tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-206560802012-02-01T00:32:04.560-05:00Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.comBlogger851100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-67086259568563561542010-04-24T12:56:00.002-04:002010-04-24T13:05:23.651-04:00

The Caracas Centro de Acción Social por la Música is the first of what will be seven nation-wide centers in Venezuela.   The Centro ("la sede" as they call it) doesn't house a program per se, but you can say is the headquarters for most of the larger ensembles and the venue for several events, like seminarios, master-classes, courses and concerts.   Although the first phase of the complex has not

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-16348446052073398212010-04-23T08:42:00.004-04:002010-04-24T13:07:38.455-04:00

Here's a bulleted list of the núcleos and módulos I visited during our Abreu Fellows program residency in Venezuela.   I was going to name this post "Programs visited", but it wouldn't be accurate, since there are different programs within each núcleo.  Some include special needs programs, some include folk music programs, for instance.  Other programs, like the Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra, or

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-73249842767563297272010-04-04T20:03:00.002-04:002010-04-04T23:35:07.759-04:00

Background. Early on in the Venezuelan orchestra movement, new centers all over the country started replicating the ideas and philosophy of José Antonio Abreu.  However, larger decisions and funding management still happened in Caracas.   In order to alleviate the amount of bureaucracy concentrated in Caracas, FESNOJIV encouraged the creation of State núcleos, each with their autonomous

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-55424516019473666802010-03-13T08:06:00.000-05:002010-03-13T08:06:53.288-05:00

One more generalization that I had been a bit uncomfortable with is the idea of curriculum.  Before coming here, I felt that in applying the idea of an El Sistema curriculum and a pre-designed repertoire list in the US would be like admiring the beautiful freedom of a bird and then starting to look for a golden cage to capture that freedom at home. In the past weeks in Venezuela, I found I was

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-7059735038880992012010-03-10T08:04:00.000-05:002010-03-10T08:04:54.460-05:00

When asking the question "What is El Sistema?", or "What is its essence?" I noticed people usually have their mindsets framed in what they are familiar with, and that leads to certain generalizations. Preset ideas of methods, curriculum, schooling, arts policy, and many others come to mind.  I am uneasy with the idea of generalizations. Early on I noticed that detaching from the usual U.S.

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-38980464446588787432010-02-22T20:38:00.000-05:002010-02-22T20:38:18.521-05:00

On our first week in Venezuela, and among the excitement of finally being here as Abreu Fellows, I have also had time and inspiration to reflect on ideas I've had for a couple of weeks now. Political spectacle is a subject I have thought –and blogged– about before, in relation to El Sistema and arts policy in general. Last week, our last in Boston, we had a lecture by Ricardo Hausmann, Director

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-2786562573702585062010-02-14T08:22:00.000-05:002010-02-14T08:22:15.257-05:00

Published by the Bolivarian News Agency (ABN) Caracas, Feb 12th. ABN.- In order to strenghten the existing cultural links between Austria and Venezuela, and to get to learn in detail the teaching methods of the Venezuelan National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs, and group of Vienese personalities headed by Austria's Minister of Education, Arts and Culture, professor Claudia

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-28232806362165283742009-12-06T16:30:00.003-05:002009-12-16T13:53:04.475-05:00

I already realized that, like many things in El Sistema, there are many different faces and perspectives to look at it. So this title itself may be seen in many ways. There are many ways to see "the very beginning." But I'll start with the meaning of the word. Not only the obvious Spanish and Latin origin of the word (Here it is: Núcleo [NOO-cleh-oh], spanish for Nucleus: "From Latin,

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-91671956388725816762009-12-01T18:47:00.001-05:002009-12-16T13:53:24.228-05:00

Several answers to the question have come up during the length of the Abreu Fellowship Program, and I have had some ideas of what a núcleo is, and what it is not, from my experiences in Guatemala. I want to start a series of blog entries with several ideas about the núcleo concept as we go along the program, but also during and after our visit to Venezuela next February. But I don't want to

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-90932509509482449782009-11-02T21:36:00.004-05:002009-11-02T22:21:14.576-05:00

This Sunday November 1st the 40th NYC Marathon took place under great weather. I ran that Marathon two years ago, after volunteering in my running club’s water station in mile 24 the previous year. I was very inspired by seeing those thousands of runners (over 38,607 finishers in 2007). This Sunday I volunteered once again, this time I got there early enough to help in the preparation: a team

