Born and raised in Washington, D.C., I couldn't help but develop a keen interest in politics, but music, theater and visual art also proved great attractions. Music became my main focus after high school. I thought about being a cocktail pianist, but I hated taking requests, so I studied music history instead, earning a B.A. in that field from Eisenhower College (Seneca Falls, N.Y.) and an M.A. from Occidental College (Los Angeles). I then landed in journalism. After freelancing for the Washington Post and others, I was classical music critic for the Sun-Sentinel in South Florida, where I also contributed to NPR. I've written for the New York Times, BBC Music Magazine and other publications, and I'm a longtime contributor to Opera News. My book, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music (Perigee, 2002), can be found on the most discerning remainder racks.
I joined the Baltimore Sun as classical music critic in 2000 and, in 2009, also became theater critic, giving me the opportunity to annoy a whole new audience. In 2010, my original Clef Notes blog expanded to encompass a theatrical component -- how could I resist calling it Drama Queens? I hope you'll find both sides of this blog coin worth exploring and reacting to; your own comments are always welcome and valued (well, most of them, at least).
Think of this as your open-all-hours, cyber green room, where there's always a performer or performance to discuss, some news to digest, or maybe just a little good gossip to share.
Note: Tim Smith now writes about the fine arts at
baltimoresun.com/artsmash. This blog will be kept in place as an archive for an indefinite period. Please visit the new location to get the latest Mid-Atlantic arts coverage.
View the Artsmash blog
Comments
Gustav really was an asset to baroque interpretation and boosting of the era's music. I began piano lessons in elementary school, and my teacher let me borrow her recordings of Gustav at the harpsichord. Good memories.
Posted by: Laura | January 18, 2012 3:54 PM
A great loss, needless to say. A more complete obituary appears in The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9021331/Gustav-Leonhardt.html
Do you know when was the last time that Leonhardt visited the Washington - Baltimore area? The Guardian obit mentions that he visited the US almost every year, and I seem to recall some concerts in NY. But none in the Washington-Baltimore area (which is strange, since one of his collaborators, Jaap Schroeded worked with the Smithsonian Players.)
Thanks!
In my 12 years here, I do not recall any Baltimore area performances. And a look at Shriver Hall's complete archives reveals that he never graced that stage -- the most likely venue for him here, I imagine. I suspect DC must have heard him at some point. TIM
Posted by: Don Ciccio | January 20, 2012 9:20 AM