Jim Svejda?
David J. Loftus
Who is this guy whose notes on the various musical works are reprinted in
all the Oregon Symphony programs? How did he become an "expert"?
Seems like he has one of the easiest jobs in the universe. Almost
anybody could look up the background, anecdotes, and musical descriptions
and write this stuff. I know I could. Svejda's remarks seem facile and
not terribly penetrating, and his prose is often quite leaden. Are his
notes used all over the country?
The bio note on him says he has a radio show too. Anybody heard it? How
is it, and what happens on it?
David Loftus
HenryFogel
Jim Svejda has been professionally involved with classical music for about
thirty-five years now. He began as a part-time radio announcer, working for
me, on WONO (a full-time commercial classical radio station) in Syracuse in the
early-mid 1970s. He soon demonstrated a sufficient musical knowledge to be
given the job of programming the station -- meaning some 18 hours a day of
music to be scheduled, preferably in a balanced way that is interesting and
attractive to the listeners. He left WONO when we sold the station (classical
radio was taken up by WCNY, the public station in Syracuse, which still does a
superb job of it), and has worked for KUSC in Los Angeles as both a programmer
and an announcer for at least twenty years now.
He listens avidly to recordings, and has in fact published a number of volumes
of a guide to recorded music.
Jim's musical knowledge and experience are extensive -- his writing style is
what it is, and some will like it while others will be repelled. Jim has
always used his rapier wit to make points, and for his fans (I am one) his
humor and bite are part of the attraction.
And no, almost anybody could NOT "look up background, anecdotes and musical
descriptions and write this stuff," as you put it. If you did nothing but
plagerize, sooner or later you would get caught and exposed. Jim Svejda is
representative of a school that tries to avoid getting into deep musical
analysis, preferring an anecdotal approach so as to be understandable to the
largest number of readers. But I assure you there is a great deal of himself
in whatever he writes.
Henry Fogel
Michael Subotin
> The bio note on him says he has a radio show too. Anybody heard it? How
> is it, and what happens on it?
Svejda hosts a syndicated show called The Record Shelf. I don't listen
to it often, partly because I don't know how to find out the topic in
advance, but I've enjoyed the programs I caught. I think there's much to
admire about his commentary and his choices (noone who picks Rosbaud's
recording of Schoenberg's op.16 to play on the air can be all that bad,
can he?) -- especially after Karl Haas, whom he follows on the local
station. Last time I tuned in, he presented Koussevitsky's London Eroica
in its entirety, but generally there's a broader theme: conductor,
composer, comparison of the better recordings for a given piece. All in
all, my second favorite radio show after St. Paul Sunday.
Michael
--
i...@vms.cis.pitt{DOT}edu Replace {DOT} with a dot
George Matysiak
Music; 640 pages or more; very, very roughly he tends to like:
furtwangler, Walter and Szell; he likes some Reiner; he seems to be
less praising of Ormandy, much Stowkowski, l Toscanani, Heifitz, and
Horowitz . My these were from my ancient notes in the margin and I
might be inaccurate; overall, I like his reviews of recordings as much
as anyone else, although I wince due to my love for Heifitz.
Joe Salerno
did many years ago. Interesting guy. And he likes Rachmaninoff.
My fav is Performance Today.
--
Joe Salerno-A Battery is Always on Charge!
Video Production & Post Production
PO Box 273405 - Houston TX 77277-3405
http://joe.salerno.com
Fax: 603-415-7616
"Michael Subotin" <th...@shalt.not.spam> wrote in message
news:38BB16...@shalt.not.spam...
Jim Curtis
George Matysiak <geog...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:7040-38B...@storefull-216.iap.bryant.webtv.net...
> my first time on net; Svejda wrote The Record Shelf Guide to Classical
> Music; 640 pages or more; very, very roughly he tends to like:
> furtwangler, Walter and Szell; he likes some Reiner; he seems to be
> less praising of Ormandy, much Stowkowski, l Toscanani,
I remember those last three names from his "musical assasins" program. Also
included as a "musical assasin" was Von Karajan....hard to take this joker
serious after that. Even if you aren't the biggest Von Karajan fan, the
hyperbole there is unforgivable even though If I do share his love for
Walter and Reiner which redeems him a bit. VON KARAJAN? MUSICAL
ASSASIN?...KEEERIPES.
