Still 6 of the best four years on
GROWING old gracefully is rarely a trait of mass-production cars.
The Mazda6 is the exception – four years after it was launched, the mid-sized pacesetter is still at the front of the pack. the base model Australian versions recently added leather seat trim and powered front seats to the best chassis in the class.
Price trims of between $300 and $3370 came with the upgrade in October and the base Classic is now known as the Touring. there is something for everyone here – the sedan, hatch and wagon body styles sell from $31,450, $32,450 and $34,750 respectively. Add $2000 for the automatic in the sedan and hatch (auto is standard on the wagon).
Lack of a colour screen is the only interior feature that truly dates the 6. the red centre strip display is about as modern as my first Casio calculator. the functionality’s there, it just doesn’t have the high-res look embraced by newer rivals.
The auto is a five-speeder that is a cog down on some in the class. Marshalling the 125kW/226Nm from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder, it still delivers 8.7L/100km on regular petrol. And yes, you can get a 132kW/400Nm 2.2-litre diesel.
This is the sportiest looking car in the pack, especially from the front. the curved roof gives it a coupe-like look and the bulging rear bumper adds aggression. Only the Honda Accord Euro and Kia Optima come close.
The interior layout is still on the money and uses logical and easy-to-operate rotary dials for the dual-zone airconditioning, while the sound system is best operated using the steering wheel-mounted switches.
Six airbags are standard on the Mazda6 and are backed by seat belt reminders for the front occupants. On the software front, the anti-lock brakes are bolstered by electronic brake distribution, emergency brake assist and stability control. ANCAP rates it a five-star car.
This is the mid-sized car to own if you appreciate driving dynamics. the chassis sits flat in the turns, the steering is direct with plenty of feedback and the petrol 2.5-litre propels the car reasonably quickly.
Go for the manual if you’re an enthusiast – the extra gear translates into quicker acceleration off the line and in mid-rev overtaking.
On the practical front the boot is big – though not as cavernous as a Ford Mondeo – and the rear passengers aren’t chewing on their own knees.
The drivers’ choice in the mid-sized front-wheel drive field and it should be high on buyers’ shopping lists. I’d cross-shop it against the Accord Euro and hound both camps for the best deal.
WARRANTY 3 years/unlimited km
SERVICE INTERVAL 6 months/10,000km
ENGINE 2.5-litre 4-cyl petrol, 125kW/226Nm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual, 5-speed auto, front-wheel drive
THIRST 8.3L/100km, 91 RON, 196g/km CO2 (manual); 8.7L, 206g (auto)
BODY 4-door, 5-seat hatch
DIMENSIONS 4735mm (L), 1795mm (W), 1440mm (H), 2725mm (WB), tracks front/rear 1550mm/1550mm
WEIGHT 1430kg (manual), 1452kg (auto)
WE LOVE Spirited engine, decent boot
WE LOATHE Central display
"the driver’s choice in the mid-size front-wheel drive field; should be high on the shopping list"
> > Honda Accord Euro
ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrol, 148kW/234Nm
TRANS 6-speed manual, 5-speed auto, FWD
THIRST 8.9L/100km, 95 RON, 212g/km CO2 (manual); 8.9L, 211g (auto)
"Logical rival to the Mazda6 if you’re looking for fun behind the wheel"
> > Suzuki Kizashi
ENGINE 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrol, 131kW/230Nm
TRANS 6-speed manual, CVT, FWD
THIRST 7.9L/100km, 91 RON, 186g/km CO2 (manual); 7.9L, 187g (CVT)
"Dare to be different. It is as well engineered as anything in the class"
> > Volkswagen Passat
ENGINE 1.8-litre, 4-cyl turbo petrol,
118kW/250Nm TRANS 7-speed automatic, FWD THIRST 7.2L/100km, 95 RON, 168g/km CO2
"look beyond the (lack of) styling and this is bargain prestige motoring"
<a href="http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/still-6-of-the-best-four-years-on/story-fn9y0ah4-1226237342360tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/still-6-of-the-best-four-years-on/story-fn9y0ah4-1226237342360Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:25:22 GMT”>Still 6 of the best four years on
McIntosh Announces the Availability of its Breathtaking New Gold-Toned 50th Anniversary Limited Edition MC275 Tube Power Amplifier
LAS VEGAS–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–McIntosh Laboratory, global leader in prestige quality audio for over 60 years, is proud to announce the availability of its 50th Anniversary Limited Edition McIntosh MC275 tube power amplifier. Featuring an elegant gold-toned chassis, the specially created amp is being offered in a very limited quantity, accompanied by a commemorative history book and deluxe packaging. It combines modern convenience and performance enhancements without altering the smooth, clean sound character that has made the MC275 famous for the past 50 years. with the new Limited Edition MC275, music enthusiasts and discerning consumers will be able to experience all the power, realism and emotional connection with their music made possible by an ultimate-quality McIntosh amp.
