The Beat from Troy Music Hall #61, Through the Looking Glass

What’s it like in someone else’s world?

Aren’t you curious to know what it’s like to be in someone else’s place? Let’s indulge that curiosity with this week’s newsletter as we take a tour of the home of two Broadway stars, find out the inspiration that goes into creating new instruments, learn a little about how the Amish let their hair down, and see how someone tries to disagree with the legendary Leonard Bernstein.

Another Grammy Win!

Congratulations to the Albany Symphony Orchestra and maestro David Alan Miller on their second Grammy win! The ASO has been awarded two Grammy awards, both for recordings made at our beautiful Hall.

“The Albany Symphony is a mighty symphony, and I heard about their wins, and I was very happy. But honestly, when I took the recording and this project, I was just thrilled with Christopher Theofanidis’ piece,” he said. “And what I think that I took away most from Albany besides probably the greatest concert hall, I think, in the United States – the Troy Savings Bank – was the audience.” – Richard O’Neill

• Read all about their latest win in this recent article from the Times Union.
• From WAMC – Albany Symphony Wins Second Grammy Award For Recording Of Christopher Theofanidis Work
• Did you know the Hall is available to rent for recordings? Get all the information here, and come make music in the Hall!

Would you Like a Tour of our Home?

Take a tour of multitalented couple Daveed Diggs, best known for Hamilton, and Emmy Raver-Lampman’s, currently starring in The Umbrella Academy, beautiful Los Angeles home. Raver-Lampman worked with designer Mandy Cheng to create this one-of-a-kind showcase.

When You Disagree With Your Boss, Leonard Bernstein

What happens when you can’t keep up? This poor vocalist, Christa Ludwig, goes up against Leonard Bernstein after running into trouble with this Mahler composition.

Bored in Class? Create a New Instrument!

What possesses someone to invent a new instrument? Boredom, curiosity, and frustration are just a few of the answers. These videos give you an inside look into the process.

From the New York Times: Listen to Five of the World’s Newest, Wildest InstrumentsA Lego guitar and a “war tuba” are among the highlights of this year’s Guthman Musical Instrument Competition.

Therapist Breaks Down Couples Fighting in Movies

Some movies provide a window into the most interesting, and toxic, relationships. Marriage and family therapist Stephanie Yates-Anyabwile breaks down scenes of couples fighting in movies and TV, including the iconic Dinner Party episode from The Office and the terribly toxic fight between Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in A Marriage Story.

The Amish on Vacation

Here’s a small peek into the world of the Amish and Mennonites. Photographer Dina Litovsky gained entry into their world and was able to document a side of them we rarely see.

Upcoming Streaming Shows

Troy Chromatics Concerts presents By George, We Got a Piano!
An encore performance by renowned pianist Jeffrey Biegel Tonight! Saturday, March 20, 2021, 8 PM
Click here to go to YouTube link.

Program:
Gershwin: Rialto Ripples (1916)Lullaby (1919)
Debussy: Prelude, from Suite Bergamasque
Gershwin: Blue Monday (1922)Rhapsody in Blue (1924;
solo piano arrangement by Alicia Zizzo)
Post-performance response to interactive comments.

Squirrels (Said in a Derisive Tone)

The squirrel meme was sent to Karen, our Director of Marketing, after she finally admitted defeat in her war against the squirrels and her bird feeder. “As winter wears on, they’ve only gotten bolder.” she says, “Now, they wait for me. I can see them sitting in the trees, little paws folded, practically willing me to come out and refill the feeders and suet, just so they can pillage it. They have no fear of me! They are bold creatures, and I fear they are thinking of moving in.”

The gentleman in this video wages his own war of sorts with them – how do you think he fares?