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V.com weekend vote: Do you feel tempos generally have sped up over the last 50 years?

November 20, 2020, 10:25 PM · I've never seen a scientific study on the subject, but from my perspective, it would seem that many pieces in the repertoire - from concertos to symphonies - are generally played faster than they were when I was growing up last century. I know that not everyone has been on the planet for 50 or more years, but we all do listen to old recordings. What are your thoughts on the matter? I'm open to the idea that I'm being selective, and that tempos really haven't changed that much. But does anyone else feel this trend toward faster tempi? And whatever you feel the trend is, do you like it? Please participate in the vote, and then share your thoughts. If you agree that there is a trend, why is it happening? In what way is it happening? Do you have your own examples? Are there groups or certain conductors that you notice going faster or slower? And when do you enjoy a more brisk tempo? Is there a place for slower tempos?

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Violinist Angelo Xiang Yu Joins Shanghai Quartet

Laurie Niles

November 20, 2020, 2:18 PM · The Shanghai Quartet announced today that Angelo Xiang Yu will join the group as its new second violinist, effective immediately.

"Joining this esteemed group of colleagues is a dream come true," said Yu, who was born Inner Mongolia China and moved at age 11 to Shanghai, where he studied with Qing Zheng at the Shanghai Conservatory. "During my youth in Shanghai, I admired the Shanghai Quartet as the prime example of how a string quartet should sound. My younger self would have been amazed that I would someday join as a member."
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Remembering Violinist Victor Danchenko (1937-2020)

Laurie Niles

November 19, 2020, 1:35 PM · Violinists around the world are remembering longtime violin professor Victor Danchenko, who died on Wednesday, five days after his 83rd birthday.

"Victor Danchenko was a true giant; both in a musical and personal sense," said former student Igor Yuzefovich, who studied with Danchenko at the Peabody Institute starting in the late '90s. "He embodied excellence, determination, devotion and love for the instrument and the music that he worked so tirelessly to instill in us, his musical children. He taught us how to live and breath music, and most importantly, how to continue teaching ourselves for the rest of our lives." Keep reading...

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Violinist Daniel Hope Streams Hope@Home from San Francisco this Week

Laurie Niles

November 18, 2020, 2:31 PM · This week violinist Daniel Hope has come to San Francisco, to create six new Hope@Home Next Generation shows with the New Century Chamber Orchestra, a group that has not played since January due to the ever-worsening COVID situation in the United States. Hope has served as Artistic Director of the group since 2018, following violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg's tenure. Here is the first show, which was streamed today:

"I have had the privilege of making music in the U.S. for 20 years," Hope said. "It pains me to see such a music-loving nation practically silenced from the joy of live music-making. As Music Director of San Francisco’s New Century Chamber Orchestra, I am concerned for the well-being of our wonderful musicians. It has been my goal for many months now to be reunited with them in some form, and to make music with them in America again. I am grateful to our board for making this journey possible, and to the Arte TV channel for extending the cultural hand of friendship between Europe and the U.S. by agreeing to host six special episodes of Hope@Home from San Francisco." Keep reading...

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