Happy Birthday, Beethoven!

Check out the entry for our birthday boy in Grove Music Online.

Potrait Beethoven dilukis Joseph Karl Stieler, 1820.

Baltimore Opera Co. to file for bankruptcy, cancels remainder of season

After 58 years and more than 200 productions, the Baltimore Opera Company will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy-law protection Tuesday amid dwindling ticket sales and contributions.

The remaining two productions of the 2008-2009 season, Rossini's The Barber of Seville and Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, have been canceled. Ticket-holders will not receive refunds. Singers engaged for next season are being released from their contracts, but the company plans to continue fundraising in an effort to resume productions in the future.

Deborah Goetz, senior director of marketing and communications, confirmed Monday that Baltimore Opera's board of trustees voted Dec. 4 to file for Chapter 11 protection.

"My heart sinks," said soprano Evelyn Lear, now retired and living in Rockville. She starred in three Baltimore Opera productions during the 1970s and 1980s. "The company had high standards, good productions, a good orchestra. I'm distraught that this may mean that opera is finished in Baltimore." more

On Display in the Conservatory Library

Beethoven’s Fifth

In commemoration of two hundred years since the composition and premiere of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, we are pleased to display this facsimile of the autograph found in the Staatsbibliothek Berlin Preußischer Kulturbesitz.

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Saint Hildegard’s Symphonia armonie celestium

This facsimile features the portion of the Riesencodex located in the Hessischen Landesbibliothek, Wiesbaden, containing Hildegard von Bingen's Symphonia armonie celestium revelationum. Hildegard wrote songs for the quiet devotions of nuns in her 12th century community.

New jazz title in periodicals

There's a new title on the shelves in periodicals:
Brilliant Corners (Williamsport, PA)--A Journal of Jazz and Literature.

Longtime employees set to run Shubert Organization

The powerful Shubert Organization, Broadway's largest landlord, has looked to two of its longtime employees to run the company as well as its foundation, following the death of its chairman, Gerald Schoenfeld, last week.

Philip J. Smith has been named chairman of the organization, which owns 17 New York theaters. He will also head its multimillion-dollar foundation, which supports nonprofit theater and dance companies across the country.

The announcement was made Tuesday by the Shubert's board of directors, which also named Robert E. Wankel as president and elected him to the board of directors.

For more than a decade, Smith was the organization's president, working closely with Schoenfeld in producing shows and booking the company's many theaters.

Wankel, who has worked for the company for more than 30 years, was its chief financial officer and executive vice president.

"While Jerry Schoenfeld is not replaceable, we are confident that these new appointments will ensure the critical role of the Shubert Foundation in supporting nonprofit performing arts in America and the continued successes of the Shubert Organization in the professional theater," said Michael Sovern, president of the Shubert Foundation.

Where to buy used recordings (LPs and CDs)

Have you ever wondered about great sources for purchasing used recordings? Check out the following resources that are listed on the bottom of the Conservatory Library Web page of Research Resources

Used Recordings

Encore Recordings, Ann Arbor, MI

Princeton Record Exchange, Princeton, NJ

VVMO/Vintage Vinyl, Evanston, IL

All About Jazz

International Association of Jazz Recording Collectors

Web sites (and more) for used classical CDs and LPs (U of Illinois)

As Taboos Ease, Saudi Girl Group Dares to Rock

By ROBERT F. WORTH

Published: November 24, 2008 NYTimes

Saudi Arabia’s first all-girl rock band has an underground hit as the country’s harsh code of morals slowly thaws. more

Beethoven Bibliography Database

The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies is the only institution in North America devoted solely to the life, works, and accomplishments of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Established in 1983, the Center officially opened at San Jose State University in September 1985 with a gala co-sponsored by the San Jose Symphony. The Center now has the largest collection of Beethoven materials outside of Europe. In addition to functioning as a research library, the Center is involved in a variety of educational programs and projects and sponsors concerts, lectures, tours, and other programs.

Check out the Beethoven Bibliography Database!

