published in The Age January 18, 2023 — 2.40pm
This article was a fascinating description of how a professional conductor trained a brilliant Aussie actor Cate Blanchett for her role as Lydia Tár in the movie Tár, just released in USA at the end of 2022. So what does an actor need to learn to be authentic in the performance of a Mahler Symphony with a top symphony orchestra? A fascinating article for all conductors to read.
I Taught Cate Blanchett How To Conduct
Tar starring Aussie actor Cate Blanchett has brought into public conversation the process of how a conductor releases a performance. I have enjoyed the reviews, interviews of Cate and the speech she gave when receiving an award in Florida in January 2023.
This film was released in USA in October 2022, but has not been released in Australia at the time of writing this post.
Two key observations Cate made about being a conductor and being involved in this project:
process and collaboration
Her summary of the film is “it just is”.
Review Cate’s own words through clicking on this link to Classic FM article ‘I didn’t base the character of Lydia Tár on anyone’ – Cate Blanchett in conversation with Classic FM 19th January 2023 – click here
I really enjoyed the conducting of Nodoka Okisawa conducting Debussy, Takemitsu, Ravel and Melody Eötvös. I thought she displayed excellent technique and control of the sounds made by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in concert on Saturday 15th October 2022 in Hamer Hall. I thought that she demonstrated a wonderful array of Saito Conducting techniques and so effectively. I found the concert so engaging, noticing how well the orchestra responded to her gestures and artistry. despite her slight stature, she had an enormous presence on the podium.
To see more details of the program click here
Interested in conducting lessons with Roland? Continue reading
http://www.drama-musica.com/Donne.html
Today the buzz is all around a woman’s place in the world. There’s lots of long overdue debate about the roles and opportunities for women in classical music too. However no one can deny that western music is historically dominated by men. No wonder that women, more than men, lose motivation to continue studying music and musical composition.
“I want to show to the world (to the degree that it is granted to me in this profession of music) the foolish error of men, who so greatly believe themselves to be masters of high intellectual gifts which cannot, it seems to them, be equally common among women.”Maddalena Casulana (Italy, c.1544 – c.1590)
You see, even in the sixteenth century, this gender imbalance was evident! According to the International Encyclopedia of Women Composers by Aaron I. Cohen, there are more than 6,000 female composers who didn’t give up – and that list was complete only up until 1984. Through the present day women have made a significant contribution to music but often than not their contribution has been overlooked. We cannot ignore the fact that many of those who are recognized have had to face more hardship and resistance to their achievements than men – it has certainly not been a level playing field. Even when their work has been praised, women are less rewarded for it.
Donne and Drama Musica are standing firm for women composers and we invite you all to join us on this journey.
Let us praise the composers of the past, let us nurture and appreciate women composers writing new music now and with our hearts and souls let us encourage those who compose in the future. Help keep these women’s names and their music alive.
Spread the word and join us in recognising that women are musical geniuses too.
DONNE is my way, as a musician, to share with as many people as possible the fascinating stories of so many neglected women composers. Sadly, many of them were unrecognised in their lifetimes and, for a series of reasons, their music was allowed to disappear from the public ear, unacknowledged and ignored.
By raising awareness about the huge inequality that we currently experience when it comes to knowing these women and hearing their music, we hope to help to create a more equal world for future generations.
That’s how an adventure starts…
Discover the lost world of women in music. Hear their stories in this website and listen to live interviews with women composers making their mark in the music world, now, today.
Welcome to DONNE! Join us and help us to spread the word.
Gabriella Di Laccio
Founder & Curator
DONNE Women in Music
https://www.spectator.co.uk/2018/01/the-sex-lives-of-conductors/