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-33548384667648141632009-10-23T07:00:00.004-04:002009-10-24T07:56:36.580-04:00

Posted on the Boston Globe New movement for Conservatory: Famed Venezuelan music education program adopted By Geoff Edgers Globe Staff / October 23, 2009 From left, Katie Wyatt, Lorrie Heagy, and Stanford Thompson enjoyed a break at the New England Conservatory. (John Tlumacki/Globe Staff) It didn’t take Stanford Thompson long to realize that his fellowship at New England Conservatory

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-83084660377796521782009-10-22T22:49:00.006-04:002009-10-23T07:02:10.561-04:00

In the first two weeks of the Abreu Fellows program, a few of things are starting to become clear.  One of them is that not all núcleos will be –and should not be cookie-cutter modeled.  Each núcleo's organizational structure, funding, constituency, governance and leadership style(s) has to respond to its particular circumstances and, possibly, to a changing environment. In my particular case,

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-54990864847660381612009-10-19T07:11:00.002-04:002009-10-23T07:02:23.350-04:00

(No, it's not publicity/No, no es publicidad) The first week was intense for everyone. A lot of information, emotions and good vibes fell on us in one week-long bucketful. I can only try to summarize what we learned, at least from my perspective. I learned that in order to replicate El Sistema in the United States, we have to step back from the common music education assumptions and look

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-85071710915331727922009-10-14T07:52:00.006-04:002009-10-23T07:02:49.888-04:00

Today we had the visit of Anne Fitzgibbon, who runs the Harmony Program at CUNY, in Brooklyn (and announced they are opening a second program in Harlem next week!). Anne spent a year in Venezuela on a Fulbright learning about El Sistema and figuring out how to apply it to her Harmony Program. Some of Anne’s most important elements of ES are: • Intensity of study • Relationship bet. teacher

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-91731438141484142702009-10-13T18:58:00.002-04:002009-10-23T07:03:12.254-04:00

OK, first of all, I should make it clear that I don't think this will be a daily thing. But at least I have to number Day One. My first impression after arriving at the New England Conservatory (NEC) was of surprise to find a camera crew at the lobby, and being greeted by my first name by Jamie Bernstein (Lenny's daughter), who is producing a film about the replication of El Sistema in the

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-41750634168401063692009-10-13T07:50:00.019-04:002009-11-09T09:58:03.259-05:00

Here are some links to replications and other organizations working ElSistema-inspired programs from around the world that have some internet presence. (Please report broken links!) Acá hay algunos enlaces a réplicas y otras organizaciones trabajando programas inspirados en El Sistema alrededor del mundo y que tienen presencia en el internet. (Por favor reportar enlances que no funcionen)

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-19526973270864036042009-10-13T07:44:00.015-04:002009-10-23T07:03:28.509-04:00

Posted on the Boston Globe by Geoff Edgers October 13, 2009 07:54 PM Dudamania may be all the way across the country but the US-based branch of El Sistema, the successful, Venezuelan music education program the conductor was involved with as a boy, is heading to New England Conservatory. Ten grad-level musicians have been picked to head to NEC as the school launches the Abreu Fellows

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-17080518354574535082009-10-13T07:38:00.001-04:002009-10-23T07:04:30.899-04:00

Culture Monster All the Arts, All the Time October 13, 2009 | 3:18 pm Abreu The music program known as El Sistema -- which for 32 years has brought free classical music education to disadvantaged youth in Venezuela -- is no longer that country's secret. It seems as if now the whole world wants to copy or at least learn from the program, whose most famous alumnus is conductor Gustavo

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-69624116976850592102009-10-13T06:00:00.004-04:002009-10-23T07:03:57.584-04:00

The Abreu Fellows Program - Transforming children's lives through music from TED Prize on Vimeo.

