Classical Notes: October 11, 2006 Archive

A Little More on Dudley Moore

Posted at 1:51 PM on October 11, 2006 by Rex Levang

From the web sphere comes further expert comment on Dudley Moore's parody of the singer Peter Pears. Had the writer wanted to, he could have commented on how not only the performance, but the music itself is a clever take-off on Benjamin Britten's manner.

This note, by the way, comes from the operatic listserv OPERA-L. Opera fandom, in its erudition, its obsessiveness, and its occasional wackiness, lives here. . . .

Takacs Quartet

Posted at 5:37 PM on October 11, 2006 by Valerie Kahler (1 Comments)

Back in college, I sang with a group-within-a-group for a very short time. Three fellows and me. One of the guys said, "Yeah, we should call ourselves Three Hits and a Miss." bah-dum-bah! He looked pretty funny with that fat lip.

But seriously, folks...I was reminded of that little "joke" when I played a performance by the Takacs Quartet on my shift this evening. While doing a little digging around online, I saw a story about the quartet's latest lineup. For the first time in its 31-year history, the Takacs is not a men's club. How has violist Geraldine Walther affected the ensemble?

"For 30 years there's always been four guys with various temperaments and fighting skills and fighting attitudes. And then Geraldine's appearance on the scene toned us down, made us smile. It made us to behave more gentlemanly," founding member cellist András Fejér was quick to note in a recent interview from his Colorado home. "She changed the general mood and conduct of the way we rehearse."

Though the chaps are nicer in rehearsal, the ensemble's performances are no less energetic and gritty. In fact, critics say that Ms. Walther is a natural fit.

The article can be found here.

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