Early Music aka Historically Informed Music


Ran across a mag called EMAg, " The Magazine of Early Music America" today at Barnes and Noble as I was picking up my Gramaphone
I never heard of it before and was thrilled there even is such a thing.
Absolutely WONDERFUL rag, pure class throughout, covers the entire scene in USA, great reviews and very well written high-level articles .
Some for the musician that a serious listener can grasp with some effort,
and there is nothing but good that comes to one who tries.

Out of Pittsburg , a Quartely, 6$ a pop.
First time in my long life I sat down immediately after first read( there will be several) and mailed a check for a years suscription !
schubert
As I am Learsfool.
Pittsburg Sym. first came to my attention in the 70's when they made many stellar recordings on the old Classic Command label with the great William Steinburg at the helm.
The 35mm magnetic film CC recorded on sounded great IMO .
They are still worth watching for today, usually about 15 bucks are they still have fans .
It is heresy for any Brownsfan to say anything remotely flattering regarding Pittsburgh. That said, I will concede that the PSO is a bright spot in that otherwise blighted region. I especially admire their banjo section. :) Schubert, I was also an admirer of Steinburg. My first set of Beethoven symphonies, for which I paid $9, was from the old 35 mm masters with the PSO. I had the pleasure of seeing him guest conduct in Cincinnati back in 1975. He had to conduct from a stool. His Zarathustra was a little ragged, but his Egmont Overture was brilliant. Too bad his work is not better represented in print. I will check out EMA, despite my reservations about its geographical origin.
I grew up in the 'Burgh, and despite its considerable charms, managed to move away as soon as I finished school. Apart from the distinctive accent, the heavy emphasis on professional sports to the exclusion of almost everything else and the rust belt vibe that is sadly the fate of many of our once great industrial cities, I have fond memories of going to the symphony there when I was a kid. I gather that Pittsburgh has improved since I left some 34+ years ago. It was also part of the circuit for A tier hard rock back in the late '60s and early '70s and saw many great acts perform back in the day, though the venues were not always the best for sound.