“Corruption scandals sully the LPO and the Salzburg Festival,” reads the headline to Charlotte Higgins’ latest article for The Guardian (UK). More than a few impressarios and managers must be starting to ask questions about the ease with which musical festivals and organizations are being looted.
Category Archives: Classical Music News
Fabio Luisi abruptly resigns from Sächsische Staatsoper (and Staatskapelle Dresden)
Daniel Wakin has the details at nytimes.com, including details of a broadcast deal that was made behind Luisi’s back involving his successor, Christian Thielemenn.
Continue reading Fabio Luisi abruptly resigns from Sächsische Staatsoper (and Staatskapelle Dresden)
Carnegie Hall 2010-11 Season: Something for nearly everyone
The New York Times has the details. I’m pleased to see a series dedicated to Japanese music but am not exactly looking forward to wildly inconsistent maestro Valery Gergiev conducting Mahler – unless, of course, he starts following the clear and explicit annotations the composer includes in his scores.
Reality TV for Opera (and Music Industry) Lovers?
Now this looks interesting: an insider look at a regional opera festival may be coming to a television near you.
One Model for Local Music Presentation
Go read Phillip Lutz’s Sunday New York Times article on the goings on in New London, Connecticut.
Papa Pierre
Half a century ago, classical musicians – including then-fireband of the avant garde Pierre Boulez – would have immediately associated that nickname with one of the greatest maestros of all time, Pierre Monteux. The Sunday New York Times profiles Boulez, now one of classical music’s most respected mentors and esenior statesmen.
Music headlines: Good news, bad news
Gramophone and The New York Times report that Russian-born American pianist Kirill Gerstein has won the quadrenially-granted $300,000 Gilmore Artist Award. I’ve been mightily impressed by his debut CD recording for OehmsClassics, and hopefully this award will bring the name of this mightily worthy pianist to a broader audience.
The Boston Globe and AP are reporting that conductor Seizi Ozawa has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer — the same disease that claimed ny dad’s life — and has cancelled all of his scheduled appearances for the next six months to undergo treatment. Esophageal cancer is tough and persistent, but judging from the news reports it was caught early, a factor that is likely to greatly improve Maestro Ozawa’s prognosis.
Happy Holidays and the Rest Is Nuts…
How can I not steer you to a blog post at Classical Iconoclast that touches on Christmas greetings from the late Karlheinz Stockhausen and takes a controversial swipe at Alex Ross’s much-praised The Rest Is Noise?
Learn Guitar in Cyberspace
Jack DeSalvo, one of the most versatile guitarists on the eastern seaboard, is offering private guitar lessons via Skype. Details at his Web site. Full disclosure: yes, he’s a client of mine.
Scandal at the LPO
The London Evening Standard reports on a scandal in the LPO’s head office: its finance boss allegedly siphoned off over half a million pounds. Ouch. (Hat tip: Jessica Duchen)
UPDATE: Jessica Duchen has a few things to say about the scandal.