It's all happening.
Bion Tsang helps raise funds for Mainspring Schools
On Thursday, October 7, Bion Tsang hosted a table at the Eleventh Annual Engaging Conversations benefit sponsored by Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody. The dinner event at the Headliners Club in Austin raised $40,000 for Mainspring Schools, an early education and care program that establishes patterns for lifelong learning.
Bion Tsang CDs featured in KMFA's fall pledge drive
Two of Bion Tsang's latest compact discs are offered again as "Thank You Gifts" during the KMFA Fall On-Air Membership Drive beginning today, Tuesday, September 21, 2010. At the Partner Level of $240 of more, you receive the 2010 Grammy-nominated CD "A Company of Voices: Conspirare in Concert," in which Mr. Tsang is featured guest artist in three tracks. A contribution at the Bronze/Business Circle level of $500 or more entitles you to a Classically Austin 4-Pack CD Set including the CD "Bion Tsang and Anton Nel Live in Concert: Brahms Cello Sonatas and Four Hungarian Dances." Make your pledge today to support KMFA!
Review of Bion Tsang's latest CD
On Record
“I prefer recording in a live situation rather than in a studio,” cellist Bion Tsang says. “Music is a communicative art, and I thrive on that communication.”
What makes this recorded performance special is the freedom and spontaneity that only the interaction with a responsive audience can generate. The players, professors at the University of Texas at Austin, are longtime collaborators—their ensemble is so close they can let themselves be carried away by sheer enthusiasm.
Brahms has been said to act as a bridge between the Classical and Romantic eras, and these cello sonatas, Opp. 38 and 99, with their wide emotional range contained within a rigorous structural framework, are a good illustration. The first, written between 1862 and 1865, has the dark, melancholy introspection of autumnal maturity; the second, written 20 years later, has a bright, high-spirited, youthful exuberance.
The players make the most of all these attributes. Tsang adapts the color and intensity of his tone to the music’s mood and expression. The inwardness of the first sonata’s opening is particularly affecting, while that of the second fairly bursts with joyous impetuosity. Nel’s playing is distinguished by its textural clarity, which lets every line stand out. Tsang’s transcription of the Brahms-Joachim Hungarian Dances shows off the cello—and the cellist—but one misses the brilliant violin sound. His playing is splendid, though so free that tempo and rhythm are almost lost; but his enjoyment is infectious. His transcription of the Adagio from the third violin sonata makes a beautiful encore.
By Edith Eisler
Read the full review... Also available in hard print in Issue 186 (October 2010)
Bion Tsang and Anton Nel on KLRU's In Context
By DiandreW
Who said that KLRU studio 6A soundstage was all about rock and pop music? Well maybe everyone did. But the story of two men will inform you otherwise.
KLRU studios have been taping “Austin City Limits” for 34 years, and during this time, almost all walks of musicians have played on the set, all but one type.
Meet pianist Anton Nel and cellist Bion Tsang, the first duo of classical musicians to grace the set of “Austin City Limits” at KLRU Studio 6A in February 2010. Both are respected artists internationally, and are faculty members at the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas. They a taped thirty minute special for PBS’ Lone Star Emmy Award winning arts series “In Context.”
Bion Tsang and Anton Nel featured on KLRU-TV
Posted by Alison @ KMFA
Remember that KLRU taping that a lot of us went to in February, featuring virtuosos Bion Tsang and Anton Nel? Well, the show will appear tonight (August 26th) on the Austin PBS show, In Context.
KMFA announcer Jules Brandon blogged about it at the time (her first blog entry, I think!) and by all accounts the performance was stellar. Austin is so lucky to have these two musicians in our very own city. We highly recommend watching this performance!