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-21122762545949025282009-10-07T13:03:00.007-04:002009-10-16T07:39:28.528-04:00

Vida 27-08-2009 Carla Natareno, Siglo 21 (cnatareno@sigloxxi.com) Adesca realiza estudio que muestra el comportamiento del público que asiste a los eventos de artes escénicas. Por primera vez se hace una investigación con el propósito de explicar el comportamiento del público que asiste a las distintas actividades artísticas desarrolladas en el país. El proyecto efectuado por Álvaro

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-69631334732251783222009-06-11T09:15:00.007-04:002009-10-12T19:27:41.419-04:00

La programación, como de costumbre, fue lanzada unos días antes de que inicie el Festival de Junio del Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias, de la Ciudad de Guatemala. Eso no es nuevo. Lo que sí me pareció novedoso (pero no por eso bueno) fue la cantidad de posters que aparecieron en toda la ciudad. Lo curioso es que el diseño del poster, a pesar que esta bonito, no dice nada... no nos invita

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-66572049128087131372009-03-13T11:34:00.006-04:002009-10-12T19:28:32.896-04:00

A veces quisiera poder leer a Bourdieu con facilidad, como si fueran los chistes del domingo para poder escribir sobre el gusto y las diferencias de clase en Guatemala.   Sería fascinante. La semana pasada asistí al concierto de las hermanas Terwey (Violín y Piano), como parte del Festival Bravissimo de la Organización para las Artes Francisco Marroquín.   A pesar de la crítica internacional

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-14052481149232132982009-01-08T16:50:00.003-05:002009-10-12T19:29:23.344-04:00

I’ve been fascinated by how the Venezuelan orchestra system gets turned into something that looks like a franchise (“El Sistema”), and how people become desperate to get its secret recipe, because the franchise includes a promise that results come fast and in large numbers. I experienced it in Guatemala about 10 years ago, and this let’s-get-this-franchise-going frenzy repeated itself there

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-63090935966674941172008-10-21T09:28:00.003-04:002009-10-12T19:29:42.922-04:00

Esta mañana recibí esta nota de Igor Sarmientos: "Amigos Tod@s: "Tengo la alegria de contarles que la noche del 24 de noviembre estare dirigiendo la Sinfonietta de San Francisco, en San Francisco California, en un gran evento donde se estrenara la obra Budafonias de Jorge Sarmientos. Ademas hare Sinfonietta Op.10 del compositor guatemalteco Enrique Anleu Diaz, Dvorak Sinfonia n.9 y el Concierto

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-18185846681625622962008-10-18T09:51:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:30:51.306-04:00

A New book by my leadership Prof.! ¡¡Un nuevo libro por mi profe de Liderazgo!!

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-32870340518001341462008-09-28T14:06:00.007-04:002009-10-12T19:31:25.941-04:00

Anoche vi unos clips del programa de comedia "Little Britain", (oprimir el vínculo que dice "Bing") que se estrena pronto en HBO. Uno de los personajes aclara que no es el primer norteamericano en caminar sobre la luna, pero si el primer norteamericano en caminar sobre la luna usando bigote. Esta es la vieja costumbre de villamelones de los gringos de tener que ser los primeros en más de alguna

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-38830465497947765462008-08-17T17:46:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:31:56.114-04:00

El pobre crítico discriminado se sentó en el inodoro, pero con la cola entre las canillas. Antes de entrar al baño, abrió su mail, y se encontró que otra vez, no recibió ni un correo con mensajes afectuosos o propuestas indecorosas de admiradores anónimos. Se siente discriminado. Él está convencido que las penas que pasan los gays discriminados, las mujeres discriminadas y los pueblos

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-20624515794631863542008-08-08T16:08:00.005-04:002009-10-12T19:32:26.707-04:00

El fin de semana pasado, unos periodistas de AFP (Agence-France Presse) llegaron al CDAI (Centro de Desarrollo Artístico Infantil) de Visión Mundial-Guatemala, en la aldea Comunidad de Zet, San Juan Sacatepéquez dónde doy clases de percusión a 4 niños de la comunidad. Su artículo ha salido publicado en diferentes medios a nivel mundial, aunque estamos algo sorprendidos que no hayan mencionado a

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-25192275390736695732008-08-05T09:59:00.004-04:002009-10-12T19:32:52.979-04:00

El primer fin de semana de agosto ('08) fue uno cálido. De esos soleados, pero con una brisa fresca. También fue soleado y fresco porque coincidieron en los mismos días los montajes de Kazia Orantes ("Reflexiones") y Jany Campos ("Dentro del Closet"), apoyadas por un elenco que demostró que las artes escénicas en Guatemala van muy bien encaminadas. Fresco fue ver cómo en "Reflexiones", Kazia

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-4763796349777758012008-07-23T08:42:00.007-04:002009-10-12T19:33:43.220-04:00