Miriam Makeba, 76, Singer and Activist, Dies

By ALAN COWELL

Published: November 11, 2008 NYTimes

Ms. Makeba was a South African singer whose voice stirred hopes of freedom in her own country even though her music was formally banned by the apartheid authorities she struggled against. read more

Bringing a Trove of Medieval Manuscripts Online for the Ages

By JOHN TAGLIABUE

Published: October 20, 2008
NYTimes

ST. GALL EN, Switzerland — One of the oldest and most valuable collections of handwritten medieval books in the world, housed in the magnificent baroque halls of the library in this town’s abbey, is going online with the help of a $1 million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The Stiftsbibliothek, or abbey library, in the Swiss town of St. Gallen. Its collection of medieval manuscripts is being digitized.

The project is making the library in St. Gallen, Switzerland, more popular; annual visits are up 30 percent from a decade ago.

For centuries scholars from around the world have flocked to the Stiftsbibliothek — literally, the abbey library — in this quaint town nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Switzerland, to pore over its vast collection of manuscripts, many written and illustrated before the year 1000. more

The Annapolis Brass Quintet Collection

The Annapolis Brass Quintet, the first independent, full-time performing brass chamber ensemble in the United States, has donated its entire collection of published music scores and parts, music manuscripts, and related correspondence—more than 1,000 individual items—to the Conservatory. Check out a sampler of items from the collection on display in the Conservatory Library.

Ruedi Rymann, Swiss Yodeling Star, Dies at 75

By BRUCE WEBER

Published: October 7, 2008 NYTimes

Mr. Rymann was a Swiss farmer and cheesemaker renowned in his home country as a yodeler and the man who recorded what came to be known as “Switzerland’s greatest hit.” more

Listen to Mr. Rymann's music

Twentieth-Century Countertenor Repertoire: A Guide

This significant reference of over 600 entries compiles and catalogues information about repertoire composed specifically for the countertenor from 1950 to 2000. Representing more than 350 composers, it provides a resource for countertenors and voice teachers to identify and become more familiar with contemporary works for countertenor.

Twentieth-century countertenor repertoire : a guide by Steven L. Rickards. Lanham, Md. : Scarecrow Press, 2008. Con Ref ML128.V7 R45 2008

Joshua Bell as a street musician in a DC subway!*

By Gene WeingartenWashington Post Staff WriterSunday, April 8, 2007; Page W10

HE EMERGED FROM THE METRO AT THE L'ENFANT PLAZA STATION AND POSITIONED HIMSELF AGAINST A WALL BESIDE A TRASH BASKET. By most measures, he was nondescript: a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved T-shirt and a Washington Nationals baseball cap. From a small case, he removed a violin. Placing the open case at his feet, he shrewdly threw in a few dollars and pocket change as seed money, swiveled it to face pedestrian traffic, and began to play. read the full article

* Thank you to the ToDo Institute for bringing this article to our attention.

Tuning In to the Organ, and Not Just in Church

Check out this article about Pipedreams and Michael Barone, an Oberlin grad!

By CRAIG R. WHITNEY

Published: October 18, 2008 NYTimes

This month is the 25th anniversary of “Pipedreams,” a weekly national public radio show devoted to organ music. read more

The Leonard Bernstein Collection

The online Leonard Bernstein Collection that is part of the Library of Congress American Memory project is rich with a variety of media. The composer, conductor, writer, and teacher Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was one of 20th-century America's most important musical figures. The Leonard Bernstein Collection is one of the largest and most varied of the many special collections held by the Library of Congress Music Division. Its more than 400,000 items, including music and literary manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, audio and video recordings, fan mail, and other types of materials extensively document Bernstein's extraordinary life and career. This online Leonard Bernstein Collection makes available a selection of 85 photographs, 177 scripts from the Young People's Concerts, 74 scripts from the Thursday Evening Previews, and over 1,100 pieces of correspondence,

Grieg Thematic Catalog available

New to the Reference Collection!

	Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) : thematisch-bibliographisches Werkverzeichnis / vorgelegt von Dan Fog, Kirsti Grinde, Øyvind Norheim
	Frankfurt ; New York : Henry Litolff's Verlag/C.F. Peters, c2008 Con Reference ML134.G84 A25 2008

Don Giovanni, Free on the Web

Compiled by JULIE BLOOM

Published: September 18, 2008, NYTimes

The Royal Opera House in London will present a full-length opera online for the first time beginning Oct. 5, when audiences will be able to log on to the company’s Web site and watch a performance of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” As part of the introduction of the site, www.roh.org.uk, the company will make it possible to view other complete operas and ballets online. The production of “Don Giovanni,” filmed on Sept. 8, will be available free of charge in its entirety and will feature subtitles, listening notes and a podcast with the director Francesca Zambello. The site also features archival material, a photo library and first-night cast lists dating to 1946.