McIntosh President Charlie Randall noted: “When McIntosh debuted our original MC275 tube power amplifier in 1961, the world had never heard anything like it before. we have applied 50 years of technological advancements to this already legendary piece, which continues to maintain its leadership status for quality and reliability. People who know this amp won’t be surprised to learn that many of the 1961 era MC275 amps are still in use today. Our Limited Edition MC275 pays tribute to the original for everything it has meant to McIntosh customers over the years and for ‘bringing their music to life.’ This is truly a golden anniversary for the MC275 and we’re confident that years from now, music lovers who purchase a Limited Edition model will still be enjoying their ‘sound investment!’”
“Bring Your Music to Life” with Classic McIntosh Styling, New Features for Today’s Listening Trends
with its luxurious gold-toned chassis and rock-solid craftsmanship, the Limited Edition MC275 features the classic 1961 tube circuit design of the original, recognized worldwide as the hallmark of unmatched quality, performance and reliability. the new model incorporates several advanced features suited to today’s listening trends. Key enhancements include a multi-colored LED display to indicate different performance readiness, as well as a new High Speed Sentry Monitor circuit that automatically turns the amp off should any particular tube wear out. when the tube is replaced, normal operation is restored. also, for the first time ever, the Limited Edition MC275 is equipped with Power Control input and output, so on-off operation can be controlled by a simple cable connection to any McIntosh preamp or processor. The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition McIntosh MC275 tube power amplifier is available for a suggested retail price of $6,500.
About McIntosh Laboratory
Since 1949, McIntosh Laboratory has been committed to excellence, innovation and quality. McIntosh continues to define the ultimate home entertainment experience for discriminating consumers around the world. Handcrafted in Binghamton, New York, its products deliver powerful performance and superlative engineering. the iconic “McIntosh Blue” Watt Meters have become the recognized symbol of quality audio globally. McIntosh systems are created to share music quality passion throughout generations. McIntosh Laboratory, inc. is a D&M Holdings company. for more information visit www.mcintoshlabs.com, or join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mcintoshlabs and Twitter @McIntoshLabsInc. all product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of McIntosh Laboratory, inc. all product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of McIntosh Laboratory, inc.
DISCLAIMER
Statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact include forward looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the company. we wish to caution you that such statements are just predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties surrounding competitive and industry conditions, market acceptance for the company’s products, risks of litigation, technological changes, developing industry standards and other factors related to the company’s businesses. the Company reserves all of its rights.
<a href="http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20120110006972/en/%22McIntosh%22/%22Home-theater%22/%22Amplifiers%22tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20120110006972/en/”McIntosh”/”Home-theater”/”Amplifiers”Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:05:27 GMT”>McIntosh Announces the Availability of its Breathtaking New Gold-Toned 50th Anniversary Limited Edition MC275 Tube Power Amplifier
Another alternative to crummy HDTV speakers: The Zvox Z-Base 220
I like a lot of gadgets and gear, but it’s rare that I fall in love.
When I connected the Zvox Z-Base 220 speaker cabinet to my bedroom TV, it was love at first sound. It’s that good.
Allow me to explain. A couple weeks ago I wrote about a cheap and easy fix for the awful speakers built into your HDTV.
My solution? PC speakers plugged into your TV’s headphone jack (or an RCA-to-stereo adapter). but let’s face it: that’s not ideal for everyone.
For one thing, while PC speakers may provide some improvement over what’s built in, they’re usually pretty small and low-powered. What’s more, they might be at odds with your decor, especially if they’re that ugly PC-beige.
So, what are your other options for improving TV audio? you can invest in a stereo amplifier and some decent speakers, but now you’re talking about serious cash–not to mention a lot of unwanted cable clutter.