Hace un par de noches fuí a ver el debut en Broadway del musical [title of show], que se trata de un escritor y un compositor que deciden escribir un musical acerca de ellos escribiendo un musical, y como lo llevan de un festival menor (cosa que pasó en realidad con este musical), a un teatro "off-broadway" (cosa que también pasó en realidad), y finalmente cómo le hicieron (vean "el show de [

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-16274629474727688802008-07-11T18:28:00.011-04:002009-10-12T19:34:07.911-04:00

Francamente no comprendí la puesta en escena de Cisnes Negros. A mi juicio hubiera sido perfecta si la hubieran reducido a sólo 3 minutos 15 segundos: 2 minutos de sólos, 1 minuto de fumar el cigarro y luego pasarse el humo de boca en boca, 15 segundos de la sonrisita sardónica de la personaje malvada, y 15 segundos de tutti. Ah! sin olvidar al personaje colgando de un cable, faltaba más! Lo

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-70737180310305015032008-07-04T09:15:00.006-04:002009-10-12T19:34:33.570-04:00

A Isabel Ruíz le movieron su obra (que no sé como se llama), todos aducen una razón diferente, según el artículo en Prensa Libre. Creo que ya es la segunda obra de la bienal de Arte Paiz que retiran (me contaron anoche que quitaron los chuchos cogiendo de la Casa Ibargüen(ver nota en ElPeriódico)) Bien por Prensa Libre y Lucía Herrera por reportar sobre estos asuntos!! La obra de Isabel Ruiz

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-53412489484759050322008-07-03T14:52:00.005-04:002009-10-12T19:35:05.418-04:00

La parte medular de "La Butaca", es la 1a. Encuesta de Público de las Artes Escénicas en Guatemala. Esta encuesta que se está realizando tanto en línea como presencial en espectáculos no-comerciales en la Ciudad de Guatemala, tiene como objetivo hacer un primer diangóstico de la situación del mercado de público para las artes escénicas no-comerciales. El estudio, que inició en Mayo de 2008,

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-55380514072737647392008-06-23T12:17:00.002-04:002008-07-03T11:07:41.284-04:00

Cuando el público vió a Cecilia Dougherty bajando colgada de un cable en la introducción de la puesta en escena de Carmen de Stefano Poda este mes, se preguntó: ¿Qué significa? ¿Quién es ella? ¿A quién o qué simboliza? (Lo mismo se preguntaban acerca de todos los demás accesorios pretenciosos, ajenos a la historia de Carmen, que ahogaron la historia). Yo oí personalmente estas preguntas de

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-62697376383988560532008-06-05T07:00:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:35:39.240-04:00

(Traducido con Google Translate, sin fines de lucro) Ir ar artículo original (en inglés) El Violinista Nigel Kennedy en la sala Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. El Festival está celebrando su 10mo. aniversario. Por MICHAEL KIMMELMAN Publicado: Junio 4, 2008BADEN-BADEN, Alemania - Hace una década, durante un discurso en Viena, el calmo director de un museo de arte alemán acusó al [museo] Guggenheim

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-65968468143535317882008-02-04T07:00:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:36:28.941-04:00

The role of the third sector is often misunderstood. I think people are still not trying to understand why they are non-profit (and what non-profit means), and why they are not also part of the government (and which is the public sector, and which is the pivate sector, and where do they fit) (In my own words: Non-profits are public organizations, non-governmental, but still public). In

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-75764986698205329612008-01-06T10:01:00.001-05:002008-01-06T10:08:28.699-05:00

I just discovered this new Brazilian (Bahia) project related to the World System of Youth and Children's Orchestras. How Exciting!!Acabo de descubrir este nuevo proyecto (en Bahía, Brasil) del Sistema Mundial de Orquestas Sinfónicas Infantiles y Juveniles. Qué emoción!

