Look at Duke's band: how does his written music sound now, without those master soloists-improvisers? Dry, lifeless, institutional.
Behind him a whiteboard listed places to check out — some (like the Moth and Joe's Pub) for watching master soloists at work, and others (like the Bowery Poetry Club or Closet Cases at the Peoples Improv) where a rookie might grab a few minutes of stage time.
International artists, tap masters, soloists, virtuosic ensembles and up-and-coming hoofers are to be seen in six Tap City Spectacular performances, from Thursday through Saturday at the Duke.
DCC Students will be coached weekly with members of the Ciompi Quartet and DUSS faculty and participate in master classes with visiting professional soloists and chamber musicians throughout the year.
(Smith) ★ 'Elijah' (Friday and Saturday) Leon Botstein, the music director of the American Symphony Orchestra and the president of Bard College, will conduct his orchestra and the Bard College Conservatory Orchestra in Mendelssohn's great oratorio, with James Bagwell as chorus master and soloists from Bard's graduate vocal program.
Tomoya Aomori, the soloist, mastered both aspects.
Bach's Magnificat, Rutter's "Gloria" and carols; New York City Master Chorale, with soloists and instrumentalists; Thea Kano, director.
"An A Cappella Christmas," with Pärt's Magnificat, Lauridsen's "Ave Maria, Edwin Fissingerr's "Lux Aeterna" and other works; New York City Master Chorale, with soloists.
The master pianist Emanuel Ax is the soloist in a Haydn piano concerto, followed by Christopher Rouse's Symphony No. 3 in its New York premiere performances.
Mr. Marsalis assumed his customary role as master of ceremonies and featured soloist — his trumpet choruses on Jackie McLean's "Appointment in Ghana" marked the first blast of improvisation — and he wrote three of the concert's arrangements.
