Magdalena, Andrea and Vivaldi at the Liceu

This is a tiny, tiny sample of what is going on with Magdalena right now: singing Vivaldi all around the world..

The documentaries: Leaving Home – Rhythm V & VI

7th International Festival of Colombian Chamber Music

Do you remember that this crazy Rattle-fan told you that she would keep you informed?

weeeelll: here is our little review.

Unfortunately we missed the first day, but the second day of this small Festival was incredible, with a powerful and defying program that offered contemporary colombian chamber music… oh, if Sir Simon would listen to this music…

Now, some of you may be wondering what is all the racket about, since there are many ocasions to have these kind of festivals. But in Colombia this is quite an achievement, since in times of financial crisis like these festivals like this one get cancelled. So these two days were a victory for music lovers and culture zealots.

It all happened at the Lido Theater, one of the oldest theaters in Medellín that has been restored. It was built in 1945 and it is located at one of the most emblematic sites in my city, the Bolívar Park (Parque de Bolívar), where we have our cathedral.

Lido Theater, Medellín (Colombia)

This theater used to be one of the most popular movie theaters, but it suffered great abandonement… until the Alcaldía took it under their wing and now it is a perfect space to promote all kinds of cultural activities: music, theater, dance, poetry, film… you name it, it can happen there.. and it’s so easy to get there, since every bus rout and taxi have to go to that part of the city…

 

So, there we were, ready to be impressed. And we were. The program for the evening included a world premiere and a very inusual experiment. The audience was already excited from the first day, when the familiar sounds of our folk music -bambuco, bunde, porro, pasillo, paseo.. – acquired new shapes in the hands of the Glavan Quartet, the invited ensembled.

And so, it began. The instrumental combination for the night was full of novelty and promised new sensations: viola, flute, harp and electronic. But enough of me… listen and see for yourselves: this is a fragment of the scherzo mágico from the work for viola soloist Phonotryptikhos, by colombian composer Mauricio Nasi:

Surprised? well, that goes to show you the technical level of our musicians. Violist Marcela Ospina gave everyone a new perspective on the possibilities of this usually underrated instrument.

The piece for viola and electronic effects was so spellbinding that I forgot to capture even a little.. but I kid you not: composer Johan Hassler took everyone to an unheard of place with this work.  Right after that, composer Roberto Pineda Duque brought us safely back to earth with his Bagatelas for flute and harp. Here is a bit:

Flutist Fabio Londoño and harpist Bibiana Ordóñez contributed to the magic of the evening by providing the beautiful and full sounds you just experienced.  This sensuos combination was made richer by violist Marcela Ospina, who joined them in the rendition of  Chirimías Imaginarias, by Ricardo Gallo. This ensemble made me remember the works of Claude Debussy and Henry Cowell, since the deceptevly soft sounds can get very intense and dramatic when you least expect it.

But don’t take it from me… listen:

Of course, there was an intermission. And intermission time is “Hi, nice to see you, what do you think?” time. So, our intermission was the perfect time to say hello to my friends and co-workers of Grupo Interdís, the arms and hearts behind this event. I am the newest addition to the group, so I can’t claim this success entirely… but the voice that you hear in the promo video -posted here- is mine. So, I gave a little and got in return much more than I hoped for.

Interdís has devoted many years to research the lives and works of colombian composers that are, more than usually, forgotten by history and society. This research group is promoted by the Universidad Nacional of Colombia and has won prizes and recognition in many festivals around the world due to their documentaries about our composers and the relevance of their work.  This Festival was a success for Interdís, its principal promotor.

Grupo Interdís: our banner

And it was time for the world premiere of the night: the duo for viola and flute Nunca cesó la horrible noche (The horrible night never ceased .. rough translation), by composer Gustavo Yepes. This was a powerful piece, full of drama, that compells the musicians to give the best of their technique and sensibility, since the contrasts are strong. Have a listen:

 

Oh yes, it was a magical, wonderful night.  And there will be many more, I’m sure…

Domestic affaires

The fact that Sir Simon Rattle and Magdalena Kozena are two famous artists, should not lead us to think that they do not have to deal with the daily, boring, non artistic, non glamorous things that human life implies… specially when there are little children involved.

Magdalena and Simon: home sweet home

This little interview given by Magdalena Kozena reminds us that, though part of their lives happens in the operatic/concert stage, they are people. Just people. With a home and things to adjust… and children to raise..

Frau Kožená how do you bring children and career under one roof?

Of course this is not easy for an artist with a crazy gypsy life. We set up the so that one of us is always  in Berlin.

What about the kids?… well…

I do not (take the children to work) . Sure, for me it means that I sing less. But that is easy on the voice and you can prepare well for each project. My older son is also more interested in  tractors. Although he is musical.

A future architect for the Rattle family???  Time will tell….

Is it difficult to work with your own partner?

I find it easier to work with my husband than with anyone else! They must not explain  so much, there are fewer misunderstandings.

Oh yes, you read well: HUSBAND… and here is the update on that:

I’m glad to hide. But yes, we got married. A year ago.