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-58142983059150932892007-12-24T16:46:00.000-05:002007-12-29T19:49:01.675-05:00

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1962740943623229502007-12-23T10:47:00.002-05:002009-10-12T19:36:52.247-04:00

I will include in my weekly schedule at least one hour to blog.  Not a resolution, just an idea for the changes in my schedule that I have to do for the new year, anyway (ok, it is a resolution...) Voy a incluir en mi horario semanal al menos una hora para escribir en el blog.  No es una resolución, es sólo una idea para los cambios en mi horario que tengo que hacer de todos modos (ok, sí es una

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-83915753453275182702007-10-20T16:05:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:37:12.536-04:00

This is an idea I been juggling with for some time now, but it is the first time that I try to write it down. Here it is: The humanity could be divided in two types of people. Those who go about their lives according to how things should be ("Type A"), and those who go about their lives according to how things really are ("Type B"). I am (almost) convinced (getting there) that when you see an

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-57611684738594908062007-09-22T11:51:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:38:50.660-04:00

Para mí, la recuperación del espacio urbano a través del Arte se refiere a una interacción (a nivel amistoso o intelectual) entre el artista y la comunidad. Punto. The way I see it, recuperation of urban space through Art refers to an interaction (friendly or intellectual) between the artist and the community. Period. Cuando el gobierno, o la clase política negocia con esta interacción (

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-20928694888860599312007-08-30T20:22:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:39:21.314-04:00

Funny.

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-91163457290646344042007-08-26T08:00:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:40:20.548-04:00

spec.ta.cle: an event or scene regarded in terms of its visual impact (Oxford American Dictionaries) (Mi traducción: un evento o escena apreciada por su impacto visual) espectáculo: cosa que se ofrece a la vista o la contemplación intelectual y es capaz de atraer la atención y mover el ánimo infundiéndole deleite, asombro, dolor u otros afectos más o menos vivos o nobles (Diccionario de la Real

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-24659390805104527312007-08-15T12:21:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:40:37.397-04:00

Legendary/Legendario

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-48754523571547481402007-07-29T21:00:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:40:58.547-04:00

One of my favorite Cage's compositions.

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-53875129930763611462007-07-22T19:44:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:41:28.020-04:00

En Suiza, Junio de 2007. No me canso de oirlo (todavía no) In Switzerland, June 2007. I don't get tired of hearing it (yet)

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-18106429358180932882007-07-15T14:13:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:41:50.001-04:00

I am starting a new feature in my blog. The Video of the Week. This is my first entry. I love this Bolero scene! Voy a iniciar un nuevo "segmento" a mi blog, el vídeo de la semana. Me encanta esta escena!

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-24780839104970074142007-07-12T11:42:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:42:18.548-04:00

Un divertido artículo del New York Times sobre el subway de Nueva York.

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-44627217501864469332007-02-27T20:16:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:43:16.043-04:00

Craigslist.org es un website de anuncios clasificados sin fines de lucro. Es quizás el website de este tipo con más éxito en los Estados Unidos. Muchas compañías han tratado de comprarlo, de la misma forma que han comprado YouTube y MySpace, pero su creador y dueño, Craig Newmark se ha resistido. En esta entrevista con Jon Stewart, Newmark explica, entre broma y broma, por qué su modelo de

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1171852588991814222007-02-18T21:07:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:43:52.631-04:00

Ok, lots of Opera all of the sudden, great. Do we really want to see it? (at least this many times?) Ok, mucha Opera de repente, magnífico. De verdad queremos verla? (al menos verla tantas veces?) "L'Elisir d'Amore" last night gave me the impression that the market is saturated. Too much offer, not that much demand. Less that half of the seats were filled. I'm not sure many people will

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1171118999420368832007-02-10T09:07:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:44:27.272-04:00

"The Soprano is Russian, and the violins are electric": This is the type of sound bites I heard for promoting the biennial IX Paiz Arts Festival, in Antigua Guatemala (don't bother trying their website's english version, it's empty). Well, it is understandable that artistic integrity is compromised in one of the major arts festivals in Guatemala, where your social status is measured by the

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1167081013564092112006-12-25T16:06:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:44:56.034-04:00

GONE! FOREVER...

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1166726282182318842006-12-21T13:36:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:45:23.575-04:00

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1164586002461885332006-11-24T18:34:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:45:56.149-04:00

For Thanksgiving Day, I went to the Macy's Parade (Grandstand, baby!) (Thanks Dan & Bill!) Para Accion de Gracias, fui al Desfile de Macy's (Palco especial, no mas!) (Gracias a Dan & Bill) I sat right on the stands at the "backdrop" of the NBC telecast of the parade, so I could go back home and replay the parade that was programmed on the digital TV recorder. And there I was, just behind

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1164555884309448672006-11-09T10:38:00.001-05:002009-10-12T19:46:41.592-04:00

I've been always fascinated with the voice inflections, body language, and gimmicks of new fundamentalists, motivational speakers, and always try to concentrate on their technique. More than once it has come across my mind as performance art. The I found this clip of Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping. My first naive impression was that this was another crazy authentic religion.

