John Axelrod
John Neal Axelrod | |
---|---|
Born | 28 March 1966 |
Nationality | American /Swiss |
Occupation | conductor |
John Neal Axelrod (born March 28, 1966, in
Early life
Axelrod was born in Houston, Texas, on March 28, 1966. From the age of 5, Axelrod studied piano with Jacquelyn Harbachick and Roberto Eyzaguirre. At the age of 16 he was accepted as a student by Leonard Bernstein,[8] during the premiere of his final opera, A Quiet Place, for Houston Grand Opera.[9] Axelrod graduated cum laude in 1984 from St. John's School and went on to Harvard University, where he completed a bachelor's degree in music in 1988. After a summer jazz course in 1985 he continued his jazz piano and improvisation studies with Craig Najjar at the Berklee School of Music in Boston. Axelrod moved to Los Angeles following his studies, working as an A&R Executive for Atlantic and RCA/BMG Records until 1991. He worked briefly as an artist manager for Iron John Management, started his own production company, "Ivy League Records", and eventually became Director of the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center in Costa Mesa, California, in 1994. After deciding to return to music in 1995, he studied conducting at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia with Ilya Musin. In 1996 Axelrod founded Houston's former Orchestra X, where he served as artistic director and Conductor.[10] He also studied with then Houston Symphony Music Director Christoph Eschenbach and became his assistant in 1999 at the Schleswig Holstein Music Festival and for Parsifal, at Bayreuth in 2000.[11]
Conductor
In 2004, Axelrod was named Chief Conductor of the
In April, 2009 Axelrod was elected as music director of the l'Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire (ONPL), based in Nantes and Angers, France.[13] He assumed the title of Music Director Designé with the 2009–2010 season, and began his full duties as music director for the 2010–2011 season.
In July 2009, Axelrod was appointed music director of the Hollywood in Vienna Gala Concert with the Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna. The first of his concert performances was on October 14, 2009, in the Konzerthaus of Vienna.[14]
From the 2011/12 season, he is the Principal Conductor of the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi also known as "laVerdi".[15]
In November, 2014, Axelrod was elected Artistic and musical director of the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville.[2][16]
In July, 2017, Axelrod was elected CEO (Consejero Delegado) in addition to his Artistic and musical director duties of the Royal Symphony Orchestra of Seville.[17]
In January, 2020, Axelrod was elected Principal Guest Conductor of the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, in Japan.[18]
In August, 2022, Axelrod was elected Principal Conductor of the Bucharest Symphony Orchestra, in Romania.[19]
Guest conductor
Axelrod has conducted over 175 orchestras around the world, including many of the world's leading orchestras such as, in Europe: the
In 2003, Axelrod premiered with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at the Ravinia Festival the Samuel Pisar text for the Symphony 3 "Kaddish," by Leonard Bernstein. He recorded this version for Nimbus with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra in 2006 at the Lucerne Festival.
In 2007, Axelrod recorded Holocaust - A Music Memorial Film, directed by James Kent on the grounds of Auschwitz BBC TWO with Sinfonietta Cracovia, performing Mozart's Requiem, Gorecki's Symphony 3, with soprano Isabel Baryakdarian and the Kaiser's aria from Kaiser von Atlantis with baritone Gerald Finley. in 2005, the documentary won an international Emmy Award [4]
During the summer of 2009 Axelrod made a unique European and North American tour at the invitation of Chinese pianist
From 2009 to 2011, Axelrod was the music director of the annual red carpet broadcast event in the Konzerthaus Vienna
In 2017, Axelrod made history walking down the steps dressed as Darth Vader at Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, performing Star Wars by John Williams.