Some users opt for sound bars, but those aren’t perfect, either. For starters, they can be hard to place (especially if you’re working within the confines of a TV stand or entertainment center). and most sound bars offer little in the way of bass response (unless you pair them with a separate, cost-increasing subwoofer).
The Z-Base 220 is a self-contained cabinet that blows away your TV’s built-in speakers. It’s designed to sit under TVs ranging from 22-37 inches, though it can also sit on its own or slip into a component bay in an entertainment center. That’s because it measures 17 inches by 14.5 inches by 3.4 inches–not much larger than an early-model DVD player. (There are bigger, more powerful models built for bigger rooms and bigger TVs–namely the Z-Base 320 and 420.)
I’m going to stop right here and note that audio is a very subjective thing. what sounds great to one person might sound just so-so to another, and vice versa. that said, the Z-Base 220 sounds fantastic.
The cabinet delivers 35 watts of audio power spread out across three main speakers and a subwoofer. if you’re into surround sound, you can switch on the 220′s PhaseCue II virtual surround technology, which aims to simulate a 5.1-channel system.
I can’t say that really bowled me over (never been a big surround-sound fan), but I totally dug the Output Leveling and Dialog Enhancement features, which prevent big changes in volume (like when commercials come on) and boost the volume of voices, respectively. The latter is especially great for DVD and Blu-ray movies, which often have hard-to-hear dialog.
Unlike some of Zvox’s earlier Z-Base models, the 220 has an optical input (and comes with an optical cable, a nice perk). It also sports coaxial and analog inputs; two of the latter, in case you want to connect multiple sources. There’s even a 3.5mm stereo input in front for connecting, say, an MP3 player.
Also unlike earlier models, this one has a digital readout in front so you can easily see the volume level and various feature settings. but perhaps best of all, the Z-Base 220 can learn from other remotes, meaning you can use your existing TV remote to control volume, muting, and power. It paired up just fine with my Vizio remote.
A lot of people invest a considerable amount of money into a really good HDTV, then settle for the anemic audio it produces. That’s criminal. The Z-Base 220 may seem a little pricey at $199.99, but I’m here to tell you it’s worth it. Do your ears a favor and grab one.
<a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33153_7-57363108-10391733/another-alternative-to-crummy-hdtv-speakers-the-zvox-z-base-220/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33153_7-57363108-10391733/another-alternative-to-crummy-hdtv-speakers-the-zvox-z-base-220/Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:36:31 GMT”>Another alternative to crummy HDTV speakers: The Zvox Z-Base 220
Martin Isepp obituary
Perhaps destined by his parents’ choice of forenames to pursue a musical career, Martin Johannes Sebastian Isepp, who has died aged 81, established himself in Britain after the second world war as the accompanist of choice to many distinguished singers, including Janet Baker, Elisabeth Söderström, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Jessye Norman, Hugues Cuénod and John Shirley-Quirk. He was highly valued too as a coach and mentor to generations of singers at Glyndebourne, where he was head of the music staff from 1978 to 1993.
His father, Sebastian, was an accomplished artist and art restorer; his Jewish mother, Helene, was a singing teacher whose pupils included Baker, Ilse Wolf and Heather Harper. In 1938 the family fled from Martin’s birthplace of Vienna to England. after attending school in Bognor Regis and Shrewsbury, he followed his parents to Oxford, where his father had been offered a job at the Ashmolean Museum. In Oxford, Leonie Gombrich, mother of the art historian Ernst Gombrich, gave Isepp private piano lessons, and his formal education was continued at Lincoln College, Oxford, and the Royal College of Music.
He began his career with the English Opera Group, taking the piano part in the first performance of Benjamin Britten’s Turn of the Screw. In 1957 he joined the music staff of Glyndebourne Festival Opera, where he began to make his indispensable contribution – none the less so for being behind the scenes – to British operatic life.
Serving simultaneously at Glyndebourne and as head of music studies at the National Opera Studio in London (1978-95), he coached countless aspiring singers and continued to visit Glyndebourne as chief guest coach for many years after his retirement. his other notable posts included head of opera training at the Juilliard School of Music, new York (1973-77), and head of the academy of singing at the Banff Centre in Alberta, Canada (1981-93).
A gentle, unassuming man, Isepp nevertheless had a reputation as an exacting, rigorous coach, concerned for the precise shaping of every phrase. not for him, though, the brusque manner of a martinet when a student failed to rise to the occasion: rather a disappointed sigh and an exhortation to do better. Of Mozart’s operas he had an intimate knowledge, frequently abandoning scores while coaching.
