What’s new? Opera in Video

Opera in Video is a new online subscription resource available from Alexander Street Press. It provides streaming access to the video of 39 operas.  It may be browsed by perfomer, role, ensemble, genre (form), time period & venue.   Opera in Video enables users to create customized playlists.

Opera in Video be accessed from any Case/CIM networked computer (or using the VPN Client) at http://opiv.alexanderstreet.com. Currently, the subscription permits 3 simultaneous users.

In Memoriam: Donald Erb

Donald Erb, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, died on August 12, 2008.  This photograph of the composer was taken in his office at the Cleveland Institute of Music in the 1960s or 1970s.

Margaret Brouwer, composer (and former head of CIM’s composition department) shares her remembrances at the New Music Box.  An obituary by Richard M. Peery published in the Plain Dealer may be read here.

The Robinson Music Library’s collection includes many scores & recordings of Donald Erb’s compositions.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his family.

How do you expect to play the oboe if you can’t peel a mushroom?

Andria Brennan,  an oboist, CIM alumnae & library media assistant,  highly recommends this  recent addition to the Robinson Music Library’s collection.

Storch, Laila.  Marcel Tabuteau: How Do You Expect to Play the Oboe If You Can’t Peel a Mushroom? Bloomington : Indiana University Press, c2008.  CIM Stacks ML 419.T116 St74m & CDc 12,842.

“This book is a page turning biography of Marcel Tabuteau as well as personal memoirs of Laila Storch. It contains important American classical music history as well as delightful stories recounted by many of Tabuteau’s well know students. The book begins as any other biography with a childhood history and then melds its way into a personal narrative of Storch’s lessons at the Curtis Institute of Music. Becoming close with the Tabuteau family while in school, Storch is able to keep relating history well after her years of study at Curtis.

A former student of Tabuteau, John Minsker, accurately describes the book’s importance for all musicians, saying of his teacher, “Marcel Tabuteau [was] one of the finest musicians and greatest teachers of his era and whose unique perspective profoundly influenced classical music for generations to follow.” Many musicians may not realize the scope of his teaching and how it has shaped music in America. This book is a must read for all musicians whether violinist, pianist or oboist.”