In 2012, Axelrod, as music director of the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, recorded with French Mezzo Soprano
In 2011, Axelrod achieved critical acclaim for his Salzburg Festival debut with percussionist Martin Grubinger in a reprise of the marathon Concert they performed in 2006 in Vienna's Musikverein.[23] Since then, Axelrod has made many tours with professional youth orchestras, including Accademia della Scala,[24] Orchestra Giovanile Italiana,[25] Junge Norddeutsche Philharmonie,[26] and the Wiener Jeunesse Orchester.[27]
Soloists whom Axelrod has often worked with include:
Axelrod has premiered many new works by such composers as Wolfgang Rihm (Sotte Voce II),[28] Kaija Saariaho (Nymphea Reflection),[29] Gabriel Prokoviev (Remix of Beethoven's 9th for electronica and Orchestra),[30] Fazıl Say (1001 Nights in a Harem),[31] Marco Stroppa (Rittratti Senza Volto), Michael Gordon (Grey, Pink, Yellow),[32] Karim al-Zand (7th Voyage of Sindbad),[33] Anthony K. Brandt (Express),[34] and Wojciech Kilar (September Symphony).[35]
Opera
Axelrod's opera activity includes the premiere performances of Bernstein's
Recent recordings and projects
John Axelrod features in a number of audio and video recordings on YouTube. Axelrdo's most recent recordings include "Schumann 41/51: Florestan & Eusebius," with both versions of Schumann's D minor Symphony op. 120, known as the 4th Symphony, (released in 2023 on Orchid Classics).
Recent DVDs include: the 2007 Emmy Award-winning BBC Holocaust: A Musical Memorial,
Axelrod is also the owner of CMO: ConductorsMasterclassOnline.com, offering online conducting training (https://conductorsmasterclassonline.com) and IamBacchus.com, a blog about wine and food based on a quote from Beethoven (https://iambacchus.com), and co-owner of AD Productions and the recording: "ClassicalRock," featuring the best hits of Classical and the best hits of Classic Rock. Released in 2012 by In-Akustik, ClassicalRock will be performed in Montreux on April 5, 2014, as part of La Saison Culturelle.[41]
In 2012, Axelrod also authored the book: "Wie Großartige Musik Ensteht...Oder Auch Nicht. Ansichten des Dirigenten," published the Henschel/Schott. After "Spiegel Online" declared the success of this book,[42] Naxos ebooks published in 2013 the original English version "The Symphony Orchestra in Crisis: A Conductor's View."[43] in 2015, his 2nd book, "Lenny and Me: On Conducting Bernstein's Symphonies" was released as an ebook on Amazon.[44]
Honors and awards
In 2020, Axelrod was awarded a special achievement by the International Classical Music Awards. [5]. He was awarded the Pacesetter Award by
Personal life
Axelrod currently lives between Chardonne, Switzerland, Strasbourg, France, and Venice, Italy, and has a daughter, named Tallulah Charlotte Gerlach Axelrod, born on May 11, 2003,[46][47][48] with German TV host and journalist Annette Gerlach.[49][50]
In July 2018, he celebrated his wedding with Anastasia, a Russian national, in Seville, Spain, after they have been already married in Moscow in February 2018.[37] The couple has a son, named Max, born on May 25, 2018.[37]
His interests include Italian cuisine,[51] wine, and travel.[52]
References
- ^ "SNO Team". sno.ch. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
- ^ a b (ABC de Sevilla).Retrieved 2014-11-26.
- ^ Jolly, James (April 18, 2011). "John Axelrod becomes principal conductor of Milan's Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra". Gramophone. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ^ (April 6, 2009) Un American en… Pays de la Loire! Archived October 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Qobuz. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ http://hollywoodinvienna.com/en/people/john-axelrod Festival der Filmmusik, Hollywood in Vienna. Retrieved 2013-08-06.
- ^ (Strings Magazine)
- ^ Artists, John Axelrod. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link). Orchestra Sinfonietta Cracovia. Retrieved 2009-12-05. - ^ Katie Connolly (July 10, 2009). John Axelrod: Leonard Bernstein tweaked my nipple – and other stories Guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
- ^ Donal Henahan (June 20, 1983). OPERA: BERNSTEIN’S ‘QUIET PLACE’ OPENS IN HOUSTON, The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
- ^ Marene Gustin (April 5, 2001). Beat Ahead Houston Press. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
- ^ Parsifal conductors in Bayreuth Wagneropera.net. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- Luzerner SinfonieorchesterWikipedia. Retrieved 2009-12-16. (in German)
- ^ (November 2009). Le Directeur Musical Archived January 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire. Retrieved 2009-12-04.
- ^ Hollywood in Vienna 2009 – a review Youtube. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ (Gramophone Magazine).article. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
- ^ González-Barba, Andrés (November 26, 2014). "Una orquesta es alto vivo, no una pieza de un museo". ABC de Sevilla (in Spanish). Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- ^ (ABC de Sevilla).Retrieved 2018-01-01.