That scrupulous regard for phrasing, combined with a luminous tone, also made him an inspirational accompanist for some of the leading artists of his time. Among his various partnerships, that with Baker in glorious voice, perpetuated on a pair of recordings for Saga – an anthology of English song (1962) and a disc of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms lieder (1966) – will be most highly treasured by record collectors and lovers of art song. Isepp’s ability to conjure a rapt atmosphere, to build and sustain a climax that fully supports the singer, and his eloquent postludes all combined to make him one of the most sentient of accompanists.
Isepp was also a more than competent conductor, as he demonstrated both with Glyndebourne Touring Opera and at the new York Met, where he stood in, during his tenure as assistant conductor for the company, for an indisposed James Levine in a run of performances of Così Fan Tutte. As a continuo player, too, he was responsible for a number of imaginative reconstructions of baroque operas.
He is survived by his wife, Rose, whom he married in 1966, and by two of their three sons.
• Martin Johannes Sebastian Isepp, piano accompanist, born 30 September 1930; died 25 December 2011
Linked N Chicago Appoints Top LinkedIn Consultant as a Strategic Adviser
In its effort to broaden reach and leverage social networking, Linked N Chicago (LiNC), the largest Chicago-centric group on LinkedIn, has added J.D. Gershbein, CEO of Owlish Communications, as a strategic adviser to its management team. the group, now in excess of 33,000 members, is considered by LinkedIn to be one of the site’s most popular and frequently accessed groups.
Since 2006, J.D. Gershbein, a Vernon Hills resident, has enlightened thousands of executives, business owners, professional service providers, salespeople and helped their firms gain a competitive edge on LinkedIn. “J.D. will give our enterprise a huge credibility boost,” adds McFarlin. “He is one of the top LinkedIn consultants in the world and a Chicago guy. we are looking forward to collaborating with J.D. and benefiting from his vast LinkedIn expertise.” LiNC plans to work with J.D. on a number of social media initiatives which include sponsoring his revolutionary LinkedIn workshop training programs all across the Chicagoland area.
Chicago business professionals have long recognized LiNC as fertile ground for social networking, collaboration and high quality events. having organized into a solid, off-line enterprise, Linked N Chicago is on the fast track to becoming the standard of excellence in leveraging a LinkedIn group into real world opportunities for its members. “We’re taking an online community to an offline community and creating a sense of a community,” explains Mary McFarlin, the group’s Founder and Owner. “We are not resting on our laurels as just another LinkedIn group. we are tapping into the energy of our team and our membership to help us create win-win opportunities.”
Linked N Chicago, founded in 2006, provides superior networking opportunities, professional resources and support to the Chicagoland business community. Through regularly scheduled events, affiliations, partnerships and community outreach programs, LiNC is the place to be for those on LinkedIn, both locally and globally, who are looking to meet quality professionals in the greater Chicago area.
For more information about LiNC, including membership, committees, marketing opportunities and a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.lincme.com, or contact Mary McFarlin at 312.479.2431, or Mary Toomey, Director of Marketing, at 630.725.8971. for more information about J.D. Gershbein, including information on his LinkedIn workshop series, visit http://www.owlishcommunications.com or contact him at 847.651.8989.
