Memorial concert for Margery Tede Oct 29, 2009
Singers Diana Kehrig, Marisa Binder, Meghan Dibble and Michael McCall, accompanied by pianists Jefferson Packer, Donald Pippin and William Corbett-Jones, will perform music associated with Tede, including songs by Kirke Mechem, Ron McFarland and Virgil Thomson. The free concert is in Knuth Hall at San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. (415) 338-2467, bit. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Staying calm amidst the storm Jul 29, 2009
Specifically, vocal works by Virgil Thomson and Samuel Barber were framed with a pair of symphonies - by Roy Harris and Leonard Bernstein - both premiered by the BSO under Koussevitzky. If only more Tanglewood programs displayed this level of forethought. (Boston Globe)
Michael Steinberg, 80; critic, writer expanded horizons for music listeners Jul 27, 2009
Surely, wrote one reader, not since Virgil Thomson retired as music critic of the New York Herald Tribune, have we witnessed in daily journalism so impressive a combination: musical intelligence, knowledge, sensibility, independence, and taste. Others naturally took to Mr. Steinberg s skewering of local legends with a bit more defensiveness. (Boston Globe)
Thomas Hampton to take stage at Beethoven festival Jul 5, 2009
The program includes songs by Stephen Foster, Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, Virgil Thomson, Leonard Bernstein and Amy Beach. His accompanist is Craig Rutenberg, the head of music administration at the Metropolitan Opera. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Betty Allen, opera singer, recitalist, and teacher; at 82 Jun 28, 2009
Ms. Allen, who also toured as a recitalist, was known for her close association with the American composers Virgil Thomson, Ned Rorem, and David Diamond. At her death, she was on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music, where she had taught since 1969. (Boston Globe)
Virgil Thomson's Symphony on a Hymn... Jun 27, 2009
Virgil Thomson's Symphony on a Hymn Tune. Virgil Thomson's Symphony on a Hymn Tune ... It will be 20 years ago in September that Virgil Thomson died at age 92, leaving behind plenty of scores that typify Americana, his first symphony among them. (Suite101.com)
Canadians come out strong at Berlinale Feb 14, 2009
Despite huge industry pressure, it has maintained a huge commitment to the marginal and innovative, of which Fig Trees which takes its cue from an opera by Gertrude Stein and Virgil Thomson and is narrated by an albino squirrel is perfect evidence. Another long-time Canadian friend of the festival, Michael Snow, was back in town as an honorary guest of the Forum Expanded program, which presents film-related installations, exhibitions and discussions in various venues across Berlin. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
