Author Archives: Michael

Dolet MusicXML Updates, Sibelius Upheaval

On Tuesday, MakeMusic released the latest updates to the Dolet MusicXML plug-ins for Finale and Sibelius. On the same day, Avid was shutting down Sibelius’s development office in London. Continue reading

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The End of the Centennial Season

Saturday night was the last concert of the amazing San Francisco Symphony centennial season. This program was a great one for the chorus: Ligeti’s a cappella Lux aeterna, Schoenberg’s A Survivor from Warsaw, and Beethoven’s Ninth. Continue reading

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Nixon in China

At last, 25 years after its premiere, I finally got to see and hear John Adams’s first opera, Nixon in China. San Francisco Opera gave this a fine production. Continue reading

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Nixon in Bogotá

In honor of San Francisco Opera’s 25th anniversary production of John Adams’s Nixon in China, here’s some lesser-known Nixon history. Continue reading

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California Bach Society – Handel Anthems

I’ve been meaning to check out one of the California Bach Society’s concerts ever since hearing about the great work that Paul Flight was doing with the group. Tonight we heard a delightful program of Handel Anthems. Continue reading

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Great Moments in Sight Reading, Part 1

Today was the first chorus rehearsal for West Bay Opera’s production of Aida. We were sight reading through all the choral portions in the opera, and naturally we spent a lot of time in Act II. Turn to page 157 and all heck breaks loose. Continue reading

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Coming Up: Mason Bates’ Mass Transmission

Before we launch Mass Transmission into the world tomorrow evening, I’d like to reflect on some of the musical aspects that I love about both this piece and other works by Mason Bates. Continue reading

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MusicXML Presentations at NAMM 2012

The annual NAMM show is set to begin in Anaheim, California on Thursday. Each day I’ll be giving a MusicXML presentation and demonstration, together with Finale product manager Justin Phillips. Continue reading

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