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Posts Tagged 'Peter Askim'
2nd Annual Student Oboe & Clarinet Recital
(from R) Camille and Jeanette take a bow
By Marcia E. Gawecki
For the second year in a row, Camille and Shen have hosted their classical music recitals together.
Their Idyllwild Arts senior recital, featuring oboe and clarinet, was held on Tuesday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Stephens Recital Hall.
Each gave a lively performance and were happy and breathless afterwards. At one point, Camille thought she was going to pass out, but didn't.
Camille and Shen are friends, fellow orchestra members and complement each other well, like Bogie and Bacall.
Shen hails from China, while Camille was born in Los Angeles to Chinese parents. Shen is gregarious and short with dimples, while Camille is aloof, brainy, and leggy.
They even share the same last name.
"Liu is a pretty common name in China, like Smith is in the U.S.," said Camille.
Shen lost the toss, so Camille would play first at their recital. Going first is always better because oftentimes a majority of the audience leaves to socialize or study before their 10 p.m. curfew.
"I know that most of them will stay because Shen is really popular," said Camille beforehand.
(from R) Shen with Nelms
This year, Shen won the Idyllwild Arts Concerto Competition, which meant he got to perform as a soloist along with the Idyllwild Arts Orchestra.
Shen was also a prefect, or student advisor, during the year. In the fall, he will attend Juilliard School of Music in New York. Lake, a jazz bass player and Idyllwild Arts senior will join him.
Not to be outdone, Camille got more than 2200 score on her SATs, and will be going to Northwestern University in Evanston in the fall.
Camille will continue her musical studies, but is looking forward to Northwestern's academic challenge.
Last year, during their junior recitals, both only had to play only :30 minutes each, but as seniors, they had to play :45 minutes each.
"I think mine went over 10 minutes, so Shen got cheated a little bit," admitted Camille.
For her first number, Camille played J.S. Bach's "Sonata in G Minor BMV 1020" with Jeanette Louise Yaryan on piano. It sounded like a mellow piece. At times, Camille's oboe sounded more like a flute. But then the Allego gave way to fast fingers, and Camille gave a sigh of relief at its end.
"Concerto in C Major, K 314" by W. A. Mozart showed off Camille's ability to play long notes. Benny Kleinerman accompanied her on piano.
For her third selection, Camille was reunited with bassoon player, Felix, and Nelm McKelvain on piano. Just weeks before, the three had played Francis Poulenc's "Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon" at Felix's Junior Recital.
"I'm helping her because she helped me," said Felix as he headed for the dressing room.
It was the same piece, but somehow it sounded differently that night.
(from L) Brian Cohen talks with Camille's dad afterwards while her mom and Peter Askim listen in
"I think Nelms started out faster this time," said Felix later.
The Presto, Adante and Rondo parts of that song reminded me of a flirtation or courtship. Like songbirds calling out to each other between the trees.
All three looked at each other for timing cues and sounded like they really enjoyed the piece. Nelms was smiling most of the time from behind the piano.
The recital ended with Camille Saint-Saens' "Sonata in D Major, Op. 166."
Even though her oboe teacher, Francisco Castillo from Redlands was not in the audience, he was there in spirit. Just the day before, Camille had a lesson with him She'll see him again before the fall.
"I don't know how to say good-bye," Camille said. "He's been my teacher since I was ten."
Music Director Peter Askim and Headmaster Brian Cohen spoke to Camille's parents afterwards, and Peter and Music Department Head Ryan Zwahlen congratulated Camille.
"She did a great job," said Ryan, who also plays the oboe. "Everything she played was difficult. She's really come a long way."
Needless to say, not everyone in the audience left after intermission. In fact, a few more people came after the break to see Shen. It was a full house for both.
Camille was all smiles afterwards
Shen started out strong with a short and lively piece by Henri Rabaud, "Solo de Concours." It showcased his ability to go up and down the scales on his clarinet with rapid accuracy.
Unlike Camille, Shen didn't change piano players, but kept with Nelms McKelvain the whole time. Their next piece, "Sonatina" by Malcolm Arnold, showed the complexities of both instruments. At times, the music sounded frenetic.
Shen's next piece, "Fantasia da Concerto 'La Traiata' by D. Verdi by Donato Lovreglio, was Peter Askim's favorite.
"I really liked how you played the opera," Peter told Shen afterwards. "It showed a lot of colors."
From the look of things, it was a difficult piece to do because Shen was breathing heavy afterwards.
After that piece, Shen mixed it up with "Sonata" by Francis Proulenc. The audience, made up of mostly music students and staff members, whooped it up after that piece was finished.
George Gershwin's "Preludes for Clarinet and Piano Accompaniment," arranged by James Cohn, was an interesting end to Shen's recital. It seemed more ragtime than classical.
"No Gershwin's music is in the classical realm," defended Camille afterwards.
The best part is that Shen looked like he was having a ball playing it. Maybe because it was his last high school recital, and he was savoring every moment.
(from L) Shen poses with Ryan
Shen, too, will find it difficult to say good-bye to his teacher, Yehuda Gilead, from USC, who has been more of a mentor than a clarinet teacher. Yehuda wasn't there at the concert, but Shen went to LA the next day with the disk in hand to discuss the performance with him.
In the audience was YiLing, an Idyllwild Arts music alum, who now attends Boston Conservatory, and was on summer break.
"He did a great job," YiLing said, as they posed for pictures afterwards.
Copyright 2012 Idyllwild Me. All rights reserved.
Tags: Cafe Aroma Idyllwild, Francisco Castillo, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild Me, Peter Askim, Ryan Zwahlen, student concerts, student music recitals, student recitals, Yehuda Gilead
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on 2nd Annual Student Oboe & Clarinet Recital
'Taking Five' With So Percussion in Idyllwild
So Percussion in Idyllwild (from L) Jason, Adam and Eric.
Every So often, you get lucky.
This particular Saturday afternoon, April 29, at 3:15 p.m., band members from the New Music group, So Percussion, were sitting on the steps outside of the IAF Theatre in Idyllwild.
They were "taking five" while the Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra and music director Peter Askim were working with guitar legend, Richard Thompson, inside the theater.
It was like finding The Rolling Stones at Starbucks.
Jason Treuting, Josh Quillen, Eric Beach and Adam Sliwinski, were just hours away from the free New Music Concert with the student orchestra, featuring World Premiers of music by Richard Thompson, Chin Yi and Peter Askim, and Jason's West Coast Premier of "Oblique Music."
They were hanging out with Jason's 15-month-old-daughter who had the same bright eyes.
"She likes it when we play," Jason said. "But it's hard to tell if she has any musical abilities yet."
The group of Yale graduates, based out of Brooklyn, are causing a rage in the classical music world.
"The range of colors and voices that So Percussion coaxes from its manergerie is astonishing and entrancing," claimes Billboard Magazine.
You can look on their web site for more accolades from the New York Times, the Village Voice, and even The Financial Times. We're lucky that Peter Askim has brought this group to the attention of Idyllwild and folks on the West Coast.
According to their web site, So Percussion plays compositions by John Cage and Steven Reich, as well as their own works.
Jason with his 15-month-old-daughter
John Cage and Steven Reich are two pillars of percussion chamber music. Many of their once radical ideas are now widely accepted as part of America's experimental classical music tradition. So Percussion has been playing their from the beginning, which also inspires their own original music.
Jason explained how New Music is different from modern music.
"After our concerts, I often talk to people who think that New Music is the same as Pop music," Jason said. "They listen to Mariah Carey or Lady Gaga and believe it's the same New Music that we're playing. It's not based out of classical music, and that's a big difference."
Jason said that he sometimes conducts a Q & A session after their concerts, and asks people what they think of their New Music.
"We ask them if there was anything they heard that they didn't like," Jason said. "And there's this long pause. And then we say, 'C'mon, there was probably something in the concert that you didn't like."
He said that once he gets audience members to admit there's stuff that they didn't like about So Percussion's New Music, then they have a starting point.
(from L) Josh, Jason's daughter and grandma outside Bowman in Idyllwild
"With the onset of Social Media, we are becoming more attuned to our preferences, and don't venture out of our safety zone," Jason said. "It's OK that you don't like all New Music. You don't have to like all of it, but the fact that people are open to new experiences is important."
Sometimes, he said, the classical music fans feel like they have to love New Music or not.
"But it's OK if they don't love everything that they hear," Jason said. "It would be kind of a bummer if all we listened to was things that we really like."
He said that their repeat performances are always better accepted.
The same thing went with the members of the Idyllwild Ars Student Orchestra.
"At first, it was a little hard to get them to open up," Jason said. "They hadn't had much exposure to New Music. But Peter Askim is generating a lot of positive energy about New Music and it's catching on."
Jason said they played a little bit before the All School meeting on Friday afternoon, and that helped the orchestra to open up a bit.