Rick Fethers
issue has a new name. He says some interesting stuff regarding the
repertoire....as to plagiarism...I don't know. I stll buy whatever he puts
out...leads one in the right direction...though still do not like him for my
buying Rothko Chapel...by Feldman.
Rick
"David J. Loftus" wrote:
> Who is this guy whose notes on the various musical works are reprinted in
> all the Oregon Symphony programs? How did he become an "expert"?
>
> Seems like he has one of the easiest jobs in the universe. Almost
> anybody could look up the background, anecdotes, and musical descriptions
> and write this stuff. I know I could. Svejda's remarks seem facile and
> not terribly penetrating, and his prose is often quite leaden. Are his
> notes used all over the country?
>
> The bio note on him says he has a radio show too. Anybody heard it? How
> is it, and what happens on it?
>
> David Loftus
AMI
program on KUSC in Los Angeles. He also writes film reviews, though I
forget who for.
He is certainly an individual, with a characteristic style which he uses to
great effect. His shows are almost always interesting and often
educational, and always rewarding. His favorite composer apparently is
Edward Elgar, and he cordially hates Goreski's 3rd symphony, so he can't be
all bad.
If you get a chance to listen to his shows, do so. We don't have too many
erudite and entertaining people on the radio in Los Angeles, but he is
certainly one of them.
Roland
David J. Loftus wrote in message <89etg3$o1m$2...@nntp1.atl.mindspring.net>...
Josh Klein
I've enjoyed each of the several editions of Sveja's book ("The Record
Shelf Guide to Classical Music Collecting", or something like that)
and I always feel lucky to have the chance to listen to him when
I'm in Los Angeles. I think that he has good musical taste, and
a great, witty writing style.
--
Josh Klein
Amherst College
Brian Cantin
Others have explained about Svejda and his background.
I just want to say that I look forward to his Record Shelf
programs on Sunday and his nightly broadcast here in Los
Angeles. Programming of classical through mid 20th century
music on the level of Svejda's broadcasts is unparalleled
on local radio.
--
Brian Cantin
An advocate of poisonous individualism.
To reply via email, replace "dcantin" with "bcantin".
Michael Subotin
<...> I stll buy whatever he puts
> out...leads one in the right direction...though still do not like him for my
> buying Rothko Chapel...by Feldman.
Cheer up; it's the right Rothko Chapel to buy when you're on a budget.
Abelard2
>The bio note on him says he has a radio show too. Anybody heard it? How
>is it, and what happens on it?
It originates in Los Angeles at KUSC, where Svejda has set the standard for
unctuous pomposity.
Evelyn Vogt Gamble (Divamanque)
Southern California is blessed to have him associated with
our classical KUSC, where in addition to various other
duties,he hosts a nightly "Music till Midnight" Program.
His syndicated "The Record Shelf" provides interesting
information and insights into various composers and their
works, as well as interviews with them and people who knew
them. His two part program on Schoenberg was particularly
impressive, but he has done many others worthy of
repetition.
He has written several books, among them "The Record Shelf
Giude to Classical Recordings" and "The Insiders Guide to
Classical Recordings" excellent and comprehensive resource
books for any record collector. His opinions are his own,
and he admits as much, but he expresses them amusingly,
including plenty of facts, as well, and IMHO the book
belongs in every collector's library. He is also a
delightful public speaker and a charming person.
I assume he became an expert by obtaining degrees in music
and doing the necessary research along the way. If you
dislike his style, that's certainly your priviledge, but I
suspect you may be very much in the minority - I've seen
posts from all over the country from people who seem to
enjoy his programs. (And don't assume "almost anybody"
could do program notes until you've tried it - it's not
nearly so easy as it appears to the novice!)
"David J. Loftus" wrote:
>
> Who is this guy whose notes on the various musical works are reprinted in
> all the Oregon Symphony programs? How did he become an "expert"?
>
> Seems like he has one of the easiest jobs in the universe. Almost
> anybody could look up the background, anecdotes, and musical descriptions
> and write this stuff. I know I could. Svejda's remarks seem facile and
> not terribly penetrating, and his prose is often quite leaden. Are his
> notes used all over the country?
>
> The bio note on him says he has a radio show too. Anybody heard it? How
> is it, and what happens on it?
>
> David Loftus
Abelard2
>Also
>included as a "musical assasin" was Von Karajan....hard to take this joker
>serious after that. Even if you aren't the biggest Von Karajan fan, the
>hyperbole there is unforgivable even though If I do share his love for
>Walter and Reiner which redeems him a bit. VON KARAJAN? MUSICAL
>ASSASIN?...KEEERIPES.
