wbl's recent activity
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Comment on Women of Tildes, do we want or need a designated women's space? in ~tildes
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Comment on ASEAN Tildespeople? in ~talk
wbl Link ParentTaiwanese American checking in. Although I don’t think we count as ASEAN.Taiwanese American checking in. Although I don’t think we count as ASEAN.
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Comment on On losing weight and keeping it off -- thoughts eight years in in ~health
wbl Link ParentSimilar. 5’10” at 205 and decided that mid-30s is the time to get back to normal BMI. I know many people would say that exercise should not be used to “increase your eating allowance” but since I...Similar. 5’10” at 205 and decided that mid-30s is the time to get back to normal BMI. I know many people would say that exercise should not be used to “increase your eating allowance” but since I love eating, that’s exactly what I do. I’ll make sure I go for a semi-high-intensity workout first thing in the morning to “earn” my allowance. And then I just count my calories, not even very detailed but rough estimates. Down 40 pounds in 4 months and have been maintaining 165ish and keeping up with my cardio to keep myself at the same weight for 3 months. It really is about the habit. I hope my habit stays!
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentHaha but seriously, thanks for supporting the arts community by letting your child/ren to be part of it :)Haha but seriously, thanks for supporting the arts community by letting your child/ren to be part of it :)
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentYeah that’s me. I’m going to leave it up for a couple more days. Good music is meant to be listened to! Hopefully I can get it recorded. Hopefully someone with money will fund it haha!Yeah that’s me. I’m going to leave it up for a couple more days. Good music is meant to be listened to! Hopefully I can get it recorded. Hopefully someone with money will fund it haha!
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Comment on Any aviators out there? in ~hobbies
wbl Link ParentRotor is expensive… one of my CFIs is a former Blackhawk pilot and he only flies fixed wings now. Just a word of caution!Rotor is expensive… one of my CFIs is a former Blackhawk pilot and he only flies fixed wings now. Just a word of caution!
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Comment on Any aviators out there? in ~hobbies
wbl LinkLow time PPL here! Got my license in 2021. At some point I need to go work on my IR. I’ve only flown the usual Warriors and Skyhawks but I’m partial to those adorable commuter planes of...Low time PPL here! Got my license in 2021. At some point I need to go work on my IR. I’ve only flown the usual Warriors and Skyhawks but I’m partial to those adorable commuter planes of yesteryear… I want to fly an Ercoupe so badly!
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Comment on Apple WWDC 2023 megathread (link goes to Apple event page) in ~tech
wbl Link ParentPeople said the Quest Pro is too expensive but you can literally get 3 and a half Quests before getting this. I’m very out of the loop on VR, is the Apple Vision that much better or more advanced?...People said the Quest Pro is too expensive but you can literally get 3 and a half Quests before getting this. I’m very out of the loop on VR, is the Apple Vision that much better or more advanced? Or is it just the Apple tax and the fact that people like to hate on Meta?
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentIt depends! I do a lot of my programs, but even when I am in charge of programming, I defer to the director of artistic planning (or similar roles) and the orchestral librarian for their advice...Who decides what your orchestras program? Is it you? If so, how do you decide what to perform?
It depends! I do a lot of my programs, but even when I am in charge of programming, I defer to the director of artistic planning (or similar roles) and the orchestral librarian for their advice and input. There are times that I get hired to a readily-programmed show. And as a staff conductor (not the main conductor of an orchestra), most of the educational/family/outreach and similar shows have set programs that sometimes I get more say in but often completely programmed for me. With smaller orchestras, it's often just me.