<a href="http://triblocal.com/libertyville/community/stories/2012/01/a-romantic-valentines-day-with-liberty-town-productions-at-mickey-finns-amber-room/tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://triblocal.com/libertyville/community/stories/2012/01/a-romantic-valentines-day-with-liberty-town-productions-at-mickey-finns-amber-room/Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:37:27 GMT”>Linked N Chicago Appoints Top LinkedIn Consultant as a Strategic Adviser
Music Industry Newswire : 404 Error (Page Not Found)
Select Category Articles and Columns Christopher Simmons Danielle Egnew David Kronemyer Interviews and Roundtables Jaben Golledge John Scott G Loren Weisman Events and Happenings Charity and Fundraiser Concerts Reports: NAMM Seminars and Clinics Trade Shows Gear and Equipment 64-bit Applications Amps and Monitors Analog Gear Android OS Apps Audio Interfaces Audio Recording Equipment Cases and Racks Computers for Music DJ Equipment Drums and Accessories Guitar and Bass Instrument News Loops and Samples Mac Audio Software Mics MIDI Interfaces MIDI Keyboards Mixing and Control Surfaces Music Software News Pedals Peripherals Piano and Organ Portable Recording Software Plug-in News Software Version Updates Storage Products Studio Equipment Video Tools Virtual Instrument News Worship Instruments News Desk A&R and Management AES Announcements Artists and Bands ASCAP Awards BMI CD, DVD, Discs Companies and People Contests Disc Duplication DRM and Licensing Fashion Industry Headlines Internet Radio iPod, iPhone and iOS LAMN LOL and WTF Music Books Music Education Music in Advertising Music Management Music Marketing Music Publishing Music Radio Music Videos Music Websites NARIP Non-Profit Organizations Promotions Record Labels Reports and Studies Wireless Music Reviews Artists and Band Reviews Computer Gear Reviews Film and Video Reviews Guitar Gear Reviews Industry Event Reviews Keyboard Reviews Music and CD Reviews Music Book Reviews Music Software Reviews Virtual Instrument Reviews Story Index the Music Companies Akai Professional Alesis Alkex Instruments Applied Acoustics Systems Arturia Audinate Avid Bob Moog Foundation Cakewalk Camel Audio Casio America Inc. EASTWEST Fender Musical Instruments Corporation IK Multimedia Inc. JoeCo JoMoX GmbH Kenton Kid Nepro Kurzweil Music Systems LLC MakeMusic Inc Moog Music Music Computing Musicrow Group Native Instruments Nektar Technology Inc Open Labs PreSonus Audio Electronics Propellerhead Software PSP Audioware RODE Roland Corporation Sample Logic Sample Magic Skylife Music Solid State Logic SONiVOX Sony Creative Software Inc. Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH Studiologic Music Sweetwater Sound TC Electronic TC-Helicon Time+Space Toontrack Music Touch Digital Controllers UltimateSoundBank UNIVERS SONS Universal Audio Inc. VirSyn Software Synthesizer Waldorf Music GmbH XILS Audio sarl Zero-G Videos
<a href="http://musicindustrynewswire.com/2012/01/19/min4980_185502.phptag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://musicindustrynewswire.com/2012/01/19/min4980_185502.phpThu, 19 Jan 2012 23:55:29 GMT”>Music Industry Newswire : 404 Error (Page Not Found)
James Gaffigan Leads the BSO and Pianist Lise de la Salle in Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, February 16 & 17
Baltimore, Md. (PRWEB) January 21, 2012
American conductor James Gaffigan will lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and French pianist Lise de la Salle in Mozart’s popular and passionate Piano Concerto No. 20 on Thursday, February 16 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore and Friday, February 17 at 8 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Award-winning pianist Lise de la Salle, at 23-years-of-age, has amassed international attention for an artistry and musical maturity far beyond her years. Performing the work of another pianist who met fame at a young age, she will make her BSO debut with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20. Showcasing the masterworks of German, Romantic-era composers, Maestro Gaffigan will also be conducting Brahms’ Tragic Overture, Wagner’s Overture to The Flying Dutchman, and Richard Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration. Please see below for complete program details.
One of only two piano concertos he wrote in a minor key, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 is regarded as one of his most Romantic compositions. In fact, Beethoven admired Mozart’s twentieth concerto above all others, and it was the only Mozart concerto that Beethoven ever publicly performed. The power and dark beauty of the piece spoke volumes to 19th Century composers, like Beethoven, in ways quite unlike other Classical compositions. Since performing her first major concert at age nine in a live broadcast on Radio-France, Lisa de la Salle has become recognized as “a talent in a million” (Gramophone). A review by The Washington Post proclaimed, “De la Salle played so well that, for much of the concert, the audience had to remember to breathe…the exhilaration didn’t let up for a second until her hands came off the keyboard and everyone could finally come up for air.”
When University of Breslau conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Brahms in 1880, he was prompted to write the Academic Festival Overture, which he described as “a very jolly collection of student songs.” And it seems Brahms’ melancholy temperament spurred him to write a contrasting companion piece, Tragic Overture, stating of the pair, “one weeps while the other laughs.” Opening with two loud, crashing chords, in symbolic testimony of tragedy’s violent power and ending in emphatic defiance, the Tragic Overture is “one of those pieces that stubbornly remains new and challenging,” in the words of music critic Michael Steinberg.
