James Meyers Archives - Cleveland Classical

Photo Tribute to James Meyers

January 28, 2010 by ccadmin

James Meyers, well-known and cherished member of Cleveland’s community of classical freelance musicians, died unexpectedly on January 23. This album of photos has been put together by his friends and colleagues. Written reminiscences are here; blog visitors are welcome to add their thoughts.

: Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra

: Jim Meyers, cello

: Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra, Jim Meyers, cello

: Chagrin Valley Studio Orchestra, Jim Meyers, cello

: Jim Meyers, Bonnie Maky, Susan DeCamp, Sarah Adams at Joe Quittner’s studio

: Meyers conducting Symphony West and Duo Anime at Baldwin-Wallace

: Jim Meyers at Carol Ruzicka’s house-warming party

: Heidi Albert, Jim Meyers and Mary Beth Ions

: Jim Meyers, 1968

: Jim Meyers, 1969

: Trinity Chamber Orchestra, October 1988

: Jim Meyers and Kent Collier

James Meyers, freelance cellist, conductor & recording engineer (updated 2/3/2010)

January 25, 2010 by Special to ClevelandClassical.com

by Daniel Hathaway & Mike Telin

One of the best-known and most cherished members of Cleveland’s community of classical freelance musicians died suddenly on Saturday evening. James Meyers, 62, was recording a concert at Kent State University, where he served as director of recording services, when he suddenly collapsed and could not be revived.

We knew Jim as a longtime member of Trinity Chamber Orchestra and Trinity Chamber Players who also recorded many of our concerts and conducted on a number of occasions. In the last year, he also become a correspondent for ClevelandClassical.com, writing concert and CD reports for the web site.

But Jim, who studied at Oberlin, Kent State and CSU and spent three years teaching at Haverford College in Bryn Mawr, PA, played in and conducted every conceivable instrumental ensemble in Cleveland’s freelance world.

Among his most recent projects was old time radio drama, and he participated in the development of ‘Radio Boy’ at Geauga Lyric Theater and elsewhere. [Read more…]

Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday concerts return with plenty of festive cheer (Dec. 11)

by Stephanie Manning

This article was originally published on Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If the twinkling lights, leafy green garlands and festive poinsettias didn’t already clue you in, the holidays have arrived at Severance Music Center. ‘Tis the season for annual traditions — including The Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday concerts, which began on Wednesday evening.

Running through December 22, the programs feature plenty of seasonal classics plus some potential new favorites. The first performance proved that this mix is a delightful recipe for festive cheer.

“Look at you all, out on a school night!” conductor Sarah Hicks proclaimed joyfully from the podium. Just as many concertgoers donned red outfits to get into the spirit, Mandel Concert Hall was also decked out with decorations and stage lighting effects.

[Read on…]

Oberlin Conservatory convincingly tells Omar’s story (Dec. 8)

by Stephanie Manning

The Cleveland premiere of Rhiannon Giddens’ and Michael Abels’ Pultizer Prize-winning opera Omar on December 8 at the Maltz Performing Arts Center proved that concert productions of opera can succeed without sets, elaborate costumes and extensive staging. Indeed, the Oberlin Conservatory presentation offered more than enough to keep the audience in the crowded house enthralled.

The Opera, which was also presented at Oberlin’s Finney Chapel two days earlier, is based on the 1831 autobiography of Muslim scholar Omar ibn Said, the only such work written by an enslaved person during their enslavement, and the only such document written in Arabic.

Rhiannon Giddens’ brilliant libretto chronicles the life of ibn Said, beginning in present-day Senegal and following him through his capture, journey via the Middle Passage, and enslavement in North and South Carolina. [Read on…]

Kirill Gerstein is captivating on piano as Cleveland Orchestra recital series continues (Dec. 4)

by Daniel Hathaway

This article was originally published on Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — There’s no dearth of first-class piano performances to enjoy in Northeast Ohio, but Kirill Gerstein’s contribution to the collective wealth Wednesday night was extraordinary both in concept and execution.

Playing as part of the Cleveland Orchestra’s ongoing recital series at Severance Music Center, Gerstein wove an overarching narrative from the 21 little masked ball portraits in Robert Schumann’s “Carnaval.” Then he helped composer Francisco Coll blow up the idea of the waltz in two striking, brand new pieces written for Gerstein and joined Maurice Ravel in redefining that most civilized of dances in a cataclysmic performance of “La valse.”

[Read on…]

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