Congratulations!!!!! Truckloads of happiness for both of them!!!!! It’s a good life, specially if it is family life and motherhood has had a positive effect on Magdalena:

I do not sing completely different, but what we feel is that it has made deep emotional experiences. The whole body is part of the voice, all the feelings are there.

Of course, one sets as mother  other priorities. This is sometimes difficult, but mentally healthy. Opera productions can be such a bubble that each party thinks, if I fail, that’s the end of the world. If you have children, you know that it is not! It has been more peaceful in itself, and that’s good.

And last but not least: How did she get her figure back after childbirth?

It was harder this time than after the first child, I made a lot of Pilates to build up the muscles again. This is important for respiration.

Now that’s discipline for ya….

Magdalena’s surprises..

Magdalena Kozena and Andrea Marconi: a splendorous way to Vivaldi

Our mezzo gave us a reason to smile when she decided to sing Vivaldi. As we have said, some of the arias collected in this c.d are very beautiful… specially the slow ones, when the drama is almost umbereable.  And it seems that she prefers this slow Vivaldi too:

“I prefer the slower, sustained arias,” says Kožená, “where we imagine at first glance, not much stands in the notes. This is boring. In singing, we then discovered that many colors…. ” That is also what Vivaldi for Kožená so special: “The beauty in simplicity.”

Here is a sample of that:

But she is not staying long in Vivaldi’s challenging company.. Magdalena is already planning her next adventure, and of course, Simon is going with her:

Vienna will be her next appearance in early December, with three concerts by Edward Elgar’s oratorio “The Dream of Gerontius” with her partner Simon Rattle on the podium of the Vienna Philharmonic: “This rarely performed work has surprised me greatly . It is the intense description of enormous mental anguish. ” The balance between song, concert and opera performances  is very important for this singer: “Each of them has its own charm. The intensity of the stage, the complete independence of the canto – the three genres to each other very much. “

And for 2012: Carmen.   Now that will be interesting….

Deutsche Bank: a passion for Simon and the Berlin Phil.

Deutsche Bank has been one of the guardian angels of the Berliner Philharmoniker since Rattle started his tenure in 2002… and a very important guardian angel, since they are the ones with the money.  But this is not surprising, since the Berliner Philharmoniker is a highly recognizable brand and their products -so to speak- have a guaranteed market… so the Deutsche Bank is sure to get their money back…..

One of the many advantages that this association brings, is the access to a wide variety of media that makes sure that more fans of the Berlin Phil can enjoy their concerts. And this is what Deutsche Bank offers in order to celebrate the confirmation of Sir Simon Rattle as leader of the Berliners until 2018 and the american tour that will take place in November this year.

So Deutsche Bank is giving everyone the chance to register for free for a special performance from the Digital Concert Hall archives on November 9.

Sir Simon in Poland.. take 2

Rattle: Jesteśmy szczęśliwi, że zagramy dla najbardziej muzykalnego narodu świata
Cargado por Gazeta_Wyborcza. – Videos de noticias recién publicadas.

Sir Simon in Poland

Rattle: Nasza orkiestra patrzy w przyszłość i pielęgnuje tradycję
Cargado por Gazeta_Wyborcza. – Mira las noticias más recientes en video.

Conducting lesson VI: Gonzo and his chicks

Here is the great -and blue- Gonzo, conductor extraordinaire and his chickens with an alternative rendition of Straus’s Blue Danube… check out that finale: now that is true style!!!!!!! 

 

November: the whole schedule

Ok, no more dilly-dallyng… no more bits… here it is, the whole schedule for November. So get ready U.S, ’cause you are the main target:

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	5 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	Berlin
Country	Germany
Other details	with Berlin Philharmoniker

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	6 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	Berlin
Country	Germany
Other details	with Berlin Philharmoniker

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	7 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	Berlin
Country	Germany
Other details	with Berlin Philharmoniker

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	11 Nov 2009
Venue	Carnegie Hall
City	New York, NY
Country	USA
Repertoire	Brahms: Symphony 1

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	12 Nov 2009
Venue	Carnegie Hall
City	New York, NY
Country	USA
Repertoire	Brahms: Symphony 2

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	13 Nov 2009
Venue	Carnegie Hall
City	New York, NY
Country	USA
Repertoire	Brahms: Symphony 3 & 4

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	14 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	Boston
Country	USA

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	15 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	Washington DC
Country	USA

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	16 Nov 2009
Venue	Symphony Centre
City	Chicago, IL
Country	USA
Repertoire	Brahms: Symphony 3 & 4

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	17 Nov 2009
Venue	Hill Auditorium
City	Ann Arbor, MI
Country	USA
Repertoire	Brahms: Symphony 3 & 4

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	20 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	San Francisco, CA
Country	USA
Repertoire	tba
Other details	tba

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	21 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	San Francisco, CA
Country	USA
Repertoire	tba

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	23 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	Los Angeles, CA
Country	USA
Repertoire	tba

Name	Simon Rattle
Date	24 Nov 2009
Venue	tba
City	Los Angeles, CA
Country	USA
Repertoire	tba