Classical Notes: May 1, 2009 Archive

Western Culture in the Middle East

Posted at 10:40 AM on May 1, 2009 by Gillian Martin

Where's the newest hot spot for classical music?

Surprisingly, it's Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival is in it's sixth year. (A new Guggenheim museum, the Abu Dhabi Louvre gallery, a performing arts centre and concert hall also are all in the works.)

Flutist James Galway played the Festival recently, and was impressed: "The way they do things here, the ambition, this could rival Lucerne or the Proms."

Read more about it here.

More About My PT

Posted at 3:01 PM on May 1, 2009 by Rex Levang

The first selections have been posted on "My Performance Today," the page where you can submit your own classical music performances. They're two pieces played by saxophonist Dave Camwell and the Oasis Saxophone Quartet, and you can listen here.

Don't do as I did, though. In my eagerness, I clicked on both selections, and wound up hearing them simultaneously. It made for some vaguely Nancarrow-like moments, but I bet it wasn't what Dave had in mind.

Keep the submissions coming!