"They're a good group of kids, and I think we cracked the shell a bit," Jason added. "Afterwards, we were talking and hanging out and it helped break down barriers."
At the All School concert, So Percussion used a lot of tactile instruments, such as pipes, tin cans and flower pots.
"A lot of people associate us with the popular percussion groups, Stomp and Blue Man Group." Jason said. "We wanted the orchestra students to see that we're having fun and that we're regular musicians just like them."
Rong, a cello player, said the energy of their practice sessions changed when So Percussion came into town on Thursday night.
"Their energy was so great!" Rong exclaimed. "It was unbelievable!"
Also on the dock Sunday is guitar legend, Richard Thompson. Courtesy photo Idyllwild Arts.
So Percussion, Richard Thompson and the student orchestra will travel to Los Angeles on Sunday for their second concert on Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m. at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood.
Advance general admission tickets range from $10 to $20. Prices will be slightly higher at the door. Peter Askim hoped that the concert would be "sold out," since it's a fundraiser for the Willam M. Lowman Concert Hall on campus.
"Peter said that we made the LA Times," Rong said before her orthodontist appointment Thursday. "The paper is saying that people should come see our concert. That's kind of a big deal."
The Barnsdall Theatre is a new venue for the Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra and their New Music guests.
"The theater was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright," stated Adam. "I've always liked him as an architect, and I took my first girlfriend to Falling Water in Pennsylvania."
Jason said that So Percussion has set up a concert two years from now.
"We'll be playing the music of David Lang," he said.
Setting up a gig two years out is nothing unusual, he said.
"My wife is also a musician, and we're always talking about dates years into the future," he said. "Sometimes it's hard to get a perspective on the here and now."
So Percussion, Richard Thompson and the Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra will be playing at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 at the Barnsdall Theatre, located at 4800 Hollywood Blvd. For tickets, visit It's My Set at www.itsmyseat.com.
And to listen to selections from So Percussion, visit www.sopercussion.com.
Tags: Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra, New music, Peter Askim, Richard Thompson, So Percussion
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on 'Taking Five' With So Percussion in Idyllwild
Richard Thompson's 'Interviews with Ghosts'
Sunday, April 22nd, 2012
Guitar legend Richard Thompson with string students during "Cabaret of Souls" last year Courtesy photo
It's hard to tell how long singer-songwriter-guitar legend Richard Thompson has been obsessed with ghosts.
Perhaps it started long ago, but it just hit Idyllwild Arts' radar in November of last year with his "Cabaret of Souls" tour, which began at UCLA's Royce Hall.
"Cabaret of Souls" is a talent show set in the Underworld (think of it as "American Idol" in Hell). It's part theater, part rock opera, featuring the talents of Richard Thompson, Harry Shearer (The Simpsons), Richard's wife, Judith Owen, Deborah Dobkin, Pete Zorn and strings students from the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra, conducted by Peter Askim.
X-O, a cellist from China, was one of the students who performed "Cabaret of Souls" with Richard Thompson. She and the 11 other students had to wear campy outfits and learn about 30 new songs.
"But it was easy music," X-O said, shrugging it off.
Stephanie, a violinist from Korea, said that it's music that she's never played before.
Stephanie said the music was old fashioned, but fun
"Peter said that it was kind of old-fashioned," she said. "But I liked it."
Dorie, a violin player from Bulgaria, had to wear a lacy outfit and a green wig.
"They painted our faces to look like ghosts," Dorie said. "They wanted us to wear gloves, but it didn't fit with our string instruments."
According to the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "Richard Thompson has been called the finest rock songwriter after Bob Dylan and the best electric guitarist since Jimi Hendrix."
"Last year, we helped Richard Thompson out, so this year, he's helping us out," said Camille, an oboe player talking about the upcoming New Music Concerts held in Idyllwild and Hollywood.
The Hollywood concert is a fundraiser for the new William M. Lowman Concert Hall, and pre-event tickets (from $10 to $20) are now on sale on the Idyllwild Arts web site, www.idyllwildarts.org.
According to a recent promotional video, Richard said that "Interviews with Ghosts" is a short song cycle or song suite of three chamber orchestra pieces.
"It's based on supposed transcriptions from ghosts talking to each other," Richard said. "Depending upon if you think they exist or even talk to each other."
Then Richard said he adapted these ghost transcripts a little bit, adding rhymes and worked with the orchestra. For the past several weeks, classical music students have been playing Richard's New Music pieces. He will be singing and playing guitar along with the student orchestra.
Jo, a bass player, said it sounds a lot like Rock n' Roll.
Will "Interviews with Ghosts" be like talking to Jacob Marley from "A Christmas Carol," where he complains about the chain, the cold and the loneliness of walking through doors? Will there be a message in Richard's piece about transforming our miserly ways? Will there be jokes about God, the devil and not being able to take our cash with us?
Time Out has called Richard Thompson's performances, "Riveting, enlightening, witty, moving, provocative and entertaining – strongly recommended."
Will the students have to dress up for "Interviews with Ghosts?"
Expect nothing less than fabulous with Richard Thompson's "Interviews with Ghosts." If anything, you'll get the rare opportunity to hear one of the Top 20 best guitar players of all time play with our student orchestra on April 28 in Idyllwild and on April 29 in Hollywood.
Besides Richard Thompson, Chen Yi will be performing "Tone Poem," a piece commissioned by the student orchestra and three composers from So Orchestra will be performing individual works, including "Oblique Music" by Jason Tretuing, "Credo in US" by John Cage and "Music for Pieces of Wood," by Steve Reich.
Also on the docket is Peter's brand-new piece, "Elsewhere."
The first New Music Concert will be Saturday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the IAF Theatre on the Idyllwild Arts campus. The event is free and open to the public.
The Sunday, April 29 fundraiser concert will be held at 4 p.m. at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre at 4800 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. For tickets, visit www.idyllwildarts.org, or contact www.itsmyseat.com.
Tags: Cabaret of Souls, Cafe Aroma Idyllwild, Green Cafe Idyllwild, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra, Idyllwild Me, Interviews with Ghosts, New Music concert, Peter Askim, Richard Thompson, William M. Lowman Concert Hall
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | 1 Comment »
Redlands Concert Reunites Oboe Teacher & Student
(from L) Nelms McKelvain, Liang Wang, Carolyn Beck and Sara Andon. Photo Peter Askim.
For most music students, saying good-bye to a beloved teacher is painful, and starting over with another can be scary.
"I've had the same oboe teacher since I was 10 years old," exclaimed Camille, who is graduating from Idyllwild Arts this year.
She was talking about Francisco Castillo, principal oboist for the Redlands Symphony. He's the same oboe instructor as the popular Liang Wang, principal oboist for the New York Philharmonic.
Francisco was Liang's first oboe instructor in the U.S. Last Saturday, April 14, Liang came for Francisco's World Premier of his recent composition, "Rhapsody for Oboe, English Horn & Orchestra."
"There's Francisco, the big guy," exclaimed Shen, a clarinet player from Idyllwild Arts, who attended the concert with music director Peter Askim and five other students, including Henry, Yoana, Elena, Suriah and Cynthia.
Francisco remained in touch with Liang, who graduated from Idyllwild Arts and the Curtis School of Music in Philadelphia. In January, Liang visited Idyllwild Arts, taught Master Classes and played with the student orchestra (see blog post, "NY Phil Oboist Makes Idyllwild Arts Proud," dated Dec. 9, 2011).
"Liang has brought such prestige to our instrument," Camille said.
Dr. Nelms McKelvain, piano instructor at Idyllwild Arts, drove down from Idyllwild to see Liang in concert.
"Liang was my advisee when he was here," said Nelms. "I'd go a long way to see him."
For the Saturday night concert, the students sat in the balcony in the Redlands Memorial Chapel, yet had a full view of the stage. Some of those around them had binoculars so they could see the performer's faces.
(from L) Idyllwild Arts Supporters: Henry, Shen, Elena, Yoana, Cynthia, Suriah, Carolyn, Sara, William & Peter
After the Redlands Symphony warmed up with "Overture to Le Nozze di Figaro," by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Liang played "Oboe Concerto," by Richard Strauss.
"Liang's phrasing is so unique," said Peter Askim, afterwards. "He phrases like a singer — so natural and pure. He never plays anything the same way twice. It's like he's discovering the piece for the first time – every time.""
During the first two songs, Co Boi Nguyen, the assistant conductor, led the orchestra. According to the program notes, Co Boi is an assistant professor of music at the University of Redlands School of Music, and she usually conducts at least one program during the regular symphony season.
After intermission, conductor Jon Robertson took over for the World Premier of Francisco's work, "Rhapsody for Oboe, English Horn and Orchestra." Liang and Francisco took the stage to great applause. Liang was playing his oboe, while Francisco had a much longer oboe with a lower sound, which is the English horn.
The two played well together, like father and son, carefully not upstaging each other. The piece was lively, and even frenetic at times, but was well liked by the audience. Both Liang and Francisco received a large bouquet of flowers afterwards.