Wagner’s fourth opera tells the story of an unnamed Dutchman who is condemned to sail the seas until the Last Judgment, touching land only once every seven years until he finds a faithful woman who will sacrifice herself for his redemption. The overture begins with a horn-call –associated with the Dutchman throughout the opera – over the storminess one would expect to find in an opera centered amidst the roar of the sea. As the storm dies down, the English horn introduces the theme of Senta’s ballad, portraying the faithful woman who expresses her longing for the Dutchman even before she has met him. The storm returns, and a jaunty sailors’ dance tune comes into play, but the theme of Senta’s ballad returns in a soaring conclusion.
German composer Richard Strauss once bragged that he could describe a knife and fork using only music. Though he certainly never put pen to paper on this smug assertion, Strauss certainly sought to tell stories in graphic detail through his tone poems. one such tone poem is Death and Transfiguration, which seeks to portray a man on his deathbed, suffering immense physical pains, thinking back to fond memories, regretting idealistic aims he failed to realize in his lifetime, and then giving up his soul to the eternal cosmos to finally discover glorious fulfillment of the ideal he never accomplished on earth.
James Gaffigan, conductor Hailed for the natural ease of his conducting and the compelling insight of his musicianship, James Gaffigan continues to attract international attention and is considered by many to be the most outstanding young American conductor working today. In January 2010, he was appointed Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.
In the United States, mr. Gaffigan has guest conducted the Cleveland Orchestra, the Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Cincinnati, Houston, Indianapolis, Vancouver, Seattle and New World symphonies and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra among others. During the 2011/12 season, he makes debuts at the Spoleto Festival, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony, London Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, the Sydney Symphony and returns to the Minnesota Orchestra and the Toronto, National, Dallas, Baltimore and Milwaukee symphonies.
James Gaffigan made his professional opera debut at the Zurich Opera in June 2005 conducting La Boheme. In the summers of 2009 and 2010 he conducted performances of Don Giovanni and Marriage of Figaro at the Aspen Music Festival and made his debut at Glyndebourne sharing a production of Cosi fan tutti with Sir Charles Mackerras in spring 2010. he led performances of Marriage of Figaro at the Houston Grand Opera in spring 2011, makes his debut at the Vienna State Opera later that year conducting La Boheme and returns to Glyndebourne in spring 2012 for a production of La Cenerentola.
Lise de la Salle, piano In just a few years, through her international concert appearances and her award-winning Naive recordings, 23 year-old Lise de la Salle has established a presence as one of today’s most exciting young artists and a musician of uncommon sensibility and maturity.
A native of France, now living in Paris, Ms. de la Salle first came to international attention in 2005, at the age of 16, with a Bach/Liszt recording that was selected as “Recording of the Month” by Gramophone Magazine. she was similarly recognized in 2008 for her Naive recording of first concertos of Liszt, Prokofiev and Shostakovich – a remarkable feat for someone only 20 years old. this season brings the release of Ms. de la Salle’s fifth CD – a Chopin disc including a live recording of the Piano Concerto No. 2, opus 21 with Fabio Luisi conducting the Staatskapelle Dresden, as well as the Four Ballades.
In this country she has played with the Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony at the Ravinia Festival, San Francisco Symphony, twice with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and she will make her second appearance with the Minnesota Orchestra in the Gershwin Concerto in F this season. During the past few seasons, Ms. de la Salle’s North American appearances included recitals in New York, Montreal, San Francisco, Vancouver, Quebec, St. Paul, at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, Duke University and in Miami, among others. In April 2006, Ms. de la Salle made her Lincoln Center debut, performing Liszt’s Concerto No. 1 with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s conducted by Keith Lockhart. she has also been heard in Berlin, London and Paris and made concerto appearances in Lisbon, Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, and Lyon.
COMPLETE PROGRAM DETAILS BSO Classical Concert: The Genius of Mozart Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 8 p.m. –Music Center at Strathmore Friday, February 17, 2012 at 8 p.m. – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
James Gaffigan, conductor Lise de la Salle, piano BSO DEBUT
Brahms: Tragic Overture Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 Wagner: Overture to The Flying Dutchman R. Strauss: Death and Transfiguration
Tickets range from $28 to $88 and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 410.783.8000 or BSOmusic.org.