As for how I program, this is a YUGE topic and definitely something I'm still learning. But my main goal is to tell a story through programming. Sometimes it's through the story of the pieces and the story of the composers, but often times it's also through other elements, through the keys, the styles, the influences, etc. And for a larger arch when a full season is concerned, it's the same. I know this sounds incredibly vague... but take my upcoming summer festival for example, I decided that the musical theme is the relationship between Brahms and Schumann. I don't want to make the whole festival about them but I decided to start with Brahms. Then get to Clara Schuman. Then I feature pieces influenced by Clara and contemporary pieces dedicated to her. Then I take a detour to North America and traced a completely unrelated William Schuman to another New Englander composer Edward MacDowell to his tangentially connection to Robert Schumann, and finally end the festival with a Schumann symphony. The festival is not explicitly about Brahms and Schumann, but for the keenly aware, they will notice. And for those who didn't see the big picture, they will at least get a nice flow, a coherent set of programming that spans continents and centuries :)
I'll get back to the rest of the questions tomorrow lol
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentTo be completely honest, I think it's just the connotation, the vibe, and the historic reach of the different styles. I really do think that, given the chance, jazz people will appreciate chamber...Why do classical chamber recitals and jazz combos have different audiences and different audience cultures?
To be completely honest, I think it's just the connotation, the vibe, and the historic reach of the different styles. I really do think that, given the chance, jazz people will appreciate chamber music and vice versa. I'm actually going to test out this theory with a program next year: Baroque and jazz. It'll be the theme of the gala of one of the orchestras I work with. I'm very curious to get feedback and see how people react.
Is there a way to merge them into a single audience? Is that desirable?
I don't know, and I don't know if that's even my goal, but I definitely do hope to reach more audience, and coming from classical music, I really think the dedicated jazz audience is of significant interest.
It feels like the goal of orchestral pops is to reincorporate parts of big band performances. Is that true, and if so, is it working?
There are so many types of orchestral pops, but I'd say for my pops shows, I treat them very similarly to my traditional classical shows. I want to get the right style, have a genuine take on the music, and convincingly put them together in a cohesive production. So when jazz and/or big band style is called for, I definitely want to be as authentic as I can.
How is it different listening to a recording of an orchestra you conducted versus listening to yourself performing on piano?
I perform very infrequently on the piano nowadays and it's nowhere at the level of my conducting, so it's difficult to answer. Although I can say that, while I started out as a pianist, nowadays, the way I think, the way I analyze, the way I decide on how I perform, my conducting experience might have influenced my piano playing a lot more than vice versa.
Do you have any favorite obscure pieces by Latin American composers?
Not sure if it's obscure enough, but Luis Bacalov's Misa Tango. Loved that piece!
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Comment on Any MLS fans here? in ~sports.football
wbl Link ParentThat's very cool. I need to read up on them...That's very cool. I need to read up on them...
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentHave you thought about hosting a radio show?! You sound exactly like who I'd like to listen to.Have you thought about hosting a radio show?! You sound exactly like who I'd like to listen to.
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentFamily concerts are mainly easy-to-listen to pops or light classical concerts, mainly for families to bring their younger kids to. They are not particularly "educational" but focus more on...Family concerts are mainly easy-to-listen to pops or light classical concerts, mainly for families to bring their younger kids to. They are not particularly "educational" but focus more on generating interest and providing an enjoyable experience for kids and adults. Think shorter pieces, recognizable tunes, etc.
Outreach has many different forms. Some are concerts in neighborhoods that do not have a high music education penetration, some are your usual symphony-in-the-parks, some are concerts with themes to particularly speak to an underrepresented demography, etc.
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentSee, I am afraid to speak with actual connoisseurs because it'll reveal how little I know. Or how vast the classical music universe is! I remember meeting an important donor of an orchestra once....See, I am afraid to speak with actual connoisseurs because it'll reveal how little I know. Or how vast the classical music universe is! I remember meeting an important donor of an orchestra once. He started by asking me "what do you think of the Martinu String Trios" and I had to admit to him, I do not know them at all. He was surprised. To him, an avid records collector, I, a professional, should without a doubt know about everything he has...
Anyway, back to your recommendations, definitely adding to my to-listen list. How interesting works these are. How did you come across these works? Not to mention soooo new?
(Also, I appreciate the random Mozarts in the list...)
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentWow, I don't think I would even be 10% correct if I played that game... Was that the Bruckner 8 that someone had to step in? I'm too lazy to even Google but I remember hearing about that... Most...Wow, I don't think I would even be 10% correct if I played that game...
Was that the Bruckner 8 that someone had to step in? I'm too lazy to even Google but I remember hearing about that...