"La Traviata" performed in Swiss railway terminal

Commuters at Switzerland's busiest railway terminal have been surprised with a live performance of Verdi's opera "La Traviata".

Zurich's station remained open for business, while the singers performed around the passengers. watch the video clip

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Music Critic vs. Maestro: One Loses His Beat

New York Times

By DANIEL J. WAKIN

Published: September 25, 2008

The decision to remove Donald Rosenberg from his role as classical music critic at the The Plain Dealer of Cleveland is sure to send shivers down the opinionated spines of critics everywhere. Read more

New Releases at NAXOS

This month Naxos once again brings you a selection of great music, including classical titles such as Alwyn's Piano Music and Wolf-Ferrari's comic opera The Cunning Widow.

See new releases on the Marco Polo, Naxos Historical, Naxos AudioBooks, Arthaus Musik, Opus Arte, TDKDVD, Medici Arts DVD and Phoenix Edition labels by browsing through the menu on the new releases page on naxos.com.

Henry Z. Steinway, Piano Maker, Dies at 93

By JAMES BARRON

Published: September 19, 2008 NYTimes

Henry Z. Steinway, the last Steinway to run the piano-making company his family started in 1853, died Thursday at his home in Manhattan. He was 93. more

Meet the Stacks Staff

The Stacks Maintenance crew in the Conservatory Library is responsible for shelving and locating items in the collection. They're part wizard as well! They seem to find things others are unable to locate!

Stop by and say "thank you" to a shelver next time you're in the library!

Bottom: Liz, Greg, Nishana, Lam
Top: Chris Jason, Katie, Hillary, Charlotte, David, Sarah
Missing: Rebecca, Angie

mysheetmusic.net

Instant access

View and play a sample of any piece of music

Change the tempo and key of the song

Download and print your music

Print multiple copies

Formats include:
Piano, Easy Piano,
Piano/Vocal/Guitar, Guitar,
Easy Guitar, Guitar Tab, Strum,
Bass Tab, Fake Book, Choral

Check it out!!

Meet the Circulation Desk Staff

The Circulation Desk in the Conservatory Library is staffed by a large group of students who are happy to help you! They are:

Front Row: Ted, Karen, Avery, Sarah
Middle Row: Nishana, Emma, Sarah, Glenna, Megan
Back Row: Benji, Jason, Clayton, Brenton, Greg, Graham

Missing: Jesse, Sam, Glenn, Caitlin, Jym, Phil, Mark

Meet the Reference Desk Staff

The Reference Desk in the Conservatory Library is staffed by a group of seven well-trained reference assistants. The reference desk staff are: Mark. Sarah, Brandon, Angie, InSoo, Joseph, and Erin. Stop by and ask a question. They're happy to help you!

Welcome Back from the Conservatory Library Staff

We're so glad you're here!!

New Reference Book - Index of chorale melodies in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach

The music of Johann Sebastian Back is intimately linked to the Lutheran chorale. These simple and popular hymns have since inspired countless composers. Papillon has painstakingly listed the chorale melodies used by Bach and all their occurrences in his works. This index may be Ariadne's thread through the wonderful labyrinth that is the music of Bach!

Author	Papillon, André, 1960-
Unif Title	Index des mélodies de chorals dans l'œuvre de Bach. English
Title	Index of chorale melodies in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach / André Papillon
Publish Info	Saint-Nicolas, Québec : Les Presses de l'Université Laval, c2006

LOCATION	CALL #	STATUS
Con Reference	ML134.B1 A2913 2006	LIB USE ONLY

Welcome!!

Make me a conductor

A new TV show challenges eight celebrities to conduct an orchestra. How hard can it be to wave a baton? Read more

John Philip Sousa web site

To commemorate the birthday of world-renowned bandleader and composer John Philip Sousa on Nov. 6, 1854, a new Web site dedicated to the composer of "The Stars and Stripes Forever" is now available from the Library of Congress!