According to the program, Francisco said his rhapsody came about in a funny way. While he was talking with Liang about what pieces he would play with the Redlands Symphony, Liang suggested that they play something together.
(from L) Carolyn, Francisco, Liang, Sara and Peter. Photo Peter Askim.
"I jokingly said that I didn't want to play an Albinoni or Vivaldi concerto, and would prefer something more interesting and new," Francisco recalled.
"Well, then, write something yourself!" Liang replied.
For inspiration, Francisco listened to oboe concertos by Mozart, Strauss, Pasculli and Piazzola. He also listened to favorite composers, Bach, Villa-Lobos, Charles Ives and Louis Armstrong, among others. In the end, Francisco turned to his oboe, English horn and computer to make something uniquely his own.
"As you listen, you will find some of my favorite musical ideas, including Polyrhythm, Latin folk melodies, simple harmonies, virtuosic, demanding, yet sustained lyrical passages, silly moments are at the same time dramatic and tense," Francisco wrote in the program.
"However, if you are looking for a form, you won't find it," Francisco added.
"I really liked Francisco's piece," said Shen. "It wasn't boring like the Hayden piece" ("Symphony No. 104 London" ended the evening.)
Camille, who was away at college auditions on Sunday, had heard a rehearsal of Francisco's piece.
"It's New Music, and it had a very Latin feel to it," Camille said.
After the Redlands concert, the students and Peter went to the stage to meet and congratulate the performers.
(from L) Yoana and Elena, students from Bulgaria, enjoy a pre-concert dinner. Photo Peter Askim.
According to Peter, several principals from the Redlands Symphony have also taught music at Idyllwild Arts, including Todor Pelev, associate concertmaster/violin; Gail Cruz, violin; Carolyn Beck, principal bassoon; Sara Andon, principal flute; David Scott, principal trumpet and William Schlitt, principal timpani.
Francisco, who dedicated his rhapsody to Liang Wang, conductor Jon Robertson and the Redlands Symphony, was all smiles afterwards.
"This was the first time it was played before a live audience," Francisco said. "It's a good feeling."
In other news, get your tickets now for the New Music Concerts featuring new works by Richard Thompson, Chen Yi and Peter Askim with the Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra on Saturday, April 28 at the IAF Theatre (free) on campus, and on Sunday, April 29 at 4 p.m. at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater in Los Angeles. Pre-concert general admission tickets for the Sunday show are $10 to $20 and are available on the Idyllwild Arts web site at www.idyllwildarts.org. Click on 'Academy,' then 'Music' and 'New Music Concert.'
For more information, see Idyllwild Me blog post, "New Music: Dramatic Shift for Students" dated April 9.
Tags: Cafe Aroma Idyllwild, Carolyn Beck, Dr. Nelms McKelvain, English Horn and Orchestra, Francisco Castillo, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild Me, Liang Wang, New Music concert, NY Philharmonic oboe principal, Peter Askim, Redlands Symphony, Rhapsody for Oboe, Sara Andon, Todor Pelev, William Schlitt
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on Redlands Concert Reunites Oboe Teacher & Student
New Music: Dramatic Shift for Students
Monday, April 9th, 2012
Orchestra students (file photo) have mixed feelings about New Music
Students from the Idyllwild Arts Orchestra will take a dramatic shift from their classical music repertoire to New Music for their next concerts on April 28-29. Some of them like New Music because it's so different, while others don't like it as much.
"We don't just listen to songs written by dead people," chided Peter Askim, music director and composer-in-residence at Idyllwild Arts (see New Music post on Idyllwild Me dated May 7, 2010).
He's used to their resistance.
"When I told Peter that I didn't like New Music, he said that it was because I didn't understand it," said Rong, a cello player.
"I like it because it tells a story," said Meng, a double bass player, from Beijing, who also plays the cello and piano. "But it can be hard to play sometimes."
Meng, a double bass player, says New Music tells a story
Mostly because there's no CDs they can listen to, and it's not posted on You Tube.
Rong said that this next concert is particularly hard for the three percussionists. Dixin, a violin player, agreed.
"They have to play so many instruments," Dixin said. "It's really amazing!"
For the New Music concerts each year, Peter also helps promote the new works by emerging and established composers. Richard Thompson, voted among the Top 20 best guitarists by Rolling Stone magazine, will be performing "Interviews with Ghosts" on his guitar.
Also Chen Yi will be performing "Tone Poem," a piece commissioned by the student orchestra and the Richard P. Wilson Fund for New Music.
Three composers from So Orchestra will be performing individual works, including "Oblique Music" by Jason Tretuing, "Credo in US" by John Cage and "Music for Pieces of Wood," by Steve Reich.
Dixin said Peter Askim's "Elsewhere" is kind of quiet and slow
"It's kind of quiet and slow," explained Dixin. "But I like it."
Andrew Leeson, a staff member in Creative Writing, has called Peter "The Master of the Dramatic Pause." (See "Askim's New Music Revealed" on Idyllwild Me posted Nov. 11, 2011).
Jo, another bass player, said that the New Music they're performing with Richard Thompson sound more like Rock n' Roll.
"He was knighted, you know," she said.
Many in Idyllwild may remember Thompson's "Cabaret of Souls" that was performed with the Idyllwild Arts Orchestra last year.
The New Music concerts will be held on Saturday, April 28 at the IAF Theatre on campus and on Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m. in The Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood. The Idyllwild concert is free and open to the public, while the LA concert is a fundraiser and Pre-sale tickets range from $1o to $20, and a little more on the show day.
For tickets, visit www.bgttix.com or call (323) 644-6272. For Pre-Sale tickets and more details on the New Music concert, visit www.idyllwildarts.org. There are several videos of Richard Thompson singing and playing his guitar, including one from 1952.
Tags: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, Cafe Aroma, Chen Yi, Green Cafe Idyllwild, Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra, Idyllwild Me, Jason Tretuing, John Cage, New music, Peter Askim, Richard Thompson, Steve Reich, student concerts
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on New Music: Dramatic Shift for Students
NY Phil Oboist Makes Idyllwild Arts Proud
Liang Wang, principal oboist for the NY Philharmonic, is an Idyllwild Arts alum. Courtesy photo.
One of Idyllwild Arts' own came back last week not only to perform, but to spread good cheer. Liang Wang, principal oboist for the New York Philharmonic, is living proof that an Idyllwild Arts high school education is key to acceptance in top schools that can eventually lead to a promising career.
At age 26, Liang is the youngest principal oboist in the history of the New York Philharmonic. He's kept that slot since 2006, and you can bet he didn't get it on his good looks alone. After four years of studying oboe at Idyllwild Arts, Liang was accepted to the coveted Curtis Institute of Music, where he won fellowships, grants and awards. Later on, he played for the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony and worked his way up to the NY Philharmonic post.
"Liang gets to tell the other oboists what to do, and he's much younger than all of them!" exclaimed Howard, a sophomore violist from Taiwan now studying at Idyllwild Arts.
Liang spoke to the Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra after a rehearsal last week. He was candid about his time at the academy, including some mistakes he made (such as getting caught after curfew in the girls' dorm). Most importantly, Liang offered the students some good advice.
"He said that he doesn't get nervous onstage because he won some competitions, so he's earned the right to be there," said Tiffany, a senior who plays cello. "He looks so relaxed."
Some of Liang's achievements included a fellowship position at the Aspen Music Festival. He also was a second prize winner at the 2003 Fernard Gillet International Oboe Competition and a prizewinner at the 2002 Tilden Prize Competition.
Tiffany also said that besides thinking positively, Liang advised them to come to all of their performances prepared. And that means hours of practice.
"When you know your work, you'll be confident in your playing," Liang told them.
During his Dec. 3 and 4 concerts at Idyllwild Arts Academy, Liang performed Mozart's "Concerto Oboe in C Major, K 314 (25d)." Advance press in the Idyllwild Town Crier, the Press-Enterprise, and the Idyllwild Herald, brought large crowds during both performances. The Sunday, Dec. 4 afternoon concert was standing room only.
(from L) Camille (with Mariya, an IA alum) was enthusiastic about Liang Wang's master class and the importance he's brought to the oboe.
The oboe concerto was lively, and Liang played most of the time, even to the point of flush in his cheeks. According to the program notes, the Mozart Oboe Concerto in C was composed in the summer of 1977, but the manuscript was lost until 1920. It had a striking resemblance to a flute concerto of Mozart's. Finally published in 1948, it remains the least-known of Mozart's entire concerto output.
The notes stated that the Oboe Concerto was rather French in style with cheerful outer movements.
In fact, Liang looked rather French and lively onstage, lifting his oboe like a horn to give the audience its full sound. He was also keen on taking cues from Peter Askim, Idyllwild Arts' music director. No prima dona he! You could tell that he knew that the fine performance was a group effort.
