Monday 20 April 2009

Kicking Up Dust

Kicking Up Dust from Metropolis Ensemble on Vimeo.
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Performance of MJWB's Kicking Up Dust, performed on January 28, 2009 at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. Featuring Paul Clifford on freedom boot and the Metropolis Ensemble led by conductor Andrew Cyr. Video by Gareth Paul Cox and Kyrié Cox; sound by Ryan Streber.

Pics from Tetro recording in Buenos Aires




Osvaldo Golijov
, MJWB, Walter Murch

Photos copyright Mihai Malaimare

Sunday 19 April 2009

Elsie, the Elevator Lady


I recently had the privilege of performing with the Cleveland Orchestra, one of the finest orchestras in the world. The performances were at Severance Hall, the orchestra's home in Cleveland.

When I first arrived at the concert hall I was shown to my dressing room. I was sure someone had made a mistake, as they put me in George Szell's private music library, which houses all of his personal scores and books, as well as his piano, his last baton, and dozens of incredible photographs.

The entire Severance Hall building is a marvel. I was particularly fascinated with the elevator.

Photos: Rehearsing with Alisa Weilerstein in Reinberger Chamber Hall.



photos copyright Osvaldo Golijov

Wednesday 11 March 2009

Fraudulent Gurus - Saku Rado

Fraudulent Gurus - Saku Rado from MJWB on Vimeo.


The ritual of Saku Rado is a blessing to all the peoples of Earth. The Fraudulent Gurus perform Saku Rado once every ten years in serene celebration of joyous being through infinite sustain.

Thursday 19 February 2009

La Pasión Según San Marcos Rehearsal


Excerpts from the La Pasión Según San Marcos rehearsal at the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on January 3, 2009.

Tuesday 17 February 2009

This Way to the Art


A magical trip to the site of Flower laboratories where Jay Flower, Osvaldo Golijov, and MJWB work on cues for the new Francis Ford Coppola movie, Tetro.

Music composed and performed by Jay and MJWB.

Flower on Theremin

Ward-Bergeman on Golijov's uncle's old, beat up accordion from Argentina. (Taken out of storage for this exclusive peformance)

Wednesday 11 February 2009

Photos from Tenerife and La Gomera

Canary Islands: Tenerife and La Gomera
I am posting this blog from Tenerife on my last night here in the Canary Islands. I came to participate in two performances of Osvaldo Golijov's La Pasión Según San Marcos. I spent a couple days after the performances traveling around the islands with some friends from the company. I also started taking still pictures with my Canon HV20 digital camcorder for the first time. I was quite pleased with the results.

The islands are stunning.

A couple other choice pictures:


Me and my trusty Canon HV20. Photo: Dan Brantigan


Trying to get that wooden ass to move while Jessica Rivera prays for a miracle. Photo: Lennie Peterson