Read the full story at prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9122946.htm
iOS Apps Gone Free: Flick Soccer, Great Little War Game HD, Voicemod, And More
BY Tyler Tschida on Sat January 21st, 2012 appsgonefree cartoon defense Flick Soccer! Great Little War Game piano notes fun robber rabbits voicemod
Blast soccer balls past defenders and into the net in full Fat's challenging arcade game, Flick Soccer. we also have a Great Little War Game, and an app that allows you to modify, record, and share your voice.
All app prices are subject to change at any time and without notice regardless of stated free duration. Price changes are solely under the control of the developers.
iPhone:
voicemod · change your voice ($1.99 -> Free, 15.9 MB): An entertainment app that allows you to speak into your iDevice and listen as your voice takes on different forms. Dragging your finger around the screen will allow you to change your voice on the fly. your favorite voices can be recorded and shared with friends via Facebook, Twitter, email, or iTunes File Sharing. the app includes 10 voice mods, the ability to create up to 10 minute recordings, and a video tutorial. *The use of a headset with some form of a built-in mic is highly recommended.
voicemod · change your voice is available for free for a limited time. it has a 4-star rating with a total of 92 ratings.
Flick Soccer! ($0.99 -> Free, 37.6 MB): An arcade soccer game from full Fat, the creators of Flick Golf and NFL Flick Quarterback. Swipe your finger from the bottom to the top of the screen to kick the ball through the air and hopefully into the goal. you can add a little extra bend to your kick by swiping left and right while the ball is in the air. the game includes five challenging modes, goalkeepers that jump and react to your shots, and Game Center integration.
Flick Soccer! is available for free for a limited time. it has a 4.5-star rating with a total of 336 ratings.
Piano Notes Fun ($1.99 -> Free, 9.5 MB): Practice reading notes anytime, anywhere with this digital piano app. you can just mash away at the keys at your own pace to see their note and pitch names, or you can challenge yourself with the note quiz game. the app includes a customizable interface that allows you to view color-coded keys and pitch names. it also includes three help modes, a variety of quiz customization options, range selection, and much more.
Piano Notes Fun is available for free for a limited time. it has a 4-star rating with a total of 12 ratings.
Cartoon Defense ($0.99 -> Free, 11.7 MB): This castle defense game requires you to defend your kingdom from a constant onslaught of evildoers by utilizing a wide variety of weapons. You’re able to switch between the eight different weapons by tapping on them at the bottom of the screen, and then just tap on your enemies or fling them through the air to take them out. the game includes an unlimited number of waves, three difficulty levels, 17 enemy types, and Game Center integration.
Cartoon Defense is available for free for a limited time. it has a 3-star rating with a total of 4738 ratings.
Universal:
Great Little War Game HD ($2.99 -> Free, 36.7 MB): This 3D turn-based strategy game has you battling foes on land, sea, and in the air in an attempt to achieve global domination. use your best judgement during each turn to decide whether to move to higher ground, create defensive formations, or simply attack your opponent with everything you’ve got. the game includes four difficulty settings, all kinds of different units to utilize, a campaign mode with 20 missions, a skirmish mode, and pass and play multiplayer.
Great Little War Game HD is available for free for a limited time. it has a 4.5-star rating with a total of 8904 ratings.
iPad:
Flick Soccer! HD ($0.99 -> Free, 32.5 MB): An arcade soccer game from full Fat, the creators of Flick Golf and NFL Flick Quarterback. Swipe your finger from the bottom to the top of the screen to kick the ball through the air and hopefully into the goal. you can add a little extra bend to your kick by swiping left and right while the ball is in the air. the game includes five challenging modes, goalkeepers that jump and react to your shots, and Game Center integration.
Flick Soccer! HD is available for free for a limited time. it has a 4-star rating with a total of 24 ratings.
Expired (gone back to paid already):
Robber Rabbits! HD ($0.99 -> Free, 42.1 MB): help the adorable Robber Rabbits obtain some delicious carrot flavored ice cream by shooting at platforms and causing chain reactions in this physics-based puzzle game. just tap to fire your guns at the platforms above and hopefully get the ice cream into the bag without allowing it to hit the ground. You’ll also want to collect the carrots in each level to earn a perfect rating. the game includes three environments, 72 levels, three weapons, and Game Center integration.
Robber Rabbits! HD is available for free for a limited time. it has a 4.5-star rating with a total of 11 ratings.
