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Update #8: HIF Biber, Passacaglia - pre-release track for download
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Posted on December 23
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Update #7: Sneak peek, and a pre-release track (and title!)
Wishing you all a very happy holiday and 2012!
Yours,
Robert
Update #6: Labor Day Hello!
Dear Friends - hope this note finds you well.
We are just a few weeks away from finishing up our Hollywood Bowl season at the Philharmonic, and will return to the gorgeous Walt Disney Concert Hall at the end of September. I can't believe I had that stage all to myself for our recording!
A quick note on our progress - we're starting to put tracks together to edit, and then our incredible engineers at Yarlung Records will begin to master and produce the record. We'll hope to have it to you by the beginning of next year, but we'll send little teasers here and there. Hoping you are enjoying the rewards you've received so far!
In the mean time, wanted to pass along a link to an LA Times OpEd piece I wrote for Labor Day about my first job at the LA Philharmonic: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-jobs-20110904,0,7097550.story?page=1. You're welcome to read Mayor Villaraigosa's piece first, though.
As many of you know, I'm in the process of starting an organization
that will continue to bring live classical music in the form of outreach
concerts to the most underprivileged and underserved members of our
community. Many of you have already participated in the Street Symphony
at the Department of Mental Health or at the Villages at Cabrillo in
Long Beach. I wanted to share two brief pieces from our first event,
which aired on KPCC (LA's NPR station) and KUSC (LA's leading classical
music station), respectively. Enjoy!
http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201108250850/b
http://www.kusc.org/blog/artsalive/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10282636
Wishing you a happy Labor Day Weekend.
Robert
Update #5: Thank you!
Update #4: Next step: push play...(almost)
Dear friends,
After two monumental days of recording at Disney Hall, I feel like I've been hit by a truck.
Yesterday, we did 53 takes of 4 different pieces, starting with Joe Pereira's piece for solo violin, with the composer himself present, and then on to works by Harbison, Ysaye and Biber. Milstein's Strad was amongst the best companions I could have hoped for, alongside my excellent coach and engineer, Bob Attiyeh, the producer at Yarlung Records, and the inspiring presence of several of you who have contributed so generously to this dream coming true.
I can't thank Bob enough - recording this CD has to have been one of the most challenging things I've done in my entire life, even than concerts or auditions, and to have someone listening critically to all the good (and not-so-good) stuff with grace, attention and constructive direction, is the most invaluable gift I could have hoped for.
Today started with Raga Jaunpuri, alongside my dear 'uncle' Badal Roy, who was just dead-on perfect, every, single, damn, time. Unbelievable. He brought such a flair and flavor to the stage, and he made today not feel like work - it really was play. (I didn't count the takes...)
I left all my blood on the stage at Disney Hall - I can't wait for you to hear this recording. I'm off to Edinburgh tomorrow for 10 days at the TED Global conference (where I'm performing on the mainstage...hmmm - I wonder what I should play?).
More soon, and my deepest gratitude to you all -
Namaste!
Robert
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Cesar Harada on July 7, 2011
I'm really excited to hear this.
I can't wait for the time I will put my headphones on, close my eyes, and just be there for this music. -
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This project successfully raised its funding goal on June 27, 2011.
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Thank you for being a partner in this project! You'll receive hi-res mp3's of Raga Jaunpuri and Eugene Ysaÿe's "Ballade".
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Hi-res mp3's of our complete album and a 'thank you' video.
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First release of the CD, and a personalized 'thank you' photo print postcard of the Milstein Strad. (Domestic shipping within the contiguous states is free, please add $8 for international shipping)
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A signed copy of the CD and a signed page from the original sketches I made while composing Raga Jaunpuri. Plus thank you postcard.
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The complete sheet music for Raga Jaunpuri, and a CD of my fantastic pianist, Yana Reznik. Plus all of above.
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Your name in the liner notes of our CD, and a gift from my friends at Hint Mint, the original Designer Breath Mint: you will receive 5 tins in the flavors of your choice (mints limited to first 20 contributors). Plus all of above.
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A live 90-minute recital in Los Angeles or New York, and...I'll cook you dinner! My Mom's recipe for the *best* lamb curry you've ever tasted. Plus all of above.
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Connected as Robert Vijay Gupta (969 friends)
Robert Vijay Gupta is an Indian-American violinist and musical activist. At 24, Gupta is currently the youngest member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and directs the Street Symphony, a non-profit organization bringing free outreach concerts and music workshops to homeless, incarcerated and mentally ill on skid row in downtown Los Angeles. Gupta has performed as a soloist and recitalist around the world since the age of 8, and studied at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music. He holds a Master's Degree from Yale and a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Marist College. Robert Gupta is a TED Senior Fellow.
*Really* enjoyed the tabla + violin together. Beautiful behind the scenes shots. Looks like an incredibly fun session.
I have yet to hear you play and not have tears in my eyes at some point. I loved this - it made me want to dance among the angels.
Absolutely gorgeous!!!! So glad I waited til the end of the day to listen....will have most marvelous dreams for sure and a treat on which to end the day!!! Really just stunning!! Congratulations! And THANK YOU!!!