"I'm in love with him!" exclaimed Camille, an oboist and senior at Idyllwild Arts. "He brought such notoriety to our instrument!"
Camille was among those who got to attend Liang's master class that weekend. She said that Liang gave her lots of good input about her playing, which comes at the perfect time when she's applying to colleges.
He even agreed to give Camille a lesson when she visits the Manhattan School of Music over winter break. He is currently on the faculty there.
Ryan Zwahlen, head of the Music Department at Idyllwild Arts who also plays the oboe, was instrumental in securing Liang's performance at the school.
"He gets great reviews on his sound and control," Ryan said. "Having him perform with our students will show them what hard work could get them in the future. It's also a great recruitment thing for the school helping us to raise our profile."
Published on: Dec 9, 2011 @ 11:57
Tags: famous oboists, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Liang Wang, NY Philharmonic oboe principal, Peter Askim, Ryan Zwahlen
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on NY Phil Oboist Makes Idyllwild Arts Proud
Askim's New Music Composition Revealed
Friday, November 11th, 2011
Viola Master Class with Ms. Kozasa. (from L) Sirayah, Alex, Ayane Kozasa, Kathy and Howard
The Tuesday, Nov. 8th afternoon concert at Stephens Recital Hall was limited to just a select few. Among those in attendance were student composers, poets, and musicians, along with a few teachers. What they were about to hear was a New Music composition by Peter Askim, Idyllwild Arts' award-winning music director and composer-in-residence. Not only were they going to hear a brand-new piece, but also the viola player was a winner.
"This viola piece called, 'Inner Voices,' was written for the Primrose International Viola Competition in Austin last year, but the winner is here tonight to play it for us," said Peter Askim, and then introduced Ayane Kozasa, a senior music student at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
"There were viola players from all over the country playing this piece, which was a required piece," Peter explained. "Everyone had to learn it at the same amount of time, and Ayane won the prize for the best performance. And in a minute, you'll see why."
Peter handed out a few scores of "Inner Voices" for those who wanted to follow along, as Ms. Kozasa walked to the front of the room. She was a pretty woman in a black shift dress, and boots that matched the snow outside. Her hair was cut short, perhaps so that it wouldn't interfere with her instrument.
Looking around, I learned quickly the best way to listen to New Music compositions, was to close your eyes. To my right, Peter had his eyes closed and was leaning forward slightly. To my left, Andrew Leeson, an Creative Writing instructor, also closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. Across the room, Idyllwild Arts Headmaster Brian Cohen (who also plays the viola) had his eyes closed.
Ms. Kozasa shows Alex how to dance while playing his piece as Brian Cohen looks on.
I wasn't sure why these guys were closing their eyes when there was a pretty coed onstage, but I guessed it was "all about the music" at this point.
From a past experience of listening to a New Music Concert at the Los Angeles Philharmonic last year, I knew that it wasn't going to be like any standard music. It's as if the composers crumpled it up and threw it out the window.
(from R) Peter Askim introduces Aane Kozasa to headmaster Brian Cohen
When the conductor started the New Music Concert at the LA Phil, I thought all of the musicians were still warming up. The piece had an unsettled, frenetic feeling about it.
"When are they going to start playing?" I asked the student next to me in the balcony. "Shh, they're playing," was my answer.
Now, sitting in Stephens Recital Hall listening to Peter's "Inner Voices," I knew to expect the unexpected.
I breathed in slowly, resisting the urge to close my eyes and decided to focus on the young woman's viola and bow.
What came out of her instrument was frenetic, and intense. Like someone running through the snow, but at a very fast pace. Maybe the person was running from the police? Who knows? But he was definitely running for his life.
Then I realized that it wasn't likely an urban setting, but perhaps in Idyllwild. I imagined a person running through the forest. Since there aren't any bears in these parts, perhaps the person was running from himself?
Then, after the intense part ended, the mood changed, and everything slowed down dramatically. Again, I thought of nature, and how everything seems calm after a rainstorm.
Meanwhile, Ms. Kozasa was putting on a nice performance for the audience who still had their eyes open. She moved across the stage, often times arching her bow as if it were a spear. Then she'd play the queer high notes with such delicacy that her bow barely touched the strings.
During "Inner Voices," there were many long pauses, in which I was tempted to clap before it was over. Yet, I resisted, and succommed to the tension of the piece, which ended with more of a light "pop" than a razor-sharp dramatic ending. That was rather nice.
"That's amazing world-class playing," Peter said, as he stood, clapping for Ms. Kozasa.
"Peter is the master of negative space," Andrew exclaimed.
When Peter heard that comment repeated later on, he laughed.
Ms. Kozasa works with Howard on his piece
Ms. Kozasa said that it wasn't a difficult piece to play, once she broke it down into sections.
Peter asked her to explain to the audience how she would approach playing a new piece such as this one.
"Well, I'd look at the bigger sections at first," she said. "And then try and figure out the character of each part. It's harder when its free form."
Peter said that oftentimes, the students think about the fingerings and trying to get the rhythm right, but they have a hard time finding out the meaning of the piece.
Ms. Kozasa said that she tries to find out what the composer is trying to say within the fingerings of the piece. Whenever possible, she also researches other music from the same composer to help with the meaning.
Afterward, Peter said that he finished "Inner Voices" about this time last year, but it had nothing to do with nature or the weather in Idyllwild.
"I finished it in the winter, but started it in the summer," he said. "It has nothing to do with the seasons."
So much for my interpretation of a man running through the snow.
For the next hour, Ms. Kozasa held a Master Class in which sh worked with four viola players, including Howard, Alex, Kathy and Syriah. Each played a short piece for her, in which she gave input and suggestions. More often than not, Ms. Kozasa suggested the students become more physical and aggressive in their performances.
Ms. Kozasa makes suggestions to Kathy
For example, when Alex played a slow, Bach piece, Ms. Kozasa stated that it was a dance, and suggested that Alex take a few dance steps.
What?! Dance while he was playing? I tried to imagine what was going through that young man's head!
"This piece is really about dances back then," she said. "And the third step is really suspended in mid-air. Try and step while you play. Here, let me show you."
And then she played the same song, but exaggerated the steps to an unknown dance as she moved across the stage.
Alex, likely eager to please, played the piece again, and moved as best he could to the ancient dance.
"That's beautiful," she exclaimed as he finished. "It feels more like a dance in which your whole body is moving to the music. Now, try and put character into each step. Don't be afraid of making a huge dip."
After all of the students had played, Peter and Ms. Kozasa stuck around at Stephens to record the piece. He said to look for it soon on iTunes.
For more information and to see a video of Ms. Kozasa at the June 5th Primrose Competition, visit www.peteraskim.com.
Published on: Nov 11, 2011 @ 1:28
Tags: Ayane Kozasa, Brian Cohen, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Inner Voices, master classes, New music, Peter Askim, Viola master class
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on Askim's New Music Composition Revealed
Soloist & Student Orchestra Handle Mishap with Grace
Peter Askim's violin soloist showed grace under pressure Saturday night. (Photo from another event. Courtesy Idyllwild Arts).
Broken strings. You can bet that world-class violin soloists playing with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony have broken their violin strings onstage before.
However, that must've been cold comfort for Ally, the 16-year-old sophomore, during her first solo with the Idyllwild Arts Orchestra (IAO) Saturday night, Oct. 15.
Halfway through her 20-minute piece, Beethoven's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Op. 61, Ally's violin strings broke. Immediately she said, "Sorry," and stopped playing.
"I knew that she was in trouble," said Xiofan, better know as Sa-Sa, the principal violin player. "There's no way she could fix it."
Sa-Sa offered his violin to Ally, and she continued playing the rest of the piece without incident.
"You barely noticed that anything was wrong," said Alex, a voice major from New Zealand who attended the concert Saturday night. "There was a natural pause. But afterwards, I think she sounded better on Sa-Sa's violin."
Ally's strings broke halfway through the Beethoven piece Sat. night (File photo).
But that left Sa-Sa without a violin. As first chair and concertmaster, you can bet that the orchestra needed him to keep playing as much as they needed the soloist.
Without prompting, Lin Ma, another student violinist, offered Sa-Sa his violin, and the music continued.
"I think that's the natural order of things," said one Idyllwild Arts student whose sister plays violin with a professional orchestra. "The concertmaster offers the soloist his instrument, and the violin next in line offers the concertmaster his and it goes down the line. They did the right thing."
What Peter Askim, music director and conductor, was thinking, no one knows but him. Yet, Peter addressed the mishap with humor by using an analogy before the Sunday afternoon, Oct. 16, concert began.
"Most of the students in the orchestra are brand new to Idyllwild Arts," Peter explained. "Like a new sports car, we took it out for a ride yesterday and tested its meddle. After shifting a few gears, we'll sound even better today."
There was laughter coming from audience members who knew about the mishap, while others didn't know why Peter was talking about sports cars.