Are you takin' a road trip and looking for fun music festivals?

Are you taking a summer road trip and want to know where and when The Bessie Smith Strut takes place? It's in Chattanooga, Tennessee!

Learn more in: Music festivals from Bach to blues : a traveler's guide by Tom Clynes.

Lookin' for Graphic Novels in the Con Library?

This emerging format is taking the publishing world by storm, and you're wondering where it intersects with music ... Most of our graphic novels, such as Can rock & roll save the world? : an illustrated history of music and comics by Ian Shirley require the subject search Comic books, strips, etc

Talented in both music and anime - career possibility??

Calling all opera singers!

Check out a new title in the Con Library Reference: Guide to the Aria Repertoire. A long-awaited resource for the young operatic singer. An extensive discussion of fach and audition repertoire is followed by over 400 arias organized by voice type, including canonical, contemporary, and obscure works from different languages. Each entry includes level of difficulty, voice/character type, special techniques, tessitura, and accompaniment. Full of detailed and insightful commentary from internationally renowned singers, directors, coaches, and other professionals, this volume will be invaluable to the performer, student, and teacher of operatic repertoire throughout their developing careers.

Wolfgang’s Vault

Old Music Online

Compiled by FELICIA R. LEE

Published: June 5, 2008

Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix are among the performers whose vintage concerts will become part of the nearly 500 recordings available for download purchase at Wolfgang’s Vault, the music and memorabilia site. The additions came through a deal between Universal Music Group and the founder of Wolfgang’s Vault, Bill Sagan, Reuters reported. Of the 1,434 concerts on the site, 488 can be downloaded now, Mr. Sagan told Billboard.com, adding that “some very major artists will be downloading within the next 30 to 60 days.”

Friday Fun ! Honda robot conducts Detroit Symphony

By DEE-ANN DURBIN, AP Auto Writer Wed May 14

DETROIT - The lights dimmed, the sold-out hall grew hushed and out walkedthe conductor - shiny, white and 4 feet, 3 inches tall.ASIMO, a robot designed by Honda Motor Co., met its latest challenge Tuesdayevening: Conducting the Detroit Symphony in a performance of "The ImpossibleDream" from "Man of La Mancha." more

Bloggapedia - cool new site !

Bloggapedia is a "human-edited,' searchable, and subject-browsable blog directory that is a "one stop shopping for all things blog." The goal of Bloggapedia is to assist bloggers in getting their content-specific blogs read and seen. Stop by the site and register your blog!

Vivaldi Werkverzeichnis - new in the reference collection !

REF ML 134.V7 R98 2007

Peter Ryom’s Vivaldi Work Catalogue isthe result of decades of research and critical source studies conducted by the author. For the first time ever, it contains all the works of Antonio Vivaldi with musical incipits and all essential information on the origin, transmission, publication and reception of the works. It also consistently maintains the numbering of the “Kleine Ausgabe” (Short Edition) of 1974; the works since discovered were given the new numbers RV 751 to RV 809.

Vivaldi’s works are organized differently in the two main sections of the catalogue. The instrumental works are subdivided according to settings and follow one another within the various sub-chapters according to key. The vocal works are arranged according to genre, and within each genre alphabetically according to titles or text incipits. An exception here are the oratorios and Psalms which are organized chronologically; the Psalms are listed according to their Vulgate numbering. In the Appendix there are bibliographical overviews, a concordance with other Vivaldi catalogues (Pincherle, Fanna)and detailed registers which help make Vivaldi’s vast oeuvreaccessible from every perspective.

Gramophone to launch revolutionary website

Gramophone, the world’s most influential classical music magazine, is to create an exciting new website that promises to transform the classical music industry. The magazine, started in 1923, today announces its commitment to a bold two stage plan.

By September every word ever printed in Gramophone will be available for free as a fully searchable online archive – that’s hundreds and thousands of reviews, articles and interviews, by far the biggest archive of its kind. This will provide an invaluable guide through the classical music jungle, suggesting recommended recordings, giving information on works, composers and performers and featuring pieces written by some of the greatest names in music history – from Stravinsky to Simon Rattle. more