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1161957536424087042006-10-27T09:22:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:48:22.117-04:00

Hace unos meses me suscribi en YouTube.com de modo que el webiste encontrara videos con descripciones que incluyeran las palabras "orquesta" y "sinfonica". Aca he escogido algunas orquestas infantiles y juveniles latinoamericanas que he encontrado. Los dos ultimos de Gustavo Dudamel con la Sinfonica Juvenil de Venezuela. La respuesta del publico no le envidia nada a la forma en que el publico

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1161958234483356532006-10-22T10:03:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:48:56.801-04:00

Stephen took me this time to the Paul Simon concert at RCMH. It was fun! Picture of the concert by Rahav Segev, as published in the New York Times Picture of the concert by me, as published in this blog

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1161719055751458742006-10-15T20:23:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:49:40.233-04:00

Que semana fue esta!! El lunes Stephen me invito' al Concierto de Barbra Streisand en Madison Square Garden. Aunque su articulo (con que el que estoy 200% de acuerdo) no fue muy favorable (de hecho, el concierto fue una mierda...), bueno...era la Streisand....Oprah y su famosa amiga estaban ahi en primera fila, asi' como Tony Bennet, Audra MacDonald, Diana Krall y Rosie O'Donell(si, a todos

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1161717752943823262006-10-15T20:03:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:50:08.642-04:00

What an great week this was for me! On Monday Stephen took me to the Barbra Streisand concert at Madison Square Garden. Although his review (with which I agree 200%) was not favorable (actually the concert sucked!), it was Barbra...well...whatever. Oprah and her friend were there, Tony Bennett was there, Audra MacDonald and Diana Krall were there, Rosie O'Donell was there (yes I could see

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1161722908417827712006-10-14T22:08:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:50:48.063-04:00

TOWER CLOSES!! TOWER CIERRA!! It is almost sad... Casi es triste...

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1152649152900084192006-09-01T16:18:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:51:47.660-04:00

Uno de los resultados de un movimiento social es la creación de políticas: Los movimientos laborales buscan que se creen leyes que mejoren las condiciones de los trabajadores, los movimientos indígenas buscan (entre otras cosas) que se reconozcan legalmente los derechos de sus pueblos, etc. Claro está, los movimientos sociales tambien buscan un cambio en el seno de la sociedad: que cada

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1159110393405842702006-08-28T11:05:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:52:26.153-04:00

Del 24 al 27 de Agosto, Stephen y yo manejamos a Lenox, Massachussetts, para asistir al debut de Gustavo Dudamel dirigiendo a la Sinfónica de Boston. El concierto abrio con la Obertura de Candide de Bernstein, el Concierto No. 1 para Piano de Beethoven (Imogen Cooper, solista) y cerró con El Amor Brujo de De Falla. En la tienda de Tanglewood me encontre con el disco debut de Dudamel con la

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1153757037107362982006-07-23T17:00:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:53:41.680-04:00

Continuing with the subject of Where do Arts Policies come from, I am convinced that the first and main motivation to create Arts policies is to respond to political and/or ideological interests. No doubt in my mind. Where I have a doubt is in whether these interests are transparent, or if they are only a matter of keeping an image. In the first class of my Issues of Cultural Policy at Columbia

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1152648851541558242006-07-23T16:09:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:54:19.220-04:00

Continuando con el tema De dónde vienen las politicas del Arte, me parece que la primera y principal motivación para la creación de políticas del arte es atender intereses políticos y/o ideológicos. De eso no hay menor duda. De lo que sí la hay es si esos intereses son transparentes, o si sólo son pura cuestión de imagen. En la primera clase de mi curso de Políticas Culturales en la

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1153675566392077622006-07-23T12:07:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:54:51.865-04:00

Yesterday I went to the P.S.1 Warm Up, invited by my Arts Administration classmate Yng-Ru Chen, who works now as the Director of PR at P.S.1. In spite of the dangerous storm threats, the rain, and the recent power shutdowns in Queens, the Warm Up was well attended and fun. Ayer fui al Warm Up de P.S.1, invitado por mi compañera de clase de Arts Administration, Yng-Ru Chen, quien trabaja como