>
As much as Svedja's mode of presentation grates on me, I must admit that I have
revised my opinion of him upwards, after reading the above posting.
A. Brain
various "hand-outs" from the magazines dating back to the early '70s.
Aside from some real blind spots, like Bach and "original instruments"
recordings, Svejda is reliable and extremely amusing. Really good anecdotes
and stylish remarks about the composers, the music, and the performers. You
can probably discover more unknown or little-known music by leafing through
Penguin, but for guidance in more basic repertoire, it's hard to beat
Svejda. I buy another edition every time a new one comes out, just for the
entertainment.
--
A. Brain
Remove "nospam" when replying via email
Evelyn Vogt Gamble (Divamanque) <evg...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:38BB52F8...@earthlink.net...
Alex Leach
stating that he divorced his wife when he found out she was Jewish, when in
fact the complete opposite was the case.
I actually like Svejda's Record Guides, but he demeans himself by making
such false comments, especially when I suspect he knew that it was false. I
am not trying to reopen the 'pros and cons of Karajan', but such nonsense
doesn't do anybody any favours.
--
Alex
Abelard2 <abel...@aol.comspamless> wrote in message
news:20000229015541...@ng-cg1.aol.com...
David J. Loftus
Interesting to read the varying opinions on Svejda.
I certainly did not mean to accuse him of plagiarism, any more than any
responsible journalist could be accused of such for doing research and
building a story on other people's work.
My main complaint has been that after nearly a decade of reading his
notes in the Oregon Symphony's programs, I have found his judgments
pedestrian, and his prose often clumsy or just plain ungrammatical. I
would be GRATEFUL for some of that "rapier wit" and "humor and bite" to
which Henry Fogel adverted.
Now I've only been exposed to Svejda's generic notes on composers and
their works, which may possibly be intentionally "dumbed down" so as to be
suitable for reprint in music programs across the country, and to appeal
to the widest possible readership. Perhaps his writings on specific
recordings would be more pointed and interesting. It is also possible
that my symphony's office has edited his pieces clumsily, I suppose.
To say that "almost anybody" could do what Svejda does was a bit of
hyperbole, I'll admit, but for Ms. Evelyn Vogt Gamble's information I
HAVE tried it: I reviewed local performers as well as musicians on tour
with the Community Concert series, from the Vienna Choir Boys and the New
York Ballet Theater to the Sofia Chamber Orchestra. Imagine my surprise
when the US Information Agency called me to commission an expanded version
of my piece on the Sofia outfit for their Bulgarian language magazine
distributed out of Vienna! I got a nice chunk of change out of being a
U.S. government whore -- don't believe I've received as much money for
any other free-lance piece in the 13 years since, although there have
certainly been other pieces I thought were better and about which I cared
much more.
At this point, my opinion is that while Jim Svejda undoubtedly has a much
broader knowledge base in classical music, I believe that I and many
other folks can write better than he. That was all I wanted to say.
David Loftus
Emrla
>stating that he divorced his wife when he found out she was Jewish, when in
>fact the complete opposite was the case.
[snipped]
You mean she divorced him when she found out he was Jewish? :)
EMR
jbay...@hotmail.com
"David J. Loftus" <dl...@netcom11.netcom.com> wrote:
> I have found his judgments
> pedestrian, and his prose often clumsy or just plain ungrammatical.
Yep.
John
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Richard Schultz
: >The bio note on him says he has a radio show too. Anybody heard it? How
: >is it, and what happens on it?
: It originates in Los Angeles at KUSC, where Svejda has set the standard
: for unctuous pomposity.
Well stated. I should also point out that his preference for Dutoit's
version of "La Valse" over Munch's in one of his comparative listening
programs shows that he needs psychiatric help, and badly. (My favorite
Svejda moment was when he was praising Bernstein's recording of the
Haffner Symphony not because of the tempo he chose in the finale, but
the quality of the tempo. No, it didn't make any sense to me either.)
-----
Richard Schultz sch...@mail.biu.ac.il
Department of Chemistry tel: 972-3-531-8065
Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel fax: 972-3-535-1250
-----
"You go on playing Bach your way, and I'll go on playing him *his* way."
-- Wanda Landowska
Rick Fethers
Michael Subotin
>
> Do YOU get this work???????