"I checked Ally's violin before she went onstage today," Sa-Sa said. "Everything was just fine."
You can bet that Ally's heart was racing a bit faster as she neared the part in the music where her strings had broken.
"Sa-Sa was the hero Saturday night," Alex exclaimed. "When he came onstage after the break, everyone clapped especially hard for him."
Shen was the clarinet soloist
Sa-Sa said that he didn't notice.
But a 10-second mishap is not the entire concert, and a lost shoe is not the game. I once saw a star shooter during a UCLA basketball lose his shoe, and scramble to recover it without stopping play.
It happens to the best of them.
For her second concert solo on Sunday afternoon, Ally showed incredible grace and composure. Perhaps only her mother would know how nervous she was. Only once during a rest did Ally inspect her violin strings, and hold the instrument up to her ear.
Mr. and Mrs. Yang came all the way from Dalian, on the coast of China, to her their daughter play. (Their uncle is a pilot so they can fly free). During the concert, both were busy recording Ally's performance on their cameras.
Not only did Ally maintain her composure, she played the Beethoven concerto as if it wasn't difficult at all. At times, it sounded as if two violins were playing simultaneously. And there were parts where Ally's fingers were moving so fast, it looked as if they weren't moving at all.
That's the beauty of young talent, and she's only going to get better with each experience.
"You did a great job today, honey, and yesterday too," said one woman to Ally after the concert Sunday.
Ally thanked her and smiled. The hard part was over.
For his clarinet solo, Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 5, Shen appeared serious, but also played with grace and a loud, clear sound. For fans like me, it seemed like eternity before he got to play. Yet when Shen was in the spotlight, he took his time. Yahuda, his teacher, would have been proud.
According to the program, Crusell wrote most of his concertos so that he'd have something to play. And this clarinet concerto was one of the best works – both melodic and emotionally inventive.
On Sunday, both Ally's and Shen's solos were perfectly executed. During their encore bows, both received standing ovations from the audience. New headmaster Brian Cohen, who plays the violin, was first on his feet applauding loudly. Peter Askim also appeared pleased, giving Shen a hearty hug, and holding Ally's hand as they bowed together.
As someone once said, "It's not about the mistakes you make, but how you recover."
Published on: Oct 17, 2011 @ 12:56
Tags: Brian Cohen, Doug Ashcraft, idyllwild, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Idyllwild Me, Idyllwild Student orchestra, Peter Askim, student concerts, Student orch
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on Soloist & Student Orchestra Handle Mishap with Grace
Clarinet and Violin Solos in Weekend Concert
Shen will play a clarinet solo with the student orchestra Sat. and Sun.
This weekend, two music students will perform as soloists along with the Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra (IAO) during their first concert of the year. Both soloists come from China, yet grew up on opposite ends of the country.
Manje, better known as "Ally" is a sophomore violinist, yet exudes an older maturity. She will be playing Beethoven's Concerto for Violin & Orchestra in D Major, Op. 61. The entire orchestra piece will last about 20 minutes.
"I've never played that long onstage before," Alley exclaimed.
Yet, the teenager has performed many times last year with the IAO, and at different events, such as the one at Palm Springs High School, as part of a yearly outreach. Idyllwild Arts students sing, dance, and play classical and jazz numbers. The event is hosted by the Steinway Society and Dr. Nelms McKelvain, who also teaches piano at Idyllwild Arts.
Ally was excited that her mother was coming from China to see this concert. Mrs. Yang will be among many parents attending the "Parents Weekend" events on campus this weekend.
Ally will play with the orchestra in a piece that lasts 20 minutes
Shen, the other soloist, is a clarinet player. He is very busy these days. First of all, he's a prefect, or student leader, and has regular dorm duties. Secondly, he's a senior, so he must submit his college applications soon and prepare for his upcoming auditions in Jan./Feb.
Last year, Shen was thinking of giving up the clarinet and studying psychology instead. However, Yahuda, his clarinet teacher from USC and Colburn, would hear none of it. He insisted that Shen continue his clarinet studies, even during the summer at Idyllwild Arts.
Those two weeks were the longest for Shen.
"It was weird being on campus and not knowing anyone," he said.
Yet the experience of working with Yahuda in an intense program was worth it.
"I might even got better," Shen quipped.
Just yesterday, Shen was performing with seven other Idyllwild Arts students at the Palm Springs High School.–the same one Ally had performed at last year.
Shen played a clarinet solo by Massaje, and was accompanied by Nelms on piano. Even though there was music on the stand, Shen didn't look at it once. He said that every time that he appears before a large audience is a good experience.
"Maybe I won't be so nervous when I play with our orchestra this weekend," Shen said.
For his piece, Shen will be playing Crusell's Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 5. His mother from San Diego will be there, but not his teacher.
"Yahuda's busy and Idyllwild is a long way from LA," Shen said.
Besides the Beethoven and Crusell piece, the Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra will be playing Haydn's Symphony in E Flat Major, Hob. 1:99.
Like all events at Idyllwild Arts, this concert is free and open to the public. The Saturday, Oct. 15 show will be held at 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m.. For more information, contact Idyllwild Arts at (951) 659-2171, ext. 2200, or visit www.idyllwildarts.org.
Tags: Dr. Nelms McKelvain, Free orchestra concerts, Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild Arts Student Orchestra, Idyllwild Me, Parents Weekend Activities, Peter Askim
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on Clarinet and Violin Solos in Weekend Concert
New Music Tonight, then Redcat Saturday
Music Director Peter Askim's viola concerto will be showcased tonight
Tonight, in celebration of the school's 25th Anniversary, the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra will showcase New Music by several contemporary composers. However, some compositions are only a few weeks old.
"I need to finish my orchestra piece," Peter Askim, music director and composer-in-residence had said during Spring Break in March.
His new viola concerto was specially created for Roger Myers, a notable violist and chair of the strings department at the University of Texas at Austin. Myers is regarded as one of the foremost performers and teachers of his time. He will be performing the piece for the first time tonight.
Chris, a classical viola student at Idyllwild Arts, will be paying special attention to Myers performance from his orchestra seat. Chris took a master class with Myers earlier in the year, and plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin because of him.
"He's an awesome teacher and performer," Chris said. "I can't wait to hear him perform with us."
When asked what they think of Peter's new viola concerto, some string students say that it's difficult to play. But then again, all of Peter's pieces have been known to be difficult.
For the orchestra students, New Music is a great diversion from their classical repertoire. In preparation for a piece, some students go to the library or purchase the song online. That way, they can listen to the music in the quiet of their practice room. However, for these New Music pieces, there is no record, CD or track to refer to, and it can be a little nerve wracking.
"We don't just listen to songs written by dead people," Peter chided students before a New Age concert they attended at the LA Philharmonic last year.
Besides Peter Askim, the works of three other contemporary composers will be featured at the New Music orchestra concert tonight. They include: Rufus Reid, Pierre Jalbert and Jan Radzynski.
"Spanning traditions and crossing genres, the program is a microcosm of the world of Contemporary American Music, and a celebration of the diversity of cultures and styles that Idyllwild Arts represents," states copy on Peter Askim's web site.
The program includes the World Premiere of a new orchestral work by renowned jazz bassist Rufus Reid. "A recipient of a Guggenheim Award, Reid's new work blends and blurs the boundaries of jazz and classical orchestral music," Peter's web site states.
"Recipient of the Rome Prize, the BBC Masterprize, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center's Stoeger Award and a 2010 American Academy of Arts and Letters award, composer Pierre Jalbert's astonishingly beautiful music is at once immediately accessible and refreshingly new.
"A native of Poland and former resident of Israel, Jan Radzynski writes music that transcends borders, cultures and time itself. His new work for violin and orchestra is intellectually probing, cross-cultural and deeply moving."
There will be two chances to listen to the New Music Concert this weekend. It will be performed at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday, April 7, at the IAF Theater on campus. The concert is free and open to the public. Then at 4 p.m. on Mother's Day, Sunday, April 8, the group will perform at REDCAT at Disney Hall in Los Angeles. General admission ($25) or student tickets ($10) are available at REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd Street in Los Angeles or by visiting www.redcat.org.
Published on: May 7, 2011 @ 12:21
Tags: 25th Anniversary Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild Arts Academy, Jan Radzynski, New music, Peter Askim, Pierre Jalbert, Roger Myers, Rufus Reid, student orchestra
Posted in Idyllwild Arts Academy, Music | Comments Off on New Music Tonight, then Redcat Saturday
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ORIENT IV 2019: Factors and dynamics of stability and instability
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Dear ORIENT readers,
The Near and Middle East has once again garnered a prominent role in the global news coverage. The very real threat of an escalation between Saudi Arabia and the US on the one side and Iran on the other has been palpable, while the brutal wars in Yemen, Syria and Libya have continued unabatedly. At the same time, efforts from individual countries, regional and international organisations such as the EU and the UN, and adhoc coalitions have yielded little tangible results in solving these issues – from the Strait of Hormuz to Idlib.