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149960888180629372006-07-07T13:34:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:55:26.990-04:00

Hace unos meses descubri esta orquesta con los mismos pricipios de Accion Social por la Musica, en You Tube, y he querido escribir acerca de ellos en mi blog. Hasta ahora he aprendido a poner videos de You Tube aca. El video es elocuente. A few months ago I discovered this orchestra with the same principles of Social Action Through Music inYou Tube, and I have wanted to write about them in my

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1151665381670224522006-06-30T06:33:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:55:53.219-04:00

Hace dos noches fuimos al concierto de Madonna en Madison Square Garden. Mil Gracias a Liz Rosenberg.... Two nights ago we attended Madonna's concert in Madison Square Garden. Thanks a lot to Liz Rosenberg...

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1150934826991813962006-06-21T19:38:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:56:51.727-04:00

De acuerdo con el establecimineto de las Artes en Estados Unidos, "Participacion en las Artes" se refiere al publico. No estoy exactamente seguro de porque le llaman "particiapcion". Tampoco estoy seguro que es, entonces, lo que estan haciendo todas las gentes que tocan el las tantas orquestas comunitarias en la Ciudad de Nueva York. A mi me parece que estan participando, sin ser parte del

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1150771966665270142006-06-19T22:14:00.000-04:002006-06-19T22:52:46.726-04:00

According to the American Art establishment, "Participation in the Arts" refers to the audience. I am not exactly sure why do they call it participation. I am not sure either what are the people playing in the many community orchestras in New York City doing. It seems like they are participating, but they are certainly not the audience...Since I restarted playing in New York, I have

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1150490229378934652006-06-16T07:00:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:57:24.141-04:00

It is one of those funny coincidences that Rufus Wanwright's Tribute to Judy Garland Concert in Carnegie Hall happened only a couple of days before the opening of a big Dada exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. I had the fortune to attend the first of two concerts offered by Rufus. Since I am (still) reading The Art Firm (see "History Backwards", in this blog), I spent the concert trying to

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149625712428327882006-06-14T19:15:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:57:53.900-04:00

Siempre me dió la impresión que en Guatemala se esperaba que las políticas culturales (y del arte) fueran un librito con instrucciones con todas las soluciones para el sector, y que nadie se había tomado la molestia de escribirlas. A finales de los 1990s iniciaron los congresos, talleres y planes estratégicos para discutir e idealmente producir este librito (al menos, porque implementarlas

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1150297932829870822006-06-14T07:00:00.001-04:002009-10-12T19:58:32.928-04:00

I always had the impression that in Guatemala people expected cultural (and arts) policy to be a little book of instructions with all the solutions to the arts sector, and that no one had taken time to get to write them. Then they started the strategic plannings, seminars and congresses in order to produce this so-expected little book. In the final document, the word "art" is mentioned less

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149867913140908702006-06-11T07:30:00.002-04:002009-10-12T19:59:36.039-04:00

In the last 10 years, several performing arts projects with a social development component have appeared throughout the world. Arts administrators should be aware of these trends and pay close attention to how international organizations that provide financial support to social development programs are interacting with arts organizations in the Third World, and giving shape to a new cultural

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1150124766835797222006-06-11T07:00:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:01:51.859-04:00

En los últimos 10 años, alrededor del mundo han aparecido varios proyectos de artes escénicas con un componente de desarrollo social. Esta tendencia debe ser bien examinada por los administradores de las artes, debiendo prestar atención a la forma en la que las organizaciones internacionales que proveen apoyo financiero a programas de desarrollo social estan interactuando con organizaciones de

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149941111664841412006-06-10T08:01:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:00:29.900-04:00

The new approach to culture and social development from international organizations (UNESCO, World Bank, OAS, etc.) is pushing governments to re-think their cultural policies, and arts organizations and artists in these countries to reconsider their views on the purposes of art and their organizations’ missions. Third world countries’ policies for development and culture seem to be led, and even

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1150126244517149732006-06-10T07:00:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:02:33.392-04:00

La nueva concatenación de cultura y desarrollo social adoptada por organismos internacionales (UNESCO, OEA, Banco Mundial, etc.) empuja a los gobiernos a reconsiderar sus políticas relacionadas con la cultura y el arte, y a muchas organizaciones para las artes y artistas individuales los lleva aa reconsiderar sus perspectivas sobre las funciones del arte y la misión de sus organizaiones. En

