Kalmen Opperman, 1919-2010
Now that’s some pretty lousy news to wake up to if you’re a clarinetist, active or recovering (as in my case). Read Charles Strum’s NY Times obituary of one of the great American musical pedagogues — including reminiscences from Richard Stoltzman.
Floating Xenakis
I refer specifically to Persephassa, lighter than the water of Central Park Lake. Tony Tommasini has the details at the NY Times.
Rahm Emanuel on the way out?
[UPDATED 6/21/10] Ha’aretz, via the Telegraph, is reporting that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel will leave at the end of President Obama’s second year in office. Unconfirmed but definitely of interest — especially the detail about Emanuel finding Obama too “idealist” — although Raw Story‘s Stephen Webster has questions about the story’s sourcing and bias.
Maureen Forrester, 1930-2010
Not two minutes after Sybille Werner forwarded news of the magnificent Maureen Forrester’s passing as reported in the Globe and Mail, Tony Tommasini’s NY Times obit went live. Continue reading Maureen Forrester, 1930-2010
Ernest Fleischmann, 1924-2010
Fleischmann was a giant among arts managers. Mark Swed’s appreciation in the LA Times is here, the NY Times obit is here, BR-online’s obit (in German, naturlich) is here, and you should also check out arts blogger Adolfo Guzman-Lopez on Neville Marriner and Fleischmann.
Philadelphia Orchestra names Yannick Nézet-Séguin music director
The story just got posted to the NY Times Web site, one half hour after the Inky broke the news online. The appointment comes as no surprise to many insiders in the music biz.
Report: Chris Roberts OUT at Universal Classics and Jazz (DG/Decca)
The kids are alright — okay, they’re stupendous!
Just over a month ago, amidst a wave of upheaval that had disrupted (and continues to wreak small waves of havoc with) my life and work, I received a package containing a couple of CDs and a cover letter.
Continue reading The kids are alright — okay, they’re stupendous!
Is the Justice Department about to trust-bust Apple and their online music dominance?
It sure looks like it. And it’s no surprise it “took so long,” as some would complain: the previous administration’s Justice Department seemed to be big business’s BFF, and AG Eric Holder has made it pretty clear that he’s no Alberto Gonzales. Continue reading Is the Justice Department about to trust-bust Apple and their online music dominance?