In this issue of ORIENT we aim to have a look at a variety of the factors and dynamics of stability and instability in key crisis countries of the region. At first, Rayan Haddad provides a thorough assessment of domestic and external factors in Lebanon's volatile politics, before Curtis R. Ryan analyses those dynamics in Jordan. Following this, Michael Semple dives deep into the inner workings – and conflicts – within the Taliban movement in Afghanistan. Subsequently, Ruth Hanau Santini writes about how the EU has been an important player in many of the crises in the Near and Middle East, while Wolfgang Pusztai provides his expertise on the current situation in Libya. Lastly, Zeinab Abul-Magd analyses the civil-military relations in Egypt.
I hope that the current issue provides you with valuable perspectives on some of the factors and dynamics that are shaping both stability and instability in the Near and Middle East today.
Dr. Gunter Mulack
Director of the German Orient-Institute
Lebanon and the plight of living under volcanoesRayan Haddad
Jordan: Stability and instability in the Hashemite KingdomCurtis R. Ryan
Locating the Uzbek narrative of social justice within the Afghan Taliban movement's political cultureMichael Semple
The state of dis-Union: The EU and Europe in the MENA region since 2011Ruth Hanau Santini
Key factors of instability in LibyaWolfgang Pusztai
The military, the economy, and social instability in Egypt under al-SisiZeinab Abul-Magd
Apr / 2017
ORIENT II 2017: US policy in the Near and Middle East: Continuity and change
Jul / 2019
ORIENT III 2019: Current developments in Turkey's domestic and foreign policies
Oct / 2018
ORIENT IV 2018: Socio-economic challenges and developments
ORIENT IV 2014: Iraq
ORIENT II 2018: Current developments in the Gulf region
ORIENT IV 2016: Gulf politics one year after the JCPoA
Lebanon and the plight of living under volcanoes
Rayan Haddad
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This article examines how vulnerable Lebanon is with respect to a series of nested crises unfolding in the Middle East, while having little bearing on the course of events. In this regard, one can see the extent to which these crises are intertwined (in such a way that none can be solved in isolation) through a transversal examination of their reception in the Lebanese arena. On top of that, Lebanon is facing pressing economic challenges not adequately dealt with by the authorities whose dysfunctionality is mainly related to the confessional system of governance, further exposing the country to regional turbulence. The ruling political class' reliance on wishful thinking solutions and social resilience in the face of shocks endangers Lebanon's stability.
Rayan Haddad holds a PhD in International Relations from Sciences Po Paris (2007). He is a member of the Cercle des Chercheurs sur le Moyen-Orient (Paris). His main research interests lie in studying the importation of exogenous conflicts into the Lebanese arena and Hezbollah's policies.
Curtis R. Ryan
June 2019 marked the twentieth year of the reign of King Abdullah II in Jordan. In these two decades, Jordan has faced no shortage of internal and external challenges, including the regional 'Arab Spring' in 2011-2012. But the last several years have been particularly trying, especially with the emergence of the Trump administration in the United States, shifts in key regional alliances and alignments, and worsening economic conditions. Traditional allies like the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE seemed to partially sideline Jordan with a 'deal of the century' in mind, and many Jordanians worried that any 'peace' deal might come at their expense. Meanwhile Jordan's longstanding economic and fiscal crises had grown even worse, with Jordanians lamenting unemployment, inflation, and corruption in public life. Many have taken to the streets in protests, demonstrations, and strikes to make clear their dissatisfaction with the status quo. Even as Jordanians feared that their own allies might sell them out in any potential US-brokered 'peace' deal, the kingdom faced deepening crises from within and from without. This article examines the question of stability in Jordan, including the economic and political challenges to its internal stability, as well as the impact of external challenges to that stability.
Curtis R. Ryan is a Professor of Political Science at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. He has written extensively on international relations in the Middle East, on inter-Arab relations, alliance politics, and on Jordanian domestic politics and foreign policy. He is the author of three books: Jordan in Transition: From Hussein to Abdullah (Lynne Rienner, 2002), Inter-Arab Alliances: Regime Security and Jordanian Foreign Policy (University Press of Florida, 2009), and most recently, Jordan and the Arab Uprisings: Regime Survival and Politics Beyond the State (Columbia University Press, 2018).
Locating the Uzbek narrative of social justice within the Afghan Taliban movement's political culture
Michael Semple
This article considers how Uzbek members of the Afghan Taliban Movement thought about ethnic relations and pursued a notion of social justice in their dealings with the ethnic Pashtun leadership of the movement. The political culture of the movement frustrated the Uzbeks' aspirations to control appointments of officials in areas inhabited by Afghanistan's Turkic minorities. The contradictions between Taliban political culture and the Uzbeks' idea of social justice drove strategic decisions by Uzbek and Turkman Taliban during the post-2001 phase of jihadi, including their attempt to align with the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Michael Semple is a professor at the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, Queen's University Belfast. He conducts research and dialogue, delivers policy advice and participates in the public debate on conflict and peacemaking in Southern Asia and the Middle East. He has published extensively on the Taliban movement. His recent work includes research into the political culture of the Taliban and its implications for peace-making strategies. He has worked and travelled extensively in Afghanistan and Pakistan for three decades. He has served with the United Nations and was deputy to the European Union Special Representative in Afghanistan.
The state of dis-Union: The EU and Europe in the MENA region since 2011
Ruth Hanau Santini
In the past decade, several countries in the Middle East and North Africa have undergone dramatic changes, and with one exception – Tunisia – turmoil has resulted in civil wars, mass population displacements, unprecedented destruction, new forms of creeping authoritarianism, and increasing violent penetration from regional and extra-regional powers. With the exception of Iran, where Europe has displayed a consistently transformative approach, oriented not just to the suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment, but also to the normalisation of the country's diplomatic relations both in the region and on the global scale, in key other regional instances Europe has been either a passive bystander when political space has been closed (Morocco, and even more so, post-2013 Egypt), thereby reinforcing ongoing trends favouring authoritarian reconfigurations, or has contributed to destabilising countries (the intervention in Libya in 2011 and the intra-EU split since then). The 'principled pragmatist' rhetoric has concealed a laissez-faire attitude which has emboldened new manifestations of foreign policy assertiveness and aggressiveness by both regional (Saudi Arabia, the Emirati, Turkey) and extra-regional players (mostly Russia) which are re-shaping regional power hierarchies, to the detriment of Europe and the US.
Ruth Hanau Santini is Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at Università L'Orientale in Naples. She has previously worked at The Brookings Institution in Washington, served as foreign policy consultant to the Italian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister in 2012-2013 and has coordinated two international research projects on Citizenship after the Arab Uprisings (EUSPRING) and on Grassroots' mobilisation in the Arab World since 2011 (STREETPOL). Her research focuses on European foreign policy, popular protests in the Arab world and geopolitics of the MENA region. On a more theoretical level she is interested in issues pertaining to regional orders, hierarchy and status-seeking behaviour.
Key factors of instability in Libya
Wolfgang Pusztai
Libya is a failed state. The different factors of instability can be grouped into the six areas of governance, international relations, demography, economy, social standards, and security, which are all interrelated. Altogether, the situation in Libya is very complex. It must not be simplified by reducing the conflict on a fight for or against General Heftar or the Islamists. For now, a major improvement is not in sight.
Wolfgang Pusztai is a freelance security and policy analyst with a special focus on North Africa. He was the Austrian Defense Attaché to Italy, Greece, Libya and Tunisia from 2007 to 2012. He has a Master's Degree from the University of Vienna (Political Science) and from the National Defense University/National War College in Washington D.C. (National Security Strategy; distinguished graduate). He is Director of the California-based advisory company Perim Associates. Since 2016 he is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the National Council on US-Libya Relations.
The military, the economy, and social instability in Egypt under al-Sisi
Zeinab Abul-Magd
During the past five years, officers have been in control of the Egyptian state apparatus and struggling economy. The military regime of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi applies economic policies that generate acute discontent among the increasingly impoverished lower classes. Meanwhile, officers corruptly accumulate wealth by occupying government offices and expanding monopolistic business enterprises. Despite the apparent political stability of the regime, social instability is the hidden reality.
Zeinab Abul-Magd is an Associate Professor of Middle Eastern history at Oberlin College, US, and author of book Militarizing the Nation: the Army, Business, and Revolution in Egypt.


Restaurants in Eastwood
Find Restaurants in Eastwood on the Eastwood Advertiser directory. Get reviews and contact details for each business including phone number, postcode, opening hours and photos.
Mint Leaf Restaurant
33 Alexandra Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1BW
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Alcapones Italian Restaurant
42 Nottingham Road, Eastwood, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG16 3NQ
Pipasha Restaurant
285-291 Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 4LT
Kings Restaurant
70 Hight Street, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7EA
Joe's Restaurant
7 Shorefield Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RH
Italian Restaurant...
