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Los Angeles Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
At the Huntington, the New Hollywood String Quartet recalls legendary studio musicians
When four top film studio musicians formed the Hollywood String Quartet in the late 1930s, its name was presumed an oxymoron. Exalted string quartet devotees belittled film soundtracks, while studio heads had a reputation for shunning classical music longhairs. The musicians spent two intense years in rehearsal before disbanding when war broke out, and the quartet was brought back together in 1947 by two of its founders, Felix Slatkin (concertmaster of 20th Century Fox Studio Orchestra) and his wife, Eleanor Aller (principal cellist of the Warner Bros. Studio Orchestra). Oxymoron or not, Hollywood produced the first notable American string quartet. Throughout the 1950s, the ensemble made a series of revelatory LPs for Capitol Records performing the late Beethoven string quartets and much else, while also joining Frank Sinatra in his torchy classic, 'Close to You.' Everything that the Hollywood String Quartet touched was distinctive; every recording remains a classic. The legacy of the Hollywood String Quartet is a celebration of Hollywood genre-busting and also of string quartet making. Today, the outstanding Lyris Quartet is one of many outstanding string quartets who can be heard in the latest blockbusters. Another is the New Hollywood String Quartet, which is devoting its annual four-day summer festival to honoring its inspiration as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The quartet's festival began Thursday night and runs through Sunday in San Marino at the Huntington's Rothenberg Hall. The repertory is taken from the earlier group's old recordings. And the concerts are introduced by Slatkin and Aller's oldest son, who as a young boy fell asleep to his parents and their colleagues rehearsing in his living room after dinner. The celebrated conductor Leonard Slatkin credits his vociferous musical appetite to his parents, who, he said Thursday, enjoyed the great scores written in this golden age of movie music and also championed new classical music as well as the masterpieces of the past. L.A. had no opera company in those days, and Slatkin said his parents likened film scores to modern opera scores. Just about everyone has heard his parents in one film or another. Take 'Jaws,' which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. That's Aller's cello evoking John Williams' shark-scary earworm. You've no doubt heard New Hollywood violinists Tereza Stanislav and Rafael Rishik, violist Robert Brophy and cellist Andrew Shulman on some movie. IMDb counts Brophy alone as participating on 522 soundtracks. You might also have heard one or more of the musicians in the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra or Los Angeles Philharmonic. The New Hollywood's programming may not encompass the original quartet's range, but it is nonetheless a mixed selection of pieces that have somewhat fallen by the wayside, such as Borodin's Second String Quartet. The original quartet's performances and swashbuckling recording of the Borodin surely caught the attention of L.A. director Edwin Lester. In 1953 Lester created and premiered the musical 'Kismet,' which adapts parts of the Borodin quartet, for Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, before it went on to be a hit on Broadway. Times have changed and the New Hollywood brings a more robust tone and more overt interaction to its effusive interpretation compared with the silken and playful Slatkin and crew, who were all Russian-trained players. Hugo Wolf's short 'Italian Serenade,' which opened the program, was here lush and Italianate, while on an early 1950s disc it dances more lightly. The big work was César Franck's Piano Quintet. Slatkin noted that the recording, released in 1955, didn't sell well, probably thanks to the album cover's saturnine painting of a composer that few would recognize. Slatkin also noted that his parents weren't enamored of their performance, but then again, he explained that they were temperamentally ever ready to find fault. That recording, which features his uncle, Victor Aller, a graceful pianist, is slow and commanding. Jean-Yves Thibaudet was the right guest in every way for the big-boned performance at the Huntington. He is a French pianist with a flair for German music, well suited for the Belgian French composer's Wagner-inspired score. Thibaudet is also a longtime L.A. resident and an especially versatile performer who happens to be featured on the new soundtrack recording of Dario Marianelli's 'Pride & Prejudice,' which tops Billboard's classical and classical crossover charts. He and Slatkin also go back decades, having performed together and become such good friends that the conductor turned pages for him in the Franck. Seeing the 80-year-old Slatkin onstage evoked a remarkable sense of history, reminiscent of the roots to L.A.'s musical openness that his parents represented. On my drive home Thursday, I couldn't resist following the route Albert Einstein would have taken after practicing his violin when he lived a 12-minute bike ride away during his Caltech years — the time Slatkin's parents were making music history at the studios. Like them, Einstein played with the L.A. Philharmonic (although invited once not because he was a good violinist but because he was Einstein). The New Hollywood and Thibaudet made no effort to relive the past in Franck's quintet. Instead, in their opulence and expressive explosiveness, they showed Hollywood how to produce a remake that's magnificent. In the meantime, Leonard Slatkin, who is a former music director of the L.A. Phil at the Hollywood Bowl, returns later this month to the venue where his parents met in 1935 at a Hollywood Bowl Symphony competition. He will conduct a July 24 program that includes a recent work by the next generation of Slatkins. His son, Daniel, is a film and television composer.
