08 GV4-17 People 5/9/08 3:45 pm Page 8

8 Gig PEOPLE 9-22 SEPTEMBER 2008

Roland Ott is to become man- THE SHOWMAN aging director of Festival Strings Lucerne, the Swiss chamber ensemble, in October. After more than eight years Despite a lifetime of varied composition, with the orchestra, Samuel Howard Blake can’t shake the reputation of Steinemann vacates the post. his best-known film score Born in Germany, Ott, 45, stud- ied music in Dresden as an Composer Howard Blake turns 70 this year – not that you’d know opera and concert singer that by meeting him. One of the most prolific of living English before becoming an ensemble composers, he has penned more than 60 scores for film and tele- member of the Berlin State vision as well as over 600 opus numbers to date.Yet as he readily Opera. He later moved into admits, the long-lived success of The Snowman,an animated international music manage- Channel 4 film for which he wrote the the soundtrack and its song ment as director and jury mem- Walking in the Air, has tended to overshadow his concert works. ber of song competitions as One might say his career has snowballed since then (excuse the well as a marketing and project pun). ‘Its concert version continues to receive performances all manager with Sony Classical over the place, while the stage version runs every year at Sadler’s and Universal Music. He has Wells,’ he despairs.‘Fortunately, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra worked as a key member of (RPO) has agreed to help me redress the balance with a special Deutsche Grammophon’s DVD birthday concert at Cadogan Hall.’ Howard Blake division since 1999. Taking place on 28 October, the concert will see Blake himself Interview: Tony Pinkham on the podium conducting the programme.‘I was determined to Jack Schantz has announced do something to mark my birthday,’ he says. ‘After the hope of about everything’ previously. A Royal Academy of Music (RAM) he will step down as artistic landing a huge magazine spread quickly evaporated, I thought it graduate,Blake landed a job as a projectionist at the National Film director of the Cleveland Jazz would great to put on a concert – not that I’d ever done so before. Theatre during which time he directed, edited, acted in and wrote Orchestra to pursue other artis- I’d wanted to give my choral piece, The Passion of Mary, its London both the words and music for his own film.‘I once turned down an tic and personal interests. He premiere and also wanted to have a new performance of my Piano acting role opposite Ava Gardner,only to perform with all manner will remain with the ensemble Concerto, commissioned by the Philharmonia in 1991 to celebrate of groups playing pop, R&B, rock, jazz and whatever else. throughout this season, having the 30th birthday of Diana, Princess of Wales.’ As anticipated, the ‘I’d found my time at RAM very odd,’ he reflects.‘Most people spent 15 years with the group. evening will open with a concert version of The Snowman narrat- there had been to Chetham’s or some conservatory. They knew Schantz said he would like to ed by actor Nigel Havers with Walking in the Air sung by Robert the ropes and had played 100 concertos already. I’d never done see the CJO ‘play a more promi- William Blake, the composer’s nine-year-old son.‘Believe me, I did anything and suffered from considerable English modesty!’ nent role on the national and my darnedest to get it off the programme,’ he teases.‘That aside, For now, Blake can rest easy, for other birthday celebrations international level’. my son, a member of the Stockholm Boys Choir, can actually sing, include two CD releases on Naxos and Sony BMG,both released in so I thought it would be a nice touch to get him involved, as well October in advance of the RPO date. Further celebrations include The Yale School of Music (YMS) as other friends. I just hope everybody turns up!’ – you’ve guessed it – another season of The Snowman Stage Show has added to its teaching roster Hopefully so, as the concert could prove to be the catalyst for which has now been running for over a decade. ‘There’s even a with the appointments of com- others with Blake as conductor and/or pianist:‘I’d like to do a lot celebrity DVD of the show in preparation,’ Blake asserts.‘All in all, posers David Lang (below) and more concerts,’ he reveals. ‘I used to conduct my own movie I suddenly feel wanted. Let’s hope I can pull it all off!’ Christopher Theofanidis. Both scores, of course, yet I’ve never had the time to develop a career are YMS graduates and will as both a pianist and a conductor.’ That said, the former session www.howardblake.com teach students studying on pianist at the London’s Abbey Road studios has ‘dabbled in just Artist’s website YMS’ composition programme. They will teach courses and participate in performances of Stephen Baker, the Buffalo the board of the Association of the company’s chairman and resigned in March. The group their works. Mezzo Jana Baty Philharmonic Orchestra’s (BPO) California Symphony Orchestras CEO. The appointment follows has also elected Chris Doerr as (assistant professor of voice), associate executive director, takes up his post on 6 October. the departure of chief financial chair-elect for its board of Richard Holzer (associate pro- has been appointed vice presi- Since 2001 he has served as the officer Gerald Ng in May. Olson’s directors. Doerr, the executive fessor of music history), Tiffany dent of the Seattle Sym- executive director of the appointment follows that of VP and chief financial officer at Kuo (assistant professor of phony Orchestra. Baker will Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra James Stewart as the organisa- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of hearing) and Michael Roylance focus on the Seattle orchestra’s in San Francisco,before which he tion’s chief operating officer in Florida Inc, will begin his new (tuba lecturer) also join this year. strategic planning process was chief executive of the Santa July and David Olson as chief term in July 2009. while also directing its market- Barbara Symphony and CEO of financial officer last month. ing, promotional, PR and com- the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra Mark Lundberg, the American munications efforts ‘with the of Boston. The Jacksonville Symphony opera singer, has died after a goal of increasing subscriptions Association has appointed a brief illness at the age of 50. and single-ticket sales’. He Jamie Engen has stepped new executive director. Stacy Lundberg sang bass and bari- leaves the BPO after four years. down as chief executive of Loud Ridenour, formerly executive tone for many years before Technologies, one of the world’s director of the Kalamazoo making the transition to more Robert Birman has been named largest dedicated pro audio and Symphony,will take up the post dramatic tenor roles. He was to chief operating officer at the music products companies, in October. She leaves the KSO perform the role of Samson in Louisville Orchestra.The percus- after a 10-year tenure. Rodney after a 10-year tenure and suc- Samson et Dalila with the Lang

sionist and former president of Olson has since been appointed ceeds Alan Hopper, who Pittsburgh Opera later this year. Serling Photo: © Peter

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