School Notes: School of Music
March/April 2009

Philharmonia's Turangal'la in Carnegie hailed by the press

The YSM's Philharmonia Orchestra earned rave reviews for its December performance in Carnegie Hall of Olivier Messiaen's massive, ecstatic Turangal'la-Symphonie. The performance, called "sensational" by the New York Times and praised by Classics Today, the Dallas Morning News, and other media outlets, was conducted by renowned Messiaen interpreter Reinbert de Leeuw.

Turangal'la capped YSM's weeklong celebration of the Messiaen centenary, directed by William Purvis. The celebration featured a broad range of concerts as well as a panel discussion. The programs offered an overview of Messiaen's output, from piano music to song cycles, from the Livre du Saint Sacrement for organ to chamber works such as the famed Quartet for the End of Time. For more, go to www.yale.edu/music/messiaen.

Parisot to be honored for a half century on the faculty

Aldo Parisot, renowned cellist, former member of the famed Yale Quartet, and beloved cello teacher, is now celebrating his 50th year on the faculty of the School of Music. On April 21 at Zankel Hall in Carnegie Hall, the Yale in New York series offers a tribute to Parisot, showcasing the Yale Cellos, an ensemble founded and directed by Parisot. The program will feature music by Heitor Villa-Lobos, a close friend of Parisot's, including the Bachianas Brasilieras No. 1 (for cello ensemble) and No. 5 (with soprano Hyunah Yu). Also on the program are Chrisopher Rouse's Rapturedux; David Popper's Requiem, with pianist Elizabeth Parisot; the New York premieres of Dave Brubeck's Elegy and The Desert and the Parched Land; and the New York premiere of Ezra Laderman's Simoes.

YSM plans second symposium on music in schools

The second biennial Symposium on Music in Schools will take place June 10-11, 2009. Sponsored by the Yale College Class of 1957 and the Yale School of Music, the symposium is part of the Music in Schools project, initiated by the Class of ’57 in honor of their 50th reunion in 2007. Once again, the symposium will bring together approximately 50 teachers from around the country who are selected for their outstanding accomplishments in teaching music in public schools. This year's distinguished music educators will convene in New Haven to discuss vital issues in music education and participate in skill-building workshops. The 2009 symposium will focus on two topics: (1) linking music to the general classroom; and (2) is El Sistema, Venezuela's famous music education program, adaptable in the United States? In addition to facilitated discussions on these topics, participating teachers will attend workshops presented by selected alumni from the 2007 symposium.