James Lowe

Save Us from Ourselves!

James Lowe — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 14:34:12 +0000

In a comment relating to a previous blog post, Dré remarked that my thoughts on ways to broaden the appeal of classical music might ‘…create some controversy within the traditional classical audience you address . “How dare you…” would be a common reaction, I would expect from my experience within the classical music scene.’ This [...]

Stravinsky and the Strange Case of the Chicken and the Wooden Leg

James Lowe — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:27:44 +0000

I just found myself googling ‘ “Stravinsky” “stick a deckchair up your nose” ‘. Let me explain, lest you think this is a sign of further mental degeneration: I recently read a wonderful book on the master conductor Pierre Monteux, who, amongst other notable achievements, conducted the premiere performances of Petrouchka and the Rite of Spring. [...]

Not for the Likes of Us?

James Lowe — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:00:38 +0000

If you’ll pardon me channeling Peter Griffin from Family Guy for a moment, something that really grinds my gears happened again recently: I was mistaken for a Public School Boy. For anyone reading this from outside the rather narrow British tradition, a public school is the exact opposite of what it says on the tin. [...]

Wabi sabi

James Lowe — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:29:09 +0000

I’m in Finland at the moment to conduct a concert including Vaughan Williams’ Fifth Symphony – it might sound like an odd work to perform here but in the composers own words it’s ‘Dedicated, without permission, to Jean Sibelius’, so the idea isn’t all that left field. There are Sibelian whiffs every now and again, [...]

Falling in love, all over again

admin — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:30:43 +0000

I remember the first time I walked into the vast atrium of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and falling deeply and irrevocably in love. Of course it’s just the same old trick cathedral builders have been using for a thousand years, enclosing air and light on such a grand scale as to give [...]

Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony

James Lowe — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:12:02 +0000

"James Lowe not only directed his musicians with insight and energy but he also knew that orchestral restraint was sometimes necessary for greater overall impact"

The Orchestra of Welsh National Opera

luminous — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:28:13 +0000

"...from the opening horn theme to the measured tread of the slow movement and the daring brilliance of the scherzo we were held in thrall..."

Shut up and wave your arms…

admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:00:24 +0000

A dear friend of mine, a German conductor who I wonʼt embarrass by naming, once went to work with a Russian orchestra. Before the first rehearsal he sidled up to the concertmaster to ask which language he should work in; he knew that some Russians speak better German than English and wanted to use the [...]

Viewer’s comments on Orchestra United

James Lowe — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:57:16 +0000

"...This was brilliant. From a dream to an experiment, through trials and tribulations to nothing less than a miracle..."

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

James Lowe — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:28:05 +0000

“...This was one of the finest and most enjoyable performances of the second that it has been my pleasure to hear, and I've heard Mackerras conduct with the same band so my praise doesn't get too much higher than that...”