Do you primarily work with a single orchestra or organization, or do you take guest conducting roles across the country/world? Who's your favorite living violinist? How about your favorite living pianist? What's the best or most memorable classical performance you've witnessed live, either as the conductor or as a member of the audience?
Most of the time, I have one or two affiliations with orchestra(s) and guest conduct when I have time and when people actually ask... Sometimes I only have one or two guest engagements a year. Sometimes I have more than 10. I work mainly in the US but I have conducted in Europe, South America, and East Asia, albeit very rarely. For context, I'm a young-ish conductor in my mid-30s, so I doubt you've seen me, unless you've been to the mostly random small towns I conduct more often. Almost all of my big-name orchestra partners are those who hired me to do education or outreach/family concerts!
I don't think I can give you a "favorite" answer, but I really like Augustin Hadelich, who is definitely among my favorites. Manny Ax, similarly, is among my favorite pianists. I have a couple of very memorable performances, the premiere of Gorecki's Symphony No. 4 by the LPO, seeing Saariaho's L'amour de loin (RIP Saariaho :'( ) at the Met, an amazing Turangalila Symphony by the Chicago Symphony... I'm sure there are more!
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentMost enjoyable Working with amazing musicians, having that easy communication that just makes sense. And everything about sharing music, whether it's conducting a concert, speaking with people...Most enjoyable
Working with amazing musicians, having that easy communication that just makes sense. And everything about sharing music, whether it's conducting a concert, speaking with people about music, finding ways to help people learn how to listen and appreciate, chatting with students, etc.
Most frustrating
Not having enough artistic support to carry out productions to their fullest potential. Having to sacrifice rehearsal time, bad acoustics in rehearsal spaces, no budget to hire high quality audio engineers, etc.
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentI have to admit, I have never heard of Satie's Vexations. I need to get to know more of his works. Funny enough, when I was vacationing in Paris last year, I accidentally stumbled upon Satie's...I have to admit, I have never heard of Satie's Vexations. I need to get to know more of his works. Funny enough, when I was vacationing in Paris last year, I accidentally stumbled upon Satie's former apartment and thought to myself I need to look into him and his works more. Never got around to it. Good reminder. De Leeuw is another one who is so interesting in his own right. I know he is known for his Satie recordings, but he has many interesting ideas on other rep. I remember stumbling upon his Pierrot a long time ago.
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Comment on Let's chat everything classical music in ~music
wbl Link ParentHaha, but it's cool to have a popular instrument :) Yeah, my parents did try a bit. Mainly because they worry about how hard it might be to make a living. And god, for the first few years out of...Haha, but it's cool to have a popular instrument :)
so how did you become a career musician? : ) did your family try to talk you out of it? did you always know you were going to be a conductor? what is your favourite instrument?
Yeah, my parents did try a bit. Mainly because they worry about how hard it might be to make a living. And god, for the first few years out of grad school I was kicking myself for not listened to them.
I did not always know that I wanted to become a conductor, but thinking back, I had a fascination for conducting since I was in primary school. I remember trying to mimic the gestures of my choir teacher and find the whole thing so interesting. When I was in high school, I suddenly became much more interested in classical music, and conducting immediately spoke to me, not just because of my fascination, but as a pianist, I wished I could play in an orchestra more often, and conducting seemed to be the obvious route. (Not a lot of orchestral pieces require a pianist.)
I love everything in the tenor-ish voice. I love tenor singing. I love the viola and cello. I love the horn. Somehow that very human, and somewhat heroic, tone, speaks to me a lot!
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Comment on Any MLS fans here? in ~sports.football
wbl Link ParentJapan and Australia, these are some rarer mentioned leagues in the soccer world. What drew you to them? Particularly Australia?!Japan and Australia, these are some rarer mentioned leagues in the soccer world. What drew you to them? Particularly Australia?!
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Comment on Any MLS fans here? in ~sports.football
wbl Link ParentHaven't watched a ton of your team's games. Just checked, still in the play-off zone. Who knows? Love a come-back game.Haven't watched a ton of your team's games. Just checked, still in the play-off zone. Who knows? Love a come-back game.
As a guy, I appreciated lurking there. It opened my eyes to what a lot of people are experiencing and thinking and made me so much more aware of how to be mindful and understanding of that.