I liked it.
evan johnson
wrote:
:Do YOU get this work???????
I happen to love it. You don't think it's just plain beautiful, even
if you don't "get" it??
Evan
Remove everything between '@' and 'yale' to reply.
JConducts
in CA, as the manager of the CD section. We hosted Jim for a book signing. I
found him delightful and quite informed. It seems he was a pretty good oboist
at one time. Just don't get him started on certain baroque "specialist"
conductors!
He also mentioned that he believes that my mentor and friend Frederick Fennell
is the best conductor America has produced, so I liked him a lot! :-)
Jennifer Martin
Reno, NV
J. Hutchinson
entertaining than most classical music hosts (which, incidentally, is not
saying a whole lot). I like a lot of the music he selects for the program,
but
he does make a point of saying something really stupid at least once during
every show. I remember on Columbus day, he opined that it was inappropriate
of
Native Americans to object to celebrations of the "discovery" of America by
Columbus. I can recall many other similarly off-color remarks, but I won't
recount them here. I also don't like the fact that he professes to like a
good
deal of atonal music (e.g., works of Shoenberg) but he rarely, if ever,
plays
any of this music on his show.
> > The bio note on him says he has a radio show too. Anybody heard it?
How
> > is it, and what happens on it?
> >
> > David Loftus
>
Abelard2
>I listen to Music til Midnight occasionally and I suppose Jim Svejda is more
>entertaining than most classical music hosts (which, incidentally, is not
>saying a whole lot). I like a lot of the music he selects for the program,
>but
>he does make a point of saying something really stupid at least once during
>every show. I remember on Columbus day, he opined that it was inappropriate
>of
>Native Americans to object to celebrations of the "discovery" of America by
>Columbus. I can recall many other similarly off-color remarks, but I won't
>recount them here. I also don't like the fact that he professes to like a
>good
>deal of atonal music (e.g., works of Shoenberg) but he rarely, if ever,
>plays
>any of this music on his show.
>
I have always been annoyed by Jim Svejda's manner of presentation, but after
reading some of these posts, I have gained a new-found respect for the man. I
think the fact that he refrains from playing atonal music that he may like, is
simply good manners (like the old joke, a gentleman is someone who knows how to
play the saxophone, but doesn't). Columbus came to a hemisphere that was
underpopulated by the shattered remnants of a destroyed, possibly once-great
civilization. And to my great delight, I heard a broadcast on Sunday where Mr.
Svedja documented, with devastating precision, that Herbert von Karajan's
pro-Nazi proclivities correspond exactly to his wretched interpretations of
beautiful works. Talk about politically incorrect! Now, if Jim could only learn
to express himself less pompously, he might be the ideal classical DJ ( if he
could somehow incorporate Rich Caparella's puckish humor).
David Cleary
: Columbus came to a hemisphere that was underpopulated by the shattered
: remnants of a destroyed, possibly once-great civilization.
Like the Aztecs and Incas? From what I've read, both were thriving and
prosperous societies in 1492 and were in fact destroyed in later years
by the Spanish.
More trolling? Or are you making this all up as you go along?
Dave
Abelard2
>Like the Aztecs and Incas? From what I've read, both were thriving and
>prosperous societies in 1492 and were in fact destroyed in later years
>by the Spanish.
Well, in the case of the Aztecs, a society that can afford to line up 20,000 of
its inhabitants in one day, to have their living hearts torn out on an altar,
might be considered by some to be "prosperous." But I cannot help but suspect,
that some who lived in their dominions, viewed the Spanish as liberators. I'll
go with Svedja on this one.
Peter T. Daniels
> civilization. And to my great delight, I heard a broadcast on Sunday where Mr.
> Svedja documented, with devastating precision, that Herbert von Karajan's
> pro-Nazi proclivities correspond exactly to his wretched interpretations of
> beautiful works. Talk about politically incorrect!
Care to encapsulate the argument?
--
Peter T. Daniels gram...@worldnet.att.net
David Cleary
: David Cleary dcl...@fas.harvard.edu wrote:
:>Like the Aztecs and Incas? From what I've read, both were thriving and
:>prosperous societies in 1492 and were in fact destroyed in later years
:>by the Spanish.
: Well, in the case of the Aztecs, a society that can afford to line up 20,000 of
: its inhabitants in one day, to have their living hearts torn out on an altar,
: might be considered by some to be "prosperous."