Sonali Restaurant
75 Southchurch Road, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS1 2NL
Hasina Tandoori Restaurant
358 Rayleigh Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 5PU
The Bank Restaurant
1470 London Road, Leigh On Sea, Essex, SS9 2UR
Grand Siam Thai Restaurant
Salsa Restaurant
34 London Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1NT
Alvaros Restaurant
32-34 St Helens Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7LB
Latinos Restaurant
205 London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 2RD
Latino's Restaurant is a very popular restaurant in south Essex that provides homemade Spanish, Portuguese & Mediterranean...
Debenhams Restaurant
The Royals Shopping Centre, High Street, Southend-on-sea, Essex, SS1 1DF
Shish Restaurant
719 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 9ST
The Sandbank Restaurant
1470 London Road, Leigh-on-sea, Essex, SS9 2UR
Sands Bistro Restaurant
The Icon Building Western Esplan, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE
Calypso Restaurant
1350 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, SS9 2UH
McDonald's Restaurants Ltd
162 High Street, Southend On Sea, Essex, SS1 1JX
Sambuca Restaurant
381 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7HU
italian restaurant in southend on sea ......
Thursdays American Diner
83 Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, Leigh-on-sea, Essex, SS9 5UZ


Ariane 4: shroud around stage?
In this image of the Ariane 4, you can see a blue shroud around the second stage.
At least I think it's a shroud. It is present in many photos of Ariane 4 launches, but the drawings I've seen omit it. What is the purpose of this object?
launch ariane
HobbesHobbes
Not a complete answer (update in the footer!) because I wasn't able to find any official explanation, but I did find enough that I thought you might be interested in my findings so far. It also gets more and more intriguing, check this out:
Ariane 44L launching SICRAL 1 and Skynet 4F military satellites on its V139 mission (Source: CapComEspace)
So this second stage shroud must be some sort of thermal insulation that is only added to the launcher on fueling up the stage tanks (it uses nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer and UH25 that is a mixture of UDMH with 25% hydrazine as fuel) and this shroud is collapsed from the launcher a few seconds into flight. Here is a video of Ariane V72 launch sequence (relevant part starts at 30 minutes into the video) from ESA pages that shows this process in motion.
It's also worth mentioning that this shroud was used on all Ariane rocket family from 1 to 4, since they all used same second stage bipropellant that was precooled before the tanks are fueled:
Second stages of Ariane are nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH), which, unlike cryogenic fuel, do not require thermal insulation. But because the propellants occupy a larger tank volume when they are warm, the nitrogen tetroxide and UDMH are precooled before being loaded. First and second-stage fuelling takes place within the tower, where the air-conditioning helps to keep the propellants cool.
Source: Archived copy of FLIGHT International magazine from 17 February 1979 (PDF)
So this must be something similar to what is used on Minotaur 1 and referred to as the banana because of the color and since it is peeled away in sections during launch and while the rocket is clearing the launch tower:
Minotaur I rocket during launch on its NROL-66 mission showing the first stage banana (Source: SpaceflightNow)
Here are a few other things I was able to learn about the mysterious Ariane 4 second stage insulation:
Used second stage N2O4/UDMH propellant was precooled on all Ariane 1-4 launchers
The shroud is not yet attached to the second stage once it leaves the assembly tower before the launch (based on photographic evidence)
The shroud seems to be attached in tiles and connected by a release cable during rocket's clearing of the launch tower
The material these tiles are made of remains a mystery to me, but they do appear light and the front face is highly reflective so I'd imagine some low-density EPDM-based thermal insulation covered with layers of aluminum foil and lightly framed might be used. This all seems to be related to second stage propellant stability and performance, keeping it thermally stable, preventing water vapor condensation and similar potential problems before the launch in the hot and humid climate of the Kourou, Guiana Space Centre.
Here's one more photo from a daytime launch of Ariane 4 (configuration 40, no stage 0 SRBs) on Flight 75 (Source: Arianespace Ariane heritage multimedia library):
Anyway, I wanted to post my findings here to hopefully help someone find official explanation behind this shroud (my French-fu is rusty and weak), what it's made of, when exactly is it attached to the second stage, how it is released (the use of the pull-cable is my educated guess based on photographs) and if it was indeed used on all launches of the Ariane family of rockets from 1 to 4.
Update: Thanks to @Hobbes and his superior French-fu skills we now have a confirmation (machine translation, a bit rough around the edges):
Before takeoff, while waiting on the launch platform, the tanks of the second stage are protected by a thermal cover made of polystyrene, ventilated with cold air, which limits the heat exchange between the propellant and the external environment. The evaporated N2O4 is above 20 °C. This thermal cover is dropped off during the launch, pulled by cables attached to the umbilical tower.
Source: CapComEspace.net
So there we have it, it is indeed a thermal shroud, or a cover made of light insulator (polystyrene) that must be covered by a reflective foil or paint on the outer side (all the photographs show it in colors of the foreground it reflects), and serves as a protection against environmental heat and keeping the precooled second stage propellants nicely chilled to prevent in-tank thermal expansion of the oxidizer (N2O4 starts evaporating above 20°C). The tiles are indeed collapsed off the launcher by a cable that is attached to the umbilical tower on rocket launch. As a side note and perhaps another interesting information that isn't mentioned there, that the umbilical lines are released by explosive charges.
TildalWaveTildalWave
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News from CommerceNewsTODAY
Entries from April 2013
News from CommerceNewsTODAY - Topics from April, 2013
No damage, no suspects from Sunday 'bomb'
CommerceNewsTODAY
Wednesday, April 10. 2013
A blast late Sunday afternoon that could be heard all over Commerce may have rattled windows and nerves, but the explosion apparently caused no damage. According to a Commerce Police Department report, officers at the police station heard the blast, which sounded like it came from the downtown. As they searched for the location, a 51-year-old ... [Full Story »]
Kubota celebrates plant's opening
Gov. Nathan Deal joined local and company officials Monday to celebrate the grand opening of Kubota's new $73 million manufacturing facility in Jefferson. The plant brings 200 jobs to Jackson County. The 522,000-square-foot plant on the 88-acre site recently began production of Kubota's 30- to 50-horsepower compact tractor models. ... [Full Story »]
City schools near decision on 'charter' status
Commerce superintendent of schools James "Mac" McCoy indicated that the Commerce-City school system is leaning towards becoming a "system of charter schools" at the regular Commerce Board of Education meeting last Monday. For the past several years, the Georgia Department of Education has worked to evaluate educational programs and ... [Full Story »]
Commerce seeking more 'opportunity zones'
Friday, April 5. 2013
Hoping to encourage economic activity, Commerce and its downtown development authority plan to create up to six more sections of town that qualify for local and state development incentives. A large swath of Commerce is already both an "enterprise zone" and an "opportunity zone," but the plan is to make virtually all of the city's ... [Full Story »]
Humane Society seeks Commerce support
The Humane Society of Jackson County, which is trying to raise $750,000 to build an animal shelter, has a problem with Commerce. It has no directors and no business partners from the county's second-largest city. Speaking to the Commerce Kiwanis Club last week, Humane Society president Roxanne Rose and its new operations manager, Cecil ... [Full Story »]
Sign up at police dept. for firearms safety course
The Commerce Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office will hold a firearms safety course for women on Saturday, April 20. The six—hour course will begin at 9 a.m. at Lanier Technical College in Commerce, said Commerce police chief John Gaissert, after which it will move to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office firing range ... [Full Story »]
Invitation was for video games, not sex
Wednesday, April 3. 2013
A 22-year-old white male who tried to turn a late-night invitation from a 21-year-old female to play video games into a sexual encounter didn't take her rejection very well, according to the Commerce Police Department. The victim, a white female, told police she invited the man to play video games at about 1 a.m. at her Heritage Crossing ... [Full Story »]
Early returns: LOST running behind budget
It may be too early to be concerned, but two months into the year, receipts of the local option sales tax (LOST) are running almost 7.5 percent below budget. The county received a $425,574 LOST distribution for February. "Our budgeted FY 2013 goal for local option sales tax receipts is $5,575,000," wrote Jackson County finance director ... [Full Story »]
DOT to re-work Ila Road intersection
Drivers entering Commerce from the Ila Road will soon find changes at its intersection with South Broad and South Elm streets, and for most of them, the changes should be welcome. City manager Pete Pyrzenski got his city council's buy-in Monday night to a Department of Transportation proposal for the modification. The main feature is that ... [Full Story »]
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HP Elite Dragonfly Laptop Sets a High Bar for Quality
By: Rob Enderle | September 19, 2019
eWEEK NEW-PRODUCT ANALYSIS: Rather than the HP Dragonfly tagline being "Lighter Than Air," which it isn't, it should be "Impressive Laptop," which it is.