Black America Web
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
A Legacy of Faith: How The Winans Family Revolutionized Gospel
Source: Music has seen its fair share of familial legacies, from the Jacksons to the Clark Sisters and the Hawkins family. However, in the world of gospel music, The Winans Family has long been heralded as the 'First Family of Gospel.' The Winans family stands as one of gospel music's most influential dynasties, leaving an indelible mark on the genre through their exceptional talent, innovation, and spiritual impact. For decades, this Detroit-based family has not only dominated gospel charts but also crossed over into mainstream recognition, expanding the reach of gospel music to new audiences. The family's musical roots started with David Winans Sr., lovingly known as 'Pop' Winans. His love of music began at an early age, singing with a local soul group, The Nobelaires, and joining the Lucille Lemon Gospel Chorus. He met his future wife, Delores (a.k.a. 'Mom' Winans), while in the Chorus. Despite putting their own musical aspirations on hold for over 30 years once they started having children, Mom & Pop made sure that their love for God and music was passed on to their kids…and it paid off. The family's musical imprint on the charts began with brothers Marvin, Carvin, Ronald, and Michael, collectively known as The Winans. Their groundbreaking sound blended traditional gospel with contemporary R&B influences, creating soulful harmonies that resonated far beyond the church. Albums like Tomorrow and Return earned them commercial success and accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards. Their ability to modernize gospel without compromising its spiritual essence ushered in a new era for the genre during the 1980s and 1990s. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Notably, BeBe and CeCe Winans, the younger siblings, emerged as a formidable duo. With hits like 'Close to You' and 'Addictive Love,' they seamlessly merged gospel with pop, carving out their own space in music history. They were among the first gospel artists to receive considerable airplay on secular radio, broadening the audience for spiritually-infused music. The duo has also found success as solo artists. CeCe, in particular, has become the best-selling female gospel artist of all time, selling over 19 million records worldwide. She is also the most-awarded female gospel artist, with 17 Grammys, 31 Dove Awards, and 19 Stellar Awards among other honors. RELATED STORY: The Winans Honored with the Agape Award at 'A Night of Inspiration' RELATED STORY: CeCe Winans Wins Big at the 2025 Grammy Awards While The Winans and BeBe & CeCe are the most commercially known groups within the family, several other members have found musical success. Sisters Angie & Debbie, brothers David II and Daniel, and even Mom & Pop Winans have all received critical and fan acclaim for their respective careers. The Winans' influence continued through the next generation. Marvin's son, Marvin Winans Jr., and the group known as Winans Phase 2 carried forward the family tradition. Meanwhile, CeCe's son, Alvin Love III, has made his mark as a songwriter, further contributing to the family's music ministry. Beyond their music, the Winans' legacy is deeply rooted in their commitment to faith and uplifting others. Their songs of hope and redemption have inspired millions worldwide, making them not just artists but beacons of spirituality in the industry. Through decades of innovation and unwavering devotion, the Winans family has transformed gospel music, ensuring their legacy endures as a testament to excellence, faith, and family unity. Their contributions have forever redefined the genre, securing their place as gospel royalty. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK . FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM & TWITTER . SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE . STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! HEAD TO THE HOMEPAGE SEE ALSO
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kanye West Releases Lost Album ‘Donda 2' to Streaming Services
Kanye West has released his lost album 'Donda 2' after he revealed on a livestream that he was planning to drop the record today. The roots for 'Donda 2' date back to early 2022, when the rapper posted on Instagram that the sequel to his 2021 album would arrive that February and be executive produced by Future. The album was only released on Stem Player, forgoing traditional streaming services, and some songs from the project were reconfigured for artists including Fivio Foreign and the Game. More from Variety Kanye West Sued for Copyright Infringement by Singer Who Denied Sample Usage Over His 'Antisemitic, Racist' Remarks Kanye West's Malibu Mansion on Market Six Months After It Sold (EXCLUSIVE) Kanye West's 'Bully' Is Loaded With (Possibly Uncleared) Samples and Covers: 'Close to You,' 'Can't Hurry Love,' Apparently a Verse From Playboi Carti, More The current version of 'Donda 2,' released on Tuesday evening to YouTube Music and Tidal, features 18 songs, many of which appeared on the original iteration. The lot of the songs appear to be the same, some with different names, and Future cameos on several tracks including 'Happy' and 'Mr. Miyagi.' '5:30,' which was included on West's 'Vultures 2' album with Ty Dolla Sign, also pops up on the tracklist. Jack Harlow features on the track 'Louie Bag,' while Sean Leon cameos on 'SCIFI.' West's ex-wife Kim Kardashian can also be heard on 'SCIFI,' saying, 'I married the best rapper of all time. Not only that, he's the richest Black man in America. A talented, legit genius who gave me four talented, incredible kids.' Amid his unhinged rants on X, West has been prolific, sharing various songs on social media and flash-releasing his most recent album 'Bully.' He dropped 'Bully' in March in the form of various short films that featured his song Saint West in a wrestling ring using a mallet to fend off YOH, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask and El Desperado. The videos swiftly disappeared from social media, leaving the future of 'Bully' and its official release in limbo. Also unclear: If 'Donda 2' will be released to streaming services at large, or will remain on the ones they appeared. On a livestream earlier today, West said that he was eager to release the project and would update mixes later. Listen to 'Donda 2' on YouTube Music and Tidal. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025
