Thoughts on 'YouTube goes classical'

What will the YouTube Symphony Orchestra bring us?

Many thoughts on this stunning YouTube initiative are running around my brain.

1. What is the real reason for YouTube to focus on Classical Music for one of their events of the year
2. Is the innovative way of auditioning applicable for symphony orchestra's
3. What else is new in this event?
4. Will YouTube find a revolutionary way in filming and streaming the live concert?

First of all, I love the project. Some nice blogs to come I hope.

And the winner is: Concertgebouw Orchestra

No surprise in top orchestra poll

Last week’s poll was a tricky one. Remember the discussions in Berlin and Vienna following to the Gramophone Magazine election of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra as the world's number 1.

My double check is, I think, far from representative, but if you look at the results it shows at least that the Gramophone top four is similar to my poll results. Also interesting to see is the huge difference between the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (58%) and all other orchestra's. Let's do the poll again next year and see what happens then.

Note: I have used Gramophone's top 10 as starting point. For the full Gramophone press release go to MonteVerdi.tv’s microwebsite on the RCO.

Results:

Congratulations Bernard Haitink

80 years old maestro still live and kicking!

Today Bernard Haitink turns 80. Although the Dutch maestro hates birthdays he was more than willing to conduct a tribute series (Beethoven and Bruckner) with his beloved Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The Netherlands honor their greatest of all musicians with a series of concerts, 5 consecutive concert nights on Dutch television, free downloads offered by Radio 4 and much more. And not to forget. Last week you, the readers of this blog, chose Haitink as their favorite conductor.

For sure, Bernard Haitink will be exhausted when he returns to the Chicago Symphony in April!

Second Life still interesting for Classical Music?

I thought Second Life was almost dead

Just read a remarkable article in thestar.com: Second Life makes classical music fans feel at home. Three years ago I plugged in on Second Life with the idea that this medium would really mean something for the future of Classical Music. I created my avatar (hell of a job) and searched for opportunities for MonteVerdi.tv How interesting it was to see how Deutsche Grammophon positioned star pianist Lang Lang on Second Life. The promotion for his debut on Second Life is still impressive to watch.



Millions of fans were active on Second Life in that period. But I lost interest and with me many others I believe: too complicated! But if I read the Star article well, Second Life is far from dead and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is still attracting many visitors in their virtual Music Palace.

So my question would be: is there a second life for Classical Music on Second Life? Please let me know your thoughts.