YouTube auditions for Carnegie Hall concert

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Do you dream of playing with a symphony at Carnegie Hall? YouTube invites you to audition: “Professionals and amateur musicians of all ages, locations and instruments are welcome to audition for the YouTube Symphony Orchestra by submitting a video performance of a new piece written for the occasion by the renowned Chinese composer Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). (…) Finalists will be chosen by a judging panel and YouTube users to travel to New York in April 2009, to participate in the YouTube Symphony Orchestra summit, and play at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.”

The deadline for all video submissions is January 28, 2009. Website: www.youtube.com/symphony. The double bass masterclass can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NS8s199fxU

My Framus has been stolen

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Over the last years, I found parts of my website used on other websites quite often. Complete pages as well as excerpts and pictures have been taken from my site without asking me for permission. In some cases, I’ve been successful in convincing these webmasters better not to steal my content, in other cases, I wasn’t. That’s probably an issue that you have to get used to if you run a popular website; you simply can’t help it.

Today, I found a, well … somehow funny thing. A chinese company offers my 1954 Framus Cutaway double bass, on which I’ve just practised before writing this post, for 600 USD only. Wow, my Framus that cheap?
(My original photo can be found here.)

Kontrabass Kaleidoskop 2009 (Michaelstein/Germany)

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In 2009 the topic will be: “The Double Bass in the 19th Century”
From Beethoven recitals to Wagner’s Parzifal, from the Trout Quintet to Otello, and also from the “Schrumm-schrumm-Bass” to the most challenging virtuoso works, double bass playing in the 19th century saw some exciting developments with regard to innovations in the construction of instruments and the establishment of playing techniques. The topic is further explored in lectures, teachers’ and participants’ concerts and in the teaching sessions. Of course many other aspects of double bass playing are discussed besides this special topic. The closing concert is organised by the participants. The Double Bass Kaleidoscope is aimed in the first place at music students and professional musicians. There are 40 places available for those wishing to participate actively. Passive participation is also possible, which could be of interest to ambitious lay people. Owing to the anticipated huge demand it is recommended that you register in good time.
More Info at the website of Kontrabass Kaleidoskop.

The LIFE magazine archive hosted by Google

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I really love old photos, so I’m quite happy that Google and the LIFE magazine have published millions of photos of the LIFE magazine archive. Most were never published and are now available for the first time through the joint work of LIFE and Google. The photos can easily be searched by keywords, like you’d expect from Google. The first keyword I’ve googled was “Jazz”, and I immediately found treasures like Percy Heath or Paul Chambers in colour.

Cremona Mondomusica

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Last weekend, I was at the Mondomusica music show at Cremona, Italia. Of course, I didn’t miss to visit the Stradivari Museum at Cremona. Photographing the antique master instruments (Guaneri del Gesu, Stradivari, Bergonzi, etc.) isn’t allowed, but I was able to took some photos of Stradivari’s tools, moulds and plans.

Charlie Haden – Rambling Boy

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Rambling Boy

“Charlie Haden – Rambling Boy”: the feature legth documentary presents the life and work of Charlie Haden. The film is set to be released in Europe by the end of 2008. An airdate for TV in Switzerland, Germany and Austria will be follow soon. After three years in production, the filmmakers are currently in the final stages of editing and adding the appropriate music to the documentary.

From the get-go it was clear for both director Reto Caduff and subject that the film has to go beyond the generic filmed music story: an intimate look at the music and life of one of Jazz’ most inspiring and influential musicians. With access to Haden’s own personal archive, film sequences shot during concerts and recording sessions, interviews with an incredible  selection of friends and collaborators and great archival footage, the documentary will please diehard jazz fans as well as the newly initiated.

The new album Rambling Boy will be released on Sept. 23.