Robber Rabbits! ($0.99 -> Free, 44.6 MB): help the adorable Robber Rabbits obtain some delicious carrot flavored ice cream by shooting at platforms and causing chain reactions in this physics-based puzzle game. just tap to fire your guns at the platforms above and hopefully get the ice cream into the bag without allowing it to hit the ground. You’ll also want to collect the carrots in each level to earn a perfect rating. the game includes three environments, 72 levels, three weapons, and Game Center integration.
Robber Rabbits! is available for free for a limited time. it has a 4.5-star rating with a total of 14 ratings.
That concludes today’s issue of Apps Gone Free. If you like staying on top of these daily deals, don’t forget to check out our free AppsGoneFree app. it provides all the deals each day, and even an archive of past deals that are still active.
Developers:
If you are a developer who would like to get your app included in our “Apps Gone Free” daily lists, here’s our basic set of rules:
- It must have at least a three-star average rating at the time it goes free.
- The app must not have been free numerous times (3+) over the last six months.
- The free version of your app must not include ads.
To submit an app, simply send a request to tyler@appadvice.com with the subject “Apps Gone Free.” Please include the name of the app, a link to it in the App Store, when and for how long you intend to offer the app for free, and anything else you would like to share. we will take it from there.
Tweet
Linkin Park Edges Out Trey Songz for Top Spot on Album Chart
Linkin Park and the R&B singer Trey Songz lead a wave of new releases on the latest Billboard album chart as the music industry gears up for its all-important fall sales season.
Linkin Park notches its fourth No. 1 with “A Thousand Suns” (Warner Brothers). it sold 241,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, just a hair more than the 240,000 copies Trey Songz had for his new “Passion, Pain & Pleasure” (Songbook/Atlantic). it was the best sales week of Trey Songz’s four-album career but far from Linkin Park’s best; its last record, “Minutes to Midnight,” had 623,000 in its first week out in 2007.
Eminem’s hit “Recovery” (Aftermath/Interscope) sold 89,000 copies to land at No. 3, but much of the rest of the top 10 this week is new. the country singer Jamey Johnson is No. 4 with 63,000 sales of his two-CD set “The Guitar Song” (Mercury Nashville); Robert Plant is No. 5 with “Band of Joy” (Rounder), which sold 49,000; Weezer’s “Hurley” (Epitaph) is No. 6 with 45,000; and Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of the Killers, sold 41,000 copies of his first solo album, “Flamingo” (Island), to reach No. 8.
Several artists, including Eminem, got sales boosts after appearing on MTV’s Video Music Awards last week. the most notable might be the British band Florence and the Machine, whose debut album, “Lungs” (Island), jumped 30 slots to No. 14 on the current chart, with 21,000 sales, a 165 percent increase over what it sold the week before.
Catherine E. Wilbur
NEW BEDFORD — Catherine E. Wilbur, 87, of New Bedford, died Saturday, January 14, 2012 at SE Mass Health and Rehab Center in New Bedford.
Ms. Wilbur was born and lived most of her life in New Bedford. She was a resident of Acushnet for a time during her youth. She was the daughter of the (late) Charles M. Wilbur and (late) Anna a. Gibbons and sister to her late siblings: John Wilbur, Charles Wilbur and Gladys Hykes.
Ms. Wilbur’s family surviving siblings include two sisters: Shirley Alves (husband Joseph) of New Bedford and Harriet Shaw (husband Roland) of Tiverton R.I.
Ms. Wilbur was educated in the New Bedford public schools and was employed for 45 years in soldering operations at Aerovox Corporation from which she retired. during her working years she was an avid bowler. In retirement, she loved knitting and sewing, as well as working on projects associated with her home. She received much enjoyment from her interaction with her nephews and nieces, and great nephews and nieces, who lived locally, and around the country.
Per her wishes, Ms Wilburs funeral preparations will be by the KIRBY FUNERAL HOME, 61 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford. there will be no calling hours. Her burial will be private at the family plot in the Acushnet Cemetery in Acushnet MA.
To sign the on-line guest book, please visit www.potterfuneralservice.com.
<a href="http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120116/NEWS03/201160308/-1/NEWSMAPtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120116/NEWS03/201160308/-1/NEWSMAPMon, 16 Jan 2012 05:05:05 GMT”>Catherine E. Wilbur