What does this have to do with the question of prosperity and thriving? And
anyway, how is this significantly different from what the Spanish Church did
during the Inquisition? Or did you not consider Spain to be "prosperous" either?
And even if your example is a good one, does it apply to the Incas?
Dave
J. Hutchinson
Abelard2 <abel...@aol.comspamless> wrote in message
> underpopulated by the shattered remnants of a destroyed, possibly
once-great
> civilization.
Is this a bad joke? Do you know anything about the people Columbus and
company visited and obliterated in a few decades? For example, can you tell
me the name of these people? And do you really believe the entire New World
was populated by one civilization? Again, I hope this was joke and I'm just
being duped.
And to my great delight, I heard a broadcast on Sunday where Mr.
> Svedja documented, with devastating precision, that Herbert von Karajan's
> pro-Nazi proclivities correspond exactly to his wretched interpretations
of
J. Hutchinson
did visit were peaceful and gentle, and were therefore enslaved and
treated worse than animals. By the way, the Aztecs occupied only a
small part of the New World, and I very much doubt that their worst
barbarity could match that of the Europeans. By the way, where do
you get that number of 20,000 inhabitants having their hearts torn out in
one day?
Abelard2 <abel...@aol.comspamless> wrote in message
news:20000406163323...@ng-fd1.aol.com...
> David Cleary dcl...@fas.harvard.edu wrote, in all seriousness:
>
> >Like the Aztecs and Incas? From what I've read, both were thriving and
> >prosperous societies in 1492 and were in fact destroyed in later years
> >by the Spanish.
>
> Well, in the case of the Aztecs, a society that can afford to line up
20,000 of
> its inhabitants in one day, to have their living hearts torn out on an
altar,
Abelard2
civilization. And to my great delight, I heard a broadcast on Sunday where
>Mr.
>> Svedja documented, with devastating precision, that Herbert von Karajan's
>> pro-Nazi proclivities correspond exactly to his wretched interpretations of
>> beautiful works. Talk about politically incorrect!
>
Well, mainly he just let von Karajan's recorded performances make the argument
for him. His devastating Coup de Grace was an excerpt from the finale of von
Karajan's execution of Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
Sacqueboutier
> Columbus did not visit the Aztecs. That was Cortez. The people he
> did visit were peaceful and gentle, and were therefore enslaved and
> treated worse than animals. By the way, the Aztecs occupied only a
> small part of the New World, and I very much doubt that their worst
> barbarity could match that of the Europeans. By the way, where do
> you get that number of 20,000 inhabitants having their hearts torn out in
> one day?
Perhaps from the same historical source that he learned about the
Inquisition? The Crusades? Religious persecution of Protestants?
Religious persecution of Catholics? Persecution in general of Jews?
the Aztecs may have performed human sacrifices, but their ceremonial
can't even begin to compete with those of Middle Age, Renaissance,
Classical, etc. Europe.
--
Don Patterson
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Peter T. Daniels
So you could HEAR "pro-Nazi proclivities" in musical performances? (Which recording --
the mavens here will be glad to list all the options for you.)
That doesn't take Mr. Svejda off the hook, but it impales you very firmly on it.
Explain.
Peter T. Daniels
>
> "J. Hutchinson" wrote:
>
> > Columbus did not visit the Aztecs. That was Cortez. The people he
> > did visit were peaceful and gentle, and were therefore enslaved and
> > treated worse than animals. By the way, the Aztecs occupied only a
> > small part of the New World, and I very much doubt that their worst
> > barbarity could match that of the Europeans. By the way, where do
> > you get that number of 20,000 inhabitants having their hearts torn out in
> > one day?
>
> Perhaps from the same historical source that he learned about the
> Inquisition? The Crusades? Religious persecution of Protestants?
> Religious persecution of Catholics? Persecution in general of Jews?
>
> the Aztecs may have performed human sacrifices, but their ceremonial
> can't even begin to compete with those of Middle Age, Renaissance,
> Classical, etc. Europe.
Pn. Hutchinson is not questioning Aztec human sacrifice, nor does s/he deny --
indeed, s/he alludes to -- European atrocities; s/he simply requests a source for
the figure "20,000 in one day."
BTW, how long does it take to tear out a heart? Does that figure (in minutes,
say), multiplied by 20,000, exceed the number of minutes (1,440) in one day? I
suspect so.