It has been a while since any PC OEM has created what I think is full-on halo product in the business space. A halo product is one that sets a high bar and is a showcase of what a company can do. These products tend to be technological powerhouses, and few of us mortals ever get to use them, but those of us that know about them dream about owning one.
Fortunately for us, often in the technology space (as opposed to exotic cars) more of us can afford them, but these are still considered aspirational offerings.
Go here to see eWEEK's listing of Top Data Storage Companies.
The HP Elite Dragonfly doesn't just have a cool name; it is a showcase of what can be done with a laptop, and it has only two areas that are compromised. It lacks a discrete GPU system, and it doesn't support 5G wide-area wireless. But right now the systems with GPUs still trade off battery life significantly and are less portable, and 5G hasn't really rolled out yet (and it isn't available in any laptop anywhere yet that I know of, not even the Qualcomm-based laptops).
Andy Rhodes Laptop
Often when a new executive joins a new company, he or she fails to make a mark, and I've always thought that was a mistake. People should know you are there and by creating a unique product, particularly if it is well done, you establish yourself with the rank and file as a "subject matter expert," building trust and loyalty.
I think the Dragonfly fills that need for Andy Rhodes, who left Dell and joined HP to drive the company's commercial PC lines. Much like I think the Macs were what Steve Jobs wanted to carry, the HP Dragonfly is what Rhodes wanted to carry. Rhodes has a lot in common with other executives in that I'm sure he, and they, want to make something to be proud of, something that isn't compromised and something his peers in other firms would envy.
I think HP solidly hit the mark with Dragonfly.
This product starts with a unique finish that almost feels alien to the touch, and it has a depth of color not often seen outside of custom cars (in fact I'd like to see a car in this color). It looks black, but it has a blue influence, making it unusually attractive for a black offering.
Intel and HP tagged this "lighter than air," and while it isn't, in its base form, it weighs 1KG or 2.2 lbs, which is exceedingly light for a full-featured product in the 13-inch class. So, in its base form it is a nice, light laptop. But you can option the hell out of this thing, and fully optioned out it is incredibly impressive. You can get a 1,000 Nit display, and extended battery, 4G support and with that higher-end display comes the latest electronic privacy screen. Oh, and you can get an extended battery with up to 24 hours of battery life. While battery life scores tend to be optimistic, you should get well more than a full day, and with fast charging you get 50% power in 30 minutes. I wish my electric car charged as quickly.
Anything over 500 Nits in a display is considered outdoor viewable and military specification (Mil-Spec) laptops, designed to run outside, generally, have 800 Nits or better. At 1,000 nits, given the privacy screen does reduce screen output, you not only get uncompromised privacy you clearly can work outside if you want. I love working outside. I used to have a huge indoor office when I was at IBM, but it lacked windows, and I felt like I was in prison. So ever since, having something that would allow me to work in a park without fighting a washed-out screen has largely been an unmet desire unless I was using a hardened military market product. (It is also better for your sleep if you can work outside from time to time).
Speaking of Mil-Spec, this laptop has completed several tests typically surrounding Mil-Spec offerings, suggesting it is one of the most robust offerings in the segment.
I'm a big fan of halo products and, when I get the choice, they are what I carry. They tend to be cutting edge in terms of technology and enviable in terms of status. For me, this one hits my major needs of long battery life, attractive appearance, outdoor viewability, privacy (because I don't like folks looking at my stuff on planes), lightweight, and small size. With the small exceptions noted at the start this is as close to a no-compromise solution as you will likely get in market.
I think this last is due to it not being designed for a "persona" as the most product are using an approach that the book "Technically Wrong" largely debunks, but instead is designed for Andy Rhodes, who is a real person and a legend in the PC industry.
Rather than the tagline being "Lighter Than Air" which it isn't, it should be "Impressive Laptop," which it is. Rhodes has been at HP for about a year now and the guy, and his new team, continues to impress.
Rob Enderle is a principal at Enderle Group. He is a nationally recognized analyst and a longtime contributor to QuinStreet publications and Pund-IT.
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Home » Making Waves » Latest Updates on IMCA Committees
Latest Updates on IMCA Committees
Contracts & Insurance
The Contracts & Insurance Committee has recently been rebranded to 'Legal, Contracts, Insurance & Compliance' (LCIC).
The aim is to expand the participation of the Committee to include the Renewable energy players and widen the remit of the Committee to also address Anti-bribery, Corruption, Compliance as well as Contracts & Insurance.
The Committee will establish specialist Working Groups under the parent committee to work on specific issues.
New Core Committees
IMCA's Board of Directors recently agreed to include Digitalisation and Environmental Sustainability as Core Committees and in this issue of Making Waves we share an update from IMCA's Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Stig Clementsen
Peter de Bree
At IMCA's Environmental Sustainability Committee meeting in November, members selected Peter de Bree, Director of Strategy and Technology at Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) as its new Chairman. Peter leads on sustainability at HMC, where he previously worked as VP of Projects and brings both a strategic and operational perspective. He has held numerous roles including as Chief Operating Officer at Seaway Heaving Lifting and Western European Regional Director at Applus+ RTD Contractors.
Peter said: "I look forward to Chairing IMCA's Environmental Sustainability Committee and to working with members and the Secretariat to take forward the important work of the committee on environmental sustainability. Sustainability is an integral part of HMC's identity and mainstreamed in our work practices, where we strike a careful balance between people, planet and profit. "
IMCA would like to thank Stig Clementsen, Chief Sustainability Officer & Senior VP HSEQ at DOF Subsea for leading the Committee in recent months. On Peter's selection, Stig who will continue as Vice-Chairman, said "Peter's appointment is a win for IMCA as we work to implement the ES Roadmap, support the energy transition, and develop our Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability. "
IMCA's Board of Directors has also approved the nomination of Deme Offshore to the ESC. Sustainability has been on the DEME agenda for many years. DEME's vision is to work towards a sustainable future by offering solutions to global challenges: a rising sea level, a growing population, reduction of CO2-emissions, polluted rivers, seas and soils, and the scarcity of natural resources.
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Doritos 3D's Flat Matthew Super Bowl Ad Has People Divided
Noam Galai/Getty Images
By Mirtle Pena-Calderon/Updated: Feb. 8, 2021 11:25 am EST
Super Bowl Sunday 2021 has come and gone, and even though this year looked a little different than last, people naturally still set up around their TVs to watch the big game. Whether you were there for the Kansas City Chiefs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or were hoping to watch Tom Brady lose, there's one thing that is an undeniable common thread among everyone — the commercials. For years, droves of people have been flocking to their televisions to watch the commercials, even if they have little interest in the actual game. CNN reports that the cost of a commercial shown during the Super Bowl was a cool $5.5 million in 2020 for only 30 seconds of airtime (a tradition that started in 1967, per Smithsonian Magazine).
This year, viewers loved the commercials, like this one from State Farm where musician and actor Drake gets reminded that stand-ins don't have lines, Bud Light's ad about how 2020 was full of lemons. But, there was one commercial that really stood out among fans and viewers, and has them taking to Twitter to air how they really feel – Matthew McConaughey's "Flat Matthew" commercial for Doritos 3D had a lot of people feeling a certain type of way.
Twitter was divided on #FlatMatthew
McConaughey was tapped to help bring to life the new Doritos 3D commercial for the big night. In the commercial, viewers see a very flat Matthew going about his day, feeling rather flat – that is, until he finds a vending machine filled with Doritos 3D Crunch. The flattened actor proceeds to enter the vending machine to get in on the Doritos fun, and upon eating them suddenly becomes 3D himself (via YouTube). This had some fans loving the comically innovative direction, while others feeling a little put off by it.
One Twitter user wrote, "Here's the 1st #Superbowl #commercial I liked (by #Doritos). Has Matthew McConaughey. Funny at end when he's trapped in the vending machine!" However, not everyone felt this way. A different Twitter user revealed that the Flat Matthew commercial "weirded" them out and gave them huge "Christopher Lloyd did in 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit'" vibes. Another Twitter user added that they felt Doritos may have really missed the mark. Regardless of how you may feel on the subject, the Doritos/McConaughey team up was definitely a memorable one.
Regardless, Flat Matthew was one of people's favorite commercials of the night
One Twitter user felt that the Doritos 3D commercial with McConaughey beat out the space-themed Pringles commercial, which also received mixed reactions from fans. In response to a tweet asking what people felt were the best commercials of the game, another user stated that their top three as of the night were the Sam Adams' Budweiser spoof, Jason Alexander's Tide hoodie commercial, and the Doritos/McConaughey team up.
One true fan even asked Doritos if they had any Flat Matthew promotional items available, so they could buy their own version of Flat Matthew in addition to their already purchased cases of Doritos 3D. Other fans were even wondering if there could possibly be a Flat Matthew sitting in the stands among all the other cutouts that had "attended" the Super Bowl. There was also debate on the hashtag. While the official hashtag for the promotion is #FlatMatthew, some felt that #FlatMatt would have been a better choice for the ad.