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149941398713321942006-06-09T08:06:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:01:14.679-04:00

As mentioned before, along with the Venezuelan System of Youth and Children;s Orchestras and its replications in Latin America, several organizations around the world have developed projects to achieve social development, provide effective participation in the arts, and preserve their artistic integrity. These include the African Children’s Choir, which focuses on children aged seven to eleven

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1150137255520357222006-06-09T07:00:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:03:04.576-04:00

Como mencioné anteriormente, además del sistema de Orquestas de Infnatiles y Juveniles de Venezuela y sus réplicas en América Latina,varias organizaciones alrededor del mundo han desarrollando proyectos para facilitar desarrollo social, proveer participación efectiva en las artes y preservar su integridad artística. Estos incluyen el Coro de Niños de Africa, que se enfoca en niños de siete a once

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149625679429721132006-06-06T16:27:00.000-04:002006-06-10T13:26:10.083-04:00

Last night I attended the concert of the new Philharmonic of the Americas, under de baton of its founder, 24-year-old Alondra de la Parra, at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center. It featured Venezuelan prodige Edicson Ruiz's New York debut premiering Paul Desanne's Bass concerto. I am no music critic, so here is just my humble take on it: For Ruiz it was risky to debut with a new (very new) piece

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149625236117039442006-06-05T16:17:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:03:32.806-04:00

Hoy rompi mi propio record. Otra vez tome el tren 1 a Battery Park (el extremo sur de Manhattan), y corri hasta la calle 120. En total corri como 8.5 millas, en 1.5 horas. Sobrevivi. ____________________________ Today I broke my own records. Once again, I took the 1 train to Battery Park (the South tip of Manhattan) and ran up to 120th Street. I ran about 8.5 miles in 1.5 hours. I survived.

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149265610182439932006-06-02T11:34:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:03:57.783-04:00

A veces pienso que nos deberian haber ensenado la historia de las cosas al reves. Eso incluye historia universal, historia del arte, de la musica, de la arquitectura, de la literatura...Por que no estudiar filosofia principiando por las corrientes de pensamiento actuales: Escabar profundamente en la teoria de como pensamos hoy, y porque pensamos asi, y luego empezar a ver de donde chingados

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1149101712900583532006-05-31T14:43:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:04:40.202-04:00

Hoy estaba pensando...En las noticias en linea de Guatemala no se lee ya mucho acerca de misioneros evangelicos. Aun asi, aca oigo comentarios de gente (Noeyorquinos, por supuesto) que van por turismo, y se sorprenden de ver los grupos de misioneros con sus caras de hiper-felicidad y camisetas coloridas con dibujitos hechos por ninos, representando familias "tradicionales" felices y agarraditos

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1148992028956990882006-05-30T08:19:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:05:05.738-04:00

I decided to take the 1 train to South Ferry and jog back home (up to 72nd Street), about 6.4 miles. It was a nice pleasant jog. Interesting landscapes and people (like a jogger in dippers). I could have gone further. Will do it soon. __________ Decidi tomar el tren 1 al Ferry Sur, y trotar de regreso a casa (Hasta la calle 72), unas 6.4 millas (10.23km). Fue placentero. Paisajes y gente

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1147808564315844392006-05-16T15:34:00.001-04:002009-10-12T20:05:40.406-04:00

Hoy almorcé comida china para llevar. Mi galleta de la fortuna dice así: "Ser capaz de ver hacia atrás nuestro propio pasado con satisfacción es vivir dos veces". Que venga la tercera! Today I had Chinese takeout. My fortune cookie says: "To be able to look back upon one's past life with satsfaction is to live twice." Bring on the third one!

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20656080.post-1138371507353469312006-01-27T09:12:00.001-05:002009-10-12T20:06:42.384-04:00

On December 2004, Sir Simon Rattle, music director of the Berlin Philharmonic, conducted the over-two-hundred-piece Venezuela National Youth Symphony, performing Mahler’s Second Symphony. After the dress rehearsal, Rattle told the orchestra: “I don’t think there is anything more important going on in music in the world right now than what is happening in Venezuela. You are lucky, but we are

Alvaro F. Rodashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00048062872667234122noreply@blogger.com0