidnap him and make him play piano for me forever muwahahahaha *sigh*… Don’t pay attention to me I’m crazy.
it doesent really count, but i have purchased the composer stanley wolfe’s violin after he died
When I was only 4 or 5 I saw Beethoven at a grocery store in Detroit and he gave me a pat on the back! It was one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had!!
I met Robert Schumann who was listening to me play the piano. He said, “Hats off Gentlemen – a genius!”
No wait that was Chopin.
Did that really happen or did I dream it?
I am good friends with someone who is about to make his debut album. Whether he becomes famous or not, I have no idea. He has talent and studied under Toradze. Name is Tavit Tashjian.
BW
Hafwen, you’re answer is absolutely hilarious!
Does Julie Black count?
Yes. You guys are going to kill me haha. When I was in Boston I ate dinner in a fancy hotel because my Mom had a paid conference there, and Renee Fleming was in the restaraunt. I’d been staring at her despite my best attempts, I just couldn’t place whether it was her, and I was giving her that weird look people give you when they want to talk to you but don’t know if they should. When she left, then, walking right past me, she did say hi, and then I asked her if she was Renee Fleming and she smiled and said yes. I have no idea if she’s always like that or if she was just in a good mood (she seemed to really be enjoying her conversation), but she was extremely charming. Not a “diva” at all. I also met Jimmy Carter at a book signing when I was there, he was visiting Harvard and I was so excited. Obviously a lot of people went because it was Jimmy Carter, but I actually have written essays criticizing Israeli policies in Gaza and the West Bank, so since the book was on peace in the holy land I was doubly excited
I also had an hour and a half long conversation with Noam Elkies about classical music. He’s a legendary mathematician (youngest tenured professor in Harvard history), also a respected pianist apparently (mostly Bach), and while he was just a little conceited, he was *so* brilliant. I mean you’d expect it, but it was absolutely insane. I’ve never felt so downright uncultured and intellectually deficient in my life. I guess a little conceit is sometimes justified haha…
I was there for one semester and a summer, and I met more brilliant people than any other students there had met in years. They took it for granted, majorly- I was in heaven