We just got word from director Michael Lawrence that Bach & Friends will premier on Sebastian Bach’s 325th Birthday, Sunday, May 16 in Symphony Space’s Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. The screening will be open to the public, so be there for the screening at 7:30pm followed by a screening of the full performances from the film.

In addition to the outstanding reviews we linked to before, additional reviews from The Washington Post and The Huffington Post have been posted. Michael Lawrence is compiling a full list of reviews and comments on the film.

Greg Victor over at Parcbench.com says it well in his 4/4 stars review: “And so I wish Bach a Happy 325th Birthday by singing the praises of Michael Lawrence for bringing us as close to the music as he can, without entering the instruments themselves. His camera glides along the cellist or violinist, mirroring the bow on the strings. The subtle, yet important, momentary choices made by a pianist’s fingers on the keyboard are seen from mere inches away. Making Bach’s music is clearly as much of a mystical experience as listening to it.”

You can purchase your own copy from Michael Lawrence’s website: mlfilms.com

Last month, Morton spoke to students at Booker T. Washington High School about Music Theory for the O’Donnell Foundation’s AP Arts Program. WRR’s weekly arts program Art Matters was there with their microphones.

Play the video above to hear an excerpt from the radio show, and see some pictures of Morton from that evening.

Link – WRR’s Art Matters

Bach and Friends is a documentary project The David Nathan Meyerson Foundation helped support. The film was recently released on DVD and the initial reviews are outstanding.

Jan Herman wrote a review for the Huffington Post. He said: “Bach on the organ? Of course. On the piano? Certainly. On the cello? Naturally. On the violin? Sure. But Bach on the banjo? The ukelele? The mandolin? How about the glass harp? Or the clarinet, the guitar, and the double bass. And let’s not forget a cappella. You hear them all — brilliantly filmed and recorded — courtesy of BACH & friends, a gorgeous two-hour documentary by Michael R. Lawrence.”

In the Baltimore Sun, Tim Smith writes “…Lawrence has achieved so much in his film. By vibrantly exploring and celebrating Bach’s hold on today’s musicians, “Bach & Friends” makes it clear why the composer will continue to exert just as strong a hold for generations to come.”

Link – Huffington Post
Link – Baltimore Sun

Morton sent a link to this video from Following the Ninth. The documentary is coming out this fall.

Link – Following the Ninth

The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas has posted video from the O’Donnell AP Teachers of the Year presentation earlier this month.

Morton is very proud of the teachers and said being there reminded him of how great teachers can be and what an impact they can have.

Link – Tamest.org

The winner of the O’Donnell Texas AP Teacher Award was annnounced today in San Antonio. Congratulations to Christopher Jon Bruhn for winning the $30,000 prize.

Link – Dallas AP teacher wins $30,000 award!

Morton was quoted in Sunday’s Dallas Morning News, in a story titled Dallas-area movers and shakers share the thoughts that guide them. Here is an excerpt:

Morton Meyerson, entrepreneur

Link – Dallas-area movers and shakers share the thoughts that guide them.

Morton sends us this quick review of Up in the Air:

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (0)