San Francisco Chronicle
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Outside Lands reveals daily lineup with an unexpected surprise
Outside Lands made a last-minute addition to this year's festival lineup. Beck, the eclectic Los Angeles indie-rock artist who has staged several orchestral concerts in the past year, is set to return to the festival for the fifth time. This time, however, he is billed to perform 'with symphony,' in his first appearance at the three-day San Francisco concert since 2022. In addition to Beck's surprise spot on the bill, the annual Golden Gate Park music festival, run by Another Planet Entertainment, unveiled its daily lineup Tuesday, May 6. The eight-time Grammy winner is slated to help open the festival on Aug. 8 along with headliner Doja Cat, 'Anxiety' rapper Doechii, electronic dance music star John Summit, Bay Area alternative pop artist Still Woozy and singer and producer Thundercat. Rapper Tyler, the Creator is expected to serve as the headliner on Aug. 9, to be joined on the festival's second day by 'Close to You' singer Gracie Abrams, Vallejo rapper LaRussell, Portola Music Festival alum Gesaffelstein and preppy pop band Vampire Weekend, which is billed to perform twice to deliver 'stage opening and closing sets.' Also on the festival's second day, R&B singer, rapper and drummer Anderson .Paak is listed to perform under his alter-ego, DJ Pee .Wee, followed by a set with his band, the Free Nationals, on the festival's final day on Aug. 10. Irish folk singer Hozier is scheduled to close out Outside Lands on Aug. 10. Others performing on the third day of the festival include singer-songwriter Jorja Smith, 'Friday' singer Rebecca Black, indie rock group Glass Animals and the Jack Antonoff-fronted pop rock outfit, Bleachers. Julien Baker and Torres pulled out of the festival, in addition to the remaining dates of their 'Send a Prayer My Way' tour, on Monday, May 5, citing that Baker needs time to 'focus on her health.' Outside Lands single-day ticket presales for Chase cardholders are available now, with the general sale starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 7. Three-day tickets are available now. This year's festival will see the return of the open-air SOMA experience in Marx Meadow, featuring music by DJ/producers including Nico Moreno, Black Coffee, Floating Points and former Dirtybird Records owner Claude VonStroke. The Dolores' stage, which offers programming celebrating LGBTQ+ communities, and City Hall, the festival's wedding venue for devoted couples looking to tie the knot in-between sets, will also be making a comeback this year.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kanye West Releases Lost Album ‘Donda 2' to Streaming Services
Kanye West has released his lost album 'Donda 2' after he revealed on a livestream that he was planning to drop the record today. The roots for 'Donda 2' date back to early 2022, when the rapper posted on Instagram that the sequel to his 2021 album would arrive that February and be executive produced by Future. The album was only released on Stem Player, forgoing traditional streaming services, and some songs from the project were reconfigured for artists including Fivio Foreign and the Game. More from Variety Kanye West Sued for Copyright Infringement by Singer Who Denied Sample Usage Over His 'Antisemitic, Racist' Remarks Kanye West's Malibu Mansion on Market Six Months After It Sold (EXCLUSIVE) Kanye West's 'Bully' Is Loaded With (Possibly Uncleared) Samples and Covers: 'Close to You,' 'Can't Hurry Love,' Apparently a Verse From Playboi Carti, More The current version of 'Donda 2,' released on Tuesday evening to YouTube Music and Tidal, features 18 songs, many of which appeared on the original iteration. The lot of the songs appear to be the same, some with different names, and Future cameos on several tracks including 'Happy' and 'Mr. Miyagi.' '5:30,' which was included on West's 'Vultures 2' album with Ty Dolla Sign, also pops up on the tracklist. Jack Harlow features on the track 'Louie Bag,' while Sean Leon cameos on 'SCIFI.' West's ex-wife Kim Kardashian can also be heard on 'SCIFI,' saying, 'I married the best rapper of all time. Not only that, he's the richest Black man in America. A talented, legit genius who gave me four talented, incredible kids.' Amid his unhinged rants on X, West has been prolific, sharing various songs on social media and flash-releasing his most recent album 'Bully.' He dropped 'Bully' in March in the form of various short films that featured his song Saint West in a wrestling ring using a mallet to fend off YOH, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask and El Desperado. The videos swiftly disappeared from social media, leaving the future of 'Bully' and its official release in limbo. Also unclear: If 'Donda 2' will be released to streaming services at large, or will remain on the ones they appeared. On a livestream earlier today, West said that he was eager to release the project and would update mixes later. Listen to 'Donda 2' on YouTube Music and Tidal. Best of Variety What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025 New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025
