Clef Notes: Classical music shows strength in Sun's Celebrity Smackdown - The Baltimore Sun’s classical music critic Tim Smith blogs about the sonic art, local and beyond

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October 19, 2009

Classical music shows strength in Sun's Celebrity Smackdown

Take that, sports fans.

In the Sun's breathlessly anticipated Celebrity Smackdown, two of Baltimore's classical music movers-'n'-shakers have advanced to round two, in each case beating out local sports figures. (The ballot pairings were randomly selected, I'm assured.)

Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, bested WJZ sports director Mark Viviano. And Tom Hall, music director of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society, outpaced Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti (I'm sure the team's record so far this season has absolutely nothing to do with that).

Feel free to jump into the voting, classical music lovers, and do your part for the triumph of elitist culture. (This will also help distract you while I put together more interesting blog posts.)

Posted by Tim Smith at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Comments

Bravo Tim for cheering the classicals! And a dignified final round presence for Marin Alsop. the ultimate loss is alas not surprising, given the kind of crowd that this kind of contest attracts.

To tell the truth, I'm amazed a classical figure could get past the first round. Could we have the audacity to hope that this is a good sign for the future of our culture? I guess not, but, still...TIM

Posted by: L. M. Birden | November 18, 2009 5:27 AM

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About Tim Smith

I was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up there. Initial thoughts of becoming a cocktail pianist faded when I realized I hated taking requests. I decided to study music history instead, and got a B. A. in that field from Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls, New York, and an M.A. from Occidental College in Los Angeles. After free-lance gigs for the Washington Star and the Washington Post, I worked as classical music critic for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel during the 1980s and '90s, a period when I also ventured into radio, contributing to NPR and hosting a weekly show on a West Palm Beach station. Since April 2000, I've been classical music critic at the Baltimore Sun. Over the years, I've written occasional articles for the New York Times, BBC Music Magazine and other publications, and I'm a longtime, regular contributor to Opera News and the U.K. magazine Opera. You may still be able to find on the remainder racks my one and only book, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music (Perigee, 2002).

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Local links and resources

BALTIMORE AREA RESOURCES
• Marin Alsop's official site
• An die Musik
• Bach Concert Series
• Baltimore Chamber Orchestra
• Baltimore Choral Arts Society
• Baltimore Classical Guitar Society
• Baltimore Concert Opera
• Baltimore Opera Co. Inc.
• Baltimore Opera Theatre
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Community Concerts at Second/Chamber Music by Candlelight
• Concert Artists of Baltimore
• Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra
• Handel Choir of Baltimore
• Lyric Opera House
• Maryland State Boychoir
• Mobtown Modern
• Music in the Great Hall
• Opera Vivente
• Peabody Institute
• Pro Musica Rara
• Soulful Symphony
• Shriver Hall Concert Series
• Towson University Center for the Arts
• UMBC Arts Calendar
• University of Baltimore Student Center Performing Arts Theater

WASHINGTON AREA RESOURCES
• Clarice Smith Center
• Kennedy Center
• Music Center at Strathmore
• National Philharmonic
• National Symphony Orchestra
• Washington National Opera
• Washington Performing Arts Society

ANNAPOLIS AREA RESOURCES
• Annapolis Chorale
• Annapolis Opera
• Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

MARYLAND RESOURCES
• Maryland Symphony Orchestra

CLASSICAL RESOURCES
• Arts Journal
• Musical America
• New Music Box

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