- ^ "John Axelrod named Principal Guest Conductor in Kyoto, Japan". www.pizzicato.lu. November 30, 2019. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- ^ "John Axelrod named Principal Conductor of the Bucharest Symphony". www.pizzicato.lu. August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
- ^ Anfnewsacct (June 3, 2009). Lang Lang & Herbie Hancock World Tour NeuFutur magazine. Retrieved 2009-12-02.Rhim: Sotta voce 2 Capriccio.
- ^ CD french Impressions: french impressions. Warner Classics. Released worldwide october 2011.
- ^ "Winners 2012". ICMA.
- ^ Nachrichten.at: article. Retrieved 2011-08-25.
- ^ "Herbie Hancock, Lang Lang, John Axelrod, and the Accademia della Scala Get La Scala's Blood Pumping". Opera Chic.
- ^ "schedule 2012". www.orchestragiovanileitaliana.it. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013.
- ^ "John Axelrod". Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ "aktuelle Konzerte - Wiener Jeunesse Orchester". www.wjo.at.
- ^ Rihm: Sotta voce 2 Capriccio. Presto Classical. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ Kaija Saariaho: Nymphea Reflection Chester Novello. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ Gabriel Prokoviev: [1] AFP. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ 1001 Nights in the Harem Schott Music. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ Grey Pink Yellow Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Michael Gordon. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ Performance Archive Archived January 4, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Karim Al-Zand. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
- ^ May 14, 2002. Orchestra X concludes season Houston Public Radio kuhf. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ Polish Day at the 38th Midem Music Fair Archived December 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Culture.PL. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ "Teatro di San Carlo". www.teatrosancarlo.it.
- ^ a b c "A musical wedding in Seville". Pizzicato. July 9, 2018.
- ^ Axelrod: Retrieved 2023-05-22)
- ^ Korben Dallas (May 13, 2007). Das war schon! A tribute to Mozart by Rolf Wallin Chester Novello. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
- ^ James Kent. Holocaust Archived July 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. A Music Memorial Film from Auschwitz Memorial and Museum: Auschwitz-Birkenau. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
- ^ "Classical Rock - Home". www.myclassicalrock.com.
- ^ SPIEGEL, Werner Theurich, DER (September 8, 2012). "Neue Bücher von Alfred Brendel und John Axelrod - DER SPIEGEL - Kultur". Der Spiegel.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Classical Music Ebooks | The Symphony Orchestra in Crisis". www.naxos.com.
- ^ Lenny and Me: On Conducting Bernstein: The Symphonies. CultureALL Publications. July 2015.
- ^ (January–February 2000). http://www.fastcompany.com/friends/loop/31music.html The Music of Change] Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Fast Company. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
- ^ Hodge, Shelby (July 30, 2003). "Out-of-this-world wedding begins the final countdown". chron.com. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ^ "John Axelrod, conductor", Hollywood Bowl, LA Phil, Gustavo Dudamel, April 2009.
- ^ Vicki Fish Axelrod Barnhill Winters, Jewish Herald-Voice, Oct 28, 2010.
- ^ "John Axelrod: The ex-rock talent scout who's trying to save classical music". The Jewish Chronicle. November 22, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "John Axelrod, conductor: Press". www.johnaxelrod.com.
- ^ Persivale Matteo (March 29, 2009). Axelrod is also The Conductor In The Kitchen [2]. His blog website about wine and music is [3]. Other blogs include www.autenticoitaliano.info Corriere della Sera Autentico Italiano-STYLE Magazine Retrieved 2011-03-09.
- ^ Tobias Haberl (August 2008). Sky Talk: John Axelrod Archived July 19, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Lufthansa Magazin 08/08. Retrieved 2009-12-06.
External links
- John Axelrod official website
- Hollywood in Vienna, John Axelrod
- Hollywood in Vienna YouTube
- Montreux Jazz Festival 2009 Press Conference: John Axelrod, Herbie Hancock, and Lang Lang
- Ravenna Festival with Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang
- Roxanna Panufnik’s "Abraham" with Daniel Hope
- Schedule Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
- Youtube Fazıl Say / 1001 Nights in the Harem
- Youtube Sinfonietta Cracovia
- Youtube Symphonie Fantastique
- [6]